A story that is not mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana in the context of Sita’s possession of Rama’s signet ring in Asoka Vana but finds place in some interpretations is about how this ring takes Sita to the memories of their happy days of wedded life in Ayodhya. She recalls how this wedding ring had brought them together when a quarrel had left a silent distance between them for a few days. The impasse finally ended when Rama pretended to have lost the ring and Sita found it. At a symbolic level, interpreters explain Sita’s experience of Rama at this juncture as one that is equal to the direct perception of the Supreme Truth, pointed out Sri B. Sundarkumar in a discourse. The ring is representative of the Ashtakshara mantra which is dedicated to Narayana. Hanuman holding Rama’s ring in his hand is seen as the preceptor imparting a mantra to Sita who typifies the disciple who accepts it.
Sastras affirm that mantras are powerful since they embody the Truth in latent form. The duty of the preceptor is to impart the mantra. The onus of invoking the power of the mantra so that the Truth becomes revealed lies in the disciple’s proper yogic practice and steadfast meditation.
Sita’s severe penance and constant meditation of Rama who is Narayana incarnate has already enabled her to reach the “Brahmi Stiti” — a state of mind extolled in the Bhagavad Gita as the highest state one can aspire for. She now experiences the bliss of union with Rama’s presence.
Meditation is the spiritual discipline developed by hearing and mental reflection. The truth of Brahman is to be heard and made revealed from a preceptor to whom it has already been fully revealed. One method is when a preceptor initiates the disciple with a mantra or sacred word or formula.
