Sita Daughter of the Earth

["Unknown to us, Shurpanakha took refuge in the court of her brother Ravana. After much penance, Ravana had been granted a boon by Lord Brahma, so that no god or demon could kill him. And so, he sat invincible upon the throne of Lanka. The exiled princes of Ayodhya rejected my proposals of marriage and then disfigured me. Your brave friend Khara helped me to attack them. But they killed him and his battalion. Two young humans defeated Bhaiya ! Look Khara? What Will you not what has become insolence! avenge this insult, Bhaiya, by killing Rama of me! and Lakshmana? Who dared to do this to my sister? Then Shurpanakha planted the evil idea in her brother\u2019s mind. She knew his weakness for beautiful women. Rama\u2019s wife is a priceless beauty. Seize her for yourself. Rama will be heartbroken and ruined. It will be the perfect revenge! If Sita is as beautiful as my sister describes, then she is fit to be only MY queen. Summon Maaricha, Shurpanakha, and Ravana Maaricha, the hatched their sinister plan in Lanka. Unknown to me, in those dark moments, sorceror. they were shaping the future of my life. 50","Meanwhile, life in Panchavati had Beloved! resumed its course and memories of Look! A golden deer! Shurpanakha were fast fading from I have never set eyes our minds. One fateful morning\u2026 on a creature so enchanting! I was surprised by how desperately I longed to have the deer as a pet. I was overwhelmed by the desire to keep it and care for it. Will you please capture the deer for me? Rama, too, was surprised at my request, but eager to fulfill it. The deer leaped further into the forest, and Rama prepared to follow it. Lakshmana! Do not worry, Guard Sita with your Bhaiya. I will not life. Do not leave her leave her, even for alone for a moment! I a second. will be back soon. As soon as Rama left, a strange sense of foreboding filled me. Something evil Lakshmana! is about to happen. I Lakshmana! Help wish I had not sent me! Rama away! Just as I had feared, a while later, Rama\u2019s voice echoed through the forest. He sounded as if he was fighting for his life. 51","That\u2019s my Rama\u2019s voice. Go, Lakshmana! Rama is in trouble! Very well, This voice has to be if you insist, I will the trick of some rakshasa\u2014 leave you. But I will draw no one can defeat my mighty a rekha around brother. I swore to Bhaiya that our cottage. I would stay by your side. I cannot leave you alone, Bhabhi. I was angry at myself for letting Rama go, and I was even angrier at Lakshmana for thinking this was a demon\u2019s trick. For the first time ever, I raised my voice at Urmila\u2019s husband. Are you deaf, Lakshmana? Rama needs you! I command you to go to him\u2014 now! Do not cross this line, Bhabhi, come what may! As long as After ensuring my safety, you stay within it, Lakshmana dashed into the you will be protected forest, in pursuit of Rama. from any evil. Remember, Bhabhi, do not step over the line. We will be back soon! 52","That cursed Just then, I heard a voice calling out golden deer! Why did I to me. It was a Brahmin approaching ask for it? Oh Bhudevi! the cottage. He looked like he had Please keep Rama traveled a long distance. safe! Alms! Alms for a pious Brahmin! Will the kind lady not give me something to eat? Guilt weighed my mind down like Poor man! a sack of stones. I was miserable He seems tired and and scared, imagining the worst hungry. I must forget that could happen to my husband. my worries and help him instead. I gathered some food and Are you I cannot water to offer to the Brahmin. throwing food cross the to an animal, Lakshmana rekha, This is what holy sir. I can offer you, lady? learned Brahmin. Please take this. No no, pious Brahmin, don\u2019t say so. But the Brahmin refused to Then why do take alms from across a border. you dishonor me by giving me food from a distance? A holy man\u2019s If you do anger might ruin me. not trust me, I do I must step out to not want your pacify him. food! Pardon me, holy sir. May I offer you some water? I do not want water. I want you! 53","In the blink of an eye, the Brahmin turned into a horrifying demon. I realized, too late, that I should not have crossed the magic line. By the blood of Vaitarani! Your beauty is even more exquisite than I had imagined! I am Ravana, the King of Lanka, and I am besotted with your loveliness, Sita! I tried to snatch my arm back, but his huge fingers cut into my skin and held on to me. Let me go! You will Rama? When That golden deer was come with me to the gods and rakshasas Lanka where you will quail before me, what good my sorceror Maaricha. He be my favorite is Rama? He does not have drew your Rama deep into the power to so much the forest and then imitated queen! as touch me! Rama\u2019s voice to lure Lakshmana away from you. My Rama will kill you! Stop! Let me go! Rama! Lakshmana! Where are you? Help me! But Rama and Lakshmana were too deep in the forest to hear me. I pulled away from the Lankan King, but I could not stop him from dragging me to his chariot. 