Rama Lakshman Janaki in Exile no-watermark
Surpanaka entered the court in a dramatic way, crying loudly and trying to cover her gaping nose with her hand. Ravana was horrified to see his sister in such condition. Even before he could say anything Surpanaka burst out talking “Ravana, my brother! All the Rakshasas have been killed. Khara and Dushana are dead. And imagine! just one human being is responsible for all this disaster. A man by name Rama has killed fourteen thousand Rakshasas and also Khara and Dushana. Rama is no ordinary person. When he uses his arrows, it appears as though there is a rain of arrows. And here you are leading a life of luxury, not caring about your brothers who died at the hands of Rama.” He described to Maricha the way in which Surpanaka was disfigured and how Khara and met a cruel death. “I have to take revenge against Rama. Only then will my brothers find peace in heaven. That’s why I want to separate Sita and Rama” Said Ravana. Maricha, who had earlier faced Rama’s arrows, trembled with fear just at mention of his name. “Ravana, you are ill –advised. Carrying away Sita is to carry death with you. Sita is another man’s wife. Give up such wicked thoughts and go back to Lanka” advised Maricha. Ravana would not listen to Maricha. He insisted on Maricha’s help and then explained his plan. “Maricha, if you are so afraid of Rama’s arrows, you need not face him at all. You have magical powers and can turn yourself into any other form. All that I ask of you is to turn yourself into a beautiful golden deer and roam in front of Sita’s hut. Sita will definitely want you. So she will ask Rama and Lakshmana to catch you. When they try to chase you, you can run fast and take them away from Panchavati. With none to protect her, Sita can be easily kidnapped. And unable to bear the separation, Rama will die”.
Maricha once again told Ravana “O king! You already have so many beautiful wives. Do not lust for Sita. She will be the cause of your death and destruction of Lanka. “Ha… Ha….” Laughed Ravana scornfully. “How can an ordinary man like Rama cause my death? I live across the ocean and he cannot even reach me there.” “I am warning you Maricha” he continued. “If you do not help me in this plan, I will kill you at this very spot.” Maricha knew that either way he would be killed. He preferred to die at Rama’s hands and so agreed to Ravana’s plans. Ravana took him in his Pushpaka Vimana and dropped him near Panchavati.