With a thunderous roar that echoed like the booming of storm-laden clouds, Hanumān, the mighty son of the Wind, surged forward, his heart eager to reunite with his friends. As he drew near, he let out a tremendous cry, shaking his tail and resounding along the very paths where Garuda himself might soar. The force of Hanumān’s roar seemed to make the sky itself tremble, even the sun’s orb quivering, and those great monkeys waiting on the northern shore of the ocean took notice. These valiant ones, who had settled there in hope and longing to see the son of the Wind, heard Hanumān’s powerful voice—its thunderous sound like a storm cloud driven by the wind. All the forest-dwelling monkeys, their hearts heavy with sorrow, heard the mighty roar of their king, a sound as deep and resounding as thunderclouds gathered in the rainy season. As Hanumān’s cry echoed all around, every monkey’s heart leapt with eagerness; their longing to see their beloved friend grew fierce. Jāmbavān, the wise and foremost of the monkeys, his heart swelling with joy, turned to his companions and spoke: “Without doubt, Hanumān has fulfilled his mission; such a triumphant roar would not come from him if his task were incomplete.” The monkeys, hearing the strength in Hanumān’s voice and the power of his arms and thighs, sprang up in delight from where they sat. From peak to peak, summit to summit, the jubilant monkeys bounded, eager to behold Hanumān. They stood atop the branches, grasping the boughs, waving their bright garments in welcome. Hanumān, hidden for a moment like the wind in a mountain cave, roared again—a mighty sound that filled the air. As he descended, resembling a mass of dark clouds, all the monkeys stood in reverence, palms joined in greeting. Swift and heroic, Hanumān, like a mountain in motion, landed atop the summit, amidst a cluster of trees. His heart overflowing with joy, he descended into the beautiful mountain stream, his great form falling like a wingless mountain from the sky. At once, all the foremost monkeys, their hearts delighted, gathered around Hanumān, the great-souled one. Encircling him, they were filled with the highest joy, their faces beaming as they welcomed his return. With offerings of roots and fruits, the monkeys honored Hanumān, the best among them, the son of the Wind. Some sang out in delight, others made joyful noises, and the monkey chiefs, brimming with excitement, brought branches of trees as gifts. Hanumān, full of humility, bowed to his elders and seniors, especially Jāmbavān, and to the prince Aṅgada as well. Honored and revered by all, Hanumān, the valiant one, announced in a voice both brief and momentous, “Sītā has been seen.” Taking Aṅgada, Vāli’s son, by the hand, Hanumān sat down in a pleasant spot in the forest, on the slopes of Mount Mahendra. When questioned by the eager assembly, Hanumān spoke: “Seated in the Ashoka grove, I saw Janaka’s daughter.” He described her: guarded by fierce rākṣasī women, faultless, her hair in a single braid, youthful, and longing for Rāma. Worn by fasting, unkempt, her hair matted, emaciated—yet steadfast—she waited, and thus Hanumān’s words, “I have seen her,” fell like nectar upon the monkeys’ ears. Hearing this, joy overflowed among the monkeys. Some whistled, others roared, some thundered with great strength. Some chattered with excitement, others responded with counter-roars, and many, delighted, raised their long tails high. They stretched their curved tails, and some, overjoyed, reached out and touched Hanumān, their illustrious friend. Leaping onto the mountain peaks, they embraced him with happiness. Then Aṅgada, in the midst of the monkey heroes, spoke words of highest praise: “In courage and strength, none among us is your equal. You alone leapt across the vast ocean and returned, O best of monkeys—you are the giver of life to us. By your grace, we shall meet Rāma and fulfill our purpose. Oh, your devotion to your master! Oh, your strength! Oh, your resolve! By good fortune, you have seen the illustrious queen, Rāma’s wife. By good fortune, Kakutstha will lay aside the grief of Sītā’s separation.” The monkeys, their joy unbounded, gathered around Aṅgada, Hanumān, and Jāmbavān, and settled upon the broad rocks. Seated thus, the foremost monkeys, eager to hear every detail, wished to learn of the crossing of the ocean, the sight of Lanka, of Sītā, and of Rāvaṇa. All stood with joined palms, their attention fixed on Hanumān’s words. There stood the illustrious Aṅgada, surrounded by many monkeys, honored like the lord of the gods in heaven attended by the immortals. That lofty mountain peak, now joyfully occupied by the renowned Hanumān and strong-armed Aṅgada, shone with a radiant splendor. Thus, on the summit of Mount Mahendra, the mighty monkeys led by Hanumān experienced supreme joy, their hearts filled with hope and triumph.