Rama Avatar

Rama narrated to them what the spy had told him and said he would renounce Sita.They did not agree to that. They said, "Brother, that our sister-in-law is virtuous is known to the whole world. She underwent even the fire ordeal in Lanka. She entered the flames and came out unscathed. At that time father Dasharatha came from Heaven and said, 'Sita is a very virtuous lady. Your dynasty will prosper by her.' Is the washer man's word more important than father is? Sita is in advanced pregnancy. However can you think of renouncing her in this condition?"

Rama asked Lakshmana to remain and sent the others back. Then he said, "Brother Lakshmana, you have never opposed whatever I said in the past. Now also don't do so. I know that Sita is pure. It is very painful for me to give her up. But it is my duty as a king to abandon her. Sita has desired to go to the hermitages of rishis. And I have agreed. So that will be the excuse. Take her with you and leave her on the banks of the river Ganga." Lakshmana would never go against his elder brother's words. But his mind was not for abandoning Sita, so advanced in pregnancy, in the jungle. "All right," he said to his brother, and departed like a possessed man. By then the night was over and it was dawn.

LAKSHMANA LEAVING TO THE FOREST WITH SITA

Lakshmana brought his chariot and stationed it at the door of Sita's palace. Sita had just then got up and was at her prayers. "Why Lakshmana, you have come so early!" she said. Lakshmana in reply asked, "Mother, why did you desire to go to the hermitages?" Sita did not understand him fully. She felt very happy that her desire was being fulfilled. She thought, 'How much Rama loves me! How good he is! How quickly he fulfills my wishes!' Her joy and elation were boundless. To take with her she made a package of turmeric powder, vermilion, bangles, blouses, saris and other auspicious articles to be presented to the wives of sages. Thus Sita and Lakshmana started.

After a while the chariot reached the bank of the Ganga. Beyond the river were the hermitages. Lakshmana stopped his chariot and unyoking the horses, tied them elsewhere. With the help of boatmen both of them crossed the river.

SITA ALONE IN THE FOREST

Then they began to walk. The Sun's heat was becoming more and more severe. Lakshmana was tired carrying the heavy package Sita had brought. The delicate Sita had to walk on stones and thorns, and her feet bled painfully. When they were in the middle of the jungle, Lakshmana said, "Mother, I am a sinner, a cheat. I have brought you here to leave you in the forest. It seems some washer man said something bad about you. So Rama has ordered me to abandon you in the jungle. You are the very personification of virtue; but I have to perform this wicked deed of leaving you in the wilderness. You must pardon me."

As Sita heard his words, her eyes became dark and she collapsed unconscious. Seeing that, Lakshmana's mind was in turmoil. When Sita regained consciousness she said, "Lakshmana, all this is the result of my sins. None else is responsible for this. When the all merciful Rama renounces me, who else can help? You have only done his bidding. I must also obey Rama's behest. You may now go back. Convey my salutations to everyone in Ayodhya." Still weeping, Lakshmana said, "Mother, I shall return" and went back to Ayodhya.

Sita was utterly alone in a thick forest. She sat beneath a tree and wept loudly. All the events of her life came back to her mind. She was born the daughter of King Janaka; she married an exalted person, Rama, and so entered the palace of Emperor Dasharatha; but what she got, as her share was only scandal, sorrow and suffering in a forest. As she thought of all this, she felt heaviness in the head she lay down, and got into a deep slumber.