(P) The Golden Deer (from the Ramayana)

STO-216

Rama, Sita and Lakshman were living happily in the forest. The three companions didn’t miss palace life, for they were happy to live close to nature and to have the company of the saints who lived there.

However, a wicked king had already heard of Sita’s beauty. His name was Ravana and he was the King of the Rakshasas. The Rakshasas were a race of man-eaters, who roamed the forest at night, hunting for humans to eat. Ravana had a sister called Shuparnaka. A few weeks earlier, Shuparnaka had met Rama in the forest. At first, she only thought of the pleasure of eating human flesh, which she had not enjoyed for many weeks. But when she looked on Rama’s handsome face, she fell in love with him. She desperately wanted Rama as her husband. Rama had refused, telling her that he was already married. Shuparnaka had flown into a rage, jealous of Sita. Boiling with anger and hatred, she rushed at the princess, trying to kill her. Lakshman had punished the wicked woman, cutting off her sharp nose and her pointed ears. Now all she wanted was revenge. Shuparnaka had then told her brother, Ravana, about the exquisite beauty of Sita. She knew that Ravana was greedy. He wanted the best of everything. Now, upon hearing about Sita’s beauty, he wanted the princess for himself.

One day, Sita was outside the small cottage. She could hear the sweet chirping of the doves and parrots, and could hear the running waters of the nearby river. Suddenly she spotted a small golden deer, wandering through the forest. Sita watched as it nibbled the grass. It had skin like velvet, and its tiny horns were studded with diamonds.

“O Rama”, Sita cried, “Come to see this beautiful deer. Oh, how sweet it is! Oh, Rama, I would love to have it as a pet. Would you get it for me?”

Lakshman followed Rama out of the cottage, a stern look on his face. “Rama, I suspect a trick!”, he said. “I have never seen a deer like this. Its skin looks like pure gold and it delicate horns are decorated with precious jewels. It may be a demon in disguise. My dear brother, be careful,!”

“You may be right.”, replied Rama.. “But who can defeat us two brothers? If it is a demon, then we will kill it. If it is a real deer, then Sita will have a beautiful pet.”

Saying this, Rama asked Lakshman to look after Sita. Lakshman promised to guard Sita. Rama took up his bow and strided into the forest. As he approached the deer, it jumped up in fear, and bounded away between the trees. Every now and then, Rama caught a glimpse of the creature, but as soon as he got near it, it darted away.

Rama entered deeper and deeper into the forest. He became convinced that this wasn’t an ordinary deer. Lakshman was right. It was moving too quickly, and he had never seen a deer quite like it. It was just too beautiful! Rama concluded that it was definitely a demon in disguise. He shot an arrow that entered the heart of the young creature. Immediately, the animal changed into a Rakshasa, with wrinkly grey skin, sharp teeth and pointed ears. Rama saw that it was Maricha, the famous magician! Before he died, Maricha let out a terrible cry that could be heard for miles. In a voice just like Rama’s he cried out, “Lakshman, help! Sita, help me!

Back in the cottage, Sita and Lakshman both heard the cry in the distance. Sita panicked, thinking that her powerful husband was in trouble. “Lakshman,” she sobbed, “Why do you stand there? Go to help your brother. Surely he has been attacked by some man-eating demon and now his life is in danger!

Lakshman stood, unmoved. He remembered his promise to Rama. “My gentle lady”, he said, “It is not possible for anyone to defeat my brother. He has already killed 14,000 Rakshasa soldiers all by himself. I do not think that he is actually in trouble”.

But Sita was too disturbed to hear what Lakshman was saying. She again begged him to rescue Rama. Again, Lakshman tried to reason with her.

Sita was overcome with anxiety and frustration. Her eyes burning like fire, she turned towards the proud warrior. “Lakshman”, she said, “All this time I thought that you were loyal towards your elder brother. Alas, how mistaken I have been!. Now I realise that you have been waiting to get rid of Rama so that you can marry me! But I will never agree to such a wicked act. Rama is dearer to me than life itself. I am surprised that he could have such a cowardly brother!

Sita’s words pierced Lakshman’s heart like a million arrows. “How can you say that, my lady?”. Rama is dearer to me than my very breath. The sun may lose its warmth or the moon may fall from heaven, but I will never give up my love for Rama.

