Chapter 56

Aranya Kanda - Book Of Forest

VERSE 1

सा तथा उक्ता तु वैदेही निर्भया शोक कर्शिता
तृणम् अन्तरतः कृत्वा रावणम् प्रति अभाषत

sā tathā uktā tu vaidehī nirbhayā śoka karśitā
tṛṇam antarataḥ kṛtvā rāvaṇam prati abhāṣata

SYNONYMS

tathā uktā: in that way, she who is addressed | śoka karśitā: by anguish, haggard | sā vaidehī tu: she, Vaidehi, on her part | nir bhayā: without, fear [boldly] | tṛṇam antarataḥ kṛtvā: straw-blade, in between, on making [placing] | rāvaṇam: to Ravana | prati abhāṣata = counter, spoke: castigated. |

TRANSLATION

She that Vaidehi who is haggard by anguish boldly spoke to Ravana when he addressed her in that way, duly placing a blade of straw in between herself and Ravana. [3-56-1]

PURPORT

The place of conversation is a speckles palace and then where from a blade of straw is available to Seetha to place in between them - is the question. It is adjusted by saying that a straw blade stuck to her sari, which she removed and placed in between. Has she searched whole of sari, inch by inch, for a blade of straw that too to talk to a debased character - is its counter-question. Anyway she treated Ravana just as a worthless straw - is another viewpoint. Either way, 'husband-devout' wives do not chat with 'the other' males without making an improvised screen in between, may it be a half-veil, a door, or any other item that prevent the vilely ogles of others. She is also said to be talking 'boldly...' where this boldness is the derivative of her self-assured 'husband-devoutness.' When this boldness is there why she is emaciated through sadness - is the collateral question. For this, it is said that her wailing is not for herself, but for her separation from Rama, coupled with her thinking about Rama's miseries in forest, besides, due to the ambiguity about Lakshmana's meeting with Rama or otherwise. Tilaka says, 'Seetha is aware of the curse of Ravana that his heads get splintered into pieces if he makes advances to any female without her consent, hence Seetha is talking fearlessly. And if Ravana tries to make any further advances, Seetha is ready to disappear, as is the practice with gods, or to become an untouchable entity, like a hologram...' But this is negated, taking Seetha as a human level entity rather than an incarnation, saying that 'human Seetha is unaware of Ravana himself, thus her becoming aware of his curse is untenable...' Maybe, Goddess Lakshmi or Maya Seetha is aware of that curse of Ravana.
VERSE 2

राजा दशरथो नाम धर्म सेतुः इव अचलः
सत्य सन्धः परिज्ञातो यस्य पुत्रः स राघवः

rājā daśaratho nāma dharma setuḥ iva acalaḥ
satya sandhaḥ parijñāto yasya putraḥ sa rāghavaḥ

SYNONYMS

daśarathaḥ nāma rājā: Dasharatha, known as, king | a calaḥ: unwavering [resolute] | dharma setuḥ iva: for righteousness, rampart, like | satya sandhaḥ: forthrightness, he abide by | pari jñātaḥ: overly, known [well renowned one] | saḥ rāghavaḥ = he that, ṟaghava: Rama | yasya putraḥ: whose, son | [saḥ patiḥ mama: such a Raghava, husband, of mine.] |

TRANSLATION

"He whose son is Raghava, is a resolute king known as Dasharatha. That king is a kingly rampart for righteousness, a kingpin abiding in forthrightness and thereby his kingliness is well renowned in all worlds, and my husband Rama is such a king's son. [3-56-2]

PURPORT

The word used setu also means a 'bridge' apart from a rampart. Thus Dasharatha is not only a rampart 'a defensive wall with a broad top and usu. a stone parapet...' for the defence of dharma from its mismanagement, but he is also the bridge between a dharma and dharma. Thus this bridge called Dasharatha enables anyone to crossover it towards dharma. That bridge called Dasharatha allowed Rama to cross and to reach forests for the annihilation of demons. Therefore, Seetha is saying 'being such a righteous king's daughter-in-law, I cannot bring blemish to my in-laws, or to their dynasty in surrendering to you... furthermore, my husband is the one from such a dynasty who never tolerates unrighteousness...' And by taking the name of Dasharatha, where dasha ratha 'ten way charioteer, or charioteer of ten chariots...' she is explaining 'my father-in-law chariots his one chariot in ten ways, whereas you can steer only one in one way, called lust... my father-in-law chariots ten chariots in a single instance, whereas you can handle only one, at any given time besides being dependent on the capability of auto-propelling Pushpaka aircraft, rather than on your own steersman's capability...
VERSE 3

रामो नाम स धर्मात्मा त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः
दीर्घ बाहुः विशालाक्षो दैवतम् स पतिः मम

rāmo nāma sa dharmātmā triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ
dīrgha bāhuḥ viśālākṣo daivatam sa patiḥ mama

SYNONYMS

[yasya daśarasya putraḥ: which, Dasharatha's, son is] | triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ: in three, worlds, highly, renowned | dīrgha bāhuḥ: lengthy, armed one [having ambidexterity] | viśāla akṣaḥ: wide, eyed [eagle-eyed, having perspicacity] | rāmaḥ nāma: Rama, known as | saḥ dharma ātmā: he, virtue-souled one | mama patiḥ: my, husband | daivatam: [my] godlike.] |

TRANSLATION

"Such a Dasharatha's son who is virtue-souled one, who is highly renowned in all the three worlds for his ambidexterity and perspicacity, and who is known as Rama is my husband and a god to me. [3-56-3]

PURPORT

Annex: 'And he is named as Rama because he causes rejoice in one and all, thus he is well renowned in all worlds, unlike you who are named as Ravana, meaning that 'the one who makes one and all rueful...' thus you are also well renowned in the worlds, but by your notoriety. On the other hand Rama is virtue-souled, unlike you a virtueless, meritless and lawless knave... and his ambidexterity contrasts with your guile-handedness, while his perceptiveness with your purblindness of the proximate problem of yours... such a husband's wife as I am, how do you think that I on my own get estranged from such a godlike husband of mine, unrighteously...
VERSE 4

इक्ष्वाकूणाम् कुले जातः सिंह स्कन्धो महाद्युतिः
लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा यः ते प्राणान् हरिष्यति

ikṣvākūṇām kule jātaḥ siṃha skandho mahādyutiḥ
lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā yaḥ te prāṇān hariṣyati

SYNONYMS

ikṣvākūṇām kule jātaḥ: in Ikshvaku's, dynasty, born in | simha skandhaḥ: lion, shoulders | mahā dyutiḥ: great, resplendent one | bhrātrā lakṣmaṇena saha: brother, with Lakshmana, along with | yaḥ te prāṇān hariṣyati: who, your, lives, will take away. |

