Celestial music was heard in heaven and flowers fell upon the plain of victory: a voice came down the wind, saying: “_O victor of truth and righteousness, thy task is now ended._” The Rakshasa hosts broke in flight when Ravana fell, and Rama entered the city in triumph. Bibhishana burned the body of his fallen brother, and performed the funeral rites. Thereafter he was proclaimed King of Lanka. When peace was restored, Rama commanded that Sita should be brought forth. She was carried towards the plain concealed in a litter, and all the Apes gathered round to behold her, whereat Rama requested her to alight and walk towards him, and she did so. With folded hands she approached her husband and knelt at his feet, weeping tears of joy. Clouded was the brow of Rama; he spoke sternly, and said: “Mine enemies are slain, and thou art delivered from captivity, O Sita; but now that my shame is removed I have no desire to behold thee. I cannot receive thee as my wife, because that thou hast dwelt in the house of Ravana.” Said Sita: “Chaste and innocent have I remained.... O Rama, if thou hadst informed me of thy doubt, I would have died ere now. Better is death than thy dark suspicion.” Addressing Lakshmana, she then said: “Build for me a funeral pyre so that I may end my grief amidst the flames.” As she desired so did the brother of Rama do. He built the pyre and set it alight. Then Sita invoked Agni: If in act and thought, she uttered, I am true unto my name, Witness of our sins and virtues, may this fire protect my fame! If a false and lying scandal brings a faithful woman shame, Witness of our sins and virtues, may this fire protect my fame! If in lifelong loving duty I am free from sin and blame, Witness of our sins and virtues, may this fire protect my fame! _R. C. Dutt's trans._ [Illustration: THE CORONATION OF RAMA AND SITA 32] Fearlessly she then leapt amidst the flames and vanished, while all lamented around her. Rama cried: “This day have I sinned, because she is innocent.” In that hour a great wonder was wrought. Suddenly the Deva-rishis and Gandharvas and the gods appeared in the air. At the same time the red flames of the mighty pyre were divided, and the god Agni came forth with Sita, whom he delivered to Rama, saying: “_Receive thy wife who is without sin or shame._” Rama embraced Sita, and said: “I have never doubted her virtue; she is without sin, and now her purity has been proved before all men.” He wept, and Sita hid her face in his bosom and soft embrace. The exile of Rama was now ended, and he returned speedily in the car of Indra to Ayodhya, with Sita and Lakshmana and Hanuman. Bharata welcomed his elder brother, and laid the sandals at his feet, saying: “These are the symbols of thy rule, O Rama; I have guarded the throne for thee. Now take thy crown and govern thy kingdom. I give thee back thine own.”