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## The Forty-Sixth Chapter
## 257
Then, knowing her to be in such a state, Mandodari, filled with compassion, said to her lord, "This is a small matter, my lord." ||70||
Then, somewhat swayed by the allure of sweet pleasures, she, the lotus-eyed Mandodari, went to the Devaranya garden. ||71||
Upon receiving her command, eighteen thousand of Ravana's wives, adorned with splendor, followed her. ||72||
Mandodari, whose mind was adorned with the knowledge of all political strategies, approached Sita and spoke to her in this manner: ||73||
"Oh, beautiful one, why are you grieving instead of rejoicing? The woman whose husband is Ravana is blessed in all three worlds." ||74||
"Why do you not desire Ravana as your husband, he who is the lord of all the Vidyadharas, who has defeated Indra, and who is the most beautiful in all three worlds?" ||75||
"Is your husband some poor, landless man, that you are so distressed for him? You should make yourself happy, being the best of all beings." ||76||
"There is no fault in a person who acts for their own benefit, for all actions are meant for happiness." ||77||
"If you do not accept my words, then may the consequences befall your enemies." ||78||
"Ravana is very powerful and free from enemies. He will be filled with anger and desire if his request is denied." ||79||
"Even if those two men named Rama and Lakshmana are dear to you, there is doubt about them too, if Ravana is angered." ||80||
"Therefore, quickly accept the lord of the Vidyadharas, Ravana. Obtain supreme wealth and enjoy the divine play of the gods." ||81||
Thus spoken to, Sita, whose voice was choked with tears and whose eyes were filled with water, said: ||82||
"Oh, lady, all these words of yours are completely against the dharma. How can such words come from the mouth of a virtuous woman?" ||83||
"This body of mine, you may cut, you may break, you may kill. But I will not even think of another man as my husband." ||84||
"For, after the house is reduced to ashes, digging a well is a useless effort." ||86||