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In the Whirlpool of Calamities
465
She sent her husband to fight against Shri Ram and Lakshman, out of her desire to take revenge against them for her son's death; and to mak them pay for insulting her. She went to her brother Ravan. She knew her brother's weakness. Ravan was not the kind of man who would keep quiet when he heard
auty of a woman. He would move heaven and earth to secure a beautiful woman who took his fancy. So, he fell an easy victim to Chandranakha's evil designs.
"Chandra! Indeed, you are my sister. I thank you for thinking of my happiness and delights. I will at once set off to the Dandakaranya; and bring Sita here."
Ravan totally forgot that Shambuk had been killed. He just ignored it. The account of Sita's beauty given by Chandranakha made a deep impact on his mind. Now, he was obsessed with the desire to secure Sita. Seeing that her plan had succeeded, Chandranakha went to Pathal Lanka. Ravan ordered the guards concerned to get ready the Pushpak. He went into his chamber to change his dress; and to get ready for the travel.
Then without wasting a minute, he sat in the Pushpak and set off towards the Dandakaranya. "Oh Pushpak! Take me at once to the place where Sita is staying."
The Pushpak carrying Ravan began flying at a tremendous speed towards the Dandakaranya. Having landed the Pushpak among the bamboo groves, Ravan set off in search of Sita. While wandering about there, he saw Sita seated beside Shri Ram beneath a banyan tree. He stood spell-bound at the sight of her beauty. He kept staring at her extraordinary grace and beauty with fixed eyes. He went near them concealing himself in bushes and groves. He saw Shri Ram and he felt terrified by the radiance of his face like a lion that is terrified by the flames of fire. He moved back a couple of paces. He found himself in a strange difficulty. He found it impossible to abduct Sita when Shri Ram was there. He thought, "What should be done now ? It is impossible to fight against Shri Ram and defeat him and when he is by her side, it is impossible to abduct Sita.” Even though he thought much, he could not find a suitable way.
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