Storytelling Week 4: A Better Ending to the Ramayana
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| Sita on Wikimedia |
Sita was to finally return to Rama after being held prisoner in Ravana’s palace for years. This was to be a beautiful reunion, as Rama had journeyed across the earth for his love, and had had much help along the way. He had encountered sages in many woods, called on the Birds to defeat the Serpents who had entangled him and his brother, and crossed the seas with the Bears and Monkeys to finally bring Sita home. A large crowd had gathered for this glorious reunion, but the atmosphere turned dark and accusatory even before Rama caught sight of Sita. He heard whisperings of Sita’s probable infidelity while incarcerated by Ravana, and these thoughts angered him.
Instead of embracing his lovely wife and telling her kind words after so long apart, Rama’s face grew red as he approached Sita. Sita, who had expected her husband to be ecstatic for this encounter, was baffled by Rama’s temper. He demanded, “Sita, is what these people say true? Have you been unloyal to me while I have been traveling the world, defeating demon after demon, to find and save you?” Surprised that Rama could believe such unsubstantiated fibs such as these, Sita managed to remain calm. Rama continued, “You must be tested by the Fire-God, Agni, to prove your fidelity to me!”
Sita, hardened by years of avoiding aggressive and vile Ravana, scowled at her husband. “I have waited for you for so long. I put all of my trust into you coming to save me. Ravana promised me that if I did not give into his wishes soon and take him as my husband, he would kill me. Still, I waited for you, because I knew that you would come. And here you are. How dare you accuse me of being so careless and promiscuous! You are worried that I was with another man. Bah! That fool never touched me. You are worried about what your people say about me. Well! I will not prove my innocence before anyone. Not you, not Agni, and especially not your gossipy people. Thank you for releasing me from the grasp of that horrid man. Now, goodbye, Rama. I refuse to see you ever again, as this is the last time that you will break my heart.”
Author’s Note: I was annoyed with the ending of the Ramayana for multiple reasons. Rama was worried that Sita had been with another man. Well, as she was a prisoner, I don’t see how Sita could have been blamed for that, even if she had slept with Ravana. I also disliked that Sita agreed to be tested by Agni to prove her fidelity, as she shouldn’t have had to prove that to her husband. Lastly, even after Sita returns with Rama after being cleared by Agni, Rama is still too worried about his masculine image and banishes Sita anyway! In my version, Sita won’t take any of that. If I had written the Ramayana, this is how I would have ended it. Rama was a weak fool in the original.
Ramayana. Public Domain Edition, Web. Link
I completely agree with what you said in your Author's Note. I think the ending of the original story was too cruel and sad. You make some good points about flaws in the original story and yours is a much more satisfying ending. Good story!
ReplyDeleteI think it's quite fascinating that you give Sita so much character, I absolutely love it! I had similar sentiments when reading that part of the Ramayana, but I was really satisfied later (I read the PDE Ramayana) when Sita decides to return back to Goddess Earth because she is so fed up. Rama is a very popularly worshipped deity in the Hindu, tradition, too, so I had a very difficult time reading that part and rationalizing how someone worshipped as God could be so weak in that moment. The rationalization for it is beyond my ability. What if, though, you went a step further, and Sita actually cursed Rama with some kind of affliction? That would add an interesting spin to the story that could be further elaborated.
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad someone wrote a story about this. I was literally so frustrated and honestly offended that Rama would choose the opinions of his people over the trust his wife had rightfully earned. I mean, if the roles were reversed, his fealty would not be questioned. I noticed that the other PDE version of the Ramayana had a different ending when I read other people's posts. Sita asks the Goddess Earth to take her back because she is so hurt. It's this part that I kind of wish I read the other version. So I am glad that you wrote the ending you did. I wonder though, what if you wrote an ending where Rama chastises his people for doubting the loyalty of his wife? That would show how he is loyal to his wife and how his people should be too since she literally did nothing wrong. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this story! It really REALLY bugged me when I read that part of the Ramanya, like does he not trust his wife? And anyways she was being held captive so if her capture made her it isn't her fault. I enjoyed that you changed your story and made it your own and changed it to the ending that you wanted. Great job! The fact that you made Rama chastise his people for doubting Sita's loyalty was brilliant! I look forward to reading more of your stories.
ReplyDeleteWow Bridget, I quite enjoyed how you had Sita take control in the end. I mentioned in another classmate's post of showing her strength, because 'woman power'! You are right in the fact that she shouldn't have to prove her faithfulness/loyalty to Rama, because none of what was happening to her was in her control. To even listen to what other people have to say is sad, because they are just rumors in the end and what matters is what she has to say after being held captive for so long. I hoped to gain more of a visual with where Rama was headed, aside from heading to Sita. I really enjoyed your story overall!
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