Sita, Rama, and Lakshmana with the Golden Deer
I sat there on the wooden chair, my hands lying limp in my lap. My heart was filled with worry. How could I have been so stupid? What was a beautiful, golden deer compared to my husband? Rama, even with all his reservations, still went to go capture the deer I was so enamored with. He loved me very much and would do anything to keep me happy. Even when he protested, I refused to listen. I selfishly pushed and insisted until he finally relented. I arrogantly stood there, quite pleased with myself that I had such sway with my husband. I had known he would say yes.
I was outside, tending to our garden and enjoying the peaceful sounds of the forest, when I saw it. The most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Its coat was golden and shone in the sunlight. Its delicate nose nuzzled the ground for delicious vegetation.
"Rama!" I had whispered harshly. "Come quick! Look!"
"What is it, Sita?" Rama had said. His brow was furrowed in concern.
"Look at that beautiful deer! Please, Rama, would you capture it for me?" I begged. "There is not a better huntsman in this forest than you."
"I don't want to leave you here for some deer," he had said. "What if something happens and I'm too far away to help you?"
"I'll be fine, Rama! Lakshmana can just stay here too and protect me," I reassured him.
Lakshmana and Rama were very close. Lakshmana had a twin but if you heard him speak about his devotion to Rama, you would think Rama was his twin. After all, Lakshmana had chosen exile out of that deep devotion to his brother. Lakshmana adored Rama and that adoration was reciprocated. The men loved and respected each other very much and their bond went deep. If Rama was to trust anyone with my life, it would be Lakshmana. With this reassurance, he finally agreed to my pleading and reluctantly left to capture my beautiful golden deer.
Rama had been gone for a while when we heard him cry out. I dropped the wooden cup I was holding and the echo of its clattering rang in my ears. I stood there frozen. My stomach dropped and my chest felt tight. I could not manage a breath. Something happened to my Rama, and it was all my fault. I sent Lakshmana to go see what was wrong.
"I cannot leave you, Sita. I promised Rama I would guard you with my life! Besides Rama can take care of himself. He cannot be overtaken so easily."
I knew Lakshmana was not only trying to reassure me but himself too. I could tell by the way he kept looking out the window. His hand was gripped tightly on his bow and the way he began to pace gave away his true feelings.
"You will not have a brother to keep your promise to if you don't go help him! Please Lakshmana! I cannot lose him."
Lakshmana stood there debating with himself. He was unsure of what to do. He had to keep his promise but he could not stand to hear his brother in trouble and do nothing about it. I could tell that he couldn't stay here much longer. Without another word, he ran in the direction of his brother's scream. I fell into the seat behind me. I was filled with worry and regret. I was so involved in my own thoughts that I did not hear the knock on the door the first time. The knock startled me back to reality and I went to open it. Standing in the doorway was an old hermit. How could I not let him in? Just because I was suffering did not mean I couldn't ease another's suffering. Besides, it would make for a good distraction until the men returned.
Author's Note
I decided to write my story over Sita getting kidnapped by Ravana. Ravana's sister tried to kill Sita because she fell in love with Rama and wanted him for herself. Lakshmana ended up mutilating her and the demoness ran to tell her brother Ravana after Rama and Lakshmana killed her other brother and his demon army. Ravana fell in love with Sita just by the description his sister gave him. He decided he wanted her as his own and got his demon uncle to disguise himself as a golden deer to lure Rama away from their home. Rama refuses at first because of an omen he was told before. Sita convinces him to go anyways and Lakshmana is left with her. When Rama kills the deer, it cries out in Rama's voice. Sita sends Lakshmana after him even though he knows something isn't right. Ravana, disguised as an old hermit, goes to Sita. He reveals himself and Sita tells him to leave before Rama comes back. Ravana kidnaps her and has her as his prisoner for a long time. I decided to write it in Sita's point of view so we could see her perspective right before she let Ravana in and she was kidnapped.
Ravana Abducts Sita from Narayan's Ramayana