Reading Notes: PDE, Part D

Reading Notes for Part D: As soon as Rama killed Ravana once and for all, Rama asked that Hanuman bring Sita to him adorned in beautiful clothing and jewels. Therefore, Hanuman did as he was told and brought Sita to Rama. Rama did have one more request though and that was that Sita be brought to him by foot and not on a palanquin. The new king of Lanka, Vibhishana, cast down at that rebuke and brought Sita to Rama. Once they were together, Rama did not embrace her but instead told her that he has brought honor to his name and to the family, but Sita had stained her honor. Sita could not believe what she was hearing and was heartbroken. Sita could not believe that Rama was accusing her for loving someone else. Therefore, to prove her innocence and to defend her honor, Sita prayed that the fire-god, Agni, consume her and be of witness to her true fidelity to Rama. With sorrowful eyes, Sita asked Lakshmana to start the fire for her and he did so but not without giving Rama a mean look first. The gods came down and asked Rama what he was doing. The gods and the people were all filled with grief and lamenting what was about to take place. However, Rama stood his ground and let Sita prove herself. Sita was then consumed by the fire and while Brahma was chanting, the fire rose to the sky with Sita on his lap and proved her sweet innocence and fidelity to Rama. After a few silent minutes, Rama rejoiced for he knew his wife's innocence but he had to prove to the people that he was not just guided by desire. Rama then ran to Sita and finally regained his beautiful bride.


Bibliography: Public Domain Edition of the Ramayana by Laura Gibbs (Chapters 73-74 - link)

Sita's Fire Test. Source: Wikimedia Commons