Hanuman heard the two incidents narrated by Sita with rapt attention, so that he might repeat them verbatim to Rama and so that, on hearing them, Rama would not have any doubt about the identity of the person met by him (Hanuman) at the Asokavana in Lanka. Sita then handed to Hanuman her choodamani, the crest-jewel and asked Hanuman to inform Rama that …
Maruthi of matchless intellect, climbed upon a lofty simsupa tree that was nearby and hid behind its leaves. Expecting the appearance of Sita from any quarter he gazed intently all round. And sure enough he saw her on a terrace beneath a tall simsupa tree. All around her, rakshasis were on guard with great watchfulness. Sita was lean and …
In Lanka, Hanuman began his search examining every mansion and scanning every nook and corner. He entered the palace of Ravana and saw therein the Pushpaka Vimana, the magic vimana of Kubera, which could fulfil the desires of those seated on it. In the private apartment of Ravana, Hanuman beheld Mandodari whom, for an instant, he mistook for Sita. Then, however, he returned to sober thoughts …
Hanuman met many obstacles on the way but so great was his strength and so deep his devotion to the task ahead that nothing could stop his progress. One of the obstacles encountered by Hanuman was the monstrous form of Surasa. She, in fact, was the naga maiden. The gods, to test the abilities of Hanuman, asked her to …
All the vanaras helped in the search for Sita. One of the groups which went south learnt from Sampathi, the brother of Jatayu, that Sita was a prisoner of the rakshasas in the island of Lanka. It was decided that one of the vanaras should leap across the sea to Lanka and make a thorough search for Sita. Jambavan, the oldest of the …
Vali was a very powerful warrior and possessed many boons against defeat and failure. Sugriva doubted if Rama, was a match for Vali. Rama showed his prowess by performing wondrous feats. Sugriva was not satisfied. He pointed out a sal tree and asked Rama if he could pierce it through with an arrow: Rama let off an arrow from …
Near Pampa, the princes met a wise monkey called Hanuman who was the minister to Sugriva. Hanuman immediately took a liking for the princes and became a faithful friend of Rama. Hanuman swore that he would do his best to help Rama in the recovery of Sita. He then spoke of Sugriva and how he came to be driven out of …
Meanwhile in Dandakarnya Rama, returning exhausted from the deer-hunt, met Lakshmana on the way. Rama rebuked his brother for having left Sita alone in the cottage and feared that she might have come to grief already. Lakshmana explained that he did not want to leave the cottage, but Sita forced him to go out in search of Rama. What Rama …
Ravana spoke of his great prowess and wealth and asked Sita to go with him to Lanka. He made many promises and said Rama was unworthy of her. When all his words failed to move Sita, Ravana threw off his disguise, seized Sita by the hair and dragged her to his chariot. Jatayu, the eagle, was the only help at hand …
Maricha, another rakshasa, would take the form of a beautiful golden deer and go to Panchavati. He would stray near Rama’s cottage. On seeing the enchanting deer, Sita was certain to ask the princes to get it alive for her. The deer would disappear into the forest luring the princes away. At this moment, Ravana would appear at the cottage and carry …
