Thus Seeta argued in soft and affectionate words while they were going from Sage
Suteekshna's aashrama towards some other aashrama in the Dandaka forest.
"Bear with me, my ford," she
said, "for seeming to counsel you. I speak but as a weak woman out of my infinite
love for you. You know what dharma is. But, men, it is said, are driven by desire into
three kinds of sin: falsehood, lust and violence. Falsehood is unthinkable in one who for
truth's sake has renounced a kingdom and is here in the forest. And as for lust do I not
know that you will not allow even the thought of another woman to enter your mind.
But I am afraid of the third kind of sin.
Should we kill one who does not attack us? Whether it is a raakshasa or anyone else, why
should we kill anyone who leaves us alone? You were in a hurry, I feel, to give your word
to the rishis. To destroy the wicked is no doubt the duty of a kshatriya but can that duty
still cling to you when you have renounced the privileges that go with it, and elected the
life of a recluse in the forest? |
