Reading Notes: Sita, Daughter of the Earth

These notes are taken from Sita Daughter of the Earth, written by Saraswati Nagpal. I accessed this graphic novel in OU's Bizzell Library reserves.

In Sita: Daughter of the Earth, some of the details of Sita’s life were different from R.K. Narayan’s the Ramayana. Sita was found in a box in the ground after her parents performed an extensive prayer to the earth goddess Bhudevi (I don't remember how she came to be in the Ramayana but I didn't remember this). She also had a sister, Urmila (her best friend), and 2 cousins, Shrutakirti, and Mandavi. Urmila was barely younger than Sita, and was an excellent dancer. Shrutakirti was an excellent musician and would play songs for Urmila. And Shrutakirti was an artist and calligrapher. In this story, Sita was an academic and enjoyed philosophy. One other detail that was different was that Sita herself could pick up the Shiva’s Bow.

I want to retell the story of Sita and Rama meeting. In this version, she hears about Rama before meeting him, and already loves him for his valor (tales are told of him killing Rakshasas, and she desires a brave husband.) She hears he is coming to her swayamvara (a ceremony where Sita would choose her bride.) In this version, Sita chose that her husband would have to string the bow, not her father (Janaka.) Of course, Rama breaks the bow and they get married. 

Image Information:

Rama and Sita - Flickr