It was with a heavy heart that Lakshmana asked Sumantra to prepare his chariot, with a suitable seat for Seeta, to go to Valmiki’s ashrama. Seeta trustingly got into the chariot. When they reached the banks of the Bhageerathi river, they got down and then Lakshmana’s control broke. Weeping like a child, he told Seeta, “Mother, the King is afraid of the criticism of his subjects concerning you. So, he has disowned you and asked me to leave you near Valmiki’s ashrama.” Stunned, Seeta fainted. When she recovered, she spoke with the tears streaming down her face, “Lakshmana, god created me only to suffer. Even though I went through the fiery ordeal, I am disowned by my lord. I would have drowned myself but that will destroy the heirs of Rama. Go Lakshmana and tell my lord to conduct himself well towards his subjects and not to worry about me. Go!” Weeping, Lakshmana and Sumantra left.
Seeta is Exiled
