Aranya Kanda

Rama, Sita and Lakshmana enter the Dandaka forest. Hermits there ask Rama to protect them from the Rakshasas, the forest demons. The demon Viradha attacks them and is killed. They visit the hermits Sutikshna and Agastya, and Agastya sends them to settle at Panchavati on the Godavari river, where they build a hut. They meet the vulture Jatayu, who offers to guard Sita.

Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana, sees Rama and desires him. Rama and Lakshmana refuse her, and she attacks Sita. Lakshmana cuts off her nose and ears, and she goes to her brother Khara, who sends fourteen warriors and then an army. Rama defeats them all in battle.

Surpanakha goes to Ravana and describes what happened and how beautiful Sita is. Ravana asks the demon Maricha for help. Maricha, who has met Rama before, warns him against it, but Ravana insists.

Maricha takes the form of a golden deer. Sita sees it and asks Rama to catch it. Rama goes after the deer and, before dying, Maricha calls out in Rama's voice. Sita sends Lakshmana to help. Left alone, she is approached by Ravana in the guise of an ascetic, and he carries her off in his chariot.

Jatayu tries to stop Ravana and is mortally wounded. Ravana takes Sita to Lanka. Rama and Lakshmana find the wounded Jatayu, who tells them what he saw. Rama performs his funeral rites.

The brothers meet Kabandha, a headless demon who is freed from a curse when they burn his body. He tells them to seek the monkey king Sugriva. They then meet the ascetic Shabari, and go on toward the lake Pampa and Mount Rishyamukha.