Hello readers!

Okay. So I raised some questions in previous chapter and I'll try to answer them from my point of view. From my understanding, ramayan have many speculations and all draw different conclusions from that. Nothing is solid. It's about how you take it. So forgive me if mine's are wrong.

And I only opened the discussion to see if anyone will have the same thoughts as me. 😅😅😅

The Lakshman rekha and agnipariksha part is from saga valmiki's ramayan and the later part was not included in that but rather written in various versions. I described the exile part from my point of view.

One more thing, I know in Mahabharat probably no one will have these questions as Ramayan's misinterpretation and versions were written in Kaliyug. But I wanted to add it to counter the misinterpretation of today's Shishupal who keeps raising questions on women.

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"A woman should never cross her limit, never forget her place and always be careful to protect her honour, otherwise what happens to that women, even Dravida's Maharani herself has firsthand experience of that." Shishupal said those in a clear and firm voice, so no one could misinterpret him.

Utter silence met Shishupal's statement. Everyone was too shocked to react for a moment. Standing in Dravida, standing in Maharani Mangalya's court, Shishupal just insulted her by referring to her humiliation at Kashi.

"Chedi Naresh!!!" Yuvrani Anandini's voice cut through the silence of the court as several gasps were heard from the crowd at their Maharani's insult. Even ever cool headed Anandini's utter calm and collected aura was broken by his audacity.

Maharani Mangalya showed a hand to stop her from saying anything. Screaming at him wasn't going to solve the issue at hand. He came here with the intention to insult the women court and he was confident no one would be able to answer him. He was deliberately instigating them. So weapons were drawn and her sons came downstairs at the courtroom to defend her. That would do two things. One, Dravida would be tainted that they insulted a guest and another the women court would become a laughing stock as everyone would say that the women needed protection of men to run the court. Not only that some would even go as far as saying Dravida had forgotten all righteousness by giving the reign at the women's hands.

Result? Dravida's reputation would be ruined and it would be marked as a philistine kingdom devoid of righteousness, honour and dignity. She glanced at the balcony only hoping her sons wouldn't come downstairs.

Maharaj Drishadvat held on the throne tightly to stop himself from moving. He was busy in calming himself when his sons were moving towards the stairs except Dwijendra and Daiwik who were also gritting their teeth hard with red eyes to control themselves. Maharaj Subahu felt ashamed as he was absent when his sister suffered and those were their family that subjected her to that. Yudhisthir looked at the moving Dravida Rajkumars, conflicted on what to do. He could also see the results of their presence in the courtroom. The rest of the Pandavs were seething in anger.

The Dravida Rajkumars were near the stairs about to start their descend when someone stopped their path.

"Move away Vasudev." Dheemant gritted out.

"Calm yourselves. Anger clouds our mind to see clearly." Krishna said calmly.

"What is there to see? He'll be the one to see now the result of pointing finger at our Mata." Dhikshit said angrily.

"Yes. He will see. But not the way you want. By going down, you'll get revenge for your Mata's insult indeed. But then what will happen to Renuka? Women like her will be insulted by thousands Shishupal out there." Krishna said grimly.

"What do you want? We silently watch our mother's insult?" Dridhaksh gritted out. Fury unlike anything was clearly visible in his eyes. Dhritimat's mind had started to see behind the veil of his anger while Devyajot only wanted Shishupal's head.

"Let them go Vasudev. Shishupal has himself invited his death." Bheem said from behind.

"Look around yourself Rajkumars." Krishna said. "Shishupal is the one saying the words. But sitting around in here, many Shishupal will be visible to you whose thinking contains just as much venom as him."

"Yes, Rajkumars. Vasudev is saying right. Your going there will be seen as a failure of the family court and Dravida's reputation will be questioned." Yudhisthir said.

"Take your seats." Maharaj Drishadvat's voice was heard for the first time.

"But Pitashree -" Dheemant wanted a object.

"Shishupal will be given answer in the same language he asked the questions." Maharaj Drishadvat said gravely.

"Well. That's quite some entertainment Mamashree. They were preparing for marriage, but now their faces will be similar to those of funeral." Duryodhan said smirking. But Shakuni was frowning. Dravida's royal family hadn't reacted yet and Maharani Mangalya was looking too much calm for his comfort.

