Rama and Lakshmana Find the Cottage Empty

The Pushpaka 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.

Meanwhile, 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. 

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 maintained that Lakshmana's departure from the cottage was inappropriate. Despite Rama's thorough search of the entire house, he couldn't find Sita and called out her name multiple times.