Summary



Consenting to Jambavan's opinion the vsanara bands rose enmass. Trying to emulate Hanuman, some wanted to earn fame by serving Rama while some wanted to bring him joy by telling him of Sita's discovery. But every one chafed for war and wanted to favor Rama by serving him. Soaring in the sky they soon arrived at Madhuvana. Into that grove which was the pride of Sugriva and as beautiful as the garden of the gods none were permitted to enter. No creature could even behold it. But the vanaras with Angada's approval entered the forbidden grove. Their joy at Sita's discovery was boundless, they swarmed in, dancing and singing like the demented. Jumping into trees they swung by their tails, laughed hysterically, hugged each other and frolicked deliriously. Gulping honey insatiably they soon became intoxicated and more boisterous, wrecking havoc upon the sylvan serenity as broken beehives and torn branches soon littered the forest floor. It was then that the guardian of the grove appeared on the scene and ordered them out. But the inebriated monkeys defied his orders, scratched him with their nails, bit him with their teeth and tossed him around with their hands and legs.