Sita
The Ideal Queen
Wife of Rama and incarnation of Lakshmi. Her abduction by Ravana sets the Ramayanam in motion. Symbol of strength and faith.
- Sanskrit/Telugu name: సీత
- Also known as: Janaki, Vaidehi, Bhumi Putri
- Symbols: Padmam, She lifted Shiva Dhanussu as a child
Story
Sita Devi was found as a baby in a furrow of the earth by Raja Janaka. She won Rama's hand through his ability to string Shiva's impossible Dhanussu. During vanavasm, she was kidnapped by Ravana but refused to submit, sitting in Ashoka Vanam waiting for rescue. After Lanka Yuddham, she proved her purity through Agni Pareeksha. In Telugu devotion, Sita Rama Kalyanam (the divine wedding) is re-enacted every Ram Navami at Bhadrachalam with state honors. Sita represents shakti through patience - Telugu ammalu (mothers) often tell their daughters about her strength.
Fun fact
As a child, Sita casually picked up Shiva's Dhanussu while cleaning - the same bow that no warrior could even lift. When Janaka saw this, he declared that only someone who could string it would marry her.