Ayodhya Kaanda
79 - Sri Rama greets the Yamuna; love of the villagers
Chaupais
Description
The pair was charming beyond words; their loveliness was unbounded and my wits are too poor. Everyone gazed on the beauty of Sri Rama, Laksmana and Sita with their mind, intellect and reason fully absorbed. Thirsting for love the villagers, both men and women, stood motionless even as bucks and does are dazed by light. The village women approached Sita; in their extreme love they would put questions to Her but hesitated to do so. Again and again they threw themselves at Her feet and addressed to Her soft and guileless words which came straight from their heart: "Princess, we have a request to make to you, but due to our womanly modesty we are afraid to ask you. Forgive our incivility, madam, and be not offended, knowing that we are after all rustic women. Both these princes are naturally graceful in form; it is from them that emerald and gold have borrowed their green and yellow lustre respectively."