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Maareech

Maareech was the maternal uncle of Raavan. Taadakaa was his mother and Subaahu was his brother. Both were killed by Raam while protecting Vishwaamitra's Yagya from them.

First we meet Maareech in Baal Kaand of Raamaayan, when Muni Vishwaamitra takes Raam and Lakshman to protect his Yagya from Raakshas. Raam had killed Taadakaa and Subaahu, but left Maareech. He just shot a blunt arrow at him and he fell 100 Yojan far from there in sea. Since then he knew the glory of Raam.

Next we meet him in Aranya Kaand, when Raam had killed Khar and Dooshan, and Shoorpankhaa had gone to her brother Raavan to complaint about her insult and killing of Khar and Dooshan by two very handsome brothers. Then Raavan makes plans to abduct Seetaa and goes to Maareech for his help.

When Raavan approached him for his help in abducting Seetaa, he adviced him not to do so, because he had already seen His glory. He told him that He was Bhagavaan and he should not start a fight with Him. It was not in favor of both Raavan and his own. But Raavan was firm on his plan so Maareech prefers to die with the hands of Raam instead of Raavan's.

So he obeyed Raavan and went to Panchvatee where Raam was staying with His brother Lakshman and wife Seetaa. He wandered around the hut in the form of a very beautiful enchanting golden deer. Seetaa saw him and requested Raam to bring him alive or dead. As Raam got ready to go to bring that golden deer, Lakshman recognized him as a Raakshas and warned Raam that he was not a deer but was a Raakshas, but still Raam went after him saying that "if he is a Raakshas, then I will kill him, or otherwise bring him for the joy of Seetaa". Raam instructed Lakshman to take care of Seetaa and never leave Seetaa alone in that forest. He then followed the golden deer.

Seeing Raam coming towards him, Maareech ran towards forest and took Raam very far from His hut, so that Raavan could abduct Seetaa in His absence. Then he appeared in front of Raam so that Raam coild kill him. Seeing the deer in front of Him, Raam shot an arrow at him and he called "Haa Lakshman, Haa Seetey" very loudly in Raam's voice and died.

Hearing Raam's voice Seetaa got worried and asked Lakshman to go to help Raam. Lakshman tried his best to not to worry about Him as He was capable of destroying the whole universe with a wink of an eye, but Seetaa doubted on Lakshman's feelings, so Lakshman had to leave Her alone in the hut and went to Raam. As he left the hut, Raavan came in the form of a Sanyaasee and abducted Seetaa to Lankaa - his capital. Raavan's purpose was served.

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