{"id":566,"date":"2013-07-13T01:28:55","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=566"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:28:55","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:28:55","slug":"06-the-wife-vol-08-translations-volume-08","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/08-translations-volume-08\/06-the-wife-vol-08-translations-volume-08","title":{"rendered":"-06_The Wife.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n

 <\/td>\n

\n
\n
\n

\n
\nThe Wife*<\/font><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut Sita<\/span> all the while, unhappy
\nchild, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWorshipped propitious gods. Her mind in dreams <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAugust and splendid coronations dwelt <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd knew not of that woe. Royal she worshipped, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nA princess in her mind and mood, and sat <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith expectation thrilled. To whom there came <\/span><\/p>\n

\nRama<\/span><\/span>,
\ndowncast and sad, his forehead moist <\/span><\/p>\n

\nFrom inner anguish. Dark with thought and shaken <\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe entered his august and jubilant halls. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe started from her seat, transfixed, and trembled, <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor all the beauty of his face was marred, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWho when he saw his young beloved wife <\/span><\/p>\n

\nEndured no longer; all his inner passion <\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf tortured pride was opened in his face. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd Sita<\/span>, shaken, cried aloud,
\n\u201cWhat grief <\/span><\/p>\n

\nComes in these eyes ? Was not today
\nthine<\/span> hour <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhen Jupiter, the imperial planet, joins <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith Pushya<\/span>, that high
\nconstellation? Why <\/span><\/p>\n

\nArt thou then pale, disturbed ? Where is thy pomp, <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy crowning where? No foam-white softness silk <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith hundred-shafted canopy o\u2019erhues<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThy kingly head, no fans o\u2019erwave<\/span>
\nthy face <\/span><\/p>\n

\nLike birds that beat their bright wings near a flower;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMinstrel nor orator attends thy steps <\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo hymn thy greatness, nor are heralds heard<\/span><\/p>\n

\nVoicing high stanzas. Who has then forbade<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe honeyed curds that Brahmins Veda-wise <\/span><\/p>\n

\nShould pour on thy anointed brow, \u2014 the throngs <\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat should behind thee in a glory surge, \u2014 <\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe ministers and leading citizens <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd peers and commons of the provinces <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd commons metropolitan ? Where stays <\/span><\/p>\n

\nThy chariot by four gold-clad horses drawn, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nTrampling, magnificent, wide-maned<\/span>
\n? thy huge<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHigh-omened<\/span> elephant, a
\nthunder-cloud <\/span><\/p>\n

\nOr moving mountain in thy front? thy seat<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\n*Ayodhya<\/span>
\nKanda, Sarga<\/span>, 26-30. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 9<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n

\nEnriched with curious gold? Such are the high<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSymbols men lead before anointed kings<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThrough streets flower-crowned. But thou
\ncom\u2019st<\/span> careless, dumb,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAlone. Or if thy coronation still,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHero, prepares and nations for thee wait,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWherefore comes this grey face not seen before<\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn which there is no joy?\u201d Trembling she hushed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThen answered her the hope of Raghou\u2019s<\/span>
\nline:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\u201cSita<\/span> my sire exiles me to the
\nwoods.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n0 high-born soul, 0 firm religious mind,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBe strong and hear me. Dussaruth<\/span>
\nmy sire,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhose royal word stands as the mountains pledged <\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo Bharath\u2019s<\/span> mother boons of old,
\nher choice <\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn her selected time, who now prefers <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAthwart the coronation\u2019s sacred pomp <\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer just demand; me to the Dundac<\/span>
\nwoods <\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor fourteen years exiled and in my stead <\/span><\/p>\n

\nBharath<\/span><\/span>,
\nmy brother, royally elect <\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo this wide empire. Therefore I come, to visit <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd clasp thee once, ere to far woods I go. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut thou before King Bharath<\/span>
\nspeak my name <\/span><\/p>\n

