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Event Detail

Abduction of Sita at Panchavati

Type: AbductionConfidence: High

Ravana abducts Sita from the Panchavati region, triggering the search phase of the narrative.

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Ravana abducts Sita from the Panchavati region, triggering the search phase of the narrative. This episode is modeled as part of the Ramayana: Exile and Forest Route arc and positioned in phase 2 using relative chronology (order 170). The record is prepared for comparative reading across textual, historical, and modern scholarly interpretations with explicit source-link traceability.

Why this confidence: Aranya Kanda episode has direct textual witness and is foundational for all subsequent search-war arcs.

Valmiki Verse References

  • Valmiki Ramayana 3-49-1

    सीताया वचनं श्रुत्वा दशग्रीवः प्रतापवान् ।

    sītāyā vacanaṁ śrutvā daśagrīvaḥ pratāpavān |

    Hearing Sita’s words, the mighty ten-headed Ravana moved to act.

    Open source text

Interpretations

Event detail compares interpretations and linked sources in one place.

  • Textual sequence · Valmiki Textual Tradition

    Aranya Kanda frames the abduction as the trigger for alliance-building and the Lanka campaign.

    Approximate range: -700 to -100
    Narrative role is explicit in the text tradition.

Sources

  • Valmiki Ramayana, Aranya Kanda, Sarga 49

    Valmiki Ramayana (translation portal) · 2009 · primary_text

    View reference

Related Events

These connections are surfaced transparently from explicit links, shared narrative position, geography, or event type.

  • Explicit relation

    Maricha as the Golden Deer

    Maricha’s deception separates Rama and Lakshmana from Sita, enabling the abduction operation.

    Type: DeceptionConfidence: High

  • Explicit relation

    Surpanakha Encounter at Panchavati

    The Surpanakha episode escalates local conflict and precipitates the Khara-Dushana confrontation.

    Type: ConflictConfidence: High

  • Explicit relation

    Jatayu’s Last Stand and Testimony

    Jatayu attempts to stop Ravana and later provides crucial testimony to Rama, shaping the pursuit route.

    Type: BattleConfidence: High

  • Explicit relation

    Settlement at Panchavati

    Rama establishes residence at Panchavati, the key setting for the abduction sequence.

    Type: SettlementConfidence: High

  • Same arc

    Encounter with Viradha

    Rama and Lakshmana defeat the rakshasa Viradha while traversing Dandaka forest routes.

    Type: BattleConfidence: Medium

  • Same arc

    Meeting with Atri and Anasuya

    Rama and Sita receive counsel and gifts in the hermitage tradition before deeper forest movement.

    Type: MeetingConfidence: Medium