Thereupon the Moon, white as water-lily and of clear appearance
proceeded far down the welkin like unto a goose traversing the blue
waters. With a view to befriend him, the Moon of clear rays, sprinkled
the Wind-God's son, with cool beams. And thereupon he beheld Sita,
having a moon-like countenance, plunged in grief like unto a laden boat
sunk in water. While beholding Vaidehi, Hanuman,the son of Maruta,
observed at some distance, a number of grim-visaged Rakshasees. Some had
one ear, some one eye, some had big ears some were without ears; some
had formidable ears and some had a nose projecting upwards. And some had
the upper part of their bodies unusually long and bulky, some had a long
and slender neck, some had dishevelled hair, and some one's person was
so thickly covered with hairs, that she appeared to have been cloaked in
a blanket. Some had long ears some had a long forehead, some had a long
belly, some had long breasts; some had long lips; some had their lips
and chins stuck together, some had a long countenance and some had long
knees. Some one was of short stature, some were tall, some crooked, some
grim-visaged, some dwarfish, some one was of terribly dark colour; some
had a disfigured countenance; some had coppery eyes and a fearful face.
Some were terrible-looking, some copper-colored, some black, some angry
and some fond of quarrelling with each other; and some had iron darts,
hammers and mallets in their hands. Some had a face like that of a boar,
some had a face like that of a deer, some like that of a tiger, some
like that of a buffallo, some like that of a goat, and some like that of
a jackal; some had legs like those of a camel, some had those of an
elephant, some those of a horse and some had their heads placed on their
breasts. Some one had only one hand some had only one leg. Some had ears
like those of a horse, some like those of a cow, some like those of an
ass, some like those of an elephant and others had ears like those of a
lion. Some had very big noses, some had crooked and others were without
any; some had noses like those of an elephant and others had their noses
on their foreheads. Some had their legs like those of elephants some had
very huge legs; some had like those of a cow, some had on their legs
locks of hair like unto pillars, some had a terribly huge head, some had
big breasts and others had spacious bellies, Some had faces and eyes
beyond ordinary proportions. Some had a long face and tongue. And some
had the face of a goat, some that of an elephant some that of a cow,
some that of a boar some that of a horse and some that of an ass. Some
of the Rakshasees were grim-visaged and some hot-natured, quarrelsome
and had darts and maces in their hands. And some terrible Rakshasees of
disfigured countenances, had smoky-coloured hairs. And they were all
continually drinking wine--always fond of liquor and meat, and all their
bodies were sprinkled with blood for their living on gore and flesh. And
that foremost of monkeys found all these grim-visaged Rakshasees seated
around that mighty tree enveloped with branches. And the graceful
Hanuman observed at the foot of that tree that worshipful and blameless
daughter of the king Janaka. She was bereft of all effulgence, racked
with grief and all her hairs were soiled with dirt. She appeared like a
star fallen down on the earth on the wane of virtue. And famed though
she was all over the world for her chastity, it was difficult for her
now to see her husband. She had no excellent ornaments--her attachment
unto her husband was the only ornament. She was imprisoned by the lord
of Rakshasas and separated from all her friends, she appeared like a
she-elephant separated from her band and bound and attacked by a lion,
and like the rays of the Moon enveloped with clouds at the expiry of the
rainy season. Her beauty was greatly faded (in consequence of her
husband's separation) like unto a stringed instrument for want of a
player. And ever engaged in her husband's welfare she was thoroughly
unworthy of being brought under the control of the Rakshasas. Being sunk
in the abyss of grief and encircled by those Rakshasees she appeared in
the forest of Asoka like unto Rohini possessed by Rahu. And Hanuman
beheld her there like a creeper divested of flowers. And having her
person soiled with dirt and shorn of all ornaments she appeared in her
hidden grace like unto a lotus covered with clay. And the monkey
Hanuman, beheld that damsel, having the eyes of a young antelope,
clothed with a soiled and shattered cloth. And though the countenance of
that worshfpful one was shorn of all grace, her heart did not loose its
loftiness in consequence of her husband's prowess. And Sita, of
dark-blue eyes, was protected by virtue of her own character. And
beholding Sita, having the eyes of a young antelope, and terrified and
casting her looks hither and thither like a hind and burning down the
trees enveloped with leaves by her breath; like unto a mass of grief and
an upheaval of sorrow; having well-proportioned limbs, and appearing
graceful without ornaments, Maruti attained to an excess of delight. And
beholding her having inebriete eyes, Hanuman shed tears of delight and
bowed unto Raghava. And having offered his obeisance unto Rama and
Lakshmana the powerful Hanuman, greatly delighted in seeing Sita;
remained there hidden.