54","Wrestling to free myself, I screamed for Rama till my ears rang with the sound of my own voice and mingled with Ravana\u2019s heinous laughter. Jatayu heard me and swooped down to attack Ravana. You stupid Help! bird! With his beak, Jatayu aimed for But Ravana proved to be Ravana\u2019s eyes, and with his claws, he more powerful than Jatayu. reached to tear into Ravana\u2019s skin. Jatayu! No!!! Sita\u2026! Rama\u2026 I tried! I am sorry. He chopped off Jatayu\u2019s wings, and the vulture king eventually breathed his last. My grief was unbearable. I knew that all was lost. I was worried that Rama would not While the demon king know where to start his search gloated over his victory, for me. As I puzzled over this, I I pulled off Ma Anasuya\u2019s spotted movement on a hill below. celestial jewelry... I must create \u2026bundled it together\u2026 a trail for my Rama to \u2026and tossed it out, hoping it track, so he knows I have would fall into the right hands and eventually reach Rama. been taken south by Rama! this evil man. 55","After some time, we reached the island of Lanka. It was a magnificent sight, gleaming like an emerald in the azure blue ocean. But the closer we got to it, the more my heart sank, as miles of land and a whole ocean separated me from Rama. Ravana flew straight to his gigantic palace, and summoned his dasis. He then entrusted me into the care of those fearsome rakshasi servants. As you Dasis! Clothe her in wish, Your the finest silks and feed Majesty. her whatever she wants. Her husband has forgotten that she is a princess, but I have not. She will be treated like royalty. But I refused to let You are far too them touch me. strong-willed for a human, Sita. Never mind! I will show you all that will be yours in Lanka. You will soon beg to marry me. 56","Ravana took me from one palatial chamber to the next, each more beautiful than the one before. But the sight of them sickened me. When you marry me, Sita, you will have plenty of gold, silver, and jewels. This treasury will belong to you. Rama\u2026 when will you rescue me? The softest silks and a thousand serving maids will be yours. Every desire will be met, every taste pampered. Rama! Please take me away from here! Dasis! Rama cannot offer Take her away you one third of this affluence. Be sensible, and become my queen to Ashoka today. You will be the wife of the Vatika. most powerful rakshasa in the world. Even the gods will bow to you. Stop! You disgust me and your wealth repulses me! My heart belongs to Rama alone. I would rather die than marry you! Stubborn woman! You cannot turn away the King of Lanka! I will give you some time. One year from today, if you do not wed me, you will die. 57","I was held captive in Ashoka Vatika, a garden attached to Ravana\u2019s palace. Surrounded by his fiendish servants, I spent my time praying to Goddess Bhudevi and remembering Rama. Each morning, I awoke grateful that I was under a tree, and not chained to a pillar in a dark dungeon. At least I could hear the birds, smell the flowers, and watch the sky change color as I waited for Rama. I would cry as I remembered the years spent with Rama in Panchavati. Often, I would remember my sister Urmila. This is how it must hurt Urmila, to be separated from Lakshmana. Nine months passed, but it felt like nine years. 58","Following the orders of their demon lord, Rama will Every few days, the rakshasis threatened me every day. rescue me! Ravana would visit me. Mmm\u2026 Sita\u2019s He would plead with flesh looks tender me to change my mind. and smells divine. Our master will chop you to fine pieces and feed you to us when the year is up. If you wish Your doe-like eyes to not suffer this bewitch me, Sita! Even in these harsh conditions, with fate, marry scraps of food, your skin shines Ravana! with luster. Be mine, sweet woman! They thought they could scare me, but I paid them no attention. I was absolutely sure that my husband would destroy their king very soon. Often, his pleas turned to threats. But I did not deem it worthy to reply. Silence was my answer to him, always. HMMPFFF! You will die if you do not marry me! And your death will be more painful than you can think of, Sita! Time stretched on, but I clung to hope with every part of my being. In the tenth month of my captivity, my prayers were answered\u2026 59","One morning, I awoke with a feeling that something auspicious was going to happen. Just as I smiled to myself at the thought of good luck, a melodious voice sang softly from above me. Rama slew Maaricha, But Princess Sita, the golden deer, they could not find, Only traces of a struggle Then with Lakshmana hurried home in fear were left behind. Is this the voice of an ally? My heart thudded They tracked the signs in excitement. of the fight, And reached a sad, bloody site. Jatayu whispered how he had tried, Then in Rama\u2019s arms that hero died. Further south the brothers sped, To Kishkindha, their journey led. Hanumana, son of There, with Sugriva, the vaanara Anjani, the vaanara lord, To Rama pledged A firm friendship his undying loyalty. the brothers forged. 60","To Rama, Sugriva\u2019s Search parties vaanaras brought, were then sent out, Glowing ornaments To the north and west, in orange cloth. east and south. Rama recognizing these wept in misery\u2026 ...I swear to set The southern party my Sita free! reached the sea, And met Jatayu\u2019s brother Sampathi. Of the Lankan king the vulture told\u2026 ...Ravana has imprisoned Sita she is in his hold! Then Hanumana, son of the Wind God, With his father\u2019s magic, spread his arms out broad. And in one mighty leap he flew, To Lanka, across the ocean blue. 61","Princess Sita, I am Hanumana, the humble servant of Shri Rama. Brave vaanara, your story, told through song, shows me that you know my husband well. But how can I be sure you are not Ravana\u2019s spy? Shri Rama has How is Rama? sent this ring for you, My eyes ache to as a symbol of see him! his love. Shri Rama pines for you, Princess Sita! Rama\u2019s Ravana has I am angered ring! threatened me all this by Ravana\u2019s threats to time, and promises to you. Climb on my shoulders kill me in three months and let me take you across if I do not wed the ocean, back to him. Shri Rama. No, Hanumana. If I thought Hanumana would leave I leave Lanka with