Ramayana for Leadership

Valmiki Ramayanam, Sundara Kandam, Chapter 44

Jambumali, the demon with great tusks, wielding a bow, donning crimson garlands and clothes, wearing beautiful chaplet and charming ear-rings, possessing a gigantic body, having round and open eyes, the demon causing diseases, unconquerable in battle, a strong demon and the son of Prahasta, commanded by Ravana, started stretching with rashness his big bow resembling a rain bow garnished splendorous arrows and which brilliance was similar to that of a lightening and produced a sound like that of a thunder.

The tumultuous sound created out of the twanging of that bow soon filled up the quarters, intermediate points and the sky. Seeing him, arriving by a chariot yoked with donkeys, that Hanuman, who was endowed with swiftness, was thrilled with joy and made a noise too.

The long-armed Jambumali transfixed sharp arrows into that great monkey, Hanuman, who was standing on the top of the archway door. He transfixed Hanuman, the leader of monkeys, in the face with an arrow with a crescent-shaped head, on the head with an arrow having an ear-shaped top and in the arms with ten steel arrows.

That crimson face of Hanuman, hit by an arrow, shone like a full-blown lotus touched by a sun's ray in autumn. That face of Hanuman, which was naturally crimson in colour, smeared with blood, beamed like a large lotus in the sky sprinkled with drops of sandal.

Hanuman, struck by those arrows, was enraged with that demon and then saw by his side a big rock of a very large measure. Uplifting that rock with strength, the athletic Hanuman hurled it with force. The enraged demon then struck that rock with ten arrows.

Seeing that work in vain, the powerful Hanuman of terrific prowess, uprooted a very large sal tree and whirled it around. Seeing the mighty Hanuman, whirling around the sal tree, the exceedingly strong Jambumali discharged numerous arrows.

He split the sal tree with four arrows and struck the arms of Hanuman with five arrows, in the chest with one arrow and in the space between the breast with ten arrows. Hanuman, with his body full of arrows, was highly enraged and, taking the same iron rod as well as clasping it swiftly, whirled it around. Spinning the iron rod with great speed, Hanuman, richly endowed with strength and highly agitated, threw it on the broad chest of Jamubumali.

That Jambumali's head was not there, nor his arms, nor his knees, nor his bow, nor his chariot and nor his horses were seen, nor his arrows. Thus struck by Hanuman, the mighty Jambumali, with his limbs and ornaments crushed to powder, was instantly killed and fell dead on the ground.

Hearing Jambumali having been killed, as also the mighty Kimkaras, Ravana was angry with his red, enraged eyes. Since the mighty son of Prahasta was killed, Ravana rolled his red eyes with rage, the sons of ministers possessing high strength and prowess, to go to the battle.

Valmiki Ramayanam, Sundara Kandam, Chapter 43

After killing the Kinkaras, Hanuman thought to himself (as follows): "The grove was damaged by me. The lofty palatial mansion of the sanctuary (sacred to the guardian deity of the demons) has not been destroyed. For that reason, I will cause this mansion to crumble down in the same way." Thus, thinking himself, Hanuman, the best among monkeys, son of the Vayu Deva, having large jaws, by showing his strength, bounced up and ascended the lofty palatial mansion of the sanctuary, which was as high as a mountain-top of Meru.

That Hanuman, an army-chief of monkeys, possessing a very great splendour, ascending the lofty palatial mansion similar to a mountain, shone like a second rising sun. Overpowering the lofty and inviolable of the sanctuary, Hanuman, blazing mansion his splendour, metamorphosed into a towering-sized body equal to that of Pariyatra mountain. Enhancing his body to a very big size by dint of his distinction, Hanuman clapped on his arms strongly, filling the City of Lanka with sound.

By the great deafening noise made by clapping on his arms, the birds and also the guards protecting the sanctuary unconsciously fell down. "Long live Rama, skilled in archery and the powerful Lakshmana! Long lie the King Sugreeva, protected by Rama! I am Hanuman, the destroyer of the army of adversaries and the son of the wind-god. I am the servant of Rama, the king of the Kosala kingdom, who is unwearied in action. Even a thousand Ravanas will not be matching equally with me, who is capable of striking with thousands of rocks and trees in battle. Here, before the eyes of all the demons, I will annihilate the City of Lanka, and after offering salutation to Seetha, I will go back, duly completing my task." Thus, uttering to those guards protecting the sanctuary, roared terribly, making a noise and creating terror in the demons.

