Sita

ORIGIN:

India

Sita, the wife of King Rama, accompanied her husband to his exile in the forest, together with a small entourage. She was once left alone in the woods; this was the moment for which Ravana, King of the Rakshasas, had been waiting. He kidnapped her, imprisoning her in his palace in Sri Lanka. Although Sita was forced to live in his house, she never succumbed to Ravana’s considerable charms. (And for what it’s worth, he may have been a kidnapper, but he wasn’t a rapist.) In one version, she refuses to live under Ravana’s roof and so is installed in a little house in his garden where she pines for Rama and considers suicide.

The kidnapping of Sita is the basis for the Sanskrit epic the Ramayana, named after her husband, Rama, seventh avatar of Vishnu. (Sita may be an avatar of Lakshmi.) The Ramayana tells the tale of Rama and Hanuman’s happy rescue of Sita and its not-quite-so-happy aftermath.

Although Sita was rescued, there was doubt as to whether she was still a suitable wife for Rama or whether she had been tainted by sexual contact with her kidnapper. She was forced to prove her virtue by undergoing a fire ordeal from which she emerged unscathed. Rama, Sita, and their entourage returned to his kingdom where he assumed the crown.

Although his constituents loved Rama, they did not embrace his queen but considered her with suspicion. Although Rama knew that Sita had been utterly faithful and even though she had already passed trial by fire, the public had doubts. Gossip and innuendo ensued. Two myths provide two different resolutions for this situation:

• Rama placed the greater good above his own happiness and banished Sita from the kingdom. She went back to the forest with their two sons, who she raised single-handedly.

• The kingdom was attacked by a one-thousand-headed Rakshasa who could only be killed by a completely chaste woman. Other women having tried and failed, the people begged Sita to make an attempt. Sita took a bow and arrow and slew that Rakshasa instantly. This was still not sufficient to quell gossip. The people demanded that she undergo yet another fire ordeal. Finally Sita had enough. Enraged and humiliated, she demanded that Earth swallow her, if she’s pure enough. Earth gaped open, a golden throne emerged on which Sita sat and, as if in an elevator, descended into Earth. The sky rained flowers as the Earth closed over her. She never returned to Earth. Rama never saw her again.

He never remarried; Sita is his one true love. When, as a king, he was obliged to perform sacred rituals in conjunction with a queen, Rama created a golden image of Sita and placed it onthe queen’s throne, the statue substituting for the goddess herself.

Before there was Ramayana, there was a goddess of fertility and abundance named Sita, daughter of Bhudevi, the Earth goddess, although she may be an avatar of Bhudevi herself. (According to the Ramayana, baby Sita was discovered in a furrow in the Earth.) Women still pay private homage to Sita. She is the goddess in exile, forced to leave the palace, her husband, and her rightful throne. Sita always maintains her dignity.

She is the goddess of women who must bear humiliation. She is the goddess of those who seek to maintain grace despite suspicion, slander, and abuse. Sita is considered the epitome of the ideal wife because she sacrificed herself to save her husband’s reputation.

Many versions of the Ramayana exist. It remains a favourite story in India, Indonesia, Cambodia and elsewhere. It has been retold in countless ways and interpretations and is the subject of movies, dances, novels, comic books, and puppet shows, among many other media.

Alternative versions of Sita’s myth exist:

• Like Isis and Osiris, Rama and Sita are siblings, possibly even twins.

• Sita is Ravana’s daughter compounding the sin of his lust for her (although he is unaware of their relationship).

• In a Tamil version, Sita vanquishes Ravana herself. The Tamil epic the Catakantaravanan resembles the Ramayana but stars Sita as the main character.

MANIFESTATION:

In all descriptions, Sita is radiantly beautiful, whether dressed in elegant finery or in the bark clothing she wears when exiled in the forest.

ICONOGRAPHY:

Sita, a beautiful queen, is usually depicted at Rama’s side. They are often accompanied by Hanuman, who usually sits at Rama’s feet. Because the Ramayana is so popular, it’s possible to obtain images depicting every scene.

SEE ALSO:

• Fauna;
• Hanuman;
• Isis;
• Konohana;
• Kunti;
• Lakshmi;
• Osiris;
• Rakshasa;
• Savitri;
• Shekhina;
• Vishnu;

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.