Chapter CXV: Section CXVI

Thereupon bowing unto Rama, the foremost of bow-men, having eyes resembling lotus-petals, the highly wise monkey said,--"It behoveth thee now to see Maithilee, stricken with grief for whom thou didst initiate all these works and the fruit whereof hath now been attained. Hearing of thy victory Maithilee, possessed by grief and having eyes full of tears, expressed her desire to see thee. And I was told by her, confident of her previous trust, with profuse tears in her eyes,--"I wish to see my husband". Being addressed by Hanuman, Rama the foremost of the pious being bathed in tears, engaged instantly in meditation. Thereupon sighing hard and casting his looks upon the ground he spoke unto Bibhishana resembling clouds, who was near him. "Do thou speedily bring Sita here--the daughter of the king of Mithila--bathed, sprinkled with celestial paste and adorned with celestial ornaments". Being thus addressed by Rama, Bibhishana hastened on and entering the inner appartment sent information unto Sita through the female attendants. And beholding the great Sita, the graceful lord of Rakshasas--Bibhishana, humbly and placing his joined palms on his crown, said,--"O Vaidehi, may good betide thee; sprinkled with celestial paste and adorned with celestials ornaments do thou ascend this car; thy husband wisheth to see thee". Being thus addressed Vaidehi replied unto Bibhishana,--"O lord of Rakshasas, without bathing even I wish to see my husband". Hearing those words Bibhishana replied,--"It behoveth thee to do what thy lord Rama hath said". Whereto the chaste Maithilee, regarding her husband as God and filled with devotion unto her husband, replied saying "So be it". Thereupon placing Sita, bathed, performing the due rites wearing valuable clothes and adorned with valuable ornaments, on a palanquin, carried by many a capable Rakshasa, brought her (unto Rama). Thereupon approaching the high-souled Rama, who, being informed of (Bibhishana's approach) was engaged in meditation, Bibhishana bowing down and delighted communicated unto him the arrival of Sita. And hearing of her arrival who had lived long in the abode of the Rakshasa Raghava, the slayer of enemies attained (simultaneously) to anger, delight and depression. And considering Sita, who was in the patanquin, over-whelmed with grief, Raghava delighted addressed Bibhishana with the following words. "O lord of Rakshasas, O gentle (king), O thou ever engaged in encompassing my success, do thou speedily bring Vaidehi nearer to me". Hearing these words of Raghava, Bibhishana, conversant with piety speedily cleared (the people out of that place). And attendants with armours and head-dresses on and with cane and drums in their hands began to move about driving away the crowd thereform. And the crowds of bears, monkeys and Rakshasas being driven on all sides began to fly at a distance. And they being thus driven there arose a huge noise resembling that of the ocean when agitated by the wind. Beholding the monkeys driven on all sides and troubled, Raghava out of anger and compassion prevented him. And thereupon as if burning (every thing) with his angry eyes Rama addressed the highly intelligent Bibhishana with the following angry words--"Why dost thou insult me by destroying all these? Do thou remove their anxiety--they are all my own men. Neither the houses, clothes, walls nor reception like these are the veils of women. There is no sin consequent upon seeing women in danger, difficulty, war, _Svyambara_[475] sacrifice and marriage. She is now in great danger and difficulty--there is no sin in seeing her specially in my presence. Therefore leaving behind the palanquin let her come here on foot and let the monkeys behold Vaidehi in my presence". Being thus addressed by Rama, Bibbishana, being sorry, humbly brought Sita near him. There-upon bearing Rama's accents, Lakshmana, Sugriva and the monkey Hanuman were greatly sorry. As if hiding herself in her own person in shame Maithili, following Bibhishana, approached her husband. And she, having a gentle countetiance and always regarding her husband as her god, fixed her looks upon her lord's face out of surprise, joy and love. And beholding the gentle countenance of her dearest lord, resembling the full moon she removed her mental distress. Thereupon she appeared (beautiful) having the countenance of the clear moon.

[475] It is a form of marriage in which the bride selects a bridegroom
for herself.