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As a result, Rama and Lakshmana were forced to move away
and Ravana appeared in front of Sita disguised as a hermit.

Ravana came near Sita’s hut and called out, “Mother ! Will
you give me alms ?” No sooner did Sita come out with food,
than Ravana quickly snatched her and took her in his plane.

Who has the power to overcome such traps ? The entire
world is full of such illusion and deceit. Even if you have
to compulsorily stay in this cunning world, how can you be
tension-free and live a relaxed life ? Infinite living beings
have been cheated here.

“The entire world is filled with such untrustworthy things and
that is why learned men call this world hopeless.”

In this precious human birth, we have numerous opportunities
for exercising religion and developing noble virtues and
character. Who will miss these chances ? Only those who
trust temporary material objects and occurrences. Instead if
we understand that it is better to do charity, penance, serve
saints, revere God before we are deprived of our punya, if
we heartily feel the desire to cultivate virtues of forgiveness,
humility, modesty, then this human birth will surely be utilised.

Great men of the past were hence religious and virtuous.
They understood the destructive nature of worldly objects and
situations and thus till they were favourable, used them for
increasing their religious activities and virtues.

We were sinful and vicious since infinite births. This is the
birth to forsake sins and become religious. This is the chance
to leave vices and cultivate virtues.

Imagine the stake of Chandanbala :

She was sold in the market, and bought by Dhanasheth. Not
only did she lose the royal comforts of her father’s palace,
26 Purity Purified