Laksmana Leaves Sita Alone

Laksmana Leaves Sita Alone

But Sita insisted and accused him again harshly. Filled with pain and anger, Laksmana decided he had to leave.

“So be it. I’ll go find my brother in the forest. I will disobey his orders knowing that you are in grave danger. But listen to me. I will create a magic circle all around you, through which no one can pass. This will protect you. Promise me that you will not let anyone pass or cross this circle for any reason.”

Sita, in the grip of anxiety, gave him all the assurances he asked for. After tracing the magic circle, Laksmana set out in search of Rama.

 

Sita saw the old ascetic visibly tired and thought he might be hungry. She could not suspect who he really was. Moved by pity, she decided to bring him food and water  going beyond the magic circle. 

“Who are you, and what are you doing around here alone in this cannibal-infested forest? You don’t know the danger you’re in.”

“Holy man,” Sita replied softly. “I wasn’t born in the forest, and I’m not the daughter of any ascetics. I’ve not been left alone either. My husband went hunting for a wonderful deer and will soon be back with his brother. I am the daughter of a king, as is my husband. We have been exiled to the forest for fourteen years. That’s why I’m here now alone in this dangerous forest.”

“Your beauty is incomparable,” Ravana went on, “and not even the best poets could describe it. A woman like you shouldn’t live even for a moment in such a miserable place.”

Sita thought that such words were somewhat strange in the mouth of an ascetic and began to feel uncomfortable. That old man emanated an air of extreme harshness and negativity. He replied that it was the duty of every chaste wife to follow her husband whatever his fate was. By then, the ascetic was almost laughing. He went on saying:

“When the husband falls out of favor, like your Rama, he must be abandoned. Life is made to try its delights. What happiness can that poor prince offer you now? You deserve much more; you deserve to be the queen of the greatest king on earth.”

“What do you say?” Sita replied indignantly. “The highest perfection for a chaste and honest woman is to remain faithful to her husband in all circumstances, when all is well, but also and perhaps above all, when things go wrong. I would never betray Rama for anything or anyone in the world.”

By then, Sita realized that she had fallen into a trap. She mentally asked Laksmana for forgiveness and Rama for help. Ravana looked at Sita sternly.

“I am not a poor old ascetic; I am Ravana, the king of the most powerful race in the universe. I want you to become my queen, and whether you want to or not, you will.”

With that been said, the Raksasa retook its true form. 

Sita, seeing him so majestic and powerful, shivered. By then, she had understood all the deception. She started screaming and running, but Ravana grabbed her and threw her into his chariot, which was hidden nearby. Sita was screaming, crying, trying to convince the evil king not to take her away, but it was in vain. There was no one to help her. The carriage rose into the sky and set off at high speed. Poor Sita was heartbroken and terrified. What would happen to her?

 

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