Sita in her innocence was unaware that Ravana was plotting to abduct her. She thought, "This man is a Brahmin and my guest, I have to answer his questions, if not mistaking my silence for discourtesy he may curse me". Aloud she said "Noble brahmin, I am the daughter of Janaka, king of Mithila. Sita is my name and I am the consort of Rama. I lived in the palace of my parents-in-law, for twelve wonderful years. During the thirteenth year of my stay at Ayodhya, king Dasaratha announced Rama's coronation. But it was not to be for Kaikeyi stopped it. She reminded Dasaratha of the two boons that he had granted her many years ago and asked for their redemption. Against the first boon she asked for the banishment of Rama to the jungles of Dandaka. Against the second, she sought the coronation of Bharata as king of Kosala. Rama was then twenty-five years old and I, all of eighteen. Ever obedient and virtuous, Rama agreed to fulfill Dasaratha's promises to his queen." "In Dasaratha's presence, Kaikeyi announced Rama's exile and the termination of his coronation, at its very inception. She brazenly said, "Rama, these are the commands of your father, listen to them. You will live in exile for fourteen years, in the forest of Dandaka and uncontested the crown of Kosala will go to Bharata. Obey your father, save him from perjury! Unperturbed, Rama said, 'So be it', Brahmin! Rama only gives, he never receives! Truthful to the hilt, he can never utter a lie nor does he ever deviate from the dharma, to which he is ever bound. Lakshmana is his devoted brother and servant. Rama, Lakshmana and I live here. Would you now like to rest now for the night? Rama will soon be back with plenty of food. Wait, tell me who you are, what is your name and why do you wander these parts all by yourself?" When Sita heard his reply her blood ran cold with fear. Ravana's words came out bold and blatant, "I am Ravana, supreme Lord of the rakshasas! Devatas, asuras, pannagas, and all those that live in the three worlds, live in fear of me. Your flawless beauty clad in fine silks drives me to distraction and I can no longer love my wives. Be my consort Sita! Be the queen of Lanka. Five thousands maids robed in the best of finery shall wait upon you. My island kingdom, the city of Lanka, lies high up in the mountains. There in my splendid palaces and groves, you will live with me". Ravana's words infuriated Sita and she said, "Rama is an equal of Indra, immovable as a mountain and profound as the ocean. You are like a fox that craves for a lioness. I am beyond your reach; dare you covet the wife of Rama? Perish the thought Ravana! It is as foolish as trying to pluck the fangs from the mouths of hungry lions or starving serpents. Do you plan to swim the seas with a rock around your neck or try to bundle fire in a piece of cloth? You and Rama are as different from each other as a lion and a jackal, an ocean and a ditch, gold and lead or a peacock and a crow. When Rama confronts you with his bow and arrow you shall die like a fly that has swallowed a diamond, deeming it to be a grain of rice". Despite Sita's impassioned denounciations she trembled like a wind blown sapling. Her fear emboldened Ravana to tell her of his race, his power and his exploits. Just as arrogance and strength fling foolish men into waves of pride and haughtiness, so did Ravana fall prey to his base instincts merrily inviting doom upon himself!
Summary
Sita in her innocence was unaware that Ravana was plotting to abduct her. She thought, "This man is a Brahmin and my guest, I have to answer his questions, if not mistaking my silence for discourtesy he may curse me". Aloud she said "Noble brahmin, I am the daughter of Janaka, king of Mithila. Sita is my name and I am the consort of Rama. I lived in the palace of my parents-in-law, for twelve wonderful years. During the thirteenth year of my stay at Ayodhya, king Dasaratha announced Rama's coronation. But it was not to be for Kaikeyi stopped it. She reminded Dasaratha of the two boons that he had granted her many years ago and asked for their redemption. Against the first boon she asked for the banishment of Rama to the jungles of Dandaka. Against the second, she sought the coronation of Bharata as king of Kosala. Rama was then twenty-five years old and I, all of eighteen. Ever obedient and virtuous, Rama agreed to fulfill Dasaratha's promises to his queen." "In Dasaratha's presence, Kaikeyi announced Rama's exile and the termination of his coronation, at its very inception. She brazenly said, "Rama, these are the commands of your father, listen to them. You will live in exile for fourteen years, in the forest of Dandaka and uncontested the crown of Kosala will go to Bharata. Obey your father, save him from perjury! Unperturbed, Rama said, 'So be it', Brahmin! Rama only gives, he never receives! Truthful to the hilt, he can never utter a lie nor does he ever deviate from the dharma, to which he is ever bound. Lakshmana is his devoted brother and servant. Rama, Lakshmana and I live here. Would you now like to rest now for the night? Rama will soon be back with plenty of food. Wait, tell me who you are, what is your name and why do you wander these parts all by yourself?" When Sita heard his reply her blood ran cold with fear. Ravana's words came out bold and blatant, "I am Ravana, supreme Lord of the rakshasas! Devatas, asuras, pannagas, and all those that live in the three worlds, live in fear of me. Your flawless beauty clad in fine silks drives me to distraction and I can no longer love my wives. Be my consort Sita! Be the queen of Lanka. Five thousands maids robed in the best of finery shall wait upon you. My island kingdom, the city of Lanka, lies high up in the mountains. There in my splendid palaces and groves, you will live with me". Ravana's words infuriated Sita and she said, "Rama is an equal of Indra, immovable as a mountain and profound as the ocean. You are like a fox that craves for a lioness. I am beyond your reach; dare you covet the wife of Rama? Perish the thought Ravana! It is as foolish as trying to pluck the fangs from the mouths of hungry lions or starving serpents. Do you plan to swim the seas with a rock around your neck or try to bundle fire in a piece of cloth? You and Rama are as different from each other as a lion and a jackal, an ocean and a ditch, gold and lead or a peacock and a crow. When Rama confronts you with his bow and arrow you shall die like a fly that has swallowed a diamond, deeming it to be a grain of rice". Despite Sita's impassioned denounciations she trembled like a wind blown sapling. Her fear emboldened Ravana to tell her of his race, his power and his exploits. Just as arrogance and strength fling foolish men into waves of pride and haughtiness, so did Ravana fall prey to his base instincts merrily inviting doom upon himself!