Seetha Defiled


Link to Ramayana Aranyakanda sarga 43.
We seem to explain every action of Rama and justify it by tainting others character. Typical Indian Nature (We insult others to show us in high moral ground). If Rama is a hero he should stand scrutiny, based on his actions. If it is inexplicable then so it is. But our Upanyasakars (preachers) take the easy way out by changing the story slightly.
Why did Rama run after the golden Deer. Because Seetha insisted that she wants it. She implored Rama to get it for her. This in spite of, Rama’s warning her about the Deer being a demon. Correct. No.
Now the correct story is. Maareecha converts himself into a very delightful deer with extraordinary characteristics such as antlers with sapphire, skin of golden hue etc (3-42-15 to 19).Ambles to Rama’s Ashram and freely moves about until Seetha sees it 3-42-32अनर्हा अरण्य वासस्य सा तम् रत्नमयम् मृगम् ||
मुक्ता मणि विचित्र अंगम् ददर्श परम अंगना |
That select lady who is unmeet for forest life beheld that deer which is completely gemlike and whose limbs are surprising as though studded with pearls and gems.
. She starts to call Rama and Lakshmana to see the deer 3-43-3आहूय आहूय च पुनः तम् मृगम् साधु वीक्षते |
आगच्छ आगच्छ शीघ्रम् वै आर्यपुत्र सह अनुज ||
Oh, noble prince, come here," thus she called her husband and peered at the deer,and again she called,"really come with your younger brother quickly," and again gazed at the deer, and thus she oftentimes called and oftentimes saw the deer fondly.
. Immediately Lakshmana warns Rama in clear terms that it is Maareecha 3-43-5शंकमानः तु तम् दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मणो रामम् अब्रवीत् |
तम् एव एनम् अहम् मन्ये मारीचम् राक्षसम् मृगम् ||
But Lakshmana became incredulous on seeing it and said to Rama, "I believe this deer to be that Maareecha, the demon.
. Details to Rama of Mareecha’s activities 3-43-7वानरेन्द्रो महावीर्यः तेजोवान् अमित प्रभः |
सत्य संधो विनीतः च धृतिमान् मतिमान् महान् ||
He that Sugreeva is a masterful one among vanara-s,highly mettlesome, self-resplendent,and illimitable is his self-radiance... and he is also truth-bound and culture-bound...a mastermind, master-hand and a taskmaster.
.Thus Lakshmana gives timely warning to Rama. Seetha interrupts him and asks 3-43-9एवम् ब्रुवाणम् काकुत्स्थम् प्रतिवार्य शुचि स्मिता |
उवाच सीता संहृष्टा चद्मना हृत चेतना ||
While Lakshmana of Kakutstha-s is speaking thus, she who is self-satisfied as her heart is conjured by the cozenage, such a Seetha of a toothy smile deterred him and spoke.
for the deer 3-43-10आर्यपुत्र अभिरामो असौ मृगो हरति मे मनः |
आनय एनम् महाबाहो क्रीडार्थम् नः भविष्यति||
Oh, nobleman's son, that delightful deer is stealing my heart,oh, dextrous one,bring it round, it will be our plaything.
. Praises the deer as a good plaything (3-43-10 to15). Says it is a good plaything even on return to Ayodya 3-43-17समाप्त वन वासानाम् राज्य स्थानाम् च नः पुनः |
अंतःपुरे विभूषार्थो मृग एष भविष्यति||
When we return to kingdom on completing our dwelling in forest this deer becomes a masterpiece in palace-chambers for us.
. If it cannot be captured its skin will be of high value 3-43-20निहतस्य अस्य सत्त्वस्य जांबूनदमय त्वचि |
शष्प बृस्याम् विनीतायाम् इच्छामि अहम् उपासितुम्||
I wish to sit along with you on its golden deerskin,overlaying it on a seat of tender darbha grass-blades,in case the deer is felled.
. And in the very next sloka waits for Rama’s Response 3-43-21कामवृत्तम् इदम् रौद्रम् स्त्रीणाम् असदृशम् मतम् |
वपुषा तु अस्य सत्त्वस्य विस्मयो जनितो मम ||
Tradition says that this sort of unruly self-seeking is unbefitting to women,yet that deer's beautiful body is inducing curiosity in me." Seetha said so to Rama and remained waiting for his reply.
. Then throughout the sarga there is no mention of Seetha speaking. So from Sloka 10 to 17 Deer is praised and its value extolled. Rama himself is amused by the Deer and encouraged by Seetha’s words 3-43-23एवम् सीता वचः श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा च मृगम् अद्भुतम् ||
लोबितः तेन रूपेण सीताया च प्रचोदितः |
उवाच राघवो हृष्टो भ्रातरम् लक्ष्मणम् वचः ||
In this way, hearing the words of Seetha and observing that wondrous deer Raghava is also amused by its form, and even motivated by Seetha in fetching it, he delightedly spoke this word to his brother Lakshmana.
. Rama then explains to Lakshmana the value of this Deer from Slokas 25 to37. Then says even if it is demon Maareecha it needs to be killed (sloka 38 to 46).
Thus the arguments if any are between Rama and Lakshmana. Seetha sees the Deer (Maareecha) first calls Rama and Lakshmana. Extols its value. It is Rama who falls for the trap and runs after the deer. So Seetha cannot be blamed for Rama running after the Deer. Then what exactly is the reason? There is one sloka that needs mention more to follow

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