During her visit to Chitrakoot, SEEMA BURMAN learns about the intimacy between the two
Rama is popularly described as a warrior king by poets and orators, but it was Valmiki who portrayed the love side of Rama and Sita. Even orators shy away from describing Rama as a lover or an adoring husband. Chitrakoot is the place where Rama and Sita shared tender romantic moments during their 14-year-old exile. Pilgrims coming here pay their obeisance at a large slab of rock — called Sphatika Shila — on which are footprints, said to be that of the couple. The marks are decorated with vermilion and flowers. The still lake and the emerald green forest transports me to a different era for some seconds. In the pious and serene surroundings, there is no sound, except for the chirping of birds. I am overwhelmed.
As I struggle to hold back my tears, I notice two kids, looking eagerly towards me for a few coins. I ask them about the enormous footprints.They point towards an old man who is washing some utensils in the nearby lake, “Babaji knows a lot about this place,” one of them says. Shortly, the old man gathers his utensils, slowly walks to where we are standing, and motions us to sit down.“That was another yuga, when people were taller,broader and stronger,”he begins. “On the sphatika shila, Rama sat with Sita, while Lakshmana sat on another rock farther away.Rama decorated Sita’s hair with flowers and whispered his love to her.Many sadhus have had visions of incidents from Rama’s life in their meditations,” he says. Guru Vishwamitra had taken young Rama and Lakshmana to Janakpuri to see King Janaka’s yajna.When the brothers were strolling in the palace garden, they saw Sita with her friends. Smitten by her beauty, Rama decided to marry her.Tulsidas wrote, Dekhi Siya sobha sukh paava — ‘Seeing Sita,Rama was delighted. It seemed to him as if Lord Brahma had presented the whole world’s beauty before his eyes’. Seeing this new side of his brother, Lakshmana was amused.
Sita’s friends were also delighted to see her being drawn towards this handsome boy.They encouraged her to look at Rama despite knowing that princes from far away places were coming to try their luck in winning her hand in marriage. Rama and Sita’s magnetism for each other was obvious to everyone around them.Deciding that she wanted Rama as her husband, Sita prays to Goddess Parvati: Mora manoratha jaanahun neeken/basahu sadaa ura pura sabahee kay/keenhe-un pragata na kaarana teheen/asa kahi charana gahe baidehin— ‘You know the deepest desires that reside in my heart/ Because within that abode we are never ever apart/ It is because of this that I never spoke my thoughts/ Saying so, the divine Sita bowed to her sacred feet’. Seeing the purity of Sita’s love and devotion, the goddess lets a garland drop in front of Sita, which she put around her neck. Parvati blesses Sita, Sunu Siya Satya asees hamari/pujahin mana kaamna tumhari — ‘Listen dear Sita,your wishes have got my blessings and your heart’s desires will be fulfilled.’ Ever since, girls have been praying to Parvati aka Gauri for a husband with Sita’s prayer. Rama and Sita’s marriage was determined before the swayamvar. In that sense, it was not an arranged, but a love marriage. Breaking the bow was just a formality to please those who were present.When kings and princes got up to break Shiva’s bow,Sita and her friends trembled in fear, but Rama remained poised with confidence. He was certain that he will marry only her and Sita also realised that they were inseparable. Rama married Sita on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha. Every year since then, this time is celebrated as Vivah Panchami.
Their love was visible to all in the 14 years of exile, bringing out their complete reliance on each other. Sita gave Rama a valid reason for destroying demons.Her abduction highlighted Rama’s extreme love for her. He cried before animals, birds, skies, rains and trees, asking them if they had seen his doe-eyed beloved — Puchat chale lata taru paanti/ Tum dekhi Sita mrignayani. Sita’s second exile highlighted their identification with each other. While everyone, including Luv and Kush were upset, it was Sita alone who never doubted Rama. She alone understood his predicament. She knew Rama had abandoned the queen of Ayodhya for the sake of citizens, but had kept his wife in his bosom. Just as Rama left Ayodhya for the love for his father, similarly Sita’s true love and total acceptance made her leave for the jungle. Their first meeting began with love and till the end, while he was submerging in the Saryu River, Rama kept repeating Sita’s name. If at all anyone is guilty of Sita’s second exile, it is the public and not Rama. ■ Vivah Panchami is on December 4
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