# Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa 26 — Sītā’s foretold forest life *She recalls predictions heard in her parents’ home and refuses separation despite Rāma’s hesitation* Portion: Sītā insists on joining Rāma · Verses: 22 · Ref format: 2.26. ## Sequence - Sītā says that love for Rāma changes the hardships he has described into things she can welcome (26.1–4) - she recalls brāhmaṇas at her father's house predicting that she would live in a forest (26.5–7) - she argues that accompanying him will fulfill that prediction (26.8–9) - she also recalls hearing the same prospect from a bhikṣiṇī (female renunciant) in her mother's presence and says she has long wanted this journey (26.10–13) - she insists that their marriage binds them together in this life and beyond it (26.14–16) - she threatens to end her life if left behind (26.17–19) - Rāma still hesitates and tries to comfort her as she weeps (26.20–22). ## Verses **2.26.1** etat tu vacanaṃ śrutvā sītā rāmasya duḥkhitā prasaktāśrumukhī mandam idaṃ vacanam abravīt But hearing this speech of Rāma, Sītā, grieved, her face streaming with unceasing tears, softly spoke these words: **2.26.2** ye tvayā kīrtitā doṣā vane vastavyatāṃ prati guṇān ity eva tān viddhi tava snehapuraskṛtān The faults you have named concerning a dwelling in the forest—know them, made so by my love for you, to be virtues instead. **2.26.3** tvayā ca saha gantavyaṃ mayā gurujanājñayā tvadviyogena me rāma tyaktavyam iha jīvitam I must go along with you, by the command of my elders; parted from you, Rāma, I must give up my life here. **2.26.4** na ca māṃ tvatsamīpastham api śaknoti rāghava surāṇām īśvaraḥ śakraḥ pradharṣayitum ojasā And when I am at your side, Rāghava, not even Śakra, lord of the gods, could assail me by his might. **2.26.5** patihīnā tu yā nārī na sā śakṣyati jīvitum kāmam evaṃvidhaṃ rāma tvayā mama vidarśitam A woman bereft of her husband will not be able to live; assuredly, Rāma, a matter of just this kind you yourself have shown me. **2.26.6** atha cāpi mahāprājña brāhmaṇānāṃ mayā śrutam purā pitṛgṛhe satyaṃ vastavyaṃ kila me vane And moreover, O most wise one, in truth I heard from brahmins long ago, in my father's house, that I would surely have to dwell in a forest. **2.26.7** lakṣaṇibhyo dvijātibhyaḥ śrutvāhaṃ vacanaṃ gṛhe vanavāsakṛtotsāhā nityam eva mahābala O mighty one, having heard in my home the word of brahmins skilled in reading marks, I have always been eager for a life in the forest. **2.26.8** ādeśo vanavāsasya prāptavyaḥ sa mayā kila sā tvayā saha tatrāhaṃ yāsyāmi priya nānyathā That predicted forest-dwelling was, it is said, to be fulfilled by me; so I shall go there with you, my love, and not otherwise. **2.26.9** kṛtādeśā bhaviṣyāmi gamiṣyāmi saha tvayā kālaś cāyaṃ samutpannaḥ satyavāg bhavatu dvijaḥ I shall have fulfilled the prediction; I shall go with you. This time has now come—let the brahmin prove a speaker of truth. **2.26.10** vanavāse hi jānāmi duḥkhāni bahudhā kila prāpyante niyataṃ vīra puruṣair akṛtātmabhiḥ For I know that in forest-dwelling many sorrows are indeed met with, O hero—but surely by men of undisciplined self. **2.26.11** kanyayā ca pitur gehe vanavāsaḥ śruto mayā bhikṣiṇyāḥ sādhuvṛttāyā mama mātur ihāgrataḥ And as a maiden in my father's house I heard of the forest-dwelling from a mendicant woman of virtuous conduct, in the very presence of my mother. **2.26.12** prasāditaś ca vai pūrvaṃ tvaṃ vai bahuvidhaṃ prabho gamanaṃ vanavāsasya kāṅkṣitaṃ hi saha tvayā And you were entreated by me before in many ways, my lord; for a journey to a forest-dwelling with you is what I have longed for. **2.26.13** kṛtakṣaṇāhaṃ bhadraṃ te gamanaṃ prati rāghava vanavāsasya śūrasya caryā hi mama rocate I have long awaited the moment for the journey, Rāghava—blessings on you; for the forest-life of a brave man pleases me. **2.26.14** śuddhātman premabhāvād dhi bhaviṣyāmi vikalmaṣā bhartāram anugacchantī bhartā hi mama daivatam O pure-souled one, out of the feeling of love I shall become free of all taint, following my husband; for my husband is my deity. **2.26.15** pretyabhāve 'pi kalyāṇaḥ saṃgamo me saha tvayā śrutir hi śrūyate puṇyā brāhmaṇānāṃ yaśasvinām Even in the life after death, blessed will be my union with you; for a holy tradition is handed down from illustrious brahmins. **2.26.16** iha loke ca pitṛbhir yā strī yasya mahāmate adbhir dattā svadharmeṇa pretyabhāve 'pi tasya sā O most wise one, the woman who in this world is given by her parents to a man, with a libation of water, according to sacred law, is his even in the world beyond. **2.26.17** evam asmāt svakāṃ nārīṃ suvṛttāṃ hi pativratām nābhirocayase netuṃ tvaṃ māṃ keneha hetunā So then, for what reason are you unwilling to take me—your own woman, of good conduct and devoted to her husband? **2.26.18** bhaktāṃ pativratāṃ dīnāṃ māṃ samāṃ sukhaduḥkhayoḥ netum arhasi kākutstha samānasukhaduḥkhinīm You ought to take me, Kākutstha—devoted, faithful to my husband, forlorn, alike in joys and sorrows, sharing your happiness and grief in equal measure. **2.26.19** yadi māṃ duḥkhitām evaṃ vanaṃ netuṃ na cecchasi viṣam agniṃ jalaṃ vāham āsthāsye mṛtyukāraṇāt If you will not take me, grieved as I am, to the forest, then I shall resort to poison, fire, or water, to bring about my death. **2.26.20** evaṃ bahuvidhaṃ taṃ sā yācate gamanaṃ prati nānumene mahābāhus tāṃ netuṃ vijanaṃ vanam Thus in many ways she implored him about the journey; yet the mighty-armed one did not consent to take her to the lonely forest. **2.26.21** evam uktā tu sā cintāṃ maithilī samupāgatā snāpayantīva gām uṣṇair aśrubhir nayanacyutaiḥ Thus addressed, Maithilī fell into anxious brooding, as though bathing the earth with hot tears falling from her eyes. **2.26.22** cintayantīṃ tathā tāṃ tu nivartayitum ātmavān krodhāviṣṭāṃ tu vaidehīṃ kākutstho bahv asāntvayat As she brooded thus, the self-possessed Kākutstha, to dissuade the princess of Videha, who was overcome with vehemence, comforted her much.