It is his nature to bring joy to his votaries. Does he ever deign to remember me? Will my eyes, friend, be ever gladdened by the sight of his dark and delicate body?’

Words failed her and her eyes swam with tears. ‘Alas, my lord! You have quite forgotten me!’ seeing Sita beside herself with the pain of separation, Hanuman addressed her in soft and courteous accents.

'Mother, the Lord and his brother are both well, except that the All-merciful sorrows with your sorrow. Yield not to remorse, mother; Rama loves you twice as much as love him.

Now, mother, compose yourself and hear Raghunatha’s message.’ Even as he uttered these words, the monkey’s voice failed him and his eyes filled with tears.

'These were Rama’s words: "Separation from you, Sita, has turned my world upside down. The fresh and tender leaves upon the trees are like tongues of fire; the night appears as dreadful as the night of death and the moon scorches like the sun.

Beds of lotuses are like a forest of spears and the rain-clouds drop boiling oil. Those that were friendly before now add to my pain, and the winds, cool, gentle and fragrant, are like the breath of a serpent.

One’s agony is assuaged a little even by speaking of it; but to whom shall I tell it? No one can understand it. The essence of such love as yours and mine, beloved, is known to none but my own soul;