Hindus have an ancient epic poem called the Ramayana. It is called the Adi-Kavya or the first poem & is one of the largest epics in the world. It has influenced cultures in several countries in the world. Rama is banished on the eve of his coronation. During exile, his wife, Sita is kidnapped by the Ravana. Rama finally wins Sita back.
The Ramayana has a controversial episode. After Sita is finally rescued from Ravana, Rama doesn't accept her back. This angers Lakshmana. Sita performs an Agni Pariksha (trial by fire) to prove her purity. The Rakshasas & Vanaras wail when Sita enters the fire. This act is criticized in the Ramayana and since then until now, and will be in future as well. Recently, controversial historian Audrey Truschke used derogatory words relating to this incident. http://www.opindia.com/2018/04/pro-aurangzeb-historian-audrey-trushke-false-derogatory-comment-lord-ram/
Why did this happen? Is there any explanation to this episode?
Some devout scholars (uncomfortable with this episode) have argued that the continuity of the epic is lost and that this entire episode is a later insertion. Only Samskritam scholars familiar with styles can examine this argument for accuracy. Let us ignore this argument for now.
After the Agni Pariksha, Rama states that he was fully aware of Sita's love and purity. He also says that he knew that Sita would come out unscathed, but he allowed her to continue with the Agni Pariksha only to show the world her purity. Some of us have been satisfied with this argument. Others question the motive. Why should he care what the world thinks?
For the motive, some folks have argued that being a king, Rama had to set higher standards of proving purity & justice than a normal person. This argument satisfies some. Others aren't. Are there more arguments to be made?
When he first sees Sita after rescuing her, Rama says that looking at her is like a diseased eye looking at light. How harsh?! Examine this phrase some more. When a diseased eye is hurt looking at light, is it a problem with the light? Or the diseased eye?
Let us examine Sita's last actions before the abduction. When Maricha, the demon in the guise of a golden deer is killed, he calls out for Sita & Lakshmana in Rama's voice. Sita is perturbed. She asks Lakshmana to leave. He doesn't, since he has been ordered by Rama to protect her. She harshly rebukes Lakshmana questioning his brotherly affections. Lakshmana advises her not to worry while describing Rama's immense prowess, correctly assessing the voice as a demonic voice in disguise & insists on remaining. Then, Sita's words and actions turn venomous. She accuses Lakshmana of wanting her and uses the accusation as the reason as to why he's not leaving. A distraught Lakshmana agrees to leave while correctly assessing that her safety is going to be compromised with his absence. Sita's final act before the abduction was to falsely accuse the purity of Lakshmana. Rama, though he doesn't explicitly state it, is questioning Sita of her purity, the first time he meets her after the episode. Sounds fair?
Rama has also been consistent. When Bharatha first comes to the forest, Lakshmana misinterprets Bharatha's intentions. He assumes that Bharatha has come to kill Rama and remove all obstacles to the throne & offers to kill Bharatha. Rama rebukes him, saying that if he (Lakshmana) wanted the throne, he would have gladly given it to him. Lakshmana had never shown any interest in the throne. However, since he'd falsely accused Bharatha for the throne, he gets an immediate false allegation himself.
I encourage everyone to read the Ramayana for themselves. Depending on your mindset, you will be entertained, learn philosophy & life lessons, love it or hate it. But you can never ignore it: it will stay with you forever. I can recommend the excellent English editions (into readable prose) by Kamala Subramaniam or Krishna Dharma.
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