When Hanuman, the Son of the Wind, found his master so gracious to him, he rejoiced at heart and found every anxiety gone. ‘My Lord,’ he said, ‘on the summit of this hill dwells the chief of the monkeys Sugriva, a servant of yours.

Make friends with him, Lord, and knowing him to be humble, set his mind at rest. He will have Sita tracked by sending millions of monkeys in all directions.’

Having thus explained the whole situation, he mounted both the brothers on his back (and took them to the place where Sugriva was). When Sugriva saw Rama, he thought it a great blessing to have been born.

He greeted him with reverence and bowed his head before his feet; and Raghunatha and his brother embraced him in return. The monkey chief pondered thus within himself. ‘Will they, O God, offer me their friendship?’

Then Hanuman explained the circumstances of either side, and having installed the holy fire to bear witness, he concluded a firm alliance of mutual aid.

When the friendship had been thus cemented, nothing was kept in reserve; Lakshmana narrated all the past history of Rama. Said Sugriva with tear in his eyes. ‘The daughter of Janaka, Lord, will be recovered.

I was sitting here one day with my ministers, absorbed in reflection, when I saw Sita helpless in the power of an enemy and being borne through the air, weeping piteously-