Hearing those words, Sitā having a moon-like countenance, again spoke unto Hanumān, words, sound and pious: — “O monkey, what thou hast said that Rāma is not attached unto any other thing and is worn with grief, is like nectar mixed with poison. Whether in the enjoyment of vast riches, or emerged in the abyss of miseries, Death is pulling a man, binding him roughly with a chord. O best of monkeys, people cannot thwart the course of destiny. Behold me, Rāma and Saumitri, therefore sunk in miseries. I do not know when shall Rāghava get at the other end of the ocean of grief, by displaying his prowess, like unto one, swimming across the ocean when the boat is sunk. I do not know when shall my lord see me, destroying the Rākshasas, killing Rāvana and devastating the city of Lankā. Do thou tell him to come before this year expires for till then I shall live. This is the tenth month and two months still remain, O monkey and that is the time appointed by the cruel Rāvana. He was entreated very much by his brother Bivishana to restore me but he paid no need to his requests. Rāvana doth not desire to restore me (unto Rāma) for he has been brought under the influence of Death who is seeking him in battle. Bivishana’s eldest daughter, monkey, by name Kalā, hath related this unto me, being appointed by her mother. There is a leading, steady, old, intelligent and educated Rākshasa, gifted with a good character, named Abindhya and highly respected of Rāvana who told him that the destruction of the Rākshasa race would proceed from Rāma, but the vicious-souled one paid no attention to his well-meaning words. I hope, O foremost of monkeys, that my husband shall soon regain me for pure is my soul and he is gifted with many accomplishments. Rāghava hath in him, O monkey, energy, manliness, strength, kindness, gratitude and prowess. He brought about without his brother’s aid, the destruction of the fourteen thousand Rākshasas at Janasthāna. What enemy is not troubled at this? The disaster-creating Rākshasas can never be compared with that best of men. I am cognizant of his prowess as Sachee is of Indra’s. O monkey, Rāma the Sun, with his arrow-like rays, shall dry up the water—the inimical Rākshasas.” Saying this she was overwhelmed with grief on Rāma’s account, and Hanumān again spoke unto her having her countenance bathed in tears, — “No sooner shall Rāghava hear from me than he shall speedily repair hither followed by a huge army of monkeys and bears. Or I shall release thee even to-day from the grasp of that Rākshasa and these miseries. Do thou place thyself on my back, O thou of a blameless person. And having thee on my back I shall leap over the main. I am capable of carrying the city of Lankā even with Rāvana. I shall restore thee to-day, O Maithili, unto Rāghava on the mount Prasravana, like unto fire carrying unto Indra, the sacrificial offerings. Thou shalt behold to-day, O Vaidehi, Rāma along with Lakshmana, making preparations (for the destruction of his enemy) like unto Vishnu, engaged in the destruction of demons. (And thou shalt observe) that highly powerful one, anxious to behold thee and seated like unto Purandara on the summit of that foremost of mountains. Do thou place thyself on my back, O worshipful dame, do thou not neglect it, O beautiful lady, and be thus reconciled unto Rāma like unto Rohini restored to the Moon. By the time, that we will take in talking thus, thou shalt reach Rāma like Rohini restored to the Moon. Do thou therefore place thyself on my back and I shall cross the ocean sailing by the aetherial way. O fair one, carrying thee from this place, none amongst the inhabitants of Lankā shall be able to follow me. In the same way I have come here I shall return by the welkin, O Vaidehi placing thee on my back.” Hearing those surprising words from that best of monkeys, Maithilee, having her entire frame worked up with joy, again bespake Hanumin— “Hanumān, how darest thou take me to such a long distance? O lord of monkey hosts, this attests to thy monkey hood. O foremost of monkeys, little-bodied as thou art, how dost thou desire, to take me hence to my husband the lord of men?” Hearing the words of Sitā, the graceful son of the Wind-god Hanumān reflected aside— “This is my first insult. The lotus-eyed dame is not cognizant of my prowess or strength. Vaidehi should therefore learn that I can assume shapes at will.” Thinking thus, Hanumān, the foremost of the monkeys and