In the last post, the encounter between Sita and Ravana takes place after the illusion laid out by Maricha in the form of a golden deer. Ravana camouflages himself as a poor brahmin seeking alms and gets into the vicinity of Sita. He slowly begins the conversation and passionately looks at the beauty, radiance of Sita. Implementing the wicked abduction plan, he lifts Sita into his golden chariot and begins his flight back to Lanka. Seeing the unimaginable, Jatayu – an eagle bird king confronts Ravana and speaks truth to power by pointing out his humongous immoral act of abducting another man’s wife. Nothing goes in the way of Ravana, not the mere words. The good words fell on deaf ears as Ravana continued with his hasty retreat. As Jatayu pressed on, a physical war soon breaks out which can be seen in the next few chapters along with the forceful takeaway of Sita complete with Ravana reaching Lanka with her.
In chapter 51, the combat of Jataayu and Ravana ensues now, as Ravana was adamantine to the righteous sermons of Jatayu. In combating with Ravana, Jatayu shatters Ravana's bows, arrows, and chariot and kills the mules of the chariot and plucks off the head of the charioteer with his beak. Further Jatayu attacks on the body of Ravana lacerating severely. Enraged at the bird-hits, Ravana severs that eagle's wings, feet, and sides. Then seeing that fallen eagle, Sita weeps over.
Jatayu's just contentions displeased Ravana and livid with rage he attacked Jatayu. In the skies above the limitless canopies of Panchavati, started a war of the titans. It was like the clash of formidable clouds. Ravana rained arrows, Jatayu clawed at Ravana. Like winged mountains, fought the eagle and the rakshasa. Jatayu broke Ravana's bow scattering the pearls that adorned it. Ravana unleashed a volley of arrows, which the great bird merely flapped away with his wings and shattered Ravana's shield and armor. His chariot of gold was Jatayu's next target, along with which were destroyed the beasts harnessed to it. The charioteer was the last to succumb. Ravana looked in disbelief at his demolished chariot, his dead charioteer and his lifeless donkeys. Clutching Sita firmly under his arm, he jumped to the ground. Jatayu was exhausted and his frail old body could hardly withstand the battering it had received. Witnessing his fatigued enemy, Ravana once again sprang back into the sky, relieved and joyous.
But the valiant bird went chasing after Ravana and stood before him defiantly saying, "By abducting Sita you invite your own doom. You will perish like a fish which has swallowed both bait and hook! In the absence of Rama and Lakshmana, you have stooped to steal Sita, a cowardly act that befits thieves and not men of honor. Even Brahma cannot save a sinful monster like you and you too will die like Khara!" With those words Jatayu swooped on Ravana and wreaked havoc on his massive body. His only weapons were his wings, his claws and his beak. He scratched, he kicked and he tore at Ravana's hair. His enraged enemy ran in circles seeking the death of Jatayu, who neither relented nor cared. His anger fully aroused, he pecked out ten of Ravana's left hands with his beak. But like venomous snakes crawling out of the anthills, his hands cropped back. Blind with anger and harried, Ravana dropped Sita, pounded the bird with his fists and kicked him. Jatayu fought on deeming it Rama's battle and not his, even as wicked Ravana hacked away the wings, the feet and the flanks of the noble bird. Almost dead with the severing, Jatayu plummeted to the ground and Sita grieved for her winged friend as he lay mortally wounded. Against his blood-drenched body, his white chest stood out starkly, gone was his indomitable power, snuffed out swiftly like a forest fire. Mangled by Ravana, he lay crushed and quiet, as life slowly began to ebb out. Sita cradled the wounded bird in her arms and wept.
In chapter 52, Sita is abducted by Ravana. When they are on their way to Lanka the whole nature along with its inhabitants laments for the atrocious abduction of Sita.
Jatayu lay close to Panchavati, in pain and dying. Sita nursed him and mourning her own tragic plight said, "Visions and omens are deemed to herald the advent of good or evil. The cry of bird and beast are signs of what is in store. Rama, where are you? Do you not see these signs? You are unaware of the great calamity that has befallen me. The denizens of the forest flee in fright trying to reach you with news of my plight. Jatayu tried in vain to save me but a victim of Ravana's violence, he is now dying. Save me Rama, Save me Lakshmana", appealed Sita to the invisible princes, who were beyond reach of help or hearing. Sita was desolate and woebegone, her jewels and garlands were in disarray, and her eyes streamed with unchecked tears. In her anguish she ran from tree to tree clinging to them like a helpless vine. Calling out for Rama, she cried piteously entwining herself to the trees of the forest in an attempt to resist Ravana. In that fearful forest devoid of all human habitation she ran stumbling and groping. The irony of it was that Rama the most valorous and compassionate of men and the refuge of every creature was unable to render either assistance or asylum to his own consort.
