230 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 19
Therefore why else could He be subjected to tribulations by the
kidnapping of mother Sita?

PURPORT

When the Lord appears in this universe in the form of a human being,
He has two purposes, as stated in Bhagavad-gita (4.9) —paritranaya
sddhiinam vinasdya ca duskrtam: to destroy the demons and protect the
devotees. To protect the devotees, the Lord not only satisfies them by His
personal presence but also teaches them so that they will not fall down
from devotional service. By His personal example, Lord Ramacandra
taught the devotees that it is better not to enter married life, which is
certainly followed by many tribulations. As confirmed in Srimad-
Bhagavatam (7.9.45):

yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccharn
kandiyanena karayor iva duhkha-duhkham
trpyanti neha krpand bahu-duhkha-bhajah
kanditivan manasijam visaheta-dhirah
Krpanas, those who are not advanced in spiritual knowledge and who are
therefore just the opposite of brahmanas, generally take to family life,
which is a concession for sex. Thus they enjoy sex again and again,
although that sex is followed by many tribulations. This is a warning to
devotees. To teach this lesson to devotees and to human society in
general, Lord Sri Ramacandra, although the Supreme Personality of
Godhead Himself, underwent a series of tribulations because He accepted
a wife, mother Sita. Lord Ramacandra underwent these austerities, of
course, only to instruct us; actually He never has any reason to lament
for anything.

Another aspect of the Lord’s instructions is that one who accepts a wife
must be a faithful husband and give her full protection. Human society is
divided into two classes of men—those who strictly follow the religious
principles and those who are devotees. By His personal example, Lord
Ramacandra wanted to instruct both of them how to fully adopt the dis-
cipline of the religious system and how to be a beloved and dutiful hus-
band. Otherwise He had no reason to undergo apparent tribulations. One
who strictly follows religious principles must not neglect to provide all
