p. 1089

MTP neriuron getting at the Mount Prasravana surrounded by a variegated forest, lowering their heads unto the mighty R&ma and Lakshmana, placing before them their prince (Angada) and bowing unto Sugriva, the monkeys began to ’ relate the story of Sita. And they described unto Rama, the confinement of Sita in Ravana’s seraglio,the remonstrances of the she-demons, her unflinching attachment in her lord and the time appointed (by the Rakshasa for her destruction). And hearing of Vaidehi’s well-being Rama said—“O monkeys where liveth the worshipful Sita ? And how is her attachment unto me? Do ye relate everything unto me.” Hearing those painful words of Rama, the monkeys desired Hanum§4n, conversant with the whereabouts of Sitd, to describe every thing unto him. Hearing their words, Hanumin, the Windgod’s son, versed in the art of speech, lowering his head in Sita’s name and towards the southern direction (where she liveth) began to relate how he succeeded in beholding Sita. And conferring on (Rama) the heavenly jewel set on a golden leaf and burning with its own effulgence, Hanuman, with folded hands, began—"Anxious to behold Sita, the daughter 137

p. 1090

of the king Janaka, I, ploughing over the main extending overt a hundred yoyana, wended my way and by and by reached Lanka, the capital of the vicious-souled Ravana. Lanka is situated on the southern bank of the southern occean. And 1 saw there Sita, in the inner appartment of Ravana. Centering all her thoughts in thee, breathes that damsel, O Rama. I saw her reviled by.the she-demons again and again. She is being guarded in that garden by the grimvisaged Rakshasees. And that worshipful dame, O hero, ever used to happiness, is now stricken with grief in thy absence. Confined in Ravana’s inner apartment, well protected by those she-demons, wearing a single braid of hair and poorly, she is engaged only in thoughts touching thee. She in lying on earth, shorn of all grace like unto a lotus on the appearance of the winter. She hath not the least attachment for Ravana and is resolved upon putting an end to her existence. O Ka&kutstha, O innocent prince, after enquiring for sometime, I found that worshipful dame devoted unto thee, and narrating the glories of the Ikshwaku race, O foremost of men, I created her confidence by and by, and addressing her I related everything. And hearing of the friendship between thee and Sugriva she was greatly delighted. And she has ‘her respect for thee unshaken and all her actions are for thee. O great man, O thou best of men, I beheld the daughter of Janaka in this plight, engaged in hard austerities and ever devoted unto thee. O thou of great intelligence, O Raghava, offering me (this jewel) as a token, she wanted me to relate unto thee, the occurrence at the mount chitrakuta regarding the crow. And Janaki addressing me said—‘O Wind-god’s son, do thou describe everything of what thou hast seen here, unto Rama. And relating everything before Sugriva, do thou present him with this jewel which has been preserved by me with great care. I have kept with great care this excellent jewel of great effulgence. Do thou remind him of the mark which he made

p. 1091

“on my forehead with red arsenic. O. innocent monkey, gréatly delighted am I on beholding the brilliant jewel which he has sent through thee. Breathe shall I only for a month, beyond that I shall never live, subject as I am tothe demons.’ Thus was I accosted by Sita, reduced to a skeleton,observing pious observances, shut up in Ravana’s inner apartment and having eyes like those ofahind. I have described unto thee everything, O Raghava, do thou make arrangements for bridging over the ocean.” And considering those two: princes greatly consoled, the Windgod’s son handed over that token unto Raghava and described everything from the beginning to the end.