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Collection: Part 10 · VIDEHA MITHILA MAITHILI DISCUSSION CRITICISM SERIES PART 10
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0:00–0:30Enter Lakshman. Enter Rama. Lakshman, ah, has valmiki by his ascetic power gathered together the entire living world, all mortals and immortals, gods and demons, men, women, animals and every moving and unmoving being of the middle air and summoned with us all Brahmins.
0:30–0:36Kshatriyas, townspeople, and country folk.
0:36–0:44My elder brother has also commanded me, dear Lakshman, Valmiki has invited us to witness
0:44–0:50his dramatic composition performed by celestial nymphs.
0:50–0:56Go therefore to the theatre on the bank of the Ganges and see that the spectators are
0:56–0:59seated in their proper places.
0:59–1:06I have arranged suitable seats for mortals and immortals alike.
1:06–1:15And look, out of reverence for Valmiki, my elder brother is coming this way.
1:15–1:20Though still a king, he has adopted the stern observance of an ascetic.
1:20–1:29Rama, dear brother Lakshman, are all who understand the art of drama in their places.
1:29–1:43Lakshman adear. Rama, let these two boys, Kusha and Lava, be given seats of honour equal to Prince Chandrakethu's.
1:43–1:46They sit.
1:46–1:52Knowing my lord's affection for them, I have already done so. The royal pavilion is prepared here.
1:52–1:56Let the performance begin.
1:56–2:02The son of Prashtas, who relates the truth exactly as it is, makes this appeal to every
2:02–2:07moving and unmoving creature assembled here, through the profound insight made possible
2:07–2:12by a sage's vision, I have composed a brief work that is at once purifying and rich in
2:12–2:16dramatic feeling, filled with pathos and wonder.
2:16–2:22In view of the gravity of its subject, please give it your undivided attention.
2:22–2:27He means that sages behold righteousness directly.
2:27–2:33The inside of holy seers is truth-bearing, untouched by the dust of falsehood and never
2:33–2:40broken, therefore it must never be regarded with doubt.
2:40–2:47My husband. Prince Loxmono. I am alone and without protection in the forest. My labour
2:47–2:52The pains have begun, and terrible wild beasts are eager to devour me.
2:52–2:58Wretched as I am, I have no course left but to throw myself into the mandakini.
2:58–3:01Aside
3:01–3:06How dreadful this is, far worse than I had imagined.
3:06–3:07Exit
3:07–3:10Stun
3:10–3:13The daughter of all supporting earth.
3:13–3:19Queen abandoned by the King in the Great Forest. When the pains of childbirth begin,
3:20–3:28leaps into the Divine Ganges. Rama, Queen. Queen. Look, Lokshmono is here.
3:30–3:37Lokshmono, but, brother, this is only a play. Rama, Queen, my beloved companion in the Dandaka
3:37–3:44forest. This calamity befell you because of Rama. Lakshmana, brother, keep watching the
3:44–3:51story. Enter Sita, almost unconscious, supported by
3:51–3:59earth and Ganga, each Goddess carrying one of Sita's sons in her arms.
3:59–4:02I have hardened my heart.
4:02–4:04I am ready.
4:04–4:11Rama, dear brother, I am entering a realm of darkness where neither cause nor remedy can
4:11–4:13be seen.
4:13–4:15Hold me.
4:15–4:18Both goddesses.
4:18–4:22Beautiful Vadahi, master yourself.
4:22–4:26By good fortune your travail has succeeded.
4:26–4:30In the river you have borne two sons.
4:30–4:36Who will sustain the line of Raghu?
4:36–4:38Recovering herself.
4:38–4:41She feigns.
4:41–4:44By good fortune, I have borne sons.
4:44–4:47My husband.
4:47–4:51Falling at Rama's feet.
4:51–4:52Looking.
4:52–4:55He fans him.
4:55–4:59Brother, dear brother, what happiness that our purpose has been fulfilled.
4:59–5:03A magnificent new branch has sprung from the tree of Ragu's line.
5:03–5:08Ah, my brother is motionless, overwhelmed by a surging flood of tears.
5:08–5:13Child, recover yourself, we beg you.
5:13–5:16Regaining consciousness.
