VOICE OF THE RISHIS - 84

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PRIYA BHAGAVAT BANDUVULLARA!

 

VOICE OF THE RISHIS: 84

 

COURTESY: SHRI RAPARLA JANARDHANA RAO

 

" RAKSHITHA SWENA SEELENA "

 

-RAMAYANA, SUNDARKANDA 17-28

 

These words from Ramayana indicate how Sita Devi during her state of

imprisonment, as a kidnapped woman, defended her chastity or her

character.

 

This single line is of great significance. She defended herself

(Rakshita) with her own (Swena) character (Seelena). In the crisis

of her life as a helpless prisoner, in the hands of an arrogant

demon, Ravana, what came to her rescue or what stood her in good

stead is the crucial question to be pondered over.

 

Here the sage poet Maharshi Valmiki, author of Ramayana, describes

Sita Devi, the cohort of Sree Rama, as the lady that defended

herself, by her own character, " Rakshitaa sweena seelena " . Her own

purity of character proved to be her defense.

 

Of all the chapters in Ramayana, Sundara Kanda occupies utmost

importance and Valmiki the sage poet is at this best in his

depiction of all the characters.

 

Ravana is enamoured of the beauty of Sita. He even states that he

does not want to molest her by force, but tries to win Sita, stating

that he is a better person than her husband.

 

To this Sita fearless by her replies that he, Ravana, stands as a

straw in comparison with her husband Sri Ramachandra. This strong

sense of fearlessness and fidelity to her man that astounds Ravana

and withholds him from taking any drastic action. It is this

fearless defense that proves as armor to Sita Devi.