TEN YEARS PASS

Thus Seeta argued in soft and affectionate words while they were going from Sage Suteekshna's aashrama towards some other aashrama in the Dandaka forest.

"Bear with me, my ford," she said, "for seeming to counsel you. I speak but as a weak woman out of my infinite love for you. You know what dharma is. But, men, it is said, are driven by desire into three kinds of sin: falsehood, lust and violence. Falsehood is unthinkable in one who for truth's sake has renounced a kingdom and is here in the forest. And as for lust do I not know that you will not allow even the thought of another woman to enter your mind.

But I am afraid of the third kind of sin. Should we kill one who does not attack us? Whether it is a raakshasa or anyone else, why should we kill anyone who leaves us alone? You were in a hurry, I feel, to give your word to the rishis. To destroy the wicked is no doubt the duty of a kshatriya but can that duty still cling to you when you have renounced the privileges that go with it, and elected the life of a recluse in the forest?

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