Sita FTW!

            After the reading of The Ramayana of Valmiki and watching Sita Sings the Blues, I commend Rita.  Why?  She stood her ground.  In hopes that I do not come off as a lunatic feminist… power to her!

            Ravana kidnapped Sita, with the sole purpose of making the beautiful Sita his wife.  While in captivity, Ravana expressed his ongoing desire for her only to be rejected as Sita continued to display her faithfulness to Rama.  She remained loyal and devoted to her husband.  Finally, Rama came to her rescue and brought her safety.

However, this is not a Disney princess fairytale with an immediate happily ever after for this couple.  Sita’s purity is a dubious factor for Rama.  The solution was to have her walk on fire in order to prove chastity.  This is what alarmed me.  How can Rama question Sita?  Is there no trust in this marriage?  Sita was held as a prisoner and how does Rama treat her?  He made her walk on fire.  This disgusts me.  Furthermore, “it comes to Rama’s attention that, despite the fire ordeal of Sita, ugly rumors of her sexual infidelity with Ravana are spreading among the populace of Ayodhya. “ (13)  In the film, the black figures were discussing a water purity test for to assure Sita’s chastity.  If she drowned, she was pure… if she did not, she was tainted… or is it the other way…?  Oh that’s right, the black figures could not remember which outcome means purity.  This is just another ridiculous and unfair ritual that women must endure in this man-dominated world. 

Though, the people were still unwilling to accept Sita.  What did Rama do?  Not make a sacrifice for to keep his unconditional love with him.  He chose to appease the kingdom’s wishes. So what happens to Sita?  She is banished to the forest.  I sympathize for her because she honestly cannot catch a break.  Rama was the selfish coward, but Sita was the one who has to pay for his faults.

Eventually, Rama finally came to his senses and sent for his desired queen, intending to bring her back.  Sita does not return the same sentiments.  After all the suffering and horrible treatment, Sita had enough and will not return to that lifestyle.  Asking the heavens if she was faithful to Rama the entire time, she is enveloped by the earth much to Rama’ dismay.

These particular purity rituals reminded me of the Salem Witch Trials and how women were accused.  The community, with no real basis or foundation on the subject of witches, created absurd qualifications that were meant to identify a witch.  Such as birthmarks being analyzed to see if it was the mark of the devil.  Whatever the rite it may be, females (like Sita) were the victims targeted.  And when it came to the time when the people realized their mistake, it is too late to apologize.  Rama attempted to bring Sita back into his life, but that was an impossible wish.  Sita was kidnapped, imprisoned, and ostracized, she was not having any more of that.  Sita maintained her position… and showed up Rama.