Three Types Of Women And Three Gunas Encountered By Rama

 

"In the first twelve years of Rama's life. He encountered three types of women. When he went with sage Vishwamitra to protect his sacrifice (Yajna), He encountered ogress Tataki. He put her to an end without any compunction or aversion. After Vishwamitra's sacrifice was completed, Rama went with sage to Mithila. On the way, he came across Ahalya, who had been transformed into a stone. He gave her life, absolved her of sin through penitence and restored her to her husband. At Mithila, he encountered Sita. He accepted Sita without any hesitation. What is the inner meaning of these three incidents? They show that even from his boyhood Rama displayed extraordinary qualities and stood out as an example lo the world. Tataki, the first woman he encountered, symbolizes the Tamas quality. Ahalya represents the Rajo Guna. He taught the right lesson to Ahalya, purified her and sent her safely to her place. He took to himself Sita who represented the Satwic quality. Bhagavan (Lord) approves of and accepts only that which is Satwic. He values the Satwic quality. He protects and fosters it." Sai Baba. SS, 5/89, p. 123

Sita

"Recognise the divine power that sustains everything in the universe. It was the faith in the Divine that sustained Sita during the ten months she lived alone as a prisoner in the Ashoka-vana. The divine power that sustained Sita in her captivity is in everyone. Rely on that power." Sai Baba. SS. 6/96, p. 146

Symbolism Of The Rama-Sita Wedding

"The wedding of Rama and Sita is not a wedding of one young man and one young woman. This wedding is a union of Cosmos (Prakriti) with the Supreme Lord (Purusha). An old lady sang a song calling upon all women to join the company of people going for the wedding. She described the decorations in Mithila. the divine beauty of Rama and Sita, the splendid scene in the palace and depicted the memorable scenes they would witness at the wedding. A similar appeal went forth from men's side to all men, describing the weddding as an occasion that would eradicate all the beholders of their sins. 'Come, all ye, for the glorious wedding of Kaushalya's son' was the refrain of the song.

The whole world seemed to rejoice at the weddding of Rama and Sita, because it had its cosmic significance. It represented the union of Prakriti (Sita) with Purusha, the Supreme Absolute. Every being in the cosmos, whatever may be the gender in the external form, is feminine. She represents one half of the Lord-Ardhaangini. The Paramaatma (the Oversell) is the Purusha (the Supreme Godhead). Together. Prakriti and Purusha represent the concept of 'Ardhanareeshwara' - the Divine conceived as half-male and half-female. This union of male and female is found in every human being. Everyone should understand this aspect of the Ramayana story." Sai Baba. SS, 6/94, p. 146