Part 38

Then resigning that line of thought,[282] that mighty monkey, regaining his equanimity, set out in another direction of thought touching Sita. "Separated from Rama, that lady is incapable[283] of of sleeping, or eating, or decorating (her person), or drinking. And she is incapable of associating with any other person, although he were the sovereign of the celestials himself. And even in all heaven there is none who is equal to Rama. She is some other." Assuring himself of this, that foremost of monkeys, eager to behold Sita, again began to range in that place set apart for drinking. Some were tired out with sporting; some with singing; some with dancing; and some were fast asleep through intoxication. And some supported themselves on _murajas_, _mridangas_, or _chelikas_; and some women were sleeping on excellent sheets. And that leader of monkey-bands saw (that place of drinking) filled with thousands of women, adorned with ornaments engaged (in their sleep) in depicting each other's loveliness; and explaining the sense of songs; conversant with season and place; understanding the meanings of words chiming in with season and place[284]; and skilful at play. And at other places also he saw thousands of superb and youthful dames fast asleep,-- employed in talking of each others beauty. And that leader of monkey bands saw (women) versed in season and place, and understanding the meanings of words consonant with season and place. And in the midst of them all, the lord of the Rakshasas looked splendid like an ox in a spacious stall in the midst of stately kine. And surrounded by them, the Rakshasa chief appeared beautiful like a gigantic elephant in a forest, surrounded by female elephants. And in the abode of the huge-bodied Rakshasa chief, this tiger-like monkey saw that place of drinking, furnished with every object of desire. And in that place set apart for drinking, he saw heaps of the flesh of buffaloes, deer, and boars, arranged separately. And that tiger-like monkey saw in capacious golden vessels flesh of fowls and peacocks, which remained (after the repast). And Hanuman saw the flesh of boars, and _Vadhrinasas_[285] _Sulyas_, deer, and peacocks, seasoned with curds and _Sauvarchala_;[286] and _Krikalas_,[287] and goats of various kinds.-flesh of hare half-fed,--_Ekacalyas_,[288] and buffaloes,--all chopped and dressed; and lickable and drinkable viands sharp and mild; and edibles sharp and mild; and _Ragakhandavas_[289] containing sugar and acid, capable of improving a vicious palate. And with large and costly stray bangles and bracelets; and scattered cans,-- and diverse kinds of fruit; and wreaths of flowers, the pavement attained exceeding beauty. And with elegantly jointed bedsteads, arranged (around), the scene of wassail appeared aflame without fire. And with meat consisting of many ingredients, fraught with diverse tastes, seasoned with many substances, and dressed by skilful cooks,--arranged separately in the scene of revel; and with noble and pleasant wines, natural[290] and artificial,--_asavas_ from sugar; and _Madhvika_[291] and _asavas_ from flowers and fruits; and impregnated separately with different kinds of fragrant dust,--the pavement, furnished with inuumerable garlands, surrounded with golden water-vessels and crystal bowls, and golden water-pots, looked exceedingly beautiful. And the monkey saw that foremost of all places set apart for drinking, containing silvern and golden jars. And that mighty monkey saw golden wine-vessels studded with gems, all filled with wine; and some with half full of liquor, some with their wine entirely exhausted, and some full of liquor. And (at some spots) he saw various kinds of viands, and at others wines ranged in rows, and at others the wine-vessels remaining half full. And there were many bedsteads belonging to fair ones, remaining vacant; and at some places excellent women were sleeping touching each other. And at one place, a female, borne down by the force of sleep, forcibly possessing herself of another's cloth, and wrapping herself therewith,--went to the bed of that one, and was indulging in sleep.--And with their breath, their variegated wreaths and the cloth on their persons were stirring gently, as if with a mild-blowing breeze. And laden with the odours of cool sandal and of sweet-tasting _Sidhu_;[292] and of diverse wreaths and flowers, and with perfumes of various kinds,--and entranced[293] with (the aroma of _sandals_ suitable for use after ablution, and of _dhupas_, the air, impregnated with excellent scent, was there breathing around the car Pushpaka. And in the residence of the Raksha, there were some wenches sable, yet exceedingly witching; and some were dark-hued; and the frames of some were of a golden brilliance. And their beauty, in consequence of their coming under the governance of sleep, and their being bereft of their senses by Madana, resembled that of lotuses in a sleep. Thus that highly energetic monkey saw everything thoroughly in the inner apartment of Ravana,--but he saw not Janaka's daughter. And seeing those females, that mighty monkey, apprehending loss of righteousness, was seized with an exceeding great fear[294]. "Beholding a female, who is the religiously wedded wife of another, while she is asleep[295], verily causeth loss of righteousness. My sight surely never seeketh others' wives; but I have beheld this one that hath ravished another's spouse." And that intelligent one, intent on attaining a knowledge of things capable of being arrived at on grounds of judgment, again reflected effectively as to his course of action: "All these unsuspecting wives of Ravana have been beheld by me; yet there are no signs that my mind hath undergone any alteration. In respect of the enlistment of the senses on behalf of any course of action good or evil, it is verily mind which is the cause; and herein my mind is righteously disposed. And I could not search for Vaidehi elsewhere; for in the matter of search, people always search for women even among women. And people search for creatures among the species to which they happen to belong: none searcheth for a lost lady among female deer. Therefore have I with a pure heart explored the entire inner apartment of Ravana; but Janaka's daughter I see not." And Hanuman endowed with prowess saw the daughters of gods, and Gandharbas, and Nagas; hut he saw not Janaki. And not seeing her, that hero, having beheld other magnificent dames, coming out of that place, set about searching for Sita (afresh). And leaving the place of wassail, the graceful offspring of the Wind-god, taking extreme care, again began to search for Sita all about (another quarter).

