The Tale of the Crow and the Crest-Jewel

Shloka 1 (sundara.38.1)

ततः स कपिशार्दूलस्तेन वाक्येन तोषितः। सीतामुवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः ॥ 38.1 ॥

tataḥ sa kapiśārdūlastena vākyena toṣitaḥ| sītāmuvāca tacchrutvā vākyaṃ vākyaviśāradaḥ || 38.1 ||

Then that tiger among monkeys, gladdened by that speech and skilled in speech himself, having heard it, spoke thus to Sita.

Shloka 2 (sundara.38.2)

युक्तरूपं त्वया देवि भाषितं शुभदर्शने। सदृशं स्त्रीस्वभावस्य साध्वीनां विनयस्य च ॥ 38.2 ॥

yuktarūpaṃ tvayā devi bhāṣitaṃ śubhadarśane| sadṛśaṃ strīsvabhāvasya sādhvīnāṃ vinayasya ca || 38.2 ||

"O princess of lovely countenance, what you have spoken is fitting — it well becomes a woman's nature and the modesty of virtuous women."

Shloka 3 (sundara.38.3)

स्त्रीत्वान्न त्वं समर्थासि सागरं व्यतिवर्तितुम्। मामधिष्ठाय विस्तीर्णं शतयोजनमायतम् ॥ 38.3 ॥

strītvānna tvaṃ samarthāsi sāgaraṃ vyativartitum| māmadhiṣṭhāya vistīrṇaṃ śatayojanamāyatam || 38.3 ||

"Yet being a woman you are not able to cross the ocean, stationed upon me, stretching as it does a hundred yojanas wide."

Shloka 4 (sundara.38.4)

द्वितीयं कारणं यच्च ब्रवीषि विनयान्विते। रामादन्यस्य नार्हामि संसर्गमिति जानकि ॥ 38.4 ॥

dvitīyaṃ kāraṇaṃ yacca bravīṣi vinayānvite| rāmādanyasya nārhāmi saṃsargamiti jānaki || 38.4 ||

"And as for the second reason you gave, O modest Janaki — that you would touch no one but Rama —"

Shloka 5 (sundara.38.5)

एतत् ते देवि सदृशं पत्न्यास्तस्य महात्मनः। का ह्यन्या त्वामृते देवि ब्रूयाद् वचनमीदृशम् ॥ 38.5 ॥

etat te devi sadṛśaṃ patnyāstasya mahātmanaḥ| kā hyanyā tvāmṛte devi brūyād vacanamīdṛśam || 38.5 ||

"this too, O princess, befits you, wife of that great soul; for what other woman but you could speak such words?"

Shloka 6 (sundara.38.6)

श्रोष्यते चैव काकुत्स्थः सर्वं निरवशेषतः। चेष्टितं यत् त्वया देवि भाषितं च ममाग्रतः ॥ 38.6 ॥

śroṣyate caiva kākutsthaḥ sarvaṃ niravaśeṣataḥ| ceṣṭitaṃ yat tvayā devi bhāṣitaṃ ca mamāgrataḥ || 38.6 ||

"Kakutstha shall surely hear from me, in full and without omission, all that you have done and all that you have spoken before me."

Shloka 7 (sundara.38.7)

कारणैर्बहुभिर्देवि रामप्रियचिकीर्षया। स्नेहप्रस्कन्नमनसा मयैतत् समुदीरितम् ॥ 38.7 ॥

kāraṇairbahubhirdevi rāmapriyacikīrṣayā| snehapraskannamanasā mayaitat samudīritam || 38.7 ||

"O princess, it was for many reasons, out of a wish to serve Rama's happiness, with my mind steeped in affection, that I spoke as I did."

Shloka 8 (sundara.38.8)

लङ्काया दुष्प्रवेशत्वाद् दुस्तरत्वान्महोदधेः। सामर्थ्यादात्मनश्चैव मयैतत् समुदीरितम् ॥ 38.8 ॥

laṅkāyā duṣpraveśatvād dustaratvānmahodadheḥ| sāmarthyādātmanaścaiva mayaitat samudīritam || 38.8 ||

"Because Lanka is hard to enter and the great ocean hard to cross, and out of confidence in my own capacity, I spoke thus."

Shloka 9 (sundara.38.9)

इच्छामि त्वां समानेतुमद्यैव रघुनन्दिना। गुरुस्नेहेन भक्त्या च नान्यथा तदुदाहृतम् ॥ 38.9 ॥

icchāmi tvāṃ samānetumadyaiva raghunandinā| gurusnehena bhaktyā ca nānyathā tadudāhṛtam || 38.9 ||

"I wished to bring you this very day to Rama, delighter of the Raghus, out of deep affection and devotion, and for no other reason at all."

