SUGREEVA'S conjecture was like nectar to Rama's ears. They eagerly awaited the arrival of the Vaanaras. In a short while a great clamour was in the air and the Vaanara hordes alighted with cries of triumph.

Hanumaan and Angada leading, the Vaanaras marched to the presence of their king who with Rama and Lakshmana was awaiting their coming.

Hanumaan bowed and said: "Seen have I the Goddess of purity, your queen. She is safe and well in Lanka. I salute her from here across space." And he turned southwards and offered worshipful salutation.

Thus succinctly did Hanumaan convey to the Prince the glad news that Seeta was found and was well in body and mind. Sugreeva and Lakshmana, beside themselves with joy, embraced Rama.

"Dear Yaanara friends," exclaimed the Prince of Ayodhya, "tell me where exactly Seeta is. How is she? How did you manage to see her? Tell me everything in detail. His eager queries came quick upon one another.

The other Vaanaras turned to Hanumaan who stood behind, and asked him to narrate all that he had seen and done. Hanumaan began to tell the tale, With his unrivalled courage and strength and single-handed, he had performed a mighty task; and yet he did not push himself forward into the presence of Prince Rama or King Sugreeva, but gave precedence to Angada and the aged Jaambavaan and the others, and was silent until they asked him to speak.

Indeed, generally, great men who dare and do mighty deeds are disinclined to speak about their exploits. In painting this scene the poet brings out this law of natural conduct.

Another thing to note here is Hanumaan's reverence for Seeta' From the time he first saw her his reverence for her appeared to surpass even his devotion to Rama, if the two could be distinguished. This is the case with all pious devotees who regard and worship the Supreme as Mother. When that aspect of the Allimmanent Power is before true devotees, their reverence becomes ecstatic like the child's joy in the mother's lap.

"Crossing the hundred yojanaas of water, I reached the city of the wicked Raavana on the southern shore. There, in a park attached to the palace, I saw Seeta held prisoner and closely guarded. It was wonderful to see her emaciated form. She maintained life only in the thought of her lord and repetition of his name. Cruel and ugly Raakshasis surrounded her. I saw her lying on the ground, her hair unkempt and her face clouded by sorrow and care. When I reached there, she had resolved to put an end to her life to escape from the Raakshasa king's importunities and threats. I began uttering praises of your glory in a low voice. Unknown to her, and a mere monkey, I had to secure her confidence first. Then I spoke to her. I told her of the alliance between King Sugreeva and yourself. I told her of your great grief and unchanging love. This filled her with sweet sorrow and awakened hope in her and the desire to live. Asked for a token, which I might convey, to you, the angel of purity gave me this jewel to be given to you.

"She also told me how once a crow had troubled her while were asleep and how you were grieved about it; she asked you to remind you of the incident. She wanted me to remind you of another occasion when, roaming among the hills, perspiration had made the tilak trickle down her forehead and you replaced it with red ochre rubbed out of a rock.

"She bade me tell you that she would struggle and keep alive for a month, but then she would perish at the hands of Raavana, she would seek her own release of death. She bade me convey her respects to the Vaanara King let us think and to make preparations at once for proceeding to Lanka to redeem the princess.

Saying this, he handed the sikhaa-mani, crest-jewel, of Seeta to the Prince.

Rama took the jewel from Hanumaan's hand and at the sight of it fainted, racked beyond bearing between extremes of joy and grief.

He pressed the jewel to his bosom and cried, "O Lakshmana!" Again he embraced Hanumaan and said, "Heroic son of Vaayu, blessed are you who have seen Seeta. I too see her now before indeed, brought her to me."

"Dear hero, my heart's friend!" he cried " tell me everything again in full. Tell me once again what Seeta said. Let me hear her words which are sweet like water to parched lips."

Hanumaan narrated the whole story to the eager listeners and Rama wept when Hanumaan repeated these words of Seeta: "Many Raakshasas has my Rama slain, but why has he not come here yet to slay Raavana and save me from my sufferings? Why has he not sent brave Lakshmana to slay the wretch? It cannot be that my lord has grown indifferent towards me! For I know of no wrong I have ever committed in thought or word or deed to lose his love."

Hanumaan said: "I tried to console her saying, 'Rama is ever thinking of' you and grieving for you. He knows no rest. Do not imagine that Rama and Lakshmana have forgotten you. No words of mine could describe their grief. Now that I am going to tell them you are here, it will not be long before they come and destroy Raavana and return with you in triumph to Ayodhya.' It was then she untied the jewel from a knot in a corner of her sari and gave it to me. I placed it on my hand in reverence and, securing it, started to return. She stopped me and uttered a benediction again and said: 'Friend Hanumaan, Convey the news of my welfare to the lions, my lord and his brother, to king Sugreeva and his ministers. Devise your plans and help him to come here and redeem me. I trust in you, Hanumaan, absolutely. May God bless you."

"Lay aside your grief, my Lord," continued Hanumaan, 'and think out now what has to be done. Seeta doubted how you and the Vaanara army could cross the sea. I assured her that she need have no fear or doubt on that score, since, by no means the strongest among the Vaanaras, I myself had crossed it as she could see. I said to her that I myself could carry Rama and Lakshmana on my shoulders and cross the sea and bring them there."