Part 11 - Ravan abducts Sita

Ravan abducts Sita

The Laxman-rekha

Laxman was in a fix. He knew that Ram could never get hurt, and secondly he was specifically asked by his elder brother to remain by the side of Sita. If he leaves Sita, he disobeys Ram which might bring some misfortune, and if he does not proceed to help Ram, Sita is displeased!

Still, as per the voice of his conscience, he requested Sita to remain calm as no difficulty can come Ram's way. She might have imagined the voice as of her husband. However, Sita was persistent in her demand that Laxman must go to Ram's rescue. At last, with a heavy heart, Laxman decided to go in search of Ram.

Before leaving Sita alone, he drew a line -the Laxman Rekha - that Sita should never cross. (In the event of any one including Sita crossing that Laxman Rekha, the person was sure to get burnt.) Sita promised not to cross the same.After that, Laxman went in search of Ram and the deer.

Ravan lifts Sita

Here near the hut, Ravan made his appearance as he was sure Ram and Laxman could not come back soon. He also, through his Mayawi Power changed himself into a monk - Sanyasin and as the custom went, came to the hut of Sita begging for food. "Bhiksham dehi mai", said Ravan to Sita. (Give me food, O mother.) [In India, today also, it is customary to give alms and food to the begging sanyasin.]

With a tray of some fruits and food Sita came out of the hut at the call of the 'guest' at her door. However, she did not dare to cross the line drawn by Laxman lest she should get burnt, and hence, she offered the bhiksha from well within the limits of Laxman Rekha.

Sanyasin Ravan was also equally aware of the power of that line, crossing of which was sure to see his end! Therefore, pretending to be unhappy at Sita's reservation in serving a 'holy person' from a distance, he shouted, "O noble lady, have you forgotten the lofty and honoured tradition of your clan? How can I accept the alms given with reservation and insult! Please come out and give the offerings with propriety and decorum befitting your Aryan tradition."

Thus influenced, no sooner did Sita cross the line than the mighty Ravan took his chance and lifted Sita on his shoulders and fled away. The terrified lady shouted for help, but of no avail. Soon Ravan was flying high in the sky to take an aerial route towards his capital city -Lanka. Sita's cries for help could not reach distant Ram and Laxman.

Story of Jatayu

A vulture named Jatayu staying on the nearby tree, and a great devotee of Ram, was quick to respond. He could not keep quiet at the plight of helpless Sita although he knew that he was no match for the mighty Ravan. He was not afraid of him even though it was clear that he would get killed by obstructing the path of Ravan. But he decided to save Sita from the clutches of Ravan at any cost.

Taking the name of Ram, he attacked the escaping Ravan within his whole might. His sharp nails and the beak tore flesh from the body of Ravan. Ravan also attacked Jatayu with his sword. The fight went on for quite some time. Jatayu was bleeding from the wounds all over his body. He was exhausted with energy drained out of his wings. At last, Ravan cut off his wings and Jatayu fell to the ground.

His mission was not yet complete though. He wanted to meet Ram in his last moments and also tell him about Sita. Therefore, although on his death bed, Jatayu went on repeating the name of Ram -- Ram, Ram, Ram.

Laxman reached the spot where Ram had just killed the demon Marich. Laxman found Ram unharmed as he expected. He told Ram how Sita forced him to rush for his (Ram's) help on hearing the cry.

It did not take long for Ram to put together all the demonic tricks played by Ravan and Marich. He feared that Sita might have landed in great difficulty. Therefore, the brothers rushed to the hut at Panchavati. They were very much apprehensive at the errie silence surrounding the hut.

"O Sita, come out; where are you", they shouted. But how could Sita respond! She was not there. The brothers began their search near and around the hut, in the nearby forest, and went on and on. With tears in his eyes, Ram asked the shrubs and the creepers if they had seen his Sita. He inquired of animals and the trees whether they had any knowledge about Sita.

Then, a faint voice "Ram, Ram, Ram..." was discernible from a short distance. They turned towards the voice and found to their dismay, Jatayu lying on the ground reciting the name of Ram. Ram took the wounded bird in his arms and inquired as to who had injured him so ruthlessly. Jatayu told them about Ravan, how he had kidnapped Mother Sita, and had fled to the South. He exhorted Ram to follow the wicked demon and rescue the holy Sita.

At last, the pious Jatayu bowed down at the holy feet of Ram and breathed his last in the lap of his chosen ideal. After performing the last rites of Jatayu, Ram and Laxman started southwards in search of Sita.