1. In the habitation of the hermits
2. Attacked by Viradha
3. Belligerent action against Viradha
4. Viradha killed
5. In the hermitage of Sarabhanga
6. Sages request protection
7. Suthikshna
8. Adieu to Sage Suthikshna
9. Sita’s thoughts in spoken words
10. Sri Rama’s response
11. Sage Mandakarni, lake Panchapsara and onwards to the hermitage of Agastya
12. The Divine Mighty Bow of Vishnu
13. Agastya’s counsel
14. Personality of Jatayu
15. Cottage at Panchavati
16. Winter at Panchavati
17. Giantess Surpanaka
18. Surpanaka’s ears and nose lopped
19. Khara excited
20. Sri Rama kills the fourteen ogres
21. Perplexed Khara
22. Khara provoked
23. The evil portents staring the ogres
24. The sight of armed forces
25. The ogres encounter with Sri Rama
26. Dushana sent to the abode of Yama
27. Trisiras covets death and gets it too
28. Khara knocked off
29. Sri Rama-Khara discourse
30. Khara annihilated
31. Ravana intimated
32. Giant King Ravana outraged
33. Ravana ridiculed
34. Surpanaka instigates Ravana
35. Ravana sets out
36. Ravana to Maricha
37. Maricha dissuades Ravana
38. Maricha recounts his personal experience of Sri Rama’s prowess
39. Maricha appraises Ravana on the desperate consequences
40. Ravana reproaches Maricha
41. Maricha to imperious Ravana
42. Maricha’s metamorphosis
43. Remarkably marvelous deer
44. Maricha slain
45. Sita’s vitriolic outpourings
46. The spiteful mendicant
47. Ravana solicits Sita
48. Ravana boasts Sita twits
49. Ravana’s outrageous action
50. Jatayu pleads with Ravana
51. Ravana and Jatayu in fierce combat
52. Ravana carries Sita away
53. Sita rebukes Ravana
54. Onward to Lanka
55. Sita confined
56. Sita’s scorn
57. Sita gifted ambrosial food
58. Evil portents dismay Sri Rama
59. Despondent and disquieted Sri Rama to Lakshmana
60. Lakshmana reproached
61. Sri Rama’s quest of Sita
62. Sri Rama downcast
63. Sri Rama’s wail
64. Sri Rama’s agony
65. Exasperated Sri Rama continues the search for Sita
66. Lakshmana’s words of solace
67. Lakshmana’s counsel
68. Sri Rama soothed
69. Deceased Jatayu Cremated
70. Bump into with giantess Ayomukhi
71. Kabandha’s words
72. Kabanda’s narrative
73. Kabandha’s persuasive discourse
74. Kabandha in ethereal form
75. At the hermitage of Sabari
76. Pampa Lake
ARANYAKANDAM
In the habitation of the hermits: Inside the vast Dandaka forests Sri Rama saw hermit’s settlement glowing on all sides with Brahmanic luster, effulgence too dazzling to look, the vicinity was resonant with Vedic chants. The courtyards were well swept countless birds, roedeers and wild beasts as well made this their dwelling place. There were many sacrificial sheds wherein the holy fire was fed with roots, fruits and wood, also seen were ladles, sacrificial gears, gifts which the holy laws impose, and here the heavenly nymphs often danced beneath the boughs of trees. Saints in multitude, radiant and effulgent, several of them old and revered, all of them with worldly sense firmly subdued, trod the ground chanting Vedas and always mused on God; made the place look like Brahma’s glorious land. Raghu’s splendid son Sri Rama surveyed the tranquil shelter; he loosened his potent bow-string and entered into the hermitages. Endued with celestial sight, the impressive saints welcomed Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita, with reverence, joy and kind observances; they showered their blessing on them. With folded hands each duty loving hermit said: “All we have is yours, you are our king, be you in the town or in the forests, you are our protector, you are famous, the knower and maintainer of what is right, you preserve this realm free from danger, you should give us protection. We are your people, and you are our guardian, our only wealth is the merits earned by us by austere penance, we should always be protected by you.”. Saying thus they strove to please the princes and Sita with all attentive courtesies.
Attacked by Viradha: Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spent the night at the hermitage, the following morning they entered deep into the mighty Dandaka forest which was infested with deers, leopards, bears and many animals of prey; the trees, creepers were trampled and the muddied pools were not recognizable. Inside the horrid forest accompanied by Lakshmana and spouse, Sri Rama saw a giant vast as some mountain peak in size, tall, huge, hideous, with monstrous face, sunken eyes, mighty voice, most frightening of his race, he looked like the God of death, Yama; and struck dread on all living things. When this ogre saw the noble three, he charged at them with a mighty roar, that shook the earth, he seized the trembling Sita away, and yelled at the royal brothers; “Who are you, armed with bows, arrows and sword, all sinners in hermits disguise, who despise the right, tell me why you are here with a single woman? I am the great Viradha, I stray in this deep tangled forest, I seize a saint to make my meal, and today I shall quaff your blood and make this young and fair woman (Sita) my dame.” In horror hapless Sita trembled she was scared by the fierce and wild speech. Sri Rama in his anguish addressed his brother Lakshmana, “I see Viradha’s arm enfold my tenderly nursed Sita, whose soul clings to virtue. This day Kaikeyi who expelled me from my home will have reasons to be triumphant for she is successful in her shadowy intent over you and me. I see with bitter grief and shame another soul touch my Mithilan dame, not even the loss of the kingdom nor the demise of my father overwhelms me more,” saying so Sri Rama shed torrents of tears. Lakshmana in his anger spoke to Sri Rama “You are the lord and the king of every creature, when I am here, why do you grieve like a forsaken man, my arms of impetuous might shall release the shafts and slay the fiend, my anger which was to be directed against Bharata shall now be ventilated against this ogre.”
Belligerent action against Viradha: Viradha with a shout that echoed through the forest yelled, ‘tell me who are you, why you have come to this place and where will you go?’ Bold and brave Sri Rama told the ogre his name, his race and sought from the ogre his details, he got this as answer form the ogre, ‘My mother is Satahradha and my father is known by the name Java, the ogres on earth call me Viradha. My penance earned for me a boon from the creator Brahma, a protection from being killed by weapon or shaft. Leave this woman with me here and flee, else both of you are sure to die now and here.’ Furious Sri Rama with his eyes red with rage responded, “You are despicable, a sinner, you madly seek death, you cannot escape death in this fray,” saying so the two brothers rained shower of arrows on the fiend. The arrows smote all over the monster’s bulky frame, and came back to the earth; the royal brothers ruthlessly rained fiery flood of arrows on him. Hurt Viradha dropped Sita from his clasp. While the dreadful ogre who resembled Kalantakayamopamam, (time-spirit, death and Yama) stood unmoved, he laughed, stopped and yawned, .un-terrified, even as the weapons hurled at him fell to the ground. Holding the lance in his hand he charged furiously at the princely pair only to have the massive spear cleft into two in the combat, his weapon destroyed the monster suffered physical blows too. Roaring fiercely the terrible fiend cast each of his arms at the charging brothers, holding them firmly he placed them on his shoulders like children and proceeded deep inside the forests. Sri Rama saw the monster’s plan and spoke to his brother, “O Lakshmana let Viradha carry us through the path we sought to stride.”
Viradha killed: Seeing the princely brothers being carried away by the dreaded ogre; Sita in wild affright shrieked, “O best of giants, here in the wild, the brindled tigers and the bears will have me as their food, please set the Raghu’s sons free and take me away.” Hearing Sita’s mournful cry, spurred by vengeful fury the heroes hastened their resolve to kill the monster; Lakshmana in one fierce blow broke the left arm of the ogre and Sri Rama smashed the right arm. The ogre with tortured frame on account of the broken arms fell to the ground, and Raghu’s sons with their arms, fists, feet, crushed and pounded the mighty monster, yet he would not die. When Sri Rama saw, the fiend of elephantine bulk could not be slain with weapons he asked Lakshmana to dig a pit, adequate in size to bury the monster, while the valiant Sri Rama firmly set his foot on the giant’s breast/neck. The prostrate monster Viradha heard with joy Sri Rama’s commands to Lakshmana and made a polite submission, ‘Blinded by folly till now I failed to recognize you Sri Rama, as Kausalya’s son, I now tell you that I am a Gandharva called Tumburu, due to Kubera’s stern curse I was awarded this hideous shape. In response to my pleas for Grace, the angry Gods replied, destroyed by Dasaratha’s son Sri Rama you will again gain your place back in heaven. Now through your kindness I am freed from the stern fate decreed by the Gods. O prince a short distance from here is the cottage of the effulgent Sage Sarabhanga, quickly seek him and take his blessings, before that cast my body in the pit, for that is the way remains of the ogres are done with.’ Having realized that the great demon could not be killed with a weapon the royal brothers killed Viradha by burying him in a pit with justification too as the mighty ogre seemed to be pleased with this act, thereafter Viradha ascended his eternal home. Sri Rama and Lakshmana duly interred the fiend’s mortal remains. Their task done, the freedom from the peril won, they proceeded to receive Sita and wandered freely in the boundless Dandakaranya forests.
In the hermitage of Sarabhanga: Having eliminated Viradha of terrific might, Sri Rama embraced his spouse, consoled her with gentle words; to his brother he said; “I find this forest wild and terrible, let us make haste to the hermitage of Sarabhanga on whom the wealth of holy works has graced,” saying so they took the path leading to that hermitage. In the vicinity of Sarabhanga’s abode Sri Rama’s eyes beheld the imposing sight of the lord of Gods in the company of the full retinue of other Gods, bards, celestial nymphs , all in their heavenly ornaments, in their immaculate raiment’s et al, conversing with the sage. When Sri Rama beheld Indra in his air-borne chariot he spoke to Lakshmana, “That wondrous chariot seems like a falling sun, these are the steeds that bear the yoke of Sakra (a name for Indra), the glorious band of youths present are clothed in attire of crimson shade, the age of each youth appears to be twenty five years; they all are fierce, bright and fair, they are blooming in their prime, brother you stay here with Maithili dame till I have definite knowledge of who this being so bright to look at is?” When the lord of Sachi (the consort of Indra) saw Raghu’s son drawing close to the hermitage he together with his followers hastily took leave of the sage and proceeded to his celestial sphere. After the God of the skies, the thousand eyed Indra, took leave of the sage, Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita approached the sage who was at that time worshipping the holy fire in his hermitage, in reverence they bowed low to him, they clasped his feet, permitted by him they took the seat near the revered saint, and sought from him details of Lord Indra’s visit. In answer to Sri Rama, sage Sarabhanga said, “Pleased with my long, stern, and austere penances Lord Indra offered to waft me to Brahma’s sphere, a fair world that never decays. Knowing you to be around I wished to see you and then proceed to the heavenly sphere.” In might Indra’s peer; Sri Rama the master of all the sacred lore’s, once again addressed the aged anchorite “I desire to be assigned a place of abode in the vicinity of your holy grove.” Sri Rama was guided to the woodland home of the glorious Saint Suthikshna, located on the banks of river Mandakini. Before he moved to the abode of Suthikshna, Sri Rama was asked by the sage Sarabhanga to witness his ascension to the sphere of Brahma. Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita witnessed Sarabhanga’s ascension to Brahmaloka. At first Sage Sarabhanga cast his withered skin much like the serpent sheds its slough, next he kindled the sacred fire, poured oblations and chanting holy texts, he entered the fire that first burnt the hair on his body and head, burnt his skin and whatever flesh blood and bones the great soul had. He arose from the fire transformed into a tender radiant youth immaculate in bright apparel; he rose above the flames he passed beyond the seat of Gods and at last finally gained the sphere of Brahma, the noblest of the twice born race Sarabhanga, the glorious anchorite was seen in life form welcomed by Brahma.
Sages request protection: After Sarabhanga rose heavenwards, hosts of other sages, all of them unflinching in their contemplation of heavenly knowledge who dwelt around in the vicinity submitted thus to Sri Rama whose martial fame burnished like kindled flame, “O prince of ancient Ikshvaku line the lordship of the earth is yours, in you abides filial devotion, truth and virtue, just as Indra is the Lord of Gods you are our lord and guide here. You are renowned in all the three worlds, the glory of your might are legendary, you are our king and as such you are our protector too, kindly listen patiently to our prayers, and grant us timely relief. O Rama, a king who protects the life, property and well-being of his people gains lasting fame and also a fourth of the merits earned by the hermits accrues to the king. Here in this treacherous forest homicidal fiends kill holy hermits, persecute the saints, and you can see for yourself the many (hermits) corpses, and the blood stained tangled pathways along the Pampa River and by the side of the river Mandakini and also at the Chitrakoot. O prince you are our guardian, we pray, we seek protection and the safety of every anchorite, we seek refuge in you; you please take notice of our call.” To the whole host of saints present there, Sri Rama responded, “O saints, you need not make a request to me, you command me, I came here on my own, I am in the woods to uphold my father’s plighted word, implored by you it is my duty to lend succor to you and for this service, my toil earns high recompense. O sages and saints you will witness for yourselves my prowess and the might of my brother Lakshmana; I will free all of you from your threatening foes and your lives will be free from the dangers posed by the fiends, I will eliminate your foes in the battle field,” having given his promise to the saints Sri Rama sought the path to Suthikshna’s home.
Suthikshna: Sri Rama together with the valiant Lakshmana, Sita and the best of the saints, passed through the dense forests; negotiated the deep waters of the river after traversing a distance he saw a bright mountain; within that mountain range there was a dense forest full of various trees. The trees were filled with flowers in bloom and fruits; there before a lonely cottage decorated with barks and garlands he saw a hermit sitting pensively. (The abode of Saint Suthikshna is located near Ramagiri or the Rama’s Hill now called Ramtek near Nagpur) Sri Rama drew nearer to the best amongst the upholders of the truth, he said, “Sir I am Rama, I come to see you, great sage of spiritual might please speak to me.” The sage when he saw Sri Rama he folded him in his arms and said to him, “Welcome to you, with your arrival this hermitage has indeed found a worthy lord and the master. I heard that bereft of the kingdom you are in the Chitrakoot hills and I was expecting you eagerly, I had delayed shedding my mortal frame and ascending the heavenly spheres just to have a glimpse of you. Indra the supreme lord of the Gods visited my dwelling; he said that I have won all the higher worlds through my meritorious actions. With my Grace, you may also please rejoice in those worlds inhabited by divine sages, glorified by the celestial saints, together with your spouse and Lakshmana.” The high-souled Sri Rama spoke to the resplendent sage of stern penance, “O mighty saint, I was told by sage Sarabhanga of Gautama lineage, that you are well versed in the lore and are devoted to the good of all creatures, now you please tell me where in this forest I shall dwell.” In answer the holy sage said, ‘this very hermitage is charming, it is frequented by multitudes of sages, sylvan beasts and herds of gentle deer roam in this place harmlessly, here you have nothing to fear except for the wild beasts. You can have your home here.” Sri Rama conveyed to the holy Suthikshna; “O fortunate sage if I happen to hurt the sylvan creatures here, I would be discourteous to you, I desire to stay here only briefly,” thereafter he proceeded to perform his evening prayers. Sri Rama returned to the charming hermitage after the evening worship and at nightfall the royal guests were entertained by Suthikshna himself with the choicest food ordained for the hermits.
Adieu to Sage Suthikshna: Admired by sage Suthikshna, holy Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita slept that night there, they awoke betimes in the morning bathed in the cool waters perfumed with the fragrance of lotus, offered their morning worship, thereafter they went softly to Suthikshna’s side and spoke in reverent tones; “O holy lord, you are adored by all and we have been honoured by you, we slept well during the night. Before the sun scorches us with fierce intolerable heat, we desire to take leave of you, together with these saints who bear lustrous countenance. We are urged by the hermits to hasten, we take leave of you, and we seek your permission to depart. We shall hasten to see the homes of the ascetics that are located around this vicinity, roaming the mighty Dandaka woods we desire to observe each sage who have all their senses tamed by austere penance, and to survey the neighbourhood populated by austere sages;” saying so they touched the saint’s feet. Suthikshna fondly embraced the children of the Raghu, spoke to them these affectionate words; “Unscathed by suffering you go with your valiant brother Lakshmana and Sita who follows you like a shadow, monitor well the homes of the hermits. The hermits living here lead a life of austere penance, they are governed by stern vows; the vicinity of their abodes abounds in bounteous fruits, berries and flowers in bloom.” Sage Sutikshna gave them a vivid picture of the Dandaka woods and in the end asked them to come back to him again. The royal brothers assented the holy three went round the illustrious saint clockwise as a mark of respect, later gathered their belongings and commenced their onward journey
Sita’s thoughts in spoken words: (Devout Hindu women address their husband as Aryaputra meaning a worthy son of a worthy father). Duly taking leave of sage Suthikshna Sri Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita began their onward journey. Sita in soft tones, in apprehension began to speak, “One little slip may bring a great man to shame for it leads the man to indulge in sinful deeds that springs from low desires. Those sins that defile the human soul are (a) false speech, (b) the lawless love for other’s wife (c) thirst for blood not caused by violent conflict. O Raghu’s son none has yet seen nor will ever see in you the sins listed as false speech and lawless love for other’s wife in you for that very thought is ostracized in your soul. Virtue, justice and the undiminished urge to carry out your father’s plighted word have found a resting place in your thoughts. My lord you have now made a promise to the saints in the Dandaka woods that you will aid and protect their lives and slay the ogres with your unfailing might, as a result thereof a lasting fame to you and glory of the Dandaka forests results. The inexcusable immorality of taking of the lives of others which is done without enmity due to unawareness is to be tackled by you, O champion conqueror you have sworn to kill the fiends in the battle for the protection of the sages, living in the Dandaka woods, The sight of you going to the Dandaka forests armed with your bow and arrows, with your brother in tow, knowing how true you are to your promise; fears of your bliss troubles my mind with a strange affright. I do not like it, it does not seem good to me, I now tell you the reason of my fear, you, your brother, are keen warriors, the weapons in your hands, will bring transitory warmth of extreme vigor and your arrows will not spare the rovers in the Dandaka forests whom you will meet. Association with a weapon is said to be of the same consequence as is the association with fire. In the days of the yore, it is said, Indra to spoil the toil of a holy hermit entrusted his glorious weapon to the care of this hermit. The hermit took personal possession and care of the treasure and with the passage of time the hermit’s soul spurned the right and found delight in cruel deeds, his spirits grew fierce and wild. So living with the sword ruined this hermit, he fell from his ideals and went to hell. This tale applies to all warriors with weapons, my lord, my speech is prompted by sincere affection, and I only narrated this, solely prompted by my belief, the bow in the warrior’s hand is meant to lend comfort and save the endangered lives. After renouncing your claims to the kingdom you submitted yourself to the vows of an ascetic, Adherence to virtues brings endless joys, lasting fame, brings bounteous wealth, tames the mind and all the three worlds are open to him who follows the virtuous path. O my lord it is my frivolity that made me speak thus, you take brother Lakshmana’s counsel and do what seems to you the best.”
Sri Rama’s response: In his turn Sri Rama who never ever strayed from the path of virtue, made the following reply; “I thank you for your gentle speech, you had spoken so, because of your love and generous concern for me. Indeed you have said that bow borne by the warrior is to prevent misery to the sufferers. I had been approached by untainted saints in the Dandaka forests, who live on fruits and roots, to put an end to the distress inflicted on them by the spiteful fiends. These worthy saints who ought to be sought by me, instead they sought me, urged me in words, ‘Fiends in the Dandaka forests who assume various forms at will, inflict cruelty on us not excluding mayhem but including death. Though we are capable of putting an end to all our miseries ourselves with the powers earned by the merits of our penance yet we refrain from pronouncing the curse, for we are unwilling to bring to nothing the merits earned by years of our stern penance. (Pronouncing a curse on the adversary drains the merits earned) You are our surest refuge’ they said in one voice. In response to their supplication I replied, “I am overwhelmed with shame, I have been approached by untainted Brahmans, instead I should have sought you,” I readily promised sages living in the Dandaka woods my complete protection. Now I am bound by my promise, I will not falsify my word given to the sages; I must uphold my plighted word and protect them all. O beautiful lady a person is never advised unless he is dear; you have uttered these appropriate words due to your adoration and concern to me.” Thus spoke Sri Rama in mild accents to his beloved Sita and proceeded to the charming groves inhabited by the ascetics together with Lakshmana.
