Sneha about Sita

Courtesy: Olympus - Magazine

I have always felt that Sita’s distress has been brushed aside unsympathetically and not fully explored in any of the versions of the Ramayana, her unexplained refusal to undergo the ordeal by fire has persistently nagged me.

Dr. Ramamanohar Lohia’s analysis of Rama’s personality in his brilliantly original article “Rama, Krishna and Shiva” has been the main incentive to write this play. 

Lohia says,…. Rama was a perfection of a limited personality, bound by rules and constitution and he has brought this out in his life through an incident which otherwise blemishes his record. He should have abdicated and gone again into exile with Sita. He probably made the suggestion, but his people were unwilling. He should have insisted; they would have probably wanted to waive or abolish the rule. No limited individual can accept the abolition of rules. This ghastly submission to rules is so characteristic of a limited personality….”
The Telugu writer, Challam’s playlet and C. Raja Gopalachari’s comments on Sita have further encouraged me.
In Rajagopalachari’s translation of the Ramayana, he says, …. Although there is beauty in the Uttara Kaanda of the Ramayana, I must say my heart rebels against it. Valmiki has disposed of this old legend through the fire ordeal, it does not seem to me as consistent with Rama’s charcter. It is painful to read it…”
In my play, I have tried to recreate this particular episode by taking Sita’s despair into consideration.

SITA – A Drama by Snehalata Reddy
(Characters - In order of appearance)

FIRST SOLDIER, SECOND SOLDIER (King Ramachandra’s Army) - HANUMAN (General of King Ramachandra’s Army) - FIRST OFFICER, SECOND OFFICER, THIRD OFFICER, FOURTH OFFICER (King Ramachandra’s Army) - WASHERMAN (Belonging to Lanka) - SITA (Queen of Ayodhya, wife of King Ramachandra) –RANJINI, VASANTI (Maids) - LAKSHMANA (Brother of the King) – RAMA (King Ramachandra of Ayodhya) –MALLIKA, SUNDARI (Maids) – RAVANA (King of Lanka) - WASHERMAN’S WIFE (Belonging to Lanka) – VASISHTA (High Priest of King Ramachandra’s Court). (Before the Curtain rises, the following song is heard sung offstage)

Raama Raama Raghurama Parathpara
Raavana Samhara Ranadheera
Rathangadhara Ghana Patangavahana
Raama Ramana Naraayana
(A voice offstage recites the following translation)
Saaraseela Suraloaka NiranjanaSatyanaraayana SuvidhaanaSaroja Loachana Suraesa PaalanaSaranya Muni Brindaavana
Hail Rama ! Illustrious King of the Raghu Clan !
Thou slayer of Ravana ! Dauntless Warrior!
Thou incarnation of God Vishnu !
Who rides on the eagle
With his consort Lakshmi !
Hail Rama! Supremely Virtuous Lord !
Defender of Truth and impeccable conduct!
Worshipped by Gods in Heaven
And Sages in Brindavan !Hail Rama, Rama, Raghurama !

The Drama
Rama’s camp in Srilanka. The curtain rises. We are on the battlefield. A burning pyre is seen in the background. The battlefield is scarred with wrecked chariots and broken tents. On stage left, is a tent in front of which two Soldiers relax, with mugs of steaming brew. It’s dawn.
1st SOLDIER : (Vehemently) Thank God, this bloody mess is over !Now we can go home ! I am sick of this damn place!
2nd SOLDIER : (Cheerfully) You can say that again!
1st SOLDIER : (Disgusted) Even the air around here smells of fish !
2nd SOLDIER : (Roguishly) Can’t say the same about the women though, eh ! Can you? (He laughs uproariously. The first soldier is forced to smile in spite of himself) (A short pause)
1st SOLDIER : It seems every man, woman and child in Sri Lanka is adding fuel to it !
2nd SOLDIER : (After a slight pause – exasperated) cannot understand the purpose of it all ! Why must the King insist on meeting the Queen here on the battle-field? If she were my wife, I would not wait so long to get her alone !
2nd SOLDIER : (Naughtily) if she were mine, before you can say “ Ayodhya” I would have her between the sheets !
1st SOLDIER : Oh ! But we all know what he is like ! Such a stickler for all this business of doing things just right ! He has such a passion for order !
2nd SOLDIER : (Flippantly) Oh ! come on ! Who’s he trying to fool? Don’t tell me Ravana did not lay her !
1st SOLDIER : (seriously) By force may be, but never willing !
2nd SOLDIER : (In surprise) Don’t be so stupid ! Honestly! You’ve got a thing about the Queen haven’t you ?
1st SOLDIER : (Seriously) She is a goddess! Truly she is !
2nd SOLDIER : Even blooming goddesses get laid !
1st SOLDIER : (Annoyed) Well, she’s not like that !
2nd SOLDIER : What do you mean, ‘Not like that’?
1st SOLDIER : (Remembering with a far away look in his eyes) Well ! She is different – She’s like no one I’ve ever seen. She blew my mind the first time I saw her …! Remember when Rama won her as his bride-since then she’s had eyes only for him.
2nd SOLDIER : (Cynically) What’s so extraordinary about that? ! Its but natural and moreover it doesn’t prove a thing !
1st SOLDIER : (Exasperated) Well ! for your information, I met one of her maids last night and she told me a thing or two to prove that I am right !
2nd SOLDIER : Really ! What did she say !
1st SOLDIER : That Ravana was nuts about the Queen and would sit for hours talking to her in the most respectful way. She swears he never as much as touched her hand. I suggested something must be wrong with him. “Well” she said, ‘he has a wife and children to disprove it, and moreover you just have to look at him to know he is all man”.
