She wore a doleful countenance and her mind was filled with anxiety. ‘Why don’t you tell me, mother,’ she said to Trijata, what is going to happen? How can this plague of the universe be put to death?

Even though Raghunatha’s arrows have shorn off his heads, he does not perish! God’s actions are all so perverse! It is my ill fortune that keeps him alive – the misfortune that separated me from Hari’s lotus feet.

The fate which fashioned the phantom of the false golden deer still frowns at me! The same Providence who made me suffer such insupportable anguish and prompted me to utter reproaches to Lakshmana,

and who smote me over and over again, aiming a me the grievous poisoned shafts of separation from Raghunatha, and who keeps me alive even under such trying circumstances, - it is he and no other who keeps him (Ravana) alive!’

With many such words did Janaki make piteous lament, as she constantly recalled to mind the Lord of grace. ‘Listen, princess,’ said Trijata, ‘if an arrow pierce his heart, the enemy of the immortals will die.

But the Lord is careful not to strike his heart, for he knows that the princess of Videha dwells therein.

He is prevented by the thought that Janaki dwells in his (Ravana’s) heart and that Janaki’s heart is his own home; in his belly, again, are contained countless worlds, which will all perish the moment his arrow pierces Ravana’s heart.’ Hearing this, Sita’s soul swayed between joy and grief; but seeing her still uneasy in mind, Trijata a spoke again; ‘Now listen, fair lady, how the enemy will be slain, and cease to doubt the issue.