March 31 - Sarga 97 of Uttara Kanda.
In response to Sage Valmiki's emphatic attestation of Devi Sita's purity, Sri Rama replies clearly and assertively that he has known all along how Devi Dita is immaculately and incontrovertibly the paragon of purity and divinity. He refers to her Agni Pravesha and the blessing of all gods who witnessed that. He also knows for sure that Kusha and Lava are his sons. He had relinquished Sita purely out of the fear of public slander.
Sri Rama still asks that Devi Sita furnish proof of her own purity. He shall lovingly accept her after that.
Devi Sita now calls as witness Mother Earth for her purity. Witnessed by all creation with bated breath, the earth opens up to reveal Mother Earth emerging on a throne. She embraces Devi Sita, and takes her into her womb forever.
***
राघवः प्रत्यभाषत प्राञ्जलिर्गतो मध्ये दृष्ट्वा तां वरवर्णिनीम्
"Sri Rama responded to Sage Valmiki with bowed head and holded hands, looking at Devi Sita, who could only be described in terms of divinity radiant in her, standing in the middle of the assembly."
The following words were spoken by Sri Rama.
प्रत्ययश्च पुरा वृत्तो वैदेह्याः सुरसन्निधौ ।
शपथश्च कृतस्तत्र तेन वेश्म प्रवेशिता ॥
"Oh, noble sage, long back, in the immediate presence of gods, Devi Sita had established her purity (by Agnipravesha). Only on her establishing her own purity did she come back into the Ayodhya palace."
लोकापवादो बलवान्येन त्यक्ता हि मैथिली ।
सेयं लोकभयाद्ब्रह्मन्नपापेत्यभिजानता ।
परित्यक्ता मया सीता तद्भवान् क्षन्तुमर्हति ॥
"Then, unfortunately, a great public slander started, and forced me to relinquish Maithili Sita purely out of my fear of public disapproval. Oh, divine sage! I knew fully well, without a shadow of doubt, that Sita was purity itself. Kindly forgive my act of relinquishing her."
जानामि चेमौ पुत्रौ मे यमजातौ कसीलवौ ।
शुद्धायां जगतो मध्ये मैथिल्यां प्रीतिरस्तु मे ॥
"Sir, I know that these twin boys, Kushi and Lava, are my own sons. Once Devi Sita gives proof of her purity in this august assembly, I shall accept her wholeheartedly with love."
When Sri Rama said this, Lord Indra arrived along with other gods, with Lord Brahma in the lead. All deities - Adityas, Rudras, Vasus, Vishvedevas, maruts, sadhyas, rishis, nagas, suparnas, and siddhas, were all anxious to witness the avowal of her purity by Devi Sita.
Sri Rama acknowledged the presence of gods, and repeated his line that even though he was fully convinced by the words of Sage Valmiki, Devi Sita may please establish her purity and he shall lovingly take her back.
Just then, the Wind-god did something extraordinary. A most pleasant and fragrant breeze blew over everyone present to their astonished delight. They realized this was a special moment.
All the kings and commoners waited with bated breath.
सर्वान् समागतान् दृष्ट्वा सीता काषायवासिनी।
अब्रवीत्प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यमधोदृष्टिरवाङ्मुखम् ॥
यथाहं राघवादन्यं मनसापि न चिन्तये।
तथा मे माधवी देवी विवरं दातुमर्हति ॥
मनसा कर्मणा वाचा यथा रामं समर्चये।
तथा मे माधवी देवी विवरं दातुमर्हति ॥
यथैतत्सत्यमुक्तं मे वेद्मि रामात्परं न च ।
तथा मे माधवी देवी विवरं दातुमर्हति ॥
"Devi Sita saw all those who had assembled there from the three worlds. She was dressed in the ascetic cloth of ochre. She folded her hands in obeisance, and with eyes downcast, head bowed, she spoke:
"If I do not even harbour the thought of any man other than Sri Rama, then may Mother Earth Bhagavati Bhudevi take me into her bosom.
"If in thought, deed, and word, I have worshipped Sri Rama and him alone, then may Mother Earth Bhagavati Bhudevi take me into her bosom.
"If I have spoken the truth by saying that I do not know any man other than Sri Rama, then may Mother Earth Bhagavati Bhudevi take me into her bosom."
At that moment, to everyone's fright and amazement, a huge sound was heard as the earth opened up and a divine throne rose up into the central part of the assembly. It was raised on the head of divine serpents who guarded the innards of Mother Earth. Mother Earth, Prithivi Adhishthatri herself appeared in her full divinity. She extended her two arms and embraced Sita and placed her on the throne by her own side. The Devi now proceeded to descend into earth along with Devi Sita on the throne, while everyone watched, totally disoriented by what was happening.
There was a shower of flowers on Devi Sita from heavens. The gods were heard exclaiming, "Dhanya Sita! Dhanya Sita! (Blessed is Sita!). Oh, Devi, you are purity itself, and your truthfulness and fidelity stands vindicated, and you are unmatched in the three worlds."
The sages, kings, commoners, and denizens of the netherworld - basically everyone - knew not what to think or say. Some went into a trance. Some simply applauded. Some looked at Sri Rama. Some watched Sita without batting their eyelids.
There was all-around a profound sorrow and a sense of mystery.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