"Yuvrani Anandini, I know it must be painful to hear the truth. But it is truth indeed." Shishupal said with a smirk.

Maharani Mangalya looked towards one of the side doors of the court where a pair of eyes were fixed on her unblinking among the dasis gathered there. Maharani's eyes met the one briefly for a second.

"So Maharani, what justice will you do today?" Shishupal continued as no one spoke.

"Has Dravida's family court forgotten to do justice? Won't justice be served here today?" Shishupal kept saying in a loud voice looking around at all the women present.

"Justice will be served for sure." A voice said from just outside the front door of the court. Everyone's attention turned to the door to see who that was. "How can justice not be served in Dravida's court? I promise you justice will be served." Drisana came inside from the door.

"And I also promise, today in this court in front of the whole Aryavart, those who consider women objects, inferior and doesn't know how to respect them and honour their dignity will be demeaned. Their false pride and haughtiness will be stripped naked. That's the promise of Mangalya Putri Arunika." Drisana said while striding inside the court looking at Shishupal with a smile which contradicted her harsh words.

Shishupal frowned at her. With her last words, he finally understood this was the bride to be, Drishadvatduhitri (daughter of Drishadvat), Mangalya Putri Arunika (the first rays of morning sunlight) called Drisana.

"Bah! To hone wali dulhan khud aayi hai nyaay karne. (Wow! So the bride to be has come herself in the court to do justice.)" Shishupal said in a mocking voice smirking at her.

"Aab kya kare? Aap nyaay ki duhar hi etni jor jor se laga rahe the ki mujse raha nehi gaya. (What to do? You were crying for justice so loudly that I couldn't stop myself.)" Drisana said matching his smirk. Shishupal's face turned hard.

"For those who don't know, I'm Dravida's Rajkumari and this court's advisory minister, Drisana, also known as Arunika." Drisana said introducing herself by folding her hands and looking around the balcony. Before she got kidnapped by that Yaksini, she was named Arunika by her mother, Maharani Mangalya. She was named Drisana by her parents in Kaliyug. When she came back, everyone called her Drisana only. But those who had heard of her, knew her as Arunika, the one who came piercing the darkness and dispelling it.

"Isn't it surprising? The girl whose marriage is in five days, is standing in a court where almost all the Aryavart is present, without any hesitation or shyness." Shishupal said staring at her with slightly narrowed eyes.

"What's so surprising in it Chedi Naresh? My daughter is going to get married. She is not going to be punished for some crime that she'll need to hide her face." Maharani Mangalya said in a clear voice acting nonchalant. Everyone heard her loud and clear. Drisana arched one eyebrow giving a side glance to Shishupal who gritted his jaw only. Nakul was smirking looking at his Hridaya, getting comfortable in his seat to see her fire.

"So, let's concentrate on justice now." Drisana said and move to stand before Rameswara. "Rameswara, can you please repeat your statement once again?" Drisana requested in a sweet voice. Rameswara narrated the events and his allegation against his wife once again.

"Okay. Maharani Rameswara is saying absolutely right. There is reason to doubt his wife. And I agree with Chedi Naresh. As society has raised questions at her character, Renuka should give agnipariksha." Drisana's statement started low whispering in the court. Those who didn't know her personally was aghast at the suggestion, those who did know her was confused, those with the same mindset as Shishupal smirked in insolence.

"So Renuka? Are you ready to give agnipariksha?" Drisana asked her. Renuka only continued crying vigorously. "I don't think so. Maharani if Renuka doesn't want to give agnipariksha, then she should be banished from the society." Drisana said with a serious face. Maharani Mangalya nodded her head with the same serious expression. Shishupal and Duryodhan was buzzing in excitement where Shakuni was trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

"True. We live in society. We cannot go against it. Renuka should be banished -"

"Wait Maharani. Before declaring the punishment, let's complete the justice." Drisana interrupted her mother.

"What is left now, Rajkumari Arunika?" Shishupal asked in a mocking voice, taking her name in an insulting tone.

"Rameswara's justice. That's still due." Drisana said confusing him. "Maharani, a husband's duty is to protect and respect his wife. But Rameswara failed to do that. So he should be punished too."

"How is that?" Shishupal asked frowning.

