Hanuman Mistakes Mandodari for Sita

Shloka 1 (sundara.10.1)

तत्र दिव्योपमं मुख्यं स्फाटिकं रत्नभूषितम् । अवेक्षमाणो हनुमान् ददर्श शयनासनम् ॥ 10.1 ॥

tatra divyopamaṃ mukhyaṃ sphāṭikaṃ ratnabhūṣitam | avekṣamāṇo hanumān dadarśa śayanāsanam || 10.1 ||

There, looking about, Hanuman saw a supreme bedchamber, resembling heaven itself, made of crystal and adorned with gems.

Shloka 2 (sundara.10.2)

दान्तकाञ्चनचित्रांगैर्वैदूर्यैश्च वरासनैः । महार्हास्तरणोपेतैरुपपन्नं महाधनैः ॥ 10.2 ॥

dāntakāñcanacitrāṃgairvaidūryaiśca varāsanaiḥ | mahārhāstaraṇopetairupapannaṃ mahādhanaiḥ || 10.2 ||

It was furnished with priceless, splendid couches, their parts wrought with ivory and gold, and with excellent seats of cat's-eye gem, all spread with costly coverings.

Shloka 3 (sundara.10.3)

तस्य चैकतमे देशे दिव्यमालोपशोभितम् । ददर्श पाण्डुरं छत्रं ताराधिपतिसंनिभम् ॥ 10.3 ॥

tasya caikatame deśe divyamālopaśobhitam | dadarśa pāṇḍuraṃ chatraṃ tārādhipatisaṃnibham || 10.3 ||

In one part of that room he saw a white parasol, adorned with divine garlands, resembling the very lord of the stars, the moon.

Shloka 4 (sundara.10.4)

जातरूपपरिक्षिप्तं चित्रभानोः समप्रभम् । अशोकमालाविततं ददर्श परमासनम् ॥ 10.4 ॥

jātarūpaparikṣiptaṃ citrabhānoḥ samaprabham | aśokamālāvitataṃ dadarśa paramāsanam || 10.4 ||

He saw a supreme couch, bordered with gold, radiant as fire itself, spread over with garlands of ashoka blossoms.

Shloka 5 (sundara.10.5)

वालव्यजनहस्ताभिर्वीज्यमानं समन्ततः । गन्धैश्च विविधैर्जुष्टं वरधूपेन धूपितम् ॥ 10.5 ॥

vālavyajanahastābhirvījyamānaṃ samantataḥ | gandhaiśca vividhairjuṣṭaṃ varadhūpena dhūpitam || 10.5 ||

It was fanned on every side by hand-held fly-whisks, graced with manifold fragrances, and perfumed with the finest incense.

Shloka 6 (sundara.10.6)

परमास्तरणास्तीर्णमाविकाजिनसंवृतम् । दामभिर्वरमाल्यानां समन्तादुपशोभितम् ॥ 10.6 ॥

paramāstaraṇāstīrṇamāvikājinasaṃvṛtam | dāmabhirvaramālyānāṃ samantādupaśobhitam || 10.6 ||

It was spread with the finest coverings, overlaid with soft sheepskin, and adorned on every side with strings of the finest garlands.

Shloka 7 (sundara.10.7)

तस्मिञ्जीमूतसंकाशं प्रदीप्तोज्ज्वलकुण्डलम् । लोहिताक्षं महाबाहुं महारजतवाससम् ॥ 10.7 ॥

tasmiñjīmūtasaṃkāśaṃ pradīptojjvalakuṇḍalam | lohitākṣaṃ mahābāhuṃ mahārajatavāsasam || 10.7 ||

On it he saw one resembling a rain-cloud, with brilliant, blazing earrings, red-eyed, mighty-armed, clad in garments white as pure silver.

Shloka 8 (sundara.10.8)

लोहितेनानुलिप्तांगं चन्दनेन सुगन्धिना । संध्यारक्तमिवाकाशे तोयदं सतडिद्गुणम् ॥ 10.8 ॥

lohitenānuliptāṃgaṃ candanena sugandhinā | saṃdhyāraktamivākāśe toyadaṃ sataḍidguṇam || 10.8 ||

His body was anointed with fragrant red sandalwood, like a cloud reddened by twilight in the sky, streaked with lightning.

