The Ideal Couple: PART-6

Today we will get to know the challenges battled by Sītā and Rāma in Yuddha Kānda and explore Their love for each other. Their endurance, strength and deep, unbreakable love would never cease to amaze us. 
Rāma, Lakshmana and the army of Vānaras and bears reached the shore of the ocean. At that time, Rāma became immensely reminiscent of Sītā and lamented for Her. He expressed His pangs of love and shared His thoughts with Lakshmana.
  • "It is said that sorrow gets vanished at the passing of time. But my agony of not seeing my beloved is getting increased every day.
  • Oh, wind! Flow from the side of my beloved. Touch Her and touch me too. It is through you that I get a contact of Her limbs. It is through the moon that I get a contact of Her eyes.
  • That Darling being carried away; might have cried “Oh, Lord!” Seeking for help. That thought is like poison gulped by me, hovering in my stomach and scorching my limbs.
  • It is enough for me, who is passionate, that Sītā and myself are resting on the same earth and on this fact I am able to survive. Even as a paddy-field without water survives by getting wet from a neighbouring paddy-field, I also survive as I am hearing Her as surviving.
  • When shall I bring back Sītā having lodged arrows in Ravana’s chest and having abandoned this mental agony? When indeed Sītā, the virtuous lady similar to the child of a celestial, with an excited longing, will embrace my neck and release tears of joy?"
For Rāghava, every moment away from His Beloved was an unbearable fire of agony. It increased day by day. Rāghava requested the wind to touch Sītā and touch Him too and stared at the moon to get a glimpse of Sītā. He survived by hearing the news of His Beloved's survival. The thought of Jānakī's abduction was like poison to Him. He longed to liberate Her from the clutches of Rāvana and shower His love on Her. Lakshmana comforted Rāma and cheered Him up.
At Lankā, Vibhīshana pleaded with Rāvana multiple times to restore Sītā to Rāma but got humiliated by the arrogant and evil Rāvana and the entire court of Rākshasas  The noble Vibhīshana sought the shelter of Rāma who wholeheartedly accepted him and vowed to make him the King of Lankā. Rāma meditated for three days, praying to the ocean to make way for the armies to reach Lankā. The God of the Ocean appeared after Rāma, armed with His bow and arrow, righteously threatened to dry the ocean up. A huge bridge made of rocks and trees was built to reach Lankā. Rāma, Lakshmana, Vibhīshana and the entire army marched to Lankā and camped at the Suvela mountain. The wicked Rāvana commanded the demon Vidyujjhiva to conjure an illusory head, bow and quiver of Rāma. Rāvana entered the Ashoka Grove, lied to Sītā that Rāma was dead, and cooked up a story to narrate how Rāma and the Vānara army were killed. Seeing the head, bow and quiver of Rāma brought by Vidujjhiva, Sītā was shocked. She fell on the ground like a chopped plantain tree.
Regaining consciousness, She approached Rāma's illusory head and wailed.  
  • "O Rāma! It was mentioned even by astrologers that your life span is lengthy. O, Rāma! Their words are wrong. You are short lived.
  • O valiant Rāma! Here is your bow which was decorated with gold, dear to me and worshipped diligently by you with sandal paste and wreath of flowers.
  • O Prince! Why don’t you look at me? Why don’t you reply to me, a Wife who has lived with you together since the time of obtaining me as a girl by you as a boy.
  • O Rāma the best of beings! Why have you gone away, quitting me like this? Leaving me the miserable woman, why have you gone to the other world from this world? The strong and faultless Prince Rāma was killed in a small puddle, after crossing the ocean for the cause of me, an unworthy woman.
  • I, the obloquy of my race, was wedded by Rāma due to ignorance. Thus, a wife herself has eventually proved to be the cause for death of Rāma, an honorable man.”
Sita blamed Herself repeatedly and worried about the state of Her mother-in-law Kaushalyā. Sītā wanted to follow Her Husband wherever He was and asked Rāvana to kill Her so that She could reunite with Rāma.
  • "Unite the Wife with the Husband and without delay, arrange to kill me right at the head of Rāma! Thus, you will perform an admirable and auspicious act.
