Prof. Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri's Thai Ramayana 14. Ravana abducts Sita

Ravana, the chief of demons, summoned Maricha and said, 'O Maricha, assume the form of a golden deer and go to the cottage of Rama.'  Marica, the foremost among the tricksters and the best among the demons changed to a golden deer and appeared in front of the cottage of Rama.

While the existence of a golden deer was unknown, Sita believed and  longed for it. Sometimes intellect is suppressed and you go the wrong way. She asked Rama, 'Fetch that deer of curious form to me.' Rama did not want to go after the deer, reminded her that this might be a trick of the demons. When she became more and more persistent, he went to catch the deer to fulfil her desire, but could not catch it. When the deer crossed over to a far off forest, he shot a fatal arrow at it. It fell dead with a loud cry of pain 'Ah! Sita.'

Hearing that cry, which was like a hot iron scalding her, Sita was filled with boundless terror and quickly sent Lakshamana to protect his elder brother. In the meantime the king of Lanka came swiftly, having disguised himself as a recluse. He carried off Sita as she was alone, and took her, the frightened one, to Lanka.

If you had ever lived in Thailand, you would not be surprised that Rama and later Lakshmana did not apply their mind and just listened to Sita. It is not that they could not think, it is that they did not like headache! I am being a little facetious here, I really cannot say how the Thais were in earlier times. In any case it proves that Sita had a mind of her own and did not hesitate to speak her mind and she got her men moving! Not really docile and obedient wife she was made out to be!.

In the original story, Sita was very harsh on Lakshmana as he does not want to leave her alone,.. while her eyes are becoming bloodshot she spoke these rude sentences to that veracious Lakshmana. You are a debased one devoid of mercy, thus a dreadful one, and a degrader of your dynasty, and I deem that you derive pleasure from fatal hardship to Rama.' Even accusing him having ideas on her, 'You are verily maleficent for you have singly and covertly followed Rama, who started to forests all alone, or instigated by Bharata, only because of me. ...However she is said to have done this as 'a desirer of her husband's welfare... even at her own risk'.   

I missed the story of Lakshmana rekha  we had heard in our younger days, which told us that all Sita had to do was not to cross the line drawn by her brother-in-law and she would be safe. Then it surprised me to learn that it is not part of the Valmilki Ramayana. It was only added later in other versions!

'Lakshmana who cannot bear to see Sita cry in grief, reluctantly decides to go and search for Rama, subject to his condition that Sita not cross the protective line he draws. Anybody other than Rama, Sita and himself attempting to cross the line would be singed by flames erupting from the line. Once Lakshmana leaves in search of Rama, the Rakshasa king Ravana comes in the form of a mendicant and asks Sita for alms. Not expecting a trick, she unsuspectingly crosses the Lakshman Rekha to provide alms to him and Ravana kidnaps her in his Pushpaka Vimana.

This reminds me of another serious issue; whether Ravana touched Sita?
Valmiki Ramayana says yes! 'He that Ravana grabbed the lotus-eyed Seetha on lifting her up with his left hand at her plait of hair at nape, and with his right hand at her thighs.'

This was not acceptable to some and many, many explantions and variations are given to this story.

Here is one from  Balagokulum: Ravana who was waiting for just this opportunity, disguised as a holy man, approached Sita for alms. When Sita stepped close, she found that it was Demon Ravana, and she fainted at the spot. But Ravana did not touch her as he had a curse on him, so he broke the piece of ground on which Sita was lying and headed towards Lanka. 

It is also said that Ravana did not touch Sita as he was cursed that his head would split to a thousand pieces if he ever touched a woman against her wishes!

There is also a story that the real Sita was hidden and a Maya, Illusory, Sita was put in her place and the real Sita reappeared when Maya sita took the agni-Pariksha.

'Ravana being an expert in all branches of sciences, caught Janaki by the shadow of her head-hair and the shadow of thighs...' Maheshvara Tiirtha.

Then there is a sensible explanation: Nothing happens by mere touching of Seetha, for she is a resolute lady to abide by her husband Rama. Valmiki is very clear in picturing her to be a stubborn and staunch husband-devote, and no more mythological bends are required to prove her chastity. She herself proved this with her agni pravesha ' self-immolation...' to all concerned.

Raghunath said...

Interesting variations based on the pre-conception of Sita's chastity. These concepts led to the Agni pariksha.
R