Sita Declines to Ride on Hanuman's Back

Shloka 1 (sundara.37.1)

सा सीता वचनं श्रुत्वा पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना। हनूमन्तमुवाचेदं धर्मार्थसहितं वचः ॥ 37.1 ॥

sā sītā vacanaṃ śrutvā pūrṇacandranibhānanā| hanūmantamuvācedaṃ dharmārthasahitaṃ vacaḥ || 37.1 ||

Hearing that speech, Sita, her face like the full moon, spoke these words to Hanuman, words joined with both righteousness and good sense.

Shloka 2 (sundara.37.2)

अमृतं विषसम्पृक्तं त्वया वानर भाषितम्। यच्च नान्यमना रामो यच्च शोकपरायणः ॥ 37.2 ॥

amṛtaṃ viṣasampṛktaṃ tvayā vānara bhāṣitam| yacca nānyamanā rāmo yacca śokaparāyaṇaḥ || 37.2 ||

"O monkey, what you have spoken is nectar mixed with poison — that Rama thinks of nothing else, and also that he is given wholly over to sorrow."

Shloka 3 (sundara.37.3)

ऐश्वर्ये वा सुविस्तीर्णे व्यसने वा सुदारुणे। रज्ज्वेव पुरुषं बद्ध्वा कृतान्तः परिकर्षति ॥ 37.3 ॥

aiśvarye vā suvistīrṇe vyasane vā sudāruṇe| rajjveva puruṣaṃ bad‍dhvā kṛtāntaḥ parikarṣati || 37.3 ||

"Whether into vast prosperity or into terrible misfortune, fate drags a man along as though he were bound and pulled by a rope."

Shloka 4 (sundara.37.4)

विधिर्नूनमसंहार्यः प्राणिनां प्लवगोत्तम। सौमित्रं मां च रामं च व्यसनैः पश्य मोहितान् ॥ 37.4 ॥

vidhirnūnamasaṃhāryaḥ prāṇināṃ plavagottama| saumitraṃ māṃ ca rāmaṃ ca vyasanaiḥ paśya mohitān || 37.4 ||

"Fate, O best of monkeys, is surely inescapable for living beings; see how Saumitri, Rama, and I myself have all been overwhelmed by misfortune."

Shloka 5 (sundara.37.5)

शोकस्यास्य कथं पारं राघवोऽधिगमिष्यति। प्लवमानः परिक्रान्तो हतनौः सागरे यथा ॥ 37.5 ॥

śokasyāsya kathaṃ pāraṃ rāghavo'dhigamiṣyati| plavamānaḥ parikrānto hatanauḥ sāgare yathā || 37.5 ||

"When will Raghava reach the end of this grief, like a shipwrecked man, exhausted, still swimming in the sea?"

Shloka 6 (sundara.37.6)

राक्षसानां वधं कृत्वा सूदयित्वा च रावणम्। लङ्कामुन्मथितां कृत्वा कदा द्रक्ष्यति मां पतिः ॥ 37.6 ॥

rākṣasānāṃ vadhaṃ kṛtvā sūdayitvā ca rāvaṇam| laṅkāmunmathitāṃ kṛtvā kadā drakṣyati māṃ patiḥ || 37.6 ||

"When will my husband, having destroyed the demons and slain Ravana and razed Lanka to its roots, see me again?"

Shloka 7 (sundara.37.7)

स वाच्यः संत्वरस्वेति यावदेव न पूर्यते। अयं संवत्सरः कालस्तावद्धि मम जीवितम् ॥ 37.7 ॥

sa vācyaḥ saṃtvarasveti yāvadeva na pūryate| ayaṃ saṃvatsaraḥ kālastāvaddhi mama jīvitam || 37.7 ||

"He should be told to hasten, before this very year is completed; for my life will last only that long."

Shloka 8 (sundara.37.8)

वर्तते दशमो मासो द्वौ तु शेषौ प्लवङ्गम। रावणेन नृशंसेन समयो यः कृतो मम ॥ 37.8 ॥

vartate daśamo māso dvau tu śeṣau plavaṅgama| rāvaṇena nṛśaṃsena samayo yaḥ kṛto mama || 37.8 ||

"O monkey, the tenth month is now passing of the term that cruel Ravana fixed for me; only two remain."

Shloka 9 (sundara.37.9)

विभीषणेन च भ्रात्रा मम निर्यातनं प्रति। अनुनीतः प्रयत्नेन न च तत् कुरुते मतिम् ॥ 37.9 ॥

vibhīṣaṇena ca bhrātrā mama niryātanaṃ prati| anunītaḥ prayatnena na ca tat kurute matim || 37.9 ||

"Even though his brother Vibhishana has earnestly entreated him regarding my release, Ravana does not make up his mind to it."

