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SECOND)
INTRODUCTION
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L. Sandhi. Hanumat delivers the message. He is
given the return message.
He delivered Rāma's message. Sītā was overjoyed at first, but doubts soon arose in her mind as to the genuineness of the messenger. Bui Hanumat dispelled them by showing his intimate knowledge of various incidents and details of Rāma's life in exile. That night Trijatā, guarding Sitā, got a dream in which she saw a hero devastating the royal park and demolishing the royal palace, and another one, throwing Lankā into the ocean. This was interpreted favourably by some, unfavourably by others.
On receiving news from Rāma, Sītā broke her twentyone-day fast. Harlumat then offered to carry her on his shoulders but Sītā declined it as involving breach of propriety. She gave a return message for Rāma along with her crest-jewel as a token. LI. Sandhi. Han umat devastates the royal park.
Before leaving, Hanumat thought of teasing Rāvana by destroying the royal park. He began uprooting all sorts of trees. The four guards of the park attacked him but were killed. The news reached Rāvaņa. Mandodarī now told him of Hanumat's arrival as a messenger from Răma as also of the incident of the previous day. Rāvana dispatched a large battalion to punish the miscreant. A ferocious battle ensued. Eventually Hanumat destroyed his assailants. LII. Sandhi. Hanumat kills Rāvana's son Akşay a.
Then Rāvana's son Akşayakumāra came and attacked him. Though worsted several times he encountered him again and again. Both created magic armies, which fought desperately for a while and then disappeared. Ultimately they fought a duel in which Akşaya was dashed to pieces. The news made Rāvana furious. LIII. Sandhi. Indrajit captures Hanumat.
Strongly disapproving Vibhișana's advice to return Sită to Rāma, Indrajit bragged about his own past exploits and took a vow to capture Hanumat alive.. Taking along with him Ghanavāhana and a huge army, he surrounded Hanumat. The latter fought bravely and soon the army was put to flight. At once Ghanavāhana rushed forth and became engaged in a deadly struggle with Hanumat. Soon he was defeated, Thereupon Indrajit challenged Hanumat. After a long drawn-out tussle, he attacked him with the magic serpent noose and Hanumat wishing to put an end to the carnage got voluntarily bound therewith. LIV. Sandhi. Hanumat de bi vers a Sermon to
Råvaņa.
Receiving the news of Hanumat's capture Sitā bewailed her unabating misfortune,
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