"Markandeya said, 'Meanwhile the illustrious descendant of Raghu, along
with his brother, hospitably treated by Sugriva, continued to dwell on
the breast of the _Malyavat_ hill, beholding every day the clear blue
sky. And one night, while gazing from the mountain-top on the bright
moon in the cloudless sky surrounded by planets and stars and stellar
bodies, that slayer of foes was suddenly awakened (to a remembrance of
Sita) by the cold breezes fragrant with the perfumes of the lily, lotus
and other flowers of the same species. And virtuous Rama, dejected in
spirits at the thought of Sita's captivity in the abode of the Rakshasa,
addressed the heroic Lakshmana in the morning saying, "Go, Lakshmana and
seek in Kishkindhya that ungrateful king of the monkeys, who understands
well his own interest and is even now indulging in dissipations, that
foolish wretch of his race whom I have installed on a throne and to whom
all apes and monkeys and bears owe allegiance, that fellow for whose
sake, O mighty-armed perpetuator of Raghu's race, Vali was slain by me
with thy help in the wood of Kishkindhya! I regard that worst of monkeys
on earth to be highly ungrateful, for, O Lakshmana, that wretch hath now
forgotten me who am sunk in such distress! I think he is unwilling to
fulfil his pledge, disregarding, from dullness of understanding, one who
hath done him such services! If thou findest him luke-warm and rolling
in sensual joys, thou must then send him, by the path Vali hath been
made to follow, to the common goal of all creatures! If, on the other
hand, thou seest that foremost of monkeys delight in our cause, then, O
descendant of Kakutstha, shouldst thou bring him hither with thee! Be
quick, and delay not!" Thus addressed by his brother, Lakshmana ever
attentive to the behests and welfare of his superiors, set out taking
with him his handsome bow with string and arrows. And reaching the gates
of Kishkindhya he entered the city unchallenged. And knowing him to be
angry, the monkey-king advanced to receive him. And with his wife,
Sugriva, the king of the monkeys, with a humble heart, joyfully received
him with due honours. And the dauntless son of Sumitra then told him
what Rama had said. And having heard everything in detail, O mighty
monarch, Sugriva, the king of the monkeys with his wife and servants,
joined his hands, and cheerfully said unto Lakshmana, that elephant
among men, these words: "I am, O Lakshmana, neither wicked, nor
ungrateful, nor destitute of virtue! Hear what efforts I have made for
finding out Sita's place of captivity! I have despatched diligent
monkeys in all directions. All of them have stipulated to return within
a month. They will, O hero, search the whole earth with her forests and
hills and seas, her villages and towns and cities and mines. Only five
nights are wanting to complete that month, and then thou wilt, with
Rama, hear tidings of great joy!"
"'Thus addressed by that intelligent king of the monkeys, the
high-souled Lakshmana became appeased, and he in his turn worshipped
Sugriva. And accompanied by Sugriva, he returned to Rama on the breast
of the Malyavat hill. And approaching him, Lakshmana informed him of the
beginning already made in respect of his undertaking. And soon thousands
of monkey-chiefs began to return, after having carefully searched the
three quarters of the earth, viz., the North, the East and the West. But
they that had gone towards the South did not make their appearance. And
they that came back represented to Rama, saying that although they had
searched the whole earth with her belt of seas, yet they could not find
either the princess of Videha or Ravana. But that descendant of
Kakutstha's race, afflicted at heart, managed to live yet, resting his
hopes (of hearing Sita's tidings) on the great monkeys that had gone
towards the South.
"'After the lapse of two months, several monkeys seeking with haste the
presence of Sugriva, addressed him, saying, "O king, that foremost of
monkeys, the son of _Pavana_, as also Angada, the son of Vali, and the
other great monkeys whom thou hadst despatched to search the southern
region, have come back and are pillaging that great and excellent
orchard called _Madhuvana_, which was always guarded by Vali and which
hath been well-guarded by thee also after him!" Hearing of this act of
liberty on their part, Sugriva inferred the success of their mission,
for it is only servants that have been crowned with success that can act
in this way. And that intelligent and foremost of monkeys communicated
his suspicions to Rama. And Rama also, from this, guessed that the
princess of Mithila had been seen. Then Hanuman and the other monkeys,
having refreshed themselves thus, came towards their king, who was then
staying with Rama and Lakshmana. And, O Bharata, observing the gait of
Hanuman and the colour of his face, Rama was confirmed in the belief
that Hanuman had really seen Sita. Then those successful monkeys with
Hanuman at their head, duly bowed unto Rama and Lakshmana and Sugriva.
