Sita, her sorrow eased by Hanuman’s words praising Rama, shared deeply in Rama’s grief. Yet, like the autumn moon glowing amidst clouds, her face shone with quiet radiance despite her suffering. Let us now listen to the thirty-seventh sarga. Sita, whose face was as luminous as the full moon, heard Hanuman’s message and spoke to him, her words resonant with righteousness and purpose. “O monkey,” she said, “your words are like nectar mixed with poison. Though Rama’s heart is steadfast, he is overwhelmed by sorrow. Whether in prosperity or adversity, death pulls a person along, binding him tight like a rope. Surely, fate cannot be overcome by living beings, O best of monkeys; see how Saumitri, myself, and Rama are all bewildered by misfortune. How will Raghava reach the far shore of this grief, like one swimming across the ocean with a broken boat? After slaying the rakshasas, after killing Ravana and destroying Lanka, when will my husband see me again? He must be urged, ‘Hasten!’ before this year is fulfilled, for my life will last only until then. The tenth month is passing; just two remain, O monkey, of the period that cruel Ravana set for me. My brother-in-law Vibhishana, striving for my release, has pleaded with Ravana, but Ravana ignores his counsel. Ravana does not wish to return me; in battle, death seeks Ravana, who is subject to time. O monkey, Vibhishana’s eldest daughter, named Kala, told me this herself, sent by her mother. There is a learned and wise rakshasa named Avindhya, steadfast, virtuous, aged, and highly esteemed by Ravana. He warned the rakshasas of destruction from Rama, but Ravana, evil-minded, does not listen to his beneficial words. O foremost of monkeys, I hope my husband will reach me soon; my inner self is pure, and he possesses many virtues. Enthusiasm, courage, strength, compassion, gratitude, valor, and power—all these shine in Raghava, O monkey. He who slew fourteen thousand rakshasas in Janasthana without his brother—what enemy would not fear him? That best among men cannot be equated with adversity; I know his greatness, just as Pulomaja knows Indra’s. O monkey, Rama, radiant like the sun and heroic, will dry up the ocean of rakshasa enemies with his arrows.” As Sita spoke thus, distressed for Rama and worn by sorrow, her face streaming with tears, Hanuman addressed her gently. “As soon as he hears my words, Raghava will swiftly come, leading a vast army teeming with monkeys and bears. Or else, I will free you today itself from these rakshasas. Ascend onto my back, O faultless one, and escape this sorrow. Placing you upon my back, I will cross the ocean; I have the power even to carry Lanka itself, together with Ravana. Today, O Maithili, I will deliver you, standing at Prasravana, to Raghava, just as fire delivers the oblation to Indra. Today itself, O Vaidehi, you will see Raghava with Lakshmana, resolute in purpose, like Vishnu intent on slaying the Daityas. You will see the mighty one, filled with zeal from seeing you, dwelling in the hermitage, seated like Indra upon the summit of the lord of mountains. Climb onto my back, O lady, do not hesitate, O beautiful one; seek union with Rama, as Rohini seeks union with the moon. As Rohini converses with the moon, she will unite; so you, ascend my back and cross the vast ocean of stars. No one among the inhabitants of Lanka, O lady, would be able to follow my path as I depart from here carrying you. Just as I arrived here, so without doubt I will return; see, O Vaidehi, as I carry you through the sky.” Hearing these wondrous words from Hanuman, Sita was amazed and delighted. She spoke to him, “Hanuman, how do you wish to carry me such a long distance? Surely this is your monkey-nature, O leader of the monkeys. How, with such a small body, do you wish to take me from here to my lord, the king of men, O best of monkeys?” Hearing Sita’s words, Hanuman, son of the wind, reflected, feeling a slight had been made against him. “She does not know my true nature or my power, O wide-eyed one; therefore, let Vaidehi see the form I wish.” Thinking thus, Hanuman, the destroyer of foes and best among monkeys, revealed his true form to Sita. Leaping up from the tree, the wise and foremost monkey began to increase his size, to give Sita confidence. Now Hanuman stood before her, resembling a mountain, with a coppery face, immense strength, and terrible diamond-like fangs and claws. He spoke to Vaidehi, “I have the power to lead this Lanka, with its mountains, forests, fortified gates, and guardians, wherever I wish.” Thus, Sita witnessed the mighty Hanuman, whose strength and resolve promised hope amid her sorrow.