The Lure of the Glittering gold
Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana were spending a happy time in their cottage, Parnashala. Now, it was early spring. The trees and branches were sprouting tender shoots. Nature looked splendid and charming.
One morning, Sita was out among the trees and creepers in quest of some flowers. Suddenly, she saw a flash of golden rays among the trees. Sita saw a deer with a body of golden hue with silver spots. Its eyes were shining like jewels. Sita was rooted to the ground. Her heart leapt with joy. She called out to Rama, “Dear, come here and see this deer. When we go back to Ayodhya, this will be a priceless trophy for all the people to behold! So, won’t You catch for me and bring it to our hermitage?”
Lakshmana, who was standing nearby, heard all this. He thought deeply and said, “Brother, I think it is not a real deer. Even since we insulted Surpanakha, the demons have been scheming upon certain ruses and this may be just one of them. Beware, I suggest You better leave it alone.”
Rama was caught between the pleadings of Sita on the one hand and Lakshmana’s warnings on the other. After a pause, He told Lakshmana, “You may be right. Even so, there is nothing wrong in My going after it. It it reveals a Rakshasa ruse, I shall kill it instantly and bring it here. We will skin it and preserve the attractive skin as a memento.”
Then, Rama took His bow and arrows and set out into the forest. Before He left, He commanded Lakshmana to stand guard for Sita and not to leave her alone under any circumstances.
Lakshmana stood guard and Rama went after the deer. Sita was hopefully following Rama’s movements. The deer was running fast and Rama was following it. As Rama was about to catch it, the deer frisked away and eluded Him. In such repeated ways, Rama was led deeper and deeper into the forest, far away from their cottage.
Rama could brook it no longer. He decided to kill it and sent an arrow. The arrow pierced the deer. Alas, the deer was transformed into the demon, Maricha. Before falling dead, Maricha gave out a high-pitched wall imitating Rama’s voice, “Oh Lakshmana, Oh Sita.” Rama was amazed at the sight!
Sita heard these wailings and, mistaking them for Rama’s, told Lakshmana, “Don’t you hear? Your brother is in trouble. Rush at once to him.”
Lakshmana could well imagine that it was all nothing but the ruse of the demons. He was not perturbed and assured Sita, “Mother, Rama can never be harmed by these Rakshasas. He is invincible. I can’t leave you alone.” Sita lost her poise and balance, and retorted, “Lakshmana, now you are showing your true colours. You have been waiting for this opportunity to grab me when my husband is killed. Remember, Sita cannot be touched by any man other than Rama. If you won’t leave this place at once, I will create a pyre and immolate myself in it.”
Hearing these painful words, Lakshmana decided to go. Before leaving, however, he requested Sita not to come out of the door whatever might be the reason, as Rakshasas were prowling there.
Sita was alone. Suddenly, she saw a mendicant approach the cottage – that was Ravana, the Rakshasa king. He was staring at Sita, struck by her beauty. Sita was feeling uncomfortable at his gaze and was about to enter the inner cottage. Suddenly, Ravana caught her wrist and dragged her out. He took the struggling Sita to his aerial chariot, which was waiting nearby, and was up in the skies moving in the southern direction.
Sita was weeping loudly as though in frantic appeal to all the forest denizens to help her out. Hearing Sita’s wailings, Jatayu, the king of eagles, who was resting on a treetop, swiftly went high up in the sky with its mighty wings and intercepted Ravana.
First, he appealed to Ravana to release Sita unharmed as Rama was the most powerful Man on Earth and would surely kill Ravana. But, Ravana did not heed him. Jatayu with all his might attacked Ravana, smashed his chariot, and inflicted painful wounds on his body. But, he was no match for Ravana’s might and was soon tired out. In one swift movement, Ravana cut off Jatayu’s wings with his sword. Jatayu now fell down helpless and Ravana continued his journey to Lanka.
Questions:
- How was Sita lured to the golden deer?
- What was Lakshmana’s view about the deer?
- How did Sita lose Rama?