THE RAMAYANA : 9.

(Delivered at the Shakespeare Club, Pasadena, California, January 31, 1900)

9.
Immediately, at the cottage was heard the voice of Rama, crying, "Oh, Lakshmana, come to my help!" and Sita said, ''Lakshmana, go at once into the forest to help Rama! "

"That is not Rama's voice," protested Lakshmana.

But at the entreaties of Sita, Lakshmana had to go in search of Rama.

As soon as he went away, the giant king, who had taken the form of a mendicant monk, stood at the gate and asked for alms.

"Wait awhile," said Sita, "until my husband comes back and I will give you plentiful alms."

"I cannot wait, good lady," said he, "I am very hungry, give me anything you have."

At this, Sita, who had a few fruits in the cottage, brought them out.

But the mendicant monk after many persuasions prevailed upon her to bring the alms to him, assuring her that she need have no fear as he was a holy person.
So Sita came out of the magic circle, and immediately the seeming monk assumed his giant body, and grasping Sita in his arms he called his magic chariot, and putting her therein, he fled with the weeping Sita.

Poor Sita! She was utterly helpless, nobody, was there to come to her aid.

As the giant was carrying her away, she took off a few of the ornaments from her arms and at intervals dropped them to the grounds.
Swami Vivekananda
To be continued  ....