The Untold Story of Sita: An Empowering Tale For Our Time - Softcover

Merriam, Dena

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0578465345 ISBN 13: 9780578465340

Publisher: SitaRam Press, 2019

Synopsis

The Untold Story of Sita replaces the traditional narrative of Sita's life as told in the Ramayana with Sita as she truly is -- an incarnation of the great Devi Narayani. Sita comes to Earth to join Sri Ram in setting the foundation for a new civilization at a time when humans are becoming separate from the natural world. She seeks to embed a great love for the forests and rivers, plant and animal life in the hearts and minds of the people, and to share the high spiritual accomplishments of the great women rishis and sages, many of whom you meet along Sita's journey. This is a story of a woman's wisdom, courage and strength, her love for the manifest and unmanifest worlds, and her selfless sacrifices for the welfare of all. So step into Sita's time and see what life was like during a more spiritually more advanced age, when there was an understanding of Dharma, not just as duty but as an alignment with the higher forces of love that make possible the preservation of our world.

About this title

About the Author

Dena Merriam is a renowned international interfaith leader and was Vice Chair of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious Leaders at the UN. She convened a meeting of women spiritual leaders also at the UN and founded the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) in 2002. For 45 years she has been a student of Paramahansa Yogananda. She holds an MS from Columbia University. In 2014 she won the Niwano Peace Prize for her interfaith peace efforts. She is the author of My Journey Through Time: A Spiritual Memoir, The Untold Story of Sita, and When the Bright Moon Rises.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

She told us we must all get rest as the day of departure was but a few hours away. I could not sleep at all that night. I lay in bed hearing again and again the words Mata had spoken to us: “Behind every misfortune is a hidden blessing.” She had told me this earlier in Mithila, adding that one only needs to search for it. “It is the attitude, Meenakshi, with which one encounters life, that determines whether one can turn a misfortune into a blessing.” But I could not find any hidden blessing in what was about to befall us. Later I heard that the maharaja had been up all night pleading with Shri Ram not to leave. When Shri Ram explained again and again that he had no choice but to fulfil his dharma, the maharaja then pleaded with Sita not to leave with him. Kausalya Maharani asked what they would say to Janak Baba when he learned that his daughter had gone into exile. Sita responded calmly that she had already asked for and received his blessing.

He has come?” asked Kausalya Maharani in disbelief. Sita had shaken her head and replied, “His physical presence is not required for me to communicate with him. I would never take such a step without his blessing.” There was nothing we servants from Mithila could say if Janak Baba had given his blessing. We had to assume it was for the greater good. Dawn came too quickly. Everyone gathered in the courtyard to see them off. Shri Ram, his brother Lakshman, and Mata Sita were all dressed in ascetic clothing. Instead of rain, sorrow drenched the ground and the earth seemed to cry out. We were all heavy with pain,
but Mata looked calm and radiant, as did Shri Ram. The four of us servants stood off to the side as the three ascetics said their goodbyes to the family. I didn't think we would have a chance to speak with Mata, but she stepped aside and came to us, taking our hands one by one. “You have all served me well,” she said quietly, “and I know you will continue to do so. My love will always be with you.” The thought came into my mind that I would not see her again, as I was aging and not in the best of health. Fourteen years seemed an eternity to me. Mata looked at me and I heard her voice inside say, “I will see you again, Meenakshi. I promise you that.” Then with a parting glance, she turned and walked away, stepping up into the chariot with Ram and Lakshman, which then began to move slowly.

Edition details

• Publisher: SitaRam Press
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0578465345
• ISBN 13: 9780578465340
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 394