Seeta's Unjust Banishment

When they reached the other coast, Lakshman joined his hands and said to Seeta, "When I think about this matter, my mind is plagued by guilt. What will people think of my actions? But I am following the orders of a wise and saintly man. Dearest sister-in-law, please forgive me for what I am about to do."

Seeing Lakshman crying and apologizing, Seeta grew concerned. "Lakshman," she said, "tell me the truth. I see that something is troubling you. Is the emperor well? It seems he has entrusted you with a task that you find difficult to carry out. Lakshman, I command you to tell me why you are distressed."

At Seeta's insistence, Lakshman bowed and said, with a heavy heart, "Brother Ram has heard the public say indecent things about you. I cannot repeat their remarks, but Ram was deeply distressed by them. Despite witnessing your purity being tested, he has given you up out of fear of stigma. He ordered me to take you to the rishis' ashram per your final wish."

Seeta was dumbstruck by Lakshman's words. A few moments later, she began to weep bitterly.

"Lakshman," she cried, "this body of mine was created to suffer. I must have sinned in my previous life and am now being punished. Why else would the emperor abandon me when I have always been faithful to him? I endured so many hardships during Ram's fourteen-year exile. How will I live in the forest without my loved ones? When the rishis ask why I was banished, what will I tell them?"

Lakshman was so distraught he didn't know what to say. He bowed to Seeta and returned to the boat. He crossed the river and then, with a heavy heart, boarded the chariot. When he turned around, he saw Seeta on the opposite bank, alone and helpless. But he had no choice but to return to the palace.

The students at Maharshi Valmeeki's ashram found Seeta crying and informed their guru. "Respected guru," they said, "there is a woman outside the ashram whom we've never seen before. She is as beautiful as a goddess and appears to be married. But she is crying inconsolably. We ought to help her."