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COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RĀMA-STORY
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back from his maternal uncle after the exile of Rāma, for the kingdom without a king was likely to slip into the hands of enemies (12. 11). In the Ascarya Cūdāmaninataka of Saktibhadra when Rama and Lakşmana are away for hunting the 'Kanaka mțga' Rāvana and his charioteer in the disguise of Rāma and Lakşmaņa approach Sītā and ask her to ride the chariot as they want to go to assist Bharata whose territory is in danger.
SECTION V ABDUCTION OF SITĀ.
A. Meeting a Vulture (Jațāyu):
According to the PCV, while sojourning in the Dandakāranya on the bank of the river Karnaravā, Rama, Sīta and Lakşmaņa reverentially receive two monks, Trigupti and Sugupta (Tiguttināmo muni 41.18; Suguttamuni 41.66). On that occasion a diseased vulture (giddha 41.14, Jadagi 41.56, Jadáu 41.75) falls down there. It is then entrusted by the monks to Sítă for its nourishment and care (41.70). From there Rama proceeds further into the interior of the forest and stays near the river Kroñc aravā! (Kuñcaravā 42.15) along with Sita, Lakşmaņa and the vulture (42.35).
According to the VR, Rāma while proceeding to the Pañcavați meets Jațāyu on the way (3.14.1). Jatayu introduces himself as the son of Aruņa and Syeni (3.14.32-33) and the brother of Sampati as well as a friend of Dasaratha (3.14.2). He offers his help to protect Sītā. Rama takes Jatayu along with him to the Pañcavați (3.14.36).
The TR (3.13) follows the VR and introduces a sermon which is delivered by Rāma to Lakşmana on iśvara and Jīva (8.14-16). In the PCV also there is a sermon delivered by the munis to the vulture on the ethics and adoration of the religion (41.66-70). B. Death of Sambuka and Candranakhā's displeasure:
Once Lakşmaņa proceeds to the place wherefrom comes fragrant smell. There he sees a divine sword called "Suryahāsa.' He lifts it up and sportively cuts of the bamboo-thicket growing on the bank of the river Kroñcaravā, to examine the power of that sword. No sooner does he strike at the thicket than a severed human head falls out of
1. The VR (3.69.5) men tions Kroñcāranya where Rāma and Lakşmana reach
in search of Sita. It is said that they reached there after moving first to the West of Pancavati and then to the south (See Sec. 5E).
