Part 39

Having reflected for a while, and mentally met with her, that highly energetic one leapt from the wall of Ravana's mansion on to that (of the _Asoka_ wood). And all his frame filled with delight, that mighty monkey, stationed on the wall, saw various trees having their tops furnished with flowers through spring and the other seasons,--_salas_ and _asokas_, _bhavyas_, _champakas_, _udalakas_, and _nagas_, and those bearing fruits resembling the mouths of monkeys; and those relative to mango woods.--with hundreds of plants. And (Hanuman) leapt into the garden like an arrow let go from the bow string. Entering into the grove, variegated all over; resonant with the notes of birds; filled on all sides with golden and silvern trees; many-hued with birds and beasts; containing dainty tracts of trees like unto the risen Sun,--the powerful Hanuman saw the place surrounded with various kinds of trees, having fruits and flowers; frequented by maddened coels and _bhramaras_, with creatures expressing happiness by their movements, birds and beasts overflowing with spirits; echoing with the cries of peacocks; furnished with various species of fowls. And as he was searching for that surpassingly beautiful and blameless daughter of the king, that monkey awakened the monkeys that were sleeping sweetly. And blown against by the wind caused by the wings of the birds as they flew upwards, various and variegated trees showered down blossoms. And in the midst of the _Asoka_ wood, Hanumln, son unto the Wind-god, covered over with flowers, looked lovely like a hill strewn with blossoms. And all creatures, beholding that monkey embosomed among trees and darting on all sides, took him for spring. And strewn with several masses of blossoms loosened from the trees, the Earth appeared beauteous like a damsel dight with ornaments. And shaken in diverse ways by the motion of the light fleeting monkey, the trees showered many-hued flowers. And with their leaves and tops torn, and their flowers and fruits shrivelled up, the trees looked like worsted gamblers bereft of their clothes. And shaken by Hanuman vehemently moving about, those excellent trees crowned with fruits, speedily cast off fruits, flowers and foliage. And moved by the Wind god's offspring, the trees with their trunks left, and forsaken by the fowls were incapable of harbouring any creatures. And like youthful fair ones with hair dishevelled, their paste worn off, their upper lips with fair teeth sucked of their moisture; and having their persons torn with nails and teeth; appeared the _Asoka_ wood with its trees shattered; and itself ground with the tail, hands and legs (of Hanuman). And that monkey with his vehemence scattered the clusters of shrubs, like the wind violently scattering clouds in the rainy season. And ranging there, the monkey saw beautiful pavements, jewelled, silvern aud golden. And he saw there various pools filled with excellent water and having steps crusted with jewels. Their sandy soil was filled with pearls and corals, and the ground inside was made of crystal. And their banks were decked with diverse golden trees. They were beautified with full blown lotuses, water-lilies, _Chakravakas_ and _Natyuhas_[306] and filled with the notes of swans and _Sarasas_. They were encircled on all sides with big tanks having trees on their banks and water, clear and sweet like unto nectar. They were entwined with hundreds of creepers, covered with _Santana_[307] flowers and filled with diverse groves and _Karaviras_ serving the purpose of windows.[308] And thereupon that foremost of monkeys beheld there a mountain--the most picturesque in the world, resembling clouds, having high summits, covered on all sides with peaks and filled with hilly abodes and various trees. And that monkey beheld there a river falling down from the mountain like unto a damsel falling down from the lap of her beloved. And the branches of the trees touching the water (of the stream) resembled a fair damsel prevented by her dear companions from forsaking the company of her beloved). And that great monkey beheld further down the stream turning back like unto the damsel, pleased, going back to her dear one. And that foremost of monkeys, Hanuman, the son of Maruti, beheld, at some distance, ponds filled with lotuses and various birds. And he saw a big artificial pond full of cool water having stairs crusted with excellent jewels and its sandy banks filled with pearls. It was embellished (on all sides) with various animals, diverse trees and big mansions made by Viswakarma[309] himself. It was adorned all around with artificial fqrests and all the trees there bore flowers and fruits, spreading their branches like unto umbrellas and having golden and silvern pavements under them. And that great monkey beheld there one golden _Singsapa_[310] tree surrounded on all sides with golden pavements. And he saw the glebe, the hill streams and many a golden tree resembling fire. By the lustre of all those trees that heroic monkey appeared as if made of gold like unto the Sun by the touch of the mount Sumeru. And having seen those beautiful golden trees, shaken by the wind and making a sound like that of a _Kinkini_;[311] having flowery tops and new leaves he was greatly amazed. And climbing that _Singsapa_ tree enveloped with leaves that monkey, gifted with velocity, reflected--"Perchance I may see Vaidehi, exercised with grief, anxious to behold Rama and wandering hither and thither at her pleasure. Certainly this is the picturesque _Asoka_ forest of that vicious-souled one, embellished with sandal, _Champakas_ and _Vakulas_. Here is a beautiful pond abounding in lotuses, thronged with birds and forsooth shall that royal spouse Janaki repair hither. She is the beloved queen of Raghava and expert in walking in the garden. And separated from Rama, certainly shall Janaki repair hither. Or she having the eyes of a young antelope and adept in roaming in the forest, exercised with thought touching Rama, shall come here. Or she having beautiful eyes and fond of ranging in the forest, racked with sorrow in consequence of Rama's separation, doth always frequent this forest.[312] Ere this, the chaste and worshipful spouse of Rama--Janaka's daughter, used to love always the birds and animals of the forest. (The morning hath set in) and surely the beautiful and graceful daughter of Janaka fond of performing morning[313] ablutions, shall come to this river of pure water to perform them. Truly is this beautiful forest of Asoka the worthy abode of the beloved and chaste spouse of Rama, the lord of men. If that one of moon-like countenance breathes, forsooth shall she come to this river of cool water." Having arrived there and anxiously expecting the appearance of the spouse of that lord of men, the high-souled Hanuman hiding himself (on the Singsapa tree) enveloped with flowers and leaves, beheld all.

