“Markandeya said, ’Having slain Ravana, that wretched king of the Rakshasas and foe of the celestials, Rama with his friends and Sumitra’s son rejoiced exceedingly.  And after the Ten-necked (Rakshasa) hath been slain, the celestials with the Rishis at their head, worshipped Rama of mighty arms, blessing and uttering the word Jaya repeatedly.  And all the celestials and the Gandharvas and the denizens of the celestial regions gratified Rama of eyes like lotus leaves, with hymns and flowery showers.  And having duly worshipped Rama, they all went away to those regions whence they had come.  And, O thou of unfading glory, the firmament at that time looked as if a great festival was being celebrated.

“’And having slain the Ten-necked Rakshasa, the lord Rama of worldwide fame, that conqueror of hostile cities, bestowed Lanka on Vibhishana.  Then that old and wise counsellor (of Ravana) known by the name of Avindhya, with Sita walking before him but behind Vibhishana who was at the front, came out of the city.  And with great humility Avindhya said unto the illustrious descendant of Kakutstha, “O illustrious one, accept thou this goddess, Janaka’s daughter of excellent conduct!” Hearing these words, the descendant of Ikshwaku’s race alighted from his excellent chariot and beheld Sita bathed in tears.  And beholding that beautiful lady seated within her vehicle, afflicted with grief, besmeared with filth, with matted locks on head, and attired in dirty robes, Rama, afraid of the loss of his honour, said unto her, “Daughter of Videha, go withersover thou likest!  Thou art now free!  What should have been done by me, hath been done!  O blessed lady, owning me for thy husband, it is not meet that thou shouldst grow old in the abode of the Rakshasa!  It is for this I have slain that wanderer of the night!  But how can one like us, acquainted with every truth of morality, embrace even for a moment a woman that had fallen into other’s hands?  O princess of Mithila whether thou art chaste or unchaste, I dare not enjoy thee, now that thou art like sacrificial butter lapped by a dog!” Hearing these cruel words, that adorable girl suddenly fell down in great affliction of heart, like a plantain tree severed from its roots.  And the colour that was suffusing her face in consequence of the joy she had felt, quickly disappeared, like watery particles on a mirror blown thereon by the breath of the mouth.  And hearing these words of Rama, all the monkeys also with Lakshmana became still as dead.  Then the divine and pure-souled Brahma of four faces, that Creator of the Universe himself sprung from a lotus, showed himself on his car to Raghu’s son.  And Sakra and Agni and Vayu, and Yama and Varuna and the illustrious Lord of the Yakshas, and the holy Rishis, and king Dasaratha also in a celestial and effulgent form and on car drawn by swans, showed themselves.  And then the firmament crowded with