Hanuman Returns to Mahendra Mountain

The fire killed thousands of demons. Hanuman, remembering his mission, leaped into the sea to extinguish the flames on his tail. As he watched Lanka burn, a doubt crept into his mind—could the fire that consumed Lanka have also harmed Seeta? But then he realized that the Fire god would never harm a chaste woman like Seeta.

"The whole of Lanka has been burned," a voice from the sky announced, "but Seeta is safe."

This message was a pleasant surprise for Hanuman. Hearing it, he immediately departed for the Ashok Garden, where Seeta awaited him. Upon reaching the Ashok Garden, Hanuman found Seeta and spoke with her for several minutes.

"I know you can accomplish everything by yourself," said Seeta as she bid farewell to Hanuman. "But it would be more fitting for Ram to reach Lanka, destroy the demons, and rescue me."

Hanuman's happiness knew no bounds after receiving Seeta's blessings. He was so excited that the mountain he stood on crumbled beneath him. Enlarging his size, he leaped across the sea toward the north. In a matter of minutes, he crossed the vast ocean. Finally, he saw the Mahendra mountain, the place where he had begun his journey. He roared with enthusiasm.

Hanuman descended upon the gigantic Mahendra mountain and shrank back to his normal size. Seeing his return, the monkeys were inspired and surrounded him. Hanuman bowed down to the senior monkeys and Jambavan. He then paid his respects to Prince Angad. "Dear monkeys," Hanuman addressed them, "I have had the good fortune of seeing Seeta."

Hanuman sat with Prince Angad in the shadow of a tree. "I met her at the Ashok Garden in the city of Lanka," Hanuman continued. "That chaste woman is watched by ghastly demonesses every second of the day. There, she awaits Ram's arrival all by herself. She has become weak and skinny."

Hearing the description of Seeta's unfortunate circumstances, some of the monkeys became emotional. Yet they were glad that Seeta had been found and Monkey King Sugreev's mission was successful. Hanuman's words were like nectar to the monkeys, who danced joyfully while listening to him. The monkeys surrounded Hanuman, Angad, and Jambavan from all directions. They were all eager to know how Hanuman leaped across the sea, how he met Seeta, and what the city of Lanka was like.

"Lord," said Sugreev to Ram, seeing Angad arriving, "trust me, they would never return without meeting Seeta. I believe that Hanuman himself has located Seeta. No one is as strong as him. Oh, Ram, do not worry."

When they returned to Kishkindha, the monkeys made as much noise as a conch shell blown after victory. Emperor Sugreev was ecstatic. The monkey army returned under the leadership of Hanuman and Angad.