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ever. You have not only saved the life of my beloved Sita, but also given a new life to the Sürya dynasty."
When Sita witnessed the valour of her sons and their subsequent reunion with Rāma and Lakşmana, she was overjoyed. She then left for Pundarikapura in the aircraft. Here, in the battlefield, Rama met King Vajrajangha for the first time. He embraced King Vajrajangha and repeatedly said, "For me, you are second Bhamandala. You have really taken the best care of my offsprings in my absence, and along with valour, you have also inculcated moral values in them. I shall be indebted to you for
Then, Rama and Laksmana returned to Ayodhyā with Lava and Kuša. By then, the news of Lava and Kusa had already spread in Ayodhyā. People thronged to have a glimpse of their beloved little princes. Along with the Sürya dynasty, the entire nation celebrated this occasion. People rejoiced and celebrated this joyous occasion for many days.
30
Sītā' ordeal
Laksmana, Sugriva, Bibhişana, Hanumāna, Angad and others met Rama and said, "Sati Sita has been separated from you since quite some time and yet, she managed to survive in a strange land, only because of her two sons, Lava and Kusa. Now, since you have brought the children to Ayodhyā, she might find life aimless and meaningless. The separation from both husband and children will result into her untimely demise. We therefore request you to grant us a permission to rush to Pundarikapura and bring her back, so that you can spend the rest of your life together."
Rama said, "I know that the rumours against Sita's character are baseless. She is as pure as the holy river Ganga, yet I desire that before she rejoins me, she should face an ordeal called Agnidivya, in front of the citizens of Ayodhyā. When the fire will testify that Sita has no blemish on her character, people will stop wagging their tongues, and then, we can stay together without any obstruction." Rama ordered Sugriva to erect a massive pandal on the outskirts of Ayodhya and sent him to Pundarikapura. Having bowed down before Sita, Sugriva said, "Mother, my Lord Rama has dispatched me to you because he too is tormented by your separation. He has therefore sent the Puspaka aircraft. But. before you reunite with your virtuous husband, he wants you to perform an Agnidivya, the ordeal that will prove your innocence. I therefore request you to board the aircraft, so that we may start our journey to Ayodhya." Sitā said, "My lord has just managed to get over the tragic situation which my separation created. I do not desire to return to Ayodhya and give him more agonies. The people, who said that my character was dubious, would now say, look at Rama, he first deserted his wife and now he wants her to perform an ordeal."
Sugriva said with reverence, "Rāma is aware that you are purer than the purest woman. Yet, he is requesting you to face the ordeal, to convince the people that your character is above reproach. He does not want your name to be slandered when you return to Ayodhya. He wants to spend the rest of life with you without any trouble." Thus convinced by Sugriva, Sitā agreed to return to Ayodhyā with him.
She mounted the aircraft and reached a garden named Mahendra, situated on the outskirts of Ayodhyā. Lakşmana and other kings requested her to stay at the palace but Sita firmly refused, saying that she would re-enter Ayodhya and the palace, only after the ordeal. Rama visited her and said, "Devi, people doubt that you have stayed at Lanka for a prolonged period. They do not care whether you lived there willingly or unwillingly. They know that Rāvana had no scruples. They doubt whether Rāvana had immoral relations with you, with or without your consent. I think you must perform an ordeal, which will end their doubts, once and for all."
Sitā laughed and said, "You are indeed a noble and intelligent soul, yet you exiled me without ascertaining whether I was really guilty. You didn't even give me a chance to prove my innocence. You have punished me without any investigation and after so many years, you are making me perform an ordeal ! This is marvelous ! I am an Aryawoman, How can I disrespect your order. You wish that perform an ordeal, now you decide the time and place. I shall face any ordeal that you choose for me." Rama said, "Dear Sita, I know you are a sati- the purest woman, yet I want to prove that the baseless allegations made by the people are wrong. Therefore, I wish you to perform an ordeal."
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