After traveling
such such a long way, Rama, Visvamitra, and Lakshmana decided
to get some rest. It had been a long week for Rama who had just
battled the demon Thataka. Visvamitra told
Rama this voyage was part of his destiny and
he would find everything he was looking for. Rama knew that
his superhuman strength was a rare quality and was meant
to battle evil. He was going to
make destroying demons his mission. Although Visvamitra
told Rama he would find everything he needed on this voyage,
Rama questioned him. He felt like one little piece was
missing in the puzzle of his heart.
That night Rama separated himself from Visvamitra and Lakshmana to try to gain some inner peace. The meditation did not last long because he couldn't focus. The image of a large heavy bow kept interrupting his thoughts. The vision drained his thoughts and crept through his dreams. When Rama woke up, he asked Visvamitra to set back their journey one day so he could attempt to meditate again. Visvamitra understood, but he told Rama that today was very important and they had not time to rest. He advised that Rama listen carefully to his heart.
That night Rama separated himself from Visvamitra and Lakshmana to try to gain some inner peace. The meditation did not last long because he couldn't focus. The image of a large heavy bow kept interrupting his thoughts. The vision drained his thoughts and crept through his dreams. When Rama woke up, he asked Visvamitra to set back their journey one day so he could attempt to meditate again. Visvamitra understood, but he told Rama that today was very important and they had not time to rest. He advised that Rama listen carefully to his heart.
So, the next day Rama, his brother Lakshmana and Visvamitra started off to a land called Mithila. Rama wondered what demon he would face and what weapon he would use. When they arrived in Mithila, Rama was very quiet and kept to himself. He sensed that there was no evil in the kingdom. He wondered why they were in Mithila and what they would be doing today. He strangely felt drawn to to Mithila. He was very distracted by his heart aching for something he did not yet know. He inspected the foreign kingdom, trying to search for what his heart was telling him.
He was about to give up searching when he looked up and met a beautiful woman's eyes. Her gaze instantly locked with his. For seconds that seemed like hours, Rama finally understood what his heart had been telling him. He was missing a beautiful wife. This connection was more than love at first sight- it was a common need they both shared.
Suddenly, he heard a scream come from the woman's balcony yelling, "SITA! SITA! WAKE UP! SHE HAS FAINTED!" Everyone stopped what they were doing to learn what was wrong with the lovely Sita. Rama took one look at Visvamitra and knew exactly why they were in Mithila. Rama was overwhelmed with emotions of love, desire, and confusion. He did not know how he was going to win this woman. In fact, he didn't even realize he was walking towards Sita's home until Visvamitra grabbed him by the shoulder and said. "Come, Rama, the King wants to meet you."
The king talked to Rama, but Rama could not focus on what he said. He could only think of the beauty of that woman on the balcony. He thought of her long dark hair falling to her waist and her captivating eyes that had captured his.
Rama's thoughts were interrupted by the king mentioning a bow that no one was able to assemble or use. Visvamitra suggested Rama try. Rama thought Visvamitra was trying to test him, or prove to the king that Rama had superhuman strength. Rama asked where the bow was and the king led him to it. He strung the bow, picked it up, and pulled it so far back that it snapped in his hands! A huge crowd assembled around him with loud cheering. The king congratulated Rama and said, "Finally my daughter will have a husband and my kingdom will not fall!" Rama was shocked. He could not marry some stranger when his heart told him he loved another. He was filled with despair. Visvamitra noticed and took Rama aside. He said to Rama, "This woman was specially picked for you by the gods and she will bring you great joy." Rama trusted and respected Visvamitra, so he pushed all the fear out of his mind.
Rama did not sleep well that night. He again dreamt of the bow and the eyes of the beauty on the balcony. He thought there must be some connection between the two but he could not figure it out! The next morning Rama awoke and Visvamitra led him to the king. The king looked ecstatic and said, "Hello, Rama, may I present you with my lovely daughter Sita!" The king took off the long veil that covered her face and Rama was breathless. It was the beauty from the balcony! All of the fear that weighed on his mind vanished. He understood the connection between Sita and the bow! In order to win her, he had to be able to string and pick up the bow! He touched Sita's face and said, "We are meant to be." The wedding ceremony happened immediately after. Everyone in the kingdom could see Rama and Sita's love for each other. Sita was the missing piece in Rama's heart.
Authors Note: I titled this story More than Love at first sight because Rama and Sita had loved each other in past lives. They are the avatars of the god Vishnu and Lakshmi, who are divine soul mates in heaven. Therefore Rama and Sita in human form are destined to be together. When they first see each other in their human incarnations, their feelings are instantly connected. Together they complete each other. Vishnu became human to defeat the demon Ravana. He took Lakshmi with him to incarnate as a woman. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, good fortune, generosity and beauty. Sita becomes Rama's motivation on earth and his good fortune. She refuses to leave Rama's side and wants no one else.
In my story Rama dreams of a bow, the same bow he must string and hold in order to win Sita. He does not figure out the connection between Sita and the bow until the end. In the traditional version from the Ramayana, when Rama picks up the bow he knows he will marry the king's daughter. In my story he is not paying attention and so does not realize the expectations that come with his actions. Rama's heart was already searching for Sita, but he did not know this until he saw her standing on a balcony looking at him. This is an example of love in heaven that reached out to earth through reincarnations. Reincarnation can also be used in general as an explanation that there is one soul mate for each soul.
