SECTION CVII.
Thereupon the night being over, having bathed and performed the Homa, both Lava and Kusa, in consonance with Rishi's command, began the song. That song was composed by the first preceptor (Vālmiki) never heard of before, consisting of sounds originating from six places, containing all metres, many proofs and set in accompaniment with the music of a stringed instrument. Hearing such a song from the boys Rāma was striken with curiosity. Thereupon taking leave from business for some time and inviting the great ascetic Vālmiki, kings, learned men, persons well-versed in Nyaya, Puranas and science of words, all old men, twice-born ones, those conversant with the signs of music, Brāhmanas desirous of hearing the Rāmāyana, persons deep read in palmistry, Gandharvas, citizens, all those who have mastered the use of words, letters and Samasas, those who have studied well metres, those well informed in the science of music, those well-versed in astronomy, those who are well up in the knowledge of rites and ceremonies, those expert in the patch of business, logicians whose fame has spread far and wide, those well-versed in reasonings and arguments, poets, historians, Vedic Brāhmanas, painters, and songsters Rāma requested Lava and Kusa lovingly to sing the song before the assembly. The audience being seated there and engaged in conversation with one another those two Muni boys began with the song enhancing the delight of all. Wondrous and charming was their song and the audience were not by any means satiated with the hearing thereof. Greatly delighted the highly effulgent ascetics and kings again and again looked towards them as if drinking them up with their eyes. And they all attentively said to one another—“Both of them take after Rāma, like unto a bubble resembling the one it rises from. There would not have been perceived the least difference between them and Rāma had they not been clothed in bark and used clotted hair.” The citizens and villagers speaking thus with one another Kusa and Lava chanted twenty sections beginning from the first, pointed out by Nārada. Having heard up to twentieth section, Rāma, fond of his brothers, said to Lakshmana in the afternoon. “O Kākutstha, do thou soon confer upon these two high-souled ones eighteen thousand gold coins and all other things they wish for.” Thereupon when Lakshmana addressed himself in no time to give them gold coins separately Kusa and Lava, not accepting them and surprisingly said:—“We are dwellers of a forest, living upon roots and fruits—what shall we do with them (coins)? Therefore living in the forest what shall we do with the gold?” Hearing those words Rāma and the audience were greatly worked up with curiosity and surprise. Thereupon being anxious to learn of the origin of the poem, the highly effulgent Rāma asked the two Muni boys, saying. "What is the proof of the story of this poem? How great is his fame who has composed it? What leading ascetic is the author of this great poem?" Rāma having thus asked them those two Muni boys said:—"The illustrious Vālmiki is the author of this poem. He has described in this poem thine endless story. He has of late come to thy sacrifice. The great ascetic Vālmiki has composed this poem consisting of a hundred stories and twenty four thousand slokas. O king, that high-minded ascetic is our preceptor. He has described thy actions in six books beginning with the first consisting of five hundred sections. All good actions performed by thee since thy birth have been recorded in this, O mighty car-warrior, O king, if thou dost wish to hear the whole of it, do thou, at thy leisure, hear it delightedly in the company of thy younger brothers." Saying "So it shall be," Rāma bade them adieu and they too, delighted, repaired to where Vālmiki, the foremost of Munis was. Thereupon having heard that charming song in the company of ascetics and kings the high-minded Rāma repaired to the place of business. He heard the Rāmāyana sung by Kusa and Lava, gifted with musical characteristics, consisting of sections, vowels, and consonant and enchanted in accompaniment with the music of a stringed instrument.
SECTION CVIII.
Rāma heard that highly sacred theme for many long days in the company of ascetics, kings and Vanaras. And understanding from the story that Kusa and Lava were Jānaki’s sons, Rāma mentioning her name said before the assembly:—"Send a good emissary unto the illustrious Vālmiki and let him communicate unto the ascetics that if Jānaki is sinless and has lead a pure life in the forest; let her give proof of purity by the great ascetic’s permission. Let the emissaries learn well the intention of the ascetic in this and if Sitā is at heart willing to bring in proofs. To uphold her as well as mine purity, let Maithili, the daughter of Jānaka, swear before the assembly." Hearing those wonderful words of Rāma, the emissaries speedily went to Vālmiki and saluting the high-souled (ascetic) burning in his effulgence and of incomparable lustre, communicated unto him, in sweet words all what Rāma had said. Hearing the words of the messengers and understanding Rāma’s intention the ascetic said:—"What Rāma has said shall be satisfied. May good betide you. Husband is the greatest god for women. So Sitā shall carry out his behests." The great ascetic having said this, the highly powerful emissaries, approaching Rāma, communicated unto him what the Muni had said. Hearing the words of the high-souled Vālmiki, Rāma was greatly delighted. Having addressed the assembled Rishis and kings he said:—"The Rishis with their disciples, and the kings with their followers and all others willing shall see Sitā swear here." Hearing the words of the high-souled Rāma, all the high-souled Rishis began to speak of him in high terms and said: "O foremost of men, such an action becomes thee not any one else." Thereupon having settled that Sitā would swear next day, Rāma, the slayer of enemies, dismissed them all. And having made arrangements that Sitā would go through the trial next day, the high-minded, generous king Rāma bade adieu unto all kings and Rishis.