  • O Rāvana! Join my head with His head and my body with His body. I shall go along the path of my magnanimous Lord!"
However, Rāvana left the grove to meet a few ministers. The illusory head, bow and quiver vanished as soon as he left. Saramā, a kind and good-natured demoness, consoled Sītā and told that Rāghava was very much alive. Saramā had overheard Rāvana's plans and was aware of his tricks and deceit. She reminded Sītā of Rāma's prowess and conveyed the news that Rāma had entered Lankā along with Lakshmana and the Vānara army. Saramā pointed out the war preparations and assured Sītā that She would soon be reunited with a victorious Rāma. Hearing all this, Sītā's joy knew no bounds. She gently requested Saramā to secretly find out Rāvana's activities and report them to Her. Saramā obeyed Her, observed Rāvana's conversation with the ministers and narrated how different people had advised Rāvana and how he had refused to return Sītā to Rāma. Sītā thanked and appreciated Saramā for her help.
Raghunātha was extremely merciful and was ready to make peace if Rāvana returned Sītā to Him. So He sent Angada to give a final warning. However, Rāvana refused and the war began. Lord Rāma fought valiantly and killed many demons in no time. Lakshmana, Hanumān, Sugrīva and the army of Vānaras too bravely defeated many demons. Once, Indrajit attacked Rāma and Lakshmana with Nāgapāsha. Severely injured, the divine Brothers fell down unconscious. Believing Rāma and Lakshmana to be dead, Indrajit haughtily entered Lankā and announced his victory. Rāvana foolishly thought that Sītā would submit Herself to him once She beholds Rāma on the battlefield. So, he commanded the Rākshasīs to take Sītā in the Pushpaka Vimāna and show the condition of the Brothers. Sītā was made to ascend the Pushpaka Vimāna and was taken to the battlefield by the Rākshasīs. As soon as Sītā saw Rāma and Lakshmana, She was filled with grief and cried piteously.
  • "The soothsayers, reading the marks and signs on my body, prophesized that I shall bear sons and never be widowed. Now that Rāma has been slain, their words have proved to be untrue.
  • Yet I bear the marks of lotus on my soles by virtue of which high-born women are consecrated on an imperial throne with their husbands! Those marks of the lotus said by the wise men as good omen for women, have become meaningless, now that Rāma is slain.
  • Having reached the range of sight of Rāma in a combat, no enemy could return alive, even if he was endowed with the swiftness of thought!
  • I do not repent so much for Rāma and Lakshmana or for myself or even my mother but for my unfortunate mother-in-law, Kaushalyā!"
Seeing Sītā steeped in sorrow, Trijatā consoles Her and made Her know that Rāma and Lakshmana were alive. She gave many reasons to prove that the divine Brothers were alive: The Pushpaka Vimāna wouldn't have brought Sītā and the demonesses had Rāma and Lakshmana not been alive. The Vānara army didn't look perturbed or confused, rather they were cautiously looking for demons. Had the Heroes died, the army would have been greatly disturbed. Apart from these reasons, Trijatā assured Sītā that she had never lied and pointed out the splendour on Rāma and Lakshmana's faces. Trijatā reasoned that the dead did not have the divine aura and told Jānakī to stop worrying. Hearing this, Jānakī folded Her palms in reverence and exclaimed, "May it be so!" Along with Trijatā and the other demonesses, She entered the Ashoka grove once again and was in deep distress. Trijatā consoled Sītā repeatedly and boosted Her confidence.
