Valmiki, as mentioned earlier, portrays the conversation of Sri Rama and Janaki vividly in three Cantos, Sita's emotions intensifying degree by degree, Rama remaining unruffled by her feelings almost till the very last moment. It begins with Rama informing her of his decision; Sita pleading with him to take her and Rama refusing and Sita losing her temper. Finally she breaks down in his hands, in tears.
This conversation between Sri Rama and Janaki gains importance from many points of view. It is the only piece of dialogue between the two that runs this long in the entire epic. It brings out the depth of love that prevailed between the two. Apart from that, the Poet has very beautifully planted a clue to Rama's personality, a personality that perplexed everyone in the scene of Agni
Pravesa.
As we mentioned, Sita's stance keeps alternating from a child to an adult and vice versa until Rama stops her and explains in twenty-five Slokas, a full Canto, on the difficulties of life in the jungle. In her opening address to Sri Rama she speaks extensively of the joys of the life in the forest and turns into the frolicking child once again when she says, "I shall walk ahead of you and shall take my food (only) when you have finished your meal. After that I long to see mountains, ponds and lakes, remaining fearless everywhere, with you as my wise protector. Accompanied by you, a heroic prince, I wish happily to see lotus-ponds teeming with swans and water-fowls and abounding in lotuses." (Valmiki Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda, Canto XVII, Sloka 17 and 18)
My joys are entwined around you. My heaven is in the forest, if you are there. I cannot live without you even for a moment. "Spending with you (say) thousands of years or even a hundred thousand years, I shall never experience any sorrow. Heaven too will not be acceptable to me otherwise. Even if an abode devoid of you is vouchsafed to me in heaven, O scion of Raghu, I shall never find pleasure in it without you, O tiger among men!" (Ibid, Sloka 19, 20)
The first part is full of love, entreaties and assurances to the effect that she would joyfully accept the life in jungle, and that when Rama was there to protect her, there was nothing to worry about her safety. Rama remains unmoved. Then she plays yet another card. 'It has been foretold even when I was a child, that I would have to dwell in the forest.'
"Moreover, in the days gone by while living at my father's, O highly enlightened prince, the prophecy - which must come out true - was heard by me from the mouth of Brahmanas (well-versed in astrology) that I must dwell in the forest. Having heard the prophecy at my (parents') home from Brahmanas able to interpret marks on the body I have ever cherished a longing for forest life, O highly powerful prince! The truth of that prediction about forest life must be realised by me. I must accordingly accompany you, my husband, O darling; it cannot be otherwise." (Ibid, Canto XXIX, Sloka 9 and 10)
It has been preordained that I have to live in the forest and it has come true now. Ever since I heard that prediction, I have been nurturing a desire in my heart to live in the forest. Make the prophecy come true. Now, take me with you. I know you cannot leave me behind because I have been fated to live there, already! And if you still do not feel inclined to take me with you, "afflicted as I am as shown above, to the forest, I shall resort to poison, fire, or water to hasten my end." (Ibid, Sloka 21)
I will end my life by drinking poison, perform self-immolation or jump into the rivers. Even at this stage, Rama remains firm in his stand.
Valmiki, as mentioned earlier, portrays the conversation of Sri Rama and Janaki vividly in three Cantos, Sita's emotions intensifying degree by degree, Rama remaining unruffled by her feelings almost till the very last moment. It begins with Rama informing her of his decision; Sita pleading with him to take her and Rama refusing and Sita losing her temper. Finally she breaks down in his hands, in tears.
"Moreover, in the days gone by while living at my father's, O highly enlightened prince, the prophecy - which must come out true - was heard by me from the mouth of Brahmanas (well-versed in astrology) that I must dwell in the forest. Having heard the prophecy at my (parents') home from Brahmanas able to interpret marks on the body I have ever cherished a longing for forest life, O highly powerful prince! The truth of that prediction about forest life must be realised by me. I must accordingly accompany you, my husband, O darling; it cannot be otherwise." (Ibid, Canto XXIX, Sloka 9 and 10)