Shloka 10 (sundara.37.10)

मम प्रतिप्रदानं हि रावणस्य न रोचते। रावणं मार्गते संख्ये मृत्युः कालवशंगतम् ॥ 37.10 ॥

mama pratipradānaṃ hi rāvaṇasya na rocate| rāvaṇaṃ mārgate saṃkhye mṛtyuḥ kālavaśaṃgatam || 37.10 ||

"My return does not please Ravana; but in that pursuit, death itself, mastered by time, awaits Ravana."

Shloka 11 (sundara.37.11)

ज्येष्ठा कन्या कला नाम विभीषणसुता कपे। तया ममैतदाख्यातं मात्रा प्रहितया स्वयम् ॥ 37.11 ॥

jyeṣṭhā kanyā kalā nāma vibhīṣaṇasutā kape| tayā mamaitadākhyātaṃ mātrā prahitayā svayam || 37.11 ||

"O monkey, Kala, the eldest daughter of Vibhishana, told me this herself, sent to me by her own mother."

Shloka 12 (sundara.37.12)

अविन्ध्यो नाम मेधावी विद्वान् राक्षसपुङ्गवः। धृतिमाञ्छीलवान् वृद्धो रावणस्य सुसम्मतः ॥ 37.12 ॥

avindhyo nāma medhāvī vidvān rākṣasapuṅgavaḥ| dhṛtimāñchīlavān vṛddho rāvaṇasya susammataḥ || 37.12 ||

"There is among the demons a wise and learned one named Avindhya, patient and virtuous, an elder held in high esteem by Ravana himself,"

Shloka 13 (sundara.37.13)

रामात् क्षयमनुप्राप्तं रक्षसां प्रत्यचोदयत्। न च तस्य स दुष्टात्मा शृणोति वचनं हितम् ॥ 37.13 ॥

rāmāt kṣayamanuprāptaṃ rakṣasāṃ pratyacodayat| na ca tasya sa duṣṭātmā śṛṇoti vacanaṃ hitam || 37.13 ||

"who has repeatedly warned the demons of the ruin coming upon them from Rama; but that evil-souled Ravana does not heed his wholesome counsel."

Shloka 14 (sundara.37.14)

आशंसेयं हरिश्रेष्ठ क्षिप्रं मां प्राप्स्यते पतिः। अन्तरात्मा हि मे शुद्धस्तस्मिंश्च बहवो गुणाः ॥ 37.14 ॥

āśaṃseyaṃ hariśreṣṭha kṣipraṃ māṃ prāpsyate patiḥ| antarātmā hi me śuddhastasmiṃśca bahavo guṇāḥ || 37.14 ||

"O best of monkeys, I trust that my husband will soon regain me; for my inmost self is pure, and in him too dwell many virtues."

Shloka 15 (sundara.37.15)

उत्साहः पौरुषं सत्त्वमानृशंस्यं कृतज्ञता। विक्रमश्च प्रभावश्च सन्ति वानर राघवे ॥ 37.15 ॥

utsāhaḥ pauruṣaṃ sattvamānṛśaṃsyaṃ kṛtajñatā| vikramaśca prabhāvaśca santi vānara rāghave || 37.15 ||

"Energy, manliness, valour, kindness, gratitude, prowess and splendour — O monkey, all these dwell in Raghava."

Shloka 16 (sundara.37.16)

चतुर्दश सहस्राणि राक्षसानां जघान यः। जनस्थाने विना भ्रात्रा शत्रुः कस्तस्य नोद्विजेत् ॥ 37.16 ॥

caturdaśa sahasrāṇi rākṣasānāṃ jaghāna yaḥ| janasthāne vinā bhrātrā śatruḥ kastasya nodvijet || 37.16 ||

"He who slew fourteen thousand demons in Janasthana without even his brother's help — what enemy of his would not tremble?"

Shloka 17 (sundara.37.17)

न स शक्यस्तुलयितुं व्यसनैः पुरुषर्षभः। अहं तस्यानुभावज्ञा शक्रस्येव पुलोमजा ॥ 37.17 ॥

na sa śakyastulayituṃ vyasanaiḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ| ahaṃ tasyānubhāvajñā śakrasyeva pulomajā || 37.17 ||

"That bull among men cannot be measured by misfortunes; I know his true greatness, as Pulomaja knows Indra's."

