Sita's Homecoming: Looking Beyond The Symbolism Of Diwali In Ramayana

Stories hold significant value. As we grew up hearing the stories centred around Diwali, we would swell with pride. We would wear colourful Indian outfits and share overly sweet treats, feeling joyful that our culture had a vibrant, festive celebration. Whether it was adorning our homes with lights or performing a play about the Diwali story at school, Diwali has always been looked at through the gleaming beauty of our rich cultural heritage.

Though it is the celebration and mark of the triumph of good over evil, the reality of its depth is more nuanced than we ever admit to discussing. In this article, I talk about the nuances of patriarchy and stereotypes that mark their presence in the grand succession of the Ramayana epic and how vital it is to open ourselves to newer perspectives. 

The Symbolism of Diwali in Ramayana  

During their exile, Lord Ram’s wife Sita was abducted by the demon king Ravana and held captive. One day, Sita spots a golden deer and urges Rama to catch it. Before he leaves, he creates a protective circle around their hut and instructs her not to leave it. However, she is deceived by the ten-headed demon Ravana, who abducts her to his kingdom. Rama fights bravely to rescue her and ultimately succeeds. Rama ultimately rescued her after a fierce struggle. Therefore, Diwali symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. They return to the city of Ayodhya, where Rama is crowned king. This homecoming, with the lighting of lamps, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness. However, the true interpretation of this story is more nuanced.

In the original "Ramayana" by Maharishi Valmiki, Rama rescues Sita but later abandons her due to her time with another man. Sita proves her purity by undergoing a trial by fire, and they return to Ayodhya together. However, Rama soon hears rumours about Sita's fidelity and decides to exile her to the forest while pregnant. Years later, he finds her again and seeks her forgiveness, and a crowd gathers to witness their reunion. Instead of returning with Rama, Sita prays for a return to the earth, and the ground opens up to accept her. This unexpected conclusion adds a new dimension to the entire story.

The text explores the concept of dharma, or the appropriate way to act, which serves as its main theme. Written around 500 BC during a transition from tribal multiculturalism to larger kingdoms in the Gangetic plain, it highlights the need for established rules, customs, and laws to maintain these emerging communities. Sita's choice to stay in the forest symbolises the text's ambivalence towards the foundations of statehood and represents her resistance against toxic masculinity and strict societal norms that value duty and honour above personal relationships.

Ramayana and the Indian Media- A Reflection of Patriarchy 

This aspect of the story is often overlooked in contemporary discussions. Similar to how we received a simplified version as kids, today's media tends to oversimplify and reduce the nuance and richness of the original narrative. The most well-known adaptation of the "Ramayana" today is the serialized version created by producer-director-writer Ramanand Sagar, which was broadcast on India's national television, Doordarshan, in the late 1980s. It quickly became the most viewed television series globally, with replays airing on 20 different channels in 17 countries across all continents and time zones. 

 As children of the Indian community, we were familiar with this narrative where women were always depicted as sorrowful, while men showcased their strength by drawing bows and arrows. The show not only reinforced gender stereotypes but also downplayed Sita’s rightful anger at being abandoned in the forest. Sagar modified the story so that Sita herself proposed her banishment to uphold Rama’s honour. The influence of this widespread adaptation of the epic on women in India, who had a literacy rate of 39.42% at the time, and within the diaspora, where Hindu epics are seldom studied, is significant. It established an image of the ideal Indian woman as submissive, self-sacrificing, and quiet.

After Sita's rescue, her pregnancy sparked doubts about her purity, with people speculating that Ravana might have assaulted her, leading to the belief that the children could be his. Though Lord Rama knew Sita's innocence, Rama chose to send her to the forest to give birth and raise their children alone. This narrative is troubling, as it raises questions about accountability and support in times of trauma. Shouldn't Rama, as her husband, offer love and protection rather than cast her aside? Lordess Sita deserved to be viewed as more than just her physical purity, and Rama should defend her against criticism. This portrayal of Rama's actions is not the kind of husband behaviour we would admire or want in a partner. 

The stereotypical portrayal of Diwali as Lord Ram’s win of Good over evil has set its fangs deeper over the set of years, but the truth belies in the notion of every narrative having its essence covered in hues of grey. Ramayana is not only a testimony to the victory of truth over evil but also the presence of patriarchy, female oppression and the toxic glorification of female chastity that lay its footprints deep into the sands of Indian society. Many households across India will still embody the same age-old tradition of Diwali celebrations even today.

In a staple Indian family, the men typically engage in political discussions while the women either agree or focus on cooking, serving, cleaning, caring for children, or discussing different topics. As we evolve, we should embrace a more nuanced interpretation of the "Ramayana," one in which Sita challenges gender norms, alters the narrative, and opposes toxic patriarchy and the same belief is embraced and inspired in the changing dynamics of our households during Diwali. 

What remains to be celebrated during Diwali?

From a fresh perspective, we can view it as an Indian festival of togetherness, focusing on family, unity, and love.  While Diwali represents the triumph of light over darkness, it goes beyond the traditional tale of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana, highlighting deeper themes of perseverance and kindness within our communities.

Let's honour the light within us by promoting true equity and celebrating the triumph of humanity, love, and fairness over animosity, hatred, and patriarchy.

Views expressed by the author are their own.