RAMAYANA

VALMIKI

SUNDARA-KANDA

CHAPTER 1

Hanuman Leaps Across the Ocean

In order to find the location of Sita, who had been kidnapped by Ravana, Hanuman wanted to follow the path of the caranas across the sky. Stretching his neck, Hanuman, like a bull amongst a herd of cows, prepared to perform without opposition a most difficult task. Hanuman then strode as he liked through the meadows that were the color of vaidurya gems, frightening birds, brushing his chest against trees and subduing multitudes of creatures like an adult lion. Stopping at the foot of Mount Mahendra, Hanuman looked like an elephant standing in a lake. The mountain was adorned with deposits of spotless natural minerals that were blue, red, yellow, pink, black and white. It was frequented by yakshas, gandharvas and nagas, all of whom could assume any form at will. They resembled demigods and were accompanied by their associates.
	Hanuman joined his palms together to offer respects to the sun god, the wind god, Indra, Lord Brahma and sprites. Pointing his joined palms toward the east to offer respects to his progenitor the wind god, the dexterous Hanuman then grew in size to proceed toward the south. Before the eyes of those monkeys, Hanuman, who had made up his mind to jump across the ocean in order to complete Rama's mission, continued growing like the ocean during a full moon. Desiring to jump across the ocean with his immeasurable body, he pressed down on the mountain with his hands and feet. Being squeezed by Hanuman, the mountain trembled, shaking off the flowers from the blossoming branches of trees. The mountain was covered all over with a shower of fragrant flowers dropped from trees, as if it were made of flowers. Being squashed by the tremendous might of Hanuman, the mountain was spurting water, as an elephant in rut exudes ichor from its temples. Because of the pressure, the mountain was releasing streams that were golden, black and silver. The mountain also shed big boulders containing red arsenic, just as a medium flame of fire would release a column of smoke. Due to the pressure which Hanuman was exerting on the mountain, all the creatures living in caves were being squeezed and were howling awefully. The loud wail of creatures occassioned by the crushing of the mountain filled the earth and all directions in the forests. Snakes with svastikas on the foreheads vomitted fire from their big heads and bit the rocks with their fangs. When the stones were pierced by the venemous fangs of those angry snakes, they burst into flames and exploded into thousands of pieces. Even the herbs capable of neutralizing venom which grew on that mountain could not counteract the effect of the poison of those snakes.
	Thinking that the mountain was being smashed by evil spirits, frightened ascetics and vidyadharas with their consorts fled from there. The vidyadharas left their gold jugs in their wine houses, along with their valuable gold plates, bowls and cups. They also left behind succulent eatables and sauces and various kinds of meat, shields made with ox leather and swords with golden hilts. The vidyadharas, whose eyes were as red as lotus flowers, wearing red flower garlands and red sandalwood paste, flew up into the sky. Wearing necklaces, ankle bells, arm bands and bracelets, the astonished women stood smiling with their husbands in the air. Exhibiting their extensive magical expertise by hovering in the air as if their were great sages, the vidyadharas gazed at the mountain. As they did so they heard the following exclamation from sages, caranas and perfected beings standing in the clear sky: “Resembling a mountain, Hanuman, the son of the wind, wishes to speedily cross the ocean which is the abode of Varuna. Desiring to accomplish a difficult task for the pleasure of Lord Rama and the monkeys, he wants to reach the other side of the ocean, which is not easy to achieve.”
	After hearing those remarks of the ascetics, the vidyadharas saw on the mountain that monkey whose powers were immeasurable. Shaking the hairs on his body, he looked like a flickering flame. He roared like a huge rain cloud. Preparing himself to jump, he rolled up his hairy tail, as Garuda would curl up a snake. Tightly curled up behind him, his tail looked like a snake being carried away by Garuda. The monkey clenched the mountain with his arms which were like huge clubs, crouched down and tightened his feet. Drawing in his arms and neck, he gathered up his force, strength and virility. Looking  upwards to see the long path he would have to take, he held his vital air in his heart. Placing his feet firmly and flattening his ears as he was about to jump, he spoke the following words to the other monkeys: “As an arrow shot by Rama would fly with great speed, so shall I cross over to Lanka, which is protected by Ravana. If I do not find Sita in Lanka, I shall proceed with the same speed to the heavenly planets wherein dwell the gods. If I do not find Sita there after a thorough search, then I shall bring Ravana, the king of the rakshasas, bound up. At any rate, I shall successful bring back Sita. Or else, uprooting the whole island of Lanka, I will bring it back with Ravana.”
	Having said this, that best of monkeys Hanuman jumped into the air with great speed without noticing it. He considered himself to be like Garuda. While he lept into the air, the trees growing on the mountain drew in their branches and flew in all directions. As he traversed the cloudless sky, his rear draft sucked up the flowering trees with the birds perched on them. Pulled up by the trust of his legs, the trees followed him for a while, as relatives follow a traveller setting out on a long journey. In this way, sala and other kinds of trees followed Hanuman as an army follows a king. Followed by trees whose branches were laddened with flowers, Hanuman, who was as big as a mountain, looked amazing. The heavier trees soon fell into the the salty ocean, as mountains once fell in the ocean out of fear of Indra. Covered all over with many different flowers, shoots and buds, Hanuman shone brightly like a mountain covered with fireflies. When the trees became free from his flurry, their flowers fell off and the trees themselves fell into the ocean like returning friends. Having been dragged along by the wind created by Hanuman because of their light weight, the flowers of the different trees fell over the ocean so that it looked  like the sky spangled with stars.
	Covered with a shower of flowers of different colors, the monkey looked like a rising cloud illuminated by streaks of lightning. Covered with flowers dropped on it by Hanuman's back wind, the ocean looked like the night sky speckled with lovely stars. His outstretched arms reaching into the sky looked like a pair of five-hooded snakes coming out of a mountain. When Hanuman looked down, he seemed to be drinking the wave-tossed ocean. And when Hanuman looked up, he seemed to be sucking in the sky. As Hanuman traversed the path of the wind, his eyes, which were as brilliant as lightning, shone like two fires burning on a mountain. His reddish eyes, which are large and round, glowed like the sun and moon. His whole face became reddened by the reflection of his red nose, just like when the sun sets on the horizon. Moreover, as he passed through the sky, his coiled tail looked like a flag raised in honor of Indra. With his coiled tail and white teeth, Hanuman looked like the sun encircled by a halo. 
	That huge monkey shone brightly with his deep red buttocks, like a mountain with red metalic ore slit open. The wind passing through his arm pits rumbled over the ocean like a thunder cloud. That best of monkeys looked like a long-tailed comet falling from the northern part of the sky. Hanuman, who was as effulgent as the sun, resembled an adult elephant with a girth around its waist. With his body moving above and his shadow sunken below, he looked like a boat on the ocean being blown by the wind. Whichever part of the ocean he passed over became turbulent because of his body's propulsion. Hanuman precipitously lurched forward, smashing the mountain-like waves of the ocean with his chest. The wind caused by the monkey and the wind caused by the clouds made the ocean quiver and roar. Dragging a mass of giant waves with him as he sped along, He seemed to be agitating both heaven and earth. As Hanuman dashed ahead with great speed, he seemed to be counting the waves on the great ocean that resembled the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Mandara. The water sucked up into the air by his tail wind looked very beautiful like a mass of autumn clouds stretched across the sky. The hidden whales, cocodiles, alligators and tortoises became visible, like the limbs of a body when the cloth is drawn back. Carefully observing him passing through the sky, the ocean snakes concluded that he was Garuda. 
	Hanuman's shadow, which was eighty miles wide and two hundred and forty miles long, looked most lovely because of its speedy movement. The shadow cast on the sea appeared splendid like a row of white clouds in the sky as it followed the son of the wind god. Rushing along the path of the wind without any support, that gigantic monkey resembled a winged mountain. As Hanuman passed by, the ocean below the path he followed was forcifully spread apart like a trough. Travelling along the course of the birds like the king of birds, Garuda, Hanuman dragged a mass of clouds behind him, just like the wind. The white, red, blue or yellow clouds being dragged behind him were very brilliant. Intering into and coming out of the clouds, he looked like the hidden and shining moon respectively. Seeing that monkey jumping so rapidly, the gods, gandharvas and danavas showered flowers down on him. As he was jumping to fulfill the mission of Lord Rama, the sun did not scorch him and the wind god fanned with breezes. Sages praised him as he flew through the air and the gods and gandharvas sang his glories. When the nagas, yakshas and different kinds of rakshasas saw him unwearied, they glorified him.
	As Hanuman was flying overhead, the presiding deity of the ocean wanted to do something to honor the dynasty of Ikshvaku and thought as follows: “If I do not help Hanuman, I will be critisized by those who wish to talk. I was greatly extended by King Sagara, the protector of the Ikshvaku Dynasty. He is a friend of Lord Rama, a descendant of the Ikshvaku Dynasty, and therefore he should not suffer unnecessarily. I should make some arrangement for him to rest. After resting on me, he will easily cross the rest of the ocean.” 
	Having made this pious decision, the lord of the ocean said to Mainaka Mountain, whose core is gold: “You were placed here by the great soul Indra as a barrier against the demons from the nether world. You stand here blocking the exit from the immeasurable nether world so that the demons whose strength is well-known and who wish to come up, cannot do so. You are capable of growing sideways, downwards, as well as upwards, O mountain. Therefore, I command you to rise upwards, O best of peaks. Here is the mighty Hanuman, a tiger among monkeys, flying in the sky to perform a strenuous deed for the service of Lord Rama. I must help Hanuman, a servant of the Ikshvaku Dynasty. I am bound to honor the descendants of the Ikshvaku Dynasty, and they are your highest objects of worship. Please maintain our friendship. Our duty should not be neglected. Rise up from the waters and allow the monkey to rest on you. Hanuman is our guest and worthy of our respect. After resting on your lofty peak of gold frequented by gods and gandharvas, Hanuman will then then cross the remaining distance. Considering the mercifulness of Rama, the abduction of Sita and the effort of Hanuman, you should rise up.”
	When Mount Mainaka, whose core was gold, heard this request made by the lord of the ocean, he quickly rose up from out of the water, covered with tall trees with vines. It split the sea water when it rose up, as the shining sun splits a rain cloud. That great mountain, which had been covered and restrained by the ocean's water, at once revealed its peaks. The mountain seemed to be scraping the sky with its golden peaks as brilliant as the newly risen sun that were inhabited by kinnaras and giant serpents. Because of the rising gold peaks of the mountain, the sky became golden and shone like a sword. With its golden peaks shining brightly, that best of mountains was as effulgent as one hundred suns. Hanuman actually considered that mountain which had suddenly risen up in the midst of the salty ocean to be an obstacle. The exceedingly sturdy Hanuman knocked over the lofty mountain with a puff of breath, as the wind pushes away a cloud. When that excellent mountain was overcome by Hanuman and recognized his might, he rejoiced and roared loudly. Assuming a human form and standing on his own summit, the jubilant mountain addressed the monkey, who was standing in the sky: 
	“You have undertaken this difficult task, O best of monkeys. After landing on my peaks and resting for some time, continue on your way. The ocean was extended by those born in the Raghu Dynasty. The lord of the ocean wishes to honor you who are engaged in the service of Rama. And one must return a favor, this is an eternal law. Seeking to repay his obligation, he wishes to render you some service. He has therefore respectfully commanded me to assist you in some way. He said: ‘This monkey has jumped into the sky in order to cover a distance of at least eight hundred miles. After resting on your peaks, he can cover the remaining distance.' O best of monkeys, stay and rest on me for some time, then you may go. Here are many fragrant and tasty roots, tubers and fruits. After enjoying them and resting, you may continue. Actually, we have some connection with you. You are renouned in the three worlds and are a store of immense qualities. I consider you the chief of those monkeys who can jump, O son of the wind god. A discerning man who is keen to know what is duty should offer respect to even an ordinary guest, what to speak of someone like you. Indeed, you are the best of the gods and the son of the glorious wind god, being equal to him in vigor. By offering you hospitality I will have honored the wind god. Listen to another reason why I must offer you respect.
	“Previously, in the Golden Age, mountains had wings. With great speed they used to fly in all directions like eagles. Therefore, when they flew, the hosts of gods, sages and living beings became afraid that they would fall off the mountains. This angered Lord Indra, who then cut off with his thunderbolt the wings of the mountains by the hundreds of thousands. Lifting up his thunderbolt, Lord Indra approached me. Then I was suddenly thrown into the air by the wind god and tossed down into this salty ocean. Thus my wings and all my paraphernalia were saved by your father. I therefore respect you and consider you worthy of my homage, O son of the wind. My relationship with you is very efficacious. Since this opportunity has arisen, you ought to oblige the ocean and myself, O highly intelligent one. Relieve your fatigue and accept my hospitality, O best of monkeys. I am very pleased by our meeting, worthy as you are of my affection.”
	Having been addressed in this way by Mount Mainaka, Hanuman replied as follows: “I am pleased with the hospitality you have offered me. Do not think that I have not accepted it. The time for accomplishing my task is hastening me and the day is also slipping by. Moreover, I have promised that I would not stop here midway.” Saying this, Hanuman touched the mountain with his hand and then flew off into the sky while seemingly laughing. Meanwhile, both the ocean and the mountain esteemed, adored and heartened Hanuman with suitable blessings. Then, rising upward, leaving the mountain and ocean far below, he reached the path of the wind and traveled across the immaculate sky. Going still higher and looking down at the mountain, the son of the wind god continued on his way. Seeing this second difficult accomplishment of Hanuman, the reaching of Mount Mainaka and the refusal of its hospitality, all the gods, perfected beings and topmost sages glorified him. The gods who happened to be present there, including Lord Indra, were pleased with the intentions of that golden mountain.
	Because of his being pleased by the mountain's behavior, the wise Lord Indra himself addressed the mountain with a faltering voice: “I am extremely pleased with you, O golden mountain. I grant you protection. Go in peace, O gentle one. You have offered assistance to Hanuman, who, being untired, is attempting to jump a distance of eight hundred miles, even though it is very dangerous. The monkey is trying to do something beneficial for Rama, the son of King Dasharatha. I am very pleased with your having offered assistence according to your capability.” Seeing that Indra, the lord of the gods, was pleased with him, that foremost of mountains felt most delighted. Having received the boon of protection from Indra, the mountain again took his position below the ocean as Hanuman continued flying over the ocean.
	After this, the gods, gandharvas, siddhas and topmost sages said the following to Surasa, the mother of the nagas, who was as effulgent as the sun: “This glorious son of the wind god named Hanuman is leaping across the ocean. Assuming the form of a frightening rakshasi as big as a mountain with a head touching the sky, bloodshot eyes and fearsome fangs, obstruct him for a while. We want to ascertain his strength, and furthermore his prowess. Either he will defeat you by some means or he will give way to despondency.” When instructed in this way by the gods, Surasa assumed the form of a rakshasi in the midst of the ocean. Her appearance was deformed, hideous and terrifying for everyone. Blocking Hanuman's path, she spoke to him the following words, so it is said: “You have been designated as my food by the controlling deities, O best of monkeys! I shall devour you. Enter into my mouth! In the past I received this boon from Lord Brahma that I would be able to devour anyone who came before me.” Opening her huge mouth, She stood in front of Hanuman.
	When spoken to in this way by Surasa, Hanuman's face light up with joy and replied: “Rama, the son of King Dasharatha, entred the Dandaka Forest with His brother Lakshmana and His consort Sita. The glorious Sita was kidnapped by Ravana, who harbored enmity toward Rama, while Rama was engaged in some other affair. On the order of Rama I am going to Sita as a messenger. You ought to do something to assist Lord Rama, for you are one of his subjects. Or else, after I have seen Sita and then Rama, I shall enter your mouth. I promise you.” Hearing this, Surasa replied: “No one can get past me. That is my boon.” Seeing that Hanuman continued travelling, that mother of snakes Surasa, desiring to test his strength, said: “You can only proceed after entering my mouth right now. Such is the boon granted to me in the past by Lord Brahma.” After saying this, she opened her huge mouth and again stood in front of Hanuman. Angered by what Surasa said, Hanuman commanded her: “Open your mouth so that you can swallow me.”
	Having said this to Surasa, whose mouth was eighty miles wide, Hanuman angrily grew to a height of eighty miles. Seeing him eighty miles tall and resembling a cloud, she made her mouth one hundred and sixty miles wide. [Angered by this, Hanuman became two hundred and forty miles high. Surasa then stretched her mouth three hundred and twenty miles wide. Hanuman then became four hundred miles high. Surasa stretched her mouth four hundred and eighty miles wide. Just then Hanuman grew to five hundred and sixty miles high. Surasa stretched her mouth six hundred and forty miles wide. Hanuman, who was blazing like fire, grew to a height of seven hundred and twenty miles.] Seeing Surasa's open mouth with a long tongue and how it resembled hell, Hanuman contracted his body like a cloud and in a moment became the size of a thumb. After entering her mouth and coming out, the mighty Hanuman said the following as he stood in the air: “I have in fact entered your mouth and thus your boon as been upheld, O descendent of Daksha. I offer my respects to you. I shall now proceed to where Sita is.” Seeing him escaped from her mouth as the moon frees itself from an eclipse, the goddess Surasa assumed her original form and said: “Go as you wish to complete your mission, O best of monkeys, and reunite Sita with Rama.” 
	Seeing this third feat of Hanuman, which was very difficult to accomplish, all living beings praised him by exclaiming: “Well done! Well done!” Drawing near  the invincible ocean, he went past it, flying speedily into the sky like Garuda. Hanuman traversed the path of the wind, which is drenched by torrents of rain and followed by birds. This path is the same one which is followed by gandharvas expert in singing and dancing, as well as by Indra's elephant Airavata. It is adorned with spotless, fast-moving vehicles drawn by lions, elephants, tigers, birds and serpents. It is blessed with the presence of highly fortunate persons who have earned residence in heaven through the performance of pious deeds, who shine like fire and who are as hard to touch as a diamond or a bolt of lightning. It is frequented by the god of fire carrying abundant offerings to the other gods and is beautified by the sun, moon, stars, planets and constellations. It was crowded with great sages, gandharvas, nagas and yakshas. The clear, cloudless sky was frequented by Vishvavasu, chief of the gandharvas. This is the path followed by Lord Indra's elephants and is the peaceful path of the sun and moon. It is a canopy spread by Lord Brahma for the world of living beings. It is the path taken by many warriors who die valorously in battle and is guarded by vidyadharas.
	Like the wind, Hanuman dragged behind him a mass of clouds that were black, red, yellow and white. Being drag by Hanuman, the clouds looked wonderful. Entering and exiting those massess of clouds again and again, he shone like the moon coming in and out of clouds during the rainy season. Being watched from all sides, Hanuman, the son of the wind god, sped through the sky without any support, like Mount Meru with wings. Seeing him flying by, a gigantic rakshasi named Simhika, who could assume any form at will, thought to herself: “Now I shall be satisfied for a long time. After quite some time, this huge creature has come into my grasp. Thinking in this way, she grabbed hold of his shadow. When his shadow was grabbed, Hanuman began thinking: “Being seized all of a sudden, my motion is halted as if I am a lame man, as when a contrary wind stalls a large sail boat on the ocean.” Looking sideways, as well as up and down, he then saw a gigantic creature risen out of the ocean. Seeing her hideous face, Hanuman began thinking: “This is undoubtedly the same bizarre-looking beast described by Sugriva that is capable of capturing its victims' shadows.”
	Understanding from Sugriva's description that she was Simhika, Hanuman expanded himself into a gigantic form like a storm cloud during the monsoon. Seeing his body growing, she stretched her mouth as wide as the space of the nether world and rushed toward Hanuman like a thundering mass of clouds. He then noticed her huge and grotesque mouth, the same size as his own body, as well as her vulnerable areas. Instantly contracting his body again, Hanuman, whose body was as hard as a diamond, flew into her grotesque mouth. The siddhas and caranas saw his vanishing into her mouth, like the full moon being devoured by an eclipse. Then, tearing out here vital organs with his sharp nails, Hanuman came out of there with the speed of the mind. Having defeated her by good fortune, firmness and ingenuity, Hanuman again rapidly increased his size. With her heart torn out by Hanuman, she fell dead into the water. Hanuman had been created for her destruction by Lord Brahma. Seeing Simhika so quickly killed by Hanuman and fallen into the ocean, the beings who were floating in the sky said to Hanuman: “Just now you performed a fearful task by killing a gigantic creature. Accomplish your purpose without hindrance, O best of monkeys! He who, like you, possesses the four qualities of firmness, foresight, intelligence and adroitness is successful in all activities.”
	After being honored by those beings who had now achieved their goal, the venerable Hanuman flew up into the sky like Garuda. Upon reaching the opposite shore of the ocean after travelling eight hundred miles, he looked all around and saw a row of trees. While hovering in the air, he also saw an island adorned with many kinds of trees, as well as the forest groves on Mount Malaya. He also beheld the ocean, the coastal swamps, the trees growing there and the mouths of rivers. Looking at himself with a form resembling a large cloud and which seemed to block the sky, Hanuman began to contemplate how the rakshasi became curious about him when she saw his huge body and speed. After contracting his form which was a big as a mountain, he later resumed his natural size, just as a self-realized soul conquers infatuation. Hanuman made himself very small to defeat the rakshasi, and then resumed his original size, just as Lord Vishnu in His incarnation as Trivikrama assumed a gigantic form for crossing the universe in three steps to defeat Vali Maharaja's power. Having reached the opposite shore of the ocean, which could not be reached by anyone else, Hanuman, who was capable of assumining many different amazing forms, thought about his mission and assumed his original form. Then the great soul Hanuman, landed on Lamba Mountain, which had many peaks covered with trees such as ketaka, uddalaka and coconut. From the coast where he had arrived he could see the city of Lanka situated on Trikuta Mountain and abandoned his huge form which was frightening the forest animals and birds. Having crossed the wave-tossed ocean infested with danavas and snakes by dint of his strength and landing on the shore of the great ocean, Hanuman saw the city of Lanka, which resembled Lord Indra's capital of Amaravati.

