Page:The Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás.djvu/454

390 dare you come here in contempt of me ? Fool, do you not know my practice, that every thief in Lanká becomes my prey?" The monkey struck her one such a blow with his fist that she fell to the ground vomiting blood. Recovering herself again, she stood up and with clasped hands made this confident petition: "When Brahma granted Rávan's prayer, the Creator gave me a sign before he left, 'When worsted by a monkey, know then that it is all over with the demons.' My meritorious deeds, my son, must have been very many that I have been rewarded with the sight of Ráma's messenger.

In one scale of the balance put the bliss of heaven and the final emancipation of the soul from the body, but it will be altogether outweighed by a fraction of the joy that results from communion with the saints.

Enter the city and accomplish your task, ever mindful at heart of the lord of Kosala. Deadly poison becomes as ambrosia, foes turn friends, a puddle becomes an ocean, fire gives out cold and the bulk of Sumeru weighs no heavier than a grain of sand, for him whom Ráma deigns to regard with favour." In the tiny form that he had assumed, Hanumán entered the city with a prayer to God. Carefully inspecting every separate palace, he found everywhere warriors innumerable. When he had come to Rávan's court, its magnificence was past all telling. The monkey saw him in bed asleep, but no trace of Síta in the room. He then noticed another splendid building, with a temple of Hari standing apart, its walls brilliantly illuminated with Ráma's name, too beautiful to describe, it fascinated every beholder.

The beauty of the chamber emblazoned with Ráma's insignia was indescribable. At the sight of some fresh sprigs of tulsi, the monkey chief was enraptured.

"Lanká is the abode of a gang of demons, how can the pious have any home here?" While the monkey was thus reasoning within himself, Vibhíshan awoke and at once began to repeat Ráma's name in prayer. The monkey was delighted to find a true believer. "Shall I at once make myself known to him? A good man will never spoil any undertaking." Assuming the form of a Bráhman, he raised his voice in speech. As soon as Vibhíshan heard him, he rose to meet him, and bowing low, asked after his welfare,