World of Philosophy

SR No.: 007005
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 1002
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 30 MB

Page 163

वैदेहि दिव्याभरणभूषिताम् । इह सीतां शिरःस्नातामुपस्थापय मा चिरम् ॥ एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण त्वरमाणो fauitqu: fagea: Ti ini ifa: PIERCIGYTE II Yuddhakanda (YuK), 114.7-8). Sita expressed her wish that she would see her husband before taking bath and without costly dress and ornaments (1947 para fa que e l gefogfH waff TT ll-ibid-114.11). She was not granted her wish and Vibhishana simply told her to do according to her husband's wish (TERTE e rariae fa qu: 174756 1741 af a agent Chef 11-ibid-114.12). Thus, Sita was brought before Rama. The ogres accompanying Sita's palanquin started dispersing the crowd of monkeys who were curious to see Sita. Rama asked Vibhishana to stop them. He said that houses, costumes or protective wall cannot veil a woman. Her character alone is her shield. A woman in distress can appear in public. Sita being in distress can appear in the public. Sita should come out of the palanquin and walk towards him on feet. Let everyone see her (विसऊज्य शिबिकां तस्मात् पद्भ्यामेवापसर्पत । समीपे मम वैदेहीं पश्यन्त्येते
1 : II-ibid-, 114.30). Sita did as she was told. Ramayana says that Lakshmana, Sugriva, Hanuman and other dignitaries there felt greatly distressed hearing Rama's order. They guessed from Rama's stern gestures which were lacking in regard for his wife, that Rama was displeased with Sita (ant लक्ष्मणसुग्रीवौ हनूमांश्च प्लवंगमः । निशम्य वाक्यं रामस्य बभूदुर्व्यथिता भऊशम् ॥ कलत्रनिरपेक्षैश्च इंगितैरस्य Glut: 137 aria ari fa ||Yuk, 114.32-33). There was nobody to see dishonor of Sita when she was abducted by Ravana. Today her beloved husband brought unspeakable shame to her. Except her marriage, Sita probably never had been before the assembly. She was standing alone before the enormous multitude of warriors. There were no maid servants to accompany her. She knew no one except Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Though Ravana was her abductor, he never put her to shame before the public. Sita is described as, 'as if she was shrinking into her own limbs out of modesty' (Guerraaritua sq fecitYuk, 114.34). Rama did not stop there. As if he was pouring his vengeance on her. Probably every passing moment hung on her like a mountain. Rama did not say any personal word to her. What he said was addressed to the assembly and Sita both. He told her that war he fought was to absolve his great family's name and blot on his valour and not for Sita (fafgaanTa s vyft: I aiut: regi al age chora: Yuk, 115.15). He told her that there was doubt about her character and he could not stand her sight, just like a person suffering from the sore eye cannot stand light (WHIRERIGET 44 fayd fra 141 krta fach MIRA EGII Yuk, 115.17). Rama allowed her to go anywhere she wished and he had nothing to do with her (ag og IGEASE 210540615HSI GA gu fait refafa all YuK, 115.18). Nobody from a noble family and self respected one can take back a woman who has spent some time in another man's home. Ravana saw Sita with lustful eyes. It was her fault only. On the top of that she was
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