Goddess Sita, a central figure in the Indian epic Ramayana, is revered as embodying virtue, purity, and devotion. Sita is the reincarnation of Vedavati. Sita was renowned for her virtue and beauty and is regarded as an avatar of the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi.
Intricately woven into the narrative, her life unfolds as a tale of unwavering love, steadfastness, and resilience.
Birth and Upbringing:
Sita was not born from a womb. While conversing with sage Vishvamitra in the presence of Rama and Lakshamana, King Janaka said that when he was plowing and purifying the field, he unearthed a maiden who had become famous by the name of Sita (the word Sita means the furrow caused by a plough). Having been raised from the surface of the ground, he reared Sita as a daughter.
King Janaka also said he desired to bestow Sita on a capable king through viryashulka. Viryashulka is like a svayamvara ceremony, in which the maiden is offered to the suitor who shows the most valor (virya). However, in Svayamvara, the maiden herself (svayam) chooses her husband (vara) from assembled suitors.
He declared a competition to raise a supreme bow; many kings from various countries attempted, but none succeeded. These kings also siege the Mithila, but Janaka defeated the arrogant kings and their allies through divine aid. He shared his intention to offer Rama Sita’s hand in marriage if Rama proves his strength by stringing the bow.
Marriage to Lord Rama:
After Janaka’s words, Vishvamitra requested King Janaka to show Rama the supreme bow. Janaka then instructed his advisers to bring the divine bow adorned with fragrances and garlands. The bow was brought there with a great effort of five thousand men in an iron casket.
King Janaka pointed to the bow and said that those of the Janaka lineage worshipped this supreme bow. Extremely valiant kings have not been able to use it to aim. Nor have the large numbers of gods, asuras, rakshasas, Gandharvas, the best of yakshas, kinnaras, or the giant serpents. He also asked how men can raise the bow, string it, affix an arrow, and take aim with it. Vishvamitra heard Janaka’s words and told Rama to hold the bow.
Rama eagerly opened the casket and expressed his desire to touch and wield the bow. With the king’s and Vishvamitra’s permission, Rama, the descendant of the Raghu lineage, effortlessly strung the bowstring and took aim, but the bow snapped in the middle. As the bow broke with a thunderous sound, everyone except the sage Vishmitra, King Janaka and the two Raghavas (Rama and Lakshmana) were unconscious.
Janaka then pledged to bestow Sita upon him through viryashulka, ensuring her union with Dasharatha’s son would bring glory to the Janaka lineage. After getting Vishvamitra’s approval, Janaka swiftly dispatched his ministers to Ayodhya to inform King Dasharatha of the proposal.
The union of Rama and Sita was celebrated as a divine confluence, symbolizing the perfect match blessed by the gods.
Exile to the Forest:
Sita’s journey took an unexpected turn when circumstances led Rama, Sita, and his loyal brother Lakshmana to undertake a fourteen-year exile to the forest. Sita’s unwavering commitment and willingness to accompany Rama showcased her devotion.
Abduction by Ravana:
The central narrative of the Ramayana takes a dramatic twist with the abduction of Sita by Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. A divine bird, Jatayu, the younger son of Aruna tried to save Sita during her abduction but failed. Jatayu was an old friend of King Dasharatha. Driven by lust and arrogance, Ravana used deceit to separate Sita from Rama, leading to her captivity in Lanka.
Trials in Captivity:
When Sita was held captive in Lanka and guarded by the demoness Surpanakha, her strength and goodness shone through. Despite facing difficult situations, Sita stayed true to her pure and devoted nature, remaining steadfast in her love for Rama.
Hanuman’s Search and Message:
Hanuman’s search for Sita in Lanka, his encounter with her in captivity, and the delivery of Rama’s message to assure her rescue became pivotal. Sita’s faith in Rama and her unwavering spirit in the face of adversity showcased her inner strength.
Triumph of Good over Evil:
The epic climax unfolds with the great battle between Rama and Ravana. The triumph of good over evil and the rescue of Sita symbolize the victory of righteousness. The return of Rama and Sita to Ayodhya marked the end of their exile and the beginning of their reign.
Agni Pariksha and Exile:
Despite Rama’s victory, doubts about Sita’s purity arose among his subjects. Sita underwent the agni pariksha (trial by fire) to dispel these doubts and emerged unscathed.
However, this act led to her voluntary exile from Ayodhya, as Rama, bound by his duty as a king, chose to protect public opinion. Sita stood firm and independent when Rama was forced to choose between his personal needs and those of his kingdom based on the Dharma of their times.
Birth of Lava and Kusha:
During her exile, Sita gave birth to twin sons, Lava and Kusha, in the hermitage of sage Valmiki. The boys grew up in the sage’s care, unaware of their royal lineage. Valmiki taught them the epic Ramayana.
Sita, according to Valmiki, commanded Mother Earth to swallow her so she could retain her purity forever.
Conclusion
Goddess Sita’s story in the Ramayana shows her full of grace, goodness, and strength. She teaches crucial lessons about virtue and staying strong even during tough times.
Through the various phases of her life, Sita’s narrative resonates with devotees and seekers alike, offering insights into the nature of devotion, sacrifice, and the eternal quest for righteousness.