According to the Valmiki Ramayana, the kingdom of Mithila was once struck by a severe drought. वाल्मीकि रामायण के अनुसार एक बार मिथिला में भयंकर सूखा पड़ा था, जिससे राजा जनक बेहद परेशान थे।
To relieve his kingdom from this calamity, a sage advised King Janaka to perform a Yagya and plow the earth himself. समस्या से छुटकारा पाने के लिए राजा जनक ने यज्ञ करवाया और फिर धरती पर हल चलाने लगे।
While plowing, his plow suddenly struck an object buried deep in the earth. Upon clearing the soil, they found a beautiful baby girl wrapped in dirt, resting in a golden basket. तभी उनका हल धरती के अंदर सोने की डलिया से टकराया, जिसमें एक सुंदर कन्या मिली।
As soon as King Janaka lifted the divine child in his arms, heavy rainfall began, ending the drought. जैसे ही राजा जनक ने सीता जी को उठाया, तेज बारिश शुरू हो गई। Since she was found in a furrow (which is called 'Sita' in Sanskrit), King Janaka named her Sita and adopted her as his beloved daughter.