5:16–5:20Divine Lady, who are you? And who are you?
5:20–5:27Earth, this is Badjarathi, the tutelary goddess of your husband's house.
5:27–5:30Divine Lady, I bow before you.
5:30–5:36May you enjoy complete good fortune in accordance with your fidelity as a wife.
5:36–5:39Great Grace has been shown to us.
5:39–5:43And this is your mother, the Goddess Earth.
5:43–5:47She embraces Sita and Fiends.
5:47–5:55Mother, you see me in this condition. Earth, come, child, come, my little daughter.
5:55–5:58Excitedly.
5:58–6:02Ah, both Earth and Ganga have come to aid my sister-in-law.
6:02–6:05Looking.
6:05–6:09Recovering consciousness.
6:09–6:16This is surely a cause for joy, and yet a source of profound pathos.
6:16–6:24Bhajyurthi, even all supporting earth can tremble, so powerful is love for a child.
6:24–6:31Yet it is the same in all, the knot of attachment, the source of unrest within every conscious
6:31–6:36creature, the very thread of worldly life.
6:36–6:41Child Vadahi, Goddess Earth, please compose yourselves.
6:41–6:49Earth, goddess, how can I compose myself when I gave birth to Sita?
6:49–6:53Her long residence among the demons was one thing.
6:53–6:59Her abandonment, that terrible humiliation, was another.
6:59–7:07Bhagyarthy, when destiny is about to bear its fruit, what creature has the power to
7:07–7:09close its gate?
7:09–7:13Earth, true.
7:13–7:16But was this right for dear Rama?
7:16–7:24The hand he held in childhood, when he himself was a boy, no regard for that.
7:24–7:29None for me, none for Janaka, none for fire.
7:29–7:34None for her humility, none for his own children.
7:34–7:38Sita, my husband.
7:38–7:42All this has made me remember you again.
7:42–7:44Earth, what?
7:44–7:48You still have a husband.
7:48–7:51With tears of shame.
7:51–7:54What mother says is true.
7:54–7:59Mother Earth, I am the very man you describe.
7:59–8:05Bhagyurthe, Earth, you are the body of all mortal life.
8:05–8:11How then can you be angry with your son-in-law as though you knew nothing at all?
8:11–8:16The dreadful scandal had spread far and wide.
8:16–8:23While the purifying ordeal by fire took place in Lanka, how could the people here believe
8:23–8:25in it?
8:25–8:31The hereditary wealth of the Exvaka house is to keep the whole world content.
8:31–8:37In such a crisis, a truly terrible crisis.
8:37–8:40What could our child have done?
8:40–8:46Lakshmana, the goddess's inner light shines unobstructed in all beings.
8:46–8:53Bhagyurthy, even so, I bow before you with folded hands.
8:53–8:59Rama, mother, you have also shown grace to the line of Bajaratha.
8:59–9:05Earth, I have always been gracious to you all.
9:05–9:11At first there was only the unbearable pain born of love, it is not that I fail to understand
9:11–9:15dear Rama's love for Sita.
9:15–9:20With a burning heart, fate compelled him to abandon her.
9:20–9:27And today he remains alive only through some superhuman courage.
9:27–9:35the accumulated merit of his subjects. How profound is the compassion of elders for those
9:35–9:39they regard as their children.
9:39–9:42Weeping with folded hands.
9:42–9:48Mother, take me to yourself and absorb me into your body.
9:48–9:52What more could she ask than that?
9:52–9:58Heaven forbid! May you live a thousand years before such a dissolution occurs. Earth,
9:58–10:01Child, you must care for your two little sons.
10:02–10:05I have no protector. What can I do for them?
10:06–10:10How can you speak so well in truth you are not without protection?
10:11–10:15What kind of protector does this unfortunate woman possess?
10:16–10:20O heart, you are cold steel.
10:20–10:23Though you are the source of the world's good fortune,
10:23–10:26how can you hold yourself in contempt?
10:26–10:32Through our relationship with you, our own holiness is increased.
10:32–10:35Brother, did you hear?
10:35–10:38An uproar of stage.
10:38–10:48Let the whole world hear. Another still more wondrous event is about to occur.
