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

97] Act VII, Reunion — Translation [—vii. 8cd] Bhāgīrathī—Exalted [Earth], thou Giver of all blessings! Thou art of this living world its very body [and soul]. Wherefore then, as if not cognizant [of facts], art thou wroth at [Rāma,] thy son-in-law? A dread infamy was gaining ground among the people; and as to that clearing [of Sītā] by the [ordeal of] fire, it took place in the [distant] Island of Laṅkā [Ceylon]: how possibly could the people of this place give credence to it? And it has always been the precious heritage (dhana) of Ikshvāku's race to keep the entire people content. In this trying extremity, therefore, what [else] could my dear [Rāma] have done? 6 Lakshmaṇa—Divinities indeed possess an unerring intuitive vision in regard to [the thoughts and motives of] all beings. Bhāgīrathī—Nevertheless, here am I folding my hands in supplication [and craving thy grace and pardon for Rāma]. Rāma—Holy mother [Bhāgīrathī], continual has been thy favour towards [us] the descendants of Bhagīratha. Pṛithivī—I am always favourably disposed towards you; but it was the vehemence of my affection, [terrific] sudden and hard to withstand, [that prompted those words of mine]. I am indeed not unaware of dear Rāma's love to Sītā: Constrained through Fate to abandon dear [Sītā], he [Rāma], with that [keen torment] consuming his mind, has been kept alive only by his own supernatural firmness (sattva), and by the [pre-eminent] merits of his subjects. 7 Rāma—Indeed they have been full of tenderness for [me] their child— these my gurus [Pṛithivī and Bhāgīrathī]. Sītā, weeping, with folded hands—Let my mother [Earth] receive me in her bosom for eternal rest. Rāma—What else could she ask? Bhāgīrathī—God forbid! Mayest thou for thousands of years continue in [the bloom of] thy life! Pṛithivī—Child, these thy dear sons need to be looked after. Sītā—What have I to do with these, now that I am without my Lord? Rāma—Thou art of adamant, my heart! Bhāgīrathī—How—thy Lord¹ still alive—canst thou be without a Lord? Sītā—Luckless as I am, what does my Lord's being alive signify for me? The two Goddesses—Being, as thou art, the source of all blessings to the world, wherefore dost thou thus misprize thyself? Even we ourselves, in thy company, feel an augmentation of our purity. 8 ¹ The word for 'lord' or husband means also protector. 13 [H.O.S. 21]