Sita

There are many strong women in Hindu mythology who have shown courage, persistence and sincerity. Among them is Goddess Sita.

Goddess Sita is considered to be the reincarnation of Lakshmi who wanted to accompany Lord Vishnu to Earth when he was born as Lord Rama. Sita was daughter to King Janaka of Mithila and Queen Sunanya. She could join Lord Rama only once she reached adulthood through her ‘Swayamvara’.

Qualities as a Woman

Sita is one of the central characters of the Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’ which is the life story of Rama. She is known as a role model for chastity, virtue, love and honesty.

Qualities as a Wife

There are many instances of Sita’s goodness and virtues. In the story of Sita depicted in the Ramayana; she undergoes a lot of hardship, but sees through each problem with courage. When Rama was asked to serve fourteen years in the forest, Sita decides to accompany him. She decides to lead an ascetic life in the forest as a normal woman, leaving all the worldly pleasures of a Queen’s life behind.

While in the jungle one day, she is abducted by Ravana, the demon king who ruled Lanka and is separated from her husband. Even after a lot of coaxing on Ravana’s part to marry him, Sita remains adamant and leads the life of a chaste woman. She is devoted to lord Rama. She eventually becomes the reason for peace and harmony prevailing in Lanka after Lord Rama kills Ravana.

Adversities in her life continue even after she is rescued by Rama. As a just ruler, Rama asks her to take the ‘Agni Pariksha’ to prove her purity. ‘Agni Pariksha’ is a test which can only be passed by a person with a truly pure mind and by one who is immortal. Even though Sita passes this challenge, she is still asked to leave Ayodhya.

Qualities as a Mother

As a mother she proves her strength by bringing up the twins ‘Luv’ and ‘Kush’ in the ashram of Valmiki on her own. She relieves the pain of human birth by giving herself to Mother Earth or ‘Bhoomi Devi’.

Embodiment

Sita is considered to be the ideal woman and the personification of love, loyalty, purity and dignity. Sita is referred to as Devi Sita by her devotees and is worshipped in many temples across India. She is always given equal importance to Lord Rama. The idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana and dutiful servant Hanuman are always placed together. She is known by different names as Janaki, Maithili, Bhumijaa, Vaidehi, Ramaa.