10:48–10:52How has the whole sky become encircled by flame?
10:52–10:59We understand. The divine weapons and the dream Bhaka weapons, whose succession of
10:59–11:05masters was Kri Shashva, Kaushika and Rama, are now appearing of their own accord.
11:05–11:13Voices of stage. Queen Sita, we bow before you. As the joy of Raghu's line
11:13–11:18declared in the picture gallery, our destiny from this day lies with your
11:18–11:26sons. What good fortune, the deities of the weapons. My husband, your act of grace is manifest
11:26–11:32even today. My brother told them, from this day forward, these weapons will unfailingly
11:32–11:39serve your children. Supreme Weapons, we bow before you. You have shown us grace, we
11:39–11:46are blessed. Whenever these boys remember you in their hearts, please appear and serve
11:46–11:55them. Rama, a wave of compassion has risen, breaking upon a lake of wonder and joy and
11:55–12:04has brought me to a state that cannot be described. Both goddesses rejoice child. Your two little
12:04–12:12sons have now become the equals of dear Rama. Sita, divine lady, who will perform the kshatriya
12:12–12:20sacraments for them. Rama, alas Sita herself, the power of Ragu's line, ever guarded by
12:20–12:28Vasishtha and the family priests, can find no one to perform the sacraments of her sons.
12:28–12:35Bhagirthi, daughter, do not be anxious about that. After the two boys are weaned, we
12:35–12:41shall place them under Valmiki's protection and he will perform their Kshatriya sacraments.
12:41–12:47For the houses of Raghu and Janka alike, the son of Prachetas, is no lesser preceptor
12:47–12:52than the sages Vasishtha and Angiras.
12:52–12:56Excent Ganga, Earth, and Sita.
12:56–12:59He feigns.
12:59–13:04Bhagyathi has considered every matter with the greatest care.
13:04–13:11Lakshmana, brother, I speak the truth, for many reasons I am fully convinced that those
13:11–13:15two boys are Kusha and Lava.
13:15–13:19They too command the weapons from birth.
13:19–13:26Both princes received their sacraments from the great sage, son of Prachetas.
13:26–13:29And both are twelve years old.
13:29–13:36Rama, dear brother, the mere thought throws my heart into turmoil and drives me out of
13:36–13:38my senses.
13:38–13:44Earth, child, come with me now and sanctify the netherworld.
13:44–13:51Sita, mother, take me to yourself and absorb me into your body.
13:51–13:56I can no longer endure the changes and reversals of this world.
13:56–14:00Rama, what answer will she give?
14:00–14:07Earth, child, obey my command and wait until your two sons are weaned.
14:07–14:11After that, do as you wish.
14:11–14:14Bhagyarthi, so be it.
14:14–14:18Rama, has Vada he vanished.
14:18–14:24Queen, my beloved companion in the Dandaka forest, goddess of virtue,
14:24–14:30you, have you resolved to depart for the other world?
14:30–14:31Looking
14:31–14:32Looking
14:32–14:39Enter Arundhati and Sita.
14:39–14:41Valmiki, protect us.
14:41–14:44Is this all the conclusion your poem offers?
14:44–14:47Voice offstage, stop the orchestra.
14:47–14:50All mortals, every moving and unmoving creature.
14:50–14:53Behold the sacred marvel bestowed by Valmiki.
14:53–14:54Lakshmana.
14:54–14:57The waters of the Ganges seem to be churning.
14:57–15:00And the sky is filled with divine sages.
15:00–15:01A miracle.
15:01–15:06Sita and the goddesses, Ganga and Earth, are rising from the depths.
15:06–15:08Voice offstage.
15:08–15:10World honored are in Dadi.
15:10–15:13Look graciously upon us, Ganga and Earth.
15:13–15:15We entrust Sita to your protection.
15:15–15:18The ideal wife who has kept her sacred vows.
15:18–15:21Lakshmana, what happiness, what a miracle.
15:21–15:23Brother, look, look.
15:23–15:26Alas, my brother has still not regained consciousness.
15:26–15:31Arundhati, child, this modest hesitation is unnecessary.
15:31–15:35Put it aside. Come quickly and with the touch of your beloved hand.
