Chapter 97 — Uttara Kanda, Sarga 97

Valmiki Ramayana — Uttara Kanda

Verse 97.4

लोकापवादो बलवान्येन त्यक्ता हि मैथिली। सेयं लोकभयाद्ब्रह्मनपापेत्यभिजानता। परित्यक्ता मया सीता तद्भवान्क्षन्तुमर्हति ॥

lokāpavādo balavānyena tyaktā hi maithilī| seyaṃ lokabhayādbrahmanapāpetyabhijānatā| parityaktā mayā sītā tadbhavānkṣantumarhati ||

English Meaning

O Brāhmaṇa, vilification of the people is very powerful. Although I know that Jānaki has not been touched by any sin still I have renounced her. Do you therefore forgive me.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)