Shloka 9 (sundara.10.9)

वृतमाभरणैर्दिव्यैः सुरूपं कामरूपिणम् । सवृक्षवनगुल्माढ्यं प्रसुप्तमिव मन्दरम् ॥ 10.9 ॥

vṛtamābharaṇairdivyaiḥ surūpaṃ kāmarūpiṇam | savṛkṣavanagulmāḍhyaṃ prasuptamiva mandaram || 10.9 ||

Adorned with divine ornaments, handsome, able to take any form at will, he lay there like Mount Mandara asleep, rich with its trees, forests and thickets.

Shloka 10 (sundara.10.10)

क्रीडित्वोपरतं रात्रौ वराभरणभूषितम् । प्रियं राक्षसकन्यानां राक्षसानां सुखावहम् ॥ 10.10 ॥

krīḍitvoparataṃ rātrau varābharaṇabhūṣitam | priyaṃ rākṣasakanyānāṃ rākṣasānāṃ sukhāvaham || 10.10 ||

Having sported through the night and now at rest, adorned with excellent ornaments — he was the beloved of the rakshasa maidens, the bringer of joy to the rakshasas.

Shloka 11 (sundara.10.11)

पीत्वाप्युपरतं चापि ददर्श स महाकपिः । भास्वरे शयने वीरं प्रसुप्तं राक्षसाधिपम् ॥ 10.11 ॥

pītvāpyuparataṃ cāpi dadarśa sa mahākapiḥ | bhāsvare śayane vīraṃ prasuptaṃ rākṣasādhipam || 10.11 ||

The great monkey saw him — having drunk and now resting, that heroic lord of the rakshasas — fast asleep upon the radiant couch.

Shloka 12 (sundara.10.12)

निःश्वसन्तं यथा नागं रावणं वानरोत्तमः । आसाद्य परमोद्विग्नः सोपासर्पत् सुभीतवत् ॥ 10.12 ॥

niḥśvasantaṃ yathā nāgaṃ rāvaṇaṃ vānarottamaḥ | āsādya paramodvignaḥ sopāsarpat subhītavat || 10.12 ||

Approaching Ravana, who breathed heavily like a serpent, the foremost of monkeys, greatly agitated, drew near as though in fear.

Shloka 13 (sundara.10.13)

अथारोहणमासाद्य वेदिकान्तरमाश्रितः । क्षीबं राक्षसशार्दूलं प्रेक्षते स्म महाकपिः ॥ 10.13 ॥

athārohaṇamāsādya vedikāntaramāśritaḥ | kṣībaṃ rākṣasaśārdūlaṃ prekṣate sma mahākapiḥ || 10.13 ||

Then, climbing up and taking his place upon another platform, the great monkey gazed at that tiger among rakshasas, intoxicated with drink.

Shloka 14 (sundara.10.14)

शुशुभे राक्षसेन्द्रस्य स्वपतः शयनं शुभम् । गन्धहस्तिनि संविष्टे यथा प्रस्रवणं महत् ॥ 10.14 ॥

śuśubhe rākṣasendrasya svapataḥ śayanaṃ śubham | gandhahastini saṃviṣṭe yathā prasravaṇaṃ mahat || 10.14 ||

The auspicious couch of the sleeping lord of the rakshasas shone forth, like a great mountain-spring when a musth elephant reclines within it.

Shloka 15 (sundara.10.15)

काञ्चनांगदसंनद्धौ ददर्श स महात्मनः । विक्षिप्तौ राक्षसेन्द्रस्य भुजाविन्द्रध्वजोपमौ ॥ 10.15 ॥

kāñcanāṃgadasaṃnaddhau dadarśa sa mahātmanaḥ | vikṣiptau rākṣasendrasya bhujāvindradhvajopamau || 10.15 ||

He saw the two arms of that great-souled lord of the rakshasas, bound with golden armlets, flung apart, resembling the very banner-staffs of Indra.