2nd SOLDIER : (Puzzled) That’s queer ! What does he want to talk to a woman about? Bloody waste of time, if you ask me!
1st SOLDIER : We cannot explain these things easily. I remember, she had the same effect on me. You feel as if you are in the presence of something rare, you know what I mean?
2nd SOLDIER : I certainly don’t (purposely making him feel uncomfortable)
1st SOLDIER : (Embarassed) Anyway, certain women are some kind of magic about them ! (A pause)(Watching the fire burning) They must love him very much to keep that furnace going all day and all night (Light pause) He was quite a splendid specimen of man. He was really something to behold, (Pause) I wonder where they get all that sandalwood and fragrant garlands from ? Ther’re never ending ! Must have denuded every tree in the forest of Sri Lanka ! (Deep in thought-concernedly) Poor Queen ! wonder how she’ll face the reunion ? It’s going to be hard on her. (exasperatedly) Really, I fail to understand why it should be done in the open!
2nd SOLDIER : (Disgustedly) Oh ! come out- She’s not all that innocent. I do not believe a word of it ! All that bosh about Ravana having nothing to do with her. Don’t tell me he stole her just to look at her. Tell me another ! Moreover, take it from me, all women are the same !
1st SOLDIER : (Voices are heard offstage) Hush ! Here comes the General ! Get ready (They both hastily stand up as Hanuman and four other officers enter. The two soldiers stand in attention)
HANUMAN : At ease, my good fellows ! We have orders to escort the Queen- you two will accompany us.
1st SOLDIER : Would you like to sit down Sir ? (Moving as if to go and get a seat from the tent)
HANUMAN : Oh, no! – There’s no time to sit down but may be just enough to heve a quick drink – we have a long way to go (Both the, soldiers rush into the tent and bring out goblets full of drink, Hanuman and the four officers drink. They all raise their goblets. HANUMAN : To our great victory ! Cheers!
EVERBODY : Hear ! Hear ! Cheers !
(The washerman enters and stands respectfully)
WASHERMAN : Sir ?
HANUMAN : Yes ? (questioningly) Oh ! (recognizing him) Oh ! its you! What do you want good man ?
WASHERMAN : Sir
HANUMAN : Yes ? Speak up ! What’s the matter ?
WASHERMAN : Sir ! I have a favour to ask please, Sir !
HANUMAN : What is it ? (coming up to him)
WASHERMAN : I wish to accompany you to Ayodhya Sir!
HANUMAN : Ayodhya ? You mean you wish to leave your country and come away with us ?
WASHERMAN: Yes Sir, Is it possible Sir ?
HANUMAN: I don’t see why not. Even in Ayodhya we’ll need a washerman ! You and your wife can easily travel back with us, but are you sure you want to leave for good? What does your wife have to say?
WASHERMAN: (Falls Silent)
HANUMAN: What’s wrong ?
WASHERMAN: (Hesitatingly) I am not taking my wife, Sir, (Hanuman, sensing something amiss, puts his hand on the man’s shoulder)
HANUMAN: (Confidentially) What’s it tell me !
WASHERMAN: (With agony) She is expecting another man’s child, Sir, and I’ll have nothing to do with her!
HANUMAN: This is serious! Who is the man? Tell me his name and I’ll see that he gets what he deserves !
WASHERMAN: (Flatly) He is dead, Sir !
HANUMAN: (Anxiously) Did you !
WASHERMAN: (Quickly) No Sir…. (Disgustedly) he was killed in a drunken brawl!
HANUAMN: (soothingly) Look ! You mustn’t think of leaving now. You canot desert your wife when she is in trouble. Your place is with her ! You know, these things happen ! War-time, man ! You know what soldiers are ! You must try and forgive her!(Washerman does not answer)
HANUMAN: How can you leave her to her fate and run away ? eh ? (Washerman is still silent)
HANUMAN: How many years have you been married ?
WASHERMAN: Ten years, Sir !
HANUMAN: Any children ?
WASHERMAN: No, Sir !
HANUMAN: Didn’t you want any ?
WASHERMAN: (With great difficulty) Very much, Sir ! (Hanuman understandingly places his arm around his shoulders)
HANUMAN: Don’t be hasty my good man: Don’t decide anything now-go home and think about what I have said and if you still wish to leave, I’ll certainly take you (washerman hesitates)
HANUMAN: (Comfortingly) Alright now, go on home and remember, such things do happen during times of war …you should not feel it is the end of the world. Go back home and think it over carefully.
WASHERMAN: (Silently folds hands, bows and goes out)
(Hanuman rejoins his men, who speak in undertones as he reaches them)
1st SOLDIER: (Smiling) Time we all went home ! Don’t you think so, Sir ?
HANUMAN: Oh yes ! It won’t be long now. The king has been generous to Sri Lanka and is installing Vibhishana on the throne. I think just a couple of days more and we will be heading for home!
2nd Soldier: That’ll be good, particularly for him, Sir! He is terribly worried about his wife! (Looks at first officer)
Hanuman: (Turning to the 1st officer) Why, now? What’s the matter with her? ( The 1st officer looks embarassed while the 3rd officer answers for him)
3rd Officer : She is very pretty, Sir !
Hanuman : Goodness! Since when has that become a misfortune, my dear man? ! (They Laugh)
4th Officer : He’s afraid, there might be a few surprises when he gets back, Sir!
(Good – humouredly they all laugh, including Hanuman – while the 1st officer grins sheepishly)
Hanuman : I thank my lucky stars – I don’t have to worry about any such happenings! (A titter again) Well, men! Let’s get going! It’s time now.
