अहं गमिष्यामि वनं सुदुर्गमं मृगायुतं वानरवारणैश्च। वने निवत्स्यामि यथा पितुर्गृहे तवैव पादावुपगृह्य सम्मता
I will go to the forest, though it is exceedingly difficult, filled with deer, monkeys, and elephants; I will dwell there as in my father's house, holding your feet, with your approval.
अनन्यभावामनुरक्तचेतसं त्वया वियुक्तां मरणाय निश्चिताम्। नयस्व मां साधु कुरुष्व याचनां नातो मया ते गुरुता भविष्यति
With unwavering devotion and a heart attached to you, separated from you, I am resolved to die; take me, kindly grant my request, and by me your burden will not be increased.
तथा ब्रुवाणामपि धर्मवत्सलां न च स्म सीतां नृवरो निनीषति। उवाच चैनां बहु संनिवर्तने वने निवासस्य च दुःखितां प्रति
Though she spoke thus, full of righteousness, the foremost of men did not wish to take Sītā; he spoke many words to dissuade her, addressing her sorrow over dwelling in the forest.
thumb|अष्टाविंशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अयोध्याकाण्डे अष्टाविंशः सर्गः ॥२-
The twenty-eighth chapter is to be heard.
स एवं ब्रुवतीं सीतां धर्मज्ञां धर्मवत्सलः। न नेतुं कुरुते बुद्धिं वने दुःखानि चिन्तयन्
He, loving righteousness, seeing Sītā speak thus and knowing her virtue, did not resolve to take her, pondering the hardships of the forest.
सान्त्वयित्वा ततस्तां तु बाष्पदूषितलोचनाम्। निवर्तनार्थे धर्मात्मा वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह
Then, comforting her whose eyes were stained with tears, the righteous one spoke these words to persuade her to stay.
सीते महाकुलीनासि धर्मे च निरता सदा। इहाचरस्व धर्मं त्वं यथा मे मनसः सुखम्
Sītā, you are of noble lineage and always devoted to righteousness; remain here and practice virtue so that my mind may be at ease.
सीते यथा त्वां वक्ष्यामि तथा कार्यं त्वयाबले। वने दोषा हि बहवो वसतस्तान् निबोध मे
Sītā, you must do as I tell you, O gentle one; listen, for there are many dangers in the forest for those who dwell there.
सीते विमुच्यतामेषा वनवासकृता मतिः। बहुदोषं हि कान्तारं वनमित्यभिधीयते
Sītā, let go of this intention for forest dwelling; the wilderness is called so because it is full of dangers.
हितबुद्ध्या खलु वचो मयैतदभिधीयते। सदा सुखं न जानामि दुःखमेव सदा वनम्
I speak this out of concern and wise counsel; I never know happiness there, only sorrow always in the forest.
गिरिनिर्झरसम्भूता गिरिनिर्दरिवासिनाम्। सिंहानां निनदा दुःखाः श्रोतुं दुःखमतो वनम्
The roars of lions, born from mountain streams and living in mountain caves, are painful to hear; thus, the forest is distressing.
क्रीडमानाश्च विस्रब्धा मत्ताः शून्ये तथा मृगाः। दृष्ट्वा समभिवर्तन्ते सीते दुःखमतो वनम्
Wild animals, fearless and intoxicated, play in deserted places; seeing them, Sītā, the forest is therefore sorrowful.
सग्राहाः सरितश्चैव पङ्कवत्यस्तु दुस्तराः। मत्तैरपि गजैर्नित्यमतो दुःखतरं वनम्
The rivers, filled with crocodiles, are muddy and hard to cross; even for elephants, the forest is more difficult and full of suffering.
लताकण्टकसंकीर्णाः कृकवाकूपनादिताः। निरपाश्च सुदुःखाश्च मार्गा दुःखमतो वनम्
The paths are overgrown with thorny vines, echoing with the cries of peacocks, lacking water and exceedingly hard—thus, the forest is full of hardship.
सुप्यते पर्णशय्यासु स्वयंभग्नासु भूतले। रात्रिषु श्रमखिन्नेन तस्माद् दुःखमतो वनम्
One sleeps on beds of leaves, broken and scattered on the ground, weary from toil at night—therefore, the forest is even more painful.
