उत्तररामचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी व्याख्या)

-II 5] UTTARARÂMACHARITA; 205 Âtreyî — Hence it was I said that there was a great hindrance to study Goddess — This is right. Âtreyî — I have rested, friend, now tell me the way to the hermitage of Agastya. Goddess — Leaving this place enter Panchavati, and go along this bank of the Godavari. Âtreyî — (with tears) Can this be the penance grove ? Can this be Panchavati ? Is this river the Godavari ? Is this mountain Prasravana ? Art thou Vasanti the goddess of the woods that dwells in Janasthana ? Goddess — All that is as you say Âtreyî — Alas ! child Janaki. (Verse 6) Here is the collection of trees, dear to you, coming up in course of con- versation, which, being seen, makes you as it were stand before our eyes, though you exist only in name. Vasanti — (Shuddering, to herself) What ! existing in name she said ! (Aloud) Worthy lady what misfortune hath befallen the queen Sita ? Âtreyî — Not misfortune only, but with scandal, (whispers in her ear) thus, thus Vasanti — Alas ! what a terrible stroke of fate. (so saying swoons) Âtreyî — Good Lady ! take comfort ! take comfort ! Vasanti — Oh dear friend ! Alas ! noble lady ! Is such the lot of thy birth ? Oh friend Rama ! or enough of you ! Noble Âtreyî, have you any news as to what became of queen Sita after Lakshmana abandoned her and returned from the forest ? Âtreyî — None, none Vasanti — Oh misery ! How could this have happened when the family was presided over by Arundhati and Vasishtha and when the old queens were still alive ? Âtreyî — The elderly persons were then at the her- mitage of Rshyasrnga. The sacrificial session extending over twelve years is now completed and Rshyasrnga having honoured the elders has dismissed them. Then the revered Arundhati said that she would not go to Ayodhya destitute as it was then of her daughter in law. To this the mothers of Rama gave consent. And the revered Vasishtha, in approval of the same, spoke out the pure words that they would go to the hermitage of Valmiki and stay there.