Chapter CLVIII: Section XVI

And having eulogized Sita, worthy of being praised and Rama, endeared by accomplishments that foremost of monkeys again engaged in meditation. And having reflected for some time, the powerful Hanuman, having his eyes full of tears bewailed on Sita's account (in the following strain) --"No one can withstand the course of destiny since Sita, being the spouse of the worshipful brother of Lakshmana, ever obedient unto his elders, hath been overwhelmed with grief. The worshipful damsel is cognizant of the prowess of Rama and the intelligent Lakshmana and for this she is not entirely depressed like unto the river Ganges at the approach of the rainy season. As regards their character, age, conduct, family and other auspicious marks they are equal and hence Raghava deserveth Vaidehi and this one of dark-blue eyes is his." And having seen her, gold-hued and conducing to the happiness of the people like unto the Goddess of wealth, Hanuman approached Rama in his mind and said:--"For this (damsel) was killed the mighty Vali and Kavanda--Ravana's equal in prowess. (For her too) was destroyed in battle, the terribly powerful Rakshasa--Viradha, by Rama putting forth his energy, like unto _Shambara_ killed by Mahendra. (It was for her) that fourteen thousand Rakshasas of terrible deeds were destroyed at _Janasthana_ with arrows resembling the flame of fire. And Khara was killed in battle, and Trishara was discomfitted and the mighty Dushana by Rama, knowing his ownself. And it was on her account that Sugriva, known all over the world, came by the wealth of the monkeys hard to acquire and amassed by Vali. And it is for this (damsel) of expansive eyes that I have crossed the effulgent lord of rivers and have seen this city. And methinks it would have been all proper had Rama turned on her account the whole earth bounded by oceans. If the kingdom over the three worlds and the daughter of Janaka be compared together, the former is not equal to one hundredth part of Sita. This Sita, the daughter of the high-souled Janaka, the pious King of Mithila, firmly attached unto her husband, rose, covered with dust, out of the earth, in a field delved by a furrow. She is the well-known eldest daughter-in-law of the king Dacaratha, of an adorable character and unchecked prowess. And She is the beloved spouse of the pious and grateful Rama, knowing his ownself, and has been brought under the control of the _Rakshasees_. Renouncing all luxuries, and considering not the least about miseries, she actuated by her husband's love entered the solitary forest. And satisfied with fruits and roots and ever engaged in her husband's service, she lived in the forest as much delighted as she was in her house. And that one of a golden hue, never used to afflictions and who was wont to converse always with a delighted countenance, hath now been suffering incomparable miseries. Like unto a thirsty wight longing for an abode where he might get a drink, Raghava panteth after seeing her, gifted with an exalted character and oppressed by Ravana. As a monarch who had lost his kingdom, is greatly delighted when he regaineth it, forsooth shall Raghava, in like manner, be pleased when he shall come by her. She too hath been maintaining her being in the hope of seeing Rama again, separated as she is from her friends and deprived of all comforts and luxuries. These _Rakshasees_, and these trees enveloped with fruits and flowers--forsooth she doth not behold, but is engaged with all her heart in medidations only touching Rama. Husband enhanceth the beauty of a female more than the dress (and therefore Sita) beautiful as she is, doth not appear graceful, in her husband's absence. Forsooth my master Rama hath performed a difficult act for he hath been still keeping up his life in her separation without consuming himself in grief. My heart is greatly pained knowing that she, having dark-blue eyes, resembling lotus petals, worthy of happiness, hath been possessed by grief. She, patient as the Earth, having eyes resembling lotuses, who was ere this protected by Raghava and Lakshmana, is now being guarded by Rakshasees having terrible eyes, under the trees. Being harassed with continued miseries, the daughter of Janaka hath lost all her beauty like unto a water-lily crushed with frost, and hath come by a miserable plight like unto a doe seperated from her mate. The branches of the _Asoka_ trees, lowered down with flowers are as if enhancing her grief as also the Moon of many thousand rays, at the expiry of the winter." Having reflected thus and arrived at the conclusion that she was Sita, that powerful leader of monkeys gifted with velocity stationed himself on that tree.