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Lessons from Literature
October 15th, 2024
A striking impressionistic painting of Rama and Sita walking together in a forest setting.

Enduring Questions on Love from the Ramayana

Timeless Reflections on Duty, Sacrifice, and Resilience in Relationships

Eugene M. Joseph

The Ramayana, a cornerstone of Indian literature and spirituality, has captivated audiences for millennia with its timeless and nuanced takes on love, duty, and morality.

Despite its ancient origins, the epic raises several enduring questions for relationships that this post will explore.

The Meeting and Marriage of Rama and Sita

Rama and Sita meet at Sita's swayamvara, a ceremony set up by her father King Janaka to find her a worthy suitor. King Janaka informs the gathered crowd of the sacred bow in his possession that no one has been able to string. He issues the challenge that whoever can string the bow will win the hand of his daughter. Rama not only strings the bow but breaks it and wins Sita's hand in marriage.

A marvel has the hero wrought
Beyond belief, surpassing thought.
My child, to royal Ráma wed,
New glory on our line will shed:
And true my promise will remain
That hero's worth the bride should gain.
Dearer to me than light and life,
My Sítá shall be Ráma's wife.
Ramayana, Ralph T. H. Griffith Translation

Enduring Questions

An impressionistic painting of Rama string the sacred bow Pinaka
Rama stringing the sacred bow Pinaka at Sita's Svayamvara

Rama is Exiled

Soon after their marriage and on the eve of Rama's coronation as the king of Ayodhya, Rama is exiled into the forest for fourteen years by his father, as a result of a long-forgotten vow and palace intrigue.

Rama chooses to honor his father's word and accept the exile without protest. Sita insists on accompanying Rama into exile, willingly leaving behind the comforts and security of royal life to stand by her husband's side.

Enduring Questions

An impressionistic painting of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana leaving Ayodhya into exile
Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana leaving Ayodhya into exile

Life in the Forest and Sita's Kidnapping

Lakshmana, Rama's devoted younger brother, insists on accompanying Rama and Sita into the forest, and the trio enjoys a mostly simple and peaceful life befriending sages and the noble vulture king Jatayu.

In the last year of their fourteen-year exile, Sita becomes enchanted by a golden deer's beauty and asks Rama to capture it for her. Rama initially hesitates but eventually gives in trusting Sita's judgment. Unbeknownst to the trio, the deer is a demon in disguise and part of a plot to kidnap Sita.

As Rama pursues the deer, leaving Lakshmana to guard Sita, they hear a cry mimicking Rama's voice calling for help. Despite Lakshmana's reluctance, Sita insists he goes to Rama's aid, leaving her alone. At this vulnerable moment, Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, kidnaps Sita.

Enduring Questions

An impressionistic painting of Sita sitting by a river bank gazing upon the golden deer.
Sita sees the golden deer across a riverbank

Hanuman Helps and the Epic War

Rama and Lakshmana are filled with failure and guilt after learning of Sita's abduction. They immediately begin searching through the forest for signs of Sita and her captor and learn from their friends that Sita was taken southward.

As Rama and Lakshmana venture further south, they enter the monkey kingdom and befriend the monkey king Sugriva , and his commander Hanuman. They form a mutual alliance, and Hanuman is tasked with locating Sita. He embarks on an epic voyage across the ocean to Lanka where he successfully locates Sita in Ravana's garden.

In a moving scene, Hanuman presents Rama's ring as proof of his identity and assures Sita of her husband's undying love and imminent rescue plan. Hanuman's successful mission and detailed report on Lanka's defenses paves the way for Rama's successful invasion of Lanka and reunion with Sita.

Enduring Questions

An impressionistic painting of Hanuman leaping to Lanka
Hanuman leaping to Lanka to find Sita

Joyous Reunion and Sita's Banishment

After the epic battle of Lanka, as Rama and Sita approach Ayodhya, the citizens prepare for their arrival by illuminating the city with oil lamps to symbolize light conquering darkness. This grand welcome becomes the foundation for the Hindu festival of Deepavali, also known as Diwali.

As the celebrations die down, whispers and doubts begin to circulate among the public regarding Sita's fidelity during her captivity in Lanka. Torn between his love for Sita and his duty as a king to uphold public morality, Rama faces a heart-wrenching decision and subjects Sita to a public trial by fire to prove her purity. Sita walks into a burning pyre and leaves unscathed proving her purity.

The people of Ayodhya continue to express concern about having a queen whose purity has been questioned, viewing it as a moral stain on the kingdom. With great anguish, Rama orders Lakshmana to exile Sita to the forest despite knowing she is pregnant with his child.

Sita, accepting her fate with grace and dignity, finds refuge in the forest ashram of a sage. There, she gives birth to and raises twin sons. Years later, when Rama encounters his sons during a ritual in the forest, he realizes the consequences of his actions and repents.

In a final, poignant moment, Sita, having endured a lifetime of trials and proving her purity beyond doubt, calls upon her mother, the Earth goddess, to take her back. The earth opens, and Sita descends into it, leaving Rama to complete his reign without her.

Enduring Questions


An impressionistic painting of Sita's trial by fire
Sita's trial by fire to prover her chastity



We've barely scratched the surface of the questions and interpretations that arise from the lives of Rama, Sita, and the other richly complex characters within this epic.

As you reflect on the Ramayana and ponder these timeless questions, may your insights inspire you to forge deeper connections, foster more open communication, and nurture a relationship that mirrors the resilience and depth of this ancient tale.

A profile of image the author, Eugene M. Joseph
Written by Eugene M. Joseph

Eugene is the founder and CEO of Talkwell. He loves building products and companies and writing software.

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