As soon as Lakshmana left, Ravana who had been hiding behind thick trees and bushes, transformed himself into an ascetic (mendicant). Chanting shlokas from the scriptures and holding out his bowl for alms, he came up to the hut. Ravana called out for alms. It was customary for the lady of the house to give food in alms to mendicants. So, Seeta came out with fruits and roots to offer them to the saintly mendicant at her door. Ravana was completely bewitched by her beauty.
Ravana moved forward, but he got a bit of a shock. He looked down. It was not easy to cross the line that Lakshmana drew. The mendicant told her that it was not apt to give alms across the line. He would accept alms from her only if she came out of the hut with dignity. But Lakshmana had forbidden Seeta to cross the line.
So, she insisted upon the mendicant saying, “Be pleased to come forward; I can’t cross over the line.”
Seeta thought that the ascetic would go back empty-handed if she did not listen to him. Thinking thus, Seeta at last crossed over the Lakshmana-rekha.
Ravana’s eyes shone brightly. Grabbing Seeta’s wrist, he changed into his original form.
“Who are you?” Seeta stated trembling, “O Unrighteous One! Don’t you fear the arrows of Rama and Lakshmana?”
Ravana burst out laughing, He observed thus, “I am Ravana, king of Lanka. O Charming One! It is futile to live in the forest. Let us go to Lanka. We shall live a life of luxury there. I shall make you my sovereign queen.”
Seeta flew into a rage and uttered, “I shall give up my body but I won’t go with you.” Ravana dragged Seeta into the Pushpaka Vimana and flew off. Seeta screamed loudly. Jatayu, king of vultures, was resting on a nearby tree. He saw Ravana taking away Seeta forcibly.
He flew down to attack Ravana with his sharp beak and claws tearing into him. But Jatayu’s claws were no match for the sword of the evil-minded Ravana. One by one, he cut off Jatayu’s wings and the bird crashed to the ground.
Meanwhile, Rama had seen the deer transform into Mareecha. He realised that he had been tricked. Mareecha was shouting in his voice. Sensing danger, Rama ran back to Panchavati. Seeing Lakshmana on the way, he feared the worst. Lakshmana told him everything. Rama’s suspicion was now confirmed. Both of them hurried back to Panchavati. By the time they reached the hut, it was too late. Seeta was not there in the hut.
Rama wept and was plunged into gloom. He questioned the birds, the animals, the trees, the flowers, the rivers and the streams. They sighted the flowers of Seeta’s braids in the southern direction. All of a sudden, they heard the dying gasps of Jatayu and went towards the clearing where the brave bird was lying wounded in a pool of blood on the ground. During his dying moments he told Rama that the wicked Ravana of Lanka had abducted Seeta and taken away her to the South. Rama gently held Jatayu as he died after he had given the message to Rama. With great love and sorrow, Rama performed his last rites.
As Rama and Lakshmana headed towards the South looking for Seeta, they were grabbed by a huge monster who had one eye only. Rama and Lakshmana cut off his two arms. As the arms fell away, the monster said, “You must be Rama and Lakshmana. I, Kabandha, was cursed to take this form. Please throw my body into fire and deliver me.” Rama and Lakshmana did that and a divine being came out of the flames. He said, “Go to Mount Rishyamooka and befriend Sugreeva. He will help you find Seeta. But first go to the ashrama of Sage Matanga near Pampa Pond. There, the Sage’s disciple Shabari is waiting for you.” Saying these words the noble soul at once disappeared into the sky.
