Testing Sītā: Trials and Transformation of the Heroine in the Rāma Story

Abstract

This article, “Testing Sītā: Trials and Transformation of the Heroine in the Rāma Story” by Marie D. Jena, investigates key episodes of Sita’s narrative—especially the agni-parīkṣā and her banishment—to understand her transformation from wife to spiritual archetype. Through textual variants and theological interpretations, the article also introduces the concept of Chhāyā Sītā (Shadow Sita), illustrating how her suffering becomes sanctified in devotional tradition.