Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

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

Page 350

THE ABANDONMENT OF SITĀ
315
festival with various town-sports, a festival with pūjās to the Arhat.
Just then Sītā's right eye twitched. Terrified, she told Rāghava at once. Rāma explained, “That is not favorable” and Sītā said, "Is not our fate satisfied yet by my living in Rakşodvipa? Will that fate give me now greater grief than the grief from separation from you? This omen is not false.” Rāma said to her: "Do not worry, queen. Necessarily happiness and unhappiness must be experienced in accordance with karma. Therefore, go to your house. Worship the gods. Give gifts to suitable persons. In misfortune religion is a refuge.” Sītā went to her house and with very great self-control made a pūjā to the Arhats and gave gifts like a glorious act.
Abandonment of Sītā (276-326) The headmen of the capital, who had the sole responsibility of reporting the true news of the city, went to Raghunatha. They were Vijaya, Súradeva, Madhumat, Pingala, Sūladhara, Kāśyapa, Kāla, and Kșema. After bowing, they stood before Rāma, trembling like the leaves of a tree, but they did not speak. For royal brilliance is hard to endure. Rāmabhadra said to them: “Gentlemen, elders of the town, do not be afraid to speak, you who say only what is beneficial.” The first among them, the elder Vijaya, spoke with the approval of all, confident from the lord's speech.
"Master, if something that must be reported is not reported, then the master would be deceived ; and the report is very painful to hear.
Majesty, there is slander against the queen. Though difficult, it is taking place. For whatever is justifiable from suitability, that must be believed by an intelligent man. For instance Janaki was taken all alone to his house by Rāvaņa, who had kidnaped her because he was infatuated, and she lived there a long time, lord. Sītā, whether in love or not in love, would surely be injured by