you, immediately, but he looked around my husband will be known as a coward. Rama will come himself the vatika with a grim face. to win me honorably, as a warrior should, and punish Ravana for his wicked ways. Here\u2026 Now\u2026 I have some unfinished work here\u2026 \u2026give Rama my crest jewel, and tell him\u2026 I await his arrival. Shri Rama will be with you soon. 62","Hanumana ran riot in Ashoka He pelted them with fruit and Vatika, destroying everything menacingly smashed planters. in sight. It seemed like he was deliberately drawing the attention of the rakshasis toward him. The clever vaanara had planned to be captured, so that he could deliver Rama\u2019s message to Ravana. I have a message for your king from Lord Rama. For the sake of peace, Rama requests that Ravana release Sita at once. The rakshasa commander informed Ravana of the havoc wreaked in Ashoka Vatika by Rama\u2019s vaanara messenger. He also delivered Hanumana\u2019s message. He asks me The vaanara to release Sita? says if you do not release Sita, then we Never! must prepare for war. He dares to challenge It will The messenger returned and set me! He can never cross the be done, Your Hanumana\u2019s tail on fire, without a ocean with an army. Rama\u2019s hint of what was in store for him. Majesty. impudence will cost his messenger. 63 Set the monkey\u2019s tail on fire, and let him go back to his master. That is my reply to Rama\u2019s petty message!","Hanumana, who was in captivity at his The city was in flames! own will, magically grew to several times his size and leaped across the rooftops of Lanka, setting the city ablaze with his burning tail. He created a ring of fire, leaving only the Ashoka Vatika untouched. Satisfied with his work, Hanumana doused his tail in the ocean waves. Then, invoking Vayu\u2019s power again, he leaped across the dark waters to reach Shri Rama. Some Lankans saw the fire he left behind as an Many whispered that perhaps Rama\u2019s omen of impending disaster. They thought that, wife should be released. But the if Rama\u2019s messenger could fly across the ocean, Lankan monarch, convinced of his then surely his entire army could do the same. supremacy, was blind to all omens. 64","Still, he did not ignore The guards in Rama\u2019s threat completely. the watch towers will He put his council of war alert us at the first sign to work and it met often of enemy approach by in the following weeks. sea or sky. The ramparts of your fortress have been secured. A week after Hanumana\u2019s appearance The sentries at and the burning of Lanka, Ravana the city gates have strode into Ashoka Vatika with the self-assurance of a victorious man. been doubled. The rakshasa commanders were on high alert and inspected their battalions every day. Hahahahaha! I have destroyed the one obstacle between you and me, Sita. You are now lawfully free to marry me. What do It\u2026 cannot\u2026 you mean? be! Rama\u2026! Oh dear Bhudevi! My husband is dead! Your husband is dead, Sita. Here lies the proof! No! It I will order is not true! It expensive wedding robes for you and organize your cannot be! coronation as Queen of Lanka. Say yes, Sita, and it will 65 all be arranged.","Fool! Even Two months if I am widowed, left, my dear! Be I will never be sensible! your queen! Your resistance is admirable, Sita. Unfortunately, it will only lead to your death. But within moments of Ravana leaving ...and slowly melted into the air... With that, Ravana left me the garden, Rama\u2019s head shimmered... with my broken heart and unstoppable tears. ...until it had vanished completely! Sita! Look! Do He created the not worry! Ravana was head with sorcery. As only trying to trick you soon as he left the vatika, into marrying him. the magic left with him. The truth is, your Oh! Thank you, husband Rama is on his Bhudevi! Rama way to Lanka, and Ravana is beginning to worry. is alive! I realized that my rakshasi guards were Ravana\u2019s desperate attempt to fool me secretly beginning to take my side against with Rama\u2019s death meant that his demonic their master. They had understood that I confidence had weakened. And the Lankan king was worried about the impending war. was right and Ravana was wrong. 66","It was then that events started unfolding with startling speed. The rakshasis confided in me every evening. They were my eyes and ears, helping me put together what was happening outside Ashoka Vatika. Your Rama has achieved the impossible! He and his vaanaras have built a bridge of floating stones across the ocean! \u2018Marching with him is an army of thousands of vaanaras. Princes Rama and Lakshmana and the entire army are camping on Lanka\u2019s shores. They seem very powerful.\u2019 \u2018Our king\u2019s younger brother, Vibheeshana, has crossed over to join forces with Rama.\u2019 For a long time I have My Rama told Ravana Bhaiya that Sita is is here! In Lanka! rightfully yours, but he is deaf to my advice. I cannot support his All will be well misdeeds any longer. I offer now! myself in your service. You are most welcome, Prince Vibheeshana! We are honored to have you as an ally. I sat in Ashoka Vatika, listening to this news in awe. My wishes were coming true. The goddess had answered my prayers. 