Week 3 Story: Rama and Sita's Love Story
Note: This story is now part of my Portfolio website. This website will have the more current version.
One day, there was a fateful encounter between Rama and Sita. In the garden Rama heard bells ringing as if someone was calling out to him. As he followed the sound his eyes met with the beautiful Sita. She was as beautiful as he heard she was.
Rama being himself boldly said to Sita, "I have never seen someone so beautiful before.You have to be my wife."
Sita said, "Excuse me? I have a good personality too. You want to marry me just because you think I'm cute? I do not think so, sir."
Rama was taken aback at her response for women usually fall at his feet. Rama quickly replied back, "I will just have to get to know you then." Rama kissed her hand introduced himself as Rama, son of Dasharatha, and left.
Sita was puzzled. She had never met a man who was as forward as Rama was, nor as handsome before. She was interested in getting to know him, but she was not familiar with men.
The next day Sita's father, King Janaka, held a competition. The competition was to lift and string the Bow of Shiva. Many strong men attempted to complete this task but to no avail. Rama and his brother, Lakshman came strolling in. Rama decided to give it a go. He ended up breaking the bow in half displaying his strength to everyone. For his win, King Janaka awarded Rama Sita. Sita was unaware of the fact that she was the prize of this competition, until Rama had won. Sita was furious at her father for making her the prize of this competition. She felt like a mere trophy. She was repulsed. Although, Sita was interested in Rama, she refused to marry Rama.
Rama said, "O Sita, do you really despise me that much? I am sorry if I offended you the first time we met."
Sita said, "It's not that. For years, people only would tell me how beautiful I am. They did not see me for me. I want people to get to know me and look past my image. "
Rama finally understood. He went to talk to King Janaka and asked to postpone the marriage. He said, that he would only marry Sita on her terms. From then on, Rama did his best to get to know Sita. He wanted to love, respect, and cherish Sita for the rest of his life. Sita felt his genuineness. Rama and Sita got married and were in love.
Author's Note: This is me retelling the love story between Rama and Sita. They had their first encounter in the garden and their second encounter at a competition. Sita's father held a competition to see who could string the bow of Shiva. Whoever won would get Sita as his wife. Rama wins and then he and Sita get married. However, I did not like the fact that Sita was treated as an object in this competition. Therefore, I changed the story a little mostly to Sita's character so that Sita would be treated like a human being.
Bibliography. "Ramayana" from PDE Ramayana by M.Dutt, R.Dutt, Gould, Griffith,
Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder. Ramayana
Rama being himself boldly said to Sita, "I have never seen someone so beautiful before.You have to be my wife."
Sita said, "Excuse me? I have a good personality too. You want to marry me just because you think I'm cute? I do not think so, sir."
Rama was taken aback at her response for women usually fall at his feet. Rama quickly replied back, "I will just have to get to know you then." Rama kissed her hand introduced himself as Rama, son of Dasharatha, and left.
Sita was puzzled. She had never met a man who was as forward as Rama was, nor as handsome before. She was interested in getting to know him, but she was not familiar with men.
The next day Sita's father, King Janaka, held a competition. The competition was to lift and string the Bow of Shiva. Many strong men attempted to complete this task but to no avail. Rama and his brother, Lakshman came strolling in. Rama decided to give it a go. He ended up breaking the bow in half displaying his strength to everyone. For his win, King Janaka awarded Rama Sita. Sita was unaware of the fact that she was the prize of this competition, until Rama had won. Sita was furious at her father for making her the prize of this competition. She felt like a mere trophy. She was repulsed. Although, Sita was interested in Rama, she refused to marry Rama.
Rama said, "O Sita, do you really despise me that much? I am sorry if I offended you the first time we met."
Sita said, "It's not that. For years, people only would tell me how beautiful I am. They did not see me for me. I want people to get to know me and look past my image. "
Rama finally understood. He went to talk to King Janaka and asked to postpone the marriage. He said, that he would only marry Sita on her terms. From then on, Rama did his best to get to know Sita. He wanted to love, respect, and cherish Sita for the rest of his life. Sita felt his genuineness. Rama and Sita got married and were in love.
(Picture of Rama and Sita's WeddingPDE Ramayana)
Bibliography. "Ramayana" from PDE Ramayana by M.Dutt, R.Dutt, Gould, Griffith,
Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder. Ramayana
Hi Joanna!
ReplyDeleteOkay YES GIRL. This has been my favorite re-write of a story thus far. I absolutely love your interpretation of Rama and Sita's love story. This was a very creative way to stay true to the general storyline but still put your own twist on it. When I finished the rest of the Ramayana I was so done with Rama, not sure if you're there or not yet so I won't say anything but it is...frustrating. Great job!!I hope I get to read more of your stories later this semester.
Hello Joanna,
ReplyDeleteYou know, I didn't noticed how superficial Rama's love seems to be at the beginning. And the whole bow thing does make out Sita to just be a sort of trophy. I think you story was great at pointing some of this things out. I can't wait to hear you thoughts on the whole Sita kidnapping story.
I look forward to reading more stories from you!
-Kevin
Wow slay queen!!! This is EXACTLY the kind of love story that 2019 needs! I was so bothered by how superficial their love story was in the original Ramayana. Like, really? They fell in love at first sight? It was also kinda sad that Sita just had to sit up in that stinky tower waiting to get married.
ReplyDeleteI get that they're incarnations of Gods and all, but come on y'all, it's 2019!!!
I thought the exact same thing with their love story! My story actually tackles the same concept kind of. I like how you focused on the way they first met, and actually give her a voice on what it would be like. Looks are endearing but as you said, being a beautiful princess, I'm sure that gets old. Someone truly worthy of her would take the time to woo her in another way, respecting her wishes. This story's twist was more modern and relatable.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanna!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this rewrite of Rama and Sita’s “love story”! I too was pretty frustrated on my first read-through of the Ramayana, because Sita has absolutely no personality, and falls head over heels for Rama without ever actually speaking to him. I’m actually retelling the Ramayana from Sita’s point of view, and making her a warrior too, simply because of how frustrated I was by the original role she plays in the Ramayana. I think it would be really great if you kept going with this theme, and retold more of Sita and Rama’s relationship. It might be really interesting if you set it in modern day, or included more details about Sita’s backstory. I’m also impressed with how much you were able to stick with the original story, while still giving Sita her own voice. Keep up the good work, I look forward to reading whatever you write next!