Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 114

Meaning

Having greeted the foremost of all archers, Śrī Rāma, whose eyes resembled the petals of a lotus, that highly intelligent monkey, Hanumān, submitted to him as follows: (1)

Meaning

“You ought to see that godlike princess of Mithilā, who is sore stricken with grief, for whose sake this course of actions was undertaken, which has now borne fruit. (2)

Meaning

“Having heard of your consummate victory, that princess of Mithilā, who is overwhelmed with grief, her eyes bedimmed with tears, longs to see you. (3)

Meaning

“By her, who was full of trust in me because of the confidence which had been inspired by me on a former occasion, I was spoken to in these words, ‘I desire to see my husband’, and her eyes grew wild with emotion.” (4)

Meaning

Appealed to as aforesaid by Hanumān, Śrī Rāma, the foremost of those who uphold the cause of virtue, became a bit thoughtful all of a sudden, and got bathed in tears. (5)

Meaning

Drawing a deep audible breath, and casting his eyes on the ground, he spoke as follows to Vibhīṣaṇa, who closely resembled a cloud in hue, standing near:(6)

Meaning

“Bring here Sītā, a princess of the Videha territory, after she has bathed her head, has been anointed with heavenly cosmetics and adorned with celestial jewels, Let there be no delay.” (7)

Meaning

Hurriedly penetrating deep into the gynaeceum, when commanded thus by Śrī Rāma, Vibhīṣaṇa for his part communicated his presence to Sītā in the Aśoka grove through his own women. (8)

Meaning

Forthwith beholding the blessed Sītā, the glorious Vibhīṣaṇa, the ruler of ogres, meekly submitted as follows to her with palms joined over his head: (9)

Meaning

“Having taken your bath, nay anointed with heavenly cosmetics and adorned with celestial jewels, pray, mount the palanquin. May prosperity attend you. Your husband desires to see you, O princess of the Videha territory!” (10)

Meaning

Requested in these words, Sītā, a princess of the Videha territory, for her part replied to Vibhīṣaṇa as follows: “Without having bathed, O king of ogres, I wish to see my husband immediately.” (11)

Meaning

Hearing her aforesaid answer, Vibhīṣaṇa submitted in reply: “You ought, to do the bidding of your husband, Śrī Rāma, precisely as he has enjoined you to do.” (12)

Meaning

Hearing the aforesaid submission of Vibhīṣaṇa, the virtuous Sītā (a princess of Mithilā), who looked upon her spouse as a god and was adorned by devotion to her husband, said in reply, “Amen!” (13)

Meaning

Prevailing upon Sītā to ascend a brilliant palanquin covered with an exceedingly valuable cloth and guarded by numerous ogres, after she had laved her head, and had put on very costly robes and had been adorned with exceedingly valuable jewels and decorated, Vibhīṣaṇa then brought her to the presence of Śrī Rāma. (14-15)

Meaning

Approaching Śrī Rāma (the high-souled prince), and even after coming to know that he was still absorbed in thought, nay, bent low and full of great joy, he announced to him that Sītā had arrived. (16)

Meaning

Hearing that Sītā, who had lived long in the abode of an ogre, had arrived, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu), the destroyer of enemies, was filled with indignation and joy and felt miserable too. (17)

Meaning

Feeling distressed on considering with deep thought the question of Sītā having come all the way in a palanquin, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) then spoke to Vibhīṣaṇa as follows: (18)

Meaning

“Let Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory) duly seek my presence soon, O suzerain lord of ogres, O gentle one, ever intent on scoring a victory for me!” (19)

Meaning

Hearing the foregoing command of the aforesaid scion of Raghu, Vibhīṣaṇa, who knew what is right, speedily began to disperse the crowd (of monkeys, who had gathered out of curiosity to have a look at Sītā). Ogres clad in jackets and wearing turbans, their hands carrying staffs, which made a jingling sound, paced all round dispersing the aforesaid warriors. (20-21)

Meaning

While being driven away collectively from the vicinity of the palanquin, the hordes of bears, monkeys and ogres moved to a distance. (22)

Meaning

A tremendous uproar, resembling the roar of sea, which was being lashed by a storm, arose even as the aforesaid warriors were being driven away. (23)

Meaning

Seeing them being dispersed on all sides and, therefore, excited, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) stopped those who were dispersing them, out of kindness (for those who were being dispersed) and resentment at the behaviour of the ogres who were dispersing them. (24)

Meaning

Nay, consuming the ogres with his glances, as it were, Śrī Rāma addressed in indignation the following reproachful words to the highly intelligent Vibhīṣaṇa: (25)

Meaning

“Why, disregarding me, are these people being harassed by you? Pray, stop this annoyance. They are my own people. (26)

Meaning

“Neither apartments nor costumes nor a protective wall nor again royal honours constitute a veil for a woman. Her character alone is her shield. (27)

Meaning

“The appearance of a woman in public is not condemned in times of adversity, in straits, in conflicts, during the selection of a husband (by a princess or daughter of a Kṣatriya at a public assembly of suitors), at a sacrificial performance or at the nuptial ceremony. (28)

Meaning

“The yonder Sītā is in distress and beset with difficulty. Hence there is no objection to her appearing in public, particularly in my presence. (29)

Meaning

“Therefore, leaving the palanquin, let Sītā seek my presence on foot alone. Let these monkeys (lit., denizens of the forest) have a look at the princess of the Videha kingdom.” (30)

Meaning

Becoming thoughtful when commanded as aforesaid by Śrī Rāma, Vibhīṣaṇa reverently conducted Sītā to the former’s presence. (31)

Meaning

Lakṣmaṇa and Sugrīva as well as the monkey chief, Hanumān, thereupon felt greatly distressed to hear the order of Śrī Rāma. (32)

Meaning

From his stern gestures, which were lacking in regard for his consort, they concluded Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) to be displeased with Sītā. (33)

Meaning

Shrinking into her limbs out of modesty, and followed by Vibhīṣaṇa, the said princess of Mithilā, for her part, approached her husband. (34)

Meaning

Sītā, who looked upon her spouse as a god, of still more gracious aspect regarded the agreeable countenance of her husband with a mixed feeling of astonishment, excessive delight and affection. (35)

Meaning

Gazing on the face of her darling, which had not been seen by her for long and which was lovely like the full moon just risen, she forthwith actually dispelled the fatigue of her mind and her face shone at that time as the cloudless full moon. (36)