PDE: Ramayana by various authors
Wow! I am very torn about having completed the Ramayana. I am very glad that I was able to refresh on my knowledge of the Ramayana and learn some things that I had completely forgotten about. This last section was intense. I was on edge as I was reading the sections when Rama almost rejects Sita because of her time in Lanka with Ravana. I really liked the part when Sita defended herself and said, "my body was not in my power, but my heart, that lies under my own sway, is set on thee alone." It was refreshing to read something about how a woman can stay faithful to her husband even while in the midst of another man for so long. I was honestly surprised by Rama for evening doubting or questioning Sita in the first place, because he knew how much she loved him. I was shocked when Sita turned to Lakshmana and spoke, "branded with an undeserved stigma, I will not live." I didn't expect her to choose death over living a life without Rama.
Like my first reading diary for this week, if I were to choose to write a story based on these sections (Sita and Rama and Sita Tested), I would twist it to where Sita was less dependent on Rama. I want to write a story of Sita's life after Rama rejected her (even though he doesn't actually reject her, he only does it so the people of Ayodhya won't doubt her). A life where Sita doesn't need Rama.
(Sita proving her purity with Agni Pariksha. Source: Wikimedia Commons)
It is interesting that you mention writing a story where Sita does not need Rama because there is actually someone else in our class who wrote such a story. In a story depicted by our classmate Susanna - after Sita is rejected, instead of facing death Sita's character is made to show great resolve in planning to a live a life without Rama and with twins on the way. Maybe you will be able to read her story sometime.
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