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184
 
O Daughter of Janaka, on hearing
these words, the protection, in full, of the
sages in the Dandaka forest, has been
promised by me.
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
संश्रुत्य च न शक्ष्यामि जीवमानः प्रतिश्रवम् ।
मुनीनामन्यथा कर्तुं सत्यमिष्टं हि मे सदा ॥
 
Having promised (this), I cannot, as
long as I live, nullify the promise made
to the ascetics. Truth is indeed what I
desire always.
 
अप्यहं जीवितं जयां त्वां वा सीते सलक्ष्मणाम् ।
न तु प्रतिज्ञां संश्रुत्य ब्राह्मणेभ्यो विशेषतः ॥
 
I would sooner abandon my life, Sita,
and even you as well as Lakshmana, than
abandon a promise made, especially to
Brahmins.
 
तदवश्यं मया कार्यम् ऋषीणां परिपालनम् ।
अनुक्तेनापि वैदेहि प्रतिज्ञाय तु किं पुनः ॥
 
Therefore, O Sita, the protection of the
sages should certainly be performed by
me even without being requested: what
then, after having promised it ?