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Refusal to sit on Hanumanji’s back :

During such a crucial period, suddenly Hanumanji turned up
and insisted Sita to sit on his shoulders so that he could take
her back. But Sitaji flatly refused. Hanumanji assumed that
“Sita fears that I will not be able to take her safely from the
clutches of Ravana’s soldiers and hence is not willing to sit on
my back.” To remove her fear and to demonstrate his power,
Hanuman uprooted a tree and started flying high carrying it
in his hands. Also, he broke the upper floors of the palace,
came and told Sita, “You saw my strength. Do not get scared
of the soldiers in my presence.”

Sitaji replied, “O fool ! Your efforts were worthless. You
should have first asked me the truth before doing all this. I
would have told you that I am not scared of the soldiers. My
reason of refusal is different. I declined your offer because I
do not touch any man except my husband and hence I cannot
sit on your back.”
Hanuman said, “But mother ! I have accepted Rama as my
father and hence you become my mother. Then why do you
hesitate to sit on your son’s shoulders ?”

Virtous Sita answered, “You are right from the point of view
of sentiments. But for the world you are a man other than
my husband. It is inappropriate to break the norms of the
society. Even a real mother does not keep her 3 year old son
embraced to her while sleeping.”

What amazing courage she possessed to protect her chastity !

An obvious question that arises here is,

Q. Sita decided to refuse Hanuman’s help for the sake of
protection of her character. But wasn’t her character at
stake while staying at Ravana’s place ?
25. Concern for Rama and Her Character 133