Letter 2

Letter 2

My dearest sons,

As I sit down to write this letter to you, I am watching the two of you run and play in the forest surrounding Valmiki's hut. Your laughter is filling the air and I am filled with joy at every squeal of delight. Lava, you are currently splashing mud all around you from a deep puddle while you, Kusha, are chasing a butterfly through the brush. I am ever thankful for the innocence of your age, that the world is perfect in your eyes and you love each other without boundary.

Today, I want to tell you a story about love. Love is so often overlooked for beauty or riches or power, but I want you to know how important love is. Love is what leads to fortune and prosperity, which is not a truth you'll often hear. My sons, I want you to live prosperous lives, and it is important that you find love in order to do that.

Day in and day out, I watch the sage Valmiki teach you of Rama and his adventures. Of course, neither of you know that Rama is truly your father. As young boys, you do not need to know now who your sire is, but when I depart and Valmiki presents these letters to you, it is important that the truth be revealed. I, Sita, am the wife of Rama and the rightful queen of Kosala, and you, my sons, are the rightful princes, yet we live in isolation.

I will never stop saying that love is the road to prosperity, but I also can't deny, my sons, that it is the road to heartache as well.

When your father and I first met, it was love at first sight. The stars aligned perfectly and the first glance was the answer we had been waiting for. He and his brother Lakshmana were walking the streets of my father's kingdom, Mithila, one night while I wandered in my garden. When they decided to enter the garden to pick flowers, the gods' plans came to fruition. My eyes landed on Rama, who I knew was the most noble man I had ever laid eyes on. As I ran back to my companions, your father heard the jingle of the bangles I wore and looked up, realizing in that moment that he would love me endlessly and eternally. That night, I prayed to the goddess Bhavani, knowing that she would grant me my greatest gift, Rama. Flowers fell from Bhavani's image and I knew my request was heard.

Upon hearing of Rama and Lakshmana being in the kingdom, my father decided to hold a challenge that whoever could bend Shiva's bow could take my hand in marriage. Of course, bending the mighty bow was like snapping a toothpick for your father, and at last, our marriage was set. The gods cheered on the day of our wedding, knowing that their plans were good.

Love, my sons, is what led me through many adventures with Rama that you sing about every day with Valmiki. It is also the cause for my heartbreak. After many years together, your father exiled me when I was pregnant with you both because he no longer trusted me. He gave into whispers that because another man had kidnapped me earlier in our marriage, that I must have been unfaithful. It is too painful to write the details of my exile, but you should know that I would never dream of being unfaithful to Rama. Every day, you observe my devotion to him as I wait for his return to collect the both of you.

I wanted to write this to warn you, dear sons. I want you to seek love and find it as your father and I did, but be careful. Don't allow rumors and whispers to take root in your heart, because those will surely break your bonds and lead to heartache. I say this even with your brotherly love for each other, take heart in what you know to be true and don't allow others to control your destiny. You are the sons of the great Rama, you are destined for greatness and prosperity. Seek love, my sons, but don't make your father's mistakes.

With all my heart and love,

Mother

p.s. I've included a picture of my swayamvara, where your father broke the bow to win my hand. He was the only being in the land able to break Shiva's bow.