महावीरचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - वीररस-प्रधान रामकथा नाटक सम्पूर्ण ७ अङ्क सटीक)

49] Act III, The Shadow — Translation [—iii. 22³
the father’s affection, in a child we [so to say] tie in a [common]
knot of joy [the several strands of] their inmost hearts. 18
Vāsantī—And this way, likewise, let Your Majesty turn his eye:
He, in the full intoxication [of his youth], has ended [with
a flourish] his mirthful dance, this peacock, whose smooth and
wavy feathers have [only] recently sprouted forth—here [he is
now] with his expansive plumage [sitting,] like a jewelled
coronet, on the top of this kadamba tree, [and] rejoicing in the
company of his mate. 19
Sītā, in curiosity and with tears—This is he!
Rāma—Rejoice, darling! [Ever] rejoice!
Sītā—So be it!
Rāma—At each of thy whirlings, [O peacock,] her eyes, rolling
around¹ within the lids, had their charm enhanced by the skilful
dancings of her tremulous eyebrows, as she, [my wife,] in the
fondness of her heart (mugdhayā) taught thee to dance, keeping
time by the clapping of her hands, delicate like a sprout—thus
it is [O peacock] that I think on thee, as on a son, with a mind
brimful of affection. 20
Why! Even animals² remember (anurudhyante) old friendships!—
That kadamba tree, displaying just a sprinkling (katipaya) of
flowers, which my dearest had once reared up;— 21 a, b
Sītā, observing, with tears—Rightly [indeed] has my noble Lord recognized
[the tree].
Rāma—[that kadamba,] this mountain-peacock remembers as [having
been [once] favourite to the Queen: hence it is that on ['it he is
feeling merry. 21 c, d
Vāsantī—Here, in the meantime, let Your Majesty take a seat:
This here, situated in the middle of the kadalī grove, [this] is that
same slab of stone which did duty as a bed for you and your
wife; and because, sitting here, Sītā would give frequent '[morsels
of] grass to the deer, therefore [those fondlings] refused [ever]
to leave her [alone]! 22
Rāma—This, I cannot [even] endure its sight [now].
Sits elsewhere, weeping.
Sītā—Friend Vāsantī! What hast thou achieved by showing this [place]
to my noble Lord and to myself? Alas, alas! Here [now] is my noble
Lord [ever] the same; here the same Pañchavaṭī grove; and here the
¹ To follow the circular movements of the ² Cp. Jātaka, No. 156, story of the grateful
dance. elephant. [C. R. L.]
7 [H.O.S. 21]