After the monkeys had satisfied their hunger with the fruits and roots offered to them, a gentle voice addressed them: “Monkeys, if your fatigue has been relieved by eating, and if it is fitting for me to hear, I wish to listen to your story.” Hearing these gracious words, Hanuman, the mighty son of the Wind, began to recount their tale, speaking with honesty and clarity. He said, “The king of all the world, Rama, son of Dasaratha—resplendent and equal to Mahendra and Varuna—has entered the Dandaka forest. With his brother Lakshmana and his wife Sita, he journeyed there; but Sita was seized by Ravana, who took her by force from Janasthana. A heroic friend of Rama is Sugriva, king of the foremost monkeys, and it is by Sugriva’s command that we have come here. “Led by Angada and accompanied by these leading monkeys, we journeyed to the southern quarter, which is protected by Yama and sanctified by Agastya. Our instructions were clear: ‘Search for Ravana, the rākṣasa who can assume any form, and for Sita, the daughter of Videha.’ We searched the entire forest and the southern direction up to the ocean, but, weary and hungry, we finally took shelter at the root of a tree. “Exhausted, our faces pale and our hearts heavy with worry, we found ourselves unable to find a way forward, submerged in a great ocean of anxiety. As we looked around, we noticed a great cave, hidden by creepers and trees and shrouded in darkness. From within, swans with wet wings, along with cranes and herons, were flying out, their feathers sprinkled with droplets of water. “I said to the monkeys, ‘It is safe to enter here,’ for all of us had come to the same conclusion. Intent on our mission, we entered the cave, holding each other’s hands tightly as we descended deep within. Thus, we found ourselves in this cave, enveloped in darkness; this is the purpose that brought us here. “Now, distressed and hungry, we have come to you, and you have received us with the hospitality of roots and fruits, as is right. Tormented by hunger, we ate what you offered; it is by your kindness that we, who were dying of hunger, have been preserved. If there is anything we monkeys can do for you in return, please tell us.” Thus Hanuman spoke, and the monkeys echoed his words. Svayamprabha, who knew all, replied to the monkey chiefs, “I am fully satisfied with all these energetic monkeys. As I live by my own dharma, I have no business here with anyone.” Thus she spoke, her words auspicious and righteous. Then Hanuman addressed her, whose eyes were blameless, saying, “We have all sought refuge with you, O righteous one. The time agreed upon with the great-souled Sugriva has now passed; let us return from the cave. You ought to deliver us, for by Sugriva’s command we have exceeded the allotted time, and our lives are at risk. Save us, O righteous one, for we still have a great task to accomplish, and that task remains undone as we dwell here.” Hearing Hanuman’s plea, the ascetic woman replied, “I think it is difficult for one who has entered to return alive from this place, except by the great power of asceticism and the discipline acquired through vows. But I will lead all the monkeys out of this cave. All you foremost monkeys, close your eyes.” She explained that it was not possible to exit with eyes open, so the monkeys, eager to depart, covered their eyes with their delicate-fingered hands, and also covered their mouths. In the span of a blink, Svayamprabha, devoted to righteousness, brought them out of the cave. Comforting those who had emerged from that peril, she pointed out the glorious Vindhya mountain, adorned with various trees and creepers. She showed them Prasravana mountain and the vast, mighty ocean, saying, “Farewell to you, bulls among monkeys; I will return to my abode.” Having said this, the illustrious Svayamprabha entered once more into her cave. Now, listen to the fifty-third sarga in the glorious Valmiki Ramayana, in the Kishkindha Kanda. The monkeys then beheld the dreadful ocean, the abode of Varuna—boundless, roaring, and agitated with terrible waves. While searching the mountain fortress created by Maya’s magic, the month set by their king passed for them. At the foot of the Vindhya mountain, where the trees were in full bloom, those great souls sat down, weighed by anxiety. As they gazed upon the springtime trees, heavy with blossoms and draped with hundreds of creepers, fear filled their hearts. Realizing that spring had arrived and that the time for their message had been lost, they fell to the ground, despondent. Then, addressing the elder and distinguished monkeys with gentle words, and having properly obtained their approval, the wise prince Angada—whose shoulders were like those of a lion or bull, and whose arms were long and strong—spoke: “By the command of the monkey king, we all set out; a month has passed for those monkeys who stayed in the cave—why do they not realize it?