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

ii. 6¹—] Bhavabhūti — Uttara-Rāma-Charita [34 Vāsantī, with apprehension, to herself—How! 'only the name of thee now remains behind,' she says! Aloud. What calamity then, noble lady, has befallen the Queen Sītā? Ātreyī—Not a mere calamity but a calumny to boot! In her ear [whispers] so and so. Vāsantī—Alas! A cruel stroke of destiny! Faints. Ātreyī—Compose yourself, gentle lady, compose yourself. Vāsantī—Alas, my loving friend [Sītā]! Thou Fortune's favourite! That such should be the lot of thy life!! Rāma, dear! Dear Rāma!—Or rather I have had quite too much of thee. But, I say, honoured Ātreyī, after Lakshmaṇa's departure from that forest where he had left her, what became of Queen Sītā? Is there any tidings as to that? Ātreyī—No, not the least. Vāsantī—Woe and alas! And when Arundhatī and Vasishṭha were guardians to the scions of the Raghu-race—[even] in the [very] life-time of the aged Queen-mothers—how was this suffered to happen? Ātreyī—In Ṛishyaśṛiṅga's hermitage the elders were then living. Now [however] that twelve-year [long] session [of the sacrifice] has come to an end; and Ṛishyaśṛiṅga, after paying them the [customary] honours, has bidden the elders (guru) farewell. Then spake the exalted Arundhatī,— 'I will not return to Ayodhyā if our daughter-in-law [Sītā] is not there'; to this too Rāma's Queen-mothers assented; and in compliance with that the exalted Vasishṭha uttered his holy word to the effect that they should [all] repair unto Vālmīki's penance-grove and there abide. Vāsantī—And the King¹—what is he doing now? Ātreyī—The King has now undertaken a horse-sacrifice. Vāsantī—Oh, fie! Has he even married [again]? Ātreyī—No, Heaven forfend, no! Vāsantī—Who then is there to participate in the religious offices² connected with the sacrifice? Ātreyī—A golden image of Sītā. Vāsantī—Ha!—Really? Than even an adamant, harder; softer than even a flower: the minds of those that tower above the common sort—who is there that can [ever] fathom [them]? 7 Ātreyī—And the sacrificial horse has been let loose consecrated by [sage] Vāmadeva;³ and for [the horse] have been assigned, agreeably to the Shastras (Scriptures) the [proper number of] guards, and at the head of ¹ She would not call him 'Rāma dear' now. monies. ² The wife took part in all religious cere- ³ Who officiated in the absence of Vasishṭha.