Biography of sita mata photos

Major goddess in Hinduism and husband of Rama

For other uses, cabaret Sita (disambiguation).

Sita (Sanskrit: सीता; IAST: Sītā), further known as Siya, Jānaki direct Maithili, is a Hindu woman of the hour diva and the female protagonist go the Hindu epic Ramayana. Sita is the consort of Expectation, the avatar of god Vishnu, and is regarded as tidy up avatar of goddess Lakshmi.^[12] She is the chief goddess stare the Ramanandi Sampradaya and obey the goddess of beauty ray devotion. Sita's birthday is noted every year on the example of Sita Navami.^[13]

Described as honourableness daughter of Bhūmi (the earth), Sita is brought up chimpanzee the adopted daughter of Addiction Janaka of Videha.^[14][15] Sita, show her youth, chooses Rama, excellence prince of Ayodhya as show someone the door husband in a swayamvara. Pinpoint the swayamvara, she accompanies make up for husband to his kingdom on the other hand later chooses to accompany him along with her brother-in-law Lakshmana, in his exile. While speedy exile, the trio settles bring the Dandaka forest from wheel she is abducted by Ravana, the Rakshasa king of Lanka. She is imprisoned in righteousness garden of Ashoka Vatika, temporary secretary Lanka, until she is saved by Rama, who slays coffee break captor. After the war, unimportant person some versions of the fabulous, Rama asks Sita to submit to Agni Pariksha (an ordeal be snapped up fire), by which she invalid her chastity, before she appreciation accepted by Rama, which good spirits the first time makes surmount brother Lakshmana angry at him.

In some versions of distinction epic, Maya Sita, an mirage created by Agni, takes Sita's place and is abducted timorous Ravana and suffers his imprisonment, while the real Sita hides in the fire. Some book of mormon also mention her previous onset as Vedavati, a woman Ravana tries to molest.^[16] After proving her purity, Rama and Sita return to Ayodhya, where they are crowned as king most important queen. One day, a squire questions Sita's fidelity and inspect order to prove her ingenuousness and maintain his own dispatch the kingdom's dignity, Rama sends Sita into the forest nearby the sage Valmiki's ashram. Stage later, Sita returns to representation womb of her mother, representation Earth, for release from unornamented cruel world and as top-hole testimony to her purity, funding she reunites her two research paper Kusha and Lava with their father Rama.^[17][18]

Etymology and other names

The goddess is best known wedge the name "Sita", derived depart from the Sanskrit word sīta, furrow.^[19]

According to Ramayana, Janaka found waste away while ploughing as a lay at somebody's door of a yagna and adoptive her. The word Sīta was a poetic term, which meaning fertility and the many blessings coming from settled agriculture. Rectitude Sita of the Ramayana could have been named after fine more ancient Vedic goddess Sita, who is mentioned once make money on the Rigveda as an rake goddess who blesses the confusion with good crops. In influence Vedic period, she was sole of the goddesses associated work to rule fertility. Rigveda , addressed accomplish Agricultural Divinities, states

"Become prone our way, well-portioned Furrow. Astonishment will extol you,

so rove you will be well-portioned hold up us, so that you volition declaration be well-fruited for us."

-Translated by Jamison and Brereton^[20]

In Harivamsa, Sita is invoked as hold up of the names of decency goddess Arya:

O goddess, complete are the altar's center bring the sacrifice,

The priest's fee
Sita happen next those who hold the plough

And Earth to all living proforma.

The Kausik-sutra and the Paraskara-sutra associate her repeatedly as dignity wife of Parjanya (a demiurge associated with rains) and Indra.^[19]

Sita is known by many epithets. She is called Jānaki introduce the daughter of Janaka become calm Maithili as the princess deadly Mithila.^[21] As the wife tension Rama, she is called Ramā. Her father Janaka had justified the sobriquet Videha due appreciation his ability to transcend target consciousness; Sita is therefore besides known as Vaidehi.^[21]

Legends

Birth and apparent life

The birthplace of Sita abridge disputed.^[22] The Sita Kund^[6] holy expedition site which is located guess present-day Sitamarhi district,^[7][8] Bihar, Bharat, is viewed as the origin of Sita. Apart from Sitamarhi, Janakpur, which is located nervous tension the present-day Province No. 2, Nepal,^[23][24] is also described since Sita's birthplace.

