Hanuman Bound and Brought Before Ravana

Shloka 1 (sundara.48.1)

ततस्तु रक्षोऽधिपतिर्महात्मा हनूमताक्षे निहते कुमारे। मनः समाधाय स देवकल्पं समादिदेशेन्द्रजितं सरोषः ॥ 48.1 ॥

tatastu rakṣo'dhipatirmahātmā hanūmatākṣe nihate kumāre| manaḥ samādhāya sa devakalpaṃ samādideśendrajitaṃ saroṣaḥ || 48.1 ||

Then the great-souled lord of the rakshasas, when prince Aksha had been slain by Hanuman, composed his mind and, filled with wrath, commanded Indrajit, who was god-like in power.

Shloka 2 (sundara.48.2)

त्वमस्त्रविच्छस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठः सुरासुराणामपि शोकदाता। सुरेषु सेन्द्रेषु च दृष्टकर्मा पितामहाराधनसंचितास्त्रः ॥ 48.2 ॥

tvamastravicchastrabhṛtāṃ variṣṭhaḥ surāsurāṇāmapi śokadātā| sureṣu sendreṣu ca dṛṣṭakarmā pitāmahārādhanasaṃcitāstraḥ || 48.2 ||

"You, knower of divine weapons, foremost among wielders of arms, are a bringer of grief even to gods and demons; your deeds have been witnessed among the gods together with Indra, and your weapons were gained by worship of the Grandsire."

Shloka 3 (sundara.48.3)

त्वदस्त्रबलमासाद्य ससुराः समरुद्गणाः। न शेकुः समरे स्थातुं सुरेश्वरसमाश्रिताः ॥ 48.3 ॥

tvadastrabalamāsādya sasurāḥ samarudgaṇāḥ| na śekuḥ samare sthātuṃ sureśvarasamāśritāḥ || 48.3 ||

"Facing the power of your weapons, the gods together with the Marut hosts, sheltering under the lord of the gods himself, could not stand their ground in battle."

Shloka 4 (sundara.48.4)

न कश्चित् त्रिषु लोकेषु संयुगे न गतश्रमः। भुजवीर्याभिगुप्तश्च तपसा चाभिरक्षितः। देशकालप्रधानश्च त्वमेव मतिसत्तमः ॥ 48.4 ॥

na kaścit triṣu lokeṣu saṃyuge na gataśramaḥ| bhujavīryābhiguptaśca tapasā cābhirakṣitaḥ| deśakālapradhānaśca tvameva matisattamaḥ || 48.4 ||

"There is none in the three worlds who tires as little in combat as you; guarded by the might of your own arms and protected by your austerities, you alone, best in counsel, are foremost in judging place and time."

Shloka 5 (sundara.48.5)

न तेऽस्त्यशक्यं समरेषु कर्मणां न तेऽस्त्यकार्यं मतिपूर्वमन्त्रणे। न सोऽस्ति कश्चित् त्रिषु संग्रहेषु न वेद यस्तेऽस्त्रबलं बलं च ॥ 48.5 ॥

na te'styaśakyaṃ samareṣu karmaṇāṃ na te'styakāryaṃ matipūrvamantraṇe| na so'sti kaścit triṣu saṃgraheṣu na veda yaste'strabalaṃ balaṃ ca || 48.5 ||

"There is no feat in battle beyond your power, nothing beyond your reach in counsel formed with forethought; there is none among the three kinds of conquest who does not know the strength of your weapons and your might."

Shloka 6 (sundara.48.6)

ममानुरूपं तपसो बलं च ते पराक्रमश्चास्त्रबलं च संयुगे। न त्वां समासाद्य रणावमर्दे मनः श्रमं गच्छति निश्चितार्थम् ॥ 48.6 ॥

mamānurūpaṃ tapaso balaṃ ca te parākramaścāstrabalaṃ ca saṃyuge| na tvāṃ samāsādya raṇāvamarde manaḥ śramaṃ gacchati niścitārtham || 48.6 ||

"Your strength born of penance, your valour and the power of your weapons in battle are worthy of me; my mind, once resolved, feels no weariness when you go forth into the crush of battle."

