Famous Telling
To avenge the humiliation caused to his sister Surpanakha, Ravana decided to abduct Sita and punish Ram and Lakshman. He sent a golden deer (Maricha) that so enchanted Sita that she asked Ram to capture it. When Rama did not return for a long time, worried and nervous Sita asked Lakshman to look for him.
Before leaving, Lakshman drew a line around the hut and told her " Stay within at all times".
While brothers were away, Ravana came near Rama's hut disguised as sage and begged Sita for food. Sita invited him in but he refused to enter. Bound by the dharma of hospitality, Sita stepped out to feed her guest. Ravana immediately shed his disguise and carried Sita to lanka.
Cultural Division
Lakshman Rekha is a divide between nature and culture.
Within the line, Rama's (householder, society) law applies. Outside is the wilderness, the realm of Ravana. Within there is regard for the law of marriage; outside there isn't any.
Here, Ravana knows that if he enters Rama's hut and forces himself on Sita, he would be judged by the rules of SOCIETY. But outside the line, he will be judged by laws of JUNGLE.
Within, he would be villain who disregarded the laws of marriage. Outside, he is a hero; A great trickster.
||Rakshasas follow Matsya Nyay; law of jungle; survival of fittest ||
*This information is inspired from Devdutt Pattanaik's book named Myth= Mythya. All the readers are invited for discussion in case they have to add on or they disagree.
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