The hindrance removed, the causeway was built in time. As Rama's troops reached Lanka, Ravana became anxious. He approached his intimate friend, Maiyarba and spoke to him about killing Rama. Maiyarba, the king of the nether regions, agreed and went to the enemies camp. He scattered a powder and all the people in the camp were suddenly overpowered by sleep.
He then easily carried Rama away to the nether regions with an intent to kill by throwing him in hot water. In the meanwhile, the efficacy of the powder having waned, the companions of Rama woke up and went looking for him and were perplexed when they could not see him.
Vibhisana, endowed with celestial power, came to know where Rama was, by whom he was carried away and the state he was in. He told the army, 'Maiyarba, the king of the nether regions, is a friend of Ravana, It is he, who has carried away the highly cultured Rama, through the power of witchcraft, by putting all of us to sleep. Among us it is only the steel-bodied Hanuman, who is capable of going to nether regions which is surrounded by serpents. He should go at once before Rama is killed.'
Hanuman set out and soon saw a lake with lotuses as large as wheels. He uprooted one of them and caused himself to enter its stalk and gradually he came to another lake. This wonderful lake was protected by his son Macchanu, who was abondoned on the sea-shore by his mother and was discovered by Maiyarba and adopted, and who had never seen his father stopped him.
The father and son fought a long duel and both paused for a moment and looked at each other and were amazed to find that they resembled each other. Hanuman asked 'Who are you? Who is your father?', adding that no one had withstood his violent blows this way. Macchanu also acknowledged that no one could bear his blows and also give such violent blows in return. 'O sir, I am the son of the universally celebrated Hanuman, the son of the wind and of Survanamatsya, daughter of Ravana.'
Hanuman too happy to discover his son, disclosed his identity. Macchanu, equally happy to meet his father showed due respect by touching feet and asked the purpose of his father's visit. Hanuman told him the story and said he was looking for Rama before it became too late. This put Macchanu in a dilemma as giving directions would go against his adoptive father and at the same time he had to help his real father and suggested 'Can't you proceed the way you reached this place?' Hanuman understood and entered another hollow stalk.
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