In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Maarkandeya’s continuation of his accord with Yudishtra as part of the “Rama-Upaakhyaana Parva”, wherein he explains to Yudishtra how Bhagawan Rama and Mother Sita ran into enormous problems and had to endure all of them. In this way, we’ve come to the point wherein Ravana is plotting a plan to somehow abduct Mother Sita from Panchavati where Bhagawan Rama, Lakshmana and Mother Sita are residing. It is at the same time when Soorpanaka comes crying to Ravana and she also narrates how Lakshmana insulted her by chopping off her nose and ears. This infuriates Ravana even more and his ploy becomes stronger. He immediately starts from Lanka with a bid to come back with Mother Sita somehow. On the way, Ravana meets Maareecha and involves him in the ploy.
The plan is very simple – Maareecha will take the form of an abnormal golden deer and roam around in the vicinity of Mother Sita, so as to tempt her. Mother Sita would want Bhagawan Rama to go and capture that golden deer and in the pursuit, the golden deer will drag away Bhagawan Rama to a large distance away from Panchavati. In turn, Mother Sita will also send Lakshmana to look out for Bhagawan Rama and when Mother Sita is alone, Ravana would come and abduct her and take her away! Even though Maareecha did not agree to be part of this game plan, Ravana forces him to be involved. Unable to deny Ravana, Maareecha enters the scene as a golden deer and the plan works to perfection! Mother Sita gets tempted and requests her husband to go and capture it for her to play with. As expected, Bhagawan Rama too goes behind it and the deer takes Him to a long distance away from Panchavati! Thus, at one point, when Bhagawan Rama kills the deer, He understands that this deer is none other than Maareecha! The ploy became loud and clear for Bhagawan Rama, but it is was too late! Maareecha is smart! He cries in the voice of Bhagawan Rama aloud, which shocks Mother Sita!
Hence, Mother Sita sends Lakshmana in search of Bhagawan Rama and this is the opportunity for which Ravana is waiting! As Mother Sita is alone at home, Ravana enters in the form of a “Sanyasin” with a “Bhiksha Paatra”. In the name of obtaining Bhiksha from Mother Sita, Ravana quickly lifts her in his arms and abducts her into his “Pushpaka-Vimaana”. Even as Mother Sita screams for help, nobody is there in the vicinity to extend a helping hand to her! Thus, Ravana gets into the “Pushpaka Vimana” quickly and off he goes! Meanwhile as Bhagawan Rama is returning back, he sees Lakshmana coming in front of Him with a tensed face! Upon enquiring with Lakshmana as to why he is coming here leaving Sita alone, Bhagawan Rama is shell-shocked as to what had happened! Both the brothers understand the trap and as they come back to Panchavati, it is all too late! Mother Sita is nowhere to be seen! She has been abducted! Unable to get any kind of help from anybody around, Bhagawan Rama bursts into tears and cries out loud, even as Lakshmana tries consoling Him! Bhagawan Rama is inconsolable!
So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness how more problems unfolded for Bhagawan Rama and Mother Sita, as narrated by Sage Maarkandeya to Yudishtra! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 