Ravana reached for Sita and dragged her by her hair. The world was aghast at the humiliation, nature trembled at the outrage and a profound darkness enveloped the world. Brahma beheld the atrocity and said aloud "The task has been fulfilled". The sages of Dandaka, witnessing the most heinous acts of shame and evil knew that Ravana's destruction was fast approaching. Though relieved they were also deeply moved by Sita's grief. Ravana took Sita captive in his chariot and flew through the clouds. Sita in her finery made Ravana look like an ominous cloud streaked with lightening. Her garlands broke showering down petals to the earth. In her misery she was like a lotus torn from its stalk. Chasing the shadow of Ravana on the earth raced the angry birds and animals. Mountains seemed to weep for Sita, as cascading waterfalls rolled down their slopes. The world was shocked at Ravana who had neither dharma, nor virtue, nor mercy. Grief spread like wildfire through out the jungle and even tender fawns followed Sita with their forlorn gaze, as terror and tears filled their soft eyes clouding their vision. Sita's anguish seemed endless and she frantically looked down in vain for signs of Rama and Lakshmana. The world shuddered at her distress, but Ravana in his supreme arrogance was unaware that his sinful act would bring about his death.
In chapter 53, Sita denounces Ravana's misdeed and challenges him to brave her husband in a manly combat, rather than thieving her in a mousy way. She reasons with him about his propriety in abducting other's wives, in vainglory.
As Ravana flew towards Lanka, Sita red eyed with anger said, "Ravana, are you not ashamed of taking me away in the absence of Rama? A coward, you lured away Rama with your magical powers and mercilessly killed Jatayu who came to my rescue. You are the most despicable of rakshasas. Do you deem it an act of valour? Does it not shame you to abduct a woman who is unprotected? You swagger in vain of your greatness but the world will judge you otherwise. What have you achieved by scheming, stealing and slaying? It is but a mere display of your unrighteous might and stealth, which will only bring irrevocable shame upon you and your race. Do not even for a moment think that Rama cannot touch you. Your end is imminent and inevitable, for neither your skill nor the might of your army can save you when Rama's arrows fly. You cannot bear the heat of his arrows, any more than the birds a raging forest fire. Think of what is good for you and release me. Your pride and conceit drives you to the brink of extinction. Imprisoned by an enemy and separated from my husband I will not live long." Sita's lament was heart breaking but did not stop the demon from carrying her away. Once again Sita warned Ravana, "Distasteful is wise counsel to those who are at the door of death. Do you not behold the golden trees that the doomed behold? You shall soon witness the dreadful sight, when the waters of river Vaitarini turn red with blood and when swords grow on trees. Will Rama who killed fourteen thousand rakshasas single handed, spare you who has dared to abduct his consort?"
In chapter 54, Sita drops her ornaments at Sugreeva and other monkeys available on a mountaintop during the course of her abduction. Ravana does not take notice of this since he is hurrying as though haunted by Rama. On crossing the southerly ocean, his jitteriness in stealing Sita ceases and he hypocritically feels elated in gaining both Sita and an animosity with Rama.
As Sita desperately looked for help, she saw a group of five Vanaras(monkeys) standing on the peak of a mountain. She quickly bundled her gold ornaments in a piece of silk and dropped it in their midst as Ravana hurtled ahead, perhaps fearing Rama's pursuit. The Vanaras looked up and saw Sita caught in the unrelenting grip of the rakshasa, sobbing inconsolably. After crossing the Pampa, Ravana turned towards Lanka flying over forests, hills and lakes. Little did Ravana then know that he was carrying his own death in the form of Sita. He soon reached and crossed the sea, home to whales and crocodiles. The waves whirled like great serpents and fish dived down to hide from the approaching evil. Beholding Ravana's atrocity, the celestials predicted, "Ravana seeks to perish". Across the boundless blue oceans appeared Lanka in its entire splendor. Ravana entered his magnificent city with its wide thoroughfares and heavily guarded palaces.