\nSeldom; thou knowest<\/span> great and
\nwealthy men <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAre jealous and endure not others\u2019 praise. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nSpeak low and humbly of me when thou
\nspeakest<\/span>, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nObserving all his moods; for only thus <\/span><\/p>\n

\nShall man survive against a monarch\u2019s brow. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe is a king, therefore to be observed;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHoly, since by a monarch\u2019s sacred hands<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnointed to inviolable rule.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBe patient; thou art wise and good. For I<\/span><\/p>\n

\nToday begin exile, Sita<\/span>, today<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLeave thee, 0 Sita<\/span>. But when I am
\ngone<\/span><\/p>\n

\nInto the paths of the ascetics old<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDo thou in vows and fasts spend blamelessly<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThy lonely seasons. With the dawn arise<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd when thou hast adored the Gods, bow down<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBefore King Dussaruth<\/span>, my father,
\nthen<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLike a dear daughter tend religiously <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 10<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n

\nCowshalya<\/span><\/span>,
\nmy afflicted mother old;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor her alone, but all my father\u2019s queens <\/span><\/p>\n

\nGratify with sweet love, smiles, blandishments <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd filial claspings<\/span>; \u2014 they my
\nmothers are, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor than the breasts that suckled me less dear. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut mostly I would have thee show, beloved, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nTo Shatrughna<\/span> and
\nBharath<\/span>, my dear brothers, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nMore than my life-blood dear, a sister\u2019s love <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd a maternal kindness. Cross not
\nBharath<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\nEven slightly in his will. He is thy king, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nMonarch of thee and monarch of our house <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd all this nation. \u2018Tis<\/span> by
\nmodest awe <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd soft obedience and high toilsome service <\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat princes are appeased, but being crossed <\/span><\/p>\n

\nMost dangerous grow the wrathful hearts of kings <\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd mischiefs<\/span> mean. Monarchs
\nincensed reject <\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe sons of their own loins who durst oppose <\/span><\/p>\n

\nTheir mighty policies, and raise, of birth <\/span><\/p>\n

\nThough vile, the strong and serviceable man. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nHere then obedient dwell unto the King, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nSita<\/span><\/span>;
\nbut I into the woods depart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nHe ended, but Videha\u2019s<\/span> daughter,
\nshe <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhose words were ever soft like one whose life <\/span><\/p>\n

\nIs lapped in sweets, now other answer made <\/span><\/p>\n

\nIn that exceeding anger born of love, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nFierce reprimand and high. \u201cWhat words are these, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nRama<\/span><\/span>
\nfrom thee ? What frail unworthy spirit <\/span><\/p>\n

\nConverses with me uttering thoughts depraved, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nInglorious, full of ignominy, unmeet <\/span><\/p>\n

\nFor armed heroical<\/span> great sons of
\nKings ? <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith alien laughter and amazed today <\/span><\/p>\n

\nI hear the noblest lips in all the world <\/span><\/p>\n

\nUttering baseness. For father, mother, son, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nBrother or son\u2019s wife, all their separate deeds <\/span><\/p>\n

\nEnjoying their own separate fates pursue. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut the wife is the husband\u2019s and she has <\/span><\/p>\n

\nHer husband\u2019s fate, not any private joy.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 11<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n

\nHave they said to thee \u201cThou art exiled\u2019 ? Me <\/span><\/p>\n

\nThat doom includes, me too exiles. For neither <\/span><\/p>\n

\nFather nor the sweet son of her own womb <\/span><\/p>\n

\nNor self, nor mother, nor companion dear <\/span><\/p>\n

\nIs woman\u2019s sanctuary, only her husband <\/span><\/p>\n

\nWhether in this world or beyond is hers. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nIf to the difficult dim forest then, <\/span><\/p>\n

\nRama<\/span><\/span>,
\nthis day thou journeyest<\/span>, I will walk <\/span><\/p>\n

\nBefore thee, treading down the thorns and sharp <\/span><\/p>\n

\nGrasses, smoothing with my torn feet thy way;<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd henceforth from my bosom as from a cup<\/span><\/p>\n

