Sita-Tyaag and Inner meaning!

॥ ॐ ॥
॥ सीताराम ॥
॥ श्रीमद् जानकीवल्लभो विजयतेतराम् ॥

जनकसुता जग जननि जानकी। अतिसय प्रिय करुना निधान की॥
ताके जुग पद कमल मनावउँ। जासु कृपाँ निरमल मति पावउँ॥

Janakii, the daughter of Janak and the mother of the universe and the most beloved consort of Sri Rama, the Fountain of compassion, I seek to propitiate the pair of Her lotus-feet, so that by Her grace I may be blessed with a refined intellect! [Ramacharitamanasa 1.18]

Shri Valmiki Ramayana portrays very beautifully all the human emotions, delight, happiness, love, romance, humor, grief, cry etc, and various incidents with their enthralling narrations as if everything is happening right before our eyes, in all their beauty and glory. There are narrations which completely stir the hearts of people and make people cry for the happiness of divine couple, may the beautiful couple enjoy together; Sita-Tyaga is one of such episodes which completely stirs the heart.

Sita's conduct is hailed most exalted, purest and clear like the serene pleasing clear waters of sacred river, therefore Sage Valmiki named his divine composition Rāmāyaṇa as ‘Sita-Charitam’ — the Sublime-legend of Sita — the life-story (glorification of exalted conducts, divine nature, disposition, and exploits) of the Naayikaa (heroine), Sita. It is Nāyikā-Pradhān-Kāvya. After Sita-Charitam, it is the story and glorification of her dearest consort Shri Rama, the hero of Ramayana.

Shri Valmiki Ramayana is the single Aarsha-scripture where the sublime-legend of “Shri Ji” has been given the prime-focus, otherwise character of Shri Ji is mostly hidden in other scriptures ! The greatness of Ramayana is present in Sita and Rama's sublime conducts; both are most complementary to each other in their leelas, When Shri Rama is engaged in the leela for the welfare of all beings, Sita is always backing Shri Rama in his dharma and leela exploits, no matter how hard and difficult situation would be for her own self. Though, the essence of dharma is very subtle and is not always easily understood, it needs deep understanding to perceive the essence of dharma well, therefore some of the acts of Bhagavan Shri Rama bear a deep puzzle for commoners to understand the dharma behind them. Sita-Tyaga is one of those puzzling acts of Shri Rama. Did he really value his fame more than Sita? Why did he send Sita to the second exile?

Some people raise questions on Shri Rama's Patni-Dharma (duty towards wife). Why did Shri Rama banish Sita Ji in the forest? - such questions which may haunt to even genuine devotees also who have not heard and imbibed the true imports of Shri Ramayana well from their guru or some saintly well-learned Shri Rama devotee. 

Before raising questions on Dharm-Swarupa Sri Rama (“Ramo Vigrahvan Dharmah : means Shri Rama is the embodiment of the Dharma” which was even proclaimed by his enemies), some people forget easily or may be intentionally that He was the same Sri Rama who had tried his best to persuade Sita Ji not to accompany him in the exile to Dandakaranya- forest as asked by Kaikeyi for Shri Rama. Even though, Sita requested him in many ways about setting out to the forest, Sri Rama didn't agree to take her to the forest as spending life for 14 years in forests was not good for a tender princess like her, eventually Sri Rama had to give in at the insistence of Sita Ji, when she started weeping incessantly and threatened Shri Rama that he will not find her alive in Ayodhya upon his return if he goes alone in the exile without her. Though, It was all in favor of Sri Rama to take Sita along with him in the forest, Yet he was persuading her not to come with him. His main concerns were those hardships and miserable living conditions of dreaded forests, which were not suitable for a tender person like her who has been living a luxurious life of a princess in the Palaces till this adverse situation. Therefore, beyond any doubt Sri Rama had a great love and concern for the safety and comfort of his dearest princess Sita. 

When Shri Sita Ji was kidnapped, and Shri Rama had no clue at all, where Sita has been stolen away by Ravana, whether Shri Sita is still alive or killed by demon King, still he made his all efforts to search her. He roamed from one forest to another in order to search her, to get even a little information about his dearest consort, Sita. He couldn't sleep in the separation of her beloved consort, He used to wake up in night and cry Sita! Sita! Oh Sita.

