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LXIX
THE ABDUCTION OF SITA
"My noble Lord ! I fear, Lakshman is in some dreadful danger. Otherwise, he would not have roared thus like a lion. Therefore, kindly go at once to Lakshman's succour.”
“Dear Sita! I have also heard the roar but I wonder how any danger can overcome Lakshman who is an incomparable hero in the three worlds. Lakshman facing a danger! I cannot believe this. I really cannot.”
"Dear Lord! This is not the time for thinking. Lakshman is surely in some peril. You kindly go there. It is not proper to waste even a moment now."
Shri Ram fell into a strange conflict. Sita was insisting upon his going at once. Helplessly, Shri Ram took up his bow and proceeded towards the place where the fight was going on.
Ravan's joy knew no bounds. He came out of the bamboogrove. Sita was standing at the door of the cave looking towards the direction in which the fight was going on. Ravan slowly and silently moved forward and stood behind Sita. At once he assumed a monstrous form; seized Sita holding her waist and at once began flying through the sky, in his Pushpak.
On account of this sudden occurrence Sita was stunned. She inspite of her dazed condition, sensed that she was being abducted. She began to weep aloud. The sky reverberated with her cries. Jatayu who was in the tree near the cave heard her cries and was startled. He saw Ravan putting Sita in the Pushpak and flying away. At once, it flew towards Sita and said;
"Noble lady! You need not fear anything. I am here. O you demon! You despicable fellow! Wait a little.” Jatayu
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