Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 4

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 365

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CHAPTER NINE her here today. Otherwise, a virtuous wife, she will perish, abandoned by husband and sons.” Rāma considered a little: "How can Jānaki be brought here, when the severe censure of the people, though false, creates an obstacle? . I know that Sitä is virtuous and she knows herself spotless. There is no fear on the part of both to give and accept an ordeal. Let the queen undergo an ordeal before all the people and let me live again with her, pure.” Saying "Very well,” they had erected outside the city large, high pavilions and inside them rows of platforms. The kings, citizens, ministers, et cetera sat on them, and the Khecaras also, Bibhişaņa, Sugrīva, et cetera. . .
Then at Rama's command the Lord of the Kapis himself went to Puņdarikapura, bowed to Vaidehi, and said : "For you Rāma has sent the car Puspaka. Now get in it and come to Rāma's presence." She said: "Even now the pain from my abandonment in the forest is not allayed. Why then shall I go to Räma again who would cause more pain?" He bowed again and said: "Do not be angry. Rāghava is seated on a platform with all the citizens and kings for your purification." On this information Jānaki, who already longed for purification, got into the car and went to Ayodhyā..
When she arrived at the garden Mähendrodaya, she got out and was presented with a reception gift by Lakşmaņa who had come and the kings bowed to her. Saumitri, seated in front with the kings, said, "Purify your own city and your own house by entering, queen." Sitä said: “When my purification has been attained, I shall enter this city and house. Otherwise, friend, slander will not be suppressed at all.” Quickly the kings related this assertion of Sītā's and Rāma himself came and spoke harshly to Vaidehi according to law. : "If there was no pleasure with Daśāsya while you were staying in his house, undergo an ordeal before all the people for your purification.”