We had reached past the first anniversary of the grand Ram mandir in Ayodhya. The anniversary as per traditional Hindu calendar was celebrated on 11th January rather than on 22nd of this month. This year, the Kurma Dwadashi, also known as Paush Shukla Dwadashi, falls on January 11, 2025. Last year, it occurred on January 22, 2024. Lord Ram is considered the seventh avatar of Vishnu, and celebrating the anniversary on this day invokes divine blessings and aligns with the spiritual essence of Lord Ram's worship. The day falls during Shukla Paksha, the waxing phase of the moon, which symbolises growth, prosperity, and positive energy. This lunar phase is considered highly auspicious for new beginnings and important ceremonies in Hindu tradition. According to Hindu tradition, King Dasharatha performed rituals on Dwadashi to seek blessings for a son, who was ultimately Lord Ram. This historical connection adds to the significance of observing events related to Lord Ram on this lunar day. Paush Shukla Dwadashi is also known as Kurma Dwadashi, commemorating Lord Vishnu's Kurma (tortoise) avatar during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). Dwadashi is traditionally associated with Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity. After observing this on Jan 11, we had travelled past the completion of 1 year since the consecration ceremony and the temple coming to life blessing millions. Coincidentally, we are learning the Ram katha or His story since the last 2.8 years highlighting his ideals and echoing the spirit of Rama’s worship in the air. Let us rededicate to take this movement ahead to take a dip in the invaluable ancient spiritual ocean drinking the nectar which fulfills our lives.
We are really living amidst the Rama Bhakti movement coming to life in the world. Earlier, this Rama bhakti movement gained prominence in India during the medieval period, particularly between the 15th and 17th centuries. Saints like Tulsidas, who wrote the epic poem "Ramcharitmanas," and ‘Hanuman chalisa’ played a crucial role in popularizing the worship of Lord Rama. For instance, the Hanuman Chalisa, a devotional hymn consisting of 40 verses that praise the strength, devotion, and virtues of Lord Hanuman is still an irrefutable bridge to gain the mercy of Hanuman and Rama. The Rama Bhakti movement has had a profound impact on Indian culture and spirituality. It has inspired countless devotees, poets, and artists, and continues to be a significant aspect of Hindu worship today. This has emerged once, reemerged many a times and has taken shape in this world in the present times. The movement's emphasis on the ideals of Rama, personal devotion, inclusivity, and social reform has left a lasting legacy on Indian society and this movement can be a big tool to redefine the Indian landscape in a good way for the present and future time periods. Let us become the proliferators of this golden movement which has emerged after a period of 500 years, just like the temple that took shape after so long in His birth place.
Coming back to the story, we are looking at the episode where Sita was being disowned by Rama. After Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya and his coronation as king, rumors began to circulate among the citizens about Sita's purity, given her time spent in captivity under Ravana. Despite Sita's unwavering loyalty and the successful trial by fire (Agni Pariksha) that she underwent to prove her chastity, doubts persisted among the people. To uphold his duty as a king and maintain the trust of his subjects, Rama made the heart-wrenching decision to disown Sita. He sent her to the forest, where she found refuge in the ashram of sage Valmiki. This decision was driven by Rama's commitment to his role as a ruler and his desire to protect the honor of his kingdom, even at the cost of personal happiness. This is a great lesson in putting across the importance given to people rather than personal family including dear spouse. Can we see anyone like this who giveaway kingdom to fulfill father’s promise and giveaway Sita to clear baseless rumors from public. His life and ideals are great lessons for any time in history. As Lakshmana carried away Sita to the place of Valmiki, we can look at further happenings in the following chapters.
In chapter 48, Lakshmana leaves Sita on the banks of river Ganges.
Sita, the noble daughter of King Janaka, was devastated upon hearing Lakshmana’s harsh words conveying her abandonment by Rama. Overwhelmed by despair, she collapsed to the ground, but eventually regained consciousness. Her tearful eyes and trembling voice reflected her profound sorrow as she addressed Lakshmana in broken tones.
