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Later Sita gave birth to twin sons. Years passed. More than twelve years later Rama performed a great sacrifice named 'Ashvamedha'. Sage Valmiki came to attend that sacrifice along with Rama's twin sons. Rama. was unaware of their presence and existence. Both sons- Lava and Kusha sung the story of Ramayana in the assembly. For many days, Ramayana was sung in the assembly. Rama came to know through that song that Lava and Kusha were his sons. Rama sent the envoys to Sage Valmiki that, if Sita was of pure conduct, then she may purify herself here in the assembly at the bidding of sage Valmiki. Let her give proof of her purity.' The venerable Sage agreed to this. Next day morning, Sita followed Sage Valmiki in the assem bly. Her head was bent and eyes full of tears. The Sage declared that Sita who was left near his hermitage was sinless and pure. Rama replied that he already knew that Sita was pure and sinless. It was the censure of people that led to her abandonment. He also accepted that he knew Lava and Kusha were his sons only. And let her chastity be acknowledged by the world and be my love reinstated in her.
Sita was wearing brown garment made from the tree bark. She had no ornaments on her person. Her hands folded and her gaze down. She said, "As I have not thought about anyone except Rama, as I worship Rama in mind speech and action, Goddess earth grant me the space to enter. As I have spoken the truth that I do not know anyone except Rama, grant me the space to enter.' (यथाहं राघवादन्यं मनसापि न चिन्तये तथा मे माधवी देवी विवरं दातुमर्हसि ॥ मनसा कर्मणा वाचा था रामं समर्चये। तथा मे माधवी देवी विवरं दातुमर्हसि ॥ यथैतत्सत्यमुक्तं मे वेद्मि रामात् परं न च । तथा मे माधवी देवी विवरं दातुमर्हसि ॥ Uttarakanda, 97. 14-16)
As Sita was taking the oath, a wonderful divine throne appeared from the Earth. The goddess Earth was sitting on it. She welcomed Sita with words and took her by hands she seated Sita near her. Sita entered the netherworld. Gods showered flowers. Gods praised Sita.
Role of Sita in Ramayana ends here, but not the impact created by her is ended. All through this episode, Sita never once looked at Rama. Her gaze is towards the earth. She wanted to prove her purity. She proved it in her own way. She knew in her heart that, once she proved her purity before the vast gathering of army, before Rama by entering the fire. Still, Rama abandoned her when query was raised against her purity. If she proved her purity by entering the fire again at the behest of Rama, there was no guarantee that Rama would not abandon her again if the question again is raised about her purity. She never wanted to taste the poison again. She probably was resolved to prove her purity and save herself from the further insult in the future by Rama. There is possibility that she knew in her heart that such blots cannot be washed. They penetrate deeper the more you try to absolve them. There is possibility that she understood Rama's mind when she first entered the fire in Lanka, that it would be shame for him to accept Sita who
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| SR No. | 007005 |
| Book Title | World of Philosophy |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave |
| Publisher | Shanti Prakashan |
| Publication Year | 2011 |
| Total Pages | 1002 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 30 MB |