Devi Sita & Her Dharma
The character Sita, teaches us some very important aspects of genuine feminism.
Let’s understand this through the greatest epic of Indian Subcontinent- Ramayana. Lord Rama had to leave Ayodhya, for 14 years wherein they were to follow sanyasi dharma & he was followed by his consort, Devi Sita, and younger brother, Laxman. This was the promise Lord Rama’s father king Dushrath had made to his, the most loved consort, Queen Kaikeyi. Around the 13th year of exile Devi Sita was kidnapped by the king of Lanka- Ravana, who was then defeated in a fierce battle by Lord Rama and he finally returns to Ayodhya with wife and brother.
Not much time had passed when Devi Sita got pregnant. Also, her character was questioned by few people of Ayodhya as they felt she was kidnapped by an asura king of Lanka and so her dignity must have been compromised. Lord Rama who was the epitome of Maryada (selfless dharma protector as king) had to send devi Sita on exile inspite of her fragile health. Finally, she gives birth to twin brothers, Luv-Kush and then after 12 years, fate make them meet their father – king Rama, who happily accepts them both. However, devi Sita, ends her pious, virtuous life by entering into mother earth, to shut the mouths of all those people who in future, may pop-up to question the birth of her kids due to ‘her’ un-fateful kidnapping by Ravana.
Well, my point here in telling you the epic story in brief is to highlight the strength of the character Sita. Her determination, decision-making, confidence in her existence, free-will and wisdom were unparalleled. She is the epitome of REAL feminine power. She made few bold decisions in her life which weren’t made out of her immense love for her husband (Rama) or to follow his footsteps rather she took decisions to follow her “Stree-Dharma”.
I want my readers to ponder on this real, pure, and the strongest power which is called “Feminism or Streetva”. I am addressing her as “Devi” because I personally have learnt a lot over past couple of years from her bright character. It has somehow polished my character as a female. So, here’s her bold decisions that she made at the time when females were not even given basic education and were considered powerless, dependent, responsibility, object of Kama, helpless, created by God for marriage & home-life, etc.
Decision-1: She decided to go with her husband on exile and follow sanyasi dharma though she was a newly-wed daughter-in-law of Ayodhya, the then most powerful kingdom. She debated & defeated not just her husband, but all the wise court-men of Ayodhya on why going on exile with her husband is her dharma and why anyone shouldn’t be questioning her ever. It was in accordance with her stree (female)-dharma.
Decision-2: She decided to cross the Laxman-Rekha made by Laxman to protect Sita from all forbidden energies and asuras. And, she did so to give alms to Ravana who had acquired a sage-look to deceive Sita. Inspite of her husband not being around and somewhere lost in the jungle, she followed her manushya (humanitarian)-dharma.
Decision-3: She decided to stay at Ashok Vatika of Lanka which was in its Northern side, so that she can wait for her husband to come and rescue her from there. She had a choice to stay safe from weather, sunlight, rain, etc. within the palace of Ravana but she ignored all these to wait since Rama would have come from northern side of Lanka. Also she decided not to go with Hanumana, who had come to Lanka in search of devi Sita. These were in accordance with her patni (wife)-dharma.
Decision-4: She decided to give Agni-pariksha to prove her purity to everyone around who questioned that if she, who was in Ravana’s Lanka for so many months will be accepted as queen of Ayodhya. It was in accordance with her raj (kingdom)-dharma.
Decision-5: She decided not to end her life when she was exiled in the night without informing her and that too when she had fragile health due to pregnancy. She was told that her husband who was the king of Ayodhya, had abandoned her because his people question her dignity. She gave birth to Luv-Kush & raised them to become wise, compassionate, powerful human beings. It was in accordance with her matri (mother)-dharma.
Decision-6: She decided to enter into mother earth to end her life after Luv-Kush meet their father, king Rama. It was in accordance with her stree (female)-dharma. She lived and died with self-respect as her guiding light.
There are many such decisions devi Sita took throughout her life out of which I could quote these few, and these have made greater impacts on me and my understanding of Dharma. How should a female live, be looked-upon, considered, behave, think, act, speak, conduct during crucial moments, etc., are some learning lessons for all females for generations to come. I hope you liked this article. Do share your comments and your learnings from Devi Sita. Namah Everyone Lovingly Yours,
