Identifier: indianmythlegend00inmack Title: Indian myth and legend Year: 1913 (1910s) Authors: Mackenzie, Donald Alexander, 1873-1936 Subjects: Hindu mythology Publisher: London, Gresham Contributing Library: Indiana University Digitizing Sponsor: Indiana University

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Text Appearing Before Image: so. Withfolded hands she approached her husband and knelt athis feet, weeping tears of joy. Clouded was the brow of Rama; he spoke sternly,and said: Mine enemies are slain, and thou art deliveredfrom captivity, O Sita; but now that my shame is re-moved I have no desire to behold thee. I cannot receivethee as my wife, because that thou hast dwelt in the houseof Ravana. Said Sita: Chaste and innocent have I remained. . . .yj O Rama, if thou hadst informed me of thy doubt, 1would have died ere now^ Better is death than thy darksuspicion. Addressing Lakshmana, she then said: Build forme a funeral pyre so that I may end my grief amidst theflames. As she desired so did the brother of Rama do. Hebuilt the pyre and set it alight. Then Sita invokedAgni: 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 myfame!

Text Appearing After Image: QZ < < Pi o O <Z o p?ou wXh RAMAS MISSION FULFILLED 425 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. Duties tram. Fearlessly she then leapt amidst the flames andvanished, while all lamented around her. Rama cried:This day have I sinned, because she is innocent. In that hour a great wonder was wrought. Suddenlythe Deva-rishis and Gandharvas and the gods appeared inthe air. At the same time the red flames of the mightypyre were divided, and the god Agni came forth withSita, whom he delivered to Rama, saying: Receive thywife who is without sin or shamed Rama embraced Sita, and said: I have never doubtedher virtue; she is without sin, and now her purity hasbeen proved before all men. He wept, and Sita hid her face in his bosom and softembrace. The exile of Rama was now ended, and he returnedspeedily in the car of Indra to Ayodhya, with Sita andLakshmana and Hanuman. Bharata welcomed his elder brother

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