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The Eighth Chapter of the Sixty-Fourth Book
265
Seeing his family, even the sun, or the day, the king, full of anxiety, asked, "Where is my beloved Sita?" || 240 ||
"We have not seen either the god or the goddess," replied the family. "The goddess was like a shadow to you, so you must know where she went." || 241 ||
Hearing these words, Rama was overcome by a swoon, like Sita's co-wife, momentarily bewildering his mind. || 242 ||
Then, like Sita's friend, the cooling treatment quickly separated the king from the swoon, and he awoke, saying, "Where is Sita?" || 243 ||
All the family searched everywhere, looking for her, and found a piece of her upper garment torn and caught in a bush. They brought it to Rama and said, "This is the goddess's upper garment, how did it get here?" || 244 ||
Knowing the truth, Rama's mind was filled with sorrow, and he sat there, full of anxiety, with his younger brother. || 246 ||
At that moment, a messenger, overwhelmed with anxiety, arrived from King Dasharatha. He bowed his head and spoke to Rama, saying, "My lord, King Dasharatha had a dream. He saw Rahu carrying off Rohini to another sky, and the moon, alone, wandering in the forest, grieving for her. After the dream, the king asked the priest, 'What is the meaning of this dream?' The priest replied, 'Today, the deceitful Ravana has carried off Sita, and your lord Rama is wandering in the forest, searching for her, filled with sorrow.' This news must be sent to you quickly, through the mouth of the messenger. This is what the priest told the king, and I have come here according to his orders." Saying this, the messenger placed a box containing a letter before Rama. Rama picked it up, placing it on his head, and opened it, reading the letter aloud. || 247-252 ||
It said, "From this prosperous city of Ayodhya, the lord of the prosperous, King Dasharatha, with his arms outstretched in love, embraces his beloved sons and inquires after their well-being. He commands that you proceed from here towards the south...
1. Ath Ka, Kha, Ga.