Sita Navami – Insights and Rituals

The Navami tithi in the month of Vaishakha is celebrated as Sita Navami. This year it falls on 9th May, 2022. For local timings download the Cosmic Insights app.

In celebration and in honor of this day, married women fast and pray for the longevity and welfare of their husbands, in remembrance of Sita’s divinely beautiful relationship with Lord Sri Ram.

Sita is the daughter of Goddess Bhumi (Earth). She was found in a furrow in a ploughed field by King Janaka of Mithila. Later towards the end of her life, she returns to her mother, the Earth.

Goddess Sita has the power to bestow Siddhis (supernatural powers) and Nidhis (treasures) as stated in the Hanuman Chalisa.

Ashta siddhi nava nidhi ke dātā, asa bara dīnha jānakī mātā
Mother Janaki (sita) granted you a boon to become the bestower of 8 Siddhis (supernatural powers) and 9 Nidhis (divine treasures)
-Verse 31 of Hanuman Chalisa.

Rituals

1. Married women can keep a simple fast from Sunrise to Sunset.
2. Read few chapters from the sacred Ramayana.
3. Read the Sita Upanishad.
4. Let your day be filled with love, service and compassion.
5. You can also read a book on Sita by Bhanumathi Narasimhan.

Sita rejoiced in the details of the memory of this event in her mind, but shared it in just one line with Hanuman.

She said, ‘One day, the lord was resting his head in my lap by the river. At this time, a crow flew dangerously close, diving towards my feet, and bit my toe. It was painful, but I did not flinch nor cry. My lord was sleeping deeply. He rarely slept much and I did not want to disturb him. I was not even bothered about the crow. I somehow swallowed the pain and sat immobile.

My lord woke up after a few minutes, refreshed and relaxed, and was taken by surprise to see my bleeding toe. Before I could even explain, he plucked a blade of grass, invoked the Brahmastra and set it upon the culprit. Within a few minutes, the crow came back and fell at my feet, seeking forgiveness and refuge.

I looked at the wily bird and felt only compassion. Rama saw the look in my eyes and relented. The blade of grass blinded one of his eyes and spared him. The crow turned into a celestial. It was Jayantha, the son of Indra, who in his foolishness had thought to test the powers of the lord by committing such a meaningless yet hurtful act.

Remind my lord of this incident and also give him this,’ said Sita, as she handed him her beautiful round hairpin, her chudamani. Hanuman received the ornament with humility and grace, and secured it carefully.

He bowed to Sita and took her blessings. ‘You have my protection, Hanuman. No weapon, nor harsh words, nor earth nor fire, nor water nor wind, will hurt you while you have the sacred name of the lord in your heart. Go forth now and bring my lord here soon!’

– Excerpt from the book Sita by Bhanumati Narasimhan. Click here to buy this book!

Sita Navami Dates – 2022 to 2030

Dates for New York, USA

Dates for Chennai, India