“The more I came to know about the ‘heroine of Ramayana’ through the scriptures, the more I felt an intimate connection. Sita is such a delicate balance of strength and serenity, of sensitivity with sensibility, of beauty with brilliance, of courage and compassion – yet approachable. The more you know her, you cannot but love her,” says Bhanumathi Narasimhan, author of her new Penguin India release, ‘Sita – a tale of ancient love’ launched in October, 2021.
The author in the book says her foray into Sita’s strong mind is after a deep explore into several classic versions of the epic, especially after studying “this strong woman” respond to challenging situations. “When you see the events of the Ramayana unfold through Sita’s eyes, you will identify with her inner strength much more. This is what I have tried to communicate through my book,” says Bhanumathi (sister of Art of Living Founder, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar) an author of bestselling books who holds a masters degree in Sanskrit Literature from the Bangalore University.
The book is a poignant representation of Sita. What indeed seizes a reader to its narrative is its breezy back and forth swings to Sita’s life through her own reminiscences while she is sheltered at the Ashoka Vatika garden at Lanka, after she is abducted by the Lankan King Ravana. Based on a variety of sources including published material, stories from religious texts and from tales passed on since generations, the book reflects the understanding of such stories by the author presented in simplified form. The book also contains some 16 eye-catching illustrative-paintings from Pratibha Kumari.
The book emphasizes the love of Sita and Rama as ‘Ancient’ and ‘Eternal’ and not ‘earthly’ as the story depicts in many versions, although represented through human form.
Sita and Urmila’s siblings affection, Sita’s cooking skills that Rama prides on, the advice that Sita receives from Anusuya for being an understanding partner in marriage, are just some more of her rare depictions. And Sita’s relationship with the world of nature, her role in leading Rama to his task on Earth, and how the images of fire and earth; wind & wisdom; and ignorance culminate in the bigger battle at Lanka….make up for this unique narration.
- Also read Book Review – Sita: Warrior Of Mithila
Running to 318 pages with a poetic prologue and epilogue, at once making it lyrical and distinctive, what follows are 25 chapters of Sita’s memoirs, some of them even being her teenage dare-devil adventures such as her foray into the thick forest with her sister on horseback to bring back the cows to present them to Rishi Yagnavalkya; her passionate and tender side that has her eyes locked with her idealistic man, Rama at first sight before her Swayamvara. How Sita grew up with her sister Urmila, their absorption of values from wide-ranging subjects they are exposed to through their saint-gurus; the path she fashions for herself to walk past the “unexpected terrains” in her life; and her single-minded devotion towards merging with her ancient and ethereal love, Rama….every portion of the read is made engrossing.
Commenting on the style of narration Bhanumathi says, “Sita’s understanding of life was unselfish and sympathetic and truth-seeking, so presenting it through her eye was a pleasure. Wisdom helps you feel this connect with the subtle. When a drop feels connected with the ocean, it feels the strength of the ocean. Sita felt this union not just with her Lord, but with nature, her parents Janaka and Sunayana, and her sister. Urmila too is another glow to me behind the scene, for her show of strength and endurance.”
And how many know that Sita’s kheer preparation won her praises, and even from the winged at the jungle! Read this excerpt:
* Sita had managed to make kheer once even in the forest. It was just her, her beloved and Lakshmana—or so she thought. The great king of the vultures, Jatayu, happened to pay them a visit and he too was offered kheer. Whatever her beloved relished, he wanted to share with everyone. It so happened that many passing saints stopped by for the kheer that day. ‘Did you give some to your favourite woodpecker?’ ‘Yes,’ replied Sita with a smile, ‘the sparrows and bulbuls got some too. And the newborn fawn liked it too!’ Lakshmana smiled, shaking his head. ‘You will ask Bhabhi to cook for the whole forest, Bhaiya!’
Sita is awestruck with Ravana’s wife Mandodari’s beauty, her elegance and royal stature not interfering with her humane self. The unexpected guest at Ashoka Vatika “willingly explains” the paradoxical state of affairs that all of them are thrown into when Sita is by the stream in Ashoka Vatika enjoying the sight of the gushing waters, albeit melted in thought about her Lord! Some excerpts.
* ‘I am Mandodari, Sita, wife of Ravana, the lord of Lanka,’ she introduced herself. Sita was even more unsure of what to say or do now. She just waited silently.
‘Everything has changed since you have come, Sita. The affairs of the three worlds and their dominion had occupied my husband’s mind till a few weeks back. Now he thinks only of you.’ Sita was repulsed at her words. She looked down. She couldn’t shut her ears out of respect for this lady, but she didn’t want to hear anymore.
‘I have heard that you continue to resist and refuse my lord. There are thousands of women who would do anything to get the kind of attention from him that you have received. But he doesn’t care to even look at them. His ears have turned deaf to the words of love that any of his women may have for him. He searches among them for even one who has your eyelashes, or perhaps similar fingernails,’ she said, as she looked down at her own.
‘Intoxicants have failed to give him any pleasure. The sight of the moon burns him. He would have normally taken whatever he wanted by force, but he will not even touch you without your permission.’
She continued, ‘He has no interest in the affairs of the kingdom. He does not even enjoy eating, and has lost his sleep. Even the sight of his dearest son does not improve his spirits.’ There was an uneasy silence between them for a few seconds before Mandodari continued.
‘I wanted to see you because you have my husband’s heart. But I see that all he has is an image of your form in his mind. ‘You are a virtuous lady. Your purity shines forth from your being. I know not your husband, but I can see that he is with you every moment. The virtue of a wife is her biggest armour. Her loyalty forces nature to fulfil her wishes. Your husband will come. I will try to warn mine but I doubt he will listen. You perhaps do not care for my words, but I wanted to tell you that he is a good king and a good husband. He has brought prosperity to the people of Lanka. They love him. Do not think entirely ill of him, Sita.’
Sita was amazed at the loyalty of this woman to her husband. Who was she trying to convince about the goodness of her husband? If she was jealous, she didn’t show it. She wanted for her husband what he wanted for himself, even if it cost her dearly. Ravana was lucky to have her as his wife…..
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this book has absolutely nothing new to offer.its just a candyfloss rewrite of Sita’s life and character as we have always been told of….just a lot more preachy,and its characters more cardboard than before.no layering,no complex moments…..nothing