Ramayana: Why Sita refused to leave Lanka with Hanuman?

Mumbai: Lord Rama’s wife Sita was abducted by Ravana who duped the devout lady in disguise of a saint. Ravana dragged Sita forcefully on to his aerial vehicle Pushpaka Vimana and headed to his kingdom down south.

Sita was held captive in Ashoka Vatika, one of the most beautiful gardens ever designed on earth. Ravana tried to win her heart by showering her with riches but a chaste lady that she was, Sita refused to accept the luxuries and instead waited for her husband to free her from the demon king.

After seeking help from Sugreeva’s Vanara Sena, Rama wanted Hanuman to trace Sita’s location. Hanuman, who was oblivious of his own strengths, was reminded of his valour by Jambhavan. On realising that he could fly, Hanuman took a giant leap into the skies and flew in the direction of Lanka.

On reaching Ravana’s kingdom, Hanuman started searching for Sita. Finally after hours of desperately looking for the divine lady, Hanuman found her sitting under a tree at Ashoka Vatika. He quietly transformed into a tiny ape and went near her to inform about Lord Rama’s mission.

To prove his identity, he handed over Lord Rama’s ring to her. Sita, whose happiness knew no bounds, blessed Hanuman and was confident that she would be freed soon from the clutches of Ravana.

She could have easily flown out of Lanka along with Hanuman. But she chose not to do so because:

• She had faith in her husband’s power to annihilate the demon that had abducted and humiliated her. So she wanted her husband to end Ravana.
• She wanted to be freed respectfully and with dignity. Hence she wanted to wait for Rama’s arrival instead of escaping from Lanka.
• She was a devout wife and never let any man touch her (the only exception was when she was forcefully dragged by Ravana). So she politely refused to accept Hanuman’s humble request of joining him on his trip back to the place where Rama took shelter along with the Vanara Sena.

Hanuman respectfully accepted Sita’s decision after taking her chooda mani (decorative hair clip) as a token of identification for Lord Rama’s sake.