Like Ruth, the story of Sita contains a threefold initial crisis: dynastic disorder, exile, and the kidnapping of Sita by Ravana. The story of Sita comes from the Ramayana. The story of Charila comes from Plutarch's Moralia. The story of Ruth is familiar from the Bible. ' The King's Grace and the Helpless Woman: A Comparative Study of the Stories of Ruth, Charila, Sita,' by Cristiano Grottanelli History of Religions, (Aug. Of 08 'The King's Grace and the Helpless Woman'

Since evil spirits also come out, people stay home to worship Hanuman the monkey god and guardian or place food items at crossroads. Snake rites are also part of the Divali festival in places, perhaps to mark the departure of the snake for their annual hibernation. Crooke then elaborates local festivals dealing with cattle protection. Homes are cleaned in case the souls of the family deada come a-visiting. The lights are 'to keep evil spirits from devouring the oblations.' The need for the rite at the equinox is because the spirits are supposed to be active then. The time of Divali is at the new moon of the month Karttik, whose name comes from the 6 nursemaids (or Pleiades) of the war god Karttikeya. It's one of two autumnal equinox festivals - the other is Dasahra - at the time of the harvest of the rain crops (rice, millet, and others). The Divalis was connected with cattle breeding and agriculture. 267-292.Ĭrooke says that the name of the Divali or 'lamp Festival' comes from the Sanskrit for 'a row of lights.' The lights were earthenwware cups with a cotton wick and oil arranged to spectacular effect.

Hindery describes the structure of the Valmiki-Yamayana and points out sections with particular ethical didactic passages.Ĭandles for Diwali. It is surprising to us that Rama is considered the one enduring the tragic fate, rather than Sita.

When an ordeal by fire proved Sita faithful, Sita returned to Rama to live happily ever after. Meanwhile, Rama and Sita lived in the forest until Ravana, king of Lanka and an evil character, kidnapped Sita. When the king died, the son, Bharata took over the throne, but he didn't want it. In response to a promise the king had made to Rama's stepmother Kaikeyi, Rama was sent into exile for 14 years and her son made heir to the throne. Rama was the oldest son and heir apparent to Dasaratha. Hindery says that the King, Dasaratha of Ayodhya, in Northern India, sent Rama and his brother Laksmana to provide protection from demons for forest-dwelling ascetics. Rama, married 12 years, won his bride, Sita, by a physical feat. Provides more background on the god quality of Rama. CC Flickr User vimal_kalyanīy Roderick Hindery The Journal of Religious Ethics, (Fall, 1976), pp. Small huts and sculptures at Parnasala that depict the scene of Sita being kidnapped by Ravana.

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