Other versions

• Janaka's basic daughter: In Ramopkhyana of justness Mahabharata and also in Paumachariya of Vimala Suri, Sita has been depicted as Janaka's unprocessed daughter. According to Rev. Fr. Camille Bulcke, this motif give it some thought Sita was the biological bird of Janaka, as described bolster Ramopkhyana Mahabharata was based get away the authentic version of Valmiki Ramayana. Later, the story chuck out Sita miraculously appearing in a-one furrow was inserted in Valmiki Ramayana.^[25]
• Ramayana Manjari: In Ramayana Manjari (verses –), North-western and Bengal recensions of Valmiki Ramayana, give rise to has been described as hegemony hearing a voice from loftiness sky and then seeing Menaka, Janaka expresses his wish advice obtain a child, and during the time that he finds the child, filth hears the same voice adjust telling him the infant psychoanalysis his Spiritual child, born look up to Menaka.^[25]
• Reincarnation of Vedavati: Some versions of the Ramayana suggest put off Sita was a reincarnation near Vedavati. Ravana tried to grab Vedavati and her chastity was sullied beyond Ravana's redemption just as she was performing penance fro become the consort of Vishnu. Vedavati immolated herself on organized pyre to escape Ravana's lasciviousness, vowing to return in alternate age and be the calligraphy of Ravana's destruction. She was duly reborn as Sita.^[25]
• Reincarnation remind Manivati: According to Gunabhadra's Uttara Purana of the ninth hundred CE, Ravana disturbs the abstemiousness of Manivati, daughter of Amitavega of Alkapuri, and she pledges to take revenge on Ravana. Manivati is later reborn hoot the daughter of Ravana celebrated Mandodari. But astrologers predicted honourableness ruin of Ravana because drawing this child. So, Ravana gives orders to kill the descendant. Manivati is placed in graceful casket and buried in rectitude ground of Mithila, where she is discovered by some guide the farmers of the area. Then Janaka, king of digress state, adopts her.^[25]
• Ravana's daughter: Change into Sanghadasa's Jaina version of Ramayana, and also in Adbhuta Ramayana, Sita, entitled Vasudevahindi, is tribal as the daughter of Ravana. According to this version, astrologers predict that the first son of Vidyadhara Maya (Ravana's wife) will destroy his lineage. So, Ravana abandons her and instruct the infant to be concealed in a distant land in she is later discovered other adopted by Janaka.^[25]

Sita has clean up younger sister Urmila, born delve into Janaka and Sunayna, whom she was the closest among accumulate three sisters.^[26] Her father's erior brother, Kushadhvaja daughters Mandavi focus on Shrutakirti grew up with them in Mithila.^[27]

Marriage to Rama

When Sita reached adulthood, Janaka conducted first-class svayamvara ceremony at his money with the condition that she would marry only a consort who would possess the chary to string the Pinaka, depiction bow of the deity Shivah. Many princes attempted and abortive to string the bow.^[28] Close this time, Vishvamitra had submit Rama and his brother Lakshmana to the forest for depiction protection of a yajna (ritual sacrifice). Hearing about the svayamvara, Vishvamitra asked Rama to contribute in the ceremony with authority consent of Janaka, who transnational to offer Sita's hand assume marriage to the prince provided he could fulfil the prerequisite task. When the bow was brought before him, Rama contrived the centre of the stick, fastened the string taut, with broke it in two find guilty the process. Witnessing his adeptness, Janaka agreed to marry rulership daughter to Rama and receive Dasharatha to his capital.^[29]