[282] _i.e._ that Mandodari was Sita.--T.

[283] The text has _na saptum arhati; lit., it behoveth (Sita) not to sleep_. The sense, however, is as given above.--T.

[284] All this, remarks Ramanuja, appeared from their talk during sleep.--T.

[285] A species of birds, having, according to _Vishnudharma_, dark throats, red veins, and white wings. According to others, a kind of goats.--T.

[286] A kind of salt.--T.

[287] A kind of partriges.--T.

[288] A kind of fish.--T.

[289] According to some, a preparation of the juice of grapes and pomegranates, mixed with sugar, etc. According to others, black cakes having six kinds of relishes.--T.

[290] Natural wines--such as _Kadamvari etc._, which require no preparation--T.

[291] From honey. According to some, from grapes.--T.

[292] Spirit distilled from mollasses.--T.

[293] _Murchchhita_--The commentator says, means _spreading_. I, however, here presume to go by my own light, feeble as that may be. _Entranced_ will, I dare say, recommend itself to the poetical in especial.--T.

[294] Remembering, says the commentator, the injunction of the scriptures, "None should see a nude female."--T.

[295] _And therefore presumably incapable of taking care herself.--T._

SECTION XII.

And remaining in that mansion, (Hanuman) desirous of getting a sight of Sita graced with a fair presence, went into bowers, and picture galleries, and night-houses;[296] but her he did not find. And not finding the beloved (spouse) of Raghu's son, that mighty monkey reflected,--"Surely Sita is not alive,--for although I have searched (through and through), yet Mithila's daughter I have failed to find. And that girl solicitous for the preservation of her chastity, and staying in the prime path of virtuous woman,--that chaste one--hath, for certain, been slain by this chief of the Rakshasas, (ever) finding delight in iniquity. And seeing the wives of the Rakshasa monarch,--of frightful forms,-- monstrous; of lurid hue; having huge faces; with large horrid eyes,--the daughter of Janaka hath given up the ghost from fright. Failing to see Sita, and (thereby) annuling my prowess, and having long spent the appointed space in company with the monkeys, way have I none to present myself before Sugriva, that monkey being puissant and given to meting out sharp chastisement. Having searched the inner apartment through, and seen the wives of the Rakshasa, I do not see the chaste Sita. Therefore vain is the trouble that I take. What, alas! shall the monkeys assembled tell me when I shall go (to them)? 'O hero, tell us what thou hast done, repairing there.' And not having seen Janaka's daughter, what shall I answer? The term fixed (by Sugriva) having been past, certainly meet it is that I should fast to death. And what shall the aged Jambhavan, and what shall Angada, say? And what, again, shall the assembled monkeys say to me when I shall have crossed over the main? But perseverence is the source of good fortune; and perseverence bringeth about supreme happiness. Search again I will, where I have not yet searched. Perseverence, for certain, ever bringeth people to all profitable objects. Whatever one doeth with vigor, beareth fruit. Therefore will I put forth fresh dear efforts vigorously. I will search such places held by Ravana as I have not yet seen. I have again searched the picture-galleries and the sporting-structures, and edifices, and roads passing through gardens, as well as the cars." Having thought thus, Hanuman again set about searching the subterranean abodes, religious buildings, and many-storied mansions. And flying up, and coming down, and staying, and going at places, and opening doors, and shutting others, and entering and issuing out, and falling down as if darting up, that mighty monkey began to range on all sides. There was not even space measuring four fingers in that inner apartment of Ravana, to which the monkey did not repair. And he saw the abodes of the nobility, the daises, the trees by the crossings the holes, and the tanks. And Hanuman saw there Rakshasas of various forms, frightful and deformed; but he saw not Janaka's daughter. And Hanuman saw there the wives of Vidyadharas; but he saw not Raghava's beloved. And Hanuman saw there transcendentally beautiful women--daughters of Nagas--having countenances resembling the moon; but he saw not Janaka's daughter. And Hanuman saw there daughters of Nagas forcibly brought by the lord of the Rakshasas; but he saw not Janaka's daughter. Having seen other beauteous females, and not seeing her, the mighty-armed son of the Wind-god was oppressed with sadness. Seeing that the endeavours of the monarch of monkeys, as well as the bounding over the main, had come to nought, the offspring of the Wind-god was plunged in thought. Descending from the aerial car, Hanuman, son unto the Wind-god, his senses deprived by sorrow, was again wrought up with anxiety.

[296] Intended for stay at night.--T.

SECTION XIII.

