It was a bright beautiful day, the birds were chirping and the animals were going about in a jolly mood in Panchavati. 13 years of Vanavasa (forest dwelling) had completed and just less than a year was left for Lord Rama, Devi Sita and Lakshmana before they could return to their Kingdom of Ayodhya. Lord Rama was the crown prince and was about to be coronated as the King of Ayodhya by his father King Dasharatha when his wife and Rama’s step-mother Kaikeyi had put forth a condition to Dasharatha that Rama should be sent away for 14 years of Vanavasa (living in the forest without means) and her son Bharata should be crowned the King instead.
Rama abided by his father’s order and set out for Vanavasa with his newly wed bride Sita and stubborn but dedicated brother Lakshmana. It was almost the end of this nomadic dwelling that was about to be over in less than a year, they would then be back in Ayodhya.
On such a fine morning in Panchavati, suddenly an air of eeriness starting taking over. The birds chirping turned into agitation and the land animals started running helter-skelter. The sky turned dark and the forest became dense.
Amidst the dense darkness appeared a deer! Its skin shone as Gold and spots that flowed like rubies and emeralds!
Sita gets lured by it’s beauty and asks Rama to bring her the deer as a pet. Sensing mystery shrouded around the deer and the eerie changes in the surroundings, Rama and Lakshmana try to dissuade Sita. However, a wife’s wish becomes husband’s command and Rama sets off with his bow and arrow leaving Lakshmana behind for Sita’s protection.
After chasing the deer that runs away to a faraway place, Rama shoots an arrow, and the arrow pierces the deer. The deer turns into its original form – a demon named Mareecha (also spelt Maricha) who was tasked by Lanka King Ravana to lure Rama and Lakshmana away from Sita so Ravana could abduct her.
While going down, Mareecha shouts “Lakshmana”, “Sita” in Rama’s voice that leads to fear in Sita and compelling Lakshamana to go after Rama for his help.
What alluring beasts are you chasing?
Every stone in Hampi has a tale to tell, some have more than one tale. Depicted here on the walls of Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi is one such tale from Ramayana – The Alluring Beast or Mayamriga.
No responses yet