In the last newsletter, we learned that Sugreev was exiled from Kishkinda by his once beloved brother. Vali, consumed by anger, wanted to further punish his brother by keeping Ruma, Sugreev's wife, forcibly in Kishkinda as his own.

About the time all this occurred, Lord Ram, Devi Sita, and Lord Lakshman were staying at the Chitrakuta hills. Animosity between the princes of Ayodhya and royal family of Lanka had been ignited when Lakshmana cut off the nose and ears of Surpanaka, a princess of Lanka, when she threatened to kill Sita.

One day, the ever vigilant Hanuman heard a weeping sound coming from the sky followed by words that sounded faintly like 'Ram' and 'Lakshman.' Then a small pouch fell from the sky onto the nearby land as a chariot raced at lighening speed heading south. The exiled vanaras realized that the chariot was being driven by Ravana, King of Lanka. But the identity of the woeful woman was unknown. They went to retrieve the fallen pouch which seemed to consist of a torn piece of sari tied around some jewelry. Hesitant to open it, Hanuman kept it in a safe place in the hopes that someone would come searching for it.

After a few days, they learnt that the abducted woman in the chariot was none other than the Princess of Ayodhya, Devi Sita! It seemed Vali was not alone in having to suffer the sharp pangs of a forced separation from a beloved spouse.

Will be continued...