Kishkindha Kand
Analysis
The hungry and thirsty monkeys enter a cave, where they see divine trees, a divine lake, divine buildings, and an elderly woman practising austerities. Hanuman asks her who she is.
Hanuman, together with Tara and Angada, began searching for Sita in the caves and dense forests of the Vindhya mountains. They searched the caverns filled with lions and tigers, as well as the surrounding land. They also explored the great waterfalls and places that were difficult to reach on the mountain.
As they wandered, the three monkeys reached a mountain peak. While they were there, the time Sugriva had fixed for their return passed. Searching for Sita in that vast region, filled with caves and forests, was very difficult. Even so, Hanuman, the son of the Wind God, continued searching the entire mountain.
Then Gaja, Gavaksha, Sharabha, Gandhamadana, Hanuman, Jambavan, Prince Angada, and the forest-dwelling monkey Tara spread out, remaining a short distance from one another. They searched for Sita in the southern regions surrounded by mountain ranges.
During their search, they saw a cave whose entrance was open, though entering it was very difficult. The cave was known as Riksha, and a demon guarded it.
The monkeys were suffering from hunger and thirst. They were exhausted and wanted water to drink. They began looking towards the enormous cave, which was covered with creepers and trees.
Just then, krauncha birds, swans, cranes, and chakravaka birds emerged from it. They were wet with water, and their bodies were tinged red with lotus pollen.
When all those excellent monkeys approached the fragrant cave, which was difficult to reach, they were filled with wonder. They suspected that there was water inside.
Those mighty and radiant monkeys approached the cave with great joy. It was filled with many kinds of creatures and appeared as terrifying as the netherworld, the dwelling place of the kings of demons. It was so fearsome that even looking towards it seemed difficult. Entering it was extremely challenging.
At that moment, Hanuman, the son of the Wind God, whose form resembled a mountain peak and who understood difficult matters, addressed those monkeys:
“Brothers, the southern regions are mostly surrounded by mountain ranges. We have become very tired searching for Sita, the daughter of the King of Mithila, but we have not seen her anywhere.
“Swans, krauncha birds, cranes, and chakravaka birds wet with water are emerging from this cave before us. Surely there must be a well or some other body of water inside. That is why the trees at its entrance are so green.”
When Hanuman said this, all the monkeys entered the cave, which was filled with darkness. Not even the rays of the sun or moon could reach inside.
They found that the cave made their hair stand on end. Seeing the lions, deer, and birds emerging from it, those excellent monkeys made their way into the darkness.
Their movement was unhindered, and their strength and courage remained undiminished. They moved like the wind, and their eyes could see even in the darkness. Those excellent monkeys entered the cavern boldly.
Inside, they found a place that was splendid, radiant, and beautiful. Holding on to one another, they travelled a yojana through that terrifying cave, which contained many kinds of trees.
Their thirst was so great that they were almost losing consciousness. Desperate for water, they became distressed. For some time, they continued moving through the cavern without stopping.
When those heroic monkeys had become weak, their faces drawn, and had lost hope of surviving, they saw a light.
Leaving the darkness and entering the illuminated region, those gentle monkeys saw a forest free from darkness. All its trees were golden and shone with a radiance like fire.
There were sal, palm, tamala, kesara, ashoka, dhava, champa, naga trees, and oleanders, all covered with flowers.
Their unusual golden clusters and bright red shoots seemed like crowns upon the trees. Creepers wound around them, and their fruits adorned them like golden ornaments. They looked like the rising sun.
Platforms made of vaidurya gems stood beneath them. The golden trees glowed with their own radiance.
There were lotus plants with the lustre of blue vaidurya gems, surrounded by birds. They also saw lakes encircled by great golden trees that shone like the morning sun.
Large golden fish adorned the waters. The lakes were filled with clear water and beautified by golden lotuses.
