Sugriva and his heroic army continued faithful to their king's promise until Rama's victory was won, though death had considerably thinned their ranks; but this loss was made good as, in answer to Rama's prayer, Yama gave up the whole of the Vanars who had died in the struggle. When Rama was about to return home in the magic car, Sugriva asked that he and the Vanar chiefs might accompany him to his capital. Their request being granted, they took part in the installation of Rama as king, and received from that grateful monarch rich presents as a reward for their faithful service.

2. HANUMAN.

Hanuman, on the whole the most useful of the Monkey leaders of the expedition to Ceylon, was the son of Vayu, by a Vanar or monkey mother. "His birth is thus described--

"An Apsaras, the fairest found
Of nymphs, for heavenly charms renowned,
Sweet Punjikasthala, became
A noble Vanar's wedded dame.
Her heavenly title heard no more,
Anjana was the name she bore,
When, cursed by gods, from heaven she fell,
In Vanar form on earth to dwell.
* * * * *
In youthful beauty wondrous fair,
A crown of flowers about her hair.
In silken robes of richest dye,
She roamed the hills that kiss the sky.
Once in her tinted garments dressed,
She stood upon the mountain crest.
The god of wind beside her came,
And breathed upon the lovely dame;
And as he fanned her robe aside,
The wondrous beauty that he eyed,

In rounded lines of breast and limb,
And neck and shoulders, ravished him,
And captured by her peerless charms,
He strained her in his amorous arms.
Then to the eager god she cried,
In trembling accents, terrified,
'Whose impious love has wronged a spouse
So constant to her nuptial vows?'

Click to enlarge
HANUMAN.

He heard, and thus his answer made:
'Oh, be not troubled, nor afraid,
But trust, and thou shalt know ere long
My love has done thee, sweet, no wrong.
So strong, and brave, and wise shall be
The glorious son I give to thee;
Might shall be his, that nought can tire,
And limbs to spring as springs his sire.'

[paragraph continues] Thus spoke the god: the conquered dame
Rejoiced in heart, nor feared the shame." [**]