INDIA, MEWAR, CIRCA 1640

This scene depicts the events after Ravana is killed by Rama and Vibhishana, Ravana's brother and the benevolent counterpoint to the demon's king's evil nature. Vibhishana is shown top left after being crowned ruler of Sri Lanka by Rama. Once Ravana is defeated, Sita returns with Rama and Lakshman to Ayodhya, pregnant. The people of Ayodhya begin to gossip amongst themselves at her pregnancy, wondering if Ravana might be the father. After Rama overhears one of his subjects scold his runaway wife, saying he would not be like Rama and take back a wife who lived with someone else, Rama banishes Sita from Ayodhya. She takes refuge in the ashram of the great sage Valmiki, where her twin sons Lava and Kusha, are born. Under the tutelage of the great sage, they learn military skills, becoming invincible archers and warriors, and also the Ramayana, the story of their parents written by the sage himself. After some time, Valmiki encourages Sita and her sons to return to their rightful place in Ayodhya. Once there, they sing the entire Ramayana, whereupon Rama accepts the boys as his sons. Nevertheless, he tests Sita's fidelity in a trial through fire (lower right). Having witnessed her purity, Rama takes her back, but Sita decides she has endured enough: with her sons safely returned to their father, she entreats her mother Bhumi, the earth goddess, to take her home. The earth splits open and swallows Sita, taking her to a better world.