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BRINGING NEWS OF SITA
249
Virādha despatched Vidyadhara-soldiers to bring news of Sītā, wishing to propitiate the two lords. The two Kakutsthas remained there, devoured by the fire of grief, sighing and biting their lips in anger, again and again. The Vidyadharas, sent out by Viradha, went a long distance and did not find any news of Sita. They came there and stood with downcast faces. Knowing the facts from their depression, Rāma said: "You have tried as well as you could in the master's business. That news of Sītā was not obtained, what fault of yours, soldiers, is in that? When fate is adverse, who are you, or who is any one else !"
Viradha bowed and said: "Do not despair, lord. Freedom from despair is the root of glory. I am your servant, certainly. Come to install me now in Pātālalankā. There news of Sītā will be easy for her husband to obtain." Then Rama and Lakṣmaṇa went with Viradha and his army to territory near the city Patalalankā. There Khara's son, the Rakṣas Sunda, crusher of enemies, came, attended by a large army, ready for battle. Angry at his father's slaughter, Sunda made at once a terrible fight with the leader Virādha, his former enemy. When Kakutstha took part in the battle, at the command of Candraṇakha Sunda fled at once from Lanka and went to Rāvana for protection. Then the two chief Raghus entered Patalalankā and installed Virādha in his ancestral rank. Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa lived in King Khara's palace and Virādha, like a crown prince, in Sunda's house.
Sahasagati as a false Sugrīva (59-118)
Now the vidya Pratāraṇī was subdued in a cave of Mt. Himavat by Sahasagati who had longed for Tără for a long time.160 Assuming Sugrīva's appearance by means of the vidya, like a god that changes his form at will, he went to Kiskindhāpura, like a second sun in the sky. Sugrīva had gone at that time to a garden outside for 100 60. See above, p. 136.
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