Even then her stern husband shows no signs of relenting, but allows her to enter a fierce fire, whence the god of the flames bears her out unharmed, and restores her to her husband, declaring that, as her chastity has withstood this fiery test, he can receive her without compunction.
She ceased and, fearless to the last, Within the flames' wild fury passed.
By this time the prescribed fourteen years of exile are finished, so husband and wife set out for home, crossing the ocean bridge in Ravana's magic car, and flying all over India, of which the poet gives a wonderful panoramic description.

Rama's return to Oude is joyfully welcomed by his brother, who proudly shows him the golden sandals which have occupied the throne all this time.
Rama's reign proves an Age of Gold for India, but, although all seem happy, some doubt lingers in regard to the propriety of Sita's return.
When a famine finally devastates the land, one of the ministers assures Rama this scourge is due to the fact that he has taken back a guilty wife.

Rama, therefore, banishes the faithful Sita, who returns to the forest and to the protection of the hermits, where she gives birth to twin sons, Kusa and Lava, the destined singers of Valmiki's wonderful song.

These youths are, however, brought up in the forest in total ignorance of their august descent.
Twenty years have passed since Rama repudiated his wife, when he decides to offer a horse sacrifice.

But, the steed he selects having been captured by two young men, Rama angrily orders them put to death.
As the victims resist all efforts to seize them, the king in person goes forth to capture them.