Shupanakha awoke, and called out for her brother. Lakshmana had gouged out her eyes, and she blindly stumbled around the room screaming in rage. Ravana arrived and demanded to know who had done this to her. She told him that Lukshmana had caught her and mutilated her, and that he was in the forest with Rama and Sita. A sage who was forced into Ravana's service stepped forward, and offered a revenge curse. "Ravana, if you go to them and mutilate Lakshmana, and then bring back Sita, we can sacrifice her. This will restore your sister's body, and make her as beautiful as Sita." explained the sage.
Ravana met with his uncle Maricha and told him what had happened, and how the revenge curse could heal Shupanakha. "I am leaving for the woods where Rama is camped, and you will join me in avenging our sister." barked Ravana. On their way to Rama's camp, Ravana devised a plan. Rama was too powerful, and couldn't be defeated in combat. Instead, Maricha would distract him and lure him away from the camp. Then Ravana would ambush Lakshmana, mutilate him, then steal Sita. In the woods outside Rama's camp, Ravana hid in a tree and ordered Maricha go and lure Rama.
As Ravana was perching in the tree, he saw a golden deer run under him. The golden deer dashed through the woods, with Rama in pursuit. As soon as Rama was out of sight, Ravana ran to Rama's camp. Rama spotted the hut that Sita and Lukshmana were in. He snuck up to the door and knocked it down, then burst into the room. When the dust cleared, Ravana laid eyes upon Sita and froze in his tracks. This was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He lusted after her, and decided that he would take her back for himself. He wasted no time dealing with Lakshmana, grabbed Sita, and headed back to Lanka.
Ravana abducting Siva, Wikipedia
Author's note: This story was inspired by Narayan's The Ramayana. This story is an alternate version of events after Shurpankha returns to Lanka. I wanted to show Ravana as a truly evil character who is only concerned for himself.
Bibliography:
Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana
This is a very interesting alternate version of the kidnapping of Sita. Especially how Ravana completely disregards the abilities of Lakshmana and defeats him only with the weapon of surprise. I really do like the idea of the "revenge curse," which adds a twist to the story. I like how you started the story where you did, because by being a transition period in Ramayana it allows for the perfect start to your story.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your retelling of this story! I think it definitely makes more sense the way you told it! I mean, why would Ravana go after Sita just because he heard an account of her beauty without even ever seeing her? I didn't think that made sense. I also thought this showed how evil Ravana was to take Sita for himself, instead of healing his sister. This really showed how selfish he is!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great way to retell the story and really clears things up in my opinion. I think the revenge curse was a great touch and would have added a very interesting element into the real story. I like how this version portrays Ravana and his lust for Sita. He has the chance to help his sister and restore her to her former state but his greed gets the better of him.
ReplyDeleteYour story really makes things clearer. It also is an awesome retelling of the story! all the gritty details really helped my imagery with picturing all the intense action. Speaking of the action, i also liked how the story delved straight into the intense action straight from the beginning. Overall a very awesome retelling of the story!
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you defined each character. When Ravanas slave entered, you described him well and emphasized that he was forced their against his will. When you said that "he wasted no time in dealing with Lakshmana," what did you mean? Does he mutilate him or did he forget about him because he was too focused on Sitas beauty and his desire for her? I really liked the photo you chose, but I think that you should make it a little larger! I think that is medium or small and Professor Gibbs suggested that we use the large size. Overall, you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part is how you clearly identified each character. Sometimes the book is so dense that it is hard to really get a feel for every character, but your story clears that up. As with all of your other posts, your writing is clear and descriptive. I agree with Mary, I really like the picture you chose. I think it is an excellent illustration of Ravana.
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