(Goblets are kept away and they start leaving as the lights dim)
(Sita’s garden in Sri Lanka – Sita with two maids – Ranjani and Vasanthi – under the Asoka tree-one is combing her hair and the other is holding a mirror to her face)
Sita: Please hurry! King Rama will be here very soon, to take me back!
Ranjani: Just a moment, My Lady! I have sent Mallika and Sundari to bring the loveliest saree and jewellery from the place, my queen!
Sita: Why? Whatever for?!
Ranjani: Prince Vibhishana’s orders, my lady!
Sita: Oh no! you shouldn’t have done that! What will poor queen Mandodari think of me! In her hour of grief, must I rejoice and deck myself? Oh! Never! Her sorrow is heavy upon me. Moreover I left my husband’s Ashram in this saree and in this I wish to receive him.( Smiling sadly) but yes, I will take this Ashoka flower (picks up a flower from the tray) This tree has been my friend and companion all these days. Many a tear have I shed within its petals – its fragrance has dispelled many lonely hours. (She puts one in her hair) let it be the only thing I take from here to remember you all! 
(Ranjini looks sad and wipes her tears)
Sita: Don’t grieve, Ranjini – you have been so kind to me. I will miss you very dear! I wish I could comfort you all in your great sorrow! How terrible that I am the casue of all this! My heart is too full of pain. I am sorry that it had to end this way. But please believe me. I am grateful for my treatment here. Your king Ravana treated me with kindness and respect. I have nothing but admiration and regard for him and for all of you. Only I wish I could have stopped all this useless killing and destruction of your beautiful county. We women are the cause of many a terrible war and also the main sufferers. But what can we do? Men have different codes of justice and honour. Forgive me, as I have forgiven you!
(The maid kisses Sita’s hand and Sita embraces her. Just then Hanuman enters with officers and soldiers)
Sita: (In surprise) Hanuman!
Hanuman: (with great affection) My queen!
Sita: (Bewildered) Where is Rama? Hasn’t he come?
Hanuman: The king is busy installing Vibhishana on Sri Lanaka’s throne My lady – and has sent me to escort you back.
Sita: (Disappointedly) Oh!
Hanuman: My Queen, king Vibhishana has presented you with all these maids and anything else you may wish to take from Sri Lanka. You have just to say the word and it will be done.
Sita: (With a ghost of a smile) No. I do not wish to take any of them with me I know what it means to leave one’s own country! They have been kind to me and I am grateful. They have suffered enough!(Sadly turns to Hanuman) you should have prevented this horrible, useless war! How many brave men have died and how many hearts are broken! (Sadly) I am responsible for this terrible massacre. Hanuman, we women should know better. If only we had the wisdom and courage to refuse to honor the victors, we could destroy the instinct to fight amongst men. But we favor a winner and glorify him. Its our fault! Oh! Hanuman how I wish this had never happened ! I wish I had escaped with you! Oh! What have I done! I am responsible for all this! If only I had gone with you, we could have saved this country and their king!
Hanuman: No, My Queen! That would not have been the right thing to do I could have easily carried you away, but that would have been no credit to the valour of my Lord Rama! The honor of the Kshatriya race demands that he should come fight and vanquish Ravana and redeem you as the price of victory. Would Rama have you stolen back even as Ravana stole you from him? No! never! My Lady its unthinkable! (Sadly and dejected, she turns to bid her maids good bye. The other maids come in brining trays of clothes and jewellery. Lights dim.)
(End of Scene –2)

- - - - - - - - 
(Scene-3)
(The battle field scene same as the first scene. Rama pacing up and down. Soldiers and officers stand about in groups. A make shift chair has been placed in front of the tent for Rama. Two sentries stand at attention on either side of it. Lakshmana comes rushing in. He is bandaged on his arm and legs for minor wounds.) 
Lakshmana : Where is She? Where is the Queen?
Rama: I’ve sent Hanuman for her.
Lakshmana: Sent Hanuman? Why haven’t you gone yourself, Rama?
(Rama, embarrassed looks away)
Rama: What difference does it make? After all she will be here soon enough!
Lakshmana: I’m surprised at you! Its been so long! Aren’t you impatient to see her? How can you wait here?!
RAMA : Quiet, Lakshmana ! Remember, I’m the King. I cannot give in to my feelings and act like a love-lorn idiot!
(Suddenly trumpets sound-there is a rush of feet and Sita enters with Hanuman and the soldiers. She looks for no one but Rama! sees him)
SITA : My Lord! (She rushes up to Rama who in-voluntarily moves towards her, but checks himself in time. Sita, unheeding , embraces him wildly)
SITA : Rama, Rama, Oh! Beloved! Thank God you are safe! Hold me! - Hold me! - how I’ve longed for you, Oh God! – how I have ached for you! (She smothers him with embraces. Rama tries to release himself, but she doesn’t realize it)
SITA : Speak to me Beloved! Say something! Have you forgotten me? ! Why did you take so long?! Have you forgotten me?! Rama! Rama!
RAMA : Sita not here! Control yourself! We are not alone!
SITA : What? What did you say? (not quite understanding)
RAMA : My people are here!
SITA : (Still not comprehending, deliriously happy) What do you mean? Aren’t you happy to see me? Weren’t you longing to see me?! How can you think of anything else but us now?! Oh, Rama tell me you missed me! Tell me, Beloved.
RAMA : Sita! – please! Of course I’m happy to see you, but you forget I’m the King and I have to consider my people!
SITA : (Suddenly understanding, draws back in disbelief) What are you saying?! Does this separation mean nothing to you?! Is it a sin to greet your own wife? Aren’t they my people too? Don’t they know what it means to love someone?
RAMA : Sita, calm yourself! You have hardly come back! You forget the seriousness of the situation. You forget the difficulties we had in rescuing you!