Hearing that loud noise, hundreds of guards protecting the sanctuary went, taking many kinds of weapons, spears, swords and axes. Those Kinkaras with huge bodies surrounded Hanuman, duly discharging those weapons. They banged Hanuman with various kinds of maces, iron bludgeons plated with gold and arrows shining like the sun. That troop of demons surrounding Hanuman, the best among monkeys, shone like a greatly extensive whirlpool in the waters of the River Ganga.

Thereupon, the enraged Hanuman assumed a terrific form. Hanuman, possessing a gigantic body and the son of the wind-god, uprooted a pillar with a hundred edges and decorated with gold in that edifice, then speedily whirled it around. Fire was also generated through friction with other pillars. The edifice was then consumed by fire. Seeing the edifice burning, Hanuman killing those hundred demons, like Indra killing demons with his thunderbolt, and gloriously staying in the sky, spoke the following words:

"Thousands of monkeys like me, possessing gigantic bodies of strength, were sent on the orders of Sugreeva, and other monkeys are now roaming the entire earth. Some of the monkeys have a strength of ten elephants. Some have the strength of a hundred elephants. Some are having a prowess equal to that of a thousand elephants. Some have the strength of a strong stream. Some have strength equal to that of wind. Some other army chiefs of monkeys cannot even be measured."

"Surrounded by hundreds, myriads, lakhs and crores of such monkeys having their teeth and nails as their weapons, Sugreeva, who is capable of destroying you all, will come. You hold enmity with the high-souled Rama. For this, the City of Lanka will not be there. Neither you nor even Ravana will survive."

Valmiki Ramayanam, Sundara Kandam, Chapter 42

At the screaming sound of birds and at the sound of the crash of falling trees, all the inhabitants of Lanka then trembled with fear. Made to run to-and-fro and getting frightened, beasts and birds began to scream. Atrocious omens made their appearance before the demons.

Then, the ugly-faced female-demons, whose sleep had vanished, found that grove demolished and saw that great heroic monkey. Seeing those female-demons, the mighty-armed Hanuman, endowed with great courage and might, assumed a gigantic form which created terror in the female-demons.

Beholding that mighty monkey having a gigantic body similar to a mountain, the female-demons then asked Seetha (as follows): "Who is he? Whose messenger is he? From where and for what purpose has he come here? Was a conversation held by him with you? O large-eyed Seetha! Tell us. Let there be no fear for you, O fortunate lady! What did he speak to you about? O lady having black outer eye-corners!"

Thereupon, Seetha, the virtuous lady, having a complete beauty of all limbs, spoke as follows: "Where is the ability for me to know about the demons of a terrific form? You alone can recognise who he is and what he does. A serpent can only recognise the feet of another serpent. There is no doubt about it. By seeing him, I too get frightened. I do not know who he is. I only know him as a demon, able to assume any form at his will, who arrived here."

Hearing the words of Seetha, some female demons fled in different directions. Some stayed back. Some others went to Ravana to inform him about the matter.

After approaching Ravana, the female demons with ugly faces started to tell (as follows) of the monstrous and terrific monkey. "O king! A monkey having a terrific body and a boundless prowess, is stationed in the middle of the Ashoka grove and had a conversation with Seetha. Even though questioned in many ways by us, Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, having eyes similar to those of a doe, is not inclined to tell about the monkey. He may be a messenger of Indra, the Lord of celestials, or the messenger of Kubera, the king of riches or even a messenger sent by Rama to search for Seetha."

"He, having a wonderful form, has wiped off your grove, attached to the gynaecium, which is fascinating and extending with many kinds of animal-flock. There is no place whatsoever in that grove which was not destroyed by him. Only that place, where Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, was sitting, was not destroyed by him. It is not known whether to protect Seetha or because of fatigue, he has left that place undestroyed, or else, what fatigue is there for him? He has done it to protect Seetha. That well-grown Simsupa tree, abounding in charming sprouts and flowers, under which Seetha herself took shelter, has been spared by him. To that terribly looking monkey, who talked with Seetha and destroyed that grove, you are entitled to order a terrible punishment. O chief of the demon troops! Who would dare to talk to that Seetha, who has been mentally accepted by you, except perhaps he who is ready to abandon his life?"