When Hanuman Ji found Shri Sita Ji in the captive of Ravana in Ashoka-Vatika in Lanka, Hanuman tried to console her and said - “Oh devi Sita! With his mind wholly devoted to you, Shri Rama is not even driving away forest-flies from his body, nor mosquitoes nor insects nor reptiles from his body. He is always lost in Your thoughts, and He is forever engaged in sorrow of Your separation. Shri Rama mostly does not have sleep. Even if that best among men, Shri Rama sleeps, he keeps awake uttering sweet words like "lo! Behold! Sita! Sita!”(- Valmiki Ramayana, Sundarkanda)

Shri Rama did not forget her even for a single moment, he cried all the time in her separation like a true lover, and wander from one forest to another in search for his dearest consort. Shri Rama cries for his beloved ones and exhibits the highest degree of love, he is verily love-personified. Therefore, all would agree - Shri Rama had the great love for Sita without any doubt. In fact, Shrimad Valmiki Ramayana is the first book of pure love, with all Rasa-s and human emotions. The Vipralambh rasa is more particularly seen in Shri Ramayana.

Shri Ram's supreme love and care for his consort Sita:

Shri Ram himself says to his dearest wife.. 

न देवि तव दुह्खेन स्वर्गम् अपि अभिरोचये ।
न हि मे अस्ति भयम् किंचित् स्वयम्भोर् इव सर्वतः ॥  
(श्री वाल्मीकि रामायण २.३०.२७)

na dēvi tava duhkhēna svargam api abhirōcayē ।
na hi mē asti bhayam kiṃcit svayambhōr iva sarvataḥ ॥  
(Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.30.27)

Shri Rama says to Sita: “Oh, princess! I do not relish even heaven while you are in grief. There is indeed no fear whatsoever to me, like the self-emerged God.” [Valmiki Ramayana 2.30.27]

नेदानीम् त्वदृते सीते स्वर्गोऽपि मम रोचते ॥
(श्री वाल्मीकि रामायण २.३०.४२)

nēdānīm tvadṛtē sītē svargō'pi mama rōcatē ॥
(Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 2.30.42)

“Oh, Sita! Even a heaven is not a liking to me without your presence.” 

सधर्म चारिणी मे त्वम् प्राणेभ्यो अपि गरीयसी ॥
(श्री वाल्मीकि रामायण ३.१०.२१)

sadharma cāriṇī mē tvam prāṇēbhyō api garīyasī ॥
(Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 3.10.21)

Shri Rama says to Sita “Oh my Sah-dharmini Sita ! (my dear consort who always follows me in Dharma! Oh Sita!) You are more dear than my own life to me!”

The highest class of love and Romance of Shri Rama for Sita

वाहि वात यतः कन्या ताम् स्पृष्ट्वा माम् अपि स्पृश ।
त्वयि मे गात्र संस्पर्शः चन्द्रे दृष्टि समागमः ॥
(श्री वाल्मीकि रामायण ६.५.६)

vāhi vāta yataḥ kanyā tām spṛṣṭvā mām api spṛśa ।
tvayi mē gātra saṃsparśaḥ candrē dṛṣṭi samāgamaḥ ॥
(Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 6.5.6)

“Oh, wind! Flow from the side of my beloved. Touch her and touch me too. It is through you that I get a gentle touch of her limbs. It is through moon that I get a contact of her eyes.”

बह्व् एतत् कामयानस्य शक्यम् एतेन जीवितुम् ।
यद् अहम् सा च वाम ऊरुर् एकाम् धरणिम् आश्रितौ ॥
(श्री वाल्मीकि रामायण ६.५.१०)

bahv ētat kāmayānasya śakyam ētēna jīvitum ।
yad aham sā ca vāma ūrur ēkām dharaṇim āśritau ॥
(Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 6.5.10)

“These things are enought for me, the one who loves (is passionate for) Sita with charming thighs, to survive (in the world). One can live by them alone: that she and I breathe the same air and rest on the same Earth.”

When Sri Rama got to know that his princess Sita is stolen away by Ravana in his absence, and Ravana has kept her as a captive in Lanka, an island-kingdom far away from the main-land of Bharat-varsha in the sea. Ravana was a fierce mighty demon from whom even Indra and other gods and demi-gods used to fear, still Sri Rama dared to attack him to rescue his dearest love Sita. Sri Ram built a bridge over the ocean, his all efforts were directed for the sake of her only! Sri Rama took back Sita after killing the demon-king Ravana and defeating Ravana's dreadliest armies of demons. And finally, Sri Rama ended the grief of Sita by rescuing her.

Therefater, Shri Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya; Shri Rama was crowned as the king of Ayodhya, and Sita became the queen of Ayodhya. 

