Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Part A

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In Ramayana by Public Domain Editions, I am focusing on the love story between Rama and Sita. Rama is the son of King Dasharatha. Rama also had the marks of Vishnu and is bound to be great. Sita is the daughter of a King Janaka. She is well known for being beautiful. One day, Rama and Sita were both in the garden. Before Rama even saw Sita's face, he heard the jingle of the bells of her feet and knew he would love her. When their eyes met, they fell in love. Rama even said that, "the queen of night is not so fair as Sita." Sita left and prayed to the goddess of Bhavani about Rama. King Janaka, Sita's father, decided to hold a competition. Whoever was able to string Shiva's bow would have Sita's hand in marriage. When Rama was able to have the opportunity to string Shiva's bow, he snapped it with his strength. Therefore, Sita was his. Finally, Rama and Sita get married to each other. 
(Picture of Rama Breaking the Bow of Shiva PDE Ramayana)
I believe that the love between Rama and Sita is one of the most important things in the story. However, I do not like how Sita is objectified. Sita is known for being beautiful and her father used her as the prize in a competition. If I could change the story, I would have Sita refuse to marry Rama, not because she does not love him, but because she does not want to treated as an object. I would have her be a strong, independent woman who tells her father that she will marry a man on her own terms. Instead of marrying Rama soon after the competition, Sita will take her time getting to know Rama and Rama will respect her decision because he loves her. Eventually, Rama and Sita would get married.






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