October 25 - Sargas 23 and 24 of Sundara Kanda.
Sage Valmiki is in no mood to skip descriptions of Sita's suffering, listening to advice and threats from the rakshasis deployed to deal with her.
***
The rakshasis crowded around Sita after Ravana left.
"Who do you think Ravana is? He is the son of Vishravas, a worthy son of Pulastya, one of the six prajapatis created as his equal by Brahma himself. You should gladly become Ravana's wife! Do you know he defeated 33 crore devatas easily, including Indra, their king? Ravana has never retreated in a battle. Ravana has defeated nagas, gandharvas, and all other rakshasas. He is willing to forsake a thousand extremely beautiful women in his harem for you! What stupidity prevents you from accepting his hand!?
"Accept Ravana's uncountable riches. Know that the sun shines, scared of him, the wind blows but meekly, fearing Ravana. The trees shower flowers out of fright. Mountain streams and rain clouds obey him. You should take our good advice right now."
मानुषी मानुषस्यैव भार्यात्वं बहुमन्यसे। ।
प्रत्याहर मनो रामान्न त्वं जातु भविष्यसि ॥
"Oh foolish human, Sita, forget that mere human, Rama, with whom you regard your marriage so highly. Or you will die. Join Ravana and enjoy the three worlds. That miserable Rama is powerless and has lost everything. He means nothing to you now."
***
Sita, her lotus-like eyes filled with tears, replies:
यदिदं लोकविद्विष्टमुदाहरत सङ्गताः ।
नैतन्मनसि वाक्यं मे किल्बिषं प्रतितिष्ठति ॥
न मानुषी राक्षसस्य भार्या भवितुमर्हति ।
कामं खादत मां सर्वा न करिष्यामि वो वचः ॥
"Oh, Rakshasis, these words that you utter together are against the wisdom of the world. They have no appeal at all to my mind and are sinful. A human female cannot ever become the wife of a rakshasa. If you wish, you can all eat me up. But I will never do what you say."
"Whether dethroned or displaced from his kingdom, Sri Rama is my lawful husband. I am devoted to him as Suvarchala to Sun, Shachi to Indra, Arundhati to Vashishtha, Rohini to Moon, Lopamudra to Sage Agasthya, Sukanya to Chyavana, Savitri to Satyavan, Srimati to Kapila Muni, Madayanti to Saudasa, Keshini to Sagara, Damayanti to Nala, king of Nishada. I am ever loyal to Sri Rama, the best among Ikshwakus."
***
Hanuman crouched in the Shimshupa tree, speechless and deeply stirred by what he had been hearing. Sita was trembling. The rakshasis picked up their axes and followed Sita to a spot below the Shimshupa tree, as she cried copiously.
Vinata said to Sita, "enough is enough. Forget Rama. Enjoy your remaining life with Ravana. Or we will eat you up right now." Vikata said, "Oh, Maithili, we have tolerated your wicked words so far. But don't push our patience. You have been brought across the ocean here. You are under our guard. Not even Indra can come here to rescue you. Give up these silly tears. Enjoy your youth while it lasts with Ravana. Otherwise, I have a mind to pluck your heart out and eat it right now."
Chandodari, twirling her trident, expressed her desire to eat up this tender and attractive Sita, relishing the thought of her various organs.
Indeed, why not wring Sita's neck and present her body to Ravana so he will ask them to feast on it?
Or cut up Sita into equal portions, go to Nikhumbila temple, and eat her up happily?
Sita had to suffer all this, crying copiously.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
