Sita Replies
Maruthi who has face that of Coral and was dazzling, got down from the Tree and with great Humility went near Sita , held his hands together above his head and did Prostrate in front of Sita.Seeing her pitiable plight he too was moved and with sweet words said “ Hey Lady with Lotus petals like Eyes I you are the noblest in all aspects I Wearing a torn Silken garment and holding a the Tree and standing does not belie you Great Lady I Who are you? Like the water drops sprinkles from the Lotus Leaf why is the tears from your eyes pouring due to anguish? Your Eyes which should be welling with Happiness,for which Lineage’s decimation are they shedding tears ? Who are you amongst Deva, Asura, Gandharva,Rakshasa,Yaksha,Kinnara entrouges? When seen, you look like Deva (Celestial) Lady. Who are you amongst the clans of Celestials Rudras, Maruts, Vasus etc ? The best amongst Stars, adorned with all the Noblest Virtues Rohini has separated from Moon in Heaven and fallen in the ground and have you come here? Sakala Mangalam (all Blessings and Auspicious happenings) reside in You. Who are you? Are You Arundhathi who due to Anger or ignorance instigated Your Husband Sage Vasishta into anger and come here from Heaven? Are you suffering because of the grief caused due to your Children, those born with you, husband have gone to another world ?Since you are shedding Tears and breathing heavily and and your Feet on the ground you are certainly not Deva(Celestial) Lady . You have the features of Royalty in you. From the Features of your body and the Lines in your hands I infer you are a Queen or Princess. Or if you are the Sita who was brought from Jhansthana may all the auspicious belssings be showered on you. I would like to know your Real original status.Please do tell me. Your Beauty and the Anguish you are undergoing is not seen in Humans. You are wearing the dress of Thapasvis(Saintly mendicants) who live in Forest. So I think with certainity that your Rama’s wife” spoke Hanuman.
Janaki on hearing this and was happy to hear the words mentioning about Rama looking at the Anjhaneya under the Tree said “ In the Earth 1st amongst the Great Kings, Leader, Great warrior, one who knows the reality of Atma(Soul) Emperor Dasratha’s daughter in Law is myself.Iam the daughter of the Geat Soul and King of Videha Janaka. Iam the intelligent Rama’s wife. My name is Sita. I remained for 12 years in Rama’s house and enjoyed all the comofrts, Luxuries enjoyened, expereicnes by all that is possible for Humans and fulfilled all my desires and enjoyed.on the 13th year Sage Vasishta and Emperor Dasaratha decided to coronated Rama as the crowning prince.While the arrangements were on to perform same, the dearest wife of Dasarataha named Kayikeyie as ked her husband “ If you do coronate Rama I will not drink or eat Food. Certainly I will forsake my Life. You out of love gave me 2 Boons, in case your desirous of fulfilling same please send Rama to Froest”.
Dasratha does not falter on Sathaym(Truth); Kaiekeyi who had spelt out words whch were not palatable to him thinking got the boons he had granted her earlier was confused in mind.He is very old; one who upholds Sathyam ( Truth) and Dharma; so he cried unabashedly and addressed his famous eldest son ‘Rama I By our Kula(Clan) Culture , Capability, , because of my pledge the Kingdom which is justifiably yours, I beg same from you’.While for ordinary pople in such situations suffering happens and lessening of Respect happens For Rama it is an occasion for increased Motivation and Happiness Rama decided fulfilling Father’s pledge is of Greater importance than Ruling the Kingdom, said “ I will obey your commands”. Rama’s fast was “ When asked we should give without any imediemnts in thought action and deed , the Materials needed for Living , once given we should not ask them to return We should not utter words which are not palatable to our Mother & Father”. Said Rama to me later. Isn’t he Man of immense Valour? Hence he removed all the costly garments and expensive Ornaments , gave away the Kingdom with his Mind,he ordered me to stay with Kaushalya Devi;Is there a Limit to his Fame? But will I ever Live without him even in Heaven? Hence I made arrangements to leave for Forest even before him and was ready for the journey. He is great Fortunate one and one who gives immnse Bliss to his friends and the son of the Noble Sumihtra Lakshmana wante to follow Rama and and thus get blessed quickly dorned himself with Maravuri (Dresses made of wooden Barks/Leaves) and Deer skin.
He took the stoppage of his coronation as his greatest benefit “ I will render in all times with all types service unto your goodself ‘ thus Laskhmana pledged,when the Greatest amongst Human took the Avatar of human for gaurding Yaga, Laskhmana got the good fortune which none other obtained. ‘You have been born to serve Rama in Forest my son’ said Sumithra to him. Other friends were Happy’ even though we did not get such an opportunity at Least Lakshmana was Fortunate enough to be blessed and thus opined.
We as per Emperor’s order left from there and having decided to spend 14 Years in Forest entred the ominous looking Forest. Till then we had never seen that. When we were Living there Ravana without knowing Rama’s unemasurable thejhas (Aura of Power and Patience)with despicable intellect abducted me ie Rama’s wife . He had given a deadline of which 2 months only are remaining Theeafter I will die.” Said Sita. (Slokas 31)
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