Sita Shakti Kavya: Background

Divine Blessing of Mother Sita

Spritual Grace of Satguru Shri Chile Maharaj ,Paijarwadi, Dt.Kolhapur

Inspiration : Satguru Shri Thakur Maharaj, Pune

Guidance : Satguru Anna Phadke, Pune

Humble Author : Dr.Pradeep Wagh Hindi,Marathi,English,

Book Dedicated to : Author's Parents : Babanrao Wagh & Smt. Vatsala Wagh

Translations:

Gujarati : Dr. Avanish Thanawala, Pune

Kannada: Dr.Suresh Parvatikar, Guledgud, Bagalkot

Oriya : Mr. Kamlesh Kumar Mohanty Kantabnaji

SITA SHAKTI KAVYA

The Sita Shakti Kavya ie. Sita's Empowerment Antholoy largely represents the"Sanskar i.e.value system imparted by Sita, of Indian epic Ramayana, to her twin children Lav and Kush. The epic of Ramayana, dates back some 7000 years back.

TThe epic story briefly goes that Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, had a most beautiful and virtuous wife, Sita. When time came for coronation of Rama as king of Ayodhya, his step mother insisted that, instead of Rama, it should be her son Bharata who should be crowned king and that Rama be banished to the forests for fourteen years. Rama, as the obedient son, left for the forests. Sita, as a dutiful wife accompanied her husband into the forest. Laxmana, the brother of Rama also accompanied them. After some years in the forest, tragedy struck. Sita was abducted by demon king Ravana of Lanka. Ravana wanted to forcefully marry Sita, but she refused to do so.

Lord Rama with the help of forest dwellers called "vanars", then raided Lanka and defeated and killed Ravana.

Sita was put to "Agni Parksha" i.e. 'test by fire' to prove her fidelity to Rama. Sita passed this test unscathed. Rama then brought his beloved wife home.

A few months later, Sita found herself pregnant with the seed of love of her Lord Rama. But some doubtful citizens of Ayodhya kept mouthing foul words about Sita, as she had been earlier kidnapped by evil Ravana.

In order to pacify his citizens, king Rama banished Sita to the forests once again. Sita took shelter in the hermitage of fatherly sage Rishi Valmiki.

SITA SHAKTI KAVYA BEGINS HERE ...............

❖ Divided into 25 Chapters, this anthology is set in 'Rishi' (Sage) Valmiki's 'Ashram' (Hermitage). It begins with pregnant Sita reminiscing to her 'Sakhis' (Lady Friends) about her past. Sita pines for her Lord Rama, who has cast her away.

However, the birth of Lav and Kush also turns out to be birth of a new 'Avatar' (Incarnation) of Sita viz that of a Mother.

❖ When Lav and Kush are just born, a 'Sakhi' asks of Sita, "Why are the infants crying so copiously?"

"It is because the new born infants are feeling hurt on being separated from `Bramha' (The Supreme Truth) and being born on earth as mortals" replies Sita.

❖ A highlight of the anthology is the chapter 4 called "Kaitha Fal Prasang" (Wood-Apple episode) in which Sita gets the wisdom from nature. A creeper, the

humble grass, a rock lying in the middle of the stream, the mighty sun and a wood apple tree give Sita the delicate tenets of nari jeevan' (a woman's life). Husband's duty towards his wife is also strongly emphasised in the anthology.

❖ Chapter 5 takes a fresh look at the Rama-Ravana conflict and very delicately describes in Sita's flashback, the reunion of Rama and Sita, after the slaying of Ravana.

Lord Rama in this Chapter spells out the

subtle aspects of Dharma' (human duty).

•- Back at the Rishi Valmiki's ashram, Lay and Kush are growing up day by day. Sita prays to Rishi Valmiki to give good knowledge of `Vedas' (Divine Hymns), martial arts etc. to her twins, so that they grow up to be protectors of righteousness.

While the children are undergoing their rigorous schooling, under Rishi Valmiki, Sita as a mother keeps a watchful eye on their physical, emotional and spiritual development, because she aspires that they should prove to be worthy sons of 'Bharat' (India). For this purpose, she imparts her knowledge and experience to the children at appropriate times.

• The anthology then slowly builds upon Sita's

inherent inner spiritual strengths. Her children, like any other children, keep questioning their mother about the life-process, and myriads of other questions that intrigue a child , for instance:

➢ How did 'Eeshwar' (Creator) create this universe and how did he evolve it?

➢ Why is 'Atma Chintan' (Introspection) required?

➢ What is 'Satshram'(Truthful enterprise)?

➢ What is 'Anh