This page has not been fully proofread.

290
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
Among men, love is indeed crooked.
Towards the person on whom it is fixed
only compassion and affection arise. It is
because of this reason, O beautiful-faced
one, I do not kill you.
 
66
 
द्रौ मासौ रक्षितव्यौ मे योऽवधिस्ते मया कृतः ।
ततः शयनमारोह मम त्वं वरवर्णिनि ॥
 
Two months more have to be kept by
me, being the limit prescribed by me to
you. Then you must come to my bed, O
beautiful one.
 
ऊर्ध्वं द्वाभ्यां तु मासाभ्यां भर्तारं मा मनिच्छतीम् ।
मम त्वां प्रातराशार्थम् आरभन्ते महानसे ॥
 
If even after the expiry of two months
you do not desire me for your husband,
they will prepare you in the kitchen for
my morning meal. "
 
इत्युक्त्तवा मैथिलीं राजा रावणः शत्रुरावणः ।
प्रस्थितः स दशग्रीवः कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम् ॥
 
Saying thus to Sita, king Ravana of
ten heads, the vanquisher of foes, departed,
causing the earth to quake, as it were.