Well, as I said in my last entry, no day with Rama is boring. I have loved every minute of being his wife and would never trade it for anything. I have realized just how much I do love him. Today was supposed to be one of the best days of our lives. Rama was to be crowned king of Ayodhya. His father, King Dasaratha, has seen Rama demonstrate all of the qualities it would take to be a successful, noble king and selected him for the honor of being king over his three brothers. Everyone in Ayodhya knew Rama was the correct choice, but that did not stop Kaikeyi from sabotaging everything.
Kaikeyi is King Dasaratha's favorite wife and wished to have her son, Bharata, become king, even though she knew Rama was the best choice for Ayodhya. From what I heard from Sumantra, who is King Dasaratha's charioteer and close confidant, King Dasaratha had promised Kaikeyi two wishes to be granted whenever she chose in appreciation for saving his life years ago. Kaikeyi chose to use the wishes now and demanded that Rama be sent into exile for fourteen years and to have Bharata crowned as Dasaratha's successor. Sumantra said that Dasaratha was deeply hurt and angered by her request but was forced to uphold his end.
That explains where I am now, in the Dhandaka Forest outside Ayodhya with my husband and Lakshmana in exile. Rama tried to convince me to stay behind because he didn't want to put me through the hardships of living this way, but I could not imagine living without him even for a day let alone fourteen years! I would rather die than live without my love, Rama.
Yours Truly,
Sita
Dear Diary,
We have been in exile for a few months now. It has been much different from my royal life in the palace. It doesn't matter though, because I am with Rama. Rama and Lakshmana take really good care of me. There is always one of them by my side at all times. I am never worried.
Yours Truly,
Sita
Dear Diary,
I am weeping as I am writing this. Today has been the worst day of my life. It began as a normal day: Lakshmana gathering food and wood for cooking breakfast, and Rama and I going to the nearby river for water. That is when it all went downhill. Standing at the riverbank was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. It was a golden deer! I was fascinated. I asked Rama to capture the deer for me. He always did whatever I asked, so he went off to hunt the deer. A few minutes after he left I heard him calling for help. I became very worried and demanded Lakshmana leave me and go find Rama.
Little did I know this was all a plot so that the devil king, Ravana, could capture me! As soon as Lakshmana had left, Ravana swooped in, kidnapped me, and flew me all the way to his castle in Lanka. All I had on me was my favorite jewelry, of which I must have lost a piece during my fight to free myself and you, my dear friend. If I didn't have my diary with me I surely would lose all hope. You are the only one that I can talk to.
Yours Truly,
Sita
Dear Diary,
I have been in captivity for what seems like years. It is hard to not loose all hope. Ravana comes into my room every night to try to seduce me, but I will never give in. Rama is my love, and I will wait for him for the rest of my life if I must. I know that Rama will not stop until he has rescued me. What is taking so long though? I know he is the most powerful man in the world, but could he be dead? I need some sign that he is still alive and searching for me.
Yours Truly,
Sita
Author's Note: These diary entries are much different from the first entries. Sita's life took a turn for the worst during her first few years of marriage. Rama always loved and treated Sita like the princess she was, no matter where they were. However, not even the mighty Rama could protect her from everything. Her abduction by Ravana has tested her loyalty and trust in Rama, but as you can see she never waivered in her faith in him. It is sign that her love for him is completely true and unconditional.
Love is a powerful medicine and has kept Sita going strong despite her horrible situation. Would you have been able to stay as strong and positive as she has? It would be difficult. Sita's life continues to be full of excitement and struggles. Her story is not near over. Does Rama rescue her? Does she keep her purity? Does she live happily ever after? Move onto the next set of diary entries to see how Sita's life plays out.
Cover Page
Introduction
Love at First Sight
If That's What It Takes
Bibliography:
Buck, William. Ramayana. University of California Press. 1976.
Narayan, R.K. The Ramayana A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epics. Penguin Group, 1972.
Image Information: Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana enjoying a serene moment in Dhandaka forest. Website: Ramayana Picture Gallery
Buck, William. Ramayana. University of California Press. 1976.
Narayan, R.K. The Ramayana A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epics. Penguin Group, 1972.
Image Information: Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana enjoying a serene moment in Dhandaka forest. Website: Ramayana Picture Gallery