Rama Lakshman Janaki in Exile no-watermark
1.6. THE KIDNAPPING OF SITA
Maricha turned himself into a golden deer and roamed in front of Sita’s hut at a time when she came out to pluck flowers. Sita was enchanted to see such a beautiful creature and called out to Rama “Can you please catch this exquisite creature for me?” she asked. “Let us take to Ayodhya when we get back” she suggested. Lakshmana who also saw the golden deer was cautious. So, he told Rama “Brother, somehow I feel that this is not a real animal. I feel that this is some Rakshasa in the guise of a deer.” Sri Rama had also taken a great liking for the deer and he brushed Lakshmana advice aside. “Lakshmana, this deer is rather, unusual. I also like it as much as Janaki. If, as you say, it is really a Rakshasa. I can kill it and get rid of the Rakshasa. Be careful. Look after Sita till I return.” So, saying Rama went in pursuit of the animal. Rama ran behind the deer and just as he was about to catch it, it ran faster and faster. Rama chased it on and on but he still could not catch it. Tired and unable to catch it alive, Rama used his arrow. As soon as the arrow hit the deer, it fell down and its body turned once again into the body of a Rakshasa. Before dying Maricha imitated Rama’s voice and cried out “Ah Sita! Ah Lakshmana!” Rama at once realized that this was a trick of the Rakshasa and feeling for the safety of Sita, hurried back to the Ashram. When Maricha’s cry reached Sita’s ears, she felt scared and told Lakshmana “Your brother is in danger. Please go to his rescue.” Lakshmana tried to calm her by assuring that no harm could ever come to Rama. When she insisted that Lakshmana leave at once in search of Rama, Lakshmana refused. She got angry. “Lakshmana, didn’t you hear what I said? Instead of going to Rama’s help, you stand here like a stone statue. Are you Rama’s enemy? Have you no concern for the safety of your brother?” Lakshmana was hurt by Sita’s words, but still he said calmly “Rama is very valiant. No harm can come to him. As I told you earlier, the golden deer was probably Maricha. My brother Rama has instructed me not to leave you alone. I shall follow his orders.” In her anxiety about Rama’s safety Sita accused Lakshmana of evil intentions and threatened to end her life if Lakshmana did not go to Rama’s help.
Lakshmana was extremely hurt by Sita’s accusations and so, decided to go in search of Rama. Before he went, he warned Sita to be careful about strangers. He also threw a line just outside the door of the hurt with his arrow and told her “Respected sister-in-law! Please do not across this line on any event. I will soon be back with Rama. May God protect you?” Ravana, who had hidden behind a tree waiting for Sita to be left alone, turned himself into a poor Sanyasini and called out in front of the hut. “Alms for a poor Sanyasini!” Thinking that a hungry person was at the door, Sita opened it with the food vessel in her hand.
Ravana found her even more beautiful than ever and this made him determined to have her at any cost. Sita stood at the door not wanting to cross the line Lakshmana had drawn in front of the hut. So, to make her cross the line, Ravana pretended to be very weak with hunger and said “My lady, please hand over the alms to me here”. As soon as the unsuspecting Sita walked across the line, Ravana grabbed her hand and revealed his true identity. “O beautiful Sita, I am Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka. I have come here to take you to my kingdom. Forget about Rama, who cannot even feed you well in this forest. I will treat you like a queen and give you all the luxuries of life. Sita was very angry at such indecent talk. She tried to pull away her hand. But Ravana ignored her warnings and pleas and forcibly dragged her to his Pushpak Viman. Soon he was air-borne. Sita, who was rambling like a fawn cried out “Rama, Rama. Lakshmana. Where are you? The wicked Ravana is taking me away.” But there was no response. So, she made a fervent plea to the trees and the birds to convey the message to Rama that she was in distress.