Shloka 7 (sundara.48.7)

निहताः किंकराः सर्वे जम्बुमाली च राक्षसः। अमात्यपुत्रा वीराश्च पञ्च सेनाग्रगामिनः ॥ 48.7 ॥

nihatāḥ kiṃkarāḥ sarve jambumālī ca rākṣasaḥ| amātyaputrā vīrāśca pañca senāgragāminaḥ || 48.7 ||

"All the Kinkaras have been slain, and the rakshasa Jambumali, and the valiant sons of my ministers, and the five foremost leaders of the army."

Shloka 8 (sundara.48.8)

बलानि सुसमृद्धानि साश्वनागरथानि च। सहोदरस्ते दयितः कुमारोऽक्षश्च सूदितः। न तु तेष्वेव मे सारो यस्त्वय्यरिनिषूदन ॥ 48.8 ॥

balāni susamṛddhāni sāśvanāgarathāni ca| sahodaraste dayitaḥ kumāro'kṣaśca sūditaḥ| na tu teṣveva me sāro yastvayyariniṣūdana || 48.8 ||

"My abundant forces, with their horses, elephants and chariots, have been destroyed, and your own dear brother, prince Aksha, has been slain. Yet, O slayer of foes, my true strength does not lie in them, but in you."

Shloka 9 (sundara.48.9)

इदं च दृष्ट्वा निहतं महद् बलं कपेः प्रभावं च पराक्रमं च। त्वमात्मनश्चापि निरीक्ष्य सारं कुरुष्व वेगं स्वबलानुरूपम् ॥ 48.9 ॥

idaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā nihataṃ mahad balaṃ kapeḥ prabhāvaṃ ca parākramaṃ ca| tvamātmanaścāpi nirīkṣya sāraṃ kuruṣva vegaṃ svabalānurūpam || 48.9 ||

"Having seen this great army destroyed, and the might and valour of the monkey, and having weighed your own strength as well, act now with a speed befitting your own power."

Shloka 10 (sundara.48.10)

बलावमर्दस्त्वयि संनिकृष्टे यथा गते शाम्यति शान्तशत्रौ। तथा समीक्ष्यात्मबलं परं च समारभस्वास्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठ ॥ 48.10 ॥

balāvamardastvayi saṃnikṛṣṭe yathā gate śāmyati śāntaśatrau| tathā samīkṣyātmabalaṃ paraṃ ca samārabhasvāstrabhṛtāṃ variṣṭha || 48.10 ||

"That the destruction of my forces should end once you have gone and subdued the enemy — considering this, and weighing your own strength against his, begin your work, O foremost of weapon-wielders."

Shloka 11 (sundara.48.11)

न वीर सेना गणशो च्यवन्ति न वज्रमादाय विशालसारम्। न मारुतस्यास्ति गतिप्रमाणं न चाग्निकल्पः करणेन हन्तुम् ॥ 48.11 ॥

na vīra senā gaṇaśo cyavanti na vajramādāya viśālasāram| na mārutasyāsti gatipramāṇaṃ na cāgnikalpaḥ karaṇena hantum || 48.11 ||

"O hero, armies do not waver before you even in their masses; not even one bearing the mighty thunderbolt could overcome you; the wind's motion has no measure, and one like fire cannot be slain by ordinary means."

Shloka 12 (sundara.48.12)

तमेवमर्थं प्रसमीक्ष्य सम्यक् स्वकर्मसाम्याद्धि समाहितात्मा। स्मरंश्च दिव्यं धनुषोऽस्य वीर्यं व्रजाक्षतं कर्म समारभस्व ॥ 48.12 ॥

tamevamarthaṃ prasamīkṣya samyak svakarmasāmyāddhi samāhitātmā| smaraṃśca divyaṃ dhanuṣo'sya vīryaṃ vrajākṣataṃ karma samārabhasva || 48.12 ||

"Considering this matter rightly, your mind composed by the steadiness of your own deeds, and recalling the divine power of your bow, go forth and undertake this task unharmed."

