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

17] Act I, Picture-gallery — Translation [—i. 9ᵇ To solace the Queen, disconsolate on that account, from his judgement-seat the Lord of men [Rāma] is now entering the residential palace. 7 They both go out. END OF PROLOGUE. Enters Rāma seated, and Sītā. Rāma—Cheer up, cheer up, my Queen, Vaidehī! The elders (guru) certainly would not have been able to leave us, Except that the urgency of the [stated religious] observances restricts their liberty [to stay here]; for verily the life of house- holders who have set up their Sacred Fires is hampered with [such] restraints. 8 Sītā—I know it, my noble Lord, I know it; and yet separations from [dear] relatives do cause pain. Rāma—Yes, just so. These things of the world do indeed gnaw at the very vitals of the heart; and it is from disgust with these that men of wisdom give up all interests and find peace in a forest. Chamberlain, entering—Rāma dear—breaking off apprehensively—I mean, Your Majesty! Rāma, with a smile—Nay, Sir! In the mouth of an [old] attendant of my father’s, ‘Rāma dear’ is just the fitting mode of address for me. Address me then as you have been used to do. Chamberlain—From Ṛishyaśṛiṅga’s hermitage Ashṭāvakra has arrived. Sītā—Then, Sir, why delay? Rāma—At once let him in. Exit Chamberlain. Ashṭāvakra, entering—Blessings on you both! Rāma—Exalted Sir, my obeisance. Be seated here. Sītā—Salutations unto you. Are all my elders (guru) and the noble Śāntā doing well? Rāma—In performing Soma-sacrifice I hope my brother-in-law, the exalted ) Ṛishyaśṛiṅga, is meeting with no hindrances?—And the noble Śāntā too? Sītā—And does she [ever] think of us? Ashṭāvakra, seating himself—Yes, certainly. Queen, the revered Vasishṭha [your family-preceptor], sends you this word: The All-sustaining [Earth], the exalted one, gave birth unto thee.¹ A king, the equal of [God] Prajāpati,² Janaka is thy sire. ¹ Janaka came upon Sītā while he was a holy sacrifice. Sītā means ‘furrow’. ploughing and preparing the ground for ² I. e. Creator. 3 [H.O.S. 21]