It has come to the point where Sita is abducted, seen nowhere in the vicinity of habitat and the calm, serene Rama bursts out in anger to stall the world with his arrows if there is no whereabouts of Sita. One can only take as much before rage conquers the better of the self. Lost the kingdom, lost the kingship, lost Dasaratha and now lost his own wife who is a template of ideal woman and consort. A noble prince lost in exile can only suffer as much as Rama. The days which test the measure of the man to the core have befallen which bought so much pain to the perfect soul. Even Rama lost the composure at the might of the challenges facing him and Lakshmana gave the required counsel to cool the raging fire. They need to find meaning and find Sita in these testing times. The next two books are focused on this very aspect and before that let us see how the search begins in the remaining chapters of the third book.
In chapter 67, on conceding to the suggestion of Lakshmana that they should search for Sita, they start searching the forest and at certain place the mountainous Jatayu is seen. Mistaking him to be a demon Rama wants to kill and speedily approaches Jatayu, but on listening Jatayu's words, Rama recognizes and laments for his wretched situation. Rama spots Jataayu, whose wings are hacked and who is breathless, and is in his last moments.
Rama finally restraining his emotions asked, "What shall we do now Lakshmana, where and how shall we find Sita?" Lakshmana said, "Here in Janasthana the mountains are rife with impregnable caves inhabited by the most dreaded beasts on the earth. Together we will search them. Just as wind cannot move mountains, sorrow cannot impede us." The search for Sita continued. Its futility disappointed Rama as he roamed the woods with bow strung and arrow readied. Even as he walked through the woods, he found Jatayu who lay across his path, the bird that had fought for his master now lay in a pool of blood. Beholding the huge body, deeming it to be rakshasa in disguise, Rama spoke out in anger "Having feasted on Sita this bird sits smug and satiated. My arrows will now claim its life." He then took one step towards the dying bird, the force of which shook the earth from one shore to the other. As life slowly ebbed out of his mangled body, Jatayu's strength also drained away. He gazed at Rama with eyes that reflected pain. Fighting a losing battle with death, his voice weak and fading he said, "Bless you Rama, Sita whom you seek, as one would a lifesaving herb is not here. Ravana has stolen her and my life. While you and Lakshmana were gone, Ravana carried away Sita, I fought and tried to stop him, but without success. The broken chariot, the dead horses and the dead charioteer bear witness to our combat, in which Ravana mauled me and left me dying. Why do you try to slay me who am already slain?" Mists of grief shrouded Rama as he shed tears. Falling to his knees embracing Jatayu he fell into a swoon. Coming out of that darkness Rama said, "My kingdom lost, the forest is now my only shelter. Sita has been abducted and this noble bird is at death's door. My misfortune is so terrible that it can consume even the god of fire. Gently stroking the dying bird holding him tenderly in his arms Rama asked, "Where is Sita and how did Ravana hurt you so fatally? Jatayu, speak to me if you have the strength to do so."
In chapter 68, Jatayu names Ravana as the abductor of Sita while breathing his last. Though he struggles hard to say what all has happened, the time called death takes him away, at such a time when the important information is about to be said to Rama. Receiving that much information at least, Rama consigns Jatayu to funeral fire, like his own relative and performs other rites, and then proceeds to search for Sita.
