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Sita's Marriage - Marriage of Sita with Rama
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"Sita's Marriage" is a treasured story from the great Indian epic, the Ramayana.
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One of India's great Raj period painters Ravi Verma was also a renowned publisher of fine prints, calendars and postcards. Here is an abbreviated version of the story of Sita's Marriage:
Prince Rama reaches adulthood, and searches for appropriate brides. This led King Dasharatha to the state of Mithila where King Janaka had four beautiful daughters of marriageable age. Amongst these, Sita was the perfection of purity, grace, modesty, and beauty. King Janaka had arranged for Sita's marriage under the condition that she would marry that brave and powerful prince who would break the Bow of Shiva. This Bow of Lord Shiva was unbreakable for ordinary mortals. Amongst the poor in spirit and cowards, it created fear and terror.
All the four princes of Ayodhya led by Rama decided to participate in this marriage -- Swayamvara -- as is known. With great pomp and show, accompanied by their Guru (Teacher), the foursome left for Mithila on one auspicious day.
The accidental meeting of Rama and Sita had led to the blooming of love in their bosoms, and Sita vowed in her heart to marry Rama and only Rama.
One by one, the princes from various states and kingdom try their luck in attempting to lift and break the Bow of Shiva. But it was not possible! Even the most powerful amongst all the kings, the great Ravana of Lanka could not even move the bow one inch above the ground!
But with due humility and respect, Rama saluted the Bow (i.e. Shiva Himself), and prayed to give him strength and courage to succeed in this seemingly impossible task. In one attempt, Rama lifted and set apart the bow in two! The whole Royal Court was filled with shouts of ÏGlory Unto Rama," ÏVictory to Rama!" This, however, made King Ravana jealous and insulted, and he vowed to defeat Rama some day if the opportunity arose.
Thus, in a most wonderful setting, the auspicious marriage of Rama and Sita took place. Along with Rama, his three brothers also got married to the three sisters of Sita; and four sons of King Dasharatha married four daughters of King Janaka!
Since Sita was the perfect embodiment of purity in thoughts, words, and deeds, she couldn't conceive of thinking of another man. Her faithfulness towards one man -- her husband -- is a virtue of Indian Womanhood, and Sita is the true representative of this. Neither should the husband think of another woman except his wife. Therefore, it is common in India to look upon and address every woman other than wife as "Mother or Sister."
The joyous marriage procession with decorated chariots, bullock carts, horses and elephants reached Ayodhya. The atmosphere was of celebration and merriment, as if the princes had returned after having won a Great War.
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