| Great Personalities |
 |
| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
LAKSHMANA |
|
| A Pyre
for Sister-in-lawAfter killing Ravana, Sri Rama, before accepting Sita, made her undergo a severe
test. He called her and said: "Who knows how Ravana viewed you?" "I will
not live after hearing such words," she replied and turning to Lakshmana and said:
"Prepare a pyre. I will offer myself to Agni." Sita had immense confidence in
Lakshmana who had served as her attendant for any task. Though she had hurled insulting
words at him only to make him go to Rama's help, she knew 'well that n - one could match
this pure-hearted soul. When Hanuman had come to see her, she told him: "Since such a
brother is there, Sri Rama has been able to bear the loss of his father." And now, Lakshmana had to prepare a pyre for her!
Sensing that Rama agreed for this, he raised a pyre. Sita went round the fire three times and then instead of saying she would die, vowed: " I am truthful and pure. May Agni save me." Saying so, she entered the fire. Sitadevi emerged from the fire unscathed. Rama then said that he made her undergo the ordeal to assure the world of her purity and welcomed her back. |
|