[306] A gallinule.--T.

[307] One of the trees of heaven.--T.

[308] Literally the passages means "making a gap in that forest thickly filled with trees." But Ramanuja interprets thus and we have adopted his interpretation.--T.

[309] The son of Brahma and artist of gods.--T.

[310] A tree (Dalbergia Sisu).--T.

[311] A kind of tinkling ornament.--T.

[312] The commentator, Ramanuja interprets this _sloka_ as explaining the cause of Sita's frequentiug the Asoka forest.--T.

[313] _Sandhya_ literally means the point of time which connects day and night. It however, generally means the period after sunset and before the night sets to. But here with reference to the speech which Hanuman began by the end of night, it means the morning.--T.

SECTION XV.

Having stationed himself on the tree, casting his looks all around in quest of Sita and looking down on the earth he surveyed the entire forest of (_Asoka_). It was beautified with _Santanaka_ creepers and various trees, fragrant with celestial odours and was embellished on all sides. It resembled _Nandana_ or the celestial garden, and was filled with various animals and birds, palaces and mansions; resounded with the notes of _Kokilas_; adorned with the ponds abounding in silvern water-lillies and lotuses; filled with many seats and coverlets and various houses having spacious courtyards; adorned with beautiful flowers of all seasons and trees bearing fruits. And the beauty of the blossoming _Asokas_ resembled the effulgence of the Sun. And stationed there Maruti beheld trees as if devoid of leaves on account of the hundreds of birds, adorned with various flowers, resorting there. And he saw there the earth touched by _Asoka_ trees, the removers of grief, having flowers growing from the roots and lowered down with their weight. And the entire quarter was as if ablaze with the beauty of the flowery _Karnikaras_ and _Kingsukas_. And there appeared in beauty many flowery _Punnagas_, _Saptaparnas_, _Champakas_, and _Udalakas_ having deeply expanded roots. And there was a thousand of _Asoka_ trees, some of whom were 1ike gold, some were like the flame of fire and some were like dark-blue collyrium. It was like the garden of _Nandana_ or like that of Kuvera or perhaps it surpassed the both in excellence. And enveloped in charming, celestial grace beyond conception and having flowers for stars that forest appeared like a second sky. Aud covered with hundreds of pearl-like flowers the forest looked like the fifth ocean. And that garden was embellished with flowers of all seasons and honey-smelling trees, and filled with diverse notes and various animals and birds. And that fragrant garden was rendered more charming with various other fragrances. And that foremost of monkeys beheld in that garden of Asoka, a round palace, situated at a distance, fragrant as the _Gandhamadana_ mountain and high as the lord of mountains. (The palace) was white as the Kailaca hill and built on a thousand pillars. All its stairs were made of coral and its pavements made of burning gold. Its beauty was as if burning all along and stealing the vision of the lookers-on. It was spotless and on account of its height touched the welkin. And thereupon he beheld there (Sita) wearing a soiled cloth, poorly, greatly reduced by fast, sighing again and again and encircled by a band of Rakshasees. She was (however) spotless like unto the rays of the moon on the first lunar day. And her graceful beauty could with great difficulty be perceived like unto the flame of fire enveloped with smoke. And wearing a shattered and soiled yellow cloth and divested of all ornaments she appeared like a lotus stalk without lotuses.