Rama, who is Vishnu’s self in the shape of a human being, took his birth in this world.  And in company with his queen and brother, taking his bow, that foremost of bowmen with the view of compassing his father’s welfare, began to reside in the Dandaka forest.  And from Janasthana, that mighty Rakshasa monarch, the wicked Ravana, carried away his (Rama’s) queen by stratagem and force, deceiving, O sinless one, that foremost of men, through the agency of a Rakshasa, Maricha, who assumed the form of a deer marked with gem-like and golden spots.’”

SECTION CXLVII

“Hanuman said, ’And after his wife was carried away, that descendant of Raghu, while searching with his brother for his queen, met, on the summit of that mountain, with Sugriva, chief of the monkeys.  Then a friendship was contracted between him and the high-souled Raghava.  And the latter, having slain Vali installed Sugriva in the kingdom.  And having obtained the kingdom, Sugriva sent forth monkeys by hundreds and by thousands in search of Sita.  And, O best of men, I too with innumerable monkeys set out towards the south in quest of Sita, O mighty-armed one.  Then a mighty vulture Sampati by name, communicated the tidings that Sita was in the abode of Ravana.  Thereupon with the object of securing success unto Rama, I all of a sudden bounded over the main, extending for a hundred yojanas.  And, O chief of the Bharatas, having by my own prowess crossed the ocean, that abode of sharks and crocodiles, I saw in Ravana’s residence, the daughter of king Janaka, Sita, like unto the daughter of a celestial.  And having interviewed that lady, Vaidehi, Rama’s beloved, and burnt the whole of Lanka with its towers and ramparts and gates, and proclaimed my name there, I returned.  Hearing everything from me the lotus-eyed Rama at once ascertained his course of action, and having for the passage of his army constructed a bridge across the deep, crossed it followed by myriads of monkeys.  Then by prowess Rama slew those Rakshasas in battle, and also Ravana, the oppressor of the worlds together with his Rakshasa followers.  And having slain the king of the Rakshasas, with his brother, and sons and kindred, he installed in the kingdom in Lanka the Rakshasa chief, Vibhishana, pious, and reverent, and kind to devoted dependants.  Then Rama recovered his wife even like the lost Vaidic revelation.  Then Raghu’s son, Rama, with his devoted wife, returned to his own city, Ayodhya, inaccessible to enemies; and that lord of men began to dwell there.  Then that foremost of kings, Rama was established in the kingdom.  Thereafter, I asked a boon of the lotus-eyed Rama, saying, “O slayer of foes, Rama, may I live as long as the history of thy deeds remaineth extant on earth!” Thereupon he said, “So be it.”  O represser of foes, O Bhima, through the grace of Sita also, here all excellent objects of entertainment are supplied to me, whoever abide at this place.  Rama reigned