In his despair, Rama, having failed to find Sita, succumbed to delusion, his helplessness apparent. Lakshmana’s attempts to console and redirect him bore no fruit. The depths of Rama’s agony seemed boundless as he sighed, shook his head, and gestured in a manner that struck fear.
“O Lakshmana,” he lamented, “none on this earth faces trials as I do, each event crushing my heart. Surely, in a previous life, I must have committed grievous sins, for now, I am compelled to atone for them. I have lost my kingdom, and my friends and relatives are distant, unable to offer solace. My mother is far away, and my father is gone. These memories flood my mind, compounding my sorrow. Since entering this forest, my grief was tempered by ascetic life, but now it blazes like fire at the loss of Sita, engulfing me in despair.
Surely, a demon has seized Sita, perhaps taken through the sky. Her cries must have reached the heavens, her delicate body likely tortured by her captors. Cunning or force must have been employed, and her fate seems as the moon was swallowed by Rahu during an eclipse. Her precious ornaments may have been devoured along with her, leaving no trace of her presence. The bright-eyed Sita dragged away in my absence, must have shrieked like a sparrow caught in a storm. Lakshmana, she often sat on this very stone, talking with you, and loved the Godavari River. I thought she might have gone there to gather lotus flowers for her prayers, but she would not venture alone.”
Rama, turning his gaze to the sun, implored, “O witness of all, Lord Sun, where is Sita? You see all; tell me of her whereabouts. Lord of Air, who traverses all realms, reveal to me Sita’s fate.” Overwhelmed by his irrational thoughts, Rama’s sorrow stretched into the night and day.
Lakshmana, ever wise, spoke gently, “O venerable Rama, cast aside this sorrow. Gather your strength and enthusiasm to seek Sita. The determined can achieve even the toughest goals through systematic effort, without being deterred by the outcome.” Yet, Rama, lost in his calamity, heeded not Lakshmana’s words.
“Lakshmana,” Rama urged, “perhaps Sita has gone to gather lotus and water lilies. Go and see.” Lakshmana swiftly searched the surroundings of the Godavari but found no sign of Sita. He called out, “Sita!” but received no response. Returning, he reported, “Rama, I searched thoroughly, but Sita is untraceable.” Distressed, Rama returned to the riverbanks, calling out again in vain.
Disappointed, Rama lamented, “O Godavari, you do not answer me. How shall I face King Janaka without Sita? The trials of losing my throne and enduring the hardships of the forest are nothing compared to losing her. She was my sole comfort.” They searched further, but to no avail.
In a moment of clarity, they saw a herd of beasts gazing southward as if trying to communicate. Rama observed, “These animals seem to point south. We must follow this direction in our search for Sita.” Gaining hope, Rama and Lakshmana moved southward, scanning for clues. They discovered scattered flowers, remnants of Rama’s past offerings to Sita.
“O sacred mount,” Rama pleaded, “you witnessed Sita in your embrace. Tell me, where is she?” Receiving no reply, Rama grew wrathful, threatening to punish the mountain and dry the river if they withheld information. Soon, they found large and small footprints, along with broken weapons and signs of a fierce battle.
Rama exclaimed, “Lakshmana, behold these traces of conflict! Sita’s ornaments are scattered, and bloodstains mark the ground. A demon must have chased her. Watch closely—this is no ordinary scene.” He pointed to a broken bow, a shattered chariot, and fallen warriors. The evidence suggested a significant clash.
“Lakshmana,” Rama declared, “this cruelty against Sita will not go unanswered. If the gods do not return her unharmed, I will unleash my wrath upon the demon world, sparing no one. My arrows will disrupt the heavens and earth, challenging the natural order. I will not rest until Sita is safe.”
With renewed determination, Rama prepared to wage a cosmic battle if necessary, vowing that the world’s balance hinged on Sita’s return. He invoked the elements and gods, demanding Sita’s safety, prepared to overturn the universe if his beloved was not returned to him, whole and unharmed.