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

67] Act IV, Kausalyā and Janaka — Translation [—iv. 21⁸ Chamberlain—I think the youth must certainly be a Kshatriya student. Janaka—Assuredly: for, he carries Upon his back, one on each side (abhitas), a pair of quivers, the heron-feathered [arrows] of which kiss his crest; his chest, bearing [yet] the ample marks of the holy ashes, is clad in the hide of a ruru-deer; a girdle of the mūrvā-grass holds together his madder-dyed lower garment; in his hand he has a rosary of rudrākshas and a bow, as well as another staff made of pippala. 20 Exalted Arundhatī, what do you surmise? Whence is he? Arundhatī—It is only to-day that we have come. Janaka—Worthy Gṛishṭi, I have an intense curiosity; do you therefore go right to the exalted Vālmīki and inquire. Unto this child, likewise, say, ‘Here are some old people desirous of seeing thee.’ Chamberlain—As you command. Exit. Kausalyā—What do you think? Thus addressed, will he come? Arundhatī—Can proper conduct be lacking in one whose form is so graceful? Kausalyā—Lo! Having respectfully listened to Gṛishṭi’s speech hasn’t he dismissed the ascetic youths and isn’t the dear lad in fact approaching hither? Janaka, observing him long and attentively—Ah, how extraordinary all this! This his perfect nobleness [of mien], charming in its modest and youthful simplicity—[this perfection] which only the connoisseurs can comprehend but which passes the wits of the vulgar—it forcibly carries away my mind although [naturally] proof against such transports (sammoha), as would a tiny piece of magnet a mass of iron. 21 Lava, entering—Ignorant as I am of their names and order of precedence and lineage, and so not knowing what propriety demands, how am I going to salute these people, worthy of a salutation though they undoubtedly are? Reflecting. This, however, the ancients have declared to be an unobjectionable mode [of address]. Approaching them with modesty. This is Lava, bowing his head unto you all in due succession. Arundhatī and Janaka—Mayest thou live long, O blessed one! Kausalyā—Long life, my darling! Arundhatī—Come, dear! Taking Lava in her lap, aside. O bliss! Not only my lap but my life’s desire also has been filled! Kausalyā—Come to me also, a while, my darling! Taking him in her lap.