DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0484
THE RAPE OF S1TA 399
Said Rama, whose heart was filled with anger: "O
Javali, thy motive is excellent but thy doctrines are false.
A good man is distinguished from an evil man by his
deeds. How can I, who have embraced a virtuous life,
turn now into the path of evildoing? The gods who
read a man's heart would curse me for my sins. Vain
are thine idle words; thy reasoning is cunning but false.
Truth is our ancient path. Truth endures when all else
passes away. The venom of falsehood is more deadly
than the venom of a serpent's sting. Thou hast said
that there is no Hereafter, and that we should snatch
pleasures while life endures. If that is so, why do wise
men condemn what is evil if the vicious are simply
pursuing the quest of happiness? Why do sages live
austere lives, eating fruits and roots, instead of feasting
on flesh and drinking wine? There would be no sciences
if we believed only those things we behold. Inferential
proof must be permitted. Is a woman to consider her-
self a widow when her husband is out of sight? . . .
Know, all of ye, that I will be faithful to the mandate
of my sire. 1 will keep my promise which I cannot
recall. Let Bharata reign, for I will dwell in the
jungle."
Bharata said: "If my sire's wish must be fulfilled,
let me remain in the jungle for fourteen years so that
Rama may return to Ayodhya."
Said Rama: "Neither Bharata nor I can recall or
change the commands of Dasaratha."
Thereafter Bharata gave to Rama a pair or new
sandals decked with gold, saying: "Put these upon thy
feet and they shall accomplish the good of all."
Rama put on the sandals and then returned them to
his brother, who said: "I will live as a devotee for
fourteen years with matted hair and in a robe of bark.
Said Rama, whose heart was filled with anger: "O
Javali, thy motive is excellent but thy doctrines are false.
A good man is distinguished from an evil man by his
deeds. How can I, who have embraced a virtuous life,
turn now into the path of evildoing? The gods who
read a man's heart would curse me for my sins. Vain
are thine idle words; thy reasoning is cunning but false.
Truth is our ancient path. Truth endures when all else
passes away. The venom of falsehood is more deadly
than the venom of a serpent's sting. Thou hast said
that there is no Hereafter, and that we should snatch
pleasures while life endures. If that is so, why do wise
men condemn what is evil if the vicious are simply
pursuing the quest of happiness? Why do sages live
austere lives, eating fruits and roots, instead of feasting
on flesh and drinking wine? There would be no sciences
if we believed only those things we behold. Inferential
proof must be permitted. Is a woman to consider her-
self a widow when her husband is out of sight? . . .
Know, all of ye, that I will be faithful to the mandate
of my sire. 1 will keep my promise which I cannot
recall. Let Bharata reign, for I will dwell in the
jungle."
Bharata said: "If my sire's wish must be fulfilled,
let me remain in the jungle for fourteen years so that
Rama may return to Ayodhya."
Said Rama: "Neither Bharata nor I can recall or
change the commands of Dasaratha."
Thereafter Bharata gave to Rama a pair or new
sandals decked with gold, saying: "Put these upon thy
feet and they shall accomplish the good of all."
Rama put on the sandals and then returned them to
his brother, who said: "I will live as a devotee for
fourteen years with matted hair and in a robe of bark.