The Final Test of Seeta's Purity

Together, they went to Valmiki's ashram, where Seeta awaited them. Ram, however, pretended not to notice his estranged wife and didn't even inquire about her well-being. His three brothers, on the other hand, respectfully touched Seeta's feet, and she blessed them. Valmiki then expressed his wish for Seeta to return to Ayodhya with her sons and live out her days in happiness. But Ram hesitated to bring Seeta back to the palace, which surprised Maharshi Valmiki. With the authority of his thousand years of penance, Valmiki attested to Seeta's purity and unblemished character. Ram acknowledged her purity but confessed that he feared hearing any further criticism of her from his subjects. He found himself in a deep dilemma.

Lakshman tried in vain to convince Ram to accept Seeta back. He begged Seeta for forgiveness, admitting that he had always carried the guilt of abandoning her in the forest. Seeta, however, reassured him that she bore no resentment, understanding that he was only following her husband’s orders. She lamented that her husband remained indifferent to her, despite her unwavering loyalty. In her anguish, she cried out, "If I am chaste and loyal to my husband, O Mother Earth, take me into your embrace. If I have never strayed in thought or deed from my husband, O Mother, give me shelter in your lap."

The gods appeared in the sky to witness the fulfillment of Seeta's words, as her purity was tested once more. Thunder rumbled, lightning flashed, and the earth cracked with a deafening sound. From the depths emerged the Earth goddess, seated on a divine throne coiled with serpents, to take Seeta away. Everyone at the ashram stood helpless and terrified as the Earth goddess confirmed Seeta’s purity, taking her into her lap. The gods showered flowers upon Seeta. Moments later, the earth closed over her, and she was gone.

The environment returned to normal, but Seeta was no longer present. Lav and Kush began to cry, and Ram, unable to bear their grief, embraced his sons—the only living reminders of his faithful wife. It was only then that Ram truly felt the weight of his loss. With Seeta gone, his will to live dwindled. He implored the Earth goddess to return Seeta to him, but his plea went unanswered. He mourned, "Now, she will forever keep Seeta with her, in this life and the afterlife."

Overcome with anger at his separation from Seeta, Ram resolved to destroy all of creation—the earth, sky, mountains, and outer space. Seeing his turmoil, Lord Brahma immediately appeared and counseled him against defying the laws of nature. Brahma also assured Ram that he would be reunited with Seeta in the afterlife. With this reassurance, Ram finally calmed down.

Ram and his sons returned to Ayodhya, which had been decorated like a bride. The townspeople warmly welcomed Ram, Lav, and Kush, rejoicing that Ayodhya’s throne now had a successor. However, Ram remained indifferent to these celebrations, finding them hollow. Thereafter, tragedy struck repeatedly. Ram’s mother, Kaushalya, passed away, followed shortly by Sumitra and Kaikeyi. Consumed by grief, Ram no longer wished to rule, yet he had no choice but to face the responsibilities before him. Though he often longed to let go of his sorrow, he found himself unable to do so.