Children, as Dussehra approaches, we remember Rama’s victory over Ravana. But when we think of that battle, Sita is of equal importance. Her undying loyalty to Rama, and her patience, forbearance, and dedication to values are unparalleled. The Indian ideal of womanhood finds luminous expression in Sita. The sanctity of family ties has been maintained over centuries because of her.
When Rama tried to stop Sita from following him into the forest, she reminded him that it was the right and responsibility of a wife to be by her husband in happiness and sorrow. Her words are an eye-opener in today’s society, which avoids responsibilities and is intent on gains alone.
The abduction of Sita reveals the glory of viraha-bhakti, devotion born of separation from God. Sita had a desire for the golden deer even when Rama was with her. That is to say, her mind became enslaved by desire. When desire arose, Rama, who symbolised the Divine, became distant from her mind. Desire eroded her discernment, and Lakshmana, synonymous with discipline, went at her insistence to protect Rama.
But after Ravana abducted her, Sita was constantly aching for Rama. She did not heed the many temptations Ravana spread before her. She sat in remorse beneath the spreading branches of a tree, impervious to the rain and heat, chanting, “Rama... Rama... Rama...” Like a blinkered horse looking at nothing other than the path before it, her mind was focused completely on him. When the moon shines, we notice the moon and not the darkness of the night. Similarly, in her distress, Sita became entirely absorbed in thoughts of Ramachandra, not in the gloom created by his absence. Ravana tried hard, in person and through messengers, to tempt her. He promised to make her the Queen of Lanka and to hand over all his wealth if she accepted him. But Sita remained unmoved. She bravely endured the unrelenting harassment and verbal abuse at the hands of the vicious demonesses. Even in the thick of such misery, Sita was meditating on Rama alone. In the suffering wrought by separation, all her vasanas were sublimated. Finally, her heart was totally purified and she became reunited with Rama.
Love becomes more intense when separated from one’s lover. Such love has the frantic intensity of a fish out of water gasping for air and struggling to get back into the water. Through Sita’s love for Rama, we find that a devotee who thinks constantly of God can mentally transcend any situation, no matter how painful.
When Hanuman expressed his desire to liberate Sita from captivity and take her back to Lord Rama, Sita’s response was telling: that if anyone other than Rama saved her, it would tarnish his sterling reputation. This clearly shows that even amidst grave danger, Sita remained broadminded and poised.
The life of Sita is a source of undying inspiration to devotees of God, and a guiding light for families. It is a sacred Ganges sustaining and purifying human hearts. Her devotion to Rama was not merely emotional. Such devotion might be intense but is transient.
Sita’s devotion was founded upon knowledge, courage, and selfless love for Rama. With an equal devotion to her, Rama finally arrived to rescue her from Ravana. Though a king who by custom could have taken other wives, Rama’s heart remained fixed on her alone.
That is why we say Sita-Rama, and never Rama alone. With such purity of mind, Sita and Rama are eternally joined as the guardians of dharma. May we too reach this height of devotion to the Divine, a longing that is steady no matter what challenges life brings.
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, known simply as Amma, is a spiritual master and humanitarian who has given her darshan in the form of a motherly embrace to more than 4 crore people. Listening to the cries of the suffering, Amma leads the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, an NGO that reaches across more than 50 countries, working in healthcare, disaster relief, education, gender equality, and environmental restoration; Views presented are personal.