SITA : (Offendedly) Yes! While I languished for you here! You don’t care how I lived! what I endured or what I suffered? – and now, even though the battle is over, you take so long to meet me?
RAMA :Please, Sita! You know that’s not true! Please not here! I had so much to do! So many problems! – we’ll discuss it later – this is not the time nor the place – when we are alone, we’ll talk – we’ll talk later!
SITA : (With controlled anger) No! we’ll talk now! I expected love and kindness from you! I was willing to accept this long neglect and forget the suffering of all those months – just the thought that I would see you again made me forgive your long silence and delay in coming for me. And now when we meet, the first consideration is for the people! I do not count at all! Not even this once!
RAMA : Sita, please! You are being unreasonable! What I feel for you is between ourselves! A king cannot reveal his innermost feelings before his people!
SITA : Then why did not you come for me? Why didn’t you meet me alone?! Didn’t you long and dream of our meeting, as I have done all this time?!
(Rama looks away and doesn’t answer.)
SITA : Why? Tell me!
RAMA : (Hesitatingly) I wanted my people to witness this meeting. As a king, I cannot just take you back without clearing the doubts in their minds. You have been away with another man Sita! How do they know you are the same Sita?
SITA :(Slowly, with difficulty and disbelief) What are you…. trying to say’
RAMA : (confused) What I … what I mean is that they have doubts about your…. your chastity, and I have given them my word as their king that as soon as possible, I’d put you to the test … and … and (finds it difficult to go on).
SITA : You mean.. you have promised to humiliate me and only if I survive the test you will take me back.
RAMA : Yes! No, you don’t understand… with great difficulty...
SITA :( in cold fury) How dare you abuse my love! How dare you treat me like this!
RAMA : Sita, please ! you’re tired! You’ll understand that this is absolutely necessary. I have to do it as their king! My honour demands it! My duty is my Dharma! Now please go and rest. Your tent is prepared for you.
(Sita numb with pain, turns and runs from the hall. Hanuman follows her. The soldiers slowly move away. Lakshmana runs up to Rama, whispers to him.)
LAKSHMANA:What’s come over you Rama! How could you hurt her?! How could you humiliate her?! I thought you loved her! Hasn’t she suffered enough?! Go! Go for God’s sake! Go and comfort her!
RAMA : Yes… yes… but I had to have this public meeting! Don’t you see that, Lakshmana?!
LAKSHMANA:No. I don’t understand you!
RAMA : Please Lakshmana! Help me! I have to be strong! I’m King! I belong to the glorious line of the Raghus! I cannot accept Sita unconditionally, even though I may want to!
Lakshmana looks at him accusingly and walks out. Rama looks after him pleadingly)
(Lights dim)
(End of Scene 3)

-----------------------
(Scene 4)
(Sita seated in her tent alone. She is weeping)
SITA : Oh! Ravana!, he doesn’t love me! He doesn’t need me! Your death has been in vain! Oh! Why did I ever meet you?! Ihave changed because of you! I am no longer what I was! Your love has done this to us! (Ravana enters room behind a curtain, dressed in robes just as he was on the day of his death. He speaks softly)
RAVANA : That’s not true, Sita… not really. You have always needed to be loved for yourself. Your fearless spirit would not have left you to be submissive for long . it would have rebelled sooner or later and you would have tried to liberate your soul from this terrible domination, even if I had never met you!
SITA : But he wishes to be King more than anything else in the world. Ravana! He is obsessed with greatness! He is in love with power! (brokenly) what am I to do?!
RAVANA : (Gently) what can I say to comfort you?! I wish I could take you away but I cannot even do that! I’m no longer here!
SITA : Oh! Forgive me! What a selfish woman I am! Thinking only of myself while I have done this terrible thing to you!
RAVANA : (Overwhelmed) Don’t … don’t grieve! Don’t ever be sorry for me! Life would have been unbearable without your love. Believe me, you were the first woman I could pour my heart out to – the woman who was my companion! I am blessed for having known what it means to love you!
SITA : Will woman never find peace?! Will she never know life fully?! Will she always be suppressed?! And die, never knowing what a true relationship between man and woman could mean? … you gave me a glimpse of what it could be! If only (in agony)… if only… Oh! My god… if only I could have loved you in return! … (she weeps softly.)
RAVANA : No! Sita, don’t (deeply moved) we do not choose our lovers – we only love!
SITA : (A pause) What’s the use of loving, when he isn’t aware of me as someone who lives and breathes and feels like he does?!
RAVANA : He loves you the only way he knows. The Kshatriya Dharma is too strong for him to shatter. He cannot think differently. His entire being, mind and body are conditioned to obey it. He is a king and therefore tradition demands his reign be spotless. So, forgive him, for to be otherwise would go against his very nature.
SITA : Then, how do you explain yourself?! You too are a product of this…. Hindu dharma! And belong to the same conditioned male hierarchy! How did you discover this wondrous feeling called human love?!
RAVANA : We all have resources of love within us. For some, it is asleep, we just have to awaken it. You helped to awaken it in me! I’m not sure Rama will realize it too, have patience! It is not easy to be a human being.
(Ravana quietly withdraw into the darkness and disappears. Sita weeps to herself. Lights are dim throughout this scene. Intensity increases after Ravana’s departure. Lights come on. Sita still seated as before Rama enters.
RAMA : (Concernedly) Forgive me, Sita! I beg you forgiveness! I know how painful this ordeal has been! Don’t for a moment imagine I enjoyed subjecting you to it! Believe me, I do it with the utmost anguish.
(Sita stares into space and does not answer)
RAMA :(persuasively) Sita, speak to me! Tell me I’m forgiven!