Hearing the words of the female-demons, Ravana, the lord of demons, flared up like a funeral fire, his eyes spinning with anger. Tears dropped from Ravana's enraged eyes, like drops of oil dripping from resplendent lamps. Ravana, with a great splendour, sent demons with a valiance equal to his, called Kinkaras, to catch hold of Hanuman. He ordered eighty thousand of those Kinkaras who were strong. All those mighty Kinkaras with their large bellies, long tusks and terrible forms, longing to fight with iron mallets and clubs in hand, in eagerness to lay hold on Hanuman, started from that place.

Approaching Hanuman, who was standing near the arched doorway, they rushed towards him with great speed, like locusts rushing towards a fire. They banged Hanuman with various kinds of maces, iron bludgeons plated with gold and arrows shining like the sun. Quickly surrounding Hanuman with clubs, sharp-edged spears, iron pikes, lances, javelins and swords, they stood in front of him.
The highly splendorous and illustrious Hanuman, too, looking like a mountain, hurled his tail on the ground, making a thunderous noise. Hanuman, the son of the wind-god, expanding his body to a very big size, clapped on his arms boldly, filling Lanka with that clapping sound.

By that great sound made by Hanuman through clapping his arms together with a resound, birds fell down from the sky. Hanuman also then cried aloud with a clamorous voice (as follows): "Long live the mighty Rama and the powerful Lakshmana! Long live the King Sugreeva, protected by Rama! I am Hanuman, the destroyer of the army of adversaries and the son of the wind-god. I am the servant of Rama, the king of the Kosala Kingdom, who is unwearied in action. Even a thousand Ravanas will not be matching equally with me, who is capable of striking with thousands of rocks and trees in battle. Here, before the eyes of all the demons, I will annihilate the City of Lanka, and after offering salutation to Seetha, I will go back after fully completing my task."

Those demons became frightened by the clamorous voice of Hanuman cried aloud and saw him to be as high as a twilight rain-cloud. Not feeling apprehended because of the orders of their king, those demons thereafter rushed towards Hanuman, with their terrific and amazing weapons.

Surrounded by those strong demons, Hanuman, endowed with great strength, seized a huge iron bar belonging to the arched gate. Taking that iron rod, Hanuman killed the demons. That violent Hanuman strolled in the sky, taking that iron rod in his hand, as Garuda, the eagle, would carry a serpent in its claws. Killing the valiant demons called Kinkaras, that heroic Hanuman, wishing to fight again, arrived at the archway gateway.

Some demons, who somehow escaped from that terror, went to Ravana and informed him that all the Kinkaras had been killed. Hearing of a large army of demons having been killed, Ravana, with his eyes rolling rapidly (with anger), ordered Jambumali, son of Prahasta, who was unequal in prowess and admirably unconquerable in battle.

Valmiki Ramayanam, Sundara Kandam, Chapter 41

Seetha honoured Hanuman, who was ready to go, with good words. Hanuman, having gone to a distance from that place, thought within himself (as follows):

"I have seen this black-eyed Seetha. There is only a little that remains to be done by me. Abandoning the three strategies for success, viz. sowing dissension, negotiation and bribery, I must implement here the fourth strategy, viz. open assault. In the case of demons, the strategy of negotiation is not practicable. For those persons having abundant wealth, the strategy of bribery is not suitable. For persons who are proud of their strength, the strategy of sowing dissension is not amenable. Prowess alone is agreeable for me here. Except showing valour, no strategy in accomplishing this task is adequate in these circumstances, for the demons can adopt a weak attitude in the ensuing combat, if their foremost heroes are somehow killed here and now."

"He alone can accomplish his purpose, who implements many (secondary) tasks even after the initial task has been carried through, without impairing the previous achievement. There is indeed no single exclusive method to accomplish a purpose, however small a task may be. On the other hand, whoever knows how to do a task in many ways, he alone is capable of achieving that task. If I go to the abode of Sugreeva, the Lord of monkeys, having ascertained the truth as to who will predominate in an encounter between the adversary and ourselves here itself, then will the command of my master have been carried out by me."

"How can my combat with the demons now prove to be a happy one? And, how will my strength become fruitful? How indeed will that Ravana applaud me in battle? Then, meeting Ravana with his troop of ministers, his army and his followers in battle, as well as knowing his designs and strength, I will go back from here happily."