CHAPTER 2

Hanuman Enters the City of Lanka

Standing calmly on a slope of Trikuta Mountain, the mighty Hanuman viewed the city of Lanka. Being completely covered with flowers fallen from trees, the courageous Hanuman looked as if he was made of flowers. Even after crossing a distance of eight hundred miles, the glorious monkey did not breath heavily nor was he tired. He thought: “I am capable of jumping many hundreds of miles, what to speak of crossing the ocean, which is calculated as only eight hundred miles.” After jumping across the ocean, that mightiest of monkeys had reached Lanka. He passed through fields of blue-green grass, and fragrant forest full of honey and big trees. Hanuman also crossed over mountains covered with trees and forests in bloom.
	Standing on the side of the mountain, the son of the wind god saw forests and groves and the city of Lanka perched on top of it. Hanuman also saw trees such as sarala, karnikara, blooming date palm, priyala, muculinda, kutaja, ketaka, priyangu, nipa, saptacchada, asana, kovidara, and blooming karavira, as well as trees laden with flowers or buds that were crowded with birds and being shaken by the wind. He also saw ponds abounding in swans and ruddy geese and blanketed with lotus flowers and water lilies. He furthermore saw many different charming pleasure-gardens and pools covered by all kinds of trees brearing fruits and flowers.
	Hanuman reached the beautiful city of Lanka, which was protected by Ravana and surrounded with moats full of lotus flowers and water lilies. Because of Sita's abduction, the city was thoroughly protected by Ravana, as well as by rakshasas armed with formidable bows wandering all about. The metropolis was surrounded by a golden wall and crowded with buildings as large as mountains and they resembled autumn clouds. It was criss-crossed by elevated roads paved with white plaster and had hundreds of mansions adorned with flags and banners. There were golden archways covered with rows of celestial flowering vines. Hanuman observed Lanka as a god would the city of the gods. Hanuman saw the city with its beautiful white mansions situated on the summit of the mountain as if it were floating through the air. He saw that city which was constructed by Vishvakarma and protected by Ravana as if it were flying in the sky. In his mind he tought of the city as a woman: the ramparts and walls were hip and loins, the broad ocean and forest surrounding the city were her garments, the missiles and javelins were her locks of hair, and the mansions were her earrings.
	Upon reaching the northern gate, which resembled the entrance to Kuvera's capital Alakapuri on Mountain Kailasa and which was scraping the sky with its mansions and holding up the firmament, Hanuman began to think. The city was overrun with fearsome rakshasas, just as Bhogavati is with nagas. It was inconceivable, well-constructed, clearly visible and had previously been inhabited by Kuvera. It was guarded by many frightful rakshasas with fangs carrying spikes and sharp spears in their hands, like a cave full of poisonous snakes. Considering the formidable defences and the ocean surrounding it and the sinister enemy Ravana, Hanuman began thinking in the following way:
	“The coming of the monkeys here would be completely useless, for Lanka cannot be defeated in battle, not even by the demigods. What would the strong-armed Rama be able to do when coming to Lanka, whose terrain is rugged, difficult to penetrate and protected by Ravana? I see no possiblity of subduing the rakshasas by persuasion, gifts, sowing dissension among them, or battle. Only four agile monkeys are able to leap this distance—Angada, Nila, Sugriva and myself. Meanwhile, I shall verify whether Sita is alive or not. After finding Sita I will consider what should be done next.”
	Standing on the mountain slope, that greatest of monkeys thought for a while about how to accomplish Rama's mission. Hanuman thought: “Because Lanka is guarded by fierce and powerful rakshasas, I cannot enter it in my present form. The rakshasas are extremely energetic, vigorous and strong. I must therefore deceive them in order to search for Sita. To accomplish this great task, I should enter the city of Lanka at night in a form which is unrecognizable except by my exploits.”
	See that city which was difficult to assault even for gods and demons, Hanuman sighed repeated and thought: “How can I find Sita, the Princess of Mithila, without being seen by the evil-minded rakshasa Ravana? How will I be able to meet Sita in private so that Rama's mission is not spoiled? Goals which are all but accomplished are ruined by a hesitant messenger who acts contrary to time and place, just as darkness is dispelled by the sun. Even a decision regarding what should be done and what should not be done becomes ruined by an unqualified messenger. Messengers who consider themselves wise ruin all endeavors in such circumstances. How can I avoid that the mission is not spoiled? How can I avoid insecurity?  And I wonder how I can ensure that my jumping across the ocean was not in vain. If I am discovered by the rakshasas, then the mission of the wise Rama, who wishes to checkmate Ravana, will be fruitless. It is impossible for anyone to remain here unrecognized by the rakshasas, even if one were to assume the form of a rakshasa, what to speak of any other form. I think that even the wind cannot blow here without being detected by the rakshasas whose activities are dreadful. If I remain here clothed with my natural form, I will be killed and my master's goal will be stopped. Therefore, I shall make myself very small and enter Lanka at night in order to carry out Lord Rama's mission. Entering at night Ravana's city, which is most inaccessible, I shall discover Sita.”
	Making this decision, the valiant Hanuman, desiring to find Sita, anxiously waited for sunset. When the sun set, Hanuman contracted his body to the size of a cat of unusual appearance. As night fell, Hanuman quickly jumped up and entered the charming city whose roads were nicely aligned in a grid. With its rows of palaces with gold columns and gold lattice screens over the windows, it looked like a city for gandharvas. He saw mansions that were seven and eight stories high. With their floors inlaid with crystal, gold, vaidurya gems and rows of pearls, those mansions of the rakshasas shone brightly. The city of Lanka was adorned on all sides with lovely golden archways errected by the rakshasas. Seeing the inconceivable and amazing city of Lanka, Hanuman was both despondent and joyful, eager as he was to find Sita. He entered the city which was lined with white mansions and valuable golden archways and which was guarded by fearsome rakshasas. Even the moon seemed to be assisting Hanuman as it shone in the midst of a mass of stars. It spread its light over the sky as it rose on the horizon. That stalwart monkey glanced at the moon, which was as white as a conchshell, milk or a white lotus flower and which looked like a swan swimming in a lake.

