Aranya Kaanda
117 - Surpanakha approaches Ravana; Sita enters into the fire leaving Her shadow behind
Chaupais
Description
"Listen, my darling, who have been staunch in the holy vow of fidelity to me and are so virtuous in conduct: I am going to act a lovely human part. Abide in fire until I have completed the destruction of the demons." No sooner had Sri Rama told Her everything in detail than She impressed the image of the Lord's feet on Her heart and entered into the fire, leaving with Him only of a shadow of Hers, though precisely of the same appearance and the same amiable and gentle disposition. Laksmana too did not know the secret of what the Lord had done behind the curtain. The ten-headed Ravana approached Marica and bowed his head to him, selfish and vile as he was. The meekness of a mean creature is a source of great trouble like the bending of a goad, bow, snake or cat. The friendly speech of a villain is as dangerous, Bhavani (Parvati), as the flowers that blossom out of season.