Hanuman showing Sita, Rama's ring in Akosha. Web Source: Wikipedia
- Rama and Lakshmana are still wandering the woods, when Sugriva the great ape, asked Hanuman to approach them wondering who they are. They made known their wish to receive help from Sugriva to find Sita. Hanuman knew Sugriva could help because he was undergoing trials himself. Sugriva tells Rama his story regarding how his wife Tara was taken by his brother Vali. Vali thought Sugriva tried to steal his kingdom. Rama was empathetic and planned to avenge Sugriva. Rama tells Sugriva to battle Vali.
- Rama and Sugriva reached Kishkindha along with Lakshamana, and Vali could sense the war that was going to commence. Tara urged Vali to make amends with his brother, because she feared what was to come.
- Vali and Sugriva go into battle until death, when Sugriva's secret weapon, Rama shoots and pierces Vali with his arrow of death to end the war. Sugriva was restored to the kingdom, but upset about his brother's death. Sugriva keeps his promise to find Rama's Sita, while under the conditions of his exile he cannot go to another city. Rama is left during the rainy season in anxiety over Sita. Rama continues to be anxious because of Sugriva's lack of urgency to find Sita. Lakshmana angrily approaches Sugriva, prompting him to send out his armies to search for Sita.
- The apes tirelessly searched all corners of the land, with no luck finding Sita. They came across Sampati, who is the brother of Sita's raven friend Jatayu. Sampati points the apes in the right direction. Sampati tells a story of how his wings got burned flying through Indra's world and how he came to be stuck on Mount Vindhya. The armies of apes and bears mourned his brother Jatayu's death with him and led him to the seashore to perform rites for his brother who was killed by Ravana.
- At a dead end to find Sita, Hanuman offers to sacrifice a boon he was granted. The boon made him invulnerable and able to choose his own death. Hanuman crossed the ocean to discover Sita or bring Ravana captured in chains. A rakshasa tries to devour him, but he slayed it and reached Lanka. Hanuman finds Ravana sleeping in his apartment, but no sign of Sita. He saw plenty of girls embraced in jewels, but none were Rama's beloved Sita. Hanuman comes across Ashoka grove and see's Sita. She was beautiful and helpless in tears surrounded by rakshasas.
- Hanuman witnessed Ravana trying to push the pleasure of wealth and power on Sita. Sita faithfully refuses Ravana, even though he threatens to kill her. Sita walks away from Ravana and goes to dwell underneath the Akosha tree where Hanuman is hiding. Sita thinks Hanuman is trying to deceive her, but believes his honesty when he shows her Rama's ring. Hanuman is captured by Ravana's son, Indrajt. Hanuman slays many rakshasas before he is bound and taken to Ravana for questioning.
- Ravana finds out about Hanuman's plan and sets his tail on fire. Hanuman's tail turned cold, thanks to Sita's prayer. He releases himself from bondage and sets fire to Lanka. Hanuman makes sure Sita is safe and then flies back to inform Rama, the apes, and bears of what he has seen and found in Lanka. Sugriva and Rama set a plan in motion to siege Lanka and save Sita.
- Ravana discusses what has happened in light of Lanka burning and how they should proceed with war or releasing Sita. Ravana's younger brother Vibhishana is banished because he believes they should return Sita. He joins Rama's alliance, because he foresees how the war will end badly for Ravana and his army.
Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition
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