Jai Seeta Ram :
Seeta's mixed feelings of rejoice and grief :
Hanuman describing the qualities and appearance of Rama, recalled his own birth story and the purpose of his visit to Lanka. To cause trust in Seeta he gave the signet Ring he had brought from Rama. Periyazhvar gives a detailed account of all such instances that transpired between Her and Rama in private, in Periyazvar Thirumozhi Decad
4-10-1.
Consoling Seeta. Hanuman wished happiness as well as relief from grief to Her. With modesty he desired to be ordered by Her or would rather do whatever agreeable to Her. Gladdened by this Seeta uttering pleasing words, praised Hanuman for his valiant, competent and intelligent work, effort and execution.
As she received the Ring, She looked at it and held it in Her bosom, bringing forth the feeling that Rama is there in front of Her, in such a sequence that the finger revealed the hand, the hands His broad shoulders and all those leading to embracing Rama Himself.
Similar sentiments are expressed by Thirumangai Azhvar, in HisThiruneunthandakam verse (15):
சொல்லுயர்த்த நெடுவீணை முலைமேல் தாங்கித்
தூமுறுவல் நகை இறையே தோன்ற நக்கு
மெல்விரல்கள் சிவப்பெய்தத் தடவி ஆங்கே
மென்கிளிபோல் மிகமிழற்றும் என்பேதையே.
With fingers on the string ParakAla Nayaki forgets it to be Veena but feels as though She is caressing the back of Her beloved VayalaLi ManavALanHimself, So recalls the mother of Thirumangai Azhvar in this stanza. The emotions revealed by both Alwar as well as Seeta are similar in this respect.
Seeta then asked Hanuma as to why when Rama is safe and affectionate to Me, not taking revenge on His enemies? Is He confused of His actions? There is no end to my troubles indeed? The kindness in Him has parched like lotus out of water by the Sun? wailed She in disbelief.
Hanuman holding his hands above his head replied in nobility that Rama is not aware about Seeta's presence here in Lanka and for that reason He did not take her back. Sooner he gets back to inform Rama about this, He will come with army of monkeys, bears and flood the city with arrows, extinguishing the demons.
Rama is not happy too. He goes without sleep and dreams. Rama is not eating meat nor is He enjoying spirited drinks. He survives on fruits and roots brought by Lakshmana. His mind fixed on you is immune to flies, mosquitos and reptiles crawling on His body. To sum up He is for ever engaged in sorrow and breaths big sigh even in occasional sleep, Hanuman continued.
None can escape joy or sorrow and we the puppet in their string said Seeta that while Rama's love for Her is sweet, His grief by being apart is bitter to Her as much as it to Him.
Thirumangai Azhvar once again in His ThirunedunthAndagam verse 11 confronts with similar feelings of deprivation, which is retold by Azhvar's mother in this Thaai Paasuram :
பட்டுடுக்கும் அயர்த்திரங்கும் பாவை பேணாள்
பனினெடுங்கண் நீர்ததும்ப பள்ளி கொள்ளாள் ..
It means that the feelings of those afflicted by love, sobbing in separation are the same be it God or His men.
Seeta having the same amount of grief as that of Rama, felt lightened of Her own, just as the autumnal moon obscured by cloud is relieved by breezy wind.
Whether Rama is a meat eater? No!!! is the answer. How come Valmiki then mentions that Rama went without meat or drink, during days of separation from Seeta, one may wonder.
During days of Rama - that is in ThretA yug - Kshtriyas are permitted to eat meat or drink. However, Rama being a teetotaler has avoided the same, whenGuha brought similar offerings.
A person of desolation and desperation may take to drinks and meat eating. But Rama is of strong and unwavering mind, to avoid the same, when Seeta is apart. He simply means that Rama desisted from it despite grief.
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