As Ravana, the king of the rakshasas, crossed the serene waters of the Pampa lake, heading toward the golden city of Lanka, the best of monkeys witnessed Sita’s anguished cries. Ravana, delighted though his actions would ultimately lead to his own destruction, carried the weeping Maithili away. Holding her in his lap, as a venomous serpent would clutch its prey, Ravana soared across forests, rivers, mountains, and lakes, his flight swift and direct like an arrow released from a mighty bow. He sped toward the abode of Varuna, the inexhaustible realm teeming with whales and crocodiles. Reaching the refuge of rivers, he crossed the vast ocean, and in his agitation, the waves themselves recoiled, barring the passage of fish and great serpents. As Vaidehī was borne away, the ocean appeared below, and voices from the celestial bards echoed in the sky. The perfected beings declared, “This is the end of the ten-headed one.” Meanwhile, Ravana, with Sita struggling in his grasp, pressed her onto his lap. Entering the city of Lanka—a place that would become his own doom—Ravana approached its grand, well-laid roads and entered his immense inner palace, fortified and secure. There, he placed Sita, whose dark eyes were filled with grief and confusion. Ravana confined her within, as Maya once did with his illusory demoness, and then addressed the terrifying, ghastly-looking demonesses who guarded the palace. He commanded, “Let no man or woman, unless approved, see Sita. Pearls, jewels, gold, garments, and ornaments—whatever she desires, let it be given to her at my command. But if anyone utters even a single unpleasant word to Vaidehī, whether out of ignorance or knowledge, her life will not be dear to me.” Having issued these commands, Ravana, the powerful king of the rakshasas, left the inner palace, pondering his next move. Outside, he encountered eight mighty rakshasas, fierce eaters of flesh. Deluded by the boon he had received, Ravana praised their strength and valor, instructing them: “Armed with various weapons, go quickly to Janasthana, the place once inhabited by Khara, now destroyed. Stay there, relying on your courage and strength, casting away all fear. A great and mighty army once stood in Janasthana with Dushana and Khara, but they were slain by Rama’s arrows. From this, an unprecedented anger has arisen in me, surpassing my patience, and a terrible enmity toward Rama has been born. I wish to discharge that enmity against my great enemy—I will not rest until I have slain him. By killing Rama, the slayer of Khara and Dushana, I shall find peace, as a poor man does upon gaining wealth. You who dwell in Janasthana must keep close watch on Rama and report to me in detail whatever he does. All night-stalkers must proceed with vigilance, and constant effort must be made toward the destruction of Raghava. Your strength has been witnessed many times on the battlefield; therefore, I have stationed you here in Janasthana.” After receiving these instructions and words of praise, the eight rakshasas saluted Ravana with great respect and left Lanka unseen, heading toward Janasthana. Now, having obtained Sita, Ravana was exceedingly delighted. Embracing the daughter of Mithila, and having established a great enmity with Rama, Ravana, overcome by delusion, rejoiced. Hear now the fifty-fifth sarga of the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, Araṇyakāṇḍa. Having instructed the eight fierce rakshasas, Ravana, his mind clouded with confusion, believed his task accomplished. Yet, tormented by the arrows of desire for Vaidehī, he entered his splendid palace, eager to see Sita. Entering the mansion, Ravana, lord of the rakshasas, saw Sita immersed in sorrow among the rakshasi women. Her face was filled with tears; she was forlorn, oppressed by grief, like a boat sinking in the ocean, overwhelmed by the force of the wind. Like a gentle doe separated from her herd and surrounded by hounds, Sita stood with her face turned downward as the night-stalker approached her. Seeing her helpless and subdued by sorrow, Ravana showed Sita his palace, which resembled the abode of the gods. He revealed halls and mansions crowded together, attended by thousands of women, filled with flocks of birds and adorned with countless jewels. Pillars of ivory, gold, crystal, and silver rose everywhere, decorated with wondrous patterns of diamond and cat’s-eye, delightful to behold. The palace resounded with the music of celestial drums and was adorned with blazing gold. Ravana ascended the splendid golden staircase with Sita. There, rows of palaces had charming windows of ivory and silver, covered with golden lattices. In his own house, Dasagriva showed Maithili all the courtyards, wondrous with lime and jewels. He showed her ponds and lakes covered with various flowers, though Sita remained absorbed in sorrow. After showing Vaidehī the entire splendid palace, the wicked-hearted Ravana spoke words to Sita, intending to entice her.