One Min Ramayana-2- Lord Rama did not marry Sita maatha in Swayamvaram!
It is popularly believed that Lord Rama married Sita maatha immediately after breaking Siva
Dhanassu/arrow in Swayamvaram. But this is not what has happened according to Valmiki Ramayanam.
In fact Lord Rama did not even knew he was attending the Swayamvaram event!
Sita maatha herself told how she got married to Sati Anasuya. Slokas describing this conversation can be
found in Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga/Chapter 118 from Sloka no 25 onwards.
In Sloka no 51, Sita maatha specifically tells Anasuya that Lord Rama did not consent to accept Sita after breaking the arrow. Lord Rama said he cannot marry Sita unless his father Dasaratha accepts Janaka
maharaj proposal.
Events leading to Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam
Brahmarshi Viswamitra along with Lord Rama and Lakshmana swamy come to Mithila to attend a
yagnam. King Janaka tells Viswamitra about Shiva’s bow and then Viswamitra asks him to show it to Lord Rama and Lakshmana. Rama being Kshatriya expresses his desire to check the bow as would any Prince who want to check a new weapon. At that time Rama doesn’t know that the person
who breaks the bow will get Sita maatha as wife. Viswamitra too doesn’t tell about this to Rama as he
knows that Rama will not lift the bow if he knows about that condition, since Rama is a son who obeys
his father and he would not agree to marry someone without his father’s consent.
After Rama breaks the bow, Janaka offers Sita maatha but Rama rejects saying he cannot accept without Dasaratha approval. Then Janaka sends message to Dasaratha and they arrive in Mithila.
Dasaratha and Janaka after consulting their respective Gurus and knowing about the lineage of both
families agree to the marriage. This part is detailed in Balakanda Sarga/Chapter 66 onwards.
Proponents of Love Marriage try to show Sita Swayamvaram as an example that Lord Rama himself
married Sita maatha without his father consent. But as per Valmiki Ramayana this is completely untrue.
“Raamo Vigrahavaan Dharmaha”. Lord Rama who left the kingdom just for the sake of his father’s
promise would not have married without his father’s approval.
Sri Rama Jayam.
