Did you know that the connection between Ravan and Sita varies across different versions of the Ramayan?  Each of these stories offers its own interpretation variations

While the basic action of Ravan abducting Sita remains constant, several variations offer unique perspectives, and here are some prominent ones:

Valmiki Ramayan

In this traditional version, Ravan kidnaps Sita in revenge for Ram's humiliation of his sister and imprisons her in Ashok Vatika. Also, he is engraved by her beauty and virtue.

Jain Ramayan

Sita is said to be Ravan's daughter. However, he is unfamiliar with this fact as he abducted her after an astrologer predicted that his daughter would cause his destruction.

Adbhut Ramayan

Sita takes on a fierce form in this text, an incarnation of Goddess Kali to defeat all forms of Ravan. She is no longer a victim here but a divine power on a mission.

Tamil Ramayan

Here Ravan’s admiration for Sita is a symbol of unmatched purity and spiritual strength. He still abducts her, but his affection for her is shown to be pure.

Southeast Asian Ramayan

Thotsakan’s (Ravan) desire is driven by a sense of passion and destiny. Sita’s abduction is portrayed as part of Ravan’s divine duty, adding spiritual complexity.

Buddhist Ramayan

In these writings, Ravan is pictured as more sympathetic. the focus is on his role as a king with less lust for Sita and more on testing her loyalty to Lord Ram.

Folk Versions

Some folk Ramayan suggest that Ravan’s attraction to Sita is stemmed from their previous lives. Here, Ravan is someone whose actions are bound by the inescapable cycles of fate.

These varying accounts show the richness and diversity of Ramayan traditions across cultures. Despite all, the core narrative of Ravan abducting Sita and her loyalty to Ram remains the same.