Shloka 16 (sundara.10.16)

ऐरावतविषाणाग्रैरापीडनकृतव्रणौ । वज्रोल्लिखितपीनांसौ विष्णुचक्रपरिक्षतौ ॥ 10.16 ॥

airāvataviṣāṇāgrairāpīḍanakṛtavraṇau | vajrollikhitapīnāṃsau viṣṇucakraparikṣatau || 10.16 ||

Those arms bore scars pressed in by the tusk-tips of Airavata, their broad shoulders scored by the thunderbolt, and gashed by the discus of Vishnu.

Shloka 17 (sundara.10.17)

पीनौ समसुजातांसौ संगतौ बलसंयुतौ । सुलक्षणनखांगुष्ठौ स्वंगुलीयकलक्षितौ ॥ 10.17 ॥

pīnau samasujātāṃsau saṃgatau balasaṃyutau | sulakṣaṇanakhāṃguṣṭhau svaṃgulīyakalakṣitau || 10.17 ||

Full and rounded, evenly formed at the shoulders, well knit and full of strength, with finely marked nails and thumbs, adorned with fine rings.

Shloka 18 (sundara.10.18)

संहतौ परिघाकारौ वृत्तौ करिकरोपमौ । विक्षिप्तौ शयने शुभ्रे पञ्चशीर्षाविवोरगौ ॥ 10.18 ॥

saṃhatau parighākārau vṛttau karikaropamau | vikṣiptau śayane śubhre pañcaśīrṣāvivoragau || 10.18 ||

Compact, shaped like iron clubs, rounded like the trunk of an elephant, they lay flung apart on the white couch, like two five-hooded serpents.

Shloka 19 (sundara.10.19)

शशक्षतजकल्पेन सुशीतेन सुगन्धिना । चन्दनेन परार्घ्येन स्वनुलिप्तौ स्वलंकृतौ ॥ 10.19 ॥

śaśakṣatajakalpena suśītena sugandhinā | candanena parārghyena svanuliptau svalaṃkṛtau || 10.19 ||

Anointed with the finest sandalwood, cool and fragrant, hued like a hare's blood, they were well adorned and beautifully anointed.

Shloka 20 (sundara.10.20)

उत्तमस्त्रीविमृदितौ गन्धोत्तमनिषेवितौ । यक्षपन्नगगन्धर्वदेवदानवराविणौ ॥ 10.20 ॥

uttamastrīvimṛditau gandhottamaniṣevitau | yakṣapannagagandharvadevadānavarāviṇau || 10.20 ||

Massaged by the finest women, tended with the choicest perfumes, those arms that had made yakshas, nagas, gandharvas, gods and danavas cry out in battle —

Shloka 21 (sundara.10.21)

ददर्श स कपिस्तस्य बाहू शयनसंस्थितौ । मन्दरस्यान्तरे सुप्तौ महाही रुषिताविव ॥ 10.21 ॥

dadarśa sa kapistasya bāhū śayanasaṃsthitau | mandarasyāntare suptau mahāhī ruṣitāviva || 10.21 ||

— those two arms, resting upon the couch, the monkey saw, like two great enraged serpents sleeping within Mount Mandara.

Shloka 22 (sundara.10.22)

ताभ्यां स परिपूर्णाभ्यामुभाभ्यां राक्षसेश्वरः । शुशुभेऽचलसंकाशः शृंगाभ्यामिव मन्दरः ॥ 10.22 ॥

tābhyāṃ sa paripūrṇābhyāmubhābhyāṃ rākṣaseśvaraḥ | śuśubhe'calasaṃkāśaḥ śṛṃgābhyāmiva mandaraḥ || 10.22 ||

With those two full, mighty arms, the lord of the rakshasas, resembling a great mountain, shone like Mount Mandara with its twin peaks.

Shloka 23 (sundara.10.23)

चूतपुंनागसुरभिर्बकुलोत्तमसंयुतः । मृष्टान्नरससंयुक्तः पानगन्धपुरःसरः ॥ 10.23 ॥

cūtapuṃnāgasurabhirbakulottamasaṃyutaḥ | mṛṣṭānnarasasaṃyuktaḥ pānagandhapuraḥsaraḥ || 10.23 ||

Fragrant as mango and punnaga blossoms, mingled with the finest bakula flowers, laden with the taste of choice foods and preceded by the scent of wine —

Shloka 24 (sundara.10.24)

तस्य राक्षसराजस्य निश्चक्राम महामुखात् । शयानस्य विनिःश्वासः पूरयन्निव तद् गृहम् ॥ 10.24 ॥

tasya rākṣasarājasya niścakrāma mahāmukhāt | śayānasya viniḥśvāsaḥ pūrayanniva tad gṛham || 10.24 ||

— such was the breath that issued from the great mouth of that sleeping king of the rakshasas, seeming to fill that whole house.

