उत्तररामचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी व्याख्या)

-II 5] UTTARARÂMACHARITA; 205
Âtreyî — Hence it was I said that there was a great
hindrance to study
Goddess — This is right.
Âtreyî — I have rested, friend, now tell me the way to
the hermitage of Agastya.
Goddess — Leaving this place enter Panchavati, and go
along this bank of the Godavari.
Âtreyî — (with tears) Can this be the penance grove ?
Can this be Panchavati ? Is this river the Godavari ? Is
this mountain Prasravana ? Art thou Vasanti the goddess
of the woods that dwells in Janasthana ?
Goddess — All that is as you say
Âtreyî — Alas ! child Janaki. (Verse 6) Here is the
collection of trees, dear to you, coming up in course of con-
versation, which, being seen, makes you as it were stand before
our eyes, though you exist only in name.
Vasanti — (Shuddering, to herself) What ! existing in
name she said ! (Aloud) Worthy lady what misfortune hath
befallen the queen Sita ?
Âtreyî — Not misfortune only, but with scandal,
(whispers in her ear) thus, thus
Vasanti — Alas ! what a terrible stroke of fate. (so
saying swoons)
Âtreyî — Good Lady ! take comfort ! take comfort !
Vasanti — Oh dear friend ! Alas ! noble lady ! Is such the
lot of thy birth ? Oh friend Rama ! or enough of you ! Noble
Âtreyî, have you any news as to what became of queen Sita
after Lakshmana abandoned her and returned from the forest ?
Âtreyî — None, none
Vasanti — Oh misery ! How could this have happened
when the family was presided over by Arundhati and Vasishtha
and when the old queens were still alive ?
Âtreyî — The elderly persons were then at the her-
mitage of Rshyasrnga. The sacrificial session extending over
twelve years is now completed and Rshyasrnga having
honoured the elders has dismissed them. Then the revered
Arundhati said that she would not go to Ayodhya destitute as
it was then of her daughter in law. To this the mothers of
Rama gave consent. And the revered Vasishtha, in approval
of the same, spoke out the pure words that they would go to
the hermitage of Valmiki and stay there.