During their search for Sita in the Vindhya Hills, which ascetic lady helped Hanuman and the other vanaras escape from the cave of the Danava king Maya?

Introduction / Context:
This question is based on an episode from the Ramayana, one of India's most important epics. It focuses on the part of the story where Hanuman and the vanara (monkey) warriors are searching for Sita and become trapped in a mysterious cave associated with the Danava king Maya. Knowing which ascetic lady helped them escape tests your detailed knowledge of epic characters beyond the most commonly known names.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event occurs during the search for Sita in the Vindhya Hills (or a related forest region).
• Hanuman and the other vanaras are trapped in a cave belonging to the Danava king Maya.
• An ascetic lady helps them escape from this cave.
• Options provide names of notable women from epic literature: Anasuya, Swayamprabha, Shabari and Ahalya.

Concept / Approach:
In the Ramayana, there is a lesser-known but important character named Swayamprabha. She is described as a tapasvini (female ascetic) living in a divine cave created by Maya, the Danava architect. When Hanuman and the vanaras enter this cave while searching for Sita, they become trapped. Swayamprabha, moved by their mission and righteousness, uses her spiritual powers to transport them out of the cave and back to the forest, enabling them to continue their search. Therefore, the correct answer is Swayamprabha.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the scenario described belongs to the Kishkindha or Sundara Kanda sections of the Ramayana, where the search for Sita intensifies.Step 2: Recognise the reference to the Danava king Maya, a master builder of celestial palaces and caves.Step 3: Recall the character Swayamprabha, the ascetic lady who resides in Maya's cave and is known for aiding the vanaras.Step 4: Understand that she uses her yogic powers to free Hanuman and the vanaras from the cave.Step 5: Match this with option names and select Swayamprabha as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Cross-checking with standard retellings of the Ramayana shows that Anasuya is associated with Sita in a different episode, Shabari is linked to Rama's journey in the forests (offering him fruits), and Ahalya is connected with a curse and subsequent liberation by Rama. None of these characters are associated with a cave belonging to Maya or with freeing the vanaras from it. Only Swayamprabha is explicitly connected with this particular event.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Anasuya: A pious wife of sage Atri, she meets Rama and Sita and gives Sita gifts and advice, but does not help Hanuman escape any cave.
• Shabari: A devoted ascetic devotee who offers fruits to Rama and receives his blessings; she is not involved in the cave episode with Maya.
• Ahalya: A woman who was turned into stone by a curse and later freed by Rama's touch; again, unrelated to the Maya cave incident.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several female ascetics appear in the Ramayana, candidates often confuse their roles. Shabari and Anasuya are more frequently mentioned in popular stories, so some students guess these names. To avoid this, associate Swayamprabha specifically with “Maya's cave” and the “escape of the vanaras”, while remembering Shabari for offering berries and Ahalya for the stone-curse story.

Final Answer:
The ascetic lady who helped Hanuman and the vanaras escape from the cave of the Danava king Maya was Swayamprabha.