Sage Mandakarni, lake Panchapsara and onwards to the hermitage of Agastya: Walking through the forest Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana saw with delight high mountain peaks, lofty trees in blossoms, fast running streamlets, lotus buds, gay birds, buffaloes in frenzied passion, boars, and elephants, swans, mallards and all. Covering a long distance they came near a lake and heard melodious vocal music blended with instrumental music. Charmed and stirred with wonder they proceeded to the periphery of the lake, Raghu’s son now directed this question to the sage Dharmabhrit, one of the sages who had followed Raghava; “O most noble sage please explain the cause of this mysterious mellifluous; melodious music.” Swift came the answer to the Raghava, by the virtuous hermit Dharmabhrit, ‘This lake is famously called Panchapsaras, (The lake of five nymphs) it is ever full of water, it is the creation of the great Sage Mandakarni. Sage Mandakarni, spent ten thousand years on stern penance on this lake bed living on air alone. This austere penance of sage scared the Gods, they apprehended that the sage with his penance would replace one of them from their celestial seat, they considered his penance a threat to their heavenly seats, they were disquieted, and their hearts were oppressed with fear. With God of fire at their head they proposed, five of the loveliest nymphs to arm themselves with their captivating guiles and seduce the great recluse from his stern vows. The delightful dames weaned the sage away from his austere penance and made him a slave of the all conquering love and each of the five heavenly nymphs became his wedded spouse. Mandakarni for the sake of his beloved five wives built a secret dwelling palace beneath the lake. The sage by virtue of his austerities regained his youth, the nymphs delighted the sage in earthly bliss and Sri Rama what you hear now is the singers’ dulcet tones blended with the tinkling of their ornaments.’ Sri Rama was all admiration for the graphic description given by the sage Dharmabhrit and as they were moving on they saw hermit settlements enveloped in Bhramanic grandeur. Raghava, his Videhan bride and brother Lakshmana visited each hermitage and was received with due honour in all the places. The holy three spent considerable time in that part of the woods spending varying time in each locale, and thus in tranquility and bliss, ten years of his exile period passed, after that period he decided to return to sage Suthikshna’s calm abode. At the hermitage of Suthikshna, Sri Rama was greeted with due salutations and admiration by all the saints present there, and he spent some time at this hermitage. One day at the hermitage Sri Rama stood by the side of Saint Suthikshna and in veneration began to speak, “In this vast woodlands it is said the most saintly sage Agastya resides, due to the vastness of the forests unassisted I could not locate his dwelling. There is a strong desire treasured in my heart, to seek the mighty saint in his calm retreat accompanied by brother and spouse, to pay my obeisance and salutation, and personally be of some service to him, for this purpose I seek your guidance to reach the holy spot.” Joyous Suthikshna made his following reply, ‘O prince I too wished to urge you, Sita and Lakshmana to visit glorious Agastya, now that you have broached the thought yourself, I will gladly tell you the path leading to the hermitage of Agastya. Take the path southwards from here, after covering a distance of four yojanas or eight leagues you will find the calm and glorious retreat of the brother of the sage Agastya. This retreat is adorned with a grove of Pippalli (long pepper) trees, trees with many flowers and fruits, air is filled with the charming and ever resonant voices of various birds, and the lakes are filled with lilies, cranes and swans. You stay the night at this place and on the following morning proceed to the abode of sage Agastya which is eight miles, (a yojana or two leagues) from there. Sri Rama if it is your firm intention to see the pre-eminent sage Agastya depart to that place this very day.’ Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sita paid their obeisance to the sage, and set out to trace Sage Agastya’s hermitage, they followed the path Suthikshna had given, with ease they reached the place where all the guiding mark and signs that Sage Suthikshna requested Sri Rama to take were seen and Sri Rama concluded that was the home of the Agastya’s illustrious brother who was leading a life intent on holy deeds. Sri Rama enlightened his brother Lakshmana and spouse with this discourse, “In this place , in the distant past lived two fierce, oppressive fiend brothers Vatapi and his brother Ilvala, who loved every cruel deed, took pleasure to feed on bleeding flesh, they caused the slaughter of Brahmans. Inhuman Ilvala in the garb of a Sanskrit speaking Brahman would invite austere sages to solemnize funeral rites. He used (Vatapi concealed in the form of a ram), cook this ram, and feed the Brahmans according to the injunctions at funeral feasts. After the holy men, had finished their dinner Ilvala with a mighty shout will exclaim ‘Vatapi come out’, hearing Ilvala’s voice Vatapi shattering the frames of these holy men would emerge out from the dying priests bleating like a ram. Thus the fierce fiend brothers enjoyed their every cruel deed and dared to kill thousands of Brahmans. Sage Agastya was requested by the Gods to put an end to this menace of the fiends, on one occasion the mighty Sage Agastya was requested like the rest to preside over the funeral banquet, Sage Agastya in obedience to the God’s appeal, accepted the invite to solemnize the funeral rites, ate the meal and demolished the fiend Vatapi. The fierce fiend as usual screamed, ‘it is done, it is done, come out Vatapi’ the thoughtful Agastya said laughingly your brother in ram’s disguise stands digested by me; he is now in the kingdom of Yama. In fury and in vengeful rage Ilvala tried to assail the sage, he was reduced to ashes by one fire like stare of the Sage Agastya. This is the hermitage of the brother of that sage beautified by lakes and woods.” As Sri Rama was talking thus to the son of Sumitra, the sun had set and the royal brothers offered their evening worship to the Sun and entered the hermitage of the holy saint, offered their salutations and were received with due respect by the hermit, they were entertained by the saint with fruits and roots, they spent that night there. The following morning Sri Rama said to Sage Agastya’s brother, “We rested well and pray now permit us to proceed to see your revered elder brother.” Duly permitted to go; the princely brothers proceeded to the home of the mighty sage Agastya, the path was adorned with multitude of plants, and trees. The plants, trees, and creepers were clothed with leaves of various tinges, flowers in bloom and trees rich in woodland fruits, they saw elephants lay prostrate, playful monkeys leapt in joy, there was the resonant noise of the flock of birds in heat, and the woodland was a habitat for the very peaceful deer and other animals. The hermitage of sage Agastya relieved the fatigue of the tired, and the sage with his might killed death like fiends, instilled fear in the giants, made them flee the place. The sage renowned for his holy deeds, nothing can diminish the fame of this hoary hermit in this world, he to whom all those who are good are dear to him, he a pure saint, and the princely brothers together with Sita set out to be enriched by his grace. Gods, minstrels wait to serve Agastya there, no liar, nor cheat, nor sinner can live there, so attracted by the divinity of the hallowed precincts of the hermitage of the Glorious Saint Agastya; Sri Rama decided to spend the last years of his exile here. Sri Rama asked Lakshmana to tell the mighty saint of his presence together with Sita to see him.
The Divine Mighty Bow of Vishnu: Obedient to Sri Rama’s order Lakshmana addressed the pupil of the inspiring anchoret Agastya thus, “The eldest son Sri Rama of the mighty king named Dasaratha, along with his spouse Sita desires to see the holy hermit; I am Lakshmana the devoted younger brother of Sri Rama. We through a decree of our royal father Dasaratha were forced into exile, thus we are here in the dreaded Dandaka woods; tell your master, of our earnest desire to greet your revered lord.” The disciple promptly went to his lord, conveyed to him thus; “Sri Rama and Lakshmana the sons of Dasaratha and Sita the spouse of the former seek an audience with you, to pay their respectful greetings to you. It is for you to deign your command for me to obey”. Sage Agastya replied, “At last this day has given me great joy, my soul has long been yearning to see Sri Rama, go forth bring the royal three respectfully in my presence; why are they not here by now?” The disciple promptly sped to where Lakshmana was and said, ‘Let not Sri Rama wait, let him go to see the sage, let him enter the fire sanctuary without the formality of being ushered in.’ Moving to the entrance of the hermitage of the sage, Lakshmana showed the pupil Sri Rama and his Videhan bride, and the royal three were gently ushered into the sanctuary with all respect, as they entered the hermitage they saw the place crowded with peaceful deer. As Sri Rama was going through the sacred grove, there he saw the seats of Brahma the creator, Agni. (The god of fire)Sun, Moon, Kubera, (the god of riches), Varuna, Vayu, Vasus, Gayatri (the holiest text of Vedas, deified), Garuda Kartikeya the war god. The mighty saint himself set out to meet Sri Rama, Sri Rama said to his brother “Behold, venerated Agastya out of magnanimity is coming out, I recognize this as the abode of the glowing sage;” saying so he ran to sagacious Agastya who bore a resplendent countenance, he bent low, clasped the feet of the glorious saint, afterwards he stood reverently with raised suppliant hands with Lakshmana and Sita by his side. The sage with his arms around Sri Rama welcomed him with admiration, fed the royal three in roots and fruits. The sagacious sage said ‘O Kakutsa, the ruler of the earth, you are always virtuous, you are worthy of the highest tribute, you have sought my cottage, you are my dear guest. Accept this sword ornamented in gold and kept in gold sheath, take this mighty bow festooned with gold and diamonds, with this bow in the days of the yore Vishnu killed demons. Take the two quivers of inexhaustible arrows given to me by Mahendra.” The prince accepted the noble weapons and thereafter the glorious Agastya again began to speak.
Agastya’s counsel: Glorious Agastya spoke thus: “O Sri Rama, I am delighted to see you here with Lakshmana and Janaka’s gentle child Sita, nay you have flattered me by your presence, all three of you exhibit signs of fatigue due to exertion. Young, soft, delicate, and fair Maithili is unused to such toils, she is an exceptionally glorious dame, she is a paragon of faithful love, and she shares the pleasures and pains of your toils. She is not used to bear the hardships of the woods yet she is in the woods, she ever holds you in high esteem, and unmindful of your present woes. She does not bear any of the frivolities which are associated with women; she is the model of wifely excellence like chaste Arundhati. Let this woodland be the home for Lakshmana, Sita and you, dear Sri Rama”. Sri Rama heard the holy hermit, in humble reverence with his hands upraised he said, “I am blessed, I cannot express my thankfulness in words, you are our master, please show me a place where I can erect my cottage in the midst of trees and streams, where we can dwell in pleasure combined with tranquility.” Holy Agastya responded to Raghava in words like these; “There is a place vibrant and gay, blooming trees and creepers; trees abounding in berries and fruits, there is abundant water too, this place is thronged with deer, the air is resonant with the chirping of the birds, the place is called Panchavati and is two yojanas (four leagues or sixteen miles) away. This place is holy, solitary, and charming as well, Sita will be happy here; this place is not very far from here and stands near the river Godavari. Going there and setting up a hermitage you live happily there leading a virtuous life, here you will be defending the hermits who depend on you. O sinless chief, I fully know faithful and obedient to your father’s sentence you are here, I know all the facts leading you here, and how it all happened, I by my austere and stern penance know what is agitating your heart. True you are on the path of virtue from your new home at Panchavati you protect, shelter all the hermits there who depend on you.” Taking leave of the holy hermit after due obeisance Sita and the princely brothers, grasped the mighty bow and clasped the quiver, with watchful eyes strode on the path indicated by Agastya.
Personality of Jatayu: As children of Raghu were going to Panchavati, they saw a mighty vulture of matchless size and strength; perceiving the bird to be an ogre they asked him, “Tell me who are you.” The bird with intent to delight them answered in soft, sweet and gentle tone, ‘O dear son know me as a valued friend of your father.’ Sri Rama believing the bird to be a friend of his admired father asked the bird to declare his name and race. In response to the words of Raghava, the bird told him about himself, his expressions extending to disclose how all living things began, ‘O Raghu’s son listen to me, I am speaking from the very beginning about lords of all conception. Kardama heads the glorious race, Vikrit is second, then comes Sesha, Samsraya, then comes the mighty and divine Bahuputra, Sthanu, Marichi, Atri, Kratu of powerful frame, followed by Pulastya, glorious Angira, Pracheta, Pulah, Daksha, Vivasvat, Arishtanemi, and then the unsurpassed in glory Kasyapa. Prajapathi Daksha was the father of sixty illustrious daughters. Kasyapa sought and wedded eight of these beautiful dames named, Aditi, Diti, Kalaka, Tamra, Anala, Krodhavasa, (who openly and swiftly displayed anger) and Manu who was as glorious as her father. Mighty Kasyapa pleased with his brides declared, “You will give birth to impressive sons like me; who will rule the three great worlds. Aditi, Diti, Danu and Kalaka as true consorts obeyed his will and the rest were indifferent. Aditi was the first to conceive and was the mother of thirty three Gods, (the twelve Aditya’s, eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, and the two Aswins). Diti gave birth gave birth to Daityas the demons, Danu gave birth to a child named Asvagriva, Kalaka gave birth to Naraka and Kalak. Tamra gave birth to five daughters of exalted fame, named Kraunchi, Bhasi, Syeni, Dhrittarashtri and Suki. Kraunchi gave birth to cranes and owls, Bhasi bore Bhasas or water fowls the birds of prey. Syeni gave birth to hawks and vultures, Dhrittarashtri gave birth to swans and geese, Suki gave birth to Nata whose daughter was Vinata. The fiery Krodhavasa bore ten daughters Mrigi and Mrigamanda, the famous Hari and Bhadramanda, fortunate Sarduli and Sveta, the radiant Matangi, Surabhi and Surasa marked with all auspicious characteristics and also Kadruma. Herds of deer owe their origin to Mrigi, the bear, the yak, and the mountain roe owe their birth to Mrigamanda, Bhadramanda was the proud mother of Iravati, (the elephant of Indra), lordly lions, monkeys and baboons are the progeny of Hari, Sarduli bore tigers, langurs and leopards, elephants are the progeny of Matangi, Sveta bore Disagaja that is the elephants guarding the four quarters of this planet, Surabhi is the mother of two daughters Rohini and the famous Gandharvi. Rohini gave birth to bovine race and Gandharvi bore the horse’s race. Surasa bore the serpents and the Kadruma is the mother of all snakes. Manu the wife of the high souled Kasyapa; gave birth to the race of man. Anala gave birth to all trees with holy fruits, Suki’s beautiful daughter Vinata bore the sons Garuda and Aruna. Aruna’s two sons are Sampati the elder and me the younger, I am called Jatayu. In this inaccessible forest I will if you agree O tamer of the foes guard your house and Sita.” Sri Rama conveyed his courteous thanks to the mighty bird Jatayu for the promised assistance, paid his obeisance and embraced the royal bird. Raghava had heard his father speak many times over his father’s friendship with Jatayu, after entrusting Sita to the care of Jatayu Sri Rama with brother Lakshmana and the strong Jatayu by his side, proceeded to the Panchavati to free the sages there of their fear of the dreaded ogres.
Cottage at Panchavati: Arriving at the sylvan locale of Panchavati, crammed with various beasts of prey, serpents and deer, Sri Rama spoke to his glorious brother, “Lakshmana we are at the place, suggested by sage Agastya; here look for a place where there is the beauty of the forest, beauty of water, and a place where in the vicinity thereof are found firewood, flowers, fruits, and holy Kusa grass and where scent from the fresh flowers are wafted into the air.” With joined palms, suppliant Lakshmana told Sri Rama; he is the servant, he has to only follow the commands of Sri Rama and he asked his brother to select the spot, and he (Lakshmana) will raise a pleasant cottage there. Pleased to hear that loving soothing speech, Sri Rama selected with care, a most charming spot suited for the hermit’s home. Obedient to his brother’s command Lakshmana, by his toil set up a hermitage, an exceptional abode adequate in size that was charming and attractive to the sight. After his loving toil resulted in a fair home for his brother, Lakshmana bathed in the river Godavari, returned homeward with fruits and flowers, performed a propitiatory ritual, and proudly presented the new abode to his dear brother Sri Rama. Sri Rama at the sight of the abode was profound in his joy, in very gentle words said, “O dear lord I am pleased to see this noble work of yours, you are wise, you are skilled in duty, I embrace you with grateful thoughts, with you I truly find in you my father, I am not fatherless.” Having spoken thus the promoter of grandeur Sri Rama stayed contentedly, in that land which was rich in fruits and berries as happy as the Gods in the heavens.
Winter at Panchavati: The righteous Sri Rama spent the pleasant autumn season in serene comfort, soon the winter followed. One winter morning at day break Sri Rama and Sita, followed by Lakshmana with a pitcher in hand, collectively proceeded to the river Godavari for a bath. Lakshmana the son of Sumitra spoke to his brother Sri Rama, the following words, “winter the season which is dear to you has come now. The water in the stream is no more enjoyable, the warmth from the fire is pleasantly agreeable the earth is spread with a robe of white layer of frost (rime). The virtuous people purge away their sin after propitiating the manes and the Gods with the offerings of fruits of the preceding harvests. The peasants have bounteous grains and rich supply of milk, the kings in pursuit of conquest lead their troops to smite the foes. With the rays of the sun not oppressive, the Himalayan Mountain is now truly the sight of the Lord of the Snow. Winter is the time when noontide is pleasant for a walk, we shudder at the chill of evening shadows and the stream, the breeze is cold. The leaves have withered from the trees and the trees themselves are covered by frost and have lost their blossom, the grass is covered with a layer of nipping frost (rime). We no more sleep beneath the open skies, the days are short and nights look dusty with frost and are colder and longer. In the morning the piercing nippy western wind is blowing furiously, breathing ice and the days look calm devoid of bustle and activity, the rays of the sun are wrapped in frost and fog; the sun now looks like the moon. There the elephant seeking gratification of thirst, the excessively cold waters of the river make it hastily withdraw its trunk and the aquatic birds though standing close to the water, do not dive into the water, very much like the sight of the cowards dreading the brave. The lotus bed are blasted by snow and are reduced to stalks and no longer has the charming look, the cold killed the charm in lily’s blossom, leaves, filament and flower have withered under the onslaught of rude chill winds. O noble chief, at this time of the year, renouncing kingly comforts noble Bharata observing severe austerities, is perhaps up from his humble bed, he with his followers are going to river Sarayu for his bath. Though born for happy fate he has for the love of you given up all his comforts, thus has won a place for himself in the heaven. Bharata has invalidated the old maxim; MEN FOLLOW THE NATURE OF THEIR MOTHER AND NOT OF THEIR FATHER. Dear brother how could Kaikeyi the spouse of our emperor father, and mother of the virtuous Bharata, blot her glory with a rotten plot.” Hearing his brother Lakshmana speak thus Sri Rama responded “please do not condemn mother Kaikeyi, ever speak of noble Bharata possessed of mighty heart, and of the good and brave Shatrugna. I am agonized by Bharata’s affection; I fully recollect his agreeable, sweet, affectionate, nectar like, soul ravishing words. I after my exile long to be united with Bharata, Shatrugna and you;” so saying they reached the banks of the river Godavari, bathed there, propitiated the manes, the Gods and all the deities with the waters of Godavari and rendered the hymns glorifying the Sun god; fresh from the bath the stainless three were a resplendent sight to behold.
Giantess Surpanaka: After the bath and morning prayers Sri Rama with spouse Sita and brother Lakshmana returned to the cottage. Comfortably seated inside, Sri Rama was intently narrating the pleasant stories of the lore, when by chance a giantess named Surpanaka the sister of the ten necked ogre tyrant Ravana, came wandering near the hermitage of Sri Rama. Seeing the resplendent Sri Rama of glorious gleaming eye brows, graceful forehead, beaming eyes resembling lotus petals, long armed with elephantine gait and youthful energy, endowed with bodily marks of a monarch, cerulean like a lotus, possessing splendor of the Kandarpa (the God of love) and shining like Indra, the unlovely Surpanaka possessed of grim eyes, foul faced, of gloomy looks, her fierce accents instilling dread, cruel hearted and an hideous and hateful fiend, was overcome with fierce passion. Sri Rama symbolized sweet look, the graceful forehead; a stately form, shapely limbs, his bright tresses clung to his brows, his tones were sweet to hear, he was effulgent in youthful vitality, the words he spoke were aligned to truth and virtue, his actions were synonymous with righteous deeds, and was possessed of wondrous gait. In contrast Surpanaka possessed unlovely countenance, her hair locks were unkempt, her eyes were grim, her face obnoxious, her voice instilled dread, she was cruel hearted uttered falsehood without remorse, her actions were stained in sin, her appearance was hideous, nevertheless she was overcome with fierce passion She spoke to the prince of the Raghu thus; “with matted locks, this spouse in tow, armed with bows and shafts, explain to me the reasons for your wandering in this giant infested forests.” Sri Rama enlightened her in fearless bluntness all of him, and the reasons for his wandering in the woods, and in his turn asked of the ogress to make an honest declaration of her name, race, her descent, and the reasons for her wandering/ straying into the wild woods. The demon Surpanaka stirred by wild passion and eyes blazing with infatuation responded, “I am of the ogre race, called Surpanaka, dictated by fancy I am capable of assuming any form, I spread dismay in this wild, my brothers are(1)the famed and the dreaded king Ravana, (2)the other brother is Kumbhakarna, ever slumbering and is in chains of never ending sleep, (3) Vibhishana though born in the ogre’s race, is very pious and duteous and is very unlike a giant and the brave and bold, Khara and Dushana are my other two brothers, my father is Visrava. In might I surpass all my brothers, O best of men ever since I saw you I see in you my lord, accept me as your spouse, I am endowed with might and beauty, leave that ill formed nay deformed, hideous, with sunken belly Sita here. I shall devour her and with me by your side we shall gaze every mountain peak and enjoy worldly pleasures.” Sri Rama skilled in eloquence made the following answer.