The monkeys saw many magnificent buildings made of gold and silver. Their windows were covered with pearl latticework, and golden railings adorned them.
There were aerial vehicles made of gold and silver. Some houses were made of gold, others of silver. Many were built from earthly materials such as bricks, stone, and wood, with vaidurya gems embedded in them.
The trees there bore flowers and fruit and shone like coral and precious gems. Golden bees hovered around them.
Honey was stored throughout the houses. Beautiful beds and seats, inlaid with gold and gems, had been placed everywhere. They were large and of many different kinds. The monkeys saw these too.
There were heaps of vessels made of gold, silver, and bronze. Stores of agarwood and divine sandalwood had been carefully preserved.
There were pure foods, fruits, and flowers. Valuable conveyances, delicious honey, piles of precious divine garments, beautiful blankets, carpets, and deerskins lay here and there.
Everything glowed with a radiance like fire. The monkeys also saw heaps of shining gold.
While searching through the cave, those radiant and courageous monkeys saw a woman a short distance away. She wore bark garments and a black deerskin, ate a regulated diet, and was absorbed in austerities. She shone with her own spiritual radiance.
The monkeys looked at her closely and stood around her in amazement.
Then Hanuman asked her, “Lady, who are you, and whose cave is this?”
Hanuman, whose body was as vast as a mountain, joined his hands, bowed to the elderly ascetic, and asked:
“Lady, who are you? Please tell us whose cave, buildings, and treasures these are.”
In response to Hanuman’s questions, the elderly ascetic introduces herself and the divine place, and invites all the monkeys to eat.
After asking this, Hanuman again addressed that noble, virtuous ascetic, who wore bark garments and a black deerskin:
“Lady, we were suffering from hunger, thirst, and exhaustion. That is why we suddenly entered this dark cave. This cavern in the earth is enormous.
“We came here because we were distressed. But seeing these extraordinary and astonishing things has made us deeply uneasy. We are worried that this might be an illusion created by demons. That is why we are frightened, and our judgement seems to have failed us.
“We wish to know whose golden trees these are, shining like the rising sun.
“Through whose power have these pure foods, fruits, roots, golden aerial vehicles, silver houses, golden windows covered with lattices of gems, and sacred golden trees appeared? The trees are fragrant and laden with flowers and fruit.
“How have golden lotuses grown in the clear water here? Why do the fish and turtles in these lakes appear golden?
“Has all this come about through your own power, or someone else’s? Whose austerities have produced this effect?
“We know nothing about this. That is why we ask. Please be kind enough to tell us everything.”
When Hanuman asked these questions, that virtuous ascetic, devoted to the welfare of all living beings, replied:
“Best of monkeys, you must have heard the name of Maya, the immensely powerful master of illusion. Through his powers, he created this entire golden forest.
“Mayasura was once the Vishwakarma of the foremost demons. He built this magnificent divine golden dwelling.
“After performing severe austerities in the forest for years, he received from Brahma, as a boon, the full wealth of Shukracharya’s craftsmanship.
“The powerful Mayasura, master of all that he desired, created everything here and lived happily in this great forest for some time.
“Later, that king of demons became involved with an apsara named Hema. When Indra, the lord of the gods, learned of this, he took his thunderbolt, fought him, and drove him away.
“Afterwards, Brahma gave Hema this magnificent forest, its inexhaustible pleasures, and this golden dwelling.
“I am the daughter of Merusavarni. My name is Swayamprabha. Best of monkeys, I guard this dwelling belonging to Hema.
“Hema, who is skilled in dancing and singing, is my dear friend. She asked me to protect her dwelling. That is why I look after this enormous residence.
“What brings you here? For what purpose are you wandering through these inaccessible places? It is very difficult to enter this forest. How did you discover it?
“Here are pure food, fruits, and roots. Eat them and drink some water. Then tell me your whole story.”
The monkeys tell the ascetic Swayamprabha their story. Through her power, they emerge from the cave and reach the seashore.
