RAMA SEARCHES FOR SITA

When they reached their hut, they couldn't find Sita anywhere. Rama searched for Sita shouting, "O Sita! Where are you?"

They looked for her all around the hut, but Sita was not to be found.

While they were looking for Sita, they heard a faint voice chanting the name of Rama. When the brothers reached t place from where the sound was coming, they were dumbstruck. They found Jatayu on the ground. He was badly wounded and was bleeding heavily.

When Rama enquired who was responsible for his plight, Jatayu told him of Sita's abduction and his consequent fight with Ravana.

Before dying, he told Rama, "Ravana has gone to his kingdom in the south. Go to Lanka and save your wife. Now that I have done my duty, I can die in peace."

Saying this, the brave Jatayu died. Both Rama and Lakshmana performed his last rites. They bowed their heads as a mark of respect to Jatayu because he had lost his life while trying to save Sita.

Rama and Lakshmana then set off in search of Sita. As they went into the Krincha Forest, a monster caught Rama and Lakshmana in his huge hands.

He was just about to eat them when Rama cut off the monster's arm. The wounded monster said, "Burn me! Burn me! Then I shall be able to help you.

When Rama and Lakshmana burnt him, he turned into a young man.

He told Rama, "Go to the monkey chief Sugreev. He will help you."

Further on their way, Rama and Lakshmana happened to meet an old bhil (Tribal) woman, Shabari. Shabari was a sincere devotee of Rama. She invited Rama and Lakshmana and served them some berries.

To ensure that the berries were ripe and sweet, she would taste it a little and then give it to them.

Lakshmana threw away the tasted Barrie, considering them impure. But Rama happily ate them, as he clearly saw the old woman's sincere love in this gesture of hers.

Shabari's happiness after feeding the berries to Rama was immense. On knowing the purpose of their journey, she directed them southwards to Pampa Lake and Krishkindha where they would find Sugreev.