Then seeing Janaki seated at the foot of the Sinsapa tree, (Hanuman)
saluting her said,--"By luck it is that I see thee unhurt." Then eying
him again and again as he was on the point of departing, Sita said unto
Hanuman in words informed with affection for her husband,--"If, my
child, it liketh thee, do thou, O stainless one, stay here today in some
retired spot. To-morrow having refreshed thyself, thou shalt set out.
Thy vicinity, O monkey, for a while beguiles me of slender luck of my
measureless grief. Thou wilt go, O powerful monkey; but ere thou return,
it is, O foremost of monkeys, doubtful whether I shall live. And, O
hero, the not seeing thee shall try me sorely, who have fallen from one
misfortune into a greater one, and who, my mind distracted, have been
exercised by sorrow. And, O hero, this mighty doubt is (ever) present
before me. How shall that exceedingly powerful one or that host of
monkeys or those two sons of that man of men, albeit backed by mighty
monkeys, cross over the ocean incapable of being crossed? Three beings
have the power to bound over the deep;-- Vinata's offspring, thou, and
the Wind-god. Then in this business at hand hard to accomplish, what
means dost thou, versed in business, see, whereby the end may be
attained?-- O slayer of hostile heroes, thou alone art quite competent
to perform this task; and thou shalt attain fame through thy rising
prowess. But if blocking up Lanka with his forces, that afflictor of
enemies, Kakutstha, taketh me (from hence,) then that shall be worthy of
him.--Therefore do thou so order things that that powerful and
high-souled hero in conflict, may act as becomes himself." Hearing her
resonable, affectionate and pregnant speech, that hero, Hanumin,
answered,--"O noble lady, that lord and foremost of monkeys, Sugriva
gifted with strength, is determined on thy behalf. And that master of
monkeys, Sugriva, O Vaidehi, surrounded by thousands and Kotis of
monkeys, shall speedily come here (for the purpose). And those best of
men, those heroes, Rama and Lakshmana, coming together, shall afflict
Lanka with their arrows. And slaughtering the Rakshasa with his own
adherents, Raghu's son, O exceedingly fair one, shall ere long take thee
back to his palace.--O gentle damsel, do thou console thyself. Remain,
expecting the hour. Soon shalt thou see Ravana slain in battle by Rama.
On the lord of Rakshasas being slain along with his sons, councilors,
and friends, thou shalt meet with Rama as Rohini meeteth with the Moon.
At once shall Kakutstha come, accompanied by the foremost of
monkeys,--who, conquering (Ravana) in conflict, shall remove thy grief."
Having thus consoled Videha's daughter, Hanuman, son unto the Wind-god,
setting his heart upon departure, saluted Vaidehi. And having soothed
Vaidehi, and displayed his surpassing strength, having rendered the city
disconsolate, and baffled Ravana, exhibited his terrific might, and
saluted Vaidehi, Hanuman became bent upon returning, crossing over the
mid-sea. Then that repressor of foes, the powerful monkey, anxious to
see his master, ascended Aristha, foremost of mountains; (as if covered)
with a sheet consisting of blue woods of tall _padmakas_, and clouds
lying in the interspace between peaks,--and displayed from love by the
glad light of the Sun; appearing to be beholding with the minerals
scattered about serving for its eyes; seeming to be reciting aloud in
consequence of the solemn sound of waters, to be carolling clearly
through its many fountains, and to stay with uplifted arms by means of
_devadarus_; appearing to be crying distressfully on account of cascades
sounding all round; seeming to be trembling in consequence of verdant
autumnal woods waving, and to be piping on account of _kichakas_ vocal
through the breeze; eloquent; with the foremost poisonous serpents
appearing to be sighing forth ire; appearing to be sunk in contemplation
on account of caverns covered with snow and looking solemn in
consequence; as if moving about by means of hills looking like its
cloud-legs; seeming to yawn in the sky with peaks towering
heavenwards,--scattered with summits, and graced with innumerable caves;
surrounded with _salas_, palms, _tamalas_, Karnas, and bamboos; graced
with spreading and flowering underwoods; abounding in various beasts,
and decked with mineral streams,--containing numerous rills,-- thronged
with collections of crags; frequented by Maharshis, and Yakshas, and
Gandharbas and Kinnaras and serpents; impracticable in consequence of
plants and trees; with caverns harbouring lions; filled with tigers and
other (ferocious beasts); and furnished with trees having tasteful
fruits and roots. And the Wind-god's offspring--foremost of
monkeys--ascended that mountain. Aud on the lovely level of that
mountain, the crags, crushed with sounds under the tread of that one
burning to behold Rama and wrought up with excess of joy, were scattered
all round. And ascending that lordly hill, the mighty monkey magnified
himself, desirous of going from the southern to the northern shore of
the salt waters. And getting to the top of the mountain, that hero, son
unto the Wind-god, cast his eyes upon the dreadful main inhabited by
terrible snakes. And that foremost of monkeys, offspring of the
Wind-god,[419] (mentally) went from the south to the north, as if it
were the air. And then that best of mountains, sore pressed by the
monkey, began to emit cries, and with various creatures (on it), entered
underneath the Earth, with its peaks tottering and its trees toppling.
And borne down by the violence of his thighs, trees bearing flowers,
being shattered, as if destroyed by Sakra's weapon, fell to the ground.
And the dreadful yells of mighty lions in pain, inhabiting caves,
entered the ear, piercing the heavens. And Vidyadharis with their
attires falling off and their ornaments disordered, suddenly rose from
the mountain[420] unto the sky. And exceedingly powerful and mighty
snakes of virulent venom,--having flaming tongues, with their hoods and
necks tortured, began to roll (on the earth). And Kinnars and serpents,
Gandharbas, Yakshas and Vidyadharas, forsaking that foremost of
mountains in affliction, took refuge in the sky. And that graceful
mountain also, tormented by that powerful one, entered the nether
regions with its tall trees and summits. And that mountain, which
(heretofore) had measured ten _yojanas_ in area and thirty in height,
became level with the earth. And desirous of crossing over the salt
waters, with their shores menaced by sounding (waves), the monkey rose
to the sky.
[419] _Maruta_--this term is used twice in this sloka, once for Hanuman,
and next for the Wind-god. One of these is left out on the score
of redundency.--T.
[420] _Dharanidharat_.--_ab_.--from the holder of the Earth, the latter
being supposed to rest on a mountain.--T.