Surpanaka’s ears and nose lopped: Infatuated, trapped by the cords of love, Sri Rama said to the passionate Surpanaka, “O fair young woman, I have a wife, Sita who is ever true and dear to me, you are youthful you will not brook a rival spouse. My young heroic brother, is lovable, pleasing of aspect, he has not got his spouse with him, he is called Lakshmana accept him as your spouse and take him to your loving arms.” Amorous giantess Surpanaka stirred by passion now proceeded to woo Lakshmana, she spoke to Lakshmana these words, ‘I have exceptional features, I shall be a worthy spouse of you, you are endowed with all radiance, take me as your spouse we will lead a life filled with earthly pleasures and rove through the wild Dandaka woods.’ Lakshmana spoke to her in soft words filled with derision and jest, “I am a slave a humble servant of my brother and am ever bound to my brother’s will. You possess radiant eyes, you are fair of hue, marrying me you will in turn be a slave; wife of a slave (me). You are of faultless complexion, possess attractive limbs, it is good for you to be my privileged brother’s younger wife, be his happy wife and bring joy to him, O loveliest of the female kind. With you as his wedded dame, he will give up for good the deformed, vile, hideous, aged wife with sunken belly.” The long toothed fiend with despicable breast, fat bellied blinded by passion fondly heard and believed Lakshmana’s contemptuous words as true and proceeded to where Sri Rama was with the fawn eyed Sita and uttered, ‘Before your very eyes I will devour this hideous wretched creature (Sita) thereafter free of rivals, I will stay with you and roam the Dandaka forests.’ After speaking thus, highly enraged, she furiously proceed with her intent to harm Sita, Sri Rama stopped the ogre from her intent and commanded Lakshmana to mar the shape of this deformed, foul, evil manifested monstrous fiend. Sri Rama crossly cautioned Lakshmana, “You should in no case jest with cruel and unworthy people, Sita just about survived the fury of this despicable giantess, and you now ought to mutilate this hideous Surpanaka.” Enraged Lakshmana swiftly cleft the nose and ears of the dreaded Surpanaka with his sword. Noseless, earless, tattered, disfigured; bleeding profusely the dreaded fiend in her distress, in fearful shrieks fled to Janasthana seeking her fierce ogre brother Khara. There dripping wet with blood, engulfed with a black out through fear, she narrated her tale of shame, she announced the arrival of Raghava, his Videhan spouse, and valiant brother Lakshmana in the lonely woods.
Khara excited: On seeing the blood stained limbs and the troubled eyes of his sister Surpanaka, in wild fury the monstrous giant Khara spoke: “In power and might you are like one of us, you are strong and are able to assume any form at will, in ferocity you are as fierce as death. In all the worlds there is not one who dares to do a deed to anger me, do cast away your numbing terror and dismay, gather your scattered senses, compose your troubled thoughts and tell me all about that wretched ill fated fool who maimed you. Neither the Gods nor the bards nor wandering ghosts, nor the giants can come in the way of my life destroying darts that shall rend his breath away. Hypnotized by my shafts; slain he falls on the battleground, on his flesh birds of prey shall feed with delight; please tell me all about the disruptive fellow by whom you were assaulted and restrained in the forest.” Sighing deeply, shedding tears Surpanaka said, ‘two strong, resolute, young comely virtuous sons of Dasaratha, named Rama and Lakshmana attired in the barks of trees and black deer’s skin, I do not know if they are the Gods or the Gandharvas; in their midst I saw a fair, blooming, young lady adorned with all ornaments and richly endowed with bodily charms; they feed on roots and fruits. I would like to think; on account of that young lady the brothers combined together to inflict this distress on me. This misery is meted out to me by the vile, perfidious, wretch. I wait eagerly to see them slain in the battle and drink their blood.’ Highly enraged Khara commanded fourteen fierce giants with instructions to avenge humiliation wrought on Surpanaka, have her tormentors slain and let his sister redden her lips having quaffed blood of the slain three. The giants without delay went about to carry out the instructions with Surpanaka.
Sri Rama kills the fourteen ogres: Menacing Surpanaka with the fourteen ogres on her trail soon reached the abode of Sri Rama and showed the eager giants Sri Rama who was by the side of his consort Sita and Lakshmana keeping vigil. Seeing the giants ominously advancing towards his hermitage, Sri Rama asked Lakshmana to take care of Sita while he is engaged in the task of destroying the giants. Sri Rama with his weapon the bow in hand, addressed the ferociously advancing band of giants; “We are the two sons of Dasaratha called Rama and Lakshmana; we live on fruits and roots, in the wild and doleful Dandaka forests, I am here at the request of the hermits, my mission is to slay with vengeance the fiends who are a menace to the virtuous souled hermits living here. O night rovers stay content where you are, never engage me in the battle unless you contemptuously want to cast your lives away.” The tormentors of the Sages their eyes aglow with ire, listened to Sri Rama and made this furious reply; ‘You have angered our mighty lord Khara and for your sin you will forfeit your life, it is vanity to think of your daring, today we are relieving you of your life and your weapons,’ thereafter the mighty ogres started to hurl spears, scimitars and other weapons at the heroic Sri Rama. Angered and furious Sri Rama drawing the string of his bow, shot sun bright arrows at the fiends. The arrows hurled at lightning speed struck the fiends, tearing their breasts; bathed in blood the fiends lay breathless on the ground. Surpanaka pale with pain watched in terror the death of her champions, her features grim, she fled crying to her brother Khara to narrate the bloody fray, the total devastation of all the fiends and everything associated with it.
Perplexed Khara: The sight of disgraced and baffled Surpanaka roused Khara’s fury, he said, ‘why are you weeping again? I had sent with you the bravest, faithful, noble and loyal giants, indeed they are the best of the giants; they obey my orders and are the ones who in the battlefield feed on the slain. My sister I would like to know from you the cause of your fear, misery, this lowly guise, please now cast off your weakness and do not writhe in wild despair.’ Surpanaka replied to her brother, ‘I came to you with severed nose, mangled ears, the gashes on my face bleeding profusely, you comforted me and sent the champion giants to avenge the wrong done to me. I saw the bodies of my champion heroes fall and bleed to death under the conquering might of Sri Rama’s ruthless arrows all of the ogres are dead now. Terror now haunts my troubled sight, my every limb trembles; peril, horror, doubt and dread have seized me; in the sea of my misery, the sharks are doubts and terror, every billow in that sea is my dark despair, all the mighty demons sent by you are dead now. You have gallantry, and you can subdue with your might, the giant’s cruel foe now dwelling in the Dandaka thickets, why do you not save me, else surely before your eyes you will see me your sister who is wronged and shamed die. Know that Sri Rama is strong in audacity and so too is his brother Lakshmana and combined together they are too strong for you to slay in the field of battle. O fool! Quickly get away from Janasthana with all your kinsmen and kill the two human beings Sri Rama and Lakshmana. You are base and weak and you cannot stay in the Dandaka groves, anymore, you lack in strength and gallantry, humbled by Sri Rama and his heroic brother by whom I stand disfigured, you will surely perish,’ she said deeply distressed, wailing, weeping misshapen overwhelmed with grief, greatly afflicted she swooned and fell fainting at the feet of Khara.
Khara provoked: (Surpanaka has come to bring disaster to the ogre race in general and in the more immediate context to her brother Khara). The taunting words spoken by Surpanaka, did awake the wrath of mighty Khara. Khara surrounded by the giants around him said, ‘O peerless Surpanaka I cannot contain my anger at this contemptuous action, galling as it is like salt sprinkled on raw wound, I consider Sri Rama a caitiff, he plays with his life; for his evil deeds before nightfall today he will be deprived if his life; stop shedding tears expel your fears. Your desire to drink slain Sri Rama’s warm blood will be realized soon.’ Surpanaka overjoyed on hearing Khara’s words now began to flatter him. Khara commanded his general Dushana, ‘call fourteen thousand best of all giants, of fearful might, who never turn their backs in fight, fully armed, the fiends who rejoice to slay and are full of martial zeal. Quickly make ready my chariot, my bows, my shafts, my long lances and I will lead these heroes claiming their descent from sage Pulastya to kill my wicked foe Sri Rama.’ Soon the war cry sounded, the glittering chariot yoked with dappled steeds was got ready and the army of the ogres equipped with dreadful weapons ventured forth from Janasthana and Khara with his triumphant pride aroused, he looked like death in person, and he pressed forward to slay his foes.
The evil portents staring the ogres: As Khara with his huge ferocious armament set forth upon his errand, an awful vast cloud with threatening thunder rained blood red water, the horses yoked to his chariot stumbled and fell, sunlight brightness of the day paled and presented somber midnight hue, a fierce mighty vulture with cruel eyes; settled on the staff enriched with gold from where the flag was hung; every one of the savagely hunting birds and beasts of prey in the wild thickets let go a long discordant cry, vultures screamed, jackals shrieked, the crane let go the harshest cry. Even as Khara sallied out in his chariot his left arm throbbed, and his countenance told that each awful omen, weighed on the ogre, yet mad with rage and laughing in his senseless pride, he addressed his giant legions, “I laugh with extreme contempt at these feeble signs (omens), with the shafts I own I can bring down the stars that shine in heaven, I can cause death to the Lord of death, I will not turn back, I will slay the disdainful Sri Rama and his arrogant brother Lakshmana and delighted Surpanaka will drink the their blood. Fear is not for me, I have never known defeat, even Indra the king of Gods will fall before me with the thunderbolt in his hands. The host of giants who heard with elated pride, little knowing that the noose of fate has firmly entangled them, proceeded joyfully to the battle fray. Longing to see with eager eyes the demise in multitude the men born in ogre’s race, the high souled Rishi, (seers of the Vedic Mantras), Gods, the celestial bards, Siddhas, and others of meritorious deeds, who were friendly to all, gathered there saying, ‘May the offspring’s of Raghu slay in fight the night rovers, the ogres born in the line of Sage Pulastya, and bring joy to the Brahmans, the cows, and to all the people who are held in high esteem by the people’. They saw Khara in the chariot and very close beside him were the twelve giants of might and fame, likewise Dushana was followed by four chiefs who were impetuous, dreadful, cruel and dark to look at. All the warriors in their fury sped eagerly to reach the dwelling place of the princely two, Sri Rama and Lakshmana.
The sight of armed forces: Khara impelled by valiant rage came near Sri Rama’s hermitage; the very same ruinous omens smote both the princes’ watchful eyes. For his part Sri Rama saw those signs of woe with great indignation, as abounding with destruction to the ogres. In unrepressed and bold impatience he addressed Lakshmana, “All signs foretell of the dangerous strife, each sound and each sight is a clear warning that in the encounter foemen’s death is not far in time. I applaud the welcome omens, the throbbing of my right arm foretells the triumph in fight is ours and ruin to those who are hostile to us. Look Lakshmana the ogres face is bereft of luster at the time when they are ready for combat; this to me is a sure sign of loss of warrior’s life in the battlefield. Listen to the awful shout, roar and battle cry of the savage hearted ogres as they approach this abode of ours, Lakshmana you take your bow and arrows and with Sita proceed instantly for shelter to the mountain cave, I anticipate total obedience to this directive of mine. Dear brother the wise men who value safety or in other words a calamity that has not yet arrived must at all events be provided for by a wise man seeking welfare and apprehending danger. Today I would fight alone, till all the fiends are annihilated.” Lakshmana with his bow and arrows and with Sita promptly hurried to a mountain cave for shelter. Sri Rama then fastened around his waist defensive covering (armour, mail), bent and plied his trusty bow, and the dreadful shafts by his side; standing prepared Sri Rama looked like a blazing fire, filling the welkin with twangs of his bowstrings. Gods, the celestial bards, Siddhas, and others of meritorious deeds, gathered there in their persistent desire to see Sri Rama emerge victorious, however their hearts were filled with doubt and terror, they said, “In this deadly violent conflict may Sri Rama conquer all the night stalkers born in the line of Sage Pulastya. Alas, here the pious minded and virtuous Sri Rama is alone in the midst of cruel handed and impious hearted fourteen thousand giants in this fight.” They saw Sri Rama matchless in appearance and majestic when his ire is aroused; in the meanwhile the army of the fiends, each proud of his valour, uttering heroic slogans and a loud roar closed in on all sides. Skilled in battle Sri Rama stood his ground, surveyed the army of Khara that gathered near his dwelling place, he glowed in ire like a ruinous fire, he was a picture of Lord Siva in anger. Sri Rama’s radiance was in stark contrast to the appearance of the army of fiends which was like a blue mass of cloud at dawn.
The ogres encounter with Sri Rama: When Khara with his armed forces reached the hermitage of Sri Rama, he saw the angry suppressor of the foe (Sri Rama) with his clanging bow held tightly. Khara’s charioteer obedient to his master’s command goaded the horses to where the mighty Sri Rama stood alone shaking his bow. Seated in his chariot and surrounded by his ogre companions Khara presented a look of the fiery red planet Mars arisen in the midst of stars. The giant chieftain sent in rapid shower a thousand darts that rent the air with electrifying horror on the person of Sri Rama. Soon the furious night rovers impelled by fiery rage rained on the prince arrows, and attacked him with swords, club, and mace. Sri Rama did not feel afflicted even when his limbs were pierced and blood smeared over his limbs, he bore the flood of darts hurled at him and broke each murderous stroke with his well aimed shafts. Assailed by storm of arrows hurled at him by the fiends and sorely wounded, he had gaping wounds on his limbs, his breast, and his side and blood gashing from every wound, Sri Rama stood like the sun amid crimson clouds in the dusk. Terror struck the Gods, the celestial bards, Siddhas, sages and saints who all gathered there to witness the fight; they were trembling to see single Sri Rama oppose myriad foes. In violent anger Sri Rama strained to the utmost his bow and released countless arrows in playful ease, these shafts hurled in swift flight and aimed accurately were difficult to intercept and hard to endure, they were fatal as the coil of death, slew the fiends. Sri Rama’s myriad arrows tore through the arms, bracelets, severed the mighty warrior’s thighs, slew the elephants, horses and the riders and innumerable men of the infantry and sent all of them to the Yama’s abode. Yet the mightiest amongst the ogres maintained the fight and rained furiously upon Sri Rama dart, arrow, spear, and fiercely attacked Sri Rama with mace, club, and battle axe. The great chief Sri Rama met the fiend’s weapons with his arrows and many a giant’s head were severed, headless they sank on the battle field dead. The un-slaughtered giants were filled with terror, despair, discomfited, wounded, and dispirited they fled to Khara. The fiery Dushana strove to cheer them and calm their fear, enraged like the angry Yama the Lord of death; he rushed towards the infuriated Sri Rama, Cheered by Dushana, the demons cast aside their dread and with intent to attack they sped with their weapons towards the godlike Sri Rama. The encounter between the night rovers and Sri Rama was wondrous, tumultuous, most dreadful, caused one’s hair to stand on end. Surrounded on all sides by the ogres who hailed deadly darts; Sri Rama let go the most resplendent mysterious weapon the Gandharva; soon the land was filled with wounded/slain fiends falling and fallen. Rendered by the missiles hailed by Sri Rama there lay on the ground, mangled, gashed, torn and cleft bodies of the dead, as also hauberk, helm, diadem, discus, shattered chariot, the steed and the elephants of the noblest breed, and splintered spear and mace. The giants in their bitter pain saw their warriors weltering on the plain and they never ever dared again to advance and oppose the might of Sri Rama
Dushana sent to the abode of Yama: When Dushana saw his warriors slaughtered by Sri Rama’s all conquering hand, he summoned and commanded five thousand giants, who were invincible, bravest of the brave, of terrible impetuosity, to rain ceaseless showers of spears, swords, clubs, rocks and trees upon his foe. Undismayed the virtuous Sri Rama with casual indifference weakened the commotion caused by the aforesaid missiles hurled at him with his arrows. Summoning his fury, his countenance now like blazing fire, Sri Rama poured darts on the fiery fiends and their lord Dushana, and the fiends in frenzied rage cast their missiles on Sri Rama. Sri Rama with his incisive dart cleft Dushana’s bow, and with a volley of arrows slew the gold decked steeds drawing Dushana’s chariot, then severed the head of Dushana’s charioteer, and also rendered Dushana without a chariot. Dushana with his bow now cleft into two seized his strong, heavy, dreaded, ponderous mace and in savage fury rushed towards Sri Rama. Sri Rama with his shafts; in a steady aim lopped the demon Dushana’s hands shoring the mace, and with it the ponderous mace dropped to the ground and the mighty demon Dushana reeled and fell to the ground lifeless. The celestials witnessing the violent turmoil exclaimed, ‘Esteem to Sri Rama, nobly done, you have fought well, Kakutstha’s son!!!’ Enraged to see their chieftain dead, the three generals Mahakapala with his ponderous pike, Sthulaksha with flinging spear, and Pramathi with a swinging axe, all charged at Sri Rama with unmatched ferocity and were swiftly and effortlessly dispatched to the kingdom of Yama, by Sri Rama. Soon the rest of Dushana’s band were torn and sent to the gloomy realms of Yama. On coming to know of the fate of all the giant band and Dushana’s fall; Khara impelled by rage, in fury called his mighty chiefs, “Now Dushana and his armed train humbled, they lie prostrate on the plain; do not let Sri Rama escape from your wrath, lead a mightier army, you fight with darts of every shape and kill this wretched man.” Khara with twelve of his generals and the remnant crew proceeded straight to the combat arena with their armaments. With his shafts Sri Rama clinically destroyed the fiends in that gory encounter. The battlefield was a picture of sundered bows, red with bloody stain of the fallen ogres bathed in blood with disheveled hair of the night stalkers lying prostrate on the ground and land drenched with clotted blood, all in all the land was like an awful hell whose floor was thick with flesh and gore of fourteen thousand ogres of terrible aspect, impious heart and bloody hand. Out of that entire army only the great car warrior Khara, as also Trisirasa and Sri Rama survived. When Khara saw the army that he had triumphantly led till now; all smitten dead by Sri Rama’s nobler might he fiercely glared and drove fast against Sri Rama
Trisiras covets death and gets it too: (Trisiras the three headed) Trisiras a dreaded chieftain halted the dash of Khara vainly saying “Restrain yourself, command me, halt your chariot, view my combat with the mighty armed Sri Rama, rejoice at the sight of slain Sri Rama lying prostrate in the battlefield. Perchance I fail in the battle you can continue your advance against my conqueror.” Khara yielded to Trisiras and a fierce encounter ensued. Trisiras looked like some huge hill with triple peak, seated on a glittering chariot charged at Sri Rama raining showers of arrows on him The fight between the man and the fiend who were both possessed of great might grew wilder, raged fiercely like a fight between the lion and elephant in the wild forests. Beholding the sight of demon rushing towards him in wild rage and hurling a shower of shafts at Sri Rama, Sri Rama said in rage, “Heroic fiend, your arrows deliver on me only gentle blows soft as the touch of flowers, and now know the effects of the arrows coming from my bow.” Sri Rama’s wrath increasing in vehemence, he shot fourteen deadly shafts, straight at the giants bosom, with four more arrows he slew the four good steeds that drew the chariot, and eight other shafts unseated the charioteer from the seat of his chariot and hurled him on to the dusty ground. Trisiras now on the ground tried to hurl missiles; promptly Sri Rama smote the fiend with three rapid darts; these deftly speeding arrows sent the monsters head to the ground. The headless trunk drenched with gore and motionless signaled the death of Trisiras and the other surviving fiends terror struck like trembling deer rushed to the side of Khara. King Khara now rallied the remnants of the fiend crew and led the charge against the exterminator of the ogre race.
