THE rainy season began. Sugreeva and his companions spent the time in Kishkindha
in enjoyment but Raama and Lakshmana spent the weary days waiting in a cave nearby. The
forest paths were flooded and became rushing torrents, impossible to traverse. The search
for Seeta, therefore, had to be suspended. Raama brooded over Seeta's predicament and was
plunged in sorrow, Lakshmana counselled him to bear with the delay till the rainy season
ended. And Raama held his soul in patience.
The edge of the keenest sorrow wears with
time and perhaps Heaven's kindest gifts to men are sleep for the fleeting cares of the day
and forgetfulness for the deep-seated injuries of the heart. Kishkindha mourned her Vaali
for a time, and then rejoiced in Sugreeva and the survivors; Sugreeva forgot the
privations of his exile and the remorse for his brother's death, and enjoyed to the full
of his present prosperity and even Taara reconciled and adapted herself to altered
circumstances in the interests of her son. |
