Sita Pleads to Join Rama's Exile
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 27
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 27
Sita passionately pleads with Rama to accompany him to exile, expressing her unwavering devotion and readiness to face forest hardships. A poignant moment in the Ramayana.
When Sita, the daughter of Videha (the king of Mithila), heard Rama's words, she became angry out of love for him. Known for her sweet speech and deserving of affection, she addressed her husband:
"Rama, why do you speak so lightly? If you heard these same words spoken to you, you would surely mock me, O prince."
Sita continued, explaining the duties of various family members:
"O son of a noble monarch, father, mother, brother, son, and daughter-in-law all experience the results of their past deeds and receive what destiny has in store for them. But a wife alone shares the destiny of her husband. Therefore, I too am ordered to dwell in the forest.
For women, neither father, son, self, mother, nor friends are the ultimate refuge in this world or the next. Only the husband is the eternal shelter."
Expressing her resolve, Sita said:
"If you set out for the impenetrable forest now, I shall walk ahead of you, crushing the thorns and sharp kusha grass (a sacred grass used in rituals) to make your path easier. Cast aside your anger and envy like discarded water after drinking. Take me with you without hesitation, for I have committed no fault.
Whether on top of mansions, in lovely palaces, or moving through the air, a wife in all stages of life should take shelter at her husband's feet. I have been instructed by my mother and father about my various duties, so you need not tell me how I should behave now."
Sita described her readiness to face the challenges of forest life:
"I will go to the impassable forest, uninhabited by men, teeming with various animals, and infested with tigers and wolves. I shall dwell as happily in the forest as I did in my father's palace, thinking only of my duties to you and not of the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, and heaven).
O hero, I shall wander with you in the honey-scented forests, always serving you, self-possessed, and observing the vow of celibacy. You are capable of protecting others in the forest, so why doubt your ability to protect me, O bestower of honor?"
Emphasizing her determination, Sita continued:
"I shall go with you to the forest today without doubt. O distinguished one, I cannot be dissuaded from this resolve. I will live on fruits and roots and will not cause you any hardship while living with you.
I wish to see the rivers, mountains, lakes, and forests everywhere without fear, accompanied by you, my wise lord. I long to see the lotus ponds in full bloom, filled with swans and ducks, in the company of a brave husband like you.
Observing my vows and bathing daily in those lotus lakes, I shall be very happy to be with you, O large-eyed one. Living with you for a thousand years or even a hundred thousand years, I shall not feel the passing of time. Even heaven is not desirable to me without you."
Sita concluded her plea with a passionate appeal:
"O Rama, tiger among men, even if I were given heaven to live in without you, I would not want it. I shall go to the highly impenetrable forest filled with animals, monkeys, and elephants. I shall live in the forest with full discipline, as if in my father's house, taking shelter at your feet.
My heart is deeply attached to you, and I have no other thoughts. If separated from you, I am resolved to die. Please, be favorably disposed and take me with you. I shall not be a burden to you."
Despite Sita's heartfelt appeal, Rama, devoted to righteousness (dharma), was still unwilling to take her. To dissuade her, he began to describe the many hardships of forest life to the mournful Sita.
This concludes the twenty seventh chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.