Week 5 Storytelling: Rama Banishes Sita

Rama's love for Sita was infinite and his plans to protect this were unstoppable. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

After fourteen extensive years of living in exile, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana return to the motherland of Ayodhya. The entire kingdom is overjoyed and cheering for the victorious three, especially for the return of Dasharatha’s favorite son. Rama receives the greatest praise ever known as he deservedly is crowned King. The celebrations seemed never-ending, as Ayodhya was the most blissful ever. Everything was lined up for a happily ever after until…

A couple of weeks went until Rama announced with great pleasure that Sita was expecting. Much to the newly-crowned king’s surprise, the people reacted with disgust. Hideous rumors began circulating the kingdom that Sita had been an unfaithful wife when she was under in Ravana’s capture. Sita felt utterly dejected by the flood of attacks and accusations of venomous scandals. She finally put an end to leaving the palace, fearing she would be wrongly publicly humiliated.

King Rama was aware and rightfully disheartened by Sita’s deep sorrows. He decided announce his demand to arrest for anyone who continued treatment towards Sita that questioned her reputation as other than pure and divine. Assuming everything was chill bill, months passed without any disturbance directed towards Sita.

One day, the mighty messenger bird, Hanuman, arrived in Ayodhya. He exclaimed his well wishes and congratulations to King Rama, who early on sensed something more of his intentions inspiring the sudden visit. His presumptions were accurate as the loyal Hanuman revealed the evil plot against Sita he overheard from the angry mob of kingdom’s people. They were maliciously planning to poison Sita.

Astounded, enraged, and petrified by this wicked strategy, there was one thing Rama was undoubtedly sure of: the infinite love he carried for his beloved Sita. He loved her more than anything and after everything she sacrificed to remain loyal to him, he realized it was up to him to find a way to protect her.

Quickly, before Sita was too deep in harm’s way, Rama decided he would banish Sita from Ayodhya, with the sole intent to protect her (which was not revealed to the public). The loyal Lakshmana guided Sita to the jungles, where she remained in exile under the hospitality of a wise poet named Valkimi. Soon after arriving, she gave birth to twin sons, Lava and Kusha, who were raised by Valkimi. Together, they lived peacefully ever after.

Author's Note

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition, Valkimi's Hermitage, by M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder.

Valmiki’s Hermitage: Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana return to the Kingdom of Ayodhya and are welcomed with great celebrations. Rama is crowned King after being victorious with the war against Ravana. Meanwhile, the townspeople begin spreading despicable gossip that Sita was unfaithful while she was in Ravana’s control. In response to these arguments against Sita’s royalty, Rama sends Sita, who is completely innocent, into exile. Sita goes to Valikimi’s hermitage in the jungle and there, she gives birth to twin sons, Lava and Kusha.
After reading this chapter of the Ramayana, I was completely dumbfounded that Rama would just abandon his beloved Sita, who was expecting their children! I thought this was a heinous act and I simply could not believe he banished in order to follow public opinion. Therefore, I decided to devise a reason driving Rama to banish Sita, and that reason is love.