The 'Conflict' about Srirama leaving Sita in Forest !
“Rama sent Sita to the forest. That’s a Bad thing, Rest is all ok about him.”
This Statement has been one of the most “ Conflicting ” issues for true Rambhakths.
Resonates more among the woman, since the issue is a case of abandonment.
Conflict for the Rambhakths is, they revere him and worship him, but when someone asks them this question- they have no clue as to,what to say. They feel guilty about it themselves too.
Because a ‘doubt ‘has arose in their mind- “How can a Man who abandons his wife, (because of an unproven accusation), be considered as God?”.
Let’s see, how to address it.Many approaches to look at this and get clarity.
Logical, scriptural, Emotional etc.
Logical method:
SriRama was born at least 7000 years ago (by conservative estimates). People all over the world have revered him, build temples for him.
Surely, they must have read about this ‘abandonment’ issue. They must have discussed among themselves. Experts gone deeper into the issue. At the end- still considered him God and worshipped him.
Does it mean, ‘All’ our ancestors in the past 7000 years were ‘stupid’ and only you are ‘smart’?
It’s just not logically possible to happen.
Is it possible that perhaps, ‘we ‘ have not delved into it deeper?
Scriptural method:
Perhaps surprising to most, but this Incident is not mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana.
The Incident is mentioned though, in the Popular Ramacharithamanasa- which is the 16th century poem by Sant Tulsidas.
So, the original and the first- Ramayana by Valmiki (5000 BCE) doesn’t speak of it.
If you want to feel ‘’guilty’ over a 16th century poem, please feel free to do so.
The popular TV Serial “Ramayana “ was mostly based on “’Ramacharitha manasa”. That’s how people who only knew Ramayana through the TV serial got fixated with this narrative.
There have been so many versions of Ramayana over the centuries.
Example: In Sanghadasa's Jaina version of Ramayana, and in Adbhuta Ramayana, Sita, entitled Vasudevahindi, is born as the daughter of Ravana.
You want to ‘believe’ this too ? - ( who knows, if “Ramayana” TV serial would have shown this , many would have believed this too)
But that doesnt make it as the ‘Main and Real’ story.
That credit goes to Valmiki Ramayana only.
(just to add: The ‘Lakshmana Rekha’ scene is also not there in original Valmiki Ramayana)
What about other references?
Padma Purana speaks of the reasons for Sita to go to the forest.
In Chapter 5.55/57: - It speaks of a incident, where a young Sita keeps a parrot couple in her custody as they tell her about Rama/Sita, however Sita refuses to let the parrots go free, even though the female parrot is pregnant, but let’s only the male go free.
In grief, the female pregnant Parrot dies and the male parrot curses Sita, that she will undergo the curse of being separated from her husband, when she is pregnant.
That Male parrot comes in the next life as Krodhana the Dhobi.
In the same chapter- Rama talks about the conflict going in his mind to Bharatha and asks him to cut his head as one of the options to quell the rumour by the Dhobi.
B Vishnu got a curse from Sage Brighu to be separated from his wife, but manifested through Srirama
All these stories are interlinked- with each one having some background to it.
Purpose being to show that, your past Karma will act on you this time, even if you were good this time.
Only an Ignorant Mind will dismiss it as “Husband abandons wife” issue.
Emotional Method:
If Srirama was some macho uncaring Man as you may presume, he would not have walked 3000 kms in search of his kidnapped Wife. As the kings Son, he would have been presented with many options, if he wished.
It was only his love for Sita, that made him take that journey.
There is no record of Srirama ever having another wife. It was normal those times to have multiple wives. His father Dasharatha had 350 wives (Valmiki Ramayana).
Even in ramacharitha manasa, after Sita goes to the Forest (Valmiki ashram), Srirama never marries again.
So, there is absolutely no doubt, about his love for Sita.
It was a case of Raj Dharma (do read about it), where Srirama places the interests of his citizens over his own.
Remember: The Incident is not about today (where you can just brush it off and say “prove it”) but during Treta Yuga when, there were very few liars. So, each accusation was taken very seriously. Thought process was,if Sita would have stayed with him, accusation on her would have probably increased. Instead, he sent her to Valmiki Ashram and took the blame on him (you are still blaming him as of now, isn’t it?).
His rule was considered as the gold standard in Governance. Even today- people will say- lets strive to make it a Ramrajya.
He was a Maryadapurushotham meaning a person who lived righteously.
Read more about him. Know his positive traits. Dont let yourself to go on a guilt trip due to this 'Minor' side story.
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