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“Now that I have wiped off the stain of insult on My noble house and established My truthfulness and Rāvaṇa clasped You in his arms and looked upon You with a lustful eye. Perhaps You may now find shelter with Lakṣman or Bharata or Shatrughna, or even Vibhishana.

Vibhishana went ahead and informed Rāma that His wife was on Her way. Hearing that She was on a palanquin, Rāma said to Vibhishana, “The princess should be asked to dismount and The people desire to see Her and that is not condemned by scripture. A house, a veil or a costume are never the protection of a chaste woman.

No one dared approach Him or say anything. Only Sītā came near Him. She walked around Him in respect and approached the blazing fire. “If I have never been unfaithful to Rāma either in mind, words or body, may the fire-god protect Me on

Sītā folded Her palms and bowed to Her father-in-law, who rose again to his aerial chariot and left for The other gods paid their respects to Rāma and then left for their own abodes. Indra approached Rāma and said, “A sight of the gods can never go in vain. O Rāma, pray tell us what You desire and it shall be done at once.”

Sītā was overjoyed to see Rāma again and Her face shone like the moon, but She felt abashed when She Her limbs trembled and She stood before Him with Her head bowed and hands folded.

Sītā, accepting Rāma’s word as Her order, acquiesced, and Vibhishana immediately arranged for Her bath and clothing. In a short while the princess was adorned in costly robes and jewels worthy of the consorts of the gods She mounted a golden palanquin bedecked with celestial gems and was borne into Rāma’s presence.

The gods and ṛṣis appeared in the assembly offering praises to Rāma. Śiva personally came before Rāma and said, “You have killed the scourge and dread of the universe, O You should now depart for Ayodhya and comfort Your relatives there.

After uttering this prayer Sītā walked around the fire and then fearlessly entered it before the vast Gods, ṛṣis, Gandharvas, Siddhas and other divine beings observed Sītā walking deep into the fire and assembly sent up a great cry as they watched Her ascend the pyre, like a goddess fallen from heaven and A gasp of amazement and shock came from the crowd as She disappeared into the flames.

And, having seen Rāma emerge victorious and happy, Hanumān desired nothing more.

You are Viṣṇu and Nārāyaṇa, the one supreme person who is known by many names. All the gods come from You and the worlds rest upon Your energy. You exist within and without all things and reside in the heart of every being. Your existence and actions are inconceivable. You have appeared as Rāma for the destruction of Rāvaṇa and the deliverance of Your devoted servants.

The monkeys who were killed then rose from the ground, amazed to see themselves healed and restored to They looked at one another and asked, “What miracle is this?” They leapt and shouted for joy, coming together like a great roaring ocean.

Lakṣman, Sugrīva and Hanumān looked at Rāma with surprise. He appeared to be displeased with Sītā. His expression was stern and thoughtful.

Rāma looked up and saw the chariot descending slowly. Leaving the chariot, he came down to earth and embraced Rāma tightly. He sat next to his son and began to speak.

Angry, Sītā admonished and taunted Rāma. Why had He gone to such great endeavors? Then She would have immediately given up Her life and saved Him all the effort of war. Like a mean man, He had not considered Her devotion and chastity toward Him. He had forgotten Her divine origins and taken Her to be an ordinary woman.

Rāma bowed His head and said nothing. The princess was dressed in a red robe and She shone brightly like the rising sun. She wore a garland of celestial flowers and She was adorned with brilliant gems.

Indra bid farewell to Rāma and departed along with all the other gods. blazing chariots disappeared into the sky Rāma ordered that the monkeys camp for the night, while He and

Lakṣman understood His desire and, feeling deeply pained and perplexed, constructed a pyre.

Smiling, Rāma asked Indra to return to life all the slain monkeys, even those whose bodies had been torn and He also asked that wherever the monkeys may live there should be abundant fruits and roots for their

Agni placed Sītā before Rāma and spoke in a voice that boomed out like thunder. Rāvaṇa forcefully snatched Her away while She was helpless and forlorn. Although kept captive by him, Her mind and heart remained focused on You at every moment. She did not give a single thought to Rāvaṇa despite being tempted and threatened by him in many ways.

Crowds of Rākṣasas and monkeys filled the streets, all anxious for a glimpse of the princess. Rākṣasas wearing dark jackets and turbans and carrying staffs fitted with bells cleared a path for Her