ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
Sita – The Silent Power of Suffering and Sacrifice
All versions of the Ramayana are unanimous in reiterating Sita Ji’s fidelity and devotion towards Rama even in times of extreme adversity. For example, when Shri Rama is preparing to go to exile in the forest all alone, she addresses him thus: “O son of an illustrious monarch, a father, a mother, a brother, a son or a daughter-in-law, all enjoy the fruit of their karma individually and receive what is their due.
It is only the wife who actually shares the fortunes of her husband. When you depart this day for the dense forests which are difficult to penetrate, I shall walk ahead of you crushing under my feet, all the thorns that lie on your way.” This is just one of the many expressions Sita used to convince Shri Rama to take her with him. She considered it her privilege to share in his misfortune and suffered the consequent trials and tribulations in equal measure throughout their sojourn in the forest. However, being exiled in the forests was the least of her troubles.
In fact, not even her kidnapping by Ravana could break Sita’ immense will-power, constantly nourished as it was by the memory of her beloved Rama. Ravana too, fearing the accumulated merits of a chaste woman did not dare touch her; he nevertheless did try to make advances. What was Sita’s reaction to his overtures? The great sage poet Valmiki has captured her wretched condition vividly, through a series of inspired metaphors. For example, on viewing Ravana: “She seemed like a flame wreathed in smoke; a great fame which had dimmed; a lotus pool stripped of its blossoms; like Rohini pursued by Ketu (a metaphor for the eclipsed moon); a traditional text obscured by a dubious interpretation; a faith that has been betrayed; an order that has been flouted; a hope which has been frustrated and an understanding that has grown feeble.” Witnessing her appearance, Hanuman says: “For a woman the greatest decoration is her lord, and Sita, though incomparably beautiful, no longer shines in Rama’s absence.”
Although her physical beauty undoubtedly dims on account of the enforced separation; she keeps her mind fixed upon Rama, and thus radiates with an inner beauty as a result of this steadfastness. “Though that blessed one was shorn of her own beauty, yet her own soul did not lose its transcendency, upheld as it was by the thought of Rama’s glory and safeguarded by her own virtue.” Truly she remained chaste in both thought and deed and the various recensions of the epic recall episodes where even the mighty Ravana had to bow before Sita’s piety. Once for example, when the demon approached her, she placed a single strand of straw in between them and challenged him to cross the “proverbial last straw.” Predictably he did not dare to do so. He knew that the chastity of a virtuous woman was like a fire that could reduce to ashes anyone who tried to violate her against her will.
All of Sita’s miseries in the confinement of Ravana however, pale in comparison to the emotional trauma she was subjected to after Shri Rama’s victory over Ravana. In a bitter irony, what was to be her moment of deliverance, turned out to be the beginning of another trial.
Standing before Rama, her eyes raised expectantly to his face, the innocent Sita wept, overwhelmed at the prospect of a joyful reunion with her Lord after his victory. The latter however remained formal and aloof and set out to articulate his heartfelt thoughts (hrdyaantargatam bhavam): “Today I have avenged the insult to my honor and fulfilled my promise. You stand unabashed before me, even though suspicion has arisen with regard to your character. Today you seem extremely disagreeable to me even as a light to one who is suffering from sore eyes. Therefore go wherever you like, O Janaka’s daughter, the ten directions are open to you today. What man born in a noble family would take back with an eager mind a woman who has dwelt in another’s house, simply because she has been kindly disposed towards him in the past? How can I accept you, who were touched by Ravana while being borne away by him and who regarded you with a lustful eye? There is no more attachment for you in my heart. You may therefore go wherever you like.”
Harsh words indeed, which pierced Sita’s tender heart like arrows tipped with poison and shrinking within herself, the sensitive lady shed profuse tears, saying: “I was helpless when I came into the contact of Ravana and did not act of my own free will on that occasion. My adverse fate alone is to blame on that score. That which is under my control, viz., my heart, eternally does it abide in you.” Addressing her brother-in law Lakshmana, she says: “Raise for me a pyre, which is the only antidote against this calamity. I no longer desire to survive, smitten as I am with false reproaches.” Lakshmana looked at his brother, half-expecting him to put an end to this bewildering public spectacle. Scrutinizing his elder sibling’s expression, Lakshmana realized, to his horror, that this was exactly what Rama expected.
Not one of the assembled warriors, who just moments before had proved their mettle in the battlefield, had the courage to dare open his mouth opposing the grave injustice being perpetrated. The obedient Lakshmana set out to prepare the pyre. As a mark of respect, Sita Ji circumambulated Rama, who, as the ancient texts put it – stood with his head bent low. As she approached the blazing fires, the world went into a crisis: the immortal gods and living beings, the cosmic elements, the four Vedas and Dharma, all cried out in horror. Then:
As if she were going home to her place on the lotus that rises up from the flooding waters, she jumped in; and as she entered, that fire was scorched by her burning faithfulness. The lotus here refers to Sita being an incarnation of the great goddess Lakshmi, who is typically associated with this auspicious flower.
Here, to highlight the extremely pure bearing of Sita, the poet has depicted the moment as being one of an excruciating, fiery torment. Fire is burnt by the heat Sita holds within herself; generated by a lifetime of chastity, self control, faithfulness, suffering and sacrifice, which are represented here not as abstract ethical virtues but rather as part of the substantial and dynamic reality that suffuses the inner being of a faultless woman like Sita. It was this same heat that had earlier terrified Ravana against coming near her.
Her trial-by-fire is portrayed evocatively in the ancient texts and she not only emerges unsinged, but also manages to scorch the god of fire (Agni) himself, who, according to Kamban, screams out in pain and protest. Lifting Sita in his hands, Agni points out that the beads of perspiration formed on her body due to anger directed at her husband were not dried up by his flames while the flowers she wore in her hair still continued to bloom as freshly as ever. Sita’s accumulated spiritual force of concentrated energy (tapas) proved too much for even the fire-god, who emerged saying: “I had to materialize because I could not bear the blazing fire of faithfulness in this woman.”
He also asks Rama:
Didn’t you hear
when the gods and sages
and all that moves and is still
in the three worlds
screamed, as they struck their eyes? Have you abandoned
Dharma
and resorted to misery instead?
Will rain fall,
will the earth bear its burden without splitting in two,
will Dharma go the right way,
or can this universe survive
if she becomes enraged?
if she utters a curse,
even Brahma on his lotus will die.
Rama is overjoyed at the developments and the public display of his wife’s unblemished character: “Sita undoubtedly needed this purificatory ordeal in the eyes of the people inasmuch as this blessed lady had lived for a long time in Ravana’s confinement. The world would have murmured against me saying that my mind was so dominated by desire that I actually accepted the daughter of Janaka without proving her chastity. I too knew Sita to be undivided in her affection to me. Ravana couldn’t violate her, protected as she was by her own moral power. In order, however, to convince the inhabitants of the three worlds, I ignored Sita even while she was entering the fire. She is as inseparable from me as sunlight from the sun.”
