Ayodhya Kaanda
102 - Dialogue between queens Kausalya and Sunayana (king Janaka's wife); Sita's amiability
Chaupais
Description
When King Janaka beheld Sita in the robes of a hermitess he was overwhelmed with love and was highly gratified. "Daughter, you have brought sancity to both the houses (viz., my house and the house of your husband); everyone says your fair renown has illumined the whole world. The river of your fame outshone the celestial stream (Ganga) in that it has penetrated (not only one solar system but) millions of universes. While the Ganga has (in the course of its career) exalted only three places,* the river of your fame has added to the glory of numerous congregations of holy men." Even though Her father made these flowery yet truthful remarks out of affection for Her, Sita was drowned as it were in a sea of bashfulness. Her parents pressed Her to their bosom once more and gave Her good and salutary advice and blessing. Sita did not speak but felt uncomfortable in Her mind because She thought that it was not good to remain with Her parents overnight. Reading Her mind the queen (Sunayana) made it known to the king (her husband) and both admired in their heart Her modesty and noble disposition.