Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 258

THE KIDNAPING OF SĪTĀ
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now, just as King Vajrakarna was formerly released from Sinhodara." Rāma said, "Continue wearing men's clothes and ruling your kingdom until we have gone and freed your father from the Mlecchas." The woman, wearing. men's clothes, said, "That is a great favor," and the minister Subuddhi, "Let Lakṣmaṇa be her husband." Raghava said, "At our father's command, we are going to a foreign country. When we have returned, Lakṣmaṇa will marry her." They agreed to this and Kakutstha stayed there for three days.
In the last part of the night while people slept, he departed with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa. When she did not see Janaki, Rāma, and Lakṣmaṇa at daybreak, she, downcast; went to her own city and ruled the kingdom as usual.
Story of the thief Kaka (101-122)
In time Rāma came to the Narmada and crossed it, and entered the Vindhya forest, though restrained by travelers. First, a crow, seated on a thorn tree to the right, cawed harshly; but another on a fig tree cawed softly. Nevertheless, Rāma felt neither depression nor joy. For it is the weak who consider a favorable or an unfavorable omen. As he went along, he saw an army of Mlecchas with raised weapons coming, consisting of innumerable elephants, chariots, and horses, which had set out to devastate the country. Its young general saw Sītā there and, afflicted by love, uncontrolled in conduct, he instructed his own Mlecchas emphatically:
"Look! Either drive away or destroy these two men travelers; seize this excellent woman and bring her along for me. So instructed, they ran with him toward Raghava, attacking with sharp weapons consisting of arrows and darts. Lakṣmaṇa said to Rāma: 'Remain here, elder brother, with your lady, until I drive away these Mlecchas like dogs." With these words, Lakṣmaṇa strung his bow and made it sound; and at its sound the Mlecchas trembled like elephants at a lion's roar. Reflecting, "The sound of the
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