That Sita herself volunteered for the agni-pariksha speaks for the high volume of understanding between the couple since she understood Rama’s wish without him explicitly stating it. Her action was not a surrender to the unreasonable whims of a husband rather a supreme act of defiance that challenged the aspersions cast on her, by the means of which she highlighted the superficiality of his doubts, so that even the gods had to materialize and point out the apparent fallacy in the trial so unceremoniously cast on her. She emerges as a woman that even Agni – who has the power to reduce to ashes everything he touches – dare not touch or harm. She was the victim twice victimised.
Thus reconciled, the contended couple repaired back to Ayodhya and Rama continued to rule as an ideal monarch over his extensive rein.
More misfortune however was in store for Sita. No sooner had the couple settled down than rumors started in the capital questioning the propriety of having a queen who had spent a year in a villain’s captivity, putting her chastity under doubt. Surprisingly for a clear-headed individual, Rama took these allegations to heart and asked his younger brother Lakshmana to banish Sita (this time alone), to the forests. Rama did this even though he was well aware that his wife was well advanced into the family way. Thus Lakshmana carried Sita the next morning to the forests. The unknowing, innocent lady cheerfully boarded the chariot. Little did she know what travails lay in store for her. Once they reached the wilderness, her brother-in-law informed her thus: ” You have been forsaken by the king who is afraid of the ill-report circulating among his citizens. You are to be left near this hermitage by me.”
Hearing these cruel words the crestfallen Sita fell swooning to the ground. However, it was not long before the valiant lady composed herself and addressed him thus: “This mortal frame of mine was indeed composed by the creator for bearing sorrow only. What sin was committed by me, that though being of good conduct, I should be forsaken by the king? I cannot give up my life since I carry within myself the seed which will carry forward the lineage of my lord. Do then as you are ordered O son of Sumitra (Lakshmana’s mother), forsake me the miserable one, obey the orders of the king, but do tell him this on my behalf: If to preserve your good name among your people, I must be sacrificed, I am content to let it be so. As you serve your subjects, so I serve you.”
Sita – The First Single Mother in the World
Thus abandoned, Sita gave birth to twin sons in the wilderness and brought them up all alone, without the protective presence of a father, hence becoming the first single parent in history. When these worthy sons entered their teens, tales of their valor spread far and wide, and it was not long before Rama realized that they were his own offspring. This knowledge prompted him to immediately call his beloved Sita and the two boys to his court. In front of the assembled subjects, tributary kings, ministers and merchants from all parts of his empire, he asked her to undertake the fire ordeal again for the benefit of these venerable gentlemen, who had missed the earlier one in Lanka.
Sita’s reaction however was different from that earlier occasion. The emotional scar had obviously not healed. This time she did not ask her brother-in-law to prepare a funeral pyre for her. Nor did she circumambulate her husband in meek submission. Rather, with folded hands, she merely uttered the following words: “If I have remained true to Rama in mind, speech and action, may the Mother Earth embrace me in her bosom.” No sooner had she spoken than the ground beneath her feet split wide open, and before anybody had the time to react, she entered the depths. A dejected and helpless Rama was engulfed in grief. Thus did end the exemplary life of Sita, with fate pursuing her to the bitter end.
In the televised version of the Ramayana, shown in serialized form on Indian television, the Earth Goddess is shown emerging from the ground seated on a bejeweled throne. Spreading out her arms she beckons Sita saying: “Come my child, this world is not worthy of you.” Sita does as she is told, leaving behind her, the lamenting assembly. Sita’s appeal to Mother Earth to reclaim her was not the helpless reaction of slighted woman. It was a spirited, self-effacing statement of protest, when things went beyond endurance.
Did Rama Really Doubt Her Chastity?
Rama’s conduct vis-a-vis Sita leaves many questions unanswered. The most significant is of course whether he really doubted her fidelity. There is a strong logical basis supporting the conventional view:
1). Some time after he abandoned her, Rama decided to perform the horse sacrifice (ashvamedha yagya) which is the highest ritual a king can strive to. There was a technical snag however. Of the hundreds of ceremonies a Hindu has to perform, not one can be performed without a wife. Therefore many in Rama’s retinue suggested that he remarry. A suggestion he firmly rejected: “In the heart of Rama there is place for only one woman and that one is Sita.” He therefore had a golden image of his wife made and completed the sacrifice. Would anyone thus give his wife a position of such supreme respect if he doubted her chastity?
2). Before entering the fire, Sita circled Rama clockwise, in respectful homage. What was Rama’s reaction during her circulation? Well, he kept his head down (adhomukham). Is this not a gesture of self-indictment and contradiction? The ostracized victim is boldly performing what she has set out to do, while her accuser stands with a hung head.
Conclusion: Who is Greater? Rama or Sita?
Sita sets a high standard as an ideal wife who stays unswerving in her loyalty and righteousness, no matter how unfavourable her husband’s response. Her refusal to perform a second agnipraiksha and her consequent reversion to mother earth is not merely an act of self-annihilation. It is a momentous and dignified rejection. By this act does she emerge supremely triumphant. If the defining scale for quantifying greatness is the amount of suffering one has undergone, it is undoubtedly Sita who is the clear winner. It is her dignified tolerance and self-effacing silence, which may even be termed as weakness by many, that turns out to be her ultimate emotional strength, far valorous than any assertive aggression. Rightly therefore does her name always precede that of Rama (as in Sita-Ram or Jai Siya-Ram).
In the words of Swami Vivekananda, ” There may have been several Ramas, perhaps, but only one Sita.”
Key Takeaways
1. Sita is a revered figure in Hindu mythology and is the wife of Lord Rama.
2. She is known for her loyalty, devotion, and courage.
3. Sita is a symbol of the ideal wife and mother in Hindu culture and is celebrated for her selflessness and compassion.
4. Her abduction by the demon king Ravana and subsequent rescue by Lord Rama is a central story in the epic Ramayana.
5. Sita’s character has been debated over time, with some viewing her as a symbol of patriarchal oppression and others as a symbol of empowerment and resilience.
6. Sita’s portrayal in modern media has shifted to focus on her strength and agency.
Sita – The Silent Pillar of Strength in Ramayana
Devi Sita is the consort of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Sri Maha Vishnu, in Hindu mythology. Sita Devi is one of the main characters in the Ramayana, a major Hindu epic. Born in Sitamarhi (Punaura) in Bihar (India), Sita was taken to Janakpur (in the present day Nepal) soon after her birth by her father, Maharaja Janak. Sita is considered to be one of the Sreshta Naris (most chaste women) and is respected as the epitome of all womanly virtues for Hindu women. Devi Sita is also considered an avatar of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and the consort of Sri Vishnu during the Treta Yuga.
Devi Sita is indeed the ideal example of a woman and possesses all the good qualities that a traditional Indian woman is expected to possess. She was the ideal daughter to her parents, ideal wife to her husband, Rama, and the ideal mother to her twins, Luv and Kush.
