Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c20.45.3

v2.c20.45.3

Sītā is to leave the litter, and come hither on foot." Lakshmaṇa and the monkeys are very disconcerted, and Sītā draws nigh to her husband, almost ready to hide away in her own limbs for shame, and gazing, full of admiration, joy, and love, into Rāma's face. But he says : " The insult is atoned for, I have shown my manhood, and fulfilled my promise, and am now once more my own lord : our undertaking was crowned with success." The eyes of the poor woman open wide, and fill with tears at these remarkable words of welcome. Seeing his heart's beloved thus standing before him, and with his heart in dissension ¹ through fear of what the people say, he goes on : " That which a man has to do to wash away an insult I have done in my yearning after honour, but not for thy sake. But the sight of thee is to me as little pleasing as is a light to one with sick eyes, since thou standest before me with the cast of suspicion as to thy good way of life. Therefore go—I give thee leave—wherever thou wilt. Here are the ten quarters of the heavens, my dear one ; I have nothing more to do with thee. For what man born in a good family and of any worth would take back a wife again out of friendly yearning, a wife that has dwelt in the house of another man ? Rāvaṇa's bosom has hurt and soiled thee, his eyes aflame with sin have gazed on thee ; how could I take thee back again, who can point to high descent ? Turn thy purpose to Lakshmaṇa or Bharata, Ṣatrughna, Sugrīva, or Vibhīṣaṇa, the Rākshasa,