MORALITY OF RAMA’S TREATMENT OF SITA

MORALITY OF RAMA’S TREATMENT OF SITA 

The most controversial item in the Ramayana is the morality of Rama’s treatment of Sita. The first instance of it is the rejection of her after the end of the war fought to redeem her from the captivity of Ravana. Everyone knew that Sita was unsullied in character and none would have raised a finger had Rama accepted her, when she comes to join him joyfully. But that does not happen. Rama rejects her straight away. Because she has stayed at Ravana’s place for a long time, how can he accept her who had been forcibly seated on the lap of Ravana? He asks her to go freely wherever she wanted. He remarks sarcastically,”I have Mede up my mind and I have said what I have to say. Set up your mind on Lakshmana, Bharata, Sugriva and Vibhishana.” These words, uncharacteristic of Rama, shake the tender heart of Sita. The ethical uprightness of Sita is put to a severe test and she takes a daring decision to enter into the fire commensurate with Indian custom on such an occasion.

Ethically the question of right or wrong does not arise in this context as this is an emotional issue. If she has decided to enter fire it is her instantaneous decision and it is wholly voluntary. Is Lakshmana right in preparing the pit of fire for her? Rama gives his silent approval for the preparation of the fire pit and his authority is supreme. Valmiki has heightened Sita’s character through this episode. She is ethically so pure that even the fire does not burn her. There appears an array of divinities and ever-glowing Sita is given back to Rama to the diamay of all. Rama makes an ethical justification for suspecting Sita’s fidelity by submitting before the fire god, that he has done all that because he wanted to prove her fidelity to others though he himself was aware of it. Sita is the most pious character and an embodiment of purity and women hood. Sita depicts character, womanhood and self respect.