15:35–15:39Restore my child Rama to consciousness.
15:39–15:43Touching him fearfully.
15:43–15:47Regaining consciousness joyfully.
15:47–15:52Looking with joy and wonder.
15:52–15:53Ashamed!
15:53–15:56He bows!
15:56–16:00My husband, please master yourself.
16:00–16:02Rama, ah, what is this?
16:02–16:03Queen.
16:03–16:09And Mother Orondottie, all my elders, and Rishishringa, and Shanta rejoicing with them.
16:09–16:15Orondottie, my child, over there is the Goddess of Bajuratha's line, the Gracious Gonga.
16:15–16:17Voice offstage.
16:17–16:22Lord of the world, dear Rama, remember the request I made during the viewing of the pictures.
16:22–16:25Be gracious to your daughter-in-law Sita, as Orandhoti is.
16:26–16:28Now I am discharged from that obligation.
16:29–16:32Orandhoti, and there is your mother-in-law, Earth.
16:32–16:37Voice offstage, years ago, when you abandoned Sita, you made this request,
16:37–16:40may you live long, Earth, protect your honoured daughter, Johnaki.
16:41–16:45Great King, today I have fulfilled that request concerning my child.
16:45–16:52Rama, how is this possible? Though Rama is guilty of a terrible offence, both goddesses
16:52–16:58have shown him compassion. Orondotti, people of town and countryside. This woman has been
16:58–17:04entrusted to Orondotti's protection, and Johnovie and earth have showered praise upon her.
17:04–17:10Formerly the god of fire, Vaishvanara, testified to her virtue. Gods and brahmanas have extolled
17:10–17:16her as a woman of savour trees lineage. Except once more Queen Sita, born from the sacrificial
17:16–17:21ground. Tell me, good people, what is your judgment?
17:21–17:27How sternly Arun Dadi has rebuked the people. The whole living world bows before my sister-in-law,
17:27–17:30while the guardians of the quarters and the seven sages honour her with a shower of
17:30–17:32flowers.
17:32–17:38Lord of the world, dear Rama, in accordance with sacred law, entrust the duties of
17:38–17:47the sacrifice. To your beloved partner in righteousness, the living holy original of the golden image.
17:47–17:48Aside
17:48–17:53Does my husband know how to suit Sita's sorrow?
17:53–17:58As the Divine Lady commands.
17:58–18:00Our purpose is fulfilled.
18:00–18:03I have received a new life.
18:03–18:08Sister-in-law, this shameless Lakshmana prostrates himself fully before you.
18:08–18:12My child, remain as you are and live long.
18:12–18:15Exit.
18:15–18:21Valmiki, please bring forward Kusha and Lava. Rama's two sons born from Ceda's womb.
18:21–18:27Rama and Lakshmana. What happiness? Everything is true.
18:27–18:30Overcome with tears.
18:30–18:35Enter Valmiki with Kusha and Lava.
18:35–18:38Where are my two little sons?
18:38–18:45Dear children Kusha and Lava, this lord of Raghu's line is your father.
18:45–18:51This Lakshmana is your uncle. Queen Sita is your mother.
18:51–18:56And this royal sage Janaka is your maternal grandfather.
18:56–19:02looking with joy, tenderness and wonder
19:02–19:05is my father here too
19:05–19:11Kusha and lava, father, mother, grandfather
19:11–19:15embracing them joyfully
19:15–19:22surely it is only through accumulated merit that I have regained you, my two children
19:22–19:25doing so
19:25–19:33Come, Kusha, my child, and you too, Lava. Give your mother a long embrace, as though she
19:33–19:39had been born again. Kusha and Lava, how fortunate we are.
19:39–19:43Holy Sage, I bow before you.
19:43–19:45And a pro r off stage.
19:45–19:53Child, remain as you are and live long.
19:53–19:55Rising and looking about.
19:55–20:05The lord of Mathura, having destroyed Lovanna, is approaching.
20:05–20:10When auspicious events come, they come like a flood.
20:10–20:12Excent all.
20:12–20:18All this is truly happening to me, and yet I can scarcely believe it.
20:18–20:22But such is the nature of good fortune.
