The Abduction of Seeta

"Lakshman, see how beautiful this deer is!" said Ram to Lakshman. "It has bewitched Seeta's mind. I will catch it and bring it to her. Stay here and take care of Seeta." 

After saying this, Ram picked up his bow and arrow and began to chase the deer. The deer would momentarily disappear from Ram's view, reappearing before him the next instant. This game of hide-and-seek angered Ram, but he kept his attention on his goal. He finally decided to kill the deer. He nocked an arrow and fired; the arrow hissed like a snake and pierced the deer's heart. The deer transformed into the demon Mareech, who mimicked Ram's voice and shouted, "Oh, Seeta! Oh, Lakshman!" He then expired.

Seeta was terrified when she heard her husband's cries for help. She thought that Ram was in immediate danger, so she asked Lakshman to go and help him right away. Lakshman was hesitant because he knew Ram could take care of himself. Also, he had promised Ram that he would protect Seeta under any circumstances. When Lakshman refused to leave, Seeta scolded him and questioned his loyalty to Ram. Eventually, Lakshman relented and agreed to go and find Ram. However, before leaving, he drew a line in the sand with an arrow around the cottage. Anyone who tried to enter the house by crossing this line would be burned to ashes.

Ram realized he had been tricked. With a premonition of imminent disaster, he raced toward the cottage. On the way, he met Lakshman, running in the opposite direction. He scolded Lakshman for leaving Seeta alone in the forest full of demons. 

Meanwhile, a beggar chanting Vedic mantras appeared at the cottage's entrance. Seeta emerged with a basket of fruits for him. The beggar persuaded Seeta to cross Lakshman's line. He then transformed into the Demon King Ravan and seized her! Without wasting time, Ravan put Seeta in his Pushpak Viman and flew toward Lanka. 

"Oh, flowers of the forest," Seeta cried from aboard the airplane, "I beg you to tell Ram that the wicked Ravan has carried his Seeta away. Oh, mountain ranges, tell Ram that the wicked Ravan has kidnapped his Seeta. Oh, birds and animals of the forest, please tell my beloved husband that Seeta kept resisting, but the wicked Ravan carried her away. When my words reach Ram, he will search every corner of the earth, find and rescue me."

The vulture Jatayu was half-asleep on a tree in the jungle when he heard Seeta's screams. He woke up and saw that Ravan was forcefully taking Seeta with him. "Ten-headed Ravan, I am the vulture Jatayu," said the giant bird. "Ram, the son of Dasharath, is the Lord of all creatures in the world. He is strong, like Varun and Indra, and is engaged in the welfare of people. The woman you have kidnapped is Ram's lawful wife, Seeta. Release her, or else, as a punishment, you will be destroyed. I am sixty thousand years old, whereas you are young. You are aboard a plane, wearing armor, and have weapons. Yet, I will not let you take Seeta away so easily. If you are courageous, disembark the plane and fight me."