TRANSLATION

"He who took birth in Ikshvaku's dynasty is a great-resplendent one with his shoulders like those of a lion, and who comes here along with similarly lion-shouldered and nearly great-resplendent brother of his, namely Lakshmana, to take your lives away. Such Rama is my husband. [3-56-4]

PURPORT

Annex: Ravana asked Seetha at 3-55-21 'what can you achieve with that dethroned, hapless, seer, vagrant Rama and who is short-lived, for after all, he is a human with littlest vitality?' Thus belittling Rama's possessions in the shape of palaces, riches and kingdoms. For that Seetha is now saying that Rama does not possess anything, but the whole world is possessed of him. saha lakshmaNa= sa ha lakshmaNa ; cihnaa naamno saha lakshmii ke saumitrau saa rasa striyaam 'Supreme Person's possession is the eternal opulence of the Universe...' para brahma mantraNayo 'one achievable by constant meditation upon Him alone...' To such Rama now adjoined is Lakshmana, the personified prosperity. As such, that Supreme Splendour has taken incarnation as Rama because of the curse of Anaranya. Thus, Seetha took the name of Ikshvaku dynasty. The curse of Anaranya: Anaranya is the ancestor of Rama in Ikshvaku dynasty. His son is Haryashva, a grandparent of Rama. When Ravana subjugated Anaranya, dying Anaranya curses Ravana to die at the hands of his great-grandson Rama in later generations. 'Such Ikshvaku will now come along with prosperous Lakshmana not only to belittle your opulence of falsity, but also to terminate such a vainglorious mischief... thus foxlike creatures like you cannot dare a lion, for he is lion-shouldered... and because you foxed Rama you are still alive, otherwise...' - continuation with next verse.
VERSE 5

प्रत्यक्षम् यदि अहम् तस्य त्वया स्याम् धर्षिता बलात्
शयिता त्वम् हतः संख्ये जनस्थाने यथा
खरः

pratyakṣam yadi aham tasya tvayā syām dharṣitā balāt
śayitā tvam hataḥ saṃkhye janasthāne yathā
kharaḥ

SYNONYMS

aham tvayā: I am, by you | tasya pratyakṣam: in his [Rama's,] presence | balāt: forcibly | dharṣitā syām yadi: humiliated, had I been, if | tvam: you | jana sthāne kharaḥ yathā: in Janasthaana, Khara, as with | sankhye hataḥ śayitā: in combat, killed, you would have been sprawling [on earth.] |

TRANSLATION

"Had I been forcibly humiliated by you in the presence of Rama, you too would have been killed by Rama in combat and by now you too would be sprawling on earth, as with Khara in Janasthaana, but you foxed him. However, such Rama is my husband. [3-56-5]

VERSE 6

य एते राक्षसाः प्रोक्ता घोर रूपा महाबलाः
राघवे निर्विषाः सर्वे सुपर्णे पन्नगा यथा

ya ete rākṣasāḥ proktā ghora rūpā mahābalāḥ
rāghave nirviṣāḥ sarve suparṇe pannagā yathā

SYNONYMS

ghora rūpā: with ghastly, forms | mahābalāḥ: gruellingly powerful | yaḥ [ye: ] = which | ete: all these | rākṣasāḥ proktā = demons, said to be: available with you | sarve: all of them | suparṇe: with respect to Garuda, the Divine Eagle | pannagā yathā: snakes, as with | rāghave: with regard to Raghava | nir viṣāḥ = devoid of, poison: futile. |

TRANSLATION

"Those demons who are spoken of you to be with ghastly forms and gruelling power, they all will become formless and powerless in face of Raghava, as with all snakes becoming non-poisonous earthworms in the face of Garuda, the Divine Eagle. Such Rama is my husband. [3-56-6]

PURPORT

Annex: 'You said that you have millions and millions of ghastly demons... but where are they, in the backyard of your house and behind your back? None has surfaced so far to confront my husband, for they are nothing but your kitchenware... and thus you are a gehe shuuraH 'a champion in your own home... a paper tiger...' boastful of your paper-thin-tigerish-ness before me, a solitary woman... thus you and your forces will be rendered ineffectual the minute you confront my husband...'
VERSE 7

तस्य ज्या विप्रमुक्ताः ते शराः कांचन भूषणाः
शरीरम् विधमिष्यन्ति गंगा कूलम् इव ऊर्मयः

tasya jyā vipramuktāḥ te śarāḥ kāṃcana bhūṣaṇāḥ
śarīram vidhamiṣyanti gaṃgā kūlam iva ūrmayaḥ

SYNONYMS

tasya = his: Rama's | jyā: from bowstring | vi pra muktāḥ: verily [directly,] unswervingly, unloosened | kāncana bhūṣaṇāḥ: in gold, decorated [gilded] | śarāḥ: arrows | ūrmayaḥ: waves | gangā kūlam iva: River Ganga's, riverbanks, as with | te śarīram: your, body | vi dhamiṣyanti: utterly, wallop. |

TRANSLATION

"Those gilded arrows of Rama unloosened directly and unswervingly from his bowstring will utterly batter your body, as the waves of River Ganga will be battering that river's riverbanks. Such Rama is my husband. [3-56-7]

PURPORT

Annex: 'What if Rama is dethroned or enthroned? He is not a 'hapless' person as observed by you, but he solitarily depends upon his self-confidence and a pair of skilful arms
VERSE 8

असुरैः वा सुरैः वा त्वम् यदि अवध्यो असि रावण
उत्पाद्य सुमहत् वैरम् जीवन् तस्य न मोक्ष्यसे

asuraiḥ vā suraiḥ vā tvam yadi avadhyo asi rāvaṇa
utpādya sumahat vairam jīvan tasya na mokṣyase

SYNONYMS

rāvaṇa: oh, Ravana | tvam: you | asuraiḥ vā suraiḥ vā: by demons, or, by gods, either | a vadhyaḥ: not, killable | asi yadi: you are, [even] if | su mahat vairam utpādya = very, great, animosity, on generating: hatching | jīvan: in aliveness | tasya na mokṣyase: by him [from Rama,] not, set free. |

TRANSLATION

"Even if you are unkillable either by gods or by demons, you Ravana, you will not be disenthralled by Rama while you are alive, for you hatched a very great animosity in him against you. [3-56-8]

PURPORT

Annex: 'Maybe god or demons or others, other than humans, cannot kill you... why the humans were slighted by you as your killing agents at the time of your seeking boons from Brahma, or at least at the time of my abduction why humans are disregarded... hence, that heedlessness alone becomes the very cause for your self-ruination...'
VERSE 9

