Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.1940

c9.1940

The other hermits did not like Vālmīki’s action of giving shelter to Sītā. They said “Sītā is impure. Otherwise her husband would not have abandoned her. By her association we also would become sinners. As the hermit Vālmīki is kind, he will not cast her away especially when she is pregnant. So the best thing for all of us, is to go to another hermitage.” This murmuring of the hermits reached the ears of Vālmīki. He said “She is pure and chaste. I know it with my inward eyes.” But they did not believe it. Then Sītā said “Lord! you can test my chastity in whatever way you like, and if I am found to be impure you may cut off my head.” The hermits tested Sītā in the Tiṭṭibhasaras (a divine lake near the hermitage of Vālmīki) and were convinced that she was chaste and pure. (See under Tiṭṭibhasaras to know the greatness of this divine lake).
9) Cursed Sītā. Sītā was spending miserable days in the hermitage of Vālmīki. Her matrimonial life was a hell. Is there any special reason for misery? Yes. It is the curse of a bird. Once Śeṣa told this story, of the cursing of Sītā by a bird, to the hermit Vātsyāyana. That story is given below: