Ram killed Ravan and conquered Lanka. He had already anointed Vibhishan as Ravan’s successor the moment this brother of Ravan’s had come to seek his refuge –
Jadpisakhatavichchhanahin/Mor Darsu amogh jag mahin//
As kahi Ram tilak tehi sara/Suman brishtinabhbhaeeapara//
(He said) O Friend! Even though you don’t desire it, a visit to me never goes without a reward in this world. Be it so! Saying that, Ram anointed Vibhishan (with sea water from the Indian Ocean). There was a limitless shower of flowers from the sky.
Ramcharitmanas/Sunder Kand/48(v)
But Ravan had first to be cremated before Vibhishan could be installed on the Lanka throne. Vibhishan expressed reluctance to cremate his estranged brother. He told Ram that Ravan was “cruel, ruthless, a fabricator, and one who grasped others’ women” (see Balmiki Ramayan/Yuddh Kand/Canto 111(xciii)). Ram, however, persuaded him to perform obsequies to his deceased brother, even though he had been deeply hurt by Ravan’s vile act of abducting Sita –
Marnantanivairaninivrittamnhpryojanam/
Kriytamasyasanskarimamapyeshyathatavah//
Enmity lasts only till death. It ends with death. Now we have also achieved our objective. And he is as much my brother as he is yours. Therefore, cremate him.
Ibid/Canto 111(c)
In compliance with Ram’s instruction, Vibhishan cremated Ravan with all due ceremony. Ram then saw to the culmination of his conquest of Lanka. “Vimuchyaroshamripunigrahattato Ramah s saumyatvamupagatoariha”- In consequence of overcoming the enemy, Ram abandoned his rage too and took on calmness (see ibid/cxxiv). He returned to Lord Indra the latter’s bow, arrows, and the huge shield that he had used in the battle. Bestowing great honour on Indra’s charioteer, Matali, he sent him back to his celestial master along with the chariot. What was now left to be accomplished was fulfilment of Ram’s desire to see Vibhishan on Lanka’s throne. For that, he asked Lakshman and prominent Vanars such as Raja Sugriv, Prince Angad and Hanuman to do the honours.
Vibhishan, now the anointed raja of Lanka, came back to the victor Ram to offer him all the tribute he had received from his subjects. Accepting the honour, Ram asked Hanuman to go, with Raja Vibhishan’s permission, to Sita in the Ashok Vatika and apprise her of the happy tidings.
Sita was in a pathetic condition when Hanuman cast an eye on her. Then, Ram’s most trusted devotee conveyed to her the heartening news –
Priyamakhyamite devi bhooyashchtvamsabhajaye/
Tavprabhavaddharmagyemahan Ramen sanyuge//
Labdhoayamvijayah Site swasthabhavgtjvara/
RavanashchhatahshatrurLankachaivvashikrita//
Knower of Dharma, Devi Sita! I give you this cherished information and wish to see you at your happiest. It is only because of your (observance of the) code of husband-devotion that Lord Ram has secured this great victory. You may now discard worries and be composed. Our enemy Ravan has been killed, and Lanka has fallen under the control of Lord Ram.
Ibid/Canto 113(ix-x)
Sita’s throat was choked with an excess ofemotion. She could not utter a word for a while. Then she told Hanuman that there was nothing in this world with which she could reward him for bringing her such cheerful news. Hanuman responded that her warm-hearted words had rewarded him amply. Looking at the fearful rakshasa guards who had been tormenting Sita with their harsh treatment, Hanuman proposed that he would kill them mercilessly. But Sita was forgiving and compassionate. “These poor servants were obliged,” she said, “to act according to the wishes of their master, the rakshas Ravan. It was my own misfortune and bad karma in some earlier life that I had to suffer all that pain. O Noble Son of Pavan, it is said that good people do not follow the bad deeds of the evil-doers. They protect their own noble ideals. That being so, I forgive them.”
Sita’s nobility overawed Hanuman. He asked her what message she wanted him to carry back to Ram. “I want to see my lord who is so loving towards his devotees,” she said. When Hanuman conveyed Sita’s message to Ram, he ordered Vibhishan, “Let Sita wash her hair, have a good bath and come to me bedecked in divine costume and jewellery.” Vibhishan rushed to comply with the orders:
Bahu prakaarbhushanpahiraye/Sivika ruchirsajipunilyaye//
Ta par harshicharhi Baidehi/Sumuri Ram sukhdhamsnehi//
Betpanirachchhakchahupasa/Chale sakal man param hulasa/
Dekhan bhalu kees sab aaye/Rachchhak kopi nivarandhaye//
(Sita was) adorned with diverse jewellery and a beautiful palanquin was brought (to her). The Princess of Videh (Sita) gladly climbed into it, recalling Lord Ram.
Guards accompanied (Sita’s palanquin), carrying sticks in their hands. Everyone’s heart was filled with delight and rapture. Bears and Vanars came running to have a look (at Sita). The angry guards ran to scare them away.
Ramcharitmanas/Lanka Kand/107(v-vi)
Maharishi Balmiki says that Ram was annoyed on seeing his warriors being rudely treated by the guards. He ordered that Sita should be asked to alight from the palanquin and walk to him on foot. Sita cheerfully complied with her lord’s wish (see Balamiki Ramayan/Yuddh Kand/Canto 114.)
There was more to come for poor Sita. Ram was in his unsparing mood. He said to her, “Noble Lady! I defeated the enemy in the battlefield and got you free from his captivity. Whatever was possible through my vigour and exertions, I have done all that. My furore has come to an end now. The aspersion that was cast on me I have scoured off. I have put an end to both the enemy-generated insult and the enemy himself. I am free now of the obligation.” As his spouse stared at him in disbelief, Ram went on to declare, in the presence of his brother, Lakshman, allies Sugriv and Vibhishan and the large Vanar army, that as a man, he could not accept her back since Ravan had cast a lustful eye on her. Sita could go anywhere she pleased, Ram added.
Distraught at Ram’s chilling words,Sita expressed a wish to immolate herself if she was unacceptable to him. Ram caught Lakshman’s eye and signalled him to prepare a pyre for her (see, Balmiki Ramayan/Yuddh Kand/Canto 116 (xxi). Sita, virtuous as ever, proclaimed loudly for all to listen, “If Sun God, Air, Directions, Moon, Day, Night, both the Twilights, Goddess Earth, and other deities know me for my unsullied character, then may Agni Deva shield me from all sides.” And with that, she jumped unhesitatingly into the raging fire. It was the Fire God himself who appeared from the burning pyre, bearing Sita in his lap like a father may hold his daughter. Addressing Ram, the deity said, “Esha te Ram Vaidehi papmasyam n vidyte” – Ram! This is your wife, Sita, the Princess of Videh. She has no sin or vice.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