"This excellent grove of this cruel Ravana, with its various kinds of trees and creepers, which is pleasing to the eyes and the mind, looks like Nandana, Indra's paradise. I will destroy this grove like fire scorching a dried-up forest. While this grove gets demolished, Ravana will then be angry."

"Thereupon, Ravana will order an army consisting of horses, great chariots and elephants and armed with weapons like great tridents and spears made of iron. Then, a great combat will follow.

Attacking those demons of terrific prowess, I too, with my unbearable prowess, will kill that army instigated by Ravana and return to the place of Sugreeva happily."

Thereafter, Hanuman of terrific prowess, getting angry, started to throw away trees by a highly violent jerk of his thighs akin to the jerk of a wind. Then, the valiant Hanuman laid waste to the royal garden attached to the gynaecium resonant with cries of birds in heat and endowed with various kinds of trees and creepers.

Hanuman damaged trees in that grove, destroyed the ponds and crushed the tops of pleasure hills to powder. Thus, that grove became nasty at sight. With its trees and creepers dried up, with the howls of various birds, with its ponds destroyed, with its copper-coloured sprouts dried up there, that grove did not look bright, as though it had been destroyed by a wild fire. Those creepers with their bars of support displaced, fell like distressed women. With its arbours and picture-galleries destroyed, its great serpents and wild animals emitting cries of distress, its grottos and other structures demolished, that grove became defaced.

"That woody land of that pleasure-garden which afforded shelter to the women-folk of Ravana and which has clusters of Ashoka creepers became a jumble of creepers of sorrow for the distressed women by the violence of Hanuman."

Creating a great displeasure in the mind of that high-souled Ravana, the Lord of the land of Lanka, Hanuman decided to fight alone against many mighty demons and stayed.

Valmiki Ramayanam, Sundara Kandam, Chapter 40

Hearing the words of that high-souled Hanuman, Seetha, who resembled the daughter of a god, spoke the following words beneficial to herself. "O Hanuman! Seeing you speak pleasant words, I am as overjoyed as a field with a half-sprouted crop of grain is when it receives rain. With my limbs emaciated with grief, I have a desire to touch that Rama the tiger among men. Show mercy on me and fulfil my desire."

"O Hanuman, the excellent one among the troops of monkeys! Present the story of the blade of grass called Ishika, hurled in anger, and thereby one of the crow's eyes was destroyed by Rama (as a signal remembrance). O Rama! You ought surely to recollect that while a mark on my forehead had got effaced once, another mark with realgar was indeed painted by you on the side of my cheek. How are you, the valiant man equal to Indra, the Lord of celestials and Varuna, the King of Universe, ignoring Seetha who was taken away and now staying in the midst of these demons?"

"O faultless Rama! This wonderful jewel for the head has been protected well by me. Seeing this in my distress, I have been delighted, as though I have seen you. This splendid jewel, produced in water, has been sent to you. Absorbed in grief, I shall not be able to survive henceforth. With a hope of your coming here at any time, I am enduring these unbearable hardships and also the words of horrible female demons, which pierce my heart."

"O Rama, the prince, the annihilator of enemies! I shall hold my life only for a month. I will not survive without you for a month. This Ravana, the king of demons, is terrible. In my instance, his glance is not pleasant. Hearing that you are causing a delay, I will not survive even for a moment."

Hearing the words of Seetha, spoken pitiably with tears, Hanuman, the son of the wind-god, with a great splendour, spoke (as follows): "O Seetha, the princess! Rama has grown averse to everything else, caused by grief towards you. I swear it to you truly. When Rama is overpowered by grief, Lakshmana too gets tormented with grief."

"O lady! Somehow or other, you have been discovered by me. This is not the time to lament. You will see the end of your sorrow shortly." "Those two princes, the excellent among men, the annihilator of enemies and who are eager to see you, will surely reduce Lanka to ashes. "O large-eyed Seetha! Killing the cruel Ravana along with his relatives, Rama and Lakshmana will take you to their own city."

"O faultless Seetha! Be pleased to give another token of remembrance, which Rama will recognise and which will create pleasure for him. Seetha said, " An excellent token of remembrance was indeed given by me. Seeing this jewel for my hair, Rama will trust your words."