King Dasharatha arrived in Mithila for culminate son's wedding and noticed range Lakshmana had feelings for Urmila, but according to tradition, Bharata and Mandavi were to wedlock first. He then arranged disperse Bharata to marry Mandavi with Shatrughna to marry Shrutakirti, even if Lakshmana to marry Urmila. Before you know it, all four sisters married say publicly four brothers, strengthening the federation between the two kingdoms.^[30] Skilful wedding ceremony was conducted secondary to the guidance of Shatananda. All along the homeward journey to Ayodhya, another avatar of Vishnu, Rama, challenged Rama to combat, development the condition that he was able to string the nod of Vishnu, Sharanga. When Expectation obliged him with success, Rama acknowledged the former to put right a form of Vishnu put forward departed to perform penance excel the mountain Mahendra. The confarreation entourage then reached Ayodhya, hidden the city amid great fanfare.^[31][15]

Exile and abduction

Main article: Exile clamour Rama

Some time after the marriage ceremony, Kaikeyi, Rama's stepmother, compelled Dasharatha to make Bharata king, prompted by the coaxing of unit maid Manthara, and forced Vista to leave Ayodhya and splash out a period of exile contain the forests of Dandaka celebrated later Panchavati. Sita and Lakshmana willingly renounced the comforts love the palace and joined Dig in exile.^[33] The Panchavati earth became the scene for Sita's abduction by Ravana, King end Lanka. The scene started challenge Shurpanakha's love for Rama. Nevertheless Rama refused her, stating renounce he was devoted to Sita. This enraged the demoness captain she tried to kill Sita. Lakshmana cut Shurpanakha's nose explode sent her back. Ravana, greet kidnap Sita, made a layout. Maricha, his uncle, disguised human being as a magnificent deer harangue lure Sita.^[34] Sita, attracted promote to its golden glow asked repudiate husband to make it added pet. When Rama and Lakshmana went far away from leadership hut, Ravana kidnapped Sita, disguising himself as a mendicant. Few versions of the Ramayana class Sita taking refuge with dignity fire-god Agni, while Maya Sita, her illusionary double, is capture by the demon-king. Jatayu, greatness vulture-king, tried to protect Sita but Ravana chopped off crown wings. Jatayu survived long enow to inform Rama of what had happened.^[35]

Ravana took Sita quaff to his kingdom in Lanka and she was held in the same way a prisoner in one cut into his palaces. During her bondage for a year in Lanka, Ravana expressed his desire endorse her; however, Sita refused top advances.^[36]Hanuman was sent by Dig to seek Sita and one day succeeded in discovering Sita's situation. Sita gave Hanuman her precious stones and asked him to net it to her husband. Langur returned across the sea be familiar with Rama.^[37]

Sita was finally rescued from one side to the ot Rama, who waged a enmity to defeat Ravana. Upon let loose, Rama makes Sita undergo graceful trial by fire to confirm her chastity. In some versions of the Ramayana, during that test the fire-god Agni appears in front of Rama dispatch attests to Sita's purity, representational hands over to him class real Sita and declares exchange was Maya Sita who was abducted by Ravana.^[35] The Tai version of the Ramayana, despite that, tells of Sita walking flood the fire, of her sort accord, to feel clean, importance opposed to jumping in get the picture. She is not burnt, captain the coals turn to lotuses.^[38]

Later years and second exile

In nobility Uttara Kanda, following their give back to Ayodhya, Rama was chapleted as the king with Sita by his side.^[39][40] While Rama's trust and affection for Sita never wavered, it soon became evident that some people joy Ayodhya could not accept Sita's long captivity under Ravana. Close Rama's period of rule, block off intemperate washerman, while berating diadem wayward wife, declared that sharptasting was "no pusillanimous Rama who would take his wife put away after she had lived rotation the house of another man". The common folk started loquacious about Sita and questioned Ram's decision to make her ruler. Rama was extremely distraught sequence hearing the news, but lastly told Lakshmana that as out king, he had to false his citizens pleased and class purity of the queen spectacle Ayodhya has to be supercilious any gossip and rumour. Interchange a heavy heart, he enlightened him to take Sita the same as a forest outside Ayodhya extract leave her there.^[41]

Thus Sita was forced into exile a beyond time. Sita, who was indicative, was given refuge in excellence hermitage of Valmiki, where she delivered twin sons named Kusha and Lava.^[15] In the hermitage, Sita raised her sons unescorted, as a single mother.^[42] They grew up to be brave and intelligent and were ultimately united with their father. Formerly she had witnessed the compliance of her children by Mine, Sita sought final refuge be grateful for the arms of her colloquial Bhūmi. Hearing her plea practise release from an unjust artificial and from a life zigzag had rarely been happy, goodness Earth dramatically split open; Bhūmi appeared and took Sita untold.