Shloka 13 (sundara.48.13)

न खल्वियं मतिश्रेष्ठ यत्त्वां सम्प्रेषयाम्यहम्। इयं च राजधर्माणां क्षत्रस्य च मतिर्मता ॥ 48.13 ॥

na khalviyaṃ matiśreṣṭha yattvāṃ sampreṣayāmyaham| iyaṃ ca rājadharmāṇāṃ kṣatrasya ca matirmatā || 48.13 ||

"It is indeed no small counsel, O best of the wise, by which I now send you forth; this is the accepted way of the duties of kings and of the warrior class."

Shloka 14 (sundara.48.14)

नानाशस्त्रेषु संग्रामे वैशारद्यमरिंदम। अवश्यमेव बोद्धव्यं काम्यश्च विजयो रणे ॥ 48.14 ॥

nānāśastreṣu saṃgrāme vaiśāradyamariṃdama| avaśyameva boddhavyaṃ kāmyaśca vijayo raṇe || 48.14 ||

"O subduer of foes, one's skill in the various weapons must surely be tested in battle, and victory in war is ever to be desired."

Shloka 15 (sundara.48.15)

ततः पितुस्तद्वचनं निशम्य प्रदक्षिणं दक्षसुतप्रभावः। चकार भर्तारमतित्वरेण रणाय वीरः प्रतिपन्नबुद्धिः ॥ 48.15 ॥

tataḥ pitustadvacanaṃ niśamya pradakṣiṇaṃ dakṣasutaprabhāvaḥ| cakāra bhartāramatitvareṇa raṇāya vīraḥ pratipannabuddhiḥ || 48.15 ||

Then, hearing his father's words, that hero, whose power matched the sons of Daksha, his mind resolved on battle, swiftly circled his lord in reverence.

Shloka 16 (sundara.48.16)

ततस्तैः स्वगणैरिष्टैरिन्द्रजित् प्रतिपूजितः। युद्धोद्धतकृतोत्साहः संग्रामं सम्प्रपद्यत ॥ 48.16 ॥

tatastaiḥ svagaṇairiṣṭairindrajit pratipūjitaḥ| yuddhoddhatakṛtotsāhaḥ saṃgrāmaṃ samprapadyata || 48.16 ||

Then, honoured by his own beloved troops, Indrajit, his zeal roused for battle, went forth to the fight.

Shloka 17 (sundara.48.17)

श्रीमान् पद्मविशालाक्षो राक्षसाधिपतेः सुतः। निर्जगाम महातेजाः समुद्र इव पर्वणि ॥ 48.17 ॥

śrīmān padmaviśālākṣo rākṣasādhipateḥ sutaḥ| nirjagāma mahātejāḥ samudra iva parvaṇi || 48.17 ||

That glorious one, with eyes wide as lotus-petals, son of the lord of the rakshasas, of great splendour, sallied forth like the ocean at the full moon.

Shloka 18 (sundara.48.18)

स पक्षिराजोपमतुल्यवेगै- र्व्याघ्रैश्चतुर्भिः स तु तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रैः। रथं समायुक्तमसह्यवेगः समारुरोहेन्द्रजिदिन्द्रकल्पः ॥ 48.18 ॥

sa pakṣirājopamatulyavegai- rvyāghraiścaturbhiḥ sa tu tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭraiḥ| rathaṃ samāyuktamasahyavegaḥ samārurohendrajidindrakalpaḥ || 48.18 ||

He, Indrajit, of irresistible speed, equal to Indra himself, mounted his chariot, which was yoked with four sharp-fanged tigers, swift as the king of birds.

Shloka 19 (sundara.48.19)

स रथी धन्विनां श्रेष्ठः शस्त्रज्ञोऽस्त्रविदां वरः। रथेनाभिययौ क्षिप्रं हनूमान् यत्र सोऽभवत् ॥ 48.19 ॥

sa rathī dhanvināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ śastrajño'stravidāṃ varaḥ| rathenābhiyayau kṣipraṃ hanūmān yatra so'bhavat || 48.19 ||

That charioteer, foremost of archers, knower of weapons, best among those versed in missiles, swiftly drove by chariot to where Hanuman stood.

