RAAMA DISCONSOLATE

Saying thus to himself, Raama hurried back to the aashrama. On the way 1he saw Lakshmana running towards him. "Alas, the worst I fear has happened," exclaimed Raama. '

He held Lakshmana's hands and cried in sorrow. "Why did you leave Seeta alone in the forest, Lakshmana? You may be sure the Raakshasas have killed and eaten her. It was not right for you to leave her and come away. It is now all over with Seeta!"

Fatigued and thirsty with the futile chase, and now over whelmed with anger and unbearable anxiety, Raama cried again: "If I do not see Seeta in the aashrama when we return, I shall surely die, Lakshmana. You will return to Ayodhya, the survivor of us three, and tell them what has happened. O, how will Kausalya bear her grief? Lakshmana, you have more than fulfilled Kaikeyi's wishes. The Raakshasas will by now have visited on Seeta, poor unprotected Seeta, and all their pent-up hatred against us.

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