June 11 - Sargas 27 and 28 of Valmiki Ramayana.
We get to hear for the first time the voice, and flow of thought, of Sita in Ramayana only now. That too in these extremely unhappy circumstances. Nobody can fail to develop a deep respect for Devi Sita after hearing her. In fact Valmiki has hinted more than once that Ramayana is foremost the saga of an exemplary woman, Sita.
After hearing Rama's discourse to her on how she should conduct herself in Ayodhya during his forthcoming exile, Sita is filled with extreme grief and anger. She does not mince words but makes her point without either hurting or insulting Sri Rama.
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एवमुक्ता तु वैदेही प्रियार्हा प्रियवादिनी ।
प्रणयादेव संकृद्धा भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत् ॥
Thus advised, daughter of Videha, Sita, who deserved the highest affection from Rama and who spoke always with love to him, was provoked into anger only because of her love for him. She replied to her husband:
किमिदं भाषसे राम वाक्यं लघुतया ध्रुवम् ।
त्वया यदपहास्यं मे श्रुत्वा नरवरोत्तम ॥
आर्यपुत्र पिता माता भ्राता पुत्रस्तथा स्नुषा ।
स्वानि पुण्यानि भुञ्जानः स्वं स्वं भाग्यमुपासते ॥
भर्तुर्भाग्यं तु नार्येका प्राप्नोति पुरुषर्षभ ।
अतश्चैवाहमादिष्टा वने वस्तव्यमित्यपि ॥
"Dear Rama, how come you speak these extremely slighting words to me? I am only amused by your words.
" Oh noble prince, Everyone - father, mother, brother, son, daughter-in-law, all reap the fruits of their own independent deeds. That is their lot. But never so for a wife. She is one to share equally in the fortunes of her husband as her right and duty. So it is very clear that I should share equally in carrying out the order given to you to go and live in the forest. "
Sita goes on to say that the a woman's sole refuge is always her husband, and nobody else. If Rama is going to the forest, he should know that she will actually travel ahead of him, stepping on the kusha grass and thorns in the path. She does not at all mind eating remnants of what he eats, doing tapas and eschewing any irritation. It is much more desirable for a wife to live in her husband's shadow in the forest rather than stay behind in the luxury of the palace.
Sri Rama does not need to school her in what is the right conduct for her, nay, thank you sir, but she has been very well brought up and trained by her parents in Mithila. She shall be concerned in the forest always about her husband's wellbeing and will be never bothered by life's hardships and dangers.
Sita also says she looks forward to enjoying the sights, fauna and flora like lotus ponds and trees in spring in the company of her dearest husband Rama.
Sita adds a punch-line. Rama, being a prince, will surely wish to extend the best hospitality to any visitors who may come to him even in the forest. Being by his side, she will fulfill that role too with equal responsibility!
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Sri Rama wants to explain to Sita why he thinks the forest is unsuitable for her.
"Every aspect of forest life is full of hardship. What they eat, the way they sleep, the fury of the elements, and lying on a grass bed at night unable to recover from a most tiring day of toil. Wild animals attack in all forms and shapes. One has to also somehow manage to live out the pious life of prayer and ritual praying to gods and forefathers at appointed intervals. "
Rama concludes to Sita that most decidedly, the forest life will not be suitable for her.
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वनं च नेतुं न कृता मतिर्यदा बभूव रामेण तदा महात्मना ।
न तस्य सीता वचनं चकार तं ततोऽब्रवीद् राममिदं सुदुःखिता ॥
When the noble-souled Rama for these reasons refused to take her to the forest, Sita did not accept his word. She replied to him with much affliction of mind.
We shall see that tomorrow!
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