स ते जीवित शेषस्य राघवो अन्त करो बली
पशोः यूप गतस्य इव जीवितम् तव दुर्लभम्

sa te jīvita śeṣasya rāghavo anta karo balī
paśoḥ yūpa gatasya iva jīvitam tava durlabham

SYNONYMS

balī saḥ rāghavaḥ: mighty one, he, that Raghava | te jīvita śeṣasya: your, life's, vestige of | anta karaḥ: end, maker [terminator] | yūpa gatasya paśoḥ iva: stake [of sacrifice,] on going [fastened to,] animal, as with | tava jīvitam dur labham: your, life, not, retrievable. |

TRANSLATION

"That mighty Rama will become the terminator of the vestige of your life, and as with an animal fastened to the stake of sacrifice your life too will become irretrievable. [3-56-9]

PURPORT

Annex: 'Even the beasts like cattle and goats when herded towards a slaughterhouse they will be apprehensively fearsome and walk closely and snugly, for they know not what will become of them... and for your part, your intellect is far too low than that of a beastie bovine... and you say vaingloriously that everything in every world fears you... firstly you fear for yourself as an animal tied to a stake... 'Rama's life itself is yaj~na 'a sacrificial ritual...' his actions are ritualistic performances... in which he sacrifices a dharma for the sake of dharma even by sacrificing his own comforts... and you said of him as a 'vagrant...' yes, his yaj~na is to be performed not by sitting in some hall of ritual, but meandering vagrantly... because entire earth is his hall of ritual... and now, you as a sacrificial beast are fastened to the stake of sacrifice by a rope called Seetha, and you be ready awaiting for your slaughter in that raama yaj~na
VERSE 10

यदि पश्येत् स रामः त्वाम् रोष दीप्तेन चक्षुषा
रक्षः त्वम् अद्य निर्दग्धो यथा रुद्रेण मन्मधः

yadi paśyet sa rāmaḥ tvām roṣa dīptena cakṣuṣā
rakṣaḥ tvam adya nirdagdho yathā rudreṇa manmadhaḥ

SYNONYMS

rakṣaḥ: oh, demon | saḥ rāmaḥ: he, that Rama | roṣa dīptena cakṣuṣā: rancour, torched, with eyes | tvām paśyet yadi: at you, he sees, if | adya: now | [sadyaḥ: promptly] | tvam nirdagdh: you, completely burnt down | rudreṇa manmadhaḥ yathā: by Rudra [the Furious Shiva,] Love-god, as with. |

TRANSLATION

"If he that Rama glances you with his rancour-torched eyes, you demon, you will be completely burnt down now itself, as with Love-god burnt down by Furious Shiva. [3-56-10]

PURPORT

Annex: 'exacting eroticism is an inexcusable impasse... did you not learn this lesson from the legend of your iSTa daiva 'most cherished god...' God Shiva, who burnt down the Love-god... and if there is any thinly separated state between love and lust, how then will you be unburnt by the furious glances of Rama for your lustfulness...
VERSE 11

यः चन्द्रम् नभसो भूमौ पातयेन् नाशयेत वा
सागरम् शोषयेत् वा अपि स सीताम् मोचयेत् इह

yaḥ candram nabhaso bhūmau pātayen nāśayeta vā
sāgaram śoṣayet vā api sa sītām mocayet iha

SYNONYMS

yaḥ = vho: which Rama | candram nabhasaḥ: moon, from sky | bhūmau pātayen: on earth, hurls down | : or else | nāśayeta: extirpates [if need be] | sāgaram śoṣayet vā api: ocean, desiccates, or, even | saḥ iha sītām mocayet: he that Rama, from here, Seetha, rescues. |

TRANSLATION

"He that Rama who hurls down the moon from skies onto earth, or else extirpates it if need be, or even desiccates an ocean, he alone rescues Seetha from here. [3-56-11]

PURPORT

Annex: 'You need not sit back gleefully thinking that none can cross over an ocean and come thither, presuming that 'a hundred-yojana ocean roundly enshrouds this Lanka...' Rama can dehydrate any ocean of any size in its entirety... thus he just walk on its sands in commissioning his mission...
VERSE 12

गत आयुः त्वम् गत श्रीकः गत सत्त्वो गत इन्द्रियः
लंका वैधव्य संयुक्ता त्वत् कृतेन भविष्यति

gata āyuḥ tvam gata śrīkaḥ gata sattvo gata indriyaḥ
laṃkā vaidhavya saṃyuktā tvat kṛtena bhaviṣyati

SYNONYMS

tvam: you | gata āyuḥ: with gone, livability | gata śrīkaḥ: with gone, prosperity | gata sattvaḥ: with gone, vivacity | gata indriyaḥ: with gone, senses [faculty] | tvat kṛtena = by your, dīd done: by the deed you have done in abducting me | lankā vaidhavya samyuktā bhaviṣyati: Lanka, with widowhood, enjoined [widowed,] it will be [Lanka will become a widow.] |

TRANSLATION

"Gone is your liveability, gone is your prosperity, gone is your vivacity, and gone is your faculty. Thus Lanka is widowed by a single deed of yours. [3-56-12]

PURPORT

Annex: 'as such, you yourself cannot be on the throne of Lanka since her widowhood is admonished by your single act of touching 'other man's wife' that is me, and in abducting me... wherewith you daydream and daresay to me 'you rule over this very great empire of Lanka as empress of Lanka...'
VERSE 13

न ते पापम् इदम् कर्म सुख उदर्कम् भविष्यति
या अहम् नीता विना भावम् पति पार्श्वात् त्वया वनात्

na te pāpam idam karma sukha udarkam bhaviṣyati
yā aham nītā vinā bhāvam pati pārśvāt tvayā vanāt

SYNONYMS

te idam pāpam karma: your, this, diabolic, deed | sukha udarkam: happiness, for ultimate fruition | na bhaviṣyati: not, it will be [yields] | : by which [deed] | aham: I am | tvayā vanāt: by you, from forest | pati pārśvāt: husband, from the side of | vinābhāvam: separation | nītā: dragged into [separated.] |

TRANSLATION

"In forest you have separated me from the propinquity of my husband, which diabolic deed of yours will not result in any ultimate happiness for you. [3-56-13]

PURPORT

Annex: you said to me, 'of what use is your thinking conversely about that long-lost Rama...' what else am I to do, for I am diabolically dragged away from him by you, as such I am, I am now contemplating upon that Rama alone to come here to handover 'a fruit of unhappiness' to you as a barter for my release...'
VERSE 14

स हि देवर दैवत संयुक्तो मम भर्ता महाद्युतिः
निर्भयो वीर्यम् आश्रित्य शून्ये वसति दण्डके

sa hi devara - daivata - saṃyukto mama bhartā mahādyutiḥ
nirbhayo vīryam āśritya śūnye vasati daṇḍake