SECTION CIX.
Next morning Rāma, being present in the sacrificial ground and having sent for the Rishis, Vasishtha, Vamadeva Javali, Kashyapa, Viswamitra, carrying on penances for a long time, Durvasa, Pulastya of hard austerities, Salastri, Vargava, Markandaya living long, the highly illustrious Madgalya, Gargya, Chyavana, Satananda, conversant with religions, effulgent Varadwāyā, Agnis' son Vasuprava, Nārada, Parvata, the great Gautama and other ascetics of firm vows, assembled with minds possessed by curiosity. The highly powerful Rākshasas and monkeys also came there out of curiosity. Besides thousands and thousands of Kshatryas, Vaisyas, Sudras and Brahmans of firm penances, also hailed there from various parts to witness Sitā's trial. Having arrived there they all sat down motionless like mountains. Thereupon, Vālmiki, the foremost of ascetics, speedily came there accompanied by Sitā. With her face downwards, folded palms, eyes full of tears and meditating upon Rāma in her mind, Sitā, following the Rishi, came before the assembly. There arose a great uproar of eulogy from the assembly when they saw Sitā following Vālmiki like unto Sruti following Brahmā. Thereupon members, stricken with sorrow, made a tumultuous sound. Amongst the visitors some praised Rāma, some praised Sitā and others eulogised both of them. Thereupon having entered that huge assemblage in company of Sitā, the great ascetic Vālmiki addressed Rāma, saying:—"O son of Daçaratha, in fear of calumny, thou didst renounce her near my hermitage, albeit Sitā is pure and follows the ways of morality. O Rāma of firm vows, thou art afraid of the censure of the people. Sitā has becoming willing to give testimony (of her purity) for removing the calumny of the public; do thou mercifully give her permission in this. I tell you the truth, O Rāma, that these irrepressible twin brothers are your sons, O descendant of Raghu. I am the tenth son of Pracheta, so, far from speaking untruth it does not even spring up in my mind. I therefore know the truth that these twins are thy sons. I have performed austere penances for many thousand years; I now swear before thee, that if this Maithili is found touched by any sin I shall not reap the fruit of my ascetic observances extending over many thousand years. I have never perpetrated before a crime, either in my mind, body, or speech. If Maithili is found divested of sin I may then partake of the fruits of piety. O descendant of Raghu, finding Sitā pure in mind and five elements of body I took her near the spring in the forest. Besides this Sitā, of pure ways, divested of sins and ever considering her husband as deity, shall give testimony this day. Thou hast been afraid of the public calumny. O son of a king, thy mind being possessed by the fear of public scandal, thou didst renounce this Sitā of a pure character and always regarding her husband as a god; I came to know this by virtue of my discriminative knowledge."
SECTION CX.
