Ravana Kidnaps Sita

Author's Note: Rama was skillfully exiled from his kingdom by his stepmother, but he gracefully dealt with this injustice and vowed to come back to his kingdom after twelve years. This happened on the day he was supposed to be inaugurated as king. He stayed quiet because of his father even though he knew his stepmother was doing him wrong so her own son would become king. The whole town was shocked and disapproving and many people actually left the city in protest. Rama’s brother was not even there to know what his mom was doing for him. He was also disapproving of his mother’s decision and made every decision under Rama’s shoes as his blessing. Sita left with him in exile into the forest where she was vulnerable to all kinds of danger which ultimately becomes a big part of Rama and Sita’s story. Sita went through a lot for Rama and we will see how these events lead up to the end of their story. Also, Hanuman dressing up as a woman is something I have added to teh story. This story is not originally written by me nor was it my idea. This is a holy story and people worship Rama and Sita as avatars of the gods, as incarnations of Vishnu and of Lakshmi. I am simply rewriting a version of a story that I have read and enjoyed in my own words.

Sita was swayed by a beautiful golden deer which was a rakshasa in disguise. Lakshmana tried to warn her but she still asked Rama for the deer. Rama found out and slew the deer but Maricha imitated Rama's voice and asked Sita to come save him. Lakhsmana tried to tell her the voice was an illusion, but she convinced him Rama needed his help.

Ravana was ten-faced and twenty-armed. He changed shape and carried Sita into the sky. His eyes were red and yellow with rage. The bird Jatayu heard Sita's prayers and fought for her. Ravana fell from the sky to the ground with Sita in his lap. He cut the bird's wings and Sita held the motionless bird in her hands. Sita wept and Ravana dragged her into the sky again. All of nature wept for her but God Brahma was happy knowing that Ravana would reach his divine plan and Rama would kill him. Sita dropped her jewelry to five great monkeys on a mountaintop for Rama.

Sita was brought to Lanka in the palace of Ravana guarded by rakshasas. Ravana had once raped Rambha before and was cursed to not be able to rape again. He tried to seduce Sita but she scorned him. He asked the rakshasa women to treat her with the best foods and lifestyle, and to threaten her if she refused to be his bride.

Rama came home and saw that Sita was not there. He looked everywhere and found her jewelry. He cried and fainted. Lakshmana revived him. They found the bird Jatayu who told Rama everything and told them Ravana went south. The bird died in his hands and went to heaven.

Along the way they were told by Kabandha about Ravana:

"Ravana is a ten faced demon who dwells in the island called Lanka. He is the King of Rakshasas, the most powerful of them all. If you want to win, get the help of the ape chief named Sugriva, the King of the Vanars, who dwells on the Rishyamukha Mountain."

Rama and Laksmana went to Sugriva for help. Lakshmana explained the whole situation from exile to kidnapping to finding Sugriva for help. Hanuman, Sugriva’s messenger, replied:

"Sugriva has suffered from a similar loss, young men, he said. "He has also been exiled out of his kingdom, and he has also had his wife torn from him and has been troubled greatly by a brother. I feel for you men and I know a way to help you. Follow me."

They went and met Sugriva where Rama agreed to help Sugriva in return for help in finding Sita. Rama beat Sugriva’s brother Vali in a battle and gave him back his kingdom. Sugriva procrastinated helping Rama and when Rama got angry and threatened war Sugriva sent four divisions to the north and the south, and eastward and westward to search for Sita. The monkeys found Sampati, brother of bird Jatayu..

"Yes, I know who Ravana is. He has taken Sita to Lanka with him," said Sampati. "Be sure to avenge the rape of Sita and the murder of my young and brave brother who died protecting her."

Jambavan, the leader of the bears, convinced Hanuman to go to Lanka by praising him. Hanuman dressed as woman and entered Ravana's kingdom. He saw him sleeping with his wives and thought one of them was Sita but remembered she wouldn't be so dressed up and comfortable with another man. He didn't find her in other chambers of the palace either so he figured she might be dead and sat upset next to a wall. He then found Sita next to a tree in the the Ashoka grove guarded by rakshasas.

Hanuman thought the following thoughts when he saw Sita:

"A young pale woman sat in distress.

Worry covered her face, for she did not want to be a mistress."

She had a two-month limit after which she would be tortured and killed. The rakhshasas tried to scare her. Sita trembled and hid close to the tree. Hanuman approached her and she thought he was Ravana so Hanuman showed her Rama's ring. Sita was full of joy after learning Rama would come and rescue her. Hanuman offered to carry her away, but Sita refused due to modesty. She gave him a token for Rama and a message about her two-month limit. Hanuman got frustrated at his helplessness and began destroying the tree and everything around him. The rakshasas shot arrows at him, and bound him with certain weapons. He was brought to Ravana. Hanuman deceitfully broke his bonds before Ravana. Hanuman told him the truth about who he was and why he came. Ravana decided to set Hanuman’s tail on fire in anger. Sita prayed for fire to cool and it did. Hanuman ran to and from the place burning the palace and killing many rakshasas. After checking that Sita was fine he went back to Rama with good news.

Upon hearing this, Rama called upon Nala to make what is called "Rama's Bridge." The omens of war began to occur:

"The earth shook and screamed, and the clouds rained blood and lightening struck Lanka. A fiery circle fell from the sun into the sea and lightening struck into the ball of fire and water. Rama was enraged, and the sea was scared."

The monkeys had entered Lanka with Rama and destroyed many rakhshasas. Ravana's spies came in monkey shape and his brother told him to surrender Sita but Ravana was enraged and defiant. The monkeys took over the palace, and even the toughest of the rakshasas were scared in the city. Rama kept a close eye on his warriors and tended to them when not in battle. Ravana’s son was killed in the battle and seeking revenge he targeted Vibhishana who Lakshmana saved. He attacked Lakshmana who wad revived through magical herbs and this ultimately lead to Ravana’s demise. Rama purified himself in front of the sun and wounded Ravana by stripping off his heads. Ravana was very close to death. Rama then severed Ravana's final head, and then used a brahma weapon to pierce the iron heart of Ravana and killed him.

Vibishna performed the funeral rites of his brother and was pronounced king. The Heavens and Earth celebrated this victory. All the rakhshasas fled after Ravana’s death and Sita was finally free!!

Image Source: Rama Kills Ravana

Bibliography

Laura, Gibbs. Reading Part A: King Dasharatha. Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana

Laura, Gibbs. Reading Part A: King Dasharatha. Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/search/label/PDE%20Ramayana