Rama bowed to Agastya and told him that even though Ravana and Vali were powerful, they were nothing before Hanuman. Rama then recounted Hanuman’s prowess, explaining how he leapt across the ocean and burnt Lanka. Rama said that he could win against Ravana because of Hanuman’s contribution to the war.

 

The sage Agastya then narrated the story of Hanuman. Born to the ape king Kesari and Anjana, Hanuman was the son of the wind God Vayu. Once the child Hanuman was hungry. He saw the sun and thinking it to be fruit leapt in the air trying to grab it. At the same time, Rahu was planning to grab the sun but was struck by Hanuman.

 

Rahu then informed what had happened to Indra. The king of Gods mounted his elephant Airavata and proceeded towards the sun. Hanuman saw Airavata and rushed towards it. An angry Indra then threw his Vajra at Hanuman. The mighty weapon struck Hanuman on his jaw, breaking the bone. The child then fell to the earth.

 

Seeing his son fall, an angry Vayu withdrew making it difficult for people to breathe. As everyone suffered, the Gods went to Prajapati. Understanding what had happened, Prajapati went to meet Vayu along with the other Gods. Brahma then blessed Vayu and the child. He asked all the Gods to give boons to the child.

 

Indra said that since the child’s jawbone was shattered by his vajra, it would be known as Hanumat. All the Gods then one by one blessed Hanuman saying that their weapons would not be able to kill Hanuman. Vishwakarma who had crafted all the celestial weapons said that none of the weapons would be able to kill Hanuman.

 

Vayu was satisfied, and taking his son returned him to Anjana. Not knowing his strength, the child Hanuman would trouble the sages. The sages then cursed him saying that he would forget his powers and lose his energy until he was reminded of it. Hanuman grew up and became a close aide to Sugriva, the brother of Vali.

 

Having narrated this story, Agastya and the other sages blessed Rama and left from Ayodhya. Rama then thanked all the kings who had come there to greet him. He received the gifts they had brought, and then bid them goodbye. Rama distributed all the jewels and gifts to Sugriva, Vibhishana, Hanuman, and the other apes.

 

Vibhishana and Sugriva took leave of Rama and returned to their kingdoms. Hanuman told Rama that he did not want to leave and wanted to remain with Rama. The pleased Rama removed his necklace and placed it on Hanuman’s neck.

 

One day, the Pushpaka vimana returned and told Rama that Kubera had gifted the vehicle to Rama. After honouring the vimana, Rama sent it back to Kubera. Rama then spent time with Sita in a beautiful grove. Both Rama and Sita continued to perform austerities. Sita took good care of all her mothers-in-law.

 

When Sita became pregnant, Rama was happy and asked her what she wanted. Sita said that she wanted to spend time in the ashramas of sages, taking their blessings. Rama then went to his court. He asked his courtier Bhadra to report on what was happening in the kingdom.

 

Bhadra reported that people were talking about how Rama had killed Ravana. He told Rama that people were also asking why Rama had taken back Sita, who had been abducted by Ravana. The people were worried that their wives would also expect to be taken back in similar circumstances.

 

Hearing these words, Rama was perturbed. He summoned his brothers and told them about what the people were saying. Rama was upset that even though the Gods had proclaimed Sita proclaimed as being free from sin, people were talking about her. He then asked Lakshmana to take Sita to the forest and leave her at Valmiki’s ashrama.