________________
SITA'S PURIFICATION AND TAKING OF THE VOW 329
of the chariot, at once Lavana and Ankuśa fell respectfully at Padma's and Saumitri's feet in turn, their weapons abandoned. After embracing them, Raghūdvaha set them on his lap, kissing them on the head, and cried aloud, filled with sorrow and affection. Lakṣmaṇa took them from Rama's lap to his own lap, kissing them on the head, and embraced them, his eyes filled with tears. Śatrughna also, his arms stretched out from afar, embraced them falling respectfully at his lotus-feet, as if he were their father. Other kings also of both armies rejoiced together as if they had met at a wedding.
After she had seen her sons' strength and their meeting with their father, Sită, delighted, went to Pundarikapura by aerial car. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa were delighted at acquiring such sons and both the people of the earth and the sky rejoiced at the master's joy. Introduced by King Bhāmaṇḍala, King Vajrajangha bowed at Rama's and Saumitri's feet, polite like a soldier of long standing. Rāma said to him, "You are the equal of Bhamandala to me, you who reared my sons and brought this wife of mine." With these words, Padmanabha got into Puspaka with Lakṣmaṇa and entered the city with his sons sharing his seat. Rama went to his house, watched by the astonished citizens on the highway with their necks and heels stretched,199 his sons being praised by them. There Rama with Lakṣmaṇa got out of the car with his sons and he ordered a great festival with exceeding joy.
""
Sita's ordeal (168-233)
Then the son of Sumitra, the lord of the Kapis, and Bibhiṣaṇa, Hanumat, Angada and others together announced to Rama: "The queen remains in a foreign country, separated now from you, especially unfortunate without both boys. If you direct, master, we shall bring
199 166. They were standing on tiptoe, looking upwards.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