67","The most furious and turbulent war in the history Hanumana and Sugriva led the vaanaras, of Treta Yuga began. A magnificent array of who used maces, boulders, and tree trunks warriors\u2014both human and demon\u2014covered the as weapons. The rakshasas were armed battlefield in Lanka. The clashing swords and to the teeth with savage looking swords. whistling arrows echoed throughout the island. Each soldier was prepared to die fighting. The battle was brutal. It began at dawn every day and ended at dusk. The sky was covered with arrows that flew across the battleground in thousands. Both demons and vaanaras perished in vast numbers. In one deadly duel, Lakshmana was mortally wounded by Ravana\u2019s son, Indrajit. To heal him, Hanumana flew north to the Himalayas to find the sanjeevini herb. As he could not identify the herb, he lifted the mountain upon which it grew, and returned to Lanka with it. The sanjeevini herb revived Lakshmana and several other wounded vaanaras. Rama was forever indebted to Hanumana for saving his brother\u2019s life. 68","While the demons resorted to sorcery and Ravana\u2019s sons and nephews were amongst his most showered fiery astras from their blazing armored formidable army commanders. Kumbhakarana, his chariots, Rama and Lakshmana stood steady on the giant sibling, struck terror into the hearts of Rama\u2019s ground, brilliant and god-like. Countering with their own knowledge of divine weapons, they invoked the troops. The ground shook as he walked and he bellowed in an ear-shattering voice. power of the Sun, Wind, Fire, and Ocean Gods. Come, Rama, and fight me! Let us see what you are made of! But Rama used the powerful brahma-astra to silence him. And so ended Kumbhakarna\u2019s life. Lakshmana was unstoppable in his last encounter with Indrajit. After a long, exhausting duel, he invoked the indra-astra and delivered the deathblow to Ravana\u2019s arrogant son. Today you meet AAAHHHH! your end, Indrajit! Your father will mourn your death! 69","And at last, when his kith and kin lay dead on the battlefield, the enraged Ravana rode out to meet Rama in a duel. His roar of hatred shook the heavens, and he swore to obliterate Rama. Indra gave Rama his celestial chariot, weapons, and But Ravana was proving to be invincible. charioteer. All the gods watched from the heavens with Even cutting off his multiple heads only bated breath while Rama shot volleys of arrows, as quick gave rise to more. Rama was baffled\u2026 as lightning, to match the speed of Ravana\u2019s attack. \u2026until he remembered a secret that Vibheeshana had shared with him\u2014Ravana\u2019s source of limitless power sat in his navel. Rama drew on the most deadly weapon, the brahma-astra, yet again, and took aim. Ravana\u2019s huge body collapsed with a thud. The King of Lanka was dead. Rama bowed to Ravana\u2019s corpse, saluting the death of a mighty warrior. 70","All of a sudden, the sky brightened, and I heard shouts of joy. It is finally over! Thank you, Bhudevi! Prince Vibheeshana, the rules of my exile forbid me from entering a city. So, I consecrate you here, on the shore of Lanka, with sacred ocean water. May the gods bless you, King of Lanka! Lanka and I are Even Indra deva descended to eternally grateful to you. confer his blessings upon Rama. I will use my royal power only for good work. We are proud of you, Rama, for you have rid the world of a terrible menace. As a gift to your brave vaanara army, I will sprinkle amruta on this battle ground. The dead and wounded vaanaras will be granted new life. Long live King Vibheeshana! King Vibheeshana, Indra kept his promise and soon, please make sure your King Sugriva saw his dead vaanaras brother Ravana is given awaken as if from a deep sleep. a funeral befitting a great warrior. It will be so, Shri Rama. By your example, the world will learn how to treat an enemy with respect and dignity. 71","Rama sent Hanumana to Ashoka I was filled with gratitude when Vatika to escort me back to him. I saw the happy faces of the With my heart thumping with joy and vaanaras, who had put their excitement, I went to meet my lord. lives in danger for my sake. Long live Princess Sita! Lakshmana was excited Rama! to finally see me free. My lord! Welcome, Princess Sita, ...for you Bhabhi ! I am delighted according to the laws have spent almost a of Ayodhya, I cannot year in another man\u2019s to see you safe and palace. Your chastity happy! take you back as will be viewed with my wife... But Rama\u2019s silence stunned me. There suspicion. was pain in his eyes, and his voice, when Do you not trust me? Would I ever leave he spoke, was detached and heavy. you to go and live in Ravana\u2019s palace willingly? I was kidnapped and kept here by force! I am a prince. My first duty is toward the citizens of Ayodhya. What answer will I give to my citizens when we return? 72","Rama\u2019s words cut through my heart. My husband no longer trusted me. All happiness drained out of me in a moment. I felt humiliated and betrayed. Was this why I waited Bhaiya ! Why eleven months in that brute\u2019s are you doing this captivity? Was it for this that to Bhabhi ? She I spent my days and nights has suffered alone thinking only of Rama? for so long! My humiliation turned to anger. And I decided to kill myself that very moment. Lakshmana! Build Rama wept, but stayed silent. Everyone me a fire! As I have was aghast, but no one dared to object to lost my husband\u2019s faith, Rama\u2019s decision or mine. It was, after all, a I will end my life matter between a husband and wife. now. So Lakshmana tearfully obeyed my command. The fire blazed. The air shimmered as the dancing flames burned bright. My eyes watered and sweat rolled down my skin. Bhudevi! You Princess know I am innocent. Sita! Oh no! You know I have suffered. Give me the strength to do this. Bhabhi ! 