66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

successfully.”
Hanuman and Angada went southward, taking a picked
army with them. They crossed mountains and rivers.
Wherever they suspected Ravana might be hiding, they fell
to in a frenzy and ransacked every nook and corner
searching for Sita. In their desperation to find a shelter
where she might be hidden, they rushed into the mouth of a
cavern and, proceeding along a tunnel, found it impossible
to get out: they were trapped in complete darkness. They
lost trace of all directions, landmarks, forms, and outlines in
an all-consuming darkness. They had no doubt that Ravana
had contrived this for them, and felt helpless against a
trickery designed to deprive them of their vision. Hanuman,
through his extraordinary powers, helped them to edge their
way along, until they found themselves led, deep within the
bowels of the earth, after many an hour’s journeying, to an
enchanting city of palatial buildings, squares, fountains,
parks, and avenues. Although no sunlight could pierce so
deep, there was an unchanging glow emanating from the
brilliant golden domes, embedded with precious stones
emitting a natural light. With all this perfection, there was not
a soul in sight. No human or any being of any kind anywhere.
“Are we all dead and opening our eyes in heaven or is this
another illusion that Ravana has created for us? If we are
dead, how are we to discharge our duties to Rama? If we
are alive, how are we to get out of this trap?”