Adhyaya 38

Prompted by Vātsyāyana’s unquenchable wish to hear of Rāma’s virtues, Śeṣa recounts an Aśvamedha episode: Rāma’s sacrificial horse vanishes into the deep pool of the sacred Revā. Śatrughna arrives, questions the stunned troops, and—on ministerial counsel—descends into the waters with Hanūmān and Puṣkala. In pātāla they behold a radiant city and find the horse bound to a jeweled golden pillar beside a formidable lady attended by enchanting women who speak of devouring the intruders. A tense exchange follows: the party declares the horse to be Rāmabhadra’s and seeks its release, as themes of conflict and delusion arise. At last Hanūmān asks the supreme boon—eternal dāsya, to serve Rāma in every birth. The lady grants boons, foretells a future marriage arrangement, and bestows on Śatrughna a yoginī-given weapon. Śatrughna recovers the horse and returns to the bank of the Revā, where the army rejoices and hears the full account.