Reading Notes: Sita's Ramayana, Part B
Bibliography. "Ramayana Part B" from Tales 51-100 of Tiny Tales from the Ramayana by Laura Gibbs. Web Source.
Focus Character: Sita, who in Part B, grows closer to her husband Rama. As she is devoted to Rama, she follows him into exile with Lakshmana. The journey was long and she was kidnapped by Ravana at the end of part B.
Synopsis from Part B:
As her husband was sent into Exile by King Dasharatha after Kaikeyi (whose mind was poisoned by maid Manthara) forces him, Sita follows him along with Lakshmana. Their journey during exile was long. After the king passed away, Ayodhya was in desperate need of a new ruler. Bharata and Shatrughna returned to find Rama gone, and threatened Manthara for what she has done. Three of them went to beg Rama to return, but he refuses as he is devoted to upholding his father's wishes. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana visit a few places during the exile. They went to the ashram of rishi Sutikshna, rishi Sharabhanga, and Panchapsaras lake. Sita and Rama grew stronger as they bonded together throughout their exile. Sita met Anasuya, rishi Atri's wife who gifted her a beautiful delicate garland. Word reaches Ravana when his uncle Akampana escaped from the forest, including news of Rama's beautiful wife which intrigues Ravana.
Maricha, son of Tataka whom Rama killed years ago, worked together with Ravana to capture Sita. Maricha transformed into a golden deer as Ravana commanded as a disguise to find Rama. Sita spots the deer and asked Rama to capture it for her. Despite warnings from Lakshmana, Sita begged and so Rama went. Moments later, Sita and Lakshmana hear Rama screaming for help, and off Laksmana went to save him. But before he leaves, he orders Sita to stay within a line of protection he drew around the hut and Sita agrees. Sita was then approached by an ascetic who is begging for food. As Sita is sympathetic, she agrees and crosses the line. Little did she know, the ascetic was Ravana all along. He grabs her with all 20 of his arms when suddenly, Jatayu flies in to save Sita. As Jatayu fights Ravana, Sita drops her jewelry to leave a trail. Ravana wins and escapes with Sita. Rama becomes really angry threatening to attack heaven himself and his journey to save Sita begins.
Storytelling Ideas:
In part B, I really got to understand and see a few sweet moments between Sita and Rama. It seems like Sita herself is actually Rama's weakness as Rama would do anything for her despite the risks. I am excited to see how or if Rama will save Sita in the end. I might use this as a sort of forced-love-triangle situation.
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