The Abduction of Sita - Mareech

Mareech gave it one last try. "Rama will surely kill me. Can you not think of some other way if you insist on carrying out this scheme."

"I will kill you here and now if you refuse. At least you stand a chance if you listen to me. You have escaped once. Who knows? You may be immune to Rama's arrows."

Mareech transformed himself into a golden deer and began to strut outside the hermitage. He made sure that the sunlight reflected off his fleece into Sita's eyes. Sita saw the deer and told Rama, "That deer is so beautiful and unusual. I want it for a pet."

Lakshmana had seen the deer as well. "Because it is like no other deer in this region I think it is a demon in disguise," he proclaimed. But Sita was adamant. "How can so beautiful a creature be a demon?" she argued, already having forgotten the incident of Soorpankha. Ultimately Rama yielded. "If it is a demon I will kill it and if it not then I will bring it back for my wife," he informed Lakshmana. "Meanwhile be alert and guard the hermitage." He picked up his bow and quiver and set off.

As soon as Mareech saw Rama approaching he scampered further away. Bit by bit, so as not to arouse suspicion he began to draw Rama away from the hermitage. "The brothers are not as stupid as Ravana thinks. Only one of them is chasing me. I will have to find a way to make the other leave the hermitage." Playing hide and seek he took Rama deep into the Dandak forest.

At the hermitage Lakshmana was getting upset. He was now sure that this was a ruse. Ravana was also getting upset. He had not reckoned with the eventuality that one of them would remain behind. He was told that the brothers were inseparable. He was confident that Mareech would do something. In the worst case he would have to fight this human. He was averse to soiling his hands with such menial work.

Mareech had drawn Rama sufficiently away from the hermitage. He gave one final burst of speed. As Rama followed, Mareech let out a painful cry in Rama's voice, "Lakshmana! Please help!" Rama let loose an arrow which found Mareech's heart.

In the hermitage Sita heard the cry. She was shocked. She asked Lakshmana to leave immediately to rescue her husband.

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