Year II-Chap.3-RAMAYANA - Ygic.us

Year IIChapter 3-RAMAYANAAfter reaching the capital, he placed the padukas on the throne and ruledthe kingdom in Rama’s name. He left the palace and lived like a hermit (in asmall village called Nandigram near Ayodhya), as Rama did, counting the daysof Rama’s return.Aranya KandaRama decided to leave Chitrakut as the place reminded him of Bharata andhis mothers. Rama, Lakshmana and Sita wandered through that huge Dandakaforest. They visited Sage Atri whose wife Anasuya was very kind to Sita.She gave Sita clothes and ornaments as token of her love. With theblessings of Sage Atri they all continued their journey following thedirections given by the sage. They reached a place where many sages wereliving in that forest.The Rishis who lived in the forest spoke of the horrors that demons haddone. Rama and Lakshmana promised they would kill all these demons. Theykilled a demon by name Viradha.Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spent the days, months and years among theRishis in the Dandaka forest very happily. After passing ten years in theforest, Rama went to visit Sage Agastya. Agastya blessed Rama and askedhim to move to Panchavati on the bank of Godavari River. It was a beautifulplace. Rama planned to stay at Panchavati for some time. So, Lakshamanaquickly put up an elegant hut and they all settled down.Rakshasi Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana,lived in Panchavati. Ravana was then the mostpowerful Rakshasa king who lived in Sri Lanka.One day Surpanakha happened to see Ramaand instantly fell in love with him. Sherequested Rama to be her husband.Rama was amused, and smilingly said, "As yousee I am already married. You can requestLakshmana. He is young, handsome and is alonewithout his wife."Surpanakha took Rama's word seriously and approached Lakshmana.40