After the great Rishi Vālmiki had said this, Rāma, on beholding the daughter of Janaka resembling a celestial, in the midst of the assembly, with folded hands, said:—"O great one, thou art conversant with piety. By thy words shorn of sin, I have been convinced that Jānaki is of pure ways. Still, O Brahman, what thou hast commanded shall be carried out; let Sitā produce testimony of the purity of her character. Because Vaidehi formerly underwent a trial in the city of Lanka before the celestials I brought her home. O Brahman, vilification of the people is very powerful. Although I know that Jānaki has not been touched by any sin still I have renounced her. Do thou therefore forgive me. I know that these twin brothers Kusa and Lava are my sons. Yet if Jānaki gives evidence of her own purity before the assembly I shall be greatly satisfied." Being apprised of Rāma’s intention as to Sitā’s trial the celestials all came there on the occasion. The Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Viswadevas, Maruts, Sadhyas, Siddhas, Nagas and Rishis placing Brahmā before them, all came there. And beholding the celestials and Rishis assembled there Rāma again said to Vālmiki:—"O foremost of Munis, the words of the high-souled Rishis, are divested of sin; therefore on thy words only I shall consider Sitā as having pure ways. Still all have come here being anxious to witness Sitā’s trial. I shall therefore be greatly delighted if Jānaki gives in before them any testimony of her pure character." As soon as those words were uttered, sweet, fragrant, cold air, the witness of virtue and vice, blowing mildly, excited the joy of the assembly. People, hailing from various countries, with all attention began to witness this wondrous and unthought of event. In the golden age only the celestial wind used to blow—and it now blew even in the Treta Yuga and forsooth it was a matter of exceeding surprise. Thereupon beholding all people assembled there, Janaka's daughter, wearing a red cloth, with her face and looks downwards and folded palms said:—"I have never thought of any other person in my mind but Rāma; by the strength of this virtue let the goddess Vasundharā give me room. I have always with my mind, body and words prayed for Rāma’s well-being and by virtue hereof may the goddess Vasundharā give me room in her womb." As soon as Sitā swore in this wise a wonderful incident took place. From inside the earth a celestial and excellent throne rose up. It was carried on head by the Nāgas of unmitigated prowess, having celestial persons and adorned with celestial jewels and ornaments. Having stretched out her arms and taken Maithili, the goddess earth welcomed her and placed her on the throne. And while seated on the throne she was entering the earth, she was covered with the continued showers of celestial flowers. Eulogising her at that time, the celestials said "Oh! highly praiseworthy is thy conduct, O Sitā." Being present in the welkin and beholding Sitā enter into the Earth, the celestials again and again eulogised her in various words. The Rishis, kings and other leading men present in the sacrificial arena repeatedly expressed their surprise. Beholding Sitā's censure thus removed all animals, animate or inanimate, either on earth or in the sky, were greatly delighted. Some cried aloud in joy, some remained silent, and some motionless espied Rāma or Sitā. In this wise beholding Sitā's entrance into the Earth the ascetics were greatly delighted. They all attaining to the same state of mind, the whole universe, for a moment, was possessed with the state of equality.
SECTION CXI.
Sitā having entered Rasātala, all the monkeys and Rishis repeatedly eulogised her before Rāma. Stricken with sorrow and grief and lowering down his head, Rāma, with eyes full of tears, face downwards, and a dejected mind, sat down. And being possessed by grief and anger and shedding tears he wept for some time and then said:—"My mind is about to be possessed by grief, which I had never experienced before, for in the very presence of mine the graceful Jānaki, like Lakshmi herself, hath disappeared from view. Formerly, in my absence, Jānaki was once carried away into the city of Lankā, on the other side of the great ocean and I brought her back; what wonder it is that I shall get her back from Patāla? O goddess Vasudha, do thou soon bring Sitā in my view, or else, worked up with ire I shall give thee the fruits of thy negligence. Thou art my mother-in-law, since the royal saint Janaka obtained Sitā from thy womb while cultivating thee with plough share. Do thou therefore bring back my Sitā or give me a region of the celestials, I wish to live with Sitā. I am beside myself for her: do thou therefore bring back Sitā. If thou dost not render back Sitā unto me O Vasudha, I shall deluge the earth with waters, having assailed, destroyed and drowned into water thy huge compass with mountains and forests." Rāma, having given vent to those accents under the influence of ire, the patriarch Brahmā, with the consent of the celestials, said:—"O Rāma of firm vows, O slayer of enemies, thou shouldst not grieve thus. Recollect thy former state of Vishnu and the counsels. I would not have reminded thee of this secret but for the present necessity. Do thou now once more remember thy birth from Vishnu. By nature, Sitā is pure, chaste and ever dependent upon thee. And by virtue of her ascetic dependance upon thee she has gone to the region of Nāgas. Thou shalt again meet her in heaven. Hear, what I communicate unto thee before the assembly. Thou shalt be informed of everything by listening to this excellent poem describing thy own actions, O hero. Vālmiki has described herein all miseries and joys thou hast experienced since thy birth and what shall happen in future after Sitā's entrance into Patala. O Rāma, this first epic poem, Rāmayan, has been composed describing thy works. None but thee is worthy of the fame of this poem. O Rāghava, O highly illustrious one, do thou hear with the Rishis, Uttarakandam, the last portion of this poem. O descendant of Raghu, this is not worthy of being heard by any but those who art the foremost of the royal saints." Having said this, the deity Brahmā, the lord of the three worlds, with other deities, repaired to the region of immortals. The high-souled and the highly effulgent ascetics, living in Brahmā's region, who were present in the assembly, obtaining Brahmā's permission, waited there, to hear Rāma's future career in the Uttarakandam. Hearing the words of the great Patriarch instinct with well-being, the highly effulgent Rāma said to Vālmiki:—"O illustrious sir, the Rishis living in Brahmā's region have grown desirous of hearing my future history. So let it be taken up next morning." Having thus settled and taken with him Kusa and Lava and sent away the assembled people he entered his palace and spent the night mourning for Sitā.