RAAMA DISCONSOLATE

"Lakshmana, Seeta is nowhere. The Raakshasas have captured her and torn her to pieces and eaten her up. How can I live any more? My end is near. But when my father sees me in the other world, he will say, 'Why have you come here, my son, before fulfilling my command?' I have failed. In everything, I have failed."

Lakshmana could bear this sight no longer. "Brother, it is not right that you should cry like this," he said. "Let us search through the forest. You know how fond Seeta is of entering caves and thickets. She may be bathing in the river or playing some where or culling flowers. Let us search again. She is only testing us. Come, let us search again. Do not cry."

The two searched again all over the place on hills, by pools and on the river bank. But they did not find her. "Seeta is not to be seen, Lakshmana," said Raama. "What shall I do now?"

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