Shloka 10 (sundara.38.10)

यदि नोत्सहसे यातुं मया सार्धमनिन्दिते। अभिज्ञानं प्रयच्छ त्वं जानीयाद् राघवो हि यत् ॥ 38.10 ॥

yadi notsahase yātuṃ mayā sārdhamanindite| abhijñānaṃ prayaccha tvaṃ jānīyād rāghavo hi yat || 38.10 ||

"But if you are not willing to go with me, O blameless one, give me some token, so that Raghava may know it is true."

Shloka 11 (sundara.38.11)

एवमुक्ता हनुमता सीता सुरसुतोपमा। उवाच वचनं मन्दं बाष्पप्रग्रथिताक्षरम् ॥ 38.11 ॥

evamuktā hanumatā sītā surasutopamā| uvāca vacanaṃ mandaṃ bāṣpapragrathitākṣaram || 38.11 ||

Thus addressed by Hanuman, Sita, like the daughter of a god, spoke slowly, her words strung together with tears.

Shloka 12 (sundara.38.12)

इदं श्रेष्ठमभिज्ञानं ब्रूयास्त्वं तु मम प्रियम्। शैलस्य चित्रकूटस्य पादे पूर्वोत्तरे पदे ॥ 38.12 ॥

idaṃ śreṣṭhamabhijñānaṃ brūyāstvaṃ tu mama priyam| śailasya citrakūṭasya pāde pūrvottare pade || 38.12 ||

"Tell him this excellent token of remembrance, so dear to me: at the foot of Mount Chitrakuta, on the northeastern side,"

Shloka 13 (sundara.38.13)

तापसाश्रमवासिन्याः प्राज्यमूलफलोदके। तस्मिन् सिद्धाश्रिते देशे मन्दाकिन्यविदूरतः ॥ 38.13 ॥

tāpasāśramavāsinyāḥ prājyamūlaphalodake| tasmin siddhāśrite deśe mandākinyavidūrataḥ || 38.13 ||

"where ascetics dwelt in their hermitage, rich with roots and fruit and water, in that place frequented by the perfected ones, not far from the Mandakini,"

Shloka 14 (sundara.38.14)

तस्योपवनखण्डेषु नानापुष्पसुगन्धिषु। विहृत्य सलिले क्लिन्नो ममाङ्के समुपाविशः ॥ 38.14 ॥

tasyopavanakhaṇḍeṣu nānāpuṣpasugandhiṣu| vihṛtya salile klinno mamāṅke samupāviśaḥ || 38.14 ||

"in its groves fragrant with many kinds of flowers, having bathed and wet with water, I sat down in your lap."

Shloka 15 (sundara.38.15)

ततो मांससमायुक्तो वायसः पर्यतुण्डयत्। तमहं लोष्टमुद्यम्य वारयामि स्म वायसम् ॥ 38.15 ॥

tato māṃsasamāyukto vāyasaḥ paryatuṇḍayat| tamahaṃ loṣṭamudyamya vārayāmi sma vāyasam || 38.15 ||

"Then a crow, craving flesh, began pecking at me; I took up a clod of earth and drove the crow away."

Shloka 16 (sundara.38.16)

दारयन् स च मां काकस्तत्रैव परिलीयते। न चाप्युपारमन्मांसाद् भक्षार्थी बलिभोजनः ॥ 38.16 ॥

dārayan sa ca māṃ kākastatraiva parilīyate| na cāpyupāramanmāṃsād bhakṣārthī balibhojanaḥ || 38.16 ||

"Tearing at me, that crow only lurked nearby, and though craving meat, would not give up its assault, greedy as it was for its prey."

Shloka 17 (sundara.38.17)

उत्कर्षन्त्यां च रशनां क्रुद्धायां मयि पक्षिणे। स्रंसमाने च वसने ततो दृष्टा त्वया ह्यहम् ॥ 38.17 ॥

utkarṣantyāṃ ca raśanāṃ kruddhāyāṃ mayi pakṣiṇe| sraṃsamāne ca vasane tato dṛṣṭā tvayā hyaham || 38.17 ||

"As I, angered at the bird, pulled up the slipping string of my garment, you saw me just then."

Shloka 18 (sundara.38.18)

त्वया विहसिता चाहं क्रुद्धा संलज्जिता तदा। भक्ष्यगृद्धेन काकेन दारिता त्वामुपागता ॥ 38.18 ॥

tvayā vihasitā cāhaṃ kruddhā saṃlajjitā tadā| bhakṣyagṛddhena kākena dāritā tvāmupāgatā || 38.18 ||

"You laughed at me, and I, angry and abashed, torn by that flesh-craving crow, came to you."