After many years of their return to Ayodhya, due to a divine inspiration some sections of people, not just a single person, or a dhobi (washerman) as some people think, started chattering publicly among themselves in low voice over the chastity of Sita and started casting doubts over her character indirectly, that Sita couldn't have saved her purity in captive of Ravana — such talks by perverted minds would happen one day which was expected and well perceived in advance by Sita herself and wisest Shri Rama, there itself when war had just been over.

Fire-ordeal

When Sita was rescued and came before Shri Rama after many months, Shri Rama spoken outwardly harsh words for the first time ever to anyone and that too to his dearest Sita (as Shri Rama had to bring out the purest divine exalted nature of Sita in front of all the three worlds, so he hid his inner heart how much he loves Sita, so that after knowing Sita is innately pure and divine, people could accept Sita with him with whole heart). And, then Sita on her own independently took decision to enter in pyre, and She ordered Lakshmana to get a pyre ready for her - tears were already rolling down the eyes of Shri Rama, Yet he remained silent and firm, so was also Sita firm in her decision, and inside both were one at heart and supporting each other's dharma and leela. Shri Rama was well aware inside his heart that his consort Sita is purest and protected by her own divine splendor, however in order to silence the lowly minds of the world, this was necessary on the part of Sita, and Sita did independently on her. Sita and Rama being the best suited to each other, always supported each other's leela and dharma independently and inconspicuously in the best possible way, even without communicating in the words to each other.

And thus, Sita's divine nature was revealed, when she entered in the fire in order to end her life; the fire-god couldn't bear the divine-splendor of Sita as She herself is the fire of fire, Sita suppressed the original nature of the fire which burns everything; all the three worlds saw this divine leela unfolded independenly by Sita and silently supported by her consort, whole world was convinced about her purity and innately pure noblest character and divine nature, that she was protected by her own splendor and she was always devoted to Rama in by action, speech, mind and soul in everyway even when she was in separation of her husband due to adverse fate met to her.

When fire-god appeared to tell Shri Rama that Sita is purest then Shri Rama told the fire-god "I (Rama) was always aware that Sita is purest and has been always devoted to me with whole heart and soul. Ravana could not violate the beautiful eyed Sita as she is protected by her own divine splendour. However, Only in order to convince the three worlds (that Sita is purest), I, whose refugee is truth, ignored Sita while she was entering in the fire." It was necessary for silencing the perverted minds for forever.

अनन्यहृदयां भक्तां मचत्तपरिवर्तिनीम् ।
अहमप्यवगच्छामि मैथिलीं जनकात्मजाम् ॥
इमामपि विशालाक्षीं रक्षितां स्वेन तेजसा ।
रावणो नातिवर्तेत वेल मिव महोदधिः ॥
प्रत्ययार्थं तु लोकानां त्रयाणाम् सत्यसंश्रयः ।
उपेक्षे चापि वैदेहीं प्रविशन्तीं हुताशनम् ॥
(श्री वाल्मीकि रामायण ६-११८.१६-१७)

ananyahṛdayāṃ bhaktāṃ macattaparivartinīm ।
ahamapyavagacchāmi maithilīṃ janakātmajām ॥
imāmapi viśālākṣīṃ rakṣitāṃ svēna tējasā ।
rāvaṇō nātivartēta vēla miva mahōdadhiḥ ॥
pratyayārthaṃ tu lōkānāṃ trayāṇām satyasaṃśrayaḥ ।
upēkṣē cāpi vaidēhīṃ praviśantīṃ hutāśanam ॥
(Śrī Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa 6-118.16-17)

Shri Rama said to fire-god “I know that Sita, the daughter of Janaka, who ever revolves in my mind, is undivided in her devotion to me. Ravana could not violate this wide-eyed woman, protected as she was by her own divine splendour. Only in order to convince the three worlds, I, whose refugee is truth, ignored Sita while she was entering in the fire."

Had this episode of agnipareeksha (fire-ordeal) not happened in Ramayana, would Sita have been taken as devi to be worshipped alongside Shri Rama, without objections by lowly minds? Sita to be installed as devi in hearts of people certainly deserves this pure factory ordeal in the eyes of the people as she had resided for a long time indeed in the gynaecium of Ravana. Had Shri Rama accepted Sita without her giving a convincing defense for her purity and character, people would chatter against Rama that Rama was really foolish person who came into lust of a beautiful woman to accept her, inspite of she lived in the gynaecium of Ravana for long!

