Thereupon getting at the Mount _Prasravana_ surrounded by a variegated
forest, lowering their heads unto the mighty Rama 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 Hanuman,
conversant with the whereabouts of Sita, to describe every thing unto
him. Hearing their words, Hanuman, the Wind-god'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 of the king Janaka,
I, ploughing over the main extending over a hundred _yojana_, 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 I 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 grim-visaged 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
Kakutstha, 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 on my forehead with red arsenic. O innocent monkey,
greatly 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 to the 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 of a hind. 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
Wind-god's son handed over that token unto Raghava and described
everything from the beginning to the end.