Khara knocked off: Khara was alarmed when he saw Trisiras, Dushana dead, and his savage throng annihilated, slain singly by Sri Rama’s prowess, fears of Sri Rama’s might overwhelmed his thoughts. With burning grief and rancorous fury; the dreaded demon skilled in bowman’s art rained on Sri Rama arrows resembling angry serpent thirsting for blood; all the ethereal regions grew dark with the flood of arrows shot by Khara. Sri Rama seized his ponderous bow and filled the sky with shafts that filled the air with flash and flame. Arrows rained incessantly from each great bow wielded by Sri Rama and his foe, in that furious combat was such that in the space itself no space was left; the sun was obscured behind the veil of arrows. In mortal hate the warriors fought; struck by many an arrow hurled by Khara, Sri Rama bled, prompting Khara in his senseless pride to believe that Sri Rama was slowly sinking and his strength exhausted. Sri Rama ever like a lion, he never feared this demon foe he regarded Khara as one mad with hate, likened the fiend to a trembling deer in the presence of a lion, the ogre was more like a poor moth approaching the flame. Accomplished in archery the fiend displayed his skills; he with his arrows split the bow held in the fist of the high souled Rama. Seven arrows sent by the giant were as bright as the thunderbolts of Indra, rent the mail, harness joints and pierced Sri Rama The arrows released from Khara’s wrathful hands pierced Sri Rama’s bosom, limbs and drew blood from all over his body. The other arrows shot by the giant pierced the shoulder, breast, side and all the limbs of Sri Rama. Sri Rama intent on killing the giant, took the ponderous bow of Vishnu, gifted by Sage Agastya, from this bow of wondrous size, he released the shafts on the giant, rushing at him. With Sri Rama’s wrath waxing hot he released from his bowstring six arrows, one arrow pierced Khara on his head, two more arrows made his shoulders bleed, and three crescent shaped hit him on the chest. Next he released at the ogre thirteen arrows whetted on the stone blazing like the furious sun, four of these slew the dappled steeds, one cleft the yoke of the chariot into two, one smote the charioteer’s head, two more of these arrows rent the two remaining yokes of the chariot, two broke the splintered axle, the twelfth arrow cut the giant’s hand and cleft his bow into two, and the last shaft pierced the giant. With his charioteer and the steeds drawing the chariot slain, the chariot broken down, Khara sprang to the ground and charged at his foe with a mace in hands. The Gods and saints in their celestial aerial cars raised their hands in admiration of Sri Rama as they looked on his noble feats, showered their blessings and praised him.
Sri Rama-Khara discourse: When Sri Rama saw the giant deprived of his chariot and standing on his feet with mace held high, rebuking Khara he said, “You have committed acts of crime and disgrace, you have lead your armed forces with the elephants, horses and chariots to commit acts of transgression and indignity. Your actions caused misery to humankind and joy to you, your life was one of greed or lust, a life full of sin, you, have been the lord of your race, you now must perish dreaded and abhorred. Your hands have slain many a holy, virtuous hermit saints of Dandaka forests, and the time has now come for you to reap the harvest of your each earlier misdemeanor. O night rover know that this day my vengeful hands will send shafts bright with gold to rend, tear and pass with fury through your breast, you mean scion of the ignoble lineage, you fight with all your might and be slain today by my shafts and join your host in the hell.” Then Khara with his eyes glowing red with wrath, and amid maddening rage within, casting a wry smile he said, ‘You, Dasaratha’s son do not idly vaunt your might, do not rave in self laudation, do not indulge in empty boast, do not taint your warrior race by indulging in senseless pride. In whatever you have said I only see your weakness and folly. As the universal lord of death Yama with his fatal cord I stand before you to slay you with this mighty mace in my hand. I have much more to say, I have my time constraints, before sunset I have to wipe away the tears from the eyes of the relatives of the fourteen thousand ogres killed by you.’ Thus saying Khara in his mad ire hurled his mace adorned with gold rings and resembling a blazing thunderbolt, at Sri Rama. This ponderous mace hurled by Khara sent fiery flashes as it flew, scorching the trees and shrubs beneath as it sped onwards to its aim (Sri Rama). Sri Rama watching the advancing mace, dire as it seemed like the noose of Yama, the lord of death, cleft the incoming mace with his arrows, and the mace fell harmlessly on the ground broken and smashed.
Khara annihilated: Having cleft the mace of the ogre, the virtuous Sri Rama addressed the furious fiend thus, “Your vaunted threats are proven to be worthless now, your mace lies on the ground amidst dust, and so are your words that you would wipe the tears of all the giants slain by me. You the base, cruel, wretch from the giant’s breed, you are wickedness in thought, word and deed; my hands will take the life of yours today. Today when your bulky eyelids close for ever, Dandaka forests expelled of the giant’s race; will be a safe sanctuary for all the hermits, saints and Brahmans who lead a life of virtue, and your dames bereft of joy will now know the tastes of vow.” The wrathful Khara thundered his fierce reply, ‘count yourself amongst the dead, you fear nothing for you are captive of the fate’s tremendous resistless hold, I see each sense of yours numbed by that deadly influence.’ Saying ‘you are killed’, Khara uprooted a huge Sal tree and hurled it Sri Rama. Furious Sri Rama with a volley of shafts quelled the advancing tree, and also rent and tore the bosom of the giant. Bleeding profusely from every gash, in dire bewilderment, infuriated the giant ogre charged at Sri Rama. The virtuous hero Sri Rama, fitted to his bow, the shaft of peerless might gifted by Indra, through Sage Agastya, the discharged shaft hissing, roaring and glowing like a flame it struck the fiend’s breast. The shaft discharging quenchless flame burnt furiously the wounded frame of the ogre Khara and he fell dead on the ground. Amazed and full of rapture the celestial Gods, bards the high saints of royal race led by Agastya and all sang hymns of joy in praise of Sri Rama saying variously ‘wondrous deed’, ‘noblest deed of virtuous man!’. Then from the mountain cavern emerged Lakshmana and Sita, they too honoured Sri Rama. Janaka’s daughter Sita her countenance lit with joy all her fears now allayed, on seeing her lord alive and well, in delight and uncontrolled bliss she embraced him in her adoring hold. With new delight her face flush and aglow she threw her tender arms around her lord many times over; whose victorious might crushed the demon crew.
Ravana intimated: Petrified ogre Akhampana fled from the field of battle to Lanka and informed Ravana the annihilation of all the demons at Janasthana. Ravana on hearing the tale, was fierce in anger, inflamed in look and his bosom stirred, said, ‘Which idiot with the noose of death all over him has dared this act, Vaisravan (the lord of the wealth), Indra, and Vishnu must revere me; even the mightiest of these lords cannot give offence to me and live at ease thereafter. I am mightier than fate, with my un-resisted influence I can force even Yama (the lord of death) to die, I can restrain the fury of the hurricane, and in my tremendous ire I can burn the glory of the sun and fire.’ Ogre Akhampana overcome with fear raising his trembling hands, in a weak voice craved for Ravana’s permission to speak the whole tale. When king Ravana bade him to tell the news he brought, Akhampana gaining in confidence began; ‘Dasaratha’s renowned, successful, glorious, brave deft bowman and young son named Rama, a mighty warrior without peer in this world slew all the ogres living in Janasthana including Khara and Dushana.’ Ravana the royal chief of the giants, panting in anger, sought Akampana to quickly tell him whether Sri Rama in this hardy arduous undertaking, was assisted by Indra and other celestial Gods. Akampana swiftly made his answer thus, ‘Lofty souled Sri Rama is the best archer, he possesses strange arms of heavenly might, and he is matchless in fight. Ever by Sri Rama’s side stands his brave brother Lakshmana, he is like wind that aids the progress of the flame. In the ruin of Janasthana surely neither Gods, nor heavenly legions assisted Sri Rama in this fight. The swift winged arrows discharged by Sri Rama tormented ate and burned the ogres, and there being no escape route; all the ogres were struck and slain by Sri Rama. Somehow I contrived to getaway to narrate the tale to you.’ In vain and in anger, Ravana said that he will proceed to Janasthana to lay low the daring brothers. Akampana resuming his speech then said, ‘O listen, no power can check, no valor will be able to tame the terror unleashed by Sri Rama when infuriated. Never can mighty Sri Rama be overcome in fight even if Gods were joined with demons in the fight, only guile may kill this wondrous man. His wife, the gem of womankind, neither the Goddess’s nor the nymphs, nor gandharvis, vies with her in beauty. With guiles you steal his lovely wife, Sita and bereft of his Sita, Sri Rama will surely die in a matter of days’. The giant king approved the plan and the following morn; he sallied on his splendid car and reached the grove of Tataka, now inhabited by Maricha the son of Tataka. Maricha welcomed the giant king with due respect and offerings and asked his royal guest the cause of his visit. In reply to wise Marichas’s questioning, Ravana said, ‘Janasthana is rendered desolate and all my guards of the giant band are slain by Sri Rama, those killed include Khara, Dushana and Trisiras. I plan to steal Sita the spouse of Sri Rama and you have to aid me.’ Maricha addressed the giant chief in the following words, “By what foe, in the guise of friend, spoke of Sita’s name to you. Surely he is your foe, who dared to suggest this hopeless folly. This unwise suggestion will surely lead you on the path of ruin and will destroy your joy and sleep. Sri Rama is a lion and we are mere deer in his presence, O! Wise lord do not arouse Sri Rama. Return poised and pacified to Lanka, be content in your imperial powers and rejoice with your wives. Let, Sri Rama live with Sita in the woods.’ Ravana paid heed to Maricha’s counsel and returned to the comforts of his royal residence.
Giant King Ravana outraged: When the ogress Surpanaka saw the death of Khara, Dushana, Trisiras, along with fourteen thousand performers of cruel deeds, by the lone might of Sri Rama in the field of battle, she was mad with distress, in anger and in dismay she fled to Lanka to exert influence on Ravana. The potentate Ravana distinguished by his massive form, his mighty arms, his white teeth; several scars on his frame indicated his kingly line, in full grandeur he was seated on his glorious throne. In his wildest rage, with his might and celestial arms, he crushed even foes of heavenly birth, he spurned the right, violated moral authority, and he loved to deform holy rites, and took fancy to others’ wives. In dire austerities the giant Ravana spent ten thousand years, as a result secured from Brahma immunity from death, at the hands of Gods, demons, Gandharvas, fiends, birds, serpents, excepting human beings. He cruelly slew Brahman’s; his heart took joy in the woes inflicted by him on others. Displaying her disfiguration, bewildered with fear and covetous of Sri Rama, Surpanaka infuriated and impelled by terror she saw Ravana in celestial robes, seated in a picture of terror, like Kala the all destroying Time-Spirit, in the midst of his peers and counselor, she began to speak in fierce and exceptionally harsh words.
Ravana ridiculed: Seething with anger Surpanaka, thus began her diatribe at Ravana, who was seated in the midst of his counselors; “O king of the giants, you spend your days in base pursuit of vulgar joys, your subjects regard you as vile, you have neither time nor thought for royal cares. A king who spends hours for toil in unrestrained evil courses, who neglects to guard and control the kingdom himself sinks nameless into the history. Though you are the Lord of giants, you are a victim of passion, you have no control over your treasury, spies and reign; though you are a lord you are guided by blind and weak counselors; soon you will be relieved of your realm. You are definitely foolish, devoid of astuteness, you do not identify what ought to be recognized. Your foes are calm strong and wise, you the lord of giants lack in wisdom; you are wicked, weak and vain. A monarch is considered far sighted who can perceive things which his loyal messengers and spies fail to see. You should have surely known that your army of fourteen thousand ogres led by Khara and Dushana all fierce in might are slain in the field of battle at Janasthana single handed; in fight by Sri Rama. Now know that Sri Rama’s all conquering arms has freed the saints from dread; striking forcibly at Janasthana, he made the Dandaka forest a safe asylum for the saints. Useless king you are, besotted, mind enslaved, intoxicated with vain delight, mean, unkind, conceited, proud, passionate, imperious, worthless, you have lost your sway over your realms, your worth is now compared to a faded garland, though once you were a mighty king. A powerful king deprived of his sovereignty becomes useless, though some purpose may be served by dry pieces of wood or even clods and dust, no purpose can be served by monarchs fallen from their positions. Before it is too late, subdue your senses, learn to discern the good from the evil, secure your reign, and watch your realm with a ruler’s eye.” Surpanaka thus upbraided the rapacious Ravana, with cutting speech, marking every visible fault for the proud king to ponder for long.
Surpanaka instigates Ravana: Highly enraged Ravana was in the midst of his counselors, when Surpanaka spoke harshly to him; the giant lord looking fiercely on Surpanaka asked her, ‘Who is this Rama, what is his appearance, why has he strayed into the Dandaka forest which is hard to tread, with what arms he smote the night rovers, Khara, Dushana, Trisiras and all. Also you the most fair in appearance; tell me who vandalized you in this manner?’ Overwhelmed in unrepressed fury, she described correctly Sri Rama’s appearance and further added, “Sri Rama a son of Dasaratha, is renowned for long arms; large eyes, he is dressed in the bark of the trees and the skin of antelope, he is just like Kandarpa; the God of love. Stretching at full length the bow in his hands he lets loose effulgent arrows resembling vastly toxic snakes. I could not identify when he pulled the bow at full length, when he discharged the arrows on the battlefield, I only saw the flood of deadly arrows destroy the fourteen thousand strong tall and terrific giants. Alone on foot in under three hours all the ogres including Khara, Dushana and Trisiras were dead and Sri Rama made sure Dandaka forests is now a secure habitation for the Rishis. The high souled Sri Rama would not deign to slay me; a woman with his hands, thus I was spared after being maimed. Lakshmana glorious in appearance, in outlook and warrior’s skill is the peer of his dear brother; he serves his great brother Rama, with faith and devotion. He is impetuous, victorious, bold and wise, he is ever ready by the side of his brother; he is the right hand man of Sri Rama, nay he is his very life outside of Sri Rama. Also Sri Rama has a large eyed spouse of a lovely appearance and in the presence of Rama she shines like the goddess of beauty and fortune, Lakshmi; she is dearer to Sri Rama than his own life. In all the earth I have never seen a female form so pleasantly fair, neither Goddess nor celestial nymphs can vie with her in comeliness. O king she is rich in every gentle grace and is a worthy bride O king for you, I for my part was intent on bringing that lady in order that she may be your wife, but I was by Lakshmana’s savage blow disfigured. Come on! The king of the giants, cast away your fear and self doubt, you are strong, seek the treasure in the form of Videhan princess, make Sita of faultless frame your bride, set out before the end of the day and take vengeance for the death of the night stalkers of Janasthana.”
Ravana sets out: Ravana spurred by the terrible advice of his sister Surpanaka; he anxiously scanned the gain against the risk, carefully surveyed in his heart; the hope and fear of the consequences, eventually steadied himself to attempt the performance of the deed of abducting Sita. He approached the charioteer, who swiftly yielding to his command got for him a wondrous chariot which would fly wherever he willed. Ravana the insatiate foe of the heavenly Gods, who made blood of hermits flow, the mighty ogre distinguished with ten heads and twenty arms took his seat in that chariot with attractive paraphernalia; he saw the sea-coast crested with mountains and thousands of delightful trees with fruits and flowers of all tints. Also he looked on many a pool with fresh, cool and silvery water, he saw the retreats of many hermits following the strictest rules of abstinence dwelling there, he saw the Nagas, (semi divine species having the head and trunk of a human being and the lower extremities of a serpent) Suparnas (bird like beings of semi divine character). Gandharvas and Kinnaras; semi divine beings having a human figure with the head of a horse. He also saw Ajas, Marichipas, Vaikhanas, Mashas Balakhilyas, the classes of supernatural beings who lead the lives of hermits. He viewed, the lovely nymphs adorning their hair with celestial wreaths and heavenly ornaments to lend grace to their appearance; they were skilled in play, dance and gentle arts of dalliance, also he observed the pale chariots of the Gods. His roving eyes noticed everything and missed nothing, including the hermit sheltering tree credited to lord Garuda. In the days of the yore the king of the birds carrying an elephant and a gigantic tortoise for his repast descended on the bough of a huge banyan tree. The bough under the crushing weight of the load broke; pitying the plight of the hermits the feathered monarch raised the weight of the loosened bough and the captured prey a hundred yojanas thus freed the hermits from the jeopardy of the broken bough. Ravana, the younger half brother of Kubera; the God of riches, beheld there a hermitage, in a lonely holy part of the forest, where the fiend Maricha, in hermits garb was leading the life by the strict rules of abstinence. Maricha gave his guest water to wash his feet, entertained him with meat and delicious food. He later addressed the Giant King; “what sudden thought, what urgent need brought you here with this impetuous speed. Pray Lord is all well with you and with those who dwell In Lanka?” To the fiend Maricha, his mighty guest well skilled in the art of eloquence Ravana replied as follows.
Ravana to Maricha: “Hear me attentively Maricha while I speak; I am distressed and sick after the happenings at Janasthana I see in you my sure hope and only you can help me in this hour. In Janasthana where Surpanaka, Khara, Dushana, Trisiras and fourteen thousand noble giants who slaughter saints and devotees, who enjoy in ruthless deeds and war, live at ease under my authority, Sri Rama without uttering a word of hate launched on best of giant’s race, the arrows from his bow. Each burning arrow (missile) with destructive flame felled the fourteen thousand ogres, as also the pride and chief of army of Khara, the fearless warrior Dushana and the fierce Trisiras are all dead now. The forest of Dandaka is now rendered secure for the habitation of ascetics. Sri Rama, banished to the Dandaka forests by his enraged father, in humble attire, roams with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. This Sri Rama is a wretch, is a disgrace to the warriors race, he is harsh wicked, fierce, greedy souled, a fool, his senses are uncontrolled, has no thought for duty. Sri Rama feigns innocence and has pretensions to truthful life, but he has mangled my sister’s nose and has deprived her of ears. This Sri Rama has for his wife named Sita, resembling a daughter of the gods, and I want to seize her and I seek your aid in this undertaking. O exceptionally mighty ogre you are unequalled in prowess, you are powerful, an eminent hero, trained in guile, I have come to you for relief in this difficult hour of distress I am in, I have only hope in you, I came seeking you. You assume the form of a wondrous golden deer adorned with silver spots, seek Sri Rama’s dwelling. When Sita spots this wondrous deer she will bid Sri Rama and Lakshmana to capture the deer for the sake of beauty, you wander away and when the brothers are at you I will seize that lovely dame Sita and fly to Lanka. Her Lord Sri Rama will be demoralized and thereafter with ease I will strike him and wreak my vengeance.” Hearing this Maricha got alarmed, his heart grew faint, his cheek got pale, and his mouth got parched, sorely afflicted, frightened and dejected in mind he with un-winking eyes stared at Ravana, for he (Maricha) knew the might of incomparable Sri Rama. With suppliant hands Maricha began to counsel Ravana in truthful words that which was good for the tyrant and for his own self.
