Hearing the speech of the high-souled offspring of the Wind-god, Sitā resembling a daughter of the celestials, said in words fraught with her welfare, — “Even as the Earth with corn half-way towards harvest is gladdened on receipt of showers, have I, O monkey, been gladdened on seeing thee that speakest sweetly. Do thou so dispense thy kindness unto me that, with my desire attained, I may touch that tiger-like one with my body reduced by grief. And, O foremost of monkeys, present this sign onto Rāma, and tell him also for a sign that he had in ire buried the dart which destroyed a single eye of the crow. And tell him also,+ — ‘On my (first) tilaka having been wiped out, thou didst paint beside my cheek another made of red arsenic —this thou shouldst remember. Why, O thou endowed with prowess, resembling Indra the Great or Vanuna, dost thou disregard the ravished Sitā, sitting in the midst of Rakshas? This jewel for the head I had preserved with care. In my misfortune, O sinless one, I used to inspire cheerfulness by a sight of this, resembling thyself. This graceful water-sprung (gem) I part from. Hereafter, overwhelmed with grief, I shall not be able to live. For thee only do I bear insufferable miseries, heart-cleaving speech, and companionship with Rākshasas. O destroyer of enemies, for a month longer will I maintain being. Beyond that, O king’s son, bereft of thee, I will not live. This Rākshasa king is dreadful. (This being so), if I hear thee tarrying, I would not live for a moment.” Hearing Vaidehi’s speech pathetic and uttered with tears, the highly energetic Hanumān, son unto the Wind-god, said, — “My revered one, I swear unto thee by truth itself that Rāma neglecteth every business because of grief for thee. And Rāma being overwhelmed with woe, Lakshmana burneth in grief. Now that I have succeeded in seeing thee after no end of ado, this is no time for lamentation. O fair one, this very moment thou shalt witness the end of thy woe. Those blameless princes— foremost of men, gathering courage from my sight of thee, shall reduce Lankā to ashes. And, O thou of expansive eyes, slaying in battle Rāvana along with his friends, Raghu’s, sons shall take thee back to their own palace. Now, O faultless lady, thou ought to give me such a sign as Rāma shall certainly recognise, and as shall more please him by far.” “Ah!” (answered Sitā), “I have already furnished thee with an excellent sign. This ornament, O Hanumān, when carefully examined by Rāma, O hero, shall render thy words credible.” Thereupon, taking that best of gems, that graceful foremost of monkeys, bowing down the head unto that exalted one, prepared to depart. Seeing that monkey-leader intent upon leaping up, and surcharged with energy, — with his person enlarged, Janaka’s daughter, with a tearful countenance, spake in woe-begone guise, her accents choked with the vapour of grief, — “O Hanumān, communicate tidings of my good health onto those lion-like brothers, Rāma and Lakshmana, to Sugriva along with his counsellors, and to all (the monkeys). And it behoveth thee so to compass things that the mighty-armed Rāghava may rescue me from this sea of sorrow. Do thou, going to Rāma, make known to him the fierce current of my grief, as well as the railing of these Rākshasas. Good fortune be thy portion, thou exceedingly heroic monkey!” Thus furnished with the intentions of the princess, the monkey, having gained his object, and, growing exceedingly exhilarated in his heart, reviewed the small work that yet remained for him, became bent upon proceeding to the north.
* Sitā wishes Hanumān to use her own language to Rāma. —T.