Part 1: Introduction (Rāma’s emancipation)

When he had been sprinkled with sandal and had regained consciousness, Raghūdvaha declared: “Where, pray, is Sītā Devī, the virtuous wife? Ho! Earthy dwellers and sky-goers, if you do not wish to die, quickly show me my wife even though her hair is pulled out. Friend! Friend Saumitri! Come! Quivers! Quivers! Bow! Bow! That these, comfortable, are indifferent when I am in distress!”

To him seizing his bow with these words Lakṣmaṇa bowed and said: “Elder brother! Elder brother! What is this? The people are your servants, surely. Just as you, devoted to the law, terrified of a fault, abandoned Sītā, so she, terrified of existence, devoted to her own good, has abandoned everything. Here in your presence Sītā herself tore out her hair and took initiation properly under Jayabhūṣaṇa. Just now the sage’s omniscience has risen and his omniscience-festival must of necessity be celebrated by you. Lady Sītā is there, master, having taken the great vows, showing the path to emancipation, as she, blameless, showed the path to being a good wife.”

His temper restored, Rāma said, “It is well that my wife has undertaken mendicancy before this omniscient.” With these words, the chief of the Raghus went with his retinue to Jayabhūṣaṇa, bowed, and listened to a sermon from him. At the end of the sermon he asked: “I do not know, myself, whether I am capable of emancipation or not. Please tell me that.” Then tḥe omniscient said, “You are not only capable of emancipation but you will attain emancipation from this same birth, having become omniscient.” Rāma asked again: “Emancipation would result from mendicancy; and that from abandonment of everything. But it would be very difficult for me to abandon Lakṣmaṇa.” The muni said: “Your power and wealth must necessarily be enjoyed. At the end of that, association being abandoned, having adopted mendicancy, you will attain emancipation.”