Sugriva produces a robe, bracelets, and anklets that fell from Sita as she was being carried off by Ravana; the anklets Rama recognizes at once, and is greatly comforted as Sugriva tells him that though at present unable to inform him where Sita has been taken, he will be able to obtain this information, and assist him in his attempt to rescue her. Sugriva then narrates the story of his quarrel with his brother, but, ere he believes that Rama can materially assist him, wished to test the wonderful bow of the hero. He was greatly astonished as he saw an arrow Rama discharged pierce seven palm-trees in line, pass through a hill behind them, and, after traversing six subterranean worlds, return to the quiver. The Vanar king, seeing he has secured no common ally, goes forth fearlessly against his brother; and in the fight, when Sugriva was getting worsted, Rama sends an arrow which slays his brother. This was regarded by the dying man as an act of gross injustice, because Rama slew him without informing him who he was; had

he only known he would gladly have assisted him in his quest for Sita.

Sugriva, on the fall of his brother, re-ascends the throne, but is so fully occupied with the pleasures of his position as to forget the promise of help he had given Rama, by whose prowess his dominion had been regained. Hanuman, ever faithful to Rama's cause, reminds him--

"The realm is won, thy name advanced,
The glory of thy house enhanced;
And now thy foremost care should be
To aid the friends who succoured thee." [**]

But this reminder of his duty is insufficient to arouse the king from his selfish enjoyment; it was not until Rama sends a strong message by Lakshman that he is alive to his duty. When, however, he does move, it is to collect a mighty army. Of the troops collected for this enterprise it is said--

"Thousands, yea, millions shall there be
Obedient to their king's decree.
* * * *
Fierce bears and monkey troops combined,
And apes of every varied kind,
Terrific in their forms, who dwell
In grove and wood and bosky dell." [*+]

The king gave instructions to each leader of a division, as to the limits of the district he was to search for the lost princess; but as Ravana was believed to have gone towards the south, Hanuman's district, special instruction was given to him; and Rama entrusted him with a ring which, if successful in discovering Sita, he could show her as a proof that he was a messenger from her husband. For a long time the search was fruitless, and would have been given up as