Sita was both touched and amused by these words. “Dear little monkey”, she said, “your good nature has made you suggest the impossible. How can a tiny creature like you, carry me across the sea”?
Hanuman smiled and said, “My lady! Do not doubt my capacity. I can grow to any size”. So saying, he began to expand his body till it looked like a huge mountain. He was a gargantuan figure with a body “If necessary, I can carry off the whole of Lanka. Do not be frightened. Come with me and I will take you to Ram and make him happy”.
Sita’s eyes were round with wonder and she said, “I see that I have under-estimated your prowess. I am sure that you can easily take me across the sea but we have to consider this proposition carefully. It is possible that your speed may make me feel giddy and I may fall into the sea. It is also possible that we will be spied by the rakshasas, who will pursue us and take me back and then my fate will be worse than what it is now. You will also be placed in great danger and you will not be able to return to Ram. Moreover, if you rescued me, it would bring no credit to Ram. It is only proper and fitting that Ram himself should come and rescue me after killing the rakshasa. Another point is that I belong only to Ram, and the thought of touching another man willingly, is abhorrent to me. Of course, it is a fact, that Ravana held me, when he brought me here, but at that time I was helpless and had no choice. Hanuman, please go back soon and bring my husband and Lakshman as fast as you can. Then, and only then, will my sorrow come to an end”.
Hanuman said “It is fitting that a pure soul like you should speak like this. My suggestion was only because of my immense devotion to Ram and intense desire to make you happy. I will return immediately and give him all the news. Do you have any special message for him”?
Her eyes filled with memories and she said, “Hanuman, ask Ram if he remembers the hill of Chitrakoota, where he was relaxing on my lap on the banks of the Mandakini. A crow came to our presence and pecked at my breast, with its sharp beak. I tried to shoo it off with a stone but it would not leave me. Just then, Ram woke up and saw my distress and teased me. He took me on his lap and comforted me and then he dozed off once again on my lap. Then the crow came again and pecked at my breast so hard, that drops of blood fell on Ram and he woke up. He was furious when he saw that I was hurt. Looking around for the culprit, his eyes lighted on the crow whom he realised to be the son of Indra. Taking out a blade of grass, he invoked a fatal mantra and sent it after the crow. It flew in panic to all the worlds with the astra pursuing it like a ball of fire. At last it returned to Ram and fell at his feet and begged his pardon. Though it deserved to die, Ram pardoned it, since it had surrendered and let it go but the blade of grass in which the mantra had been invoked, could not go waste so he took the crow’s right eye, as punishment. 0 Hanuman! My Lord invoked the terrible brahmastra for killing a crow, who had dared to harm me. Ask him why he is keeping silent now when this wretch has kidnapped me”?
Hanuman assured her that Ram was not indifferent and would come the moment he knew about her whereabouts.
Then Sita told him of another incident which was known only to her and Ram. “Ask him if he remembers the time when the red mark on my forehead was obliterated by his hand. He powdered a red stone and placed the dot on my cheek, instead of on my forehead, to tease me”.
Sita then sent her blessings to Lakshman also. She said, “If there is anyone who is capable of looking after my Lord when I am not there, it is Lakshman, who loves him like his own father and me, like his mother. No one can withstand his anger. Tell them both to come soon, 0 Hanuman. I will not live a day longer than two months”.
So saying, she unwrapped the end of her garment and carefully took out her precious hair ornament and gave it to Hanuman and said “Please give this to Ram. When he sees this and hears the story of the crow and the red dot, which is known only to both of us, he will be convinced that you have indeed met me. 0 Hanuman, my life depends on you. Do you really have to return immediately? Your presence is like balm to my wounded spirit”.
Then she was suddenly assailed by another doubt. “Are you sure, Ram and the others will be able to cross the sea and come here”?
Hanuman assured her that everything was possible and told her not to worry. He comforted her as best as he could but she could not control the tears which were pouring down her cheeks at the thought that the one friendly face she had seen in ten long months was now about to depart. But she knew that it was dangerous for him to be seen with her, so sadly she allowed him to leave.
Thus ends the second Canto called “The Ashoka Grove” of the Sundar Kanda in the glorious Ramyana of the Sage Valmiki.