CHAPTER 3

Hanuman Stopped by a Rakshasi

From a peak on Trikuta Mountain, which looked like a long cloud, the courageous Hanuman entered the city of Lanka at night. The city was fully protected by Ravana and possessed charming groves. It was adorned with buildings that resembled autumn clouds. From the city rose a din like the roar of the ocean and it was fanned with ocean breezes. It was protected by well-fed soldiers just like Kuvera's capital Alakapuri. Its charming arches were guarded by elephants in rut and its white gateways were guarded by serpents, as is the splendid city of Bhogavati, capital of Patala. It was overcast with clouds spewing bolts of lightning and illuminated by multitudes of luminaries. It resounded with booming the sound of wind, just like Amaravati, the capital of Lord Indra. It was surrounded by immense golden walls and adorned with flags trimmed with small jingling bells. All of a sudden Hanuman jumped up on the wall. Surveying the city on all sides, his heart was filled with wonder.
	Hanuman was overjoyed to see Lanka. It had gateways of gold with platforms of vaidurya gem. The sides of the gateways were inlaid with diamonds, crystals and pearls. The floors of the gateways were embellished with gems and the sides were adorned with elephants of smelted gold. The vaults of archways were plated with spotless, shining silver. The city's stairways were made of vaidurya gems and their walls were encrusted with crystals and were free from dust. There were charming assembly halls which seemed to be flying in the sky. The city resounded with the cries of herons and was frequented by royal swans. On all sides could be heard the sound of claironets and the tinkling of bells. It was like a duplicate of the city of Alakapuri. Gazing at that beautiful and opulent city ruled by Ravana, Hanuman began thinking: “Protected as it is by Ravana's soldiers bearing weapons in their hands, this city cannot be overwhelmed by anyone. This land can only be penetrated by Kumuda and Angada, or else by the great monkey Sushena, as well as by Mainda and Dvivida. It could also be penetrated by Sugriva, Kushaparna, Jambavan or by me.” Hanuman also considered the prowess of the strong-armed Rama and Lakshmana and was enlivened. 
	Observing the city, whose darkness was dispelled by burning lamps and by shining planets, Hanuman consider it like a well-decorated woman. The inlaid jewels on the walls constituted her garments, the stables and other buildings, her ornaments, and the armories, her breasts.
	The city then appeared in her personal form before Hanuman, seeing that he was entering. Upon seeing him, the personality of Lanka rose up and exhibited her unsightly form. She stood in front of that heroic monkey. Roaring loudly, she said: “Who are you and why have you come here, O forest dweller? Tell me the truth as long as your life airs are still with you. Guarded as Lanka is on all sides by Ravana's soldiers, you cannot enter it at all, O monkey! The valiant Hanuman then replied to the rakshasi standing before him: “I shall tell you whatever you have asked. But first tell me who you are with hideous eyes standing at the city gate? And why are you angrily threatening me, O cruel woman?”
	Angered by Hanuman's reply, the personality of Lanka, who could assume any form at will, said the following: “Always at the command of the king of rakshasas, Ravana, I guard this city. No one can disregard me and then enter this city. Deprived of your life airs and stricken down by me right now, you will enter the slumber of death. I am in fact the personality of the city of Lanka. I guard this city on all sides and therefore I have spoken to you in this way.” Hearing what the personality of Lanka said, Hanuman, son of the wind god, stood his ground like a mountain. Seeing her with the form of a female, the wise and courageous monkey spoke as follows:
	“I would like to see the city of Lanka with its palaces, walls and arches. I have come here for this purpose, for I am very curious to see it. In fact, I have come here just to see the forests, gardens and groves of Lanka, as well as its mansions on all sides.” Hearing his words, the personality of Lanka spoke the following harsh retorted: “You fool! Without defeating me who am protected by Ravana, you cannot see this city right now, O lowest of monkeys!” Then Hanuman said to the night-stalker: “After seeing the city, I shall go back to the way I came.” Letting out a loud and frightening yell, Lanka violently hit Hanuman with the palm of her hand. After being strongly hit by Lanka, Hanuman roared very loudly. Being agitated, Hanuman closed the fingers of his left hand and hit her with his fist. Considering her a woman, he did not personaly exhibit excessive anger. When her limbs were overpowered by that blow, the horrible-looking night-stalker suddenly fell down on the ground. Seeing her knocked down on the ground, the chivalrous Hanuman felt compassionate upon her, for he considered her a woman.
	Seeing what had happened to her, Lanka humbly addressed Hanuman with faltering words: “Be pleased, O strong-armed one! Protect me, O best of monkeys! Those who are courageous and strong stand by the codes of chivalry. I am indeed the personification of the city of Lanka, O monkey. You have defeated me with your prowess, O warrior of extraordinary power. Therefore listen to this fact as I speak. Lord Brahma once made the following prophecy regarding me, that when some monkey subdues me by his prowess, I should understand that the destruction of the rakshasas was about to take place. From this meeting with you I can see that that time has now arrived. This fact has been ordained by Brahma and cannot be prevented. Because of Sita, the time has come for the desruction of the evil-minded King Ravana, as well as all the other rakshasas. As such, enter this city and accomplish whatever it is you wish to. Entering into this lovely city which is bound by a curse, easily go everywhere and search as you like for Sita.”

CHAPTER 4

Hanuman Reaches the Royal Palace

After defeating the personification of the city of Lanka by means of his prowess, the mighty Hanuman leapt over the wall without going through the gate. Endowed with exceptional strength, he entered the city of Lanka at night. By entering the city, Hanuman, who always did what was beneficial for Sugriva, literally put his left foot on the head of his enemies. Passing through the gate, Hanuman took the main road which was strewn with flowers. Thus he headed for the charming city of Lanka, which was still some distance ahead. The city looked very beautiful, like the sky with clouds. Its outstanding houses resounded with laughter and instrumental music and their windows were adorned with screens inlaid with diamonds. At that moment the city of Lanka was shining brightly with the homes of hordes of rakshasas. These were as attractive as white clouds and were of the style of svastika and vardhamana, and were finely decorated on all sides.
	Wandering about to fulfill Rama's mission, the glorious Hanuman saw that city adorned with flower garlands and felt overjoyed. Going from house to house, he saw all around buildings of every shape and size. He also heard melodious songs embellished with high, medium and low notes vibrated from the head, throat and heart. He also heard the tinkling of bells on the belts and anklets of women who were love-smitten and who were as beautiful as celestial damsels. He could also hear the sound of the mighty rakshasas going up and down staircases, as well as the slapping of arms and the roars of wrestlers competing here and there. He could hear the recitation of mantras in the homes of the rakshasas and he saw sorcerers engaged in the study of their sacred texts. He also saw rakshasas engaged in glorifying Ravana and a big mob of rakshasas gathered on the main boulevard.
	In the downtown area of the city he saw many rakshasa spies who were disguised as initiates in the practice of mystic yoga, ascetics with matted hair, shaven-headed monks, and renunciates wearing deer skins for clothes. He saw that they were carrying handsful of kusha grass as a weapon for warding off evil spirits, or vessels for holding sacrificial fires, or weapons, such as hammers, clubs, staffs, and so forth. He saw rakshasas who were one-eyed, many-eared, potbellied, flabby-breasted, hideous, twisted-faced, fierce and stubby. He saw them bearing bows, swords, spikes and clubs, and others shining very brightly because of their armour. He saw that some of them were neither too fat nor too thin, neither too tall nor too short, neither too fair nor too dark, and neither hunchbacked nor dwarfish. He also saw that some were very ugly, others able to assume any form at will, others very handsome and effulgent. Some were carrying flags, banners or different kinds of weapons. Some were carrying javelins, tree trunks, sharp-pointed spears, thunderbolts, slings or nooses in their hands. He also saw many wearing flower garlands and anointed with sandalwood paste, adorned with costly jewelry and wearing different kinds of costumes as they wandering about at will. Some were carrying razor-sharp spears and others who were physically very strong carried thunderbolts. He also saw the central garrison of one hundred thousand rakshasas that was commanded by Ravana and which was located in front of his residencial quarters.
	After seeing that garrison which had large gold arches, Hanuman then saw Ravana's famous palace, constructed on the summit of Trikuta Mountain and which was surrounded by a moat full of blossoming white lotus flowers. Hanuman entered Ravana's palace, which was surrounded by a big wall. That palace was heavenly, like the abode of the immortals, and it resounded with angelic music. There could also be heard the neighing of horses and the tinkling of silver and gold ornaments. The gateways of the palace were adorned with chariots, conveyances and aerial vehicles, as well as beautiful horses and four-tusked elephants that resembled white clouds, and deer and birds in heat. That palace was guarded by thousands of the most formidable praticioners of the black arts. Hanuman entered the palace of the lord of the rakshasas, which was encircled with wall of refined gold. Those walls were inlaid with valuable pearls and gems. It was also sprinkled with water scented with aloe and sandalwood.

CHAPTER 5

Hanuman Sees Many Rakshasas in the City

Thereafter, Hanuman saw the moon risen high in the sky constantly spreading the canopy of its rays over the earth, as does the sun, and resembling a bull in rut wandering about a cowpen. He also saw that the moon was destroying the sins of the people, causing the ocean to swell and illuminating all beings with its cooling rays as it advanced across the sky. The same splendor which shines in this world on Mount Mandara, on the waters of the ocean at night, or on lotus flowers in a pool was eminating from the moon. The moon in the sky was shining just like a swan in a silver cage, a lion in a cave on Mount Mandara, or a warrior riding a proud horse. The full moon with its spots looked like a bull with horns, a big white mountain with rising peaks, or an elephant with gold-plated tusks. The fortunate moon shone brightly, its stain of cold water and frost having vanished, its stain of darkness having been eliminated by the sun, and its spots being illuminated by its own splendor. The moon looked splendid like a lion standing on top of a rock, an elephant entered deep into a forest, or a monarch who had just reached his own kingdom. The glorious night's defects, such as the increase of the power of the flesh-eating rakshasas, and the agitation of the minds of lovers, were dispelled by the all-pervading radiance of the moon. The sound of stringed instruments which is so pleasing to the ears had started. Chaste women were sleeping with their husbands. The night-stalkers whose behaviour was strange and menacing had also begun to enjoy themselves.
	The wise Hanuman saw the mansions of the arrogant and intoxicated rakshasas. These buildings were connected together and were crowded with chariots, horses and funiture and wealth fit for valiant warriors. The rakshasas were constantly assaulting each other, waving their thick arms, uttering incoherent sentences and cursing one another. Sometimes the rakshasas beat their hands against their chests, and sometimes they put their arms around their loved ones. They were wearing different kinds of clothes and were pulling the strings of their strong bows. Hanuman saw the rakshasas' wives applying sandalwood paste on their bodies, while others were sleeping. Some who had lovely faces were laughing, while others who were angry, were hissing. With its big elephants trumpeting, its pious souls who were respectable and its warriors who were hissing, the city appeared like a lake full of hissing snakes. Hanuman saw in the city sorcerers who were mostly intelligent, sweet-speaking, fully dedicated, outstanding and dressed in different ways. He was happy to see those who were handsome, endowed with many virtues and who acted according to their own qualities.  He saw that some of those who were very effulgent were handsome, while others were ugly.
	Hanuman then observed the women, who were worthy of fine clothes. They were extremely pure-hearted and dignified. They were completely attached to their lovers and to beverages, were very good-natured and shone like stars. He saw some women who very radiant, bashful, and delighted, enjoying the embrace of their lovers at night like female birds in the embrace of their mates. He saw others on the roofs of their mansions seated comfortably in the laps of their lovers. These were devoted to their husbands and their marital duties. They were properly married and completely in love with their husbands. Some of the women were not properly covered and resembled streaks of gold. There were other women who were the color of molten gold. Others who were not accompanied by their husbands looked as pale as the moon, though they had lovely complexions. That most valorous monkey then saw extremely charming women in their homes. These were delighted to meet their dear husbands, who were similarly pleased in mind by them. Those women were overflowing with affection and were very pleased at heart. He saw rows of faces shining like the moon, rows of slanted eyes with lovely lashes and rows of ornaments resembling flashing thunderbolts.
	Even so, Hanuman did not see anywhere the frail Sita, who was high-born,  situated on the path of virtue, born in a royal family, sprung from the mind of the Supreme, and like a vine in full bloom. After searching for a long time and not seeing Sita anywhere, Hanuman became morose due to sorrow. That lady was the wife of Rama, a ruler of men and the best of speakers. She was fimly situated on the path of eternal duty. She had eyes only for Rama and was deeply in love with Him. She had penetrated into the mind of Her husband and was consider by Him to be special and superior to all other women. She was tormented with anguish and Her throat was chocked up by a constant flow of tears. Her neck had previously been adorned with a most excellent and valuable gold necklace. She had beautiful eyelashes and a delicate neck, and She resembled a peahen dancing avidly in the forest. Due to Her captivity, She looked like the crescent moon blurred by a cloud, a vein of gold covered with dust, the discolored scar of a wound or the streak of a cloud swept away by the wind.

