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THE ABANDONMENT OF SITA
299 brother. Rativardhana became disgusted with existence from the recollection of his births which was produced, became a mendicant, and after death became a god in Brahmaloka. Then, having fallen, you became brothers, kings in Vibuddhanagara in the Videhas and went to Acyuta after becoming mendicants. After falling from Acyuta · you became now the sons, Indrajit and Meghavāhana, of the Prativişņu Daśāsya. Rativardhana's mother, Indumukhī, became your mother, Mandodarī, after wandering through births."
Reunion of Rāma and Sītā (34-45) After hearing that, Kumbhakarņa, Indrajit, Meghavāhana and others, Mandodarī and others, took the vow at that time. After bowing to the muni, his road shown by Bibhişaņa, stooping, going ahead like a door-keeper, with blessings bestowed by Vidyādharīs, with great magnificence like Indra, Rama with Saumitri and the lord of the Kapis entered the city Lankā.
Kākutstha went to the garden on the top of Mt. Puşpagiri and saw there Maithili just as described by Hanumat. Lifting her up on his lap like a second life, considering her then (his) life, Rāghava held her. “Hail to this noble wife Sītā," the Siddhas, Gandharvas, et cetera sang joyfully in the air at that time. Sumitrā's son bowed with joy at Queen Sītā's feet, as if washing them with uninterrupted tears. “Long live! Long rejoice! Long be victorious with my blessing!” With these words Vaidehī smelled Lakşmaņa's head.187 Bhāmaņdala bowed to Sītā and Sītā delighted him joyfully with a blessing which resembled the speech of munis. The lord of the Kapis and Bibhīşaņa, Hanumat, Argada, and the others bowed to Janaka's daughter together with announcement of their names. Sītā with Rāma looked like a nightblooming lotus which has bloomed from a full moon after a
187 41. A method of showing affection. See II, p. 347.
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