The Abduction of Sita

"Lakshmana, see how beautiful this deer is!" said Rama to Lakshmana. "It has bewitched Sita's mind. I will catch it and bring it to her. Stay here and take care of Sita." 

After saying this, Rama picked up his bow and arrow and began to chase the deer. The deer would momentarily disappear from Rama's view, reappearing before him the next instant. This game of hide-and-seek angered Rama, but he kept his attention on his goal. He finally decided to kill the deer. He nocked an arrow and fired; the arrow hissed like a snake and pierced the deer's heart. The deer transformed into the demon Maricha, who mimicked Rama's voice and cried, "O Sita! O Lakshmana!" He then expired.

Sita was terrified when she heard her husband's cries for help. She thought that Rama was in immediate danger, so she asked Lakshmana to go and help him right away. Lakshmana was hesitant because he knew Rama could take care of himself. Also, he had promised Rama that he would protect Sita under any circumstances. When Lakshmana refused to leave, Sita chided him and questioned his loyalty to Rama. Eventually, Lakshmana relented and agreed to go and find Rama. However, before leaving, he drew a line in the sand with an arrow around the cottage. Anyone who tried to enter the house by crossing this line would be burned to ashes.

Rama realized he had been tricked. With a premonition of imminent disaster, he raced toward the cottage. On the way, he met Lakshmana, running in the opposite direction. He scolded Lakshmana for leaving Sita alone in the forest full of demons. 

Meanwhile, a beggar chanting Vedic mantras appeared at the cottage's entrance. Sita emerged with a basket of fruits for him. The beggar persuaded Sita to cross Lakshmana's line. He then transformed into the Demon King Ravana and seized her! Without wasting time, Ravana put Sita in his Pushpak Vimana and flew toward Lanka. 

"O flowers of the forest," Sita cried from aboard the airplane, "I beg you to tell Rama that the wicked Ravana has carried his Sita away. Oh, mountain ranges, tell Rama that the wicked Ravana has kidnapped his Sita. Oh, birds and animals of the forest, please tell my beloved husband that Sita kept resisting, but the wicked Ravana carried her away. When my words reach Rama, he will search every corner of the earth, find and rescue me."

The vulture Jatayu was half-asleep on a tree in the jungle when he heard Sita's screams. He woke up and saw that Ravana was forcefully taking Sita with him. "Ten-headed Ravana, I am the vulture Jatayu," said the giant bird. "Rama, the son of Dasharatha, is the Lord of all creatures in the world. He is strong, like Varuna and Indra, and is engaged in the welfare of people. The woman you have kidnapped is Rama's lawful wife, Sita. Release her, or else, as a punishment, you will be destroyed. I am sixty thousand years old, whereas you are young. You are aboard a plane, wearing armor, and have weapons. Yet, I will not let you take Sita away so easily. If you are courageous, disembark the plane and fight me."