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The Rāmāyana, Volume 2. Āranya, Kishkindhā, and Sundara Kāndam cover

The Rāmāyana, Volume 2. Āranya, Kishkindhā, and Sundara Kāndam

Chapter 176: SECTION XXIX.
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About This Book

The narrative follows an exiled prince, his devoted wife, and his faithful brother as they take refuge in an expansive sacred forest and encounter ascetics, wild creatures, and hostile rakshasas. It recounts perilous episodes in the woods, including the abduction of the wife and violent confrontations with demonic foes. The action then moves to the politics and exploits of a simian realm, where the prince forges an alliance with an exiled monkey leader and marshals aid. A bold emissary undertakes a daring reconnaissance that locates the captive and performs extraordinary feats on the way. The volume closes with preparations for a large-scale campaign to rescue the captive and restore righteous order, exploring duty, loyalty, and devotion.

SECTION XXIX.

Like unto servants waiting upon a wealthy person various auspicious omens waited upon Sitā of a blameless and comely person, racked with grief and divested of joy. And the large left eye of that dame having graceful hairs, having dark pupils, white ends and thick eye-lashes, began to dance like a lotus shaken by a fish. And her beautiful, round, plump left hand, which, ere this, sprinkled with costly aguru and sandal, used to serve for a pillow unto Rāma, began to dance now again and again after a long time. And her well built plump left thigh, resembling the trunk of an elephant, dancing, announced that she would soon behold Rāma. And the gold-hued cloth, now covered with dust, of that damsel of a comely person, having teeth like pomegranate seeds, slipped a little off its place. And being enlivened by those and various other auspicious omens, she attained joy like unto a seed, spoiled by the wind and the sun, growing afresh in the rainy season. And her countenance, having lips red as Bimba fruits, beautiful eyes, eye-brows extending to ears, curling eye-lashes and white teeth, again appeared graceful like unto the Moon released from the full grasp of Rāhu.340 Her grief and exhaustion were removed—sorrow was pacified and her heart was filled with joy. And she with her countenance appeared beautiful like a lunar night beautified by the rays of the Moon.