When Rama and Sita Played Together – Blog 3 of 10

This delightful set of Golu dolls are made of clay and are over 30 years old. Yet the colours are still vibrant, the features are clear and the faces have a charm and divinity. While the entire set has Hanuman too, as this incident is set before meeting him, I will save that doll for another blog!

The story of Rama journeying into the forest is an immortal one. Everyone of us have read it with a myriad emotions from the complete contempt tinged with a bit of understanding for Kaikeyi to the awe at Bharatha’s behaviour; from the fear for Sita when Ravana carries her away to the nail-biting thrill of the war and the relief when Sita is rescued.  

But there are a few lesser-known incidents and stories that are charming, subtle and truly bring out the human nature of the characters. In our effort to read the Ramayana we often liken Rama to a God, and also to a Prince, a son and a warrior. And Sita is considered by many to be the epitome of perfect womanhood.

But to me, what we miss is that there is something beyond all of this. They are a young couple in love and banished to the forest. How did they spend time together, get to know each other – the little activities that we all do together early in our marriage that brings smiles and knowing glances and leads to a deeper connection as a couple. To me this little story captures this mood perfectly. To explain, I have to digress a little.

There is simple and delightful folk game that is often played by people especially in sandy areas. One person would bury a small object in a previously marked out area of sand. The others would try to guess where it is hidden. Guessing games like this are quite popular in our culture. While to some, it may seem the guesses are random, they are often made based on an understanding of that person. Where are they likely to have hidden it and how do they think?

The story goes that when Sita was kidnapped by Ravana she tossed out a number of her jewels from Ravana’s chariot to leave a trail for Rama. When her earrings were brought to Lakshmana he said, he did not recognise them as he never looked at his sister-in-law’s (Bhabhi) face – only her feet! This was considered a mark of respect in those days and this story weaves it in beautifully giving us and insight into how people lived and thought.

Later a ring was brought to Lakshmana. He immediately recognised it and recalled how Sita and Rama would play together by burying the ring in the sand on the river bank. This tiny little incident immediately conjures up the image of a couple playing together, smiling, maybe reaching out and touching each other – an image of love and harmony – and all this over a simple game.