“Go and ask leave of your mother; then quickly return and accompany me to the woods.” Lakƒma˜a rejoiced to hear these words from the Chief of Raghus; great was his gain and a mighty loss was averted. He went up to his mother delighted at heart as a blind man who had regained his lost vision. Approaching her he bowed his head at her feet, while his heart was with Ýr¶ RŒma (the Delighter of Raghu’s race) and Janaka’s Daughter. Finding him depressed in spirit the mother inquired the reason, when Lakƒma˜a related at length the whole incident. SumitrŒ was alarmed to hear this cruel report as a doe on finding wild fire all about her. Lakƒma˜a apprehended that things would take a wrong turn that day and that his mother would frustrate his plans due to her affection. He, therefore, felt nervous and hesitated in asking leave of her; for he thought within himself, “Good God, will she allow me to accompany Ýr¶ RŒma or not?” (1—4)