“’Thus addressed, Maricha performed his obsequies (in anticipation) and with a sorrowful heart, followed Ravana who was in advance of him.  And having reached the hermitage of Rama of difficult achievements, they both did as arranged beforehand.  And Ravana appeared in the guise of an ascetic with head shaven, and adorned with a Kamandala, and a treble staff.  And Maricha appeared in the shape of a deer.  And Maricha appeared before the princess of Videha in that guise.  And impelled by Fate, she sent away Rama after that deer.  And Rama, with the object of pleasing her, quickly took up his bow, and leaving Lakshmana behind to protect her, went in pursuit of that deer.  And armed with his bow and quiver and scimitar, and his fingers encased in gloves of Guana skin, Rama went in pursuit of that deer, after the manner of Rudra following the stellar deer[50] in days of yore.  And that Rakshasa enticed away Rama to a great distance by appearing before him at one time and disappearing from his view at another.  And when Rama at last knew who and what that deer was, viz., that he was a Rakshasa, that illustrious descendant of Raghu’s race took out an infallible arrow and slew that Rakshasa, in the disguise of a deer.  And struck with Rama’s arrow, the Rakshasa, imitating Rama’s voice, cried out in great distress, calling upon Sita and Lakshmana.  And when the princess of Videha heard that cry of distress, she urged Lakshmana to run towards the quarter from whence the cry came.  Then Lakshmana said to her, “Timid lady, thou hast no cause of fear!  Who is so powerful as to be able to smite Rama?  O thou of sweet smiles, in a moment thou wilt behold thy husband Rama!” Thus addressed, the chaste Sita, from that timidity which is natural to women, became suspicious of even the pure Lakshmana, and began to weep aloud.  And that chaste lady, devoted to her husband, harshly reproved Lakshmana, saying, “The object which thou, O fool, cherishest in thy heart, shall never be fulfilled!  I would rather kill myself with a weapon or throw myself from the top of a hill or enter into a blazing fire than live with a sorry wretch like thee, forsaking my husband Rama, like a tigress under the protection of a jackal!”

[50] Tard-mrigam.  Formerly Prajapati, assuming the Form of a deer, followed his daughter from lust, and Rudra, armed with a trident, pursued Prajapati and struck off his head.  That deer-head of Prajapati severed from the trunk, became the star, or rather constellation, called Mrigasiras.

“’When the good natured Lakshmana, who was very fond of his brother, heard these words, he shut his ears (with his hands) and set out on the track that Rama had taken.  And Lakshmana set out without casting a single glance on that lady with lips soft and red like the Bimba fruit.  Meanwhile, the Rakshasa Ravana, wearing a genteel guise though wicked at heart, and like unto fire enveloped in a heap of ashes, showed himself there.  And