Ramayana: A little bit of epic romance

When I read the Valmiki Ramayana, out of all the pages in the book, one of the scenes that stayed in my mind was what happens when Rama and Sita see each other for the first time. I know that there are many renditions of the Ramayana. Even the love story of Rama and Sita has been told in countless ways. But this particular version is not one that a person forgets easily.

Sita, the adopted daughter of king Janak, is in her balcony that overlooks that street. Rama along with his brother Lakshman and the sage Vishvamitra has just entered Mithila, which is the capitol of Kosala which king Janak rules. Rama passes below Sita and sensing her, looks up locking their eyes. The moment passes and Rama carries on.

Sita is instantly ailed with love. It is as if she has taken ill. She can neither sit nor stand. She can neither sleep nor stay awake. She cannot eat. She cannot drink. She cannot stand the glare of the sun. When the sun goes down, she cannot stand the light of the moon, it is too harsh for her. Her maids fearing for her and seeing that she is as pale as the moonlight in which she cannot bear to be , light lamps filled with ghee which gives a soft glow. But nothing comforts her as the only thing she can think of is the man who locked eyes with her. She doesn’t know who he is.

Rama fares no better. He cannot stop thinking of Sita. He doesn’t know who she is. 

Now how about that eh?