Beholding Jatayu Rama said, "Lakshmana, this bird fighting to rescue Sita has been fatally wounded and his life is all but extinct." Then, ever so softly he asked Jatayu, "Why did Ravana steal Sita? What provoked him to do this and what did Sita say at that moment? Tell me father, about the enemy, of his might, of his form and the place where he lives." From the depths of Jatayu's gentle being came a faint murmur, "My battle with Ravana had exhausted me. Taking advantage of that moment, he severed my wings and flew away with Sita southward bound. Be brave Rama, you will soon recover Sita, slaying Ravana, son of Visravas and brother of Kubera." Jatayu whose life was as precarious as a lamp in the wind ceased and he who had lived for thousands of years, died in the arms of his master and his god, Rama. Rama was devastated. He gazed at the bird, at his tawny eyes and his still body which seemed a mountain of flesh and feathers. In profound grief he said, "How remorseless is fate. Look at this noble bird, that had for centuries lived a peaceful life, die so suddenly and so violently for having tried to save Sita. His blood is on my hands. Even Sita's abduction is not so hard to bear as the death of this pious being. He is as venerable as my father Dasaratha. The valiant and the virtuous exist not only in the world of men, but also in the world of beasts, birds and other living creatures. Let us now cremate this Lord of eagles. May you Jatayu reach the world attained by those who sacrifice, who keep the sacrificial fires going and who do not turn their backs on the battlefield. After I perform the purification rites may you reach the highest of worlds. Having cremated Jatayu, Rama and Lakshmana recited Vedic prayers for the departing soul and offered libations to him whose renown was to last forever.
In chapter 69, Kabandha captures Rama and Lakshmana while they are searching forests for Sita. In the meantime, a demoness named Ayomukhi wanted to romance with Lakshmana, but Lakshmana cuts her ear and nose and chases away. The episode of Kabandha has a turning point in the epic.
After Jatayu's funeral rites, Rama and Lakshmana resumed the search for Sita. They reached a tract of land untread by human feet, leading into a fearsome forest dense with thickets of bamboo, vine and bushes. Home to lions, elephants and other fierce beasts it was almost impassable. Forcing their way out of it a few miles from Janasthana, the princes reached the Krauncha forest without finding any signs of Sita. Pressing on, they saw a cave dark and dreadful, besides which stood a hideous rakshasa woman, who was a picture of ugliness and terror personified. Her mammoth body was repulsive; her baleful eyes blood shot and her fangs frightening and hair unruly. She was strong enough to kill and feast on the flesh of carnivorous animals. Seeming to fancy Lakshmana, she pounced upon him saying, "I am Ayomukhi and I want to be yours. Let us from now revel on sandy river banks and lofty mountain peaks." Lakshmana swiftly drew his sword and severed her ears and nose and she fled screaming with pain. Walking further into the forest Lakshmana said, "Rama an inexplicable foreboding of fear and sorrow haunts me. Something terrible is about to happen. Be on guard."
No sooner had he uttered the words when an explosive noise seemed to rend the forest and then emerged a horrifying form. To add to its horror, the shapeless monster was headless and covered with bristling hair. Glowing like a flaming torch he emitted sparks and his single eye set in the center of his chest glared at the world balefully. Smacking his lips he gathered flocks of birds, herds of beasts and deer with his long arms. He shoved them into his greedy mouth as some fell out and some were pushed away. The monster gathered Rama and Lakshmana into his powerful arms and held them firmly. Rama remained unmoved but Lakshmana was overcome with fear and anxiety. He said, "Rama make use of this opportunity, sacrifice me to this demon and make good your escape. Find Sita and be king of Kosala, ruled by generations of Ikshvakus." Even as Rama tried to calm Lakshmana saying that fear and grief did not befit him, the monster challenged their presence. "Why did you come into these woods?" Coming here you have become my food. Your life is now imperiled and death is imminent. For a moment even Rama seemed to have no answer. Looking at Lakshmana he said, "We seem to be facing one more hurdle. The unending sequence of adversities that befall me with such frequency will probably destroy me before I discover Sita. Look at the power that destiny has over the lives of creatures; even mighty warriors skilled in the art of war are not spared. Once its long arm touches them, they are swept away like banks of sand. None can escape the force that untiring destiny can exert." Rama tried to look calm and composed to lessen Lakshmana's anxiety.
In chapter 70, Kabandha's overlong arms are cut off when he wanted to devour Rama and Lakshmana as godsend dainty morsels. Then Kabandha wishes to know who these two are and when Lakshmana informs him of Rama, that demon feels elated for his accursed state is over in the hands of Rama.
To Rama and Lakshmana who were firmly in his grip, Kabandha said, "Knowing that I am ravenous why do you stand and stare. The gods must have sent you to appease my hunger, deem yourselves dead." Hearing him Rama said, "Quick Lakshmana, this rakshasa may crush us to death any moment, let us sever his hands". Rama then cut Kabandha's right arm while Lakshmana cut his left arm. The demon roared with pain even as the noise reverberated from all directions. More in shock than in pain that he had actually been overpowered, Kabhandha asked them weakly who they were. "This is the Ikshvaku, Rama, son of Dasaratha and I am his brother Lakshmana. Who are you and why do you roam these woods in this terrible form?" Kabhandha's joy knew no bounds as he heard Lakshmana, for that very moment he also remembered Indra's promise to him. "Rama, to my good fortune you have mutilated me, let me tell you what brought about my deformity," said Kabandha.
In chapter 71, Kabandha requests Rama to incinerate him, so that he would get his divine form and then would be able to give some clues in regaining Sita. He admits that the present hideous state has taken form only because of his arrogant behaviour, thereby a sort of repentance has occurred in him. A course of conversations occurs among these two, as each is distrustful of the other.
Kabhandha continued with his narration "Long ago I was as renowned as the Sun, the Moon and Indra, for my good looks. It was my sport to take on this monstrous form to frighten the ascetics who inhabited the forests. Once to my misfortune I tried to frighten the sage Sthulasira, who angered at my prank cursed me saying, 'May you ever remain in this vile and villainous form'. Dismayed, I begged his forgiveness and he relented saying, 'you will be redeemed the day Rama severs your hands and cremates you. Dhanu is my race and I am the son of Sri. The wrath of Indra is also a reason for this ugly form.' After years of penance, Brahma came to grant me the boon of longevity. Confident that my life will not be terminated for ages to come, one day I opposed Indra. In a flash, his thunderbolt pushed my head into my chest and my legs into my stomach. I paid dearly for my foolishness and my arrogance, for even death was preferable to life in this grotesque form. I prayed to Indra to grant me death. Not only did he spurn my request but said, 'Let Brahma's words come true!' When I wailed that I could not survive without limbs or mouth, Indra obliged me by giving me hands that were a mile long and a mouth equipped with sharp fangs. Endowed with this wicked body, guzzling at whatever came my way I have spent many long years. Indra promised me that I would go to heaven the day you cut away my hands. "From that day I have been waiting for you to be my prisoner, my slayer and my savior. Please cremate me this instant, consign this horrid form to the flames and may the earth be rid of me. Reverting back to my original self I can counsel you and show you a good friend". Rama asked Kabandha if he knew where and by whom Sita could have been abducted. "I cannot tell you now Rama, I have not the power to look into the past. Along with my divine form my divine powers have also been destroyed. Cast me in a pit, before the Sun sets. Burn me and I shall return to tell you all that you want to know. You will also meet an ally who is swift footed, has traversed the three worlds and knows the rakshasa who is guilty of Sita's abduction. There exists nothing in this universe that he has no knowledge of.”
I
This concludes chapters 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71 of Aranya Kanda where we had seen the search beginning to trace Sita. After a while, Jatayu is found in the last moments of his life who names Ravana as the rakshasa responsible for abducing Sita and for his own peril leading to the dying moments with Rama. The huge bird which lived for centuries breaths his last in front of his master, Rama who was heartbroken at the succession of these tragedies. The duo then leaves for Krauncha forest where Lakshmana faces Ayomukhi and severs her ears, nose. The princess then come to the presence of a vile Kabandha who has overlong arms and dreadful appearance. Kabandha captures them with his arms and seeing the danger Rama, Lakshmana severs both his arms. Coming to know that his savior has arrived, Kabandha persuades Rama to bury him and help get back his divine form, powers. How this episode comes to an end, the person Kabandha referred to and the direction which the search takes can be seen in last few chapters of the book.
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