Shloka 18 (sundara.37.18)

शरजालांशुमान् शूरः कपे रामदिवाकरः। शत्रुरक्षोमयं तोयमुपशोषं नयिष्यति ॥ 37.18 ॥

śarajālāṃśumān śūraḥ kape rāmadivākaraḥ| śatrurakṣomayaṃ toyamupaśoṣaṃ nayiṣyati || 37.18 ||

"O monkey, that valiant Rama, radiant like the sun with his net of arrows, will dry up the waters that are his enemy demons."

Shloka 19 (sundara.37.19)

इति संजल्पमानां तां रामार्थे शोककर्शिताम्। अश्रुसम्पूर्णवदनामुवाच हनुमान् कपिः ॥ 37.19 ॥

iti saṃjalpamānāṃ tāṃ rāmārthe śokakarśitām| aśrusampūrṇavadanāmuvāca hanumān kapiḥ || 37.19 ||

Speaking thus, sorrow-worn for Rama's sake, her face full of tears, Hanuman the monkey spoke to her.

Shloka 20 (sundara.37.20)

श्रुत्वैव च वचो मह्यं क्षिप्रमेष्यति राघवः। चमूं प्रकर्षन् महतीं हर्यृक्षगणसंकुलाम् ॥ 37.20 ॥

śrutvaiva ca vaco mahyaṃ kṣiprameṣyati rāghavaḥ| camūṃ prakarṣan mahatīṃ haryṛkṣagaṇasaṃkulām || 37.20 ||

"The moment he has heard my words, Raghava will come swiftly, leading forth a great army thronging with monkeys and bears."

Shloka 21 (sundara.37.21)

अथवा मोचयिष्यामि त्वामद्यैव सराक्षसात्। अस्माद् दुःखादुपारोह मम पृष्ठमनिन्दिते ॥ 37.21 ॥

athavā mocayiṣyāmi tvāmadyaiva sarākṣasāt| asmād duḥkhādupāroha mama pṛṣṭhamanindite || 37.21 ||

"Or rather, I shall free you this very day from these demons. O blameless one, mount upon my back and rise out of this grief."

Shloka 22 (sundara.37.22)

त्वां तु पृष्ठगतां कृत्वा संतरिष्यामि सागरम्। शक्तिरस्ति हि मे वोढुं लङ्कामपि सरावणाम् ॥ 37.22 ॥

tvāṃ tu pṛṣṭhagatāṃ kṛtvā saṃtariṣyāmi sāgaram| śaktirasti hi me voḍhuṃ laṅkāmapi sarāvaṇām || 37.22 ||

"Setting you upon my back I shall cross the ocean; I have the strength indeed to carry even Lanka together with Ravana."

Shloka 23 (sundara.37.23)

अहं प्रस्रवणस्थाय राघवायाद्य मैथिलि। प्रापयिष्यामि शक्राय हव्यं हुतमिवानलः ॥ 37.23 ॥

ahaṃ prasravaṇasthāya rāghavāyādya maithili| prāpayiṣyāmi śakrāya havyaṃ hutamivānalaḥ || 37.23 ||

"O Maithili, I shall this very day bring you to Raghava dwelling on Mount Prasravana, as fire carries the oblation to Indra."

Shloka 24 (sundara.37.24)

द्रक्ष्यस्यद्यैव वैदेहि राघवं सहलक्ष्मणम्। व्यवसायसमायुक्तं विष्णुं दैत्यवधे यथा ॥ 37.24 ॥

drakṣyasyadyaiva vaidehi rāghavaṃ sahalakṣmaṇam| vyavasāyasamāyuktaṃ viṣṇuṃ daityavadhe yathā || 37.24 ||

"O Videhi, this very day you shall see Raghava together with Lakshmana, resolute as Vishnu preparing to slay the demons."

Shloka 25 (sundara.37.25)

त्वद्दर्शनकृतोत्साहमाश्रमस्थं महाबलम्। पुरंदरमिवासीनं नगराजस्य मूर्धनि ॥ 37.25 ॥

tvaddarśanakṛtotsāhamāśramasthaṃ mahābalam| puraṃdaramivāsīnaṃ nagarājasya mūrdhani || 37.25 ||

"That mighty one, made eager by longing to see you, dwells in his hermitage like Purandara seated upon the crest of the elephant-king."