Devi Sita had to undergo a lot of trials and tribulations in her marital life and it was her courage, chastity and adherence to Dharma (righteousness) that finally made her emerge the ultimate winner. Through her life story, Sita showed how a strong woman should be and that she need never let go of her principles in life. Probably, the whole mission of Sita’s birth on Earth in human form was to destroy the arrogant Ravana, the demon King of Lanka.
Legend of Sita’s birth
Sita was found as an abandoned child, discovered in a furrow while ploughing in a field. Due to this legend, she is often referred to as the daughter of Bhoomidevi or Mother Earth. As she was adopted by King Janaka, she is also called Janaki. King Janaka was the ruler of Mithila in present day Nepal. Hence, Sita is also referred to by the name of Mythili. Sita’s father, Janaka, was known for his ability to transcend body consciousness. He was therefore popularly referred to as “Videha”. Hence, Sita came to be known as “Vaidehi” (the daughter of Videha). As Rama’s wife, she is also called “Ramaa”.
Sita meets Rama and they fall in love
One day, Princess Sita walks on the terrace of her quarters, when she sees Rama standing just below. Their eyes meet and it is love at first sight for both of them, almost as if Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi realize they have met again in their human avatar. Sita shyly runs back inside and silently prays that Rama should end up becoming her husband in her forthcoming Swayamvara.
Sita’s Swayamvara
When King Janaka realizes that Sita has come of marriageable age, he arranges her swayamvar (a ceremony where the bride is allowed to choose her groom from among the group of men assembled at that place). Many named kings attend the grand event from all over India. The swayamvar mandap is decorated beautifully and shines with the sheer splendour of the princes and kings assembled there.
Rama and his brother, Lakshmana, arrive at the venue too, along with sage Vishwamitra. So does Ravana, the mighty, ten-headed demon King of Lanka.
Stringing Shiva’s bow
Kept in the center of the mandap is a gigantic bow, gifted to Janaka by Lord Shiva. There is an associated legend, which relates that Lord Parashurama had once been witness to Sita playing with this mighty bow as a child. The Lord had been stunned by the little girl and had then advised Janaka that when the right time arrived, he should marry off his daughter only to the man who could lift the bow.
{image-2}} The swayamvar ceremony commences and King Janaka welcomes everyone assembled at the venue. He declares that he would give his daughter’s hand in marriage to the person who would be able to lift the bow of Shiva and string it. Many princes and kings try their hand at it in vain. Each one comes forward to the mandap with great pomp, but is forced to retreat in defeat.
The egoistic Ravana then decides to take up the challenge, saying that he was so strong that he would be able to lift it with the little finger of his left hand. Having failed in many attempts though, he decides to put all his strength on the bow and tries to lift it with both his hands. But the bow does not budge and Ravana is finally forced to admit defeat.
Rama then comes forward to lift the bow at Vishwamitra’s command. He first offers his obeisance to Shiva and the bow and then proceeds to lift it. To the utter surprise of all present there, he lifts the bow with remarkable ease and strings it with a resonant twang. Sita is very pleased that her prayers are answered and coyly garlands Rama with the varamala.
The wedding of Rama and Sita takes place with great pomp and show and soon thereafter, Sita leaves for her new marital home at Ayodhya.
Sita renounces the comfort of the palace
King Dasaratha announces his plans to crown Rama, his eldest son, as Yuvaraja or heir to the throne. This news upsets queen Kaikeyi, whose mind is poisoned by her wicked maid-servant and confidante, Manthara. Kaikeyi, who is initially very happy for Rama, is made to fear for the safety and future of her son Bharata. Kaikeyi had once been granted two boons by Dasaratha, when she had saved his life in battle. She had then said that she would avail the boons when she needed them.
Kaikeyi now lays claim on the boons and demands that Dasaratha banish Rama to a forest exile for fourteen years, and that Bharata be crowned in Rama’s place. The king is heartbroken, but realizes how helpless he really is. He is forced to grant the boons to his wife and with a pained heart, bids goodbye to his beloved son, Rama. Rama’s brother, Lakshmana, decides to permanently escort Rama during his Vanavasa (tenure in the forest).
Rama tries to discourage Sita from joining him in exile, but she is adamant and says that she would be with him, no matter what, as it was the duty of the wife to be at his side at all times. The people of Ayodhya are angered and saddened at Dasaratha’s decision. Dasaratha, in utter grief and guilt, collapses and dies by the next day. Though Rama is horrified at his father’s demise, he does not want to break his dead father’s word and so, continues with the Vanavasa.
Sita, who has been used to living in the lap of luxury, willingly sacrifices everything for the sake of her husband and happily joins her husband on his Vanavasa. This is only the first of the sacrifices she makes for her husband. Rama, in turn, is assiduously protective of his wife, takes good care of her and fulfils her every wish during the time of the Vanavasa. They go on to share many happy and peaceful moments in the wonderful locales of the Dandaka and Panchavati forests.
Sita is attracted to Mareecha, the Golden Deer
Rama and Sita spend some wonderful days while at Panchavati. But that happiness does not last long. Trouble starts brewing when Sita lays her eyes on the Golden Deer, Mareecha. Mareecha was in actuality, Ravana’s uncle, who was leading an ascetic life in the forest.
Ravana requested Mareecha to take the form of a beautiful and attractive Golden Deer in order to lure Rama away from the hermitage, so that he could come into the scene and adbuct Sita while she was by herself in the ashram. Mareecha tried his best to convince Ravana that Rama and Lakshman were divine powers and not just ordinary mortals. But Ravana was insistent with his wish and even threatened to kill Mareecha if he did not co-operate with him and abet him with his plan. Ultimately, Mareecha decided to go to Ravana’s side, thinking that it would be better to attain Moksha (liberation) at the hands of Lord Rama than this terrible demon who happened to be his own nephew.
When Sita sees the golden deer, she is totally charmed and asks Rama to capture it and bring it to her. Though not very pleased about it, Rama entrusts her to Lakshmana’s care and goes in search of the deer that had, by then, run away into the forest. He makes Lakshmana promise that he would not leave Sita alone under any circumstance, but still feels uneasy while leaving. Once into the deepest wooded area, Rama is about to hit the deer with an arrow, when Mareecha, still in the form of the deer, loudly cries out, “Oh Lakshmana, Oh Lakshmana”. Mareecha imitates Rama’s voice so well that both Sita and Lakshmana are convinced that it is indeed Rama asking for help. In spite of Lakshmana’s refusal to leave Sita alone, she persuades him to go and aid Rama.
Lakshmana tries very hard to explain to Sita that Rama would never ever be in danger and that this must be some trick to dupe them. Sita, though, gets even more upset by this and accuses Lakshmana of not going to save Rama on purpose. Lakshmana finally has to break the promise given to his brother and decides to go in search of Rama.
Before leaving though, Lakshmana takes out an arrow and draws a line just outside their hut, requesting Sita never to step out of the line. This Lakshmana Rekha is drawn in order to protect her and act as a barrier to some outsider wanting to step inside.
