DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0510
424 INDIAN MYTH AND LEGEND
The Rakshasa hosts broke in flight when Ravana fell,
and Rama entered the city in triumph. Bibhishana
burned the body of his fallen brother, and performed the
funeral rites. Thereafter he was proclaimed King of
Lanka.
When peace was restored, Rama commanded that
Sita should be brought forth. She was carried towards
the plain concealed in a litter, and all the Apes gathered
round to behold her, whereat Rama requested her to
alight and walk towards him, and she did so. With
folded hands she approached her husband and knelt at
his feet, weeping tears of joy.
Clouded was the brow of Rama; he spoke sternly,
and said: " Mine enemies are slain, and thou art delivered
from captivity, O Sita; but now that my shame is re-
moved I have no desire to behold thee. I cannot receive
thee as my wife, because that thou hast dwelt in the house
of Ravana."
Said Sita: " Chaste and innocent have I remained. . . •
O Rama, if thou hadst informed me of thy doubt, I
would have died ere now. Better is death than thy dark
suspicion."
Addressing Lakshmana, she then said: "Build for
me a funeral pyre so that I may end my grief amidst the
flames."
As she desired so did the brother of Rama do. He
built the pyre and set it alight. Then Sita invoked
Agni:
If in act and thought, she uttered, I am true unto my name,
Witness of our sins and virtues, may this fire protect my fame I
If a false and lying scandal brings a faithful woman shame,
Witness of our sins and virtues, may this fire protect my
fame!
The Rakshasa hosts broke in flight when Ravana fell,
and Rama entered the city in triumph. Bibhishana
burned the body of his fallen brother, and performed the
funeral rites. Thereafter he was proclaimed King of
Lanka.
When peace was restored, Rama commanded that
Sita should be brought forth. She was carried towards
the plain concealed in a litter, and all the Apes gathered
round to behold her, whereat Rama requested her to
alight and walk towards him, and she did so. With
folded hands she approached her husband and knelt at
his feet, weeping tears of joy.
Clouded was the brow of Rama; he spoke sternly,
and said: " Mine enemies are slain, and thou art delivered
from captivity, O Sita; but now that my shame is re-
moved I have no desire to behold thee. I cannot receive
thee as my wife, because that thou hast dwelt in the house
of Ravana."
Said Sita: " Chaste and innocent have I remained. . . •
O Rama, if thou hadst informed me of thy doubt, I
would have died ere now. Better is death than thy dark
suspicion."
Addressing Lakshmana, she then said: "Build for
me a funeral pyre so that I may end my grief amidst the
flames."
As she desired so did the brother of Rama do. He
built the pyre and set it alight. Then Sita invoked
Agni:
If in act and thought, she uttered, I am true unto my name,
Witness of our sins and virtues, may this fire protect my fame I
If a false and lying scandal brings a faithful woman shame,
Witness of our sins and virtues, may this fire protect my
fame!