73","I stepped into the fire. But when the flames It is engulfed me, they felt like cool silken drapes, Agni, the Fire and instead of the stench of burning flesh, I smelled the fragrance of rose and sandalwood. God! What\u2026 Princess Sita why am I not has passed the agni pariksha, the great burning? fire test! Come, Sita! Bhaiya ! Sita I will not reduce Bhabhi is unhurt! Look you to a pile of at her! Now the world will believe her. ashes. Rama, I cannot burn this pure, innocent, and loyal lady. She has passed the agni pariksha. No one should mistrust her now. Agni deva, I thank you for your assurance and for protecting my beloved. I never doubted her, but as a prince who upholds the law, I needed her to prove that she is pure. Sita, will you forgive me? I had to place the law of Ayodhya above my love for you. The Fire God protected me so I would not I forgive you, burn, and gently led me out of the flames. my lord, for your tears of relief tell me that you love me deeply. 74","Eager to get back home to Ayodhya, we mounted the gorgeous Pushpaka Vimana. Several vaanaras chose to travel with us. I was relieved to be in the company of the Rama I knew. He was his happy, caring, loving self again. It was the day after our fourteen- Long live year exile ended. We entered Lakshmana! Ayodhya as shouts of happiness Welcome But the most touching reunion was echoed through the streets. back, Sita! You have of Urmila and Lakshmana. My sister\u2019s Long suffered so much. live Sita and But you have upheld the strength and courage of fourteen Rama! reputation of Rama years dissolved in happy tears. Never Bharata had fulfilled his promise and Ayodhya. leave me again, of living as a hermit and ruling May the my lord! the kingdom from a cottage. gods bless you, Bharata! I my daughter. missed you! I have waited an eternity for this moment, Bhaiya. 75","It was a moonless night and the citizens lit thousands of oil lamps in our honor. Ayodhya shone like a queen bedecked with strings of flickering jewels. At last, we were home. True to his word, the very next day, Bharata handed over the kingdom to Rama. People thronged the court of Ayodhya for the coronation ceremony. Flags and banners decorated the mansions of the city, and the streets were showered with rose petals. Sita pati Maharaja Ramachandra ki jai ! The golden age of Rama\u2019s rule has begun, and the land will now know peace and prosperity. The queen mothers beamed with pride while my sisters sang songs of happiness. After consecrating us with water from the five hundred rivers of Bhaarat, the rajguru, Maharishi Vashishta, crowned us King and Queen of Ayodhya. Hanumana reserved his place at Rama\u2019s feet. After many weeks of celebration, the vaanaras bid us farewell and returned to Kishkindha. 76","I spent all my time fulfilling the Ayodhya prospered under Rama\u2019s responsibilities of a queen. But rule. Crops flourished, sickness vanished, and peace and virtue more than queenship, I was were firmly established. content just being with my Rama. Two beautiful years passed May the gods until Rama and I realized that I bless your child, was with child. He forbade me from exerting myself, and took Queen Sita. care of me like a mother. You must not strain yourself. Carrying a baby requires you to rest. You pamper me too much, my lord! I am perfectly well, and so is our child. The palace chambers resounded with laughter, and the bright sunshine of harmony filled our lives\u2026 \u2026but not for long. Like a venomous pattern in my destiny, darkness rose once again, casting shadows on the light of my life. My lord, you have not eaten well, and have not slept for days now. What worries you? Please tell me. Nothing, Certainly, it was something so my queen. It is terrible that he was scared to share it with me. So, I decided nothing. to find out for myself. 77","A few days later, I summoned my The next day, when Malvika trusted dasi and sent her on a mission. returned, I knew, without doubt, that Malvika, something she had brought dreadful news. is bothering my lord, and Your Majesty, I have a feeling that it is to do with the state of I\u2026 cannot repeat\u2026 what I heard. affairs in Ayodhya. Fear not. Speak freely, Malvika. I want you Reluctantly, Malvika described to disguise yourself and what she had witnessed. walk the streets of Ayodhya. Listen to conversations But Queen Sita amongst the citizens and went through the fire test in Lanka! report them to She proved her me. purity! \u2018The citizens of Ayodhya are beginning to doubt King Rama\u2026\u2019 How are you so sure that there was a fire My wife left me test in Lanka? Did you see the for three days and stayed queen enter the flames? We have in a stranger\u2019s house. When she been lied to by King Rama who, returned, she told me that just as King Rama accepted Queen Sita in his love for Sita, has after she had spent a year forgotten the law. in Lanka, so I should accept my wife. This is against the law! I think King Rama has set a terrible example by accepting Queen Sita! 78","Your Majesty! This is what the people of Ayodhya think of me? Enough, I thanked Malvika and sent her Malvika! I cannot away, making her promise to bear to hear any keep silent about the matter. more. For hours, I I have tarnished sobbed in solitude, Rama\u2019s name. Because bemoaning my fate. of me, he is being called a lawless king. How can I live with such guilt? I brooded on the matter for several days. Though The only answer to this challenge Rama and I lived in the same chambers, the silence was a difficult, painful one. between us grew heavy. We both wrestled with our Bhudevi, please give me the hearts to find a solution to this painful challenge. strength to do what I must do! I must keep my Sita, I thoughts to myself cannot tell you until I decide what I what is upsetting should do. me. Forgive me! A queen\u2019s first duty is to her citizens. My relationship with Rama comes second. Therefore, I must