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The Untold Story of Sita: An Empowering Tale For Our Time
The Untold Story of Sita replaces the traditional narrative of Sita's life as told in the Ramayana with Sita as she truly is -- an incarnation of the great Devi Narayani. Sita comes to Earth to join Sri Ram in setting the foundation for a new civilization at a time when humans are becoming separate from the natural world. She seeks to embed a great love for the forests and rivers, plant and animal life in the hearts and minds of the people, and to share the high spiritual accomplishments of the great women rishis and sages, many of whom you meet along Sita's journey. This is a story of a woman's wisdom, courage and strength, her love for the manifest and unmanifest worlds, and her selfless sacrifices for the welfare of all. So step into Sita's time and see what life was like during a more spiritually more advanced age, when there was an understanding of Dharma, not just as duty but as an alignment with the higher forces of love that make possible the preservation of our world.
394 pages, Paperback
Published February 19, 2019
48 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 14, 2020
Awesome book! Once you read this book, you won’t feel like reading any other for at least a few days/weeks. One of the best books anyone can find. I’d recommend everyone to read this.
July 16, 2020
Ramanaya is usually told through a patriarchal lens for which Sita is a secondary figure. This story is told by people in Sita’s household, and so her role is showcased. The Untold Story of Sita supplements the traditional narrative of Sita's life as told in the Ramayana with Sita as she truly is -- an incarnation of the great Devi Narayani. Sita comes to Earth to join Sri Ram in setting the foundation for a new civilization at a time when humans are becoming separate from the natural world. She seeks to embed a great love for the forests and rivers, plant and animal life in the hearts and minds of the people, and to share the high spiritual accomplishments of the great women rishis and sages, many of whom you meet along Sita's journey. This is a story of a woman's wisdom, courage and strength, her love for the manifest and unmanifest worlds, and her selfless sacrifices for the welfare of all. So step into Sita's time and see what life was like during a more spiritually more advanced age, when there was an understanding of Dharma, not just as duty but as an alignment with the higher forces of love that make possible the preservation of our world.
May 26, 2019
‘Love is what keeps the universal laws in motion’
New York author Dena Merriam earned her MA from Columbia University and has served on the boards of Harvard University Center for the Study of World Religions, the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy, the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, and the Manitou Foundation. She is the founder of an interfaith organization – the Global Peace Initiative of Women. And avid mediator, Dena has had vivid memories of previous births surface, bring a clearer awareness and purpose to her present life as well as conquering any fear of death. Dena’s memories are triggered when she meets a new person or visits a new place in her current life. The memories bring remembrances of past suffering, but also recollections of spiritual teachers and wise guidance. She has not used and does not advocate past-life regressions or hypnosis as a way to prompt memories to return. Dena has decided to share her story, despite being a very private person, in hopes that it can provide comfort and awaken the inner knowing of your own ongoing journey through time. In support of the objectives and goals of the United Nations, Dena serves with the Interfaith Center of New York City in the creation of the Millennium Peace Summit for Religious and Spiritual leaders.
In her Preface, Dena shares – ‘For all of my adult life I have been a devotee of Shri Ram and Mata Sita, but it was not until I started writing this book that I came to feel a personal relationship with them. They became very real living guides for me. I found myself basking in their presence, seeing them beyond closed eyes, listening and reflecting deeply on the words I was hearing and recording, talking to them, and trying to understand with my intellect what was being revealed in my heart. Sita’s story carries the memory of a world lush with divine forces that appeared in various forms through rivers and forests, winds and solar rays. Often my mind would be doubtful and question where these stories were coming from. Were they my memories or someone else’s? Was my mind creating narratives through its imaginative powers? But my heart would respond, “Hush and listen, for Mata Siri is speaking to you,” Many ages ago in ancient India, Shri Ram came to establish the foundation for a society based on universal principles of righteous action, in harmony with the universal laws, known as dharma. What is at the heart of dharma? Love.”
With the tone and tenderness of these words the stories of Sita are offered. Dena’s gift to us is a treasure beyond description. Savor this profound book and discover ‘the love that is imprinted in our nature – dharma.’ Highly Recommended.
New York author Dena Merriam earned her MA from Columbia University and has served on the boards of Harvard University Center for the Study of World Religions, the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy, the Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association, and the Manitou Foundation. She is the founder of an interfaith organization – the Global Peace Initiative of Women. And avid mediator, Dena has had vivid memories of previous births surface, bring a clearer awareness and purpose to her present life as well as conquering any fear of death. Dena’s memories are triggered when she meets a new person or visits a new place in her current life. The memories bring remembrances of past suffering, but also recollections of spiritual teachers and wise guidance. She has not used and does not advocate past-life regressions or hypnosis as a way to prompt memories to return. Dena has decided to share her story, despite being a very private person, in hopes that it can provide comfort and awaken the inner knowing of your own ongoing journey through time. In support of the objectives and goals of the United Nations, Dena serves with the Interfaith Center of New York City in the creation of the Millennium Peace Summit for Religious and Spiritual leaders.
