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CVIII
THE FIRE-ORDEAL AND RENUNCIATION
The outskirts of the city of Ayodhya ! The Mahendroday garden !
A magnificent pavilion had been constructed there. It was decorated with flowers of various glorious flowers. Countless kings and a vast mass of people had gathered there. An ocean of humanity seemed to be rolling there. All were looking towards the sky, expecting the arrival of the Pushpak Viman. All were looking towards the horizons with fixed eyes. It was past midday and the sun had slightly declined to the west.
Just then the Pushpak appeared on the horizon! With abounding eagerness and impatience all stood up. The kings and princes began looking up turning their eyes towards the sky. Within a few moments, the Pushpak entered the territory of Ayodhya. At a great height it performed three circumambulations around Ayodhya. Sugriv landed the Pushpak with great skill in the Mahendroday garden.
A number of damsels greeted Sita offering her vermilion and holy grain and received her with great cordiality. Sita at once alighted from the Pushpak. Her daughters-in-law followed her with great humility. At the end, Sugriv alighted from the Pushpak. On seeing Sita, Lakshman rose from his throne; ran towards her and fell at her feet. The other kings who were in the pavilion did the same.
Sita was entreated to be seated on a throne. Bhamandal took Sita's daughters-in-law into the city of Ayodhya. Lav and Kush were in Ayodhya. Lakshman, Sugriv, Vibhishan, Hanu
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