Babhruvāhana’s Lament and Appeal for Expiation (प्रायश्चित्त-याचना)
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो विलप्य विरता भर्तु: पादौ प्रगृह् सा । उपविष्टा भवद् दीना सोच्छवासं पुत्रमीक्षती
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tato vilapya viratā bhartuḥ pādau pragṛhya sā | upaviṣṭā bhavad dīnā socchvāsaṃ putram īkṣatī ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Pagkaraan ng pagdadalamhati at pagkatigil sa panaghoy, niyakap niya ang mga paa ng kanyang asawa. Sa kawalang-lakas na dalamhati, naupo siya roon, humihinga ng mahahaba at putul-putol na buntong-hininga, at paulit-ulit na ibinabaling ang tingin sa kanyang anak—larawan ng pagsusumamo at hapdi ng isang ina sa loob ng debosyon ng isang maybahay.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights how intense sorrow is expressed within social-ethical forms: clasping the husband’s feet signifies humility and appeal, while the repeated sighing and looking toward the son foreground the competing pulls of spousal devotion and maternal concern—both recognized duties within dharma.
After lamenting, Citrāṅgadā stops wailing, grasps her husband’s feet, and sits down in a dejected state, breathing heavily and repeatedly glancing at her son, indicating fear and concern for the child amid the unfolding events.