Even from the synopsis of the Rāmāyana we read in the introduction of this book, I was already enthralled by Sīta. The treatment of women in biblical texts has always fascinated me, and this is no different. I was immediately stricken by the telling of her miraculous birth, with Sīta being dug up from the ground and "would be won in marriage only after a test of strength" (89). Of course, Rāma is the one to win Sīta, stringing the bow that no one else has been able to string before. Marriages today are seen as an ultimate act of commitment and love towards someone, but before that, it was more often arranged in order to strengthen ties with other families or nations, especially when royalty was concerned. So, naturally, everyone was thrilled that Sīta and Rāma would be wed. They do not show any contempt towards each other, but instead, Sīta "loved Rāma twice as much as he loved her" (102). It starts off as such a beautiful and hopeful marriage and it breaks my heart that they will ultimately be torn from each other.
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