Since I have been born into this world from Kaikeyi’s womb, this is not at all uncoming of me. God himself has accomplished everything for me; why, the, should my people and you (honourable body of arbiters) combine to give a helping hand?

If a man stricken by unlucky stars (or possessed by an evil spirit) is also afflicted by organic disorders and then stung by a scorpion, and is given wine to drink, the, tell me, what kind of treatment is this? (The ancient Hindu physicians believed that all organic disorders arise from one of the three humours of the body, kapha, phlegm, vayu, wind, and pitta, bile. The vitiated humour specified in these lines is wind, vata)

God in his wisdom has ordained for me everything that is worthy of Kaikeyi’s son in this world! But in vain has he bestowed on me the high honour of being a son of Dasharath and a younger brother of Rama.

You all bid me assume sovereignty; this is the king’s command of which you all approve. Then how and whom shall I answer? Let each one tell me gladly what his pleasure is.

Apart from myself and my wicked mother, tell me who will say that I have acted rightly? Who else except myself is there in the whole animate and inanimate creation to whom Rama and Janaki are not dear as his own life?

That this supreme loss should appear to you all as a great gain is my misfortune, and none is to be blamed for it. You are in the grip of anxious doubt and kindliness and affection; and whatever you say is all for the best.

Rama’s mother is utterly guileless and bears me such great love that she speaks from natural affection on seeing how wretched I am.