While Sita waits all alone in the ashram, Ravana takes the disguise of a sadhu (mendicant) and stands in front of the hut, calling for alms. Sita tries to give the sadhu the alms from inside the line drawn by Lakshmana, but he insists that he would accept the bhiksha (alms) only if she stepped forward and handed it to him. As soon as Sita crosses the Lakshmana Rekha, the terrible Ravana takes his original form, lifts the entire piece of earth with Sita standing on it and whisks her away on his aerial chariot. Ravana realizes that he cannot lay his hands on Sita directly and that is why he is forced to lift the entire land she stands on. He then races in the southward direction.
When Rama and Lakshmana come back to the hermitage, they are appalled to find Sita missing. Rama at once suspects foul play and starts in search for her, crying out her name. As they proceed to search deep into the forest, they see Jatayu, their beloved eagle, who is critically wounded, lying there helplessly bleeding, his wings cut away cruelly. He reveals to a dishevelled Rama that while fighting Ravana to rescue Sita from his clutches, Ravana had cut off each of his wings, thereby making it impossible for Jatayu to retaliate any further. Then pointing in the direction which Ravana took, the elderly Jatayu places his head on Rama’s lap and breathes his last. A shocked and tearful Rama bids his feathered friend a fond goodbye and grants him Moksha.
Sita held captive in Ashokvan
Ravana takes Sita to Lanka and holds her captive there, in the Ashokvan or garden of Ashoka trees. He deligates many demonesses to guard the area and prevent Sita from escaping. Before leaving, he also instructs Trijata and other demonesses to threaten Sita into marrying him. Throughout her one year of captivity in Lanka, Ravana keeps expressing his desire for her, but Sita refuses to heed his advances and maintains her chastity.
Meanwhile, Rama meets Hanuman and the rest of the Vanara Sena (army of monkeys) and they hatch a plan to rescue Sita Devi from Lanka. The mighty Hanuman jumps over the sea and manages to locate Sita being held prisoner in Ashokvan. Sita is delighted to meet Hanuman and gives her Chudamani (an item of her personal jewellery) and asks him to give it to her husband. While Hanuman tries to head back to Rama, he is captured by Ravana’s forces. Hanuman is almost executed and burnt, but he cleverly escapes out of there and burns the capital city of Lanka while leaving instead.
Rama wages war against Ravana
Rama builds the Rama Sethu (a bridge) with the help of the Vanara Sena, connecting South India to Lanka. Interestingly, this bridge is supposedly in existence under the water even today and there are supposedly satellite images to prove the same.
Rama then wages a terribly long and violent war against Ravana and eventually victors and slays the demon King Ravana. Rama then rescues Sita from her long period of captivity. But Sita’s troubles do not end there either.
Sita’s Agni Pariksha
Since Sita was kept in captivity by Ravana, she has to go through the ‘Agni-Pariksha’, the test of fire, in order to prove her chastity to the world. Some versions of the story claim that the Sita who entered the fire was a duplicate, who had been there in place of the actual Sita, in order to protect her from the harassment inflicted by Ravana while in Ashokvan.
Some others relate that Sita voluntarily entered the fire, in order to cleanse herself from her ordeal. This story also says that the coals in the fire turned to soft lotuses when she stepped on them. Yet others say that Rama ordered that Sita take the trial by fire as a punishment for her questioning Lakshmana’s integrity, just before forcing him to go in search of Rama, in the Mareecha episode.
The Pattabhishekham
The couple comes back to Ayodhya, where Rama is coronated as King of Ayodhya, at a grand Pattabhishekham ceremony. Rama happily rules the kingdom with Sita at his side for a while, but it soon comes to light that some residents of Ayodhya could not accept Sita’s captivity in Lanka under Ravana and also questioned her chastity.
Sita undergoes yet another cruel ordeal
Though Rama knows that Sita is innocent, he is forced to heed the words of his praja (citizens he ruled over) and sends Sita off into an exile all over again. This he does without even informing her or safely leaving her in some sage’s ashram. Instead, Rama sends Lakshmana to accompany her into the forest and leave her there.
Sita is also pregnant at this time and yet, is left to roam around the forest without any escort whatsoever. She is spotted and rescued by sage Valmiki, who gives her refuge in his own ashram, situated at the banks of the Tamsa river. There, she delivers her twin sons, Luv and Kush.
The twins are educated and taught military skills under the able guidance of Valmiki and grow up to be brave and intelligent warrior princes, unparalleled in their archery skills. Valmiki also trains them up in music and the art of playing the Veena. The twins additionally learn the Ramayana, penned by Rishi Valmiki himself, keeping sharp focus on Rama as the central character.
Rama meets his sons
Rama, who is still grief-stricken at the loss of his family, decides to perform the major Ashwamedha Yagya on a grand scale. The Yagya or sacrificial ritual requires that the one who conducts it, lets a horse roam around the surrounding provinces. The regions where the horse roams free without being captured, automatically goes into the ruler’s control.
The horse in question wanders into the area housing the hermitage. Luv and Kush fight against and capture the horse effortlessly. This brings the twins in direct conflict with their father, without their realizing it.
The boys capture the horse and refuse to release it. Rama orders his three brothers, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna, to go fight the twins, but the young boys easily defeat them as well. Eventually, Rama decides to personally confront them in battle. Rama expects to win by an easy margin, but is stunned to witness the boys’ prowess. Humbled, he invites them to Ayodhya. It is at that point that he comes to know their true identity; that Luv and Kush are as his own sons.
Sita returns to her mother, Bhoomidevi
When Sita realizes that her sons have been united with their father, Rama, Sita considers her life’s mission complete. Rama approaches her and requests her to come back to him. But Sita is no longer willing to return to Rama or Ayodhya and instead, chooses to seek final refuge in the arms of her loving mother, Bhoomidevi, or Mother Earth.
Sita requests Bhoomidevi to have mercy on her and give her release from this unjust world and a sadness-filled life. The earth suddenly and dramatically splits open and Bhoomidevi appears from inside. She takes Sita by the hand and lovingly ushers her away to a better world. This incident marks the end of Sita Devi’s avatar on Earth.
Significance of Maa (Mother) Sita’s Avatar
Not for nothing is Mata Sita regarded as the epitome of womanhood. Sita’s life was filled with trouble and turmoil and yet, she stoically maintained her calm and dignity throughout. Her story has been narrated in entirety in the book, Sitayanam. The values that She adhered to and represented at every point in the course her arduous life have now translated into becoming the values of womanly virtue, held sacred by all generations of Indians, past, present and future.
Interestingly, the name, “Sita”, was in existence much before Valmiki’s Ramayana. She was considered a female deity of agricultural fertility, but was overshadowed by more popular goddesses associated with fertility.
As mentioned earlier on in this article, Sita was discovered in a furrow when Janaka was ploughing. The term, “Seet” in Sanskrit means “furrow”. Janaka was the head of the royal family. From this we can probably understand that ploughing was part of regular royal duties and was undertaken so as to ensure fertility of the land.
Sita is also said to be the daughter of the Mother Earth, produced as a result of the holy union between the king and the land. Hence, Devi Sita is a personification of the Earth’s fertility, abundance, peace and prosperity.
