Ravana too, fearing the accumulated merits of a chaste woman did not dare touch her he nevertheless did try to make advances. In fact, not even her kidnapping by Ravana could break Sita' immense will-power, constantly nourished as it was by the memory of her beloved Rama. However, being exiled in the forests was the least of her troubles.
She considered it her privilege to share in his misfortune and suffered the consequent trials and tribulations in equal measure throughout their sojourn in the forest.
When you depart this day for the dense forests which are difficult to penetrate, I shall walk ahead of you crushing under my feet, all the thorns that lie on your way.' This is just one of the many expressions Sita used to convince Shri Rama to take her with him. It is only the wife who actually shares the fortunes of her husband. For example, when Shri Rama is preparing to go to exile in the forest all alone, she addresses him thus: 'O son of an illustrious monarch, a father, a mother, a brother, a son or a daughter-in-law, all enjoy the fruit of their karma individually and receive what is their due. All versions of the Ramayana are unanimous in reiterating Sita Ji's fidelity and devotion towards Rama even in times of extreme adversity.
