The Hindu epic Ramayana has long served as a source of inspiration for people of all ages. It is the narrative of Maryada Purushottam, an exemplary human being who conquered every difficulty in his path and established an example for his countrymen. The occurrence of Sita Agnipariksha is one such instance in which Lord Rama has established a new norm for living. This occurred after the fight in Lanka with Ravana, as described in the Valmiki Ramayana’s Yuddha Kanda.

Although there are allusions in other versions of the Ramayana that tell yet another fascinating account of Sita Agnipariksha. It’s said that when Ravana kidnapped Sita, it wasn’t the heavenly mother in her true form, but rather a delusion (Maya). Ravana is reported to have sent Vedavati to Lanka instead of Sita. Vedavati was a figure who reincarnated as Sita. Vedavati’s soul had a goal to marry Lord Vishnu, which she accomplished by marrying Vishnu’s avatar — Lord Rama. 

Ravana is reported to have enslaved this Maya Sita and tormented her by his ladies. This Maya Sita is said to have gone underground after entering the burning pyre during the Agnipariksha. She met the actual Sita there, and the two swapped roles. The true Sita might return to her beloved Rama through this Agni Pariksha. Although, according to several versions of the Ramayana, Lord Rama was aware of this and hence stayed mute while Sita conducted the Agni Pariksha of her own volition.

Lord Rama’s separation from his loving bride is considered to be the result of a curse. Lord Vishnu received this curse from Sage Bhrigu. Lord Vishnu was said to have murdered Sage Bhrigu’s wife. It was because she stood between him and the monsters he was about to slaughter. As a result of seeing this occurrence, Sage Bhrigu cursed him, saying that he would have to face the pain of his wife’s separation for years. This curse is thought to have shown itself when Vishnu assumed the form of Rama.

We tell you the narrative of why Sita gladly accepted the Agni Pariksha and what happened as a result. The action takes place after Ravana’s defeat by Lord Rama in the conflict with him.

Post-War Situation

Lord Rama sends Vibhishana to fetch Mother Sita to him after the conflict with King Ravana. Lord Rama informs Sita that the dishonor meted out to him, as well as Ravana’s sins, have been cleaned up. He goes on to state that he could only have won with the help of Hanuman, Sugreeva, Vibhishana, and the other Vanaras.

Lord Rama then refuses to embrace Sita, his loving wife, and issues a harsh statement to her in front of the other soldiers there. He claims that he waged this struggle to build Dharma, not for her. By the same dharma norms, he adds that he has concluded that since his wife, Sita, had lived for a long time under the protection of another man, as the monarch of the dynasty of Raghu, of the family of Ikshavaku, it would be wrong for him to accept her as his wife again. Sita was free to accept any of the great warriors present as her spouse, he claims.

Agni Pariksha of Sita

Sita begs Rama not to say such things. She claims that she was kidnapped and held hostage by the demon against her choice. Despite the fact that she remained in Lanka, she remained faithful to her adored husband, Lord Rama. She inquires of Lord Rama as to why he did not abandon her during Hanuman’s journey to Lanka. She later asks Lakshmana to set up a fire. She goes on to suggest that this was the only way to fix the problem. She no longer desired to bear the burden of her own husband’s false accusations And Made up Her Mind To Give Sita Agnipariksha.

Sita made the choice to do the Sita Agni Pariksha. She wanted to demonstrate her purity in front of the others to her husband, who had questioned her morality. When Lakshmana saw what his brother was planning, he built a pyre. Those who observed the occurrence were stunned and said nothing. Sita then worships the brahmins and other Gods, joining her hands near the fire. She claims that Agni deva (the God of Fire) will now guard her. Sita joined the raging fire in the company of several others. All the gods, Gandharvas, and others were stunned to see Sita ascending the fire from Heaven.

Following the Fire Test

Meanwhile, Agni, the fire deity, appeared and took Sita in his arms. He turns her up to Lord Rama and declares that she is without fault. He claims she has a fine reputation and has never been disloyal to Lord Rama. He informs Lord Rama that she was guarded by genuine female demons with awful intellect in the city of Lanka where she was held, hostage.

Sita was allured and tormented in many ways, according to Agni deva, yet she never lost her devotion to her husband, Lord Rama. He then tells Lord Rama that she is his wife and that she is not wicked in any way.

Lord Rama was overcome with excitement as he listened to Agni deva’s remarks. The reason for his silence is subsequently revealed. He claims that he had to take a step back because of the many people in the kingdom’s conversations. Lord Rama was well aware of Sita’s undivided devotion to him. He claims that Sita, Janaka’s daughter, is fully clean in character in all three realms and that I can no longer deny her, just as a cautious man cannot deny a good name.

The Gods then blessed the couple and went to heaven, praising Lord Rama for his thoughtfulness. When King Dasaratha finally sees his beloved son after a long time, he is overjoyed. Lord Rama’s father, Dasaratha, then embraces his son and congratulates him on his triumph. He then refers to Sita as his daughter and praises her for accomplishments that no other woman could have accomplished. He informs Sita that Rama did this just for her benefit and to display her purity to the rest of the world. Dasaratha departs the scene after blessing his sons and daughter-in-law, Sita.