Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

"Visions of the Godsslain, do thou ascend to Heaven, thy work accomplished.Naught shall they lack whose hearts are set on thee, norfail who chant thy lay."Then Fire, hearing those happy words, rose up with Sltaon his lap,radiant as the morning sun, with golden jewelsand black curling hair, and he gave her back to Rama,"saying O Rama, here is : thy Slta, whom no stain hastouched. Not in word or thought or look has Slta turnedaside from thee.Albeit tempted every way,she did notthink of Ravana even in her inmost heart. As she isdo thou take her back." Rama, staying silentspotless,for a while, with shining eyes pondered the speech ofAgni then he answered ; : Because this fair one dweltlong time in Ravana s house, she needed vindicationbefore the assembled folk. Had I taken her unproved, thepeople would complain that Rama, son of King Dasharatha,was moved by desire, and set at naught social law.I know well that Slta s heart is set on me alone, and thather own virtue was her sufficient refuge from the assaultsof Ravana ;she is mine as the sun s rays are the sun s.I can no more renounce her, but rather it behoves meto obey your happy words." Thus the gloriousson ofDasharatha regained his bride, and his heart was glad.Visions of the GodsBut now Shiva took up the word, and revealed toRamahis father Dasharatha stationed on a shining car amongstand he,the gods, and Rama and Lakshman bowed to him ;beholding his dearest son, took Rama on his lap, and"spake Even in heaven : amongst the gods am I not happy,lacking thee. I call to mind even now Kaikeyi s word,and thou hast redeemed my pledge and freed me fromevery debt. Now I have heard that thou art the primal99