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Hearne the words of that worthy, Rama conversant with modesty, humbly addressed Dagaratha, saying,—“What O king, have |, that am renouncing everything and am going to dwell in the forest subsisting on what the forest yields, to do with a following? Of what avail is a person’s attachment for the tether of a goodly elephant, when the elephant itself is renounced by him? Thus it is with me, O foremost of righteous ones. What shall I do with the army, O lord of men? I will confer everything on Bharata. Let them bring me a vesture of bark, and foc me who will go to the forest and reside there for fourteen years, bring a hoe and a basket.” Thereupon Kaikeyi herself brought a bark dress and that shameless one said unto Raghava in the presence of all,—“Do you weac this.” On this, that foremost of men taking those two pieces of bark from Kaikeyi, left his fine attire and put on the ascetic garb. And Lakshmana also, renouncing his choice raiment, put on the dress of an anchoret before his father. Then Sita clad ia silk apparel, eying the ascetic covering meant for her, became agitated, like a doe at sight of a noose. And afflicted with shame, that one graced with auspicious marks, Janaki, sorrowfully took from Kaikeyi the Kuga and bark; and with tears flooding her eyes, that one cognizant of virtue and having her gaze 38

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ever fixed upon it, thus addressed her lord resembling th> king of the Gandharbas,—''How do the ascetics dwelling ia the woods put on their dress?” Saying this, Sita, ill at cast became embrassed. And _ putting on one piece on he: neck and holding the other in her hand, the daughter o: Janaka, feeling uneasy, stood overpowered with shame Thereupon that best of righteous persons, Rama, peedily coming up to her, fastened the monastic garb over Sita’s_ silk | attire. Beholding Rama fastening that goodly garb on Sita the females of the inner apartment began toshed tears. And waxing exceedingly aggrieved, they spoke unto Rama flaming in effulgence :—"Child, do not take this virtuous one to the forest. So ‘ong as you will reside in the forest in accordance with the wishes of your father, we shall behold her; and by this means let our lives attain their object, O lord. O son taking Lakshmana for your help, go you to the forest. This auspicious one does not deserve to live in the woods like an ascetic. O son,grant our prayer. Let the fair Sita remain. Ever steady in virtue, youdo not yourself intend to stay here.” Hearing these words, Dagaratha’s son tied the dress on Sita having a similar character with himself. When she had put on the upper and under garments, the preceptor of the king, ‘Vasistha, his voice choked with the vapour of sorrow, dissuading Sita, said unto Kaikeyi,—'O thou whose desires outrun thy sense of honor, O thou of perverted understanding, O befouler of thy line, deceiving the monarch, thou stayest not within the pale of the promise. O thou bereft of good behavior, that noble lady, Sita, should not go to the forest Sita will occupy Rama’s seat. Of all those that marry, the wife is the other) soul. Sit& will govern the earth, as she is Rama's self. But if Vaidehi goes to the forest with Rama, we will follow him, and the inhabitants of the city will also repair thither. And the warders of the inner apartment, and the people of the kingdom and the city taking with them their pecessaties and servants will accompany Raghava and his ~,

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wife. And Bharata and Satrughna wearing ascetic clothes and ranging the forest will live like their elder brother resident in the woods. Then alone thou of vile ways and intent upon harming the people wilt: govern this empty earth deserted by the inhabitants, along with the trees. That can never be a kingdom where Rama is not the monarch, and that forest where Rama will reside will flourish into a monarchy. Bharata never wishes to govern a kingdom that has not been conferred upon him by his father; nor, if he has really been begotten by the monarch, wilt he any further act by you as a son. Even if you leaving the earth fly unto the air, that one cognizant of thé character of his ancestry, will never act otherwise. Fherefore although intent on advancing your son, you have really brought about his injury. There exists not a person in the world that is not partial to Rama. O Kaikeyi, do you to-day behold beasts and snakes and birds journeying in the wake of Rama, and even the trees stand with their heads turned tow:rds him. Do you, O noble tady, removing tlre ascetic guise, confer elegant ornaments on your daughter-in-law, for such a dress suits not this one.” Saying this Vasistha prevented Kaikeyi. ‘O daughter of king Kekaya, you have asked foe the abode of Rama in the woods; and decked out in ornaments let Sitd daily engaged in adorning herself, reside in the forest with Raghava. And [et the daughter of the king go to the forest, surrounded by excellent cars and: servants, and taking with her attires and other necessary things. When you demanded the (fulfilment of the) promise, you had not your eye on Sita.” When that foremost of Biahmanas, that preceptor of the king possessed of unparialeed potency, had said this, Sit&, desirous of serving her beloved lord, did not turn away from the ascetic dress (presented by Kaikeyi.)