Vexed by Sita's war of words Ravana struck his hands together impatiently and thundered, "I told you of my might, but in your madness, you do not seem to understand. Standing in the sky I can lift the earth and standing on the shores I can drink the oceans dry. I can spell death to the lord of death himself. My arrows can stop the sun in his tracks and cleave the earth. Imbecile woman! I can take any form at will and can be the husband who will fulfill your every desire". Ravana could not control his anger. A docile Brahmin until then, he shed that guise to emerge as his true and fearful self, the ten headed Ravana at the mention of whose name the worlds above and the worlds below trembled with fear! His glittering gold earrings contrasted sharply with his dusky skin, and his multiple heads inspired awe. Armed with bow and arrow he was a force to reckon with. Robed in red and wearing garlands of red blossoms, Ravana was flushed with anger as he stood in front of Sita. The rakshasa's intense passion for Sita would not brook any defiance. He saw her glistening black hair, her fine silks; her golden hued form crafted to perfection and once again swore his undying love for her. Trying to impress upon Sita the futility of following Rama, he said, "Forget Rama, a mortal whose life is so impermanent. What do you see in him Janaki? What binds you to him? What traits in him attract you for you to love him so? Do you not see that foolishly bowing to the commands of a capricious woman, bereft of a kingdom, Rama has made the jungle his home and the beasts his kin?" Ravana's infatuation made him blind to Sita's divinity. Little did he then realize that a time would come when even the merit of his ten thousand years of penance would not save him! The rakshasa clutched at Sita's silken tresses with one hand and with the other he held her aloft. The world fell into shocked silence as it witnessed Ravana's unpardonable transgression. Beholding Ravana and his frightening form, the denizens and deities of the forest, fled in terror. He lifted Sita onto his golden chariot and started his flight to Lanka." Ah Rama!" rang Sita's helpless cries of distress, as they echoed through the forest. Birds hid among branches, and serpents hid under bushes as the chariot flew into the skies. Sita looked down imploring the mountains, the rivers, the valleys and the gurgling Godavari, to tell Rama of her plight "Companions of my exile! Speak to Rama, he alone can save me, tell him that ruthless Ravana bears me away. Rama! You gave away your crown and comfort, for the sake of dharma. Disregarding that dharma Ravana now steals me. May Kaikeyi feel happy! " None responded to her piteous cries as life in the forest silently beheld the shameless deed in stunned silence. Suddenly and without warning, Jatayu, the divine bird hove into sight, as he sat perched on a tree. Sita appealed to him in anguish, "Arya! Jatayu! I am carried away like an orphan. Witness my plight. This rakshasa is merciless; he is cunning, strong and armed. Do not try to stop him for you cannot. Go Jatayu, go! Tell Rama and Lakshmana, that the Rakshasa has carried me away."
Summary
Vexed by Sita's war of words Ravana struck his hands together impatiently and thundered, "I told you of my might, but in your madness, you do not seem to understand. Standing in the sky I can lift the earth and standing on the shores I can drink the oceans dry. I can spell death to the lord of death himself. My arrows can stop the sun in his tracks and cleave the earth. Imbecile woman! I can take any form at will and can be the husband who will fulfill your every desire". Ravana could not control his anger. A docile Brahmin until then, he shed that guise to emerge as his true and fearful self, the ten headed Ravana at the mention of whose name the worlds above and the worlds below trembled with fear! His glittering gold earrings contrasted sharply with his dusky skin, and his multiple heads inspired awe. Armed with bow and arrow he was a force to reckon with. Robed in red and wearing garlands of red blossoms, Ravana was flushed with anger as he stood in front of Sita. The rakshasa's intense passion for Sita would not brook any defiance. He saw her glistening black hair, her fine silks; her golden hued form crafted to perfection and once again swore his undying love for her. Trying to impress upon Sita the futility of following Rama, he said, "Forget Rama, a mortal whose life is so impermanent. What do you see in him Janaki? What binds you to him? What traits in him attract you for you to love him so? Do you not see that foolishly bowing to the commands of a capricious woman, bereft of a kingdom, Rama has made the jungle his home and the beasts his kin?" Ravana's infatuation made him blind to Sita's divinity. Little did he then realize that a time would come when even the merit of his ten thousand years of penance would not save him! The rakshasa clutched at Sita's silken tresses with one hand and with the other he held her aloft. The world fell into shocked silence as it witnessed Ravana's unpardonable transgression. Beholding Ravana and his frightening form, the denizens and deities of the forest, fled in terror. He lifted Sita onto his golden chariot and started his flight to Lanka." Ah Rama!" rang Sita's helpless cries of distress, as they echoed through the forest. Birds hid among branches, and serpents hid under bushes as the chariot flew into the skies. Sita looked down imploring the mountains, the rivers, the valleys and the gurgling Godavari, to tell Rama of her plight "Companions of my exile! Speak to Rama, he alone can save me, tell him that ruthless Ravana bears me away. Rama! You gave away your crown and comfort, for the sake of dharma. Disregarding that dharma Ravana now steals me. May Kaikeyi feel happy! " None responded to her piteous cries as life in the forest silently beheld the shameless deed in stunned silence. Suddenly and without warning, Jatayu, the divine bird hove into sight, as he sat perched on a tree. Sita appealed to him in anguish, "Arya! Jatayu! I am carried away like an orphan. Witness my plight. This rakshasa is merciless; he is cunning, strong and armed. Do not try to stop him for you cannot. Go Jatayu, go! Tell Rama and Lakshmana, that the Rakshasa has carried me away."