Then Sita took courage, and the Son of the Wind resumed his diminutive form (and said,)

‘Listen, mother; monkeys possess no great strength or wit of their own, but by the Lord’s favour even a snake, tiny as it is, could swallow Garuda.’

When she heard the monkey’s speech, so full of devotion, dignity, brilliance and forcefulness. Sita felt gratified. Knowing him to be dear to Rama, she gave him her blessing: ‘May you abound, my son, in strength and piety.

May you never grow old nor die, my son; be a storehouse of virtue, and may Raghunatha be most gracious to you!’ as soon as the words ‘May the Lord be gracious to you’ reached his ears, Hanuman was utterly overwhelmed with emotion.

Again and again the monkey bowed his head at her feet and with folded hands addressed her thus: ‘Now, mother, I am fully rewarded, for your blessing is unfailing, as all men know.

But listen, mother, I am frightfully hungry at the sight of these trees laden with delicious fruit.’ ‘Know, my son, that this grove is guarded by most valiant warriors and formidable demons.’

‘I fear them not, mother, if only I have your hearty approval.’