Meditating thus the highly intelligent monkey spoke in accents, sweet
and in such a tone as they might be, heard by Vaidehi. "There reigned a
noble and pious king named Dacaratha, highly glorious amongst the
Ikshawkus, the lord of the warrior-cars, steeds and elephants. Devoid of
envy, high-minded, kind, having truth for Us prowess, the foremost of
the Ikshawku race, wealthy and the enhancer of wealth; gifted with royal
marks; highly beautiful; the foremost of the kings; famous all over the
world of many oceans; the conferrer of happiness and himself happy. His
eldest and most beloved son was the Moon-bright Rama, wise and the
foremost of those who know the science of the bended bow. He was the
protector of his own character, of his own kinsmen, of the whole world
of creation and of virtue and subduer of foes. And banished by his old
and truthful sire's commands, that hero, along with his wife and brother
(Lakshmana) repaired to the forest. And while roaming a-hunting in the
forest he slew many a heroic Rakshasa wearing shapes at will. And having
heard of the destruction of the Rakshasas of Janasthana and of Khara and
Dushana, the illusive Ravana, assuming shapes at will, beguiling Rama,
in the forest, stole away his consort--the Janaka's daughter. And
roaming the country around in quest of the blameless and worshipful
Sita, Rama found a firm friend in Sugriva. And bringing about the
destruction of Vali, Rama, the conqueror of others' cities, conferred
the monkey-kingdom upon the high-souled Sugriva. And by Sugriva's
decree, thousands of monkeys, wearing shapes at will, have been
searching that worshipful dame in various directions. And by Sampati's
counsel and for that large eyed dame, I have leapt a hundred leagues
across the deep. I have at last got her. And such were the form, grace
and the marks that Raghava mentioned unto me." Having said this, the
foremost of the monkeys ceased. And greatly wondered was Sita hearing
those words. Thereupon that timid dame, having good curling hair,
raising up her face covered with hairs, looked up to the _Singshapa_
tree. And hearing the words of the monkey and casting her eyes to all
directions and quarters, Sita attained an excess of delight, being
engaged in thoughts concerning Rama. And looking around her and upwards,
she beheld, like unto the rising sun, the Wind-god's son, gifted with
inconceivable intellect,--the minister of the king of monkeys.