Some believe that Devi Sita may have been named after a very ancient Vedic Goddess, Sita. This deity has been mentioned in the Rigveda as the Earth Goddess, who blesses the land with fertile soil and good crops. During the Vedic era, hence, this Sita was one of the goddesses associated with fertility.
The Ramayana mostly centres around on Rama’s actions, relegating all else to the background. Here, Sita is sometimes even considered to be a quiet and submissive figure, who keeps to herself most of the time. But this is not quite the case. There are instances in the Ramayana when Sita speaks out powerfully in favour of or against some principle.
In the first such instance, during their stay in Chitrakuta, Sita enters a discussion with Rama, after which Rama solemnly vows that he will never slay anyone without extreme provocation.
The second time, Sita strongly debates with Ravana when he comes to her hermitage in the guise of a Brahmin. She flatly tells him that she cannot easily trust him, since he does not look at all like a Brahmin.
Sita even subdues Hanuman with her powerful words. When Hanuman manages to locate her in Ashokvan, he is intent of immediately taking her with him, so that she can escape from there and be together with Rama. Hanuman offers to take Sita on his back and transport her to his Lord. Sita, however, declines and states that she would never want to run away like a cowardly thief and that she would want her husband to battle and victor against Ravana instead.
Certain versions of the Ramayana relate that Sita was actually a reincarnation of Vedavati, an avatar of Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi. The story goes thus:
Sage Kushadhwaja is pious man and a very learned scholar, living in a hermitage deep into the forest. His daughter Vedavati, who lives with her father, grows up into a beautiful young woman and an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Earlier on if life, she resolves never to wed anyone other than her chosen Lord. Her father understands her feelings, supports her ideals and even rejects marriage proposals from many powerful kings and celestial beings who seek his daughter’s hand in marriage. One powerful individual among those rejected is Sambhu, a powerful king of the Daityas. Treating this rejection as an outright insult and swearing vengeance, Shambhu murders Vedavati’s parents on a moonless night.
Vedavati is alone and grief-stricken, but still continues to reside at the same hermitage and meditates upon Vishnu. She radiates ethereal beauty, dressed simply, in the hide of a black antelope, matted hair tied above her head, her beauty and youth actually enhanced by her severe austerities.
Ravana once spots Vedavati seated thus in meditation and is totally enamoured by her beauty. He propositions her, but as usual, is immediately rejected. Ravana mocks her austerities and her devotion to Vishnu and gets even more upset while being firmly rejected each and every time. At his wit’s end, he tries to molest Vedavati, pulling her hair. This greatly angers her, and she immediately cuts off her hair.
She also states that she would enter into the fire before his eyes and adds that she would be born again just to become the cause of his destruction. Saying thus, she prepares a pyre and fearlessly enters it. Legend has it that it was Vedavati who was born again as Sita, and was the root cause of Ravana’s destruction, though Rama was the medium here.
By being reborn as Sita, Vedavati also receives the boon she so single-mindedly sought in her previous birth. Rama, the avatara of Vishnu, becomes her husband. Some versions of the Ramayana talk of sage Agastya relating the entire story of Vedavati to Rama.
Sita as Ravana’s daughter
Some legends consider Sita to be Ravana’s daughter. Below is a list of some versions of this legend:
Ravana and his queen, Mandodari, were issueless in spite of having been married for many years. When the Maharani did finally become pregnant, an astrological prediction indicated that their first-born child would be the cause of Ravana’s destruction. Warped by insecurity, Ravana threw the child away in a basket. Instead of dying, though, the baby was rescued by Mother Nature and kept in safe custody, inside the earth, to be later discovered by King Janaka. Ravana, while lusting after Sita, never had the slightest idea that she was his own daughter. This turned out to become an even bigger sin than abducting Rama’s wife.
The second version of the legend goes to portray Sita only indirectly as Ravana’s daughter. it is said that Ravana killed many saints and sages and buried their “blood and remains” in the ground. Before dying, these sages had cursed Ravana that his first-born would become the reason for his own death. King Janak found the very same “blood and remains” in the form of a little girl, who later came to be called “Sita”. Thus, in the karmic sense, Sita was born out of Ravana’s sins, and so, she could be considered Ravana’s daughter in this way. Sita’s abduction and captivity was also primarily responsible for Ravana’s death.
Yet another version makes Ravana even more of a villain. It is believed that Ravana would kill saints and sages and then take their blood from the arrow tip and save it in a pot. Once, desirous of bearing a child like Goddess Lakshmi, he stole sacred milk from a sage and mixed it with the blood of the sages and gave it to his wife to drink. Mandodari hated her husband for this and thought of ending her life by drinking this mixture. Instead, she became pregnant with Sita and buried the fetus in King Janaka’s land in India. This makes Sita the child of Ravana’s wife. This relationship, as described by ISKCON, still establishes Ravana’s lust for Sita as a form of incest. Since Sita was Mandodari’s child in this case, she would also become Ravana’s child in a way.
Goddess Sita – The Epitome Of Womanhood
The Tale of Sita- An Introduction
The character of Sita is a prominent figure in Hindu mythology, known as the wife of Lord Rama, the avatar of Lord Visnu. Her story is told in the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, which describes her as a virtuous and noble woman who faced many challenges with grace and fortitude. She is considered an embodiment of the ideal woman and symbolises female strength and resilience.
Who was Sita
Sita was born to King Janaka and his wife, Queen Sunayana, in the kingdom of Mithila. When she was a baby, she was found in a furrow in a ploughed field, and Janaka adopted her as his daughter. She is also known by different names such as Janaki and Vaidehi. Sita grew up as a beautiful and virtuous young woman, and many suitors sought her hand in marriage.
One day, a prince named Rama came to Mithila and saw Sita for the first time. They fell in love at first sight, and Rama decided to compete in a Swayamvara (a competition for a bride’s hand) to win Sita’s hand in marriage. Rama succeeded in winning the competition, and he and Sita were married in a grand ceremony.
However, their happiness was short-lived. Rama’s stepmother, Kaikeyi, convinced Rama’s father to banish Rama to the forest for fourteen years and crown her son king. Sita and Rama’s brother, Lakshmana, accompanied Rama into exile.
While in the forest, Sita was abducted by the demon king Ravana and taken to his kingdom of Lanka. With the help of Hanuman who was under the service of King Sughriv, Rama, and Lakshmana set out to rescue her. After a long and challenging battle, Rama defeated Ravana and rescued Sita.
When they returned to Ayodhya, Rama’s kingdom, Sita was subjected to a trial by fire to prove her purity and loyalty. She emerged unscathed from the fire, but some of Rama’s subjects still doubted her faithfulness. So, to prove her innocence, Sita chose to leave Rama and return to the earth from which she had emerged.
The devi Sita story is a tale of love, devotion, and sacrifice. For more such inspiring stories about the divine, look up the InstaAstro website! You can also download the InstaAstro app to get regular updates on interesting facts about these revered figures.
