Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.1944

c9.1944

The parrots were in great sorrow. If they had not made any noise on that tree this detention would not have occurred. These pitiable supplications had no effect on Sītā. The male bird cried to Sītā to let him take his mate along with him, and beat his head on the ground. Sītā was adamant. The female bird, filled with misery and anger cursed Sītā thus. "You have separated me from my husband. I am pregnant. May you too be separated from your husband when you become pregnant". When she had finished saying, she fell on the ground and wriggled and died. An aerial chariot came down to the earth from heaven for the soul of that bird which had died exalting and glorifying Śrī Rāma. The soul of the bird got into the chariot and went up to heaven. The male bird, being unable to bear the death of his beloved wife, dipped himself in the Gaṅgā. Before his death he cried out in anger. "I must be born in the city of Rāma. By my words, this Sītā should be separated from her husband and fall into misery." He died in the Ganges in Krodha (anger) and fear. So he took rebirth with the name Krodhana as a washerman by caste and profession. It was this washerman who spoke words of calumny about Sītā. Due to the calumny of this washerman, Śrī Rāma abandoned Sītā and she had to take shelter in the hermitage of Vālmīki. (Padma Purāṇa, Pātāla Khaṇḍa, Chapter 57).