As they ran, Lakshmana tried to tell Rama that he had tried, but Seeta had been so upset and insistent that she angrily accused him of having wrong feelings for her. By the time they reached, it was too late. Seeta was not there! The hut was empty. The brothers searched all around but there was no sign of Seeta. Rama wept and questioned the birds and the animals, the trees and the flowers where his beautiful, doe-eyed Seeta had vanished. Searching for her, they heard the dying gasps of Jatayu and went towards the clearing where the brave bird had fought Ravana and failed. With his dying breath he told Rama that the evil Ravana had abducted her and taken her to the south. Rama gently held Jatayu as he died after he had given the message to Rama. With great love and sorrow, Rama performed his last rites.
An Empty Hut