the slayer of foes, showed himself unto Sitā, in his true shape. And leaping down from the tree, that best of monkeys began to increase himself to create Sitā’s confidence. His person appeared like the hill Mandāra and the flaming fire. And that best of monkeys having a copper-colored countenance, thunder-like nails and teeth and mountain-like huge body, appeared before Sitā and said— “I am capable of carrying this Lankā with her lord, the mountains, forests gardens, buildings, walls and gate-ways. Do thou therefore confide in me, O worshipful dame, and be not suspicious. And O Vaidehi, do thou remove Rāma’s grief as well as Lakshmana’s.” Beholding the Wind-god’s own begotten son, Hanumān, resembling a huge mountain, Sitā, the daughter of Janaka, having eyes resembling lotus-petals, said, — “O great monkey, I know thy strength and bravery, thy air-like motion and thy wonderful fire-like energy. What ordinary man can come here crossing the incomparable ocean. O lord of monkey hosts, I understand that thou art capable of returning and thou shalt be able to carry me. But I should consider now how the work might be accomplished. O foremost of monkeys, I should not go with thee. Perhaps I might lose my sense with thy air-like velocity. When moving terribly thou shalt proceed high up in the welkin, perhaps I shall then fall down. No sooner I shall fall down into the ocean infested with fish and other animals than I shall be an excellent food unto them. O slayer of foes, I shall not be able to accompany thee. For seeing thee carry a woman; they shall surely suspect thee. And finding me stolen, those terribly powerful Rākshasas commanded by the vicious-souled Rāvana, shall follow thee. O hero, carrying me and encircled by those heroic Rākshasas with maces and darts in their hands, thou shalt be beset with dangers. And on the sky the Rākshasas shall be armed with weapons and thou shalt be without any. How shalt thou be able to fight and protect me at the same time. And when thou shalt be engaged in conflict with those Rākshasas of terrible deeds, I, O foremost of monkeys, stricken with fear, shall fall down from thy back. O foremost of monkeys those terrible and powerful Rākshasas shall be able to defeat thee a little. And when thou shalt be defeated in battle I shall fall down and those vicious Rākshasas shall carry me away from thy hands or destroy me. Victory or defeat is uncertain in a battle. I shall thus be distressed by those Rākshasas setting up terrible roars and thy endeavours shall be fruitless, O best of monkeys. Thou art capable of destroying the Rākshasas very easily (I admit)—but Rāma’s fame shall then be soiled if dost thou bring about their destruction. Or the Rākshasas taking me away shall keep me in such a secret place, that neither the monkeys nor Rāghava shall be able to ascertain my whereabouts. And all thy preparations for me shall thus be useless. And mighty shall be the result of Rāma’s coming with thee. O large armed one, the life of Rāghava of unmitigated prowess, those of his brothers and of thy royal race are all subject to me. And when they shall give up their hopes of releasing me, they, worn out with grief and anxiety shall renounce their lives along with the monkeys and bears. O monkey, being guided by my love for my husband, I do not like willingly to touch any body’s person but Rāma’s. When Rāvana, by force touched my person, I had no other help, for I was then without my lord and therefore was subject to another person. If Rāma can take me away from here, destroying the Ten-necked one with all the Rākshasas—he shall then perform the worthy action. I have heard of and myself seen the prowess of the highly-souled (Rāma) unconquerable in a battle. There is none amongst the celestials, Gandharbas, Nāgas and the Rākshasas who can match him in a conflict Beholding that highly powerful Rāghava, in a conflict, like unto Vāsava in prowess, holding a wonderful bow and followed by Lakshmana, who can withstand his prowess resembling the flaming fire? O foremost of monkeys, who can withstand Rāghava in a conflict, followed by Lakshmana moving like an infuriated elephant and showering shafts like unto the rays of the sun at the time of Dissolution? O best of monkeys do thou speedily bring here my dear one along with Lakshmana and the lord of monkey hosts. O heroic monkey, do thou soon satisfy me, who am stricken with grief in consequence of my long separation from Rāma.