The Lord then summoned Hanuman. ‘Go you to Lanka,’ said the Blessed Lord, ‘and tell Janaki all the news and then return with tidings of her welfare.’

Then Hanuman entered the city. Upon hearing of it, the demons, male and female, ran to receive him. They did him every possible reverence and showed him where Janaki was.

Hanuman made obeisance to her from a distance, and Janaki recognized him as Raghupati’s own envoy. ‘Tell me son,’ she said, ‘is my Lord, abode of grace, well and his brother and all the monkey host?

‘All is well,’ said Hanuman, ‘with the lord of Kosala, and, mother, he has conquered Ravana of the Ten Heads in battle; Vibhishana is now securely possessed of the throne.’ Upon hearing Hanuman’s words Sita’s heart was filled with joy.

Her heart was overjoyed, the hair of her body bristled with delight and with eyes full of tears she said again and again, ‘What can I give you, Hanuman? There is nothing in all the three worlds to be compared to your tidings.’ ‘Listen, mother,’ Hanuman replied, ‘assuredly today I have attained the sovereignty of the whole world when I behold the unblemished Rama and his brother triumphant over the ranks of the enemy.’

‘Listen, my son,’ said Janaki; ‘may every virtue, Hanuman, abide in your heart and may the lord of Kosala and Ananta (Lakshmana) be ever gracious to you!

Now, my son, devise some plan by which I may see with my own eyes the dark and delicate form of my lord.’ Then Hanuman returned to Rama and told him of Sita’s continuing well-being.