Shloka 26 (sundara.37.26)

पृष्ठमारोह मे देवि मा विकाङ्क्षस्व शोभने। योगमन्विच्छ रामेण शशाङ्केनेव रोहिणी ॥ 37.26 ॥

pṛṣṭhamāroha me devi mā vikāṅkṣasva śobhane| yogamanviccha rāmeṇa śaśāṅkeneva rohiṇī || 37.26 ||

"Mount my back, O princess; do not hesitate, O gracious one. Seek union with Rama, as Rohini with the moon."

Shloka 27 (sundara.37.27)

कथयन्तीव शशिना संगमिष्यसि रोहिणी। मत्पृष्ठमधिरोह त्वं तराकाशं महार्णवम् ॥ 37.27 ॥

kathayantīva śaśinā saṃgamiṣyasi rohiṇī| matpṛṣṭhamadhiroha tvaṃ tarākāśaṃ mahārṇavam || 37.27 ||

"As though speaking to the sun and the resplendent moon, mount my back and cross the great ocean through the sky."

Shloka 28 (sundara.37.28)

नहि मे सम्प्रयातस्य त्वामितो नयतोऽङ्गने। अनुगन्तुं गतिं शक्ताः सर्वे लङ्कानिवासिनः ॥ 37.28 ॥

nahi me samprayātasya tvāmito nayato'ṅgane| anugantuṃ gatiṃ śaktāḥ sarve laṅkānivāsinaḥ || 37.28 ||

"O gentle one, while I carry you away from here, none among all the dwellers of Lanka will be able to follow and overtake me."

Shloka 29 (sundara.37.29)

यथैवाहमिह प्राप्तस्तथैवाहमसंशयम्। यास्यामि पश्य वैदेहि त्वामुद्यम्य विहायसम् ॥ 37.29 ॥

yathaivāhamiha prāptastathaivāhamasaṃśayam| yāsyāmi paśya vaidehi tvāmudyamya vihāyasam || 37.29 ||

"Just as I came here, so, without doubt, shall I go, O Videhi — see, taking you up into the sky."

Shloka 30 (sundara.37.30)

मैथिली तु हरिश्रेष्ठाच्छ्रुत्वा वचनमद्भुतम्। हर्षविस्मितसर्वाङ्गी हनूमन्तमथाब्रवीत् ॥ 37.30 ॥

maithilī tu hariśreṣṭhācchrutvā vacanamadbhutam| harṣavismitasarvāṅgī hanūmantamathābravīt || 37.30 ||

Hearing this astonishing speech from the best of monkeys, Maithili, her whole body thrilling with joy and wonder, then said to Hanuman:

Shloka 31 (sundara.37.31)

हनूमन् दूरमध्वानं कथं मां नेतुमिच्छसि। तदेव खलु ते मन्ये कपित्वं हरियूथप ॥ 37.31 ॥

hanūman dūramadhvānaṃ kathaṃ māṃ netumicchasi| tadeva khalu te manye kapitvaṃ hariyūthapa || 37.31 ||

"O Hanuman, how do you wish to carry me such a long way? This indeed, O chief of monkeys, I take to be your monkey-nature speaking."

Shloka 32 (sundara.37.32)

कथं चाल्पशरीरस्त्वं मामितो नेतुमिच्छसि। सकाशं मानवेन्द्रस्य भर्तुर्मे प्लवगर्षभ ॥ 37.32 ॥

kathaṃ cālpaśarīrastvaṃ māmito netumicchasi| sakāśaṃ mānavendrasya bharturme plavagarṣabha || 37.32 ||

"And how, with so small a body, do you wish to carry me from here into the presence of my lord, the king of men?"

Shloka 33 (sundara.37.33)

सीतायास्तु वचः श्रुत्वा हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः। चिन्तयामास लक्ष्मीवान् नवं परिभवं कृतम् ॥ 37.33 ॥

sītāyāstu vacaḥ śrutvā hanūmān mārutātmajaḥ| cintayāmāsa lakṣmīvān navaṃ paribhavaṃ kṛtam || 37.33 ||

Hearing Sita's words, Hanuman, son of the wind-god, blessed with fortune, reflected that a fresh slight had been offered him.

Shloka 34 (sundara.37.34)

न मे जानाति सत्त्वं वा प्रभावं वासितेक्षणा। तस्मात् पश्यतु वैदेही यद् रूपं मम कामतः ॥ 37.34 ॥

na me jānāti sattvaṃ vā prabhāvaṃ vāsitekṣaṇā| tasmāt paśyatu vaidehī yad rūpaṃ mama kāmataḥ || 37.34 ||

"This dark-eyed one does not know my strength or my power; therefore let Videhi see, by my own will, the form I truly bear."