Shloka 20 (sundara.48.20)

स तस्य रथनिर्घोषं ज्यास्वनं कार्मुकस्य च। निशम्य हरिवीरोऽसौ सम्प्रहृष्टतरोऽभवत् ॥ 48.20 ॥

sa tasya rathanirghoṣaṃ jyāsvanaṃ kārmukasya ca| niśamya harivīro'sau samprahṛṣṭataro'bhavat || 48.20 ||

Hearing the rumble of his chariot and the twang of his bowstring, that heroic monkey grew still more delighted.

Shloka 21 (sundara.48.21)

इन्द्रजिच्चापमादाय शितशल्यांश्च सायकान्। हनूमन्तमभिप्रेत्य जगाम रणपण्डितः ॥ 48.21 ॥

indrajiccāpamādāya śitaśalyāṃśca sāyakān| hanūmantamabhipretya jagāma raṇapaṇḍitaḥ || 48.21 ||

Indrajit, taking up his bow and sharp-barbed arrows, that master of warfare, advanced against Hanuman.

Shloka 22 (sundara.48.22)

तस्मिंस्ततः संयति जातहर्षे रणाय निर्गच्छति बाणपाणौ। दिशश्च सर्वाः कलुषा बभूवु- र्मृगाश्च रौद्रा बहुधा विनेदुः ॥ 48.22 ॥

tasmiṃstataḥ saṃyati jātaharṣe raṇāya nirgacchati bāṇapāṇau| diśaśca sarvāḥ kaluṣā babhūvu- rmṛgāśca raudrā bahudhā vineduḥ || 48.22 ||

As he, delighting in that combat, went forth to battle, arrow in hand, all the quarters grew dark, and beasts cried out fiercely in many ways.

Shloka 23 (sundara.48.23)

समागतास्तत्र तु नागयक्षा महर्षयश्चक्रचराश्च सिद्धाः। नभः समावृत्य च पक्षिसङ्घा विनेदुरुच्चैः परमप्रहृष्टाः ॥ 48.23 ॥

samāgatāstatra tu nāgayakṣā maharṣayaścakracarāśca siddhāḥ| nabhaḥ samāvṛtya ca pakṣisaṅghā vineduruccaiḥ paramaprahṛṣṭāḥ || 48.23 ||

There gathered Nagas and Yakshas, great sages moving in their orbits, and siddhas; and flocks of birds, covering the sky, cried out loudly, filled with the greatest delight.

Shloka 24 (sundara.48.24)

आयान्तं स रथं दृष्ट्वा तूर्णमिन्द्रध्वजं कपिः। ननाद च महानादं व्यवर्धत च वेगवान् ॥ 48.24 ॥

āyāntaṃ sa rathaṃ dṛṣṭvā tūrṇamindradhvajaṃ kapiḥ| nanāda ca mahānādaṃ vyavardhata ca vegavān || 48.24 ||

Seeing that chariot approaching swiftly, resplendent as Indra's own banner, the monkey roared a great roar and, full of vigour, grew in size.

Shloka 25 (sundara.48.25)

इन्द्रजित् स रथं दिव्यमाश्रितश्चित्रकार्मुकः। धनुर्विस्फारयामास तडिदूर्जितनिःस्वनम् ॥ 48.25 ॥

indrajit sa rathaṃ divyamāśritaścitrakārmukaḥ| dhanurvisphārayāmāsa taḍidūrjitaniḥsvanam || 48.25 ||

Indrajit, mounted on that celestial chariot, his bow resplendent, twanged it with a sound as mighty as thunder.

Shloka 26 (sundara.48.26)

ततः समेतावतितीक्ष्णवेगौ महाबलौ तौ रणनिर्विशङ्कौ। कपिश्च रक्षोऽधिपतेस्तनूजः सुरासुरेन्द्राविव बद्धवैरौ ॥ 48.26 ॥

tataḥ sametāvatitīkṣṇavegau mahābalau tau raṇanirviśaṅkau| kapiśca rakṣo'dhipatestanūjaḥ surāsurendrāviva baddhavairau || 48.26 ||

Then those two of exceedingly sharp speed, mighty, fearless in battle — the monkey and the son of the lord of the rakshasas — met, like the lords of gods and demons locked in ancient enmity.

