Hello Everyone!!! Welcome back to Mythogeeks, where we try to portray the history and mythological events that most of the reader’s already know about but with some little twist, turns and facts obviously.
But before we start today’s story take this tour of our storytelling in a light note, our only aim is to pour curiosity to our reader’s mind and add some little spark to relive the history.
By the term “Agnipariksha” (Test by fire), What pops inside your head?? Is it a proper word even? Is this even relevant to today’s society?
Please let us know your views in the comment section!!!
My previous Story link if you have missed it : SHANTA - The Daughter of Dashratha
Almost 35 days of lock-down in India is over and in the mean time we can see Television Industry and the Govt. had taken the decision of re-telecasting one of the Prominent and famous mythological series “The Ramayana” in DD National.
So, we thought to shed some light on one of the most controversial episodes of Ramayana is the Agnipariksha of Sita.
Sri Ram sends Vibhishana to bring Sita to his presence. Vibhishana brings Sita to Sri Rama's presence.
It was an august gathering with the royalty of Lanka and the noble warriors who had fought the battle. There were also the citizens of Lanka. In that noble assembly, Lord Rama addressed Sita, “I have killed Raavana to establish the standard of proper human conduct. By kidnapping you Raavana brought disgrace to the great dynasty of Ikshavaku. Raavana’s death avenges the insult to that dynasty. Being a Kshatriya I had the sworn duty to kill Raavana. I have done all this to set the ideal standard of human conduct and behavior. A ruler should be extremely sensitive to public criticism. His acts are expected to be above the highest standard of morality and conduct.”
Then Lord Rama then made a profound declaration devastating to Sita, “I have fought this battle, not for you but to establish dharma. By those very standards of dharma, I have decided that since you have lived under the shelter of another man for a long time, as a king of the dynasty of Raghu, of the dynasty of Ikshavaku, it would be improper for me to accept you as my wife again.”
Mother Sita was shattered to hear these words from Lord Rama. Her tears of joy quickly turned to tears of sorrow. She prayed and begged Lord Rama saying that her chastity and character were unquestionable. Lord Rama was unrelenting. He made this proclamation publicly and he was not going to change His mind. Mother Sita begged Lakshmana saying that if Rama was not going to accept her, what was the use of living. She begged him to prepare a pyre and she wished to enter the fire. All the people assembled there were shocked by mother Sita’s wish. Women started crying and begging mother Sita to change her mind. Lakshmana was also angry at Lord Rama. He said mother Sita did not deserve this. Devtas assembled and pleaded with Rama. Brahma said that this was not right. But Lord Rama did not change his decision. He said, “I’ve appeared as a human being and I’m here to set the highest standard of human conduct.”
Traditionalists justify the action of Ram citing his overriding responsibility of setting right standards in society as a king. Feminists criticize the culture of that era and Hindu religion for being anti-woman. Anti-feminists use this story to explain why women should have limited freedom. Some explain that the Sita which was kidnapped by Raavan was actually a shadow of Sita and actual Sita was hiding inside fire. So, when shadow Sita went inside the fire, actual Sita came out.
There are many loopholes to the originality of the episodes of Agnipariksha of Sita. As more than 300 versions of Ramayana is depicted in India itself. So now you can relate why “Agnipariksha” is the most controversial scene in “The Ramayana.”
The question is not What were the actual events of "Agnipariksha??"
The biggest question lies "Why always Women have to go through such ordeals every time??"
In this era of gender quality, in many parts of the society, culture, religion and relationships only why Women have to prove themselves, why only Women were held responsible for any negative outcome, why only Women’s have less privilege than Men??
Feel free to ask yourself and pen down your views where we go wrong as humans!!!
Hope we have able to clear some clouds of doubt on Myths and traditional Belief through the story of “Agnipariksha” of Sita Mata.
~Meet you with the next story. Be safe and sound........Bella Ciao!!!
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