Ravana summoned his magic chariot and flew off. Over the vast ocean and great mountains he travelled until he landed at the den of Mareech, the magician. This magician was able to assume the form of any human or beast. Ravana told Mareecha about Rama. He also spoke of his desire to take Seetha from the forest, carry her back to Lanka and make her his queen.
I shall do whatever I can to help," said the magician.He continued. "I will go to the Chilrakoot forest where I shall change into a golden deer and stand near their hut. I will lure Rama away. You will do the rest."

The next day, a beautiful deer appeared at the stream in Panchavati. Seetha was enchanted by it. "Please capture that deer for me," Seetha asked Rama.Lakshmana looked carefully at the creature. He told his brother, "This deer is too beautiful. It is too perfect. I have never seen a deer like that before. Brother, approach it with caution."Rama left to catch the deer and left Lakshmana on guard.

No sooner had Rama taken a step toward the deer than it darted into the woods. It was taking Rama farther and farther from the hut. Then deep in the forest, the deer paused. Rama moved closer to it. As he did so, the deer changed into the form of Mareech. Then Rama realized the trick and rushed back to Seetha.

Then he heard a voice that sounded exactly like his own cry out, "Lakshmana! Help me!"Rama knew he had been tricked. He hoped his brother would ignore these cries. Sita insisted it was her husbands voice crying for help and asked him to go to rama.But Lashman was hesiten to leave Seetha alone .

But when Seetha said "If you do not go after him, Lakshmana, I shall kill myself."Finally Lakshmana made his decision. Before he left, he drew a circle around the entrance to the hut. "Seetha," he said, "do not step beyond this magical circle. Inside of it you will be safe."Lakshmana grasped his quiver and ran in the direction of Rama's voice.

From behind a tree, Ravana watched his plan unfold perfectly.In an instant, he changed himself into a sanyasi, an old wise man, clutching a begging bowl.Seeing this common sight, and knowing it was her duty to feed the poor, Seetha offered the man fruit. Then Ravana noticed the magical circle. He knew that as long she remained within the circle, he could not get her. He had to get Seetha outside of it.

"Take this offering," said Seetha."I am a sanyasi. I cannot enter your home. To accept your gracious offering you must leave your home."Seetha hesitated. She had always helped the poor. How could she ignore this man? Disregarding Lakshmana's warning, Seetha stepped beyond the circle.Then like a tiger springing from high grass, Ravana grabbed Seetha and placed her in his chariot.Seetha screamed, but it was too late. The chariot rose into the sky and sped off to Lanka.

As Ravana headed south, Jatayu, the great eagle, saw Seetha. Jatayu spread his huge wings and flew up to the chariot. "Free Seetha," Jatayu declared "or I shall kill you."Ravana ignored the threat. Jatayu tore off one of the chariot's railings. He gently removed Seetha from the chariot and set her on the earth.

In blind fury, Jatayu attacked tearing off Ravana's arms and heads. Blood spurted from Ravana's mutilated body. As fast as Ravana lost an arm or head, it grew back. Jatayu was growing tired from the fight. Sensing this, Ravana drew his sword and cut off both of Jatayu's wings. The brave bird fell to the ground dying. Setha caressed Jatayu. She thanked him for trying to save her. In an instant, Ravana pulled Seetha back into the chariot and staggered back to Lanka.

Once in the city, Ravana tried to convince Seetha to stay in Lanka and be his queen. But Seetha would not listen. She loved only Rama. Hearing this Ravana led Seetha out of the palace and into a garden. He guarded her with a hundred demons