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84
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
अनुक्तोऽप्यत्रभवता भवत्या वचनादहम् ।
वने वत्स्यामि विजने वर्षाणीह चतुर्दश ॥
 
Even though not told by my father, I
will, at your bidding, live for fourteen
years in the forest deserted by men.
 
न नूनं मयि कैकेयि किञ्चिदाशंससे गुणम् ।
यद्राजानमवोचस्त्वं ममेश्वरतरा सती ॥
 
Verily, O Kaikeyi, you do not perceive
any virtue in me as you, having complete
command over me, spoke (your wish) to
the king.
 
यावन्मातरमा पृच्छे सीतां चानुनयाम्यहम् ।
ततोऽद्यैव गमिष्यामि दण्डकानां महद्वनम् ॥
 
As soon as I have taken leave of my
mother and consoled Sita, I shall journey
this very day to the great Dandaka forest.
 
भरतः पालयेद्राज्यं शुश्रूषेच पितुर्यथा ।
तथा भवत्या कर्तव्यं स हि धर्मः सनातनः ॥
 
You should take such steps that Bharata
would rule the kingdom and serve father
too. For this is the Eternal Duty."