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- The Uttara Purana of the Mahapurana begins with a hymn to the Jinas. Approaching them, he asked, "O Muni, will I ever attain my position?" 285 || "That will not happen," he said, "for the sovereignty of half of Bharata will soon be revealed to Rama and Lakshmana." 28 || "If you act as their messenger, your desire will be fulfilled by them. The reason for sending a messenger is that Rama's wife was wandering in the forest, and Ravana abducted her by deceit. Therefore, Rama and Lakshmana are now searching for a man worthy of being sent to Lanka to accomplish their purpose. Thus, O Deva, we have come to you with great joy, having heard Narada's words." 287-289 || Hearing these words of the two Vidyadharas, Rama and Lakshmana honored them appropriately. Then the son of Prabhanjana, Anuman (Hanuman), prayed, "If it is your will, I will search for the location of Sita Devi. O King, to gain her trust, tell me a sign." 290-291 || Hearing this, Ramachandra was convinced that, with this Vidyadhara, whose lineage is like the moon in the sky, our purpose will undoubtedly be fulfilled. 292 || Thinking thus, the king gave him a ring marked with his name, clearly stating the color, etc., for her. 293 || Bowing to the lotus feet of Ramachandra, he soared into the sky, crossed the ocean and the Trikuta mountain, and reached the city of Lanka. 294 || The city of Lanka was twelve yojanas long and nine yojanas wide, with thirty-two gates, surrounded by a rampart, as high as Mount Meru, adorned with the palaces of Ravana, and beautiful with the sounds of bees and cuckoos, and with flowers and leaves, and with gardens that seemed to sing with joy and laughter. 295-297 || Reaching the city of Lanka, Anuman, eager to find Sita, took the form of a bee and gradually approached Ravana's assembly hall, observing the princes, Indrajeet and others, and the women, Mandodari and others, with great respect. 298-299 || He saw the throne in the middle, like that of Indra, with a lion's strength, adorned with garlands of the crowns of all the kings of the birds, and Ravana sitting there. 300 ||