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BRINGING NEWS OF SITA
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submits (usually) in six months, has become subject to us at once because of your assistance."
Hanumat told them about the slaying of Sahasagati by Rāma from the beginning and his own going to Lankā. Delighted, they told their father the whole story and he went at once to the descendant of Raghu with them and with his army.
Hanumat flew up and, as he went to Laǹkā, he saw the vidyā Āśālikā, terrible as the night of the destruction of the world. "Hey, Kapi! Where are you going? You have become food for me." Saying this tauntingly, she opened her mouth. Holding a club, Hanumat entered her mouth, split her like the sun splitting a cloud, and came out. By the power of his vidya the son of Marut destroyed quickly the wall of Lankapuri which she had made, as easily as a potsherd. He, chief of those resorting to battle, killed also the guard of the wall, named Vajramukha, who was exceedingly angry, fighting with him. When Vajramukha had been killed, his daughter, Lankāsundari, strong from vidyās, challenged Maruti to battle from anger. She behaved with skill in battle, like lightning in the sky, striking Hanumat frequently like a mountain. The son of Pavanañjaya destroyed her weapons with his own weapons and soon made her stripped of weapons like a creeper stripped of leaves.
"Who is he?" she went to look at Añjana's son from amazement and she was struck by Kama with arrows. She said to Hanumat: "Hero, foolishly I made you fight, from anger caused by my father's killing, without reflecting. A sädhu predicted formerly, 'Whoever kills your father will be your husband.' Therefore, lord, marry me willing. Who else in the whole world is a soldier equal to you! Then with you as a husband, I shall remain exceedingly proud among women." Joyfully Hanumat married the maiden, who was so respectful, with a Gandharva-marriage with affection.
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