\nStale water, jealousy and wrath renounce.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nTrust me, take me; for, Rama<\/span>, in
\nthis breast<\/span><\/p>\n

\nSin cannot harbour<\/span>. Heaven,
\nspacious terraces<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf mansions, the aerial gait of Gods<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWith leave to walk among those distant stars,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMan\u2019s winged aspiration or his earth<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf sensuous joys, tempt not a woman\u2019s heart:<\/span><\/p>\n

\nShe chooses at her husband\u2019s feet her home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nMy father\u2019s lap, my mother\u2019s knees to me<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWere school of morals, Rama<\/span>; each
\nhuman law<\/span><\/p>\n

\nOf love and service there I learned, nor need<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThy lessons. All things else are wind; I choose<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe inaccessible inhuman woods,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nThe deer\u2019s green walk or where the tigers roam,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nLife savage with the multitude of beasts,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nDense thickets; there will I dwell in desert ways,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nHappier than in my father\u2019s lordly house,<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA pure-limbed hermitess<\/span>. How I
\nwill tend thee<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd watch thy needs, and thinking of no joy<\/span><\/p>\n

\nBut that warm wifely service and delight<\/span><\/p>\n

\nForget the unneeded world, alone with thee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\nWe two shall dalliance take in honied<\/span>
\ngroves<\/span><\/p>\n

\nAnd scented springtides. These heroic hands<\/span><\/p>\n

\nCan in the forest dangerous protect<\/span><\/p>\n

\nEven common men, and will they then not guard<\/span><\/p>\n

\nA woman and the noble name of wife?<\/span><\/p>\n

\nI go with thee this day, deny who will,<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 12<\/span><\/p>\n

\n\t<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Nor aught shall turn me. Fear not thou lest I <\/span><\/p>\n

Should burden thee, since gladly I elect <\/span><\/p>\n

Life upon fruits and roots, and still before thee <\/span><\/p>\n

Shall walk, not faltering with fatigue, eat only <\/span><\/p>\n

Thy remnants after hunger satisfied, <\/span><\/p>\n

Nor greater bliss conceive. O I desire <\/span><\/p>\n

That life, desire to see the large wide lakes, <\/span><\/p>\n

The cliffs of the great mountains, the dim tarns, <\/span><\/p>\n

Not frighted since thou art beside me, and visit <\/span><\/p>\n

Fair waters swan-beset in lovely bloom. <\/span><\/p>\n

In thy heroic guard my life shall be <\/span><\/p>\n

A happy wandering among beautiful things, <\/span><\/p>\n

For I shall bathe in those delightful pools, <\/span><\/p>\n

And to thy bosom fast-devoted, wooed <\/span><\/p>\n

By thy great beautiful eyes, yield and experience <\/span><\/p>\n

On mountains and by rivers large delight. <\/span><\/p>\n

Thus if a hundred years should pass or many <\/span><\/p>\n

Millenniums, yet I should not tire or change, <\/span><\/p>\n

For wandering so not heaven itself would seem <\/span><\/p>\n

Desirable, but this were rather heaven. <\/span><\/p>\n

O Rama, Paradise and thou not there <\/span><\/p>\n

No Paradise were to my mind. I should <\/span><\/p>\n

Grow miserable and reject the bliss. <\/span><\/p>\n

I rather mid the gloomy entangled boughs <\/span><\/p>\n

And sylvan haunts of elephant and ape, <\/span><\/p>\n

Clasping my husband\u2019s feet, intend to lie <\/span><\/p>\n

Obedient, glad, and feel about me home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

But Rama, though his heart approved her
\nwords <\/span><\/p>\n

Yielded not to the entreaty, for he feared <\/span><\/p>\n

Her dolour in the desolate woods; therefore <\/span><\/p>\n

Once more he spoke and kissed her brimming eyes. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf a high blood thou comest and thy soul <\/span><\/p>\n