When Sita emerged unscathed from fire, and fire couldn't burn Sita, all the three worlds was convinced of her divinity, Sita had her own splendor and divinity, from which she protected her dignity and purity from Ravana, without any weapon, by mere holding a blade of grass, which even mighty Ravana couldn't transgress. Being a devi herself, She really didn't need Shri Rama to rescue her from Ravana, She said to Ravana if She wishes she can reduce him into ashes anytime, but as She has no inclination of Shri Rama (her Bhagavan) for this, so she is not willing to do so, which shows her all time Paartantryam to Bhagavan in his association as well as while being without association of Bhagavan. She had to exhibit the quality of Paartantryam (being always dependent on Bhagavan) for all devotees, and being Purushkara of Bhagavan, it was all her grace and causeless mercy only over demons that she allowed herself in the captive of Ravana to preach him and other demons to take refuge of Shri Rama.

After this Sita and Rama returned to Ayodhya. Shri Rama and Sita lived in Ayodhya for many thousand Years together. And them some sections of people started evil-talks about chastity of Sita, they started casting aspersions on the character of Sita. It hurt Shri Rama a lot, and finally Shri Rama had to take a decision to leave Sita near the hermitage of Valmiki.

How and why did Shri Rama, who loved Sita more than his own life, take decision to send Sita into exile near the hermitage of Valmiki?

Shri Rama enjoyed with Sita for 10,000 years in Ayodhya , and now the time was near for Sita and Rama for winding up their avatara-leela on the earth and enter in their divine spiritual abode, and disappear from the mortal eyes of the world; the divine couple needed an excuse for this, as Sita and Rama can't grow old or die like general humans of the mortal world. Therefore, in order to end their incarnations, due to their divine inspiration, story took again a sad turn, a minor section of population started chattering against the character of Sita Ji and her purity, Not just one dhobi (washerman). And Lord had to reluctantly abandon his dearest Sita, and Lord took it as pretext for winding up his avatara-leela on the earth, and He entered in his divine unseen spiritual dhaam with all his subject and Jivas gathered in Ayodhya, after sometime.

When one day Shri Rama was talking with his spies and friends in the matter of public opinion about him and the royal family. Then, Shri Rama heard from one of his spies that such ill rumors about Sita's chastity has been slowly spreading in his subject. Sita had become an issue for some people. Those words of spy were like arrows piercing the heart of Shri Rama. Shri Rama was so hurt, when he heard that some sections of people are evil-speaking about the most chaste Sita, his dearest consort. 

That minor section of population started telling because of our virtuous and ideal king Rama, we would also have to tolerate the scandals of our wife with other men, and still keep them in our house if they return back to us. Though Sita had already given fire-test in Lanka and had convinced all the three words about her purity and character, all gods of heaven and monkeys and demons have seen that, Yet that time no one was there from Ayodhya except Shri Rama and Lakshmana.

So, people may arguge if Sita had given fire-test in Lanka, then she could have give it once more in Ayodhya to silence the evil-talks against her character and purity.

Shri Sita Ji had given the fire-test in Lanka on her own as per her personal capacity and dharma, no one had asked her to give such severe test, she did on her own to convince all the three worlds, so that none could raise objections on Shri Rama, her husband in future that Shri Rama is some lusty man to accept her. However, if someone else demands such test from Sita or any other women, then it would not be appropriate. If all compassionate Lord Shri Rama on behalf of him puts Sita for another test in Ayodhya, in that case Lord would have to put other women also through such test to maintain discipline in the society, whenever some rascals utter some doubt over the characters of other women. And definitely all merciful and wisest Lord didn't want this to happen ever, and to be seen as some tyrannical ruler to put women through such test if others cast doubts over the characters of some women. Therefore, Lord thought it is better to sacrifice his personal happiness and send Sita into exile, rather than facing or inviting such horrible situations ever.

Every person with questionable past is entitled to convince others as per one's own capability and dharma, it can't be imposed by others. It was not appropriate for Sita herself or wisest Shri Rama (to involve Sita again publicly) to convince such people even after the fire-ordeal episode of Sita Ji in Lanka in front of him and innumerable gods, demons, monkeys, etc. No fire-test was asked by Shri Rama even in Lanka, and so again a fire-test was out of question, as this time questions were raised by public, so this would bring a burden on common worldly mortal women in future if others ask to prove their purity.

