Search on the South
As per Sugreeva’s orders along with Angadha, Dhara – Hanuman went long distance, the peaks of Vidhya Mountains, Caves and many Forests, and the surrounding Mountains, Rivers, Ponds, Trees and those forests and the small Hills covered by Trees while they were on their way searching these places , unable to see Sita they got worried.While they were proceeding in their search they ate whatever Frutis, Roots, Vegetables were available.they saw a place which had numerous Caves.That place without water, earth, Cattle, Birds looked scary.Leaving aside that place saw many Forests they searched all over and got tired.
Then they reached another country and went and saw the Trees did not have Fruits, Flowers, Leaves. Rivers did not have water, Roots did not have vegetables; there was no inhabitation of Buffalo, Deer, Elephant, Tiger,Birds; Trees, Plants, Creepers, medicinal Herbs were not to be seen; Lotus streams were bereft of Lotus and water without any Bees humming was desolate.In that Forest Sage Kandhu was living there. He is Sathyavaan(Truth); Great Thapasvi (Saintly Mendicant known for his Penance); one who has observed all the Rules sincerely without lapse; one who has the Aura that none can go near him.He has a Son who is 16 years old. His son one day lost his way and died in that forest. Seeing this Sage Kandhu got angry with the Forest,cursed it to be bereft of all Living beings.Vanaras searched very carefully the originating point of Rivers, Mountains, Forests despite that they were not able to find Sita or the abducting Rakshsaa.
When they went beyond that, they saw a gory looking Asura. He was extremely Cruel; one who is not afraid of Devas(Celestials); seeing him standing like a Huge Hill blocking the way they decided battle it out with him. He also seeing the Vanara Army roared “ All of you may die in my hands this very moment” raising his fist which was like the understructible alloy he came running towards them.Then Angadha thought he might be Ravana he jumped over him and slapped him hard. Soon he fell like the tree which has been uprooted by a Typhoon and coughed out Blood.Vanaras were exhilerated on his slaying,thinking he was Ravana and were searching for a long time in that Forest for Sita. Not finding her there also they went to another Forest , there also they searched vigourously ,lost interest, lost heart went and sat under a tree. (Slokas 23)
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