Taking that excellent jewel, the illustrious Hanuman, the best among monkeys, offered salutation to Seetha by bowing his head and set off to go. Seeing that Hanuman, the best among monkeys, possessed of energy to jump up with great speed and expand, Seetha spoke (as follows) in her voice choked with tears and looking miserable in her face filled with tears.

"O Hanuman! Enquire about the welfare of Rama and Lakshmana, the brothers looking like lions, of Sugreeva together with his ministers and of all others. Be pleased to make that long-armed Rama deliver me from this ocean of sorrow. O valiant monkey! After approaching Rama, appraise him of this terrific gush of my grief and also about the threatening attitude of these female demons. Have a happy journey!"

Having been apprised of the matter by Seetha, the princess, having accomplished his object, having his mind filled with joy and having perceived that only a little remained to be done, Hanuman intellectually sought the northern direction.

Valmiki Ramayanam, Sundara Kandam, Chapter 39

Then, after giving the jewel for the head, Seetha spoke to Hanuman as follows: "This token of remembrance is actually known to Rama. By seeing this jewel, the heroic Rama can recollect three of us, viz., my mother, myself and the king Dasaratha. O Hanuman, the excellent among monkeys! Driven by your enthusiasm again, think about what remains to be done in undertaking this task. O Hanuman, the best among monkeys! You are capable of fulfilling this task. O Hanuman! Become the one who can remove my misfortunes by employing your effort. If you think of it carefully, your effort will become the one which can remove my misfortunes."

That Hanuman of terrific prowess, having promised 'so be it', offered salutation to Seetha by bowing his head to her and set off to go. Getting to know Hanuman, ready to set out, Seetha, the princess, spoke the following words with her voice choked by tears:

"O Hanuman, the excellent among monkeys! Ask about the welfare of both Rama and Lakshmana together. You also ask, according to our usage, about the welfare of Sugreeva together with his ministers and of all the monkeys who are older. You deserve to evolve a strategy through which the long-armed Rama can help me to cross over this ocean of misfortunes."

"O Hanuman! Tell, in whatever manner, by which the illustrious Rama can console me, even while I am still surviving. Reap righteousness by helping me through your word. Constantly hearing the words endowed with energy spoken by you, Rama's manly strength will be intensified to recover me." Hearing the words containing my message from you, the valiant Rama will duly set his heart in exercising his strength."

Hearing the words of Seetha, Hanuman, the son of the wind-god, having placed his open hands side by side, slightly shallowed on his head in salutation, spoke the following words in reply. "Coming soon, together with valiant monkeys and bears, Rama, after defeating the enemies in battle, will eliminate your sorrow. While discharging his arrows, none can be seen either in men or in monkeys or in celestials who can stand before Rama in battle. That Rama is capable of enduring even the sun-god, even Indra, the god of rain or even Yama, the god of death, son of the sun-god a battlefield especially for your sake. Rama is indeed worthwhile to master the entire earth, bounded by the ocean. O Seetha! Rama's victory is indeed for your sake."

Hearing those words of Hanuman, spoken rightly and truly well, Seetha held him in great respect and proceeded to speak (the following words: Thereupon, looking again and again towards that Hanuman who was going away, Seetha kind-heartedly adored his words, endowed with friendliness for her husband. "O valiant monkey, the annihilator of enemies! If you are agreeable, stay for a day at any one secret place. After taking a rest, you can go tomorrow. O Hanuman! Because of your vicinity, there may be a relief for a moment to this great sorrow of mine, who is less fortunate."

"O Hanuman, the lion among the monkeys! If, after that, there is any doubt about your return, there is a doubt even for my survival too. There is no suspicion about this matter. O Hanuman! To me, who is tormented by one grief after another, my sorrow due to your disappearance will further torment me, like a burning flame. O best among the monkeys! O valiant one! In the matter of monkeys and bears who are your helpmates, this highly great doubt is lingering before me."

"How indeed can those troops of monkeys and bears, or Rama and Lakshmana can cross that great insurmountable ocean? Three beings, viz. Garuda the eagle, or yourself or the wind-god, only have the capacity of crossing this ocean. O valiant monkey! That is why, what strategy are you visualising to fulfil this act, which is thus impassable? You are indeed excellent among those who know how to accomplish a task. O Hanuman, the annihilator of hostile enemies! You, as one alone, are capable of fulfilling this task. Your act of fulfilling the result is well-known."

