India, Sept. 4 -- By Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik - Author, Speaker, Illustrator, Mythologist

As per popular understanding, Ram asks Sita to go through the fire-trial to prove her chastity. But in the early versions of the Sanskrit epic it is not so. After killing Ravana and releasing Sita, Ram refuses to accept her as queen stating her reputation is soiled and so she cannot be his queen. She is free to go wherever she wishes, marry whoever she wants.

Sita is understandably appalled and orders Lakshman to collect wood and light a pyre. She walks in. But is rescued by Agni, the god of fire, who declares her chastity. Some scholars believe this story to be an interpolation. For when Sita returns, the gossip happens nevertheless.

A similar story...