Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 663

RAMA KILLED AND RESURRECTED
the penitent Vasishta
had been
his
own
*
reared with as
much
care as
623
if
they
children.
Now it came to pass subsequently that Rama resolved to
perform the great sacrifice of yagnam, and let loose the
horse which was intended for the victim. The animal,
after passing through many countries, came to the place
where the two sons of Sita dwelt and they, full of strength
and courage, though at that time only five years of age,
intercepted and stopped him.
;
The monkey Hanuman, general of Rama's armies, was
accordingly sent with a considerable force to fight against
the sons of Sita and to recover the horse
but Hanuman
was vanquished by them, and compelled to seek safety in
;
flight.
Rama,
news of this disaster, placed himself at the
whole forces, and went in person to attack his
new enemies. But he in his turn was defeated by the sons
of Sita, and he and his soldiers were cut to pieces, not one
escaping.
Vasishta was informed of this occurrence, and
proceeded to the field of battle, which he found literally
strewn with the dead. Touched with compassion for Rama
and his troops, he pronounced over them the mantram
which restores life, and raised them all from the dead.
Rama returned home, and determined to perform once
more the great sacrifice of the yagnam, to which he invited
all the neighbouring kings and all the illustrious Brahmins
But the latter, on being consulted as to
of the country.
the best means of making the sacrifice complete, answered
that it could not be so unless Rama's wife was beside him.
head
at the
of his
x
difficulties, Rama at last consented to
appearances gave her a hearty welcome.
Consequently the sacrifice of the horse was a complete
success.
But Rama thereupon wished to repudiate his
wife anew, and to send her back to the jungles.
All the
After raising
recall her,
many
and to
all
kings present interceded in her behalf. Still Rama would
not yield to their entreaties, except on the condition that
she proved, by subjecting herself to the ordeal of fire, that
her virtue had not suffered any taint.
Sita, conscious of her innocence, issued from the ordeal
with honour and glory, and from many others not less
1
See note 2 on
p. 622.