CHAPTER 6

Hanuman Enters Ravana's Palace

Wandering about those mansions of Lanka as he pleased, Hanuman reached Ravana's palace, which was enclosed with a wall as brilliant as the sun. That palace was guarded by rakshasas, like a forest protected by lions. Hanuman felt happy while observing the palace, which was adorned with figures wrought in silver, archways covered with gold ornamentation, beautiful chambers, doorways and enclosed areas. It was guarded by mahouts mounted on their elephants, by unwearied soldiers and by horses that could not be killed and which were pulling chariots. These chariots were amazing and were outfitted with shields of lion and tiger skins. They were adorned with decorations carved from ivory, gold and silver. They were making noise by their rumbling and by the tinkling of their decorative bells. The city was filled with many precious gems and furnished with luxurious furniture. It had buildings for parking big chariots and thrones for the great chariot warriors to sit upon. It was crowded with thousands of different kinds of birds and beasts which were worth seeing. It was well-protected by skilled rakshasa warriors and was full of remarkably beautiful ladies.
	Hanuman saw the vast palace of Ravana. It was adorned with the presence of joyful damsels. The combined sound of the ornaments of all those ladies resembled the roar of the ocean. The palace was equipped with all the paraphernalia of royalty and was perfumed with the finest quality sandalwood. It was thronged with eminent personalities, as a great forest is infested by lions. The palace resounded with the sound of kettledrums and mridangas, and was echoing with the trumpeting of conchshells. The palace was always respected by the rakshasas, who worshiped there and who extracted soma juice there during the appropriate phases of the moon. It was as unfathomable as the ocean and was noisy like the thrashing of ocean waves. The palace was entirely encrusted with valuable gems and it was crowded with elephants, horses and chariots. It looked splendid due to the presence of the great personage Ravana.
	Considering the palace to be the very ornament of the city of Lanka, Hanuman wandered about Ravana's capital. He fearlessly wandered from house to house, seeing the palaces, gardens and everything else that was there. Jumping into Prahasta's mansion, the mighty Hanuman then jumped over to another one belonging to Mahaparshva. Hanuman then jumped into the palace of Kumbhakarna, which was like a cloud, and then into that of Vibhishana. He then jumped one after the other into the palaces of Mahodara, Virupaksha, Vidyujjihva, Vidyunmali, Vajradamstra, Shuka, Sarana, Indrajit, Jambumali, Sumali, Rashmiketu, Suryashatru, and Vajrakaya.
	One after the other, Hanuman, the son of the wind god, entered the mansions of Dhumraksha, Sampati, Vidyudrupa, Bhima, Ghana, Vighana, Shukanabha, Cakra, Shatha, Kapata, Hrasvakarna, Damstra, Lomasha, Yuddhonmatta, Matta, Dhvajagriva, Sadi, Vidyujjihva, (different from the previous), Dvijihva, Hastimukha, Karala, Pishaca and Shonitaksha. Leaping from one luxurious mansion to the other, Hanuman noticed the opulence of those rakshasas. Passing all these residence that were all around, the glorious Hanuman again reached Ravana's palace. While wandering about Ravana's palace, he spied a rakshasi with hideous eyes guarding Ravana's bedroom. Hanuman also saw soldiers carrying tridents, clubs, javelins and lances in their hands. He also saw big-bodied rakshasas holding all kinds of weapons and swift steeds that were red, white and black. He also saw pedigree tusked elephants that could defeat the enemy's elephants. These were trained in warfare and were just like Indra's elephant, Airavata. The elephants were discharging fluid from the temples of their foreheads, like raining clouds or mountains with streams flowing down. Their trumpeting was like the thundering of clouds and they were difficult for the enemy to assault in battle.
	Inside Ravana's palace Hanuman saw thousands of army barracks decorated with gold ornamentation and windowscreens of shimmering gold that resembled the rising sun. He also saw palanquins of different shapes and sizes, beautiful vine-covered bowers and buildings with frescoes. Inside Ravana's palace Hanuman saw a playhouse with a mountain made from logs, a house for love-making and a beautiful day-house as well. That excellent palace resembled Mount Mandara. It had numerous pens for peacocks and was crowded with flag poles. He saw that there were heaps of jewels and treasures all about. Sober and dedicated priests performed rituals to preserve the wealth so that the palace looked like the residence of Kuvera, treasurer of the gods. Because of the beams of light emanating from the jewels and the effulgence of Ravana's body, the palace shone very beautifully like the sun surrounded by its own rays. Hanuman then noticed the sparkling couches, seats and vessels all made from gold. Hanuman went inside the immense palace which had wide and spacious rooms. Its floors were damp with wine and liquor and it abounded with vessels made from precious gems. It was captivating to behold, just like Kuvera's palace. It resounded with the tinkling of anklebells and belts, and the beating of drums, clapping of hands, chiming of cymbals and other percussion instruments. The palace contained lofty buildings and was crowded with hundreds of women.

CHAPTER 7

Description of Ravana's Palace

The stalwart Hanuman saw all the buildings comprising Ravana's palace. Their window gratings of gold were inlaid with vaidurya gems. It resembled a cloud in the rainy season struck by lightning, and was crowded with birds. He also saw the many different rooms in the palace, including those that were used to store excellent conchshells, bows and other weapons and mind-captivating penthouses on the tops of mountain-like mansions. Hanuman also saw mansions endowed with numerous treasures that were honored by both the gods and demons and that were free from all defect. These had been wrested from Kuvera by the might of the rakshasas. He saw all of Ravana's mansions, which had been constructed with great effort by Maya danava and which were the most excellent buildings in the whole world. Then he beheld the fascinating and unique palace of Ravana which possessed the loveliness of gold. It resembled a risen cloud. It was just suitable to Ravana's own power as lord of the rakshasas. It looked like heaven on earth. It was shining with splendor and replete with abundant gems and strewn with the flowers from many different trees so that it looked like a mountain peak covered with pollen. The presence of beautiful women caused the palace to shine like a cloud pierced by bolts of lightning or like a well-made aerial vehicle being pulled through the sky by marvelous swans.
	Hanuman also saw an aerial vehicle encrusted with many gems. It was as charming as a beautiful mountain colored with mineral deposits or the sky lit up by the moon and other luminaries or a lovely cloud of different hues. The ground around that aerial vehicle had rows of gems in mounds. These were covered with planted trees with flowers that had filaments and petals. White mansions had been constructed, as well as pools with lotus flowers, forests and charming lakes. Hanuman gazed at the great aerial vehicle  known by the name Pushpaka. It was glowing with gems and was capable of traveling long distances. It was the very best of aerial vehicles. The vehicle was adorned birds fashioned with vaidurya gems, silver and coral, snakes made of various jewels and swift horses with comely limbs. The birds had dainty beaks and wings. Those wings were covered with flowerlets of coral and gold which they had playfully folded and were as beautiful as Cupid himself. The vehicle was adorned with elephants with shapely trunks holding lotus flowers while worshiping the goddess of fortune Lakshmi, whose image was also sculpted with graceful hands hold lotus flowers.
	Hanuman was thus amazed upon finding that aerial vehicle. It was like a mountain with charming caves or like a tree with hollows which was fragrant with flowers in spring. After wandering about that venerable city protected by the arms of Ravana and not finding Sita, who was conquered by Her husband's virtues and sorely afflicted, Hanuman felt miserable. Although he had meditated on the self, had conquered the self and followed the right path, when he was unable to find Sita after conscientiously searching, his mind became deeply saddened.

CHAPTER 8

Description of the Pushpaka Vehicle

Standing in the center of that palace, Hanuman saw the huge aerial vehicle decorated with jewels and gems and outfitted with screens of refined gold. It was adorned with engravings of immeasurable beauty and was a masterpiece manufactured by Vishvakarma himself. When situated in the sky on the path of the wind it could shine as brightly as a beacon-light in the orbit of the sun. There was no part of it which had not been made with the greatest care, nor was there any part which was not inlaid with costly gems. The special features of that vehicle could not even be found in the realm of the gods, nor was there any part of it which was not special.
	That best of monkeys warriors saw right there in the palace that most excellent aerial vehicle known as Pushpaka. It was obtained by Ravana by dint of the prowess he had acquired through the practice of austerities and meditation. That vehicle went wherever the driver thought with mental concentration. It had been constructed according to specific plans with the use of material from various sources. It was as swift as the wind, quickly following the thoughts of its driver, and it was difficult to raid. It could only be occupied by great souls who had performed acts of piety and had accumulated austerity as their wealth, and who were illustrious and very blissful. It had a certain peculiarity about it and had been constructed in an unusual manner. It was a mass of curiosities and was adorned with numerous compartments. It was fascinating and impecable like the autumn moon. It looked like the highest pinnacle of a many-peaked mountain. It was carried by thousands of goblins, whose faces were adorned with earrings. These were voracious eaters who had large rolling  and unwinking eyes. They could travel through the sky, roamed about at night and could move with great speed. The vehicle was pleasant to see with bunches of spring flowers. In fact, it was more beautiful to see than spring itself.

CHAPTER 9

Hanuman Searches Ravana's Palace

Hanuman beheld in the midst of that palace compound the vast, spotless and superexcellent residence of Ravana. That foremost of edifices was four miles wide and eight miles long and crowded with numerous structures.  Hanuman, the defeater of enemies, wandered about the palace looking everywhere for the broad-eyed Sita. Seeing the unexcelled residence of the rakshasa Ravana, Hanuman, who possessed all good qualities, thereupon approached it. The palace was surrounded by elephants that had either four, three or two tusks each, and was guarded by rakshasas bearing weapons. Ravana's residence was crowded with rakshasis who were his wives, as well as princesses whom he had kidnapped by means of his prowess. It looked like the ocean agitated by strong gale winds and crowded with crocodiles, alligators, whales, eels and other aquatic creatures.
	The lovely splendor that belongs to Kuvera, Indra and the moon always remained in the palace of Ravana. In the residences of the rakshasas could be found the same or even greater opulence than that found in the palaces of Kuvera, Yamaraja and Varuna. Hanuman saw in the middle of the palace compound another finely constructed building guarded by many elephants in rut.
	The Pushpaka aerial vehicle had originally been constructed in the heavenly planets by Vishvakarma for Lord Brahma. It was entirely inlaid with previous gems. Because of his severe austerities, Kuvera received it from Lord Brahma. The lord of rakshasas Ravana confiscated it after defeating Kuvera by his physical strength. Hanuman jumped onto the aerial vehicle. It was supported by columns fashioned with silver and gold, engraved with images of wolves and blazing with splendor. It resembled Mount Meru and Mount Mandara and seemed to be scraping the sky. It had secret chambers and pleasure houses on all sides. It seemed to be blazing like fire and was perfectly crafted by Vishvakarma. It had staircases of gold and lovely platforms inlaid with emeralds and sapphires. It windows were covered with screen latices of gold and also crystal. The floor was inlaid with coral, unmatched pearls and precious gems. It was smeared with red sandalwood paste that was the color of the newly risen sun and which emitted a sweet fragrance. As he stood there, from all around he could smell the aroma of beverages and cooked foods, including grains. That aroma pressed against him as if it were solid air. As one would beckon a dear friend, the aroma was calling the mighty Hanuman to the place where Ravana was, saying “Come here!”
	Leaving that place, he saw the beautiful, spacious chamber of Ravana's beloved consort. It had stairways made with gems and lattice screens of gold over the windows. Its floors were inlaid with crystals and decorated with inlaid figures of ivory, pearls, diamonds, coral, silver and gold. Its pillars were uniform, straight, very tall and embellished with gems and gold. The very high columns supporting the palace resembled wings which the palace used for flying to heaven. The floor was covered with a large carpet embroidered with designs of mountains, trees, rivers and so forth. That carpet was a broad as the earth and had depictions of different countries and dwellings. The chamber was resonating with the sound of  birds in heat and was always fragrant with the aroma of celestial perfumes. It was hung with decorative tapestries and was inhabited by Ravana, the lord of the rakshasas. That palace was always smoky with incense and was immaculate and as white as a swan. With its decorations of leaves and flowers, it looked bright and festive. It was mind-captivating and made the colors of things look even brighter. The palace drove away all misery and produced celestial opulence.
	The chamber protected by Ravana gratified the five senses with their sense objects: sight, taste, smell, touch and sound. Hanuman thought that the palace might be heaven, the world of the gods, the city of Lord Indra or the topmost abode of material perfection which corresponds to Lord Brahma. Hanuman saw flickering golden lamps which seemed to be meditating, like gamblers defeated by greater gamblers. He thought that the chamber was illuminated by the light of the lamps, the splendor of Ravana and the brilliance of ornaments. Then he saw lying on the carpet thousands of beautiful ladies clad in garments and flower garlands of many different hues. They were fast asleep under the influence of drink, having abandoned their entertainment, and half the night had passed. Sleeping in that way, their ornaments made no noise and the resembled a great lake full of lotus flowers on which swans and bees sat quietly. 
	Hanuman saw  those ladies' faces, which were as fragrant as lotus flowers; their teeth were concealed by their lips and their eyes were closed. Sometimes their faces resembled fully opened lotus flowers at the end of night, and sometimes they resembled lotus flowers with their petals closed at night time. Hanuman logically concluded that intoxicated honey bees must be constantly petitioning those lotus faces as they do blossoming lotus flowers, for he considered those faces to be the same as lotus flowers. Being illuminated with the brilliance of those women, the chamber was as beautiful as the night sky in autumn lit up by stars. Surrounded by those women, Ravana shone like the splendid moon encircled with stars. Hanuman thought that all the stars which fell from heaven when their pious merit was exhausted had gathered at that place. The luster, complexion and grace of the women lying there resembled the clarity, eminence and lovely splendor of stars.
	With their hair and flower garlands dishevled and their ornaments in disarray from when they were drinking, they were unconscious and lying in deep slumber. Some had the decorative marks on their foreheads smeared, some had their ankle bells slipped off, some had their necklaces fallen off and lying at their side. Some lay covered by their broken necklaces, others' veils and shawls had fallen off, the strings of the girdles of some had broken and some women lay like young mares exhausted from carrying heavy loads. Some of the ladies were missing their earrings, some had their flower garlands broken and crushed like flowering vines crushed by a great elephant wandering in the wilderness. On some of the ladies, the pearl necklaces shone like the sun and the moon and resembled swans sleeping in between their breasts. The necklaces of vaidurya gems on some women's breasts looked like kadamba  geese with their grey wings, while the chains of gold on other women resembled ruddy geese. With their thighs as the sandy banks, the women resembled rivers beautified by the presence of swan, ducks and ruddy geese. They resembled rivers with the golden bells of their girdles as lotus buds, the gold ornaments as broad lotus flowers, their amorous expression in sleep as alligators, and their glory as banks. The lovely marks made by their ornaments on their tender limbs and on their breasts seemed to also be ornaments. The ends of cloth drawn over the faces of some women fluttered constantly from the breath coming out of their mouths. Those cloths covered the lower faces of Ravana's wives of many different attractive complexions waved like gleaming flags. The earrings of some of the brightly effulgent ladies were trembling gently due to the breathe coming out of their mouths. 
	Smelling like liquor distilled from sugar, their fragrant and enjoyable breath eminating from their mouths was refreshing Ravana. In fact, some of Ravana's wives were smelling their cowives mouths again and again while asleep, suspecting them to be the mouth of Ravana. No longer in control of themselves because of intoxication, those women whose minds were totally attached to Ravana pleased their companions with the smell of their mouths. Some of the women lay there using their arms adorned with ornmanets as pillows, while others used pretty pieces of cloth as pillows. One woman was resting her head on another's chest, another was resting her head on someone's arm. Another was resting her head on someone's lap, and another, on someone's breasts. Fallen under the influence of their cherished intoxication, they rested their heads on the thighs, sides, waists and backs of one another, their limbs resting on top of each others'. Feeling pleased by the touch of their interwined limbs, the ladies were all fast asleep. With their limbs intertangled as if the women were strung on one string, the resembled a garland of flowers with black bumblebees, which was their scattered black hair. The assembly of Ravana's wives resembled a flowering vine trembling from spring breezes. They were strung together as if a garland of flowers or like the tangled bouquets of a flower vine because of their interlocked shoulders, their hair resembling black bumblebees. It was not possible to distinguish the ornaments, limbs, garments and garlands of the women, even though these were in their usual places. While Ravana was sleeping comfortably, the shining gold lamps seemed to stare without blinking at those women of different complexions.
	Under the spell of lust, the virgen daughters of royal sages, brahmanas, demons, gandharvas and rakshasas had become his wives. Many women had been won by him because of his fondness for war, while others had come on their own because of they were deluded and intoxicated with love. Not one of those women had been forcibly abducted, though he was quite capable of it, nor did any one of them long for another man, nor had they ever been married to anyone else, except Sita, the daughter of King Janaka. Not one of his consorts was low-born, uncomely, clumsy, without proper accouterments, feeble or not loved by Ravana. The pious-minded Hanuman thought that if Ravana had allowed Sita to remain with Rama as happily as those women with Ravana, then he would have been truly fortunate. Then Hanuman again thought that Sita was surely superior to all those women because of Her qualities and that the mighty lord of Lanka had perpetrated a difficult and ignoble deed against Her.

