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The Abduction of Sita
repeatedly attacked Ravan and kept attacking him with is sharp and pointed beak in a fierce manner. At once, Ravan, cut off its wings with his sword. Then, Ravan began to fly in the sky in his Pushpak.
The entire atmosphere began to reverberate with Sita's loud cries and screams. "O Lakshman. . . . my dear father Janak ...O brother Bhamandal...listen. Your Sita is being abducted by some wicked person. Save me. Save me. Rescue me from
this sinful monster at once."
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She kept weeping aloud but what could be done? All her cries were in vain. There was no one there to come to her
succour.
The Pushpak was flying over the sea, with the speed of an electric flash. Just then Ratnajati a Vidyadhar prince who lived in an island in the midst of the sea heard her heart-rending cries and stood stupefied. Since she was repeatedly crying out, "O Ram! O Lakshman !" he guessed that it was Sita, the wife of Shri Ram. The Pushpak, of course belonged to Ravan. He thought: "Ravan must be carrying away Sita. What should I do? Sita is the sister of my Lord Bhamandal. Therefore, I should go to her rescue. I should try to release her from the cruel clutches of Ravan." At once, Ratnajati soared to the sky; stood before the Pushpak and impeded its movement. He said in a thundering voice, waving his sword, "O you wicked fellow ! You are abducting Sita like a thief. If you are a hero, fight with me."
But what was Ratnajati compared to Ravan who had mastered countless arts and accomplishments? Within a moment, Ravan deprived him of all his powers. In consequence, he fell whirling down on Kambudweep. He fell down unconsciWhen he regained his consciousness, he, feeling helpless, took shelter on the mountain called Kambuparvat.
ous.
The Pushpak was proceeding towards Lanka at a great speed. After having gone a long distance Ravan reduced the speed a little. He looked towards Sita. Her eyes were red with
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