Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c10.s3.t7.7

v2.c10.s3.t7.7

Lanka. Jatayu, a vulture, tries to rescue Sita but gets seriously wounded by Ravana. Sita refuses Ravana's temptation and is confined to a garden under heavy guard. Rama learns about Sita's abduction from Jatayu and attempts to rescue her. Rama and his brother meet Hanuman, monkey king and Sugriva his brother, who sends an army to help Rama. Hanuman takes a great leap across the ocean to Lanka, where he finds Sita and obtains a token of identity from her. Wreaking havoc at the palace of Ravana, Hanuman escapes amid chaos and returns to Kishkindha. Rama leads an arm of monkeys and challenges Ravana. With the help of Nal a bridge is constructed across the ocean. Ravana is killed, Sita is rescued, but Rama is doubtful of her chastity. Sita enters into a fire to prove her virtue, but Agni appears to attest to her purity, and thus, the husband and the wife are united. Since the 14-year exile expires, Rama returns to Ayodhya with Sita and his followers to be enthroned as king. Under his rule, Ayodhya is peaceful and prosperous. One day while learning that people still gossip about Sita's chastity, Rama orders Lakshmana to abandon Sita on the opposite side of the Ganges. Valmiki provides a shelter to the pregnant Sita. In a hermitage, Sita gives birth to twin boys, Kusha and Lava, who grow and learn *Ramayana* from Valmiki.