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Prakrit Verscs in Sanskrit Works on Poetics 1396. (Sītā says to Trijaļā:) “ Forgive my shameless death, vile because of lack
of love, since I endured separation from Rāma and accepted widowhood with a cruel heart." With these words, she burst into tears.
1397. She (i.e., Sīta) didn't wish tɔ lament any more; she didn't beat her breasts
(lit. body) any more, like an enemy; she didn't shed tears but restrained their flow. She had made up her mind to die.
1398. Her (i.e., Sītā’s) sad eyes, their pupils very much dilated, fixed in a still
stare on the severed head of Rāma, could see it clearly in spite of the tears (lit. were washed but not hindered by her tears).
1399. Immediately after that Trijatā raised Sīta's face with her hands, and
comforted her with sweet words as she lay completely exhausted with lamentation, and her eyes fixed a vacant stare devoid of all feeling.
1400. “Don't weep, wipe your tears away (or off): On your dear husband's
(Rāma's) lap will you weep again, recalling the pangs of separation and with your face leaning on his shoulder you will embrace him.
1401. Soon you will see Rāma (lit. the son of Dasaratha), happy to have his bow
unstrung, serene and free from anger though his face might be worn
(avarugna) and pale on account of separation from you. 1402. Soon Rāma will loosen your hair softened by his moist (because of
perspiration) hands, and the curls (lit. uneven parts) ruffled and raised by his quivering fingers.
1403. If Rāma was dead, how could Rāvana's palace garden be thus deprived
(or shorn) of its beauty with the branches of the trees broken by the wind and the day-lotuses closed by the rays of the moon? (In other words, the fact that the wind and the moon dare mar the beauty of Rāvana's garden establishes that Rāma is still alive and kicking.)
1404. A single Vānara (Hanūmat) reduced the entire city of the demons (i.e.,
Lankā) to such a sorry state (or plight ) that the loud lament reached through all the rows of its houses. How could Rāma's death come about when the