अहोरात्रं च संतोषः कर्तव्यो नियतात्मना। फलैर्वृक्षावपतितैः सीते दुःखमतो वनम्
Day and night, one must be content, with self-restraint, living on fruits fallen from trees—thus, Sita, the forest is full of hardship.
उपवासश्च कर्तव्यो यथा प्राणेन मैथिलि। जटाभारश्च कर्तव्यो वल्कलाम्बरधारणम्
Fasting must be observed as long as life endures, O Maithili, and one must bear matted hair and wear garments of bark.
देवतानां पितॄणां च कर्तव्यं विधिपूर्वकम्। प्राप्तानामतिथीनां च नित्यशः प्रतिपूजनम्
Rites for the gods and ancestors must be performed according to rule, and arriving guests must always be honored.
कार्यस्त्रिरभिषेकश्च काले काले च नित्यशः। चरतां नियमेनैव तस्माद् दुःखतरं वनम्
A thrice-daily bath must be performed at the proper times, always with discipline by those dwelling there—thus, the forest is even more difficult.
उपहारश्च कर्तव्यः कुसुमैः स्वयमाहृतैः। आर्षेण विधिना वेद्यां सीते दुःखमतो वनम्
Offerings must be made with flowers gathered by oneself, according to the Vedic rite upon the altar—thus, Sita, the forest is full of hardship.
यथालब्धेन कर्तव्यः संतोषस्तेन मैथिलि। यताहारैर्वनचरैः सीते दुःखमतो वनम्
Contentment must be maintained with whatever is obtained, O Maithili, and with whatever food is found in the forest—thus, Sita, the forest is full of hardship.
अतीव वातस्तिमिरं बुभुक्षा चाति नित्यशः। भयानि च महान्त्यत्र ततो दुःखतरं वनम्
There is intense wind, darkness, and constant hunger; and great dangers here—therefore, the forest is even more painful.
सरीसृपाश्च बहवो बहुरूपाश्च भामिनि। चरन्ति पथि ते दर्पात् ततो दुःखतरं वनम्
Many serpents, of various forms, O beautiful one, roam the paths boldly—therefore, the forest is even more painful.
नदीनिलयनाः सर्पा नदीकुटिलगामिनः। तिष्ठन्त्यावृत्य पन्थानमतो दुःखतरंवनम्
Snakes dwelling in rivers, moving along their winding courses, block the way—thus, the forest is even more difficult.
पतङ्गा वृश्चिकाः कीटा दंशाश्च मशकैः सह। बाधन्ते नित्यमबले सर्वं दुःखमतो वनम्
Moths, scorpions, insects, and biting flies always torment the weak—thus, the forest is entirely full of suffering.
द्रुमाः कण्टकिनश्चैव कुशाः काशाश्च भामिनि। वने व्याकुलशाखाग्रास्तेन दुःखमतो वनम्
The trees are thorny, and there are kuśa and kāśa grasses, O beautiful one, with tangled branches in the forest—thus, the forest is full of hardship.
कायक्लेशाश्च बहवो भयानि विविधानि च। अरण्यवासे वसतो दुःखमेव सदा वनम्
There are many bodily hardships and various fears for one dwelling in the wilderness—thus, the forest is always full of suffering.
क्रोधलोभौ विमोक्तव्यौ कर्तव्या तपसे मतिः। न भेतव्यं च भेतव्ये दुःखं नित्यमतो वनम्
Anger and greed must be abandoned, and the mind set on austerity; one must not fear what is fearful—thus, the forest is always full of hardship.
तदलं ते वनं गत्वा क्षेमं नहि वनं तव। विमृशन्निव पश्यामि बहुदोषकरं वनम्
Therefore, it is not fitting for you to go to the forest; there is no safety for you there. As I consider, I see the forest brings many dangers.
वनं तु नेतुं न कृता मतिर्यदा बभूव रामेण तदा महात्मना। न तस्य सीता वचनं चकार तं ततोऽब्रवीद् राममिदं सुदुःखिता
But when Rama, the great-souled one, did not decide to take her to the forest, Sita did not heed his words, and then, deeply distressed, she spoke to Rama.