Turns naturally to duties high. Now, too, <\/span><\/p>\n

O Sita let thy duty be thy guide;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Elect thy husband\u2019s will. Thou shouldst obey, <\/span><\/p>\n

Sita, my words, who art a woman weak. <\/span><\/p>\n

The woods are full of hardship, full of peril, <\/span><\/p>\n

Page
\n\u2013 13<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

And \u2018tis thy ease that I command. Nay, nay,<\/span><\/p>\n

But listen and this forestward resolve<\/span><\/p>\n

Thou wilt abandon: Love! for I shall speak<\/span><\/p>\n

Of fears and great discomforts. There is no pleasure<\/span><\/p>\n

In the vast woodlands drear, but sorrows, toils,<\/span><\/p>\n

Wretched privations. Thundering from the hills<\/span><\/p>\n

The waterfalls leap down, and dreadfully<\/span><\/p>\n

The mountain lions from their caverns roar<\/span><\/p>\n

Hurting the ear with sound. This is one pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then in vast solitudes the wild beasts sport<\/span><\/p>\n

Untroubled, but when they behold men, rage<\/span><\/p>\n

And savage onset move. Unfordable<\/span><\/p>\n

Great rivers thick with ooze, the python\u2019s haunt,<\/span><\/p>\n

Or turbid with wild elephants, sharp thorns<\/span><\/p>\n

Beset with pain and tangled creepers close<\/span><\/p>\n

The thirsty tedious paths impracticable<\/span><\/p>\n

That echo with the peacock\u2019s startling call.<\/span><\/p>\n

At night thou must with thine own hands break off<\/span><\/p>\n

The sun-dried leaves, thy only bed, and lay<\/span><\/p>\n

Thy worn-out limbs fatigued on the hard ground,<\/span><\/p>\n

And day or night no kindlier food must ask<\/span><\/p>\n

Than wild fruit shaken from the trees, and fast<\/span><\/p>\n

Near to the limits of thy fragile life,<\/span><\/p>\n

And wear the bark of trees for raiment, bind<\/span><\/p>\n

Thy tresses piled in a neglected knot,<\/span><\/p>\n

And daily worship with large ceremony<\/span><\/p>\n

New-coming guests and the high ancient dead<\/span><\/p>\n

And the great deities, and three times \u2018twixt dawn<\/span><\/p>\n

And evening bathe with sacred accuracy,<\/span><\/p>\n

And patiently in all things rule observe.<\/span><\/p>\n

All these are other hardships of the woods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nor at thy ease shalt worship, but must offer<\/span><\/p>\n

The flowers by thine own labour culled, and deck<\/span><\/p>\n

The altar with observance difficult,<\/span><\/p>\n

And be content with little and casual food.<\/span><\/p>\n

Abstinent is their life who roam in woods,<\/span><\/p>\n

O Mithilan, strenuous, a travail. Hunger<\/span><\/p>\n

And violent winds and darkness and huge fears<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Page
\n\u2013 14<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\nAre their companions. Reptiles of all shapes<\/span><\/p>\n

Coil numerous where thou walkest, spirited,<\/span><\/p>\n

Insurgent, and the river-dwelling snakes<\/span><\/p>\n

That with the river\u2019s winding motion go,<\/span><\/p>\n

Beset thy path, waiting. Fierce scorpions, worms,<\/span><\/p>\n

Gadflies and gnats continually distress,<\/span><\/p>\n

And the sharp grasses pierce and thorny trees<\/span><\/p>\n

With an entangled anarchy of boughs<\/span><\/p>\n

Oppose. O many bodily pains and swift\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u2018<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Terrors the inhabitants in forests know.<\/span><\/p>\n

They must expel desire and wrath expel,<\/span><\/p>\n

Austere of mind, who such discomforts choose,\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Nor any fear must feel of fearful things.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dream not of it, O Sita; nothing good<\/span><\/p>\n

The mind recalls in that disastrous life<\/span><\/p>\n

For thee unmeet; only stern miseries<\/span><\/p>\n

And toils ruthless and many dangers drear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Then Sita with the tears upon her face <\/span><\/p>\n

