Ram in Anguish

On being constantly urged by Sita, Lakshman reluctantly leaves her side to look for Sri Ram. Lakshman runs towards the forest leaving Sita in the protection of the Lakshmanrekha, a type of protective field he has drawn around the hut, informing her that she would be safe as long as she remains inside it. As soon as he leaves, Ravan approaches Sita, disguised as a sage. He is so besotted by her celestial beauty and youth that even under disguise, he is unable to resist craving and describing her beauty. Assuming he is an ascetic, Sita steps over the Lakshmanrekha to perform all the prescribed rites of hospitality, honouring him. The moment she steps out, Ravan throws off his disguise and audaciously states his intention to take her to his palace and marry her.Sita stands aghast. Being truly devoted to her lord, she rejects Ravan’s proposals and extols the glories of her righteous husband. She scorns Ravan with bitter words, reminding him of the great sin of lusting for another’s wife. Unable to charm her and enraged by her rejection, Ravan forcibly carries her off in his flying chariot, the Pushpakviman. Meanwhile, sensing a sinister plot, Sri Ram returns to the hermitage and notices an eerie silence has descended over the entire forest. Upon discovering Sita’s disappearance, he breaks down in grief. He wanders through the forest and the mountains like a possessed man, questioning every flower and animal in his path, about Sita’s whereabouts. Fearing the worst, the beloved of Sita cries that he cannot survive without her, the one who has followed him into exile, renouncing all comforts of the palace. He laments that she is now gone due to his inability to protect her. He wishes to die, rather than face Sita’s father who lovingly entrusted his daughter unto him.This episode symbolically indicates that an unbridled mind that is allowed to gush out into the world of sense-pleasures, is sure to be snared by its illusory enchantments and thus, stays walled away from the peace and beauty of the true self, the atman, the lord within.

Ram in Anguish

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