Garuda revived Rāma and Lakshmana and the great war continued as usual. Hanumān, Angada and many Vānaras slew many demons sent by Rāvana. Determined to eliminate Rāma and others, Rāvana and other evil Rākshasas entered the battlefield. He fought with Sugrīva, Hanumān, Nīla and many other Vānaras. Lakshmana skilfully battled Rāvana but fell down unconscious after getting attacked by a powerful spear hurled by Rāvana. Seeing this, Rāma resolved to avenge the abduction of Sītā and get rid of Rāvana. He mounted the shoulders of Hanumān, twanged His bow and taunted Rāvana for his behaviour. With great vigour and anger, Raghuvīra shattered the chariot, charioteer, horses, bow and other weapons of Rāvana and made him helpless. Rāma hurled a shaft at the evil demon and broke his crown. Rāma was an upright warrior, so He didn't wish to kill an unarmed Rāvana and granted him a lease of life. Humiliated, the arrogant Rāvana woke up Kumbhakarna and sent him to the battlefield. The gigantic demon crushed the Vānara forces and wreaked havoc but Rāghava, with His arrows, chopped off Kumbhakarna's arms, feet and head and destroyed him effortlessly. One by one, many Rākshasas were vanquished by Rāghava, Lakshmana, Hanumān, Angada and the others. Indrajit's Brahmāstra was accepted by Rāma and Lakshmana who were revived by the herbs brought by Hanumān. The Brothers fought gallantly.
Indrajit went back to his city and entered the battlefield with an illusory form of Sītā placed in his chariot. The Vānaras mistook Her to be the real Sītā and were terrified. Hanumān rushed at the cunning Indrajit with a huge boulder. Seeing Hanumān, Indrajit drew out his sword and grabbed the long hair of the illusory Sītā, who was crying out loud for Rāma. A distressed Hanumān angrily scolded Indrajit for the evil act and ran towards him. Indrajit shot thousands of arrows at the Vānara army and killed the illusory Sītā with his sword. He roared with laughter and went away from the battlefield. Hanumān battled many Rākshasas and reached the Vānara camp to inform everyone about Indrajit's deed. When Rāma heard the news, He was plunged in grief and instantly fell down like a chopped tree. The all-powerful and courageous Rāma swooned on hearing about Sītā. This shows the depth of love He had for His Beloved. He always expressed His pain and love for Sītā and didn't care about what others thought about Him. This tells us about the selflessness of Rāma. All the Vānaras sprinkled water and helped Rāma to come back to His consciousness and Lakshmana embraced and consoled Him. Vibhīshana explained the sorcery of Indrajit and reassured that the one had been killed was not Sītā, but an illusory form. Hearing this, Rāma was relieved. 
Lakshmana vanquished Indrajit in a fierce combat. Rāma skilfully killed troops of thousands of demons sent by Rāvana. Finally, Rāvana himself entered the battle again and saw Rāma with Lakshmana resembling Vishnu and Indra respectively. The demon approached Rāma and both of Them showered various kinds of arrows at each other. When sharp arrows were discharged on Rāma, He did not get perturbed but fought Rāvana powerfully. The Vānaras rejoiced loudly on beholding an unperturbed Rāma defeating Rāvana. Lakshmana and Vibhīshana too attacked the vile demon but Lakshmana fell unconscious. Highly enraged by this, Rāma entrusted Lakshmana to Hanumān and Sugrīva and hurled many arrows at Rāvana. Overcome by fear, the king of demon ran away.  After Lakshmana was healed by the Vishālyakarani brought by Hanumān, a tumultuous battle ensued between Rāma and Rāvana. Indra sent his charioteer Mātali to drive Rāma's chariot. Rāvana was harshly belittled by Rāma and all living beings became afraid of Rāma's fury and prowess. Fearing his master's safety, Rāvana's charioteer drove him away from the battlefield. Before another battle began, Sage Agastya taught the Āditya Hridayam to Rāma. 
Beholding the return of Rāvana, Rāghava politely insisted Mātali to move forward. A prolonged duel took place between Rāghava and Rāvana and all the demons and Vānaras watched it with astonished faces. Seeing the good omens, Rāma was confident that He would eliminate Rāvana. They bravely fought by releasing various weapons on each other. Whenever Rāma was struck, He never became upset. He discharged arrows at Rāvana when he tried to harm Mātali. The earth quaked, the waves of the sea rose alarmingly and the living beings became terrified because of the fierce war which had no comparison. Whenever Rāma's arrows chopped Rāvana's heads, another set of heads appeared in its place. When Rāma pondered over this, Mātali reminded Him to use the missile of Brahma. Endowed with matchless might, Rāma fixed the powerful shaft on His bowstring and launched it at Rāvana. It struck the demon king's heart and vanquished him completely, illuminating the three worlds. He fell down, never to rise again. 
