"Markandeya said, 'Afflicted with grief at the abduction of Sita, Rama
had not to go much further before he came upon _Pampa_--that lake which
abounded with lotuses of various kinds. And fanned by the cool,
delicious and fragrant breezes in those woods, Rama suddenly remembered
his dear spouse. And, O mighty monarch, thinking of that dear wife of
his, and afflicted at the thought of his separation from her, Rama gave
way to lamentations. The son of Sumitra then addressed him saying, "O
thou that givest proper respect to those that deserve it, despondency
such as this should not be suffered to approach thee, like illness that
can never touch an old man leading a regular life! Thou hast obtained
information of Ravana and of the princess of Videha! Liberate her now
with exertion and intelligence! Let us now approach Sugriva, that
foremost of monkeys, who is even now on the mountain top! Console
thyself, when I, thy disciple and slave and ally, am near!" And
addressed by Lakshmana in these and other words of the same import, Rama
regained his own nature and attended to the business before him. And
bathing in the waters of _Pampa_ and offering oblations therewith unto
their ancestors, both those heroic brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, set out
(for _Rishyamuka_). And arriving at _Rishyamuka_ which abounded with
fruits and roots and trees, those heroes beheld five monkeys on the top
of the mountain-peak. And seeing them approach, Sugriva sent his
counsellor the intelligent Hanuman, huge as the Himavat-mountains, to
receive them. And the brothers, having first exchanged words with
Hanuman, approached Sugriva. And then, O king, Rama made friends with
Sugriva. And when Rama informed Sugriva of the object he had in view,
Sugriva showed him the piece of cloth that Sita had dropped among the
monkeys, while being carried away by Ravana. And having obtained from
him those credentials, Rama himself installed Sugriva--that foremost of
monkeys--in sovereignty of all the monkeys of Earth. And Rama also
pledged himself to slay Vali in battle. And having come to that
understanding and placing the fullest confidence in each other, they all
repaired to _Kiskindhya_, desirous of battle (with Vali). And arriving
at _Kiskindhya_, Sugriva sent forth a loud roar deep as that of a
cataract. Unable to bear that challenge, Vali was for coming out (but
his wife) Tara stood in way, saying, "Himself endued with great
strength, the way in which Sugriva is roaring, showeth, I ween, that he
hath found assistance! It behoveth thee not, therefore, to go out!" Thus
addressed by her, that king of the monkeys, the eloquent Vali, decked in
a golden garland replied unto Tara of face beautiful as the moon,
saying, "Thou understandest the voice of every creature. Tell me after
reflection whose help it is that this brother in name only of mine hath
obtained!" Thus addressed by him Tara endued with wisdom and possessed
of the effulgence of the moon, answered her lord after a moment's
reflection, saying, "Listen, O monarch of the monkeys! That foremost of
bowmen, endued with great might, Rama the son of Dasaratha, whose spouse
hath been ravished, hath made an alliance offensive and defensive with
Sugriva! And his brother the intelligent Lakshmana also of mighty arms,
the unvanquished son of Sumitra, standeth beside him for the success of
Sugriva's object. And Mainda and Dwivida, and Hanuman the son of
_Pavana_, and Jamvuman, the king of the bears, are beside Sugriva as his
counsellors. All these illustrious ones are endued with great strength
and intelligence. And these all, depending upon the might and energy of
Rama, are prepared for thy destruction!" Hearing these words of hers
that were for his benefit, the king of the monkeys disregarded them
altogether. And filled with jealousy, he also suspected her to have set
her heart on Sugriva! And addressing Tara in harsh words, he went out of
his cave and coming before Sugriva who was staying by the side of the
mountains of Malyavat, he spoke unto him thus, "Frequently vanquished
before by me, fond as thou art of life, thou art allowed by me to escape
with life owing to thy relationship with me! What hath made thee wish
for death so soon?" Thus addressed by Vali, Sugriva, that slayer of
foes, as if addressing Rama himself for informing him of what had
happened, replied unto his brother in these words of grave import, "O
king, robbed by thee of my wife and my kingdom also, what need have I of
life? Know that it is for this that I have come!" Then addressing each
other in these and other words of the same import, Vali and Sugriva
rushed to the encounter, fighting with _Sala_ and _Tala_ trees and
stones. And they struck each other down on the earth. And leaping high
into the air, they struck each other with their fists. And mangled by
each other's nail and teeth, both of them were covered with blood. And
the two heroes shone on that account like a pair of blossoming
_Kinshukas_. And as they fought with each other, no difference (in
aspect) could be observed so as to distinguish them. Then Hanuman placed
on Sugriva's neck a garland of flowers. And that hero thereupon shone
with that garland on his neck, like the beautiful and huge peak of
_Malya_ with its cloudy belt. And Rama, recognising Sugriva by that
sign, then drew his foremost of huge bows, aiming at Vali as his mark.