Shloka 19 (sundara.38.19)

ततः श्रान्ताहमुत्सङ्गमासीनस्य तवाविशम्। क्रुध्यन्तीव प्रहृष्टेन त्वयाहं परिसान्त्विता ॥ 38.19 ॥

tataḥ śrāntāhamutsaṅgamāsīnasya tavāviśam| krudhyantīva prahṛṣṭena tvayāhaṃ parisāntvitā || 38.19 ||

"Then, tired, I again sat upon your lap; and though I was still angry, you soothed me, greatly pleased."

Shloka 20 (sundara.38.20)

बाष्पपूर्णमुखी मन्दं चक्षुषी परिमार्जती। लक्षिताहं त्वया नाथ वायसेन प्रकोपिता ॥ 38.20 ॥

bāṣpapūrṇamukhī mandaṃ cakṣuṣī parimārjatī| lakṣitāhaṃ tvayā nātha vāyasena prakopitā || 38.20 ||

"My face full of tears, slowly wiping my eyes, you saw, O lord, that I had been provoked by the crow."

Shloka 21 (sundara.38.21)

परिश्रमाच्च सुप्ता हे राघवाङ्केऽस्म्यहं चिरम्। पर्यायेण प्रसुप्तश्च ममाङ्के भरताग्रजः ॥ 38.21 ॥

pariśramācca suptā he rāghavāṅke'smyahaṃ ciram| paryāyeṇa prasuptaśca mamāṅke bharatāgrajaḥ || 38.21 ||

"Wearied, I fell asleep for long upon Raghava's lap; and in turn Bharata's elder brother too fell asleep upon mine."

Shloka 22 (sundara.38.22)

स तत्र पुनरेवाथ वायसः समुपागमत्। ततः सुप्तप्रबुद्धां मां राघवाङ्कात् समुत्थिताम्। वायसः सहसागम्य विददार स्तनान्तरे ॥ 38.22 ॥

sa tatra punarevātha vāyasaḥ samupāgamat| tataḥ suptaprabuddhāṃ māṃ rāghavāṅkāt samutthitām| vāyasaḥ sahasāgamya vidadāra stanāntare || 38.22 ||

"Then that same crow came there again; and as I, waking from sleep, rose from Raghava's lap, the crow suddenly swooped and clawed me between the breasts."

Shloka 23 (sundara.38.23)

पुनः पुनरथोत्पत्य विददार स मां भृशम्। ततः समुत्थितो रामो मुक्तैः शोणितबिन्दुभिः ॥ 38.23 ॥

punaḥ punarathotpatya vidadāra sa māṃ bhṛśam| tataḥ samutthito rāmo muktaiḥ śoṇitabindubhiḥ || 38.23 ||

"Swooping up again and again, it tore at me severely; then Rama awoke, wet with drops of blood."

Shloka 24 (sundara.38.24)

स मां दृष्ट्वा महाबाहुर्वितुन्नां स्तनयोस्तदा। आशीविष इव क्रुद्धः श्वसन् वाक्यमभाषत ॥ 38.24 ॥

sa māṃ dṛṣṭvā mahābāhurvitunnāṃ stanayostadā| āśīviṣa iva kruddhaḥ śvasan vākyamabhāṣata || 38.24 ||

"Seeing me wounded thus between the breasts, that mighty-armed one, angered, hissing like a serpent, spoke these words:"

Shloka 25 (sundara.38.25)

केन ते नागनासोरु विक्षतं वै स्तनान्तरम्। कः क्रीडति सरोषेण पञ्चवक्त्रेण भोगिना ॥ 38.25 ॥

kena te nāganāsoru vikṣataṃ vai stanāntaram| kaḥ krīḍati saroṣeṇa pañcavaktreṇa bhoginā || 38.25 ||

"'By whom, O fair-thighed one, has your breast been so torn? Who has been sporting with a five-hooded, enraged serpent?'"

Shloka 26 (sundara.38.26)

वीक्षमाणस्ततस्तं वै वायसं समवैक्षत। नखैः सरुधिरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्मामेवाभिमुखं स्थितम् ॥ 38.26 ॥

vīkṣamāṇastatastaṃ vai vāyasaṃ samavaikṣata| nakhaiḥ sarudhiraistīkṣṇairmāmevābhimukhaṃ sthitam || 38.26 ||

"Looking about, he then spied that crow, its sharp claws stained with blood, poised right before me."

Shloka 27 (sundara.38.27)

पुत्रः किल स शक्रस्य वायसः पततां वरः। धरान्तरं गतः शीघ्रं पवनस्य गतौ समः ॥ 38.27 ॥

putraḥ kila sa śakrasya vāyasaḥ patatāṃ varaḥ| dharāntaraṃ gataḥ śīghraṃ pavanasya gatau samaḥ || 38.27 ||

"'That crow, best among birds, is said to be the son of Indra, moving swift as the wind through the world.'"