How was Sita born
The goddess Sita birth place is believed to be in the city of Sitamarhi in the Indian state of Bihar. Sitamarhi is a small town located in the northern part of Bihar, near the border with Nepal. The different names of Sita mata include Janaki, which means ‘daughter of Janaka’. Sitamarhi is said to be the location of King Janaka’s palace and is believed to be where Sita was born.
Today, Sitamarhi is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus, and several temples and shrines are dedicated to Goddess Sita in the area. One of the most famous is the Janaki Temple, located in the centre of Sitamarhi town and considered one of the most important temples dedicated to Sita in India. It is a popular site of worship and pilgrimage for devotees of Goddess Sita.
In Hinduism, Goddess Sita is considered the divine consort of Lord Rama, and goddess sita characteristics include her beauty, purity, and devotion. There are 108 names of Goddess Sita, also known as ‘Sita Ashtottara Shatanamavali’. Jaganmata, Bhagyavidhata, Samasta Loka, Pujita, Mahabhagya, Vararoha are just a few to mention.
Sita ka Swayamvar
In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Sita Swayamvar refers to the ceremony in which princess Sita chooses a husband from a group of suitors. The word ‘Swayamvar’ means ‘self-choice’ in Sanskrit, and the practice was a common tradition among Indian royalty in ancient times.
During the Sita Swayamvar, King Janaka, Sita was the daughter of which king, invited many princes from different kingdoms to compete for Sita’s hand in marriage. He set a difficult condition for the suitors to fulfil to win Sita’s hand. The condition was to lift and string a heavy bow that belonged to Lord Shiva. The bow was so massive that it required tremendous strength to lift it, let alone string it.
Many princes attempted to lift the bow and string it, but all failed. Then, Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, arrived at the ceremony and lifted the bow with ease. He then strung the bow and broke it in half, winning Sita’s hand in marriage. It is said that Sita was merely 18 or 19 when questioned at what age goddess Sita got married.
The Sita Swayamvar is considered one of the most significant events in the Ramayana and is an integral part of Hindu mythology. The story is often seen as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil and the importance of strength, courage, and righteousness in Hindu culture.
Sita ki Agni Pariksha
In Ramayana, Sita’s Agni Pariksha (trial by fire) is a significant event that tests her purity and loyalty to her husband, Lord Rama. The Agni Pariksha takes place after Sita is rescued from the demon king Ravana, who kidnaps her and takes her to his kingdom in Lanka. This is one of the widely popular Hindu goddess sita facts.
When Rama rescues Sita, he is overjoyed to have her back, but some of his subjects question Sita’s purity because she had spent time in Ravana’s kingdom. To prove her innocence and loyalty, Sita chooses to undergo the Agni Pariksha, a trial by fire. In this test, she is asked to walk through a bed of burning coals. The fire will not harm her if she is genuinely pure and loyal.
Despite Rama’s protests, Sita agrees to undergo the trial. She walks through the fire unscathed. It is also seen as a demonstration of her faith in her husband and her commitment to him, even in the face of extreme adversity.
Ramayana – Story Of Sita Mata After Vanvas
According to the great Indian Epic, Ramayana, when Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya with Mata Sita and brother Lakshman after conquering Lanka, he was welcomed with great pomp and show. He was coronated and crowned as the king. The masses in Ayodhya celebrated their return by lighting lamps of ghee.
But on the other hand, Mata Sita had to move outside the state to the woods and pass an ordeal to prove her innocence after vanvas. There are various stories that state the reason for Mata Sita’s Vanvas.
After winning the battle against Ravana, Lord Shri Ram came to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile. After he was coronated, he took a vow to serve people selflessly.
One day, he came to know about the arrival of the spy through his soldier. He got to know about a woman who was seeking justice but the guard asked her to come back in the morning. This made the woman angry and she left.
The spy followed her for a while but she disappeared after some time. Lord Rama angrily ordered that such an incident should not happen again. Lord Rama suspended the spy from service until he found that woman.
The detective told Lord Rama that the woman could not be found but her husband lived in a village near the river Gautami situated on the border of their kingdom.
It was found that her husband refused to accept her as she had stopped somewhere for a night while coming back from her maternal home.
He further found out that the woman on her way back had to cross a river. The boatman refused to take her that night, so she was forced to spend that night in that boatman’s hut. Her husband doubted her chastity and threw her out of the house.
The woman refused to apologize as she had not committed a crime and told her husband that she would seek justice from Maryada Purushottam, Lord Rama.
Lord Rama, disguised as a common man, accompanied the detective to the village and found that the villagers blamed the woman and raised questions about the decision of their king, Shri Ram.
The villagers questioned the chastity of Mata Sita as she stayed in Ravana’s palace for so many days. They named it ‘Stree Moh’. According to the villagers, this would make men weak and encourage women to take undue advantage of this.
Lord Rama was taken aback to see such sentiments of the people towards Mata Sita, not just in their village, but in other villages as well. The change in sentiments upset Lord Rama.
On finding out the truth, through her spies, she took this tough decision and went to the woods. This is how Mata Sita went into exile (Vanvas).
According to another story mentioned in the mythology, Mata Sita was cursed by a parrot, due to which she had to live separately from Lord Rama.
First, Mata Sita was kidnapped by Ravana during the exile, and then Mata Sita was separated from Lord Ram due to the washerman. The pair of parrots who told Sita Mata about her future with Ram got terrified after she offered them to stay in the palace with her.
Introduction about Goddess Sita
Goddess Sita
Goddess Sita , is the central female character of the Hindu epic Ramayana and daughter of King Janaka of Videha. She is an avatar of Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and wife of Vishnu. Sita is the consort of Lord Rama (avatar of Vishnu) and is revered as a paragon of spousal and feminine virtues for all Hindu women. She is renowned for her dedication, self-sacrifice, courage and purity.
Unique traits of Goddess Sita
Goddess Sita embodies all the values that people believe a woman must have in her character and is depicted as a woman of virtue and patience whose devotees equate with intelligence, growth, and increase in prosperity. Attributed as a synonym of fertility and purity, Sita comes across as the ideal daughter, wife and mother. She is revered for her virtues and attributes and symbolizes all that is noble in womanhood.
Incarnations of Goddess Sita
Sita is regarded as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and followed her husband Lord Rama to Earth as his consort. Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu, descended from Vaikunth to restore peace and harmony on Earth. She is considered as the Earth Goddess who blesses the land with good crops and regarded as a daughter of Bhūmi Devi. Sita is also said to be blessed and reborn as the epic heroine Draupadi, Goddess Padmavati and is also mentioned as Vedavati.
Mythology of Goddess Sita
After marriage, Goddess Sita goes to exile with her husband, Rama and brother-in-law Lakshmana to settle in the Dandaka forest, from where she is abducted by Ravana, Rakshasa King of Lanka. She is imprisoned in the Ashoka Vatika Garden, until she is rescued by Rama, who slays her captor. After the war, Rama asks Sita to undergo Agni Pariksha (an ordeal of fire) by which she proves her purity before she is accepted by Rama. After proving her purity, Rama and Sita return to Ayodhya, where they are crowned as King and Queen.
