Hanuman Narrates the Search for Sita

Rama picked up his bow and arrows and looked at the monkeys who had arrived. "Will you give me my life? Have you been successful? Having killed my enemies in battle and having recovered Janaka's daughter, will I again rule the kingdom of Ayodhya? I have been robbed of my wife and honour. As long as Vaidehi is not freed and my enemies are not killed in battle, I have no desire to be alive." The son of the wind replied. "O Rama! My news is pleasant. Janaki has been seen by me." Then Hanuman told the whole story. After searching the southern direction — its mountains, forests and mines — they were exhausted. Then they saw a giant cave. They entered it. It was many yojanas long, dark, forested, deep and infested with insects. They traversed a long way through it and then saw the splendour of the sun and a celestial palace nearby. That residence belonged to the daitya (demon) Maya. A lady ascetic named Prabhavati was engaged in austerities there. She gave them many objects to eat and drink. When they had regained their strength, they proceeded along the road she had pointed out. Emerging, they saw the salty ocean and near it the great mountains Sahya, Malaya and Dardura. Ascending Malaya, they beheld Varuna's abode — the ocean itself — and were extremely miserable, dejected and tired. They gave up all hope of life. The ocean was many hundreds of yojanas wide, the abode of whales, crocodiles and large fish. They decided to sit there and fast to death. In the course of their conversation, they began to talk about the vulture Jatayu. Then they saw a terrible and fearsome bird as large as the peak of a mountain. It looked like another son of Vinata — Garuda's brother. Desirous of eating them, it approached and asked: "Who is it that is talking about my brother Jatayu? I am his elder brother Sampati and am the king of the birds. In a contest with each other, we rose up towards the seat of the sun. As a consequence, my wings were burnt, but not those of Jatayu. That was the last time I saw my beloved brother. My wings having been burnt, I fell down on this giant mountain." They told Sampati about his brother being slain. They told him about the calamity that had befallen Rama. On hearing this, Sampati was extremely miserable. In a dejected frame of mind, he asked: "Who is Rama? Who is Sita? How was Jatayu killed? I wish to hear everything." Hanuman told him everything — the misfortune that had befallen Rama and the reason for their decision to fast to death. But the king of birds made them arise with his words. "I know Ravana and his great city of Lanka. I have seen it across the ocean, in a valley of Mount Trikuta. Vaidehi must be there. I have no doubt on this score." Hearing this, they swiftly arose. They consulted about how one might cross the ocean. But no one had the courage to jump across. Hanuman invoked the energy of his father, the wind-god. With that, he jumped across the great ocean — a hundred yojanas — after killing a water-dwelling rakshasi (female demon). He then saw the faithful Sita in Ravana's inner quarters. Eager to see her husband, she was fasting and engaged in austerities. Her hair was matted and her body was caked with dirt. She was lean, wretched and an ascetic. Knowing her to be Sita through these various signs, he approached her and spoke in private. "O Sita! I am a monkey who is the son of the wind-god. I am Rama's messenger. Travelling through the sky, I have come here, hoping to see you. The brothers and princes, Rama and Lakshmana, are well. They are under the protection of Sugriva, the Indra of all the monkeys. Rama, together with Soumitri, has asked about your welfare. Because of his sentiments of friendship, Sugriva has also asked about your welfare. Your husband will soon arrive here, with all the monkeys. O goddess! Have trust in me. I am a monkey and not a rakshasa." Thinking for an instant about what he had said, Sita replied: "From what Avindhya has said, I know you to be Hanuman. Avindhya is a mighty-armed rakshasa, revered by the elders. He told me that Sugriva is surrounded by advisers like you. Go now." Having said this, Sita gave him a jewel. The unblemished Vaidehi had worn it for a long time. Janaki also told him these words, so that Rama would have trust in him: "While dwelling on that great mountain of Chitrakuta, you hurled a straw at a crow. From this, you should believe." Hearing this, Hanuman himself burnt down that city. Rama then honoured the one who had brought such pleasant news.