Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 9.211-212
The Original Sītā Was Not Kidnapped
“When he was petitioned by mother Sītā, the fire-god, Agni, brought forth an illusory form of Sītā, and Rāvaṇa, who had ten heads, kidnapped the false Sītā. The original Sītā then went to the abode of the fire-god. When Lord Rāmacandra tested the body of Sītā, it was the false, illusory Sītā that entered the fire. At that time the fire-god brought the original Sītā from his abode and delivered her to Lord Rāmacandra.”
What the purport teaches
- These two verses come from the Kūrma Purāṇa. When mother Sītā petitioned Agni, he brought forth an illusory form of Sītā.
- Rāvaṇa kidnapped the false Sītā, while the original Sītā went to the abode of the fire-god.
- When Lord Rāmacandra tested Sītā, the illusory Sītā entered the fire. Agni then brought the original Sītā from his abode and delivered her to Lord Rāmacandra.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining who was kidnapped and where the original Sītā remained.
Ask yourself
How does distinguishing the original Sītā from the illusory Sītā clarify this account for you?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.