Why Amish’s new book argues for a Ram-Sita Rajya - and wins

Women all over the world are where they are because they stand on the shoulders of giants, in this case other strong women. That is the most remarkable aspect of Amish’s Sita: Warrior of Mithila, the second part of his Ram trilogy — or is it a quartet?

Sita is one of many powerful women in the book, the one Vishwamitra believes will be the next Vishnu, who will pull India out of the morass it is in. There is her mother Sunaina, who grooms her to be a generous ruler, and who herself governs Mithila as husband Janak devotes more time to less worldly pursuits.

She is a devotee of Shakti Maa, the mother goddess. There is Samichi, the friend Sita makes as a child, an expert at wielding the stick and scaring the boys, who becomes her chief of police, and then prime minister of Mithila. There is Radhika, Hanuman’s cousin, Sita’s friend from the gurukul and her strong support, able to sacrifice love when she has to.

There is also Urmila, at first somewhat frightened and meek, but then comforted and strengthened by her bond with big sister Sita.

The book displays a fascinating relationship between a queen and her princess — Sunaina wants Sita to follow her karma.

In one revealing conversation, she tells her: "It is said we come with nothing into this world and take nothing back. But that’s not true. We carry our karma with us. And we leave behind our reputation, our name. I want my name redeemed Sita. And I want you to do it. I want you to bring back prosperity to Mithila."

Amish’s Sita is not just a powerful woman who knows her own mind but also an expert rider, spearswoman, and a woman with the “wisdom of King Janak and the pragmatism and fighting spirit of Queen Sunaina”. She is also where she is because of those who went before her.

As her mother tells her: “Mithila is too small a place for one such as you, Sita. You are meant for greater things. You need a bigger stage. Perhaps a stage as big as India. Or maybe history itself...” Sita not only chooses her own destiny but also her own husband — she arranges the swayamwar where Prince of Ayodhya, Lord Ram, is invited.

As Amish writes: “She saw him as a worthy partner in the destiny of the Vishnu; someone she could work with for the good of her motherland, the country that she loved, this beautiful, matchless India.”

Sita is a wise ruler, interested in improving the lot of the poor, not to buy their loyalty but to better their living conditions, not afraid to effect a surgical strike to weaken her enemies, and always ready to listen to good counsel. She knows there has to be balance between the masculine and feminine, that pragmatism has to be leavened with idealism, and while she is not as bound by law as Ram, she knows her limits.

She wants a partnership of equality with Ram so they can rule fairly as the dual incarnations of Vishnu.

Amish shows us a world where a Ram-Sita Rajya is a much better prospect than a constricted Ram Rajya, where the head and heart rule in unison and in perfect harmony.

An ancient lesson for 21st century India, via Amish’s book.

Also read: Amish Tripathi explains how little we know Ramayana