Originally posted by: RedRobin1
In the version I read which is also supposed to be by Valmiki it was Shri Lakshman who took Mata to the Ashram. She wanted to visit Ashram and enjoy the beauty of the forest. OK if she would take her life ( she was pregnant she would not take her life) then why didn’t she when she was left outside the Ashram? She was pregnant she wouldn’t do so. Shri Ram also knew she was pregnant. Didn’t he ever wonder what happened yo her? There was a strong possibility she could have been dead. Or she could have had kids. Didn’t he wonder anbout the possibility of kids? And I don’t think any citizen can demand Agnipariksha of their Maharani even in Ramarajya. And then there was no Agnipariksha even after the war. Shri Ram spoke some harsh words and Mata was saddened and wanted to jump into the fire. Was she stopped before doing so or did Agni bring her back we do not know. And she lived for her kids in the Ashram.
As per Valmiki Ramayan (alleged extrapolated chapters), Sita wanted to visit sages on the banks of Ganga and spend some time relishing in the spirituality. Ram agreed and promised to arrange for it soon. He then went to meet his ministers/friends and asked what they say about him in the country. They said all was well but Ram probed further and then they said people wonder why Ram doesn't feel disgusted that he accepted a woman who had lived with another man for so long. Ram was shocked and pained on hearing this and wondered what to do and reached a decision. He sent messengers to call his brothers and bring them to him as soon as possible. (Kings, princes and nobles had their own places within the palace grounds with the main palace being the largest. Hence it would take a while for people to reach from one palace to another. Sometimes it requires means of transport like a horse or a chariot. Using an elephant would be slow and they were reserved for special occasions and war). His brothers hurried to him and Ram told them what he had learnt. He says he doesn't suspect his wife but people do not want such a queen. Then he instructed Lakshman to take Sita in a chariot with Sumant as the charioteer at dawn.(I looked it up. It was dawn. Taking her away in the night would have raised questions and if Sita did not know of Ram's decision, she would question Lakshman or even refuse to go). Ram also mentioned that on the other side of Ganga sage Valmiki's Ashram was on the banks of Tamasa. It is in a solitary spot he must leave her and return back. He says anyone trying to deter him from this resolved or if anyone opposes him, he'll consider them his enemies. Lakshman, although pained, had to follow. He understood that Ram cannot ask this of anyone else and he was the most trusted for this mission (Lakshman knows the place very well since they traveled that very same path while beginning and ending their exile and also would know where to leave Sita strategically. She was left in the forest, close to the Ashram but not just outside. There is a chance that something might befall her but the best he can do at that point would have been this. Also, Rama knew Sita was capable enough to manage for a few hours until she was taken in by someone from the Ashram. Lakshman hinted that she should live for her children before leaving. Sita was distraught but when sage Valmiki saw her (Valmiki's Ashram folks saw her and reported it to the sage. He understood who it was and came over) he consoled her and reminded her of the kids and took her to the Ashram and tells everyone that she is the chaste queen of Rama, Sita, and she would stay here with them and also that she will soon give birth and they have to aid her in every way possible. Everyone in the Ashram knew she was Sita and took care of her and the kids were born. The kids also knew who they were, who their father and mother were as they grew up in Valmiki Ashram and they also learned the arts of warfare and statecraft from the sage. Rama definitely wondered what happened to Sita but when he was alone. He never mentioned it to anyone so that others won't worry and he probably won't be able to handle saying it out loud. Shathrugan, on his way to Madhura/Madhupur spent the night at the Ashram on the night Luv Kush were born. There's a high chance he would have mentioned it to Rama and Rama chose to keep it secret. In some versions, Shathrugan returns briefly after killing Lavanasur, meets Ram and information him what happened in the Ashram and Ram tells him not to tell anyone and he obeys. In other versions, Shathrugan returns after 12 years (after killing Lavanasur and establishing his kingdom) and says he cannot be apart from Rama any longer. Ram says he can stay for a week but has to go back after that. Maybe he tells Rama about his wife and kids in the Ashram at this point. Later, when the kids sing the Ramayan in front of everyone during the Ashwamedha Yagya, it was mentioned in Valmiki Ramayan that Ram realised that they were his and Sita's children. Maybe he saw the similarities between his family and them, or recognised Sita's characteristics or Shathrugan might have told him/reminded him at this point. In some versions, Ram sends people to inquire about the kids and finds out they're his and Sita's children.
People did not demand an AgniPariksha of their queen. They simply wondered and gossiped if it was alright for Rama to accept Sita. People will not directly question Rama's decision. To avoid the gossips and doubts, Rama spoke harshly to Sita so that she would prove herself and the doubts end there. But sadly that wasn't the case. She wasn't stopped before Agni Pariksha because it was between husband and wife and they cannot intervene but everyone were sad that such a decision had been taken. Sita did live on for her kids but I don't think she wanted to be queen again. She probably wanted to settle her sons and leave the earth.
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