Goddess Sita
After a few months, Sita becomes pregnant whereupon Rama sends Sita away on exile and banishes her from the kingdom. She takes refuge in Sage Valmiki’s Ashram where she is blessed with twin boys Luv and Kusha. Years later, Sita returns to her mother, the Earth’s womb as a testimony of her purity after she reunites her two sons with their father Rama.
Unique offerings to Goddess Sita
To celebrate the birth of Goddess Sita, devotees place symbols of a plough and Goddess Earth in front of the idols of Ram, Sita, King Janak and Mata Sunayana. Sita Navami puja is then performed using rice, til and barley as offerings.
Benefits of worshipping Goddess Sita
Sita Navami is celebrated with fervour and gaiety all over India and people seek blessings from Maa Sita for happiness and long life of their spouse. Worshipping Lord Rama and Sita together brings peace, harmony and happiness in marriage. Many women also observe fast with purity, devotion and faith which denote qualities like sacrifice, modesty, motherhood and dedication in the person.
Sita
Characteristics : Ideal woman, Virtuous
Other Names : Janaki, Maithili, Ramaa, Vaidehi
Principal Scriptures : The Ramayana
Consort : Lord Rama
Sita Gayatri Mantra : Aum Janaknandiniye Vidmahe
Bhumijayai Dheemahi
Tanno Sita Prachodayat
Hindu Goddess Sita
Goddess Sita Maa
Sita is the consort of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Sita is the one of the most popular goddesses of Hindu religion. Devi Sita is regarded as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the divine consort of Lord Vishnu. Sita is considered as the ideal daughter, ideal wife, and ideal mother, since ages. Goddess Sita is remembered for her virtues and attributes. Devi Sita symbolizes all that is noble in womanhood.
Devi Sita – A Woman of Virtue
Sita is one of the principal characters in The Ramayana, the great epic of India. Her entire life constitutes an example of idealism. Sita is a perfect example of loyalty and morality. Goddess Sita leaves the palace charms and amenities, in order to stay in exile with her husband. During the period of exile, Sita was abducted by the demon-king Ravana and imprisoned for months, in Lanka. When Sita got freed from the clutches of Ravana, she proved her sanctity to Lord Rama by giving Agni – Pariksha (Fire Ordeal). Sita is regarded as the role model of wifely love and adherence to duty.
Maa Sita – Mother of Luv – Kush
After returning from the exile, Ram and Sita were declared as the king and the queen of Ayodhaya, respectively. Sita’s imprisonment in lanka became a consideration for the people of Ayodhaya. Lord Rama loved his wife endearly, but with no other option left, he banished Sita from his household. Sita again found herself in exile, this time she was not only alone but also pregnant. Sita got refuge in the hermitage of sage Valmiki, where she delivered twins, and named them Luv and Kush. She brought up her sons single handedly in the hermitage.
Sita is a brave woman of extraordinary brilliance. She has got all the values that people believe, a woman must have in her character. Sita is a woman of virtue and of immeasurable patience. Through her great character, she has captured hearts of millions of people.
Sita Navami – The Birth Anniversary of Maa Sita
Rama Navami and Sita Navami
It is very interesting to know that Lord Rama was born on the same Navami tithi in the month of Chaitra. His birth anniversary is known as Rama Navami which is celebrated just before the Sita Jayanti.
Different Names of Sita
Bhaumi – Produced from the Earth)
Janaki – Daughter of King Janak
Janaki Priya – Beloved of King Janak
Janaknandini – Daughter of King Janak
Janakatmaja – the one who is the soul of her father Janak
Janak Dulari – Beloved daughter of Maharaj Janak
Maithili – Princess of Mithila
Vaidehi – Princess of Videha
Bhumija – Born from Bhumi
Parthavi – Daughter of Earth/ Parthivi
Sunayanasuta – Daughter of Maharani Sunayana
Kushambhika – Mother of Kushu
Lasaki – Made of Lac
Ram Vallabha – Beloved of Lord Rama
Saumya – the pleasant one
Jagat Priya – the dearest (Goddess) to the whole world
Tara – the Radiant one
Saraveshvari – She who is Goddess of all
Triloksundari – Most beautiful in whole three worlds
Tarini – the one who liberates
Taruni – the young charming girl
Rajeshwari – The supreme Goddess
Lavamatre – Mother of Lava
Ratnagupta – Secret Jewel
Ram Mohini – the one who enchants Sri Ram
Saraveshvarpriya – Beloved of Saraveshwar Rama
Mahalaxmi – the Goddess Mahalaxmi
Bhagwatpatni – the wife of Bhagwan( Sri Ram)
Ayodhyanivasin – the one who lives in Ayodhya
Vaikunthanilaya – the one who dwells in Vaikuntha
Mulakasuramardini – the Goddess who killed the demon Mulakasura
Padamakshaja – the lotus-eyed
Hari Priya – Beloved of Hari( Rama)
Pativrata – Devoted to her husband
Siya – a beautiful woman
Vandevi – the forest Goddess
Raghavatoshini – the one who gives pleasure to Raghav
Dhanurvidyavisharada – skilled in Archery
Ramarametibhashini – the speaker of glories of Sri Ram
Saryajalasankridaye – the goddess who plays in the water of the Saryu river.
Shri – the Goddess Shri
Ramavakshasthalashriya – the one who resides on the chest of Shri Ram as Shrivatsa
Sita – who destroys all sorrows of her dependents and does supreme welfare of all beings who is honored by Vedas as the supreme beloved goddess for one and all in all the worlds.
Birth of Devi Sita
The story behind Devi Sita’s birth is divine and supernatural. There are many legends associated with the story of Devi Sita’s birth.
1) Sita as the daughter of Janaka – In Valmiki’s Ramayana, it is mentioned that Maa Sita is said to have been discovered in a furrow in a plowed field, believed to be Sitamarhi in the Mithila region of Bihar. She didn’t emerge from a mother’s womb, rather she appeared mysteriously in a furrow, while King Janaka was plowing the field. The king of Mithila Janaka was once plowing the land to conduct a Yajna. He found a baby girl in the Golden Casket. The girl was none other than Goddess Sita. She soon became a very beautiful and lovely princess.
2) Reincarnation of Vedavati – In Adbhuta Ramayana, Sita was a reincarnation of Vedavati. Vedavati was a beautiful lady and wanted to become the partner of Lord Vishnu. While she was doing meditation, Ravana tried to molest Vedavati and her virginity was sullied beyond Ravana’s redemption when she was performing punishment to become the consort of Vishnu. Vedavati sacrificed herself on a funeral pyre to escape Ravana’s lust. Vedavati cursed Ravana, vowing to return to another age, reincarnate in another time, and would be the cause of Ravana’s death. She was rightly reborn as Sita.
3) Reincarnation of Manivati – According to Gunabhadra’s Uttar Purana, Ravana disturbs the austerity of Manivati, daughter of Amitavega of Alkapuri. Manivati took a promise to take revenge on Ravana. Later, Manivati is reborn as the daughter of Ravana and Mandodari. But according to the astrologer’s prediction, the daughter would be the destruction of Ravana and ruin the empire. So, the demon king ordered his servant to kill the child. Although the servant didn’t kill the girl and instead placed her in a Casket and buried her in Mithila where she was found by Janaka. Then King Janaka adopts her.