Maricha dissuades Ravana: Maricha attentively heard the ruler of the fiends Ravana and began his reply: “O King, what I now speak may be distasteful, yet it is wholesome and conducive to your good. You are fidgety, you have not engaged spies to know the real state of affairs in your kingdom, you do not know Sri Rama of exceptional gallantry, he is a compeer of Varuna and Indra, do not provoke Sri Rama let your people live in peace. Let Sita of slender waist be carefree and be happy by her husband’s side, do not bring Janaka’s daughter Sita to Lanka, for swift avenging ruin will fall on glorious Lanka, you and all its citizens. A licentious unrestrained king of evil conduct advised by sinful men, destroy themselves; and the realm. Sri Rama is of duteous mind, he was never exiled by his father, he is no disgrace of the warrior class, or a wretch, nor greedy, he is free from acrimony; he is ever devoted to the good of all created beings, he is neither cruel nor a senseless fool. Sri Rama is a true and a duteous son, when he saw his father deceived by his step mother, he said to his father “what has been promised shall be done” and to please his step mother he left his kingdom and all delights and proceeded on exile to Dandaka woods in the garb of an anchorite. What you have said of Sri Rama is baseless and has never been heard, nor should you speak these slanderous words. Sri Rama is personification of truth and the embodiment of virtues. O King do not in vain plot and hope to steal Sita away, guard yourself from the vengeful fury of Sri Rama’s ire. In hopeless strife with Sri Rama you are casting away your realm, your bliss and your dear life, O Ravana beware of his might, like the God of Death his shafts which flash and glow slays the armies of his foes. O King of giants you stand to gain nothing from this wild and vain attempt, you will lose all bliss, your life, your control over your realms and the extinction of the ogre race. Take the counsel of all your virtuous ministers headed by Vibhishana, consider your options, weigh carefully your strengths and weakness, count the consequences, examine and compare what may be gained and what may be lost. O giant king you will be prudent to shun the contest, your force is all too weak against the Lord of Kosala, mighty Sri Rama. Please do not slight my prudent counsel be patient and wise.” (Vibhishana is the younger brother of Ravana, when he and his brother had practiced austerities for a long series of years, Brahma appeared to offer them boons; Vibhishana asked that he might never contemplate any unrighteousness. On the death of Ravana Vibhishana was installed as the king of Lanka)
Maricha recounts his personal experience of Sri Rama’s prowess: ‘I was through pride of courage once ranging this earth, feeding on the flesh of the slaughtered saints; I was inspiring terror in the hearts of men. Most revered and holy sage Viswamitra feared my fury sped to the court of Dasaratha saying, ‘Maricha fills my soul with dread and disquiet let Sri Rama remaining vigilant protect me at the time of a sacrifice.’ The monarch responded to the glorious sage in the following words, “My Sri Rama is scarcely aged twelve and is untrained in the use of arms. I myself with vast retinue of my army will guard you in this hour of your need; I will kill your foeman and also fulfill your prayer O best of Saints.” The saint in answer said, ‘O King, victor of the foe, I know of your famous past deeds, I repeat Sri Rama though yet a boy, by Sri Rama’s might alone this fiend can be overthrown, so let Sri Rama accompany me.’ The monarch gave his consent, in joy sage Viswamitra went to his home in the woods with this boy. Sri Rama beardless, dark of hue, with glorious eyes, bright to look at, clad in a single robe, his very presence made a glory to the forest, stood guard to the rites, twanging wonderful bow in his hand. I, towering like a mountain’s crest, made my presence like a vast sable cloud, approached the dwelling site of the anchorite, proud of my might, conscious of my strength, my guiles; I rushed impetuously and reached the heart of the hermitage. Sri Rama to check and quell my rage, with a well aimed arrow, hurled me a hundred leagues away. Dazed and senseless I lay deep in the ocean, for a long while. After regaining my senses I rose from my watery bed and sped to Lanka again. This is the might of Sri Rama, then a boy, untrained in warrior’s skill, if in-spite of my warning and request, you still choose to fight Sri Rama, I see impending terrific woes, a dire defeat for you and all the giants will feel the blow. For the crime of the kings, good and sinless die, it brings destruction on the people, wives are widowed, all round mournful eyes are seen and your stately city is ruined. Outrage to another’s dame is a sin that tops all sins in shame, there are thousands of your wives in your palace, and countless beauties wait for you, rest contented with your own. If O King, you still delight in your wealth, power, might, your passionate wives, and the royal stately duties, I warn you not to cast all these away. Do not be deaf to my pleadings, do not challenge Sri Rama, and do not steal his lovely Maithili, for you will only see the end of your empire, you with your kith and friends are sure to go to the realms of Yama. ’
Maricha appraises Ravana on the desperate consequences: I told you of that dreadful day when Sri Rama smote me but spared my life. Hear me O Ravana I tell you what happened much later. Two mighty fiends and I assumed the form of deer and strayed through the Dandaka woods, I assumed a fearful shape, slew many a hermit and fed on their flesh and quaffed their blood, causing fear and dismay to the denizens of the forest with my cruel deeds and spoiling their rites. In the forest I chanced to see Sri Rama again, he was in hermit’s attire, Sita his noble wife was by his side and the great car warrior Lakshmana was there too, living on restricted diet and was devoted to the good of all created beings. In senseless pride I recollected my former wounds, as also my past enmity, with that illustrious anchorite; I rushed to him in my rage and scorn to slay him with my horn. From the mighty bow Sri Rama drew three foe destroying dire shafts. I who knew of the blows Sri Rama dealt earlier, and having seen the peril to which I had exposed myself on the previous occasion, by cunning I escaped by rapid flight to safety and Sri Rama slew the other two who lingered. I now with concentrated mind and in humble thoughts lead a hermit’s life. In every shrub, in every tree, in every knotted trunk, I see Sri Rama in his deerskin, his coat of bark, armed with the bow like Yama the God of death with his noose in hand. I tell you Ravana in my fright a thousand Rama’s mock my sight, this forest with every bush and bough seems to me all one fearful Rama, he haunts me in my dreams and wakes me with wild affright. The letter R that begins his name (Jewels and Chariot in Sanskrit are Ratnas and Rathas) sends terror through my startled frame; you are no match to this mighty foe. If you would let me live in peace cease to mention the hero’s name. Many innocent souls who spent their lives in holy thoughts, spent their lives practicing virtues with their associates have perished through other’s crime, I too must die for your folly. I will never approve your plan which could totally destroy the Giant race, for Sri Rama in might is supremely great. Khara fought for Surpanaka’s sake at Janasthana and was killed by Sri Rama, how has Sri Rama wronged you? There is no fault or sin in Sri Rama’s act. I seek the welfare of your people, I warn you, if you do not heed this wise advice, my last appeal, you with your kith, kin and all your friends will die in this fight slain by Sri Rama’s arrows/might.
Ravana reproaches Maricha: Ravana spurred by fate to ruin and sin, he scorned the timely counsel and warnings of Maricha, he was a man courting death; he would not accept a remedy. He said to Maricha; ‘Your counsel is unworthy of your giant race, I must swiftly bear Sita away in your presence. Sri Rama is a fool, he is inured to sin, he is of human origin, he is devoid of moral strength, at the command of a woman he takes to exile, now I will rouse his anger by stealing his darling spouse, nothing will sway me from my resolve. As a prudent counselor you should speak in calm and meek words, with upraised hands, and should never indulge in blunt speech causing pain and grief. In your folly and in your lawless pride you have slighted me with bitter words, O giant, lofty souled monarchs are kind, gentle, stern, bold, and dispense gifts with grace and love. I did not ask you to scan my strength or assess the gains or loss in my plan, I only spoke to tell you the deed and decreed you to lend your support. You assume the semblance of a golden deer, adorned with silver freckles, attract the attention of Janaka’s daughter Sita, who in her turn will bid her husband to go and fetch the deer that charms her. When the scion of Kakustha is on his onward chase, you with the voice resembling Sri Rama’s tone cry out ‘Ah! Sita, Ah! Lakshmana.’ Impelled by Sita, Lakshmana will hasten to the aid of Sri Rama, unguarded Sita will be an easy prey and I will bear her away and without a contest I will with my prize return to Lanka safely. Maricha your life is in jeopardy if you oppose me, reflect carefully on my words and do what is best. If you oppose my plan you will die this very day, none who stands opposed to a king can prosper with ease, O Maricha you must do this work of mine even perforce Weigh your options carefully in the scales of reason, do what is wholesome for you on this point.’
Maricha to imperious Ravana: Maricha replied with bitter words, ‘My king, who is this man with sinful thoughts, who gave you this wild and wicked counsel? Who is that guilty wretch, who is envious of your bliss and ease? They are your foes, who seeks the disaster of you, your sons, your realms and all, they have shown you the fatal road and thrown open the gates of death. Your counselors are not truthful, impelled by base desires they lead you to the brink of disaster, and to them punishment by death is due. It is the duty of the wise counselors to restrain their king when that king treads the sinful path; else all people high and low lose all joy, and are deprived of merit, fame and tribute. It is duty of the ministers to advise the king against pride, violence, sullen hate, wickedness, and those who fail to do so must perish when their master dies. The holy men who lived a virtuous life, with their wives and children have oftentimes perished on account of the crimes of others. You are opposed to all, you are abhorred by all, you are cruel hearted, harsh and severe, and the giant race is now being destroyed by you. You are a cruel souled, foolish, unrestrained king; do not think I fear for my death, I instead mourn for the ruin that awaits you, your army and the ogre race. If I die slain by Sri Rama and not by you, soon his (Sri Rama’s) hands will kill you and your army, should you dare to steal Sita away from Sri Rama? I warn you King, heed my words, men when the sad hour of the death is near are blinded by folly, and reject all sane advice.’
Maricha’s metamorphosis: Maricha his mind now in turmoil, in bitter words he addressed Ravana; ‘None can provoke that warrior Sri Rama, and expect to be alive, for he is like Yama with his staff, what more can I say? He will slaughter you; I tried in vain to wean your stubborn mind from the path to disaster. Arise, let us go.’ Pleased with that reply of Maricha the giant king Ravana, hugged Maricha and in joy spoke the words; ‘you are now the proper Maricha, now you are your true self, come let us mount the wondrous aerial car borne by the goblin faced asses. You with your transformed shape attract Sita’s attention and when she is defenseless I will seize her and bring her here.’ Swiftly traversing many a forests, many a town, lake, brook, river, rill, hills, realms and city, they reached the hermitage of Sri Rama in the Dandaka woods. Obedient to the giant king’s words Maricha cast off his ogre shape and now donning the shape of a beauteous deer, strayed near the hermitage of Sri Rama. Maricha’s new form was strange, fair, compact, slight, his glossy skin extraordinarily flecked, radiant teeth, lips, jaws, and the wondrous dappled deer gemmed with rich pearls beheld unparalleled beauty. The gamboling tall deer of splendid, enchanting and soul captivating appearance, slowly and gradually strayed by the cottage of Sri Rama solely to fascinate Sita was now heartily grazing the verdure there. When the false deer’s glances fell on Sri Rama’s love, Sita, she kept gazing on the luminous beauty with strange delight
The remarkably marvelous deer: When Sita of glossy skin bright as polished gold and of faultless limbs, was picking flowers as her eyes gazed on this marvelous deer with its sides presenting tint of gold and silver, she called out in glee, “My lord come quickly with your brother, and see this glorious creature.” Swiftly the brothers sprang to her side, Lakshmana the first to speak said, “This is no deer Sri Rama, this can be no deer may be it is the fiend Maricha in his guile in this guise, before us many kings who had come to this place, were slain by the wicked Maricha by deceit. It is magic conjured by the vicious ogre. O Sri Rama never ever before deer has been seen thus decked with gold, it is magic.” Sita now a captive to the giant’s charm unmindful of the prudent Lakshmana’s caution turned eagerly to her lord Sri Rama and beseeched, “Near our hermitage the forest cow, the stag, the fawn, the monkey, the bear, the spotted deer, the beauteous kinnara meander untroubled. Never has such a beauteous, weird deer of such form and grace charmed my eye, it loveliness is soul captivating, can you capture this deer live for my sake? When our exile is ended this deer will grace my dwelling place and amaze Bharata, all the queens and me too. When pursued by you, if this deer eludes you, killed by you, I long to sit with you on its golden skin spread on the tender grass. This strong desire and eager will, is not appropriate, it bodes ill for me, yet with its graceful form and radiant colors it has charmed you and me too.” Moved by the request of Janaka’s child, yielding only for the sake of her pleasure, Sri Rama said to Lakshmana, “Through sporting enterprise kings lay their hands on treasure in the large forests in the form of gems, precious stones, gold and the like. I am determined this splendid deer will be captured by me dead or alive. O Lakshmana, if your fears are true and this bright creature be fierce Maricha in disguise, he stands killed by me. Great archers of royal race have been killed in the past by this wicked fiend; this fiend deserves swift death today. In the past fiend Vatapi by his magic powers devoured many saints; in his senseless pride he confronted mightiest saint Agastya. Saint Agastya who knew the wiles of the ogre Vatapi checked the giant and with a smile, sage Agastya said “Vatapi in the past you with your malevolent bitterness have conquered many an anchorite, and at last your ruin comes now Lakshmana armed with bow in your hand guard Maithili, while I go hunting for this wondrous deer, be aware of every danger, swiftly I will return with the lovely prize for my spouse, let not danger seize you unaware. Our old, good, wise, faithful friend, guardian the best and strongest bird; Jatayu will lend all care and protection, and for your part you suspect a foe on every side.”
Maricha slain: After having cautioned brother Lakshmana, Sri Rama hurried out in pursuit of the deer with the bow and a pair of quivers. As soon as the deer saw him being pursued with bow and arrows, in fright the deer fled and vanished only to be pursued by Sri Rama. The deer made his appearance from the dell and at times from inside the deep forest with a view to luring Sri Rama into a languid chase. Thus Maricha in the guise of magic deer managed to lure Sri Rama far away from his cottage by deceit. Sri Rama weary after the prolonged chase was impatient and with sure hope and strong will he longed to kill his prey. He took out a shaft from the quiver and aimed the missile at the false deer. That missile cleft Maricha’s heart, stricken Maricha presently assumed his original form of the ogre, fell to the ground half lifeless, he remembered his lord (Ravana’s) direction, he then let go a cry before his death in the tone of Sri Rama “Ho Sita! Lakshmana” and soon he died. Sri Rama’s immediate thoughts went back to wise Lakshmana’s surmise and the safety of Sita. Born of dejection, a poignant fear seized Sri Rama when he thought of the slain giant last cry ‘Ho Sita! Lakshmana’ with the safety of Sita foremost in his thoughts Sri Rama hastened back to his dwelling place, Janasthana.
Sita’s vitriolic outpourings: Hearing as she thought it was her Lord Sri Rama’s cry fraught with anguish; she called Lakshmana and said; “After I heard that long, loud and bitter wail, I am not my own self, I am distraught, please rush to save your brother in this hour of his need.” Lakshmana obedient to his brother’s words of caution and aware of every danger to Sita from the ogres in Janasthana was deaf to Sita’s importune and stayed put. Lakshmana’s stance only resulted in inflaming Sita’s ire and she exclaimed in words of bitter scorn; ‘O son of Sumitra you cannot deny assistance and neglect the wail of your chief in his hour of need. Yes Lakshmana you are your smitten with love of me, you covet your brother’s death, you are a foe disguised as a friend, you are vicious, if anything untoward were to befall Sri Rama, I will be hapless and left desolate in this vast forest.’ Lakshmana now spoke in reassuring words to calm the Videhan queen, “Dismiss all your fears, doubts, and woes, for sure your lord will be here soon, even the combined might of the three worlds can never withstand Sri Rama’s fury. The mournful cry is not his, repeat not his, the cry was some giant’s conjuring trick I will not and cannot leave you here alone, you are a sacred trust placed in my charge by the high souled Sri Rama, and I cannot forsake that trust. We have incurred the hate of the giants, when we ruined their habitation at Janasthana; you please dismiss from your mind all your causeless fear. Dismiss all your fears. Let all your woes depart take heart.” Sita furiously taunted her truthful guardian Lakshmana; “You are the base defiler of your glorious race, it is all false compassion, such words you should never have said. Wretches like you conceal your crime with crafty mind, you disgrace you deny your aid to my lord only for your love of me or you have been engaged for this sake as an agent of Bharata. Believe me I will not live a moment after Sri Rama’s demise, I will give up my life before your very eyes.” Spoken to in these bitter words, the celebrated Lakshmana made his reply with upraised hands; “Throughout this world women are fickle, hard hearted, women utter words which are lacking in sense, they cast decorum to the winds, urged by envious spite they sever friends, and their minds are disposed to create discord. I plead with you truthfully you are my deity, and you castigate me, I mourn your woman’s nature, my soul is filled with wild affright I foresee all dire omens, evil portents. May all the deities here protect you when I am away? May I, on my return with Sri Rama see you again?” Sita said again to Lakshmana; “If I am widowed, I will drown myself in the Godavari, or hang myself to death, or take a leap down the cliff, or drink poison, but bereft of Sri Rama I will never consent to touch a meaner man,” saying so she engaged in breast beating and wailing and spoke no more. With hands raised up in reverence, his head bent low, saddened and with a troubled appearance, gazing sadly on Sita, Lakshmana proceeded to meet Sri Rama.
The spiteful mendicant: With dark forebodings disturbing him, the angry Lakshmana could no more brook the furious look and the bitter words of Sita. He quickly proceeded to meet Sri Rama and the ten necked monster Ravana perceived that time was encouraging for his dire crime. In the guise of a mendicant attired in ochre colored garment, a staff, an umbrella and a water-vessel slung to his left shoulder he drew near the fair princess of spotless frame Sita. As the fierce tyrant Ravana approached the abode of Sita, in dread of the ogre not a leaf from the trees present in Janasthana waved, water from the flowing river Godavari gave melancholic murmur. In the auspicious garb of a wandering mendicant, the unpropitious Ravana saw the illustrious, youthful, eye-catching princess Sita alone in that cottage mourning for her lord Sri Rama. Pierced to the core by the darts of Kama; chanting holy verses, Ravana the fiend essayed a gentle address to Sita: “O young lady clad in yellow silk, in countenance you are divinity presiding over modesty (Hri); you are the goddess of elegance (Sri); you are the deity presiding over fame (Kirti), you are the blessed goddess of fortune (Lakshmi), you are a young woman of perfect frame my eyes have never before seen a young beauty of such comeliness. You should never make your home this forest which is infested with fierce ogres capable of assuming forms at will; your dwelling in this forest disturbs my mind. O! Lady of charming countenance, do you not dread this wild, forlorn, dreary wood, who are you; when and why are you here with no guardian nearby? Your magnificent feet are to tread only carpets spread on the floor of the palace, and sweet smelling gardens. What are you doing here in this wild, dreadful, forest inhabited by giants and wildlife?” Deceived by Ravana’s guise Sita bestowed on him hospitable care and treated him with the best of woodland fare. Ravana kept his eager glances on the wife of the noblest king Sri Rama, all the time preparing the calamitous offence, which was to bring his death. Noble Sita in the meanwhile watched with anxiety the vast green forest, for the return of her lord Sri Rama and brother-in-law Lakshmana.
Ravana solicits Sita: Sita to the seemingly saintly man Ravana (in the guise of a mendicant); began the story of her life; “I am Sita the daughter of noble Janaka the emperor of Mithila and am married to Sri Rama the son of the emperor Dasaratha. For twelve years I enjoyed all the earthly joys and pleasure in the palace of the emperor of Ikswaku race. Advised by his peers, the emperor Dasaratha decided to consecrate my lord Sri Rama as the joint ruler of his ancient kingdom of Ayodhya. Scarcely had the consecration rites begun the glamorous queen Kaikeyi bound by oath my father-in-law the powerful monarch Dasaratha to grant her the two long pending boons. Her double prayers were (1) to banish Sri Rama to the wild and (2) consecrate her child Bharata as the prince regent instead; she further added I will this very day die if Sri Rama is anointed the king. Queen Kaikeyi was cold and deaf to every prayers of the aged king Dasaratha, I was at that time aged eighteen and Sri Rama was aged twenty five. Impelled by passion and led astray by his glamorous and wily queen Kaikeyi the monarch withheld the consecrating rites. Summoned to the palace my husband and lord Sri Rama was spoken to by Kaikeyi in words like these, “Hear from me your father’s words, ‘today this kingdom of Ayodhya is bestowed on Bharata free from all foes, this kingdom is not yours, you are exiled to the Dandaka woods for five and nine years (fourteen); uphold my plighted words and save me from the sin of falsehood.” Obeying the words of his stepmother Sri Rama who ever spoke the truth and never received a gift said, “I will not take the offered realm I will not falsify my father’s words.” O gentle Brahman, mighty Sri Rama expelled from his kingdom and home, attired as a hermit set out to the Dandaka forests armed with bow and arrows to fulfill this vow, he was followed by his valiant step-brother Lakshmana and me. Now come refresh yourself and rest here for a while as our privileged guest and very soon my lord will return with fresh supply of woodland cheer (food offerings). Now O stranger will you please reveal your name, your race and why you have set out without a companion and rove the dense Dandaka forest.” The Ravana’s response was piercing, ‘I am the lord of the multitudes of giants, I am the dread of the celestial armies, O Sita of faultless frame, after seeing you, I no longer find delight in my numerous beautiful consorts, now come with me to the glorious town Lanka, O loveliest lady, and be my principal queen enjoy all earthly comforts and shed this life of hardship.’ Sita spoke in her turn these bitter words that pierced and stung the night rover, “I am the true and the loving wife of fearless lordly Sri Rama, the noblest, the heir to the happy fate, the glory of princely lineage, possessed of mighty arm and broad chest, O fool you ogre of adverse fate, do not vainly woo Sri Rama’s wife. To win the love of Sri Rama’s wife is like seeking (1) to rend away the bleeding prey from the famished lion, (2) to take the fangs from the threatening jaws of some venomous snake, (3) drink deadly poison and think it to be an harmless drink, (4) rubbing your eyes with pointed needle, (5) licking with your tongue sharp blade, (6) like wrapping a kindled flame in your garment, (7) seeking to cross the sea with millstone round your neck. You a fool, weary of life you seek death, such is the might of my lord Sri Rama, you are doomed to death do not in vain try to woo me. You fool your thoughts are wild don’t entertain idle aims to seek the love of Sri Rama’s spouse. The disparity between you and Sri Rama is, Sri Rama is like a lion in the forests, he is a gold mine, he is a sea of nectar, he is like a sandal paste, whereas you are a jackal, a base metal, a swamp, draining of rice, (sauvarika).” Sita her cheeks grew pale due to fright her limbs began to tremble and Ravana terrible as death stood near her, watched Sita with exulting eyes; to terrify Sita, he proclaimed his name, pedigree, titles, and all his gory and triumphs.
