Mother Siitaa plucks a blade of grass

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In the Raamaayana of Vaalmiiki, Aaranya-kaanda, 56th Sarga, it is

explained how Raavana, after kidnapping Siitaa, tries to boast of his

material accomplishments, and he actually thinks by so doing she will

be impressed with him, sinner that he is.

 

In response to this, Mother Siitaa interposes a blade of grass

between them, thus showing her supreme chastity. According to Vedic

etiquette, a virtuous lady should not talk to a male stranger, what

to speak of a sinner like Raavana, without a medium. Because she was

forced to violate this rule in this emergency situation, Siitaa

places a blade of grass between herself and Raavana to represent the

barrier.

 

Then she goes on to say:

 

raajaa dasharatho naama dharmaseturivaachalaH |

satyasa.mdhaH parij~naato yasya putraH sa raaghavaH || 2 ||

 

raamo naama sa dharmaatmaa triShu lokeShu vishrutaH |

diirghabaahurvishaalaakSho daivata.m sa patirmama || 3 ||

 

ikShvaakuuNaa.m kule jaataH si.mhaskandho mahaadyutiH |

lakShmaNena maha braatraa yaste praaNaan vadhiShyati || 4 ||

 

"There was a king, Dasharatha by name, who was as it were an

unflinching bulwark of righteousness, was true to his promise and

well-known (for these virtues all over the world), whose son is the

celebrated scion of Raghu, Shrii Raama by name. The latter, whose

mind is set on virtue, is (equally) well-known in (all) the three

worlds, and distinguished by long arms and large eyes. He is my

husband, and the object of my adoration." (verses 2-3)

 

"Born in the line of Ikshwaakus, he has shoulders like those of a

lion and is possessed of extraordinary splendor. It is He who, with

His brother, Lakshmana, will put an end to your life." (4)

 

These verses, and the ones that follow, really spoke to me of the

glories of Mother Siitaa. Despite being in such a dangerous

situation, she displayed grace, chastity, and courage, in

reprimanding Raavana due to her unshakeable faith in the glories of

Lord Raama, her husband. In this way she shows the ideal behavior of

a chaste and virtuous lady -- a far cry from the karmi concept of

feminine beauty!

 

 

shrii shrii siitaa-raama jaya!