SYNONYMS

mahādyutiḥ mama bhartā: great-resplendent one, my, husband | saḥ: he that Rama | vīryam āśritya: [his own] valour, hinging on to | nir bhayaḥ: without, fear [bravely] | devara [daivata ] samyuktaḥ: brother-in-law [or, God,] joined by [in tandem] | śūnye daṇḍake vasati hi: empty [eremitical,] in Dandaka, still residing | hi: in fact. |

TRANSLATION

"In fact, that great-resplendent husband of mine, Rama, is still residing in the eremitical Dandaka forest, bravely hinging on to his own valour, in tandem only with my brother-in-law. [3-56-14]

PURPORT

Annex: 'you said that you do not envisage 'him who can lead me back with his valour...' but my husband is still there in Dandaka along with his brother, both in tandem only with God Almighty, whose biting bravery and venomous valour are yet to be tasted by you... and if you too are brave enough, confront him to know whether I am winnable or otherwise...'
VERSE 15

स ते वीर्यम् दर्पम् बलम् उत्सेकम् च तथा विधम्
अपनेष्यति गात्रेभ्यः शर वर्षेण संयुगे

sa te vīryam darpam balam utsekam ca tathā vidham
apaneṣyati gātrebhyaḥ śara varṣeṇa saṃyuge

SYNONYMS

saḥ = he: my husband Rama | samyuge śara varṣeṇa: in combat, arrow, by storms of | te gātrebhyaḥ: your, from limbs | darpam balam vīryam: insolence, arrogance, puissance | tathā vidham: in that, way | utsekam: impudence | apa neṣyati = to side, leads: expels. |

TRANSLATION

"With storms of his arrows in a given combat my husband will dislodge arrogance, insolence, puissance, like that impudence from every limb of yours. [3-56-15]

PURPORT

Annex: 'for yours is only bodily might as you have said 'I behold none matchable to my vitality...' and no spiritual or ethical, or whatsoever merits abide in you... thus, should you confront an ethical and scrupulous combatant, evanished are your bodily vanities...'
VERSE 16

यदा विनाशो भूतानाम् दृश्यते काल चोदितः
तदा कार्ये प्रमाद्यन्ति नराः काल वशम् गताः

yadā vināśo bhūtānām dṛśyate kāla coditaḥ
tadā kārye pramādyanti narāḥ kāla vaśam gatāḥ

SYNONYMS

bhūtānām: for birthed beings | yadā kāla coditaḥ vināśaḥ dṛśyate: as [and when,] time, actuated, ruination, manifests | tadā narāḥ kāla vaśam gatāḥ: then, humans [created beings,] Time's, under control, having gone in | kārye pramādyanti: in actions [behaviour,] endangers [places themselves.] |

TRANSLATION

"As and when ruination of created beings manifests actuated by Time, then all of them will place their behaviour in endangerment, as they have gone under the control of End-Time. [3-56-16]

PURPORT

Annex: 'you said to me that 'by your damnable dwelling in forests, bygone is your bad-luck which you misdealt in bygone times...' and I agree for that assertion of yours as my damnable bad-luck is nearing its completion, but your damnable, ill-lucky, self-ruinous time as started, and hence you are placing your behaviour in endangerment, by this quirkish act of abducting me...'
VERSE 17

माम् प्रधृष्य स ते कालः प्राप्तो अयम् रक्षस अधम
आत्मनो राक्षसानाम् च वधाय अन्तः पुरस्य

mām pradhṛṣya sa te kālaḥ prāpto ayam rakṣasa adhama
ātmano rākṣasānām ca vadhāya antaḥ purasya
ca

SYNONYMS

rakṣasa adhama: oh, demon, basely | mām pradhṛṣya: me, on molesting | ātmanaḥ: for yourself | rākṣasānām ca: for [all] demons, also | antaḥ purasya ca: for interior [Queen's,] Chambers, also | vadhāya: for devastation | ayam: this | saḥ kālaḥ = that, time: [end time] | te prāptaḥ: to you, bechanced. |

TRANSLATION

"This is that time which has bechanced on you owing to your molesting me, you basely demon, by which time-factor yourself, all of your demons, and even all of your queens in the Chambers of Queens will be devastated. [3-56-17]

PURPORT

Annex: You said that I will become an empress among all females you brought. I need not become an empress for the 'countless females of finest fabric you amassed...' Because all those females have yielded themselves to you, and they are going to be devastated and evanished along with their Chambers of Queens, which chambers you endowed to them as gifts. But Rama will rescue others who are still captivated yet reticent. Where is the question of my becoming an empress of dead souls?
VERSE 18

न शक्या यज्ञ मध्यस्था वेदिः स्रुक् भाण्ड मण्डिता
द्विजाति मंत्र संपूता चण्डालेन अवमर्दितुम्

na śakyā yajña madhyasthā vediḥ sruk bhāṇḍa maṇḍitā
dvijāti maṃtra saṃpūtā caṇḍālena avamarditum

SYNONYMS

yajña madhyasthā: ritual [hall,] amidst | sruk bhāṇḍa maṇḍitā: oblational, vessels, surrounded with | dvijāti mantra sampūtā ca: by Brahman's [Vedic,] hymns, sanctified by, further | vediḥ: Fire-altar | caṇḍālena ava marditum: by profaner, to heavily tread on | na śakyā: not, possible. |

TRANSLATION

"It is impossible for a profaner to heavily tread on the Altar of Fire amidst a Ritual Hall surrounded by oblational vessels, further sanctified by Vedic hymns. [3-56-18]

PURPORT

Annex: 'Liken me to that Altar of Fire, centrally located in the ritual hall of Rama, namely the whole earth, and liken the oblational receptacles to nature's bounties like lakes, rivers, mountains, trees, and liken the offerings to flowers, fruits, and waters, and liken Vedic sound to the background drone of nature... and every bit of it is sanctified by all the hymns of Veda-s, as all Veda-s glorify them, the components of nature alone... and you profaner... it is impossible for you tread on this Fire Altar, that is me, blasphemously...' This expression caNDaal has its own impact. Though this is amplified elsewhere it is reiterated here also. The nomenclature of caNDaal is not the present day 'untouchable' 'outcaste' or a 'pariah' etc., because he is also a member and an important functionary in Hindu system of castes. The analogy is between the Vedic-scholar and profaner, [meaning: one who is not initiated into religious rites or any esoteric knowledge...] and between the Altar of Fire and Fire of Pyre, and between the Vedic Ritual and Funeral Rites, both involving Vedic-hymns. A Vedic scholar may perhaps conduct a yaj~na but he is no authority to conduct antya kriya 'funerals' till its end. At best, a priest's function is until the lighting of the pyre, and even perhaps until kapaala moksha 'breakage of cranium...' and from then on it is the function of this caNDaal to take care of the corpse consigned to fire and for its complete cremation, since leaving half burnt corpse to vultures and foxes or wolves, is sinning. Thus, if a Vedic scholar conducts jaata aadi kriyaaH 'rites from birth onwards...' as an initiator, whereas a caNDaal conducts antya, uttara kriyaaH 'rites of death afterwards...' as a terminator. Thus, Ravana being a Vedic scholar is now conducting himself as a self-cremator.
VERSE 19

