Page:The Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás.djvu/442

380 one for news of Síta. Strain every faculty to devise some way of accomplishing Ráma's object. The sun is content with back service and the fire with front, but a master must be served back and front alike, without any subterfuges. Discard the unrealities of the world and consider the future; so shall all the troubles connected with existence be destroyed. This is the end, brother, for which we were born, to worship Ráma without any desire for self. He only is truly discriminative, he only is greatly blessed, who is enamoured of the feet of Raghubír." After begging permission to depart and bowing the head at his feet they set out with joy, invoking Raghurái. The last to make obeisance was Hanumán. The lord, knowing what would happen, called him near and with his lotus hands touched his head and gave him his ring off his finger, for he knew his devotion: "Say everything to comfort Síta, telling her of my might and my constancy, and come quickly." Hanumán thought himself happy to have been born and set forth, with the image of the All-merciful impressed upon his heart. Although the Lord knows everything, he observes the rules of state-craft in his character as the champion of the gods.

They went forth searching every wood, river, lake, and mountain cave, with their soul so absorbed in Ráma's concerns that they forgot all about their own bodily wants.

Wherever it might be that they came across a demon, they took his life with a single blow. They looked into every recess of forest and hill, and if they met any hermit they all surrounded him. Overcome by thirst they were dreadfully distrest, and losing their way in the dense jungle, could find no water. Hanumán thought to himself "without water to drink we shall all die." He climbed a mountain peak and, looking all round about, spied a strange opening in the ground; with geese, herons and swans on the wing and all kinds of birds making their way into it. Then Hanumán came down from the mountain and took them all and showed them this cavern, and with him to lead the way they lost no time, but entered the chasm.