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CHAPTER FOUR
on Lakşmaņa's elder brother, like one rejoicing in the supreme spirit meditating on the soul. Sītā, going to the forest, was observed with difficulty by the women of the town who described her with voices choked by sorrow: “Oh! Jänaki has become the chief example of young women whose husbands are their gods by her exceedingly affectionate devotion to her husband today. Unafraid of hardship, Sītā, excellent among good wives, purifies her two families by very good conduct, indeed.”
As soon as Laksmana heard that Rāma had gone to the forest, the flame of anger was lighted at once and he thought: “Our father is honest by nature; women are dishonest by nature. After keeping the boon for so long, why on the contrary does she ask for it? The king, being such as he is, gave the kingdom to Bharata. His debt has been paid and our fear of the father's debt has gone. Now shall I fearlessly take the kingdom from Bharata, basest of the family, and bestow it on Rāma to stop my own anger? Yet, Rāma, noble, will not take the kingdom abandoned like straw, and that would cause pain to the father. May there be no pain to the father; let Bharata be king. I shall follow Rāma like a footman.".
Thus reflecting, Saumitri bowed and took leave of the king, went to take leave of Sumitrā, bowed, and said: "Rāma is going to the forest and I am going to follow him. Lakşmaņa is not able to remain without the elder brother, like the shore without the ocean." Sumitrā took courage somehow or other and said: "Son, it is well you are my son since you follow your elder brother. After bowing to me, my son Rāmabhadra has been gone today for a long time and becomes at a distance from you. Do not hesitate, son." "That is well! That is well, mother! You are my mother," saying, Lakşmaņa bowed to her and went to bow to Aparājitā. Saumitri bowed to her and said, “My elder brother has gone alone for a long time. I have come to take leave of you, eager to follow my elder brother."
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