The learned have enunciated the
truth that one's wife, son, wealth, and house, are acquired with the
intention of providing against accidents, foreseen or unforeseen. The wise
have also said that all one's relations weighed against one's own self
would not be equal unto one's self. Therefore, revered sir, protect thy
own self by abandoning me. O, give me leave to sacrifice myself, and
cherish thou my children. Those that are conversant with the morals have,
in their treatises, said, that women should never be slaughtered and that
Rakshasas are not ignorant of the rules of morality. Therefore, while it
is certain that the Rakshasa will kill a man, it is doubtful whether he
will kill a woman. It behoveth thee, therefore, being conversant with the
rules of morality, to place me before the Rakshasa. I have enjoyed much
happiness, have obtained much that is agreeable to me, and have also
acquired great religious merit. I have also obtained from thee children
that are so dear to me. Therefore, it grieveth not me to die. I have borne
thee children and have also grown old; I am ever desirous of doing good to
thee; remembering all these I have come to this resolution. O revered sir,
abandoning me thou mayest obtain another wife. By her thou mayest again
acquire religious merit. There is no sin in this. For a man polygamy is an
act of merit, but for a woman it is very sinful to betake herself to a
second husband after the first. Considering all this, and remembering too
that sacrifice of thy own self is censurable, O, liberate today without
loss of time thy own self, thy race, and these thy children (by abandoning
me).
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