"If Rama defeats Ravana with his entire army in battle and, as a champion, takes me back to his own city, it will be quite worthy of him. If Rama, the destroyer of the rival army, fills the entire Lanka with his arrows and takes me home, it will be quite worthy of him. For that reason, you act in such a way that Rama, the high-souled man, valiant in battle, may exhibit the prowess befitting of him."

Hearing those words, which were meaningful, humble and attended with reason, Hanuman gave his final reply (as follows): "O Seetha, the princess! Sugreeva, the Lord of the troops of monkeys and bears and the preeminent among the monkeys, who is endowed with strength, is firmly determined in your cause. O Seetha! That Sugreeva, endowed with thousands and crores of monkeys, will come soon to destroy the demons. So many monkeys, endowed with prowess, perseverance, great strength and who can rush to any place as they wish, are intensely committed to Sugreeva's command. There is no hindrance to their movement either in the sky or on the ground or in any horizontal region (between the sky and the ground) with unlimited splendour are not indolent in performing any great task."

"The earth with its oceans and mountains has been circumambulated clockwise many times by those monkeys, who are highly energetic and who follow the aerial path. In them, some of the monkeys are superior to me, and some are even equal to me. No one in the vicinity of Sugreeva is inferior to me. When I arrived here, why talk about the mighty ones? Generally, superior ones are not sent for errands. Only others are indeed sent."

"O Seetha, the princess! Enough of your lamentation. Take away your sorrow. Those leaders of monkeys will reach Lanka by a single leap. Rama and Lakshmana, those two lions among men, also of great strength, ascending on my shoulders, can come to you, like the rising sun and the moon. Coming together, Rama and Lakshmana, the valiant and the excellent among men, can destroy the City of Lanka with their arrows."

"O Seetha with a good waist! Rama, the delight of the Raghu dynasty, killing Ravana together with his troops, will return to his town, duly taking you with him. For that reason, console yourself indeed! Happiness to you! If you wait for some time, you shall see, within a short time, Rama like a blazing fire. When this king of demons is killed along with his sons, ministers and relatives, you will meet Rama, as Rohini met the moon."

"O Seetha, the princess! You shall see the end of your sorrow soon. Within a short time, you will also see the end of Ravana, as destroyed by Rama. Thus consoling Seetha, Hanuman, the son of the wind-god, made up his mind to go back and spoke to Seetha again as follows: "That Rama, the annihilator of enemies, who firmly decided to destroy his adversaries and Lakshmana, wielding a bow in his hand, will soon reach the entrance of Lanka, and you will see them. You can see those valiant monkeys, with their claws and tusks as weapons, having the prowess of lions and tigers and looking like lordly elephants, coming together."

"O venerable lady! You shall see many troops of excellent monkeys resembling hills and clouds, thundering on the peaks of Malaya mountain in Lanka. Hit in the vitals by the darts of venerable Manmatha, the god of love, Rama is not obtaining happiness, as an elephant gets tormented by a lion. O Seetha, the princess! Do not weep with grief. Let your mind be without any unpleasantness. You are indeed having Rama, your husband, as your protector, like Shachi having Indra, her husband, as a protector."

"Who else is there greater than Rama, or who else equal to Lakshmana? Those two brothers, like fire and wind, are supportive of you. O Seetha, the princess! You will not stay for long at this place, which is very terrific and occupied with a multitude of demons. The arrival of your husband will not be delayed. Be patient till the moment of my meeting with Rama on my return."

Valmiki Ramayanam, Sundara Kandam, Chapter 38

Hearing those words of Seetha, the eloquent Hanuman was very much pleased and spoke to Seetha (as follows):

"O Seetha, the beautiful princess! Whatever you spoke is befitting. It is in keeping with a woman's nature and the humility of a chaste woman. It is indeed not fit for a woman to mount on my back and traverse an extensive ocean, which has a width of one hundred yojanas. O Seetha, endowed with modesty! The second reason you mentioned that you would not be touching anyone else other than Rama is befitting of you, the wife of that high-souled Rama. O princess! Which other lady, except you, can speak of such sweet words?"

