66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

gods will be sporting. Then you will reach the range called
Hemakuta on whose gold-topped towers divine damsels
descend, to spend their hours composing and singing lyrics
which lull even birds and beasts to sleep. Leave Hemakuta
and go farther south. Let your search everywhere be swift.
You will come upon Vidarbha, with its frontiers marked with
sandalwood and other fragrant trees, and a country of
orchards of all the fruits nature can offer. Let not your army
tarry here for a feast.” Thus he went on giving precise
instructions for Hanuman’s passage through several parts of
the country, giving a clear picture of the landscape,
mountains, valleys, and rivers to be crossed so that the army
might proceed on the right lines and not get lost. Finally he
said, “Do not let any holy spot divert your attention from your
main task. If you find yourself approaching that holiest
mountain, Thiruvengadam, make a detour; a visit to this spot
will doubtless give you salvation, but seek your salvation
later after Sita has been found. Ravana is not likely to have
set foot on this sacred ground. Your time is limited. I will give
you thirty days to search. Soonest after that, I want you back
here with your report.”
Anjaneya was ready to depart, but at this moment Rama
asked, “O learned one! If you come upon her, by what signs
will you recognize her as Sita?” Hanuman had no answer for
this. Whereupon Rama took him aside to explain, “If you
observe her feet, you will find her toe-nails glowing red like
ruby. Her feet are incomparable. Observe her heels carefully.