Uttara Kanda, Sarga 98

Meaning

As the night passed, the King, Śrī Rāma, the powerful one, going to the place of sacrifice, reckoned all the sages—Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, Jābāli and Kāśyapa, Viśvāmitra, Dīrghatamā, the great ascetic Durvāsā, also Pulastya and Śakti, Bhārgava, Vāmana, Markaṇḍeya the long-lived one, the famous Maudgalya, Garga, Cyavana, the religious Śatānanda, the splendrous Bharadvāja, the son of Agni, the lustrous one, Nārada, Parvata, the most famous Gautama all these sages and other ascetics of austere vows, filled with curiosity, came, and also the most powerful Rākṣasas and monkeys. (1—7)

Meaning

All Kṣatriyas and Śūdras, and thousands of Vaiśyas, noble ones, came out of curiosity. (8)

Meaning

Brāhmaṇas coming from all places, well-versed in vows came to witness the oath-taking of Sītā. (9)

Meaning

Then coming to know that all those who came were rendered motionless as stone, the great sage Vālmīki came soon after, accompanied by Sītā. (10)

Meaning

Sītā followed the sage, with face downcast and hands folded, inarticulate due to tears, keeping Śrī Rāma in the heart. (11)

Meaning

Seeing Sītā approaching after Vālmīki as the Śruti (Vedas) follows Brahmā (creator). There was great uproar of appreciation. (12)

Meaning

Then the sound of Halahalā (sighs of sorrow) arose among all those who were agitated by great sorrow arising out of suffering. (13)

Meaning

Some said: ‘Well done’ Śrī Rāma, while others said: ‘Well done’ Śrī Sītā. There all observers praised both of them, Śrī Rāma and Śrī Sītā. (14)

Meaning

Then in the midst of that assembly of men the great sage entering, accompanied by Sītā, spoke thus to the descendant of Raghu: (15)

Meaning

‘O son of Daśaratha, this pious Sītā of righteous conduct was left by you near my hermitage out of fear of censure by folks. (16)

Meaning

‘O Rāma, possessed of great vows, Sītā will give assurance of her good conduct before you as you are afraid of public censure, please permit her to do so. (17)

Meaning

‘These twin sons of Sītā are indeed your sons, difficult to conquer by foes, this is the truth, I tell you. (18)

Meaning

‘O descendant of Raghu, I am the tenth son of Pracetā (Varuṇa). I do not remember having spoken untruth. These twins are verily your sons. (19)

Meaning

‘I have practised penances for many thousand years—may I not obtain the fruits thereof, if Maithilī (Sītā) is wicked of conduct. (20)

Meaning

‘No sin has been committed by me in my earlier life through mind, speech or action; may I gain the fruit of this sinless conduct if Sītā is sinless. (21)

Meaning

‘Rāghava, through deep meditation I came to the conclusion that all ingredients like five gross elements and mind etc., subtle elements in Sītā are in their purest form. And it is only then that I took her from the bank of the river in the forest to my hermitage. (22)

Meaning

‘This sinless, pure of conduct, Sītā, looking upon her husband as the only god, shall give assurance to you, afraid as you are of censure by public. (23)

Meaning

‘Therefore, this one O! son of king Daśaratha, forsakan by you for fear of public censure, I have known her through divine vision to be of pure conduct and devoted to you even though you already knew that she was chaste.’ (24)