But Sita was insistent. Bitten by her cruel words, Lakshman gave in.

“Alright, I will go, if you insist. But you will be alone, I warn you. I will draw a protective shield all around you. Until Rama and I return, do not step outside of this magic circle.”

Touching the ground with the end of his bow, Lakshman drew a circle around the princess. He told her, “If you stay inside this circle, you will be safe. But if you go outside it, the force-field will no longer protect you”. Then without looking back, Lakshman then hurried along the path taken by his brother.

Sita felt sorry for speaking such words to Lakshman. But she still felt worried and nervous. When would Rama and Lakshman return? The forest was normally full of chirping birds, but now there was an eerie silence. Sita no longer heard the trickling stream in the distance. She could hear only her own breathing and her beating heart. Oh, how long would it be before Rama returned? Just thinking of him coming back made her feel more peaceful.

Sita was surprised to suddenly spot a sadhu, a Hindu holy man. He was dressed in light-orange robes. He carried a staff and a water pot, and was coming towards the cottage. As he came nearer, he greeted her. “Oh lovely lady, of charming looks, who are you? What brings you to this part of the forest? Who is your husband?

“My dear holy man,” replied the princess, “I am Sita, wife of the great king, Rama. We have been sent away from out city, Ayodhya, and are spending our time in the forest. We are happy to meet many saints who live here.”

She continued, “Oh swami, please sit down. You must be tired and thirsty. How can I serve you?”

The holy man replied, “I have been travelling for many days and am very hungry. Please bring some refreshments.” Sita immediately fetched some sliced fruit and water. She remembered Lakshman’s words and hesitated to step any further.

“Come, come”, said the old man. “I am very weak and tired. Please bring it to me.” Sita was not afraid of holy men; she stepped out of the magic circle.

She placed the simple meal before the sadhu. “And who are you, my dear sir?” She asked. “You look like a sannyasi who has left home to search for God”.

Suddenly the holy man stood up, threw down his staff and shouted, “I am Ravana, king of the Rakshasas. I have come to take you as my wife.”

Sita was startled, “How dare you!” she shouted. “You are like a scruffy dog stealing what belongs to the lion.”

Ravana grabbed Sita by her hair and threw her over his shoulder. He bundled the struggling princess into his chariot, pulled by donkeys. The evil Rakshasa lashed his whip, and the donkeys flew high in the air, heading for the kingdom of Lanka.

An old vulture has seen everything. His name was Jatayu, and was an old friend of Rama’s father. Angry at Ravana’s behaviour, he swooped down from a tree and attacked the wicked king as he flew in his chariot. Jatayu struck the Rakshasa with his beak and his claws. After a fierce struggle, Ravana cut off Jatayu’s wings. The brave bird fell to the ground, dying. Sita cried bitterly, but the evil Ravana ignored her, and continued his journey towards Lanka, flying low over the treetops.

After killing Maricha. Disguised as the deer, Rama ran towards the cottage He met up with Lakshman, who was coming the other way to find his brother. Lakshman told Rama how he had left Sita alone. Rama was angry that Lakshman had broken his promise. And he was worried! The two brothers ran as fast as they could, crashing through the long grass and the creepers.

They reached the cottage. “Sita, Sita!” cried out Rama. But no-one replied. Even the birds remained silent. Rama sat down and wept. “I have lost my dear Sita. Someone has taken her, or she has been eaten by a wild animal. With her gone, how will I be able to live?

Lakshman spoke gently to his brother. “Rama, men of character are not overcome by difficulties. A boat that is overloaded quickly sinks in a storm. In the same way, those who are too affected by grief, sink in an ocean of sorrow. Warriors such as yourself do not give in to these feelings. They are brave, and never give up. Sita is alive, somewhere, I am sure of it. Let us search together – we are bound to find her!

As the two brothers searched, they came upon the bleeding and dying Jatayu. The vulture was unhappy at what he had seen, but glad to see Rama as his life was ending. He described all that had happened, indicating that Ravana’s chariot had flown off towards the south. The heroic vulture died in Rama’s arms, and the two brothers performed the funeral ceremony. They headed towards the south, determined to find Sita, but not knowing what adventures lay ahead.