Page:The Rámáyana of Tulsi Dás.djvu/455

Rh saying, "Tell me, reverend Sir, who you may be; if a servant of Hari, you have my hearty affection; if a loving follower of Ráma, your visit is a great honour for me."

"Hanumán then told him Ráma's whole history and his own name. At the recital and the recollection of his infinite virtues, both quivered all over the body, while their soul was downed in joy.

"Hearken, Son of the Wind; my condition here is like that of the poor tongue between the teeth. Yet do not suppose, Father, that I am friendless: the Lord of the Solar race will show me favour. The sinful body is of no avail, if the soul has no love for his lotus feet. But now, Hanumán, I have gained confidence; for it is only by Hari's favour that one meets a good man, and it is the result of his kindness that you have so readily revealed yourself to me." "Listen, Vibhíshan, to my experience of the Lord; he is ever affectionate to his servants. Say who am I and of what noble descent; a wanton monkey, of no merit whatever, a creature the mention of whose name in the early morning makes a man go fasting for the whole day.

So mean am I; yet hearken, friend; Raghubír has shown favour even to me." His eyes filled with tears as he recalled his perfection.

"I know of a truth that any who turns aside in forgetfulness of such a lord may well be miserable." As he thus discoursed on Ráma's excellencies, he felt an unspeakable calm. Vibhíshan then told him of all that had been going on and of Sita's mode of life, till Hanumán cried: "Hearken, brother; I would fain see the august Síta." Vibhíshan explained to him the whole mode of procedure, and the Son of the Wind then took his leave and proceeded on his way. Assuming the same form as at first he went to the Asoka grove, where Síta dwelt. As soon as he saw her, he mentally prostrated himself in her presence. She had spent the first watch of the night sitting up, haggard in appearance, her hair knotted in a single braid on her head, repeating to herself the list of Raghupati's perfections;