Swayamprabha watched congenially the vanaras pouncing on the victuals and guzzling water and various fruit juices to satiate their hunger and quench their thirst. When they finished she said "Oh, vanaras, I hope your enervation is eased off by devouring food and fruits. Now please tell me about you and how you happened to enter the cavity."
Hanuman replied on behalf of all the vanaras "The king of all the world and one who looks like Mahendra and the Rain-god, Varuna, to wit Rama the son of Dasharatha entered Dandaka forest and was living with his brother Lakshmana and his wife Vaidehi at Janasthaana. There the rakshash Ravana abducted his wife. Our master and the king of all vanaras Sugreeva, a close friend of Rama, ordered us to search the whereabouts of Seetha. We have been sent southwards. Likewise, three forces have been sent to the other directions, viz. north, east and west.
"While searching for Seetha we perceived this wide cavity wrapped up with vines and woods and swans, water-hawks, saarasa-waterfowls were coming out of this cavity drenched in water and sprinkling drops of water with the flaps of their wings. As all of us were terribly hungry and thirsty, we decided to explore this cavity for food and water.
"By your hospitality, we have been rescued from death due to hunger and thirst. For that we are highly thankful and obliged to you. Please tell us what you would require from us as a requital."
On hearing Hanuman, the pleasant and omniscient Swayamprabha replied "I am very happy that I was able to relieve you the pain of hunger and thirst. What I have done to you is a part of my conduct in equity, and as such nothing needs be done now in my favour, in the least."
Hanuman then told her "We are now under the auspices of your ladyship comporting yourself in scrupulosity. We lapsed the time stipulated for us by our lord Sugreeva due to our roving around in this cavity. As we have overextended the time-frame fixed by Sugreeva, whereby our longevity itself is threatened.
"Oh, prudent lady, we are rendered as hesitaters and as such are very anxious about the wrath of our lord Sugreeva. However, we still have to strive to achieve the fulfillment of the task expected from us and that deed is getting further delayed as we are held-up in here."
Then the lady said "I believe the getting out by yourselves is impracticable. However by the sublime efficacy of ascesis acquired through my practices of numerous self-restraints, I believe I could sail all of you out of this cavity. I could do that if only all of you close your eyes until you are out of this cavity." All the vanaras were very much relieved and highly gladdened. Then all the vanaras not only closed their eyes but lidded them with their hands, too.
Then the lady said "I believe the getting out by yourselves is impracticable. However by the sublime efficacy of ascesis acquired through my practices of numerous self-restraints, I believe I could sail all of you out of this cavity. I could do that if only all of you close your eyes until you are out of this cavity." All the vanaras were very much relieved and highly gladdened. Then all the vanaras not only closed their eyes but lidded them with their hands, too.
Within a minute all the vanaras found themselves out of that cavity. Then the lady told them "This one which is surrounded by diverse trees and vines is the magnificent Vindhya Mountain; this mountain is Prasravana and this vast expanse of water is the southerly ocean. I wish you good-luck. Goodbye."
She then got back into that cavity. All the vanaras heaved a sigh of relief.
She then got back into that cavity. All the vanaras heaved a sigh of relief.
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