Shloka 28 (sundara.38.28)

ततस्तस्मिन् महाबाहुः कोपसंवर्तितेक्षणः। वायसे कृतवान् क्रूरां मतिं मतिमतां वरः ॥ 38.28 ॥

tatastasmin mahābāhuḥ kopasaṃvartitekṣaṇaḥ| vāyase kṛtavān krūrāṃ matiṃ matimatāṃ varaḥ || 38.28 ||

"Then that mighty-armed one, his eyes rolling with fury, formed a fierce resolve, best of the wise, against the crow."

Shloka 29 (sundara.38.29)

स दर्भसंस्तराद् गृह्य ब्रह्मणोऽस्त्रेण योजयत्। स दीप्त इव कालाग्निर्जज्वालाभिमुखो द्विजम् ॥ 38.29 ॥

sa darbhasaṃstarād gṛhya brahmaṇo'streṇa yojayat| sa dīpta iva kālāgnirjajvālābhimukho dvijam || 38.29 ||

"Taking a blade of grass from his seat, he charged it with the missile of Brahma; it blazed like the fire at time's end, facing that bird."

Shloka 30 (sundara.38.30)

स तं प्रदीप्तं चिक्षेप दर्भं तं वायसं प्रति। ततस्तु वायसं दर्भः सोऽम्बरेऽनुजगाम ह ॥ 38.30 ॥

sa taṃ pradīptaṃ cikṣepa darbhaṃ taṃ vāyasaṃ prati| tatastu vāyasaṃ darbhaḥ so'mbare'nujagāma ha || 38.30 ||

"He hurled that blazing blade of grass toward the crow; then that grass-shaft pursued the crow through the sky."

Shloka 31 (sundara.38.31)

अनुसृष्टस्तदा काको जगाम विविधां गतिम्। त्राणकाम इमं लोकं सर्वं वै विचचार ह ॥ 38.31 ॥

anusṛṣṭastadā kāko jagāma vividhāṃ gatim| trāṇakāma imaṃ lokaṃ sarvaṃ vai vicacāra ha || 38.31 ||

"Pursued thus, the crow fled in every direction, wandering over the whole world, desperate to find protection."

Shloka 32 (sundara.38.32)

स पित्रा च परित्यक्तः सर्वैश्च परमर्षिभिः। त्रीँल्लोकान् सम्परिक्रम्य तमेव शरणं गतः ॥ 38.32 ॥

sa pitrā ca parityaktaḥ sarvaiśca paramarṣibhiḥ| trī~llokān samparikramya tameva śaraṇaṃ gataḥ || 38.32 ||

"Abandoned by his own father and by all the gods and great sages, having circled the three worlds, he took refuge in Rama alone."

Shloka 33 (sundara.38.33)

स तं निपतितं भूमौ शरण्यः शरणागतम्। वधार्हमपि काकुत्स्थः कृपया पर्यपालयत् ॥ 38.33 ॥

sa taṃ nipatitaṃ bhūmau śaraṇyaḥ śaraṇāgatam| vadhārhamapi kākutsthaḥ kṛpayā paryapālayat || 38.33 ||

"Kakutstha, the giver of refuge, though the crow deserved death, out of compassion protected it as it fell to the ground, seeking his shelter."

Shloka 34 (sundara.38.34)

परिद्यूनं विवर्णं च पतमानं तमब्रवीत्। मोघमस्त्रं न शक्यं तु ब्राह्मं कर्तुं तदुच्यताम् ॥ 38.34 ॥

paridyūnaṃ vivarṇaṃ ca patamānaṃ tamabravīt| moghamastraṃ na śakyaṃ tu brāhmaṃ kartuṃ taducyatām || 38.34 ||

"Seeing it come, wretched and pale, he said to it: 'This missile of Brahma cannot be made to fail — tell me what is to be done.'"

Shloka 35 (sundara.38.35)

ततस्तस्याक्षि काकस्य हिनस्ति स्म स दक्षिणम्। दत्त्वा तु दक्षिणं नेत्रं प्राणेभ्यः परिरक्षितः ॥ 38.35 ॥

tatastasyākṣi kākasya hinasti sma sa dakṣiṇam| dattvā tu dakṣiṇaṃ netraṃ prāṇebhyaḥ parirakṣitaḥ || 38.35 ||

"Then that missile struck the crow's right eye; giving up its right eye, it preserved its life."

Shloka 36 (sundara.38.36)

स रामाय नमस्कृत्वा राज्ञे दशरथाय च। विसृष्टस्तेन वीरेण प्रतिपेदे स्वमालयम् ॥ 38.36 ॥

sa rāmāya namaskṛtvā rājñe daśarathāya ca| visṛṣṭastena vīreṇa pratipede svamālayam || 38.36 ||

"Bowing to Rama and to King Dasharatha, released by that hero, it returned to its own abode."