CHAPTER 10

Hanuman Sees Ravana Sleeping

Looking around, Hanuman saw an outstanding platform made of crystal and inlaid with gems that was truly divine. On it sat luxurious bedsteads that were fashioned from ivory, gold and vaidurya gems and spread with the most costly sheets and blankets. In a certain part of the platform Hanuman saw decorated with sparkling flower garlands a white parasol which resembled the moon. Then he saw under it a most excellent bed that was covered with gold plating. It was as effulgent as the sun and adorned with garlands of ashoka flowers. It was being fanned on all sides by ladies holding yak-tail wisks. It was scented with various kinds of aromatic oils and perfumed with fine incense. It was spread with the finest sheets  and blankets, was upholstered with sheep fleeces and adorned on all sides with superb flowers and flower garlands. Then Hanuman saw Ravana. He looked like a dark cloud. His earrings were sparkling like flames. His eyes were reddish and his arms long and strong. He was wearing golden robes. The limbs of his body were smeared with fragrant red sandalwood paste. He resembled a reddened rain cloud in the sky at sunset lit up by flashes of lightning. He was adorned with dazzling ornaments. He was handsome. He could assume any form he wished. He looked like Mount Mandara with its covering of trees and bushes fallen asleep. After enjoying himself at night and drinking sufficiently, that dearest of the rakshasis and rakshasas was sleeping comfortably. Hanuman saw that lord of the rakshasas sound asleep on the lustrous bedstead.
	Extremely appalled at seeing Ravana, who was snoring like an elephant, Hanuman stepped back as if he were afraid. Ascending the stairway and pausing at the edge of the dais, Hanuman began looking at the drunken Ravana, who was a tiger among rakshasas. As Ravana slept on that magnificent bed, he looked like the great Mount Prasravana or like a mighty elephant that drives away its rivals by its mere odor.
	He also saw the two outstretched arms of the invincible rakshasa. They were adorned with gold bands and resembled a pair of flags raised in honor of Lord Indra. They bore scars from wounds inflicted by the sharp tusks of Indra's elephant Airavata. His muscular arms were fixed on a pair of uniform and well-shaped shoulders, which bore scars from Indra's thunderbolts and from Lord Vishnu discus. His arms were large-jointed and strong. His fingernails and thumbs bore auspicious marks, and his fingers and palms were well-formed. His solid arms were shaped like iron clubs and resembled the trunks of elephants. Stretching across the bed, they looked like a pair of five-headed serpents. His arms were nicely decorated  with cooling and fragrant sandalwood paste that was the color of a hare's blood. They were accostumed to being massaged by fine ladies and smeared with the finest fragrant essences. Their sight caused yakshas, nagas, gandharvas, danavas and gods to howl in terror. To Hanuman, those two arms stretched across the bed looked like two big angry snakes sleeping in a cave on Mount Mandara. With his two arms, the lord of rakshasas resembled Mount Mandara with its two peaks.
	In that palace, Hanuman saw Ravana, who was the lover of his wives. His face was adorned with lovely pearl necklaces and a gold chain, and was illuminated by sparkling earrings. His head had withdrawn a bit from his gold crown. His chest was broad and fleshy was smeared with sandalwood paste and was illuminated by the shimmering necklaces upon it. His eyes were blood-red. His lower body was covered by a white silk loin cloth, which was falling off. His upper body was properly covered with an expensive yellow shawl. Ravana looked like a mound of black beans. He was hissing like a snake and resembled an elepant sleeping in one of the large currents of the Ganges River. He was illuminated on all sides by lamps burning on four golden stands. Thus all the limbs of his body were illuminated like a cloud lit by a number of lightning bolts. He also saw Ravana's wives lying at his feet. He saw that their faces were as bright as the moon. They were wearing exquisite earrings. The garlands they wore had not yet wilted. Those lying women were expert at dancing and playing musical instruments and were fond of cuddling in Ravana's lap. They wore the finest jewelry. He saw that the women wore on their earlobes gold earrings studded with diamonds and vaidurya gems, as well as bands and bracelets on their arms. That chamber was illuminated by their moon-like faces and lovely sparkling earrings so that it resembled the night sky spangled with stars.
	Exhausted from intoxication and love-making, Ravana, the lord of rakshasas, had fallen asleep with those women while taking a break. One lady who was fast asleep, being especially endowed with bodily beauty, appeared to be in a dancing pose due to the delicate placement of her limbs. Another lady was asleep tightly holding her vina. Another lady looked like a lotus plant which had been thrown into a big river and was clinging to a boat. Another beauty was sleeping with her small hand drum held in her armpit, looking like an affectionate mother with her child. Another shapely lady with beautiful breasts was lying asleep hugging a kettledrum as if it she were a desirous woman embracing her lover after a long time. Yet another woman was sleeping while hugging a vina, like a lusty woman embracing her dearly beloved. Another lovely lady seemed to be dancing, having fallen under the spell of slumber while clutching a seven-stringed vina as if she were in the embrace of her lover. Another lady with intoxicated eyes was asleep clutching a clay drum with her fascinating, soft, golden arms. Another woman of faultless beauty and slim waist, exhausted by intoxicated, was pressing a drum to her chest with her arms. Another lady was grasping a drum while having a second one slung over her shoulder, as if she were sleeping with her young husband and child. Another woman with eyes like the petals of a lotus flower, being bewildered by intoxication, was sleeping while hugging a trumpet. One sleeping lady had knocked over a pot of water so that she looked like a garland of various spring flowers sprinkled with water. Being overcome by sleep, another lady was pressing her hands on her own two breasts, which resembled two golden urns. Another woman whose face was like a full moon, being overwhelmed by intoxication, was asleep embrancing another woman. Those ladies lying there in slumber while hugging different musical instruments and pressing them against their breasts seemed to be embracing their lovers.
	Hanuman then saw sleeping on a lovely bed apart from the other women a lady who possessed great beauty. She was wearing pearl necklaces and other jewelry. The well-attired lady seemed to be illuminating that best of chambers with her splendor. Her complexion was fair, and her  effulgence, golden. She was Mandodari, the favorite wife of Ravana and mistress of all the ladies in Ravana's harem. Seeing her, the strong-armed son of the wind god, Hanuman, concluded that she was Sita because of her beauty and youthfulness. Becoming filled with great delight, that leader of monkey hordes began to rejoice. Exhibiting his simian nature, Hanuman rejoiced, kissed the end of his tail, frolicked, sang, pranced about, climbed up a column, and then jumped down to the floor.

CHAPTER 11

Hanuman Searches Elsewhere in the Palace

Rejecting the thought that the woman he saw sleeping at Ravana's side was Sita, Hanuman became calm. He reasoned: “Being separated from Rama, Sita would not be able to sleep, eat or decorate Herself, much less engage in drinking. Nor would She consort with any other man, whether the lord of the immortal gods, for there is no one equal to Lord Rama, not even in the heavenly regions.” Thus concluding that this woman must be someone other than Sita, Hanuman again began wandering about in the banquet hall in search of Sita.
	There he saw women who were exhausted from grambling, and other from singing. Others were exhausted from dancing, while others were overwhelmed from drinking. Some were lying on top of kettledrums, clay drums and other musical instruments, while others were lying asleep on excellent beds. Hanuman saw the banquet hall full of thousands of ladies wearing jewelry. They were always engaged in discussing each other's beauty and the meaning of songs. They were skilled at determining the proper time and place for doing things, as well as choosing the right words when they spoke, and they were ever engaged in pastimes of love. In their midst, Hanuman saw the strong-armed lord of the rakshasas who looked as beautiful as a bull in the midst of a herd of fine cows inside a corral. Surrounded by them, Ravana looked beautiful like a bull elephant surrounded by female elephants in the forest.
	Hanuman again searched the banquet hall of Ravana's palace, which was furnished with all desirable things. He saw the meat of deer, buffaloes and boars placed separately throughout the banquet hall. He saw in big gold vessels the meat of peacocks and chickens that had not yet been eaten. He also saw the meat of boars, rhinoceroses, procupines, deer and peacocks that was stewed in yogurt and salt. He also saw half-eaten buffalo flesh and the meat of krikala birds, different kinds of goats, hares, ekashalya fish, well-seasoned mutton, as well as sauces, different kinds of beverages, purees, fruit punch, sour pickles and salty savories. The floor of the banquet hall spread its charm profusely by the valuable anklets and armlets cast aside, as well as the drinking vessels, fruits and flowers scattered over it. With the pieces of furniture touching each other here and there, the banquet hall seemed to be illuminated without fire.
	Hanuman saw meats expertly prepared in many different ways in different places in the banquet hall, as well as different appealing liquors distilled from sugar, honey, flower nectar and fruit juice, which were sprinkled with different blends of aromatic spices. Due to the scattered flowers that were gathered here and there, as well as urns of gold and vessels of crystal, and utensils made of gold and other materials, the floor of the banquet hall looked splendid. Hanuman also saw on the floor top-quality drinks in pitchers of silver and gold. He also saw many different vessels of gold and of gems that were full of wine. In some places he saw that they were half full, while in other places they were completely drained of their contents, or were full to the brim. Hanuman wandered about seeing here and there different kinds of foods and beverages arranged separately, as well as half-consumed drinks.
	Many of the ladies beds were empty, while some of the ladies lay asleep embracing each other. One woman, under the influence of slumber had gone to the bed of another, snatched her shawl and covered herself with it and embraced the other woman while sleeping. Due to the deep breathing, the shawl and their garlands trembled slightly as if shaken by a gentle breeze. Carrying the varied fragrance of cooling sandalwood paste, sweet wine, different flower garlands, flowers, sandalwood powder for bathing and incense, the blowing wind wafted these aromas to where the Pushpaka aerial vehicle was outside the banquet hall. Some of the ladies there in Ravana's palace were of dark complexion, while other had golden complexions. Exhausted due to indulgence in intoxication and love-making, the beauty of the ladies fallen under the spell of slumber was like that of lotus flowers when closed at night. Thus Hanuman search the personal residencial quarters of Ravana, but did not find Sita anywhere.
	While looking at those women, Hanuman became fearful about the breaking of moral conduct: “To look at other's wife while she is asleep will certainly counteract my pious merits. I have never looked upon the wives of others. I have also seen this fellow who takes the wives of others.” Another thought then occurred to the pensive Hanuman, a thought that rationalized his actions: “I have indeed looked upon all Ravana's wives without their knowledge, yet no foul thought entered my mind. The mind indeed impels all the senses to engaged in auspicious or inauspicious actions, however my mind is firmly fixed on doing good. I surely could not have searched for Sita anywhere else, for when searching for a women, one should definitely look among women. One looks for a creature amongst those of its group. One would not look for a woman amongst a herd of deer. As such, I have searched with a pure mind the entire private residence of Ravana, without finding Sita, the daughter of King Janaka.”
	Even after examining the daughters of gods, gandharvas and nagas, the courageous Hanuman did not find Sita. After not finding Sita among those ladies, Hanuman withdrew and prepared to go elsewhere. Leaving the banquet hall, the son of the wind god again began looking for Sita all around.

