142 - Greatness of Sita 

Brahmå said:

1. For the destruction of the impious way of living of the demons and the protection of the Vedic Religion, Lord Hari incarnated in the world and saved the pious lines of kings. 

2-3. The lord incarnated in the form of Fish, etc. Taking the form of Fish, he fought with the demon Hayagriva in battle, killed him, redeemed the Vedas and saved Manu and others. Taking the form of a Tortoise he lifted the mountain Mandara on his back for the benefit of all, 

4-5. At the time of churning the milky occan, he took the form of the first physician Dhanvantari and holding the vessel full of Nectar rose up from the ocean. He taught the science of medicine and health with its eightfold sub-divisions to Sushruta. Hari took the form of a lady and made devas drink nectar. 

6. Incarnating as a Boar he killed Hiranyaksha, extricated the Earth from his clutches and saved the deities. 

7. Incarnating as Nrusimha (manlion) he killed the demon Hiranyakashipu and preserved the Vedic religion and its principles. 

8. Then Hari incarnated as the son of Jamadagni, Parashurama by name and frced the Earth of Kshatriyas thrice seven (twentyone) times. 

9. The Lord then killed Kárttavīrya and gifted away land to Kaśhyapa. After performing a sacrifice, the powerful lord made a permanent stay on the mountain Mahendra. 

10-1). Desirous of incarnating as Ráma, the suppressor of the wicked, hc divided himself into four and Dasharatha's four sons were born, viz. Rama, Bharata, Lakşhmaņa aud Shatrughna. Rama's wife was Janaki. 

12. To do a good turn to his step-mother and to preserve the truthfulness of his father he came to Dandaka forest passing through Shrungavera and Chitrakūța. 

13-15. He chopped off the nose of Shurpanakhā, killed the demons Khara, Düşhana, and Ravana who abducted Sitä along with his brother (Kumbhakarna). After installing his other brother Vibhişhana in the kingdom of Larika he returned to Ayodhya in the celestial car Pushpaka accompanied by Sugriva, Hanuman and others and his chaste wife Sītā of great fidelity. 

16. He ruled over the kingdom, protected subjects, saved devas, performed Aśhvamedha (horse sacrifice) and other sacrifices and preserved righteousness. 

17-18. Rāma lived happily with his loyal wife. Although she stayed in the premises of Råvaņa she never went over to him in mind, speech or action. She never thought of anyone except Rāma. She was as good a chaste woman as the celebrated Anasuyå. 

19. I shall tell you about the greatness of Sītā by narrating the greatness of chastity. Once, in the city of Pratişhthana, there lived a brahmin named Kaushika who suffered from leprosy. 

20. In spite of his loathsome disease his wife worshipped him like a god. Even when rebuked by him she never ceased to venerate him. 

21-22. Ordered by her husband she took him to a prostitute's house, taking with her plenty of money. The sage Måndavya who had been impaled on being suspected as a thief unjustifiably and who was pining in darkness was inadvertently kicked by the brahmin Kaushika who was seated on his wife's shoulders. 

23. Mändavya became furious on being kicked with the foot and said, "He who tossed me with his foot shall die at sunrise." 

24. On hearing that, the wife of Kaushika said, "The sun will never rise." Since the sun did not rise there was perpetual night. 

25. Many years went by like this. The gods became afraid. They went to Brahma for help. Brahmä told them. 

26-28. The splendour of asceticism is being subdued by this splendour of chastity, since the greatness of the chaste lady prevents the sun from rising. If the sun does not rise the loss is yours as well as men's. Hence, go to the chaste wife of Atri, Anasuyā, the holy woman and propitiate her for making the sun rise." The gods went to the chaste lady Anasūyå and entreated her. 

29. Making the sun rise she resuscitated Kaushika too. It is said that Sita was superior to even Anasuyà in chastity.