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

Bhavabhūti — Uttara-Rāma-Charita [14 that one of them was her mother, the Earth, she embraces her and swoons away (vii. 3¹³). On recovering, the Earth-goddess reproaches Rāma bitterly for his conduct (vii. 4ᵃ, ᵇ, 5), while Bhāgīrathī (the Ganges) tries to defend him (vii. 6). Sītā requests her mother to receive her into her womb (vii. 7²), but the Earth-goddess reminds Sītā of her duty by her two sons. A noise behind the curtain (vii. 8³). This is caused by the appearance of the jṛimbhaka missiles, who¹ have come, in accordance with Rāma's wishes (cp. i. 15²), to wait upon Sītā's offspring (vii. 10). The missiles are asked to depart, with an injunction that they should attend the twins whenever called upon (vii. 11). Sītā is at a loss to know (vii. 12²) how her sons were to be reared and educated. Bhāgīrathī proposes to give them over into the charge of Vālmīki (vii. 13¹ ᶠ.). Sītā once more prays the Earth-goddess to receive her into her womb (vii. 15³), but is asked to wait till the boys are weaned (vii. 15⁷). Exeunt all the characters of the play within the play. Rāma,² who all along was watching the play and experiencing alternating impulses of grief and joy, is quite overcome at its conclusion and goes into a swoon (vii. 15¹²). Lakshmaṇa calls upon Vālmīki for succour. A voice behind the curtain orders (vii. 15¹⁴) the removal of the stage-apparatus. It is not a drama but a reality that is happening now; for, from the heaving waters of the Ganges arise the forms of Bhāgīrathī, the Earth-goddess, and Sītā (vii. 16). The two Goddesses hand over the virtuous Sītā into the charge of Arundhatī, who now enters leading Sītā (vii. 18). Sītā touches Rāma, who revives, and is overjoyed to meet his lost Queen. The Goddess Bhāgīrathī reminds Rāma (vii. 18⁶) of his prayer to her (i. 23¹), which she heard and has granted. The Earth-goddess also reminds Rāma (vii. 18⁹) of his parting adjuration (i. 50³) to her, which she has faithfully followed. Arundhatī now admonishes the assembled people for their past conduct (vii. 18¹² ᶠᶠ.), and they salute Sītā in token of acceptance. Rāma also readily accepts his wife (vii. 19³). Exit Arundhatī (vii. 19⁹). Enters Vālmīki who now presents Kuśa and Lava as the sons of Rāma and Sītā (vii. 19¹³). To fill the cup of joy, Śatrughna, who had been sent (cp. i. 50¹) against the demon Lavaṇa, returns victorious (vii. 19²⁹). Vālmīki now asks Rāma if he desires anything else (vii. 19³²). The customary benediction (vii. 20) brings the drama to a happy close.

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¹ Conceived as persons with human speech.    ² At this point the first scene of the play   They, however, speak from behind the      proper is resumed.   curtain.