Week 7: Storytelling Post: Sita's Thoughts

I could hardly believe it- one minute I was stuck in Ravana’s lair with him begging me nightly to become his goddess and the next minute I’m in Rama’s arms one again.  I am afraid that this is all a dream and I’ll wake up to realize that I have simply fallen asleep and none of this will be real.  The longer that I am with Rama, the more it sinks in that he truly has rescued me and I’m on my way back home.  It’s been nearly fourteen years since I have seen my home and I long to smell the baking bread, the touch of clean clothes, and the warmth of a bubble bath.  I keep on looking over at Rama- I certainly hope my eyes are not failing me- I’m so incredibly beyond excited to be back with him.  Anyways, on our way back home, Rama shows me the way he had come.  We pass by Jatayu’s burial place and I can’t help but shed a few tears for the great sacrifice he had made in an attempt to save me.  Such heroism deserves to be rewarded but instead he was rewarded with a grave and eternal rest.  We also passed by where Rama had met Hanuman- wow, I can’t even begin to imagine what my rescue mission would have looked like without- would there even have been a rescue?  Surely my husband Rama would have found a way.  Anyways, we continue on our way back and I can’t help but feel the excitement building within me even more- so many exciting changes are about to take place, and already have.  I wonder how Bharata has handled the kingdom- it’s hard to belief fourteen years have already passed…

Author’s Note:  I have seen other people’s storytelling posts and am continually impressed by the variety of styles.  While some seem unattainable, I thought that I could at least try and write my story in first person.  I wanted to write from Sita’s perspective because she goes through so much yet remains so in love with her husband which is quite impressive.  I really enjoyed writing from the first person point of view because so many personal thoughts can be added in that can add lots of insightful details.  It’s very sad what Sita will eventually go through, but I enjoyed writing what I think might have been some of her thoughts as she undergoes this stage in her life.

Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in exile in the forest 

(Source:  Wikipedia)

Bibliography:  Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way

Week 7: Reading Diary B

I wonder if it was an emotional time for Rama as he shows Sita where they passed through along their way to rescue her- past the site where they had to burn Jatayu’s body, where they met Hanuman, etc.  Wow, it’s crazy to think how different this story would have turned out if they hadn’t met Hanuman.  It’s cool that Sita is now pregnant, but it is so maddening what Rama does.  For one, he bases his action to kick Sita out based off of the gossip of the townspeople.  Two, he doesn’t even talk to Sita about this- he goes completely behind her back to abandon her after all the trust, hope, and love she had put in him.  Three, he knows this will most likely result in her death and is entirely okay with it.  Rama is definitely not one of my favorite characters anymore.  It’s very strange that Rama doesn’t want Sita anymore but has a statue of her at the festival- very creepy and weird.  Maybe he regrets his decision?  It was very brave of Sita to come back to Rama and try to prove her innocence.  Perhaps, this would be a good place in the timeline for my storybook to “happen.”  Anyways, it’s very strange she’s taken into the ground and man, would that not be scary at all?  Poor Sita- dragged away again unwillingly.  Sure, it’s a nicer supernatural being this time but still, very scary.  It’s sort of extreme the extent of repercussions that Kala wants to be instilled if anyone messes up the meeting between him and Rama.  I wonder if the hermit would actually do all that he’d say or if he’s just trying to be scary.  However, with this sort of book and characters, I wouldn’t put it past them.  It’s so sad that Lakshmana has to die.  He has been such a hard-working, sacrificial, obedient, kind person this whole story and now he has to die for this? It just doesn’t seem right.  The end of the book is very strange.  I think it’s weird that Rama can die but Vibhishana can’t.  I thought Rama was an incarnation of Vishnu so would that not make him immortal?  Anyways, well-written novel, it just seems very weird to me (in all honesty) but probably that’s only because these aren’t stories I grew up on- I’m sure people from outside my culture would think stories I’m used to are very weird as well. 

Week 7: Reading Diary A

I know Ravana has been quite cocky throughout the story, but really- he’s even cocky to time which I feel like sort of rules all.  He’s being really unreasonable.  I think he’s in the middle of a power-hungry trance and can’t really break free.  Other people in the story such as the monkey Hanuman fought had one warning, but Ravana has had so many and he still is just as confident as ever.  I’m starting to think that this isn’t just about Sita anymore and maybe is about a lot more.  The fight scene was definitely extremely intense.  With all the arrows flying and detail, it was quite exciting.  However, I didn’t really get the whole green skin thing and the arrow that broke on Rama’s leg and then was thrown at Ravana?  Anyways, it still sounded very intense.  I think it must have been so discouraging for Rama to cut off Ravana’s heads and have them grow right back.  I’m not really sure what Rama would have been thinking or feeling at this time, but he is a warrior through and through so I’m sure he kept his “head in the game” and stayed focused because oftentimes willpower/mindset is what will get you beat over any physical strength/ability battle.  I think it’s neat that Buck added in his own part of the story and that Ravana even begs for Rama to take Sita back.  Quite a turn of events- I’m surprised that Ravana stoops to that level.  I could see him mentally accepting defeat but writing it in a letter to his enemy is a step past that.  I also find it interesting that Vibhishana makes the plans for Ravana’s funeral even though he betrayed Ravana in a way.  I guess he still cared for Ravana even though he didn’t necessarily approve of his actions.  Poor Mandodari- it must have been so difficult for her to endure that loss, but at least she had Maya to comfort her.  However, a loss is a loss and that must have been really painful.  I’m glad Vibhishana is in charge of Lanka now, though.  Hopefully he doesn’t become corrupted by the power and instead rules the kingdom for good although that’s against his innate nature in a way.  I’m glad that Agni testifies for Sita in terms of her faithfulness and am sad that this will not be good enough in the future (but maybe Agni could be a witness/testifier for my storybook).