So saying to himself he departed and resorted to his black art; he produced by the path a lake, a temple and a lovely garden. The son of the wind-god saw the good hermitage and thought to himself : "Let me ask leave of the hermit over there and drink some water, so that I may be relieved of my fatigue." The demon (Kalanemi) had ensconced himself there in the deceitful garb of a hermit and sought to delude the messenger even of the Lord of Maya. The son of the wind-god went and bowed his head before him; and the demon in his turn began to recite Sri Rama's praises. "A fierce war is raging between Sri Rama and Ravana, of which Rama will undoubtedly emerge victorious. I behold everything, my brother, even from here; for my great strength lies in my intuition." On his asking for water, the demon gave Hanuman his own waterpot; but the monkey chief said, "My thirst will not be quenched by a small quantity of water." "Then take a plunge in the lake and speedily come back. After that I will initiate you and you will have spiritual insight."

Enshrining Sri Rama's lotus-feet in his heart and assuring the Lord of his own might, the son of the wind-god departed. At the other end a spy disclosed the secret to Ravana, who called at the house of Kalanemi (a demon ally of Ravana). The ten-headed monster told him all that he had to say, hearing which Kalanemi beat his head again and again. "Nobody can obstruct him who burnt your capital before your very eyes. Therefore, adore the Lord of the Raghus in your own interest and desist, my lord, from all vain prattle. Hold in your heart that lovely form, swarthy as the blue lotus, the delight of all eyes. Dismiss the foolish idea of 'I' and 'You,' mine and thine and awake from slumber in the night of gross infatuation. Can anyone even dream of conquering Him in battle, who devours even the serpent of Time (which in its turn devours the entire creation)?"

By your very sight, O dear monkey, I have been absolved of all sins and the curse of the great sage (which accounted for my birth in an alligator's womb) has come to an end. This fellow, O monkey chief, is no hermit but a terrible demon : believe my words to be true." So saying, the celestial nymph left for her abode in heaven and Hanuman immediately returned to the demon. Said the monkey: "First receive, holy sir, your fee as my spiritual preceptor and after that impart to me the sacred formula." Hanuman then twisted his tail round the hermit's head and knocked him down, and he appeared in his natural (demoniac) form at the moment of his death and gave up the ghost while muttering "Rama, Rama." Hanuman was delighted at heart to hear this name and proceeded on his journey. He found the mountain but failed to single out the herb (prescribed by Susena); he, therefore, lost no time in uprooting the mount itself. Holding up the mountain in his hand, Hanuman darted back through the air while it was yet night and happened to pass over the city of Ayodhya.

The ten-headed monster flew into a tearing rage when he heard this. Thereupon Kalanemi reasoned to himself: "I should rather die at the hands of Sri Rama's servant; for this wretch revels in his load of sins!"

Susena came and bowed his head at Sri Rama's lotus-feet. He mentioned the name of the herb as well as of the mountain where it could be had, and said, "Proceed, O son of the wind-god, to bring it."

No sooner had Hanuman stepped into the lake than a she-alligator seized him by the foot in great excitement. Having been slain by Hanuman, she assumed a celestial form and, mounting an aerial car, soared into the heavens.