Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 302

BRINGING NEWS OF SĪTĀ
267
disorder on her cheeks, with the ground made into a pool from the repeated streams of tears, her lotus-face dark like a lotus nipped by frost, her body extremely thin like a digit of a new moon, the blossom of her lip suffering from the heat of passionate sighs, motionless like a yogini, meditating "Rāma! Rāma !” her clothing soiled, indifferent to her body.
Hanumat thought: “Indeed, Sītā is a very virtuous wife. People are purified by the mere sight of her. Rāma is justly crushed by separation from her ; Rāma who has such a pure wife, beautiful and virtuous. This wretched Rāvaņa will perish twice over because of the great majesty of Raghüdvaha and his own great evil. Then making himself invisible by magic, Hanumat threw the ring into Sitā's lap and she rejoiced at seeing it. Just then Trijatā reported to Daśakaạtha: “Jānaki has been depressed for so long, but today she is cheerful.” “I think she has forgotten Rāma and is now willing to stay with me. Go and remind her," he said to Mandodari. Then Mandodarī went again as go-between for her husband and spoke to Sītā respectfully in order to seduce her:
"Daśānana excels in unique strength and good looks. You are unequaled also in beauty and grace. If a suitable union was not arranged for you two by an ignorant fate, nevertheless, let it take place now. Having approached him who deserves to be loved, love him loving (you), Jānaki. Let his other wives and me execute your commands, fairbrowed lady."
Sītā said: "Wicked woman, acting as go-between for your husband, who can bear to look on your face or your husband's, evil-faced woman! Consider me at Rāma's side and that Saumitri has come here to kill quickly your husband and his brothers as he did Khara and others. Get up! Get up! wicked woman. I will not talk with you in future.” Thus reviled by Sītā, she went away, angry.
Then Hanumat became visible, bowed to Sītā with joined hands, and said: “By good fortune Rāma and