In her Preface, Dena shares – ‘For all of my adult life I have been a devotee of Shri Ram and Mata Sita, but it was not until I started writing this book that I came to feel a personal relationship with them. They became very real living guides for me. I found myself basking in their presence, seeing them beyond closed eyes, listening and reflecting deeply on the words I was hearing and recording, talking to them, and trying to understand with my intellect what was being revealed in my heart. Sita’s story carries the memory of a world lush with divine forces that appeared in various forms through rivers and forests, winds and solar rays. Often my mind would be doubtful and question where these stories were coming from. Were they my memories or someone else’s? Was my mind creating narratives through its imaginative powers? But my heart would respond, “Hush and listen, for Mata Siri is speaking to you,” Many ages ago in ancient India, Shri Ram came to establish the foundation for a society based on universal principles of righteous action, in harmony with the universal laws, known as dharma. What is at the heart of dharma? Love.”
With the tone and tenderness of these words the stories of Sita are offered. Dena’s gift to us is a treasure beyond description. Savor this profound book and discover ‘the love that is imprinted in our nature – dharma.’ Highly Recommended.
April 21, 2022
First of all,
Dena, thank you. Mata Sita and Shri Ram, thank you. I cannot put the significance and relevance of this book to our time in words. I feel immensely grateful that I had the blessing to receive it at perfect timing in my life and feel the Love pouring all through it.
I now look for Sita Devi everywhere. In the leaves, the trees, the sky, the rain and in music.
Dena is a beautiful and eloquent writer who captured her recollection of a past life with Mata Sita and Shri Ram through a beautiful story which puts into perspective the evidence of one of the effects of Kali Yuga - the patriarchal telling of Ramayanam in which Mata Sita is the wife of Ram, a damsel in distress in need of saving. No judgement there, but I am grateful to have the real Ramayan and Sitayan here in this book. The true purpose of Sita Devi and Shri Ram's incarnation on Earth, as told in this book which my heart resonates with immensely, was to awaken Love that exists everywhere, on Earth.
The right books always seem to come to me when I need them, just as this book did, but in the last 10 years, this is probably the only book I've read at such a quick pace and being totally engrossed in it.
It was so captivating and I just couldn't stop reading. Maybe this book was an initiation, to a calling I've been feeling, to reconnect with my feminine energy, my wild woman archetype and Vasundhara Ma. It brought me to tears multiple times and it made my heart smile and laugh and yearn for the Love of Mata.
This is the first and currently the only book I'm gonna put into a "must-read" list of book recommendations for my little nieces. We all deserve this Love. We all do.
Thank you Dena, again, from my heart.
Jai Sita Ram.
Dena, thank you. Mata Sita and Shri Ram, thank you. I cannot put the significance and relevance of this book to our time in words. I feel immensely grateful that I had the blessing to receive it at perfect timing in my life and feel the Love pouring all through it.
I now look for Sita Devi everywhere. In the leaves, the trees, the sky, the rain and in music.
Dena is a beautiful and eloquent writer who captured her recollection of a past life with Mata Sita and Shri Ram through a beautiful story which puts into perspective the evidence of one of the effects of Kali Yuga - the patriarchal telling of Ramayanam in which Mata Sita is the wife of Ram, a damsel in distress in need of saving. No judgement there, but I am grateful to have the real Ramayan and Sitayan here in this book. The true purpose of Sita Devi and Shri Ram's incarnation on Earth, as told in this book which my heart resonates with immensely, was to awaken Love that exists everywhere, on Earth.
The right books always seem to come to me when I need them, just as this book did, but in the last 10 years, this is probably the only book I've read at such a quick pace and being totally engrossed in it.
It was so captivating and I just couldn't stop reading. Maybe this book was an initiation, to a calling I've been feeling, to reconnect with my feminine energy, my wild woman archetype and Vasundhara Ma. It brought me to tears multiple times and it made my heart smile and laugh and yearn for the Love of Mata.
This is the first and currently the only book I'm gonna put into a "must-read" list of book recommendations for my little nieces. We all deserve this Love. We all do.
Thank you Dena, again, from my heart.
