Markandeya said : Then, Rama, distracted with grief at the abduction of Sita, got to the Lake Pampa situated at a short distance and full of several kinds of lotuses.

In that forest fanned by cool and pleasant breezes charged with the ordour of ambrosia, the thoughts of his dear wife crept into the mind of Rama.

O king of kings, smitten with Cupid's arrows by thinking of his beloved spouse he lamented (profusely). Then the son of Sumitra thus spoke to him.

“O respector of those that deserve honour, this state of your mind is as unworthy of you, as diseases in a self-contained old man of regular habits.

You have received intelligence concerning Ravana and the princess of Videha. (Now try to) liberate her by exertion and wisdom.

Let us go to Sugriva, the foremost of monkeys who dwells in (yonder) mountain. Cheer yourself up since I, your disciple servant and assistant, am near."

By these and various other words of the same significance spoken by Lakshmana, the descendant of Raghu recovered his natural calmness and became mindful of his business.

And both those heroic brothers Rama and Lakshmana bathing in the waters of the Pampa and offering oblations to their ancestors left (for Rishyamukha).

Then, having reached the (mountain) Rishyamukha full of various roots, fruits and trees, those heroes saw at the summit of the mountain five monkeys.

Sugriva, (then), sent, his minister, the intelligent monkey Hanuman huge as mountain, to (receive them).

Having first conversed with him, they both came to Sugriva. O king, Rama then contracted a friendship with the monkey-king.

When Rama had unfolded his intentions to him, he (Sugriva) showed to him the piece of cloth dropped among the monkeys by Şita while being carried off (by Ravana).

Having obtained this token, Rama installed Sugriva the monkey-king, in sovereignty over all the monkeys on earth. a

(And) the descendant of Kakustha promised to kill Bali in battle; and O king, Sugriva also pledged himself to liberate Sita.

Having come to this (mutual) understanding, reposing confidence in each other, they all arrived at Kishkindha and desirous of battle remained prepared (for counter with Bali).

Having reached Kishkindha, Sugriva sent forth a yell like the roar of a torrent. Bali could not brook that; but Tara (his wife) stood in his way, saying

"From the manner in which this powerful monkey Sugriva is roaring, I think he has received assistance. (Therefore) do not go out."

Thereupon, (her) husband, the eloquent Bali, the monkey-king who wore a golden garland replied to Tara endued with a face resplendent as the moon, the lord of the stars.

“You are acquainted with the voice of all creatures; (therefore) by the exercise of your intelligence ascertain, whose assistance, this being who bears the relation of brother to me, has obtained.

The wise Tara, resplendent as the lord of the stars, reflecting a moment thus replied to her husband. “O lord of the monkeys, listen to all this.

That bowman, Rama, the highly energetic son of Dasharatha, whose wife has been carried off (by Ravana) has formed an offensive and a defensive alliance with Sugriva.

His brother, the intellectual Lakshmana of mighty arms, the ever-victorious son of Sumitra, stands by him for the furtherance of Sugriva's aims.

(Moreover), Mainda, Dvivida, Hanuman, the son of the wind god and Jambuvana, the king of the bears, all these counsellors of Sugriva stand up for him.

All these are endued with magnanimity, intellect and great strength; and being backed up by the strength of Rama are surely able to kill you."

(But) the lord of the monkeys, discarding her beneficial words, was filled with jealousy and suspected that her heart was inclined towards Sugriva.

Having spoken harshly to Tara he (Bali) issued out of his cave and coming up to Sugriva who the Malyavan (mountain) addressed him thus,

"You who are (very) fond of life, were equently defeated by me before; (but) considering the relationship you bear to me, I allowed you to escape (without taking your life).Then, why are you rushing into death so soon?" was near

Thus addressed (by Bali), Sugriva, the slayer of his foes, as if addressing Rama himself, spoke to his brother these significant words, (well) suited to the occasion.

"O monarch, deprived of my wife as well as of my kingdom by you, what need is there for my life? Know that it is for this (i.e. death) that I have sought you."

Addressing each other in these and various other words in the same strain, both Bali and Sugriva were engaged in battle with Shalas, Talas and stones, which served the purpose of arrows.

Both smote each other and both struck down each other on the ground; both moved about with wonderful (dexterity) and both dealt blows (at each other).

Both those warriors torn with each others) nails and teeth were besmeared with blood and shone like two blooming Kinshuka flowers.

(On account of their similarity appearance) no difference (in aspect) could be discovered between those fighters. Hanuman then placed a garland round the neck of Sugriva.

Thereupon that hero adorned with that garland on his neck shone like the beautiful and mighty Malaya mountain encircled with the clouds. in

Recognizing Sugriva by that mark, the mighty bowman Rama drew his excellent bow aiming at Bali as his mark.

The twang of his bow was like (the roar of) an engine. And pierced through the heart by the arrow Bali became alarmed.