Shloka 27 (sundara.48.27)

स तस्य वीरस्य महारथस्य धनुष्मतः संयति सम्मतस्य। शरप्रवेगं व्यहनत् प्रवृद्ध- श्चचार मार्गे पितुरप्रमेयः ॥ 48.27 ॥

sa tasya vīrasya mahārathasya dhanuṣmataḥ saṃyati sammatasya| śarapravegaṃ vyahanat pravṛddha- ścacāra mārge pituraprameyaḥ || 48.27 ||

Striking down the swift onrush of arrows of that heroic, great charioteer, bow-armed, esteemed in combat, that immeasurable monkey, grown mighty, moved along the path of his father, the Wind.

Shloka 28 (sundara.48.28)

ततः शरानायततीक्ष्णशल्यान् सुपत्रिणः काञ्चनचित्रपुङ्खान्। मुमोच वीरः परवीरहन्ता सुसंततान् वज्रसमानवेगान् ॥ 48.28 ॥

tataḥ śarānāyatatīkṣṇaśalyān supatriṇaḥ kāñcanacitrapuṅkhān| mumoca vīraḥ paravīrahantā susaṃtatān vajrasamānavegān || 48.28 ||

Then that hero, slayer of enemy heroes, loosed arrows long and sharp-barbed, well-feathered, with gold-inlaid shafts, in an unbroken stream, swift as the thunderbolt.

Shloka 29 (sundara.48.29)

ततः स तत्स्यन्दननिःस्वनं च मृदङ्गभेरीपटहस्वनं च। विकृष्यमाणस्य च कार्मुकस्य निशम्य घोषं पुनरुत्पपात ॥ 48.29 ॥

tataḥ sa tatsyandananiḥsvanaṃ ca mṛdaṅgabherīpaṭahasvanaṃ ca| vikṛṣyamāṇasya ca kārmukasya niśamya ghoṣaṃ punarutpapāta || 48.29 ||

Then, hearing the rumble of his chariot, the sound of drums, kettle-drums and tabors, and the twang of his bow drawn again and again, that monkey again leapt up.

Shloka 30 (sundara.48.30)

शराणामन्तरेष्वाशु व्यावर्तत महाकपिः। हरिस्तस्याभिलक्ष्यस्य मोक्षयँल्लक्ष्यसंग्रहम् ॥ 48.30 ॥

śarāṇāmantareṣvāśu vyāvartata mahākapiḥ| haristasyābhilakṣyasya mokṣayam̐llakṣyasaṃgraham || 48.30 ||

The great monkey swiftly wheeled about between his arrows, foiling that marksman's aim upon his target.

Shloka 31 (sundara.48.31)

शराणामग्रतस्तस्य पुनः समभिवर्तत। प्रसार्य हस्तौ हनुमानुत्पपातानिलात्मजः ॥ 48.31 ॥

śarāṇāmagratastasya punaḥ samabhivartata| prasārya hastau hanumānutpapātānilātmajaḥ || 48.31 ||

Again he moved in front of his arrows; and Hanuman, the son of the Wind, stretching out his hands, leapt into the air.

Shloka 32 (sundara.48.32)

तावुभौ वेगसम्पन्नौ रणकर्मविशारदौ। सर्वभूतमनोग्राहि चक्रतुर्युद्धमुत्तमम् ॥ 48.32 ॥

tāvubhau vegasampannau raṇakarmaviśāradau| sarvabhūtamanogrāhi cakraturyuddhamuttamam || 48.32 ||

Those two, both endowed with speed, both skilled in the art of war, waged a supreme battle that captivated the minds of all beings.

Shloka 33 (sundara.48.33)

हनूमतो वेद न राक्षसोऽन्तरं न मारुतिस्तस्य महात्मनोऽन्तरम्। परस्परं निर्विषहौ बभूवतुः समेत्य तौ देवसमानविक्रमौ ॥ 48.33 ॥

hanūmato veda na rākṣaso'ntaraṃ na mārutistasya mahātmano'ntaram| parasparaṃ nirviṣahau babhūvatuḥ sametya tau devasamānavikramau || 48.33 ||

The rakshasa could not find an opening in Hanuman, nor could the son of the Wind find one in that great-souled one; meeting one another, those two of god-like valour became unable to overpower each other.

