Perhaps, Hanuman thought, Sita is locked away somewhere within Ravana’s palace, grieving deeply, like a young mynah bird trapped in a cage. How could the slender-waisted daughter of Janaka, Rama’s lotus-eyed wife, have fallen under the power of Ravana? It seemed impossible. Yet, if she was lost, destroyed, or even dead, Hanuman reflected, it would not be right to return and report this to Rama. If he told the truth, it would be a grave fault; but if he kept silent, that too would be wrong. What should he do? This dilemma weighed heavily upon him. As he considered the situation, Hanuman thought carefully about what would be the right and timely course of action. If he returned to the city of the monkey king without having seen Sita, what purpose would he have fulfilled? His great leap across the ocean, his entry into Lanka, and his sight of the rakshasas would all have been for nothing. What would Sugriva say, or the assembled monkeys, or the two sons of Dasaratha, Rama and Lakshmana, when he returned to Kishkindha empty-handed? If he went back and told Kakutstha, Rama, harshly, “I have not seen Sita,” Rama would surely give up his life. Hearing such cruel, piercing, and grievous words about Sita—words painful to the senses—Rama would not survive. Seeing Rama’s mind overcome by the agony of death, the devoted and wise Lakshmana too would not survive. And when Bharata heard that both his brothers were lost, he would die as well; seeing Bharata dead, Shatrughna would not survive either. The mothers—Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi—seeing all their sons gone, would not endure; of this there was no doubt. Sugriva, the grateful and truthful king of the monkeys, seeing Rama in such a state, would then give up his life. Rumā, Sugriva’s wife, afflicted by her husband’s grief, sorrowful and joyless, devoted to austerity, would also give up her life. Tara, Vali’s queen, already worn down by sorrow, would not survive either. With the loss of his parents and Sugriva’s calamity, even the prince Angada would abandon his life. The forest-dwelling monkeys, overcome by grief for their lord, would strike their heads with their palms and fists. Cherished by the glorious monkey king with kindness, gifts, and honor, the monkeys would give up their lives. The monkey chiefs, gathering together, would no longer find joy in play among the forests, mountains, or their retreats. Distressed by their lord’s calamity, along with their sons, wives, and ministers, they would throw themselves from mountain peaks, on level ground, or in rough places. Some would resort to poison, hanging, entering fire, fasting, or weapons. Hanuman foresaw terrible weeping, the destruction of the Ikshvaku line, and the ruin of the forest-dwellers if he failed. Therefore, he resolved, he would not return to Kishkindha without Maithili, for he could not bear to see Sugriva without her. If he did not return, the two mighty and righteous brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, as well as the swift vanaras, would wait in hope. As for himself, Hanuman thought, he would live as a forest-dweller, eating roots and fruits, for he had not found Janaka’s daughter. In some land by the ocean, rich in roots, fruits, and water, he would build a pyre and enter the blazing fire kindled by arani wood. Or, sitting in meditation, intent on ascetic practice, he would let crows and wild beasts devour his body. Such departures had been seen among sages, so he resolved that if he did not find Janaki, he would enter the waters. Sita, adorned with virtue and fame, for whom he searched, would remain lost to him for a long time. He would become an ascetic, disciplined, living on roots and fruits; he would not return without seeing her of dark eyes. But if he did return without finding Sita, Angada and all the vanaras would surely perish. Destruction brings many faults, but life brings the possibility of good fortune, Hanuman realized. Therefore, he resolved to preserve his life, for reunion was still possible. Yet, bearing so many sorrows in his mind, the mighty vanara could not find an end to his grief. Then, regaining his resolve, Hanuman’s steadfast heart grew fierce: “I will slay Ravana, the ten-headed, mighty one; let Sita be taken, but she shall be restored!” Or, he thought, he could seize Ravana, leap over the ocean, and bring him to Rama, as a beast is brought to the Lord of Beasts. Absorbed in such thoughts, yet not having found Sita, Hanuman’s heart was filled with meditation and sorrow. He resolved, until he saw Sita, Rama’s renowned wife, he would search the city of Lanka again and again. And if, following Sampati’s words, he returned to Rama without his wife, the descendant of Raghu would surely burn all the vanaras in his wrath. Therefore, Hanuman decided, he would remain there, controlling his food and senses, until he found Sita. Let not all those men and vanaras perish because of him.