Week 4 Story: Trial By Fire
The flames of the rapidly constructed pyre reached out towards Sita and dried the silent tears from her cheeks. To everyone who had gathered to observe the trial, Sita looked confident and placid, but in her heart she was experiencing a sorrow greater than anything she had felt in her entire life. She glanced at Rama, who watched her with detached interest, and felt her sorrow ignite into wrath. I suffered as a prisoner in Ravana's kingdom for years, and this is how you repay my fidelity? I do not wish to live after such a dishonor; may the flames take my body and free my soul from these agonizing trials. Sita stepped into the inferno before her, and time seemed to stop for all but her. Instead of consuming her body in an instant, the flames licked her arms and face with a gentle, soothing warmth.
Sita stood unscathed in the fire, awestruck at this turn of events, when she noticed a gentle face amidst the flames. The face smiled at Sita and opened its mouth "Child, why do you throw your life to this pyre? What has caused the anguish that fills your heart?" At his kind words, Sita broke into tears, "I do not even know your name, and yet you treat me with more kindness that my own husband. Please, tell me your name and your reason for sparing my life."
"I am Agni, god of fire. I spared you because you are pure of heart; it would be unjust to take your life for no reason. Now my child, tell me your name and your reason for throwing your life away."
Sita wiped her tears away and smiled to Agni, "I have thrown myself into this burning pyre because my husband has accused me of infidelity. I was kidnapped by the demon Ravana and was tortured daily because I refused to submit to him and become his mistress. Years passed, until my husband Rama finally amassed a large army and crossed the sea to kill Ravana and rescue me." Sita paused, her voice breaking with sorrow, "This was supposed to be our joyous reunion, but my Rama has instead spurned me and called me unfaithful. I ordered this pyre to be built so that I may die instead of suffering such a dishonor after all the trials I faced." After this utterance, the sorrow in her heart finally burst through her refined demeanor and her body was racked with heavy sobs.
Agni's eyes brimmed with tears made of flame when he saw Sita's distress. He let her finish crying and then uttered softly, "O noble woman, you have borne so much. I am able to help you prove your heart to Rama, but only if you desire to return to your husband." Sita wiped the tears from her eyes and bowed in gratitude to Agni's offer. "Thank you, gentle god. As much as his apprehension has caused me anguish, I still love him and would return to him if he would see the truth in my heart." At this, the timeless aura broke and the flames gently lifted Sita out of the pyre. The gathered crowd gasped as the woman who had stepped into the fire moments before was now led out unscathed. Behind Sita, the flames of the pyre warped into the shape of a tall man. "I am Agni," boomed a deep voice from the fiery visage,"god of fire. Sita has proved her purity through this trial. Any who dare to question her faithfulness to Rama shall answer to me." After this pronouncement, the flames swirled into a tower that reached to the sky before they vanished into the night.
After Agni's departure, Rama stepped hesitantly towards Sita. She looked at him, hoping that he would once again accept her. Rama's eyes brimmed with tears as he quickly closed the distance between them and embraced his wife for the first time in years. "Forgive me, Sita." Rama whispered hoarsely, "I was wrong to have doubted your devotion." Sita embraced her husband, "I forgive you my love, let us never part again." And that is exactly what they did.
Hi Rebecca! Your telling of this story was absolutely wonderful to read. I love the way you get specific with the emotions Sita is most likely feeling. You brought a whole new life to the story that feels very vulnerable and raw. I also enjoy the photo you chose to include! I agree with your comment about how it displays the tenderness displayed at the end of your tale.
ReplyDeleteHello Rebecca! I chose to read Tiny Tales from the Ramayana, so it is very interesting to read from someone who elected to read something else. I really like that you wrote in a lot of emotion into the experience. Additionally, the way you described the scenario made it easy for me to visualize exactly what was happening. It makes it very engaging to read! Loved the story!
ReplyDeleteHey Rebecca! What a great re-telling of this story! This was one that I considered writing about last week, but didn't eventually do, so I really liked reading your re-telling! I agree that Sita was probably (as in, definitely) not feeling very stoic in this moment. I though you did a great job incorporating this level of emotion into your story. One of the things that I was thinking about when doing some research on this story was why on Earth Sita decided to go back to Rama so readily after he made her go through this ordeal. I wonder if you might be able to delve more deeply into this issue. I agree with you that love is a really powerful force and that people who love each other con overcome a lot of stuff, but I think that there might more in Rama and Sita's story (or even just in Sita's own backstory) that explains this decision.
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