उत्तररामचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी व्याख्या)

—III 5] UTTARARĀMACHARITA. 213 Murala —This is she, (Verse 5) resembling a charming sprout cut off from its stem. Long and terrible grief wither- ing the flower of her heart wastes her very pale and emaciated frame, as heat produced in autumn the innermost petal of the Ketakı. (They walk about and exeunt) Pure Vishkambha (Behind the scenes) A great mishap, a great mishap! (Then enter Sita occupied in gathering flowers, listening with an expression of pathos and longing expectation) Sita —Ha! I think it is my dear friend Vasanti that speaks. (Again behind the scenes) (Verse 6) That young elephant, which the queen Sita long ago nourished with tips of Sallakı leaves gathered with her own hands, as it stood be- fore her eager (for food) Sita —What of him? (Again behind the scenes) Sporting with his mate in the water, that very elephant has been attacked and engaged by another mighty elephant leader through pride (for his strength) Sita —(In confusion going forward a few steps) My lord! protect, protect that son of mine. (Gesticulating recollection, with dejection) Alas! Alas! Unfortunate that I am, the same words to which I had been familiar for a long time per- sistently follow me (stand foremost on my lips) at the sight of Panchavati. Alas, my lord (so faints) Tamasa (entering) —My child! take comfort! take comfort! (Behind the scenes) O Sovereign of balloon, stop here. Sita —(Having recovered her consciousness, with joy and fear) Ha! whence comes this reverberating utterance which is strong and deep like the heavy roaring of a cloud filled with water, which all of a sudden restores even a wretched person like myself yearning with longing, the cavities of my ears being filled with its sound? Tamasa —(with tears of affection) O child! (Verse 7) Why art thou in such a state on account of an indistinct sound of uncertain origin, like a pea-hen startled and excited at the sound of a raincloud?