'Return Seeta,
he said to Raavana, 'and save Lanka and the Raakshasa race.' All his words have gone in
vain. My heart is strong within me. I know Raavana is on the road to the abode of Yama.
Soon my lord will vanquish his foes and redeem me. I have no doubt about this. My innocent
heart tells me this and it cannot prove false."
Thus Seeta went on speaking with tears in her eyes. Hanumaan could not bear the sight of
her suffering.
"Mother!" he exclaimed, "I shall go at once and bring back Raama. He will
descend on Lanka with a mighty army. But why should
you suffer any longer? If you are agreeable, sit on my back. I shall carry you across the
ocean and restore you in a moment to Raama. Do not for a moment doubt my ability to do
this. As Agni carries the sacred offerings to Indra, so shall I transport you to my Lord
Raama.Permit me, O pure of heart, to do this
service. I can not only carry you and restore you to Raama, but I have the power to wrench
Lanka from its foundations and throw it and its ruler at Raama's feet! Sit on my back now
and, like Rohini rejoining the Moon, you will rejoin Raama. |