Hearing the speech of the high-souled offspring of the Wind-god, Sita
resembling a daughter of the celestials, said in words fraught with her
welfare,--"Even as the Earth with corn half-way towards harvest is
gladdened on receipt of showers, have I, O monkey, been gladdened on
seeing thee that speakest sweetly. Do thou so dispense thy kindness unto
me that, with my desire attained, I may touch that tiger-like one with
my body reduced by grief. And, O foremost of monkeys, present this sign
onto Rama, and tell him also for a sign that he had in ire buried the
dart which destroyed a single eye of the crow. And tell him
also,[365]--'On my (first) tilaka having been wiped out, thou didst
paint beside my cheek another made of red arsenic --this thou shouldst
remember. Why, O thou endowed with prowess, resembling Indra the Great
or Vanuna, dost thou disregard the ravished Sita, sitting in the midst
of Rakshas? This jewel for the head I had preserved with care. In my
misfortune, O sinless one, I used to inspire cheerfulness by a sight of
this, resembling thyself. This graceful water-sprung (gem) I part from.
Hereafter, overwhelmed with grief, I shall not be able to live. For thee
only do I bear insufferable miseries, heart-cleaving speech, and
companionship with Rakshasas. O destroyer of enemies, for a month longer
will I maintain being. Beyond that, O king's son, bereft of thee, I will
not live. This Rakshasa king is dreadful. (This being so), if I hear
thee tarrying, I would not live for a moment." Hearing Vaidehi's speech
pathetic and uttered with tears, the highly energetic Hanuman, son unto
the Wind-god, said,--"My revered one, I swear unto thee by truth itself
that Rama neglecteth every business because of grief for thee. And Rama
being overwhelmed with woe, Lakshmana burneth in grief. Now that I have
succeeded in seeing thee after no end of ado, this is no time for
lamentation. O fair one, this very moment thou shalt witness the end of
thy woe. Those blameless princes-- foremost of men, gathering courage
from my sight of thee, shall reduce Lanka to ashes. And, O thou of
expansive eyes, slaying in battle Ravana along with his friends,
Raghu's, sons shall take thee back to their own palace. Now, O faultless
lady, thou ought to give me such a sign as Rama shall certainly
recognise, and as shall more please him by far." "Ah!" (answered Sita),
"I have already furnished thee with an excellent sign. This ornament, O
Hanuman, when carefully examined by Rama, O hero, shall render thy words
credible." Thereupon, taking that best of gems, that graceful foremost
of monkeys, bowing down the head unto that exalted one, prepared to
depart. Seeing that monkey-leader intent upon leaping up, and surcharged
with energy,--with his person enlarged, Janaka's daughter, with a
tearful countenance, spake in woe-begone guise, her accents choked with
the vapour of grief,--"O Hanuman, communicate tidings of my good health
onto those lion-like brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, to Sugriva along with
his counsellors, and to all (the monkeys). And it behoveth thee so to
compass things that the mighty-armed Raghava may rescue me from this sea
of sorrow. Do thou, going to Rama, make known to him the fierce current
of my grief, as well as the railing of these Rakshasas. Good fortune be
thy portion, thou exceedingly heroic monkey!" Thus furnished with the
intentions of the princess, the monkey, having gained his object, and,
growing exceedingly exhilarated in his heart, reviewed the small work
that yet remained for him, became bent upon proceeding to the north.
[365] Sita wishes Hanuman to use her own language to Rama.--T.