There upon having entered that huge assemblage in company of Sītā, the great ascetic Valmiki addressed Rāma, saying: O son of Dasaratha, in fear of calumny, you did renounce her near my hermitage, albeit Sitā is pure and follows the ways of morality.
ततो मध्ये जनौघस्य प्रविश्य मुनिपुङ्गवः। सीतासहायो वाल्मीकिरिति होवाच राघवम्॥ इयं दाशरथे सीता सुव्रता धर्मचारिणी। अपवादात्परित्यक्ता ममाश्रमसमीपतः॥