SITA : (more to herself).. And I thought we were something apart.. I never dreamt this could happen to us! I was so sure we were different because I love you so completely!… I never doubted you loved me too!
RAMA : (raising his voice) How can you doubt my love?! Don’t you know that I love you?! But don’t you see my responsibilities as king outweigh my personal feelings?
(Sita turning to Rama pleadingly)
SITA :But love should be greater! Its the best thing that can happen to us! For love is not something you receive… love is something you give. Love is an act of faith. Love is a discipline that makes us reveal our souls as wholly as in our deepest prayer! (Sita looks piteously at Rama) Why blame the people?! They haven’t really rejected me! Its you, Rama! Search your heart and tell me if this isn’t true! (accusingly) you can’t bear to think that someone also may have touched me! (bitterly) I’m soiled!… polluted! The great king Rama’s possession has been made unholy! And it must be destroyed!
(Rama turns away unable to face her)
RAMA : Sita! You are wrong!
SITA : (Angrily) Its your pride that hurts you to take me back! Even if it’s true that Ravana violated me, if you truly love me, don’t I deserve your love and comfort now, more than ever?! If you loved me, wouldn’t your love be great enough to wipe away my humiliation and pain?! (in anguish) what’s your love all about, Rama, Tell me!
RAMA : (Irritatedly) Oh! Sita! – What’s come over you? ! You’ve forgotten my Dharma! You talk as though love for a woman is the supreme mission of one’s life!
SITA : Yes! Yes! Ravana loved me! He made me feel that I am important! He listened to me!. He gave me a feeling that what I say matters! I grew within myself. Can’t you understand a love that gives, that frees, a love that sanctifies, a love that respects the person and not just the body?! Can you understand that?! (in a gentler tone) what happened to us Rama? Have you forgotten how good it used to be?! Have you forgotten, I love you?! How can you believe that I would let him touch me when I did not love him?! Even if I was forced to do so, you should forgive me, for, if you lack the strength to forgive, you are as unfit for love as a priest for his priest – hood! Lovers should serve as confessors and confessants. They confess with their bodies and give absolution in the sexual union! This is how it should be! I thought you loved me! I felt as though I could storm the doors of heaven – nothing, nothing at all seemed impossible ! I believed we were strengthened beyond measure – we envied no one and nothing, because we had something far better than any one else possessed – we had each other’s love! But I was wrong – so wrong! (breaks down) oh! Rama, My Darling! Tell me I did not suffer in vain! Tell me!
RAMA : (Palacatingly) Sita, my dear, of course I love you! We all do. Ayodhya is waiting for you! You are their Queen! .. their goddess! Don’t you know that?!
Sita : (Bitterly) Yes of Course! We are either goddesses or slaves objects of sex or domesticity – always as symbols of sex – never beyond our sexuality – never as human beings whose hearts and minds thrill and pulsate as yours do!
Rama:(Irriatatedly) I love you as much as I am capable of! But we kings of the Ikshavakus who claim lineage from the sun, have higher duty to perform. My duty to my Country- to my people! I have promised them Ramarajya!. I cannot let them down! Kingship is my divine right and I’m proud to possess it ! and you, as my consort, should help me fulfill this higher destiny? ! Instead, you hinder me!
Sita: You wish to fulfill your destiny at the cost of my happiness? !
Rama:(Annoyed) What happiness are you talking about? As my devoted and wedded wife, your happiness is not something different. What pleases me should please you
Sita:It pleases you to discard me as a used garment?! It pleases you to burn me as a witch?! Is that what pleases you?!
Rama:(Persuasively) What are you saying?! Why, you are Sita, my Queen... the brightest gem in my Crown! You do not have to prove to me that you are innocent. I know it! We have to do this to satisfy the people - They have to be convinced! You know my dear, it isn’t enough for a King to be just - what’s more important is that he must appear to be just! Don’t you realize the wonderful opportunity we have to start my reign as King of Bharat Varsha! (Take her in his arms) The whole world will hail Rama and Sita! We will be the ideal pair throughout generations to come! I will eclipse all the Kings with my glory! (Soothingly) Rest now, you have been through hell at the hands of that Barbarian! Tomorrow everything will be clear. (Fondling her) You are too upset now!
Sita:(Completely overcome) Hold me, Rama’ Tell me you love me’ and all this is a bad dream and you don’t really mean it! Tell me! Tell me! Please! (Sita is helpless as she clings to him, shaken by a sob).
Rama: There, now...rest...don’t weep anymore... every more... everything will settle itself- will settle it itself. You will see, everything will be alright! (He leads her to a seat and turns to eave).
Sita: (Crying out despite herself) Rama!
Rama: (Fully controlled) Yes?
