उत्तररामचरितम् (महाकवि भवभूति - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी व्याख्या)

—IV. 1] UTTARARĀMACHARITA 220 Saudhātaki —Why then has he come here? Dānda —To see the revered Vālmīki, his old and inti- mate friend. Saudha —Has he had an interview with his relations to- day or not? Dānda —It was only just now that the revered Vasiṣṭha sent the venerable Arundhatī to Kausalyā to say 'thou must come in person and see the king of Videha. Saudha —Just as these old folks are met together, let us likewise meet the boys and celebrate by playing the festive occasion of a holiday. Where then is Janaka? (They walk about.) Dānda —Here is that aged royal sage Janaka, an ex- pounder of Brahma who having paid his respects to Vālmīki and Vasiṣṭha now takes up his seat at the root of the tree outside the hermitage who (Verse 2) indeed is tormented by grief for Sītā ever clinging to his heart, like an old tree with fire spreading within. (Exeunt both). End of mixed Vishkambhaka. [Then enters Janaka.] Janaka —(Verse 3) The grief produced by that great calamity, inflicted upon my child, which was sharp, heart- wounding and painful does not cease, but being poignant and continually felt, and as if ever fresh though of long stand- ing, still grinds through my vitals like a saw. What a hard fate! My wretched body, though its essential elements are dried up by old age, by overbearing grief and again by frequent penances as Parāka, Sāntapana and others, and thus deprived of its support, does not fall dead, and the Rishis think those sunless worlds called Andhatāmisra are allotted to those who slay themselves. The terrible agony of my grief, which is as it were fresh even after many years and the vividness of which is brought out by continual brooding, does not cease. Oh! dear Sītā, sprung from sacrificial ground, such is the lot of thy birth that has developed itself, that on account of shame I cannot even weep freely. Alas! my daughter! (Verse 4) I remember thy lotus-like face as a child, prone to capricious smiles and tears, in which glittered the points of some soft bud-like teeth, the sweet prattle of which was faltering and senseless. O revered Earth, you are very hard 20