Two Women : Part 1

[ The following are highly biased and blasphemous views of the author. However, most comments are welcome, esp those that throw some light on the question. ]

PART 1 - Sita

Why did Ram exile Sita? The general answer given is that a washerman, while berating his wayward wife, declared that he was "not like that Ram who would take his wife back after she had lived in the house of another man". This was reported back to Ram. Therefore Ram, being an ideal king, decided that no one, not even a petty washerman, should be discontented with the king. After all, it was Ram Rajya, our version of utopia. So, he exiled Sita to forest. Even though she'd proven her purity in the Agni-Parisksha and left no doubt, it turned out that some people (or just the washerman) didn't think so. Thus Ram obliged as vox populi vox dei, and exiled her.

Now the question that crops in my mind is, was there no one, in whole of Ayodhya who thought that this action of Ram was incorrect or unjustified, that Sita was pure?

If yes, then why didn't Ram take that into consideration? After all it was Ram Rajya. Every one should be content. Right? If he could exile his wife because of a washerman, couldn't he keep her because of lets say a blacksmith? But no one argues that. No one tells us this.

If no, then did the people of Ayodhya really deserve a king like Ram? Did the people, who said that Ram should leave Sita just because she had remained in the custody of some man other than her husband. No, I don't think so. And Ram should've known better. Such a accusation is a disgrace to Sita, to Ram and even to Ravan, who however bad, was a worthy opponent. Ravan as we all know, was a very learned man, highly respected, just gone bad.

In any case, I am really unable to understand reason behind Ram's action. Ram could have denounced his throne and then went to forest with Sita, like she did when Ram was exiled. But he did not do so. He remained in his palace and expanded his empire. Meanwhile his pregnant wife gave birth to his sons in a hermitage.

Really, if Sita, who epitomizes the ideal woman, is destined to have a life ending in exile, what chance does a normal woman have?

Its not Ram Rajya anymore, and the world has a lot more washermen.

PS : The title is taken from a film of same name by master director Vittorio De Sica, starring Sophie Loren. Nothing to do with the post, but a really good film. Do watch it.