How is the sanctity of marriage bond portrayed throughout the narrative?
The concept of marriage is extremely scared in The Ramayana of Valmiki. I think it may be the most pertinent form of union between two individuals. A relationship between a man and his wife has been portrayed in the reading as above any other relationship. After Roma was exiled and his mothers wish was to accompany him, Roma informed his mother that her loyalty should be with his father. Leaving her husband to be with her child would be categorized as a form of betrayal. There also seems to be a belief that the bond between a man and wife is continued after death. On more than one occasions in the book, both Rama and Sita considered suicide as a means of being together after life has ended. They preferred death over living without each other.
I agree with your opinions of the sanctity of marriage. Even though Rama’s father as well as the demon Ravana had multiple wives, there is still meaning within each marraige. It is considered a sin not to serve your husband in their society no matter the circumstances. Sita accompanied Rama to the forest but I believe she was right to do so because she would be there to love and support her husband and there wouldn’t be separation between the two. Therefore, I believe that it should be acceptable that she followed her husband. They shared a deep and passionate love and would sacrifice their own life just to be together in the end.