Shloka 37 (sundara.38.37)

मत्कृते काकमात्रेऽपि ब्रह्मास्त्रं समुदीरितम्। कस्माद् यो माहरत् त्वत्तः क्षमसे तं महीपते ॥ 38.37 ॥

matkṛte kākamātre'pi brahmāstraṃ samudīritam| kasmād yo māharat tvattaḥ kṣamase taṃ mahīpate || 38.37 ||

"'For my sake you unleashed the missile of Brahma even upon a mere crow — why then, O lord of the earth, do you forgive the one who has stolen me from you?'"

Shloka 38 (sundara.38.38)

स कुरुष्व महोत्साहां कृपां मयि नरर्षभ। त्वया नाथवती नाथ ह्यनाथा इव दृश्यते ॥ 38.38 ॥

sa kuruṣva mahotsāhāṃ kṛpāṃ mayi nararṣabha| tvayā nāthavatī nātha hyanāthā iva dṛśyate || 38.38 ||

"'Show your great valour and compassion on me, O bull among men; O lord, one who has you as protector yet looks as though she has none.'"

Shloka 39 (sundara.38.39)

आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मस्त्वत्त एव मया श्रुतम्। जानामि त्वां महावीर्यं महोत्साहं महाबलम् ॥ 38.39 ॥

ānṛśaṃsyaṃ paro dharmastvatta eva mayā śrutam| jānāmi tvāṃ mahāvīryaṃ mahotsāhaṃ mahābalam || 38.39 ||

"'I have heard from you yourself that kindness is the highest virtue; I know you of great valour, great vigour, great strength,"

Shloka 40 (sundara.38.40)

अपारवारमक्षोभ्यं गाम्भीर्यात् सागरोपमम्। भर्तारं ससमुद्राया धरण्या वासवोपमम् ॥ 38.40 ॥

apāravāramakṣobhyaṃ gāmbhīryāt sāgaropamam| bhartāraṃ sasamudrāyā dharaṇyā vāsavopamam || 38.40 ||

"'boundless, unshakable, deep as the ocean, lord of this earth with all her seas, and equal to Indra.'"

Shloka 41 (sundara.38.41)

एवमस्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठो बलवान् सत्त्ववानपि। किमर्थमस्त्रं रक्षःसु न योजयसि राघव ॥ 38.41 ॥

evamastravidāṃ śreṣṭho balavān sattvavānapi| kimarthamastraṃ rakṣaḥsu na yojayasi rāghava || 38.41 ||

"'Being thus the foremost among masters of weapons, strong and full of valour, why do you not turn your weapon upon the demons?'"

Shloka 42 (sundara.38.42)

न नागा नापि गन्धर्वा न सुरा न मरुद्गणाः। रामस्य समरे वेगं शक्ताः प्रतिसमीहितुम् ॥ 38.42 ॥

na nāgā nāpi gandharvā na surā na maruda‍gaṇāḥ| rāmasya samare vegaṃ śaktāḥ pratisamīhitum || 38.42 ||

"'Neither serpent-lords nor gandharvas, neither gods nor host of storm-gods, are able to withstand Rama's onrush in battle.'"

Shloka 43 (sundara.38.43)

तस्य वीर्यवतः कच्चिद् यद्यस्ति मयि सम्भ्रमः। किमर्थं न शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः क्षयं नयति राक्षसान् ॥ 38.43 ॥

tasya vīryavataḥ kaccid yadyasti mayi sambhramaḥ| kimarthaṃ na śaraistīkṣṇaiḥ kṣayaṃ nayati rākṣasān || 38.43 ||

"'If that valiant one has any true regard for me, why does he not with his sharp arrows bring the demons to ruin?'"

Shloka 44 (sundara.38.44)

भ्रातुरादेशमादाय लक्ष्मणो वा परंतपः। कस्य हेतोर्न मां वीरः परित्राति महाबलः ॥ 38.44 ॥

bhrāturādeśamādāya lakṣmaṇo vā paraṃtapaḥ| kasya hetorna māṃ vīraḥ paritrāti mahābalaḥ || 38.44 ||

"'Or taking his brother's command, why does not scorching Lakshmana, mighty hero, come to rescue me?'"

Shloka 45 (sundara.38.45)

यदि तौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ वाय्विन्द्रसमतेजसौ। सुराणामपि दुर्धर्षौ किमर्थं मामुपेक्षतः ॥ 38.45 ॥

yadi tau puruṣavyāghrau vāyvindrasamatejasau| surāṇāmapi durdharṣau kimarthaṃ māmupekṣataḥ || 38.45 ||

"'If those two tigers among men, radiant as wind and Indra, unconquerable even by the gods, still neglect me — why is it so?'"