Flowers were showered on Rāma and the universe rejoiced on seeing Rāvana's death. Rāma's victory was the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Rāvana was killed because of his misdeeds. Apart from abducting Sītā, he had lusted on many women and forced himself on them. He had threatened Sītā multiple times and had spoken rudely to Her whenever She refused to yield to him. Rāvana was egoistic, self-centred, vile, wicked, cruel and never respected women. Rāma was a paragon of virtues and the polar opposite of Rāvana. Rāma revered women, He was loyal to Sītā and treated Her with love. He was a delight to everyone and protected the downtrodden. He was kind, friendly and loving. By killing Rāvana, Rāma proved that He would never spare those who had harmed His Beloved Wife. From punishing Kākāsura to vanquishing Rāvana, Rāma was always concerned about the welfare of Sītā. He left no stone unturned to avenge His Consort's humiliation. Those who wrong women would meet death and disaster. The slaying of Rāvana is a strong proof for this. 
Rāmachandra consoled Vibhīshana and directed him to perform the funeral rites of Rāvana. Lakshmana crowned the virtuous Vibhīshana as the King of Lankā. Hanumān was sent by Rāma to the Ashoka grove to inform Sītā about the annihilation of Rāvana. Beholding Hanumān, Sītā became greatly elated. The message from Rāma was narrated by Hanumān.
  • "O Devī! Having destroyed His enemy, Rāma the annihilator of His adversaries, is informing you about His welfare. Rāma, with the support of Lakshmana, Vibhīshana and the monkeys, killed the valiant Rāvana.
  • O Devī! I am telling a pleasant news and again eulogizing you. O Sītā, the knower of righteousness! Rāma accomplished this great victory in the battle, because of your power. Be free from your grief and be comfortable!"
Through Hanumān, Rāma gave the complete credit of His victory to Sītā as He was well aware of Her power and purity. Hanumān also informed that Rāma was extremely eager to meet Her and told about the coronation of Vibhīshana  Hearing everything, Sītā's heart was filled with unfathomable joy. Out of delight, She became speechless for a moment. After getting enquired by Hanumān about Her silence, Sītā replied that She was overpowered by jubilation and didn't have anything to gift Hanumān for delivering such a precious news to Her! She declared that neither silver, nor gold, nor sovereignty over the three worlds could be worthy of being gifted to Hanumān. Sītā praised Hanumān repeatedly who in turn eulogized Her multiple times. 
Then Hanumān glanced at all the cruel demonesses and recollected how they had tormented Sītā. He wanted to punish them for their pathetic and rude behaviour and wished to kill all the Rākshasīs. When he conveyed this to Sītā and tried to seek Her permission, a compassionate Sītā politely dissuaded Hanumān from destroying the demonesses. She forgave the actions of the Rākshasīs and gently replied,
  • "O foremost of the Vānaras! Who will be angry with servant-maids who are dependent on their king's command and work in obedience to the orders of others?
  • All this is reaped by me, as a consequence of my bad fortune or an account of a misdeed committed by me in the past. One reaps the fruit of one’s actions.
  • O great-armed Hanumān! Do not speak like this. This is indeed a great divine strategy. It was ordained that this type of situation is to be obtained by me due to the application of fate. Feeble as I am in these matters, I am forgiving the servant-maids of Rāvana here. O Hanumān! As commanded by Rāvana, they threatened me. As he is dead now, they will not threaten me anymore.
  • There is an ancient saying full of wisdom which a bear uttered formerly in the presence of a tiger, hear it, O Hanumān!
  • A superior being does not render evil for evil, this is a maxim one should observe. The ornament of virtuous people is their conduct. Kindness should be shown by a noble person towards a sinner or to a virtuous person or even to a person who deserves death, for there is none who never commits a sin. No evil is to be done even to those cruel people of sinful deeds, who take pleasure to harm the life of others and continue to perpetrate their sinful acts."
