66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

presumptuousness and reckless arrogance. One sure way
of hurting a human being is to deprive him of his female
companion.”
Mareecha, who was now putting forth his best effort to live
a new life and practise all the moral and spiritual values,
cried, “It’s immoral. Coveting another’s wife… .”
“She had no business to become his wife. She should
have met me first,” said Ravana, his first phase of forlorn
depression now giving place to levity.
Mareecha’s present outlook did not permit him to accept
Ravana’s proposals passively. He cried, “You have the
grace of Shiva on you. You are endowed with eminence and
power. Do not cheapen yourself with such adventures. You
should not become a subject of gossip in this or other
worlds.”
“So you want me to watch indifferently when my sister is
hurt and humiliated! I don’t need your advice. I only want your
help.”
“In what manner?” asked Mareecha, feeling that he was
nearing the end of his spiritual attempts and perhaps the end
of his life too.
“I have a plan to take that woman away and you have a
part in it.”
Mareecha said, “A sort of drum-beat goes on within my
mind, sounding and re-sounding the message that you are