Bibliography: Story adapted from R.K. Narayan's Story Ravana and Maricha.
The Princess saves herself (and everyone else) in this one:
Sita, wife to Rama, is often a common target because of her
high power and high beauty. On an excursion with Rama and his brother Lakshmana
because, they were banished from their kingdom, Sita asks her husband to catch
a deer for her and he obliges. What the three of them did not know was that
this deer was a demon and by trying to kill him they unleashed his wrath.
Rama yells to Lakshmana “Hurry, take Sita to a safe placed while
I kill this demon.”
Lakshmana happily agreed and took Sita just far enough away
that they could see but also remain safe. Sita began to see that this was a
powerful demon, possibly more powerful then Rama. She demanded Lakshmana to go
help his brother in defeating the demon and assured him she would be safe alone
and there was nothing to worry about. Again, what the three of them did not
know is that demons do not travel alone, they travel in partners. The whole thing
was a decoy to get Sita alone and away from her companions. The demons knew she
was a valuable person and figured they could benefit greatly by holding her
captive and just like that the demon took Sita away to their home miles away without
being seen.
Upon arrival to the demon’s home Sita asks “What am I doing
here and what do you want from me?”
The demon responded “I have taken you because I know you are
worth a lot of gold and no on knows where you are now so no one can save you.”
Sita was fearful for her life and was worried that the demon
was right, that no one would ever find her. However, Sita was determined to see
her husband and friend once more and this helped rid her of her fear. Sita began
to brainstorm different ways she could escape and she became fearful again that
she would not be able to find Rama and Lakshmana after she escaped. She was
also afraid that they would not be alive. Sita knew she had to act fast because
if she didn’t her friends would either be dead or long gone. Then it hit her
she knew how to defeat the demon.
Sita knew that the demon would not hurt her because she was
to valuable and they would be rewarded more if she was unharmed, she used this
to her advantage.
Sita being tied to a tree with rope explained to the demon “I
am so hungry and feel weak demon would you please fetch us food so I will be
well and get you more money as a reward.”
The demon was specious at first, but was confident in his
ability to tie Sita to the tree and knew she would not escape. “I will fetch us
food so you can remain silent until I get our gold reward.” Said the demon. And
the demon went off out of site to get food. Sita knew this would be her one and
only chance to escape the demon so she broke her pearl bracelet against the
tree and used the sharp edge to cut her way free. Sita began to run until the
tree was almost out of site and then she stopped. She realized if she did not
defeat the demon now he would only comeback and take her again. Therefore, Sita
ran back to the tree beating the demon there and stole an arrow from the demon’s
home. She pretended to act as if she was still tied to the tree. The demon
returned with food for the two of them and after he ate began to feed Sita. The
demon still believed Sita was tied to the tree until he got close enough to feed
her the last bite and she stabbed him. The demon was to weak to fight back and
died right there under the tree.
Sita then ran back miles from where she was to happily find
Rama and Lakshmana. However, they were still fighting the demon and it was
obvious they were quickly growing tired and weak. Sita approached quietly not
letting her presence be know and used this to her advantage.
Right when the demon looked like he would prevail and cornered
Rama and Lakshmana, Sita discretely comes up behind the demon and stabbed him
with the same arrow she killed the other demon with. The demon collapsed and
fell dead. Rama and Lakshmana could not believe there eyes that Sita had saved
their lives and had saved her own.
(Sita before she is taken by the demon: Image from Wikipedia)
Authors note: This story is based off of R.K. Narayan's Story Ravana and Maricha. In this story Sita wishes for her husband to catch a deer for her. However the deer is not only a deer it is Maricha, Ravana's uncle. Sita worries Rama is in trouble and sends Lakshmana to help him, leaving Sita alone. This is how the story ends, with Sita alone and unprotected. The story above provides an ending to this story.
Hi Olivia! It was fun to read about how Sita thought her own way through to defeating the demon. It was easy to manipulate the demon because she knew she was valuable, which ultimately saved her life. I like how you created your own way to end the story by giving Sita her own voice and strength.
ReplyDeleteHey Olivia! This is a great twist on the original story - I really like how you portrayed Sita as a strong, independent woman who was able to fight back against her captor. The original did not sit very well with me, because I felt like Sita was primarily described as weak and helpless. Your take demonstrates her cunning, and how she uses her intelligence to create a plan that ultimately overpowers the demons.
ReplyDeleteThe original story portrayed Sita as, though loyal, almost completely helpless and useless to Rama. It seemed like the only thing she did was get kidnapped, but I like your portrayal of her, Olivia! It shows that she's actually a bit clever and can solve her own problems; she has a determination that is only displayed near the end of the Ramayana. It adds another facet to her love for Ramayana that gives her a more complex role as a character then just a stereotypical "girl deeply in love."
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I think you went to the other extreme, and Rama and Lakshmana were portrayed as a little too weak. Surely they could have fought off a single demon, especially when it was 2 vs 1? Rama, we find out at the end, is actually an incarnation of Vishnu. He even defeated the king of rakshasas (and the entire rakshasa army) by himself!