THE RAMAYANA : 19.

(Delivered at the Shakespeare Club, Pasadena, California, January 31, 1900)

19.

Now Rama's wife was not with him then, as she had been banished. So, the people asked him to marry again. But at this request Rama for the first time in his life stood against the people.

He said, "This cannot be. My life is Sita's." So, as a substitute, a golden statue of Sita was made, in order that the; ceremony could be accomplished. They arranged even a dramatic entertainment, to enhance the religious feeling in this great festival.

Valmiki, the great sage-poet, came with his pupils, Lava and Kusha, the unknown sons of Rama.

A stage had been erected and everything was ready for the performance.

Rama and his brothers attended with all his nobles and his people — a vast audience.

Under the direction of Valmiki, the life of Rama was sung by Lava and Kusha, who fascinated the whole assembly by their charming voice and appearance.

Poor Rama was nearly maddened, and when in the drama, the scene of Sita's exile came about, he did not know what to do.

Then the sage said to him, "Do not be grieved, for I will show you Sita."

Then Sita was brought upon the stage and Rama delighted to see his wife.

All of a sudden, the old murmur arose: "The test! The test!"

Poor Sita was so terribly overcome by the repeated cruel slight on her reputation that it was more than she could bear.

She appealed to the gods to testify to her innocence, when the Earth opened and Sita exclaimed, "Here is the test", and vanished into the bosom of the Earth.

The people were taken aback at this tragic end.

And Rama was overwhelmed with grief.

Swami Vivekananda
To be continued  ....