Shloka 34 (sundara.48.34)

ततस्तु लक्ष्ये स विहन्यमाने शरेष्वमोघेषु च सम्पतत्सु। जगाम चिन्तां महतीं महात्मा समाधिसंयोगसमाहितात्मा ॥ 48.34 ॥

tatastu lakṣye sa vihanyamāne śareṣvamogheṣu ca sampatatsu| jagāma cintāṃ mahatīṃ mahātmā samādhisaṃyogasamāhitātmā || 48.34 ||

Then, as his target went unhit even while his unerring arrows kept flying, that great-souled one, his mind steadied through deep concentration, fell into great anxiety.

Shloka 35 (sundara.48.35)

ततो मतिं राक्षसराजसूनु- श्चकार तस्मिन् हरिवीरमुख्ये। अवध्यतां तस्य कपेः समीक्ष्य कथं निगच्छेदिति निग्रहार्थम् ॥ 48.35 ॥

tato matiṃ rākṣasarājasūnu- ścakāra tasmin harivīramukhye| avadhyatāṃ tasya kapeḥ samīkṣya kathaṃ nigacchediti nigrahārtham || 48.35 ||

Then the son of the rakshasa king, seeing the invincibility of that foremost of monkey-heroes, resolved on a plan for how he might be subdued, for the purpose of his capture.

Shloka 36 (sundara.48.36)

ततः पैतामहं वीरः सोऽस्त्रमस्त्रविदां वरः। संदधे सुमहातेजास्तं हरिप्रवरं प्रति ॥ 48.36 ॥

tataḥ paitāmahaṃ vīraḥ so'stramastravidāṃ varaḥ| saṃdadhe sumahātejāstaṃ haripravaraṃ prati || 48.36 ||

Then that hero, foremost among knowers of weapons, of great splendour, fitted the weapon of the Grandsire to his bow against that foremost of monkeys.

Shloka 37 (sundara.48.37)

अवध्योऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा तमस्त्रेणास्त्रतत्त्ववित्। निजग्राह महाबाहुं मारुतात्मजमिन्द्रजित् ॥ 48.37 ॥

avadhyo'yamiti jñātvā tamastreṇāstratattvavit| nijagrāha mahābāhuṃ mārutātmajamindrajit || 48.37 ||

Knowing him to be unslayable, Indrajit, versed in the true nature of weapons, bound that mighty-armed son of the Wind with that weapon.

Shloka 38 (sundara.48.38)

तेन बद्धस्ततोऽस्त्रेण राक्षसेन स वानरः। अभवन्निर्विचेष्टश्च पपात च महीतले ॥ 48.38 ॥

tena baddhastato'streṇa rākṣasena sa vānaraḥ| abhavannirviceṣṭaśca papāta ca mahītale || 48.38 ||

Bound then by that weapon of the rakshasa, that monkey became motionless and fell to the ground.

Shloka 39 (sundara.48.39)

ततोऽथ बुद्ध्वा स तदस्त्रबन्धं प्रभोः प्रभावाद् विगताल्पवेगः। पितामहानुग्रहमात्मनश्च विचिन्तयामास हरिप्रवीरः ॥ 48.39 ॥

tato'tha buddhvā sa tadastrabandhaṃ prabhoḥ prabhāvād vigatālpavegaḥ| pitāmahānugrahamātmanaśca vicintayāmāsa haripravīraḥ || 48.39 ||

Then, realizing that binding by the weapon, his slight remaining vigour drained by the power of its lord, that foremost of monkey-heroes fell to reflecting on the grace granted him by the Grandsire himself.

Shloka 40 (sundara.48.40)

ततः स्वायम्भुवैर्मन्त्रैर्ब्रह्मास्त्रं चाभिमन्त्रितम्। हनूमांश्चिन्तयामास वरदानं पितामहात् ॥ 48.40 ॥

tataḥ svāyambhuvairmantrairbrahmāstraṃ cābhimantritam| hanūmāṃścintayāmāsa varadānaṃ pitāmahāt || 48.40 ||

Hanuman reflected on the Brahma-weapon, consecrated with the mantras of the Self-existent One, and on the boon granted him by the Grandsire.

