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21. Importance of Courage & Faith

Sita did not develop all such qualities lately but she was
like this even before. She displayed such exceptional qualities
even when her marriage proposal was kept. A Swayamvar*
was organized. The condition kept was that ‘the person who
picks up the immovable Devadhishtit* bow and launches the
arrow on it and then hits the aim will become Sita’s husband.
How did Sita accept such a condition ? What if no one was
able to pick up the bow ? What if the person who succeeded
in the task was some ordinary man, some Bhil*, etc. ?

Why did Sita agree ?

Because, firstly she considered the marriage arrangements to
be the elder’s matter. Mature and considerate Sita did not
interfere in this topic.
Secondly, Sitaji thought that it was absolutely useless to
marry a man who did not possess even so much strength. It
was possible that the one who picked up the bow and arrow
was an ordinary man but at least he would be strong and
courageous.

This was acceptable to Sita.

Keep in mind - Give your life in the hands of the one who is
strong and brave, not the one who is weak and a coward.

* Swayamvara – An old Indian form of wedding
* Devadhishtit – Anything that is guarded by the Devas (the celestial
beings)
* Bhil – A person belonging to the Adivasi tribe
21. Importance of Courage & Faith 99