As Sita listened listlessly to Ravana's persuasions and promises, she decided to give up her fear. Unwilling to talk to him directly, she picked up a piece of straw, placed it in front of her and said, "Dasaratha,a noble king dedicated to dharma and honour established grace on earth, he was the king of Kosala and Rama is his son. Renowned in the three worlds as an embodiment of dharma, Rama is my husband and my god. His swift and flaming arrows will reduce you to ashes. Born of the race of Ikshvaku, he has the might of a lion and the radiance of the sun. Lakshmana is his valiant brother. You too would have perished like Khara, if only you had dared to approach me in Rama's presence. The fearsome rakshasas of whom you brag so loudly will writhe, like snakes in the shadow of Garuda, when Rama's arrows descend. Your death is inescapable and certain like that of the sacrificial beast tied to the 'yupa'. Rama can command the skies and the ocean. By arousing his anger and enmity and have thus put in jeopardy your strength, your wealth and your life. Lanka will soon be widowed by your follies. Listen Ravana, facing ruin, man grows reckless falling victim to his own foolishness. Just as the sacred alter cannot be stepped upon by a Chandala, so should the pure and chaste consort of Rama not be touched by a lowly rakshasa like you. Will a royal swan that swims in the lotus filled lakes ever look at a water fowl that hops in wild grasses? Life has no charm for me. I have no desire either to protect my body or prolong its life. But the earth should not ever witness the blame that Sita could not protect her chastity!" For a moment Ravana cringed at Sita's denunciation which sent a shiver down his spine. Gathering his wits, he thundered, "In twelve months time you shall change your mind and take my hand. If you still choose to remain obstinate my cooks shall chop you into little pieces and serve you as my meal." He then ordered the rakshasa women who stood guard over Sita, "Scare this woman out of her arrogance, subdue her, cajole her, threaten her if need be, but see that she yields to my wishes. Take her to the Asoka grove in secrecy and guard her." Ravana stomped out as the fury of his pounding feet threatened to shatter the earth. Sita was taken to the grove beautiful with birds and blossoming trees. Obvlivious of her surroundings, crushed by fear and sorrow she fell in a faint.
Summary
As Sita listened listlessly to Ravana's persuasions and promises, she decided to give up her fear. Unwilling to talk to him directly, she picked up a piece of straw, placed it in front of her and said, "Dasaratha,a noble king dedicated to dharma and honour established grace on earth, he was the king of Kosala and Rama is his son. Renowned in the three worlds as an embodiment of dharma, Rama is my husband and my god. His swift and flaming arrows will reduce you to ashes. Born of the race of Ikshvaku, he has the might of a lion and the radiance of the sun. Lakshmana is his valiant brother. You too would have perished like Khara, if only you had dared to approach me in Rama's presence. The fearsome rakshasas of whom you brag so loudly will writhe, like snakes in the shadow of Garuda, when Rama's arrows descend. Your death is inescapable and certain like that of the sacrificial beast tied to the 'yupa'. Rama can command the skies and the ocean. By arousing his anger and enmity and have thus put in jeopardy your strength, your wealth and your life. Lanka will soon be widowed by your follies. Listen Ravana, facing ruin, man grows reckless falling victim to his own foolishness. Just as the sacred alter cannot be stepped upon by a Chandala, so should the pure and chaste consort of Rama not be touched by a lowly rakshasa like you. Will a royal swan that swims in the lotus filled lakes ever look at a water fowl that hops in wild grasses? Life has no charm for me. I have no desire either to protect my body or prolong its life. But the earth should not ever witness the blame that Sita could not protect her chastity!" For a moment Ravana cringed at Sita's denunciation which sent a shiver down his spine. Gathering his wits, he thundered, "In twelve months time you shall change your mind and take my hand. If you still choose to remain obstinate my cooks shall chop you into little pieces and serve you as my meal." He then ordered the rakshasa women who stood guard over Sita, "Scare this woman out of her arrogance, subdue her, cajole her, threaten her if need be, but see that she yields to my wishes. Take her to the Asoka grove in secrecy and guard her." Ravana stomped out as the fury of his pounding feet threatened to shatter the earth. Sita was taken to the grove beautiful with birds and blossoming trees. Obvlivious of her surroundings, crushed by fear and sorrow she fell in a faint.