उत्तररामचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी व्याख्या)

220 TRANSLATION OF [III 25— Vasanti —Great king' I ask if the prince Lakshmana is well. Rama —(to himself) Ha! She calls me "great king", a loveless mode of address, and with accents faltering from weeping asks after the health of Lakshmana only, therefore I believe she knows the Sita affair. (Aloud) Ah! the prince Lakshmana is well Vasanti —(weeping) My lord, why are you extremely cruel? Sita —Friend Vasanti! Why dost thou speak to him in this way? My noble lord deserves kind words from every one, specially from my dear friend. Vasanti —(Verse 26) 'Thou art my life, thou art my second heart, thou art the moonlight of my eyes, thou art ambrosia to my body" With these and hundreds of such sugared words having flattered that artless one—that very one thou—but enough, what need of more talk in this matter? (she then swoons). Tamasa —It is but natural that she should thus break off in her speech and faint. Rama —Compose thyself, friend, compose thyself. Vasanti —(coming to herself) Why then was this unworthy act done by your Majesty? Sita —Friend Vasanti! cease! cease. Rama —Because people would not tolerate it. Vasanti —For what reason? Rama —They themselves know some reason (which is incomprehensible to me). Vasanti —(Verse 27) Oh, hard hearted one, fame they say, is dear to thee, but can any infamy be more dread- ful than this? What became of the fawn-eyed one in the forest? Tell me, lord, what dost thou suppose? Sita —Rather art thou Vāsanti cruel and hard hearted who thus tormentest my noble lord who is already afflicted. Tamasa —Nay, it is love and grief that speak thus. Rama —Friend, what else could I think? (Verse 28) Surely, her creeperlike body resembling a soft and tender lotus, as if it were composed of moonlight, was torn to pieces by wild beasts, when she moved slowly on account of the