Book Review Of Sita: Warrior Of Mithila(Book 2 Of Ramchandra Series)

Kabir Gupta
Aug 04, 2019 • 95 views

DISCLAIMER: This book review has not been sponsored by Amish Tripathi, the author or Westland, the publisher. This is the writer’s personal review of the book Sita- Warrior of Mithila.

AUTHOR: Amish Tripathi

PUBLISHER: Westland Publications Ltd.

PAGES: 361

PRICE: ₹350

SHE IS THE WARRIOR WE NEED. THE GODDESS WE AWAIT. SHE WILL DEFEND DHARMA. SHE WILL PROTECT US.

There are many books that attempt to retell the Ramayana through the perspective of Lady Sita especially in times that urgently seek inclusive, feminist viewpoints. Popular amongst these have been Samitha Arni’s graphic novel Sita’s Ramayana, Devdutt Patnaik’s Sita and Volga’s Liberation of Sita. They describe Sita as a victim, Sita as choiceless, Sita as snatching empowerment etc.

In Amish Tripathi’s Sita- Warrior of Mithila, for the first time we get the Sita we deserve. She is the creator and the destroyer. She is the shaper of destinies, not merely of her own but of those around her and of tribes, here the Malayputras, that depend on and worship her as she is the next Vishnu, and of Lord Ram, Scion of Ikshvaku’s himself. Without giving away too much of the plot, Amish’s Sita is a stick wielding, skull bashing, knife throwing, fiery tempered military strategist afraid of very little and with the skills and training to be counted among India’s finest statesmen and leaders. It is only when Amish erases the existing frame we come to know, that how much there is to fill the gap, her birth, her origin, her relationship with adoptive parents, her friendships, her own politics and her society.

Here is the trailer:

The book achieves what feminist tones are able to- it gives Sita an identity of her own- you don’t really confront Lord Ram till the concluding chapter of the book and there he is more a supportive partner to Sita’s primary fate. Sita comes alone, riding her steed of consequence. She may have been born to circumstance but she wields it as her weapon. The company of women she cultivates are not sighing to surrender. Sita here is Bhoomi, the disciple of Rishi Shvetaketu and the favourite of Rajguru Vishwamitra, the daughter of spiritually inclined Janak and the pragmatic Sunaina. Deeply visual the book takes you alongside as Sita arrives at the hesitant blossoming towards her responsibilities- towards a kingdom that blames its economic decline on Sita’s offending her uncle Kushadwaj by breaking his seal, towards controlling her temper, by which a young boy in the slums is greviously injured, to the tribe that worships her, to a fragile sister and a father dependent on her and to the husband that acts to protect her.

Sita- Warrior of Mithila is not so much a book about the spouse of a Lord past, as much as an enquiry into the feminine principle of statesmanship. As a political leader herself who must operate within a world of royally egoistical men, how does Sita view alliance, collaboration and balance? One of the most fascinating conversations in the book occurs between Bharat and Sita on the masculine and feminine principles of the society, the authoritarian and freedom in governance. Rescued from failing about in an assigned destiny, Amish’s Sita must counterbalance the multiple influences on her and shape her own politics.

THE LINKS TO MY OTHER WRYTUPS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Life Lessons to Learn from Lord Shiva:

https://wrytin.com/kabirgupta/life-lessons-to-learn-from-lord-shiva-jxcwgbtr

Art of Living and Significance of Lord Shiva's Attire:

https://wrytin.com/kabirgupta/the-art-of-living-and-significance-of-lord-shivas-attire-jxe8jk4c

Most Powerful Weapons of Lord Shiva (Part 1):

https://wrytin.com/kabirgupta/most-powerful-weapons-of-lord-shiva-part-1-jxif3s8t

Most Powerful Weapons of Lord Shiva (Part 2):

https://wrytin.com/kabirgupta/most-powerful-weapons-of-lord-shiva-part-2-jxsgyqda

Most Powerful Weapons of Lord Shiva (Part 3):

https://wrytin.com/kabirgupta/most-powerful-weapons-of-lord-shiva-part-3-jycjwooi

Book Review of Raavan:Enamy of Aryavarta(Book 3 of Ramchandra Series):