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SECONDI
INTRODUCTION
XLIV. Sandhi Sugriva brings news of Sita's where
abouts: Lakşmaņa lifts the Koţiśilă. On receiving a sharp reminder from Rāma, sent through Laksmana, Sugriva shook off his negligence and gave orders to his generals apd assistants to undertake a vigorous search for Sitā in all the four quarters. Himself along with Jāmbūvat started in the southern direction. At Kambūdvipa he met Ratnaķešin, who told them how in an attempt to rescue Sita from Rāvana he got wounded, was deprived of his magic powers and thrown there. Overjoyed with these unexpected news, Sugrīya brought him before Rāma as an eye-witness of Sītā's abduction.
In view of the great strength of Rävana and inaccessibility of Lankā, Sugrīva advised Rāma to give up efforts for recovering Sītā. But Rāma was determined to kill Rāvana, and Laksmana offered to finish him singlehanded. At Sugrīva's suggestion Lakşmaņa lifted the sacred boulder known as Kotisila--that being predicted as the 'test for one who was destined to kill Ravana.
XLV. Sandhi. Han umat is won over by Rāma. He
consents to go to Sitā as Rāma's messenger.
Sugriva at last was convinced about Laksmana's superiority over Rāvaņa. For going to Lankā and getting first hand news of Sītā, Hanumat
considered the only capable person. But as he was likely to be illdisposed towards Rāma for killing Khara and Düşaņa, a messenger was sent to win him over.
The messenger told Hanumat about all the new developments. Hearing the news, two wives of Hanumat experienced opposite feelings. Anangakusumā, Khara's daughter, was full of sorrow, while Pankajarāgā, Surgriva's daughter rejoiced. Hanumat was indignant with Rāma and Lakşmaņa. But as the messenger gave the real account of all that happened-e from Candranakhă's wiles down to lifting of the Koțiśilā, Hanumat was pacified. He went to see Sugrīva. He was given a grand reception. Rāma honoured him greatly. Hanumat readily consented to go to Lankā as a messenger to Sītā. Rāma gave him a message for Sitā and his ring as a token. XLVI. Sandhi. Ha nu mat defeats Mahendra.
Hanumat started in his aerial car. On his way he came to the city of king Mahendra, his mother's father. Being reminded of the ill-treatment accorded to his mother Añjanā, he decided to teach him a lesson. He created a magic army and after a hard tussle captured Mahendra's son. In the second round of battle, Hanumat suffered a deadly mace-blow from Mahendra, but eventually he captured the opponent.
Having achieved the desired result, he revealed his identity and begged pardont of Mahendra. The latter highly praised Hanumat's valour, but he was all humility. On his advice Mahendra became Rama's ally.
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