Shloka 35 (sundara.37.35)

इति संचिन्त्य हनुमांस्तदा प्लवगसत्तमः। दर्शयामास सीतायाः स्वरूपमरिमर्दनः ॥ 37.35 ॥

iti saṃcintya hanumāṃstadā plavagasattamaḥ| darśayāmāsa sītāyāḥ svarūpamarimardanaḥ || 37.35 ||

Thinking thus, that best of monkeys, the crusher of foes, then displayed to Sita his true form.

Shloka 36 (sundara.37.36)

स तस्मात् पादपाद् धीमानाप्लुत्य प्लवगर्षभः। ततो वर्धितुमारेभे सीताप्रत्ययकारणात् ॥ 37.36 ॥

sa tasmāt pādapād dhīmānāplutya plavagarṣabhaḥ| tato vardhitumārebhe sītāpratyayakāraṇāt || 37.36 ||

That wise, foremost of monkeys leapt down from the tree, and then, to establish Sita's confidence, began to grow in size.

Shloka 37 (sundara.37.37)

मेरुमन्दरसंकाशो बभौ दीप्तानलप्रभः। अग्रतो व्यवतस्थे च सीताया वानरर्षभः ॥ 37.37 ॥

merumandarasaṃkāśo babhau dīptānalaprabhaḥ| agrato vyavatasthe ca sītāyā vānararṣabhaḥ || 37.37 ||

Resembling Meru and Mandara, blazing with the splendour of fire, that bull among monkeys stood before Sita.

Shloka 38 (sundara.37.38)

हरिः पर्वतसंकाशस्ताम्रवक्त्रो महाबलः। वज्रदंष्ट्रनखो भीमो वैदेहीमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 37.38 ॥

hariḥ parvatasaṃkāśastāmravaktro mahābalaḥ| vajradaṃṣṭranakho bhīmo vaidehīmidamabravīt || 37.38 ||

That mighty monkey, resembling a mountain, red-faced, with fangs and claws like thunderbolts, terrible to behold, spoke thus to Videhi:

Shloka 39 (sundara.37.39)

सपर्वतवनोद्देशां साट्टप्राकारतोरणाम्। लङ्कामिमां सनाथां वा नयितुं शक्तिरस्ति मे ॥ 37.39 ॥

saparvatavanoddeśāṃ sāṭṭaprākāratoraṇām| laṅkāmimāṃ sanāthāṃ vā nayituṃ śaktirasti me || 37.39 ||

"I have the power to carry off this very Lanka, with its hills and forest tracts, its ramparts and gate-towers, together with its lord."

Shloka 40 (sundara.37.40)

तदवस्थाप्यतां बुद्धिरलं देवि विकाङ्क्षया। विशोकं कुरु वैदेहि राघवं सहलक्ष्मणम् ॥ 37.40 ॥

tadavasthāpyatāṃ buddhiralaṃ devi vikāṅkṣayā| viśokaṃ kuru vaidehi rāghavaṃ sahalakṣmaṇam || 37.40 ||

"So set your mind at rest, O princess; abandon your doubt. O Videhi, come, and free Rama and Lakshmana from their sorrow."

Shloka 41 (sundara.37.41)

तं दृष्ट्वाचलसंकाशमुवाच जनकात्मजा। पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षी मारुतस्यौरसं सुतम् ॥ 37.41 ॥

taṃ dṛṣṭvācalasaṃkāśamuvāca janakātmajā| padmapatraviśālākṣī mārutasyaurasaṃ sutam || 37.41 ||

Seeing him mountain-like before her, Janaka's daughter, whose wide eyes were like lotus petals, spoke to that true-born son of the wind-god:

Shloka 42 (sundara.37.42)

तव सत्त्वं बलं चैव विजानामि महाकपे। वायोरिव गतिश्चापि तेजश्चाग्नेरिवाद्भुतम् ॥ 37.42 ॥

tava sattvaṃ balaṃ caiva vijānāmi mahākape| vāyoriva gatiścāpi tejaścāgnerivādbhutam || 37.42 ||

"O great monkey, I know well your strength and your power, your speed like the wind's, and your wondrous brilliance like fire's."

Shloka 43 (sundara.37.43)

प्राकृतोऽन्यः कथं चेमां भूमिमागन्तुमर्हति। उदधेरप्रमेयस्य पारं वानरयूथप ॥ 37.43 ॥

prākṛto'nyaḥ kathaṃ cemāṃ bhūmimāgantumarhati| udadheraprameyasya pāraṃ vānarayūthapa || 37.43 ||

"O bull among monkeys, how could any ordinary being cross this immeasurable ocean and reach this land?"

