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CHAPTER EIGHT forest filled with wild animals, sole abode of death, you will survive only by your own ability."
Hearing that, Sitā fell from the chariot to the ground in a faint and the general wept, considering himself wicked, with the idea that she was dead. Sītā recovered consciousness somehow from the forest-wind and again fainted and again regained consciousness. After a long time she recovered and said, “How far is it from here to Ayodhyā or where Rāma is?” The general said, “What is the use of asking how far Ayodhyā is ? Enough of talk about Rāma whose commands are cruel." Hearing this, she, devoted to Rāma, said again: "Sir, by all means tell Rāma this message of mine: 'If you were afraid of censure, why did you not make a trial? In a case of suspicion, the people, all of them, accept the ordeal, et cetera. I, unfortunate, shall suffer in the forest the consequences of my own acts; but you did not act in accordance with discrimination and the family. Do not abandon the religion taught by the Jinas because of the speech of wrong-believers as you abandoned me instantly because of the speech of mischievous people. With these words she fell to the ground in a faint. When she stood up, she said, "How will Rāma live without me? Alas! I am killed. Tell Rāma, 'Good luck' and give my blessing to Lakşmaņa. May your paths be fortunate, friend. Go to Rāghava."
“Though fate and husband are behaving in a contrary way, she alone who is of such a kind is first among virtuous wives.” Thus reflecting, Kștāntavadana bowed deeply and returned somehow without Sītā.
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