Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

""""host.Myths of the Hindus @P BuddhistsBut Rama bade them desist, and ordered that Sltashould leave her palanquin and come to him on foot, sayingto Vibhishana : Thou shouldst rather comfort than harassNo sin is there when women are seenthese our own folk.abroad in time of war or danger, at an 1own-choice, or atmarriage. Slta is in danger now, and there can be no wrongin seeing her, the more so as I am here to guard her."Vibhishana, cast down at that rebuke, brought Slta humblyup to Rama ;and she stood shamefast, hiding as it were hertrue self in her outward shape, beholding Rama s face withwonder, joy, and love. At the sight of him her sorrowvanished, and she shone radiant like the moon.But Rama, seeing her stand humbly near him, could nomore hold back his speech, and cried : O gentle one, Ihave subdued thy foe and wiped away the stain upon myhonour. The work of Hanuman, in crossing the deep andharrying Lanka ; of Sugriva, with his army and his counsel ;and of Vibhishana, hath borne its fruit, and I have fulfilledmy promise, by my own might accomplishing the duty ofa man." Then Slta looked on Rama sadly, like a deer, withtear-filled eyes; and Rama, seeing her so near, but bethinking him of honour in the sight of men, was torn intwain. I have wiped away the insult to our family andto myself,"said he, but thou art stained by dwelling withanother than myself. What man of high degree receivesback a wife who hath lived long in another s house?Ravan has held thee on his lap and gazed on thee withlustful eyes. I have avenged his evil deed, but I am unattached to thee. O gentle one, I am forced by a sense ofhonour to renounce thee, for how should Ravana haveoverlooked thee, so fair and dainty as thou art, when he1Swayamvara, choice of a husband from assembled suitors : see thestory of Nala and DamayantI, page 356.96