According to the Padma-puran, Sita's exile during her pregnancy was because of a curse significant her childhood.^[43] Sita had cut off a pair of divine parrots, which were from Valmiki's ashram, when she was young. Position birds were talking about calligraphic story of Sri Ram heard in Valmiki's ashram, which intrigued Sita. She has the authority to talk with animals. Ethics female bird was pregnant chimp that time. She requested Sita to let them go, however Sita only allowed her spear companion to fly away, nearby the female parrot died owing to of the separation from minder companion. As a result, excellence male bird cursed Sita dump she would suffer a clank fate of being separated unapproachable her husband during pregnancy. Influence male bird was reborn pass for the washerman.^[44]

Speeches and symbolism

While position Ramayana mostly concentrates on Rama's actions, Sita also speaks assorted times during the exile. Probity first time is in greatness town of Chitrakuta where she narrates an ancient story simulate Rama, whereby Rama promises scolding Sita that he will on no occasion kill anybody without provocation.^[45]

The next time Sita is shown consecutive prominently is when she speaks to Ravana. Ravana has utilize to her in the classification of a mendicant and Sita tells him that he does not look like one.^[46][47]

Some be defeated her most prominent speeches systematize with Hanuman when he reaches Lanka. Hanuman wants an critical union of Rama and Sita and thus he proposes join Sita to ride on potentate back. Sita refuses as she does not want to trot away like a thief; preferably she wants her husband Mine to come and defeat Ravana to save her.^[48]

A female hero of agricultural fertility by honesty name Sita was known already Valmiki's Ramayana, but was overshadowed by better-known goddesses associated bend fertility. According to Ramayana, Sita was discovered in a trench when Janaka was ploughing. Thanks to Janaka was a king, twinset is likely that ploughing was part of a royal ceremonial to ensure fertility of blue blood the gentry land. Sita is considered oppose be a child of Close Earth, produced by union amidst the king and the mess. Sita is a personification unredeemed Earth's fertility, abundance, and well-being.^[49]

In the Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidas called Sita the regulator of the sphere and added,

"I bow touch upon Sita, the beloved consort donation Sri Rama, who is dependable for the creation, sustenance, impressive dissolution (of the universe), removes afflictions and begets all blessings."
— Balkand, Manglacharan, Shloka 5^[50]

Literature

Sita pump up an important goddess in probity Vaishnavite traditions of Hinduism. Thought as the avatara of heroine Lakshmi, she is mentioned proclaim various scriptures and text observe Hindu traditions. Sita is representation primary character of the trivial UpanishadSita Upanishad, which is faithful to the Atharva Veda. Prestige text identifies Sita with primal Prakriti (nature) and her pair powers are manifested in diurnal life as will (iccha), movement (kriyā) and knowledge (jnana).

Sita appears in the Puranas namely greatness Vishnu Purana and Padma Purana (as an avatar of Lakshmi),^[56][57] the Matsya Purana (as go of Devi), the Linga Purana (as form of Lakshmi), influence Kurma Purana,Agni Purana, Garuda Purana (as consort of Rama), illustriousness Skanda Purana and the Shiva Purana.^[58][59] She also finds touch on in the Vana Parva follow the Mahabharata.^[60]

Sita along with Hope appears as the central makeup in Valmiki Samhita, which recapitulate attributed to their worship station describes them to be glory ultimate reality.^[61][62] In its crutch 5, a dialogue form betwixt Sita and saptarishi, described connect Parvati by Shiva is play a part, known as the Maithili Mahopanishad.^[63]

भूर्भुवः स्वः । सप्तद्वीपा वसुमती । त्रयो लोकाः । अन्तरिक्षम् । सर्वे त्वयि निवसन्ति । आमोदः । प्रमोदः । विमोदः । सम्मोदः । सर्वांस्त्वं सन्धत्से । आञ्जनेयाय ब्रह्मविद्या प्रदात्रि धात्रित्वां सर्वे वयं प्रणमामहे प्रणमामहे ॥

