Sita and Daiva: the Role of Vedavati Episode (7.17) in Ramayana скачать в хорошем качестве

Sita and Daiva: the Role of Vedavati Episode (7.17) in Ramayana

Anna Molina is a classical philologist and junior researcher at the A.M. Gorky Institute of World Literature of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In 2023 she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Classical Philology at the Institute for Oriental and Classical Studies of the National Research University Higher School of Economics. She is studying Sanskrit philology as a part of the Master's programme at the HSE University. Her research centres on myths of abducted wives, ancient Greek and ancient Indian epic poems, and the comparative studies of Indo-European literature. The Ramayana of Valmiki's text formed during an extant time period and, therefore, is not entirely homogeneous. However, the version we have exhibits a strong theme of fate throughout the poem. R.1.14 clearly states that Ravana has to be slain because he has been oppressing gods and other creatures. For this very reason, Visnu has to be born as a human. This situates the plot of Ramayana in the framework of the divine plan. Rama's entire life is governed by the power of "daiva", which can be understood as "fate" in this context. Rama's exile is portrayed as inevitable as it is necessary to destroy Ravana. Not only Rama, but also his loyal wife Sita, is affected by "daiva". Moreover, she plays a crucial role in the divine plan. It is more than once (R. 3.35.5, 3.39.18, 3.52.10, 3.54.17, 6.98.23 e.g.) that we are reminded that Sita's abduction will be the death of Ravana. The story of the previous birth of Sita as Vedavati told in Uttarakanda (R.7.17) provides yet another explanation for the inevitability of Ravana's end and a different perspective on Sita's role. Vedavati, an ascetic woman desiring Visnu as a husband, was violated by Ravana. She, being already loyal to her future husband, immolated herself and vowing to be reborn to bring Ravana's life to an end.". This story shifts Sita's role in a story. She is not only a tool of the divine plan controlled by fate. She is the one inflicting fate on Ravana with her curse. Sita's relationship with "daiva" is twofold: she is both tragically and inevitably affected by it and just as inevitably affects others with it.