Fearful rakshasa women were appointed to watch over Sita with orders that none should see her without his permission. "Give her clothes, jewels and all that she wants, fulfill her every desire, as you would mine and be aware that those who displease Sita, will cease to live" warned Ravana as he left the palace. Sita did not know what lay in store for her. The series of disastrous events that had happened with such speed stunned and confused her. Ravana called eight of the most able bodied men of Lanka and told them, "Go to Janasthana fully armed where the Rakshasa population has been wiped out. Rama is guilty of that massacre, he is my enemy and I will not rest until he is dead. His death will give me immense joy. Every movement of Rama shall be reported to me and every rakshasa shall be ever vigilant and ready to kill him. I am aware of your might and I trust you with this mission". The formidable Rakshasas bowed to Ravana and left Lanka on their way to Janasthana. Ravana who had seen Sita, desired her, abducted her and above all had asked for Rama's enmity, rejoiced. In his blissful ignorance he was not worried but exultant.
In chapter 55, Ravana entices Seetha to marry him by demonstrating various luxuries and comforts, and even baiting her to become his empress.
Having ordered the Rakshasas to enter Dandaka and eliminate Rama, Ravana relaxed and felt greatly relieved. All his thoughts now centered on Sita. A prey to his sinful passions, the desire to possess her was driving him insane. He saw her, a poignant figure of despair and despondency as she sat amidst the demon guard. With her head bowed, she seemed like a doe surrounded by snarling dogs, like a floundering boat caught in the fury of a tempest. Insensitive to her grief, Ravana took her away by force, to show and impress her with his palaces, his possessions and his wealth. He led her through the enchanting groves dotted with wells, lakes and lotus ponds. Magnificent mansions rivaled with the abodes of the gods and teemed with thousands of women. Flocks of birds lent their myriad hues and song to an ambience that resonated with the sound of celestial gongs. Graceful pillars, tall and stately were studded with gems of every color. Silver, gold, ivory and precious stones competed with each other, in enhancing the beauty and brilliance of those towering palaces, which were the pride of Lanka. A splendid doorway of exquisitely crafted gold, led into the rich, cool interiors with windows of gold trellis, framed with silver and ivory. Ravana climbed the majestic golden steps of his palace, along with Sita.
The master of Lanka boasted of the might of his men and their skills. "Ten million attend on me in one place and twenty-two million at another. I am the king of thirty two million warriors who execute every evil wish of mine. My life and this kingdom, I surrender to you and you will be the queen of my wives. The path I have chosen is the right one and is beyond debate. Take pity on me Sita, I love you and cherish you more than my life. Lanka spreads over a hundred Yojanas and thousands guard it, even the combined forces of the suras and asuras cannot conquer my island. There is none equal to me, among the devatas, yakshas or gandharvas. Of what use is Rama to you? A hapless hermit, he has neither kingdom nor home. A man and mortal, Rama is no match for me. Be my consort. Youth is transient Vaidehi. Do not even dream of Rama ever reaching Lanka, even the thought is inconceivable to his feeble mind. As sovereign of Lanka, the devatas, rakshasas and all creatures big and small, shall serve you. Your bad karma had cast you in the jungles of Dandaka, now live in Lanka and enjoy the merit of your good deeds. The Vedas too shall consent our union. I implore you and pay obeisance to your feet. Though it does not befit me, I, Ravana who have never bowed to a woman, am now your slave. Accept me." So ranted Ravana, blind with passion, oblivious of dharma and unaware of his impending doom.
This concludes chapters 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 where we had seen the physical war between Ravana and Jatayu leading to the damage inflicted by Jatayu. An enraged Ravana chops off the wings, feet and flanks of the noble bird. Lost in the impending peril and overseeing the ghastly fate of Jatayu, Sita cries helplessly for saving her from the demon king. As she was taken away to Lanka, she is livid in her rage and denounces Ravana for abducting her like a coward. Sita drops her ornaments at a group of vanaras near the southern tip just before crossing the ocean and reach Lanka. Ravana send a few rakshasas to Janasthana to observe Rama and kill him. Relieved of everything else, he begins his ill-fated advances to impress Sita. He boasts of his kingship, his kingdom and all the men of valour he is presiding over. Blinded with passion, oblivious of dharma and unaware of his impending doom, he seeks her acceptance. We can see Sita, a woman of virtue and no less than fire, not flinching a bit in the next many chapters and books. The reaction and anguish of Rama for the abduction can also be seen in the subsequent chapters.
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