And Rama then taking up his bow and quiver, addressed those monkeys,
saying, "Have you been successful? Will ye impart life unto me? Will ye
once more enable me to reign in Ayodhya after having slain my enemy in
battle and rescued the daughter of Janaka? With the princess of Videha
unrescued, and the foe unslain in battle, I dare not live, robbed of
wife and honour!" Thus addressed by Rama, the son of _Pavana_, replied
unto him, saying, "I bring thee good news, O Rama; for Janaka's daughter
hath been seen by me. Having searched the southern region with all its
hills, forests, and mines for some time, we became very weary. At length
we beheld a great cavern. And having beheld it, we entered that cavern
which extended over many _Yojanas_. It was dark and deep and overgrown
with trees and infested by worms. And having gone a great way through
it, we came upon sun-shine and beheld a beautiful palace. It was, O
Raghava, the abode of the _Daitya Maya_. And there we beheld a female
ascetic named _Prabhavati_ engaged in ascetic austerities. And she gave
us food and drink of various kinds. And having refreshed ourselves
therewith and regained our strength, we proceeded along the way shown by
her. At last we came out of the cavern and beheld the brimy sea, and on
its shores, the _Sahya_, the _Malaya_ and the great _Dardura_ mountains.
And ascending the mountains of _Malaya_, we beheld before us the vast
ocean.[51] And beholding it we felt sorely grieved in mind. And dejected
in spirits and afflicted with pain and famishing with hunger, we
despaired of returning with our lives. Casting our eyes on the great
ocean extending over many hundreds of _Yojanas_ and abounding in whales
and alligators and other aquatic animals, we became anxious and filled
with grief. We then sat together, resolved to die there of starvation.
And in course of conversation we happened to talk of the vulture
_Jatayu_. Just then we saw a bird huge as a mountain, of frightful form,
and inspiring terror into every heart, like a second son of Vinata.[52]
And coming upon us unawares for devouring us, he said, 'Who are ye that
are speaking thus of my brother _Jatayu_? I am his elder brother, by
name _Sampati_, and am the king of birds. Once upon a time, we two, with
the desire of outstripping each other, flew towards the sun. My wings
got burnt, but those of _Jatayu_ were not. That was the last time I saw
my beloved brother _Jatayu_, the king of vultures! My wings burnt, I
fell down upon the top of this great mountain where I still am!' When he
finished speaking, we informed him of the death of his brother in a few
words and also of this calamity that hath befallen thee! And, O king,
the powerful Sampati hearing this unpleasant news from us, was greatly
afflicted and again enquired of us, saying, 'Who is this Rama and why
was Sita carried off and how was Jatayu slain? Ye foremost of monkeys I
wish to hear everything in detail!' We then informed him of everything
about this calamity of thine and of the reason also of our vow of
starvation. That king of birds then urged us (to give up our vow) by
these words of his: 'Ravana is, indeed, known to me. Lanka is his
capital. I beheld it on the other side of the sea in a valley of the
_Trikuta_ hills! Sita must be there. I have little doubt of this!'
Hearing these words of his, we rose up quickly and began, O chastiser of
foes, to take counsel of one another for crossing the ocean! And when
none dared to cross it, I, having recourse to my father, crossed the
great ocean which is a hundred _Yojanas_ in width. And having slain the
_Rakshasis_ on the waters, I saw the chaste Sita within Ravana's harem,
observing ascetic austerities, eager to behold her lord, with matted
locks on head, and body besmeared with filth, and lean, and melancholy
and helpless. Recognising her as Sita by those unusual signs, and
approaching that worshipful lady while alone, I said, 'I am, O Sita, an
emissary of Rama and monkey begotten by _Pavana_![53] Desirous of having
a sight of thee, hither have I come travelling through the skies!
Protected by Sugriva, that monarch of all the monkeys, the royal
brothers Rama and Lakshmana are in peace! And Rama, O lady, with
Sumitra's son, hath enquired of thy welfare! And Sugriva also, on
account of his friendship (with Rama and Lakshmana) enquireth of thy
welfare. Followed by all the monkeys, thy husband will soon be here.
Confide in me, O adorable lady, I am a monkey and not a _Rakshasa_!'
Thus addressed by me, Sita seemed to meditate for a moment and then
replied to me, saying, 'From the words of _Avindhya_ I know that thou
art Hanuman! O mighty-armed one, Avindhya is an old and respected
_Rakshasa_! He told me that Sugriva is surrounded by counsellors like
thee. Thou mayst depart now!' And with these words she gave me this
jewel as a credential. And, indeed, it was by means of this jewel that
the faultless Sita had been able to support her existence. And the
daughter of Janaka further told me as a token from her, that by thee, O
tiger among men, a blade of grass (inspired with _Mantras_ and thus
converted into a fatal weapon) had once been shot at a crow while ye
were on the breast of the mighty hill known by the name of _Chitrakuta_!
And this she said as evidence of my having met her and hers being really
the princess of Videha. I then caused myself to be seized by Ravana's
soldiers, and then set fire to the city of Lanka!"'"
[51] Abode of Varuna in the original.
[52] Garuda.
[53] Pavana, the God of the wind.