20:22–20:29Valmiki, dear Rama, can I perform any further auspicious service for you?
20:29–20:34Rama, what could be better than all this?
20:34–20:42Yet perhaps this blessing may this story, which purifies from sin,
20:42–20:50and generously bestows every good, be at once auspicious and delightful,
20:50–20:54Like the mother of the world and the Ganges,
20:54–20:59May learned people savor it embodied upon the stage.
20:59–21:03The literary art of an accomplished poet.
21:03–21:07Who knows the sacred mystery of speech.
21:07–21:10End of Act 7
21:10–21:15And above Booty's play Rama's last act.

Plain text

Enter Lakshman. Enter Rama. Lakshman, ah, has valmiki by his ascetic power gathered together the entire living world, all mortals and immortals, gods and demons, men, women, animals and every moving and unmoving being of the middle air and summoned with us all Brahmins. Kshatriyas, townspeople, and country folk. My elder brother has also commanded me, dear Lakshman, Valmiki has invited us to witness his dramatic composition performed by celestial nymphs. Go therefore to the theatre on the bank of the Ganges and see that the spectators are seated in their proper places. I have arranged suitable seats for mortals and immortals alike. And look, out of reverence for Valmiki, my elder brother is coming this way. Though still a king, he has adopted the stern observance of an ascetic. Rama, dear brother Lakshman, are all who understand the art of drama in their places. Lakshman adear. Rama, let these two boys, Kusha and Lava, be given seats of honour equal to Prince Chandrakethu's. They sit. Knowing my lord's affection for them, I have already done so. The royal pavilion is prepared here. Let the performance begin. The son of Prashtas, who relates the truth exactly as it is, makes this appeal to every moving and unmoving creature assembled here, through the profound insight made possible by a sage's vision, I have composed a brief work that is at once purifying and rich in dramatic feeling, filled with pathos and wonder. In view of the gravity of its subject, please give it your undivided attention. He means that sages behold righteousness directly. The inside of holy seers is truth-bearing, untouched by the dust of falsehood and never broken, therefore it must never be regarded with doubt. My husband. Prince Loxmono. I am alone and without protection in the forest. My labour The pains have begun, and terrible wild beasts are eager to devour me. Wretched as I am, I have no course left but to throw myself into the mandakini. Aside How dreadful this is, far worse than I had imagined. Exit Stun The daughter of all supporting earth. Queen abandoned by the King in the Great Forest. When the pains of childbirth begin, leaps into the Divine Ganges. Rama, Queen. Queen. Look, Lokshmono is here. Lokshmono, but, brother, this is only a play. Rama, Queen, my beloved companion in the Dandaka forest. This calamity befell you because of Rama. Lakshmana, brother, keep watching the story. Enter Sita, almost unconscious, supported by earth and Ganga, each Goddess carrying one of Sita's sons in her arms. I have hardened my heart. I am ready. Rama, dear brother, I am entering a realm of darkness where neither cause nor remedy can be seen. Hold me. Both goddesses. Beautiful Vadahi, master yourself. By good fortune your travail has succeeded. In the river you have borne two sons. Who will sustain the line of Raghu? Recovering herself. She feigns. By good fortune, I have borne sons. My husband. Falling at Rama's feet. Looking. He fans him. Brother, dear brother, what happiness that our purpose has been fulfilled. A magnificent new branch has sprung from the tree of Ragu's line. Ah, my brother is motionless, overwhelmed by a surging flood of tears. Child, recover yourself, we beg you. Regaining consciousness. Divine Lady, who are you? And who are you? Earth, this is Badjarathi, the tutelary goddess of your husband's house. Divine Lady, I bow before you. May you enjoy complete good fortune in accordance with your fidelity as a wife. Great Grace has been shown to us. And this is your mother, the Goddess Earth. She embraces Sita and Fiends. Mother, you see me in this condition. Earth, come, child, come, my little daughter. Excitedly. Ah, both Earth and Ganga have come to aid my sister-in-law. Looking. Recovering consciousness. This is surely a cause for joy, and yet a source of profound pathos. Bhajyurthi, even all supporting earth can tremble, so powerful is love for a child. Yet it is the same in all, the knot of attachment, the source of unrest within every conscious creature, the very thread of worldly life. Child Vadahi, Goddess Earth, please compose