JKP

Sita is Ram, Ram is Sita

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
5 May 2025
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(Speech delivered by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on the occasion of Sita Navami)

Sita is Ram, Ram is Sita by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

Shri Ram is the Father of the Universe, and Janaki (Sita) is the Mother of the Universe. In the world, we naturally have both a mother and a father. In the same way, in the Divine realm too, Sita and Ram together fulfill this role. Although they are ultimately one, they appeared as two through their divine pastime of marriage. But in truth, they are not separate – only one manifested as two. According to the scriptures, they are not two at all and eternally one. 

During the time of the great dissolution (Mahapralay), Bhagwan Ram remained alone. Even He felt a sense of emptiness. The same happens with worldly beings – when someone stays alone for a long time, they feel restless. And in contrast, when there is too much crowd, like during weddings or big functions, even then people feel overwhelmed – noise, chaos, one even has to stand in line for the restroom! 

Similarly, when all of God’s children become disobedient and wayward in Kaliyug, leading to chaos, God initiates Mahapralaya – bringing an end to it all. Yet, even that solitude becomes burdensome. So, what does He do then? He manifests once more, but this time in many forms – specifically as husband and wife, Ram and Sita. While they appear as two, in reality, they are one.

For example, when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after His exile, He met each soul personally, amidst the countless devotees who had gathered. Each individual felt, “Ram has come only to meet me.” Just as we greet our parents, spouse, and family members individually, Lord Ram met every devotee in the same personal, intimate manner. How was this possible? He manifested Himself in countless forms simultaneously. Every devotee was convinced, “Ram has come solely to meet me after His long exile and has met no one else – how truly fortunate I am!”

In the same way, during the Maharas, crores of gopis experienced Shri Krishna manifesting in countless forms, with each gopi feeling, “Krishna is with me alone.” So absorbed were they in Divine bliss that no gopi even thought of looking at another. Their senses, mind, and intellect became completely still, immersed in the ecstasy of His divine presence.

Sita and Ram are one in essence, though for the sake of leela – their divine play – they appear as two. Together, they are the eternal Mother and Father of the universe. As the scriptures beautifully state, “Tvameva mata cha pita tvameva” – You alone are my mother and my father. Lakshman Ji once expressed this sentiment with profound devotion, saying, “You are my Guru, my father, my mother – you are everything to me. I recognize no one else.”

In worldly terms, addressing one’s elder brother as a father might seem inappropriate or disrespectful. Yet, Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram did not correct him. Instead, He listened with quiet grace, deeply moved. Lakshman went on to say, “I have never accepted King Dasharath as my father. For me, Ram alone is my mother and my father.”

The true welfare of the soul lies only in the Supreme Soul. In every lifetime, our worldly mother and father changes. Across countless births, we have had countless parents – where are they now? Some were human, others perhaps animals – a dog, a donkey, who knows? But the one constant, the eternal and unchanging parents of the soul, are Sita and Ram. They alone remain forever, our true Divine Mother and Father.

Now if we begin to see Sita and Ram as separate, then the question arises – Who is more important? The scriptures step in to guide us. They say that the mother is a hundred times greater than the father. Even Adi Shankaracharya, who was a strict sanyasi following the Vedic path – where a renunciate bows only to God and Guru – acknowledged this. Despite those rules, he said: “A sanyasi must still bow to the mother.”

And it’s not just theory. In practice too, even Shankaracharya had to get his mother’s permission before he could take sanyas. The same happened with Gaurang Mahaprabhu. So it is clear—on the path of renunciation itself, the mother holds a place of great honor and importance.

So, from this perspective, the position of the mother is considered higher. Let me share a direct example. In the Vinay Patrika, Tulsidas ji is seen weeping and pleading before Shri Ram: “Please have mercy, Ram, please bless me.” Ram listens, but remains silent – serious, unmoved, not even a nod of acknowledgment. 

Tulsidas then reflects, “This is how fathers are! Let me turn to my mother now.” He prays, “Maa, when father is in a good mood and speaks words of grace, kindly mention my name – perhaps it will help my case.” This shows that even Tulsidas believed the mother to be more tender-hearted, more easily moved by compassion. Just as it is in the world, perhaps it is the same in the Divine realm – though in truth, it is not. 

Don’t be misled! Tulsidas Ji, shaped by his worldly experiences, thought that if Sita Ji were to speak on his behalf, the Father might be moved to show grace. He understood that, in the world, a mother’s heart is often more tender. But even he knew – this is only our human perception.

But let us be clear: Sita and Ram are not two. And the Father – Shri Ram – is no simpleton who will act merely because the Mother asked. He looks only at the heart: is there complete surrender or not? No flattery or recommendation can influence Him. After all, if Sita ji were to intercede for Tulsidas today, then tomorrow Surdas would come, then Meera, and Kabir after that – soon there would be a whole line of saints asking for the same favor! How could She recommend one and not the others?

The eternal rule is: “Rama hi keval prem pyara” –  Ram loves only pure love. This is the divine law, and divine laws do not change. Still, from the worldly perspective of a mother and father, Tulsidas expressed his feelings in that way – and so can we.

We may lovingly pray to Sita Maa as our Divine Mother and hope that She pleads our case before Ram. However, let us understand this profound truth: they are not two. Sita and Ram are one and the same. Worship Them with this undivided understanding, with a heart that sees no separation. Together, They are your Mother, your Father –  your everything.

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education.