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Preface: Does it really end?
"...leaving Rama's ring behind in the realms of Vasuki, Hanuman rose back up through the crack, despondent and hesitant because he knew what awaited him.
He rose up to find Ayodhya desolate without its Lord once again."
One of the many reasons why most people are unaware of the Ramayana's seventh chapter, Uttara-Kanda, is because it is rarely read out in public. Superstitions, once again. It is believed that doing so would anger the Goddess of the Earth, leading to highly destructive earthquakes.
The sixth chapter, Yuddha-Kanda, ends with Rama and Sita being coronated as the King and Queen of Ayodhya. They resolve the disputes between Kaikeyi, Bharata and Dasharatha (he came down to Earth in order to convince Rama to take back his unblemished wife) and then they live happily ever after.
The seventh chapter takes on a different turn of events. Suspicion is aroused when Sita draws an image of Ravana under her bed, on the behest of her maids. The people of Ayodhya start whispering when they find out that Agni is actually an uncle of Sita. Then, the real drama starts when everybody discovers that Sita is pregnant.
"Hmm, she spent 13 years and 2 months in the forest with her husband when the both of them had reached the prime of their youths. This girl didn't conceive then. Now, when she has spent 10 months in the kingdom of the virile Ravana, suddenly she has become pregnant. Something to think of, isn't it?"
At first it was a whisper. Then it was a wave. Then it was a flood. Rama couldn't ignore it anymore. His wife may be pure in body, mind and heart. But in reputation? That stain could not be removed.
He had no other option but to abandon her.
Although his heart kept on screaming at him to not do it, he went ahead and did it.
Not that Rama was a cruel and suspicious husband, although he is portrayed in that way in some animated movies and mythological books. He trusted his wife completely. It was due to her that he had earned the title of "Maryada Purshottam". They had managed to start afresh and leave the bitterness of their separation behind.
But, all things have to end.
The exile of 14 years had to end. The life and sins of Ravana had to end. Joy with Sita had to end. The suspicion regarding Sita's sexual purity had to end. The doubts on Luva-Kusha's legitimacy had to end.
"...Hanuman followed Rama's footsteps up to the mouth of Sarayu. He learned how his Lord had walked into the river, never to rise again, chanting the name of his beloved all the while."
(I give all of you full liberty to use expletives and profanities, since I will be doing the same. No offense intended)
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