56. Rāvaṇa's Threat to Sītā [When Sītā refuses to accept him, he gives her one year time to change her mind and commands his Rākṣasī maids to break her pride.] When he told her like this, the sorrowing Vaidehī, who was not afraid, kept a straw in between them and spoke like this to Rāvaṇa. 56.1 "Rāghava is the son

57. Rāma Returns to Janasṭhāna [Rāma greatly worried by the deer imitating his voice and also the bad omen he notices, returns back to his hermitage. On the way he meets Lakṣmaṇa and finds fault with him.] After killing the Rākṣasa Mārīcha in the deer form who was wandering taking any form he likes, Rāma swiftly returned from there. 57.1

58. Rāma Finds Hermitage Empty [Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, who are both greatly worried reach their hermitage but found that Sītā was not to be seen there.] Seeing the depressed Lakṣmaṇa in that lonely place, by the track which Sītā normally took, the son of Dasaratha asked. 58.1 "Where is that Vaidehī, who followed me when I started to Daṇḍakāraṇya, leaving

59. Lakṣmaṇa Reports to Rāma [When Rāma finds fault with Lakṣmaṇa, he gives a detailed reply indicating how he was unjustly provoked by Sītā. Rāma still feels that what he did was wrong.] Rāma the son of Raghu clan enquired from the son of Sumitrā who had to leave the hermitage and come to the forest. 59.1 "In spite of

60. Rāma Wails for Sītā [Rāma in inconsolable. He searches for Sītā everywhere and is greatly upset by the thought that Sītā might have been eaten by a Rākṣasa.] When Rāma was moving about, his left eye throbbed excessively underneath and he stumbled and started shivering. 60.1 After noticing the bad omens which were not auspicious again and again he

61. Initial Search for Sītā [Rāma is greatly grieving. Lakṣmaṇa consoles him and gives him hope. Both of them search for Sītā all over that place when they are not able to find Sītā, Rāma faints.] Rāma, the son of Daśaratha finding that the hermitage is empty and devoid of anybody, with seats being disturbed, was not able to see

62. Rāma in Sorrow [Rāma decides that Sītā is no more and as he does not have any wish to live, requests Lakṣmaṇa to go back to Ayodhya.] That mind of the soul of Dharma, not being able to Sītā was filled with sorrow and that lotus eyed Rāma who was a greatly valorous one wailed. 62.1 That Rāma, who

63. Rāma is Upset [Rāma is upset and imagines many horrifying things that could have happened to Sītā and is greatly upset. Though Lakṣmaṇa tries to console him, he is not able to.] That prince without his darling was attacked by sorrow and delusion. Due to his grief and nervousness, his brother became dismayed and sunk in grief. 63.1 Seeing

64. Rāma Finds Traces of Attack on Sītā [While searching Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa see the flowers which Sītā was wearing, a broken shield, a destroyed chariot and footsteps of Sītā chased by one with large footsteps. Rāma flies in great anger and promises to take revenge against the entire world.] That pitiable man in a pitiable tone told this to