[314] Oppressed, racked with grief, weakened and chaste as she was, she appeared like Rohini possessed by _Ketu_. She was greatly reduced by fast, stricken with grief and anxious thoughts, disturbed with sorrow and was poorly and her eyes were always full of tears. Separated from her kith and kin and not beholding Rama and Lakshmana[315] but the Rakshasees, she appeared like a hind surrounded by dogs. Her braid of long hair resembling a black serpent falling on her back it appeared as if the Earth was filled with dark-blue forests on the disappearance of the rains. Sita was worthy of happiness only and never knew of misery and therefore she was (now) greatly oppressed with sorrow. And beholding that one of expansive eyes rendered pale and feeble, Hanuman, by various conclusive arguments reflected within himself "She must be Sita, for this damsel looks just like her, whom I saw, when she was ravished by Ravana, assuming shapes at will. Having the countenance of the full-moon, beautiful eye brows, round breast, she is as if dispelling the darkness from all quarters by virtue of her grace. Her throat was yellow, and her lips were like _Bimbas_.[316] She was of middle stature and her limbs were all well built. She had eyes resembling lotus petals and was like the beloved wife of Manmatha--Rati and was adorable unto the whole creation like the rays of the full-moon. That one having a graceful person was seated on the earth like a female ascetic having her senses restrained. And she was sighing again and again like the timid daughter-in-law of the lord of serpents.[317] Entangled by a mighty web of grief her grace was greatly lessened and she appeared like the flame of fire enveloped in smoke. She was like unto _Smriti_ of doubtful meanings, fallen wealth, lost respect, hope without any desire for gain, _Sidhi_[318] of many troubles, sullied understanding and fame soiled with false rumours. That innocent one was greatly distressed for not being able to attend upon Rama, and she having the eyes of a young hind, being oppressed by the Rakshasees was casting her looks hither and thither. And with a displeased countenance, having dark-blue and curling eye lashes, and eyes full of tears, she was sighing again and again. Worthy of wearing ornaments but now without any, poorly, crusted with execrations, she appeared like the rays of the stars enveloped by dark-blue clouds. And beholding Sita in that pitiable plight like unto learning for want of practice, (Hanuman) was puzzled with doubts. And seeing her without ornaments he could with great difficulty make her out like unto words having different meanings without the knowledge of grammar. And beholding that blameless daughter of the king, having expansive eyes, Hanuman, by various reasonings, reflected--"Forsooth she must be Sita. I see at her person all these ornaments, of which Rama mentioned unto me at the time of my departure. I behold on her ears excellent ear-rings and nicely placed _Svadangstras_[319] and on her arms jewelled ornaments rendered dark-blue by dirt for constant use. Verily these are the ornaments Rama mentioned unto me. I do not perceive them which had been cast off by her. But these are the rest there is not the least doubt about it. The monkeys had seen, her excellent yellow cloth made of golden fibres, on the hill. They had seen also her excellent ornaments, which cast off by her, fell on the earth with a sound. Her cloth hath been shattered by constant use but her grace hath not been rendered worse than its color. This one having a golden countenance must be the beloved queen of Rama, who, albeit separated from him, hath not disappeared from his mind. This is that damsel on whose account Rama being simultaneously burnt by affection, pity, grief and amour,--affection in consequence of his beloved spouse being ravished, pity for his inability to protect one dependent on him, grief for the loss of his beloved wife and amour for his dear one. Verily it appeareth from the grace of her person, from her well developed limbs and from Rama's beauty that this worshipful damsel having dark-blue eyes must be his spouse. She has her mind fixed in him, and he in her and it is for this that she and the virtuous-souled (Rama) have been still maintaining their being. Indeed my master Rama hath performed a mighty task for breathes he still in her separation, without consuming himself in grief." And having beheld Sita in this plight, that son of the Wind-god approached Rama in mind and showered praises on his master.

[314] This passage has another meaning--_Padmini_ has two meanings--(1) lotus (2) _Lakskmi_ or the goddess of wealth. The goddess of wealth is generally described as sitting on a lotus.--T.

