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BRINGING NEWS OF SITA
259 Then he was taken by Kapiketu (Sugrīva) to Rāma and at his request told the news about Sītā. “Your Majesty, the queen, the noble Sitā, was kidnaped by the cruel, evil king of Lankäpuri and my vidyā was taken from me angry (about it). 'Oh! Rāma! Dear Saumitri! Brother Bhāmaņdala !' I was angry at Daśamauli, when Queen Sītā was crying out these words.”
Delighted by this news of Sītā, the chief of the Raghus embraced Ratnajațin, lord of Surasangītapura. The descendant of Raghu asked again and again for the story of Sītā, and again and again he related it to satisfy his mind. Ramabhadra asked the soldiers, Sugrīva, et cetera, "How far from here is Lankā, the city of this Raksas ?” They replied: "What have we to do with this city near or far? We are all like straw, compared with Rāvana, conqueror of the world.” Rāma said: "Enough of this hesitation about being defeated or not defeated. Like a security for the sight (of him), just show him to us. You will soon know the power of him, merely pointed out, the blood of whose neck is being sipped by the arrow shot by Saumitri." : Lakşmaņa said: “Who, pray, is this Rāvana who has accomplished this by a worthless trick, like a dog? I shall cut off the head of the trickster in accordance with warrior practices. You look on, just spectators of the battledrama."
Jāmbavat declared: "Everything is suitable for you. But the man who lifts up Koțiśilā will kill Rāvana. That was declared by the wise sādhu Anantavīrya. To give us confidence lift up the stone.” “Very well,” said Laksmana and they took him at once in an aerial car to Kotisilà. He lifted up the stone, like a creeper, with his arm and was hailed, "Well done! Well done!” by the gods with showers of flowers. With confidence inspired, they took Lakşmaņa in the aerial chariot as before to Kişkindhā into Rāma's presence.
Then the elders of the Kapis said: “The destruction of Rävaņa is your business. First à messenger must be
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