She lamented her misfortune, believing her life to be cursed and questioning what sin she might have committed in the past to deserve such suffering. Reflecting on her unwavering devotion and chastity, Sita was anguished by Rama’s decision to cast her off despite her virtuous nature. She recalled her earlier hardships in the forest, which she had endured willingly for Rama’s sake. Now, abandoned and alone, she felt utterly lost and bereft of solace.
In her despair, Sita expressed her doubts about survival in the solitude of the forest, away from the companionship of Rama and the protection of her family. She questioned how she could explain her plight to the ascetics she might encounter and grieved over the perceived injustice of Rama’s actions, which she believed were driven by fear of public reproach rather than any fault of her own. Despite her sorrow, she refrained from ending her life, aware that doing so would tarnish the royal lineage.
Resigned to her fate, Sita urged Lakshmana to fulfill his duty by obeying Rama’s command and leaving her in the forest. Yet, before his departure, she made an impassioned plea. She asked Lakshmana to convey a message to Rama, affirming her purity and unwavering love for him. Sita implored him to remind Rama of the sacred duty of a king to act justly toward his subjects, as he would toward his brothers. She emphasized that maintaining his honor was paramount, even above her suffering.
In her message, Sita expressed no resentment toward Rama, instead reiterating her belief that a husband is a god-like figure to his wife, deserving of unwavering devotion and obedience. She concluded by asking Lakshmana to bear witness to her advanced pregnancy before departing.
Lakshmana, deeply sorrowful and conflicted, was unable to respond to Sita’s poignant words. He bowed in reverence, circumambulated her, and expressed his own grief, emphasizing that he had always treated her with the utmost respect, never raising his eyes to her face out of deference.
Heartbroken, Lakshmana boarded a boat to cross the Ganges. As the ferryman steered the skiff to the other shore, Lakshmana’s sorrow was palpable. Upon reaching the bank, he departed swiftly in his chariot, frequently turning back to look at Sita, who stood desolate and abandoned.
Sita, left alone on the forested riverbank, watched the departing chariot until it disappeared from view. Overcome with grief, she wandered aimlessly, her cries of despair echoing in the forest. The sounds of the peacocks seemed to mock her solitude. Bereft of her protector and crushed by the weight of her suffering, Sita, the virtuous and noble princess, wept inconsolably, mourning the cruel twist of fate that had left her forsaken.
In chapter 49, Valmiki offers Sita his protection.
As Sita wept in sorrow near the hermitage, the sons of the Rishis, hearing her cries, hurried to inform the great sage Valmiki. Approaching the illustrious ascetic, they bowed at his feet and described the distressed woman they had seen. They told Valmiki of her extraordinary beauty and noble demeanor, likening her to a goddess fallen from heaven. They explained that she appeared to be the consort of a great man but was overcome with grief and without a protector. The children of the sages urged Valmiki to take her under his care, as she had sought refuge near the hermitage.
Valmiki, with his profound spiritual insight and ascetic power, immediately understood the truth of their words. Aware of the identity and plight of the woman, he swiftly made his way to the riverbank where she sat weeping. His disciples followed him as he carried the traditional offering of arghya in his hands. On reaching the spot, Valmiki found Sita, the beloved consort of Rama, in deep despair, her face distorted with grief.
The compassionate sage, moved by her sorrow, spoke to her gently. He addressed her as the daughter of King Janaka, the daughter-in-law of King Dasaratha, and the faithful wife of Rama. Valmiki assured Sita that he was fully aware of her purity and virtuous conduct, having perceived the truth through his spiritual vision. He acknowledged her undeserved suffering and pledged his protection, urging her to find solace in his hermitage. Valmiki promised Sita that she would be cared for by the female ascetics residing there, who would treat her as their own daughter. He then offered her the arghya, asking her to trust him and let go of her anxieties.
