Neev: Welcome back to Mythical Masala! I’m Neev, and we’re picking up on the next chapter of Rama’s search for Seeta. Joining me, as always, is my somewhat funny co-host - my mom.

Co-host: Hey everyone! So, last time, we left off with Sugreeva becoming king and the search for Seeta beginning. Today, we’re following Hanuman as he faces wild challenges on his way to find Seeta. 

Neev: That’s right. From magical caves to divine tests, Hanuman’s journey is a lesson in courage, wit, and devotion. Ready to dive in?

Co-host: Absolutely! Let’s see what the mighty Hanuman is up to!

Neev: Hanuman and the vanara sena searched high and low for Seeta, but there was no sign of her. 

Co-host: Vanara Sena means Monkey army. 

Neev: That’s right! With no luck. their energy began to wane. Hungry, thirsty, and tired, they stumbled upon a mysterious cave, its entrance bustling with birds flying out.

Co-host: I can almost hear their stomachs growling. It would be super lucky to find some food in that cave.

Neev: More than luck. Inside the cave, they found an enchanting sight—fruit trees bursting with color, sweet water springs, and waterfalls.

Co-host: That’s definitely more than what I asked for! 

Neev: They feasted and explored the beautiful, deserted city within. But soon, they encountered an old ascetic woman, Swayamprabha. She was the caretaker of this magical place, a gift from Indra to her friend.

Co-host: Bet she wasn’t expecting a whole army of monkeys to drop in.

Neev: True! But Swayamprabha was kind. When they told her about their search for Seeta, she offered to help. With her meditation powers, she transported them to the seaside in an instant.

Co-host: That sounds like teleportation to me! Quite the magical power!

Neev: It was Spring by the time they arrived at the seaside. Days passed, but the vanaras still had no clue about Seeta’s location. Prince Angad, overcome with despair, decided to fast unto death, fearing Sugreeva’s wrath if they returned empty-handed.

Co-host: Oh no, a hunger strike? That’s drastic. But I get it—Sugreeva isn’t exactly known for his patience.

Neev:  When the Prince fasted, the others could not eat as well. As Angad and the vanaras sat silently, waiting for death, an old vulture named Sampaati overheard their conversation.

Co-host: Sampaati was the brother of Jatayu - the vulture at Panchvati who had tried to save Seeta when Ravan abducted her. Sampaati had lost his wings while protecting Jatayu from the sun’s scorching rays in their younger days. 

Neev: Sampaati was looking forward to a good meal when he heard the army talking about  Dasharatha's son Rama, the search for Seeta. and Jatayu's death, He forgot his own hunger and called out to them. 

Co-host: Wait, so he was planning to eat the monkeys, but then had a change of heart? Wouldn’t he get Hangry? I mean he’s hungry, but then he is probably angry learning about Jatayu’s death!

Neev:  I am sure, but let’s not digress. Using his sharp eyesight, Sampaati revealed that Seeta was in Lanka, guarded by rakshasis. Then suddenly, miraculously Sampaati’s wings grew back! 

Co-host: Let me guess. Because he helped Rama and fulfilled some destiny? That’s some instant karma. 

Neev:  It’s one of those moments where fate rewards the good.

Neev: With Seeta’s location revealed, the vanaras debated how to cross the vast ocean to Lanka. They calculated their leaping distances, but none could cover it in one leap.

Co-host: Lanka or what is present day Sri Lanka is a small island country to the south of India. The water body separating them is just about 50 kms and known as Palk Strait. It would be a world record if they covered that distance in one leap.

Neev: Yeah, that just might happen. Jambavan, the wise old bear, turned to Hanuman. He reminded Hanuman of his divine parentage and tremendous powers.

Neev: “You are the son of Vayu, the Wind-god,” Jambavan said. “Born with unmatched strength and speed, you have the ability to achieve what seems impossible.”

Co-host: Hanuman didn’t know of his power and strength because of a curse. If you haven’t, make sure to listen to Episode 16 to learn more about Hanuman’s mischiefs as a child. 

Neev: Jambavan reminded Hanuman about the incident when he lost his powers. Encouraged by Jambavan’s words and his faith in Rama, Hanuman grew in size, his figure towering like a mountain.

Co-host: Talk about an epic transformation. Unlike Hulk, he didn’t even need to get angry to increase his size!

Neev: : You bet! The vanara sena shouted and cheered in delight as Hanuman glowed with new energy! 

Neev: Standing atop Mahendra Mountain, Hanuman prayed to the gods, especially his father Vayu. With Rama’s name on his lips, he took a mighty leap into the sky, over the ocean towards the south, where Lanka lay.

Co-host: Woo! So did he make it all the way across in one big leap? 

Neev: Nope, not really. In the ocean lay Mainaka mountain that had taken shelter in the ocean to escape persecution by Indra. 

Co-host: I just thought of something!

Neev: What?

Co-host: Everything in the Ramayana is quote unquote human - mountains are sort of human, oceans, trees, even stones! 

Neev: Yes, that’s what makes the story interesting! Kind of the talking trees - Ents in the Lord of the Rings series. They are all guides that help the main hero to overcome challenges.

Neev: The ocean king sent Mainaka to offer Hanuman a resting spot. 

Co-host: A resting spot? How thoughtful! Did Hanuman stop?

Neev: He didn’t. He gently touched the mountain and said, “I cannot delay Rama’s mission.” Mainaka, touched by Hanuman’s devotion, blessed him.

