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

49] Act III, The Shadow — Translation [—iii. 22³ the father’s affection, in a child we [so to say] tie in a [common] knot of joy [the several strands of] their inmost hearts. 18 Vāsantī—And this way, likewise, let Your Majesty turn his eye: He, in the full intoxication [of his youth], has ended [with a flourish] his mirthful dance, this peacock, whose smooth and wavy feathers have [only] recently sprouted forth—here [he is now] with his expansive plumage [sitting,] like a jewelled coronet, on the top of this kadamba tree, [and] rejoicing in the company of his mate. 19 Sītā, in curiosity and with tears—This is he! Rāma—Rejoice, darling! [Ever] rejoice! Sītā—So be it! Rāma—At each of thy whirlings, [O peacock,] her eyes, rolling around¹ within the lids, had their charm enhanced by the skilful dancings of her tremulous eyebrows, as she, [my wife,] in the fondness of her heart (mugdhayā) taught thee to dance, keeping time by the clapping of her hands, delicate like a sprout—thus it is [O peacock] that I think on thee, as on a son, with a mind brimful of affection. 20 Why! Even animals² remember (anurudhyante) old friendships!— That kadamba tree, displaying just a sprinkling (katipaya) of flowers, which my dearest had once reared up;— 21 a, b Sītā, observing, with tears—Rightly [indeed] has my noble Lord recognized [the tree]. Rāma—[that kadamba,] this mountain-peacock remembers as [having been [once] favourite to the Queen: hence it is that on ['it he is feeling merry. 21 c, d Vāsantī—Here, in the meantime, let Your Majesty take a seat: This here, situated in the middle of the kadalī grove, [this] is that same slab of stone which did duty as a bed for you and your wife; and because, sitting here, Sītā would give frequent '[morsels of] grass to the deer, therefore [those fondlings] refused [ever] to leave her [alone]! 22 Rāma—This, I cannot [even] endure its sight [now]. Sits elsewhere, weeping. Sītā—Friend Vāsantī! What hast thou achieved by showing this [place] to my noble Lord and to myself? Alas, alas! Here [now] is my noble Lord [ever] the same; here the same Pañchavaṭī grove; and here the ¹ To follow the circular movements of the ² Cp. Jātaka, No. 156, story of the grateful dance. elephant. [C. R. L.] 7 [H.O.S. 21]