For the span of an entire manvantara, she engaged in deep austerities at Puṣkara, yet throughout her penance she remained nourished and radiant, her youthful beauty undiminished by the rigors of ascetic practice. It was foretold that in another birth, her husband would be none other than Hari himself. Upon hearing this prophecy, she became angry and, determined, undertook further ascetic practices. For a long time she continued her austerities, dwelling throughout the universe. One day, as she encountered him, she welcomed him with hospitality, offering water for the washing of his feet. Having eaten what she provided, the most sinful one lingered nearby. Seeing her—an excellent woman of striking beauty, with full and prominent breasts—the wretched man, pierced by the arrows of desire, fell into a swoon. But she, virtuous and resolute, fixed him with an angry glance and rendered him motionless. In his mind, he began to praise the goddess Padma, the lotus-eyed. Yet she pronounced a curse: “For my sake, you shall perish along with your kin.” Having spoken thus, she abandoned her body through the power of yoga. Reflecting on what had transpired, he wondered, “Ah! What wondrous thing have I seen, what have I done now?” In the course of time, that virtuous woman was born as the daughter of Janaka. She became a great ascetic, and by the merit of her previous austerities, she worshipped the Lord of the universe. Remembering her past birth, she recalled the sequence of her earlier penances. Again, she devoted herself to various kinds of austerities for a long time. He, too, was virtuous—delightful, peaceful, and of unsurpassed handsome form. Obeying his father’s command, the best of the Raghu dynasty was ever truthful. He dwelt near the ocean with Sita and Lakshmana. When Rama appeared distressed, his companion likewise became sorrowful. Then Agni, the fire god, spoke: “The time for Sita’s abduction has now arrived for you. Fate is indeed difficult to resist, and there is no power greater than destiny. At the time of the trial, I will return Sita to you.” Hearing these words, Rama did not reveal them to Lakshmana. By the power of fire, Sita was replaced with a Maya-Sita, an illusory form. Ravana came and took Sita away, forbidding her to speak openly. Meanwhile, Rama saw a golden deer. Leaving Lakshmana in the forest to protect Janaki, Rama pursued the deer. The illusory deer then cried out in Rama’s voice, “Lakshmana!” At the great gate of Vaikuntha, a servant among the gatekeepers, by the curse of Sanaka and others, had attained the form of a rakshasi. She heard the distressed cry, “Lakshmana!” With Lakshmana gone, Ravana—impossible to restrain—approached Rama. Rama, seeing Lakshmana in the forest, became despondent. He fell unconscious for a long time and, upon awakening, lamented intensely once more. In time, he received news of Sita’s abduction from the vulture by the riverbank. Resolute, he journeyed to Lanka, and there, the foremost of the Raghu dynasty slew Ravana with an arrow.