Shloka 44 (sundara.37.44)

जानामि गमने शक्तिं नयने चापि ते मम। अवश्यं सम्प्रधार्याशु कार्यसिद्धिरिवात्मनः ॥ 37.44 ॥

jānāmi gamane śaktiṃ nayane cāpi te mama| avaśyaṃ sampradhāryāśu kāryasiddhirivātmanaḥ || 37.44 ||

"I know your power to go and to carry me from here; but we must swiftly and carefully weigh whether the great one's own purpose might not thereby be undone."

Shloka 45 (sundara.37.45)

अयुक्तं तु कपिश्रेष्ठ मया गन्तुं त्वया सह। वायुवेगसवेगस्य वेगो मां मोहयेत् तव ॥ 37.45 ॥

ayuktaṃ tu kapiśreṣṭha mayā gantuṃ tvayā saha| vāyuvegasavegasya vego māṃ mohayet tava || 37.45 ||

"But it is not fitting, O best of monkeys, for me to go with you; the very speed of your wind-swift motion might make me lose my senses."

Shloka 46 (sundara.37.46)

अहमाकाशमासक्ता उपर्युपरि सागरम्। प्रपतेयं हि ते पृष्ठाद् भूयो वेगेन गच्छतः ॥ 37.46 ॥

ahamākāśamāsaktā uparyupari sāgaram| prapateyaṃ hi te pṛṣṭhād bhūyo vegena gacchataḥ || 37.46 ||

"Caught up in the sky above the ocean, I might fall from your back, in fear, as you sped onward with such speed."

Shloka 47 (sundara.37.47)

पतिता सागरे चाहं तिमिनक्रझषाकुले। भवेयमाशु विवशा यादसामन्नमुत्तमम् ॥ 37.47 ॥

patitā sāgare cāhaṃ timinakrajhaṣākule| bhaveyamāśu vivaśā yādasāmannamuttamam || 37.47 ||

"Fallen into the sea, thronging with sharks, crocodiles and fish, I might helplessly become choice food for those creatures of the water."

Shloka 48 (sundara.37.48)

न च शक्ष्ये त्वया सार्धं गन्तुं शत्रुविनाशन। कलत्रवति संदेहस्त्वयि स्यादप्यसंशयम् ॥ 37.48 ॥

na ca śakṣye tvayā sārdhaṃ gantuṃ śatruvināśana| kalatravati saṃdehastvayi syādapyasaṃśayam || 37.48 ||

"Nor could I go with you, O destroyer of foes; there would be risk for you too, without doubt, in having a woman to protect."

Shloka 49 (sundara.37.49)

ह्रियमाणां तु मां दृष्ट्वा राक्षसा भीमविक्रमाः। अनुगच्छेयुरादिष्टा रावणेन दुरात्मना ॥ 37.49 ॥

hriyamāṇāṃ tu māṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasā bhīmavikramāḥ| anugaccheyurādiṣṭā rāvaṇena durātmanā || 37.49 ||

"Seeing me being carried off, the demons of terrible valour, commanded by wicked Ravana, would surely give chase."

Shloka 50 (sundara.37.50)

तैस्त्वं परिवृतः शूरैः शूलमुद्गरपाणिभिः। भवेस्त्वं संशयं प्राप्तो मया वीर कलत्रवान् ॥ 37.50 ॥

taistvaṃ parivṛtaḥ śūraiḥ śūlamuda‍garapāṇibhiḥ| bhavestvaṃ saṃśayaṃ prāpto mayā vīra kalatravān || 37.50 ||

"Surrounded by those warriors bearing spears and maces, you, O hero, would be placed in danger, burdened as you are with me."

Shloka 51 (sundara.37.51)

सायुधा बहवो व्योम्नि राक्षसास्त्वं निरायुधः। कथं शक्ष्यसि संयातुं मां चैव परिरक्षितुम् ॥ 37.51 ॥

sāyudhā bahavo vyomni rākṣasāstvaṃ nirāyudhaḥ| kathaṃ śakṣyasi saṃyātuṃ māṃ caiva parirakṣitum || 37.51 ||

"Many armed demons filling the sky, and you unarmed — how then could you fight your way through and still protect me?"

Shloka 52 (sundara.37.52)

युध्यमानस्य रक्षोभिस्ततस्तैः क्रूरकर्मभिः। प्रपतेयं हि ते पृष्ठाद् भयार्ता कपिसत्तम ॥ 37.52 ॥

yudhyamānasya rakṣobhistatastaiḥ krūrakarmabhiḥ| prapateyaṃ hi te pṛṣṭhād bhayārtā kapisattama || 37.52 ||

"O best of monkeys, while you fight those cruel-acting demons, I, stricken with fear, might well fall from your back."

