Part 17 - Hanuman meets Sita

Hanuman meets Sita

Vibhishan detailed Hanuman about the whereabouts of Sita. He showed the way to Ashokvan where Sita was kept captive. He also warned Hanuman to remain vigilant and cautious as Sita was guarded by police-women loyal to Ravan. Moreover, whole of Ashokvan was surrounded by armed guards who would not hesitate to kill any intruder.

Thus forewarned, Hanuman saluted his newly-formed friend and left for the garden for his first meeting with Mother Sita. It was easy for Hanuman to jump and climb the trees, to hide himself in the bushes or the leafy branches.

He could, in addition, at his will, become very small and thus escape the attention of the guards. At last, Hanuman entered the garden. He could see an assembly of women around one Aryan lady whom Hanuman immediately recognized as Sita.

Condition of Sita in Ashokvan

The question vexed Hanuman's mind as to how to present himself before Sita. The problem had two dimensions:

(1) Sita was surrounded by many attendants, and

(2) Sita might take him to be a demon in the form of an impostor-monkey!

She would refuse to accept him as a friend and devotee of Ram. Hanuman was sure that the second problem would be solved as he had brought the ring from Ram which Sita was sure to recognize as authentic.

Just then, Hanuman heard shouts of 'Lankapati Ki Jai Ho -Victory to King Ravan'. Hanuman saw Ravan approaching the garden. Immediately he jumped up the tree under which Sita was seated. He hid himself nicely on one of the branches and decided to observe the proceedings below from there.

Ravan came towards Sita. His wife, Queen Mandodari and a few other maid servants were accompanying the King. Ravan addressed Sita thus: "O beautiful lady, why do you persistently refuse my proposal of marriage? I will treat you as the first honorable queen of this vast empire. However, if you still think that Ram would come and seek your release, I am afraid, you are sadly mistaken. Nobody ever has dared to attack my kingdom, and if anyone does dare so, he and his army will be destroyed within days."

"Probably you are unaware of my power. Therefore, for the last time, I modestly ask you to become my wife. It would be an honour to you and a joy for me."

So saying, Ravan gave three day's time for her to finally make her decision. The negative answer would call for Ravan's wrath. The thin and emaciated Sita did not answer. How can she utter a single word when her whole mind and heart was engaged in constant prayer and Japa of Ram!

The scene below aggrieved Hanuman very much. For him, Sita was the embodiment of purity, simplicity, and tolerance. Impulsively, he wanted to jump and attack Ravan, but better sense prevailed. He knew that it would be counter-productive to act in haste. With a heart full of mixed feelings of anger, pity, and helplessness, Hanuman started praying to Ram to give him courage to fulfill his mission of rescuing Sita from the clutches of Ravan.

Just then Mandodari, the queen of Ravan, intervened and told Ravan not to trouble a noble married woman with his harsh words and ungainly demands. He told her husband to return Sita to Ram without delay, and with full honor and grace.

But Ravan called Mandodari fussy and lacking faith in the prowess of her husband. It was not unusual for a king to have two ( or more) wives; and secondly Ram had insulted his sister Shurpanakha which required to be avenged.

Hanuman meets Sita

Hanuman listened to all these arguments but kept quiet. When Ravan left with his troupe, Hanuman decided to present himself before Sita. He silently dropped the ring bearing the name and seal of Ram in the lap of Sita.

Surprised, Sita looked up to find a mighty monkey staring at her! But her surprise turned into emotion of joy when she found the ring to be genuine: of her Master Ram.

She therefore, beckoned Hanuman to come down. With folded hands, Hanuman presented himself before Mother Sita, tears pouring down his eyes. His voice was choked with emotion. He described how Ram was also suffering the pangs of seperation. He assured Sita that soon Ram would come, conquer Ravan and take her back.

It would be logical here to think that Hanuman should lift Sita and fly across the ocean to reach his friends, and thence to Ram, and the story would have a pleasant end! But, no. Three factors are to be considered here.

1) That Hanuman was celibate from birth and had vowed to remain so throughout his life. Therefore, it was impossible for him to touch a woman without the permission and in absence of her husband;

2) That Sita also had vowed to remain loyal - faithful - to one man as her husband, and sitting over the shoulder of another person without permission and in absence of her husband would break her vow.

3) And to end the story at this juncture would be meaningless as the mission of Ram to end evil and wickedness and re-establish the rule of righteousness - the purpose of Divine Incarnation - would be incomplete.

It required putting an end to Ravan and his associates, and rewarding Vibhishan for taking side of Truth.