Sita: (Completely broken) Nothing
Rama: (Gently) Good night (and exit)
(Sita, alone where Rama has left her – completely alone – full of despair – like a trapped animal)
Sita:Oh! My god, help me! Help me bear my misery! Oh! Mother, comfort me! Give me strength! I’m afraid. So afraid! Oh! Mother, what have I done to deserve this?! I thought I was the luckiest woman on earth to love Rama! I dreamt of our meeting for days I have kept myself alive for this day, only to die at his hands! (Sobs) I dreamt so many dreams. Oh! Rama! What has happened to us?! You said you loved me and I hoped these arms of mine would hold our children! Why, Why are you rejecting me?! Why?! You know I love you - Ravana is dead. If it were otherwise, he would be alive today! Don’t you-believe I love you? (Angrily) No, No, its not love that you what!- you want power !- power to rule! I’m nothing to you! Nothing!- just on ornament, a prize which has served its purpose and now tarnished, should be done away with! Have I lived so long just for this?! No! I have been used, cheated and betrayed by you! You are my murderer! You will it so! So! No one but you! You don’t love me, because if you did, you would embrace the whole world- you would love life itself- but you never loved me! How could you? – When I can be tossed on the dung heap so easily?! (Draws herself up proudly) I’m Queen- the daughter of Emperor Janaka ! You cannot! how dare you! (Breaks down bitterly) Oh! God help me. I’m so afraid of doing! - So afraid!- please help me! (Like a child) I am nothing to him! I mean nothing! My mind, my love is useless to him- only my life he needs!- he needs me to die so that he can live forever !- A great King what irony is this, my Lord ?!.. What justice?! Will all my suffering, waiting and devotion and in death?! Nothing more not one word not even when we were alone! Not one embrace, one tender look!- Has Sita become so disgusting to you? I was stolen from you- you know that! Was it my fault that I was taken by force?! Was it my fault that Ravana loved me?! Why blame the people?! You did not listen to them then! How do they become so important now? I am not important to you! Only love makes people important- so you didn’t love me!- you didn’t love me!- you lied to me!- betrayed me and now you are going to kill me to suit your ends- How cowardly you are! (Scorn in her voice) You call yourself a King! (Breakdown) Oh ! Rama! Rama only a little while ago we pledged our vows! All night I lay awake waiting for this day to dawn, when you were going to hold me in your arms and kiss me and never let me go !- but now all my tears are for the joys I have lost forever You have stolen my life’s happiness from me! Must I lose you the moment I have found you?! (Like an animal at bay) No, no, it can’t be true! All this will end like a bad dream! I am too young to die! I don’t want to die! I followed you everywhere- I gave you myself— what greater gift can one human being give another! I thought love was a power that produces love I thought you can exchange love only for love; but I am wrong! Wrong. (Pleading as if to a little child) Come away, Rama;. give up this Kingship. give up these narcissistic dreams of greatness, this vanity! Let’s go back the forest!! I’ll teach you to love again! I’ll show you the wonders of love! (Crying) How could you forget so soon?! How could we become strangers-we could you forget so soon? How could we become strangers - we who loved so much? (Desperately) No, No, the world is still full of wonderful things! (Wistfully) The early morning breeze, the fragrance of the Ashoka Flowers the yearning for your touch. Must the end be so soon? (Desperately) (No! I loved you! You never did Never! Everything you did was in preparation for this ultimate sacrifice!- Oh! Cruel, cruel man, how horrible!- Oh! my Lord, my God! help -me! save me! (Cries bitterly) Oh ! Mother, Mother, hold me - take me in your arms and give me strength! I’m frightened. Mother! Help me! Oh ! please, please... help me !
(Washerman’s tent - some dirty clothes in bundles are placed nearby - a couple of mats. As the curtain rises, the Washerman’s wife is seated dejectedly in front of the tent. She is dressed in a sarong and blouse - the costume of Sri Lanka. It is slightly obvious that she is with child. The Washerman enters, sees her and stops. She gets up, looks at him in confusion and despair, then looks away. They do not speak. A long pause. - She finally gathers courage.)
WIFE : (Anxiously) Is it true that that you wish to leave Sri Lanka forever?
(Washerman makes as if to speak but does not)
WIFE: (Agitatedly) Please, Please, I beg you do not leave Lanka .. I’ll go away, there is no need for you to go ! This is your place - your friends are here - your work is here- I’ll go away, I can always go back to the village.- but please don’t leave Sri Lanka!
Washerman:(Flatly and not looking at her)No, I’m not leaving.
Wife: (Brokenly) I... I dot know how to ask your forgiveness - it was terrible so horrible!. I saw him die before my before my eyes! They fought over me like mad dogs and this one forced me against my will! - he was so strong and so drunk. Please believe me! - They all stood around laughing. (Desperately) They were beasts ! beasts! -they fought with each other and he was killed! Oh! God! It was awful somehow I escaped and ran ... I do not know where but I was found raving by same farmers who kept and nursed me all these months— I wanted to kill myself - but they prevented me-many times I thought of killing myself, but I couldn’t knowing I carried another life within me I otherwise I would have-truly! I would thrown myself in the in Ganga! I have disgraced you !-please !-please -forgive me! (She breaks down and sobs)
(The .Washerman hesitates at first, then goes to her-touches her, she grasps his hand holds it to her face and after a while, dries her eyes)
Wife: I’ll get something to eat (and goes in)
(Washerman stands lost in thought - Wife appears with food and water which she places before the mat The Washerman washes his hands and sits down to eat. She sits beside him and fans him gently. He eats slowly. There is silence for a while.)
Wife: (Hesitatingly) If you wish it, I’ll go to the Medicineman - I can easily get rid of it (Pause) Truly, there is no danger yet.
Washerman: (Abruptly) No! (Then softly) No! There is need for that!
Wife: (Deeply moved, looks at him with gratitude and love. She continues to fan him, - a long pause). Wife: (With child - like simplicity) As... soon as I knew.. I have always imagined it belonged to us - to both of us!
The washerman’s hand abruptly stops mid-way while eating-he tries to control his emotion-Wife looks afraid for a second, then realises there is no need to worry. The Washerman continues to eat after another pause)
Wife: The man from the palace came to remind you of the clothes for the Sabha tomorrow.
Washerman : My God! I forget all about the clothes (Attempts to get up)
Wife: (Stopping him) Don’t worry! I have finished the washing and the clothes are all ready I’ll show you one (She goes in and brings out a garment - She holds it up for him to see) Is it alright?
Washerman : (Smiling for the first time) Excellent! Even I do not wash as well !
Wife: (Happily) I’ll help you to pack them into bundles.
