Sita is the embodiment of virtue and compassion on a par with Rama. But interpreters point out to many instances where Sita surpasses the Lord with her qualities of patience, mercy and boundless kindness towards all, said Damal Sri Ramakrishnan and Srimati Perundevi in a discourse. She states her credo about kindness to Hanuman when he is sent by Rama to inform her about Rama’s victory. Sita is overwhelmed by the extraordinary help Hanuman has rendered to both of them. She is at a loss about how to reward him. For, in her perception there is nothing really worthy to be gifted to Hanuman by way of gratitude that would give her happiness.
In all humility, Hanuman values her kind and affectionate words as the most precious in this world. He adds that if she would permit him, he would kill the rakshasis who had tormented her. Sita says that it would be foolish to be angry with them for they were only doing their duty. She then goes on to say that none is free from faults since it is human tendency to err. It is the mark of a noble person to be kind to all beings, whether one is a sinner, or a virtuous person; in fact one has to show kindness even to one who deserves death for there is none who never commits a wrong. She sees her own plight of suffering as a consequence of her bad fortune or owing to any misdeed committed by her in the past. The experiences in one’s life are all the fruits of one’s own making.
Earlier, Sita had promised the rakshasis that she would protect them when they are bereft of their king Ravana for surely Rama would kill him. She even advised Ravana on his foolish desire to possess her and had asked him to mend his ways and seek surrender at Rama’s feet.
