Sita's face glowed and paled with her many passing emotions as she listened to Hanuman. To her news of Rama was like a combination of poison and nectar as she sadly said, "Overwhelmed by the sudden fortunes or misfortunes that befall them, men are no longer their own masters but helpless puppets in the hands of the gods whom no creature on earth can defy. It is true Hanuman. See how Rama Lakshmana and I suffer". Hanuman listened to more of Sita's lamentations as she poured out her woes. She said that the one-year period given by Ravana for her to yield to him was drawing to a close and if Rama did not hurry, she would soon be dead. "When will Rama free me after slaying Ravana?" sobbed Sita, "Ravana disregarding his good brother Vibhishana's counsel refuses to return me to Rama, thereby inviting his own doom. Death is perhaps even now seeking the rakshasa to put him on the battlefield where he will fall to Rama's arrows. Which enemy can ever face Rama who has killed fourteen thousand Rakshasas all by himself. To end Sita's sorrow instantly Hanuman even offered to carry her on his back across the seas to Rama. Though happy and impressed at the offer Sita not only hesitated but doubted if Hanuman's small body could carry her. Stung by this new form of humiliation, Hanuman started growing his body back to his true form. He then stood large as mount Meru, glowing like a sacrificial fire with his diamond hard fangs and nails. But Sita still faltered, for though she was sure of Hanuman's strength she said that their haste might harm Rama's cause. "Your speed frightens me Hanuman, I may fall into the sea and become food for its creatures. Even to those who are most skilled and capable, protecting another would be a hazard and a hindrance." She was also afraid that on seeing them Ravana would send his armies after them. Since in war, neither victory nor defeat could ever be predicted, it would be unwise to provoke the rakshasas. Voicing her worry she said, "If the deadly demons hurt you there will be none else to bring Rama here. I also know that you can slay the enemy single handed, but then it will rob Rama of the glory of rescuing me himself. Hurry Hanuman, hurry before Rama, Lakshmana and every one else in Kishkinda, losing hope of ever seeing me, give up their lives. Also I have not touched any man except Rama. You may ask, 'what of Ravana?' Yes He carried me away because Rama was not there, I was helpless and there were none else to protect me or save me. Bring Rama soon Hanuman and relieve me of my sorrow."
Summary
Sita's face glowed and paled with her many passing emotions as she listened to Hanuman. To her news of Rama was like a combination of poison and nectar as she sadly said, "Overwhelmed by the sudden fortunes or misfortunes that befall them, men are no longer their own masters but helpless puppets in the hands of the gods whom no creature on earth can defy. It is true Hanuman. See how Rama Lakshmana and I suffer". Hanuman listened to more of Sita's lamentations as she poured out her woes. She said that the one-year period given by Ravana for her to yield to him was drawing to a close and if Rama did not hurry, she would soon be dead. "When will Rama free me after slaying Ravana?" sobbed Sita, "Ravana disregarding his good brother Vibhishana's counsel refuses to return me to Rama, thereby inviting his own doom. Death is perhaps even now seeking the rakshasa to put him on the battlefield where he will fall to Rama's arrows. Which enemy can ever face Rama who has killed fourteen thousand Rakshasas all by himself. To end Sita's sorrow instantly Hanuman even offered to carry her on his back across the seas to Rama. Though happy and impressed at the offer Sita not only hesitated but doubted if Hanuman's small body could carry her. Stung by this new form of humiliation, Hanuman started growing his body back to his true form. He then stood large as mount Meru, glowing like a sacrificial fire with his diamond hard fangs and nails. But Sita still faltered, for though she was sure of Hanuman's strength she said that their haste might harm Rama's cause. "Your speed frightens me Hanuman, I may fall into the sea and become food for its creatures. Even to those who are most skilled and capable, protecting another would be a hazard and a hindrance." She was also afraid that on seeing them Ravana would send his armies after them. Since in war, neither victory nor defeat could ever be predicted, it would be unwise to provoke the rakshasas. Voicing her worry she said, "If the deadly demons hurt you there will be none else to bring Rama here. I also know that you can slay the enemy single handed, but then it will rob Rama of the glory of rescuing me himself. Hurry Hanuman, hurry before Rama, Lakshmana and every one else in Kishkinda, losing hope of ever seeing me, give up their lives. Also I have not touched any man except Rama. You may ask, 'what of Ravana?' Yes He carried me away because Rama was not there, I was helpless and there were none else to protect me or save me. Bring Rama soon Hanuman and relieve me of my sorrow."