Shloka 25 (sundara.10.25)

मुक्तामणिविचित्रेण काञ्चनेन विराजिता । मुकुटेनापवृत्तेन कुण्डलोज्ज्वलिताननम् ॥ 10.25 ॥

muktāmaṇivicitreṇa kāñcanena virājitā | mukuṭenāpavṛttena kuṇḍalojjvalitānanam || 10.25 ||

His face, brilliant with earrings, was resplendent beneath a golden crown, wondrous with pearls and gems, now tilted to one side.

Shloka 26 (sundara.10.26)

रक्तचन्दनदिग्धेन तथा हारेण शोभिना । पीनायतविशालेन वक्षसाभिविराजिता ॥ 10.26 ॥

raktacandanadigdhena tathā hāreṇa śobhinā | pīnāyataviśālena vakṣasābhivirājitā || 10.26 ||

His broad, full, expansive chest, anointed with red sandalwood, gleamed, adorned with a splendid necklace.

Shloka 27 (sundara.10.27)

पाण्डुरेणापविद्धेन क्षौमेण क्षतजेक्षणम् । महार्हेण सुसंवीतं पीतेनोत्तरवाससा ॥ 10.27 ॥

pāṇḍureṇāpaviddhena kṣaumeṇa kṣatajekṣaṇam | mahārheṇa susaṃvītaṃ pītenottaravāsasā || 10.27 ||

His blood-red eyes were set beneath a loosely draped white silken cloth, and he was well wrapped in a precious yellow upper garment.

Shloka 28 (sundara.10.28)

माषराशिप्रतीकाशं निःश्वसन्तं भुजंगवत् । गांगे महति तोयान्ते प्रसुप्तमिव कुञ्जरम् ॥ 10.28 ॥

māṣarāśipratīkāśaṃ niḥśvasantaṃ bhujaṃgavat | gāṃge mahati toyānte prasuptamiva kuñjaram || 10.28 ||

Dark as a heap of black lentils, breathing heavily like a hissing serpent, he lay like a great elephant asleep at the water's edge of the mighty Ganga.

Shloka 29 (sundara.10.29)

चतुर्भिः काञ्चनैर्दीपैर्दीप्यमानं चतुर्दिशम् । प्रकाशीकृतसर्वांगं मेघं विद्युद्गणैरिव ॥ 10.29 ॥

caturbhiḥ kāñcanairdīpairdīpyamānaṃ caturdiśam | prakāśīkṛtasarvāṃgaṃ meghaṃ vidyuda‍gaṇairiva || 10.29 ||

Illumined on all four sides by four golden lamps, his whole form lit up, like a cloud lit up by clusters of lightning.

Shloka 30 (sundara.10.30)

पादमूलगताश्चापि ददर्श सुमहात्मनः । पत्नीः स प्रियभार्यस्य तस्य रक्षःपतेर्गृहे ॥ 10.30 ॥

pādamūlagatāścāpi dadarśa sumahātmanaḥ | patnīḥ sa priyabhāryasya tasya rakṣaḥpatergṛhe || 10.30 ||

In the house of that great-souled lord of the rakshasas, beloved of his wives, he also saw those wives gathered at his feet.

Shloka 31 (sundara.10.31)

शशिप्रकाशवदना वरकुण्डलभूषणाः । अम्लानमाल्याभरणा ददर्श हरियूथपः ॥ 10.31 ॥

śaśiprakāśavadanā varakuṇḍalabhūṣaṇāḥ | amlānamālyābharaṇā dadarśa hariyūthapaḥ || 10.31 ||

The chief of the monkey host saw them, their faces radiant as the moon, adorned with fine earrings, their garlands and ornaments still unwithered.

