|| Om Namo Bhagavathey Vasudevaya ||

Chapter – 130-  The legend of Lord Rama -8

Ravana approached his uncle Mareecha, who was undertaking penance in the woods.  He informs the purpose of his visit seeking help to disguise as a ‘golden deer’, Mareecha discouraged Ravana and advises to stay away from the path of Rama, was threatened to kill.  Finally, Mareecha decided to follow Ravana's orders, he assumed the form of a golden deer and fleeing around the hermitage of Rama.  Devi Sita took notice of the rare kind of animal and expressed her desire to get hold of it.  Rama chased after the animal, and it took Rama far from the hermitage.   Rama shot an arrow on the deer, it shrieked in extreme pain calling out for ‘Lakshman and Sita’ and left its mortal coil.  Devi Sita heard the shriek, she mistook her husband is in danger, ordered duty-bound Lakshman to go in search of ‘Rama’.  Lakshman who was thoroughly aware of the braveness of Rama discourages Sita, and praises the braveness of Rama who killed the fourteen thousand demons, expresses his decision not to leave her alone in the woods.  Devi Sita fails to appreciate the virtue of Lakshman and blame him as a womanizer.  Lakshman could not bear the harsh words of Devi Sita, therefore, he shut his eyes and ears in utter grief and instantly leaves the hermitage.

Devi Sita left alone in the hermitage; Ravana disguised as an ascetic approached Devi Sita seeking alms.  The ascetic was received reverentially while offering alms she could hear the unpleasant remark from him.  Immediately, Ravana assumed his original form, seized her hand and dragged her to his celestial vehicle ‘Pushpakavimanam’/flower chariot.  Rama and Lakshmana returned to the hermitage and found it was empty.  Rama could not control his emotions, he cries out in grief of separation from his lovely wife.  Maharishi Vedavyasa describes the pathetic state of Rama who is miserable, enquiring each and every creature in the woods, trees, plants, shrubs, creepers, animals, etc.. about the whereabouts of his dearest wife.  Lakshmana pacifies Rama who is in extreme distress, encourages him to conduct a rigorous search for Devi Sita.