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CHAPTER SIX rays of the sun, advancing unhindered, became missiles for causing sleep for the open night-blooming lotuses. The head-wreaths, discarded by the women awakened, cried out, as it were, with the sounds of the bees at separation from the knot of hair. Courtesans returned from the houses of their lovers, their eyes red from the exertion of keeping awake during the night. Rows of bees left the interiors of the open lotuses, like creepers of sighs from the lotus-mouths of deserted wives. The moon had the strength of its light stolen by the splendor of the risen sun and resembled a spider's web. The darkness which had not been contained in the space between heaven and earth was led away somewhere by the sun, like a cloud by a strong wind that has scattered it. The citizens began to attend to their respective duties, because of the departure of sleep that had been bound by the night, as it were.
Meeting of Hanumat and Sītā (317-408) Then Hanumat took leave of Lankäsundari with fair words and entered the city Lankā, possessing great power. Then the son of Pavanañjaya, the abode of strength, terrifying to enemy soldiers, went to the home of Bibhişaņa. Questioned by Bibhīşaņa, after he had entertained him, as to his reason for coming, the son of Añjanā said, his voice deep from strength: "As you are the brother of Rāvaņa, considering the consequences of proper action, have Sītā, the virtuous kidnaped wife of Rāma, freed from Rāvaņa. The kidnaping of Kākutstha's wife by your brother, though powerful, is the cause of suffering both in this world and the next.”
Bibhīşaņa said: “Well said by you, Hanumat. I have already told my elder brother to release Sītā. I shall ask my brother again urgently, if he will free Sītā now at my request.” At these words of Bibhīşaņa the son of Añjanā flew up and went to the garden Devaramaņa occupied by Vaidehi. There the son of Pavanañjaya saw Queen Vaidehi at the foot of an aśoka, her hair in
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