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[Full title: Section IX: The abandoning of Sita; (C) Banishment of Sita]

According to the Paumacariya, in due course of time Sita develops a pregnancy longing to visit various Jina-temples. Rama arranges a religious festivity at the Mahendra-udyana of Ayodhya (91). Some officers (mayaharayas, eight in number-Vijaya, Suradeva, Mahugandha, Pingala, Suladhara, Kasava, Kala and Khema-- 93.17) inform Rama of the public censure of Sita on account of her long duress under Ravana. Rama, despite Laksmanna's opposition, decides to abandon Sita under the pretext of sending her on a pilgrimage to Sammeta (holy mountain). Krtantavadana, the general of Rama's army takes her in a chariot. He abandons her in the Simhaninada forest across the river Ganga (94) and returns to Ayodhya. By chance she is given shelter by Vajrajangha, the lord of Pondarikapura, treating her as his sister (96.8). Krtantavadana delivers Sita's consolatory message to Rama. Rama gets distressed at this unavoidable calamity and performs the last rites of Sita (96.45). According to the Valmiki Ramayana, Rama while enjoying music in the Asoka garden learns of Sita's pregnancy-longing for visiting various hermitages (7.42). In the meanwhile his Vicaksanas inform him of the public

108 A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM suspicion about the character of Sita (Vijaya, Madhumatta, Kasyapa and Kaliya have identical names with those of the Paumacariya but the rest of the six bear different names-- 7.43.2). On receiving orders from Rama, Laksmana takes her in a chariot and leaves Sita alone near the hermitage of Valmiki, on the other side of the river Ganga on the same pretext as in the Paumacariya (7.47). Valmiki takes her to his Asrama (7.79). On his way back to Ayodhya, Laksmana abuses Rama but Sumantra, the charioteer tells him about a prophecy that it happen (7.50). was bound to The Ramcharitmanas does not contain the episode of the abandonment of Sita. According to the Gitavali of Tulasidasa, Laksmana abandons Sita in the hands of Valmiki. Dasaratha died before completing his full age. The rest of his age was being enjoyed by Rama. Rama after completion of his own age did not consider it proper to remain with Sita while enjoying the age of Dasaratha. So he abandoned Sita (Rama-katha; by Dr. C. Bulke (First Edition)., p. 441). According to the interpolated Lavakusakanda of the Ramcharitmanas, Rama abandons Maya Sita on hearing the report of her censure from a washerman. The Ramopakhyana also does not contain this episode. The Raghuvamsa agrees with the Valmiki Ramayana (Raghu. 14). mention that The Paumacariya agrees with the Paumacariya The Paumacariu does not the river Ganga was crossed. The Ramapurana of Bhattaraka Somasena. mentions additionally that afterwards a search for Sita is made by the soldiers commissioned by Laksmana (p. 178). The Trishashti Shalaka Purusha-caritra gives a different reason for her abandonment. Sita's cowives are jealous of her. They ask her to draw a portrait of Ravana. Sita then draws the legs of Ravana for she had not seen his face. Her cowives try to instigate Rama against Sita with the help of that picture but Rama does not believe them. They make it known to the public (IV. p. 314). The headmen inform He himself also overhears Rama of the public rumour against Sita. the same at night from the people (p. 316). His spies also report the same. Then it follows the Paumacariya Here Laksmana sends Rama to bring back Sita but she could not be traced out (p. 320). The Uttarapurana, the Mahapurana, the Vasudevahindi and the Anamakam Jataka do not contain this episode.