Sita's Return and the Trial by Fire

Ram sent Hanuman to the Ashok Vatika with news of victory. Tears of joy flowed from Sita's eyes. Hanuman said: Mother, allow me to punish these demonesses who tormented you. Sita refused: they were only following orders. Even towards those who do wrong we should show compassion.

Vibhishan brought Sita to Ram with honour, and the whole army crowded to see her. In the Valmiki Ramayan, Ram spoke hard words before everyone: I have done my duty and upheld the honour of my family. As a king, he wanted to leave no room for doubt in the world's eyes.

The words struck Sita's heart like arrows. In a calm but firm voice she said: my heart has always been with you alone. Then she asked Lakshman to build a pyre. Heavy-hearted, Lakshman looked at Ram and prepared it. Sita bowed to Agni, the fire god, and walked into the flames.

Everyone stood stunned. Then Agni himself rose, holding Sita. She was completely unharmed: not her garment burnt, not even her flower garland faded. Agni said: Sita is entirely pure; accept her. Ram said: I never doubted her, but the world needed to see this. In the Valmiki Ramayan, King Dasharath too comes down from heaven at this moment to bless them.

The Ramcharitmanas tells it a little differently. There, the real Sita was placed in Agni's safekeeping before the abduction, and only her shadow stayed in Lanka. The trial by fire brought the real Sita back. In both traditions, devotees revere Sita as the highest image of purity and self-respect.