Ages of Ram Sita

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Rajdeep Chakraborty

@rajdeep4u

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Posted: 16 years ago

#11

Thanx... u really worked hard to get these information

Edited by rajdeep4u - 16 years ago

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Kiran Raghu

@kiranraghu

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Posted: 16 years ago

#12

Originally posted by: Vrisha
Kal

Reason I do not believe the age of 6 marriage is that when Janak is narrating his family history to Dasharath, he narrates the story of King Sudhanva, who demanded both Shiva's bow, and Sita's hand in marriage, which is why Seedhadwaj killed him and installed his brother Kushadhwaj (father of Mandavi & Shrutakirti) on the throne. In that description, Sudhanva is said to have told Janak 'This lovely lotus-eyed virgin Sita shall be given to me, along with the bow...'

Now, this took place at least a year or 2 before Sita got married. Now, if she was 6 when she married Rama, then she would have had to be 5 or 4 when Sudhanva gave Janak a proposal. In which case, it's impossible to imagine an adult describing a toddler as a virgin. Sure, child marriage was common at that time, but this would be bordering on baby marriage.

Another thing worth factoring in. Urmila was born a year after Sita was found, and presumably, Mandavi and Shrutakirti were around that age. Let's say we assumed Sita's age to be 6, then Urmila would have had to be 5, Mandavi anywhere around 5, and Shrutakirti something like 1-2 years younger than Mandavi, meaning 4 or 3. These are all the things we have to assume, while at the same time, RLBS were 13.

I used to assume that Sita bloated her stay in Ayodhya to 12 years, but when I read about your NE and Critical edition, on analysis, they sound more accurate to me. Had they lived in Ayodhya 12 years, it also begs the question of why wouldn't they have had their kids then. But if they lived in Ayodhya for only 1 year, it makes sense, since they probably decided to have their kids only after returning.

Note that Sita's age can only be 6 if the assumption is that she and Rama lived in Ayodhya for 12 years, rather than 1. But if they lived for just 1 year, then Sita would have been 17, and Rama probably 18. Note that I don't buy the '12<15' argument of yours in the deleted portion of your analysis - I simply thing that Dasharath is more likely to have Rama's age pinned down. Besides, if Rama was 12, why not tell Vishwamitra that he's not even 13, to make a even stronger case against sending him (if age was the criteria)?

Note: All sarga and sloka numbers used here are from the Critical Edition.

Dear Vrisha,

I just want to mention a point here. As Sitaji's birth is non uterine (Ayonija), many of the kings desired to marry her. She herself had narrated this point to Sati Anasuya when they reached Atri's hermitage.

Janaka when ploughing, he got a baby girl and she had raisen from earth. Her body is covered with full of mud. (Not that he had took her from a box in earth, as shown in movies).

He realised that this baby girl doesnot belong to human beings because no human can raise from earth. He got worried that how could he get a husband for that baby girl. Suddenly., he heard the words of Akasa vani: "You got this girl because you deserve to have this girl as a daughter. It is the intention of gods. "

Many of the kings have even tried to attack Mithila kingdom to grab the girl. Because many of them realised that this girl is not ordinary and one who marries will obtain all kinds of pleasures.

But King Janak however rescued from all kings with the help of gods. Sitaji herself mentioned this point to Sati Anasuya.

When Ramji had broken Lord Shiva's bow and Janak was about to bestow his daughter, Ramji refused to marry. He told that he would not marry without the approval of his father. Then Janak sent his messengers to Ayodhya to inform Dasharath about the news.

As you have told that why don't they get children in first 12 years of their marraige life. I have my own reasons for it.

1. As their marraige was child marraige, probably Ram Sita had obtained their adult age only in Ayodhya. When she was 18 and he was 25, they left the kingdom.

2. If Sita became mother, then how could the intention of Gods (killing of Ravan) be fulfilled?

3. If they got children, probably Dasharath Maharaj will not send Ram for exile not only for the sake of his son but also for his grand children.

4. In those days, to beget sons not only depends on them, but also on the approval of destiny.

Moreover in Ikshvaku dynasty every successor was born at late age. (Not only Ramji but there are many other ancestors. Dasharath got Ramji after he had lived for 60,000 years. Dileepa got Bhageeratha after doing many years of penance. In the same way with Bhageeratha begot Kakuthsa)

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