________________
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE RAMA-STORY
83
(5.15). Hiding himself in the Simsapa tree' Hanumat takes notice of the harassment of Sītā1. Here Sīta is said to have tried to commit suicide which was ultimately given up by her on observing auspicious omens (5.28-29). Then Hanumat meets Sītā, hands over the fingerring and both of them have a free talk about the conditions and the events which took place on either side (5.30:37). The episode of Mandodari's attempt to beat Sītā is not referred to in the VR. At 5.58.75-80 Hanumat informs Rama that he saw Ravana beating Sītā with his fist and the intervention of Mandodari to save Sītā. While at 5.22.39 it is said that Rāvana in his fury roaringly approached Sita to frighten her but Dhanyamālinī immediately took him away from there (5.22,39).
The TR mentions that Hanumat while searching for Sītā hears Vibhiṣaṇa chanting the name of Rama (5.66). He assumes the form of a Vipra, goes to Vibhiṣaṇa and acquaints him, with the situation. Vibhīṣaṇa points out the place of Sita's confinement (5.8). Then it (5.9-12) agrees with the VR. When Sitǎ thinks of commiting suicide by burning herself into the fire (5.12) Hanumat drops the finger-ring before her. Then follows their meeting.
Though the Ananda Ramayana (1.8.29), the Gujarati Rāmāyaṇasāra, Bhavartha Rāmāyaṇa (5,1) and the West. Acct. No. 13 do not mention any meeting between Hanumat and Vibhīṣaṇa as found in the PCV, but they tell us that Hanumat saw Vibhiṣaņa devotedly eulogising Rama (Bulcke, p. 371).
mention the The Ramopakhyāna (MB, 3. 280, 281) does not manifestation of his huge form by Hanumat when he crosses the sea or the changing of his form while entering the city of Lanka. Further it is to be noted that the tortures afflicted on Sitä by Ravana and the Rākṣasīs, as described in the VR, are not mentioned to have been observed by Hanumat. It agrees with the PCV as regards the order of these incidents which are referred to have taken place before the arrival of Hanumat. Hanumat's journey to Lanka is not narrated directly. It is Hanumat who reports to Rama the account of his journey to Laikā after having returned to Kişkindhipura (3.282).
E. Discussion with Sitä :
Further according to the PCV, at the request of Hanumat, Sītā takes food which she had given up (46.14) when she was being taken
1.
See Sec. 5 D.