After Ravana’s fall, Rama asked Maruti and Vibhishan to bring Sita from the Asoka forest. They immediately went and informed her of Ravana’s death. “Rama has sent us to accompany you to Suvela,” they said. “Prepare yourself to come.” Sita made ready, and Vibhishan seated her in a śibika—a beautiful palanquin—and brought her before Rama. Overcome with emotion, Sita rose to embrace him. But Rama said sternly, “Do not come near me. I have set you free so that the world may not call me cruel.

You have lived long in Lanka, and I know not what happened there. I cannot now take you back into my house. Go wherever you please. Hearing these words, Sita was crushed with grief. “Unfortunate indeed am I,” she said. “In vain have you suffered for me; in vain have the monkeys fought and fallen. If you refuse to receive me, take your sword and cut off my head. I have lived in purity, and I shall prove it.”

She then asked the monkeys to prepare a pyre. They arranged a pile of wood and set it aflame. Standing before it, Sita declared: “All know I was carried off and held by Ravana. I swear I remained pure and faithful. If what I say is false, let this fire consume me; if it is true, let me emerge unscathed.” Saying this, she stepped into the flames. She disappeared within the fire, and three hours passed. Rama, Lakshman, and all the monkeys stood in stunned silence.

Then, from the heart of the blaze, Agni—the god of fire—rose, bearing Sita adorned with jewels and flowers, untouched by flame. He presented her to Rama. The prince, deeply moved, embraced her before all. Soon after, Rama prepared to return to Ayodhya. A radiant vimana, the celestial chariot of the gods, descended to carry him. He ascended it with Sita, Lakshman, Sugriva, Vibhishan, and the hosts of monkeys and demons who had served him faithfully.

On the way, Rama visited the Rishis and friends who had supported him in exile. At last, he reached Nandigram, where Bharat was waiting. Seeing Rama, Bharat ran forward and embraced him, weeping with joy. Rama sent the vimana back and remained there awhile with Sugriva, Vibhishan, and his companions. Soon Shatrughna and Sumantra arrived with their armies, and the mothers—Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi—came as well. They embraced their sons with tears. Kaikeyi, remembering her past act, repented deeply of her folly.

Then all returned to Ayodhya in grand procession, the streets echoing with cries of joy. Kings from every land, including Janaka, gathered to honor Rama’s return. The citizens of Ayodhya rejoiced to behold Rama, Lakshman, and Sita once more. Rama received the Rishis, kings, monkeys, and demons with affection and hospitality. Sita was reunited with her sister and her kin. In due time, the sage Vashistha performed the coronation ceremony, installing Rama upon the throne of Ayodhya.

All the rulers paid homage and tribute. Rama bestowed gifts upon Sugriva, Vibhishan, and others, but Maruti accepted nothing. When asked why, he said simply, “What need have I for gifts from Rama? He dwells in my heart.” The monkeys challenged him, “If that is true, show us Rama within you.” Maruti smiled, tore open his chest, and revealed Rama and Sita shining within his heart. The monkeys fell at his feet in awe.

As Rama ruled in Ayodhya, Kaikeyi once looked upon him from her window and sighed, “My son Bharat is unfortunate. See how Rama prospers. I strove to win the throne for him, but he has become Rama’s servant instead.” Vashistha overheard her and said, “Kaikeyi, you heeded no counsel before. Through envy and folly you caused Rama’s exile and Dasharatha’s death. Yet even now, learn humility and love Rama and Lakshman as your own sons.”

Rama reigned for eleven thousand years. The kingdom was at peace; the people were righteous and content. When Sita conceived for the first time and six months had passed, Rama took her to a garden to rest. One day he said, “My beloved, you are six months with child. Tell me what your heart desires, and it shall be done.”

Sita replied, “My lord, I wish to visit the forest again—to dwell where the Rishis live, to eat roots and fruits, and to sleep upon grass.” Rama, hearing this, was moved. “Even after all her suffering, she still longs for the forest,” he thought. He returned home silently with her.

|| OM SAI SHRI SAI JAI JAI SAI || 

|| SHRI SATCHIDANANDA SADGURU SAINATH MAHARAJ KI JAI ||

Note: This narration is based on Ramavijaya: The Mythological History of Rama (Bombay, 1891, Dubhashi & Co.), a public domain text shared here for free reading. I have rephrased some part this chapter to make it easier to understand.