A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1476.2

c5.1476.2

Rāma passed ten years of his banishment moving from one hermitage to another, and went at length to the hermitage of the sage Agastya, near the Vindhya mountains. This holy man recommended Rāma to take up his abode at Panchāvatī, on the river Godāvarī, and the party accordingly proceeded thither. This district was infested with Rākshasas, and one of them named Sūrpa-nakhā, a sister of Rāvana, saw Rāma and fell in love with him. He repelled her advances, and in her jealousy she attacked Sītā. This so enraged Lakshmana that he cut off her ears and nose. She brought her brothers Khara and Dūshana with an army of Rākshasas to avenge her wrongs, but they were all destroyed. Smarting under her mutilation and with *spretae injuria formae*, she repaired to her brother Rāvana in Lankā, and inspired him by her description with a fierce passion for Sītā. Rāvana proceeded to Rāma's residence in an aerial car, and his accomplice Mārīcha having lured Rāma from home, Rāvana assumed the form of a religious mendicant and lulled Sītā's apprehensions until he found an opportunity to declare himself and carry her off by force to Lankā. Rāma's despair and rage at the loss of his faithful wife were terrible. He and Lakshmana went in pursuit and tracked the ravisher. On their way they killed Kabandha, a headless monster, whose disembodied spirit counselled Rāma to seek the aid of Su-grīva, king of the monkeys.