Ravana's Ultimatum and Rama's Anguish

Ravana and Jatayu engaged in a fight in the sky. Ravana used his sword to cut off Jatayu's wings and feet, causing the wingless Jatayu to fall to the ground, though he was still breathing. Sita, seeing this, began to cry as if Jatayu were a member of her family. Even as Sita sobbed, Ravana's resolve remained unchanged. In an attempt to leave a clue for Rama to find her, Sita threw out her yellow shawl and ornaments, which Ravana overlooked in his excitement. However, some monkeys on the mountain where the ornaments fell saw a woman forcefully taken away on a flying chariot. After crossing the Pampa lake, Ravana continued on his way to Lanka.

The Pushpak Vimana crossed the ocean and finally reached Lanka. "Sita, you have won me over with your gentle looks," said Ravana. "I no longer desire any of my queens. Marry me; you will become Queen of Lanka and live the rest of your life in a splendid palace."

"Villain, I can never marry you," said Sita, turning away from Ravana. "I am a brave man's wife and a faithful one. Learn to respect other women in the same way you respect your wife. Besides, you can never tempt me with your power or splendor. I am inseparable from Rama in my heart, just as a sun's rays are inseparable from the sun. Ravana, follow the path of righteousness and return me to my husband, Rama."

Ravana was enraged by Sita's words. "Sita, I will tolerate what you just said only because I love you," said Ravana. "Otherwise, I would punish you by death for your harsh words. I will give you two months, during which you must accept me as your husband, or I will kill you. My word binds me; therefore, I will not kill you before the two months are over. Consider the matter carefully." He then imprisoned Sita in Lanka's Ashok Garden, where she was guarded by frightening demonesses day and night.

When Rama and Lakshmana arrived at the cottage, they found it deserted. They searched for Sita in all her favorite spots but couldn't locate her. Lakshmana tried to explain to Rama that he didn't leave Sita willingly; he did so because of Sita's harsh words and stubbornness. He added that upon hearing her words, he became angry and left the cottage. However, Rama expressed that Lakshmana's departure from the cottage was inappropriate. Rama believed Lakshmana should have realized that his older brother could handle the demons alone. Despite Rama's thorough search of the entire house, he couldn't find Sita and called out her name multiple times.

"Someone has kidnapped Sita!" he cried out. "Someone has killed her! Or some demon has eaten her! Or she has hidden somewhere in the forest out of fear. It may be that she has gone to pick vegetables and fruits. Or she has gone to the lake or river to bring lotuses."