Sita Navami: Epitome of Womanhood

Sita Navami is considered as an auspicious day in parts of North Bihar, which is also considered as her place of birth. As a land of shakti, we are obligated to celebrate Sita Navami on a similar scale as Ram Navami. She was born in Videha, which is the Mithila region of present Bihar. Maa Sita is premediated as the symbol of truth and dignity and the Face of the new era Indo Feminism.

Maa Sita has been considered a source of power and dignity at the same time. Marriage to Bhagwan Ram, standing against Dasharath’s decision, a 14-year long exile, abduction by Ravan, war and public humiliation have made her a role model of today’s generation.

In feminist readings of the Ramayan, Sita is still seen as an ideal for every woman to strive for, but she is far from quiet. She is fierce as she endures a trial by fire to prove her faithfulness and is strong when he asks her a second time to walk through the flames—epitomising women’s biggest strength – tolerance keeping her dignity intact.

Hindu scriptures is full of stories related to women’s struggles in the patriarchal world in which they live; each level show cases how women are standing up against injustices. In two of the epics of Hindutva, The Ramayan and The Mahabharat, the two heroic characters, Sita and Draupadi, are the icons of feminism, with a totally different character.

Sita was aware of her responsibilities and duties as a daughter, wife, daughter-in-law and mother. She becomes the victim of social censure and sacrificed herself for society. Sita is left in the forest to give birth to twin sons and raise them as a single mother, proving equanimity’s strength. She provided them with the best education to become the successor of Ayodhya. When Bhagwan Ram comes to take back his family and asks her to prove herself again.

Many narratives do not speak from the perspective of the strong-headed and independent Sita, who always made her own decisions with alacrity, steadfastness. She is docile and lives with immense courage and dignity. That is what makes her exceptional. Maa Sita has not been given her due in the texts. Maa Sita needs to be showcased as a perfect, most graceful wife, and she is praised for her purity and chastity. Those could be virtues of her and never forget how argumentative and iron-willed Sita was. Daughter of a king and wife of another, yet she chose to sacrifice all her comforts and join her husband in his 14 years long exile.

Maa Sita is the epitome of womanhood; despite her life filled with trouble, challenges and turmoil, she socially maintained her calm and dignity throughout. The values which she adhered to represented her
as a virtue of Jagdamba and Jagdishwari. Sita was discovered in a furrow when Janak was ploughing. Some also believed that her name was kept Sita on behalf of the ancient Vedic goddess Sita. This deity is mentioned in Rigveda as The Earth Goddess.