Rama Kills the Deer-Maricha and Lakshmana Leaves Sita
To please Sita, Rama chases a jeweled deer deep into the forest, leaving Lakshmana to guard her. When the dying deer cries out in Rama's voice, Sita's fear turns to fury — and she drives Lakshmana away with words he cannot bear to hear.
Rama saw the deer and wanted it for Sita. It moved through the forest like a living jewel — its hide studded with gems, its antlers glittering — and Sita had asked for it. So Rama, to please her, swiftly grasped his bow. He tied his quiver, fastened his sword, fitted his finger guards, and entrusted Lakshmana with the task of protecting her. Then he went after the deer.
The deer led him far. It appeared before him and disappeared again, drawing him deeper into the wilderness, like Rudra pursuing the deer that is a star. But Rama was not deceived for long. He recognized the creature for what it was: a rakshasa (demon) in disguise, a traveller of the night. The wise Raghava grasped an unfailing arrow and killed him.
Struck by Rama's arrow, the dying Maricha imitated Rama's voice. In a piteous cry, he called out: "Alas, Sita! Lakshmana!"
Sita heard it. She was about to run in the direction of the voice, but Lakshmana stopped her. "Do not be anxious," he said. "Who can strike Rama? You will see him return in a short while."
She was weeping. And because of the tendency of women — so the story says — she suspected her younger brother-in-law, though his pure character was his only adornment. The chaste and faithful wife uttered harsh words.
"O stupid one! This is not the time for satisfying the desire in your heart. I would rather take a sword and kill myself, or throw myself from the peak of a mountain, or enter the fire, rather than abandon my husband Rama and serve a mean one like you — like a tigress waiting on a jackal."
Lakshmana loved Raghava and was always virtuous. On hearing these words, he covered his ears. Then he grasped a bow and followed Rama's footsteps, leaving Sita alone. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 559