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SITA'S PURIFICATION AND TAKING OF THE VOW 325
Ten thousand men, carrying axes and pickaxes, cut the trees, et cetera from their road and made the ground level. They advanced gradually, obscuring all the directions with the armies, and encamped near Ayodhyă, eager to fight, long-armed. Hearing that a large hostile army had come in front (of the city) outside, the two Råghavas were astonished and amused. Saumitri asked: “Who are these enemies who, eager to die, have come like moths to the fire of the elder brother's power?" With these words, Saumitri, surrounded by Sugriva and others, the sun to the darkness of enemies, went with Råma to battle.
Now Bhāmaņdala heard from Närada that Sita was in Puņdarīkapura and hastened to go there. Sitā told him with tears, "Rama abandoned me, brother. Unable to bear my desertion, your nephews have gone to fight.” Bhamandala said: "Rāma had you abandoned because of impetuosity; but he must not do the second thing: slaughter of his sons. So that Rāghava will not unknowingly kill his sons, get up. We are going there without any delay." With these words Bhåmandala put Jänaki in his aerial car and went to the camp of Lavana and Ankuśa. Princes Lavana and Ankuśa bowed to Sītā and also to Bhāmaņdala introduced by Sită, "This is your uncle.”
After he had kissed them on the head, seated them on his lap, his body horripilated from joy, he said, stammering: “In the past my sister was the wife of a hero. Now by good fortune she, spotless as the moon, has become the mother of heroes through you. Even if you are the sons of a hero and heroes yourselves, O honor-givers, nevertheless do not make war on your father and uncle. Not even Rävana was a match for them in battle. How can you undertake a battle with them because of the violent itching of your arms ?"
They replied: "Uncle, enough of this timidity from affection. Your sister, our mother here, made such a
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