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CHAPTER SIX
Lakṣmaṇa are victorious. I have come here, ordered by Rāma to get news of you. After I have gone back there, Rāma will come here to destroy the enemy." Weeping, Sītā asked him: "Who are you? How have you crossed the ocean difficult to cross? My husband lives some place with Saumitri. Where have you seen him and how does he spend the time?"
Hanumat related: "I am the son of Pavana and Añjanā. I crossed the ocean in an aerial car by a vidyā. Rāma with Lakṣmaṇa is lord over Kişkindhā, having reduced Sugrīva, lord of all the Vanaras, to the status of a footman by killing his enemies. Rāma grieves day and night because of the separation from you and makes others grieve, like a mountain with a forest-fire. Like a calf separated from a cow, Lakṣmaṇa, separated from you, mistress, experiences no pleasure, looking at the empty sky constantly. Your husband and your husband's younger brother, one moment sorrowful, the next moment angry, are not happy, though consoled by Sugriva. Bhāmaṇḍala, Virādha, Mahendra, and other Khecaras attend them, like the gods serving Śakra and Iśāna, having become footmen. I was recommended by Sugrīva and was sent by Răma to deliver his ring and obtain news of you, queen. If your crest-jewel is taken by me as a token from you, your lord will know from seeing it that I have come here.'
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At Hanumat's insistence and from joy at news of Rāma, she ate at the end of the twenty-first day and night. She said to him: "Take my crest-jewel as a token from me and go quickly, friend. If you stay, there will be violence. If that cruel Rākṣasa knows that you have come here, he, strong, will surely come to kill you, like death." Smiling confidently, his hands joined, he said: "You say this to me from affection, being timid, mother. I am the footman of Rama and Lakṣmaṇa, conquerors of the three worlds. Who is this miserable Rāvaṇa, even with his army, compared with me? Taking you too on my back,
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