तथा अहम् धर्म नित्यस्य धर्म पत्नी दृढ व्रता
त्वया संप्रष्टुम् न शक्या अहम् राक्षसाधम
पापिना

tathā aham dharma nityasya dharma patnī dṛḍha vratā
tvayā saṃpraṣṭum na śakyā aham rākṣasādhama
pāpinā

SYNONYMS

rākśasa adhama: oh, demon, basely | tathā = likevise: on par with Rama | dharma nityasya: in righteousness, one who steadied himself | dharma patnī: legitimate, wife | dṛḍha vratā: solemnly, pledged [wife] | aham: such as I am | pāpinā tvayā sampraṣṭum: by a trespasser, by you, to touch | aham na śakyā = ī am, not, possible: impossible. |

TRANSLATION

"Likewise, I am the solemnly pledged legitimate wife of one who steadied himself in righteousness, and such as I am, you basely demon, it is impossible for you trespasser to touch me even. [3-56-19]

VERSE 20

क्रीडन्ती राज हंसेन पद्म ष।न्डेषु नित्यशः
हंसी सा तृण षण्डस्थम् कथम् द्रक्षेत मद्गुकम्

krīḍantī rāja haṃsena padma ṣa|nḍeṣu nityaśaḥ
haṃsī sā tṛṇa ṣaṇḍastham katham drakṣeta madgukam

SYNONYMS

padma ṣanḍeṣu: in lotuses, bunches | nityaśaḥ: ever | rāja hamsena krīḍantī: with majestic, swans, sporting [frolicking] | sā hamsī: she, that she-swan | tṛṇa ṣaṇḍastham = grass, abiding in bunc: sneaking in a bunch of grass | madgukam: at water-crow | katham drakśeta: how, leers at. |

TRANSLATION

"How a she-swan ever frolicking with majestic swans in bunches of lotuses can leer at a water-crow sneaking in a bunch of grass? [3-56-20]

VERSE 21

इदम् शरीरम् निःसंज्ञम् बन्ध वा घातयस्व वा
न इदम् शरीरम् रक्ष्यम् मे जीवितम् वा अपि राक्षस

idam śarīram niḥsaṃjñam bandha vā ghātayasva vā
na idam śarīram rakṣyam me jīvitam vā api rākṣasa

SYNONYMS

, 22a: rākśasa: oh, demon | niḥ sanjñam: less of, feelings [inertial] | idam śarīram: this, body | bandha: you trammel | : or | ghātayasva: vandalise | me idam śarīram: to me, [either] this, body | jīvitam vā api: life, or, even | rakṣyam: saveable | na = not: no need | tu: but | pṛthivyām: on earth | ātmanaḥ: for myself | upakrośam: disrepute | dhātum na śakyāmi: to bear with, not, tolerant I am. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, demon, you may either trammel or vandalise this inertial body of mine. I claim neither this body nor life of mine as my own. But I am intolerant to bear with any disrepute on this earth." Thus Seetha castigated Ravana. [3-56-21, 22a]

PURPORT

Annex: 'my father endowed me to Rama bodily in kanyaa daana 'bride betrothal...' and I soulfully resigned my soul, let alone my life, unto that Rama by my vara sviikaara, paaNi grahaNa... 'marriage...' as such I cannot reclaim my body and soul from Rama for placement in other's unworthy hands... thereby it is up Rama to win back his wife, or it is up to you to tangle, mangle, and wrangle with these ideas...' Nobility is nobler than life. Hence, it is to be protected even at the cost of one's own life... anena praaNa parityaagena api loka apavaada pariharaNa puurvakam yashaH samrakShNiiyam iti suucitam - tathaa ca raghu vamshe kaalidaasaH - api sva dehaat kim uta indriya arthaat yashodhaanaanam hi yasho gariiyaH - dk
VERSE 22

एवम् उक्त्वा तु वैदेही क्रोद्धात् सु परुषम् वचः

evam uktvā tu vaidehī kroddhāt su paruṣam vacaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 23a| vaidehī maithilī: princess of Videha, Maithili | kroddhāt: with fury | rāvaṇam: to Ravana | evam: in that way | su paruṣam vacaḥ uktvā: highly, caustic, words, on speaking | tatra: therein [that matter] | punaḥ kimcana na uvāca: further, no more, not, spoke. |

TRANSLATION

Vaidehi on speaking those highly caustic words angrily to Ravana in this way, she that Maithili spoke no more in that matter. [3-56-22b, 23a]

VERSE 23

सीताया वचनम् श्रुत्वा परुषम् रोम हर्षणम्

sītāyā vacanam śrutvā paruṣam roma harṣaṇam

SYNONYMS

b, 24a| sītāyāḥ: Seetha's | paruṣam roma harṣaṇam vacanam śrutvā: scathing, hair, raising, words [censures,] on hearing | [rāvaṇaḥ: Ravana] | tataḥ: then | sītām: to Seetha | bhaya sandarśanam vacaḥ: fear, showing [intimidatory,] words [chides] | prati uvāca = in turn, said: retorted. |

TRANSLATION

On hearing Seetha's scathing and hair-raising censures, then Ravana retorted with these intimidatory chides. [3-56-23b, 24a]

VERSE 24

शृणु मैथिलि मत् वाक्यम् मासान् द्वादश भामिनि

śṛṇu maithili mat vākyam māsān dvādaśa bhāmini

SYNONYMS

b, 25| maithili: oh, Maithili | bhāmini: oh, lady in anger | mat vākyam śṛṇu: my, words, you listen | dvā daśa māsān: two, ten [twelve,] months | cāru hāsini: oh, smiley, smiler | anena kālena: by that, time | mām na abhyeṣi yadi: of me, do not, you come nigh, if | tataḥ: then | sūdāḥ: cooks | tvām: you | prātaḥ āśā artham: morning, meal [/ quarters,] for purpose of | leśaśaḥ: to pieces | chetsyanti: they slice you. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, angry lady Maithili, listen to my words. A period of twelve months is given to you. And oh, smiley smiler, if you do not come nigh of me within that period, then the cooks will slice you to pieces for the purpose of a morning meal." [3-56-24b, 25]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: Ravana the devotee is saying: 'I will wait for a period of twelve months... and if I am na abhyeSi 'unblessed...' tataH tvaam uddishya 'then, on your account...' praataH 'morning, next morning after twelve month period...' aashaa artham 'for the purpose of crows, eagles and vultures in direction, quarters...' suudaaH 'cooks...' maam Chesyanti 'me, they slice to pieces...' mat aaj~nayaa, iti shesaH 'by my order, thus ellipted...' 'I will wait for a period of twelve months... and if I am unblessed even by that time, by my order my cooks will slice me to pieces for the morning meal of vultures in all the directions of compass, as a kind of self-immolation by getting sliced to pieces as I will become unworthy for your grace...' Tiirtha. If one king conquers another and lay seize to queens, a twelve month time is given to the defeated king to regain his captivated queens, by making another round of combat. If the defeated king is unable to do so, or reluctant to do so, the captivated queens of the defeated king automatically belong to the conquering king after twelve months, raja niita - shaanti parva - Maha Bharata.
VERSE 26