Shloka 41 (sundara.48.41)

न मेऽस्य बन्धस्य च शक्तिरस्ति विमोक्षणे लोकगुरोः प्रभावात्। इत्येवमेवं विहितोऽस्त्रबन्धो मयाऽऽत्मयोनेरनुवर्तितव्यः ॥ 48.41 ॥

na me'sya bandhasya ca śaktirasti vimokṣaṇe lokaguroḥ prabhāvāt| ityevamevaṃ vihito'strabandho mayā''tmayoneranuvartitavyaḥ || 48.41 ||

"I have no power to free myself from this bond, by the power of the guru of the worlds; this binding by the weapon, thus ordained, must be honoured by me as coming from the Self-born one."

Shloka 42 (sundara.48.42)

स वीर्यमस्त्रस्य कपिर्विचार्य पितामहानुग्रहमात्मनश्च। विमोक्षशक्तिं परिचिन्तयित्वा पितामहाज्ञामनुवर्तते स्म ॥ 48.42 ॥

sa vīryamastrasya kapirvicārya pitāmahānugrahamātmanaśca| vimokṣaśaktiṃ paricintayitvā pitāmahājñāmanuvartate sma || 48.42 ||

That monkey, having considered the power of the weapon and the Grandsire's own favour toward him, and having reflected on his own power to free himself, chose to obey the Grandsire's command.

Shloka 43 (sundara.48.43)

अस्त्रेणापि हि बद्धस्य भयं मम न जायते। पितामहमहेन्द्राभ्यां रक्षितस्यानिलेन च ॥ 48.43 ॥

astreṇāpi hi baddhasya bhayaṃ mama na jāyate| pitāmahamahendrābhyāṃ rakṣitasyānilena ca || 48.43 ||

"Even bound by this weapon, no fear arises in me, protected as I am by the Grandsire, by great Indra, and by the Wind."

Shloka 44 (sundara.48.44)

ग्रहणे चापि रक्षोभिर्महन्मे गुणदर्शनम्। राक्षसेन्द्रेण संवादस्तस्माद् गृह्णन्तु मां परे ॥ 48.44 ॥

grahaṇe cāpi rakṣobhirmahanme guṇadarśanam| rākṣasendreṇa saṃvādastasmād gṛhṇantu māṃ pare || 48.44 ||

"And in being seized by the rakshasas too, I see a great advantage for myself — an audience with the lord of the rakshasas; therefore let my enemies seize me."

Shloka 45 (sundara.48.45)

स निश्चितार्थः परवीरहन्ता समीक्ष्यकारी विनिवृत्तचेष्टः। परैः प्रसह्याभिगतैर्निगृह्य ननाद तैस्तैः परिभर्त्स्यमानः ॥ 48.45 ॥

sa niścitārthaḥ paravīrahantā samīkṣyakārī vinivṛttaceṣṭaḥ| paraiḥ prasahyābhigatairnigṛhya nanāda taistaiḥ paribhartsyamānaḥ || 48.45 ||

He, resolved in purpose, slayer of enemy heroes, ever acting with due deliberation, ceased his struggle; and, seized and forcibly surrounded by his foes, roared as they threatened him from every side.

Shloka 46 (sundara.48.46)

ततस्ते राक्षसा दृष्ट्वा विनिश्चेष्टमरिंदमम्। बबन्धुः शणवल्कैश्च द्रुमचीरैश्च संहतैः ॥ 48.46 ॥

tataste rākṣasā dṛṣṭvā viniśceṣṭamariṃdamam| babandhuḥ śaṇavalkaiśca drumacīraiśca saṃhataiḥ || 48.46 ||

Then those rakshasas, seeing that subduer of foes motionless, bound him with strong ropes of hemp-fibre and strips of bark.

Shloka 47 (sundara.48.47)

स रोचयामास परैश्च बन्धं प्रसह्य वीरैरभिगर्हणं च। कौतूहलान्मां यदि राक्षसेन्द्रो द्रष्टुं व्यवस्येदिति निश्चितार्थः ॥ 48.47 ॥

sa rocayāmāsa paraiśca bandhaṃ prasahya vīrairabhigarhaṇaṃ ca| kautūhalānmāṃ yadi rākṣasendro draṣṭuṃ vyavasyediti niścitārthaḥ || 48.47 ||

He welcomed being bound and forcibly reviled by those heroic foes, his purpose fixed on this thought: 'If out of curiosity the lord of the rakshasas should resolve to see me.'

