Storytelling for Week 3: Ramayana [PDE]

Author's Note. My story will cover events in the Ramayana following Rama's defeat of Ravana. Contrary to what I expected, Rama and Sita did not have a wonderful, loving reunion. Instead, Rama was worried about honor, asking Sita to state her innocence (since she had been residing in the same place as another man--Ravana, after she was kidnapped). After she proves her innocence, Rama and Sita were able to reunite. After some time, Rama is crowned king and once more has to worry about honor and eventually exiles Sita. I decided to write a scenario where Rama goes to a therapist to tell all about the recent events and how that had made him feel. This therapy session will take place after Sita's exile and before her eventual return. I decided to use this sort of writing style with the goal of giving an in-depth look of how Rama might have felt after Sita was exiled. I chose the image below because it really shows Sita’s sadness. It reflects how Sita might have felt after Rama banished her from Ayodhya. Her face shows her pain and loneliness so it adds a touch of emotion to the story, showing what Rama might be picturing in his head after her departure. It essentially sets the tone of the story, with Rama having to overcome and come to terms with his decisions.

Sita, after being exiled (Wellcome Images).

~Valmiki's Therapist Office~

Valmiki walks into his neat office, seeing Rama nervously pacing around the floor. 

"Good afternoon, Rama. How are you today?"

"Oh, Valmiki! I did not hear you come in. I'm well. I guess as good as I can be with everything that's happened."

"I see. Rama, why don't you have a seat and we can discuss all the events that have occurred recently," suggests Valmiki.

Rama, deep in thought, walks toward the chaise lounge and slowly lowers himself to a comfortable position with his hands behind his head and his feet propped up on a pillow. He takes a deep breath, his mind racing with all the occurrences of the past few weeks, months, years. He needs to talk to someone and is very thankful to have Valmiki to confide in.

Valmiki goes swiftly to his chair, gets out his notepad, and slowly turns to Rama. "It seems there is a lot on your mind, Rama. I want you to feel comfortable here. Do not hold anything back and just let your thoughts flow. Where would you like to start?"

Rama ponders this question for a bit. He hesitates, not knowing where to begin, with all the struggles he's endured to survive, the various battles he's had to fight, and the separations he's had to endure. This is the first time he's been able to catch his breath. The first time he's really gotten to take a moment and contemplate his life and what has brought him to this point: Kaikeyi's grudge against him many, many years ago which resulted in her asking the favor of Dasharatha to order Rama's exile; the exile which turned into 14 long years away from his home of Aydohya where he had to leave his family, his people, and his countrymen. He had to endure and fight endless battles against tough enemies. He had times of hopelessness where he didn't know when and if he'd ever see Sita again. Sita. His dear, dear Sita. That was where he needed to start. Because that was his biggest regret. Letting Sita go. 

Rama sat up quickly, "Valmiki. Do you believe I'm a bad person. I banished my own wife from our home. I regret it every day. Do you think I'm a terrible person, Valmiki?"

Valmiki watched with pity as Rama's eyes, almost begging for him to contradict his questions, began welling with tears. "Rama. It is not that you are bad. You have simply been mislead. You let the thoughts and assumptions of others take precedence over your better judgement. You know the kind of woman Sita is. You know she wouldn't dare let a man touch a hair on her body. She would rather die than be thought of as unfaithful. She loves you more than the world, Rama. But you forgot that, didn't you?"

Rama, with his head bowed, could not say anything for a few minutes. Valmiki was right. His beautiful wife was the most caring person he'd ever come across in his life. The one who always made sure he had eaten his meals, even before she thought of her own hunger. The one who made sure he always stated motivated even on the darkest of days. The one who would risk her life if it meant saving his. And how had he repaid her love? He was ashamed to even answer that question. One thing was certain. He was nothing without Sita. He did not know if he could ever forgive himself for letting other people's judgements and assumptions push him to follow what they deemed the obvious course of action. He should have stood up and defended his Sita. His loyal, loyal Sita. 

Rama finally lifted his head, took a deep breath and said, "you know Valmiki, I always prided myself on my loyalty, my way of thinking, my strength. But I failed Sita in every one of those aspects. I was far from loyal when I abandoned her. I was far from thinking straight when I believed she would be better off separated from me. I was the weakest man to have ever lived to think I couldn't refute others' false accusations. I failed her. I failed the one person I never wanted to disappoint. The only way I can show my sincere and utter repentance is to beg on my knees for her forgiveness and her return to Ayodhya. I do not know if she will find it in her heart to forgive me, but I can't give up on her. I can't."

Valmiki observed the mighty Rama faltering to find words to express his feelings. This king of kings was at his weakest. "Rama, I think you know what to do now. It has taken a while for you to realize your mistakes against Sita, but you have at last. You did it, Rama. Go find your Sita and show her how regretful you are. She has been through a lot; a simply 'sorry' is not going to heal those wounds she's suffered from your hurtful words. But as you said, you can't give up. Show her just how much she means to you, Rama."

With a renewed sense of hope, something he had not felt in who knows how long, Rama thanked Valmiki and left the room. He stepped out onto the pebble road and knew where his feet were going to take him. His Sita. He was going to get her back. 


Bibliography. "Indian Myth and Legend" by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). Web Source: Ramayana PDE