Ravana wanted to acquire Laxmi ( Sita) by any means. Hence, he kidnapped her, in hopes of becoming more prosperous. However, Laxmi with Narayana brings stability, durability, and right utility. And without Narayana, she creates havoc. Furthermore, Vibhishana had warned Ravana, “My dear brother, since Sita has come to Lanka, we see so much trouble. Although seemingly a small fire, she has caused great devastation. Lanka has been significantly burnt by her servant Hanumana. It is best you hand her over to Sri Rama, along with many gifts, so that Lanka survives.”

Ravana was furious at the prediction. He foolishly continued to pursue Laxmi; that very Laxmi destroyed everything he had. His golden city was burned twice, he lost all his sons, was badly defeated in battle, and in the end, lost his life. Inevitably, Sita returned to Sri Rama.

Sri Rama, or Narayana, represents Dharma, while Sri Laxmi, or Sita, represents Artha. When in sync, life becomes stable and steady. Money, wealth, relations, and love, when earned with dharma, are beneficial.

Therefore, Laxmi should never be separated from Narayana. Essentially, prosperity cannot be earned or spent through adharma. Negligence of this principle will naturally conclude in a Lanka episode.

Worshiping Laxmi along with Narayana, or uniting Sita and Sri Rama, is the natural inclination of Hanumana. For anyone who tries to separate them, Hanuman certainly warns them, just as he did with Ravana. Conversely, if Ravana becomes arrogant and tries to harm Hanuman by scorching his tail, he will then use this tail to burn Lanka. This is to prove that without Sri Rama, Sita is a blazing fire.

Shubh Sita Navami

– Govinda Das (ISKCON MEMBER)