Hanuman Returns to Mount Mahendra

This message was a pleasant surprise for Hanuman. Hearing it, he immediately departed for the Ashok Garden, where Sita awaited him. Upon reaching the Ashok Garden, Hanuman found Sita and spoke with her for several minutes.

"I know you can accomplish everything by yourself," said Sita as she bid farewell to Hanuman. "But it would be more fitting for Rama to reach Lanka, destroy the rakshasas, and rescue me."

Hanuman's happiness knew no bounds after receiving Sita's blessings. He was so excited that the mountain he stood on crumbled beneath him. Enlarging his size, he leaped across the sea toward the north. In a matter of minutes, he crossed the vast ocean. Finally, he saw Mount Mahendra, the place where he had begun his journey. He roared with enthusiasm.

Hanuman descended upon the gigantic Mount Mahendra and shrank back to his normal size. Seeing his return, the monkeys were inspired and surrounded him. Hanuman bowed down to the senior monkeys and Jambavan. He then paid his respects to Prince Angada. "Dear monkeys," Hanuman addressed them, "I have had the good fortune of seeing Sita."

Hanuman sat with Prince Angada in the shadow of a tree. "I met her at the Ashok Garden in the city of Lanka," Hanuman continued. "That chaste woman is watched by ghastly rakshasis every second of the day. There, she awaits Rama's arrival all by herself. She has become weak and skinny."

Hearing the description of Sita's unfortunate circumstances, some of the monkeys became emotional. Yet they were glad that Sita had been found and Monkey King Sugriva's mission was successful. Hanuman's words were like nectar to the monkeys, who danced joyfully while listening to him. The monkeys surrounded Hanuman, Angada, and Jambavan from all directions. They were all eager to know how Hanuman leaped across the sea, how he met Sita, and what the city of Lanka was like.

"Lord," said Sugriva to Rama, seeing Angada arriving, "trust me, they would never return without meeting Sita. I believe that Hanuman himself has located Sita. No one is as strong as him. O Rama, do not worry."

When they returned to Kishkindha, the monkeys made as much noise as a conch shell blown after victory. Monkey King Sugriva was ecstatic. The monkey army returned under the leadership of Hanuman and Angada.