Ramayana through illustrations Aranya Kand Part II

Aranya Kand Part 2

The Aryana Kand in the Hindu epic ‘The Ramayana’ is divided into two parts, i.e. Aryanya Kand - Part 1 and Aranya Kand - Part 2. From Lord Rama’s meeting with boatman Kevat to Mother Sita getting mesmerised after seeing golden deer were shown in the first part. Now, this part will tell you about Maricha’s killing by Lord Rama and how demon Ravana kidnapped Sita. We are here to narrate the full story of Aranya Kand-2 with the help of pictures.

Maricha

Lord Rama went to catch the golden deer (Maricha) but sensed something tricky about the deer. He fired an arrow towards the deer, which brought it to death.

Lakshman Rekha

Just before dying, Maricha regained his original avatar of Rakshasa (demon) and started crying louder in the voice of Lord Rama. Sita got worried after listening her husband’s voice and asked Lakshmana to enquire what happened to his elder brother. Lakshmana was sure that no one can defeat his brother and said the same to Sita. But she said sarcastic words to him and forced him to go to save Lord Rama. At last, he went but drew a line, popularly known as ‘Lakshmana Rekha’ outside their shelter in the jungle and requested Sita not to cross it.

Sadhu Ravan

As Lakshmana departed and travelled some distance, Ravana, who was hiding in the woods, changed his appearance and came in disguise of an old ‘Sadhu’ (holy person). He asked Sita to give him some food and as soon as she went inside to get food for him, he tried to enter the shelter but couldn’t do so as Lakshmana drew a line there before leaving. He then pleaded Sita to come outside and give him food. She first resisted coming outside but he scared her of giving curse to her husband Rama if she didn’t cross the line. Worried Sita agreed to fulfill his demand and crossed the line.

Ravan

Sita crossed the line and Ravana took his actual avatar and left his disguise as the ‘Sadhu’. He picked Sita and said “You belong to me now”. He carried Sita away and kidnapped her.

Jatayu

Jatayu, an old vulture bird saw Ravana kidnapping Sita. He didn’t think twice and flew off into the sky to fight Ravana and save mother Sita. He gave a tough fight to Ravana but couldn’t last long and ultimately got killed by Ravana. The demon chopped his wings and limbs and he fell down dying.