Ashok Vatika in the Ramayana: Mata Sita and Hanumanji
Ashok Vatika is the grove in Lanka where Mata Sita was kept after Ravan abducted her. In the Ramcharitmanas of Goswami Tulsidas, she remembers Shri Ram amid threats and close guard. Here, Hanumanji brings her Shri Ram's ring. The grove becomes the setting where her sorrow meets the assurance of His message.
Mata Sita remembers Shri Ram under the Ashok tree
Mata Sita's devotion remains firm when Ravan's threats and attempts to win her over fail. In Aranya Kand, Doha 29b, he keeps her under an Ashok tree with a strong guard. She holds in her heart the image of Shri Ram pursuing the golden deer and continually repeats His Name.
The teaching rests in this contrast between her circumstances and her remembrance. Ravan can place guards around her, but her heart remains with Shri Ram. In Sunderkand, Doha 10, the demonesses in the grove assume frightening forms and threaten her after Ravan returns to his palace. Their intimidation continues the pressure upon her.
Hanumanji brings Shri Ram's ring
In Sunderkand, Doha 12, Hanumanji thinks carefully and drops Shri Ram's signet ring before Mata Sita. Goswami Tulsidas describes its fall as though the Ashok tree has answered her prayer by casting down a spark. She rises with joy and takes the ring in her hand.
The ring gives her a tangible connection with Shri Ram while she remains in Lanka. Hanumanji's service takes a precise form here: he brings what she can receive and recognise. Sunderkand tells of his meeting with Mata Sita in Ashok Vatika and his giving her the ring. His arrival brings Shri Ram's message into the place where she is held.
Hanumanji enters and lays waste the grove
In Sunderkand, Doha 18, Hanumanji bows his head and enters the grove. He eats fruit and begins breaking the trees. When the guards confront him, some are killed and the others flee to Ravan for protection. Their report describes the uprooted trees and the watchmen struck down.
Ravan responds by sending more warriors. Hanumanji defeats them, and a few survivors escape. Ravan then sends Prince Aksha with a large force. The account now moves from the meeting with Mata Sita to open conflict with Ravan's forces. Follow this sequence in Sunderkand: the ring reaches Mata Sita before the grove becomes the scene of battle.
Verses
कपि करि हृदयँ बिचार दीन्हि मुद्रिका डारि तब। जनु असोक अंगार दीन्ह हरषि उठि कर गहेउ॥१२॥
Then, thinking deeply within himself Hanumān dropped down the signet ring, as though the Aśoka tree had thrown a spark (in response to Her prayer). She sprang up with joy and took it in Her hand. (12)
Sunderkand, Doha 12हारि परा खल बहु बिधि भय अरु प्रीति देखाइ। तब असोक पादप तर राखिसि जतन कराइ॥२९ (क)॥
The wretch tried every kind of threat and endearment but failed miserably. At last, he kept Her under an Aśoka tree, strongly guarded. (29-A) [ PAUSE 6 FOR A NINE-DAY RECITATION ] Having embedded on Her heart the beautiful image of Śrī Rāma as He appeared while running in pursuit of the conjured up deer, Sītā incessantly repeated Śrī Hari’s (Rāma) Name. (29-B)
Aranya Kand, Doha 29bभवन गयउ दसकंधर इहाँ पिसाचिनि बृंद। सीतहि त्रास देखावहिं धरहिं रूप बहु मंद॥१०॥
(Having issued these instructions) the ten-headed Rāvaṇa returned to his palace; while the host of fiendesses in the Aśoka grove assumed various kinds of hideous forms and intimidated Sītā. (10)
Sunderkand, Doha 10चलेउ नाइ सिरु पैठेउ बागा। फल खाएसि तरु तोरैं लागा॥ रहे तहाँ बहु भट रखवारे। कछु मारेसि कछु जाइ पुकारे॥१॥
Bowing his head he went forth and entered the grove; and having eaten the fruit he began to break down the trees. A number of warriors had been posted there as guards; some of them were killed by him, while the rest took flight to Rāvaṇa and cried for protection, (1)
Sunderkand, Doha 18
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Where is Ashok Vatika?
Ashok Vatika is the grove in Lanka where Mata Sita was kept. In the Ramcharitmanas, Aranya Kand, Doha 29b describes her being placed under an Ashok tree with a strong guard. Sunderkand, Doha 10 describes the demonesses threatening her in the grove.
What did Hanumanji give Mata Sita in Ashok Vatika?
Hanumanji gave Mata Sita Shri Ram's signet ring. In Sunderkand, Doha 12, he drops it down after careful thought. Mata Sita rises with joy and takes it in her hand. The ring connects her with Shri Ram while she is held in Lanka.
Did Hanumanji destroy Ashok Vatika?
Hanumanji laid waste the grove by eating its fruit and breaking and uprooting trees. In Sunderkand, Doha 18, the surviving guards report this to Ravan after fleeing for protection. Ravan sends more warriors, whom Hanumanji defeats, and then sends Prince Aksha with a large force.