his
mission, handed her a ring which her husband had given her, but which
she had left in her baggage. She had much difficulty in believing such
a miracle, and that Rama her husband had been able to make a beast give
her news of him, and such certain indications of his love. The monkey
Hanu-man did wonders at this interview, and being recognized as a spy
by the servants of Ravana, who wished to burn him, he made use of the
fire which they had prepared for him to set alight the palace of
Ravana, which was consumed almost entirely, by means of the rags which
they tied to his tail and body and set on lire. He threw himself
immediately among the straw and other combustible matter, which caused
a great conflagration in the palace. The monkey realizing that he would
not escape from Ravana if he again fell into his power, promptly
retraced the road by which he had come, and having bathed himself in
the sea, which he recrossed at a single bound, he gave Rama an account
of his adventures, and told him of the affliction in which he had found
Sita, who was in despair at finding herself so far removed from her
husband. Rama, touched by the affection of his wife, resolved at any
cost to deliver her from the hands of Ravana. This was accomplished,
the monkey serving him as guide, and with the aid of forces which Rama
had collected from different places. With much difficulty he approached
the palace of Ravana, which was still smoking, so great had been the
fire ; and the subjects of this Prince having been dispersed, it was
easy for Rama again to see his beloved Sita, whom Ravana abandoned and
fled in fear to the mountains. Rama and Sita experienced infinite joy
at seeing one another again, and did much honour to the monkey Hanuman,
who had rendered them so great a service.
As
for Ravana, he passed the remainder of his days as a poor Fakir, his
country being altogether ruined by the troops of Rama, who avenged the
injury he had received, and it is from this Ravana that this incredible
number of Fakirs, whom one sees in peregrination throughout India, have
taken their origin.1 These Fakirs lead a life of such
1
Tavernier was possibly misinformed. Sir G. Grierson, who has kindly
made inquiries, has failed to trace any legend connecting Kavana
