Lanka Victory Story – Chapter 4: The Abduction of Sita

The Kidnapping of Sita

Ram, Lakshman, and Sita were living peacefully in the Dandaka forest. Giving refuge to the sages from the demons, Ram fulfilled his exile according to Dharma. Moving forward from the Dandaka forest, their journey was about to come to a turning point, which would initiate the story of the victory of Lanka.

The Insult of Shurpanakha

One day, in the peaceful environment of Panchavati, Ravana's sister Shurpanakha came wandering. Her gaze fell on Ram, and she was fascinated by his beauty. Overcome by lust, she proposed marriage to Ram, forgetting that he was married and the epitome of righteousness. Shurpanakha's appearance was extremely frightening, her body was ugly and her voice was harsh. Ram jokingly sent her to Lakshman.

Lakshman also joked with her and sent her back to Ram. Shurpanakha was filled with anger. She thought, "These two brothers are insulting me together! I have to break their pride." She decided to kill Sita, because she knew that Sita was dear to Ram.

When Shurpanakha tried to attack Sita, Ram signaled to Lakshman. The enraged Lakshman immediately drew his sword and cut off Shurpanakha's nose and ears. Screaming, she ran bleeding to Khar and Dushan for help.

The Deceit of Marich

Hearing the news of Shurpanakha's insult, Khar and Dushan became angry and brought their army to attack Ram and Lakshman. A fierce battle took place, in which Ram alone killed Khar-Dushan and their entire army. The humiliated Shurpanakha reached Lanka and narrated the whole story to her brother Ravana. She described the unique beauty of Sita, which aroused a desire in Ravana's mind to get Sita.

Ravana planned to abduct Sita and decided to take the help of his uncle Marich. Marich had previously experienced Ram's power when राम had killed Tadaka. He tried to convince Ravana, "Ram is no ordinary man, he is an incarnation of Vishnu himself. Enmity with him will be disastrous."

But Ravana had become blind with lust, anger, and ego. He threatened Marich, "If you do not help me, I will kill you." Frightened, Marich agreed to join Ravana's plan. Marich took the form of a golden deer and started wandering in the forest of Panchavati to entice Sita.

The Abduction of Sita

Seeing the golden deer, Sita was fascinated. She urged Ram to catch that deer. Ram knew that this was a deception, but he could not ignore Sita's request. He ordered Lakshman to protect Sita and followed the golden deer. After going a long distance, Ram killed Marich with his arrow. While dying, Marich cried out in Ram's voice, "O Sita! O Lakshman!" so that Sita and Lakshman would be confused.

Sita asked Lakshman to go to Ram's aid, but Lakshman refused to disobey his command. Sita spoke harsh words to Lakshman, which forced him. Lakshman drew a Lakshman Rekha around the hut and ordered Sita not to cross this line under any circumstances. As soon as Lakshman left in search of Ram, Ravana reached the hut disguised as a sage.

Ravana begged for alms, and Sita crossed the Lakshman Rekha so as not to disappoint the sage. Taking the opportunity, Ravana came in his true form and abducted Sita and took her to Lanka in his Pushpak विमान. Sita kept lamenting, "O Ram! O Lakshman!" Her screams echoed in the forest, but there was no one to help her at that time. Jatayu tried to stop Ravana, but Ravana cut off his wings and injured him. After taking Sita to Lanka, Ravana imprisoned her in Ashok Vatika. This incident proved to be an important turning point in the story of the victory of Lanka, which paved the way for demonstrating Hanuman's devotion and Ram's prowess.