Shloka 46 (sundara.38.46)

ममैव दुष्कृतं किंचिन्महदस्ति न संशयः। समर्थावपि तौ यन्मां नावेक्षेते परंतपौ ॥ 38.46 ॥

mamaiva duṣkṛtaṃ kiṃcinmahadasti na saṃśayaḥ| samarthāvapi tau yanmāṃ nāvekṣete paraṃtapau || 38.46 ||

"'There is no doubt some great sin of mine alone that those two scorchers of foes, capable as they are, take no notice of me.'"

Shloka 47 (sundara.38.47)

वैदेह्या वचनं श्रुत्वा करुणं साश्रु भाषितम्। अथाब्रवीन्महातेजा हनूमान् हरियूथपः ॥ 38.47 ॥

vaidehyā vacanaṃ śrutvā karuṇaṃ sāśru bhāṣitam| athābravīnmahātejā hanūmān hariyūthapaḥ || 38.47 ||

Hearing Vaidehi's piteous, tearful words, Hanuman, the greatly radiant lord of the monkey host, then spoke thus:

Shloka 48 (sundara.38.48)

त्वच्छोकविमुखो रामो देवि सत्येन ते शपे। रामे दुःखाभिपन्ने तु लक्ष्मणः परितप्यते ॥ 38.48 ॥

tvacchokavimukho rāmo devi satyena te śape| rāme duḥkhābhipanne tu lakṣmaṇaḥ paritapyate || 38.48 ||

"O princess, Rama is turned away from all else by grief for you — I swear it to you by truth. When Rama suffers, Lakshmana too is tormented."

Shloka 49 (sundara.38.49)

कथंचिद् भवती दृष्टा न कालः परिशोचितुम्। इमं मुहूर्तं दुःखानामन्तं द्रक्ष्यसि शोभने ॥ 38.49 ॥

kathaṃcid bhavatī dṛṣṭā na kālaḥ pariśocitum| imaṃ muhūrtaṃ duḥkhānāmantaṃ drakṣyasi śobhane || 38.49 ||

"Somehow you have now been found — this is no time for grieving; O gracious one, within this very hour you shall see the end of your sorrows."

Shloka 50 (sundara.38.50)

तावुभौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ राजपुत्रौ महाबलौ। त्वद्दर्शनकृतोत्साहौ लोकान् भस्मीकरिष्यतः ॥ 38.50 ॥

tāvubhau puruṣavyāghrau rājaputrau mahābalau| tvaddarśanakṛtotsāhau lokān bhasmīkariṣyataḥ || 38.50 ||

"Those two tigers among men, mighty princes, made eager by the wish to see you, shall burn all the worlds to ashes."

Shloka 51 (sundara.38.51)

हत्वा च समरक्रूरं रावणं सहबान्धवम्। राघवस्त्वां विशालाक्षि स्वां पुरीं प्रति नेष्यति ॥ 38.51 ॥

hatvā ca samarakrūraṃ rāvaṇaṃ sahabāndhavam| rāghavastvāṃ viśālākṣi svāṃ purīṃ prati neṣyati || 38.51 ||

"Having slain in battle the cruel Ravana with all his kin, O wide-eyed one, Raghava will take you back to his own city."

Shloka 52 (sundara.38.52)

ब्रूहि यद् राघवो वाच्यो लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः। सुग्रीवो वापि तेजस्वी हरयो वा समागताः ॥ 38.52 ॥

brūhi yad rāghavo vācyo lakṣmaṇaśca mahābalaḥ| sugrīvo vāpi tejasvī harayo vā samāgatāḥ || 38.52 ||

"Tell me what is to be said to Raghava, or to mighty Lakshmana, or to the glorious Sugriva, or to the assembled monkeys."

Shloka 53 (sundara.38.53)

इत्युक्तवति तस्मिंश्च सीता पुनरथाब्रवीत्। कौसल्या लोकभर्तारं सुषुवे यं मनस्विनी ॥ 38.53 ॥

ityuktavati tasmiṃśca sītā punarathābravīt| kausalyā lokabhartāraṃ suṣuve yaṃ manasvinī || 38.53 ||

When he had spoken thus, Sita, like the daughter of a god, spoke again: "He whom the wise Kausalya bore, lord of the world —"

Shloka 54 (sundara.38.54)

तं ममार्थे सुखं पृच्छ शिरसा चाभिवादय। स्रजश्च सर्वरत्नानि प्रियायाश्च वराङ्गनाः ॥ 38.54 ॥

taṃ mamārthe sukhaṃ pṛccha śirasā cābhivādaya| srajaśca sarvaratnāni priyāyāśca varāṅganāḥ || 38.54 ||

