When Hanumaan went to Lanka to find Seeta ji, he saw her sitting below a tree. Then the dreadful Raavan comes and tries to convince Seeta to accept and marry him. Seeta answers him very confidently, asking him to return her to Raam and ask for his forgiveness. But when Raavan is gone, his servant Raakshasis who were filthy, disfigured and scary in looks threaten and coerce Seeta. Seeta, who showed no signs of terror from Raavana, now seems intimidated and starts to cry.
When the great war was over and Raavana was killed; Raam asked Hanumaan to go inside Ashok Vatika and tell Seeta what had happened. When Hanumaan still found the Raakshasis around Seeta, his reaction was natural. This is what followed:
How to Treat Sinners
Hanumaan looked at the Raakshasi women who had guarded Seeta and turning to Seeta said: “I wish to slay these cruel women who troubled you. Do give me leave!”
“No, my son,” she answered. “Who in the world is blameless? It is the part of noble souls to be compassionate towards all – sinners as well as good people.”
These words of Seeta are treasured like nectar by generations of pious men. The worst of sinners, clinging to the golden feet of the Mother, can gain forgiveness.
“These Raakshasis,” she continued, “but carried out their master’s orders. How are they to blame? Their king is dead and has paid for his crime. It is unjust to punish these Raakshasis now.”
All that Hanumaan could find to say in reverent admiration was that what she said was only what was worthy of Raama’s wife.
(C. Rajgopalachari; Ramayana; Ch LXXV; The End; P465-66)
- Rahul
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