Page:Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Purānic.djvu/438

414 Sugriva and his heroic army continued faithful to their king's promise until Rāma's victory was won, though death had considerably thinned their ranks; but this loss was made good as, in answer to Rāma's prayer, Yama gave up the whole of the Vānars who had died in the struggle. When Rama was about to return home in the magic car, Sugriva asked that he and the Vānar chiefs might accompany him to his capital. Their request being granted, they took part in the installation of Rāma as king, and received from that grateful monarch rich presents as a reward for their faithful service.

Hanumān, on the whole, the most useful of the Monkey leaders of the expedition to Ceylon, was the son of Vāyu, by a Vānar or monkey mother. His birth is thus described—

"An Apsaras, the fairest found Of nymphs, for heavenly charms renowned, Sweet Punjikasthalā, became A noble Vānar's wedded dame. Her heavenly title heard no more, Anjanā was the name she bore, When, cursed by gods, from heaven she fell, In Vānar form on earth to dwell.

In youthful beauty wondrous fair, A crown of flowers about her hair. In silken robes of richest dye, She roamed the hills that kiss the sky. Once in her tinted garments dressed, She stood upon the mountain crest. The god of wind beside her came, And breathed upon the lovely dame: