LAKSHMANA REKHA

 Sita saw a holy man asking for alms outside her hut. She did not know that this holy man was Ravana in disguise whose real intention was to kidnap her.

Sita went inside the hut and got some fruits for the holy man, unaware of the danger lurking around her.

Ravana knew about the power of the line. He knew that even an attempt to cross it would lead to his end.

Not wanting to step out, Sita tried to give him fruits by standing well within the limits of the Lakshmana Rekha. Pretending to be angry at Sita for not serving a holy man properly, Ravana said, "I would not accept your alms unless you step out and give your offerings with propriety and decorum befitting an Aryan princess."

In earlier times, a holy man returning empty-handed and displeased from a house was considered inauspicious. So Sita crossed the line.

Ravana at once caught her and dragged her away from the hut. The terrified Sita shouted for help and tried to free herself but to no avail. Ravana was too strong for her.

Soon they were on Ravan's air chariot, flying towards Lanka.

Ravana and jatayu

Hearing Sita's cry for help, Jatayu rushed to help her. Although he knew that he was no match to the mighty Ravana, he wanted to try and save her.

This brave vulture attached Ravana and tore away his flesh with his sharp nails and beak. Ravana then cut off it wings.

Jatayu feel on the ground and bled from the wounds all over his body. Chanting the name of Rama, Jatayu waited for Rama to tell him of Sita's abduction by Ravana.

From te chariot, Sita dropped her ornaments one by one to mark the way for Rama.

When Lakshmana met Rama, he told him that he had been forced by Sita to come after him.

Rama was afraid that Sita might get into some difficulty. So he rushed back to the hut with Lakshmana.