Ramayana, Epic of Rama, Prince of India

112
Book VIII. Sita-Sandesa (Sita Discovered)
[118] Among the many chiefs sent by Sugriva in different directions in search of
Sita, Hanuman succeeded in the quest and discovered Sita in Ceylon. Ceylon is
separated from India by a broad channel of the sea, and Hanuman leaped, or
rather flew through the air, across the channel, and lighted on the island. Sita,
scorning the proposals of Ravan, was kept in confinement in a garden of Asoka
trees, surrounded by a terrible guard of Raksha females: and in this hard
confinement she remained true and faithful to her lord. Hanuman gave her a
token from Rama, and carried back to Rama a token which she sent of her
undying affection and truth.
The portions translated in this Book form the whole of the main portions of
Sections xv., xxxi., xxxvi., and lxvi. of Book v. of the original text.
I. Sita in the Asoka Garden
Crossed the ocean’s boundless waters, Hanuman in duty brave,
Lighted on the emerald island girdled by the sapphire wave,
And in tireless quest of Sita searched the margin of the sea,
In a dark Asoka garden hid himself within a tree.
Creepers threw their clasping tendrils round the trees of ample height,
Stately palm and feathered cocoa, fruit and blossom pleased the sight,
[119] Herds of tame and gentle creatures in the grassy meadow strayed,
Kokils sang in leafy thicket, birds of plumage lit the shade,
Limpid lakes of scented lotus with their fragrance filled the air,
Homes and huts of rustic beauty peeped through bushes green and fair,
Blossoms rich in tint and fragrance in the checkered shadow gleamed,
Clustering fruits of golden beauty in the yellow sunlight beamed!
Brightly shone the red Asoka with the morning’s golden ray,
Karnikara and Kinsuka dazzling as the light of day,
Brightly grew the flower of Champak in the vale and on the reef,
Punnaga and Saptaparna with its seven-fold scented leaf,
Rich in blossoms many tinted, grateful to the ravished eye,
Gay and green and glorious Lanka was like garden of the sky,