Sītā Gayā Śrāddha
During Bhagavān Rāma’s tīrtha-yātrā (journey to holy places), Sītā performed the śrāddha (the rite for ancestors) for Daśaratha at Gayā. She made one hundred and eight piṇḍas (offering balls) from the sand of the Phalgu river. When the rite was questioned, she called five witnesses: a mango tree, the Phalgu river, a cat, a cow and an Aśvattha tree. Each one confirmed what she had done. Bhagavān Sūrya then spoke for her himself. Daśaratha appeared in a shining divine form, accepted the sand piṇḍas with joy, and blessed Sītā with the highest praise.
Rāma at Gayā
On his tīrtha-yātrā to the east, Rāma spent three months at Gayā. Gayā is the greatest pitṛ-tīrtha (holy place for ancestors) in all Bhārata. The Purāṇas declare that one piṇḍa-dāna (offering of piṇḍas) here frees the ancestors for countless generations. The presiding deva of Gayā is Gadāpāṇi, which is Bhagavān Vishṇu holding the mace, and He is installed here for all time. The Phalgu river is held to be Bhagavān Vishṇu Himself in the form of water.
The time came for a śrāddha for Daśaratha, Rāma’s father, who had died in grief during Rāma’s exile. Sītā took on the rite.
This part is from Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Yātrā Khaṇḍa, Sarga 6.
The one hundred and eight sand piṇḍas
At the Phalgu tīrtha Sītā made one hundred and eight piṇḍas from the holy sand of the Phalgu river. She offered them as śrāddha piṇḍas for Daśaratha, with the proper rites and the saṅkalpa (the spoken vow of intent). This was unusual for two reasons. The piṇḍas were made of sand and not of the usual cooked rice. And Sītā, a woman, did the rite, which by custom is a son’s duty.
This part is from Sarga 6.
The questioning and the five witnesses
The sand piṇḍas and Sītā’s right to do the śrāddha were questioned. In answer, Sītā called five witnesses who had been present at the offering:
- The mango tree at the Phalgu tīrtha.
- The Phalgu river itself.
- A cat that was nearby.
- A cow that was at the place.
- An Aśvattha tree (the sacred fig).
Sītā called on each of them to confirm that she had made the piṇḍa-dāna in the right way. Her pātivratya (devotion as a faithful wife) was so strong that all five bore witness and spoke the truth of what she had done. Each one confirmed her act, and the combined witness of all five silenced the doubts.
This part is from Sarga 6.
Sūrya’s witness
Bhagavān Sūrya, the Sun, sees every act of every being and is the highest witness of all dharma. He then confirmed Sītā’s śrāddha himself. He is the eye of the world and the upholder of ṛta (cosmic order), so his word left no room for dispute.
This part is from Sarga 6.
Daśaratha appears
After Bhagavān Sūrya had confirmed it, Daśaratha appeared before Sītā in a body of light. The piṇḍa-dāna made in his name had freed him. He accepted the sand piṇḍas with great joy and blessed Sītā with words of the highest praise.
This part is from Sarga 6.
Sources
- Ānanda Rāmāyaṇa, Yātrā Khaṇḍa, Sarga 6