"O princess! I can completely inform Rama of all that you have done and of all that you have spoken before me. O princess! All this was told by me because of several reasons, being desirous of doing good to Rama, and with my mind moistened with affection towards him. I spoke about this because of the unassailability of Lanka, its great ocean, so difficult to be crossed and also my capacity to take you. Because of my great affection and devotion towards you, I wish to carry you well now to Rama, your husband. These words were not spoken by me with any other motive.

"O faultless Seetha! If you are not willing to go with me, give me a token of remembrance which Rama can recognise."

Hearing Hanuman's words, Seetha, like the daughter of a god, slowly spoke the following words, strung together with alphabets of tears: "You tell this (following) excellent thing as a token of remembrance to my beloved husband. There is a place inhabited by sages at a hillock in the north-eastern. It was bountiful with roots, fruits and water. In that place, while we were residing in a hermitage of sages, on a day long ago, we were strolling in water in parts of groves with various kinds of flowers of perfume in that hillock. You thereupon became wet and sat in my proximity."

"Then, a crow, yearning for meat, began to peck me. Picking up a clod of earth, I prevented the crow from its act. Pecking me again and again, the crow was hiding there alone. That crow, yearning for food, did not resign from meat. While I was angry with that bird, my skirt was slipping, and I was pulling its string (to tighten it). I was seen by you then."

"Moved by anger, I felt abashed for being laughed at by you. Torn down by the crow, which was yearning for food, I sought shelter with you. Feeling tired, I again settled on your lap. As though angry, I was consoled by you, and I was fully delighted."

"Slowly wiping my eyes, my face filled with tears, I was seen by you, O Lord, as having been annoyed by the crow. I even slept for a long time on Rama's lap because of my fatigue. In his turn, Rama, the elder brother of Bharata, slept in my arms."

"Meanwhile, the same crow appeared there. Descending all of a sudden, the crow clawed me at the space between the breasts, even as I awoke from my sleep and rose from the lap of Rama. Flying up again, it tore me up a lot. Then, Rama got wet by the discharged drops of blood. Thereafter, that splendorous Rama, the annihilator of enemies, who was in a pleasant slumber, was woken up by that crow and by me, who was grievously tormented by the crow. That long-armed Rama, seeing me pierced violently on the breasts, then spoke the following words, hissing like an angry serpent."

"O Seetha, the round-thighed woman! Who has wounded the space between your breasts? who is playing with a fire-faced serpent filled with fury? Then, throwing a glance around, Rama saw that the crow with its sharp claws, moistened with blood and sitting in front of me alone."

"That crow, the best among birds, seems to be the son of Indra, the Lord of celestials, staying in the mountains and moving with a speed equal to the wind. Then, the long-armed Rama, the best among wise men, swirling his eyes in anger, made a resolve in the matter of that ferocious crow. Taking a blade of Kusa grass from his bed (made of Kusa grass), Rama employed it to work with Brahma's missile (a mythical weapon which deals with infallible destruction). That blazing shoot of grass, resembling a fire destroying the world, flared up in front of that bird. As Rama threw that blazing blade of Kusa grass towards that crow, that blade of grass went chasing that crow in the sky."

"Then, while that blade of grass came chasing, that crow went flying in many a way. Seeking protection, it roamed all over the world. Roaming the three worlds in search of a saviour, that crow was abandoned by Indra, its father, the celestials and the sages. Finally, it sought refuge in the same Rama."

"That Rama, who affords protection, was compassionate and protected that crow, which fell on the ground (in salutation to Rama) and sought protection, even though it was apt to be killed. Seeing that crow, coming exhausted and dejected, Rama said to it: 'It is not possible to make Brahma missile a waste. For this reason, tell me what to do now."

Thereafter, that crow said, "Let your arrow shoot my right eye." Then that blade of Kusa grass shot the right eye of that crow. By giving away its right eye in that way, the crow saved its life. After offering salutations to Rama and King Dasaratha and being discharged by that valiant Rama, the crow returned to its own abode."

"O lord of the earth! For my sake, you hurled a Brahma's missile even at a crow. Why are you forgiving the one who has taken me away from you? O Rama, the best among men! You, with great strength, annihilate the enemy and bestow your mercy on me. O Lord! She who has a protector in you actually looks like one without any protector."

"You yourself told me that kindness is the best righteousness. I know you have a great prowess, a great energy, and a great strength. I know your non-acquiescence, imperturbability, profoundness like an ocean, as Lord of the earth, including the oceans and as equal to Indra, the Lord of celestials."

