Week 4 Storytelling (Based on Part D) PDE Ramayana: Sita's Untouchable

Image from "Sita Sings the Blues"(2008 DVD)

Excuse me?!!! Rama, what did you just say? What is this honor you speak of that says you split from your beloved wife because she was held captive from you? I know that you have got to be kidding right now! That doesn’t even make sense. If I had stayed in the Kingdom while you were in exile, would you have renounced me when you returned since we had been ‘away’ from each other for so long?

Why in the world do you speak to me like this in front of this audience? Why have Hanuman parade me here the way you did instead of telling me something like this in private? You are being rude, mean, and quite embarrassing. How dare you question whether or not I have been faithful to you! I have done nothing of the sort. Maybe you’ve been with women previously that have been unfaithful, but that is your own insecurity, not a trust issue you should be taking out on me.

When Ravana carried me away, he did not have my permission. I did not call his name. To think you were worried I enjoyed his lustful gazes and sitting on his lap is absolutely ridiculous. Did you even look at the Demon Ravana you laid to waste? He was a monstrosity, instilling disgust and fright. Must you think I have no standards?

I have always shown you my devotion and your importance to me. When you were exiled I begged to go with you for I could not bear to be away from you. I traveled with you in the jungle as far as you would allow me until that fateful day when the evil Ravana stole me away.

You do not know what it has been like for me. You have been fighting a war out there, while I have been living in Lanka, the land of the Rakshasas. They have threatened me with my own death. They have shown me your own death. I have been worried sick for your safety this entire time and when I finally get to see your handsome face, the accusatory look in your eyes burns a hole through my heart and you stab me with your words.

If you were so worried about this, you shouldn’t have gone to all the trouble. You could’ve avoided putting your friend's lives in danger and even saved those of whom you lost. Why would they want to help rescue your wife if you were just going to question her loyalty anyway?  

I am thankful for Sugriva, Vibhishana, and Lakshmana who helped conquer Ravana, and to Bharata for ruling while you’ve been exiled; but to think that I must live with one of them instead is absurd, for I love you. Instead I would rather burn alive to prove that I am right. You will see that Agni will show you I am free of sin, and stayed true to you in body and soul.

Please dear Laks, build a fire for I must prove my worth.

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.

Image Bibliography:

Sita Sings the Blues Review and Story

Author's Note:

This is a retelling of Sita’s conversation after Rama first renounces her in front of the Kingdom of Lanka. Originally I was going to go with more of the reaction I had in my head when reading the verses, but decided my snarky attitude would not be very becoming of the purpose of the Ramayana. My Sita is not such a pushover, but still virtuous in my opinion. 

Also, the Image Bibliography link is to a blogging Hindi movie enthusiast. I was able to get the image I wanted but also read a cool review of the DVD. Follow the link if you have time. 

Reading Notes: Ramayana PDE Version Parts C & D

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana

Vali = Bad elder monkey brother

Hanuman = Sugriva’s advisor, messenger, companion

Sugriva = Monkey King who Rama needs help

Sugriva shared same probs as Rama, cast away into exile and separated from his wife

The story of why Vila was mad at Sugriva and stole his wife was understandable, for him to cover the mouth of the cave with a mountain seems overzealous. However, Vila should have believed his brother if he loved him.

Tara wanted Vila to say sorry because she feared that Rama would win and she was right, poor Vila, he should have listened but he was too proud.

One verse of Vali and Sugriva’s fight describes them as like the sun and moon or like eagles in their fight, it would be cool to tell a story of discord between the sun and moon.

Rama only helped when Sugriva showed he needed it.

I didn’t realize that Rama’s exile was from any city, not just Ayodyha.

Sampati – Jatayu’s brother, gifted with sight directed them all in the direction of Lanka

All the monkeys were talking about how far they could jump, but not far enough until Hanuman who was the son of the wind-god. Hanuman can change size.

When Hanuman is searching the city for Sita and finds Mandodari he thinks she must be Sita, making Mandodari very intriguing…What else can I find out?

Might be cool to describe the she-demons guarding Sita more in depth

Trickster Hanuman

Graha = Hindu diety

Vibhishana is Ravana’s younger brother who allies with Rama because Ravana kicked him out thinking he didn’t honor him since he was advising against fighting Rama

Part D

Rama gets pissed and is told by God of Ocean to ask Nala to help build a bridge- really surprised that the story allowed Rama to act questionable

I had to look up why Rama would find out how he knew Garuda-Because he is Vishnu’s mount.

Why could beautiful women awake Ravana’s brother before his time?

Hanuman is awesome and carried a whole mountain top his story needs to be elaborated, or a poem of all his wow-ness put together in one.

Laks almost died and Rama was going to follow after, his lament would be good to put into normal words

Again, Hanuman saved the day with the medicine herbs Laks is alive!

Indra intercepted with help, because of the boon, only ape or man can kill Ravana

If the God’s are always going to intervene and go for the good, why ever grant boons?

Say what??? Rama cannot have Sita now because she was held captive by Ravana for so long? And to be offered instead to the brother’s, a monkey chief, or the now Demon King(even though he is honorable)? A woman scorned is a story to tell.

What if Rama had returned one day after his 14-year promise to Bharat?

Sita gets exiled because the kingdom doesn't believe she was pure. Again a woman scorned...Then when she comes back after Rama realizes she had twins the Earth swallows her to keep her in Heaven. 

Not much told about his sons...maybe expand a story about them.

When Rama decides his time on Earth is done, he tells Hanuman that he is to live forever as long as his story is being retold.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography:

Public Domain Edition: Ramayana.

Wikimedia - Sita Fire Test