Aranyakandam of Srimadvalmiki Ramayanam describes the trials and
tribulations of Rama in the Dandakaranya forest. Rama meets the Sages living
there who request him to protect them from the atrocities of Rakshasas in not
along them to perform their daily prayers and rituals. Rama and Lakshmana
reject the advances of Surpanaka, the evil Rakshasi to marry her and Lakshmana
cuts her nose. Rama kills Kara Dhushana, Trisiras and their 14000 warriors. On
hearing Surpanaka about the beauty of Sita, Ravana with the help of Maricha, his
uncle, by taking the garb of a mendicant and golden deer respectively divert the
attention of Rama and Lakshmana and abduct Sita to Srilanka after a ght with
Jatayu. Rama does the last rites of Jatayu, meets Sabari and gives her Mukthi.
On the advice of Kabandha, proceeds to Rishyamuka hill to meet Sugriva, the
monkey king, to take his help in searching for Sita’s whereabouts. Here ends the
story of Aranyakandam.