Co-host: Well, maybe if Mainaka had some bananas for Hanuman! 

Neev: Maybe! Hanuman was flying further along when a huge demoness, Surasa, blocked his path. Surasa was the mother of serpents and had been sent to test Hanuman. 

Co-host: Oh, is the test where Hanuman has to go into Surasa’s mouth if he wants to continue his journey?

Neev: Precisely. Surasa opened her mouth wide to swallow him, but Hanuman outwitted her. The wider she opened her mouth, the larger Hanuman grew. Then when she opened it at the widest, he finally shrank to a tiny size and darted through her mouth.

Co-host: Genius! Hanuman always knows how to think on his feet—or, in this case, mid-air. So looks like he passed the test?

Neev: Yes! Surasa smiled at Hanuman and said “ You are truly very sharp! Go peacefully and may you be successful in your mission!" Surasa blessed him and he went forward to complete his task. 

Co-host: Phew! Glad the test is over.

Neev: Not so fast! He still had one more hurdle to cross before reaching the shores of Lanka. A strange demoness, Chhayagrahini rakshasi lived in the ocean.

Co-host: Another demoness? Someone please give Hanuman a break! I feel for him.

Neev: Don’t worry! He can handle it. So where were we? Chhayagrahini got her name from the fact that she lay in wait for birds flying overhead whose reflection she would see in the water. She would grab the reflection and gobble it up. devouring the real bird too in this manner.

Co-host: Woah! Really? I can’t decide if that’s cool or just evil.

Neev: Chhayagrahini was waiting as usual for her meal when she caught Hanuman’s reflection in the water and tried to devour him. But Hanuman tore through her belly and continued his journey.

Co-host: Whew, it’s like he’s on a video game level with one obstacle after another.

Neev: Hanuman finally reached Lanka, the kingdom of Ravana. 

Neev: Hanuman entered Lanka, a city more splendid than even Indra’s Amaravati. Reducing himself to the size of a tiny monkey, he entered through the gates.

Co-host: Let me guess—there’s a guard at the gate?

Neev: Right again! The fierce Lankini stopped him, demanding to know his purpose. Hanuman replied that he was just curious and wanted to see the city, after which he would go away.

Co-host: Sounds like an immigration officer at the airport with a never ending list of questions - Do you have a visa, why are you here, where are you staying, how many days, what do you do back home!  Bet Lankini wasn’t happy with his response.

Neev: Yeah, When she tried to attack him, Hanuman retaliated with a blow that left her stunned and cooly walked through the gates.

Co-host: Do you know Lankini was the guardian spirit of the city. It had been foretold that when a monkey gave her a blow and entered the city, the whole of Lanka would be destroyed 

Neev: Isn’t that something. She knew of this forecast, and realized Lanka would be destroyed 

Co-host: Well, I hope Ravana has been told of that prophecy!

Neev: Hanuman entered Lanka under the cover of darkness, his tiny monkey form allowing him to explore undetected. The city was eerily silent, with its grand streets lined with magnificent houses. 

Co-host: Can you imagine sneaking into a place like Lanka? It's not just any city—it's the stronghold of Ravana, the most feared rakshasa of them all.

Neev: Exactly. Hanuman was cautious yet determined. Hanuman searched for Seeta, going through the silent streets and houses, till he reached the palace, where he found all the men and women fast asleep. He saw Ravana sleeping amidst his riches.

Co-host: I bet Ravana’s snores sounded as terrifying as his war cries. Did Hanuman think about confronting him?

Neev: Not yet. Hanuman was focused. He carefully examined the palace and the women within, looking for signs of Seeta. But Seeta was nowhere to be found. His heart sank with every step as doubt began to creep in.

Neev: Feeling defeated, Hanuman climbed out of the palace and sat on a wall overlooking the city. The moonlight illuminated the vast landscape, and his keen eyes caught sight of a lush garden hidden within the palace walls.

Co-host: A secret garden? That’s got to be where she is!

Neev: His curiosity piqued, Hanuman leapt into the garden. This was the Ashoka Vana, a place of serene beauty with towering trees and vibrant flowers. As he explored, his eyes fell on a frail yet radiant figure sitting beneath a tree on a stone platform.

Co-host: Hanuman must have been holding his breath at this point. Was this really her?

Neev: The woman was thin, her face lined with sorrow, but she carried an aura of unmatched purity and strength. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sat in solitude.

Co-host: ok, now I am holding my breath! This has got to be Seeta?

Neev: Hanuman knew in his heart that this could only be Seeta. Her demeanor, her grace, even in despair—it all matched what Rama had described. Hanuman’s mission was finally taking shape, and hope filled his heart.

Co-host: What a moment! He’s found her, but What’s next? Does he reveal himself immediately?

Neev: That’s a story for the next episode. But for now, let’s just say Hanuman’s journey has only just begun.

Co-host: Seriously? I’m on the edge of my seat and we are ending it here?.I have so many questions—how will he communicate with Seeta? And how will he return to Rama? How will Rama get to Lanka?

Neev: Hold your horses there! Those answers are coming in our next episode, so don’t forget to subscribe and listen in.

Co-host: I can’t wait! Thanks for listening, everyone. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and questions with us. Who knows? Your question might get featured in a future episode!

Neev: Until then, stay curious and keep exploring the magical world of myths. See you next time on Mythical Masala!