Though he promised you the kingdom, and now banishes you to the wood, I am not the least sad or sorry: but without you Bharat and the king and the people will all be put to terrible distress.
Yet, boy, if it is only your father’s order, then go not; hold your mother still greater.” If both father and mother bid you go, the forest will be a hundred times better than Avadh, with its god for your father, its goddess for your mother and birds and deer to wait upon your lotus feet. At the end of life retirement to the woods is the proper thing for a king, but I am troubled at heart when I consider your tender age. How blest the forest and how wretched Avadh if you abandon it, you, the crown of Raghu’s line. If, child, I say “take me with you,” there may be some hesitation in your mind: O my son, all hold you most dear, breath of our breath, life of our life; if you say “mother, I go alone to the woods,” on hearing your words I sink down in despair.
Yet, boy, if it is only your father’s order, then go not; hold your mother still greater.” If both father and mother bid you go, the forest will be a hundred times better than Avadh, with its god for your father, its goddess for your mother and birds and deer to wait upon your lotus feet. At the end of life retirement to the woods is the proper thing for a king, but I am troubled at heart when I consider your tender age. How blest the forest and how wretched Avadh if you abandon it, you, the crown of Raghu’s line. If, child, I say “take me with you,” there may be some hesitation in your mind: O my son, all hold you most dear, breath of our breath, life of our life; if you say “mother, I go alone to the woods,” on hearing your words I sink down in despair.