Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana in the forest (image source from Wikipedia)
It started off when Rama, Sita, and Lakshman wandered
through the forest and lived there or the hermitage. Later on, Sita got
abducted by a rakshasa named Viradha, but Rama and Lakshman killed him. During
their journey, they met a mighty vulture named Jatayu, a friend of Rama’s
father. When Rama and Lakshman went abroad, Jatayu promised to help protect and
guard Sita.
The came across a place called Panchavati, where there were
rivers and flowers hung by the banks. It was a glorious place where deers wandered the woods, trees up in
the high hills with flowers and herbs, and peacocks crying. Lakshman built a house
out of bamboo and leaves along with a smooth floor. Jatayu came along and was
with Sita, and they were all completely relaxed and content. It felt like everything was at peace. It was too good to
be true… a dangerous rakshasi named Surpanakha came to Panchavati, known as Ravana’s sister.
Surpanakha was extremely attracted to Rama but he rejected her. She
moved onto Lakshman and wanted to become his wife, but he rejected her. Then
she tried to take Rama away again but knew she would have to kill Sita for him. Lakshma
got tired of her pathetic self and cut off her nose and ears then fled off. She
ran off and met with her brother Khara, Ravana’s younger brother. Khara was
upset at what they did to her and he sent 14 rakshasas to kill the brothers and Sita. Instead all 14 rakshasas died by
Rama’s arrows, so Khara sent fourteen thousand more rakshasas that could transform
into evil animals.
Rama sent his brother and Sita to seek protection in a
secret cave while he was able to destroy most of them before the rakshasas ran
back to Khara for protection. In the end, Rama could not be defeated. When Ravana heard of this, he grew more bitter and wanted vengeance.
Sister Nivedita, The Forest Life, Link
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