Story: Sita the Eternal Flame

Note: This story takes place when Rama captures Lanka and retakes Sita. He is questioning her loyalty, and considering throwing her in a great pyre.

Source: PDE Ramayana http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/pde-ramayana-sita-is-tested.html

Now Sita, hearing all of Rama's foul accusations about her and Ravana, was publicly shamed and tired and wondering what she could do to recover from this. No matter how much she begged or pleaded with Rama, he stood by his views that it would be unfit for a king to take a queen that has lived so long in the house of another man. Rama then suggests giving her a trial by fire- if she is indeed pure, she should be unharmed.

His army of bears helped put together a great pyre for Sita, and when it was all finished, practically the whole city was gathered to watch what was to unfold. Sita looked positively radiant as she made her way up to the great pyre. All that looked upon her were marveled by her beauty, except Rama. He has already come to terms with Sita's demise; he knew in his heart she wasn't loyal

As Sita was situated on the pyre and ready to light, she said a few last words. She looked directly at Rama, and spoke to him, "Rama, my once beloved. You will come to regret these actions. Know that." And with that, Rama gave the command, and the pyre was lit.

Sita began screaming louder and louder as she lit up, until, suddenly, she cried out to the god of fire, Agni, and immediately burst into ashes, and was never seen, in her human form again. For when she called out to Agni, it was not to save herself, but to put a curse on Rama, Agni could see that she was pure and did not deserve such a harsh death, so he had allowed Sita to avenge herself in some way. From now on, whenever Rama lit a fire near him or there was a fire near him, it would be Sita's face he saw in it, and Sita's voice he heard in it. He could never escape her, if he wanted light and warmth for the rest of his life.

Sita on the Pyre

And with this knowledge, Rama grew regretful in his hasty and harsh actions against Sita, and he begged her and the gods forgiveness. But none was given.

Author's note:

I wrote this because after I read about Sita being almost burned alive in Ramayana, I thought of all the ways it could have gone worse, and wanted to test out an idea I had,

Reading Week 6 Part A: PDE Mahanharata

These reading notes are taken from reading PDE Mahabharata found here: http://ouocblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/mahabharata-online-public-domain-edition.html

As always, I will just be taking notes on things I can find interesting or things I can use for my upcoming stories.

I like how it was two godly figures that created both Ramayana and Mahabharata, it gives them a more mystical feel.

How did a king's semen just happen to fall in a river??

Devavrata is an interesting character since he is a human but has godly powers.

That fisherman asked A LOT from King Shantanu in return for his daughter.

Bhishma sacrificed a lot just to get his dad a pretty young bride, I wonder why he wanted to do it.

It is a little ironic he is doing all these things just to secure the throne for his little half-brother, who took the throne from him.

Bhishma seems similar to Rama in that they are both seemingly the best archers to ave ever lived.

This image of Bhishma fighting for the brides was my favorite from reading A:

I'm interested in seeing the story of Amba unfold throughout the story. Her transformation is pretty dark by today's standards, I like it!

I wonder if Pandu will be as great of a king as Rama. The story of how Karna came to be is not unlike greek mythos of gods having children with mortals.

I just realized the hunting accident in Ramayana is just like what happened to King Robert in Game of Thrones!

At least Pandu wasn't killed like King Dashartha.

Lots of curses involve things of sexual nature in India, Epics...

It's silly that the wives are arguing over who gets to burn to death.

The main thing that differentiates this epic from Ramayana so far is that there is more time covered. It has already been 50ish years from the beginning of the story, and I am only halfway through part A.

I bet something crazy will happen between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Of course Duryodhana would use posion. What a bad person.

Drona seems like a nice guy, I hope he helps out the Pandavas/