CHAPTER 12

Hanuman Becomes Despondent About Finding Sita

Staying within the palace confines, Hanuman visited the arbors, picture galleries and bed chambers, but did not find Sita, who was charming to behold. When Hanuman could not find Sita anywhere, he began to reflect: “Obviously Sita, the daughter of King Janaka, is no longer alive, since I am unable to locate Her. Surely the chaste Sita, who was always carefully guarded her own character and adhered to the path of noble women, has been killed by this foremost of rakshasas. Or else She died from freight upon seeing the misshapened, hideous, big-headed, bulging-eyed and lusterless female attendants of Ravana. Having failed to find Sita, lost my valor and surpassed the time limit imposed by Sugriva, I cannot return to Sugriva, for that mighty monkey's chastisement is severe. After thoroughly searching the living quarters of Ravana's consorts, I have not found the virtuous Sita, so that all my endeavors have been useless.
	“I wonder what all the monkeys will say to me when I return to them. They will probably say: ‘Tell us what you accomplished after going there?' Since I have not found Sita, what will I tell them? The time limit set by Sugriva has unfortunate already transpired. And what will the aged Jambavan, Prince Angada and the other assembled monkeys say when I return across the ocean? Tirelessness is the root of prosperity; tirelessness produces the highest happiness. I shall therefore begin anew searching in all those places where I have not yet looked. Indeed, tirelessness impels one to pursue all goals; it rewards the activities which the living beings perform. I shall therefore remain tireless and thereby succeed in making the greatest endeavor. Thus I shall explore the unsearched areas protected by Ravana. I have already searched the banquet halls and gardens, the picture galleries and pleasure houses, the alleys between home gardens and all the many-storied buildings.”
	Thinking in this way, Hanuman began searching basements, kiosks, small cottages for guests at a distance from the main houses, Jumping up somewhere and then down, tarrying somewhere and then leaving, opening doors and closing them, going in and then coming out, climbing up and then down, the great monkey Hanuman wandered everywhere about until not even the space of four fingers remain unsearched by him in Ravana's living quarters. He explored everywhere—the roads along the protective walls, platforms around the bases of trees, shrines at crossroads, chasms and lotus ponds. He saw various kinds of rakshasas, ugly and deformed, but not the daughter of King Janaka. He also saw vidyadhara women whose beauty was unequalled, but not Sita, the delight of Rama. He saw the daughters of nagas who had lovely hips and faces like the full moon, but not Sita. He saw the daughters of nagas who had been manhandled and forcibly abducted by Ravana, but not Sita. Even after examining all those beautiful ladies, Hanuman was not able to find Sita and thus began to dispair. Seeing that the efforts of the monkey generals and his own jumping across the ocean was futile, Hanuman, the son of the wind god, again became despondent. Climbing down from the aerial vehicle, he started thinking, though his mind was bewildered by grief.

CHAPTER 13

Hanuman Notices an Ashoka Grove

Going from the aerial vehicle to the defence wall, Hanuman, the leader of monkey hordes, was as speedy as a bolt of lightning in a cloud. After scouring Ravana's quarters and not finding Sita, Hanuman said to himself: “In order to please Lord Rama, I have searched Lanka many times, yet I have found no trace of Sita, whose every limb is charming. I have explored pools, ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, forest regions abounding in water and mountains that were difficult to ascend, but I have still not found Sita. The lord of vultures, Sampati, said that Sita was here in Ravana's abode, yet She is nowhere to be seen. I wonder where She could be. Could Sita, being a woman of noble decent, having been forcibly abducted by Ravana, be helplessly consorting with him?
	“I think She might have fallen down somewhere halfway across the ocean, since Ravana was hurrying so quickly in fear of Rama's arrows. Or else, while she was being carried along the path of the perfected beings through the sky, She had a heart attack upon seeing the ocean so far below. Or maybe because of Ravana's speed and the pressure of his arms, She simply died. While struggling to free Herself from his grip, She might have fallen into the ocean. Oh, or maybe, while trying to guard Her chastity, the friendless Sita was devoured by the cruel Ravana! Or maybe, because of their evil nature, Ravana's wives devoured the dark-eyed damsel. The unfortunate lady met Her death while meditating on Rama's face, which is just like a full moon, and whose eyes are shaped like the petals of a lotus flower. Sita, the princess of Mithila and a descendant of the Videha Dynasty, must have abandoned Her body while crying loudly and exclaiming: ‘O Rama! O Lakshmana! O Ayodhya!' Or perhaps She is captive inside Ravana's palace and weeping greatly, like a caged mynah bird. How could Sita, being born in the family of King Janaka and married to Lord Rama, submit to Ravana?
	“In case She has vanished, or died, or been killed, the news could not be relayed to Rama because of His fondness for Her. It would be wrong to report the matter to Rama, and wrong not to do so. I wonder what I should do. To me both choices seem the same.” 
	When the course of action became so difficult to decide, Hanuman again began contemplating a solution. He thought: “If I leave here and return to Kishkindha without finding Sita, what will have been the use of my endeavor? My jumping across the ocean, entry into the city of Lanka and inspection of the rakshasas will have been for nought. What will Sugriva, the assembled monkeys or the two sons of King Dasharatha tell me when I return? If, after having reached Lanka, I inform Rama of the bad news that I could not find Sita, He will thereafter give up His life. After hearing the harsh, rough, piercing, cruel and mind-boggling news, He will be unable to continue living. Seeing Rama in such a plight and determined to die, the highly devoted and wise Lakshmana will also be unable to survive. When He learns of the death of those two brothers, Bharata will also perish. Seeing that Bharata is dead, Shatrughna will be unable to survive. Then, when the mothers Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi hear of their sons' deaths, they will undoubtedly perish.
	“Seeing Rama in such a condition, Sugriva, the ruler of the monkeys who is grateful and true to his word, will thereupon give up his life. Depressed, distressed, miserable, joyless and stricken with grief because of the death of her husband, Ruma will give up her life. Agonized and pained by the death of Vali, Queen Tara will also simply die. Because of the death of his parents and that of Sugriva, Prince Angada will thereafter give up his life. Overwhelmed by the agony caused by the death of their master, the forest monkeys will beat their heads with their palms and fists. Having received consolation, gifts and honor from their illustrious and cherished lord, the monkeys will give up their lives. When they assemble together, the great monkeys will no longer play in the forests, on the mountain tops and in the caves. Stricken with grief over the demise of their lord, they, along with their wives, children and ministers, will throw themselves down from the peaks of mountains onto flat or rough terrain. Or the monkeys might drink poison, hang themselves, throw themselves into fire, fast until death, or thrust themselves upon their own weaons. I think there will be terrible wailing when I return to Kishkindha, signalling the destruction of the Ikshvaku Dynasty and of the forest-dwelling monkeys.
	“As such, I shall under no circumstances leave here to return to the city of Kishkindha, for I cannot approach Sugriva without having found Sita. If I do not return but stay here, the two righteous chariot-warriors and the monkeys will continue to maintain hope. If I cannot find Sita, then I shall live as a hermit at the foot of trees, practicing self-restraint and eating whatever comes to my hand or mouth. Or, preparing a pyre on an ocean beach abounding in roots, fruits and water, I shall enter a blazing fire. Or else, after fasting until death in order to free my subtle self, crows and beasts of prey will eat my body. If I do not find Sita, I shall drown myself in water, for this manner of death has been approved by great sages, at least I think so. Because of my failure to find Sita, my garland of glory, which took birth when I became a minister of Sugriva, which brought good fortune to Sugriva and fame to me through the confidence betstowed upon me by Rama, has now broken. Perhaps I should become an ascetic living under trees and practicing self-control. I shall not return home until I find Sita. If I were to do so, Angada and all the other monkeys would cease living. There are many faults in committing suicide, whereas one who lives can eventually achieve good fortune. I shall therefore keep myself alive. A living person can certainly meet with success.”
	Imaging so many problems, Hanuman could not at that time reach the other side of his misery. Then, remembering his own prowess, the courageous monkey thought: “I shall better slay the highly powerful ten-headed demon Ravana. It does not matter whether Sita has been abducted. I shall avenge that. Or, picking him up and carrying him across the ocean, I shall present him to Rama, like a sacrificial animal for Lord Shiva.” Overwhelmed with anxiety because of not finding Sita, the anxious monkey continued to reflect: “As long as I do not find Sita, the glorious wife of Lord Rama, I shall destroy the city of Lanka again and again. Even if I were to bring Lord Rama here because of what Sampati had said, not finding Sita, Rama would burn all the monkeys into ashes. I shall remain right here living on a restrained diet and controling my senses. Let not all men and monkeys perish on my account.
	“Here is a large grove of tall ashoka trees. I shall explore it, for I did not search it previously. After offering respects to the eight vasus, the eleven rudras, the twelve adityas, the two ashvins and the fourty-nine maruts, I shall enter this grove and increase the anguish of the rakshasas. After defeating the rakshasas and returning Sita to Rama, I shall be as victorious as a successful ascetic.”
	Thinking like this for a while, Hanuman, whose mind was perturbed by anxiety, stood up and said: “I offer my respects to Lord Rama, along with Lakshmana and Sita, the daughter of King Janaka. I offer my respects to Shiva, Indra, Yama and Vayu. I offer my respects to Candra, Agni and the maruts. Having offered respects to all those personalities, and also to Sugriva, Hanuman, the son of the wind god, after looking all around, proceeded to the ashoka grove. First reaching the charming grove mentally, Hanuman began thinking about the outcome:
	“Surely the ashoka grove must be protected by many rakshasas. It must also be a holy place and well-cultivated in every way. The guards posted there must also protect the trees so that the all-pervading and powerful wind does not blow too strongly. I have already made myself very small for the service of Rama and to avoid being seen by Ravana. May all the gods and great sages grant me success in this endeavor! May the self-born Lord Brahma, the gods, the ascetics, Agni, Vayu, and Indra, the wielder of a thunderbolt who is wiedely invoked, grant me success! Varuna, who carries a noose in his hand, the sun and moon, the noble ashvins, all the maruts, all created beings and their Lord, Vishnu, as well as any other gods who are seen or unseen on the path, will grant me success! I wonder when I will see that fair lady whose flawless face is as pleasing as an unobstructed full moon, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus flower, whose nose is aquiline, whose smile is bright and whose teeth are white.”