After all the monkey leaders had eaten, drunk, and rested, that ascetic, devoted to righteousness and steadfast in mind, said to them:
“Monkeys, if eating the fruit has relieved your exhaustion, and if your story is suitable for me to hear, I would like to hear it.”
Hearing her words, Hanuman, the son of the Wind God, began telling her the truth in a straightforward manner:
“Lady, Lord Rama, the son of Dasharatha and king of the whole world, whose splendour is like that of Indra and Varuna, came to Dandakaranya.
“With him were his younger brother Lakshmana and his lawful wife Sita, the daughter of the King of Videha.
“Ravana came to Janasthana and forcibly abducted his wife.
“The heroic Sugriva, king of the excellent monkeys, is a friend of Lord Ramachandra. He sent us, together with these leading warriors, including Angada, to search for Sita in the southern direction, inhabited by Agastya and protected by Yama.
“He instructed us, ‘Remain together and find Sita, the daughter of the King of Videha, and Ravana, the king of the rakshasas, who can assume any form he wishes.’
“We have searched the entire forest here. Now we must search for them in the ocean to the south.
“So far, we have found no trace of Sita. We became afflicted by hunger and thirst. Eventually, exhausted, we all sat beneath a tree.
“The brightness of our faces had faded. We were all lost in worry. We had sunk into an ocean of anxiety and could not find a way across it.
“At that moment, as we looked around, we saw this enormous cave, covered with creepers and trees and enveloped in darkness.
“Soon afterwards, swans, kurara birds, cranes, and other birds emerged from it. Their wings were wet with water and smeared with mud.
“Then I said to the monkeys, ‘It would be good for us to enter it.’ All these monkeys also concluded that there was water inside.
“We were eager to accomplish our task, so we entered the cave. Holding one another’s hands firmly, we began moving forward.
“That is how we entered this dark cave. This is our task, and this is why we came here.
“We were distressed and weakened by hunger, so we sought refuge with you.
“In keeping with the duty of hospitality, you offered us fruits and roots. Afflicted by hunger, we ate our fill.
“Lady, we were dying of hunger. You have saved all our lives. Now tell us what service we can offer to repay your kindness.”
Swayamprabha was also all-knowing. In response, she said to all the troop leaders:
“I am already very pleased with all of you powerful monkeys. Since I remain devoted to the practice of righteousness, I have no need of anything from anyone.”
When the ascetic spoke these noble words, filled with righteousness, Hanuman addressed that lady of faultless vision:
“Lady, you are devoted to righteousness, and we have all sought refuge with you.
“The time the noble Sugriva had fixed for our return has passed while we were wandering inside this cave.
“Now, please be kind enough to take us out of this cavern.
“We have exceeded the time Sugriva gave us. Our lives have therefore come to an end. We are all afraid of Sugriva. Please save us.
“Lady devoted to righteousness, because we have remained in this cave, we have also been unable to carry out the great task entrusted to us.”
When Hanuman said this, the ascetic replied:
“I believe that anyone who enters this cave finds it very difficult to leave it alive.
“Nevertheless, through the great power of my observances and austerities, I will take all of you monkeys out of this cave.
“Excellent monkeys, close your eyes. It is impossible to leave this place without closing them.”
Hearing this, they covered their eyes with their hands, whose fingers were delicate. Happy at the prospect of leaving the cave, they immediately shut their eyes.
Once those noble monkeys had covered their faces with their hands, Swayamprabha brought them out in the blink of an eye.
Then that virtuous ascetic reassured all the monkeys she had brought out of the difficult cavern and said:
“Excellent monkeys, here is the beautiful Vindhya mountain, covered with many kinds of trees and creepers. Over here is Prasravana mountain, and before you the great ocean is surging.
“May all be well with you. Now I shall return to my own dwelling.”
Having said this, Swayamprabha went back into the beautiful cave.