Visvamitra took Rama aside. They had been together on their journey for a long time, and fully trusted one another. Rama, however, noticed something different in Visvamitra; he knew he had something important to say.
“Rama, tomorrow will be a fateful day. It will change your life forever,” Visvamitra said.
“We are going to Mithila, right? What is fateful in Mithila?”
“Everything unfolds as the gods have fashioned. Sleep tonight, for you will not sleep tomorrow, and in your heart, listen for the truth.”
Although he was mad with curiosity, Rama was obedient and asked no more. Rama dreamt of beautiful eyes.

The next day as Rama woke up he exclaimed, “OH! Those eyes! How strong their stare was! Goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, protect me today! Watch over me and allow for good news at Mithila!” They began their walk into Mithila. Rama’s eyes were everywhere, trying to take in his environment, and yet, he seemed so distant and far away. His thoughts were scattered about as he looked at the colorful dress of the citizens of Mithila, the vivacity of the market, the dancing animals, and up ahead the home of the king. Suddenly, like a magnet, Rama’s eyes were pulled upwards.

There, sitting upon a balcony was a woman. Her gaze was locked with Rama’s. Screams filled the air. On one side, Visvamitra and Lakshmana were yelling, “RAMA! RAMA!” and from the air, the people could hear attendants yelling, “SITA! SITA! SHE IS FROZEN! GODS BE MERCIFUL! BRING US BACK OUR SITA!”

The two of them were locked upon each other, they didn’t hear the screams, they couldn’t feel the wind against their skin, there was a bond unbreakable between them. In fact, the magnetic contact was not broken until Rama tripped on a stone in the road and fell headfirst.

 

They finally got to the King’s home. Rama gazed about in a trance, envisioning everything as the very image of perfection he had seen earlier sitting on the balcony. The king came up to him worried, “Rama! May the gods be thanked! Shiva’s bow is here, and nobody can break it! Visvamitra sent us word that you will be able to. Oh, I hope he is right! My kingdom will crumble if my daughter doesn’t marry soon, and she cannot marry until it is strung.”
Still in a trance, Rama slowly followed the king to the bow and proceeded to string the bow. He pulled it so far back that it snapped in his hands. The great sound didn’t even register in his ears, as he was still overcome with a burning for Sita. The king, all joyous smiles, came to Rama and said, “Oh Lakshmi has smiled upon us this day! Rama, you will wed my daughter!”
  
     
  This woke Rama up quickly. He left his trance and went into a frenzy. He couldn’t marry the king’s daughter. He was in love with the beauty on the balcony! Rama did not sleep that night. The next day, Rama, a little pale, came to meet the king and humbly perform his duties. The king smiled at Rama, with a twinkle in his eyes. There was a small woman standing near the king, veiled. “Rama,” the king said, “may I present to you with all my heart, a gift to me from the earth, my very precious daughter, Sita.” With this, he unveiled her. Rama’s heart dropped below his feet and he couldn’t breathe. It was her. The color all came back to his face, and they were married immediately. The ceremony seemed to have a glow to it, and even the gods could be seen in the sky watching, and smiling. No other couple ever burned more for one another, or ever completed one another so perfectly.

 

Analysis

Love at first sight may not be the correct phrase for the connection between Rama and Sita. Although they do fall in love with each other the moment they make eye contact in this story, Rama and Sita share a divine love. They were in love in previous lives as well as in their lives as the gods Vishnu and Lakshmi in heaven. Therefore, Rama and Sita were already in love.

Rama and Sita are divine soul mates. Because they are the avatars, or reincarnations, of Vishnu and Lakshmi, who are divine soul-mates, naturally, as humans, Rama and Sita they are there to be with each other. As Vishnu becomes human to defeat Ravana, Lakshmi also is incarnated to become a woman. She is therefore his consort in heaven and on earth, she becomes his inspiration and motivation to defeat Rama, and she will not leave his side for any moment. As the goddess of fortune, she is his good fortune on earth. In my story, Rama sees the eyes of Lakshmi even in his dreams and asks her to watch for him. Ironically, she is watching for him, and once they connect, the power is so strong it cannot be overcome. This is one example of a divine connection in heaven extended to earth through reincarnations. It is one explanation of soul-mates, perhaps not only with gods, but with any soul. Although not all souls are divinities, reincarnation and divine connections perhaps explain that there is only one soulmate for each soul for all eternity.

 

Sources:

Picture Information:

1. "Indian Eyes", Website: Dina Heimann Tours, weblink

2. Illustration of Rama and Shiva's Bow, Website: Indolink Kidz Corner, weblink

3. "The Marriage of Sita and Rama", Website: "Sita: The Silent Power of Suffering and Sacrifice", weblink

4. Illustration of Divine Lovers, Website: "A Sight For Sore Eyes", weblink

5. " Radha Krishna in a Swing" , Website: Hindu Painting Reprints: Indian Paintings, weblink

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