Made answer very sad and low: \u201cMany <\/span><\/p>\n

Sorrows and perils of that forest life <\/span><\/p>\n

Thou hast pronounced, discovered dreadful ills. <\/span><\/p>\n

O Rama, they are joys if borne for thee, <\/span><\/p>\n

For thy dear love, O Rama. Tiger or elk, <\/span><\/p>\n

The savage lion and fierce forest-bull <\/span><\/p>\n

Marsh-jaguars and the creatures of the woods <\/span><\/p>\n

And desolate peaks, will from thy path remove <\/span><\/p>\n

At unaccustomed beauty terrified. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fearless shall I go with thee if my elders <\/span><\/p>\n

Allow, nor they refuse, themselves who feel <\/span><\/p>\n

That parting from thee, Rama, is a death. <\/span><\/p>\n

There is no danger. Hero, at thy side,. <\/span><\/p>\n

Who shall touch me?. Not sovran Indra durst, <\/span><\/p>\n

Though in his might he master all the Gods, <\/span><\/p>\n

Assail me with his thunder-bearing hands. <\/span><\/p>\n

O how can woman from her husband\u2019s arms <\/span><\/p>\n

Divorced exist ? Thine own words have revealed, <\/span><\/p>\n

Rama, its sad impossibility. <\/span><\/p>\n

Page
\n\u2013 15<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

Therefore my face is set towards going, for I<\/span><\/p>\n

Preferring that sweet service of my lord,<\/span><\/p>\n

Following my husband\u2019s feet, surely shall grow<\/span><\/p>\n

All purified by my exceeding love.<\/span><\/p>\n

O thou great heart and pure, what joy is there<\/span><\/p>\n

But thy nearness ? To me my husband is<\/span><\/p>\n

Heaven and God. O even. when I am dead<\/span><\/p>\n

A bliss to me will be my lord\u2019s embrace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yea, thou who know\u2019st, wilt thou, forgetful grown<\/span><\/p>\n

Of common joys and sorrows sweetly shared,<\/span><\/p>\n

The faithful heart reject, reject the love?<\/span><\/p>\n

Thou carest\u2019nothing then for_Sita^s_tears?<\/span><\/p>\n

Go! poison or the water or the fire<\/span><\/p>\n

Shall yield me sanctuary, importuning death.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Thus while she varied passionate appeal <\/span><\/p>\n

And her sweet miserable eyes with tears <\/span><\/p>\n

Swam over, he her wrath and terror and grief , <\/span><\/p>\n

Strove always to appease. But she alarmed, <\/span><\/p>\n

Great Janac\u2019s daughter, princess Mithilan, <\/span><\/p>\n

Her woman\u2019s pride of love all wounded, shook <\/span><\/p>\n

From her the solace of his touch and weeping <\/span><\/p>\n

Assailed indignantly her mighty lord. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSurely my father erred, great Mithila. <\/span><\/p>\n

