SRI #RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY’S
SRI #RAMACHARITRYA #MANJARI
(ಶ್ರೀ
#ರಾಘವೆಂದ್ರಸ್ವಾಮಿ
ವಿರಚಿತ “#ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಮಂಜರಿ”)
As instructed by Srirama, Hanumantha went to Ashoka Vana
and brought back the woman, who was believed to be Seetha Devi. However, in
reality, neither Ravana abducted Seetha Devi nor was Seetha Devi in his
confinement. When Ravana went to Dandakaranya, Seetha Devi left this look-alike
Seetha Devi and disappeared from the Ashram through fire. Real Seetha Devi was
with Parvati and Parameshwara in Kailasa since then. This woman was Vedavati
and she had to be sent back to her home.
Another question was that common people would have
suspected the character of look-alike Seetha Devi since she was in Lanka for a
year. Moreover, Ravana was not a ‘reliable’ person and there was enough scope
for people to doubt the chastity of Vedavati, who was in the guise of Seetha
Devi.
Hutavaha vimalAm SeethAm aapya — ‘AshOkamoolE sThitAm
SeethApratikrutimAhUya tasyAha pAtivratyasThApanAya ajnau prakShipya tAm
pratikrutim nAshayitwA tadA kailAsAdAgatAm ajninA samarpitAm SeethAmApya.
हुतवहविमलां
सीतां आप्य — ’अशॊकमूलॆ स्थितां सीताप्रतिकृतिमाहूय तस्याः पातिव्रत्यस्थापनाय
अग्नौ प्रक्षिप्य तां प्रतिकृतिं नाशयित्वा तदा कैलासादागतां अग्निना समर्पितां
सीतामाप्य।
Meaning: Vedavati, who was reminiscent of the woman who
was in Ashokavana, was brought. With a view to show to the world that Vedavati
was ‘pure’ and highly characterful, chaste, she was made to enter the fire and
further, she was made to disappear from the fire. Real Seetha was brought to
the fire and Fire God surrendered Seetha Devi to Rama and the latter received
her. To make all these things happen, Srirama pretended to doubt Seetha Devi
and said:
“Devi, Ravana abducted you when I and Lakshmana were
absent in Janasthana. I would have been called a coward if I had not punished
Ravana for stealing you. It was imperative on my part to punish Ravana. I had
to reach this place and I did it with aplomb. In the war that ensued, I killed
Ravana, his brothers, relatives and associates. This has relieved me from the
possible defame. I do not long for anything else beyond this.
A woman born in a virtuous family should never live away
from her husband. In extremely unavoidable exigency, she can live in a relative’s
place where she cannot be suspected for chastity or character. At best, she can
live with her parents. But, she should not live away from her husband for too
long. She should never live with someone whose contact would lead to questions
about her chastity and virginity. This is a very important practice and
restriction that every woman should adhere under all circumstances.
Ravana is conspicuously a promiscuous person. He had
forcibly abducted several celestial and ordinary women to quench his lust and
sensuousness. He had brought you from Janasthana with the same intent of
spoiling you. You have lived with such a person, albeit in confinement, for a
very long period of one year. This gives room to question your chastity and
virginity. Therefore, my responsibility ceases with the killing of Ravana. Now,
as you are aware, I am not a person to desire for others’ property or object. I
honor the public and their opinion. I am aware that the public will definitely
raise questions about your purity and I have no option except accepting the
public opinion as my own. I do not want you any longer and you are free to go
anywhere.”
Seetha Devi did not express any surprise over the stance
of Rama. She replied:
“I have not come here willfully. Ravana brought me here
forcibly. I have not consumed any food or a drop of water offered by him. I
lived on the Elixir Lord Devendra gave me. I cared a straw for the riches that
Ravana possessed or was enticing me with. The guardians of eight directions are
a witness for this. I appeal to you to believe me. Otherwise, I do not wish to
live.”
Seetha Devi turned to Lakshmana and said:
“Lakshmana, I cannot bear this departure from my husband
any longer. If he is not willing to accept my or believe what I am confessing,
then it is better to end my life here. Please prepare fire right now. I will
enter the flames. I will not be affected by the fire, if I have been firm in
mind and if there is truth in what I am stating.”
Seetha and Lakshmana were aware of the intention of Rama.
Lakshmana did not want to act just because Seetha Devi had ordered him to
prepare fire. He looked at Rama and the face of Rama indicated that Rama was
firm in his opinion. The symbolic expression on the face was understood by
Lakshmana. He prepared fire immediately. Seetha Devi went round the fire
thrice, prostrated before the fire, saluted Fire God and entered the fire. Her disappearance
from the fire and appearance of real Seetha happened simultaneously. While
Vedavati travelled towards her place of origin, Seetha Devi descended from the
heavens, along with Seetha Devi.
Meanwhile, all deities, including Indra, Varuna, Agni and
others had come down to watch the reunion of Rama and Seetha. Dasharatha too
had come down. Fire God emerged out of the fire, along with Seetha Devi. Fire
God brought Seetha Devi, convinced Rama about her chastity and requested him to
accept Seetha Devi. Rama was happy to accept Seetha Devi. Similarly, Rama was also happy.
Seetha Devi was also happy. Rama accepted Seetha Devi
without any sort of hesitation.
Arrangements were made to ferry Rama and his entire army,
along with Vibheeshana, to travel to Ayodhya, in the Pushpak Airplane.
Please read, comment and share. SDN