"— ask him, for my sake, of his welfare, and bow your head to him. And garlands, all manner of jewels, delightful, noble women,"

Shloka 55 (sundara.38.55)

ऐश्वर्यं च विशालायां पृथिव्यामपि दुर्लभम्। पितरं मातरं चैव सम्मान्याभिप्रसाद्य च ॥ 38.55 ॥

aiśvaryaṃ ca viśālāyāṃ pṛthivyāmapi durlabham| pitaraṃ mātaraṃ caiva sammānyābhiprasādya ca || 38.55 ||

"and lordship rare to find even upon this vast earth — honouring and gladdening his father and mother —"

Shloka 56 (sundara.38.56)

अनुप्रव्रजितो रामं सुमित्रा येन सुप्रजाः। आनुकूल्येन धर्मात्मा त्यक्त्वा सुखमनुत्तमम् ॥ 38.56 ॥

anupravrajito rāmaṃ sumitrā yena suprajāḥ| ānukūlyena dharmātmā tyaktvā sukhamanuttamam || 38.56 ||

"— he by whom Sumitra is blessed with a worthy son — following Rama with unwavering goodwill, having renounced supreme comfort,"

Shloka 57 (sundara.38.57)

अनुगच्छति काकुत्स्थं भ्रातरं पालयन् वने। सिंहस्कन्धो महाबाहुर्मनस्वी प्रियदर्शनः ॥ 38.57 ॥

anugacchati kākutsthaṃ bhrātaraṃ pālayan vane| siṃhaskandho mahābāhurmanasvī priyadarśanaḥ || 38.57 ||

"— he follows Kakutstha, guarding his brother in the forest — lion-shouldered, mighty-armed, high-minded, of pleasing looks —"

Shloka 58 (sundara.38.58)

पितृवद् वर्तते रामे मातृवन्मां समाचरत्। ह्रियमाणां तदा वीरो न तु मां वेद लक्ष्मणः ॥ 38.58 ॥

pitṛvad vartate rāme mātṛvanmāṃ samācarat| hriyamāṇāṃ tadā vīro na tu māṃ veda lakṣmaṇaḥ || 38.58 ||

"— that hero conducts himself toward Rama as toward a father, and toward me as toward a mother; yet, brave as he is, Lakshmana did not know I was being carried off."

Shloka 59 (sundara.38.59)

वृद्धोपसेवी लक्ष्मीवान् शक्तो न बहुभाषिता। राजपुत्रप्रियश्रेष्ठः सदृशः श्वशुरस्य मे ॥ 38.59 ॥

vṛddhopasevī lakṣmīvān śakto na bahubhāṣitā| rājaputrapriyaśreṣṭhaḥ sadṛśaḥ śvaśurasya me || 38.59 ||

"He serves his elders, is blessed with fortune, capable yet sparing of speech — a prince beloved and foremost, worthy of my father-in-law."

Shloka 60 (sundara.38.60)

मत्तः प्रियतरो नित्यं भ्राता रामस्य लक्ष्मणः। नियुक्तो धुरि यस्यां तु तामुद्वहति वीर्यवान् ॥ 38.60 ॥

mattaḥ priyataro nityaṃ bhrātā rāmasya lakṣmaṇaḥ| niyukto dhuri yasyāṃ tu tāmudvahati vīryavān || 38.60 ||

"Lakshmana, Rama's brother, is ever dearer to me than myself; whatever burden is placed upon him, that valiant one carries it through."

Shloka 61 (sundara.38.61)

यं दृष्ट्वा राघवो नैव वृत्तमार्यमनुस्मरत्। स ममार्थाय कुशलं वक्तव्यो वचनान्मम ॥ 38.61 ॥

yaṃ dṛṣṭvā rāghavo naiva vṛttamāryamanusmarat| sa mamārthāya kuśalaṃ vaktavyo vacanānmama || 38.61 ||

"Seeing whom, Raghava does not even recall his revered late father — he too should be asked of his welfare, in these my very words."

Shloka 62 (sundara.38.62)

मृदुर्नित्यं शुचिर्दक्षः प्रियो रामस्य लक्ष्मणः। यथा हि वानरश्रेष्ठ दुःखक्षयकरो भवेत् ॥ 38.62 ॥

mṛdurnityaṃ śucirdakṣaḥ priyo rāmasya lakṣmaṇaḥ| yathā hi vānaraśreṣṭha duḥkhakṣayakaro bhavet || 38.62 ||

"Gentle, ever pure, capable, and dear to Rama is Lakshmana; O best of monkeys, speak to him such that he may bring my sorrow to an end,"

Shloka 63 (sundara.38.63)

त्वमस्मिन् कार्यनिर्वाहे प्रमाणं हरियूथप। राघवस्त्वत्समारम्भान्मयि यत्नपरो भवेत् ॥ 38.63 ॥

tvamasmin kāryanirvāhe pramāṇaṃ hariyūthapa| rāghavastvatsamārambhānmayi yatnaparo bhavet || 38.63 ||

"for you, O lord of the monkeys, are the very authority in accomplishing this task; through your very effort may Raghava become zealous on my behalf."