इति उक्त्वा परुषम् वाक्यम् रावणः शत्रु रावणः
राक्षसीः च ततः क्रुद्ध इदम् वचनम् अब्रवीत्

iti uktvā paruṣam vākyam rāvaṇaḥ śatru rāvaṇaḥ
rākṣasīḥ ca tataḥ kruddha idam vacanam abravīt

SYNONYMS

śatru rāvaṇaḥ rāvaṇaḥ: [his] enemies, one who make to bewail, such Ravana | iti paruṣam vākyam uktvā: thus, harsh, words, on saying | tataḥ kruddha: then, infuriated one | rākṣasīḥ idam vacanam abravīt: to [guarding] demonesses, this, sentence, said. |

TRANSLATION

Thus on saying those harsh words, Ravana, the one who makes his enemies to bewail, and who is now infuriated said this sentence to the guarding demonesses. [3-56-26]

VERSE 27

शीघ्रम् एव हि राक्षस्यो विकृता घोर दर्शनाः
दर्पम् अस्या अपनेष्यन्तु मांस शोणित भोजनाः

śīghram eva hi rākṣasyo vikṛtā ghora darśanāḥ
darpam asyā apaneṣyantu māṃsa śoṇita bhojanāḥ

SYNONYMS

vikṛtā ghora darśanāḥ: gnarled ones, grisly, in mien | māmsa śoṇita bhojanāḥ: meat, blood, eaters of | rākṣasyaḥ: oh, demonesses | śīghram eva: immediately, only | asyāḥ darpam apaneṣyantu: her, pride, you remove. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, gnarled demonesses of grisly mien and devourers of meat and blood, you have to indeed remove her pride immediately. [3-56-27]

PURPORT

dhvani/innuendo: 'Oh, demonesses you now immediately become a+ vikR^itaa 'not, ghastly, not gnarled...' darpam vinaa 'your pride, without...' asyaat samiipe 'in her proximity, in her audience...' iSyadhvam 'be servitors...' 'Oh, demonesses of gnarled grisly mien and devourers of meat and blood, now you immediately become presentable, casting off your gnarled and ghastly appearances... and without your personal pride be in her servitude as servitors in her audience... for she is my Goddess Lakshmi...'
VERSE 28

वचनात् एव ताः तस्य विकृता घोर दर्शनाः
कृत प्रांजलयो भूत्वा मैथिलीम् पर्यवारयन्

vacanāt eva tāḥ tasya vikṛtā ghora darśanāḥ
kṛta prāṃjalayo bhūtvā maithilīm paryavārayan

SYNONYMS

vikṛtā ghora darśanāḥ: grotesque, ugly, in appearance | tāḥ: those | [rākśasī gaṇāḥ: demonesses, groups of | tasya: his [Ravana's] | vacanāt eva = by vordds [order of,] only: just by that order | kṛta prānjalayaḥ bhūtvā = made, palm: fold, they on becoming - obedient | maithilīm paryavārayan: around Maithili, encircled. |

TRANSLATION

Just by that order of Ravana those demonesses of grotesque and ugly appearance have obediently made palm-fold to him and encircled Maithili. [3-56-28]

VERSE 29

स ताः प्रोवाच राजा तु रावणो घोर दर्शनाः
प्रचाल्य चरण उत्कर्षैः दारयन् इव मेदिनीम्

sa tāḥ provāca rājā tu rāvaṇo ghora darśanāḥ
pracālya caraṇa utkarṣaiḥ dārayan iva medinīm

SYNONYMS

rājā saḥ rāvaṇaḥ tu: who is king, he, that Ravana, on his part | caraṇa utkarṣaiḥ: with feet's, stamping | medinīm pracālya: earth, made to shatter | dārayan iva: to cleave [earth,] as though | tāḥ ghora darśanāḥ: to them, to ghastly demonesses, in look | pra uvāca: clearly, said. |

TRANSLATION

That king Ravana paced in an earth-shattering manner as though to cleave it and clearly said this to those demonesses with ghastly look. [3-56-29]

VERSE 30

अशोक वनिका मध्ये मैथिली नीयताम् इति
तत्र इयम् रक्ष्यताम् गूढम् युष्माभिः परिवारिता

aśoka vanikā madhye maithilī nīyatām iti
tatra iyam rakṣyatām gūḍham yuṣmābhiḥ parivāritā

SYNONYMS

[iyam: this] | maithilī: Maithili | aśoka vanikā madhye: Ashoka, gardens, centre of | nīyatām = śe is to be led: taken away | tatra iyam: there, she | yuṣmābhiḥ parivāritā: by you all, by blockading | gūḍham rakṣyatām: stealthily, guarded | iti: thus |

TRANSLATION

"Let this Maithili be taken to the centre of Ashoka gardens, where you all shall blockade and guard her stealthily. [3-56-30]

VERSE 31

तत्र एनाम् तर्जनैः घोरैः पुनः सांत्वैः च मैथिलीम्
आनयध्वम् वशम् सर्वा वन्याम् गज वधूम्
इव

tatra enām tarjanaiḥ ghoraiḥ punaḥ sāṃtvaiḥ ca maithilīm
ānayadhvam vaśam sarvā vanyām gaja vadhūm
iva

SYNONYMS

tatra: there | sarvāḥ: all of you | enām maithilīm: at her, at Maithili | ghoraiḥ: with dreadful [admonitions] | tarjanaiḥ: [pointing the] forefingers, [threateningly] | punaḥ sāntvaiḥ ca: again, imploringly [speaking,] also | vanyām gaja vadhūm iva: in forest [wild,] elephant, bride [she-elephant,] as with | vaśam ānayadhvam: under control, you shall bring her. |

TRANSLATION

"You threaten her with dreadful admonitions and again speaking imploringly you all have to bring her under control, as a wild she-elephant of age will be brought under control. [3-56-31]