Allighting from the car, Hanuman possessed of vigorous activity,--leader of monkey-bands--nearing the wall, looked like lightning within a mass of clouds.[297] And having gone round the mansions of Ravana, and not seeing Janaki, the monkey Hanuman said,--"Striving after Rama's welfare, I have again searched through Lanka; but I do not see Videha's daughter, Janaki, having all her limbs endeued with loveliness. And I have explored pools, and watery expanses, and tanks, and rivers, and streams, and marshes, and woods, and citadels, and mountains, yea,--all this earth; but Janaki I do not find. The vulture-king Sampati had told that Sita was in the mansion of Ravana. But why do I not see her (here)? Or doth Maithili Sita, daughter unto Janaka,[298] sprung in the Videha line, forcibly carried off (by Ravana) and completely in his power, abide by the mandate (of that monarch)? I conceive that while taking Sita, the Raksha darted upward, he being influenced by fear of Rama's shafts; (and accordingly losing control over his movements), she fell off by the way. Or I fancy that while that noble lady was being carried away along the way ranged by Siddhas, she lost her life on beholding the ocean. Or I think that on account of the vehement speed assumed by Ravana, and also oppressed with his arms, that large-eyed noble lady hath been bereft of her life. For certain, while (Ravana) was soaring higher and higher, Janaka's daughter, rolling (on the car), dropped down into the sea. Alas! trying to preserve her chastity. the forlorn Sita, practising self-mortification, hath been devoured by this abject-minded Ravana. Or that dark-eyed innocent one, hath been eaten up by tbe wives of the Rakshasa chief, actuated by wicked motives.[299] (Ever) contemplating Rama's countenance, resembling the full Moon, with eyes like lotus-leaves, she, exercised with sorrow, hath breathed her last. Bewailing much with exclamations of 'Oh Rama and Lakshmana!' 'Ah Ayodhya!' that lady Vaidehi hath renounced her body. Or secretly kept in Ravana's mansion, that girl, like a female parrot in a cage, is weeping bitterly. How can the slender-waisted wife of Rama, born in the race of Janaka, furnished with eyes resembling lotus petals, come under the sway of Ravana? I shall not be able to say of Rama's beloved wife that she hath been sullied,[300] or that I have seen her, or yet that she is dead. To say this is censurable; not to say it is also such. What is my course? I find myself in a false position. Things having drifted to this pass, what should I say, now that the time hath come?' Thus thinking, Hanuman again reflected,--"If without seeing Sita, I repair to the abode of the lord of monkeys, what then shall I gain as the object of my exertions? This my bounding over the main comes to nought; as also my entry into Lanka and the sight of the Rakshasas. And what shall Sugriva say? Or the assembled monkeys; or those twin sons of Dacaratha; to me when I shall have come to Kishkindha? And if going there, I should say a harsh speech unto Kakutstha--'I have not seen Sita'--he shall renounce his life. Hearing harsh, terrible, unsufferable, fierce and foul words concerning Sita, calculated to set the senses on fire, he shall not exist. And seeing him come under misery, with his mind expiring, the intelligent Lakshmana, firmly attached (unto Rama), shall also cease to exist. And hearing that his two brothers are dead, Bharata also shall give up existence. And seeing Bharata dead, Satrughna shall also renounce his life. And beholding their sons