Thread by @AnaMyID

We gather that Ram and Sita, slept together under the same roof, for 12 years in Ayodhya (Valmiki Ramayana 5.33.17), and 13+ years during Vanvas. Ram believed that Ravan violated Sita (VR 6.115.24). Sita was pregnant after a good 26 years of married life. What makes sense to you?

For those of you offended that Ram might've fertility issues understand that "Impotency" / low sperm-count is a biological condition, nothing to be ashamed of. Ram was aged 40 when his wife became a mother, like his ageing father Dasharatha before him, though married to 3 queens.

Not having sons was a huge problem for a king. In Ancient India, kings married multiple wives so that they've a better chance of siring many sons. What if the king himself was impotent? Or if he dies before having any sons? The solution was Niyoga sanctioned by the dharmashastras

In Valmiki Ramayana, infertile Dasharatha finally had sons (magically) after doing a yaga. When he plans to coronate Ram, Queen Kaikeyi's maid Manthara tells her that her stepson Ram would inherit the crown and marry multiple wives... her own son Bharata's line will be forgotten:

Surprising part is that King Ram, after banishing Sita (unbeknownst that she was pregnant?) decides NOT to marry again. Was it out of guilt, a broken heart, undying love for Sita? Remember Rajadharma compels a king to have a heir. So why didn't Ram marry as is expected of a king?

Sita became pregnant when Ram was of ~39 years of age. Did he no believe that he'd have a better luck at fatherhood with another woman? Whatever the reason, Ram now age ~50 was dying for heirs, & ironically his exiled wife turned out to be his only option:

https://twitter.com/AnaMyID/status/928473585705893888

Ram says to Sita per VYASA: "I dare not enjoy you now that you're like sacrificial ghee lapped by a dog!"; per VALMIKI: "You who're endowed with beautiful form, & attractive to senses, Ravana couldn't have endured your separation."

sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03289…
valmikiramayan.net/utf8/yuddha/sa…

It's said that Ravan was a Brahman & Ram incurred the sin of Brahman-Hatya. Under the Niyoga tradition, when a man is impotent or dies without sons, his wife can have sex with a learned-Brahman to beget sons. How was impotency an issue with Kshatriya *Warriors* ? Charaka Samhita:

9/ Did Ram & Sita practice celibacy during exile? Kaikeyi tells Ram to live as a "tapavsi"/ascetic, wearing animal hide & eating forest produce. We know Ram hunted & ate meat. Sita says to Ram that she'll be a "Brahmacharini"(chaste) wife.. doesn't exclude duties of a wife (sex):

10/ Do read the informative thread and vote. The poll closes in two days:

https://twitter.com/AnaMyID/status/1058601344297185280

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