66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

“Ah,” cried Ravana, challenged. “We will see about that.
But tell me why he did this to you. How did you provoke
him?”
“He has a woman who should be yours. If you win her I fear
all your present favourites will be thrown out. I also fear that
you will surrender to her all your powers, valour,
possessions, and conquests and make yourself her abject
devotee. Her name is Sita. I was so overcome by her beauty
that I waited and watched for a chance and attempted to
snatch her and bring her to you as a present.”
Ravana’s interest shifted from revenge to love and he
said, “Why didn’t you?”
“When I seized her, this man’s brother—Ah! how strong he
was!—fell on me and slashed my face.”
“Tell me all about her… .” Ravana commanded, ignoring
all other issues.
Soorpanaka described Sita from head to toe in minute
detail. The picture she conjured up was convincing and
Ravana fell madly in love with her image. He became
restless and unhappy. Every syllable that Soorpanaka
uttered gave him both pleasure and pain. Soorpanaka urged
him to set forth and capture Sita. Finally she said, “When you
have succeeded in getting that woman, keep her for yourself;
but be sure to surrender the man Rama to my hands. I’ll deal
with him.” She had no doubt that her strategy to separate
Sita from Rama was going to succeed and then Rama