Shloka 32 (sundara.10.32)

नृत्यवादित्रकुशला राक्षसेन्द्रभुजाङ्कगाः । वराभरणधारिण्यो निषण्णा ददृशे कपिः ॥ 10.32 ॥

nṛtyavāditrakuśalā rākṣasendrabhujāṅkagāḥ | varābharaṇadhāriṇyo niṣaṇṇā dadṛśe kapiḥ || 10.32 ||

The monkey saw them seated there, skilled in dance and music, resting in the embrace of the lord of the rakshasas' arms, adorned with excellent ornaments.

Shloka 33 (sundara.10.33)

वज्रवैदूर्यगर्भाणि श्रवणान्तेषु योषिताम् । ददर्श तापनीयानि कुण्डलान्यंगदानि च ॥ 10.33 ॥

vajravaidūryagarbhāṇi śravaṇānteṣu yoṣitām | dadarśa tāpanīyāni kuṇḍalānyaṃgadāni ca || 10.33 ||

He saw, at the ears of those women, earrings set with diamonds and cat's-eye gems, and armlets, all of refined gold.

Shloka 34 (sundara.10.34)

तासां चन्द्रोपमैर्वक्त्रैः शुभैर्ललितकुण्डलैः । विरराज विमानं तन्नभस्तारागणैरिव ॥ 10.34 ॥

tāsāṃ candropamairvaktraiḥ śubhairlalitakuṇḍalaiḥ | virarāja vimānaṃ tannabhastārāgaṇairiva || 10.34 ||

With their moon-like, auspicious faces and graceful earrings, that hall shone like the sky adorned with clusters of stars.

Shloka 35 (sundara.10.35)

मदव्यायामखिन्नास्ता राक्षसेन्द्रस्य योषितः । तेषु तेष्ववकाशेषु प्रसुप्तास्तनुमध्यमाः ॥ 10.35 ॥

madavyāyāmakhinnāstā rākṣasendrasya yoṣitaḥ | teṣu teṣvavakāśeṣu prasuptāstanumadhyamāḥ || 10.35 ||

Those slender-waisted women of the lord of the rakshasas, wearied by intoxication and exertion, lay asleep in whatever place each had found.

Shloka 36 (sundara.10.36)

अंगहारैस्तथैवान्या कोमलैर्नृत्यशालिनी । विन्यस्तशुभसर्वांगी प्रसुप्ता वरवर्णिनी ॥ 10.36 ॥

aṃgahāraistathaivānyā komalairnṛtyaśālinī | vinyastaśubhasarvāṃgī prasuptā varavarṇinī || 10.36 ||

Another, skilled in dance, of lovely complexion, lay asleep with all her graceful limbs arranged still in their soft dance-gestures.

Shloka 37 (sundara.10.37)

काचिद् वीणां परिष्वज्य प्रसुप्ता सम्प्रकाशते । महानदीप्रकीर्णेव नलिनी पोतमाश्रिता ॥ 10.37 ॥

kācid vīṇāṃ pariṣvajya prasuptā samprakāśate | mahānadīprakīrṇeva nalinī potamāśritā || 10.37 ||

One, embracing her vina as she slept, shone like a lotus-plant, swept along by a great river, come to rest against a boat.

Shloka 38 (sundara.10.38)

अन्या कक्षगतेनैव मड्डुकेनासितेक्षणा । प्रसुप्ता भामिनी भाति बालपुत्रेव वत्सला ॥ 10.38 ॥

anyā kakṣagatenaiva maḍḍukenāsitekṣaṇā | prasuptā bhāminī bhāti bālaputreva vatsalā || 10.38 ||

Another, dark-eyed, sleeping with a small mridanga-drum tucked beneath her arm, shone like an affectionate mother with her infant son.

Shloka 39 (sundara.10.39)

पटहं चारुसर्वांगी न्यस्य शेते शुभस्तनी । चिरस्य रमणं लब्ध्वा परिष्वज्येव कामिनी ॥ 10.39 ॥

paṭahaṃ cārusarvāṃgī nyasya śete śubhastanī | cirasya ramaṇaṃ labdhvā pariṣvajyeva kāminī || 10.39 ||

One, lovely of limb, fair of breast, lay with a small drum set beside her, as though a woman in love, having found her beloved after long, lay embracing him.