With his heart riven (by Rama's arrow) Bali began to vomit blood through his mouth and then he saw Rama standing (before him) together with the son of Sumitra.

Rebuking the descendant of Kakustha, (for taking his life without cause) he fell down senseless on the ground. Tara then beheld him (Bali) of moon-like splendour, lying (slain) on the earth.

Bali being thus slain, Sugriva obtained possession of Kishkindha and (the hand of) the widowed Tara also endued with a face lovely as the lord of the stars.

And the intelligent Rama too, worshipped by Sugriva, in every way, lived on the auspicious plateau of the mountain Malyavan for four months.

(On the other hand) the lustful Ravana too, having repaired to his capital Lanka, placed Sita in a retreat (beautiful) like the Nandana (gardens).

Situate within the Ashoka garden, resembling an asylum of ascetics. (And there) with her body reduced to a skeleton thinking of her husband and wearing the garb of ascetics.

And engaged in austerities and observing fasts, that large-eyed lady began to dwell sorrowfully subsisting on fruits and roots.

In order to guard her, the lord of the Rakshasas appointed Rakshasa women holding (in their hands) barbed darts, swords, maces, axes, clubs and flaming brands.

And some (of them) had two and some three eyes, (some) had their eyes on the forehead, (some) were possessed of long tongues and some none, (some) had three breasts (some) one leg, (some) three braids of matted hair and (some) only one eye.

These and other (Rakshasas) females with flaming eyes and hair stiff as that of a camel, surrounded Sita very watchfully day and night.

And those terrible-looking Pishachi women of dreadful voice always spoke that large-eyed lady in harsh words (such as),

"Let us devour her; mangle her and tear her to pieces, who is living here despising our lord."

Thus repeatedly threatened and censured, Sita, afflicted with grief for her husband, replied to them with a deep sigh.

"Worshipful ladies, eat me up soon. I have no need of life without the lotus-eyed (Rama) of curly and blue hair.

Separated from my beloved, so dear to my life I will rather live without food and waste away my frame like a she-serpent living near a Tala tree.

Than live with any other person except the descendant of Raghu. Know this to be my firm resolve; and now do, whatever you like, with me.”

The Rakshasa women, of harsh voice, hearing those words of hers, went to the king of the Rakshasas in order to tell him all that were spoken by her (Sita).

They all having gone (to Ravana), a pious Rakshasa woman Trijata by name, who spoke sweet words, (thus) consoled the princess of Videha.

“Sita, I shall tell you something. O friend, believe me. O lady of fair hips, drive away your fears and hear these my words.

There is an old and intelligent Rakshasas chief named Avindhya. He seeks Rama's welfare and for your sake has told me (these words).

"Having reassured and consoled Sita, address her in these my words (that I tell you now), saying, your husband, the heroic Rama, followed by Lakshmana, is all right.

The illustrious descendant of Raghu has contracted friendship with the king of the monkeys, as powerful as Shakra himself and is ready for your deliverance.

O timid lady, you have no fear from Ravana who is cursed by all the world, (because) O daughter, you are protected by Nalakubera's imprecation.

Formerly this sinful wretch was cursed for having committed rape on his (own) daughterin-law, Rambha. (Therefore) this lustful being is not capable of forcibly violating any woman.

Your intelligent husband accompanied by the son of Sumitra and protected by Sugriva will soon arrive (here) and deliver you hence.

I have dreamed an awfully-terrible dream of evil omen, indicative of the destruction of this evil-minded destroyer of the race of Pulastya.

This night-ranger is terribly wicked-minded and is prone to mean deeds and on account of his innate bad nature he terrifies all (creatures).

He challenges all the gods having lost his sense through Fate. I have in my dream seen all the indications of his destruction.

(I have in my dream seen) the ten-headed monster dancing repeatedly in a car drawn by assess with his head shaven and his body saturated with oil and besmeared with mud.

(I have also seen) Kumbhakarna and others stark naked, besmeared with blood and with their heads shaven, taking to the southern direction.

I have beheld only Vibhishana with a white umbrella (over his head) and a turban and graced with white garlands and unguents ascending the mountain Shveta.

And I saw his four counsellors adorned with white garlands and unguents on the mountain Shveta. These only will be saved from this terrible calamity.

The earth with all its oceans will be covered with Rama's weapons, and your husband will fill the whole world with his renown.

I have (in my dream) beheld Lakshmana burning all the points (with his arrows) and eating rice mixed with honey and boiled with milk mounted on a heap of bones.

And I have seen you also lamenting, covered all over with blood and protected by a tiger, repeatedly run towards the southern direction.

O princess of Videha, O Sita, being reunited with your husband, the descendant of Raghu, followed by Lakshmana, you will soon experience happiness.”

And that damsel gifted with eyes beautiful as those of a fawn, hearing these words of Trijata became hopeful of her reunion with her husband.

And when those terrible-looking and cruel Pishacha women returned, they saw Sita seated with Trijata as before.