Shloka 53 (sundara.37.53)

अथ रक्षांसि भीमानि महान्ति बलवन्ति च। कथंचित् साम्पराये त्वां जयेयुः कपिसत्तम ॥ 37.53 ॥

atha rakṣāṃsi bhīmāni mahānti balavanti ca| kathaṃcit sāmparāye tvāṃ jayeyuḥ kapisattama || 37.53 ||

"Then those terrible, mighty demons might somehow overcome you in that battle, O best of monkeys."

Shloka 54 (sundara.37.54)

अथवा युध्यमानस्य पतेयं विमुखस्य ते। पतितां च गृहीत्वा मां नयेयुः पापराक्षसाः ॥ 37.54 ॥

athavā yudhyamānasya pateyaṃ vimukhasya te| patitāṃ ca gṛhītvā māṃ nayeyuḥ pāparākṣasāḥ || 37.54 ||

"Or, should you turn to face them and I should fall, those wicked demons might seize me fallen and carry me off again."

Shloka 55 (sundara.37.55)

मां वा हरेयुस्त्वद्धस्ताद् विशसेयुरथापि वा। अनवस्थौ हि दृश्येते युद्धे जयपराजयौ ॥ 37.55 ॥

māṃ vā hareyustvaddhastād viśaseyurathāpi vā| anavasthau hi dṛśyete yuddhe jayaparājayau || 37.55 ||

"Or they might snatch me from your very hands, or even kill me — for victory and defeat in battle are ever uncertain."

Shloka 56 (sundara.37.56)

अहं वापि विपद्येयं रक्षोभिरभितर्जिता। त्वत्प्रयत्नो हरिश्रेष्ठ भवेन्निष्फल एव तु ॥ 37.56 ॥

ahaṃ vāpi vipadyeyaṃ rakṣobhirabhitarjitā| tvatprayatno hariśreṣṭha bhavenniṣphala eva tu || 37.56 ||

"Or I myself might perish, terrified by the demons — and then, O best of monkeys, your whole effort would be in vain."

Shloka 57 (sundara.37.57)

कामं त्वमपि पर्याप्तो निहन्तुं सर्वराक्षसान्। राघवस्य यशो हीयेत् त्वया शस्तैस्तु राक्षसैः ॥ 37.57 ॥

kāmaṃ tvamapi paryāpto nihantuṃ sarvarākṣasān| rāghavasya yaśo hīyet tvayā śastaistu rākṣasaiḥ || 37.57 ||

"You alone, O slayer of foes, are surely capable enough to destroy all the demons — but the glory of it would then be yours, not Raghava's."

Shloka 58 (sundara.37.58)

अथवाऽऽदाय रक्षांसि न्यसेयुः संवृते हि माम्। यत्र ते नाभिजानीयुर्हरयो नापि राघवः ॥ 37.58 ॥

athavā''dāya rakṣāṃsi nyaseyuḥ saṃvṛte hi mām| yatra te nābhijānīyurharayo nāpi rāghavaḥ || 37.58 ||

"If, having conquered Ravana in battle with his full army, victorious Raghava should take me back to his own city, that indeed would befit him."

Shloka 59 (sundara.37.59)

आरम्भस्तु मदर्थोऽयं ततस्तव निरर्थकः। त्वया हि सह रामस्य महानागमने गुणः ॥ 37.59 ॥

ārambhastu madartho'yaṃ tatastava nirarthakaḥ| tvayā hi saha rāmasya mahānāgamane guṇaḥ || 37.59 ||

"If Kakutstha, having filled Lanka with his forces and crushed the enemy's army, should then take me away, that would befit him."

Shloka 60 (sundara.37.60)

मयि जीवितमायत्तं राघवस्यामितौजसः। भ्रातॄणां च महाबाहो तव राजकुलस्य च ॥ 37.60 ॥

mayi jīvitamāyattaṃ rāghavasyāmitaujasaḥ| bhrātṝṇāṃ ca mahābāho tava rājakulasya ca || 37.60 ||

"So arrange things in whatever way would suit the valour of that great and battle-brave soul."

