Saraswati

“My dear Sita, I have come to you because I fear you need my help,” said the radiant figure. Her voice spoke like music.

“I don’t understand,” said Sita. “Who are you, and why do I need help?”

“My name is Saraswati, Goddess of Wisdom.” Sita’s eyes began to widen, and Saraswati continued to speak. “ Sita, I have watched you for a long time. Your name is constantly being dishonored."

Sita was startled. She didn’t know what to say.

Moments later, she finally had enough courage to respond. “Saraswati, Rama means me no harm! He is only fulfilling his duties as a monarch.”

“And what about his duty to you?” Saraswati said. She moved closer to Sita and lifted her chin. “Sita, you’re his wife. You followed him to exile and got kidnapped. He shouldn’t be questioning your loyalty! He should be apologizing to you, for letting his subjects get into his head...”

Saraswati paused to collect her thoughts.

“I have watched Rama fight to find you. I know that he loves you, but you cannot let him walk over you. You are his queen. Find your voice, and by doing so you will speak for all the women in Kosala who have experienced the same. Find your voice, Sita.”

Sita’s eyes filled with tears. So much that Saraswati became nothing but a blurry figure. Deep down, she knew Saraswati was right. Time and time again, Rama disappointed her. But she and Saraswati both know that his intentions are in the right place.

Sita lifted her head and turned back to face where the crowd once stood.

Rama stood, silently, hoping for Sita’s safe return. When Sita emerged from the fire, unscathed, he was surprised that Agni had not joined her. Then, Saraswati came from right behind her and began to speak.

“Rama, you have disappointed me, and all the women under your kingdom. Your inability to put your faith and trust in your wife makes me question your integrity as a husband., and a King cannot rule Kosala without a Queen by his side.”

The crowd behind him fell silent. Rama’s face began to grow hot. He drew out his sword and pointed it to Saraswati.

“How dare you question my love for Sita, and my ability to rule Kosala on my own?” Rama said fiercely.

Sita came back out from behind Saraswati and guided Rama’s sword down. “She’s right,” said Sita quietly.

“Rama, I have gone through the trial by fire, and I survived. Of course, my virtue has remained pure. But even if it wasn’t, you would have had to understand that I was a victim! None of this was my fault.”

“Sita, it was my duty as mona—"

“And what about your duty to me?” said Sita “You cannot send me through trials and tribulations each time you feel weak. You have to trust me. Together, we can rule over Kosala, and make it great! I will stay by your side, as your Queen. But, you have to give me your word, with this crowd as your witness, that we will make decisions together, and that you will listen when we disagree.”

Saraswati was pleased. With this crowd bearing witness, Sita’s security would remain untouched. Unless Rama wanted his people to think he wasn’t a man of his word, he would have to abide by these terms.

“And what if I say no?” said Rama.

“Then I will leave.”

“How could you leave me? Where would you go?”

Before Sita could respond, Saraswati spoke up. “She’d come with me, along with any other woman who feels like she has lost the respect of her husband.”

Rama’s eyes widened. The decision for him wasn’t difficult, he loved Sita, and he knew he wanted to be with her.

“With this crowd as your witness, I give you my word, Sita. I will never let anything happen to you, even if it is through my poor judgment.”

And with that, Sita and Rama ruled over Kosala together. From that day on, all the women under their reign were always protected and encouraged to find power in their voice.

Find more about Saraswati here.

Author's Note:

With Saraswati being the Goddess of wisdom, I didn’t want to incorporate fighting. Instead, she gave Sita the courage to fight with her voice. I made sure that Sita didn’t forget that Rama still loved her, and his intentions were never to hurt her in any way. I needed Rama to try to fight, to show that with Saraswati’s help, Sita didn’t need to win in a battle. She just needed to be smart enough to get his word in front of a crowd of his subjects. If he didn’t keep it, there would be rumors all around the kingdom that Rama wasn’t a man of his word. I imagine at that time trust was a large asset, especially as a king.