---
title: "Ashok Vatika in the Ramayana: Mata Sita and Hanumanji"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/places/ashok-vatika"
lang: "en"
---

# 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.

## Questions

### 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.