Sita – The Symbol of Tolerance
The Hindus believe that Goddess Sita is an incarnation of Lakshmi, who is the companion of Lord Vishnu. She was born in the times when life was bad in a human form to be the wife and the partner of Lord Rama, who was the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Goddess Sita is one of the main characters in the Ramayana. It was Goddess Sita, who with her great sacrifice and courage was able to rid the earth of the horrible king Ravana.
The legend about the birth of Goddess Sita is holy and only that worthy of Gods. She was found in the fields by her parents, the King Janak and his wife Sunanya. They were the rulers of Mithila.
Goddess Sita was put through a lot of hardships and by virtue of her courage and holiness was able to come out a winner.
Sita suffered throughout her lifetime to be able to set an example for humankind. She showed how a strong woman should be who wouldn’t make any concessions on her principles come what may.
Sita had several wonderful characteristics and virtues just like her husband Ram. She was a wonderful daughter, an idealistic wife and a wonderful mother. Sita was the epitome of all that a woman should be in the different roles that she has to play throughout her life.
Goddess Sita ultimately was able to be together with her husband Lord Rama after Ravana was killed, and they returned jubilant to Ajodhya.
Rama when he was the young prince of Ayodhya, had won over Sita in the marriage ceremony that was held by breaking the bow and arrow that no other prince could. From that time onwards, Rama and Sita were inseparable.
Sita had to bear lots of difficulties throughout her life. First, when her husband was exiled for fourteen years to the forests. Sita relinquished all possible luxuries to be with her husband. The things of the palace did not attract her, and she went to the forests willingly.
Devi Sita's problems followed her in the banishment too. She was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana. This brought about a severance from her husband.
Sita did not succumb to the charms and guiles of Ravan and rebuked him for misbehaving with her. Ravan tried several times but was always unsuccessful.
Sita was able to do this because of the strong mental and physical resolve that she had and her complete dedication and love for her husband Lord Rama.
Goddess Sita was finally rescued by Rama and the troop of monkeys led by Hanuman. This was only after a terrible war took place in Lanka against Ravana.
Finally, when Goddess Sita returned, she was made to undergo a test to prove her chastity called the test by fire. In order to prove her chastity the Hindu Goddess Sita had to walk through fire. Any other mortal would have died, but she proved that she was truly a Hindu Goddess, Sita. All the people who had gathered out there worshiped her.
Goddess Sita in the Ramayana went willingly for the banishment, although she was forced into it. Lord Rama was not aware that she was in the family way and let her go as he believed that it was important to be a righteous ruler. He was willing to keep his subjects before his wife, Goddess Sita. Then, Sita lived in Rishi Valmiki's hut and gave birth to twins, Luv and Kush.
Years later, at the time of the important horse ceremony, that the brave sons of Rama tamed the horse that was a part of the Ashvamedha yajna. This led them to their father Lord Rama.
When Sita saw this, she gave up her sons to Lord Rama. She refused to return to Ayodhya and gave up her life and was swallowed by mother earth.
Sita did not want to face any more hardships, and she felt that her birth on the earth had been fulfilled.
Sita is worshiped by Hindus all over India. You will find the idols of Lord Rama and Sita in innumerable Hindu shrines, along with the idols of Lakshman and Hanuman.
Hindu Goddess Sita is certainly the epitome of how a woman should be and cultivate all the relationships in her life with care.
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