Rama stood in shock. It is as if the Earth was pulled from under his feet. Tears brimmed his eyes, and a long buried wound had resurfaced in his heart. He looked at the boys for a long time before leaving.

Valmiki taught the boys the Ramayana- a long poem on Rama's deeds in his life. The two boys would sing the Ramayana everywhere as taught by Valmiki. They also sung of how Sita found in ground by father. Sita means furrow -to sow. Hearing the Ramayana Rama called an aseembly of Brahmina and grammarians, artists. musicians, etc. No one could match the children's level and of course people noticed the likeness they had to Rama. Rama offered them wealth which they rejected. He listened to the song again and again to finally see that were Sita's sons. He sent hermits and asked Sita to give an oath for her faithfulness again to which he said she would come and meet him.

Valmiki came forward, and Sita followed him with downcast glance and folded hands and falling tears. Sita was torn all over again. The pain that she buried deep inside was brought to the surface. Her tears brought Rama unease and he fidgeted as he saw her come. Rama met Sita's eyes and he looked to the ground ashamed. There rose a cry of welcome and a murmuring in the assembly when they saw Sita following Valmiki much like Vedas following Brahma. Valmiki spoke for her and asked Rama how he could accept her and then let her go for what people thought. So why should Sita give oath of purity now? And if she wasn't pure Valmiki would leave his hermitage and status of years.

Rama replies:

O Valmiki, your words prove the pureness of Sita. These brothers Kusha and Lava are recognized by me as my sons. I want Sita to speak for herself and give her testimony as well because the people have gathered today to see her and to hear her testimony.

Sita speaks:

I am an honorable woman. I have loved Rama with all my heart, and I have never given anyone else his place. May the Goddess of the Earth be my protection if this is true. I pray for Vasudharato to come and receive me now.

Just as the words left Sita's lips a heavenly throne rose up from the Earth and stretched out its arms to welcome her on itself. Sita smiled, as she sat on the throne it went down into the Earth with her. Everyone cheered for Sita including the Earth. It was a slap in the face for anyone who had ever judged, gossiped, misunderstood, or taken Sita for granted. It was not a time of testimony, but a gathering of judgement and truth. The case had closed, and Sita had won after years of suffering.

Rama sat stricken with sorrow and with hanging head, and he was torn by grief and anger that Sita had disappeared before his very eyes. He would have destroyed the very Earth if she would not give Sita back, but it was too late. He took too long to see the truth, and now she was gone.

Brahma looked at Rama and how upset and angry he was. Brahma said,

Dear Rama you are a man of firm vows. You should not grieve, Sita was blameless and pure, and she has gone to abode of the nagas. You will meet her again in Heaven

Rama was heavy-hearted. There was nothing he could do to see her again or bring her out of the Earth. The whole world seemed empty without Sita, and he knew no peace until the day he died. He gave the monkeys and the kings and hermits gifts, and sent them back to their own homes, and he made a golden image of Sita to share with him in the performance of sacred rites, and a thousand years passed, while all things prospered in the kingdom of Ayodhya.

Bibliography

Laura, Gibbs. Reading Part A: King Dasharatha. Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana

Laura, Gibbs. Reading Part A: King Dasharatha. Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana

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