Unique Attributes : Loyalty, dedication,
purity, ideal woman, virtuous
Other Names : Janaki, Vaidehi, Maithilli, Ramaa, Bhumijaa
Consort : Lord Rama
Primary Scriptures : Ramayana, Ramcharitmanas
Parents : Janaka and Sunanya
Goddess Sita is believed to be an incarnation of Lakshmi, the consort
of Lord Vishnu. And hence in the Treta Yuga she was born as a human to
fulfill the rites of a wife as the partner of Lord Rama who was the
avatar of Lord Vishnu. Goddess Sita is one of the principal characters
in the religious and mythological epic 'Ramayana'. And perhaps it was
Goddess Sita who became the reason for freeing the earth of the demon
king Ravana. The legend behind the birth of Goddess Sita is divine and
supernatural. She was discovered by King Janak, ruler of Mithila and his
wife Sunanya in a furrow in a ploughed field.
Goddess Sita endured an arduous and chaste life throughout her lifetime
to set an example for humankind of a virtuous but strong woman. She
became the ideal daughter to her parents, ideal wife to her husband and
an ideal mother to her children. The goddess ultimately united with her
husband Lord Rama, the young prince of Ayodhya after he won her in a
Swayamvar. But her hardships were to begin soon after her husband was
asked to go for fourteen years exile. The virtuous woman leaving all the
comforts of the palace chose to accompany her husband to the forests.
Devi Sita's hardships continued in the exile as well after she was held
captive by the demon king Ravana and separated from her husband. The
divine goddess rebuked Ravan after his many failed attempts to win over
her. She in her mind and physical form remained chaste and completely
dedicated to her husband Lord Rama. Goddess Sita was ultimately rescued
by Rama after waging a terrible war against Ravana. Goddess Sita was
made to undergo 'Agni-Pariksha', the test of going through fire which
could easily burn any mortal. The divine goddess cleared the
agni-pariksha and proved her chastity to all present around her.
Goddess Sita in the Ramayana is said to have been forced in exile after
she reached the kingdom of Ayodhya. Lord Rama not knowing that she was
pregnant let her go away from his sight to give a righteous judgment as
a ruler. Goddess Sita took refuge in Rishi Valmiki's Ashram and there
gave birth to twin brothers Luv and Kusha. It was at the time of
Ashvamedha Yagya that the valorous sons of Rama caught hold of the
Ashvamedha horse and subsequently resulted in the meeting of Lord Rama
with his sons. After giving the responsibility of the sons to their
father Goddess Sita refused to return to the kingdom of Ayodhya. She
gave up her mortal body to goddess Earth (Bhoomi) to relieve herself of
any more hardships she might have to face in human birth. Goddess Sita
is worshipped all over India in innumerable Hindu shrines, along with
the idols of Lord Rama, Lakshman and Hanuman.