Shloka 40 (sundara.10.40)

काचिद् वीणां परिष्वज्य सुप्ता कमललोचना । वरं प्रियतमं गृह्य सकामेव हि कामिनी ॥ 10.40 ॥

kācid vīṇāṃ pariṣvajya suptā kamalalocanā | varaṃ priyatamaṃ gṛhya sakāmeva hi kāminī || 10.40 ||

One lotus-eyed woman lay asleep embracing her vina, like a woman in love who has taken her chosen, beloved lover, her desire fulfilled.

Shloka 41 (sundara.10.41)

विपञ्चीं परिगृह्यान्या नियता नृत्यशालिनी । निद्रावशमनुप्राप्ता सहकान्तेव भामिनी ॥ 10.41 ॥

vipañcīṃ parigṛhyānyā niyatā nṛtyaśālinī | nidrāvaśamanuprāptā sahakānteva bhāminī || 10.41 ||

Another, a disciplined mistress of dance, having taken up her lute, fell under the sway of sleep, like a lovely woman together with her beloved.

Shloka 42 (sundara.10.42)

अन्या कनकसंकाशैर्मृदुपीनैर्मनोरमैः । मृदंगं परिविद्ध्यांगैः प्रसुप्ता मत्तलोचना ॥ 10.42 ॥

anyā kanakasaṃkāśairmṛdupīnairmanoramaiḥ | mṛdaṃgaṃ parivid‍‍dhyāṃgaiḥ prasuptā mattalocanā || 10.42 ||

Another, her eyes languid with intoxication, lay asleep, her mridanga drum encircled by her soft, full, golden, lovely limbs.

Shloka 43 (sundara.10.43)

भुजपाशान्तरस्थेन कक्षगेन कृशोदरी । पणवेन सहानिन्द्या सुप्ता मदकृतश्रमा ॥ 10.43 ॥

bhujapāśāntarasthena kakṣagena kṛśodarī | paṇavena sahānindyā suptā madakṛtaśramā || 10.43 ||

That slender-waisted, flawless woman, wearied by intoxication, lay asleep with a small tabor held between the loop of her arms, tucked beneath her arm.

Shloka 44 (sundara.10.44)

डिण्डिमं परिगृह्यान्या तथैवासक्तडिण्डिमा । प्रसुप्ता तरुणं वत्समुपगुह्येव भामिनी ॥ 10.44 ॥

ḍiṇḍimaṃ parigṛhyānyā tathaivāsaktaḍiṇḍimā | prasuptā taruṇaṃ vatsamupaguhyeva bhāminī || 10.44 ||

Another, still clinging to her small drum even in sleep, lay as though embracing a young child.

Shloka 45 (sundara.10.45)

काचिदाडम्बरं नारी भुजसम्भोगपीडितम् । कृत्वा कमलपत्राक्षी प्रसुप्ता मदमोहिता ॥ 10.45 ॥

kācidāḍambaraṃ nārī bhujasambhogapīḍitam | kṛtvā kamalapatrākṣī prasuptā madamohitā || 10.45 ||

One lotus-eyed woman, overcome by intoxication, lay asleep, her small drum pressed close in the embrace of her arms.

Shloka 46 (sundara.10.46)

कलशीमपविद्ध्यान्या प्रसुप्ता भाति भामिनी । वसन्ते पुष्पशबला मालेव परिमार्जिता ॥ 10.46 ॥

kalaśīmapaviddhyānyā prasuptā bhāti bhāminī | vasante puṣpaśabalā māleva parimārjitā || 10.46 ||

Another lovely woman, her small water-vessel set aside, lay asleep, shining like a freshly gathered garland of many-coloured spring blossoms.

Shloka 47 (sundara.10.47)

पाणिभ्यां च कुचौ काचित् सुवर्णकलशोपमौ । उपगुह्याबला सुप्ता निद्राबलपराजिता ॥ 10.47 ॥

pāṇibhyāṃ ca kucau kācit suvarṇakalaśopamau | upaguhyābalā suptā nidrābalaparājitā || 10.47 ||

One woman, overpowered by the force of sleep, lay resting with her two hands clasped about her own breasts, which resembled golden vessels.