CHAPTER 14

Hanuman Hides in the Ashoka Grove

After thinking for a while about going to the ashoka grove and finding Sita, Hanuman jumped from the defence wall of the palace into the enclosure around the ashoka grove. While standing on the wall of the ashoka grove, all of his limbs were thrilled. The great monkey saw different kinds of trees, such as sala, ashoka, bhavya, campaka, uddalaka, nagakesara and mango trees with fruits as red as the nose of a monkey. Around the grove were groups of mango trees with fruits as red as the nose of a monkey. The trees were entertwined with hundreds of vines and the ends of their branches were covered with flowers, for it was spring. Like an arrow shot from a bowstring, Hanuman jumped into the grove. Having entered the grove, the mighty Hanuman looked around. The grove was noisy with the sounds of birds. There were golden and silvery trees on all sides and there was a variety of birds and herds of deer. There were lovely thickets of bushes whose flowers looked just like the rising sun. The grove was surrounded by various kinds of trees with fruits and flowers. It was always frequented by love-maddened cuckoos and bumblebees. It resounded with the cries of peacocks in rut and was inhabited by many different species of birds.
	While search for the blameless princess, Sita, the monkey woke up the birds that were sleeping peacefully. Battered by the winds driven by the flapping wings of the birds in flight, the trees showered flowers of different kinds and colors. Covered with those flowers, Hanuman looked elegant, like a mountain of flowers in the middle of the ashoka grove. After running in all directions, the living creatures residing there saw Hanuman and mistook him for the personification of spring. Strewn with the many different flowers fallen from trees, the earth looked beautiful, like a nicely dressed lady. When shaken violently by the monkey, the trees had thereupon dropped their respective flowers. With their tops shorn of leaves and their flowers and fruits fallen, the trees looked like gamblers who were destitute after gambling away their clothes and ornaments. Shaken by the impulsive monkey, those excellent fruit trees quickly shed their flowers, leaves and fruits. After being pummeled with strong wind, the trees, with only their baren branches remaining, were not worth approaching and had been abandoned by the flocks of birds. Battered by the tail, hands and feet of Hanuman, the ashoka grove looked like a young woman whose hair was disheveled, whose lips with bright teeth were colorless, whose cosmetic mark on the forehead had been rubbed off, and who was wounded all over by teeth and fingernails. In his rush, the monkey snapped bunches of rope-like vines, as the wind scatters clouds during the rainy season.
	Wandering through that grove, Hanuman saw that the ground was strewn with fascinating gems, as well as nuggets of sliver and gold. He also saw pools of different shapes that were full with prized drinking water. The pools had steps of valuable jewels. For sand they had pearls and corral, and their bottoms were covered with crystals. They were enhanced by exquisite golden trees growing on their banks. The pools contained clusters of blossoming lotus flowers and were further adorned with ruddy geese. They resonated with the sweet singing of cataka birds and the honking of swans and cranes. The pools were fed from all sides by broad streams whose waters were like the nectar of immortality and which were lined with trees. The pools were obscured by hundreds of vines and covered with the flowers of santana trees. Around them were clumps of different kinds of bushes. The pools could be seen through the spaces between the branches of karavira trees, as if these were windows. 
	Then Hanuman saw a mount like a cloud. It had lovely peaks on all sides and was dotted with caves and covered with all kinds of trees. It was one of the most charming mounts on the earth. The monkey also saw a river falling from that mount, like a woman who had thrown herself into the lap of her lover. The waterfall was fringed with trees whose branches had bent down to the water, looking like a woman angry because of being prohibited to meet her beloved by her dear relatives.
	Not far from that mount, Hanuman spoted a lotus pond crowded with different kinds of birds. He also saw an artificial long pond full of cool water. It had steps made of valuable gems and was lined with pearls for sand. It looked charming with herds of deer and groups of trees. Nearby were large mansions constructed by Vishvakarma. The pond was landscaped with planted trees and shrubs all around. Whatever trees were there bore flowers and fruits. Their branches formed umbrellas. All the trees had golden platforms built around their bases. Then Hanuman saw a single golden shimshapa tree. It was entangled by numerous vines, covered with many leaves and was surrounded by golden daisies. He also saw stretches of land, mountain springs, and other golden trees that were as bright as fire. Being completely surrounded by the effulgence of those trees, which was like the effulgence of Mount Meru, Hanuman thought that he was golden all over. Hanuman was amazed to see those golden trees whose branch ends were covered with flowers and tender shoots, for they produced a sound like the tinkling of hundreds of small gold bells fastened to a belt.
	Climbing up the shimshapa tree which was completely covered with leaves, Hanuman thought: “From here I can watch for Sita, who is longing to see Rama, and who, being stricken with sorrow, must be wandering about aimlessly. This ashoka grove of the wicked Ravana is very delightful and is endowed with sandalwood, campaka and bakula trees. Here is a charming lotus pond frequented by flocks of birds. Queen Sita will undoubtedly come here. Queen Sita, the chaste darling of Lord Rama, being accustomed to walking in forests, will surely come here. Or else, that fawn-eyed lady, being consumed by anxiety for Rama, will come here today, being familiar with this place. Since She is accustomed to forest life and is stricken with anguish due to separation form Rama, She will come this way. Peviously, the chaste and beloved spouse of Lord Rama surely used to love the creatures inhabiting this grove. Devoted as She is to devotional prayers at the three junctures of the day, She will definitely come to this river with clean water in order to perform worship at sunrise. Moreover, this ashoka grove is worthy of the lovely Sita, the esteemed wife of Rama, the ruler of the earth. If that lady whose face vies with the moon is still alive, She will per force come to this river with cool waters.”
	Thinking in this way and expecting the princess, the great soul Hanuman looked all about the grove while remaining concealed by clusters of flowers and leaves.

CHAPTER 15

Hanuman Finds Sita

While hiding there in the tree, Hanuman thoroughly scoured the ground below in search of Sita. Sitting there, Hanuman surveyed the ashoka grove, which was beautified by trees entangled with santanaka vines, endowed with celestial aromas and nectars, and decorated all around. It resembled the Nandana Garden of Lord Indra. It was teeming with birds and deer, crowded with mansions and palaces, and resounding with the singing of cuckoos. It was landscaped with long ponds filled with golden waterlilies and lotus flowers. It was supplied with numerous seats and carpets, and had many-storeyed buildings. The grove had trees which bloomed in all seasons and bore fruits. The splendor of its flowering ashoka trees was like the brilliance of the rising sun or blazing fire. The trees were constantly shedding leaves because of the coming and going of birds. The wonderful ashoka trees crowned with flowers seemed to be composed of flowers from top to bottom because of their falling flowers. The blossoming karnikara trees bent under the weight of their flower clusters seemed to be touching the ground. Because of these and the blooming kimshuka trees, that place seemed to be ablze with fire on all sides.
	Many flowering punnaga, saptaparna, campaka and uddalaka trees with big roots were beautifying that grove. The thousands of ashoka trees that grew there were as brilliant as gold, a flame of fire or black eye-liner. The ashoka grove was as beautiful as the Nandana Garden of Indra or the Citraratha Garden of Kuvera. In fact, it was superior to these. It was inconceivable, divine and endowed with charming splendor. It was like a second sky with its flowers as its mass of shining stars, or like a fifth ocean with its flowers as its innumerable gems. The grove produced flowers in all the seasons and its trees emitted a sweet fragrance. The garden was enjoyable because of the many sounds of birds and animals. It was perfumed with the numerous fragrances which were pleasing and tantalizing. Indeed, it was like a second Gandhamadana Mountain. 
	In the middle of the ashoka grove Hanuman saw not far away a lofty temple supported by thousands of columns and which was as white as Mount Kailasa. It had stairways made of coral and platforms of gold. It shone brightly with its splendor and seemed to blind the eyes. It was free from any dust and looked as if it were scraping the sky. Then he saw a dispirited woman who looked frail from fasting. She was surrounded by rakshasis and was sighing again and again. She was a immaculate as the moon at the beginning of the bright fortnight. Her form, which was barely discernible, was casting its pleasant brilliance all around. Her soiled garment looked like a flame of fire enveloped in smoke. She wore a single piece of fine yellow silk cloth which was worn out. She was dirty and divested of ornaments, like a muddy pond devoid of lotuses. She looked pained, anguished, devastated and austere, like the star rohini when afflicted by Mars. Her face was covered with tears. She looked wretched and exhausted from not eating. She was always thinking of Her misfortune and therefore always sorrowful. Unable to see Her beloved and only seeing the crowd of rakshasis, She was like a deer separated from the herd and surrounded by a pack of dogs. With her single snake-like braid hanging down to Her waist, She looked like the earth decorated with a row of blue-green trees at the end of the rainy season. Observing the broad-eyed woman who deserved to enjoy, who had never previously known suffering and who was now burning with anguish, Hanuman concluded that She must be Sita. This lady looks just like the one which I had previously seen being carried away by a rakshasa in the sky.”
	Seeing Sita, Hanuman's mind became bewildered. Her face was just like a full moon. She had well-formed eyebrows. Her breasts were pleasingly rounded. The goddess dispelled the darkness all around with Her effulgence. Her neck had a bluish tint and Her lips were the color of bright red bimba fruits. The limbs of Her body were well-proportioned. Her eyes were like the petals of a lotus flower. She looked like Rati, the consort of Cupid. She was loved by the entire world, like the light of the full moon. She was sitting on the ground like an ascetic practicing austerities. Although fearful, She was hissing like a consort of the king of serpents. She was entangled in a large and extensive web of sorrow. Because of this, She looked like a flame of fire covered by a cloud of smoke. She looked like a scriptural text that could not be understood, a valuable treasure that had been thrown away, shattered faith, frustrated hope, success blocked by obstacles, clouded intelligence, or fame marred by false scandal. She was  tormented by the obstruction of Her reunion with Rama and was tortured by the rakshasas. With Her eyes which resembled those of a foe, She was looking around here and there helplessly. Her cheerless face was completely drenched with tears and her black eyelashes were curved. She was sighing again and again. Her body was coated with dirt. Although She deserved to be nicely decorated, She was unadorned. She resembled the light of the moon covered by a black cloud. She looked wane like knowledge unreinforced by continuous study. Hanuman had difficulty recognizing the unadorned Sita, as an uneducated person would have difficulty recognizing the meaning of the same word in a different context.
	Upon seeing that blameless princess, Hanuman concluded that She must be Sita for the following reasons. He saw the same jewelry adorning Her body as that described by Rama: “I see the same well-made earrings, as well as hand ornaments inlaid with various valuable gems. Although they are tarnished with age, I think that are the same ones which Rama described to me. I do not see Her wearing the particular ornaments which She had dropped while passing over Rishyamuka Mountain. Obviously those that are missing from Her body now are the same ones which She had dropped then. That bright yellow shawl that looked like a sheet of gold which we monkeys found caught in a tree and the valuable tinkling ornaments which we found on the ground could only have been dropped by Her. Although Her garment is worn from long use, itse color and brilliance are not inferior to that other cloth. This golden-complexioned lady is Rama's beloved consort. Although absent, the chaste woman never left Rama's mind. This is that lady for whom Rama suffered in four ways: due to compassion, kindness, grief and love. He felt compassion for a woman who had vanished. He felt kindness for Her who was dependent on Him. He felt grief because of His wife's abduction. And He felt love for one who was dear to Him. The beauty and excellence of Her limbs and body is just like that of Rama's, and vice versa. This lady's mind is fixed on Him, and His is also fixed on Her. For this reason only are She and He able to continue living for more than a moment. Rama has accomplished a difficult task: He is maintaining His life and does not perish from grief, even though separated from Her.”
	Overjoyed to find Sita, Hanuman's mind began thinking of Lord Rama and he began praising his lord.

CHAPTER 16

Hanuman Grieves for Sita

After praising Sita, who was deserving of praise, as well as Rama, who possessed pleasing qualities, Hanuman again began contemplating. Thinking about Sita for a while, the glorious Hanuman began lamenting and his eyes filled with tears: “If even the honorable Sita, who was properly instructed by Her elders and most dear to Her husband is stricken with sorrow, then it is indeed difficult to understand destiny. Aware of the prowess of Rama and Lakshmana, the wise lady does not become agitated, any more than the Ganges River does with the coming of the rainy season. Rama is worthy of Sita, for Their qualities, age and behavior are comparable, as are their ancestry and physical characteristics. Therefore Sita is also worthy of Rama.” 
	Sita's complexion was as brilliant as newly refined gold and She looked like the goddess of fortune whom the whole world desires. Seeing Her, Hanuman thought of Rama and said:
	“On behalf of the lady, the mighty Vali was killed, as was also Kabandha, who was equal in prowess to Ravana. The fiersome rakshasa Viradha was also killed in combat in the forest by Rama, as Indra killed Shambara. Fourteen thousand rakshasas of freightful actions were obliterated at Janasthana by arrows that were just like flames of fire. Khara was slain on the battlefield, as was Trishira and Dushana, by the energetic Rama, who had realized the self. On Her account, Sugriva attained sovereignty over the monkeys, which was difficult to achieve because it was guarded by Vali. On account of this lady with broad eyes, I have crossed the magnificent ocean and searched this city. If Rama were to turn to turn upside down the earth with its oceans, or even the universe, on Her account, I would consider that justified. If lordship over the three worlds and Sita were put on scales, lordship over the three worlds would not equal a fraction of Sita. This is Sita, the daughter of the righteous and great soul King Janaka. She has taken a strick vow of fidelity to Her husband. While the earth was being plowed, it split open and She emerged covered with bright dust which was scattered all about like the pollen of lotus flowers. She is the famous and seniormost daughter-in-law of the valiant and noble King Janaka, who never retreated from a battle. She is the beloved consort of Rama. She is conversant with righteousness and thankful, and now in the hands of rakshasis. Overwhelmed as She was by love for Her husband, She gave up all enjoyment and, not worrying about hardship, entered into the desolate wilderness. 
	“That same Sita who was satisfied eating roots and fruits, who was dedicated to the service of Her husband, who enjoyed the same ecstatic pleasure in the forest as in Her palace, whose limbs were the color of gold, who always spoke with a sweet smile, and who did not deserve to suffer, is suffering here.  As a thirsty person longs to drink water, Lord Rama wishes to see this qualified woman who is now being tormented by Ravana. Lord Rama will certainly derive great pleasure upon regaining Her, as does a king upon regaining his kingdom which was lost. Deprived of all desirable comforts and separated from Her kinsfolk, She maintains Her body because of Her desire to meet Him again. She does not even notice those rakshasis, or those trees full of fruits. With Her heart fixed on one goal, She obviously sees only Rama. In fact, the husband is the best ornament for a wife. Therefore, although She deserves to be nicely decorated, She does not look well because of Her separation from Her husband. Rama is performing a difficult task by maintaining His life in separation from Her without fainting due to grief. My mind is disturbed upon seeing this lady with eyes like lotus petals and long black hair suffering, though She deserves to be enjoying. She who is as tolerant as the earth and who was protected by Rama and Lakshmana, is now being guarded at the foot of a tree by rakshasis with hideous eyes. Her beauty has vanished, like a lotus flower damaged by frost. Being afflicted by a series of hardships, She is in a pitiable condition, like a ruddy goose bereft of her mate. The boughs of ashoka trees bent down by the weight of flowers causes her sorrow, which, since the end of the cold season, has grown as uncomfortable as the blazing sun.”
	Thinking in this way about his mission, the swift monkey concluded that he had found Sita and remained seated in that tree. 