Shloka 61 (sundara.37.61)

तौ निराशौ मदर्थं च शोकसंतापकर्शितौ। सह सर्वर्क्षहरिभिस्त्यक्ष्यतः प्राणसंग्रहम् ॥ 37.61 ॥

tau nirāśau madarthaṃ ca śokasaṃtāpakarśitau| saha sarvarkṣaharibhistyakṣyataḥ prāṇasaṃgraham || 37.61 ||

Hearing this speech, meaningful, courteous, and reasoned to its purpose, Hanuman spoke his final reply:

Shloka 62 (sundara.37.62)

भर्तुर्भक्तिं पुरस्कृत्य रामादन्यस्य वानर। नाहं स्प्रष्टुं स्वतो गात्रमिच्छेयं वानरोत्तम ॥ 37.62 ॥

bharturbhaktiṃ puraskṛtya rāmādanyasya vānara| nāhaṃ spraṣṭuṃ svato gātramiccheyaṃ vānarottama || 37.62 ||

"O princess, Sugriva, lord of the monkey and bear hosts, true to his word, is resolved wholly upon your rescue."

Shloka 63 (sundara.37.63)

यदहं गात्रसंस्पर्शं रावणस्य गता बलात्। अनीशा किं करिष्यामि विनाथा विवशा सती ॥ 37.63 ॥

yadahaṃ gātrasaṃsparśaṃ rāvaṇasya gatā balāt| anīśā kiṃ kariṣyāmi vināthā vivaśā satī || 37.63 ||

"Surrounded by tens of millions of monkeys, that destroyer of demons will come swiftly, O Vaidehi."

Shloka 64 (sundara.37.64)

यदि रामो दशग्रीवमिह हत्वा सराक्षसम्। मामितो गृह्य गच्छेत तत् तस्य सदृशं भवेत् ॥ 37.64 ॥

yadi rāmo daśagrīvamiha hatvā sarākṣasam| māmito gṛhya gaccheta tat tasya sadṛśaṃ bhavet || 37.64 ||

"His monkeys, mighty in valour and strength, moving as swiftly as thought itself, stand ready at his command."

Shloka 65 (sundara.37.65)

श्रुताश्च दृष्टा हि मया पराक्रमा महात्मनस्तस्य रणावमर्दिनः। न देवगन्धर्वभुजङ्गराक्षसा भवन्ति रामेण समा हि संयुगे ॥ 37.65 ॥

śrutāśca dṛṣṭā hi mayā parākramā mahātmanastasya raṇāvamardinaḥ| na devagandharvabhujaṅgarākṣasā bhavanti rāmeṇa samā hi saṃyuge || 37.65 ||

"Neither above nor below nor sideways does their course meet any hindrance; nor do those of measureless splendour ever falter in great tasks."

Shloka 66 (sundara.37.66)

समीक्ष्य तं संयति चित्रकार्मुकं महाबलं वासवतुल्यविक्रमम्। सलक्ष्मणं को विषहेत राघवं हुताशनं दीप्तमिवानिलेरितम् ॥ 37.66 ॥

samīkṣya taṃ saṃyati citrakārmukaṃ mahābalaṃ vāsavatulyavikramam| salakṣmaṇaṃ ko viṣaheta rāghavaṃ hutāśanaṃ dīptamivānileritam || 37.66 ||

"Many a time, coursing the paths of the wind, those men of great vigour have circled the whole earth together with its oceans and mountains."

Shloka 67 (sundara.37.67)

सलक्ष्मणं राघवमाजिमर्दनं दिशागजं मत्तमिव व्यवस्थितम्। सहेत को वानरमुख्य संयुगे युगान्तसूर्यप्रतिमं शरार्चिषम् ॥ 37.67 ॥

salakṣmaṇaṃ rāghavamājimardanaṃ diśāgajaṃ mattamiva vyavasthitam| saheta ko vānaramukhya saṃyuge yugāntasūryapratimaṃ śarārciṣam || 37.67 ||

"There are forest-dwellers there equal to me and greater still; none in Sugriva's presence is lesser than I."

Shloka 68 (sundara.37.68)

स मे कपिश्रेष्ठ सलक्ष्मणं प्रियं सयूथपं क्षिप्रमिहोपपादय। चिराय रामं प्रति शोककर्शितां कुरुष्व मां वानरवीर हर्षिताम् ॥ 37.68 ॥

sa me kapiśreṣṭha salakṣmaṇaṃ priyaṃ sayūthapaṃ kṣipramihopapādaya| cirāya rāmaṃ prati śokakarśitāṃ kuruṣva māṃ vānaravīra harṣitām || 37.68 ||

"If I alone have reached this far, how much more those mighty ones! For it is never the finest who are sent on errands — it is always others."