do what is necessary to uphold the law and keep the citizens\u2019 faith in their king. 79","The very next night, I dressed myself in the familiar garb of a hermit and went to Rama\u2019s chamber. I know what worries you, my lord. There is only one solution, and I am ready to carry it out. Sita\u2026 I do not know what to say! I knew that my wise husband had realized I was leaving Ayodhya forever! Lakshmana, please take me to the forest through the back alleys of the city, so no one observes my departure. Bhaiya ! Why Reluctantly, Lakshmana obeyed my is Bhabhi asking me to command and drove my chariot to take her to the forest? the forest. Hiding my tears, I left Why are you not behind my grieving husband, my stopping her? sisters, my family, and Ayodhya. The reason was clear. Rama knew that it was the only way to stop the spread of slander amongst the citizens of Ayodhya. Farewell, my lord. I am condemned to live in darkness\u2026 for without you\u2026 there is no light in my world. No one but Rama and Lakshmana knew of my departure. My sisters and the queen mothers would never have let me leave. 80","In the moonlit night, Lakshmana left me at the My feet were swollen and tender, and I cried edge of the forest. Once again, I was alone. out in pain as I roamed the forest for days. Farewell, Give my love How many Bhabhi ! to my sisters, and times must I be for the love of Ayodhya, I separated from the forbid you from searching for me, ever. Goodbye, ones I love? The poisonous Lakshmana! leaves of this plant will end my misery in moments. I am ready to die. But if I die, then my child within me will die too. I cannot commit that sin. The child has done nothing wrong and deserves to live. I have to stay alive for the baby. Faint with thirst and hunger, I He revived me with holy water. I collapsed on the forest floor. I did awoke, surprised that I was still alive. not know how long it was before Maharishi Valmiki found me there. My divine vision tells me that this is Queen Sita. Come, let me take you to my ashram where you can recover in peace. 81","Maharishi, please At Maharishi Valmiki\u2019s ashram, the rishis and do not reveal my identity their wives welcomed me as a daughter. to anyone. No one must I fell into the rhythm of a hermit\u2019s life\u2014 cooking and cleaning during the day\u2026 know I am the Queen Devi, please of Ayodhya. rest. I will take care of this. Fear not, gentle The months flew by and finally, Rama and I were daughter. Your secret blessed with not one, but two children! I missed is safe with me. Henceforth, my husband most the day I became a mother. you will be known as Vandevi, since I found you in the forest. \u2026and meditating on Bhudevi, please the goddess at night. bless Rama and my family. Bless our child with good health and good fortune. What beautiful twin sons! What will you name them? They shall be known as Luv and Kusha. If only your father were here to share this moment\u2026 82","My sons grew up as hermit boys, and with each passing day, they began to resemble their father. As well as their appearance, their thoughts, speech and abilities grew to match Rama\u2019s. From grammar to philosophy, history But nothing came to them with and politics, Luv and Kusha learned more ease than the art of war. all the disciplines with natural skill. They were, after all, the sons of the greatest Kshatriya on Earth. Well done, Kusha! Your fluency To invoke the agni-astra, you must in the script is keep your mind steady, remarkable! and focus on the Luv, your mantra for the writing is like pearls on the parchment. I Fire God. am very pleased. Your father Do not leave your would be so proud of left side defenseless, you both! You are growing Kusha, for my sword up to look and behave thrust is sharp! just like him. Try as much as you can, you will not get through! 83","There was one lesson, though, that my sons adored above all else, and it was what Maharishi Valmiki loved to teach. That\u2019s Ma, we have wonderful, learned a new verse my children. Listening to the story of my of the Ramayana life filled me with tenderness today. and longing for my love. Maharishi Valmiki had composed in verse, the story of Rama, and it was this Ramayana that my sons sang every day. You have learned well the lessons I have taught. It is time for me to share a secret with you. Are you ready to hear it? Twelve years You have have passed since I left kept a secret the palace. Will my sons ever know their father? from us? The Ramayana Will their father ever know his sons? we sing is the tale of our parents\u2019 You have lives? often asked me about the identity of your father. Today, I want you to know that your father is King Rama and your mother is Sita, Queen of Ayodhya. You are Ma\u2026 you princes, my were imprisoned boys. in Lanka\u2026? 84","King Rama is My sons left with Maharishi holding an important yagya Valmiki to meet their father. in Ayodhya for which I have been invited. I want you to sing Goodbye, Take care the Ramayana for him. Will you Ma! We will be of yourself, accompany me to the back soon! Ma! court of Ayodhya? Ma, Though I was at the ashram, my may we go, heart was with my sons. I could imagine the citizens of Ayodhya please? marveling at their sweet voices. I If Maharishi Valmiki was sure they would enchant the thinks it appropriate, then yes, you may. Remember to crowds with their songs. be respectful to your father. I These boys are Luv know he will be overjoyed to see both of you. and Kusha. Their mother is Queen Sita and their father These boys are is none other than you, King as radiant as princes. They glow like children Rama of Ayodhya. They are your sons. of a god. Who are