PURPORT

Annex: Ravana the devotee's the caution is: vinaa tarjaniaH 'without threats, tame her; or tarjanaiH vinaa ghoraiH where vinaa 'without...' is ellipted by commentators and said 'threats without dreadfulness... 'You as demons are already habituated to threat sages and saints till their death... but, mind it... just threaten Maithili till threat-tolerability... do not overdo it, lest she may die of threats... again brainwash her with good words of me and my generosity... if Maithili is dead at your hands deem that you and your families are effaced... for I cherish Maithili to live...'
VERSE 32

इति प्रति समादिष्टा राक्षस्यो रावणेन ताः
अशोक वनिकाम् जग्मुः मैथिलीम् परिगृह्य तु

iti prati samādiṣṭā rākṣasyo rāvaṇena tāḥ
aśoka vanikām jagmuḥ maithilīm parigṛhya tu

SYNONYMS

, 33| rāvaṇena iti: by Ravana, in this way | prati sam ādiṣṭā = tovards, clearly, ordered: demonesses who are ordered | tāḥ rākṣasyāḥ: those, demonesses | maithilīm parigṛhya tu: Maithili, on taking, on their part | sarva kāma phalaiḥ: to every, savour, having fruits | nānā puṣpa phalaiḥ: having diverse, flowers, fruits | vṛkṣaiḥ = vith suc: trees | vṛtām: surrounded with | sarva kāla madaiḥ dvijaiḥ: at all, time, lusty, by birds | sam upa sevitām: highly adored | aśoka vanikām jagmuḥ: to Ashoka, gardens, they went. |

TRANSLATION

When Ravana has clearly ordered, those demonesses on their part took Maithili to Ashoka garden. That Ashoka gardens are surrounded with trees that yield fruits to every savour, and now they are diversely flowered and fruited. Further, those gardens are highly adored by all-time lusty birds. [3-56-32, 33]

VERSE 34

सा तु शोक परीत अंगी मैथिली जनकात्मजा
राक्षसी वशम् आपन्ना व्याघ्रीणाम् हरिणी यथा

sā tu śoka parīta aṃgī maithilī janakātmajā
rākṣasī vaśam āpannā vyāghrīṇām hariṇī yathā

SYNONYMS

śoka parīta angī: with anguish, coverall, body | janaka ātmajā: Janaka's, daughter | sā maithilī tu: she, that Maithili, on her part | hariṇī vyāghrīṇām yathā: she-deer, to tigresses, as good as | rākṣasī vaśam āpannā: demonesses, controlling, obtained. |

TRANSLATION

But she that Janaka's daughter Maithili whose body is with a coverall of anguish, further on obtaining the control of demonesses, she is as good as a she-deer under the coverall of tigresses. [3-56-34]

VERSE 35

शोकेन महता ग्रस्ता मैथिली जनकात्मजा
न शर्म लभते भीरुः पाश बद्धा मृगी यथा

śokena mahatā grastā maithilī janakātmajā
na śarma labhate bhīruḥ pāśa baddhā mṛgī yathā

SYNONYMS

mahatā śokena grastā: by utmost, agony, consumed by | bhīruḥ = timorous one: Seetha / she-deer | janaka ātmajā maithilī: Janaka's, daughter, Maithili | pāśa baddhā mṛgī yathā: tether, bound, she-deer, as with | śarma na labhate: placidity, not, obtained. |

TRANSLATION

Maithili, the daughter of Janaka, who is already consumed by utmost agony has not obtained any placidity now as with a she-deer bound by tether - where timorousness is common to both. [3-56-35]

VERSE 36

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये अरण्य काण्डे षट् पंचाशः सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye araṇya kāṇḍe ṣaṭ paṃcāśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

virūpa netrābhiḥ: by [demonesses] with bizarre, eyes | atīva tarjitā: highly, intimidated | maithilī: Maithili | tatra śarma na vindate: there [in captivity,] peace, not, knows | dayitam patim: about dear, husband | devaram ca: of brother-n-law Lakshmana, too | smarantī: while reminiscing | bhaya śoka pīḍitā: with alarm, with anguish, distraught | vi cetanā: with, animation [swooned] | abhūt: she became. |

TRANSLATION

Maithili knows no peace when the bizarre-eyed demonesses have highly intimidated her, and by shut-seeing those demonesses her reminiscences went over to her dear husband and about her brother-in-law Lakshmana too, and when she felt about the improbability of their coming here, she is distraught with alarm and anguish, and then she swooned. [3-56-36]

