Burning with grief on account of those words,[93] Sarama gladdened and
cheered her, even as masses of clouds (cheer up) the burning Earth. And
then, desirous of doing her good, (Sita's) friend, conversant with
season, and ever preluding her speech with a smile, spoke unto her
seasonably,--"O thou having dark eyes, I can, secretly going to Rama and
communicating to him thy auspicious words, come back clandestinely. Nor,
when I course the supportless sky, can even the Wind or Garuda follow
me". As she said this, Sita with her grief a little lightened, said unto
Sarama in sweet and smooth words,--"Thou art capable of even going to
the nethermost regions. But do thou on my behalf that which is fit to be
done by thee. If thou intend doing me a good turn, and if thy sense be
steady, I would know what Ravana is doing after having left this place.
That guileful and wicked-minded one, Ravana, destroyer of enemies,
having powers of illusion, overwhelms me even as the Varuni just drunk.
Confining me here for ever and a day, (Ravana) sets on dreadful
Rakshasas to alike threaten and scold me constantly. And I am agitated
and alarmed, and my mind is (always) uneasy. And I, dwelling in the
_acoka_ wood, is ever agitated. If there is any talk (of delivering me),
or keeping me confined,--thou shouldst communicate unto me the decision
arrived at. This is the highest favor that I seek (at thy hands)".
Thereat, the mild-speeched Sarama, wiping (Sita's) face washed in tears,
spake unto her, as she said this,--"If this is thy wish, I will go, O
Janaki. O Mithila's daughter, having possessed myself of the intent of
the enemy, I shall come back". Having said this, (Sarama), repairing to
the Raksha, heard Ravana's converse with his counselors. And having
heard of the decision of that wicked-minded one, she, understanding
decisions, swiftly retraced her steps to the fair _acoka_ forest. And
then, entering there, she saw Janaka's daughter, expecting (her) like a
very Sri, bereft of her lotus. And, the fair-spoken Sarama, on getting
back (near her), Sita, embracing her affectionately, herself gave her a
seat. "Sitting down here at ease, do thou relate to me faithfully all
about the determination of the wicked-minded and guileful Ravana". Thus
accosted by the trembling Sita, Sarama related everything that had been
said by Ravana and his counselors. "O Vaidehi, the Raksha lord was
advised by his mother and the aged counselors in pregnant words informed
with affection, having thy deliverance for their object. 'Do thou make
over Maithili unto the king of men, paying him homage due. Thou hast, in
Janasthana profusely witnessed wonderful instances (of his prowess). The
crossing of the ocean, Hanuman's sight (of Sita),--and the slaughter of
the Rakshas in fight,--what person is capable of doing all this in
battle?' Thus long exhorted by his counselors as well as his mother,
Ravana doth not make up his mind to emancipate thee, even as a covetuous
person is loath to part with wealth (appropriated). And, O Maithili,
without renouncing his life in battle, he doth not intend to liberate
thee. Even this is the determination which that cruel one hath arrived
at along with his advisers. This intent is in consequence of their
coveting surcease. He can not yield thee up from sheer fear; nor is he
backward in battle, or shirketh his own destruction or that of all the
Rakshasas. O dark-eyed lady, slaying Ravana in battle with sharp shafts,
Rama shall take thee back to Ayodhya". In the meanwhile there was heard
a mighty uproar occasioned by the whole host, and drums and
conchs,--which shook the earth. Hearing that hubbub of the monkey-army,
the servants of the Rakshasa monarch, ran who were in Lanka,--growing
dispirited and bereft of energy, with weakness overcoming their
powers,--did not see any good, in consequence of the fault of the ruler.
[93] _i.e._ the words of Ravana.