The night had descended in full glory, Shri Ram was lying down on the ground, over grass bed in his encampment, his eyes were closed and he was in deep contemplation, but the sound of footsteps brought him out of his thoughts.

"Ramey, andar ajaao." He said knowing that it was her daughter.

Rameshwari came inside, her face looked sadenned and gaze were downcast. She just walked towards him and sat down beside his lying form, fiddling with her fingers.

"Mujhe kuch kehna hai." She said in a low voice.

"Yahi na, ki tum jaanti thi Luv Kush kaun hai ?" He said, reclining on his elbow.

"Aapko kaise pata ?" Rameshwari looked at him with teared eyes.

"Mai tumhare baare mei sab jaanta hu, putri." He said with a small smile.

"Sitey-Maa ne batane se mana kiya tha." Rameshwari said as a tear fell down her eyes.

"Yeh bhi jaanta hu." Shri Ram said, gently wiping the tears away from her face.

"Jab aap sab jaante hai, toh kal unhe bula ke sidha swikaar kyu nahi kar lete ? Punah kyu unse pramaan dilwana chaahte hai ?" She asked.

"Man toh bahut kiya ki Luv Kush ko hridaye se laga lu aur Sita ko le aayu punah, kintu yeh Raj dharm ki bediya mujhe rok rahi hai. Tumhe kya lagta hai mujhe apni Sita par sandeh hai ? Pramaan mujhe nahi, praja ko chahiye. Aur praja ki iccha ko purn karna, unhe aashwast karna, mera dharm hai. Jaanta hu ki mai iss karan kabhi kabhi kathor pratit hota hu lekin ek Raja ko kathor banna padta hai." Shri Ram said.

"Pata hai. Kintu mujhe yeh bhi pata hai ki mere Pitashree jitna bhi kathor pratit ho, woh atyant komal hridaye ke hai. Jo praja ke dukh mei rone lagte hai, aur praja ke sukh mei hasne lagte hai." Rameshwari said with a sad smile.

Shri Ram chuckled slightly patting her head. And then she took his leave, and retired for the day, in her camp.

When the night had given way to dawn, Shri Ram went to the sacrificial enclosure and summoned all the seers, many other sages of fierce vows and kings.

The very mighty Rakshasas and the immensely powerful Vanaras assembled out of eager anticipation. And kshatriyas, vaishyas, and Shudras by the thousands all assembled to witness Devi Sita's oath.

Once Valmiki, had heard that they had all assembled in this fashion he quickly entered together with Devi Sita.

Thinking only of her husband, Devi Sita, choked with tears as she followed behind Valmiki, her face downcast and her hands cupped in reverence.

To them all, she looked like Shri following Brahma, especially to Shri Ram who was sitting on the high seat and to Rameshwari who was seated on his right side.

Behind Devi Sita walked her twin sons Luv and Kush. They all strode their way in front of Shri Ram.

"Utkrisht ! Sita Utkrisht hai !"

"Ram utkrisht hai !"

"Utkrisht ! Utkrisht !"

And thus, a great cheer burst forth from all of those who had been overwhelmed with a vast grief born of sorrow.

"Dashrath-nandan, yeh rahi aapki Sita hai, jo sabhi vachano ka palan karti hai aur dharmpath par chalti hai. Praja ke karan aapne inka tyaag kiya tha, kintu yeh pavitra hai. Yeh dono judwa balak, atyant parakrami hai aur aapke putra hai. Hey Raghunandan, mai kabhi jhooth nahi bolta, maine sahastro varsho tak tapasya ki hai. Yadi Sita nirdosh nahi hai, toh mujhe mere tapasya ka punya na mile. Sita man, karm aur vachan se keval aapko apna Pati maanti hai. Aapko hi parmeshwar ke roop mei pujti hai. Sita kalankit nahi hai." Valmiki said.

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