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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAN suspicion about the character of Sita (Vijaya, Madhumatta, Kaśyapa and Kaliya have identical names with those of the PCV but the rest of the six bear different names-- 7.43.2). On receiving orders from Rāma, Lakşmaņa takes her in a chariot and leaves Sītā alone near the hermitage of Valmīki, on the other side of the river Gaiga on the same pretext as in the PCV (7.47). Vālmīki takes her to his Āśrama (7.79). On his way back to Ayodhyā, Lakşmaņa abuses Rāma but Sumantra, the charioteer tells him about a prophecy that it was bound to happen (7,50).
The TR does not contain the episode of the abandonment of Sită. According to the Gitāvili of Tulasidasa, Lakşmaņa abandons Sitā in the hands of Vālmīki. Daśaratha died before completing his full age. The rest of his age was being enjoyed by Rāma. Rāma after completion of his own age did not consider it proper to remain with Sítā while enjoying the age of Dasaratha. So he abandoned Sita (Bulcke, p. 441). According to the interpolated Lavakusakānda of the TR, Rāma abandons Māyā Sītā on hearing the report of her censure from a washerman.
The Rāmopākhyā na also does not contain this episode. The Raghuvaṁía agrees with the VR (Raghu. 14).
The PCR agrees with the PCV. The PCS does not mention that the river Gangā was crossed. The RPS mentions additionally that afterwards a search for Sītā is made by the soldiers commissioned by Lakşmaņa (p. 178). The TSP gives a different reason for her abandonment. Sitā's cowives are jealous of her. They ask her to draw a portrait of Rāvana. Sītā then draws the legs of Rāvāņa for she had not seen his face. Her cowives try to instigate Rāma against Sītā with the help of that picture but Rāma does not believe them. They make it known to the public (IV. p. 314). The headmen inform Rāma of the public rumour against Sita. He himself also overhears the same at night from the people (p. 316). His spies also report the same. Then it follows the PCV. Here Laksmana sends Rāma to bring back Sita but she could not be traced out (p. 320).
The Uttarapurāna, the Mahāpurāna, the Vasudevahindi and the Anāmakam Jataka do not contain this episode.
D. Birth of the sons of Sita and her fire ordeal:
(i) Birth and Marriage:-According to the PCV Sīta in due course gives birth to twin sons, Anangalavana and Madanākuša on the 15th day of the bright Śrāvana (97.7.9). Cellaka Siddhartha educates them. Vajrajangha marries his daughter, Sasicūlā (begot on
