One day, as they walked through the quiet forest of Dandaka, something extraordinary happened. Sita spotted a beautiful creature in the distance a deer whose fur shimmered like pure gold, catching the sunlight and casting a golden glow over the trees. She was captivated. “Rama, look at that deer!” she said softly, eyes wide with wonder. “I have never seen anything so beautiful in all my life.”

Rama looked at the deer, equally intrigued but cautious. This golden creature was unusual, especially in these dense forests. Still, seeing Sita’s joy and excitement made him smile. She gently placed her hand on his arm, “Rama, if you could bring this deer to me, it would bring such happiness in this lonely forest.”

Rama felt torn. He sensed something strange about the deer, as if it were out of place in the natural world. But Sita’s happiness mattered to him above all. “Very well, Sita,” he said. “If it brings you joy, I’ll bring the deer to you.” But he reminded her to stay close to the hut, leaving her under Lakshmana’s careful watch.

As Rama set off, he couldn’t shake a feeling of unease. The deer bounded through the forest, always just out of reach, drawing Rama deeper and deeper into the woods. In truth, this golden deer was a trick—no ordinary animal, but the demon Maricha in disguise, sent by the king Ravana to separate Rama from Sita. Maricha led Rama far from the hut, carefully playing his part in Ravana’s plan. Just as Rama was closing in, the deer cried out in a voice identical to Rama’s own, calling, “Lakshmana, help me!”

Back at the hut Sita’s heart sank when she heard the cry. Overcome with worry she turned to Lakshmana, urging him to go help Rama. “Lakshmana, didn’t you hear? He’s in danger Go, please!”

But Lakshmana, wise and ever loyal, hesitated. “Mother Sita, my brother is unmatched in strength. Nothing can harm him in these woods.” But Sita, overcome by worry, grew insistent, and eventually, Lakshmana, bound by his loyalty, agreed to go. “Please, stay safe here in the hut,” he said before leaving to find Rama.

The moment Lakshmana left, another figure approached their dwelling. A man, dressed as a humble sage, came asking for alms. Sita, unaware of any danger, stepped outside to greet him, offering food. But this was no sage this was Ravana, the demon king of lanka in disguise, waiting for the perfect moment. In an instant, he revealed his true form, capturing Sita and whisking her away in his chariot, leaving the forest empty and silent.

When Rama and Lakshmana returned, they found the hut abandoned. Panic flooded their hearts as they realized what had happened. What had begun as a simple wish to capture a golden deer had turned into a tragedy they could never have foreseen.