Ravana boasts; Sita twits: Provoked, Ravana made this fierce reply, ‘O most fair dame I am the brother of Kubera, the lord of the riches, son of the sage Vaisrava, I am the ten necked Lord Ravana, famed for might and fearlessness. Gods including Gandharvas are scared of me, snakes; spirits, birds flee in terror on seeing me, wild with fear of death, men tremble at the very sight of mine. My brother Kubera once fought with me, he was assailed and utterly vanquished, in great fear he fled and now he dwells on the famed mount Kailas. His glorious aerial car Pushpak that flies through vast skies guided by the will is now mine. The celestial Gods led by Indra filled with dread and disquiet flee away from me, filled with fear of me wind blows gently, water in the river ceases to flow and the fierce rays of the sun are transformed into cool breeze. O beauteous queen, my Lanka is set in the midst of sea and is girt by the ocean, is built on the summit of a hill; in glory it is comparable to Indra’s town Amaravathi. Come dwell with me, you will not miss any earthly joy or celestial delights, with me you will have heavenly bliss, forget the mortal Sri Rama whose days are numbered. Though eldest born to the king Dasaratha, Sri Rama, is a weakling fool, his father scornfully exiled him to the woods and crowned his darling son Bharata. Sri Rama is now a wretched hermit has no home, forced to flee from his kingdom, O large eyed Sita now what have you got to do with Sri Rama of negligible prowess. Do accept my love, do not scornfully refuse my offer, overpowered as I am with shafts of love, O listen, if you refuse my prayer be aware of the forthcoming sad fate that is to fall on you. O fair beautiful Sita, Sri Rama is no match to my might, accept me, be happy and fortunate.’ Sita’s eyes red in anger answered, “Are you the brother of the God of riches Kubera, you impious reckless monarch, of unbridled passion, this evil deed surely will result in the extinction of the giant race. O king of the Giant race, you of foolish mind, do not hope in vain to escape the penalty and pain of wronging Sri Rama’s consort”.
Ravana’s outrageous action: Rebuked by Sita, Ravana cast aside his ascetic guise, assumed his fierce dreadful monstrous form. With bloodshot eyes in rage he uttered to the lady who was, stunning as the dawn of the day, ‘You have not heard of my might and nerve; I can assume at will any form, I can with my hands heave the land, drink up all the water of the oceans, in the battlefield I can conquer even the lord of death Yama. If you desire a consort to match your beauty take me as your husband, my fame is known in all the worlds. I can assume any form at will,’ saying so he cast aside his compassionate ascetic guise and assumed terrific, monstrous, wild and dreaded form. His flaming eyes rolled in fury, his fierce breast was ablaze with passion, he now was a ten faced rover of the night with twenty arms, he displayed his entire giant frame. With an angry eye he said to the glorious Sita, ‘with me as your darling you can live a life of ease, you can spend blissful years, and I will never displease you. You are a foolish lady pretending to be wise, what have you seen in that mortal Sri Rama, a prince blessed with adverse fate, an unworthy prince, infirm of mind, listening to a woman; accounting himself to be wise he took to exile to the Dandaka forests inhabited by savage beasts, his life is near its end.’ Talking thus to Sita, Ravana infatuated with craze and vile of disposition, he caught hold of Sita, overawing the princess of Videhan territory with harsh words; he placed Sita in his celestial car (Pushpak). As the mighty Pushpak flew onwards Ravana rebuked and chided the moaning and crying Sita; helpless struggling Sita loathed Ravana as she was borne into the skies, in loud shrill and long laments, in maddening pain she cried aloud ‘O! Rama’, you are away and cannot hear this cry of mine, you are the scorcher of your foes, how then this sinful Ravana gets away from this hideous and heinous crime. Continuing her cry she wailed piteously, “O! Lakshmana do you not see this outrage on me by this fiend who wears all disguises, do not let this fiend carry on this outrage. The bitter fruit of sin and crime never comes instantaneously; time plays its part in fructification of an act, as it does in the ripening of grains. Ravana, by fate and folly you are piloted to ruin for this guilty deed and before long you shall die a dreadful death inflicted by Rama’s long arms for this hideous wrong. Kaikeyi and her friends too are successful inflicting this plight on Sri Rama. From me, Sita, to the lawn, glade, dense trees, to the pleasant flowing river Godavari, water birds, and beasts and to all of you, I bid you all a long farewell. All of you tell Sri Rama that Ravana with his savage arms bore helpless Sita away.” Then seeing the giant vulture Jatayu perched on a lofty tree, she complained to him; “Dear bird you cannot stall the wrong done to me by this strong, cruel, base, fierce ruler of the giant race Ravana, who is triumphant in inflicting harm without provocation. You have one task to do, I ask you to tell Sri Rama and the valiant Lakshmana what befell me, I am a helpless prey of violence.”
Jatayu pleads with Ravana: Majestic as a mountain, Jatayu the noblest bird with a pointed beak, hearing Sita’s cry saw her being borne away on the aerial car by the dreaded ten necked monster Ravana. Jatayu woke from his slumber, advised and cautioned Ravana in the following words; “I am the king of vultures, I am called Jatayu, your captive is the dear consort of Dasaratha’s son Sri Rama, and she deserves high tribute and respect. Sri Rama cares for the welfare of all beings, Sri Rama’s might matches that of Indra and Varuna, you therefore avert abhorrent fate, refrain from this guilty deed which brings reproach and shame on you. O lord of the giant race, all your people’s fortunes, their joy and misery spring from your actions, you are their king, let not your mind be fickle and predisposed to sinful actions; eminence does not abide for long in the evil minded. Sri Rama has not wronged you in anyway, if Khara moved by the prayer of Surpanaka, was felled in the battle by Sri Rama, it is the fault of Khara. Ah! O fool, quickly release Maithili, let her go in peace; don’t be scorched to death by Sri Rama’s ire, as the thunderbolt of Indra consumed ogre Vritra. I have lived a life of sixty thousand long years, I still maintain mine old hereditary reign, I have grown old, while you are still young and are armed with a bow and arrows, sheltered by a protective covering and you are mounted on a chariot. This load of sin is too great for you to bear, this blameworthy deed brings you no fame, nor glorious rewards, and is devoid of any merit, and soon your sinful deed will meet with fierce retribution from the princely youths who are now far away. Whatever is the pain to me and even if my life is the cost, while I am alive I will not allow you tyrant Ravana to carry away the fair and honored Sri Rama’s queen Sita, I shall offer hospitality to you on the field of battle according to my strength O welcome foe.”
Ravana and Jatayu in fierce combat: Stirred by passion, in disdain Ravana rushed against the king of winged creatures; there ensued a fierce dreadful combat between them. Ravana rained in fury on the vulture king pointed arrows that smote Jatayu on the breast and wing, the bird possessed of strong beak and talons tore the body of his foeman. Wild with rage and keen to slay the bird, the ten necked monster released swiftly ten dreadful arrows, the arrows resembled the staff of the Lord of death Yama, these arrows pierced the vulture’s body and the king of the birds bled. Hearing shrill lament of Sita, unmindful of his wounds and pain, the brave vulture with his talons broke the giant’s shafts and bow. Ravana took another bow and rained a storm of arrows, these arrows were smote by Jatayu with his wings, with the terrific power of his talons Jatayu smote the armor of the fiend king, The lord of the winged creatures in the course of that encounter killed the asses drawing the celestial car, next he broke Ravana’s glorious chariot, the golden steps, the pole and the yoke of the chariot, with vehemence he knocked down the canopy over the seat of Ravana and with his strong beak and dreaded claws he killed the charioteer too. With his chariot broken and bow sundered, dashed to the ground Ravana stood there clasping Sita in his arms and all beings rejoiced at the ogre’s plight, everyone applauded Jatayu saying ‘well done, well done’. Perceiving aged Jatayu’s strength fading rapidly, Ravana attempted to bear Sita away, swiftly the champion vulture endowed with great energy rose from the earth, intercepted Ravana and addressed him in these words, “By stealing Sri Rama’s wife you are rash, never will the Raghu’s fiery sons endure this vengeful insult, you are blind to the ruin that awaits you, careless fool you drink a cup of poison to quench your thirst, you are caught in the noose of death. A coward, a thief you are, wait awhile, meet me in the deadly fight, overpowered by your sins, you will meet your gory death, and thus you harvest the dire fruits of your crime.’ After addressing the fiery fiend Ravana with these moving words, the vulture king proceeded to torment the ogre inflicting wounds all over the fiend with his talons. Repeatedly tormented; the trembling fiend Ravana holding to Sita, struck the vulture with his hand, Jatayu responded by severing Ravana’s left hand, thereupon the fiend let alone Sita. In the place of the severed Ravana’s hand there grew fresh hand on his body, a fierce and dire battle between Ravana and Jatayu followed. Bound by the cord of love for his Sri Rama, the king of the birds fought a fierce battle and was finally immobilized; the bird fell to the superior strength of the ogre king Ravana. With mournful eyes Sita saw her true ally Jatayu lay nearly dead on the ground, she bent over his head and wept.
Ravana carries Sita away: Maithili again wailed as follows, “Dreams, auguries, omens foretell our wellbeing and misfortune, but me my Sri Rama could you not see the grievous blow that falls on you, can you not see the movement or hear the cries of the birds, deer, etc as they are consistently found to prefigure joy and sorrow in the case of human beings. The royal bird Jatayu stirred by pity flew to my aid is now mortally wounded, O the brave sons of the ancient Ikshvaku race I crave your assistance, without delay rescue me in this hour of my dread.” Sita now with trembling knees and weak arms, like some poor deserted being clung to the tree like a creeper, letting out wild shrieks. Swiftly the giant reached her side, fiercely seized Sita with his impious hands, unmindful of his action which is to bring the ruin of his race and his death. In awe the universal world saw with convulsed dread the outrage on that lady, the eternal father Lord Brahma saw this crime apprehensively with his heavenly eye, he exclaimed solemnly ‘the deed is done, our purpose is accomplished.’ The hermits and saints in the woodland wept on seeing Sita endure the scorn, shame, and outrage, also they rejoiced at the fact that the penalty incurred for this action that day; was the certain death of the giant lord. After getting hold of Sita, Ravana with his captive took the aerial escapade, he flew through the realms of sky, the Videhan princess struggling in the fiends squeeze, was far distanced from her lord Sri Rama, her demeanor no longer radiated the light of joy. Trembling in the fiends clutch, bereft of Sri Rama, Sita of golden hue, her arms adorned with many gems lent luster to the fiend. Mourning for Maithili, came the lions, tigers, birds and deer from every woodland region; with furious look they followed her flying shadow. When the lord of the day the great Sun, saw Ravana thus, his glorious light began to fail. If Ravana can carry away Rama’s Sita as his prize, all created beings seem to cry in unison ‘righteousness, innocence, nobility, justice and truth have vanished.’ Seeing Sita subdued by the fiend, a sudden woe, a sudden dread, a sudden terror seemed to have enveloped the region. Seized by the lord of Lanka Sita looked down in vain for friends to aid her, nor was her lord Sri Rama, nor Lakshmana was anywhere in sight, in fear and with pain Sita swooned.
Sita rebukes Ravana: Distressed with grief, extremely fearful, her spirits sinking, dismayed Janaka’s daughter Sita, water welling her sorrowful eyes, she spoke to the fierce eyed fiend as follows, “You are contemptibly faint hearted, you are untroubled by deeply disgraceful base action, by your vile deed, you steal me, a wedded wife of Sri Rama, at a time when I am alone without a friend or guardian. Fearing deadly blows that would have been rained on you, you have lured my husband from my side, conjuring a trick by sending the ogre in the disguise of a deer, and you have mortally wounded Jatayu the king of the vultures when he came to my aid. This deed of yours is a shame on your vaunted intrepidness, you claim to be a mighty hero, yet you have indulged in this cursed action which is to bring ruin to your race and your certain death, for no sooner the royal Sri Rama and Lakshmana sight you, you cannot save your life. With your weak, paltry strength, you cannot, O tyrant you cannot survive even for one hour in the field of combat. O fool, Ravana save your life, let me go, do not have any illusions of bliss, you refuse to see the noose of the deadly coil of death fastened to your neck, you now madly consume cates that will kill you, you stubbornly refuse to recognize your folly you wretch. Ah fool do not hope in vain, if I do not anymore see my god like lord Sri Rama, I will give up my life and end my woes, in no case I will live a life of your captive. O tyrant my lion hearted lord Sri Rama is skilled in the use of all mystic missiles, and when he strikes with vengeance you have no shelter, no escape from certain death.” Videhan princess was thus wailing in grief and dread while wicked giant was firmly holding on to the wildly struggling Sita, and in flight he fled onward.
Onward to Lanka: As Ravana was rapidly coursing to his Lanka with his captive, Sita saw five monkeys on top of the hill. Sita quickly placed in her neck scarf ear-ring, necklace, chain, all gleaming gold ornaments, and quickly dropped them in the midst of the monkeys on the ground below, in the hope they may tell her Lord Sri Rama the path the fiend took when he bore her away. The tawny eyed monkeys saw high in the air the shrieking dark eyed Sita held fast by the fiend Ravana, and borne away speeding past the Pampa Lake. The rash fool Ravana, did not notice with consternation the act of Sita dropping her ornaments in the midst of the monkeys, as he in his senseless joy held on to Sita, he failed to recognize that he held a venom toothed snake that is to bring his death. Exalted in his own thoughts Ravana quickly crossed the forests, the rivers, the creeks, the hills and finally the ocean. High in the air the celestial voices foretold, ‘O ten headed fiend this guilty action is sure to bring your end.’ Speeding like a tempest Ravana stormed into his palace in the glorious Lanka carrying the struggling Sita in his arms, nay his very death in human form. There in Lanka Ravana lodged Sita in a queenly bower, commanded his dreaded female fiends to keep Sita out of human sight and to deliver to her all that she asks as if it were asked by Ravana himself, any delinquency or want of care to Sita will yield death to the recalcitrant ogre, so said Ravana. Thereafter Ravana summoned eight of his dreaded flesh eating ogres and to them he instructed to immediately to position themselves fearlessly at Janasthana and report to him on every movement of the royal brothers Sri Rama and Lakshmana. After the annihilation of Khara and Dushana at the hands of Sri Rama, Ravana told these ogres that Janasthana is no longer the safe haven for the ogres that his wrath filled soul seeks the death of Sri Rama, go now he said to these fiends, be bold, be circumspect, be brave and be prompt and help me slay my foe. The ogres too felt flattered made themselves invisible and without delay hurried to their task. The ogre monarch thus set up bitter enmity with Sri Rama, he felt happy through unawareness.
Sita confined: Having instructed the dreaded ogres to spy on the royal brothers Sri Rama and Lakshmana, Ravana infatuated with love for Sita and blind to the attendant fatal consequences hastened to where Sita was confined. When Ravana entered Sita’s place, he found Sita in grief and dread, she resembled a sinking pinnace, downcast and desolate, and Sita was a picture of lonely forsaken deer hounded by hungry dogs. He ordered his unwilling shrinking captive Sita to see his glorious palace of riches. Ravana the dreaded ten headed monster led the mournful lady to the palace where thousands of women spend their days, he showed the unwilling lady also flocks of birds of every description inhabiting there. The palace was supported on pillars of ivory, gold, silver, crystal, studded with diamonds, he showed her too the delightful lattices made in silver and ivory, and also the pool blooming with flowers of various colors. His mind beset with sin, foolish Ravana spoke thus to impress mournful Sita, ‘I am the lord of three hundred million ogres, excluding the young, weak and the old, these ogres are ever obedient to me, and thousand of these beautiful ogres are only for my call, they are forever to please me. Dear lady I lay all this pomp, all this sovereign power, my life and my soul at your feet, please be my wife and rule all these riches. This island is eight hundred miles long, it is a fortress, neither the Gods, or the fiends, or the sages, or the celestial minstrels can match me in power or might. What have you got to do with the unfortunate mortal Sri Rama who is exiled, whom you now cannot see even for one hour, leave him to his fate and wed me for I am your worthy consort? Not one in the kingdom of Gods or in the kingdom of ogres or the intermediate world can harm you, when the might of my arms protect you. Erase from your mind all your former woes, be my glamorous queen of the glorious Lanka, banish sorrow from your bosom, and now enjoy with me this fitting reward. There I have the aerial car bright as the sun that carries to places swiftly as the thought, won by me in the combat with the Lord of riches, shed your sorrow, let not grief mar the majesty of your face, have your bath and go places with me your lover by your side’. The pious minded Vidhehan princess covered her face with her raiment and wiped away the tears from her cheek. Ravana striving hard to impress the Mithilan dame continued, ‘Sweet lady do not think of the transgressions of vows, do not fear the blame, such marriages are approved in the scriptures. (Ravana in his infatuation distorts the scriptures. Such marriages are allowed only in the case of virgins and not in the case of married woman) I lay prostrate at your feet O sweet lady have pity on this slave, Ravana has never in the past wooed a woman falling prostrate’ Desperately caught in the coils of fate, doomed Ravana now thought to himself ‘She is mine own’
Sita’s scorn: Even though emaciated through grief, and oppressed by woe, Sita fearlessly addressed the ogre Ravana, “My husband virtuous Sri Rama the glorious son of the noble emperor Dasaratha, is a God to me. Had you dared to lay your hand on me in his presence, the noble Sri Rama and Lakshmana would have in their vengeful hate ended your life. Though you boast neither God nor fiend can slay you in the field of battle, you are doomed, your life is gone the day the mighty and fearless Sri Rama’s sights you with his furious eyes, you are scorched by the rapid bright glowing arrows discharged by Sri Rama’s mighty arms and that is your fate. Gone is your life, your strength, your power, O wicked king your cruel deed will render widowhood on many in Lanka, there is no triumph and no delight to you, you who with your outrageous might have separated me from my lord. O evil ogre; when the hour of death is near, commanded by the oppressive fate, folly rules the wandering mind, caught in the coils of death you have done this outrage, and brought death to your doorsteps and death to all the giants residing in the island of Lanka. I spurn you, you base tyrant I am the true consort of that virtuous Sri Rama. My body is prepared to face your mindless torture, tethers, wounds, or even death; I will not associate the name of Sita with reproach and shame.” Sita’s bitter speech full of taunts, frenzy and scorn infuriated Ravana who was mad with rage, his reply was threatening and fierce, he said; ‘O lady if you do not yield to me in twelve months my cooks shall serve my meal making mince meat of your person.’ Ravana then commandeered the ogresses of hideous and frightfully threatening in appearance to subdue Sita with threats, coercion, intimidation, and allurements to change her stubborn mind. At Ravana’s instructions Sita was taken to the Asoka groves and in the midst of misshapen ogresses, she lay distraught, found no relief from agonizing fear and grief, she was like some newly caught poor solitary deer in the midst of ravening tigresses. In grief, in terror, in dismay she ever thought of her Sri Rama and Lakshmana, demoralized with horror and misery she fell motionless on the ground.
Sita gifted ambrosial food: As soon as Sita was brought into the fiend Ravana’s home in Lanka, Brahma the supreme lord of all the created beings directed Indra the lord of Sachi, “The mighty fiend Ravana has borne Sita to the isle of Lanka, a deed sure to cause the overthrow of the giants. Sita the blameless is born to happy fate, well nurtured, fair, and delicate and the true consort of Sri Rama is languishing for her lord, in solitude she is weeping for him, is imprisoned and guarded by ogresses. Pondering on her fate, despairing of release, brooding on her woe, indifferent to herself she intensely yearns for Sri Rama; I see her gentle life in jeopardy. Indra swiftly seek her in Lanka and offer to her the heavenly food, to sustain her life”. Indra the ruler of the God, who slew the demon Paka, accompanied by the God of sleep Nidra, reached the abode of the Giant king Ravana, Nidra stupefied the ogres into deep repose and Indra hurried to the Asoka groves where Sita was lodged and said gently, ‘I am Indra the lord of Sachi, along with the lord of Nidra, have reached this place to offer the ambrosial food to free you for ever from the pangs of thirst and hunger. It is due to the skill of Nidra these ogresses repose in slumber. Now O Videhan princess receive this from my hand and taste the same, weep no more, your woes are to end soon.’ In answer to Sita’s misgivings Indra stood before her his feet not touching the ground, his eyelids remained motionless when he gazed, and his dust free attire and the fresh and gay flowers in his garland revealed his true form. Sita quickly recognized Indra the king of the Gods, her eyes shed endless tears, she said, “My lord Sri Rama has gained a friend in you, O Monarch of the Gods, I will eat this food brought by you, may this food strengthen the Raghu’s race.” Before Sita ate the heavenly food she thought in her mind ‘May these heavenly foods eaten by me bring health and bliss to my brave lord Sri Rama and the valiant Lakshmana’. The celestial food relieved her from the pangs of hunger, thirst, and fatigue; restored all her joy and strength. Gratified Indra along with Nidra their purpose accomplished returned to their heavenly abode.