Washerman : (Getting up) No, no! you have done enough work already! Moreover you should rest. You must take care of yourself from now on (He goes into the tent)
(Wife tenderly folds the garment and holds it close and smiles)
(The Grand Sabha- The burning pyre can be seen in the distance - Rama seated in full regalia attended by Soldiers, Courtiers and Priests-Sound of trumbets)
VOICES: Hail Sita! Beloved wife of Ramchandra, daughter of Emperor Janaka! Hail Sita Queen of Ayodhya !
(Sita walks in during the fanfare. She is dressed in her finest - almost like a bride, in red - with an escort of soldiers, She enters in a daze - looks at the huge assembly -steels herself and faces them with Queenly bearing)
The Assembly : Hail! Oh Queen!
Sita: (addresses Rama coldly) Why am I summoned thus, My Lord?
(Rama does not answer)
Vasishta: (Graciously) My Queen! According the Dharmic Law of this court, we have decided to hold the purification Ceremony at the most auspicious hour of the day when the Sun enters the House of of Libra
Sita: (Tersely, still addressing Rama) Why , My Lord?
(A general murmur of surprise - Rama looks embarrased)
Vasishta: You are aware, my Queen, that you have been captive in a barbarian country whose King has flaunted all moral laws to the four winds! According to our shastras, a purification ceremony will be performed, to prove your chastity, more so, because you happen to be the Queen of Ayodhya !
Sita: (Unperturbed) I am not guilty my Lord - you are making a mistake
(Another murmur of disbelief)
Rama: (Composedly) You do us wrong, my Queen! Surely, we are proficient enough, in Kingship not to make such a mistake!
Sita: (Coldly) I am not aware of such a Law in the Shastras!
Vasishta:(Gently) My Queen!We do not question the Shastras!
Sita: (Turns to Vasishta) Why not?! Is it because I am a woman it is forbidden to question?! Must a woman be treated as a second class citizen?! Am I not allowed to speak in my own defence?! {turns to Rama}My lord, you are forcing me to go through something which is hateful and demeaning to human spirit !
VASISHTA: Its your duty to do as your lord and Master wishes my Queen ! you must follow his dharma?
SITA: (Addressing Rama) Must I be a mere utensil of my masters Dharma?! Have I not a dharma of my own?!
VASISTHA: The husband is God and master, according to the Vedas, my Queen!
SITA: If husband is God, then wife is Goddess! You defeat your purpose, Vasishta, by your ridiculous argument!
VASISHTA: [Composedly] My child ! you forget yourself ! – we do not speak slander. The people have endowed you with all the virtues, you must not betray posterity !
SITA: Is it in order when your great king betrays me? !
VASISTHA: King Rama has been divinely entrusted with this kingdom- His honour requires that you do as he wishes!
SITA: How simple ! How very simple you make everything sound ! But what about me? Have you stopped to consider my wishes!
VASISTHA: My Queen, this is a momentous day in the history of our great nation –King Rama‘s Ramarajya will be hailed as the most glorious period in our history ! King Rama will be the most blessed monarch that ever lived !…..and your virtues my Queen will be sung for generations to come !you will go down in history as the greatest pativrata of all time!
SITA: But will they talk about my pain, my humiliation and suffering?! [sadly] No they won‘t ! [she raises her voice] Because your scribes and Valmikis will rewrite history as you want it!- The rest will be expunged!
[Confusion and loud murmuring.Rama is angry but Vasistha speaks quickly in a voice that tries to control the outrage and confusion.]
VASSHTA: My Queen, King Ramchandra‘s wife has to be above suspicion, and so…..
SITA: Tell me Sir, by hiding guilt can your King‘s reign be glorious?!
VASISTHA: My Queen !
[Sita does not listen but turns to Rama]
SITA: (Desperately in tone and in manner) My Lord, if my word means nothing to you and if you believe I‘m a fallen women, then why did they wage this terrible war?! Why didn‘t you leave me where I was?!
RAMA: (Looks at her –his face of anger) Because I was angry and it is my duty as a Kshatriya to punish that low-down scoundrel, who abducted my wife behind my back! Be reasonable! You will be failing in your sacred duty as my wife, it you do not go through the Ceremony!… why make it impossible for me to take you back, if you fail me.
SITA: (Coldly) it is not I who have failed, But you, my Lord ! what happened to the vows of Sapta padi which we took together
(Rama does not answer)
SITA : (Sarcastically) Have they vanished, like the smiles from my eyes? 
(Rama still keeps silent)
SITA : Did the vows mean you could publicly shame me?
(Rama looks away)
SITA : You promised we would be life – long companions.
VASISHTA : But you are one with your Lord, you are Rama‘s shadow, my Queen !
SITA: [Turning to Rama] If you loved me, you would feel one with me as I am ! Not as you need me to be as object for your use!
VASISHTA: Remember, Oh ! Queen !, the vows that you took? “His offerings will be your offerings as well’
SITA : (Mockingly) Oh ! Great sage ! Must you stoop to trickery to sacrifice me?!
RAMA : (Coldly impatient) This has gone far enough ! Let the ceremony begin-summon the purohits !
LAKSHMANA : (Rushes up to Rama pleadingly) My Lord ! Forgive me ! but please reconsider don‘t let pride and anger stiffen your attitude towards the Queen !- Banish her to the forest, or let her live under the protection of some Kinsmen or other –Let her choose any of her relations to live with, but don’t resort to this terrible decision!
RAMA:(Resolute and angry) Suspicion around the Queen is like a dark cloud of smoke !
Banishment cannot disperse it !- The whole concept of Ramarajya will be lost forever !
SITA : (Calmly) I am not afraid of death, Laxmana, but I am afraid of the fraud that will be perpetuated in the name of Ramarajya!- in the name Dharma !-I‘m afraid of this awesome male domination and the helpless, pathetic and unbelievable woman martyrdom!