Now, have a look over the situation and the alternatives, as a King of Ayodhya and the husband of Sita Ji, Shri Rama had that time before him to take further course of action(s) :-

1) Duty: Sri Rama was the king of Ayodhya, not a simple common man who could ask justice from the king or royal authority for his beloved wife that some people are talking ill about his wife. A common man is generally self-centric towards his wife and family, but for a King whole subject is like his own children. Primary duty of a king is to renounce own pleasures for the pleasure of his subject, that was the prime-principle in those days for a king. Obviously when one is head of some state, one gets greater responsibility towards the state and its people. Shri Rama as a King had not to be biased towards his kith and kin, his own wife, if some people raise complain against his family members. 

Therefore, Shri Rama had neither an option to ask justice for his beloved wife, nor he could go openly against the sections of public, otherwise he would be labelled as a biased king for his wife, who is punishing people for the sake of his wife. 

Had Shri Rama suppressed the voice of the minority sections of public for his own family member (even after being innocent and ensuring justice for a particular person of royal family), then certainly there was a chance of losing the good-faith of those majority section of public who were loyal and devout towards Shri Rama and Sita. Losing the faith of majority section of public would have brought anarchy in the kingdom. Forcibly suppressing the minority voice was not the Raj-Dharma of subject-loving king like Lord Shri Rama. (Please note it - those minority sections of people were just rumoring, not revolting against Ayodhya or king Rama.)  

Therefore, Shri Rama had only one option of banishing Sita quietly in some safest place out of Ayodhya and give an opportunity to common people to decide on themselves on their own about the queen of Ayodhya, what is wrong and what is right, whether talking evil about the most chaste Sita is good or bad, without asking them or reminding them, and if Sita could become agreeable to all as queen of Ayodhya as on later stage, Shri Rama could take appropriate action to restore Sita's glory in general public with all respect.

Definitely, King is not an appropriate person to judge about himself or his family-members in case of allegations directed to them.  

Therefore, Shri Rama quietly banished Sita to close down the matter for sometime and this was the only way to have a check on the rumour spreading further in whole public in presence of Sita in Ayodhya which could have hurt her more. 

Shri Rama was verily aware that Sita is pregnant, so he told Lakshmana to leave Sita around in the vicinity of the hermitage of Sage Valmiki near the bank of river Ganga. (-Valmiki Ramayana)

This was the clear order of Lord Sri Rama to Lakshmana to leave Sita in the vicinity of Valmiki's hermitage. 

Had Shri Rama not cared about Sita, why he would have told Lakshmana to take care to leave Sita in the forest around the hermitage of sage Valmiki where she finally found the shelter.

Definitely, Shri Rama displayed his extreme care and love for Sita as a great husband, not only in ensuring her self-respect by providing a suitable place where she could lead her life in self-esteem and should not be treated bad anymore by anyone, but also cared of her requirement and dependence while being pregnant. 

Here I told that Shri Rama provided the most suitable place for Sita, because just before Sita's banishment Sita had expressed her willingness to spend some time in hermitage of sages, and Valmiki's hermiatge was the only suitable place for Sita for proper care of her with fatherly love of Valmiki. Sage Valmiki was a great friend of Dasratha, and near his hermitage there was hermitage of female ascetics, no one would ask Sita any unwanted question as ascetics people don't taunt or care much about wordly affairs.

Sita delivered twins in hermitage of sage-Valmiki.   
( Later on when Kush-Luva sang the divine life-story of Shri Rama and the most chaste Sita in their melodious voice, those sections of people lamented on their deeds of spreading rumors about Sita.)

I request readers to think on their own - Did Shri Ram do any thing wrong in sending his dearest consort, Sita who was more dear than his own life to a respectable place, where she could lead her life with high esteem in the hermitage of Valmiki? Where her sons should not have to listen about infamy in public about their mother? Where none was knowing her, and her past life, and also not interested in her past life because of their ascetic-attitude? 

Should a Husband force his wife to live in a place where people speak ill about her chastity?  Never, Sri Ram had to ensure justice to his dear consort too, so he chose the way of physical separation and provided her the best suitable place where she could live in high esteem and with great respect in her surrounding.  

If this case would have been brought in any modern court, the court would have ensured a respectable place to Sita in form of separation from Ayodhya,  the court could have ensured justice to Sita in this way only, as like what Sri Ram did, with no punishment to others as one can't restrict the freedom of speech since Ram-Rajya was not an autocratic rule. 

Sri Ram did pure justice to Sita in providing a better place than Ayodhya (in fact the best suitable place) where none was interested in the past life of Sita, in the hermitage of Sage Valmiki. Sage Valmiki was a friend of King Dasaratha, and a fatherly figure to both Shri Ram and Sita. So, in old days, in adverse situation, It is allowed to keep wife for sometime in her father's house or in the house of Purohit (sagacius personality). Valmiki was like a father and sagacious person both.

