The Journey Of Hanuman’s Group
After a month, Vinata returned from the north without finding any trace of Sita. Then Sushena and Shatabali returned, with the same result.
But let’s follow Hanuman and Angada’s group on their journey south.
The Vanaras proceeded swiftly, crossing mountains and valleys, encountering hermitages and encountering many adventures. One day Angada killed a demon believing it to be Ravana.
The month was drawing to a close and they began to fear the punishment Sugriva had threatened to inflict on them if they arrived late. Time was running out inexorably, but they didn’t want to give up; they wanted to find Sita.
They searched everywhere, strenuously, without a moment of rest, without eating, without allowing themselves respite.
One day, in a cave, they met an ascetic named Svayamprabha. In those days the month ended. They were on the slopes of a rocky mountain and below them lay yet another valley.
Angada looked at her companions. He was disheartened.
“My friends,” he said, “the month is over and you know how cruel Sugriva is. He will severely punish us for being late. He won’t let us live after disobeying him. Do you remember with what wickedness and with what treachery he had my father killed? We won’t be able to find Sita, and rather than being punished and killed by him, I prefer to fast until death. For us, there is no hope. I prefer to die here.”
Hanuman urged the Vanaras to continue their search, not to despair but, tired and disheartened, the Vanaras did not listen to him.
Angada and others began the fast.
This is a section of the book “The Ramayana”, in English.
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