VASISHTA : My Queen ! Please reconsider !
RAMA : (Angrily) Sita, you forget yourself !
(Sita turns to the audience)
SITA : This King you all worship, is a cruel, heartless tyrant !- For the sake of his glory, he wants to sacrifice your Queen ! His fair name should be preserved at any cost – even at the cost of my life
(General muttering and disbelief – of ‘treason‘)
LAKSHMANA : (To Rama, agitated) This is betrayal Sita ! You are pretending to be some- thing you are not ! you‘ll be called a criminal for knowing the truth and calling it a lie !
SITA : But what‘s so unusal about that, Lakshmana ?! How often injustice has been committed in the name of justice?! How often does ignorance fly the flag of enlightenment? How often does a fall disguise itself as a rise?!
LAKSHMANA : (Urgently) Sita, come away ! I‘ll take you away to Mithila ! Your parents will never allow this humiliation !
SITA : To what purpose, Lakshmana ?! A woman's fate is inescapable! Seems, a woman‘s worthwhile achievement is only to make her husband happy !- it‘s taken for granted, the husband has more important things to do than make her happy !- Women are mere tools, used for different purpose, but never for true companionship ! if any misfortune should overtake the man, the woman is the cause of it all She has brought calamity to the household if, God forbid, her husband dies before her- she has to pay for it by either committing sati or be cast aside and shunned by society in the garb of a widow !- No matter what manner of work she does, she is never given due credit or value- its just accepted as a matter of course ! whereas a man is extolled for any little effort. Then again, sexually, he can take his pleasure whenever and with whomsoever he likes, whereas a woman has to share his affections and call herself blessed! she can never dream of voicing her feelings and desires- she is not considered human but just a pleasure- machine ! – breeder reactor ! We are dominated from birth to death ! first by father and then by husbands and finally by sons ! our thinking is wrong- woman are made to feel differently from men ! If only we were brought up not as men and women, but as human beings, how different today would have been ! [Cries out] My sex is to blame because we submit without questioning – we are cowed down since ages- we accept male domination and suffer it inwardly and in silence ! (With a cry of a cornered animal) But you are mistaken !….I will not … I will not submit to what you think is right ! I am free to choose, and I choose to revolt !
(Astonishment among the gathering)
LAKSHMANA : Please, Rama ! –don‘t go on with this! This sin will be on your head and ours for all time to come !
RAMA : The sin is on her head for not honouring Dharma !
VASISHTA : (Horrified) She is questioning God !
SITA : (In anger) What you say is an insult to the soul and a murderous offence against Truth! What authority do you have to use words without consideration?! How can you use words to invoke evil, to involve a decision between life and death ?!Who are you ?!
(General commotion and outrage)
SITA : (Turning to the audience) I beg all of you fight this injustice and not submit to it ! We women have been kept under the yoke for centuries in the name of Dharma ! please, remember me, not as a Goddess of virtue, but as a defenseless woman, fighting for her self- respect! History has never recorded the whole truth- it has always projected those in power – never the down- trodden- always the powerful. The ones who have fought against injustice have always been ignored!-So, beware of these rules whom posterity will gild with virtues they never possessed! They will gloss over my suffering and camouflage their sins with my submissiveness and devotion ! (Overcome in spite of herself, she cries out to Rama) Aryaputra, I believed this seperation would bring us closer to each other - that we would be more aware of each other as human beings!-I hoped the barriers of yester- day would melt the moment I came back – that you‘ll value me as a person- a person who loves you!(Looks at Rama with her eyes) – But I was wrong….. wrong !(Dejectedly) its kingship you want! ….more than my very life!
RAMA : Sita, come to your senses! To accept Dharma is the right thing to do!…..
SITA : (Wearily) Is it ? So, the right thing to do is to be submissive?
RAMA : You are my wife and it‘s your sacred duty to help me us usher in the Golden Age and perpetuate my lineage…….
SITA : Is that all?…..Is that all ever meant to you?! Am I asking too much – to come first with you – to be helped by you – to be needed by you?
VASISHTA : My child!, accept the inevitable! You cannot change our Dharma!
SITA : (Sadly) Yes I know the world will not change overnight and woman will not have the courage to assert herself. We will not be liberated unless some of us rebel- I know this much, that if I dare now, more women will dare to do so in the future. May be I venture all and gain nothing- but I hope and pray that by exposing this terrible situation, I may be able to expose your masculine pomposity, absurdity and injustice! Who knows, I may be able to sow the first seed of revolution? We women have only our tongues as weapons. Let us use them to spread information to our sex in the world. Gentle words and persuasion are only weapons of slavery. They bring only guilt. Shame and tireless self-imprisonment. We must set ourselves free from helplessness so that we may one day walk proudly upon this earth, which is every human being's birthright!
[Rama turns on her- his face twisted with anger]
RAMA : Sita !…Sita!….come to your senses! Do not destroy what I have built up !..
My word is Law !..I cannot take it back !…If you do not your duty, I must reject you !
SITA : (Fiercely) How dare you ! –It is I who reject you ! I reject you as husband, as lover-and I reject you above all as the father of my unborn children and I go to my doom- gladly!-With glory in my heart! But for Ravana! (Astonished, the entire Assembly is on its feet- followed by stunned silence) I go to join him – not because I loved him – because [She breaks down] I did not – because…I…could not!(She slowly turns, tears flowing down her face, she moves towards Ravan‘s pyre.-Lights dim on stage as the pyre‘s fire brightens.- “Rama Nama Sathya hay” chanted with conch shells blowing – “Rama nama sathya hay”…..)
(Courtesy: Olympus - Magazine)