Who rules and the Videnas, that he chose <\/span><\/p>\n

Thee with his line to mate, Rama unworthy, <\/span><\/p>\n

No man but woman in a male disguise. <\/span><\/p>\n

What casts thee down, wherefore art thou then sad, <\/span><\/p>\n

That thou art bent thus basely to forsake <\/span><\/p>\n

Thy single-hearted wife? Not Savitri<\/span><\/p>\n

So loved the hero Dyumathsena\u2019s son <\/span><\/p>\n

As I love thee and from my soul adore. <\/span><\/p>\n

I would not, like another woman, shame <\/span><\/p>\n

Of her great house, turn even in thought from thee <\/span><\/p>\n

To watch a second face; for where thou goest <\/span><\/p>\n

My heart follows. \u2018Tis thou, O shame! \u2018tis thou <\/span><\/p>\n

Who thy young wife and pure, thy boyhood\u2019s bride <\/span><\/p>\n

And bosom\u2019s sweet companion, like an actor, <\/span><\/p>\n

Page
\n\u2013 16<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

Resign\u2019st to others. If thy heart so pant <\/span><\/p>\n

To be his slave for whom thou art oppressed, <\/span><\/p>\n

Obey him thou, court, flatter, for I will not. <\/span><\/p>\n

Alas, my husband, leave me not behind, <\/span><\/p>\n

Forbid me not from exile. Whether harsh <\/span><\/p>\n

Asceticism in the forest drear <\/span><\/p>\n

Or paradise my lot, either is bliss <\/span><\/p>\n

From thee not parted, Rama. How can I, <\/span><\/p>\n

Guiding in thy dear steps my feet, grow tired <\/span><\/p>\n

Though journeying endlessly? as well might one <\/span><\/p>\n

Weary, who on a bed of pleasure lies. <\/span><\/p>\n

The bramble-bushes in our common path, <\/span><\/p>\n

The bladed grasses and the pointed reeds <\/span><\/p>\n

Shall be as pleasant to me as the touch <\/span><\/p>\n

Of cotton or of velvet, being with thee. <\/span><\/p>\n

And when the storm-blast rises scattering <\/span><\/p>\n

The thick dust over me, I, feeling then <\/span><\/p>\n

My dear one\u2019s hand, shall think that I am smeared <\/span><\/p>\n

With sandal-powder highly-priced. Or when <\/span><\/p>\n

From grove to grove upon the grass I lie, <\/span><\/p>\n

In couches how is there more soft delight <\/span><\/p>\n

Or rugs of brilliant wool ? The fruits of trees, <\/span><\/p>\n

Roots of the earth or leaves, whate\u2019er thou bring, <\/span><\/p>\n

Be it much or little, being by thy hands <\/span><\/p>\n

Gathered, I shall account ambrosial food, <\/span><\/p>\n

I shall not once remember, being with thee, <\/span><\/p>\n

Father or mother dear or my far home. <\/span><\/p>\n

Nor shall thy pains by my companionship <\/span><\/p>\n

Be greatened; doom me not to parting, Rama. <\/span><\/p>\n

For only where thou art is Heaven; \u2018tis Hell <\/span><\/p>\n

Where thou art not. O thou who know\u2019st my love, <\/span><\/p>\n

If thou canst leave me, poison still is left <\/span><\/p>\n

To be my comforter. I will not bear <\/span><\/p>\n

Their yoke who hate thee. And if today I shunned <\/span><\/p>\n

Swift solace, grief at length would do its work <\/span><\/p>\n

With torments slow. How should the broken heart <\/span><\/p>\n

That once has beaten on thine, absence endure <\/span><\/p>\n

Ten years and three to these and yet one more?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So writhing in the fire of grief, she wound<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Page
\n\u2013 17<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

Her body about her husband, fiercely silent,<\/span><\/p>\n

Or sometimes wailed aloud; as a wild beast<\/span><\/p>\n

That maddens with the fire-tipped arrows, such<\/span><\/p>\n

Her grief ungovernable and like the streams .<\/span><\/p>\n

Of fire from its stony prison freed,<\/span><\/p>\n

Her quick hot tears, or as when the whole river<\/span><\/p>\n

From new-culled lilies weeps, \u2014 those crystal brooks<\/span><\/p>\n

Of sorrow poured from her afflicted lids.<\/span><\/p>\n

And all the moonlight glories of her face<\/span><\/p>\n

Grew dimmed and her large eyes vacant of joy.<\/span><\/p>\n

But he revived her with sweet words: \u201cWeep not;<\/span><\/p>\n

If I could buy all heaven with one tear<\/span><\/p>\n

Of thine, Sita, I would not pay the price,<\/span><\/p>\n

MvJSna, my beloved. Nor have I grown,<\/span><\/p>\n

I who have stood like God by nature planted\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

