Ravana did not seem to have heard the rattling of Seetha. She became utterly despondent. Without knowing what to do next she was simply looking down at the Mother Earth. Suddenly she noticed some five figures looking like humans gaping at them (i.e. Ravana and her) from a mountaintop. She realized that they were not exactly humans but vanaras and that they looked prominent and honest. On an impulse Seetha took out some of her auspicious ornaments in the upper fringe of her sari, bundled and dropped them in the midmost of those five Vanaras. She fervently hoped that 'these creatures will show them to Rama.'
Comment.
Experts of Valmiki Ramayana have some different opinions in this regard. Some opine that Seetha tore her upper cloth and bundled the ornaments while some others feel that the whole of the upper cloth was dropped. The Indian sari worn by women of yore (say in the time of Ramayana) was in a different fashion, where they wore sari like the present day dhoti with pleated back stuffing like men, but they also used an upper cloth enough to cover their busts. A three-piece dress was a must, either to a man or a woman in India. It comprised of a loincloth dhoti or sari, and a shirt-like or a jacket-like bust cover, and an upper-cloth to hang on the shoulder to men or to muffle the bust for women. So some say the whole of upper cloth of Seetha was dropped bundled with ornaments.
End Comment.
Fortunately Ravana had not noticed her action. His concentration was getting back home quickly and safely. However, he was concerned about the wailing of Seetha. In case that Rama heard it he may be chasing him, or will chase him shortly. He was confident that Rama cannot follow him after he (i.e. Ravana) crossed the ocean. Once he reached his homeland Lanka he will be absolutely safe and secured. And he did cross the ocean down underneath and advanced facing the City of Lanka. Until then he was looking sideways and back to see if Rama or Lakshmana was chasing him. As they cannot fly like him or walk on the water he became much relieved.
On going towards the city Lanka that had fine symmetrical roadways, he then entered his own palace chambers in which royal servants were thronging at many doorways as that palace had very many chambers, naturally.
Then he went to his personal chamber and sitting on his favorite couch thinking about the best course of further action. And he got it. He summoned eight highly vigorous rakshasas and told them "You immediately take all the assault weapons and and go to Janasthaana pronto. One human guy called Rama obliterated Khara and all his forces. I am sending you there as I know that you cannot be defeated. Stay in that Janasthaana which is now void of any rakshashas.
"That human Rama seem to bear some grudge against me. I for myself will rest in peace only on eliminating him who has eliminated Khara and Duushana. While you remain in Janasthaana you have to send me the information about Rama's activities and deportment. Do not go heedlessly against that human guy, for that Rama appears to be too dangerous, and on your going there heedfully, you have to continually try for the elimination of that guy.
"As you have proved your mettle in war a number of times, I and sending you all to Janasthaana."
The eight rakshashas went to Janasthaana as ordered.
Then Ravana felt immensely happy that he got Seetha and for the well-wrought action against Rama.
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Comment.
Experts of Valmiki Ramayana have some different opinions in this regard. Some opine that Seetha tore her upper cloth and bundled the ornaments while some others feel that the whole of the upper cloth was dropped. The Indian sari worn by women of yore (say in the time of Ramayana) was in a different fashion, where they wore sari like the present day dhoti with pleated back stuffing like men, but they also used an upper cloth enough to cover their busts. A three-piece dress was a must, either to a man or a woman in India. It comprised of a loincloth dhoti or sari, and a shirt-like or a jacket-like bust cover, and an upper-cloth to hang on the shoulder to men or to muffle the bust for women. So some say the whole of upper cloth of Seetha was dropped bundled with ornaments.
End Comment.
Fortunately Ravana had not noticed her action. His concentration was getting back home quickly and safely. However, he was concerned about the wailing of Seetha. In case that Rama heard it he may be chasing him, or will chase him shortly. He was confident that Rama cannot follow him after he (i.e. Ravana) crossed the ocean. Once he reached his homeland Lanka he will be absolutely safe and secured. And he did cross the ocean down underneath and advanced facing the City of Lanka. Until then he was looking sideways and back to see if Rama or Lakshmana was chasing him. As they cannot fly like him or walk on the water he became much relieved.
On going towards the city Lanka that had fine symmetrical roadways, he then entered his own palace chambers in which royal servants were thronging at many doorways as that palace had very many chambers, naturally.
Ravana placed down Seetha, whose eyelashes were blackish and who was in deep bewilderment caused by the whimpering, there in one of his palace chambers. He ordered the rakshashis guarding that chamber that no one should see Seetha without his permission. He further told them that whatever she wished to have, like gold, jewels, pearls, apparels or adornments should be given to her. He also told them that they should behave very courteously and submissively to her and whosoever spoke unpleasant words to her in the least, either unknowingly or knowingly, her life would become unpleasant for herself."
"That human Rama seem to bear some grudge against me. I for myself will rest in peace only on eliminating him who has eliminated Khara and Duushana. While you remain in Janasthaana you have to send me the information about Rama's activities and deportment. Do not go heedlessly against that human guy, for that Rama appears to be too dangerous, and on your going there heedfully, you have to continually try for the elimination of that guy.
"As you have proved your mettle in war a number of times, I and sending you all to Janasthaana."
The eight rakshashas went to Janasthaana as ordered.
Then Ravana felt immensely happy that he got Seetha and for the well-wrought action against Rama.
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