Why Sita's Fire Still Troubles Us

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Dharma Katha · Season 4: The Road to Diwali · Episode 124 If you heard the last episode, you may have finished it uncomfortable. Good. So did I, the first time I read it. And so, it turns out, did some of the greatest poets and teachers of the tradition, centuries ago. Missed the previous story? Listen to Episode 123 first. Source note. Label: retelling and reflection. The Valmiki scene is from the Yuddha Kanda, as told in episode one hundred and twenty-three. The Maya Sita, or shadow Sita, is from the Adhyatma Ramayana, traditionally placed in the Brahmanda Purana, in its Aranya and Yuddha Kandas; the Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas follows it in its Aranya and Lanka Kandas. The banishment of Sita is in the Uttara Kanda, which many scholars regard as a later addition. The readings and reflections are my own. Note: this episode is narrated with an AI voice and the script was written with AI assistance. Sanskrit verses are checked against published editions; corrections are welcome.