As soon as the dawn broke, Ravana came along with the maids, the servants and his queen Mandodari to meet Seeta. Hanuman did not want to return without meeting Mother Seeta, so he kept hiding among the leaves of the tree. Seeing the demon-king Ravana, Seeta shrank away in fear and disgust, frightened and worried.
Ravana was completely infatuated and came to ask Seeta to marry him. He tried to tempt her with all the splendour and wealth he could give her instead of the poverty-stricken life that she had with Rama in the forest. She would rule over all his people. He resorted to all fair and unfair means to persuade Seeta, but to avail.
Seeta’s disgust turned to anger. She said, “Ravana! You are nothing in front of Rama. Rama’s arrow is the very embodiment of the Death-god. He will surely destroy you. If you leave me, he will forgive you.” She held up a single blade of grass and uttered, “Heed to me carefully. If you dare touch me, you shall be burnt to ashes.”
On hearing Seeta’s disparaging remarks, Ravana laughed. He said, “What is the use of these futile remarks now? If you agree to be my wife then I will make Mandodari and other queens also your maidservants. Look at me once, O Bewitching Beauty!”
“Is there no one to give you good and sound advice?” she asked Ravana, “Why are you inviting the destruction of yourself, your race and your kingdom? My heart belongs to Rama alone, and you have already seen his power when he single-handedly destroyed your army. Seek his forgiveness; otherwise, he will destroy you completely.”
Ravana’s eyes flamed with anger and he threatened Seeta drawing out his sword, “If you don’t agree to my proposal, I will behead you. Seeta retorted, “O Evil-minded! You can kill me if your sword calms my pangs of separation.” Ravana fell silent; then he observed, “Only one month is left. If you don’t change your mind, these she-monsters will gobble you.”