dead, their mothers, Kaucalya, Sumitra and Kaikayi, shall, certainly, resign their lives. And seeing Rama in that plight, the lord of the monkeys, Sugriva, grateful and having his heart fast fixed in truth, shall give up his life. And Uma, aggrieved, heart-wrung, distressed and bereft of happiness, and assuming the garb of a female ascetic, because of grief for her husband, shall resign her existence. And oppressed with grief arising from Vali, and weighed down by sorrow, the queen Tara, also, resolving on death shall cease to exist. And in consequence of the death of his father and mother and the calamity befalling Sugriva, the prince Angada also shall next forego his existence. And the dwellers of the woods overwhelmed with grief got of (the decease of) their master, shall strike at their heads with their clenched fists and hands. And the monkeys affectionately cherished by the famous lord of the monkeys with soothing words gifts and regard, shall resign there lives. And no more in woods, and rocks, or secret spots, shall the foremost monkeys, assembled together, indulge in sports. And they, along with their sons and wives, and counsellors, distressed on account the disaster that hath overtaken their master,--shall fall from the tops of mountains down to places even or uneven. And the monkeys shall take poison, or hang themselves, or enter into flaming fire, or fast, or fall on their own weapons. I fancy that a loud wailing shall arise on my return (to that place); and the race of Ikshwaku as well as the rangers of the woods shall meet with destruction. Therefore I will not repair hence to the city of Kishkindha; nor can I see Sugriva without Mithila's daughter. On my not going there and staying here, those righteous-souled Maharathas as well as the fast-fleeting monkeys, shall preserve their lives through hope (of hearing tidings concerning Sita.) And not having seen Janaka's daughter, I will lead the _Vanaprastha_ mode of life, partaking (of fruits) falling into my hands or mouth, restraining my senses, and staying at the foot of trees. Preparing a funereal pile on a tract bordering on the sea, abounding in fruits, and flowers, and water, I will enter into flaming fire. And as I sit to fast, and for effecting the separation of self from my body and centering my identity in the spirit crows and beasts of prey shall feed on my body. And I think the sages have enjoyed another way of exit. I shall, failing to see Janaki, enter into water. My illustrious and exalted garland of fame, begot of excellent acts, hath perished for good in consequence of my not seeing Sita.[301] Or restraining myself, I shall become an ascetic living underneath trees; but return I will not, without obtaining a sight of that dark-eyed damsel. If I return without seeing Sita, all the monkeys with Angada shall cease to exist. Incalculable are the ills of my putting a period to my existence; (on the other hand) if I live, I may come by good. Therefore my life I will maintain. If I live, it may conduce to happiness." Having thus indulged in a variety of harassing thoughts in his mind, that foremost of monkeys could not cross over to the other shore (of the sea of distress). Then summoning energy, that elephantine monkey endeued with fortitude reflected,-- "Or I shall slay the Ten-necked Ravana possessed of great strength. Sita hath been carried off; but by this I shall avenge myself. Or throwing him repeatedly into the sea, I (shall take him) and present him to Rama, even as one presents a beast unto Pacupat."