The Encounter with Kabandha

Rama searched all the nearby places but couldn't find his dear wife anywhere in the forest. He was crying like a deranged person, and his eyes reddened. He ran helter-skelter in search of Sita. Finally, Rama and Lakshmana came to the place where the giant vulture Jatayu was lying on the ground, soaked in blood.

"The Demon King Ravana has kidnapped Sita," Jatayu told Rama. "He's the one who injured me. When I saw Sita being kidnapped, I tried to save her. I fought with Ravana and damaged his plane, but he cut off my wings with his sword. I became helpless and fell to the ground while Ravana took Sita in his plane along the skyway. O Rama, Don't worry about Sita. You will soon kill that demon and spend the rest of your life happily with her." Jatayu then took his last breath. Rama and Lakshmana performed his last rites with the utmost respect.

After this, the two brothers headed south to search for Sita. While searching for her, they heard a deafening noise that seemed to tear through the jungle. The trees looked like a violent storm had come, and the loud noise filled the sky. Rama and Lakshmana became alert and tried to discover the source of the noise, only to find a giant monster that looked like a headless torso. His mouth was on his stomach, and he was covered with short, pointy hair. His shape was like a mountain and dark as a cloud. His eyes were big and yellow, and his eyelashes were blood-red. The monster's name was Kabandha, and he had long arms. He spread his arms out and caught Rama and Lakshmana.

"Warrior princes, why are you here?"  asked Kabandha. "You see that I am hungry. Fate has sent you to me. Consider yourselves dead." The brothers knew what to do in such a situation. Rama cut off Kabandha's left hand with his sword, and Lakshmana cut off his right hand. The monster fell to the ground. Due to his cry, the earth, sky, and the four directions echoed. 

"Who are you?" he politely asked Rama and Lakshmana.

Rama and Lakshmana introduced themselves to Kabandha and informed him about Sita's kidnapping. "Who are you, and what are you doing in this forest?" Lakshmana asked Kabandha. "Why are you wandering in this forest?"

"Greatest among men, both of you are welcome in this forest," said Kabandha. "It is my good fortune that you came here. These arms were a bond for me, and you have released me."