Sage Valmiki spoke with authority, “Rama, Luv and Kush are your sons!” Rama looked lovingly at his sons. Sage Valmiki narrated how he had found Seeta helplessly crying near his ashrama. He had taken her into the ashrama. She had been pregnant at that time and the boys were born shortly thereafter in his ashrama.
Sage Valmiki signalled to the boys to bow to their father, and when they did, Rama hugged them warmly. When Sage Valmiki sprinkled the holy water on Rama’s unconscious brothers and soldiers, they all revived.
When the people present there came to learn that Luv-Kush were the sons of Rama, they understood why the king’s brothers were filled with love for the boys. They did not take their taunts to heart and never showered arrows upon the boys.
All of them bowed to Sage Valmiki and, turning around, saw that Seeta had reached there. Swiftly, they went up to her and touched her feet. Rama was very happy to see her, but he was still troubled by the criticism of his subjects. So, he stood seriously without showing any response. This broke Seeta’s heart.
Sage Valmiki disclosed that he was aware of Seeta’s unfailing devotion to Rama. Now it was time for Seeta to return to Ayodhya. “You must go back now to Ayodhya with your husband. You deserve all the happiness,” he said gently. Sage Valmiki told Rama that he would stake all the merit of his austerities on Seeta’s purity.
“I have never doubted Seeta’s devotion, O Revered Sage,” replied Rama, “But the citizens of a king’s kingdom must take the first place in his life.” Rama sent Lakshmana to persuade Seeta to return. Lakshmana eagerly obeyed him and requested her to go back. Seeta was eager to follow Valmiki’s advice but when she looked at Rama, she thought that he was still hesitant about taking her back.
Seeing Rama standing by silently, Seeta took a decision immediately. There was only one path open to her now. She was the daughter of Mother Earth, and her only refuge then was her mother.
