Ravana abducting Devi Sita from the Panchavati forest

Panchavati: Ravana abducting Devi Sita from the Panchavati forest:

(Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 31 to 56)

Sri Rama going after golden deer

Ravana coming in the guise of a sannyasi

► सीताप्रियहरिणानुग राम् (Sitaa-Priya-Harina-Anuga Raam): Who went after the deer wanted by Devi Sita.
► मारीचार्तिकृदाशुग राम् (Marica-Aarti-Krda-Aashuga Raam): Who inflicted pain on Marica with his arrow for his wrong deed.

• Meditation: I meditate on Devi Sita staying in the Panchavati forest, and later getting abducted by Ravana.

• Akampana reporting to Ravana: After Sri Rama slayed demons Khara and Dushana at Janasthana, Akampana, a spy of Ravana, reported the incident to Ravana at Lanka. When Ravana decided to march against Sri Rama, Akampana described the extreme prowess of Sri Rama and dissuaded Ravana, for Rama is invincible. Instead Akampana described the beauty of Devi Sita and suggested Ravana to abduct her so that Sri Rama dies due to the grief of loss of his beloved wife.

• Ravana meeting Mareecha: Next morning, Ravana went to Mareecha in a chariot. Mareecha extended his hospitality. Ravana told about his intention of abducting Devi Sita. Mareecha dissuaded Ravana describing the great prowess of Rama and said that it is a suicidal thought. Ravana returned to Lanka.

• Surpunakha scorning Ravana: Surpunakha went to Ravana and scorned him telling that a king oblivious of his dangers in the kingdom will not survive long. When Ravana asked about Sri Rama, Surpanakha described his great prowess. Then Surpanakha described the great beauty of Devi Sita and lured Ravana to abduct her. Hearing the words of Surpanakha and thinking over it Ravana firmly decided his course of action (of abducting Devi Sita).

• Ravana meeting Mareecha again: He secretly took his chariot and travelled to the place of Mareecha. The beauty of the coastline is described. Ravana saw a huge banyan tree similar to that associated with the legend of Garuda who carried a broken banyan tree branch on his beak (not allowing it to fall) so as not to disturb the penance of the sages over it (thus getting the blessings of the sages). Mareecha extended his hospitality to Ravana. Ravana told his plan of the golden deer to Mareecha and requested his help. Mareecha became afraid and tried to dissuade Ravana saying that it will bring his own downfall. Mareecha recollected his two previous encounters with Rama. Ravana rejected his advice and said that he will kill him if he does not obey him.

• Mareecha taking the form of golden deer: Mareecha went near the hermitage of Sri Rama on the chariot of Ravana. He assumed the form of a golden deer and moved near the hermitage. Devi Sita came to pluck flowers and saw the deer in astonishment. Devi Sita called Sri Rama and Lakshmana and showed them the golden deer. She asked Sri Rama to get the deer alive, or if not possible dead, so that she will sit on the beautiful deer-skin. Lakshmana warned that it is demon Mareecha in disguise. Sri Rama said that even if it is demon Mareecha, it is his duty to eliminate him. Sri Rama went after the golden deer asking Lakshmana to guard Devi Sita.

• Sri Rama going after the golden deer: Sri Rama went after the golden deer to capture it. The deer eluded him for a long time playing hide-and-seek and drew him away to a far-off place. Finally Sri Rama shot an arrow and pierced the heart of Mareecha in the form of deer. Mareecha abandoned the deer form and coming back to the demon form yelled "Ha Sita, Ha Lakshmana", so as to also draw away Lakshmana from Devi Sita. Sri Rama understanding the danger hastily returned towards Panchavati.

• Devi Sita sending Lakshmana: When the cry of Mareecha was heard, Devi Sita asked Lakshmana to go and help Sri Rama. When Lakshmana tried to convince her that it is the voice of demons, Devi Sita accused her of casting an eye on her. This became unbearable for Lakshmana who started for Sri Rama.

• Ravana abducting Devi Sita: When Lakshmana left, Ravana assumed the guise of a Sannyasi and came to the cottage of Devi Sita. He praised her beauty and asked who she was and why she was alone in the forest. Seeing the garb of a Sannayasi, Devi Sita extended her hospitality, eagerly awaiting for Sri Rama to return. When Ravana asked about Devi Sita, she told the story of how and why she was in that forest. She then asked about Ravana. Ravana told about his identity and asked her to become his wife in Lanka. Devi Sita praised the qualities of Sri Rama and told him that she is tied with Rama in vow and there can be no comparison between Rama and Ravana. Ravana extolled his own glory and pointed to the hapless situation of Rama. Devi Sita rejected him. Ravana in anger assumed his own form, abducted Devi Sita and took her in his air chariot.

• Jatayu fighting with Ravana: Devi Sita wailed and told the forest deities to inform Sri Rama about her abduction. Devi Sita saw Jatayu and told him to inform Rama about her abduction. Jatayu first gave advice to Ravana about the probity of king, but it was of no avail. He then fought with Ravana, damaged his chariot and weapons, and injured him with his beaks and claws. Finally, Ravana took up his sword and cut off the wings of Jatayu. Devi Sita cried hugging Jatayu as if he was his own relative.

• Ravana taking Devi Sita to Lanka: The whole Nature lamented when Devi Sita was being abducted by Ravana. Devi Sita denounced Ravana for his cowardly action of abduction. While going over Pampa Sarovar region and seeing five vanaras, Devi Sita bundled her jewellery and dropped them without Ravana noticing. Ravana brought Devi Sita to Lanka and told the female demons to take care of her and also commissioned some demons to spy over Rama in Janasthana. She showed Devi Sita his beautiful palace with abundant luxuries and tried to woo her again. Devi Sita again praised the qualities of Sri Rama and chastised Ravana severely, predicting his downfall. Ravana in anger ordered the demoness to hold her captive in Ashoka garden and try to remove her pride. He gave a month's time to Devi Sita to accept his proposal or be ready to lose her life.

Panchavati, Nashik, Maharashtra

- Ravana abducting Devi Sita (Valmiki Ramayana - Aranya Kanda - 31 to 56)
- Trees of Panchavati
- Nashik Panchavati (Godavari) (Nashik district, Maharashtra)
- Parnashala (near Bhadrachalam) (Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana)

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