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82
A CRITICAL STUDY OF PAUMACARIYAM
reality when he goes to Sugrīva to make a complaint of the miscreant. He comes back and requests pardon of Hanumat (5. 64). Hanumat further on his way to Lanka, after having crossed the sea, assumes a small form like that of a cat (5. 2. 47) to enter into Lankapuri unnoticed. Before entering into the city he overpowers Rākṣasi Lanka who is stationed there by Ravana to guard the city (5. 3. 28). She is referred to as the city itself appearing in the form of a Rākṣasī.
The TR agrees with the VR but it cuts short all the descriptions. (4. 23-28). Jambavat (Jāmavat) while encouraging Hanumat to jump across the sea, calls him an incarnation coming to the world with the sole purpose of fulfilling the mission of Rama (Rāma kāja lagi tava avatārā 4. 30). The description of the journey of Hanumat across the sea is in agreement with that of the VR. Hanumat assumes the form of a mosquito (masaka samāna rupa 5. 4). Lankini is called a niśicarī (Rakṣasi).
The Ramacarita of Abhinanda does not refer to the love proposal of Lankasundari but mentions that in the cave of Svayamprabha, Vănaravarasundarī proposes twice to gain the love of Hanumat but the latter rejects her proposal (Bulcke, p. 184).
D. Meeting with Sita and Mandodari's Interference:
According to the PCV, Hanumat straightway goes to the house of Vibhiṣaṇa and requests him to persuade Ravana to send back Sitā. Vibhīṣaṇa is very sorry because his previous efforts met with derision and reproach (52. 8). He advises Hanumat to make his personal efforts in admonishing Ravana. Hanumat goes to the Padma-udyāna and drops the finger-ring in Sita's lap. Sita regains her spirits, becomes cheerful and hands over her upper-garment to Hanumat as a mark of refuge (53. 12). Learning about the gladness of Sītā, Mandod arī arrives there and gets surprised to see Hanumat there. Hanumat then introduces himself to Sītā and narrates the events which happened to Rama (53. 40). Mandodari flatters Hanumat, but the latter reproaches the former. Mandodari then condemns Rama. Sītā rebukes Mandodari. At this Mandodari along with other women makes an attempt to beat Sīta. Hanumat intervenes at this stage. Mandodari gets discomfited and reports the matter to her husband (53. 55).
In the VR there is no reference to the meeting of Hanumat with Vibhīṣaṇa. On the other hand Hanumat makes a very long and thorough search for Sita (5. 4-13) and observes her surrounded by many Rākṣasīs, seated under a 'caitya prāsāda' in the Aśokavātikā
