After killing Maricha Rama hurried back to Janashtana. As he neared his destination he heard the howling of a jackal in the woods. He grew fearful at the inauspicious sound which boded ill. Thoughts of Sita and doubts about her safety were uppermost in his mind. Maricha's cry of agony imitating his voice came to Rama's mind and his anxiety mounted. He said to himself, "My stay in Janasthana has brought me enmity with the rakshasas. Will Sita and Lakshmana be safe in this fearful forest, where this very moment, the rakshasa hordes may be seeking revenge?" While Rama feared for Sita, the desolate birds and beasts of the jungle surrounded an equally desolate Rama who was trying to brush aside ill omens that loomed large. As Rama's feet flew towards the hermitage, he saw Lakshmana. Dismayed and shocked at seeing him away from his post, Rama first reprimanded him, but quickly quickly gaining composure said, "Will Sita left alone, be safe Lakshmana? Will not the rakshasas kill her? Are you sure that we will see her unharmed? Beasts and birds, facing the Sun are crying fearfully, my courage deserts me, my heart grows heavy and my left eye throbs. Surely Sita is either stolen, slain or being carried away."