This is a story from the Treta Yuga. King Janaka, the noble ruler of Mithila, was deeply saddened because he had no children despite years of marriage. One day, overwhelmed by grief, he handed over his kingdom’s responsibilities to his ministers and left to perform intense penance on the banks of the holy Kaushiki River. There, he purified himself and meditated upon Lord Vishnu with unwavering devotion. 
During his meditation, Janaka saw the celestial nymph Menaka passing by, returning to heaven. Struck by her beauty, he sighed, "O fair one! If only I could have a daughter as radiant as you, I would consider myself the most fortunate man."
Hearing this, Menaka revealed her identity and said, "I am Menaka, an apsara from heaven. It is my destiny to be born as your daughter, but now I must return to the celestial realms, for I have been freed from a curse."
"Once, while dancing in Indra’s court, I was enchanted by the beauty of Indra’s son, Chitrasena, and glanced at him with desire. Furious at my impropriety, Indra cursed me to be born as a mortal woman. However, he also gave me a way out—I would return to heaven the day I received the divine vision of Goddess Parvati. Today, I have seen her, and my curse is lifted."
Before leaving, Menaka assured Janaka that he would soon be blessed with a divine daughter.
Long ago, King Krishadhwaja had a beautiful daughter named Vedavati. Unable to find a worthy husband, she performed severe penance to marry Lord Vishnu. One day, Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, saw her and tried to force himself upon her. When she resisted, he assaulted her, defiling her purity. Enraged, Vedavati cursed him—"Because you have defiled me, you will one day be destroyed because of a woman like me!"—and then immolated herself in sacred fire.
Horrified, Ravana fled. Later, Sage Narada warned him that Vedavati’s unburnt body would cause his doom. Ravana ordered his queen, Mandodari, to cook the body, but Narada secretly instructed her to cast it into the ocean instead.
Following her advice, Janaka conducted a grand yajna. As he plowed the land, the plow struck a golden casket. Inside lay a radiant baby girl—Sita, the daughter of Mother Earth herself.
In time, Sita married Lord Rama. Her life took dramatic turns—exile, abduction by Ravana, the great war, and her eventual return to Ayodhya. Yet, due to public suspicion, Rama reluctantly exiled her again. In the forest, Sage Valmiki sheltered her, where she gave birth to twin sons, Lava and Kusha.
Years later, during Rama’s Ashwamedha Yajna, Sita returned to prove her purity. With folded hands, she prayed to Mother Earth: "If I have been faithful, O Mother, take me back!" The ground split open, a divine throne emerged, and Sita descended into the Earth, leaving the world in awe.
"O Compassionate Lord Rama, the destroyer of sorrows! The one who crushes the mountains of grief—I bow to your lotus feet!"
This retelling simplifies the original Odia narrative while keeping its essence intact, making it accessible for modern readers. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!
During his meditation, Janaka saw the celestial nymph Menaka passing by, returning to heaven. Struck by her beauty, he sighed, "O fair one! If only I could have a daughter as radiant as you, I would consider myself the most fortunate man."
Hearing this, Menaka revealed her identity and said, "I am Menaka, an apsara from heaven. It is my destiny to be born as your daughter, but now I must return to the celestial realms, for I have been freed from a curse."
Menaka’s Curse and Liberation
Curious, Janaka asked about her curse. Menaka explained:"Once, while dancing in Indra’s court, I was enchanted by the beauty of Indra’s son, Chitrasena, and glanced at him with desire. Furious at my impropriety, Indra cursed me to be born as a mortal woman. However, he also gave me a way out—I would return to heaven the day I received the divine vision of Goddess Parvati. Today, I have seen her, and my curse is lifted."
Before leaving, Menaka assured Janaka that he would soon be blessed with a divine daughter.
The Story of Vedavati and Ravana’s Sin
Menaka then narrated an ancient tale:Long ago, King Krishadhwaja had a beautiful daughter named Vedavati. Unable to find a worthy husband, she performed severe penance to marry Lord Vishnu. One day, Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, saw her and tried to force himself upon her. When she resisted, he assaulted her, defiling her purity. Enraged, Vedavati cursed him—"Because you have defiled me, you will one day be destroyed because of a woman like me!"—and then immolated herself in sacred fire.
Horrified, Ravana fled. Later, Sage Narada warned him that Vedavati’s unburnt body would cause his doom. Ravana ordered his queen, Mandodari, to cook the body, but Narada secretly instructed her to cast it into the ocean instead.
Janaka Finds the Divine Child
Menaka told Janaka, "That sacred body now lies on the southern seashore. Perform a yajna (sacrifice) there and plow the land. You will find your daughter."Following her advice, Janaka conducted a grand yajna. As he plowed the land, the plow struck a golden casket. Inside lay a radiant baby girl—Sita, the daughter of Mother Earth herself.
Sita’s Many Names and Her Destiny
Janaka named her Sita (as she was found in a furrow), Baidehi (princess of Bideha), Janaki (daughter of Janaka), Maithili (princess of Mithila), and Parthivi (daughter of the Earth).In time, Sita married Lord Rama. Her life took dramatic turns—exile, abduction by Ravana, the great war, and her eventual return to Ayodhya. Yet, due to public suspicion, Rama reluctantly exiled her again. In the forest, Sage Valmiki sheltered her, where she gave birth to twin sons, Lava and Kusha.
Years later, during Rama’s Ashwamedha Yajna, Sita returned to prove her purity. With folded hands, she prayed to Mother Earth: "If I have been faithful, O Mother, take me back!" The ground split open, a divine throne emerged, and Sita descended into the Earth, leaving the world in awe.
Conclusion: A Tale of Purity and Divine Justice
Sita’s life symbolizes sacrifice, devotion, and the triumph of righteousness. Her birth from the Earth and return to it remind us that truth and purity are eternal."O Compassionate Lord Rama, the destroyer of sorrows! The one who crushes the mountains of grief—I bow to your lotus feet!"
This retelling simplifies the original Odia narrative while keeping its essence intact, making it accessible for modern readers. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!
Dipak Rout
Journalist
Dipak Kumar Rout brings these timeless tales to life through engaging and accessible retellings. Through writing, he aims to preserve cultural heritage while making it relevant for modern readers.
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