मय्यगच्छति चेहस्थे धर्मात्मानौ महारथौ। आशया तौ धरिष्येते वानराश्च तरस्विनः॥ हस्तादानो मुखादानो नियतो वृक्षमूलिकः। वानप्रस्थो भविष्यामि अदृष्ट्वा जनकात्मजाम्॥
mayyagacchati cehasthe dharmātmānau mahārathau| āśayā tau dhariṣyete vānarāśca tarasvinaḥ|| hastādāno mukhādāno niyato vṛkṣamūlikaḥ| vānaprastho bhaviṣyāmi adṛṣṭvā janakātmajām||
English Meaning
On my not going there and staying here, those righteous-souled Maharathas as well as the fastfleeting monkeys, shall preserve their lives through hope (of hearing tidings concerning Sītā). And not having seen Janaka's daughter, I will lead the Vānaprastha mode of life, partaking (of fruits) falling into my hands or mouth, restraining my senses, and staying at the foot of trees.
— M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)