Jain Journal 1971 01

SR No.: 520021
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1971
Total Pages: 54
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 34

128
JAIN JOURNAL
his motivated adversaries have recently done, that the expression of this public opinion as imagined by him is also the poet's own estimation of the pious lady. There would perhaps have been room for doubt if the poet had stopped at that without opening a window on his own mind ; but one who is constantly in touch with the public, he has taken no chance
d gives his own estimate of Sita at so many places throughout the work that it leaves no doubt as to how high up she is in his estimate. Not only thatbut consistant with the democratic spirit of the age which calls for demolishing the shackles that had kept womanhood in bondage all over the world, he has put words in Sita's own mouth which call for a general awakening of women against the age-old torture on them by men. This part, interpolated at suitable places, is, it must be admitted, no mere poetic fancy, but the spirit of the age personified in fine poetry.
The poet has located the expression of public opinion at four places, viz., in the plot organised by Sita's co-wives at the palace, in the report of his trusted intelligence men, in public discussion which he heard with his own ears and in the conversation between the washerman and his wife. At the palace, we have a description in which Sita's co-wives? insisted on her drawing a picture of Ravana so that they could get some idea about the man who had carried her away. It is necessary to add here that polygamy was prevallent in India's high society till the other day and it is no wonder that Rama had many wives though Sita alone could share the throne with him. Naturally they were jealous and allowed no opportunity to slip to bring down Sita in the eyes of Rama. Such an opportunity was ready now and they made full use of it. But Sita had never seen Ravana's face and she could only draw his feet. This the co-wives placed on an alter along with other objects of worship to establish that Sita always worshipped Ravana's feet. When Rama came into the harem and enquired what it could be, so said the co-wives :
What do we know, sire! is this The daily worship of thy favorite queen.
(p. 29)
But this had no impact on Rama who dismissed the whole thing by saying,
Why do ye indulge in such a fake irrelevance ? (p. 29)
1 In Valmiki version, however, we have no mention of Rama's many wives.