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Laksmana said, "Sita loved you more than her ownself. How much she must have lamented, when she heard the cruel words of the general Krtāntavadana. She could endure your separation last time because she had a hope that you would one day reach Lanka and release her, but now that you have forsaken her, she has no reason to live. By now, the pains of your separation must have taken away her life." Rāma said, “I am sure that she is alive because of her virtue." Laksmana said, "In that case, I beg you to hurry... Please, take the general Krtāntavadana and other vidyadhars along with you. Search through the forest extensively and bring her back, before she breathes her last. Räma immediately left along with the general and other vidyadhars. They combed the entire forest, yet did
not get a single clue that proved whether Sita was alive or dead. So, they concluded that some animal of prey might have eaten her. Filled with despair and gloom, they returned to Ayodhyā. Strangely, now the people began to criticize Rāma. They said, "How cruel is Rāma to discard his innocent wife. She is pregnant and yet, he abandoned her, and Sitā ...... Sitā did not even grumble a complain. She endured this gross injustice silently and wished Rāma to be an ardent follower of lord Jineśvara. Blessed be the name of Sita, and woe to Rama." The public opinion is indeed like mrdanga, a percussian instrument used by Indian musicians. It is played from both sides. The public opinion, that so far denounced Sita, suddenly began to favour her and abhored Rāma. Strange indeed are the ways of the world!
29
Lava and Kusa
meet Rāma
Sita delivered twins at Pundarikapura. King Vajrajangha, Sita's brother in faith, celebrated this joyous occasion with such a pleasure and pomp that it left an everlasting impression in the hearts of the people. They said, "This celebration surpasses all other former celebrations, never before have we witnessed such a granduer and brilliance." The baby boys were named as Anangalava and Madanankusa. They later on became famous as Lava and Kusa. Sita and King Vajrajangha loved the babies more than their ownselves. The excellent nourishment, impeccable upbringing and a proper amount of love helped the babies grow day by day.
Once, a layman named Siddhaputra reached the sanctum of Sita. He had been out for a pilgrimage of mount Meru with the help of Akaśagamini vidya. He had reached Sita's abode traveling through the skies. Siddhaputra also was a master of Astanga Nimitta. He asked Sitā some questions connected with her life at Mithila and Ayodhyā. Sitā narrated her story to him. He said, "Both your sons have auspicious marks on their bodies. They will surpass Rama and Laksmana in valour as well as intelligence.
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