- the wood-apple, gold and the plantain rejoice, without any doubt or misgiving in their hearts. Listen, Janaka’s daughter! In your absence today they are all as happy as if they had won a kingdom.

How can you endure such rivalry? Why do you not haste to reveal yourself quickly, my beloved? In this way did the Lord search for her and lament, like a fond lover sore smitten with pangs of separation.

Rama, who has no wish unsatisfied, the sun (total) of all bliss, both unborn and immortal, was acting the part of a mortal man. As he went on, he saw the king of the vultures lying, with his thoughts fixed on Rama’s feet and the marks (of banner, thunderbolt, etc.) they bore.

Raghubira, the ocean of grace, stroked Jatayu’s head with his lotus hands. As the bird gazed on the exquisite beauty of Rama’s face, he felt no more pain.

Then the vulture mustered his courage and said, ‘Listen, Rama, the dispeller of the dread of transmigration! Lord, it is the Ten-headed who has reduced me to this plight; it is that same wretch who has carried off Janaka’s daughter.

He took her away, holy sir, towards the south, and she was screaming as piteously as an osprey. I have kept alive, my lord, only to see you, but now, O fountain of mercy, I must breathe my last.

Said Rama, ‘No, friend, you must not die.’ But he answered with a smile, ‘He by the mention of whose name at the hour of death the vilest sinner wins salvation, so declare the Vedas,