RAAMA DISCONSOLATE

WHEN Maareecha was struck by Raama's arrow and was about to die, he resumed his own Raakshasa shape and cried aloud in a voice which was an exact imitation of Raama's, "Ah Lakshmana. Ah Seeta!"

Raama now realised how the Raakshasa had beguiled them and how be had been drawn away a long distance by the crafty Maareecha and he was full of anxiety as to what it all could mean.

"Alas, we have been badly deceived. It would be terrible if Lakshmana is also deceived by this cry and leaves Seeta alone to come to my succour. It looks as though the Raakshasas have planned this ruse to carry off Seeta and eat her. When Seeta hears what she will take as my cry of distress she is sure to insist on Lakshmana leaving her and rushing to my help. The howling of jackals and the behaviour of birds do portend disaster. There is trepidation in my heart and it is a portent in itself of some danger close at hand."

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