Sita enters Fire
Rama with annoyance spoke the Harsh words which was cruel, Sita got unconsolable Grief. The person who spoke thus was her dear husband; under all circumstances he is bound to protect her; till then he had been immensely protective and affectionate to her as though Sita was his Life Force. Ever since when Rama saw her 1st and smiled and and spoke with affection, he had never spoken harshly or without Love or condescendingly uttered a single word. Her Father in Law, Mother in Laws and his Brothers treated her with more respect and special affection than even Rama. Her Father King of Mythila having not had children for very many years got Sita by Divine dispensation, brought her up with immense Love, opulence and Vishwas ( Assurance, Reliance, Confidence, Belief, Loyalty, Faith, Dependence, Sureness, Trust, Credence of his immense Love, zeal) as She was his Arumai (rare, precious, gifted, obedient, respectful, dutiful, affectionate, sensible) Child. She had never been seen in presence of Men outside her Kith & Kin. She has come now in the Battle field where billions of Vanaras and few hundred thousands of Rakshasaas were present and her husband who is their Lord. In their presence with Cruel words and suspicion, insulting her made her ashamed, winced with Kooni Kurhi (entire body shrunk in embarassment, loss of Dignity, Disrespect, chiding, Lashing words), her Heart torn with those piercing words, unable to even think she remained silent for sometime with tears. then She wiped her tears, with sorrow choking her Heart, with tongue Thazhu (Quivered, Tremble, Shook with fear, stuttered with sullenss) addressed Rama “Lord My Dear husband! Was it proper on your part to speak these words? Or Am I worthy of hearing it? It is bitter and disgusting to hear. You had forgotten the Dignity of your Lineage and Culture. Haven’t you spoken like a Nomad to an Urchin woman? Does it behove of You who is being called Pure Breed Warrior? I am not guilty as You think. Hey Mahanubhaava (Great Who has matchless Intellect) I am vowing on the Punyam (Good fortune accrued from Past or being accumulated for future by Virtuous Dharma / good deeds / conduct) I have earned so far; please trust me. Just like an ordinary Lady, you suspect entire Lady clan will be like that, if you had known my true nature you would not have done like this. You said Ravana touched you; it is a fact; I am a Lady; orphaned; He was Rakshasaa; immensely strong; cruel; durly armed; had help; what could I do? To the maximum extent I stopped him; did I have an iota of desire to go with him? Shouldn’t You be blaming Fate rather than accusing me? My Body was under his custody; Un independent what else could I do?The Heart which is in my strangle hold was, is, and will ever remian so dedicated unto You. We both have been grown up together since Child hood **(ever since Rama was 12 years old and Sita was then 6 years of age).We were affectionate to each other; for these 2 reason You ought to have known my Swabhavam (Nature- Habit) if it is not so, there is no use in my giving you any amount of assurances. I have no other refuge or recourse. Few months back You sent Hanuman to the place where I was to know my status. Why didn’t you shun me when you came to know I was in Ravana’s house compound? If Hanuman had told me that very moment then and there I would have Left my Life in his presence. After all am I not warrior’s wife? If that had been so, You and Those belonging to you need not have made so much efforts. In Battle Victory and Defeat is not one is sure. Risking Life and fighting with Rakhsasaas like this in Battle would not have been necessary. Aren’t You the Greatest amongst Men? After all you gave room to Anger and you spoke as though I am a mere Lady; You didn’t consider other things. Though I am known as Janaka’s Daughter was I in the womb of a Mother**(Sita was found in the field wile they were ploughing to get it ready for a Yaga) Haven’t You heard that I came out of the Earth? When You have plenty of talent to deftly know infer and ascertain in minute details of the Human’s traits, behavior, conduct Why didn’t you inquire about my Conduct, upbringing, Aacharam ( Respectful behavior ,Courteous, Humble, clean, pure in thought action and deed)? When You married me you were a Boy, I was a girl child; the pledge I took then You have belied it.
You have forgotten my Devotion, conduct, and all Virtues totally” thus with tears she pleaded with Rama.
Then to Lakshmana who with Pale face and stunned and numbed standing still dazed, Sita said Lakshmana! You have limitless devotion towards your mother Sumithra; while I was coming to Forest “Consider Sita as me, Your Mother” do you rememeebr those words? ‘consider Rama as Dasaratha’ you have fulfilled that ordain. Now you have to fulfill part of your mother’s counsel completely. Thus you fulfill my words as well. There is no remedial medicine for the agony I am undergoing. Since my Life has to end with wood, please stack the wood, Set it on Fire. When my own Husband had insinuated me into Abavadham(Ignonimy or Public Disgrace, slander, Evil reputation)I will not keep this mortal body even for few seconds. He has got suspicion on my Character, Pathivratha( pure pristine and Noblest, Chaste, Loving, Humble dotting Wife not falling prey to Fame, Money or Power)Dharma. Despite my Noble Virtues he doesn’t seem to be satisfied. In presence of Countless Vanaras and Rakhsasaas he has shunned me, I have no other recourse now” said Sita.
Hearing that Lakshmana with pale face and heart melting, looked at Rama’s face. Even minutest act of disrespect Rama wouldn’t tolerate that was his nature and Prowess. But then his own elder brother Ram is making Sita Varutham (Upset, regret, perturbed, feel sorry, sad, pained, unhappy) what could he do? To whom he can get angry with? When his mother like Sita ordering, he looked at Rama and asked with his eyes ‘What is Your opinion?’ and got a Yes from his facial expressions
he immediately borught and stacked Wood.Then Janaki (Sita) did Pradhakshinam (Going around in clockwise direction) of Rama who was standing with his bow, she came near the Towering inferno. She remembered mentally Devathas, Brahmins, and with folded hands Namaksar to them and said “Hey God of Agni! You are witness to the Sin &Punya of all the Living beings. If my mind at any point of time, at any situation, circumstance, had not swayed from Rama even for a minute then You should protect me by all means. If my surrendering to Rama by thought, Bodily, speech, is True then You the witnesser of the world should protect me by all means. Adithya, Vayu, Directions, Moon, Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk, Earth and all matters if they feel that I am Noble Pure by Conduct hey witnesser of the World Agni you should protect me by all means” saying thus Janaki (Sita) did pradhakishinam to Agni (Fire) left her desire for the Mortal Body, entered the Agni (Fire). Seeing that all those present there were scared and trembled and not knowing what to do were dazed and stood, King Janaka’s daughter having body complexion that of a Molten flowing Pure Gold duly adorned with ornaments while all were witnessing jumped into the towering inferno. Like doing Homa with purest Ghee (Melted Butter) as Ahuthi (sacrificial offerings During Homa in Agni kundaie Fire Pit), Sita of Limitless Glory and Fame was seen by all in the 3 worlds while she was entering. Like in the Yaaga (Offerings to Celestials in the Sacrifical Fire Pits reciting Vedas and the Verses invoking the respective Dieties) with Vasodhara (Long wooden Large Spoon) Ghee is poured similarly seeing Sita entering the Agni, the Ladies around cried unabashedly. Like the Ditey in Heaven is cursed and falls into Hell, similarly Sita worthy of enjoying all Luxuries of all worlds seeing her thus entering the Agni to shun her Life, all the Devas - celestials, Gandharvas - Musicians, Dhanavas -Demons, Sidhas -Saints, Saasdhyas, in all 3 worlds were pained at heart . Rakshasaas and Vanaras screamed Ha Ha. Loudly. (Slokas 51)
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