Once, in ages past, a mighty Dānava obtained a boon from Brahmā, the Grandsire, granting him all the wealth of the descendants of Uśanas. With this blessing, he accomplished everything he desired and became powerful, the lord of all his wishes. For some time, he dwelled joyfully in a vast and splendid forest. There, this foremost of Dānavas became enamored of the Apsaras named Hemā. But his happiness did not last forever. Indra, the sovereign of the heavens, struck him down with his thunderbolt after a fierce struggle. Following this, Brahmā bestowed the beautiful forest upon Hemā. Along with it, he granted her eternal enjoyment of pleasures and a golden mansion. I am Svayamprabhā, daughter of Merusāvarṇa; Hemā is my mother. O best of monkeys, I safeguard Hemā’s mansion. Hemā, my dear friend, is skilled in dance and song. Blessed by a boon from her, I am its guardian. Please tell me, for what purpose and for whose sake have you entered this wild and difficult forest? How did you manage to reach this remote and inaccessible place? Having eaten pure roots and fruits and drunk water here, you must now tell me everything. Now, listen to the fifty-second sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Kiṣkindhā Kāṇḍa. As the monkey leaders rested, the ascetic woman, steadfast in righteousness, addressed them: “Monkeys, if your fatigue has been relieved by eating fruits, and if it is proper for me to hear, I wish to listen to your story.” Hearing her gentle words, Hanuman, son of the Wind, began to recount everything truthfully and straightforwardly: “Rāma, son of Daśaratha, king of all the world, resplendent and equal to Mahendra and Varuṇa, has entered the Daṇḍaka forest. With his brother Lakṣmaṇa and his wife Sītā, he came; but Sītā was seized by Rāvaṇa, taken by force from Janasthāna. A heroic friend of Rāma is Sugrīva, the monkey king, leader of the foremost monkeys, who sent us on this quest. With these leading monkeys, headed by Aṅgada, we have come to the southern quarter, protected by Yama and sanctified by Agastya. We were instructed: ‘Search for Rāvaṇa, the rākṣasa who can assume any form at will, along with Sītā, the daughter of Videha.’ We searched the entire forest and the southern direction up to the ocean, but, hungry and weary, we took shelter at the root of a tree. Our faces pale and minds troubled, we found ourselves unable to find a way across, submerged in a great ocean of anxiety. Then, as we looked about, we saw a great cave, concealed by creepers and trees, shrouded in darkness. From that place, swans with wings wet from water, along with cranes and herons, flew out, their feathers sprinkled with droplets. ‘It is safe to enter here,’ I said to the monkeys, and all agreed. Intent on our task, we entered, holding each other’s hands tightly, descending deeply into the cave. Suddenly, we found ourselves enveloped in darkness; this is why we came here. Now, distressed and hungry, we have come to you. You have given us roots and fruits, fulfilling the law of hospitality. Tormented by hunger, we ate them; it is by your kindness that we, dying of hunger, have been preserved. Tell us, for the sake of requital, what the monkeys may do for you.” Thus addressed, Svayamprabhā, who knows all, replied: “I am fully satisfied with all these energetic monkeys. As I live by my own dharma, I have no business here with anyone.” Thus spoke the ascetic lady, her words auspicious and righteous. Hanumān then addressed her, whose eyes were above reproach: “We have all sought refuge with you, O righteous one. The time agreed upon with the great-souled Sugrīva has now passed; let us return from the cave. Therefore, you ought to deliver us from this cave, for, by Sugrīva’s command, we have exceeded the allotted time and our lives are at risk. You should save us, who are fearful of Sugrīva’s wrath; and, O righteous one, we have a great task yet to accomplish, which has not yet been done by us, who dwell here.” Svayamprabhā responded, “I think it is difficult for one who has entered to return alive, except by the great power of asceticism and discipline acquired through vows. I will lead all the monkeys out of this cave; all you foremost monkeys, close your eyes. It is not possible to exit with eyes open.” Then all the monkeys, eager for departure, closed their eyes with their delicate-fingered hands. In the span of a blink, Svayamprabhā brought them out of the cave. The ascetic, devoted to righteousness, spoke to them, comforting those who had emerged from peril: “Here is the glorious Vindhya mountain, adorned with various trees and creepers. Here is Prasravana mountain, and this is the great ocean, the mighty sea. Farewell to you, bulls among monkeys, I will return to my abode.” Having said this, the illustrious Svayamprabhā entered the cave once more, leaving the monkeys safe and grateful, ready to continue their quest.