they? My sons! 85","My sons! My noble grandsons, we How I have longed have missed our Sita every day, to see you! How is your these twelve years. She had forbidden mother? Where us to search for her. But now that we know she is at Maharishi Valmiki\u2019s is she? ashram, your father will bring her to the palace. She is fine, and is in our cottage in the forest. And so, I received the royal messenger On the journey to Ayodhya, from Ayodhya. My husband, King Rama, I was deep in thought. I felt strange returning to a way of requested my presence in his court. life that I had forgotten. Many We will questions filled my mind. leave at once, Your Will Rama ask me to Majesty. stay by his side and live in the palace? Will everything return to what it used to be before I left? Do I really want to return to living in the palace? The boys are old enough to live without me. Rama can take care of them. 86","When I entered Rama\u2019s court, I was greeted by a respectful silence. After twelve years, my eyes drank in my husband\u2019s glorious image. There he was\u2014my beautiful, radiant husband. My love for him flooded my heart. His eyes held only love and longing for me\u2026 \u2026but his words were those of a king, not a husband. They lacked the sound of love I desperately wanted to hear. Queen Sita! It gives me Ayodhya lost its untold happiness to see you queen when it spoke ill again. In front of this assembly of her. I do not wish for this and all the gathered citizens of to happen again. So, please Ayodhya, please put to rest remind the citizens of your any lingering doubt of innocence by taking your innocence. an oath. 87","Please swear that I was saddened by you are a virtuous, pure Rama\u2019s words. woman. Let the world know that I have not violated any I would love law by taking you back nothing more than to swear this oath, as my queen. and be reunited with you\u2026 \u2026but mortal memories are fickle. People forgot the agni pariksha in Lanka. And in a few years, people will forget my oath today, and again accuse us of violating the law. 88","One fire test in Then, in front of the assembled Lanka, and these twelve citizens and my family, I proclaimed\u2026 years of separation are enough. I will not remain here any longer, where people will always doubt me and my love for you. Our sons are now If I have safe with you, King Rama. always loved only You and I have learned to live my husband and if I am without each other. Ayodhya pure in thought, word, has learned to live without and deed\u2026 a queen. My work here is done. \u2026then may my true mother take me back in her embrace. I will be happy to return to where I came from. 89","Cries of shock rang through the court My mother appeared from the Sita! No! as the earth split open in front of me. depths of the earth. She shone so The ear-shattering noise frightened bright that it was difficult for those most of the people gathered there. present to look at her. Bhudevi called me to her in a loving voice. SITA! Ma! Ma! Sita, you have suffered much. Come Deep inside my soul, I knew that my to me, my daughter! You life as a mortal queen was over. I was are right. Your work glad to have accomplished all I could for Rama. I finally followed my heart here is done. and made the choice I did. Ma! Stop! Ma! Rama had not expected me to leave him. The entire assembly was as shocked as he was at the appearance of Bhudevi. People gasped as they realized that my virtue had been proven true. I was truly innocent as I had always claimed. I disappeared into the earth that day and was never seen again. 90","I know my Rama I know that will never marry another Rama and our sons will woman, but will keep a golden rule gloriously for thousands statue of me on his throne. of years, and their kingdom For him, I will be the only will prosper like never Queen of Ayodhya. before. Though I live on in \u2026the story of the hearts of the people of Ayodhya, and memories of me my life ends here, in as princess and queen will be my true home, where I passed on from generation will immortally remain, to generation\u2026 a daughter of the earth. 91","AGNI The God of Fire AGNI PARIKSHA The \ufb01re test ANGA A kingdom of Bhaarat APSARA A celestial woman who is a dancer at the court of Indra ASHOKA VATIKA The garden of Ashoka trees ASTRA Weapon BHAARAT The ancient name of India BHAIYA A term of respect, meaning elder brother BHUDEVI The Earth Goddess BRAHMA-ASTRA Weapon carrying the power of Brahma (the God of Creation) DAI-MAA A nurse-maid or nanny DASI Maid servant DEVA A god DEVI A goddess HIMAVAN The personi\ufb01cation of the Himalayas INDRA King of the gods, presiding over rain and thunder INDRA-ASTRA Weapon carrying the power of Indra KHADAUN Wooden footwear worn by hermits KOSALA A kingdom close to Videha. Ayodhya was the capital of Kosala. KSHATRIYA Person belonging to the warrior caste LAKSHMANA REKHA The magical line drawn by Lakshmana LANKA The island kingdom of the rakshasa king, Ravana MANTRA A powerful, sacred chant used to invoke a god MANTRI-JI Minister MATA A term of respect used for women, meaning mother","MITHILA The capital city of the kingdom of Videha NISHADHA The name of a tribe PAYAS A traditional Indian dessert made of milk and rice PUSHPAKA VIMANA A luxurious \ufb02ying chariot belonging to Ravana RAJGURU The spiritual teacher or preceptor of the royal family RAKSHASA Demon. A female demon is called a rakshasi RAMACHANDRA Another name of Rama RAMAYANA The story of Rama and Sita, written in verse by Maharishi Valmiki REKHA Line RISHI Sage SHRI A title of respect added before a man\u2019s name SITA Literally means \u2018furrow\u2019. Name of the daughter of Janaka and