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Jain Terms Preserved:
286. In the Uttarapurana of the Mahapurana, it is stated by the wise that the illustrious one (Sita) is obtained by a suitable means. Therefore, the two sons of Dasharatha, who are desirous of conquering my position and eager to destroy the wicked ones, have a wife named Sita, the consort of the evil-minded Rama. 113. "I shall abduct her, and then devise a proper means to kill them." Thus spoke the deceitful Maricha. 114. "Listen, O venerable lord, there are two duties of a minister: to promote beneficial activities and to prohibit harmful ones." 115. "The task you have determined is undesirable, brings infamy, is associated with sin, is difficult to accomplish, is unworthy, and is condemned by the virtuous." 116-117. "Abduction of another's wife is the greatest of all sins. Which noble-born person would ever contemplate such an unrighteous act?" 118. "There are other means to destroy your lineage, so what is the use of this evil deed, which is like a comet, being the sole cause of the destruction of your dynasty?" 119. Hearing this meaningful speech of Maricha, the king, being near death, did not accept it, just as a sick person does not accept medicine. 120. "Why, O minister, do you speak these unwelcome words that harm the desired object?" 121. "If you know, tell me the means to abduct Sita." Maricha replied, "If this is your firm resolve, then first ascertain through an intermediary whether she is devoted to you. If so, she can be brought by some gentle means; if averse, then, O lord, she may be forcibly seized." 122-123. Hearing this, the king praised it, saying "Well said, well said." 124. Then the cowardly one summoned Surpanakha and said, "By some means, make Sita attached to me." 125. She joyfully agreed and swiftly went to the city of Varanasi. 126. Then Rama, accompanied by Sita, went to the beautiful Chitrakuta, to reside there in the spring season.