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The Fire-ordeal and Renunciation
of the people Shri Ram and Lakshman were filled with fear. Sita checked the fury of the waves by touching them with her hands. The gods and goddesses tamed and calmed the waves as desired by Sita. Within a moment, the lake became serene and countless fascinating lotuses appeared on it.
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Narad and Siddharth were greatly delighted. They heaved a sigh of relief.
The divine beings declared, from the skies, "Ah! This is the power of absolute chastity. This is the power of Sita's unexampled purity!"
The cries of joy and jubilation issued by the people reverberated in the farthest horizons. Sita's fame spread through the three worlds.
Lav and Kush were greatly delighted and elated. They shed tears of joy and they were overwhelmed with joyful emotions. The two brothers looked at each other; stood up and leaped into the lake. Swimming across the water, they approached Sita. Sita embraced her sons affectionately and took them into her lap. Lav and Kush sat near her. All the men and women who saw this extraordinary sight were filled with joy and elation. Shri Ram and Lakshman were delighted to see this extraordinary sight.
Shri Ram accompanied by Lakshman, Shatrughna, Bhamandal and Sugriv approached Sita. All offered their highest veneration to her and adored her unexampled chastity. Shri Ram who was filled with repentance and shame could not look at Sita straight.
His eyes which sparkled with love and affection were also filled with grief and repentance. He said in a soft voice.
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"Dear Sita! People in this world are by nature fond of spreading scandals and rumours. Caught in the coils of those scandals, I abandoned you. You were left alone in a dreadful forest abounding in wild beasts. Dear Sita! You are alive now because of your unexampled chastity. You had to experience inordinate mental agony and anguish. I caused great anguish
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