The Veiled Side of a Hailed Saga

Film and television adaptations in India have always had a stronghold in stereotyping Sri Lanka as a primitive and uncivilised country. Natives were portrayed grotesquely to concretise the dichotomy of two societies. Mostly, they wore black garbs and had a thick moustache to thrust upon them a villainous look. Hence, by default, their king was seen as the villainous of all. Ravana is believed to have reigned Sri Lanka from 2554 to 2517 BC. His reign saw Sri Lanka reach the helm of prosperity. Ravana was born to a great sage Vishrava and his wife, Princess Kaikesi. His siblings include Vibhishana, Kumbhakarna, Ahiravana and step-brother Kubera, from whom he seized the kingdom of Lanka. Lanka was a city that was untouched by poverty. Created by the architectural marvel of Viswakarma himself, Lanka was a city of dreams. 

Sigiriya Rock

No one can rule out their far-fetched achievements in science and medicine. The description of Pushpaka Vimana shows the scientific farsightedness of the people of Lanka. He is also believed to have penned Ravana Sanhita, an anthology of Hindu astrology. There are a plethora of picturesque locations that still gives a factual account of the reign of Ravana. SitaEliya in NuwaraEliya is believed to be the prison of princess Sita, and Wariyapola and Horton plains are considered to be the landing sites of Pushpaka Vimana. The chariot path in Pussalawa still echoes the galop of Ravana’s chariot that carried Sita to Ashokavatika. 

Hakgala Gardens - Nuwaraeliya

The symbolic ten heads of Ravana, which show his intelligence and knowledge was used as an anchor through which a demonic physique was constructed in adaptations. 

Ramayana cannot be narrowed down as the journey of Rama nor it is about wiping the constructed darkness, but it also about Rama’s failed promises. Arrays of promises were bestowed upon Sita when she was brought to Ayodhya as Rama’s wife, with three other sisters accompanying her as her sisters-in-law. A royal throne became a far dream while she was destined towards a path of thrones and sacrifices. As a king, when Dasharatha failed to recognise Rama as the heir to his throne, Rama failed to distinguish between right and wrong. Him being regarded as the 'Maryada Purushottam' in fact blindly obeyed his father’s words for fulfilling his step-mother’s greed, thereby ignoring his subjects’ desire to see him on the throne. Mistakes were common on both sides because they were human, and not gods or demons.

Ravana Cave - Ella

The entry of Lankanaresh into the life of Rama was not a mere coincidence. The unconditional love for his sister Shurpanakha who was insulted and mutilated drew him into the fabric of Ramayana. Shurpanakha, enchanted by the masculinity of Rama approached him for want of love. He went on to reject her love extolling his belief in monogamy, while his father Dasharatha enjoyed the company of three wives. An infuriated Ravana who was filled with vengeance found no other way than abducting Sita. Destiny played a major role in the lives of Sita and Ravana. Though separated by countries, their encounter was inevitable. The concept of twin soul worked here. A twin soul is the other half of your soul. It is said that a soul can split into two after ascending to a high frequency. Thereafter, the soul lands into two different bodies. A sense of recognition works here. Twin soul relationships are defined by respect, equality, kindness and healthy boundaries. Ravana respected Sita's soul which was chaste that paved the way for a healthy boundary between them.  

Sita Kotuwa - Gurulupotha

If wanted Ravana could have tarnished Sita’s pride just like the brothers who insulted Shurpanakha. But Sita was taken to one of the world’s picturesque garden- Ashoka Vatika. Its present location is believed to be the Hakgala botanical garden, close to the city of Nuwaraeliya. Sita lived her captive life under the Ashoka tree of the garden, a major portion of which was destroyed by Hanuman. For fourteen years Sita sat under the Ashoka tree, adamantly sticking onto her pride and showing faithfulness to her husband. On the other side, Ravana frequently visited her to express his pure platonic love which was untouched by physical love. But still, the world pictured Ravana as a womaniser and hailed Rama who showed injustice to his faithful wife by letting her go through the fire test to prove her chastity. Divurumpola Welimada is the place where Sita had to prove her chastity. 

 Divurumpola - Welimada

The way to Lanka was never easy for Rama and his followers, and when they made it through Hanumanta, it was a disastrous moment for the city of prosperous Lanka. The flames of revenge swallowed the beauty and lives of innocent nature. The question arises on why the entire land was left to burn while Hanumanta’s only motive was to get back Sita. The prosperity and happiness of Lanka reflect the successful reign of Ravana. So, as a king, he was a person who was faithful to his citizens. At the same time, he had an individual sphere that justified his personal intellect when Rama failed in hearing the call of his conscience. For a king, his own intellect is a requisite to balance the sovereign power and personal life. While Ravana relished the status of an able king and also quenching his personal desires, Rama failed to balance both his kingly status and personal life. Still, Rama was given the title of 'Uttama Purushan'. 

Chariot Path - Pussellawa

After a long wait of 14years, Sita finally met her Ram. Contrary to her expectations, life continued to throw upon her pangs of misery. Her 'subjects' were not convinced of her chastity, questioning Ravana's motives. The years of penance for her reunion with Rama gave her a tragic blow as he failed to be a perfect husband in the rush for becoming a perfect sovereign. The unconditional love of Ravana was more powerful than the conditional love of Rama, which was filled with demands and fire test. Ravana was no more, but the platonic love of Ravana took Sita back to his abode, where he rested peacefully. 

Seetha Amman Temple - Seethaeliya

He was first buried in Yahangala, later his mortal remains embalmed in medicinal herbs was shifted to an unidentified place which is still carved in a mystery inside Sri Lankans’ mind. A distraught Sita spent the rest of her life in Kotmale. There are also speculations that she lived her life by guarding the mortal remains of her unrequited love. The aura of his pure love embraced Sita for the rest of her life, though his physical presence was an unattained dream. 

Yahangala

Ravana, who had once taken the whole Himalayas in his hands, was the epitome of universal power. When Hanumanta first cast his eyes upon Lanka, he understood that nothing humanly could hinder the mightiness of Ravana, unless he was weakened emotionally. Hanumanta hit the bull’s eye by tarnishing Ravana’s kingdom that was revelling in glory. At last, when the war ended, the mighty Ravana met with a tragic death. 

The lore never gave a human image to the story. It was always a war between god and demon. The emotions of two souls were kept inside the termite of supernatural powers.