Shloka 48 (sundara.10.48)

अन्या कमलपत्राक्षी पूर्णेन्दुसदृशानना । अन्यामालिंग्य सुश्रोणीं प्रसुप्ता मदविह्वला ॥ 10.48 ॥

anyā kamalapatrākṣī pūrṇendusadṛśānanā | anyāmāliṃgya suśroṇīṃ prasuptā madavihvalā || 10.48 ||

Another, lotus-eyed, her face like the full moon, overcome by intoxication, lay asleep embracing a fair-hipped companion.

Shloka 49 (sundara.10.49)

आतोद्यानि विचित्राणि परिष्वज्य वरस्त्रियः । निपीड्य च कुचैः सुप्ताः कामिन्यः कामुकानिव ॥ 10.49 ॥

ātodyāni vicitrāṇi pariṣvajya varastriyaḥ | nipīḍya ca kucaiḥ suptāḥ kāminyaḥ kāmukāniva || 10.49 ||

Those excellent women, having embraced their varied instruments and pressed them to their breasts, slept as loving women would embrace their lovers.

Shloka 50 (sundara.10.50)

तासामेकान्तविन्यस्ते शयानां शयने शुभे । ददर्श रूपसम्पन्नामथ तां स कपिः स्त्रियम् ॥ 10.50 ॥

tāsāmekāntavinyaste śayānāṃ śayane śubhe | dadarśa rūpasampannāmatha tāṃ sa kapiḥ striyam || 10.50 ||

Then, among them, on an auspicious couch set apart in a quiet corner, the monkey saw a woman of surpassing beauty, lying asleep.

Shloka 51 (sundara.10.51)

मुक्तामणिसमायुक्तैर्भूषणैः सुविभूषिताम् । विभूषयन्तीमिव च स्वश्रिया भवनोत्तमम् ॥ 10.51 ॥

muktāmaṇisamāyuktairbhūṣaṇaiḥ suvibhūṣitām | vibhūṣayantīmiva ca svaśriyā bhavanottamam || 10.51 ||

She was richly adorned with ornaments set with pearls and gems, and by her own splendour seemed to adorn that supreme mansion in turn.

Shloka 52 (sundara.10.52)

गौरीं कनकवर्णाभामिष्टामन्तःपुरेश्वरीम् । कपिर्मन्दोदरीं तत्र शयानां चारुरूपिणीम् ॥ 10.52 ॥

gaurīṃ kanakavarṇābhāmiṣṭāmantaḥpureśvarīm | kapirmandodarīṃ tatra śayānāṃ cārurūpiṇīm || 10.52 ||

The monkey saw her there, fair-skinned, golden in hue, beloved mistress of the inner apartments, of lovely form, sleeping — Mandodari.

Shloka 53 (sundara.10.53)

स तां दृष्ट्वा महाबाहुर्भूषितां मारुतात्मजः । तर्कयामास सीतेति रूपयौवनसम्पदा । हर्षेण महता युक्तो ननन्द हरियूथपः ॥ 10.53 ॥

sa tāṃ dṛṣṭvā mahābāhurbhūṣitāṃ mārutātmajaḥ | tarkayāmāsa sīteti rūpayauvanasampadā | harṣeṇa mahatā yukto nananda hariyūthapaḥ || 10.53 ||

Beholding her thus adorned, the mighty-armed son of the Wind-god reasoned, from the wealth of her beauty and youth, 'This must be Sita!' — and the chief of the monkey host, filled with great joy, rejoiced.

Shloka 54 (sundara.10.54)

आस्फोटयामास चुचुम्ब पुच्छं ननन्द चिक्रीड जगौ जगाम । स्तम्भानरोहन्निपपात भूमौ निदर्शयन् स्वां प्रकृतिं कपीनाम् ॥ 10.54 ॥

āsphoṭayāmāsa cucumba pucchaṃ nananda cikrīḍa jagau jagāma | stambhānarohannipapāta bhūmau nidarśayan svāṃ prakṛtiṃ kapīnām || 10.54 ||

He slapped his arms in triumph, kissed his own tail, rejoiced, frolicked, sang out, leapt about, climbed up pillars and dropped down to the ground again — revealing thereby his own true nature as a monkey.