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A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAN
as if they are mother and daughter. Mandodarī goes away having utmost sympathy for Sītā and advising her not to yield to Ravana in any case (68.348-363). The MP follows the UP. It mentions additionally that Mandodars recognises Sitā as her abandoned daughter by the marks on her feet (olakhiya payajuyalañch anena 73.22.12).
Like the PCV there are some works which do not refer to the device of the golden deer."
In the Karmapurana (Utta. 37.113, 114), Sita is said to have been kidnapped by Rāvana when she was strolling alone in the forest (gļhitvā māyayā veşar carantīm vijane vane).
In the Anamakam Jataka when the king goes away to collect fruits, a cruel Nāga assuming the form of a Rși abducts the former's queen.
According to the Siṁhalese Rāmakathā, Sītā is abducted from the capital in the absence of Rāma. The Rāmacarita of Anāma mentions that Daśanana attacks the capital of Daśaratha and after gaining victory over it, he takes away Sítā along with him (Bulcke p. 340).
The Western Accounts No. 6, 9, 11 & 15 do not mention the golden deer. According to the Account No. 15 a servant of Rāvana assuming the form of a beggar kidnaps Sītā for his master when Rāma is out to subdue the revolting vassals (Bulcke p. 341).
E. Rama's Sojourn at Pätālankārapura :
According to the PCV Rāma on being cautioned by Lakşmaņa immediately goes back but does not find Sīta there (44.51). He while making a useless search for Sită sees the vulture crying and breathing his last. He loses all hopes. (44.66). In the meanwhile Lakşmaņa returns and learns about the sad incident. He introduces Virādhita to Rāma. Virādhita commissions his soldiers to search for Sītā but all in vain (45.17-27). Virādhita then takes Rāma and Lakşmaņa to Pātā. laňkārapura for their safety. They defeat there Sunda who then along with his mother Candranakhã flees away to Lanka (45.44).
According to the VR Rāma meets his brother Lakşmaņa in the way after having killed the deer (Mārīca). At this unexpected meeting
1. C.v. Vaidya is of the opinion that the episode of the golden deer is a later
development in the VR. Sita was abducted when Rama and Lakşmaņa had gone out for usual hunting because Sitä says to Rīvana “Agamișyati me bhartā vanyamādāya puşkalam. Rurūngodhānvarahansca hatvādāyamişam bahu (3.47.23)".
In the case of a golden deer she would have referred to it. (The Riddle of the Ramayana, C. V. Vaidya, p.144).