yourselves. Earth, goddess, how can I compose myself when I gave birth to Sita? Her long residence among the demons was one thing. Her abandonment, that terrible humiliation, was another. Bhagyarthy, when destiny is about to bear its fruit, what creature has the power to close its gate? Earth, true. But was this right for dear Rama? The hand he held in childhood, when he himself was a boy, no regard for that. None for me, none for Janaka, none for fire. None for her humility, none for his own children. Sita, my husband. All this has made me remember you again. Earth, what? You still have a husband. With tears of shame. What mother says is true. Mother Earth, I am the very man you describe. Bhagyurthe, Earth, you are the body of all mortal life. How then can you be angry with your son-in-law as though you knew nothing at all? The dreadful scandal had spread far and wide. While the purifying ordeal by fire took place in Lanka, how could the people here believe in it? The hereditary wealth of the Exvaka house is to keep the whole world content. In such a crisis, a truly terrible crisis. What could our child have done? Lakshmana, the goddess's inner light shines unobstructed in all beings. Bhagyurthy, even so, I bow before you with folded hands. Rama, mother, you have also shown grace to the line of Bajaratha. Earth, I have always been gracious to you all. At first there was only the unbearable pain born of love, it is not that I fail to understand dear Rama's love for Sita. With a burning heart, fate compelled him to abandon her. And today he remains alive only through some superhuman courage. the accumulated merit of his subjects. How profound is the compassion of elders for those they regard as their children. Weeping with folded hands. Mother, take me to yourself and absorb me into your body. What more could she ask than that? Heaven forbid! May you live a thousand years before such a dissolution occurs. Earth, Child, you must care for your two little sons. I have no protector. What can I do for them? How can you speak so well in truth you are not without protection? What kind of protector does this unfortunate woman possess? O heart, you are cold steel. Though you are the source of the world's good fortune, how can you hold yourself in contempt? Through our relationship with you, our own holiness is increased. Brother, did you hear? An uproar of stage. Let the whole world hear. Another still more wondrous event is about to occur. How has the whole sky become encircled by flame? We understand. The divine weapons and the dream Bhaka weapons, whose succession of masters was Kri Shashva, Kaushika and Rama, are now appearing of their own accord. Voices of stage. Queen Sita, we bow before you. As the joy of Raghu's line declared in the picture gallery, our destiny from this day lies with your sons. What good fortune, the deities of the weapons. My husband, your act of grace is manifest even today. My brother told them, from this day forward, these weapons will unfailingly serve your children. Supreme Weapons, we bow before you. You have shown us grace, we are blessed. Whenever these boys remember you in their hearts, please appear and serve them. Rama, a wave of compassion has risen, breaking upon a lake of wonder and joy and has brought me to a state that cannot be described. Both goddesses rejoice child. Your two little sons have now become the equals of dear Rama. Sita, divine lady, who will perform the kshatriya sacraments for them. Rama, alas Sita herself, the power of Ragu's line, ever guarded by Vasishtha and the family priests, can find no one to perform the sacraments of her sons. Bhagirthi, daughter, do not be anxious about that. After the two boys are weaned, we shall place them under Valmiki's protection and he will perform their Kshatriya sacraments. For the houses of Raghu and Janka alike, the son of Prachetas, is no lesser preceptor than the sages Vasishtha and Angiras. Excent Ganga, Earth, and Sita. He feigns. Bhagyathi has considered every matter with the greatest care. Lakshmana, brother, I speak the truth, for many reasons I am fully convinced that those two boys are Kusha and Lava. They too command the weapons from birth. Both princes received their sacraments from the great sage, son of Prachetas. And both are twelve years old. Rama, dear brother, the mere thought throws my heart into turmoil and drives me out of my senses. Earth, child, come with me now and sanctify the netherworld. Sita, mother, take me to yourself and absorb me into your body. I can no longer endure the changes and reversals of this world. Rama, what answer will she give? Earth, child, obey my command and wait until your two sons are weaned. After that, do