3) Another option for Shri Rama had that he could have renounced his duties as a king of Ayodhya for his dearest consort, Sita, definitely it would be a great relief for her. But, was it feasible for Shri Rama? (Many feminists put this argument that wouldn't it be a better option Had Sri Ram renounced his duties as the king and leave Ayodhya along with Sita ji?)

If Rama would have renounced his duties for the sake of Sita Ji alone, people would say see Rama has run away from his duties just for his wife.  Then, that minority section of people would have become more vocal in spreading rumour against the most chaste Sita, who were talking in low voice from the fear of possible punishment from king. So Shri Rama being king of Ayodhya was always in favour of maa Sita, not for any personal gain but at least it may have generated some sympathy among people towards their ascetic king in future as because of them only king Rama who loved his wife most had to silently send his beloved wife in forest.

Renouncing duties would have definitely brought an infamy not only for Rama, but also for glorious Suryavansha Dynasty as whole. How could have Rama done justice towards those pious rulers of his ancestors of the most glorious Ikshvaku-dynasty? Definitely, Renouncing the duties of King by Rama would have tarnished the glory earned by his ancestors.

It is told in scriptures that for the sake of the interest of family, one should leave an Individual; for the sake of interest of a village, one should leave a family; for the sake of interest of a city, one should leave a village; and for the sake of interest of a state, one should leave a city.

What an example would have Rama set for the people by leaving a kingdom for his own sake or for his wife?

Therefore, to avoid bringing infamy to his forefathers, Sri Rama who loved Sita most as like his own soul, maintained physical separation from her. Please note it, it was just a physical separation, Rama never banished Sita from his heart. How can Rama banish her from his heart who is his very own soul? Rama never ever thought of any other woman; while being a King, he could have married second time or more than one princess after her banishment. Multiple marriages were common practice for a king in those days, and when Shri Rama started Ashvamedha-Yajna, physical presence of wife was must along with husband, yet Rama didn't marry, and in place of her beloved consort he installed golden-Sita (Golden statues of Sita) in Yajna-place. 

Such was the divine love of Rama and Sita, which has no match in history! So, how can anyone raise questions on Dharma of Lord Rama? Can anyone be more caring for Sita than her own consort, Lord Shri Rama? Was Rama enjoying in Ayodhya without Sita?

Not only True lovers and devotees of Sri Sri Sita Ram, but any sincere reader of Rama would cry throughout while reading this episode from Valmiki Ramayana, not only for Sita Ji, but also for Sri Ram! A great calamity was fallen on both, who suffered more can't be said, this separation brought equal suffering to the divine couple! who is to be blamed at this juncture, only fate of the divine couple Shri Rama and Sita!

Oh Rama, for your Sita, for protecting her respect in her presence, so that she couldn't be hurt more, You took all blame on yourself so that foolish people could raise questions on your Patni-Dharma? Yet, it is irony that some foolish people who have no understanding of Dharma, who never cared to read Ramayana, raise question on Shri Rama's Patni-dharma, Rama, who is the embodiment of Dharma! 

4) Shri Rama can't bear the tears of Sita crying in front of him, for her sake he can destroy entire cosmos (- Valmiki Ramayana), so He instructed Lakshmana to leave Sita in the forest. In Lakshmana's own words to Sita, while he was crying by laying down his head in her feet before leaving her near the hermitage of Sage Valmiki:-

"We couldn't utter the shameful words going in Ayodhya about you, inspite of you being innocent." 

O' Mother, "Rama has done this to check the circulation of this infamy of Yours and Himself therefore, You should not take it otherwise (that he has  any doubt in you) !!!

"O' Mother as per the order of Rama, I am leaving near the hermitage of sage Valmiki, a great ascetic who has been a great friend of our father Dashratha."

(As Sage Valmiki was a great friend of Dasratha, so he has been fatherly character and guardian for both Rama and Sita. Hence in this way, Sita was always in her Sasural/house of father-in-law. Shri Rama provided the best guardian for protecting his princess, yet he just distanced himself physically from Sita but Sita was always enshrined in his heart.) 

Then after being striken by enormous grief of Rama forsaken her, Sita spoke following words to Lakshmana to convey it to Rama:-

 She told "O, Raghava, I wished for sometime to live in hermitage of sages, How could I live alone without You? " 

"O, Raghuvira, You know me  pure and that I have been solely devoted to you, still you have forsaken your beloved consort due to fear of her infamy in public."  
(So sita easily understood it better that for her sake, Lord Rama had taken such a curse upon himself which separated himself from his princess who is dear like his own soul.)