Shloka 64 (sundara.38.64)

इदं ब्रूयाश्च मे नाथं शूरं रामं पुनः पुनः। जीवितं धारयिष्यामि मासं दशरथात्मज ॥ 38.64 ॥

idaṃ brūyāśca me nāthaṃ śūraṃ rāmaṃ punaḥ punaḥ| jīvitaṃ dhārayiṣyāmi māsaṃ daśarathātmaja || 38.64 ||

"And say this again and again to my brave lord, Rama, son of Dasharatha:"

Shloka 65 (sundara.38.65)

ऊर्ध्वं मासान्न जीवेयं सत्येनाहं ब्रवीमि ते। रावणेनोपरुद्धां मां निकृत्या पापकर्मणा। त्रातुमर्हसि वीर त्वं पातालादिव कौशिकीम् ॥ 38.65 ॥

ūrdhvaṃ māsānna jīveyaṃ satyenāhaṃ bravīmi te| rāvaṇenoparuddhāṃ māṃ nikṛtyā pāpakarmaṇā| trātumarhasi vīra tvaṃ pātālādiva kauśikīm || 38.65 ||

"'I shall sustain my life for one month more; beyond a month I shall not live — I speak this to you in all truth. Held captive here by wicked Ravana through his deceit, you must rescue me, O hero, as though from the netherworld itself, as Kaushiki was once rescued.'"

Shloka 66 (sundara.38.66)

ततो वस्त्रगतं मुक्त्वा दिव्यं चूडामणिं शुभम्। प्रदेयो राघवायेति सीता हनुमते ददौ ॥ 38.66 ॥

tato vastragataṃ muktvā divyaṃ cūḍāmaṇiṃ śubham| pradeyo rāghavāyeti sītā hanumate dadau || 38.66 ||

Then, undoing from her garment the radiant, divine crest-jewel, Sita gave it to Hanuman, saying it was to be delivered to Raghava.

Shloka 67 (sundara.38.67)

प्रतिगृह्य ततो वीरो मणिरत्नमनुत्तमम्। अङ्गुल्या योजयामास नह्यस्य प्राभवद् भुजः ॥ 38.67 ॥

pratigṛhya tato vīro maṇiratnamanuttamam| aṅgulyā yojayāmāsa nahyasya prābhavad bhujaḥ || 38.67 ||

Taking that peerless jewel, the hero then fitted it upon his finger, for his arm could not properly hold it otherwise.

Shloka 68 (sundara.38.68)

मणिरत्नं कपिवरः प्रतिगृह्याभिवाद्य च। सीतां प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा प्रणतः पार्श्वतः स्थितः ॥ 38.68 ॥

maṇiratnaṃ kapivaraḥ pratigṛhyābhivādya ca| sītāṃ pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā praṇataḥ pārśvataḥ sthitaḥ || 38.68 ||

Taking the jewel and offering his salutation, that best of monkeys circled Sita in reverence, and stood, bowed, at her side.

Shloka 69 (sundara.38.69)

हर्षेण महता युक्तः सीतादर्शनजेन सः। हृदयेन गतो रामं लक्ष्मणं च सलक्षणम् ॥ 38.69 ॥

harṣeṇa mahatā yuktaḥ sītādarśanajena saḥ| hṛdayena gato rāmaṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ ca salakṣaṇam || 38.69 ||

Filled with great joy at having found Sita, in his heart he had already gone to Rama and to Lakshmana of auspicious marks.

Shloka 70 (sundara.38.70)

मणिवरमुपगृह्य तं महार्हं जनकनृपात्मजया धृतं प्रभावात्। गिरिवरपवनावधूतमुक्तः सुखितमनाः प्रतिसंक्रमं प्रपेदे ॥ 38.70 ॥

maṇivaramupagṛhya taṃ mahārhaṃ janakanṛpātmajayā dhṛtaṃ prabhāvāt| girivarapavanāvadhūtamuktaḥ sukhitamanāḥ pratisaṃkramaṃ prapede || 38.70 ||

Clasping that priceless jewel, worn by the power of Janaka's daughter, released like one shaken free from the wind atop a great mountain, he set out for the crossing, his mind full of joy.