Valmiki Ramayana - Sargas 34 and 35 of Aranya Kanda.
Ravana is highly provoked by Shurpanakha's verbal barbs. He asks her to describe this Rama and how he has managed to kill all his army. How come such a beauty of a sister of Ravana's has been disfigured, and by whom?
Shurpanakha seems a very eloquent rakshasi. She describes in detail Sri Rama's beauty, valour and capability in archery. His bow is golden and releases deadly arrows. He shoots so many arrows in such rapid succession that his action was a mere blur in the battle but she saw everyone including Khara, Dushana, and Trishiras, killed - all within 75 minutes of war.
Rama has a brother, Lakshmana, who is equally good looking and strong. He is totally devoted to Rama. Since Rama is a man of principle, they did not kill her. Lakshmana disfigured her and let her go.
But now Shurpanakha comes to the crux of the matter. Rama has a wife by name Sita. My god, what a beauty she is!
Shurpanakha describes in great detail Sita's beauty, her vital statistics, her extreme sexual appeal, and her modesty, and her nature which is one of devotion. Sita is worthy of becoming Ravana's wife. Nothing less. Ravana should at once go and make her his wife.
विज्ञायैषामशक्तिं च क्रियतां च महाबल ।
सीता तवानवद्याङ्गी भार्यात्वे राक्षसेश्वर ॥
निशम्य रामेण शरैरजिह्मगै -
हताञ्जनस्थानगतान् निशाचरान् ।
खरं च दृष्ट्वा निहतं च दूषणं
त्वमद्य कृत्यं प्रतिपत्तुमर्हसि ॥
"Oh, supreme lord, Ravana! Knowing about this Sita, frail and ready for your abduction, you should make her your wife. She is perfect in her physical beauty!
" Also seeing how Rama's arrows did not miss their mark and pretty much killed all the rakshasas in Janasthana including Khara and Dushana, you have to do what is your appropriate duty."
***
Ravana was greatly excited to hear Shurpanakha's suggestion. He left his court and went into deep thought. Finally he decided on the best course of action in this matter. He hatched a plan. He went secretly to his chariot shed and asked his charioteer to prepare a suitable vehicle. A superb aerial vehicle was readied in double quick time.
Ravana is described in all his glory by Valmiki as he travelled in the sky in his magical chariot. He travelled over the sea and over extremely attractive regions of mountains, dense forests, and rivers, and waterfalls. Coconut and banana groves, and many trees of utter fragrance are listed. There is a description of an impossibly large banyan tree under which many sages meditated. This tree was once visited by Garuda amidst his exploits.
Ravana travels far across the sea again to the solitary hermitage of Mareecha. Mareecha is surprised at Ravana's repeat visit so soon. He offers Ravana all hospitality and asks if all is well.
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