[315] _Priyajanam_--literally means dear ones--but here it refers to Rama and Lakshmana.--T.

[316] A cicurbituceous plant with red fruits.--T.

[317] The epithet has a special significance because through her the destruction of the race of Rakshasas was brought about.--T.

[318] Yoga or asceticism by virtue of which final emancipation from existence is effected.--T.

[319] A kind of ornament worn on the ears.--T.

SECTION XVI.

And having eulogized Sita, worthy of being praised and Rama, endeared by accomplishments that foremost of monkeys again engaged in meditation. And having reflected for some time, the powerful Hanuman, having his eyes full of tears bewailed on Sita's account (in the following strain) --"No one can withstand the course of destiny since Sita, being the spouse of the worshipful brother of Lakshmana, ever obedient unto his elders, hath been overwhelmed with grief. The worshipful damsel is cognizant of the prowess of Rama and the intelligent Lakshmana and for this she is not entirely depressed like unto the river Ganges at the approach of the rainy season. As regards their character, age, conduct, family and other auspicious marks they are equal and hence Raghava deserveth Vaidehi and this one of dark-blue eyes is his." And having seen her, gold-hued and conducing to the happiness of the people like unto the Goddess of wealth, Hanuman approached Rama in his mind and said:--"For this (damsel) was killed the mighty Vali and Kavanda--Ravana's equal in prowess. (For her too) was destroyed in battle, the terribly powerful Rakshasa--Viradha, by Rama putting forth his energy, like unto _Shambara_ killed by Mahendra. (It was for her) that fourteen thousand Rakshasas of terrible deeds were destroyed at _Janasthana_ with arrows resembling the flame of fire. And Khara was killed in battle, and Trishara was discomfitted and the mighty Dushana by Rama, knowing his ownself. And it was on her account that Sugriva, known all over the world, came by the wealth of the monkeys hard to acquire and amassed by Vali. And it is for this (damsel) of expansive eyes that I have crossed the effulgent lord of rivers and have seen this city. And methinks it would have been all proper had Rama turned on her account the whole earth bounded by oceans. If the kingdom over the three worlds and the daughter of Janaka be compared together, the former is not equal to one hundredth part of Sita. This Sita, the daughter of the high-souled Janaka, the pious King of Mithila, firmly attached unto her husband, rose, covered with dust, out of the earth, in a field delved by a furrow. She is the well-known eldest daughter-in-law of the king Dacaratha, of an adorable character and unchecked prowess. And She is the beloved spouse of the pious and grateful Rama, knowing his ownself, and has been brought under the control of the _Rakshasees_. Renouncing all luxuries, and considering not the least about miseries, she actuated by her husband's love entered the solitary forest. And satisfied with fruits and roots and ever engaged in her husband's service, she lived in the forest as much delighted as she was in her house. And that one of a golden hue, never used to afflictions and who was wont to converse always with a delighted countenance, hath now been suffering incomparable miseries. Like unto a thirsty wight longing for an abode where he might get a drink, Raghava panteth after seeing her, gifted with an exalted character and oppressed by Ravana. As a monarch who had lost his kingdom, is greatly delighted when he regaineth it, forsooth shall Raghava, in like manner, be pleased when he shall come by her. She too hath been maintaining her being in the hope of seeing Rama again, separated as she is from her friends and deprived of all comforts and luxuries. These _Rakshasees_, and these trees enveloped with fruits and flowers--forsooth she doth not behold, but is engaged with all her heart in medidations only touching Rama. Husband enhanceth the beauty of a female more than the dress (and therefore Sita) beautiful as she is, doth not appear graceful, in her husband's absence. Forsooth my master Rama hath performed a difficult act for he hath been still keeping up his life in her separation without consuming himself in grief. My heart is greatly pained knowing that she, having dark-blue eyes, resembling lotus petals, worthy of happiness, hath been possessed by grief. She, patient as the Earth, having eyes resembling lotuses, who was ere this protected by Raghava and Lakshmana, is now being guarded by Rakshasees having terrible eyes, under the trees. Being harassed with continued miseries, the daughter of Janaka hath lost all her beauty like unto a water-lily crushed with frost, and hath come by a miserable plight like unto a doe seperated from her mate. The branches of the _Asoka_ trees, lowered down with flowers are as if enhancing her grief as also the Moon of many thousand rays, at the expiry of the winter." Having reflected thus and arrived at the conclusion that she was Sita, that powerful leader of monkeys gifted with velocity stationed himself on that tree.

SECTION XVII.