Sita Returns to the Earth

Ram sent word to Valmiki: if Sita is innocent, let her come to the assembly and take an oath before everyone, so every doubt leaves the people's minds. The next day sages, kings and citizens all gathered in the assembly.

Valmiki brought Sita. Her eyes were lowered and her hands folded. Valmiki declared: I have practised austerities for thousands of years. If there is any fault in Sita, may the fruit of all my penance be lost. Sita is wholly pure, and these two boys are your own sons.

Then Sita said softly: if in mind, word and deed I have never thought of anyone but Ram, may Mother Earth give me a place in her lap. She was the earth's own daughter: King Janak had found her in the soil of a ploughed field.

At that very moment the earth opened. A divine throne rose up, and Mother Earth lovingly took Sita in her arms and seated her upon it. Flowers rained from the sky, and Sita disappeared into the earth. The whole assembly stood stunned.

Ram was overcome with grief. He begged the earth to return Sita, and even grew angry. Then Brahma consoled him that he would be reunited with Sita in the world beyond. Ram embraced Luv and Kush and ruled with dharma for many years. At the end, tradition says, he entered the Sarayu river and returned to his divine abode. Devotees worship Sita as the goddess of patience, endurance and self-respect.