![]() ![]() In contemporary Southeast Asian fiction, the story of Rama and Sita is often retold to highlight a double standard for men versus women: that women are supposed to prove their faithfulness to men, but the behavior of absent men is never questioned. ![]() In some versions of the Ramayana, it is said that lotus flowers sprouted at Sita’s feet to protect her from the fire, or that not a flower petal in her hair was faded by the fire because the gods, who knew she was pure of heart, protected her completely. In ancient South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe (not to mention colonial America), it was thought that the innocence of an accused criminal could be proven if they survived some kind of extreme physical punishment such as burning or drowning. In order to prove that she has been faithful, Sita willingly undergoes an ordeal, or trial by fire. One of the monkey kings lights the fire with a torch in front, while other monkey king spectators are visible at right.Īfter being separated from Sita for many years during her capture by Ravana, Rama is unsure of his wife’s fidelity. Sita stands calmly in a gated area with flames burning around the lotus blossom platform on which she stands. ![]() Sita proves her purity by undergoing a fire ordeal, as seen in a mural detail at the Emerald Buddha Temple. Sita proves her purity by fire ordeal (Thai Ramayana mural) Sita proves her purity by fire ordeal (Thai Ramayana mural) ![]()
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