Evil portents dismay Sri Rama: After Sri Rama’s deadly shafts mortally felled the disguised as buck, giant Maricha, he was eager to be back again with his spouse Sita, he hastened homeward. Behind from the nearby thicket jackal rang out a piercing cry and Sri Rama was alarmed by this startling shriek, he said to himself, “jackal’s shrill cry seems to portend some dire disaster, may Sita be protected from outrage of the fiends. Alas having heard the fiend Maricha imitate my voice and scream ‘O save me Lakshmana or I die’ what if Lakshmana leaves Sita alone and swiftly rushes to my side. After the overthrow of the ogres of Janasthana every ogre is my foe, may all be well with both of them” Further as he was hastening to his hermitage, his emotions were assailed with woes and fears. First the shrill cry of the jackal, next he noticed flocks of birds and deer move round him from his left, and as they gazed they made discordant voices, in addition his left eye throbbed, these omens, filled his heart with terror. Lo when the brother Lakshmana came nearer to him each brothers heart and looks bore the same sad visage. Taking Lakshmana by his left hand Sri Rama said in gentle voice though the words were sharp and fierce, “O Lakshmana, you are to be blamed for leaving Sita alone and coming here, I hope no harm befalls her, may she not be dead, may she not be devoured by some giants, may she not be carried away to a distant land by some ogre, for such strange and terrible omens appall me. The giant Maricha in the disguise of golden deer allured me far away and I followed the fleeing prey, when my deadly arrows struck the giant, he saw me and let go the cry, ever since the deadly omens sink my soul with dread. Without disbelief O Lakshmana Sita has been borne away, she is no more in the hermitage, she been borne away to some other place or is dead, or is on the way to some unknown destination. ”
Despondent and disquieted Sri Rama to Lakshmana: Seeing the valiant Lakshmana without Sita, Sri Rama eagerly questioned his younger brother, “where is my darling wife, the princess of Videhan kingdom, she when I was banished, disgraced and deprived of sovereignty, she chose to follow me to the wild forests, during the periods of my personal strife she is the source of moral force, she provides charm to my very life, she is my very breath, I cannot think even the lordship of the heavens worthwhile without her, is she alive? Without her I cannot live, and in my death, O Lakshmana let not my toil, my woe, my pain be in vain, let not that swarthy Kaikeyi in my death be recompensed for the treacherous sin, and my miserable mother Kausalya mourn me dead when you return alone to Ayodhya. O Lakshmana tell me truthfully whether Sita is alive or is slain, why did you betray my trust and leave that young, soft, very fair, Sita who is unused to misery alone in Janasthana, exposed as a soft prey to the ravening giants there, who are grieving the fall of Khara? I imagine you heard that ogre Maricha imitating my voice when he cried ‘O! Lakshmana’ you were sent by Sita to rush to my aid, yet it is entirely your fault to leave helpless Sita alone there. I must now endure this mighty grief which has no cure.” Hastening to his cottage Sri Rama fatigued with hunger, thirst, toil, mind filled with doubts and anguish, all his thoughts on Sita, repeatedly chiding Lakshmana, Sri Rama searched for Sita and not finding her, yielding to the pangs of terror, a dismayed Sri Rama sank in grief crying “It is as I feared”.
Lakshmana reproached: Ceaselessly upbraiding Lakshmana, anguished, sorely distressed Sri Rama eagerly questioned Sumitra’s son; “At a distance when I spotted you not accompanied by Sita, my troubled soul foretold me of the dire events to follow. I followed the deer into the deep woods for I deemed Sita was free from jeopardy in your presence, why did you leave her alone and defenseless?” Lakshmana mournfully replied to Sri Rama, ‘I never came here impulsively leaving your wife alone in the woods, when she heard that mournful cry, she was overcome with grief, fright, dread and distraught she cried Lakshmana hurry to your brother’s aid. I did not heed her several pleas, I vainly tried to soothe her thoughts, and I did tell her the voice heard was not a human voice. Further I told her that her lord will not stoop to such piteous caitiff cry; there is none in the three worlds who can cause your lord to shrink in dismay. I told her to banish her fears, compose her thoughts, and cheer up, for all is well with you?’ Though reassured by me in these words weeping bitterly she began her pungent utterances; ‘I see too well your unruly intentions, you vainly hope to win my love after your brother is slain. In pursuit of this secret intention you followed my lord in exile at the behest of Bharata, you are a stealthy foe, you want your brother to die and you render no help to him even after hearing this bitter cry of his,’ enraged after hearing these words I left the hermitage to seek your presence. Sri Rama again addressed his brother, “it is entirely your fault, angry words of Sita, evoked foolish response from you, you know my strength, lured by the fiend, far away from the hermitage, I effortlessly laid low the treacherous giant, wounded and bleeding the distressed giant raised a loud mournful sound, which in accent, tone, and voice seemed mine and you hastened to my rescue leaving my spouse alone”
Sri Rama’s quest of Sita: (Science of omens: When a man’s left lower eyelid throbs he meets with a grave danger, The act of stumbling at the time of one’s leaving a place is sure to shatter one’s cherished purpose) As Sri Rama entered his cottage sad omens forebode dire disaster, his body shook and reeled, his wonted strength abandoned him. His health reeling under the weight of misery, craving to see Sita, he moved quickly to his dwelling place now desolate and bare, his troubled heart let go a cry, ‘May no ill befall my spouse Sita.’ He wildly ran from spot to spot, hill to hill, he searched with care each grove and glade, tree to tree, brook to creek, maddened by pain, he cried in sorrow, ‘where is Sita, is she lost, torn away, dead, or has she been a prey of some hungry giant?’ To each tree he variously posed the questions as these, ‘where is my radiant darling Sita?’ ‘Reveal to me the fate of my darling.’ To the Asoka tree which means Heartsease (Asoka meaning; a means not and soka means grief) he said, to these sad eyes of mine show my darling Sita, and free me from the loads of sorrow. To the animals he said ‘O noblest of wild creatures, cast away all your fear, declare where my moon faced darling is?’ Then imagining Sita to be around at some hearing distance Sri Rama said, “Why do you mock me Sita? Have pity on me, your soft tremulous image is revealing, come reveal your person do not make my words insignificant.” His gentle love Sita, who unfailingly was present to greet her husband Sri Rama on his return home, not in sight now he cried in despair, “When I her lord was away, brilliant moon faced Sita with polished brow, red lips, and bright teeth was left defenseless and a soft prey, a dainty meal for the ruthless lips of the fiends. O Lakshmana can you see my darling Sita, O dearest Sita, my darling consort where are you now?” Distraught, weary Sri Rama toiled for hours, searched in vain for his Sita, yet hoping to succeed till the very last.
Sri Rama downcast: After all his search and toil was ineffectual, Sri Rama again came back to his desolate cottage, he with his arms upraised let go a loud and bitter cry, he said, “Where is my darling Sita, where has she fled, who could have borne her away or is she devoured by some giant. O Sita if you are hiding behind the trees, stop mocking me, have pity on me, also the gentle fawns with whom you play are impatiently waiting for you. Without you I cannot live, if I reach the other world my father will express his disgust, he will ask me, ‘why did I terminate my exile before time’. Without you in sight Sita the burden of my grief is enormous, enfeebled and bereft of hope I will perish”. As distraught Sri Rama was weeping in vain for his Sita, Lakshmana who ever longs for Sri Rama’s welfare, spoke thus, “O royal chief, collect your thoughts, never give in to futile grief, this outstanding mountain is adorned with many caves, dark valleys, thick trees, flower covered creeks and rivers full of fishes, the Videhan princess could have strayed deep into the groves and is hiding behind the trees in order to test the capacity of yours and mine to trace her or to frighten us. Let us, at once set out, and thoroughly search for her hiding place in this forest”. Spurred by brother Lakshmana’s exhortation, the royal brothers set out to scan every spot, they searched each mountain, crags, pools, brooks, ridge, yet they could not see Maithili, Sri Rama then cried out, ‘O Lakshmana no trace yet of Sita’ Overwhelmed with agony, Lakshmana answered ‘O mighty Sri Rama after all the toil and pain we will again meet Janaka’s daughter’. Sri Rama emaciated due to the agony, in mournful tone, overpowered with grief, his troubled senses reeling and failing, his body trembling, he wept, he sobbed, he cried, in shrill loud laments he cried ‘O Sita, O my dear darling’. In vain Lakshmana tried to calm his brother with soothing words.
Sri Rama’s wail: Sri Rama’s understanding dimmed by grief, his soul distraught and in pain, seized as he was with hallucination, in faint and weak accents he cried out, “Sita I see you hiding behind the Asoka trees, don’t drive me to despair, don’t distress me with your cruel play, hermitage is not the place for mockery, I implore you to soon return to the cottage.” Turning to brother Lakshmana he despairingly said, surely she is slain by the giants; the group of teary eyed fawns seems to say so. I came with Sita from Ayodhya and when I return to Ayodhya without fair Sita, queen Kaikeyi’s evil mind will rejoice, without Sita in the gynaeceum I will have to endure scornful rebukes, I have to endure coward’s shame, for I allowed my wife be stolen. How do I look to the Videhan king? I will never return to the town of Ayodhya, not even to the kingdom of Gods without my Sita. O! Lakshmana, without fair Sita I cannot live even for an hour, you please return to Ayodhya and fondly embrace and tell Bharata to reign as monarch eternally, convey my salutations to your mother, Bharata’s mother and my mother. Tell my mother, my sorrow, Sita’s fate and my mournful tale too.” Lakshmana himself, sick of the woe too great to bear, sore disquieted, a picture of pale pallor, heard his brother’s shrill laments with dread
Sri Rama’s agony: Weighed down by overwhelming grief, huge burden of despair, assailed by uncontrolled sorrow, weeping and sighing, in faint melancholic accents Sri Rama cried out to his valiant brother Lakshmana, “My sad heart bleeds with misery, this is a reward for my evil deeds, my past transgressions, I am beset with woes in never ending procession. I have passed through many a sorrow, first of all I forfeited the kingdom, banished, I was separated from my faithful friends, my father is dead, my mother is far away, and in the woods I am bothered by long toil and trouble. I endured all this without the least demur when my peerless consort sat with me. The fruits of my sin have ripened fast, and now falls on my head the crowning grief, this sorrow, my wife has fallen prey to some cruel fiends. Even when the fiends bore the timid and gentle Sita through the skies, the tone of her wild shrieks and loud cries would still have been sweet, she is now in some giant’s hands. Savage monsters have dragged that hapless consort of mine far away. Though attracted to the gentle flowing Godavari River, she would not venture there without me. Likewise though fascinated she would not have strayed to the lotus / lily ponds without me, or my dear consort that timid Sita would not have gone into the distant thickets. O son of Aditi ( Sun-God) O wind god there is nothing unknown to you, reveal, reveal to me whether my Sita is stolen, or is she alone in the forest, or is she dead.” Thus overpowered by grief and his senses in disarray Sri Rama was wailing. To grieving Sri Rama wise Lakshmana said, ‘curb your grief, when oppressed by sorrows, when dangers intimidate, brave efforts yield fruits’ Sri Rama paid no heed to wise Lakshmana’s rede, instead once more fell a prey to his deep agony.
Exasperated Sri Rama continues the search for Sita: Subdued by grief, Sri Rama in piteous tone commanded Lakshmana to search for Sita on the banks of river Godavari. Obedient Lakshmana searched in vain for Sita and informed Sri Rama, “I searched for Sita and could not trace her. I called aloud her name, but there was no response, I do not know where Sita of moon like countenance meanders in the woods.” His mind laden with distress Sri Rama himself set forth to the divine River Godavari and cried out ‘O Sita where are you?’ His question unanswered, Sri Rama sought River Godavari to declare the whereabouts of his Sita. It is said, dismayed by apprehension of awful Ravana, River Godavari did not relate to Sri Rama the sad plight of Sita’s fate. Emaciated Sri Rama, his soul torn by sorrow for his Sita, again spoke to Lakshmana, “With tears and sighs I sought from Godavari the plight of my darling and got no reply from her. Without Sita how can I face her parents? Expelled from the dominion, bereft of all my kin and friends, my loyal love nobly held her faith to me, followed me in banishment soothed me, comforted me. Now bereft of my faithful consort, comfortless I will be awake all night weeping, see there how the gentle eyed flock of deer look on me with compassion and sympathy.” He asked them, ‘where is my Sita’?” Lakshmana intently watched every mute expression of the deer and said to his noble brother, ‘stirred by pity, the flocks of deer indicate to us to direct our search in south westerly direction’. Sri Rama assented and the brothers proceeded quickly in the southern direction scanning the earth carefully for tell tale clues along the way. En route Sri Rama’s eyes saw the flowers lay scattered on the ground, and quickly identified those flowers were from the garland twined on Sita’s hair and thanked the sun, the earth and the genial breeze to have preserved these flowers for the pleasure of his vision. Then to the mountain peak Sri Rama thundered in a ferocious voice, “reveal to me, my darling of golden hue lest I will smite you to smithereens”, He got no answer to his scorching fiery threat. Proceeding farther and continuing the search, he found the foot print of a fiend, from a careful survey by his inquisitive eyes; he made out the footprints the larger ones to be that of the mighty fiend and the lighter ones to be of desperate shrieking fleeing Sita. Also seen in the vicinity were the quivers, the broken bow, the ruined chariot, the earrings, glittering gold ornaments, and drops of blood of varying size. With consternation Sri Rama shared with Lakshmana his fear, perhaps at that very spot, the fearful ogres capable of wearing strange disguises, seized helpless Sita, overpowered her, mangled her and perhaps devoured her. Sri Rama went to tell his illustrious brother the sight of the ruined brilliant war chariot, mighty bow, and a pair of quivers full of arrows lying smashed, the slain goblin faced mules, the slain charioteer with the lash and reins in his hands, and all these are the work of some mighty male ogre. Sri Rama went to tell brother Lakshmana, “I trace here the foot of a male giant, my hatred of the giant race who has either stolen or slain and eaten Sita now grows hundred fold. Now with Sita slain or stolen all hopes of bliss for me is thwarted, from this day my compassionate form and gentle grace has all changed, vengeance is in my bosom, so too the all conquering passion; in wrath in anguish in my great despair, I will slay all these cursed fiends. Even virtue (dharma) was not able to shield Sita while she was being borne away or devoured by the ogres. All created beings O! Lakshmana, would through ignorance hold in contempt even Lord Siva, the maker, the protector and destroyer of the worlds; if He remains looking on with empathy; without meddling in the affairs of the world. Surely the ruler of the Gods, take me to be mild, intent as I am on the welfare of the world, disciplined and compassionate as I am; let it not be meant that I am ineffectual. Unless the Gods dwelling in heavens restore to me my Sita safe and well, impelled by my unsparing wrath, I will devastate all the three worlds, my shafts will take the life of every fiend, God, Daitya, Danava, wherever they are dwelling. I dedicate this day to death, the arrows hurled from my bow shall bring confusion in all the world till my darling is restored to me, and all the worlds shall feel the fury of my shafts. This world with all its lords, serpents, Gods, Gandharvas, men, shall feel a deadly blow, stand ruthlessly destroyed, overthrown, and share doom.”
Lakshmana’s words of solace: Seeing highly incensed, fiercely determined to leave the world desolate, mourning for his ravished spouse, Sri Rama bow in his hand as if he is ready to consume the three worlds with the might of his shafts, Lakshmana moved to trepidation; addressed his brother, Sri Rama who was in this uncharacteristic mood, “ Pray do not cast away your tender mood, your heart is ever inclined to the good of all created beings, do not yield to the sway of anger. The moon owns a gentle grace, the sun owns brilliance, the wind is ever restless and speeds, the earth is praised for her unsurpassed patience, incomparable eminence is your eternal attribute that ever dwells in you, please do not abandon your nature. Searching with utmost care, I find the foot print of one foeman; I am unable to make out whose is this ruined war chariot or am I able to make out the cause for their fierce encounter. This section of the ground has been cleft by hoofs and wheels and sprinkled with drops of blood, presents a most ghastly appearance has taken place here. I do not observe the foot prints of a large army imprinted on this ground. O dear Lord of all the created beings, let your punishment be just, considerate, mild, and poised; let you not for the sin of one man inflict misery on all the three worlds. You are the mainstay of the despondent people in this world, you are their great hope. In all the three worlds there is none who would condone the outrage on your spouse, Sita. Gods, Gandharvas, Dhanavas, the trees, the rocks, the rivers, and the seas can never think of offending you. O king with never-ending endeavor we will search every cave, every tree, every hill, every homes of the Gods, of Gandharvas, wherever they are and get the wretch who stole your spouse from you. After our every search is over and if Sita is not restored to you, O ruler of men then seek recourse to the deadly shower of shafts”
Lakshmana’s counsel: To Sri Rama stung with sorrow, lamenting helplessly, his mind in a maze of troubled thought and sorely distraught, Lakshmana gently pressing his brother’s feet, consoled him in the following words, “Our father after observing stern vows, great acts and deeds was blessed to have you as his son. Unable to bear separation from you the monarch departed to the other world. No man is free from misery; misfortunes come, burn like flame and quickly depart. Yayati gained his seat in the same heaven with Indra, for a light misdemeanor he lost his throne, he mourned a while for the loss, and our reverend sage Vasistha lost on a single day all his one hundred sons killed by Viswamitra. No God, no living being, is free from Fate’s absolute pronouncement, we all must reap the consequences of our past actions both sinful and virtuous. O heroic brother even, if your wife is lost or dead; do not yield to your despair, do not expend time on endless moan. If in your fierce rage you destroy the three worlds there is neither gain nor joy, let the sinful foe be identified and you show no mercy on him and punish him only. Those actions which are not perpetual, whose merits and demerits have not been perceived; cannot be completed without effort, once executed their welcome as well as unwelcome fruit must be reaped. In overwhelming distress there is scope yet for clear explicit actions and indeed fruitful results emerge as a result. You are a genius and are high in wit, I seek of you to be manly, instill fresh wisdom into your mind, put forth your very own noble strength, and strive till the adversary is identified conquered and slain.”
Sri Rama soothed: Lakshmana’s wise and clear counsel aimed to cheer his brother had the effect, Sri Rama seized the pith, with spirited effort he restrained his rage leaning on his bow, he asked his younger brother to dictate how the search for his darling Sita is to proceed henceforth. The prudent Lakshmana replied to his brother Sri Rama who was exhausted by sorrow and toil, “Dear brother you are endowed with a piercing ken, let us search for Sita in woods of Janasthana full of trees, creepers, deep caverns, rocks, precipice, hills with many abysses, bosky dell. Gandharvas, Kinnaras love to dwell here, the giants flourish here, and we will not fail in our efforts.” Sri Rama with faithful Lakshmana by his side ambled the length and the breadth of the Janasthana forest where he saw the huge as a mountain Jatayu lying upon the ground with the droplets of blood on him. Sri Rama immediately conveyed to Lakshmana his inference in the following words, “My darling was this vulture’s prey, having devoured large eyed Sita this vulture bird now rests with his wings spread out. My shafts let out in fury shall pierce this ravenous monster.” In furious pace he rushed towards the dying bird the earth shook under the fury of his leap, he heard the distressed dying bird speak in a piteous voice, ‘O dear restrain your vengeful blows from me, and I am already slain by the giant Ravana. When I saw the vulnerable Sita borne away by the mighty giant Ravana, I rushed to Sita’s aid, I challenged the mighty ogre, in fight I hurled him on the earth, and here lies his arrows, his broken bow, the fragments of his chariot, his slain bleeding charioteer are all evidence of the combat. My strength subdued by age, my pinions was hewed by the giant’s sword and here I lie slain.’ When Sri Rama heard the vulture tell the tale, he placed his bow on the ground, he warmly embraced the bird, in anguish the royal brothers shed tears. Sri Rama said to his brother, “My sovereignty is lost, exile in the forest has been forced on me, Sita too has disappeared, and my great ally in the forest the Vulture king has all but died. My misfortune is such that even if I were to plunge myself in the ocean to douse my burning grief; the Lord of the rivers will surely dry up. In this entire world there is not one who is cursed with so hard a fate, I am blessed with misery cast in a strong net.” Stirred by pity he mourned for the bird even as his hands caressed the limbs of the bird, crying he asked the king of the winged creatures ‘where is my spouse dearer to me than my own life,’ and he fell on the ground.