as you wish. Bhagyarthi, so be it. Rama, has Vada he vanished. Queen, my beloved companion in the Dandaka forest, goddess of virtue, you, have you resolved to depart for the other world? Looking Looking Enter Arundhati and Sita. Valmiki, protect us. Is this all the conclusion your poem offers? Voice offstage, stop the orchestra. All mortals, every moving and unmoving creature. Behold the sacred marvel bestowed by Valmiki. Lakshmana. The waters of the Ganges seem to be churning. And the sky is filled with divine sages. A miracle. Sita and the goddesses, Ganga and Earth, are rising from the depths. Voice offstage. World honored are in Dadi. Look graciously upon us, Ganga and Earth. We entrust Sita to your protection. The ideal wife who has kept her sacred vows. Lakshmana, what happiness, what a miracle. Brother, look, look. Alas, my brother has still not regained consciousness. Arundhati, child, this modest hesitation is unnecessary. Put it aside. Come quickly and with the touch of your beloved hand. Restore my child Rama to consciousness. Touching him fearfully. Regaining consciousness joyfully. Looking with joy and wonder. Ashamed! He bows! My husband, please master yourself. Rama, ah, what is this? Queen. And Mother Orondottie, all my elders, and Rishishringa, and Shanta rejoicing with them. Orondottie, my child, over there is the Goddess of Bajuratha's line, the Gracious Gonga. Voice offstage. Lord of the world, dear Rama, remember the request I made during the viewing of the pictures. Be gracious to your daughter-in-law Sita, as Orandhoti is. Now I am discharged from that obligation. Orandhoti, and there is your mother-in-law, Earth. Voice offstage, years ago, when you abandoned Sita, you made this request, may you live long, Earth, protect your honoured daughter, Johnaki. Great King, today I have fulfilled that request concerning my child. Rama, how is this possible? Though Rama is guilty of a terrible offence, both goddesses have shown him compassion. Orondotti, people of town and countryside. This woman has been entrusted to Orondotti's protection, and Johnovie and earth have showered praise upon her. Formerly the god of fire, Vaishvanara, testified to her virtue. Gods and brahmanas have extolled her as a woman of savour trees lineage. Except once more Queen Sita, born from the sacrificial ground. Tell me, good people, what is your judgment? How sternly Arun Dadi has rebuked the people. The whole living world bows before my sister-in-law, while the guardians of the quarters and the seven sages honour her with a shower of flowers. Lord of the world, dear Rama, in accordance with sacred law, entrust the duties of the sacrifice. To your beloved partner in righteousness, the living holy original of the golden image. Aside Does my husband know how to suit Sita's sorrow? As the Divine Lady commands. Our purpose is fulfilled. I have received a new life. Sister-in-law, this shameless Lakshmana prostrates himself fully before you. My child, remain as you are and live long. Exit. Valmiki, please bring forward Kusha and Lava. Rama's two sons born from Ceda's womb. Rama and Lakshmana. What happiness? Everything is true. Overcome with tears. Enter Valmiki with Kusha and Lava. Where are my two little sons? Dear children Kusha and Lava, this lord of Raghu's line is your father. This Lakshmana is your uncle. Queen Sita is your mother. And this royal sage Janaka is your maternal grandfather. looking with joy, tenderness and wonder is my father here too Kusha and lava, father, mother, grandfather embracing them joyfully surely it is only through accumulated merit that I have regained you, my two children doing so Come, Kusha, my child, and you too, Lava. Give your mother a long embrace, as though she had been born again. Kusha and Lava, how fortunate we are. Holy Sage, I bow before you. And a pro r off stage. Child, remain as you are and live long. Rising and looking about. The lord of Mathura, having destroyed Lovanna, is approaching. When auspicious events come, they come like a flood. Excent all. All this is truly happening to me, and yet I can scarcely believe it. But such is the nature of good fortune. Valmiki, dear Rama, can I perform any further auspicious service for you? Rama, what could be better than all this? Yet perhaps this blessing may this story, which purifies from sin, and generously bestows every good, be at once auspicious and delightful, Like the mother of the world and the Ganges, May learned people savor it embodied upon the stage. The literary art of an accomplished poet. Who knows the sacred mystery of speech. End of Act 7 And above Booty's play Rama's last act.

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