Seeking Sita the lotus eyed lady from Videha, Hanuman climbed up the jewelled stairs of the many storeyed Pushpaka, whose dazzle was enhanced by its lamps and the radiant presence of Ravana. Glowing like the abode of Lakshmi, it made even the splendor of Indra and Kubera pale in comparison with that of Ravana and the bewitched Vanara wondered, "This must be heaven. Or is it the abode of Brahma? Can this be Indra's Amaravathi?" The air was redolent with divine fragrances and tantalising aromas of food and drink. Like the very embodiment of Vayu it seemed to indicate to Hanuman that at the source of those aromas would be found Ravana. In the inner chambers, amidst the scent of exotic flowers, unguents, incense and sandal, slumbered the many wives of Ravana. Countless was their number and diverse their worlds. Hailing from the most respectful of homes, maidens all, they were in Lanka by choice and not by compulsion. Except for Sita none were there against their will. Infatuated with Ravana and captivated by his stunning good looks they were there only for the love of him. Beautiful, loyal and obedient they were women whom any husband would desire and cherish as his wife. Shining like stars come down to earth, charming as full blown, lotuses, they had perhaps deluded many a bee during the day. Couched by the softest of carpets lay a thousand women who seemed to have dropped down with sheer exhaustion and intoxication though barely past midnight. In the aftermath of that revelry, like blossoms in a heap lay the revellers. Eyes fringed with dark lush lashes were closed and pearly white teeth hid behind petal soft pink lips. Broken girdles, snapped anklets and scattered pearls bore mute witness to an exuberance without restraint. Those celestially beautiful women lay with such abandon that their clothes and jewels were in disarray, limbs were entwined and vermilion smudged. Some were half clad and some were barely clad! But all had succumbed to the sleep of the happy and the content. In that world lost to everything else outside its walls, blazed the golden lamps seeming to stare with fixed unblinking eyes upon those beautiful women, because Ravana was asleep, perhaps! With still no sign of Sita, Hanuman was sad and he was rebellious as he fumed "How could Ravana ever commit the evil of robbing Sita, pure and chaste, consort of Rama? It would augur well for him if he gave her back to Rama and so would it for Sugriva, to steal all of Ravana's wives! If I can only see Sita as I am seeing the wives of Ravana, my life's mission would be fulfilled".
Summary
Seeking Sita the lotus eyed lady from Videha, Hanuman climbed up the jewelled stairs of the many storeyed Pushpaka, whose dazzle was enhanced by its lamps and the radiant presence of Ravana. Glowing like the abode of Lakshmi, it made even the splendor of Indra and Kubera pale in comparison with that of Ravana and the bewitched Vanara wondered, "This must be heaven. Or is it the abode of Brahma? Can this be Indra's Amaravathi?" The air was redolent with divine fragrances and tantalising aromas of food and drink. Like the very embodiment of Vayu it seemed to indicate to Hanuman that at the source of those aromas would be found Ravana. In the inner chambers, amidst the scent of exotic flowers, unguents, incense and sandal, slumbered the many wives of Ravana. Countless was their number and diverse their worlds. Hailing from the most respectful of homes, maidens all, they were in Lanka by choice and not by compulsion. Except for Sita none were there against their will. Infatuated with Ravana and captivated by his stunning good looks they were there only for the love of him. Beautiful, loyal and obedient they were women whom any husband would desire and cherish as his wife. Shining like stars come down to earth, charming as full blown, lotuses, they had perhaps deluded many a bee during the day. Couched by the softest of carpets lay a thousand women who seemed to have dropped down with sheer exhaustion and intoxication though barely past midnight. In the aftermath of that revelry, like blossoms in a heap lay the revellers. Eyes fringed with dark lush lashes were closed and pearly white teeth hid behind petal soft pink lips. Broken girdles, snapped anklets and scattered pearls bore mute witness to an exuberance without restraint. Those celestially beautiful women lay with such abandon that their clothes and jewels were in disarray, limbs were entwined and vermilion smudged. Some were half clad and some were barely clad! But all had succumbed to the sleep of the happy and the content. In that world lost to everything else outside its walls, blazed the golden lamps seeming to stare with fixed unblinking eyes upon those beautiful women, because Ravana was asleep, perhaps! With still no sign of Sita, Hanuman was sad and he was rebellious as he fumed "How could Ravana ever commit the evil of robbing Sita, pure and chaste, consort of Rama? It would augur well for him if he gave her back to Rama and so would it for Sugriva, to steal all of Ravana's wives! If I can only see Sita as I am seeing the wives of Ravana, my life's mission would be fulfilled".