PURPORT

Is Seetha really the Goddess Lakshmi? This question is often raised and answered by commentators. Ravana kidnapped umpteen numbers of beautiful women and goddess, but why his dialogues with Seetha are given many shades of meanings by all most all commentators. Is this for proving Ravana as devotee or else to prove that Seetha is not a human but Goddess Lakshmi - is the collateral objection. Apparently, Seetha is behaving like a normal woman but latently her speeches, verbiage, or the words put by Valmiki on her tongue, indicate that she is an all-powerful enigma... without saying who she is. If she is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi how then can Ravana lift her up and carry this far - is the next dilemma, because Ravana's strength becomes useless to lift up Lakshmana who swooned on the battlefield when Ravana used Shakti missile. In Yuddha Kaanda Ch. 59 verse 111 it is said: himavaan mandaro meroH trai lokyam vaa saha amaraiH | shakyam bhujaabhyaam uddhartum na shakyo bharata anujaH 'Ravana may have lifted Mt. Himavan, Mt. Mandara, Mt. Meru or all the three worlds along with all gods, but he could not lift up Bharata's brother Lakshmana with both of his shoulders...' Ravana wanted to distance fiercer Lakshmana from Rama so that Rama's intensity of warring lessens. Then an episode of this lifting occurs and Hanuma on seeing this comes to Ravana and hits Ravana with fist, by which Ravana falls distantly with blood effusing from eyes, ears, and mouth. Then Hanuma easily lifts up Lakshmana and takes him to Rama. A man in swoon will not weigh differently to two different lifters. How then Ravana could not lift Lakshmana, which is not at all a great feat to Hanuma? For this the very next verse 112 gives a reply saying that: 'even if Lakshmana is hit by Shakti missile of Brahma, he is conscious of himself as an unimaginable entity of God Vishnu, so Ravana could not lift Lakshmana. Whereas Hanuma happened to be a true devotee of God Almighty, he could easily lift Lakshmana...' Then the original topic of Ravana's lifting and carrying off Seetha comes to fore. She is also another unimaginable entity of Supreme Person. How then can Ravana lift her? For this it is said that Seetha allowed herself to be carried off by Ravana as she pledged in the incarnation of Vedavati. The legend goes on to say that Vedavati is the brainchild of a sage called Kushadhwaja, and he decides to give Vedavati only to Vishnu in marriage. But it is an unfulfilled desire in his lifetime. Then Vedavati starts a rigorous penance to achieve her father's wish. When she is at the culmination point of her penance, Ravana passing that way in skyway sees this beautiful lady, nears, and disturbs her penance. Vedavati coming out of her meditation curses Ravana saying that she will reincarnate herself to destroy Ravana and his entire dynasty. Then she causes a yogic fire and immolates herself in it. Ravana took this as prattle by a woman-hermit, dismisses that curse, and conveniently forgets it. Later, Ravana being an ardent devotee of Shiva, on one day when he enters a lake to get lotuses for his daily worship of Shiva, and finds among lotuses a baby in a lotus. He brings that lotus and the baby to his palace, in all his fondness for children. But his empress Mandodari doubts the arrival of this baby in lotus and recognises that baby as Goddess Lakshmi. They consult their teachers about that baby's arrival. Those teachers, priests and pundits advise to get rid of this baby immediately, for she is Vedavati, arrived here only to end Ravana and his dynasty. Then Mandodari orders the servants to carry away this baby in a casket, and bury it. Empress Mandodari further curses that girl saying: 'this faithless girl [for Wealth has no faithfulness, and this girl is recognised as Goddess Lakshmi - presiding deity of Wealth,] will thrive only in a house, where the householder has his senses conquered, and who being an emperor lives like a perfect hermit, and who though wealthy and supreme by himself, will care nothing for the riches but view whole of the world and people as his own soul, with an impartial attitude...' Mandodari thought that such a person is an impossibility to take birth in this mortal world, and thus presumed this curse to be twisty. But there is King Janaka who has all these attributes. A king without ego, wealthy one living simple, childless but yet does not crave for children, like King Dasharatha. Hence, he is called raajarshi a saintly king. While King Janaka was about to perform a Vedic ritual, he had to till some piece of land as a ceremonial act to commence that ritual. Then this casket with the baby is touched to the blade at the end of plough-beam and that plough halted. The attendants dug up that area only to find this casket with baby. The childless Janaka takes the baby into his arms and names her as 'Seetha...' where Seetha in Sanskrit means 'furrow.' This is as per aananda raamaayaNa Thus, Goddess Lakshmi became Vedavati and Vedavati became Seetha of Ramayana, as such Valmiki calls his Ramayana siithaayaH charitam mahaan... Then another counter objection - it is all correct to say that all puraaNaa-s say that these characters in Ramayana as gods and goddesses, as Vishnu Puraana says raaghavatve havat siitaa rukmiNii kR^iSNa jananii . But does Valmiki say it in his epic? For this it is answered, though it is not said explicitly there are many instances indicating towards this divinity of Seetha. Seetha asks Fire-god to become cool for Hanuma, when his tail is burnt saying siito bhava hanumataa and likewise she could have said hato bhava raavaNa 'dead you are Ravana...' But she does not say so for, because Rama has to undertake that process of elimination of vice called Ravana. As Seetha said in Sundara Kanda Ch. 22, verse 20: a sandeshaat tu raamasya tapasaH ca anupaalanaat | na tvaam kurmi dashagriiva bhasma bhasmaarha tejasaa || 'As I have no indication from Rama to burn you down, nor do I wish to waste my ascetic power, therefore I do not burn you to ashes, though you are worthy to become a mound of ash...' na apahartum aham shkyaa tvayaa raamasya dhiimataH | vidhiH tava vadha arthaaya vihito na atra samshayaH || 'I am un-seizable for [any] as I am the wife of bold Rama, but it happened so, for you are fated to doom [you could seize me...] undoubtedly...' Again in Yuddha Kanda Brahma in eulogising Rama for eliminating Ravana says in Ch. 117, verse 28: siitaa lakshmiiH bhavaan viSNuH... 'Seetha is Lakshmi and you are Vishnu...' Like this, there are many bits and pieces of information to establish her as an incarnate of Vedavati alias Goddess Lakshmi. Govindaraja. Then why she and Rama behaved like humans in their wailing, moaning, and bawling is again a secondary query. This is according to loka riiti, laukika vidhaana 'humanly nature, behaviour in human world...' Though this humanly behaviour is not innate trait as Rama says aatmaanam aham maanuSam manye 'I for myself confess to be human...' Hence this humanly wailing and bawling are due to an adopted human behaviour, where incarnation itself is an adaptation. Their humanly behaviour is to show themselves as one with the humans, asking humans to undergo these series of sufferings to eliminate unrighteousness, either in the society or within themselves. Besides, their mission is to make believe Ravana that they are just humans, as Ravana is killable by humans and monkeys, but not to hoodwink readers, the adherents or all of us put together. Maheshvara Tiirtha. This incarceration of Seetha in Ashoka gardens is viewed as the incarceration of the innate soul in birthed being's body. The release from that body, namely moksha is achievable only when that being wants a perfect release by transcending the threefold nature consisting of sattva, rajas, tamo guNaaH 'purity, activity and stolidity...' and with an unswerving devotion to the Supreme as said in Gita, 14-26: maam ca yo avyabhicaareNa bhakti yogena sevate | sa guNaan samatiitya etaan brahma bhuuya kalpate || 'And such- / With single, fervent faith adoring Me, / Passing beyond the Qualities, conforms / To Brahma, and attains Me!' - Sir Edwin Arnold. God Almighty is said to be masculine single, the rest of the universe is taken as feminine, as said in Vishnu Puraana: sa eva vaasudevo ayam saakShaat puruSha ucyate | strii praayam etat sarvam jagat brahma purassaram || Then the way the innate soul, called Seetha, is incarcerated is, when she had no help of the Supreme or the Adherent of the Supreme, [Rama and Lakshmana.] Then the Decahedral demon [the demon called Ten Motor Senses,] came and captured the Soul, called Seetha and incarcerated that soul in Lanka. The syllable 'lam' in the word Lanka is lam - biijaakshara which stands for earth, and because body is earthly, lascivious and carnal, the soul enters that body by its bondage. If that soul again tries for a final release, that soul shall seek the Ultimate as said in the verse of Gita, quoted above. There is no instance to quote that Rama or Seetha have performed some miracles, special effects or any other optical works... perhaps due to lack of any FX studio or something like that, or due to their humanly behaviour. This wizardry is shown by demons and monkeys but not by mannish Rama or womanish Seetha. Yet Seetha is held more enigmatic than Rama. If she is not an enigma how she footslogged miles and miles in forests without hiring a taxi, and how she came out of blazing fire when she performed self-immolation after Great War? These are but two questions among many. Because these questions are never-ending and more enigmatic, because we think that we have deciphered what Rama is, it is better retain Seetha as an undecipherable enigma.