Re: Banishment of Sita
Namaste,
When I first read about the Ramayana, I was also confused at this part of the story. It's hard to argue about the rights and wrongs of this situation because as it was pointed out by other members, Rama had his raja dharma to follow. I can't imagine how his situation could be juxtaposed with any modern day analogy, but I imagine his suffering undergoing the decisions on what to do about the growing unrest amongst his people was very great. You tend to forget about Rama's side of the story when it comes to Sita's banishment or at least I did. What resolve and conviction as a ruler it must have taken to decide - against all the immense love for his wife - to place Sita to live in the forest so she could have a chance at a life of dignity and peace.
I used to be more sad than angry or annoyed at Rama's actions. Maybe with a greater knowledge of Ramayana and its meaning, this sadness will subside. After all, Vishnu and Lakshmi cannot be separated - They are two halves of the Divine Whole. In essence the same is true of Sita and Rama, but one could argue it is a mark of great love and concern for Them to not want to see them apart - in the same childlike way that a young audience hopes dearly for the hero and his lady to live happily ever after.
Om namah Shivaya
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye namah
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ।
Lokaah SamastaaH Sukhino Bhavantu
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