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## Chapter Seventy-Seven
203
How can I, a sinner, defile this lineage for the sake of mere affection? I would be making my life meaningless and impure. ||15||
Even a small amount of infamy, if ignored, grows. Even a small amount of fame is used by the gods. ||16||
What is the use of even the most magnificent and fleeting pleasures when the garden of fame is being burnt by the fire of infamy? ||17||
I know that Devi Sita is virtuous and pure of heart, but as long as she remains in our house, this slander cannot be dispelled by any weapon or scripture. ||18||
See, the sun, which brings joy to the lotus grove, sets at night. Who can stop it? ||19||
My radiance is being diminished by the dust of slander, which has spread far and wide. Let this not be left unchecked. ||20||
Brother, I am striving to ensure that our lineage, pure as the moon, does not become clouded by the dark lines of infamy. ||21||
Just as fire, devoid of water, grows in a pile of dry fuel, so too, let this infamy not grow in the world. ||22||
This lineage of mine is great, luminous, pure, and radiant. Take immediate action before it is stained. ||23||
I may abandon Vaidehi, who is innocent and virtuous, but I will not compromise my fame, which is the source of happiness for the world. ||24||
Then, Lakshmana, devoted to his brother's love, said, "O King, you should not grieve over Vaidehi." ||25||
Why are you abandoning Janaki, who is revered by all virtuous women and is blameless in every way, just because of the fear of public slander? ||26||
It is the nature of wicked people to speak ill of the virtuous. Their words do not diminish the true nature of the virtuous. ||27||
Even if someone with eyes poisoned by venom sees the moon as completely black, the moon does not lose its true whiteness. ||28||
The soul of a virtuous being attains self-realization. The true nature of things is not found in external appearances, but in the essence of truth. ||29||
The world is constantly adorned with beauty. ||14||