High above any cause of fear, so suddenly<\/span><\/p>\n

Familiar with alarm. Only I knew not<\/span><\/p>\n

Thy sweet and resolute courage, and for thee<\/span><\/p>\n

Dreaded the misery that sad exiles feel.<\/span><\/p>\n

But since to share my exile and o\u2019erthrow<\/span><\/p>\n

God first created thee, O Mitlulan,<\/span><\/p>\n

Sooner shall high serenity divorce<\/span><\/p>\n

From the self-conquering heart, than thou from me<\/span><\/p>\n

Be parted. Fixed I stand in my resolve<\/span><\/p>\n

Who follow ancient virtue and the paths<\/span><\/p>\n

Of the old perfect dead; ever my face<\/span><\/p>\n

Turns steadfast to that radiant goal, self-vowed<\/span><\/p>\n

Its sunflower. To the drear wilderness I go.<\/span><\/p>\n

My father\u2019s stainless honour points me on,<\/span><\/p>\n

His oath that must not fail. This is the old<\/span><\/p>\n

Religion, brought from dateless ages down,<\/span><\/p>\n

Parents to honour and obey; their will<\/span><\/p>\n

Should I transgress, I would not wish to live.<\/span><\/p>\n

For how shall man with homage or with prayer<\/span><\/p>\n

Approach the distant Deity, yet scorn<\/span><\/p>\n

A present godhead, father, mother, sage?<\/span><\/p>\n

In these man\u2019s triple objects live, in these <\/span><\/p>\n

Page
\n\u2013 18<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

The triple world is bounded, nor than these <\/span><\/p>\n

Has all wide earth one holier thing. Large eyes, <\/span><\/p>\n

These therefore let us worship. Truth or gifts, <\/span><\/p>\n

Or Honour or liberal proud sacrifice, <\/span><\/p>\n

Nought equals the effectual force and pure <\/span><\/p>\n

Of worship filial done. This all bliss brings, <\/span><\/p>\n

Compels all gifts, compels harvests and wealth, <\/span><\/p>\n

Knowledge compels and children. All these joys <\/span><\/p>\n

And human boons great filial souls on earth <\/span><\/p>\n

Recovering here enjoy, and in that world <\/span><\/p>\n

Heaven naturally is theirs. But me whatever,<\/span><\/p>\n

In the strict path of virtue while he stands, <\/span><\/p>\n

My father bids, my heart bids that. I go, <\/span><\/p>\n

But not alone, o\u2019ercome by thy sweet soul\u2019s <\/span><\/p>\n

High courage. O intoxicating eyes, <\/span><\/p>\n

O faultless limbs, go with me, justify <\/span><\/p>\n

The wife\u2019s proud name, partner in virtue, Love, <\/span><\/p>\n

Warm from thy great high-blooded lineage old <\/span><\/p>\n

Thy purpose springing mates with the pure strain <\/span><\/p>\n

Of Raghou\u2019s ancient house. O let thy large <\/span><\/p>\n

And lovely motion forestward make speed <\/span><\/p>\n

High ceremonies to absolve. Heaven\u2019s joys <\/span><\/p>\n

Without thee now were beggarly and rude. <\/span><\/p>\n

Haste then, the Brahmin and the pauper feed <\/span><\/p>\n

And to their blessings answer jewels. All <\/span><\/p>\n

Our priceless diamonds and our splendid robes, <\/span><\/p>\n

Our curious things, our couches and our cars, <\/span><\/p>\n

The glory and the eye\u2019s delight, do these <\/span><\/p>\n

Renounce, nor let our faithful servants lose <\/span><\/p>\n

Their worthy portion.\u201d Sita, of that consent <\/span><\/p>\n

So hardly won sprang joyous, as on fire, <\/span><\/p>\n

Disburdened of her wealth, lightly to wing <\/span><\/p>\n

Into dim wood and wilderness unknown.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Page
\n\u2013 19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\n

 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  The Wife*   But Sita all the while, unhappy child, Worshipped propitious gods. Her mind in dreams August and splendid coronations dwelt And knew…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-08-translations-volume-08","wpcat-12-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=566"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/566\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}