Hanuman Finds Sita

Having made this decision, Hanuman waited for the sun to set. After nightfall, he assumed a minute form and entered the city. Lankini, the city goddess of Lanka, mistook Hanuman for a thief and attempted to stop him. Hanuman struck Lankini with his fist, causing her to fall to the ground with blood flowing from her mouth. She managed to get up and folded her hands in respect.

"Lord Brahma once told me that when a monkey strikes me, I will know that the demons' end is near," she said to Hanuman. "It is my good fortune to see you, Lord Rama's messenger."

Still in his tiny form, Hanuman searched every building in Lanka for Sita but could not find her. He saw many beautiful women in Ravana's buildings adorned with ornaments and makeup. Hanuman knew that Sita would not be wearing makeup after her separation from Rama. Discouraged, Hanuman's mind filled with apprehensions—"Did Ravana kill Sita? Did Ravana throw Sita out of his Pushpak Vimana while traveling to Lanka? Has Sita committed suicide?"

Hanuman realized he had searched everywhere except in the Ashok Garden. With renewed determination, he leaped over the boundary wall and reached the garden. The splendor of the Ashok Garden was indescribable. Hanuman felt confident that Sita must be there. He began investigating every object in the garden and soon saw a marble platform nearby.

Hanuman saw a woman seated on a platform, surrounded by monstrous creatures. She was weak, pale, and wore tattered clothes. Her face bore the marks of countless tears, and she looked tense, breathing rapidly. Despite her condition, she still possessed an undeniable beauty. Based on Rama's description, Hanuman felt certain this woman must be Sita, and his heart overflowed with joy.

The demonesses surrounding Sita were bizarre and frightening. One had only one eye, another had only one ear, and a third was entirely earless. Some were gigantic, some were dwarfs, and all were hideous. They sat in the shade of an enormous tree, never leaving Sita alone for even a moment.