"O Raghava, the citizens of Ayodhya ought to be treated by you like your own family,  whatever you have done (of being impartial, and forsaking me to check the infamy in public)is the supreme Dharma for you which will bring an unparralled fame to you."  

"O, Raghava for a wife, Husband is everything, her god, her friend and her preceptor. Just as a husband and king of Ayodhya it was necessary for You to rectify the public censure, in the same way, as Your wife, it is my responsibility also (to rectify this infamy)! "

Sita was truly knowing that her prince will never enjoy a single moment in separation with her. 

Hence whatever Sri Rama did was as per the Dharma, Dharma is very subtle, It needs proper merit and refined intellect to understand it in true sense. If a king does Adharma, so what his subject will learn? If a father does Adharma, his children may be bewildered and may fall in Adharma, so whole blame will go to his father who couldn't set example for his children.  

5. People ask Why did Sri Ram care so much to preserve the fame, and fear of infamy (and public scandal)?

A great father always take extreme care in his actions so that He could set an example in him, a standard for his children, so that his children could emulate him and be successful by following his virtues, morals and standards set by him in his lifetime, they could follow their father proudly! He never does anything which can make his children learn something bad from him. Now, Being the Chakrvarti Samrat of whole earth (a truly people's king), Sri Ram, the upholder of Dharma wished that his example be the timeless for the whole humanity, for generations to come, for everyone, as example of an Ideal king, an Ideal husband, an Ideal son, Ideal brother, Ideal disciple, etc, Sri Ram set an example in him for everyone so that following him everyone could be successful in their duties, and none could deviate from their Dharma. And his plans worked perfectly, Now so much time passed, and He is still remembered by people as best of men. People look towards Shri Ram, and give his example as the highest role model in this whole existence! Sri Rama is the only personality whom people could emulate completely, he is the highest standard, this is the reason He is Purushottama (the best among men) in true sense! People have been looking towards him, and will always look towards him.

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Now we should go on a little bit higher plane to understand about Swayam Bhagavan, Shri Rama. Who is Bhagvan? What is his nature? 

who is Bhagavan :-

aiSvaryasya samagrasya vIryasya yaSasah Sriyah । 
j~nAna vairAgya yogaScaiva shaNNAm bhaga itI'nganA ॥ (Vishnu Puran.6.5.74)

Vishnu Puran says: - "He Who possesses the six attributes of aiSvaryam or Lordship, vIrya, fame, wealth, j~nAna and vairAgya in full is called bhagavAn".

So as per the Vishnu Purana, all these six qualities are complete in Lord Rama alone. As Bhagvati Sita is Bhagvatta (all potency) of Bhagvan (Supreme potent), who has been always the prime cause in revealing the supreme glory of Lord Rama. She revealed the supreme nature of Shri Rama's Para-Aishvarya (possessor of Supreme opulence), Param-Virya (Supreme Valour), Param-Yasha (supreme fame), Param-J~nAna (Supreme knower) and Param-Vairagya (Supremely unattached) etc.

Param-Vairagya:-

The supreme personality of godhead has nature of being completely unattached towards any material desire. So, Param-Vairagya Guna has been clearly seen or predominantly visible in Lord Rama alone among all his incarnations. 

This was the last thing remained for Sita to reveal it in front of whole world that Rama is the only personality in whole world who is Param-Vairagi (completely unattached) along with having rest all five qualities in full.

Shri Rama even forsaken Sita who was the most lovable as like his own soul , to check the infamy about her among his subject, Shri Ram lives like a Vairagi, a truly-ascetic-king in Ayodhya, didn't remarry to any other princess, however he could marry many. Even after banishment of Sita, Shri Rama never thought of any second lady apart from Sita. When a wife was needed along with Husband in Yajna-rituals, he made golden idols of Sita instead of marrying second lady to complete the rituals.  While it was common practice among kings to keep more than one wife, Shri Rama always enshrined Sita in his heart.

There are many instances of Param-Vairagya-Guna of Shri Rama e.g. Shri Rama left the Rajya-lakshmi of the kingdom of Ayodhya just for keeping the promise of his father given to his step mother true. He happily gifted golden-Kingdom-Lanka to Vibhishana like a mere golden-ring, and kingdom of Kishkindha to Sugreeva. In whole 14 years of exile, Shri Rama never entered in any city and  always lived a life of an ascetic. 

