________________
The Rāmāyaṇa Version of Gurabhadra
123
Rama wanted some suitable person to be sent to Lankā to accomplish their purpose. That is how we came to you." Then Aņumān volunteered to go in search of Sitā carrying with him Rama's signet ring as an 'abhijñana'. He flew through the air over the ocean and Trikūta mountain and reached Lankā.25 Assuming the form of a bee he went in search of Sītā. He went to Rāvana's court and observed his great glory. He did not find Sită there, nor in Rāvana's harem. He ultimately found her seated under Simsipă tree in the Nandana park near Rāvana's Antahpura. Sítá was surrounded by Vidyadharís, expert in the art of winning a woman for Rāvana. Anumat waited for a suitable moment to meet Sitā. At the moon-rise Rāvana with his harem went to meet Sită whom he had abducted; seven days ago. First through a go-between called Manjarikā he tried to know her mind. When she failed to persuade Sitā, he himself appeared on the scene and used sweet language and violent threats alternately to win her26. But Sita was firm as a rock. Rāvana was then enraged. Mandodarī tried to pacify him. If he were to molest a chaste lady like Sitä he would lose all lores such as Akasa-gamini; she begged of him the freedom of Sitā. Replying that she is ‘samam Praņairiyam tyājya', he went away. Mandodari felt that Sita was her own daughter whom she had deserted. She told Sità not to yield to Rāvana's passion even when faced with death. Mandodari's breasts spontaneously oozed milk. Sitā too felt that she had met her own mother. Mandodari begged of her to take food in order to sustain her body, 27 and then left that park.
Now Anumān by his 'Plavaga-Vidya transformed himself into a monkey28, put the guardians of Sita under sleep and approached Sītā. That monkey (Anumăn) saluted her, told her that he was Rama's messenger, and put before her the letter-casket. Sita brushing aside her doubts and hesitation opened that letter, was pleased to hear from Rāma. She looked upon Aņumān as her father. Anumán, however, told her that she was like a mother to him, and that he would have easily taken her away to Rāma but that would not be in keeping with the dignity and honour of Rāma. Rāma would certainly invade Lanka, kill his enemy and thus vindicating his honour he would take her back again. Taking his leave of Sitā he returned to Rāma, reported to him the news about Sitá. Rāma was happy to hear it. Anumān also told him about the 'Cakrotpatti' and the evil omens that had occurred in Lanka.
Now he asked Rāma to find out a means of getting Sītā back. Rāma then appointed Anumān the Commander-in-chief, and Sugriva was given the coronet for sovereignty.
25. The poet treats us here with a fine description of the splendour of Lańkā. 26. Rāvana, it appears in spite of his failure to win Sita, was very expert in the art of love-making. 27. Here is a Subhășita :
Sarvasya sadhano dehastathāhārah susādhanam v. 357. 28. Anuman was really a Vidyadhara; he assumed the form of a monkey and stood before Sitä.
This explains, acc. to Jain Mythology, the reason for the belief that Hanumat was a monkey.
