Hanuman Finds Sita beneath the Ashoka Tree, Thin as the Passing Night
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 8
Doha 8 · Movement 1 of 2
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Why should those who know such a master abandon him and wander elsewhere without sorrow? Speaking together of Rama's virtues, Hanuman and Vibhishana enter an indescribable repose. Then Vibhishana tells the whole condition of Janaka's daughter and the place where she is held.
Hanuman asks leave to see Mother Janaki. Vibhishana explains the path and every necessary method. The son of the wind becomes tiny again, departs from his new friend, and enters the Ashoka grove where Sita passes the watches of the night.
Hidden above her, Hanuman bows within his heart. Sita's body has grown thin, and her hair is bound in a single braid. As darkness slowly spends itself around her, she repeats within her heart the long succession of Raghupati's virtues. The servant who crossed the sea has reached the still center of the search.
Hanuman bows unseen while Sita carries the whole night through remembrance of Raghupati.
Read the passage from the Manas
जानतहूँ अस स्वामि बिसारी। फिरहिं ते काहे न होहिं दुखारी।। एहि बिधि कहत राम गुन ग्रामा। पावा अनिर्बाच्य बिश्रामा।। पुनि सब कथा बिभीषन कही। जेहि बिधि जनकसुता तहँ रही।। तब हनुमंत कहा सुनु भ्राता। देखी चहउँ जानकी माता।। जुगुति बिभीषन सकल सुनाई। चलेउ पवनसुत बिदा कराई।। करि सोइ रूप गयउ पुनि तहवाँ। बन असोक सीता रह जहवाँ।। देखि मनहि महुँ कीन्ह प्रनामा। बैठेहिं बीति जात निसि जामा।। कृस तन सीस जटा एक बेनी। जपति हृदयँ रघुपति गुन श्रेनी।।
Even knowing such a Master, those who abandon Him and wander elsewhere, how can they not fall into sorrow? Speaking in this way of Rama's countless virtues, Hanuman found an indescribable peace. Then Vibhishana told the whole account of how Janaka's daughter was living there. Hanuman said, "Listen, brother. I wish to see Janaki Mata." Vibhishana explained all the details and the way. The son of Pavan took his leave and departed. Taking a tiny form, he went again to that place, the Ashoka vatika where Sita was held. Seeing her, he bowed in his heart. She sat there as the watches of the night passed slowly. Her body was thin, her hair gathered in a single braid. In her heart, she ceaselessly chanted the glories of Raghupati.