Sundar Kaanda
145 - Hanuman's grief at the sight of Sita in the Asoka grove and Ravana's threat to Sita
Chaupais
Description
Sita, you have offered me an insult; I will accordingly cut off your head with my relentless sword. If not, obey my command at once; or else you lose your life, O beautiful lady." "My lord's arm is lovely as a string of blue lotuses and shapely and long as the trunk of an elephant, O ten-headed monster. Either that arm or your dreadful sword will have my neck: hear this my solemn vow, O fool. (Turning to Ravana's glittering scimitar) Take away, O Candrahasa*, the burning anguish of my heart caused by the fire of separation from the Lord of the Raghus. You possess a cool, sharp and good blade; therefore, relieve the burden of my sorrow," Sita said. On hearing these words he rushed forward to kill Her; it was Queen Mandodari (Maya's daughter) who (intervened and) pacified him with words of good counsel. Summoning all the demonesses (posted there) he said, "Go and intimidate Sita in every way. If she does not accept my advice in a month's time I will draw my sword and behead her."