Ashoka Vanasta Sita

ASHOKA VANASTA SITA OR SITA IN THE FOREST OF ASHOKA TREES: Sita is abducted by Ravana and imprisoned in Lanka in a forest of Ashoka trees. Ravana implores Sita to marry him which she refutes until Ravana threatens Sita to either marry him or be killed. In one episode in the Sundara Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayan, Ravana threatens Sita and thereafter leaves her in the company of ogresses to coax and convince Sita. These ogresses Ekajata, Harijata, Vikata and Durmukhi were of demonic appearance.

This print from the Ravi Varma Press and derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma portrays Sita seated under the Ashoka tree, hunched in resentment while the ugly ogresses surround her. One of the ogresses are seen admonishing Sita.