Sita, comforted by Valmiki’s words, paid her respects to the sage, bowing at his feet with joined palms. With his guidance, she accompanied him to the hermitage. As they approached, the female ascetics came out to greet Valmiki with great reverence and joy. They expressed their delight at his visit, bowing before him and asking for his commands.
Valmiki introduced Sita to the female ascetics, explaining her identity as the consort of the virtuous Rama, the daughter-in-law of King Dasaratha, and the chaste daughter of Janaka. He revealed her tragic plight, emphasizing her innocence despite being renounced by her husband. The sage instructed the ascetics to honor and protect Sita, declaring her worthy of their love and care. Valmiki’s request carried the weight of his spiritual authority, and the ascetics readily agreed to fulfill his wishes.
The ascetics welcomed Sita with kindness and devotion, taking her into their care. Valmiki, having entrusted Sita to the women of the hermitage, returned to his abode with his disciples. Sita, though still burdened by her grief, found herself in a sanctuary of compassion and support, surrounded by those who respected her virtue and nobility.
In chapter 50, Sumantra seeks to console Lakshmana.
After leaving Sita in Valmiki’s hermitage, Lakshmana was consumed by anguish and distress. The noble prince felt deeply tormented by the act of abandoning Sita, whom he knew to be pure and virtuous. Turning to Sumantra, the charioteer and trusted counselor, Lakshmana expressed his sorrow, saying that Rama’s misery over separating from Sita would be immeasurable. He lamented that the virtuous Raghava, capable of defeating gods, gandharvas, asuras, and rakshasas, was helpless against the force of destiny.
Lakshmana reflected on the trials Rama had endured, including the fourteen years of exile in the harsh and desolate forest at their father’s command. Yet, he considered this exile of Sita, driven by the reproach of the citizens, to be an even greater sorrow. He questioned how such an act, seemingly cruel and destructive to Rama’s reputation, could align with the principles of dharma. Lakshmana voiced his anguish, declaring that Rama had been forced into this decision solely to satisfy the people, despite knowing Sita’s innocence.
Hearing Lakshmana’s heartfelt words, Sumantra joined his hands in respect and sought to console him. The wise charioteer reminded Lakshmana not to grieve over Sita’s fate. He disclosed a prophecy made by the sage Durvasa in the presence of King Dasharatha, Vasishtha, and himself. Durvasa had foretold that Rama would endure lasting misery, have few close companions, and eventually separate from his brothers, Sita, and even Lakshmana.
Sumantra explained that when the prophecy was revealed, Dasharatha had commanded him to keep it a secret from everyone. Despite the weight of the knowledge, Sumantra had abided by the king’s orders and refrained from sharing it with anyone. However, prompted by Lakshmana’s distress, Sumantra now felt compelled to reveal the truth. He acknowledged that destiny is unchangeable and that Rama’s trials were a result of its inescapable force.
Lakshmana, moved by the revelation, urged Sumantra to speak truthfully and share everything he knew. Sumantra, respecting Lakshmana’s sincerity, prepared to recount the details of the prophecy. He emphasized that even the mightiest of men, like Rama, could not defy the will of fate.
This concludes chapters 48, 49 and 50 of Uttara Kanda where we had seen Sita left on the banks of river Ganges by Lakshmana acting on the order of Rama. It is a moment of extreme anguish where a woman was ordered to be left in an ascetics place all alone because the public thought she is impure and needs to be disowned. Sita was heartbroken by Rama's decision but accepted her fate with grace and dignity as she sent back Lakshmana and was grief-stricken all alone. Valmiki saw the truth with spiritual insight and offered her protection where Sita will be living for the rest of her life. The charioteer Sumantra tells a distressed Lakshmana that Rama was acting under the weight of destiny and consoles him the misfortune of Rama’s separation with Sita. The successive episodes after this ill-fated destiny can be seen in subsequent chapters.
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