And the twang of Rama's bow resembled the roar of an engine. And Vali,
pierced in the heart by that arrow, trembled in fear. And Vali, his
heart having been pierced through, began to vomit forth blood. And he
then beheld standing before him Rama with Sumatra's son by his side. And
reproving that descendant of Kakutstha's race, Vali fell down on the
ground and became senseless. And Tara then beheld that lord of hers
possessed of the effulgence of the Moon, lying prostrate on the bare
earth. And after Vali had been thus slain, Sugriva regained possession
of Kishkindhya, and along with it, of the widowed Tara also of face
beautiful as the moon. And the intelligent Rama also dwelt on the
beautiful breast of the Malyavat hill for four months, duly worshipped
by Sugriva all the while.
"'Meanwhile Ravana excited by lust, having reached his city of Lanka,
placed Sita in an abode, resembling _Nandana_ itself, within a forest of
_Asokas_, that looked like an asylum of ascetics. And the large-eyed
Sita passed her days there in distress, living on fruits and roots,
practising ascetic austerities with fasts, attired in ascetic garb, and
waning thin day by day, thinking of her absent lord. And the king of the
_Rakshasas_ appointed many _Rakshasa_ women armed with bearded darts and
swords and lances and battle-axes and maces and flaming brands, for
guarding her. And some of these had two eyes, and some three, and some
had eyes on their foreheads. And some had long tongues and some had
none. And some had three breasts and some had only one leg. And some had
three matted braids on their heads, and some had only one eye. And
these, and others of blazing eyes and hair stiff as the camel's, stood
beside Sita surrounding her day and night most watchfully. And those
_Pisacha_ women of frightful voice and terrible aspect always addressed
that large-eyed lady in the harshest tones. And they said, "Let us eat
her up, let us mangle her, let us tear her into pieces, her, that is,
that dwelleth here disregarding our lord!" And filled with grief at the
separation from her lord, Sita drew a deep sigh and answered those
_Rakshasa_ women, saying, "Reverend ladies, eat me up without delay! I
have no desire to live without that husband of mine, of eyes like
lotus-leaves and locks wavy, and blue in hue! Truly I will, without food
and without the least love of life, emaciate my limbs, like a she-snake
(hybernating) within a _Tala_ tree. Know this for certain that I will
never seek the protection of any other person than the descendant of
Raghu. And knowing this, do what ye think fit!" And hearing these words
of hers, those _Rakshasas_ with dissonant voice went to the king of the
_Rakshasas_, for representing unto him all she had said. And when those
_Rakshasas_ had gone away, one of their number known by the name of
_Trijata_, who was virtuous and agreeable in speech, began to console
the princess of Videha. And she said, "Listen, O Sita! I will tell thee
something! O friend, believe in what I say! O thou of fair hips, cast
off thy fears, and listen to what I say. There is an intelligent and old
chief of the _Rakshasas_ known by the name of Avindhya. He always
seeketh Rama's good and hath told me these words for thy sake!
'Reassuring and cheering her, tell Sita in my name, saying: "Thy husband
the mighty Rama is well and is waited upon by Lakshmana. And the blessed
descendant of Raghu hath already made friends with Sugriva, the king of
the monkeys, and is ready to act for thee!"' And, O timid lady,
entertain thou no fear on account of Ravana, who is censured by the
whole world, for, O daughter, thou art safe from him on account of
Nalakuvera's curse. Indeed, this wretch had been cursed before for his
having violated his daughter-in-law, Rambha. This lustful wretch is not
able to violate any woman by force. Thy husband will soon come,
protected by Sugriva and with the intelligent son of Sumitra in his
train, and will soon take thee away hence! O lady, I have had a most
terrible dream of evil omen, indicating the destruction of this
wicked-minded wretch of Pulastya's race! This night wanderer of mean
deeds is, indeed, most wicked and cruel. He inspireth terror in all by
the defects of his nature and the wickedness of his conduct. And
deprived of his senses by Fate, he challengeth the very gods. In my
vision I have seen every indication of his downfall. I have seen the
Ten-headed, with his crown shaven and body besmeared with oil, sunk in
mire, and the next moment dancing on a chariot drawn by mules. I have
seen Kumbhakarna and others, perfectly naked and with crowns shaven,
decked with red wreaths and unguents, and running towards the southern
direction. Vibhishana alone, with umbrella over his head, and graced
with a turban, and with body decked with white wreaths and unguents, I
beheld ascending the summit of the White hill. And I saw four of his
counsellors also, decked with white wreaths and unguents, ascending the
summit of that hill along with him. All this bodeth that these alone
will be saved from the impending terror. The whole earth with its oceans
and seas will be enveloped with Rama's arrows. O lady, thy husband will
fill the whole earth with his fame. I also saw Lakshmana, consuming all
directions (with his arrows) and ascending on a heap of bones and
drinking thereon honey and rice boiled in milk. And thou, O lady, hast
been beheld by me running towards a northernly direction, weeping and
covered with blood and protected by a tiger! And, O princess of Videha,
soon wilt thou find happiness, being united, O Sita, with thy lord, that
descendant of Raghu accompanied by his brother!' Hearing these words of
_Trijata_, that girl with eyes like those of a young gazelle, once more
began to entertain hopes of a union with her lord. And when at last
those fierce and cruel _Pisacha_ guards came back, they saw her sitting
with _Trijata_ as before.'"