Book of Forest
Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent 13 adventurous years in the
forest. In their 14th year of exile, a demoness Surpanaka, sister of
Ravana, the king of Lanka spotted Rama and fell in love with him. When
she asked him to marry her, Rama refused saying that he was bound to
Sita in wedlock, and asked her to approach Lakshmana instead. When Lakshmana
also refused her, Surpanaka flew into a rage and rushed to kill Sita.
Lakshama intervened and cut her nose off. Surpanaka then fled to Ravana,
and told him of her insult and persuaded him to abduct Sita.
Ravana asked a demon, Mareecha to transform himself into a
golden deer. Sita was lured by the deer, and asked Rama to catch it for her.
During the chase, Rama realized that the deer was actually a demon and killed it. The
demon cried out for help in Rama's voice, prompting Sita to send Lakshmana in search of Rama.
Ravana then disguised himself as an old man and kidnapped Sita when Rama and Lakshmana were
away.