Throughout Sītā's stay in Lankā, all the Rākshasīs had threatened, chided and frightened Her in many ways. Yet, the noble Jānakī chose to forgive the sinners for She knew that nobody was sinless. She didn't hold on to the ill-treatment meted out by the demonesses and protected them from death. She endured all the pain and happily pardoned those who had offended Her. Sītā's compassion shone forth as the crest jewel of Her strength as She granted shelter even to those who had harmed Her. Hanumān was greatly pleased on hearing this. He praised Sītā, acknowledged Her as the apt Consort of Rāma and requested Her to give Her message. Jānakī, who was as radiant as Srī Herself, replied that She longed to behold Her Husband. Hanumān assured Her that She would meet Rāma soon and took leave of Her. 
 Hanumān met Rāma, saluted Him and narrated about Sītā's condition, virtuous conduct and message. Hearing this, Rāma was overwhelmed with tears and suddenly became thoughtful. Casting His looks on the ground and drawing deep breaths, Rāma instructed Vibhīshana to bring Sītā after She had bathed, put on fresh robes, anointed and adorned Herself with cosmetics and jewellery. Vibhīshana rushed to the Ashoka Vātika and conveyed Rāma's words. However Sītā wished to meet Her Husband without taking bath or adorning Herself. But Vibhīshana emphasized that Rāma had wanted to behold Sītā after She had freshened up. Considering Rāma as Her God and greatly longing to see Him, Sītā agreed. She cleansed Herself, draped Herself in beautiful garments, adorned Herself in exquisite ornaments and ascended the royal palanquin. Her longing and anticipation increased with every moment and Her heart thudded with excitement. Her suffering was about to come to an end and She would be reunited with Her beloved Lord. 
Vibhīshana entered the battlefield and announced the arrival of Sītā. Rāma, who was still absorbed in thought, felt joy, misery and indignance at the same time. He noticed how herds of Vānaras and bears were extremely eager to catch a glimpse of Sītā for whom they all had fought a war. Rāma also witnessed the dispersal of crowds done forcibly by demons. Filled with pity and anger on beholding the harsh treatment meted out by the demons, He turned to Vibhīshana and said,
  • "Why disregarding me, are these people getting harassed? Stop this exertion. They are my own people!
  • A woman's character is Her shield, not the apartment, compound walls, concealment, veil and royal prohibitions.
  • In times of calamity, peril, war, the Swayamvara and the sacrificial or wedding ceremonies, it is not forbidden to behold a woman becoming visible to the public. It is not prohibited to look upon a woman who has fallen into distress and difficulty. There is no fault in Her appearance in public, particularly in my presence. Therefore, leaving the palanquin, let Vaidehī come hither on foot so that the dwellers in the woods may see Her at my side.”
Many misunderstand these words and claim that Rāma degraded Sītā. But these words DO NOT indicate that. They can be interpreted in a mature and positive way. Those who have done no wrong should walk with their head held high. Only those who have committed crimes hide their faces behind curtains and shields. Rāma meant through His words that Sītā was blameless and free from sins so She could approach Him freely instead of being hidden from public view. Let's remember that Rāma had instructed Vibhīshana to just bring Sītā after She had adorned Herself. The palanquin was offered only by Vibhīshana. There was no reason why Sītā had to meet Her Lord in secrecy. She deserved to walk towards Rāma as His equal and as a Woman who had done no wrong. Thus, Rāma wanted to discard the palanquin, which was a hindrance to the very reputation of Sītā. Also, all the Vānaras and bears deserved to look at Sītā who was like their Mother and Rāma wanted His own people to meet Her without any hindrance.
Lakshmana, Hanumān, Sugrīva and others were confused on hearing this, but Maithilī got down from the palanquin and slowly walked towards Her Lord. With awe, happiness, devotion and love, She looked at the moon-like face of Rāma and forgot Her grief and worries. It was Her happiest moment. One year of separation seemed like an endless loop of sorrowful eons. Without taking Her eyes off Her Husband, Sītā walked like a river flowing towards the sea. Tears of happiness trickled from Her eyes and Her lips bore a soft smile. Rāma gazed at Sītā with a mix of emotions and saw Her bowing low before Him. 
To be continued....

Jai Siyā Rām!
Yours, 
Hari Priye.

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