- and crept into her mouth and then came out again and bowing his head to her, begged leave to proceed. ‘I have gauged the extent of your wit and strength,’ said Surasa, ‘and it was to this end that the gods had sent me.

You will carry out all that Rama has commanded, for in you dwell such might and wisdom.’ Having blessed him thus, she departed, and Hanuman joyfully resumed his journey.

There dwelt a female demon in the ocean who by magic caught the birds of the air. Seeing in the water the reflections of the creatures that flew through the sky,

- she would catch their shadowy forms, so that they could not fly away; and in this manner she always had birds to eat. She practised the same craft on Hanuman, but the monkey at once saw through her trickery.

The Son of the Wind, steadfast and valiant, slew her and swept across the ocean. Reaching the further shore of the sea, he gazed on the loveliness of the woods, with the bees buzzing in their greed for honey.

Trees of every kind all resplendent with fruit and flowers looked charming; and there were multitudes of birds and beasts delightful to behold. Seeing a lofty hill before him, he fearlessly sprang on the top of it.

(Said Shiva - ) But this, O Uma, was not at all the monkey’s own special virtue; it was all attributable to the glory of the Lord, who devours Death himself. Mounted on the hill, he surveyed Lanka, a most marvellous fortress that defied description.