Ramayana

Hanuman, the noble son of the wind and the minister of Sugrīva, sat before Sītā in the gardens of Laṅkā. With deep respect, he recalled how Rāma had longed to hear the tale of Janasthāna. At Rāma’s request, Aṅgada had spoken of the terrible massacre that had taken place there, and of the tragic death of Jaṭāyu at the hands of a fearsome demon. As Aṅgada recounted Jaṭāyu’s sacrifice, made for Sītā’s sake, the son of Aruṇa, Sampāti, was overcome with grief at the loss of his brother. Yet, when Sampāti learned that Sītā was still alive, held captive in Rāvaṇa’s abode, hope was rekindled within him. The words spoken of Sītā’s plight brought joy to Sampāti, and under Aṅgada’s leadership, the monkeys were dispatched on their quest. Rising from the Vindhya mountains, they journeyed together until they reached the shore of the great ocean. Eager and strengthened by the hope of finding Sītā, the monkey host, led by Aṅgada, arrived at the water’s edge. But as time passed and their longing to see her grew, anxiety once more gripped their hearts. It was then that Hanuman, seeing his companions despondent by the ocean, cast aside all fear. With mighty resolve, he leapt across the hundred-yojana expanse, entering the city of Laṅkā under the cover of night, amidst the hosts of rākṣasas. There, Hanuman saw Rāvaṇa and beheld Sītā herself, sorrowful and steadfast. With gentle words, Hanuman recounted these events to Sītā, telling her everything as it had truly happened. He spoke to her with reverence, “O lady, I am the messenger of Daśaratha’s son. It is for your sake that Rāma has made this great effort, and I have come here to find you. Know me as Hanuman, Sugrīva’s minister and the son of the wind. Your husband, the greatest among warriors, is safe. Lakṣmaṇa, devoted and auspicious, attends to him with unwavering loyalty and seeks only his welfare. I alone have come here, sent by Sugrīva’s command, wandering as I pleased, assuming whatever form was needed.” Hanuman explained how he had searched the southern lands for her trail and, by fortune, found the grieving monkey army. He assured Sītā, “I will remove your distress, for I have received the command to find you. My crossing of the ocean has not been in vain. I shall attain great fame for having seen you, and soon Rāghava, mighty and resolute, will come to you. Rāma will slay Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, along with his sons and kin.” He continued, “O Vaidehī, there is a mountain named Mālyavān, the best of mountains. From there, my father Kesari journeyed to Gokarṇa, where, directed by divine sages, he restored the holy abode of Śambhu at the sacred ford of the river lord. There, in that land of monkeys, I was born by the wind’s grace. I am known in this world as Hanuman, through my own deeds. I have spoken of your husband’s virtues to inspire your trust, and soon, Rāghava will surely bring you from here.” Sītā, worn by grief, was reassured by Hanuman’s truthful words and recognized him as Rāma’s true messenger. Overwhelmed with joy, tears of happiness welled in her eyes and trembled on her long lashes. Her lovely face, with its wide coppery and white eyes, shone radiantly, like the full moon freed from Rahu’s eclipse. She gazed at Hanuman and knew with certainty that he could be none other than the noble monkey sent by Rāma. Hanuman, seeing her joy, spoke again, “All this has been told to you, Maithilī. Be comforted. Tell me, what shall I do for you, or how would you wish me to return?” He reminded her of his origins: “When the demon was slain at Shambasadana by the foremost monkey, prompted by the great sage, then I, Maithilī, was indeed born of the wind. By his power, I am a monkey equal to him.” As the next chapter began, Hanuman, ever mighty and respectful, spoke further to convince Sītā. For her assurance, he presented the token brought by Rāma himself—a sign of his love and remembrance. “Be comforted, O blessed one,” he said. “The fruit of your suffering is now diminished.” Sītā took the token, gazing upon it, adorned with her husband’s mark, and her heart overflowed with joy, as if Rāma himself stood before her. Her radiant face glowed with happiness, shining like the moon released from Rahu’s grasp. Delighted by her husband’s message and her wish fulfilled, Sītā praised Hanuman, “You are valiant, capable, and wise, O best of monkeys, by whom this domain of the rākṣasas has been challenged single-handedly. The vast ocean, a hundred yojanas wide and teeming with crocodiles, you crossed as if it were but a cow’s hoofprint. I do not consider you an ordinary monkey, for you show no fear, not even of Rāvaṇa. You deserve my trust, O noble one, if you have truly been sent by Rāma, who knows himself well. Rāma would not send anyone to me without knowing their strength, especially to my presence.” She continued, “By fortune, Rāma is safe, righteous, and steadfast in truth, and Lakṣmaṇa, full of energy, brings joy to Sumitrā. If Rāma is safe, why does he not burn the earth, girdled by the ocean, in his wrath, as fire consumes all at the end of the age? Or perhaps those two are powerful enough even to subdue the gods; yet, I fear there is no end to my sorrows. I only hope that Rāma does not suffer or grieve, and that the best of men carries out all that must be done.” Thus, Sītā’s heart was comforted by Hanuman’s words, and hope blossomed anew within her, even as she continued to long for her reunion with Rāma.