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

71] Act IV, Kausalyā and Janaka — Translation [—iv. 27²
and he drops lumps of dung, big as a mango. But why so much
talk? He's on the move and will soon be far. Come, come, let us
follow. 26
They approach him and pull him by his hands and his garment.
Lava, with mingled feelings of curiosity, constraint, and respect—Behold,
noble ones! Here am I being dragged [off from your presence] by these
boys! Moves about hastily.
Arundhatī and Janaka—Thou mayest satisfy thy curiosity, child!
Kausalyā—Exalted [Arundhatī], I seem as if robbed [of something], now
that he is out of sight. Let us then move from here and see the long-lived
one, where he is going.
Arundhatī—That nimble child, with his very swift pace, has already shot
far ahead: how is it possible to see him now?
Chamberlain, entering—The exalted Vālmīki replies, ‘This matter, in good
time, you will come to know.’
Janaka—It must then be something very mysterious! Exalted Arundhatī,
friend Kausalyā, worthy Gṛishṭi, come, let us go in person and see the
exalted son of Varuṇa [Vālmīki].
Exeunt older people.
Boys—Let the Prince now look upon this wonder.
Lava—Yes, I see it—understand it too. He is evidently a sacrificial
horse.
Boys—How dost thou know?
Lava—Why, fools! Have you not also studied that section? Don't you
know, ‘There are cuirassiers, mace-bearers, and bow-men, numbering a
hundred of each sort, to form the escort’? And this force here appears to
answer the description. If you don't believe me—just ask.
Boys—Ho, Sirs! Tell us: Why [in the world] is this horse turned loose
and [yet] guarded?
Lava, enviously, to himself—A horse-sacrifice is, for the world-conquering
Kshatriyas, the great and glorious touchstone of their pre-eminence, cal-
culated to abash all [opposing] warriors.
[Voice,] behind the curtain—
This horse here—he is as the banner or as the proclamation of the
valour [of Rāma,] of that one supreme hero of the seven worlds,
the foe unto the race of that ten-necked [Rāvaṇa]. 27
Lava, as if in wounded [pride]—Oh, how they inflame my wrath—these
words!
Boys—There is no use talking—the Prince does know.