The Marriage Age of Ram and Sita in Hinduism
In Hindu scriptures, the story of Rama and Sita is central to the epic Ramayana. According to the texts, Sita was married to Rama at a very young age. Several verses from the Skanda Purana and Valmiki Ramayana explicitly mention her age at the time of marriage and describe her early life with Rama. These passages provide a clear timeline, showing that Sita was only six years old when she was married and later lived in Ayodhya with Rama for twelve years before her abduction by Ravana. This highlights the practice of child marriage depicted in ancient Hindu epics.
📖Skanda Purana 2:30-8-9
The bow of Īśvara that was kept in the abode of Janaka, was broken. In his fifteenth year, O king, Rāma married the six-year old beautiful daughter of the king of Mithilā, Sītā who was not born of a womb. On getting Sītā, Rāghava became contented and happy.
- Reference : Skanda Purana 2:30-8-9
After their marriage, Ram and Sita lived in Ayodhya for twelve years
📖Valmiki Ramayana Aranya Kanda Chapter 47 Verses 3-5 :
I am the daughter of noble-souled Janaka, the king of Mithila, by name I am Seetha, and the dear wife and queen of Rama, let safety betide you. “On residing in the residence of Ikshvaku-s in Ayodhya for twelve years, I was in sumptuosity of all cherishes while relishing all humanly prosperities.
📖Valmiki Ramayana Book VI : Yuddha Kanda – Book Of War Chapter [Sarga] 116 Veres 16
My hand taken (by you as a bride) in our childhood was not duly recognized by you. My devotion, my chastity and all have been ignored by you.
- According to Skanda Purana 2:30-8-9, Rama married Sita when he was fifteen years old, and Sita is described as “the six-year-old beautiful daughter of the king of Mithila.” This verse explicitly mentions her age at the time of marriage as six. It also notes that Sita did not emerge from a mother’s womb but appeared miraculously, which is a part of Hindu mythology.
- After this marriage, Valmiki Ramayana Aranya Kanda 47:3-5 mentions that Sita lived with Rama in Ayodhya for twelve years, enjoying prosperity and marital life. Counting backward, this aligns with her being six at the time of marriage and around eighteen when she was abducted by Ravana.
- Furthermore, in Valmiki Ramayana Yuddha Kanda 116:16, Sita refers to her childhood marriage, stating that her hand was taken in childhood. This confirms that the marriage occurred while she was still a young girl, consistent with the age of six mentioned in Skanda Purana.
Summary:
- Marriage age of Sita: 6 years old (Skanda Purana)
- Rama’s age at marriage: 15 years old (Skanda Purana)
- Duration of life in Ayodhya before abduction: 12 years
- Age at abduction by Ravana: ~18 years old
This clearly demonstrates that, according to the texts, Sita was indeed six years old when she married Rama.