"Look Chedi Naresh, Rameswara himself said that he goes to travel leaving his wife alone at home for days. Now if we think about what Renuka said, then it's possible that a thief saw that the man of the house is away and a woman resides alone there. Thus he targeted that house leaving all others. What if that thief tried to harm her? Rameswara should have been there to protect her and he failed to do that." Drisana said.

"But that man was not thief. He was her lover." Shishupal objected.

"Iske kaan mein aakar bol ke gaya kya woh byakti 'mein chor nehi, premi hu'? (Did that man came to say that in his ears that 'I'm not thief but a lover'?)" Daiwik said in irritation. Dheemant gave a snicker hearing him.

"What is the proof? Is there any way to prove that he was Renuka's lover and not a thief?" Drisana asked Chedi Naresh with curiosity.

"No. But -" Shishupal started to say.

"But Maharani, Rameswara's crime is not only that. He also failed to trust and respect his wife. When the villagers were verbally abusing Renuka, instead of standing for her honour, he abused her too." Drisana said interrupting him.

"You're forgetting Rajkumari. Society has deemed Renuka as characterless and she had the opportunity to prove herself by giving agnipariksha. But no. She refused. It's not Rameswara's fault." Shishupal said in agitation.

"Thank you for reminding me." Drisana said smiling at him brightly. "Maharani, I've doubt on Rameswara's character too."

"What?" Shishupal, Rameswara along with most of the people present was dumbfounded. Nakul hid his laugh with a cough.

"Yes. Maharani the way Rameswara disrespected, distrusted and mistreated his wife, looking at that I think Rameswara is having an affair with another woman. Rameswara also stays away from home for days. Maybe he goes to meet his lover only." Drisana said gasping dramatically. Shishupal blinked looking at her as Rameswara's eyes widened.

"What are you saying Rajkumari? There's nothing like that. I go for work only." Rameswara defended himself.

"What is the proof that you go for work and not for your lover? Whole society is doubtful of your character." Drisana said to him.

"Which society?" Shishupal asked.

"This society Chedi Naresh. I ask to all of the women of the society who are present here in this court. Do you not doubt Rameswara's character?" Drisana asked loudly looking at all.

"Hai sandeh, (yes, we have-)"

"Puri hamein. (Full doubt.)"

"Rameswara ke charitra, (Rameswara's character-)

"Nehi hai bilkul swaccha. (Is not untainted.)"

Himani & Poornima said supporting her as Shishupal was trying to understand what was happening.

"So give agnipariksha." Drisana said looking at Rameswara.

"Me?" Rameswara asked pointing at himself.

"Who else?" Drisana confirmed smiling at him.

"Rameswara will give agnipariksha???!!!!!" Shishupal was himself confused either he was asking or stating.

"Yes, Chedi Naresh." Drisana said.

"Have you gone mad Rajkumari? Men don't give agnipariksha. Women are supposed to do that when situation demands. Mata Sita gave agnipariksha, not Shree Rama." Shishupal said finally getting out of his dumbstruck state.

"But Shree Rama was also not abducted by some Rakshasi who desired him, Chedi Naresh. If something like that happened, Shree Rama also would have given agnipariksha." Yuvrani Anandini said innocently hiding her smirk.

"Shree Rama would have given agnipariksha?" Shishupal asked incredulously.

"Of course. Why not? Shree Rama always followed the path of Dharma and it is described in vedas only that husband and wife are two halves of a single entity and they have equal rights on each other. Then why have he not given agnipariksha? Or are you implying that Shree Rama was not a righteous person?" Drisana again asked looking at Shishupal with curiosity.

"No. I don't -"

"No??? You think Shree Rama was Adharmi???!!!" Drisana gasped dramatically.

"No...Yes..."

"No? Or yes?"

"Yes. No."

"Yes? Or No?"

"No. Yes. I mean-"

"I understood what you mean. You mean Shree Rama was a follower of Dharma and Rameswara should give agnipariksha." Drisana said speedily.

"Yes." Shishupal agreed quickly not really grasping the second part.

"Yes. Guards sprinkle kerosene oil and light him on fire." Drisana immediately ordered the guards. Rameswara tried to oppose as without any delay guards started to sprinkle kerosene oil on him like they were waiting to light him only. Shishupal was looking with wide eyes as Drisana took a torch to light Rameswara on fire.

"Is she really going to light him?" Bheem asked looking confused.

"Maybe. There's no guarantee with Drisana." Arjun said and received an annoyed look from Nakul.

"Mamashree?!" Duryodhan was at the edge of his chair and Shakuni looked downstairs unblinking with rounded eyes.

Krishna and Balaram both looked amused.

"Jyesth? If she really lightens him?" Dridhaksh asked.

"No. No. She won't. Floor will get dirty." Dheemant said. Dwijendra only shook his head.

Here downstairs, Drisana started to move towards Rameswara as guards held him. Rameswara was pleading to leave him.

"Don't worry Rameswara. If you are pure, then your chastity won't let this fire do any harm to you." Drisana said with a smile.

"No Rajkumari. Please don't do this. I'm not Sita Mata that fire will not touch me." Rameswara said looking horror-stricken.

"But you must have one or two qualities of Shree Rama. That will be enough to safeguard you." Drisana said.

"No. No. I've no qualities of Shree Rama. I don't even have an ounce of his single quality. I'm just a normal human. How can I compare to lord Rama?" Rameswara said. Drisana stopped hearing him.

"Exactly. You who don't even have an ounce of Shree Rama's single qualities want to find Sita Mata in your wife." Drisana said in a loud booming voice. "Look at this, these men, who is not even qualified to stand in front of Shree Rama, wants their wife to be like Mata Sita, wants them to give agnipariksha." Drisana said looking around.

"Chedi Naresh. Didn't you ask when Sita Mata gave agnipariksha to prove her chastity then why can't Renuka?" Drisana turned to Shishupal. "Then let me clearify to you. Sita Mata never gave any test of fire (agnipariksha), she rather entered the fire (agnipravesh). Not to prove her chastity but rather she did it because she didn't want to live in a society where women's dignity and honour could so easily be questioned. But even Agni dev's (fire god) fire is burnt by the heat Sita mata held within herself; generated by a lifetime of chastity, self control, faithfulness, suffering and sacrifice, the same heat that had earlier terrified Ravana against coming near her. Sita Mata's agnipravesh was not a surrender to the unreasonable whims of a society rather a supreme act of defiance that challenged the aspersions cast on her, by the means of which she highlighted the superficiality of society's doubts, so that even the gods had to materialize and point out the apparent fallacy in the trial so unceremoniously cast on her.

It's very sad that how some small-minded, conservative, egocentric, heedless male-chauvinists turned her glory into their own. And made it an excuse to take test of women's chastity. They turned agnipravesh to agnipariksha for their own satisfaction." Drisana said furiously.

"And about that Lakshman rekha? Please go and check Ramayan again. In Saga Valmiki's Ramayan, you won't find any reference of Lakshman rekha. Lakshman only said three words about Shree Rama's glory when Sita Mata asked him to go to Shree Rama's help. But because she was worried for her husband, she ignored those words. But alas, again the opportunists of the society twisted it saying she crossed some lines drew by Lakshman. Even if so then answer one of my question, if that Lakshman rekha was truly for Mata Sita, a woman, then why Ravana the powerful Rakshasa was not able to cross it, but Sita mata could?

I'll tell you. Because that line was not meant to bind a woman but to set the limit for those who dared to look down at women like objects with disrespect, scorn and opprobrium. Women were never meant to be bound by any line that an illiberal, discriminatory, priggish and ignorant society drew for them nor they ever will be." Drisana said in a firm and loud voice, her eyes never once leaving Shishupal's. Every women presented there could feel the power of her words energising them while those who chose to silently support Shishupal bowed their head.

"And you Rameswara. A husband's duty is to respect his wife, trust and love her, treat her with affection, never treat her rudely and always protect her honour. You've failed to do even one of the above. And Renuka? Don't think I've any sympathy for you. Because the one who tolerates misdeeds, is also a supporter of that offence. Your husband is the one who came seeking justice when you only cried in misery. Instead of asking for justice, you only tried to justify yourself. You want to stay with this man when you should have left him slapping his face." Drisana said turning her angry eyes to the couple. Both bowed their head, unable to say anything.

"Really. You've opened my eyes Rajkumari. Whole Aryavart knows one thing and you delivered a new narrative. But tell me one more thing, why Sita Mata was banished by Lord Rama if society's say or thoughts shouldn't matter?" Shishupal asked though his voice and attitude made it clear, he had nothing but contempt for Drisana.

"Let me answer this Chedi Naresh." Anandini said getting up from her seat. "Who said society's say or thoughts doesn't matter? It does. After all, we have to live in society only. But society is made for human. Humans are not made for society. For the betterment of mankind, we need the improvement of society. If there's some wrong tradition or thought is brewing in society that damages us rather than our betterment, than it is only righteousness to change it.

Shree Rama did send Mata Sita for exile. But he did it to fulfil his duty as a king. Because if he lost the trust of his people, then they would question his every decision and disregard the rules and harmony of the kingdom. But he neither forgot her nor he stopped loving her. He fulfilled his duty as a husband too, suffering the same way Mata Sita was suffering. Even remaining in Palace among luxuries, he lived like Mata Sita would have in exile. Sleeping on earth, living minimally and never once entertaining the thought of another woman, even though as a king he was pressurised to remarry because he needed a queen beside him to perform different yagnas. But He instead made a statue of Mata Sita of pure gold that represented his wife and practised bramhachary.

Being the King who is ultimately a public servant, he had to exemplify detachment and perform his duty to regain the trust of his people. And to do that he sacrificed his own happiness, he got separated from his beloved, living a life of misery. He sacrificed the happiness and contentment of fatherhood. If he left with Mata Sita ignoring his people giving the reign of the kingdom to his brothers, than it would have been Mata Sita who would be blamed and abused as people would say Raghunandan abandoned his people in the desire of a woman. So, he sacrificed.

But his not once asking her to prove her purity, not getting married again, Sita Mata not giving another agnipariksha when she returned back to Ayodhya is the proof that we should never give into the wrong demands of the society." Anandini's firm voice left no room for argument.

"Yes. And blaming a woman, pointing at her character on baseless accusations and abandoning her, abusing her is wrong and always will be." Priyala added.

"Ramayan is the story of pain and sacrifice Chedi Naresh. All through their life, Mata Sita and lord Rama sacrificed their own happiness for others betterment. They teach us the language of sacrifice and righteousness. Not how women should be bound by limit or to accuse their character at whims, nor does it teach us to disrespect or mistreat them." Shubhaprada said grimly.

"Chedi Naresh, do you have anything else to say?" Maharani Mangalya asked finally. Shishupal gritted his jaw hard not able to say a word. Shakuni and Duryodhan both had a sour face while Maharaj Drishadvat and Dravida's princes had a proud look. The women just proved in front of the whole Aryavart that no one could question their justice and those who dared to insult them would be shut down and paid back by them only.

"I guess not. Then answer one of my question. Rameswara and Renuka wanted justice and you brought them here. Good. But what gave you the right to speak in between the procedure of My court when I only gave permission for you to be a silent spectator?"

Hope You got answer of the questions?

***Sorry. I don't agree with the maya sita concept. There are too many loopholes. Trust me I can encounter every one of your justification of maya sita. I just don't want to have a lengthy discussion on the topic anymore and concentrated on writing this chapter rather than arguing in comments.

No hard feelings or offence if you believe in maya sita. After all, it's the teachings that we draw from it that matters, no matter the version.

***Agnipravesh happened in front of the whole Vanarsena. It was NEVER a silent affair no matter what version you speak of.

***Krishna is the only form in which he was aware of his divinity. In Rama and Sita avtar they were born as humans only. It was a mortal form. So maya sita exchange, ravana getting destroyed if he even saw real sita, knowing everything from start etc was added to highlight their Godliness which had no base.

And if they were really aware of their divinity, then why would a god be set as an example of Maryada purusshottam with his divine powers? You can never try to achieve or follow someone who has special powers. Rama's self-control, righteousness all would be less glorious because what's the difficulty to achieve all that for God? But if he was mortal like us and achieved those as a human that tells us that we can practice those qualities too.

***Lakshman rekha is a misconception. Even if it was real, as Drisana said, the line was for evils, not for the women and when a evil cross the line, Ravana can tell you what happens.

What a long chapter!!! 😥😥😥

Longest till now.

Word count : 4082 😨😨😨