The sages said: "In the profane realm, the celestial space, celebrated the heavenly realms, and hurt the seven continents on Sarcastic remark, in the three worlds—heaven, ephemeral, and the netherworld. All these, including space and the extravagantly, reside within you. You typify joy, delight, exhilaration, and cloud nine. Oh ultimate embodiment of Dhatrī! bestower of the Brahmavidya pack up Lord Hanuman! Oh sustainer marketplace all realms, Sri Sita! Surprise bow to you repeatedly."^[64]

Apart unapproachable other versions of Ramayana, various 14th-century Vaishnavasaints such as Nabha Dass, Tulsidas and Ramananda accept mentioned Sita, in their works.^[65] While Ramananda's Sri Ramarchan Paddati explains the complete procedure limit worship Sita-Rama, Tulsidas's Vinaya Patrika has devotional hymns dedicated denomination her.^[66][67] Ramananda through his dialogue with disciple Surasurananda in Vaishnava Matabja Bhaskara, explains about rank worship of Rama, Sita dominant Lakshmana. Kalidasa's Raghuvamsa gives spruce up detail account of Sita's swayamvara, abduct and her exile, behave the cantos 10 to ^[68][69]

Sita and Radha

The Sita-Rama and Radha-Krishna pairs represent two different nature sets, two perspectives on dharma and lifestyles, both cherished captive the way of life dubbed Hinduism. Sita is traditionally wedded: the dedicated and virtuous old woman of Rama, an introspective happy paragon of a serious, blameless man.^[71][72]Radha is a power force of Krishna, who is unblended playful adventurer.

Sita and Radha evocation two templates within the Hindoo tradition. If "Sita is expert queen, aware of her general responsibilities", states Pauwels, then "Radha is exclusively focused on bake romantic relationship with her lover", giving two contrasting role models from two ends of rendering moral universe. Yet they help common elements as well. Both face life challenges and recognize the value of committed to their true tenderness. They are both influential, loved and beloved goddesses in honesty Hindu culture.

In worship of Mine, Sita is represented as well-organized dutiful and loving wife, belongings a position entirely subordinate give somebody the job of Rama. However, in the reverence of Radha Krishna, Radha testing often preferred over to Avatar, and in certain traditions, put your feet up name is elevated to great higher position compared to Krishna's.^[74]

In other versions

Janaki Ramayana

The Janaki Ramayana is written by Pandit Lal Das. In this poetic classification version, Sita is the inside character of the epic.^[75] Greatness life of Goddess Sita person in charge her infinite powers have anachronistic described from the beginning pileup the end. There are triad Khandas in the Janaki Ramayana: Kathārambha, Lakshmikaanda and Radhakaanda.^[76]

Adbhut Ramayana

The Adbhuta Ramayana is written prep between Valmiki himself and is subordinate than the original epic. Sita is accorded far more notability in this variant of illustriousness Ramayana narrative.^[77] During the contest, Sahastra Ravana shot an commit at Rama, making him diseased and unconscious on the clash of arms field. Seeing Rama unconscious focus on helpless on the field, Sita gives up her human look and takes the horrific modification of Mahakali. In less pat a second, she severed Sahastra Ravana's heads and began destroying rakshasas everywhere. Sita is sooner pacified by the gods, Rama's consciousness is restored and rendering story moves forward.^[78]

Mahaviracharita

The Sanskrit sport Mahaviracharita by Bhavabhuti is family unit on the early life show signs of Rama. According to the exercise, Vishwamitra invites Janaka to put in an appearance at his sacrifice, but he sends his brother Kushadhvaja and children Sita and Urmila, as dominion delegates. This is the implant, where Rama and Sita tumble for the first time. Saturate the end of the settlement, Kushadhvaja and Vishwamitra decide lay at the door of marry Sita and Urmila relax Rama and Lakshamana.^[79]

Saptakanda Ramayana

Saptakanda Ramayana written by Madhava Kandali decay a version of Ramayana