Who can show such Param-Vairagya-Guna in any other personality apart from Rama? Now, we go ahead and see other Guna-s which are complete only in Bhagvan Shri Rama alone:

Param-Aishvaryam (Supreme Opulence):

1) Shri Rama liberated Ahalya just by the divine touch of his feet, this showed the nature of being supreme one.

2) Rama took out the Vaishnavi-Splendor from Parashu-Rama, and ParashuRama was rendered vigor-less. So, even an incarnation of Rama/Vishnu can't stand in front of Swayam Bhagvan, Shri Rama. This is the practical example from the pastimes of Bhagvan which shows Rama is the original source & cause of all incarnations. After this, ParashuRama, prayed Rama as the original Supreme personality of godhead. (In Maha-Bharata, it is mentioned that Rama even showed his universal form to ParashuRama)

3) Rama killed the mighty demon king Ravana who was not even killed by Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra. Thus, after killing Ravana, Shri Rama restored the glory of Vishnu again in universe. Thats why Ramayana says, Rama is 'Vishnorardham' arthat "Vishnu ko Bhi Riddhimaan Karne Vala" which means Rama is the only personality who gives glory to even Vishnu. Thus, Shri Rama is even Lord of  Bhagavan Vishnu.  

4) Rama is the only personality in history who gave Mukti (Liberation) to whole Ayodhya and brought all citizens of Ayodhya in Santanik-Loka whih is one part of Saket-Loka. Such divine pastime is not seen in any god or the god of gods or in any other incarnation. This is the supreme lordship of Lord Shri Rama. Hail to glorious Lordship of Rama! 

Param-Viryam (Supreme Valour):-

1)Shri Rama is the only personality in history (Ramayana and Mahabharata) and other scriptures who has never shown his back in war. Thus, Purusa or Paurushatva (Param-vIrya) culminates  only in Raghunatha, and it is predominantly visible in Lord Rama alone.

2) Rama killed single-handedly 14000 dreaded demons in Dandakaranya in no time.

3) One time in Rama-Ravana Yuddha, when the specially fierce army of Ravana attacked Shri Rama's army of monkeys, and fearful monkeys seek refuge to Rama, then Shri Rama single-handedly killed around 2.5 lacs demons in just hours. That time Rama was so swift in killing those demons, that at a time thousands of Shri Rama seen by those demons in the battle field. Such is the supreme valour of Purusa, Swayam Bhagvan Rama!!!

Param-Yasha :-

1) Shri Rama's Yasha was so widely spread that even his enemies were praising his righteousness (Dharma), vIrya (supreme valour) and Param-Madhurya-Guna and thus even enemies and demons were enchanted by him. 

That's why Rama in Valmiki Ramayana, is said to be only personality in whole world who deserves to be famous.   

2) When Rama ruled this earth, whole earth became Shri Rama's world. No one was interested in anything other than Rama and his glorious exploits. All talks of people were centered and centered around Rama alone!

3) Is there anyone in whole world who has not heard the name of Rama?

4) Is there anyone who doesn't feel thrilled after listening the glorious pastimes of Lord Rama? Shri Rama has been the legend of this universe, and undeclared Rastra-Purusa in heart of all.

Param-J~nAna Guna:-

1) Rama has been proclaimed as Vigrahvan Dharmah means who is the embodiment of Dharma. It means Shri Rama was the knower of the subtle form of J~nAna, How could he use his Dharma, no one can understand apart from him, thats why he is the supreme J~nAna-Guna Swarupa.

2) Rama had already given his words to Vibhishana and Sugreeva and even before killing Ravana or Bali, he declared them king of Lanka and Kishkindha. This shows Rama had supreme control over time. 

Param-Shriyah Guna:-

This particular Guna has been described on About Lord Rama section of this website. 

Thus we see all 6 qualities are full and complete in Lord Rama, He accepts everyone be it Human, demon, animal, bird or any living being. If Rama is not Bhagvan, then no one qualifies to be called as Bhagvan as per Sanatan-Vedic Dharma. Therefore, we see the inner meaning and purpose of Sita-Tyaag-Leela where the divine mother of  universe, Sita completely revealed the Param-Vairagya-Guna of Paratpar-Paripurntamam Parabrahman Bhagvan Shri Rama. A devotee can feel the sorrow of both divine couple, it was a calamity befallen on both, it was all for stirring the hearts and arousing the divine love and sympathy and praise for the divine couple, who remained always loyal and loving towards each other even in separation.

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