Ayodhya Kaanda
68 - Dialogue between Sita and Sri Rama
Chaupais
Description
"Father and mother, sisters and dear brothers, beloved kinsmen and friends, father-in-law and mother-in-law, preceptor and relatives, allies and even sons, however good-looking, well-behaved and congenial-nay, whatever ties of affection and kinship there exist-to a woman bereft of her beloved lord they are far more tormenting than the scorching sun. Life, riches, house, land, city and kingdom-all these are mere accoutrements of woe to a woman bereft of her lord. Luxury to her is loathsome like a disease and ornaments a burden; while the world is like the torments of hell. Without you, O lord of my life, nothing in this world is delightful to me. As the body without a soul, and a river without water, even so, my lord, is a woman without her husband. In your company, my lord, I shall be happy in everyway so long as I behold your countenance resembling the cloudless moon of an autumnal night."