A SECOND FATHER DIES

THE two brothers searched every mountain, forest and river-bank calling Seeta's name aloud. But all in vain, and they did not so much as find a clue anywhere. Baffled and grief-stricken, Raama cried out against the river Godaavari, against the gods and against the five elements.

The Poet-Sage ascribes the silence of the rivers and the gods and elements to their fear of the powerful Raakshasa king. A herd of deer, however, moving southwards seemed to indicate to Raama and Lakshmana that they too should travel in the same direction. They did so and, after a time, found some flowers scattered on the way.

Raama at once recognised the flowers and cried excitedly: "These are the very flowers I gave her. They must have fallen from her hair."

His grief and anxiety grew greater and he sobbed aloud fearing the worst for Seeta.

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