Seeta grew furious in her agony of fear and doubt. She beat her breast with both
hands and shouted in uncontrollable fury: "Son of Sumitra! Have you too turned foe?
Have you been an imposter all these years? Have you been with us waiting only for Raama to
die? Pretending to be his friend, were you hoping all the time for his death to secure me
thereafter? Why else do you stand here, wicked wretch, and refuse to go to his rescue when
he cries for help? Traitor! Imposter!"
These cruel words pierced Lakshmana's heart
like poisoned arrows. He closed his ears with his hands. He spoke gently to Seeta,
who was in tears of wrath: "Vaidehi, Raama can encounter and vanquish any foe in the
world. There is no need to fear, O more than mother! Calm yourself. None in the universe
is strong enough to touch our Raama or do him harm. What you have uttered is unworthy of
you, my mother. Do not fear or grieve. You win surely see Raama return with the body of
the stag you wanted. |
