Ram's Ring in the Ashok Garden

When he reached Lanka, Hanuman thought, "With this big body, everyone will see me." So he became as small as a cat and quietly searched for Sita Mata through the night. Golden palaces, tall buildings, lovely gardens: he looked everywhere.

At last he came to a big garden called Ashok Vatika. There, under a shimshapa tree, he saw a very thin and sad lady. She wore plain clothes and was quietly remembering Ram in her heart. Hanuman understood that this was Sita Mata, whom Ravan had carried away by a trick. Tears came to his eyes.

Hanuman hid among the branches of the tree. He thought, "If I suddenly appear in front of her, Mata will be frightened." So, in a soft and sweet voice, he began to tell Ram's story: "In Ayodhya there was a king named Dasharath... his son Ram is good and kind... he is searching for Sita..."

Hearing Ram's name, Sita Mata looked up in surprise. A small monkey was sitting in the tree. Hanuman climbed down gently, folded his hands, bowed and said, "Mata, I am Ram's messenger. My name is Hanuman. So that you can trust me, Ram has sent you this." And he placed Ram's ring in her hand. Ram's name was written on it.

The moment she saw the ring, Sita Mata's face lit up. It felt as if Ram himself had come to her. She asked, "How is Ram? How is Lakshman? Do they remember me?"

Hanuman said, "Mata, Ram remembers you every moment. He only did not know where you were. Now I will go and tell him. Please be patient for a few more days. He will come with the monkey army and take you home."

Hope rose in Sita Mata's heart. She blessed Hanuman: "Son, may you always be strong and full of good qualities, and may Ram always love you." Then she took off her chudamani, a beautiful jewel she wore in her hair, and gave it to him. "Give this to Ram. He will know it is from me."

Hanuman kept the chudamani safely and bowed to Sita Mata. After a few more adventures in Lanka, he leapt back across the sea to give Ram the happy news.