Jai Sita Ram.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2025
this book is well on its way to changing my life.
i am not a religious person. and after reading this book, i have never felt closer to Sita Mata than now.
my whole perspective of the ramayana has changed completely. for the best.
i don’t have any words to say except that reading this felt like magic.
the words came after i sat with the book for a while.
never have i read about a love like this. i was sitting in the middle of the night, crying because of how immature the world and people around us are. they think they know what love is, but it’s impossible for me to fathom someone feeling even close to what Rama and Sita felt in each others’ presence. hell, i could feel it through mere words on my screen. i loved this real and feminist view of the ramayana (or should i say sitayana?) and i just wish more people would read this.
i am not a religious person. and after reading this book, i have never felt closer to Sita Mata than now.
my whole perspective of the ramayana has changed completely. for the best.
i don’t have any words to say except that reading this felt like magic.
the words came after i sat with the book for a while.
never have i read about a love like this. i was sitting in the middle of the night, crying because of how immature the world and people around us are. they think they know what love is, but it’s impossible for me to fathom someone feeling even close to what Rama and Sita felt in each others’ presence. hell, i could feel it through mere words on my screen. i loved this real and feminist view of the ramayana (or should i say sitayana?) and i just wish more people would read this.
June 27, 2022
It's an interesting and wonderful book. A beautiful picturization of the hardships undergone and the great work done by Sita for the benefit of humanity and the entire creatures of the world.
I appreciate the great talents of the Author in narrating the story in such a beautiful way and the research work done by her in bringing it to us.
Once you start reading, you will gluestick to it till completion.
I appreciate the great talents of the Author in narrating the story in such a beautiful way and the research work done by her in bringing it to us.
Once you start reading, you will gluestick to it till completion.
June 30, 2020
Excellent book
I have learnt different version of Sita through this book. Will definitely recommend this book if you are interested to learn bondage of love between Shri Ram and Mata Sita
I have learnt different version of Sita through this book. Will definitely recommend this book if you are interested to learn bondage of love between Shri Ram and Mata Sita
October 2, 2020
I think it's a great book....I have heard it initially by Saroja mam....She really explained it wonderfully.. ...and now Iam going to read it with full expectations.....may this book meet my thoughts... !!!
Read
March 18, 2024Some interesting interpretations. Some confusing ones. And it's tough to take anyone seriously who calls saffron, orange especially in describing what Lord Ram and Mata sita wore when they went to the forest.
Read
October 8, 2025I loved the book. The way Sita ji's character has been potrayed it seems so real. She is the ultimate power and without her consent Ramayan would have never taken place yet she bore the pain and humiliation for the world's benefit.
May 30, 2021
Brilliant in all aspect.
September 8, 2021
Sita Ram, Sita, Sita, Ram.
December 23, 2021
Soul touching
This is by far the best novel I have read in Seeta Mata. Thus novel portrays her as the strong incarnation that she truly is.
This is by far the best novel I have read in Seeta Mata. Thus novel portrays her as the strong incarnation that she truly is.
June 10, 2025
not as impressed as I thought i would be
July 31, 2021
Un libro que nos vuelve a conectar con nuestra verdadera esencia: el amor!
June 22, 2022
I don't usually identify with the mythological reads but this one came to me through multiple recommendations until I thought it was enough and plunged head first into it.
The untold story of Sita (which entails about her journey as a child In Mithila until her leaving the physical form) unravels so much about Sita than usually that reaches the ear/eye despite watching/reading Ramayana.
I have always believed it was unfair on Sita that even after going through such hardships through the exile and throughout her tumultuous stay in Lanka, Sita was sent away to a hermitage away from the palace.
This book changes that notion of her being helpless instead she was the force reckoned to battle Ravana from inside his territory.
This new found knowledge brought great comfort and an inexplicable joy.
What I thoroughly loved about this book is that it subtly touches the power of prayer and the tremendous patience that women exhibit time and again, although unclaimed, has set the tone of Earth since the beginning of time.
Would recommend both believers and non-believers to experience devotion and emotions such as love and reverence towards the supremacy(of Nature/Gods/or any power you believe)
The untold story of Sita (which entails about her journey as a child In Mithila until her leaving the physical form) unravels so much about Sita than usually that reaches the ear/eye despite watching/reading Ramayana.
I have always believed it was unfair on Sita that even after going through such hardships through the exile and throughout her tumultuous stay in Lanka, Sita was sent away to a hermitage away from the palace.
This book changes that notion of her being helpless instead she was the force reckoned to battle Ravana from inside his territory.
This new found knowledge brought great comfort and an inexplicable joy.
What I thoroughly loved about this book is that it subtly touches the power of prayer and the tremendous patience that women exhibit time and again, although unclaimed, has set the tone of Earth since the beginning of time.
Would recommend both believers and non-believers to experience devotion and emotions such as love and reverence towards the supremacy(of Nature/Gods/or any power you believe)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews