SEETA IN THE ASOKA PARK

Her face was covered by light and shadow, like a lotus flower stained by mire. She swayed like a cobra bound by charms. Her state was like one surrounded by raging fires on four sides, like an army which had lost its chief warriors, like a river which had run dry, like a vessel for sacrificial fire that suffered desecration, like a lovely lotus tank destroyed by elephants, like a flowering creeper uprooted and cast aside, like a cow elephant separated from the leader of the herd, captured and tied as a prisoner.

Seeta sat trembling, overwhelmed with grief and fear. When she perceived Raavana's approach, that very instant her heart travelled to Raama like a chariot drawn by swift steeds. With faded face and wasted form, she thought of her protectors far away. "When will they come? Will they ever come?" she asked herself and meditated on God.

Raavana approached and spoke to her. Hidden in the branches of the tree, Hanumaan watched what went on below.

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