4) Another very fascinating fact mentioned in some versions of Ramayana is Maya Sita (the illusionary version of Devi Sita). One day when Lord Rama, Lakshman, and Goddess Sita were in exile in the forest, The Hindu Fire God- appeared before Sri Ram and reminded him that the purpose of his avatar was to kill Demon King Ravana and the time has arrived for Ravana to kidnap Maa Sita.
The Fire God Agni deva thought that it was improper for demon Ravana to kidnap Mata Sita, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Therefore Agni advised that he will guard the original Sita and provide a Maya Sita to Sri Ram.
Lord Rama agreed and the original Sita was thus replaced with Maya Sita. Therefore Ravana kidnapped Maya Sita from the forest. After Ravana was killed, when Lord Rama asked Maya Sita to undergo Agni Pariksha to prove her chastity. When Maya Sita entered the fire, the Fire God took her back and returned the original Maa Sita to Lord Rama.
Qualities of Devi Sita
The role played by Goddess Sita in Lord Rama’s life was of sweet, silent, calm, all-accepting, devoted partner, devotion to Lord Rama as her husband.
When Lord Rama was asked to go on an exile of 14 years, Devi Sita stayed calm, expressing her balance and acceptance of situations. Lord Rama wanted his wife, Maa Sita to stay back at the palace of Ayodhya but Mata Sita refused to do that. She listened to her inner voice and insisted that she would accompany her husband Lord Rama at every stage of her life.
It was a very huge sense of duty towards her beloved husband. Rama tried to divert her by saying that the forest is not a safe place as there would be wild animals, and there would be no luxuries. However, Sita Devi stayed undervalued. She said she would be very happy to be in the safety of the arms of her husband and would follow all discipline and sacrifice which she was meant to and be beside him to serve him.
Lord Rama was finally persuaded by Sita Devi and on his instruction, she easily donated all her ornaments and followed Lord Rama to the forest for exile. Sita was the princess of Mithila and was the queen of Ayodhya. Mata Sita knew that life in the forest was not easy but she faithfully followed her inner instruction.
Sita Mata was in complete harmony with nature and mother Earth, in the forest, and willingly accept the life which was a sharp difference from the luxurious life she had always lived. Sita Devi happily ate the fruits and nuts from the forest, that her husband ate.
Mata Sita’s devotion and dedication to Lord Rama were proved when she was abducted and kept in custody by Ravana. She grew stronger in the unfavorable situation and all of Ravana’s attempts towards her, in order to win her completely failed. Fearlessly she told Ravana that he would soon meet his death in the hands of Lord Rama.
With single-minded devotion and dedication, Sita Devi focused only on the figure of Lord Rama in her heart and believed that all will be well.
Ram Sita Marriage
The marriage of Lord Rama and mother Sita is very beautifully described in the epic Ramayana. King Janaka organized a Swayamvara ceremony for his daughter after she reached adulthood. He invited all eligible royal princes to string and break the bow of Lord Shiva named Pinaka in order to win the hand of Sita in marriage. The bow of Lord Shiva was not an ordinary bow but the divine one that can never be handled by anybody who is not pious.
The bow was selected because King Janaka wanted the perfect man with spotless character for his daughter Sita.
When Vishwamitra who had Lord Rama and Lakshmana in the forest with him to guarding the Yajna, heard about the Swayamvara ceremony, he asks Rama to take part in the same. when King Janaka heard about Rama, being the son of King Dasaratha, taking part in the ceremony, he became joyful.
On the day of the ritualistic performance of Swayamvara, when all the princes failed to even lift the bow, Lord Rama arrived and lifted it, shocking all others as well as pleasing Sita. After lifting it, the Lord stretch the bow tightly, and as the Pinaka broke apart. King Janaka became delightful and considered himself to be the fortunate father to have found a perfect man for his daughter. The entire Mithila, King Janaka’s kingdom, fell into an abundant joy as Sita was going to live with a prince who was sought by thousand women.
Nowadays people especially the devotees of Lord Rama celebrate the Lord’s marriage as Vivah Panchami on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha in the Margashira month (Nov-Dec). The day is observed as Vivah Utsav of Sita and Rama in temples.
How to Celebrate Sita Navami
★ Take a bath before sunrise on the day of Sita Navami. The mantras are also chanted while bathing in Holy Rivers.
★ On the day of Sita Navami, fasting should start at sunrise. It is advised to drink water throughout the day. If this is difficult then milk, fruits, nuts, and dried fruits are included in a simple meal. After the next day, in the morning women can break the fast by having a sip of water.
★ Women visit the Rama Sita temple and offer prayers. The deity should be worshipped with sandalwood, flowers, fruits, and dhoop.
★ The devotees meditate on Lord Rama and Sita.
★ Chanting or hearing the Sita Navami Vrat Katha before breaking the fast is admirable.
★ The devotees also perform Rama Sita puja and Yajna on this pious day. It is mostly recommended activity on this day. It includes Rama Raksha Strota, Rama mantra Japa, Rama Homa and Yajna, and Aarti.
★ Devotees wear a twelve Mukhi Rudraksha bead as it is led by Lord Rama.
★ Wearing Rudraksha on this day purifies the inner soul and strengthens the willpower of an individual.
★ This festival is given a lot of importance in places like Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Bhadrachalam in Andhrapradesh, Sita Samahit Sthal in Bihar, and Rameswaram in Tamilnadu.
★ Darahan, Aarati and Maha Abhishek are performed on this day. Yatra is done by making idols of Maa Sita, Lord Rama, Hanuman, and Lakshmana.
Benefits of Sita Jayanti
The auspicious occasion of Maa Janaki Jayanti or Sita Navami is mainly observed by married women. The significance of Sita Navami is for the reason that Sita Devi is believed to be a form of Goddess Lakshmi, observing fast on that day, praying to Maa Sita leads to blessings of Goddess Sita and Goddess Lakshmi.
★ Married women observe the Sita Navami fast meticulously and pray to Goddess Sita for their well-being, safety, and the long life of their families.
★ Maa Sita Jayanti or Sita Navami can bring the gift of motherhood, if there are complications in childbirth or if the devotee finds it difficult to conceive.
★ Mother Earth is also worshipped on the day of Sita Navami as Maa Sita is correlated with Mother Earth, to shower her blessings. As Mother Earth holds many gifts to grant to her devotees, it gives benefits of opulence, wealth, and happiness.
★ Devotees who honestly worship or perform puja of Lord Rama and Sita together on Sita Navami get the blessings of marital joy and happiness.
★ Sita Devi grants the qualities of modesty, and sacrifice to her devotees when Sita Navami rituals are followed and a fast is observed on this religious day.
★ The blessings of Lord Rama are also received by those who observe Sita Jayanti or Sita Navami and pray on this day.
★ Married women and those who are about to get married get the blessing of being a perfect wife, just like Maa Sita.