When the sacrifice was over, Rāma was very depressed that Sītā was no longer with him. The entire world seemed empty to him and overcome by his grief he knew no peace of mind. He rewarded the brahmins suitably and sent them away along with the kings, the rākṣasas and the monkeys. When they had all left, he went back to Ayodhyā, carrying Sītā in his heart. He did not marry again and for every sacrifice after that, he placed a golden statue of Sītā by his side.
Valmiki’s Ramayana, translated by Arshia Sattar