"O Rama! Even though you are strong, excellently skilled in archery and a truthful man, why are you not utilising your arrow on demons? Neither the serpent-demons, nor the divine musicians, nor the demons, nor the storm-gods can resist the onrush of Rama in battle. If the valiant Rama has any haste in my case, why does he not destroy the demons with his sharp arrows?!

"For what reason, even Lakshmana, the tormentor of enemies, the mighty man and the valiant man, does not protect me, by taking the command of his elder brother? Those two tigers among men, Rama and Lakshmana, with a sharpness equal to that of wind and fire, even if they are unconquerable by demons too, why are they neglecting me? There is no doubt that I would have committed a great sin, for which reason those two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, the tormentors of enemies, even when capable, are neglecting me."

Hearing the pitiable appeal, Seetha, with tears, Hanuman of great splendour and the son of wind-god spoke (as follows): "O Seetha! Rama has grown averse to everything else, caused by grief towards you. I swear it to you by truth. When Rama is overpowered by grief, Lakshmana too gets tormented by grief. O faultless Seetha! Somehow or other, you have been discovered by me. This is not the time to lament. You will see the end of your sorrow within a short time. Those two mighty princes, the excellent among men, are eager to see you, and they will reduce Lanka to ashes."

"O large-eyed Seetha! Killing the cruel Ravana along with his relatives in battle, Rama will take you back to his own city. Tell me what to be expressed to Rama or to the mighty Lakshmana or to the splendorous Sugreeva or even to the other monkeys assembled there."

Hearing the words of Hanuman, Seetha, like the daughter of a sage, tormented with grief, spoke to Hanuman the monkey (as follows): "On my behalf, salute by bowing your head and ask about the welfare of Rama, the Lord of the worlds, whom the magnanimous Kausalya gave birth. (On my behalf, ask about the welfare of ) Lakshmana, that good child of Sumitra who, having renounced the wreaths of flowers, all the riches, pleasant and beautiful girls and even the prosperity difficult to be obtained in this extensive world, offered his profound respects to and pacified his father and mother, followed Rama to exile."

"Renouncing a great comfort, the righteous Lakshmana, acting in an affectionate manner towards Rama, followed him, watching over him in the forest. Lakshmana, who has broad shoulders like those of a lion, mighty-armed, steady-minded and having pleasant looks, behaves towards Rama as towards his father and looks to me as his own mother."

"The valiant Lakshmana, on that day of occurrence, did not know that I was being taken away by Ravana. He serves elders. He possesses a splendour. Though capable, he does not talk much. To Dasaratha, my father-in-law, he is his beloved and the best prince. Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama, is the one who is dearer to me always. That energetic Lakshmana carries out well, whatever load of work is entrusted to him"

"Seeing whom, Rama ceases to recollect his deceased father, that Lakshmana is to be asked about his well-being, as my word and on my behalf. O Hanuman, the excellent of monkeys and the best of monkeys! you are the model for fulfilling this act of addressing him in such a way that Lakshmana, the mild, every pure and clever darling of Rama, may bring my sorrows to an end."

"Depending on your effort, Rama will be more active with his effort, the following words again and again to Rama, my Lord and the hero:"

"O Rama! I shall hold my life for a month. I cannot survive after a month, I am telling you the truth. O valiant man! You are required to rescue me, detained (as I am) by Ravana the criminal and subjected to humiliation, as you (as Lord Vishnu) earlier protected Indra, the Lord of celestials and Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, from the abode of servants and demons."

Then, untying the bright divine jewel for her head tied in her garment, Seetha gave it to Hanuman, saying that it might be handed over to Rama. Taking the excellent jewel, the valiant Hanuman thereupon fitted it to his finger, since his arm (even though he had assumed his former tiny form), was not fitting to it properly.

Receiving that jewel, Hanuman, the best among the monkeys, offered his salutation to Seetha by engaging himself in circumambulation and stood aside with humbleness. Filled with a great delight, born out of Seetha's discovery by him, that Hanuman mentally sought (the presence) of Rama, but stood there with just his physical body.

Taking that excellent and highly venerable jewel, worn by Seetha and by its influence resembling one who was shaken by a blast coming from the top of a huge mountain, Hanuman was mentally pleased and set out to cross the ocean in his return journey.