The magical deer vanished into the dense forest. Rama pursued it as it wove in and out among the trees. The deer led him far away from Panchavati. When the deer thought Rama was tired out, he paused, allowing Rama to shoot an arrow at it. Mareecha looked at Rama as the arrow hit him, and in Rama’s voice he cried out, “Ah! Seeta! Ah! Lakshmana! Help!” Seeta heard the cry and was very upset. “Rama is in need of help, Lakshmana! Please go immediately to him!” she ordered. Lakshmana hesitated, certain that this could not be Rama’s cry. But his hesitation made Seeta ask him angrily, “You disobey me, Lakshmana! Are you bewitched by my face that you do not go to your brother’s help?” Hurt by her words, Lakshmana decided to go. He drew a line around the hut and requested her not to step beyond it for any reason whatsoever.
Lakshmana-rekha