Sunaina. Wife of Rama. SITA PATI Husband of Sita SURYAVANSHI A royal dynasty, believed to be descended from the sun SWAYAMVARA A ceremony where the bride chooses her groom from amongst a gathering of men. TILAK The sandalwood\/vermilion mark on the forehead TRETA YUGA The second great age. According to ancient Indian texts, there are four great ages or time cycles\u2014Sat Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara VAANARA Yuga, and Kali Yuga. VATIKA A member of the intelligent and powerful monkey race VAITARANI Garden VANDEVI The river of blood that \ufb02ows in the Land of Death Goddess of the Forest. Also, Sita was known by this name in VAYU Valmiki\u2019s ashram. VIDEHA The God of Wind YAJNYA\/YAGYA A kingdom ruled by King Janaka, father of Sita A ritual in which priests invoke the blessings of gods by pouring YAMA o\ufb00erings into a \ufb01re. The God of Death and Righteousness","Long, long ago, even before language existed, people managed to tell stories by drawing and painting pictures in caves and on walls. Later, as written and spoken language was evolving, people like Valmiki started writing on palm leaves. The stories they wrote have been passed on, retold and interpreted in many ways by many people over the years\u2014because everyone loves a good story! Nobody knows whether these stories are true or false, but they have been around as myths and legends for hundreds and thousands of years. LEGENDS Legends are tales that are believable because of their link to historical events or locations, but they are not necessarily true. Over time, the stories that were originally told may change and take on certain fantastical characteristics. MYTHS Myths are ancient stories that represent beliefs and often deal with forces of nature, gods and the origin of the world. Some of them may be based on real events, but usually they are stories that were created to teach people something important and explain natural phenomena such as earthquakes, the rising and setting of the sun, floods, etc. Legends and myths are often adapted by different cultures in different ways. A good example of this is the Thai version of the Indian Ramayana. It is Thailand\u2019s popular national epic and is known as the Ramakien (which literally means \u2018Glory of Rama\u2019). In the Ramakien, Sita is the daughter of T\u2019os\u2019akanth (Ravana). In it P\u2019ip\u2019ek (Vibhisana), the astrologer brother of Ravana, predicts that Sita will bring calamity to his kingdom. Ravana then has her thrown into the sea. She is later rescued by Janok (King Janaka). While the main story is the same as the Ramayana, many other aspects were modified according to the Thai context. Elaborate murals depicting stories from the Ramakien can be seen at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok.","Now let\u2019s look at some fascinating places that are related to the myths and legends surrounding Sita. Janakpur, Nepal According to one legend, Janakpur is the birthplace of Sita, and also the site of Lord Rama and Sita\u2019s wedding. Dhanushadham, a locality in Janakpur, is believed to be the exact place where Rama broke the divine bow to obtain Sita\u2019s hand in marriage. Devotees still worship what is believed to be a fossilized fragment of the broken pieces of this bow. Janaki-kund, Bihar, India According to another legend, Sita was born in Sitamarhi, Bihar. It is said that a long time after she married Rama, King Janaka constructed a pool, and set up stone figures of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. This pool is known as Janaki-kund. Sita Mai Temple, Haryana, India One very famous temple is the Sita Mai Temple in Karnal, Haryana. This temple is made in a simple style, but the main feature is the elaborate ornamentation which covers the whole shrine, the pattern of which is formed by deep lines in the individual bricks. The shrine is said to mark the spot where Mother Earth swallowed Sita in answer to her appeal. THE MANY NAMES OF SITA As we saw in this graphic novel, Sita was found in a furrow by King Janaka. Due to this, he named her \u2018Sita\u2019, which literally means \u2018furrow\u2019. Just like other major figures in Hindu mythology, Sita is known by many names. As the daughter of King Janaka, she is called Janaki; as the princess of Mithila, Mythili or Maithili; and as the wife of Rama, she is also known as Ramaa. DID YOU KNOW? Yama Zatdaw is the Burmese version of the Ramayana. It is considered to be Myanmar\u2019s national epic. There are nine known pieces of the Yama Zatdaw in Myanmar. The Burmese name for Ramayana is Yamayana, where Rama is known as \u2018Yama\u2019 and Sita as \u2018Thida\u2019. Interestingly, \u2018Yama\u2019 is the God of Death in India!","","In an ancient age, when gods and goddesses walked with mortals... Sita is the kind-hearted and intelligent princess of Videha. Married to Rama, Prince of Ayodhya, her journey in life takes her from exhilaration to anguish. Along the way, she has to leave behind the luxury of royal comforts and live the simple, harsh life of a forest-dweller, facing danger at every turn. Ensnared in the evil plans of the wicked demon-king Ravana, Sita is abducted and hidden away in Lanka. Will Rama muster up a strong army to rescue Sita from the demon\u2019s clutches? Will Sita return to Ayodhya to become queen of the land... or is she destined to be mistrusted and live alone for the rest of her life? Adapted from the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, this is a touching tale of love, honor, and sacrifice that reveals one woman\u2019s shining strength in an unforgiving world. US $ 12.99 \/ $ 14.99 CAN www.camp\ufb01re.co.in"]