66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

clothed in ascetics’ robes? But they still look like—like
whom? They appear to be incomparable beings. No way of
judging by comparison. Are they gods?—but they look so
human.” Hanuman, unable to contain himself, stepped up
before them and announced, “I am the son of Vayu and
Anjana. I am called Anjaneya (or Hanuman), I am in the
service of my chief, Sugreeva, who is the son of the sun god.
I welcome you to our kingdom on his behalf.”
Rama whispered to his brother, “Don’t be misled by his
appearance. He looks like a youthful scholar, but he must be
possessed of great powers!” And then he said, “Please
guide us to your chief.”
Now Hanuman asked, “Whom shall I have the honour of
announcing?” While Rama paused, Lakshmana stepped in
to say, “We are the sons of Dasaratha, the late King of
Ayodhya.” He narrated briefly their history and explained why
they were here rather than at the palace in the capital city.
On hearing the story, Anjaneya prostrated himself at the feet
of Rama. Rama said, “No, you are a man of learning and I
am only a warrior and you should not touch my feet,”
whereupon Hanuman (or Anjaneya) said, “I assumed the
scholar’s form only for the purpose of coming before you,”
and resumed his real stature and the form of a giant monkey.
He then left them, to return later accompanied by Sugreeva.
Rama, at the first sight of Sugreeva, felt an instinctive
compassion and also felt that this was a momentous