DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.638#0499
RAMA'S MISSION FULFILLED 413
Sita said unto the demon king: "Thou shalt never
have me for wife either in this world or in the next.
Rather would I die than gratify thy desire."
Angry was Ravana, and he commanded the female
Rakshasas to convey Sita to the Asoka grove, believing
that her heart would be melted by the beauties of that
fair retreat. " Thou wilt provide her with fine raiment,"
he said, " and with rich ornaments and delicious food,
thou wilt praise me before her, and anon threaten her
with dire calamity if she refuseth to become my bride."
Sita remembered Rama in her heart by day and by
night, and wept and moaned for him, refusing to be
comforted.
When the rainy season was drawing to a close, Rama
fretted because Sugriva, King of the Vanars, was making
no effort to collect his forces and prepare for the recovery
of Sita. Instead, he drank wine and spent the days in
merriment among his wives. At length Lakshmana
visited the palace and threatened Sugriva with death,
because he had broken his promise, whereat the monarch
summoned speedily his great armies of apes and bears in
countless numbers. Four divisions were then sent out
to the north and the south, and eastward and westward,
to search for Sita.
Success attended the efforts of the army commanded
by Hanuman. It chanced that his officers discovered on
a mountain summit Sampati, the brother of Jatayus, King
of the Vultures. He was wounded and helpless, because
his wings had been scorched by endeavouring to soar to
the sun so that he might fulfil a vain boast. Although
stricken thus, Sampati could still see clearly over vast
distances. He had beheld Ravana carrying away Sita
across the ocean towards Lanka. This knowledge he
communicated through his son to Hanuman. When
Sita said unto the demon king: "Thou shalt never
have me for wife either in this world or in the next.
Rather would I die than gratify thy desire."
Angry was Ravana, and he commanded the female
Rakshasas to convey Sita to the Asoka grove, believing
that her heart would be melted by the beauties of that
fair retreat. " Thou wilt provide her with fine raiment,"
he said, " and with rich ornaments and delicious food,
thou wilt praise me before her, and anon threaten her
with dire calamity if she refuseth to become my bride."
Sita remembered Rama in her heart by day and by
night, and wept and moaned for him, refusing to be
comforted.
When the rainy season was drawing to a close, Rama
fretted because Sugriva, King of the Vanars, was making
no effort to collect his forces and prepare for the recovery
of Sita. Instead, he drank wine and spent the days in
merriment among his wives. At length Lakshmana
visited the palace and threatened Sugriva with death,
because he had broken his promise, whereat the monarch
summoned speedily his great armies of apes and bears in
countless numbers. Four divisions were then sent out
to the north and the south, and eastward and westward,
to search for Sita.
Success attended the efforts of the army commanded
by Hanuman. It chanced that his officers discovered on
a mountain summit Sampati, the brother of Jatayus, King
of the Vultures. He was wounded and helpless, because
his wings had been scorched by endeavouring to soar to
the sun so that he might fulfil a vain boast. Although
stricken thus, Sampati could still see clearly over vast
distances. He had beheld Ravana carrying away Sita
across the ocean towards Lanka. This knowledge he
communicated through his son to Hanuman. When