Editing Ramayana (section)

===''Araṇya Kāṇḍa''===
{{Main|Aranya Kanda|Exile of Lord Rama}}
[[File:Raja Ravi Varma, Jatayu vadha, 1906.jpg|thumb|[[Ravana|Rāvaṇa]] fights [[Jatayu|Jatāyu]] as he carries off the kidnapped Sītā. Painting by [[Raja Ravi Varma]]]]
In exile, Rāma, Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa journey southward along the banks of the river [[Godavari|Godāvari]], where they build cottages and live off the land. One day, in the [[Panchavati|Pañcavati]] forest they are visited by a [[rakshasa|rākṣasī]] named [[Shurpanakha|Śurpaṇakhā]], sister of Ravaṇa. She tries to seduce the brothers and, after failing, attempts to kill Sītā out of jealousy. Lakṣmaṇa stops her by cutting off her nose and ears. Hearing of this, her brothers [[Khara (Ramayana)|Khara]] and Dushan organize an attack against the princes. Rama defeats Khara and his rakshasas.

When the news of these events reaches Rāvaṇa, he resolves to destroy Rāma by capturing Sītā with the aid of the ''rakṣasa'' [[Maricha|Mārīca]]. Mārīca, assuming the form of a golden deer, captivates Sītā's attention. Entranced by the beauty of the deer, Sītā pleads with Rāma to capture it. Rāma, aware that this is the ploy of the demons, cannot dissuade Sītā from her desire and chases the deer into the forest, leaving Sītā under Lakṣmaṇa's guard.

After some time, Sītā hears Rāma calling out to her; afraid for his life, she insists that Lakṣmaṇa rush to his aid. Lakṣmaṇa tries to assure her that Rāma cannot be hurt that easily and that it is best if he continues to follow Rāma's orders to protect her. On the verge of hysterics, Sītā insists that it is not she but Rāma who needs Lakṣmaṇa's help. He obeys her wish but stipulates that she is not to leave the cottage or entertain any stranger. He then draws a line that no demon could cross and leaves to help Rāma<!--this wasn't in the original ramayana-->. With the coast finally clear, Rāvaṇa appears in the guise of an ascetic requesting Sītā's hospitality. Unaware of her guest's plan, Sītā is tricked and is then forcibly carried away by Rāvaṇa.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rajarajan |first=R. K. K. |year=2001 |chapter-url=https://www.academia.edu/2514821 |chapter=''Sītāpaharaṇam'': Changing thematic Idioms in Sanskrit and Tamil |editor-first=Dirk W. |editor-last=Lonne |title=Tofha-e-Dil: Festschrift Helmut Nespital |publisher=Reinbeck |pages=783–97 |isbn=3-88587-033-9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504183709/https://www.academia.edu/2514821/S%C4%ABt%C4%81pahara%E1%B9%89am_Changing_thematic_Idioms_in_Sanskrit_and_Tamil |archive-date=4 May 2020 }}</ref>

[[Jatayu|Jatāyu]], a [[vulture]], tries to rescue Sītā but is mortally wounded. In Lankā, Sītā is kept under the guard of ''rakṣasīs''. Ravaṇa asks Sītā to marry him, but she refuses, being totally devoted to Rāma. Meanwhile, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa learn about Sītā's abduction from Jatāyu and immediately set out to save her. During their search, they meet [[Kabandha]] and the ascetic [[Shabari|Śabarī]], who directs them to Sugriva and Hanuman.