[302] Reflecting thus, the monkey, not finding Sita, --agitated with sorrow and anxiety, thought,--"So long as I do not find the illustrious spouse of Rama, Sita, I will explore the city of Lanka again and again. If in consonance with Simpat's speech, I bring Rama hither, Raghava, not seeing his wife, shall burn all the monkeys. (Therefore) even here I shall stay, restraining my fare and mortifying my senses. All those principal monkeys ought not to lose their lives because of any act to which I may commit myself. This is the asoka wood, extensive and containing mighty trees. This I shall explore, as it hath not yet been searched by me. And saluting the Vasus, the Rudras, the Adityas, the twin Acwins, (and Rama and Lakshmana), I enhancing the sorrow of the Rakhas, shall go into it. Having vanquished the Rakshas, I will bestow on Rama the lady of the Ikshwaku race like the fruit of asceticism conferred on an ascetic." Having thus reflected for a space, the mighty-armed offspring of the Wind-god, his senses agitated with anxiety, arose. "I bow unto Rama with Lakshmana, and unto the revered daughter of Janaka, I bow unto Rudra, and Indra, and Yama, and Wind-god, and I bow unto the Moon, unto Fire and unto the Maruts." Having bowed unto them all, as also unto Sugriva, the offspring of the Wind-god, surveying all the cardinal points, mentally entered the _Asoka_ wood. Having mentally entered the _Asoka_ wood, that monkey, son unto the Wind-god, reflected as to what he should do next. The sacred _Asoka_ wood, sanctified with every purifying rite and abounding in woods, needs must be full of Rakshas. And warders, directed there to, forsooth, protect the trees; and that worshipful Soul of the universe[303] does not breathe here vigorously. I contract my person in the interests of Rama, and in order that Ravana may not see me. May all the deities along with the saints confer success on me. And may the revered self-create Brahma, and the deities, and the ascetics, and Fire, and wind, and the much invoked bearer of the _Vajra_,[304] and the noose-handed Varuna, and the Moon and the Sun, the high-souled Acwinis, and all the Maruts--(confer) success (on me)! And all beings, and the lord of them all,[305] and others that, albeit not specified in the scriptures, are yet visible in the way,--will confer success on me. When shall I behold the blameless face of that noble lady,--with its protruding nose; having luminous smiles, having eyes resembling lotus-petals; and bright as the complacent lord of stars? Ah! to-day how shall feeble forlorn one that hath been borne down by the force of the mean, abject and grim-visaged (Ravana) fierce yet wearing (at the time of the rape), a dress tending to inspire confidence,-- come in my sight?"

[297] The commentator remarks: _By this the author insinuates that the wall was of entire sapphire.--T._

[298] _Knowing Brahma_, remarks Ramanuja.--T

[299] Jealousy, according to the commentator.--T.

[300] This is evidently the sense, having regard to the preceding _sloka_, although the commentator gives the apparent meaning of _vinastha_ perished.--T.

[301] Tirtha reads _chiraratriyam_ for _chiraratrya_. Then the sense is: This illustrious live-long fair-rooted and auspicious night crowned with a garland of fame, hath borne no fruit, in consequence of my not seeing Sita. The commentator, I presume, refines a little too much.--T.

[302] An appellation of Siva--lit. _lord of beasts_--in allusion to animal sacrifices to Siva.--T.

[303] The wind.--T.

[304] Indra.--T.

[305] Prayapati--T.

SECTION XIV.