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Just then the spring set in. 14 Rama then requested his father that they should not neglect the capital Värānasi and the kingdom of Kast which they have inherited. 15 Dasaratha heeding his advice sent Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to Vārānasl. They then went to Varanasi were given a warm reception by the people who raised banners, flags, and arch-gates in their honour; they then entered, looked at wistfully by the city-women, the palace. While they were living at Vārāṇasī, Ravana was ruling over Lanka. The Happy Wedding of Sita
14.
SANDHI LXXI:
Then Närada who is fond of strife!" paid a visit to Rāvana. He sang of Ravana's incomparable prowess and glory and then incited him to carry off Sita of wondrous beauty (the wife of Räma) who only befitted him (Rāvaṇa). Rāvana first thought of slaying Rama and Lakṣmaṇa in the battle and then bringing Sitä by force to Lankā. Nārada explained to him how very difficult it was to conquer the two Kumāras of Dasaratha. Rāvana was sure of his prowess; Narada thought that there would definitely be a war between Rāma and Ravana and left Ravana's court. Ravana then sought the advice of his ministers. Marica brought to his notice the enormity of abducting a woman. Rāvana however had fallen madly in love with Sitä. He felt that his kingdom had absolutely no meaning so long as he could not get Sitá to dally with. Marica then put it to him to send Candraṇakhå as a go-between and get to know whether Sita could be persuaded to accept his love, 18 Rāvana thereupon sent her on that mission to Varanasi. There she saw Nandanavana
15.
The Rāmāyaṇa Version of Puspadanta
16.
17.
157
18.
Sità is thus described: She is, as it were the digit of the moon onthe second day (of the SuklaPakṣa); the graceful arrangement of words, as it were by a great poet, a key, as it were, to the knowledge of love, .... the perfection, as it were, of womanly beauty, the lasting fame, as it were, of the good.
The passionate description of Sita's charms must be read in the original in order to appreciate fully its excellence. We give here only a 'sample' and that too in translation: It is but proper that the eyes were long. How otherwise could they reach (penetrate) the hearts of people? Her breasts were full of liquid-love'-Ratirasa - How otherwise could they have satisfied the thirst for love ?..... (K. 10 and K. 11)
Kadavakas 14 and 15 give a picturesque and vivid description of Vasanta - the Spring. Then follows Rama's 'Raja-Sastropadesa' (which is essentially the same as in Uttara-Purana) to his father (Kaḍavakas 16-17).
He is described as 'Samadehu' and 'Kama-mehu', as it were, descended on earth.
He is called 'Sangama-piyarau'; he was of fair complexion and he wore crystal bracelets; and he therefore appeared as it were to be fame in concrete form. He is later on described as a vertical column of resplendent lightning as it were and to be as if a mass of foam of the waters of Celestial Ganga (Sandhi LXXIII, 10-4).
Kadavakas 6-10 describe the various characteristics of four types of ladies - Bhadrā, Mandā, Lata and Hams! - in accordance with Vätsyāyana' Kama-sutra.
