Sri Rama knew Sitas heart

(15 Mar '05)

15 March 2005 Amritapuri

The Puranas and Hindu epics are full of stories that seem
simple on the surface, but upon deeper investigation reveal fathomless depth. This, in truth, is
their greatnessthe fact that everyone from a child to a scholar can hear them and come away
with a meaning appropriate for their stage and place in life. But sometimes, due to our lack of
understanding, stories in these texts can cause some confusion, particularly when a hero or god
acts in a way that seems contrary to the code of dharma. When this happens our only recourse is
to go to a True Master and ask him or her to clear our doubt. Such was the case in Amritapuri on
Tuesdays Meditation Day.
The epic in question was the Ramayana, the 7,500-year-old text by Sage Valmiki detailing the
life of Sri Rama. In the epic, Sri Ramas wife, Sita, is stolen away by Ravana, and taken to his
palace in Lanka. Eventually, after a search of 10 months Sri Rama kills Ravana and rescues Sita.
But when questions arise in Sri Ramas kingdom regarding Sitas chastity during her time in
Ravanas palace, Sri Rama exiles his wife to the foresteven though she is pregnant with Sri
Ramas childrenwithout even giving her an opportunity to speak in defense of herself. The
brahmachari raising the question wanted to know how we could consider someone who would
treat his virtuous wife in such a way as the embodiment of dharma. The brahmachari raising the
question wanted to know how we could consider someone who would treat his virtuous wife in
such a way as the embodiment of dharma.
If we interpret the inner meaning of Ramayana, Sri Rama, Sita and all other characters are
within us, Amma said. Even when we look into the epic of Ramayana externally, Sri Rama
was indeed an incarnation of dharma. And he did set a good example to his subjects.

Amma then explained how, as the King of Ayodhya, Sri Rama was
not just wedded to Sita but to all of his subjects and that, whatever he did, the well being of his
entire kingdom was his top consideration.
When one is the king of a nation, that person cannot act, merely thinking of the well being of
his own family, Amma said. For example, suppose a war breaks out between two countries. A
general should not stay back at home with his wife and children. He has to be there at the war
front, leading his army. This is a generals dharma towards the nation.
Amma then quoted some advice given by Sage Vidura in the Mahabharata: To save a family,
sacrifice a man; to save the village, sacrifice a family; to save the country, sacrifice a village.
Then Amma looked at Sri Ramas actions from another angle, explaining how when a robbery or
fraud takes place at a bank, the authorities will immediately suspend the manager and have the
enquiry later. Although the authorities may know deep within that the manager is innocent, still
they will let the law take its own course, Amma said. Maybe in the enquiry the manager will
be proven innocent. In that case, he will be reinstated. Such an action will increase alertness and
awareness among the other staff too, and they will be extra careful in all their transactions.
Amma said that Sri Ramas actions were in a similar vein: When there was some murmur
among the people about Sitas purity, Rama sent her to the forest. But later, when the people
became convinced of Sitas chastity, Rama was ready to accept her back. This shows how a king
must be. For a king, each and every subject in his kingdom is important. He listens to each and
every person. He doesnt just stick to the words of his counsel. In his heart Rama knew that Sita
was pure. Similarly, Sita also knew Ramas heart.
Amma then offered another interpretation, this one focusing on the fact that Sita was pregnant.
In India it is the custom to send a wife back to her parents house when she reaches her seventh
month of pregnancy with her first child, Amma said. During her stay there, special pujas are
conducted and Vedic hymns are regularly chanted, and the atmosphere is kept spiritually
surcharged. This atmosphere will have a positive influence on the baby. After she gives birth, she
is once again brought back to the husbands house.

Sri Rama did the same. He knew that Sita was going to stay in Sage Valmikis ashram. In the
ashram, she was always hearing the chanting of Vedic hymns, inhaling the pure smoke from the
fire rituals and was in the elevating presence of the Rishi. So the children born to herthe twins
Lava and Kushawere spiritually vibrant and courageous.
Amma also pointed out how in those days a king could marry any number of times, yet Sri Rama
never took even a second wife. Even when he performed the ashwamedha sacrifice, which
requires the presence of one of the kings wives, he did not remarry but had a golden idol of Sita
made and kept it in the place specified for the wife. This clearly shows the love Sri Rama had
for Sita, Amma said.
Amma then went on to speak about the deeper meaning of the epic, specifically the scene where
Sita is stolen by Ravana after falling under the enchantment of Maricha, a demon disguised as a
golden dear. Amma explained how Sita represents the mind, Sri Rama represents God, Sri
Ramas brother Lakshmana represents discipline, the deer represents desire, Maricha represents
maya [the illusionary world] and Ravana represents the senses.
In the story, Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are staying in a camp in the forest when Maricha
approaches them in the form of a golden deer. Sita wants Sri Rama to capture the deer for her
and he complies. But the deer tactfully takes him far away from the camp. When Sri Rama
realises the deer is really a demon, he kills it, but as Maricha is dying, the demon calls out.
Lakshmana, help me! When Lakshmana and Sita hear Sri Ramas call back in their hut, Sita
tells Lakshmana to go help his brother. Lakshmana reluctantly leaves, but before he does so, he
draws a line on the ground and warns Sita not to cross it at any cost. With both Sri Rama and
Lakshmana away from Sita, Ravana comes, tricks Sita into crossing Lakshmanas line and takes
her away to Lanka.
As soon as Sita realised her mistake, She began repenting, Amma said. When her yearning for
Sri Rama reached its peak, Sri Rama reached Lanka with his monkey army, defeated Ravana and
brought Sita back.
Amma explained how the story illustrates the fact that when desires enter our mind, we become
distant from God. Maya [the illusionary world] is very powerful, Amma said. If desires
become strong, we fall into a trap. Then it is discipline alone that saves us. When Sita, the mind
crossed over the line of discipline she fell into the hands of Ravana. Then she realized her folly
and started praying to the Lord wholeheartedly. Then Sri Rama came and rescued her. When we
awaken to our ignorance and put in conscious efforts, God reaches out to us and we are able to
unite with God, the Source.
When Amma finished Her explanation, the brahmacharis doubt was cleared. Where he once saw
a thorn, he now saw the rose.
-Sakshi