Rama Rejects Sita After Rescuing Her

Rama had killed Ravana, the Indra of the rakshasas and enemy of the gods. The heavens celebrated. The gods, with the rishis at the forefront, praised the mighty-armed one and pronounced benedictions of victory over him. Gandharvas and residents of heaven showered flowers and words of praise. It was as if a great festival was being held in heaven. Rama handed Lanka over to Vibhishana. Then the aged adviser Avindhya emerged, with Sita at the forefront and Vibhishana leading the way. With great humility, he told Rama: "Accept this goddess. Janaki is of good conduct." Rama descended from his chariot. He saw Sita enveloped in tears, her beautiful limbs covered with dirt, her hair matted, attired in a black garment, oppressed by grief. She had been rescued. She was before him. And he was concerned. He looked at her and thought: Vaidehi has been touched by another. He spoke publicly, in front of the assembled monkeys and warriors. "O Vaidehi! You are free. Go. I have done my duty. You once had me as a husband, and therefore I did not think that you should grow old in the house of that rakshasa. Hence, I killed the stalker of the night. How can a man like me, who knows the ways of dharma, accept a woman, even for an instant, who has been held in another man's arms? O Maithili! Whether you are of good conduct or evil conduct, I no longer have any interest in enjoying you now. You are like oblations that have been licked by a dog." On hearing these terrible words, the young goddess suddenly fell down on the ground, like a severed plantain tree. Her face had been flush with delight. That disappeared in an instant, like breath on a mirror. All the monkeys, together with Lakshmana, stood around motionless, as if they were dead.