Deceased Jatayu Cremated: Seeing the vulture king Jatayu mortally wounded by the fiend, Sri Rama said to his brother Lakshmana, for my sake this royal bird fought and in the mortal strife he is grievously wounded, his voice is faint, he can scarcely lift his trembling eyes, he is about to die. Speaking to Jatayu, Sri Rama said, “Dear Uncle Jatayu if you can still speak, answer me as I speak, tell me why Sita was stolen in my absence, her fate, what fault has Ravana seen in me. Tell me how did the ravished Sita look like, what did she talk? Tell me the might, strength, the form, and where is the dwelling place of Ravana?” The noble bird looking at Sri Rama in anguish made his response, in low, faint and weak accent, “Fierce impious Ravana is the king of the giant race, he is adept in conjuring tricks, after he stole Sita from your abode, he took the aerial route, I fought him with all my might, after a while when I was weary he cleft my wings and fatally wounded me and departed with Sita, he flew to the southern region. My senses desert me but I can tell you the impious aggressor committed stealing at Vinda’s hour, this Vinda’s hour brings on the thief a flood of woes, and those robbed get their wealth again. In a very short time he shall meet his fate and you will slay the fiend and get reunited with Sita, now control your troubled heart and thoughts. Ravana like a fish that takes a bait is soon to meet his fate; he is the brother of Kubera, the lord of wealth and son of Visrava,” after saying thus the bird breathed his last. Distressed with many a poignant affliction, now seeing the vulture huge as a mountain dead, Sri Rama said to his illustrious brother Lakshmana, “Fully content the vulture king spent many years in the Dandaka forests, the home of the giants, now he lies dead on the ground this affirms, the stern decrees of fate none can shun. For my sake he strove to free Sita from the giant’s hold, he for my sake in this endeavor he gave his ruler-ship of the vultures and his noble life too, the seizure of my darling queen strikes me with a paroxysm less fiercely now when I see the slain vulture king. Pious and valiant souls practicing virtue and worth approaching are found in creatures of inferior kind, this slaughtered bird who nobly fought and died for me is good and a great soul. I will cremate with my hands with all due respect; this revered bird whom the giant slew is possessed of noble heart.” For the departed soul to gain free passage to the skies he recited the solemn words ordained in the Holy Scriptures and performed the due obsequies. The sovereign vulture for his hard and glorious feat, thus privileged by Sri Rama, soared to his blissful seat in the heavens.
Bump into with giantess Ayomukhi: After duly completing all obsequies in connection with the deceased vulture king Jatayu, the royal brothers armed with bow, sword and arrows, now directed their search of Sita in the wild, lonely, gloomy and hard to pass, thick woods located in the western direction. Thereafter they directed the course of their quest in the southern direction, they endured toil and hardship, traversing though the vast fearful and dense forests, the scions of Raghu, endowed with great energy now penetrated into the Krauncha forest adorned with beautiful flowers of various hues, filled with all birds and beasts. Dismayed at the loss of Sita, weary of long and arduous trek on the thorny path, they rested a while here and there. Having trekked over nine miles they moved eastward and passed through the dreadful forest filled with dense cluster of trees of every description, where elephants cherished to meander, deer and wild birds filled every dell. There on one side of the mountains filled with dense cluster of trees the royal brothers eyed a deep dark dreadful abyss; at the entrance of this cave they saw a huge perverted giantess. A terrific fiend, of furious voice, of savage look, of fearful shape, possessed of long teeth to pierce and rend the flesh of savage beasts, her long tresses disheveled and flung at random on her shoulder. The fearful monster came out from her den, she glanced at Lakshmana, spread her eager arms on Lakshmana and said; ‘come be my love, I am called Ayomukhi, O valiant lord, you shall revel with me in the thickets, of each lofty hill, on islet of each brook and rill, with me you shall be engaged in passionate pleasures throughout this long life.’ Enraged at the monsters entice Lakshmana drew his sword and cut off her breasts, ears and nose, mangled by ruthless Lakshmana, hideous with her awful face, the demon roared in pain, rage and sped to the safety of her furtive dwelling place. After Ayomukhi left the royal brothers energetically marched ahead in pursuit of the search of the Videhan princess, soon they reached a dreaded, dark wild forest, the tangled pathway ahead was hard to tread. Lakshmana now reverentially said to his brother, “My left arm steadily throbs my troubled heart portends ill omen, this screaming bird Vanjulaka; announces with a warning cry that strife and victory is near. Hear my words dear brother move forward fully armed and resolved for every encounter.” As the royal chiefs pursued their search of Sita in the dreary solitude, they heard a mighty sound making the forest resonate; as though an incensed hurricane has passed, Sri Rama raised his sword to explore the cause of this furious sound. In front of their eyes they were surprised to see a dreadful fiend; huge with broad chest, an enormous distorted trunk, without a head, without a neck, with a misshapen mouth, as some dark tinted thunder cloud, in height and shape it seemed a unique created being.” This fiend Kabandha, with vast dreaded unshapely eight mile long arms seized bears, deer for his savage feast, he now stood before the princely pair blocking their path. The monster spread his mighty arms around the Raghu’s sons, and held them fast and the royal brothers were helpless in the giant’s clutch. Trembling Lakshmana spoke, “O dear Sri Rama give me as offering to the giant, free yourself from the danger, very soon you will find the Maithili queen, you regain the hereditary throne, once crowned think of me your brother.” Undaunted Sri Rama responded to soothe his brother’s wild alarm spoke, “You restrain your needless dread and despair.” Kabandha addressed Raghu’s sons, ‘declare what circumstance brought you to this lonely dark and horrid place. Armed as you are with swords, bows and arrows, you are possessed of broad shoulders who are you? I stand in front of you wild with pangs of hunger; you have crossed my path and have lost your lives.’ Hearing the evil minded Kabandha speak as aforesaid, Sri Rama firm in his intent and resolute in his heart spoke to Lakshmana, ‘we move from sorrow to terrible grief, mourning for dear Sita, we are close to our very destruction, see yourself and me are involved in fatal danger. Never can the brave and the strong who know the use of the sword, bow and arrow withstand the force of all conquering fate, before fate all fall like barrier built of sand’.
Kabandha’s words: Kabandha spoke to his incarcerated captives thus, ‘Why are you completely perplexed, it is fate that has brought you here to quench my pangs of hunger.’ Horrified to hear the fiend speak thus, the courageous Lakshmana decided to fall back on his courage said to his brother, “This dreadful, despicable, giant of enormous size relies for his massive strength on his arms, he is vulnerable, he is without weapons, wake up my honored lord, with your hurtful sword smite off his arms. It is condemnatory to the ruler of men to surrender to this ogre like lambs for the slaughter.” The monstrous fiend when he heard the brothers chat thus, he was provoked to anger, he opened his ghastly mouth to devour them. The brothers unsheathed their glittering swords; Sri Rama forcefully smote and hewed the fiend’s right hand while the valiant Lakshmana smote and severed the fiend’s left hand. The fiend’s dismembered hands fell on the earth with a thud, the fiend viewed the blood flow from his cleft limbs, he let go a frightening roar, and next he queried who the heroes were. Glorious Lakshmana declared in detail who they were and added, “Sri Rama’s step mother stole his realm and banished him into the Dandaka woods. Sri Rama in his exile roamed the mighty dreaded forest with his royal wife and me. While dwelling in the Dandaka woods some giant stole Sri Rama’s wife, in search of her we drifted here. Now tell me who are you, why are you with headless trunk, why is your face below your chest?” Kabandha remembered Indra’s words he said kindly and in gentle pitch, ‘Welcome to you the best of men, I am blessed by fate to see you today. You the lord of men listen to me as I truthfully relate to you how through impudence I got this monstrous form.’
Kabanda’s narrative: ‘O the mighty armed Sri Rama, in the distant past, I was endowed with extraordinary sparkle, might and prowess, I was well known in all the three worlds. I assumed the gigantic form of an ogre, the world shook with terror at this sight of mine; my presence instilled terror in the minds of the saints dwelling in the forests. Once the great and glorious sage Sthulasiras, was assailed by me in this hideous form, provoked the hermit in furious rage in words like these pronounced the curse on me, ‘You delight in hurting others; you shall retain this macabre form.’ I prayed to him to change his mind, fix the term of punishment, he later said I may expect release from this curse thus, ‘After both your arms are severed; when Sri Rama cremates your body, then you will assume your original form.’ Kabandha continued, ‘O Lakshmana, know me to be in the descent of the illustrious Danu, my present scary shape is due to Indra’s curse which I detail now. When endowed with the form of an ogre, I undertook stern penance, to propitiate Lord Brahma, who bestowed on me long life. With the assurance of long life, I was led astray; in my foolish pride I challenged Indra to the fray. Indra released a terrific thunderbolt with his tremendous arm and that bolt compressed my head and thighs into my bulky chest. I piteously prayed to Indra to send me to the kingdom of Yama, craving for his grace, Indra refused to listen to me saying Brahma has granted me long life and it has to remain true. I said, I cannot live long years unfed, with shattered face and thighs pray send me to Yama’s abode; Indra yielded to my piteous cries, he gave me arms each eight miles long, and he opened my chest and gave me this mouth with long fearful teeth. To soothe my grief Indra said, “When Sri Rama and his brother sever your arms from your huge frame, you will forthwith ascend the heaven.” Ever since I used to cast my huge arms around the forest creatures, and fed on the lion, tiger, leopard and deer. I let no woodland creature escape, toiling many a day, hoping one day Sri Rama himself would be caught at last. May prosperity attend on you, none but you, Sri Rama, can hew my arms, true are the words of the sage Sthulasiras. Reveal your plans let me aid you with my counsel, but first cremate me.’ As the mighty Danu was speaking thus virtuous Sri Rama replied, “When Lakshmana and I was away my spouse the Videhan princess was borne away by Ravana. We know nothing of Ravana the ogre except his name; we know nothing of the might, the appearance or the abode of that monster. With none to assist us, overwhelmed with misery we wander in search of the Videhan queen, have compassion on us and reveal to us all you know of Sita. We will conduct your funeral rites. Fetching logs of wood we shall in the course of time cremate you, after throwing you in an extensive pit dug by us. We seek of you to tell us the safety and the present dwelling place of the Maithili dame; render this great service to us.” Danu heard with attention every word Sri Rama spoke and answered thus, “Cursed for my evil deeds, I now wear the form of ogre, till the flames devour my cadaver, I have no heavenly wisdom. In this form I know nothing of your Maithili spouse or of the giant Ravana. Before the sun disappears in the western horizons lay my body in the pit and grace the cadaver with funeral honors. O valiant prince then I will tell you the name of a faithful friend, an alliance shall be made by you with that friend of righteous conduct who will aid you and who knows the giant robber well and who for unknown reasons has actually travelled in the past all the worlds.”
Kabandha’s persuasive discourse: The royal brothers heard Kabandha’s enthusiastic entreaty, they quickly brought ample stockpile of logs, placed the monster on the pile and Lakshmana lit the pyre; soon the flames engulfed the mighty corpse. From the pyre triumphant Kabandha emerged in resplendent attire, wearing a celestial garland round his neck, his arms and foot ornamented with gold, he was seated on an aerial chariot drawn by swans with the fairest pinions. Kabandha stayed his aerial car, he called Sri Rama and said, ‘O scion of Raghu, the wise pursue six plans to achieve the objectives viz. peace, war, protest, bring to a standstill, sowing dissensions, and seeking protection. One who is overtaken by the height of misfortune is served only by another who has met with a similar fate. Your grief today is most bitter, with your consort abducted, it is the high point of your adverse fate, and I do not anticipate success for you without an ally. Sri Rama listen to what I speak, there is a monkey chief named Sugriva, he is the brother of Vali who is the son of Indra. He is residing with his four faithful chieftains, in the Rishyamukha hill decked with Lake Pampa; persuaded by lust he is exiled, by his enraged brother Vali. Sugriva is the lord of Vanaras, he is truthful, just, very glorious, supremely effulgent, firm, humble, splendid, mighty, and brave, and he is possessed of astonishing prowess, he is intrepid. Dismiss all your sorrows, in your search of Sita, strong Sugriva will be your geared up friend, and nothing shall stop or halt your sure success, your toil shall be blessed with rich rewards. Time is a mighty power; none can change or avoid His unchanging pronouncement. With fire as the evidence of solemn friendship, makeup your alliance with Sugriva. Never despise the Vanara king Sugriva, he can assume any form at will, he listens to a suppliant’s prayer, he will help you and save you in this hour of your need. I suppose you possess the ability to give redress to his (Sugriva’s) woes, no matter you succeed or fail in your efforts to aid Sugriva who is the son of the Sun god, he will help you. Sugriva knows every place where the fierce giant brood dwells, he knows every place in this world, and he will tell you where your lady is. That chief of Vanara race will find Sita, the gem of the womankind even if she is in the Ravana’s foyer, or if she has reached the summit of mount Meru, or the depths of the subterranean region, he will restore your dear spouse to you. Quickly depart from this place and proceed to where Sugriva is.
Kabandha in ethereal form: After Kabandha had educated the royal brothers on the means to locate the Vidhehan dame, he again addressed the virtuous prince, on the pursuit of their onward mission, “you pursue the propitious westward path; this path is full of tall trees, trees with flowers charming to sight, and there are trees with sweet-smelling fruits too. Climbing the trees or bending their branches you take with brother Lakshmana the nectar-like fruits and march along. Proceed beyond that forest with trees in bloom, you will find another orchard charming like the Nanadana grove, like in paradise, here trees bear fruits dripping honey all through the year as in Chaitraratha (belonging to Kubera the deity presiding over the northern quarter). These trees are always loaded with fruits hence the boughs are bent, brother Lakshmana may either climb the tree or shake the branches; the fallen fruits taste like nectar, after consumption of these fruits you proceed on your onward path traversing every forest and hill till your eyes take the glimpse of the lotus covered Pampa lake, which has level banks and is free from gravel, slime and duck-weeds. Here the swans, ducks and curlews play and intense eyed ospreys watch for their prey, waves from the limpid waters in this lake and many water birds make pleasant-sounding tones. You can feed on the fish, birds and quench your thirst drinking the pure limpid water of the Pampa Lake enriched by the scents of the bloom. In the evening when you stroll on the banks of Pampa, Lakshmana will show you stout monkeys roaming in the forests and reposing in the caves, which come to the Pampa Lake to quench their thirst. O Sri Rama the wonderful ambience at the Pampa will invigorate you and will make you forget your owes. Formerly there lived in that forest the unruffled pupils of the sage Matanga; in their toil in the service of their master, their drops of perspiration falling on the ground gave rise to these peerless, tender, lovely, never fading ever fresh flowers. Such is the holy power of the devotees. O scion of Kakutstha on the western edge of the Pampa deep inside the famed Matanga forests lies a soothing hermitage, which is free from invasion by wild elephants, inaccessible to man, it is protected by Sage Matanga’s clout, it is here an aged ascetic woman Sabari dwells, she is ever devoted to virtue, she will ascend to the realm of Brahma only after seeing you, you are adored by all and god like you are. O son of Raghu, follow the path further, on the eastern side of Pampa, you will sight the Rishyamukha hills, most difficult of ascent and is guarded on all sides by young elephants, here birds are vocal; immortal gods range here. Deep in the sheltering thicket you will see the tigers, the bears, and the sylvan deer. High in the mountain covered with forest, where stores of roots and fruits abound, in the hard to enter mountain cave Sugriva and his vanaras live” so said Kabandha possessing the sun like radiance, to whom the princely brothers said ‘begin your heavenward journey.’ Kabandha’s voice replied “depart, pursue your search may bliss betide you, do befriend Sugriva and gain his friendly love.”
At the hermitage of Sabari: To spot Sugriva, the royal princes took the path recommended by gracious Kabandha, they proceeded westwards staring at the many charming trees, overloaded with flowers and honey dripping fruits that grew on the mountains. Weary they rested that night on a flat terrain; the following morning they arrived at the western brink of Pampa, where they viewed deep in that shady solitude Sabari’s divine hermitage. Enjoying the lovely ambience the two princes drew nearer to the aged votaress. The pious dame bending low in reverence and hands raised upwards came to meet the two sons of Raghu, she clasped the feet of the honoured guests, offered water to them to bathe their feet and rinse their mouth. Sri Rama spoke to the virtuous saint, “O lady of pleasurable tongue, have all obstacles to the practice of your asceticism have been overcome; are your austerities progressively rising? Has anger been fully controlled by you; are you pleased with the sparse diet?” The venerated hermitess ripened in age positioned herself before Sri Rama, submitted as follows; “O chief of men I reap the rich fruits of my toil and vows, today my meeting with you through your holy presence, I reap the fruition of my penance; heaven itself awaits me now. I feel great, my elders have been adored, now that you the foremost of the gods have been worshipped by me, O scourge of foes, O gentle one, I shall by your grace ascend the sphere that knows no decay. When you arrived at Chitrakoot, the pupils of sage Matanga, the sages whom I served, ascended the heavenly mansions, in dazzling chariots. As the saints were being borne away, I heard their holy voices say, ‘O devotee, soon prince Sri Rama and Lakshmana will visit your holy grove, he should be received as a guest by you, after having seen him you cast away your body. O flower of humanity, produce of the forest of every description grown on the Pampa thickets have been gathered by me for you.” Sri Rama who was perpetually intertwined with divine wisdom, addressed words to this effectt, “Danu (Kabandha) has told me of your lofty souled great masters, if you deem fit I wish to perceive with my eyes their glory.” Sabari heard the Royal brothers declare their wish; she led the princely pair round the vast forest saying, “Look at the vast woods, dark as a rainy cloud, swarmed with beasts, birds, and widely known only by the name of Matangavana; in this pristine spot each revered preceptor of mine, had with offerings fed the holy fire. Here is western altar where the aged saints with their trembling hands offered worship with flowers; see how the altar retains its unique effulgence to this day. Behold all the seven oceans which when the old, infirm saints, worn out by fasts, therefore could no longer undertake the journey to the shores, the floods themselves have been drawn here by the power of their thoughts. Look Sri Rama the dripping water from where the devotees have hung their bark mantles on the trees even after the passage of considerable time; also the wreaths with which the saints offered their worship has not to this day faded nor have become stale. You have seen the whole of this grove; permit me Sri Rama to cast this mortal shell away.” When Sri Rama and Lakshmana heard the pious prayer of the dame, they marveled at her words and they praised her. Sri Rama said to the votaress who perfected the holy vows, “You have honored me now happily depart at will.” When granted leave by Sri Rama, Sabari clad in hermits attire consigned her body to the flames and rose to the sphere gained by her by her depth of contemplation.
Pampa Lake: When Sabari illumined by her own spiritual luster ascended to heaven, Sri Rama with Lakshmana reflected on the spiritual might of the Rishis. Sri Rama spoke to Lakshmana, “The hermitages of the sages who had subdued their mind through contemplation on God, is full of several wonders, beneath the shade of holy boughs mine eyes have viewed, this place is inhabited by birds of different species, in this habitation deer and tigers live confidently together. A bath has been taken with due formal observance in the sacred waters of all the seven oceans girding the earth, drawn by them in a miniature form, and the manes too have been propitiated with the offerings of water. Forgotten now are all the thought of ills; joyful hopes now fill my bosom. My heart is light and happy; grief and concern have eased. The water of the Pampa lake is pleasing to look at, not far from this lake is the towering Rishyamukha hill, on which inhabits the high souled Sugriva the son of the Sun-God. Together with Sugriva who lives in the constant dread of his brother Vali, are the four vanara chieftains, I eagerly wait to meet that leader of the vanara on whom my mission seeking Sita hinges.” Lakshmana replied, “Come brother let us speed away, my spirit brooks no more delay.” With his brother by his side the princely pair hurried to where Pampa’s lucid water was located, he gazed upon the trees rich in flowers of every color, on every side of the brake and dell curlew and peacock cried, and flocks of screaming parrots made shrill music in the blooming shade. Having reached the lake which drew its water from afar, Sri Rama bathed in a pool Matangasara by name. On the brink of this lake stood the mountain by name Rishyamukha which was enriched with minerals and crowned with various trees in blossom; Sri Rama spoke to Lakshmana, “How will it be possible for me to live without Sita , O Lakshmana; you seek the monkey chief Sugriva.”