CHAPTER 17

Hanuman Continues Waiting in the Tree

Then the moon rose in the sky like a swan swimming in water. It looked like a cluster of waterlilies and appeared quite clear. Aiding Hanuman with its light as if it were his servant, the cooling moon shone its shining rays. He then saw Sita, whose face shone like a full moon. She seemed to be crushed by the weight of sorrow, like a boat sinking in water because of its heavy load. While trying to see Sita, Hanuman saw horrible-looking rakshasis sitting not far from Sita. One of them was one-eyed, another—single-eared, while another used her ears to cover her body. Another had no ears, another had dart-like ears. One had her nose on her forehead. Another had an over-sized head. Another had a long, thin neck. Another had lost all her hair. Another was completely hairless, while another was entirely covered with hair like a blanket. Another had long ears and protruding eyebrows. Another had a protruding belly and breasts. Another had protruding lips. Another had lips hanging down over her chin. Another had a long face. Another was knob-kneed. Another was stunted. Another was tall, another—hunchbacked. Another had a crooked body. Another was a dwarf. Another looked monstrous. Another had her face all twisted. Another had blood-shot eyes. And another had her face deformed.
	Hanuman saw rakshasis that were deformed, tawny, swarthy, cantankerous and quarrelsome. They carrying large darts, mallets and clubs of iron. Some of the rakshasis had heads like boars, deer, tigers, buffaloes, goats or foxes. Some of them had feet like an elephant, camel or horse. Some of them were neckless. Some had only one hand, and others, only one foot. Some had ears like horses, some like cows, some like elephants and some like lions. Some had unnaturlaly long noses, and other had crooked noses, while others had no noses at all. Some had noses like the trunk of an elephant, while others had their noses located on their foreheads. Some had huge feet. Some had hairy feet. Some had unusually large heads and necks, and others, exceptionally large breasts and bellies. Some had abnormally large mouths and eyes, some had long tongues in their mouths. Some of the fearsome-looking rakshasis had the heads of goats, elephants, cows, boars, horses, camels or donkeys. Some were carrying picks and clubs in their hands. The frightful rakshasis who were fond of quarrelling had smoke-colored hair and deformed faces. They were constantly drinking liquor and were fond of alcohol and meat. Their very sight would make one's hair stand on end. They were sitting near and all around the beautiful shimshapa tree. At the foot of the tree he could see that blameless and godlike princess.
	Hanuman could see that Sita was bereft of Her effulgence, like a star whose pious credits had expired and had therefore fallen to earth. She was grief-stricken. Her hair was full of dirt. Though rich in fame because of Her good caracter, She was deprived  of the sight of Her husband. Though deprived of Her fine jewelry, She was adorned with the affection of Her husband. Because of being detained by Ravana and isolated from Her relatives, She resembled an elephant separated from its herd and detained by a lion. She looked like the crescent moon obscured by autumn clouds at the end of the rainy season. Due to separation from Her husband, Her beauty had faded, like an unused instrument, though She did not deserve such a fate. She was devoted to the welfare of Her husband and did not deserve to be under the sway of the rakshasas. Though living in the midst of the ashoka grove, She was drowning in an ocean of sorrow and was surrounded by rakshasis, like the star rohini afflicted by an inauspicious planet. She looked like a vine divested of its flowers.
	Endowed with Her body, even though it was dirty, She looked lovely, like a lotus stalk stained with mud. Hanuman beheld Sita dressed in dirty and tattered clothes. Her dark eyes were like those of a fawn. Although wretched in appearce, She was not miserable, for She was protected by Her husband's glory and Her own good character. Seeing Her, Hanuman felt extreme delight. She was looking all around like a frightened fawn. She seemed to be burning the leafy trees with Her sighs. It was as if She was the personification of grief and looked like a tidal wave of sorrow. Although She was emaciated, Her well-shaped limbs looked charming, even without ornaments. Hanuman eyes filled with tears of joy upon seeing that woman with fascinating eyes, and he thereupon offered respects to Lord Rama. After offering respects to Rama and Lakshmana, the chivalrous Hanuman, being overjoyed from finding Sita, again hid himself.

CHAPTER 18

Hanuman Sees Ravana Approach Sita

While Hanuman was watching the grove with its blossoming trees to get a better view of Sita, the night came close to ending. Just before the end of night, he heard the chanting of the Vedas by rakshasa brahmanas who were well-versed in the six divisions of the Vedas (grammar, prosody, etymology, phonetics, astronomy and ritualism) and were conducting grand sacrifices. Then Ravana, the powerful lord of the rakshasas, was awakened with auspicious instrumental music and by words of praise that captivated the ears and mind. When the magnificent Ravana woke up, his clothes and flowers garland being dissheveled, he tought of Sita. Excessively attracted to Her out of carnal desire, the intoxicated rakshasa could not quell the lust in his mind. He dressed himself with all kinds of ornaments and shone with unequalled splendor. He then entered the ashoka grove, which was adorned with all kinds of trees bearing flowers and fruits. It was surrounded with lotus ponds and was beautified by innumerable flowers. It was always picturesque due to the most amazing birds maddened with love. It had numerous fake deer that were fascinating to see. Along the pathways could be seen archways encrusted with gold and jewels. It was filled with herds of all kinds of deer, and the ground was strewn with fruits.
	Only one hundred women followed Ravana, the grandson of Pulastya, as he walked, as goddesses and gandharvis follow Lord Indra. Some of them carried gold lamps in their hands, some carried yak-tail whisks, and others carried palm-leaf fans. Some carried water in gold urns, while others carried followed behind carrying cylindrical cushions. One women skillfully carried in her right hand a be-jeweled pitcher filled with liquor. Coming from behind, another carried a white parasol as bright as the moon. It resembled a swan and had a gold handle. With their eyes overwhelmed from sleeping and intoxication, the foremost of Ravana's consorts followed their valiant lord, as bolts of lightning follow a cloud.
	Their necklaces and bracelets were slightly displaced. Their sandalwood paste was smeared off. Their hair was disheveled and their faces were moist with sweat. The lovely women were staggering under the remaining influence of liquor and sleep. The flowers on their bodies were wilted from perspiration and the hair and flower garlands on their heads shook. Out of extreme love, the ladies with intoxicated eyes followed the lord of demons as he went along. Their mighty lord, who was overwhelmed with lust, was mentally attached to Sita. Thus the powerful demon moved along slowly.
	Thereafter Hanuman heard the tinkling of the bells around the waists and on the ankles of those exceptional ladies. Hanuman also saw Ravana, the accomplisher of unequalled deeds and possessor of inconceivable strength and prowess, arrive near the gate. He was being illuminated on all sides with many lamps filled with fragrant oil. He was passionate, proud and intoxicated. His eyes were coppery-red and slanted. He looked just like Cupid deprived of his bow. He was tugging on his shawl, which was as white as churned milk and was decorated with flowers and costly pearls, trying to free it from his arm band, to which it was stuck.
	Hidden behind a leafy branch, Hanuman, whose body was covered with leaves and flowers, tried to understand the identity of Ravana, who had now drawn near. Looking around, Hanuman also saw Ravana's consorts, who were endowed with beauty and youth. Surrounded by those beautiful ladies, the glorious king entered that garden made for the pleasure of women. Hanuman beheld the extremely strong Ravana, the son of Vishrava, who was drunk. He was nicely adorned and had ears shaped like darts. He was surrounded by the best of women, as the moon is by stars. The great monkey Hanuman observed the glorious Ravana. Hanuman concluded: “This must be the strong-armed Ravana. This is the same person who was sleeping inside the great palace.” Hanuman climbed down from the tree branch he was on. Although Hanuman possessed terrible splendor, he was overshadowed by Ravana effulgence. Hanuman stayed hidden behind a branch thick with leaves. Desirous of seeing Sita, whose limbs were charming, whose breasts were well-formed, whose locks of hair were black and whose eyes were dark at the edges, Ravana drew near.

CHAPTER 19

Ravana Approaches Sita to Woe Her

As soon as the irreproachable princess Sita saw Ravana, Her body, which was adorned with the best ornaments of beauty and youth, began shaking like a banana tree in the wind. Drawing up her legs to conceal Her stomach and using Her arms to cover Her breasts, the large-eyed lady with a lovely complexion sat down and started crying. Ravana stared at Sita who was guarded by rakshasis. She was miserable and grief-stricken, like a boat adrift in the ocean. She was sitting on the bare ground, like the bough of a tree that was cut off and fallen on the ground. Her limbs were smeared with dirt as if a decoration, and was unadorned, though She deserved to be so. Like a lotus stem stained with mud, She looked beautiful and did not look beautiful. She was always approaching Rama, the lion among kings, with the chariot of Her mind drawn by the horses of thoughts. She was emaciated and crying from constantly thinking of Rama. Although dedicated to Rama, She saw no end to Her suffering. She was writhing like the wife of the king of snakes under the spell of an encantation and was suffering like the star rohini afflicted by a comet. Although born in a noble family and married into a family of right conduct, She looked as if She were born in a wretched family.
	Ravana lusted after Sita for his own destruction. Sita looked like fame that had faded, faith that had been treated with contempt, wisdom that had become feeble, hope that was frustrated, an opportunity that had been lost, an order that had been disobeyed, a fire burning somewhere at an ominous time, an act of worship that was disrupted, the orb of the moon eclipsed when it is full, a withered lotus flower, an army whose soldiers have been killed, sunlight obstructed by darkness, a waning stream, a desecrated altar, or an extinguished flame. She looked like a pond whose lotus plants had been uprooted, whose birds had been chased away, and whose water had been muddled by the trunk of an elephant. She was stricken with grief caused by separation from Her husband, and had become thin, like a river whose waters have been diverted. Because of not bathing properly, She resembled a night during the waning moon. She was young, with delicate limbs, and deserved to live in a palace made of gems. She looked like a recently uprooted lotus plant that was being baked by the sun. She looked like a cow elephant chained to a pillar and breathing heavily due to sorrow occassioned by being separated from her mate. She looked charming with Her single long braid, which looked like the earth covered with a row of blue-green trees after the rainy season. She was emaciated, worn out and miserable from fasting, grief, preoccupation and fear. She was eating meagerly and practicing difficult austerities. She always seemed to be entreating God with folded hands for the defeat of Ravana by Rama. Although She was blameless, She was looking around and crying. Her large eyes were white and reddish, and She had lovely eyelashes. She was completely dedicated to Lord Rama.

CHAPTER 20

Ravana Tries to Seduce Sita

Ravana revealed his mind with the following significant and sweet words to Sita, who was miserable, joyless and surrounded by rakshasis: “Upon seeing me, You are covering Your stomach and breats, as if You want to hide Yourself due to fear. I long for You, O broad-eyed lady! Think of me highly, my dear. All your limbs are endowed with excellence and You fascinate the minds of everyone. There are not men or rakshasas who are capable of changing their forms at will here. Let Your fear of me be gone for good, O Sita! It has undoubtedly always been a normal custom for rakshasas to have intercourse with others' wives or to abduct them. Being this as it may, I shall not touch You as long as You do not desire me. Rather I would allow passion to torment my body as it wishes. You need not be afraid now, my lady. Trust me, my dear. Make love to me in truth. Do not allow Yourself to be swayed by sorrow. To wear a single braid of hair, to lay on the ground, to be preoccupied, to wear dirty clothes, and to observe a fast when unwarranted does not befit You. After accepting me, enjoy colorful flower garlands, paste of sandalwood and aloe, different types of garments, shimmering jewelry, costly drinks, beds and couches, singing, dancing and music.
	“You are a jewel among women. Do not remain like this. Decorate Yourself with jewelry. Indeed, after accepting me, how can You remain unadorned, O lovely lady? This charming youth of Yours, now fully manifested, is already passing away. What passes away never returns, like the current of a stream. I think that after making You, the creator of this universe who designed Your form has retired, for there is no other woman equal to You in beauty. Who would not lose control of himself, even if he were Brahma, upon coming close to You who are endowed with such beauty and youth? O lady with broad hips and a face resembling the cooling moon, my eyes become rivetted to whatever part of Your body they behold. Become my wife, O princess of Mithila! Stop this nonsense! Become the chief of my many unmatched queens. I offer you all the jewels which I have brought as booty from different worlds, as well as my kingdom, O timid woman. After subjugating the earth with its garland of numerous cities, I will bestow it upon Your father, King Janaka, for his own use, You frolicksome thing! I do not find anyone else in this world who is equal to me in strength. Just see my extreme virility which has no rival in combat. Unable to stand in ranks arrayed against me, the demigods and demons were more than once defeated in battle, their standards being broken. Desire me. Let Yourself be oppulently dressed today. Yes, let the most splendid ornaments be placed on Your body. Let me see your body bedecked with ornaments. Allow Yourself to be properly attired as a courtesy to me. Enjoy pleasures as You like. Drink and be happy! Give in charity whatever land or wealth you desire. Enjoy with me in complete confidence and order me boldly. When You are enjoying in that way out of kindness to me, may Your relatives also enjoy. Just see my oppulence and wealth, O fortunate and illustrious one! What is the use of Rama, who is dressed in rags? Rama has no chance of victory. He has lost his wealth and is living in the wilderness. He is practicing vows and sleeps on the ground. It is doubtful whether He is alive or not. Rama will never be able to see You, no more than herons can see the moonlight when it is blocked by clouds.
	“Neither will He be able to retrieve You from me, as Hiranyakashipu was unable to recover his glory when it had passed into the hands of Indra. Your smile is sweet, your teeth—lovely, your eyes—charming, your nature—playful. You captivate my mind, as Garuda does a snake. Seeing You emaciated, unadorned and dressed in worn-out clothes, I feel no attraction to my own wives. Rule over all the excellent women dwelling in my harem, O Sita! My consorts, who are the best in all the three worlds, will wait upon You, as the heavenly damsels serve Lakshmi. Enjoy all the jewels and wealth of Kuvera as You like, as well as all these worlds controlled by me. Rama is not equal to me in asceticism, strength, prowess, wealth, splendor or fame. Drink! Play! Endulge Yourself! Enjoy pleasures! I shall give you my accumulated wealth and even the earth! Enjoy me as you like, and then, when your relatives have gathered around you, let them also enjoy. While wearing gold necklaces, sport with me in forests on the shore of the ocean, whose trees are covered with clusters of flowers swarming with black bumblebees.”

CHAPTER 21

Sita Speaks to a Blade of Grass

Hearing what the horrible rakshasa Ravana said, Sita, feeling harrowed, slowly answered with a pitiable voice.