After receiving his instructions, the messenger went to Rama, bowed deeply, and addressed the lord of the monkeys: “All the monkeys have been assembled for the search for Sita.” Sugriva then declared, “At my command, I will send them out; let them search everywhere for Janaki. Let them return within a month—if they do not, I will destroy them.” Thus commanded, the monkeys set out in all directions—east, west, and north—journeying with Rama and Sugriva. Yet, despite their efforts, they could not find Janaki. Meanwhile, Hanuman, entrusted with Rama’s ring, led a group of monkeys southward, searching near the cave of Suprabha. When a month had passed and Janaki had still not been found, the monkeys despaired. “We shall die in vain,” they lamented, “for only Jatayu is truly blessed.” Jatayu, after all, had given his life for Sita’s sake, slain by Ravana in battle. Hearing the monkeys speak thus, Sampati, who had once considered the monkeys his prey, addressed them. Sampati revealed, “Jatayu was my brother. Once, I soared so high that I reached the orb of the sun. Shielding Jatayu from the sun’s burning heat, I flew on, but my own wings were scorched, and I fell from the sky. Now, upon hearing news of Rama, my wings have miraculously grown again. I can see Janaki—she is in the Ashoka grove, indeed in Lanka.” He described the daunting salt ocean, vast and stretching a hundred yojanas, and said, “At Trikuta, let the monkeys, recognizing Rama and Sugriva, speak of what must be done.” At this point, Narada continued the tale. Hearing Sampati’s words, Hanuman, Angada, and the other monkeys gazed out over the ocean and wondered aloud, “Who among us can cross this vast expanse and survive?” For the sake of the monkeys’ survival and to fulfill Rama’s mission, Hanuman, son of the Wind, resolved to act. Gathering his strength, he leapt across the hundred-yojana-wide ocean. During his journey, Hanuman encountered the rising Mainaka mountain and overcame the demoness Simhika. At last, he beheld Lanka, with its grand rakshasa dwellings and the women’s quarters. He observed the homes of Dasagriva (Ravana), Kumbha, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, Indrajit, and other rakshasas, but Sita was nowhere to be seen in the drinking halls or elsewhere. Troubled, he continued searching and finally found her in the Ashoka grove, sitting beneath a shimshapa tree. There Hanuman saw Sita, guarded by rakshasi women, as Ravana pressed her, saying, “Be my wife.” But Sita, steadfast beneath the tree, refused him. The rakshasis urged her to accept Ravana, but she remained resolute. When Ravana departed, Hanuman revealed himself, softly declaring, “King Dasharatha was your father-in-law. His noble sons, Rama and Lakshmana, dwell in the forest. You, Janaki, Rama’s wife, have been seized by Ravana by force.” Hanuman continued, “Rama, Sugriva’s ally, has sent me to find you. Here is Rama’s signet ring, given as proof.” Sita took the ring and recognized Hanuman, son of the Wind. Seated before him, she anxiously asked, “If Rama lives, why does he not rescue me?” Hanuman replied, “Rama does not know where you are, O Sita. Once he learns, he will surely come for you.” He assured her, “Rama will slay Ravana and his forces. O queen, give me a token for Rama.” Sita gave Hanuman a precious jewel and said, “As Rama would swiftly come to rescue me, so must you. Tell him of the crow’s attack upon me, and go, O remover of sorrow.” Taking both the jewel and Sita’s message, Hanuman said, “Your husband will come. Or, if you wish, O auspicious one, climb onto my back and I will take you to him today, along with Sugriva, so you may see Raghava.” Sita replied, “Lead me to Raghava, O Hanuman.” Determined, Hanuman devised a way to confront Dasagriva. He destroyed the forest, slaying its guards with his teeth and claws. He vanquished all the Kinkaras and the seven sons of Ravana’s ministers, and bound Aksha, the prince, whom even Indra had conquered. Captured with a serpent noose, Hanuman was brought before Ravana, whose eyes glowed tawny with anger. Ravana demanded, “Who are you?” Hanuman replied, “I am Rama’s messenger. Return Sita to Raghava, or you will die. Surely, you and the demons of Lanka will be destroyed by Rama’s arrows.” Ravana, intent on killing Hanuman, was restrained by Vibhishana. Instead, they set Hanuman’s tail alight, but Hanuman, undaunted, turned his burning tail into a weapon. He set Lanka and its demons ablaze, then, after bowing respectfully to Sita, leapt back across the ocean and announced to his companions, “I have seen Sita.” Angada and the other monkeys, overjoyed, drank honey in the honey grove. After overcoming Dadhimukha and others, they declared, “Sita has been seen!” Rama, delighted, asked Hanuman, “How did you see Sita? What message did she send me?” Rama pleaded, “Sprinkle me with the nectar of Sita’s story, born from the fire of my longing.” Hanuman recounted, “I crossed the ocean and found Sita. I burned the city of Lanka. Here is the Sita-jewel she gave. Slay Ravana, and you will recover Sita. Rama, do not grieve.” Rama took the jewel and wept, overcome by sorrow at their separation. Gazing at the jewel, he said, “Janaki has been seen. Sita, bring me to her. Without her, I cannot live.” Sugriva and the others consoled Rama and accompanied him to the ocean shore, where Vibhishana arrived. Rejected by his brother Ravana, the wicked one, Vibhishana came alone and pleaded, “Return Sita to Rama.” Though he had no allies, Rama welcomed Vibhishana, made him his friend, and established him as the future lord of Lanka. When the ocean did not yield a path, Rama unleashed his arrows and pierced its depths. The ocean god appeared, and Rama commanded, “With Nala, build a bridge across the sea and go to Lanka, O deep one.” The ocean god replied, “You were made by me before; Rama too, with Nala’s bridge, crossed the great ocean, built with trees and mountains.” Thus, with faith and determination, Rama and his allies prepared to cross the sea and rescue Sita from Lanka.