Note: This story is now revised and in my Portfolio!
For this week, I LOVED the story of Rama and Sita and have chosen to retell their story of meeting and their wedding.
Rama, and his brother Lakshmana, was on a journey with Viswamithra when they came into a small town. They were taking in all the sights and sounds when he sees this BEAUTIFUL woman on a balcony. Their eyes connected right away, and it was like an electric jolt was shot through his body. He didn't allow any outward emotions to show, and kept walking. However, later that night he allowed himself to focus on her. She was absolutely breathtaking. He couldn't stop thinking about her and the moment their eyes met. Why did he react like that? What did it mean? He doubted there was any hope. Surely, this amazing woman was spoken for. He tossed and turned all night.
Meanwhile, across town, Sita was having a similar night. She couldn't stop thinking about the stranger she had witnessed. Who was he? What was he doing there? Why had she reacted this way?
How could she find him? Why did he seem so familiar? She couldn't sleep and felt miserable at the thought of never seeing him again. She put herself in seclusion while she mourned what never was.
The next day Rama, Lakshmana, and Viswamithra went to the King's court. The King started lamenting on the fact he made a proclamation years ago, and now regretted it. He had said the man who wanted to marry Sita needed to shoot this HUGE bow and arrow. It's been proven pretty impossible. He worried about Sita and what would happen. She seemed doomed when it came to ever getting married. Viswamithra made the comment he should pull it out and see if Rama could do it. The King thought it wouldn't work, but still ordered it to be brought forth immediately. Rama, of course, succeeded and so he was betrothed to Sita.
Sita missed all this since she was in seclusion. A servant came in happily discussing it. It took her several minutes to understand and she just hoped it was the handsome stranger she saw from her balcony earlier in the night. Luckily, her wish was granted, and so they were set to wed.
If that isn't a love at first sight story to die for, I don't know what is.
(Rama and Sita - Flickr)
Narayan, R. K. The Ramayana. Vision Books, 2000.
Hello, I loved your story! It was simply beautiful the retelling you did. I liked how you talked about the moment that Rama saw Sita on the balcony and how beautiful she was. I also liked how you switched between the two characters showing their thoughts and feelings towards one another. Both had the same reaction from making eye contact with each other. I also enjoyed how you talked about Rama’s doubt about him being able to shoot the bow. When I read the story, I felt as if Rama was this all-powerful man that had nothing to fear and was could handle anything that got in his way. By your retelling you made him seem more human than god. You make me realize that their love for each other was strong which only goes to show Rama’s perseverance and dedication to getting her back in the story Ramayana.
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