Rama and Lakshmana Find the Cottage Deserted

Meanwhile, Rama realised that he had been tricked. With a premonition of imminent disaster, he raced towards the cottage. On the way, he saw a hyena, which is considered a bad omen in such circumstances. He also saw the animals of the forest running helter-skelter, another bad omen. He eventually ran into Lakshmana.

"Lakshmana, where are you going?" asked Rama. "And why have you left Sita alone in this forest full of demons?"

"Sita and I heard you scream for help. I suspected that some evil force might have been mimicking your voice, but Sita implored me to find and assist you."

Rama narrated how he had shot the deer, which had immediately transformed into the demon Maricha. He also described how Maricha had mimicked his voice and cried out for Sita and Lakshmana. Nevertheless, he maintained that Lakshmana's departure from the cottage was inappropriate.

When Rama and Lakshmana arrived at the cottage, they found it deserted. They searched for Sita in all her favourite spots and called out her name several times. But she was nowhere to be found.