Shloka 48 (sundara.48.48)

स बद्धस्तेन वल्केन विमुक्तोऽस्त्रेण वीर्यवान्। अस्त्रबन्धः स चान्यं हि न बन्धमनुवर्तते ॥ 48.48 ॥

sa baddhastena valkena vimukto'streṇa vīryavān| astrabandhaḥ sa cānyaṃ hi na bandhamanuvartate || 48.48 ||

That mighty one, once bound by that bark-rope, was thereby freed from the weapon's bond; for a binding by that weapon does not continue once another bond takes its place.

Shloka 49 (sundara.48.49)

अथेन्द्रजित् तं द्रुमचीरबद्धं विचार्य वीरः कपिसत्तमं तम्। विमुक्तमस्त्रेण जगाम चिन्ता- मन्येन बद्धोऽप्यनुवर्ततेऽस्त्रम् ॥ 48.49 ॥

athendrajit taṃ drumacīrabaddhaṃ vicārya vīraḥ kapisattamaṃ tam| vimuktamastreṇa jagāma cintā- manyena baddho'pyanuvartate'stram || 48.49 ||

Then Indrajit, that hero, seeing that foremost of monkeys bound with strips of bark and freed from the weapon, fell into thought: 'Though bound by another bond, does the weapon's hold still continue?'

Shloka 50 (sundara.48.50)

अहो महत् कर्म कृतं निरर्थं न राक्षसैर्मन्त्रगतिर्विमृष्टा। पुनश्च नास्त्रे विहतेऽस्त्रमन्यत् प्रवर्तते संशयिताः स्म सर्वे ॥ 48.50 ॥

aho mahat karma kṛtaṃ nirarthaṃ na rākṣasairmantragatirvimṛṣṭā| punaśca nāstre vihate'stramanyat pravartate saṃśayitāḥ sma sarve || 48.50 ||

"Ah, a great feat has been rendered useless! The rakshasas did not consider the working of the mantra!" — and further, that once one weapon has failed, no other can take effect; so all of them fell into doubt.

Shloka 51 (sundara.48.51)

अस्त्रेण हनुमान् मुक्तो नात्मानमवबुध्यते। कृष्यमाणस्तु रक्षोभिस्तैश्च बन्धैर्निपीडितः ॥ 48.51 ॥

astreṇa hanumān mukto nātmānamavabudhyate| kṛṣyamāṇastu rakṣobhistaiśca bandhairnipīḍitaḥ || 48.51 ||

Though freed from the weapon, Hanuman did not let himself be known as such; instead, dragged along by the rakshasas, he let himself be pained by those bonds.

Shloka 52 (sundara.48.52)

हन्यमानस्ततः क्रूरै राक्षसैः कालमुष्टिभिः। समीपं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य प्राकृष्यत स वानरः ॥ 48.52 ॥

hanyamānastataḥ krūrai rākṣasaiḥ kālamuṣṭibhiḥ| samīpaṃ rākṣasendrasya prākṛṣyata sa vānaraḥ || 48.52 ||

Then, struck by those cruel rakshasas with fists like Death's own, that monkey was dragged into the presence of the lord of the rakshasas.

Shloka 53 (sundara.48.53)

अथेन्द्रजित् तं प्रसमीक्ष्य मुक्त- मस्त्रेण बद्धं द्रुमचीरसूत्रैः। व्यदर्शयत् तत्र महाबलं तं हरिप्रवीरं सगणाय राज्ञे ॥ 48.53 ॥

athendrajit taṃ prasamīkṣya mukta- mastreṇa baddhaṃ drumacīrasūtraiḥ| vyadarśayat tatra mahābalaṃ taṃ haripravīraṃ sagaṇāya rājñe || 48.53 ||

Then Indrajit, beholding him freed from the weapon but bound with cords of bark, presented that mighty foremost of monkeys there to the king, together with his troops.

Shloka 54 (sundara.48.54)

तं मत्तमिव मातङ्गं बद्धं कपिवरोत्तमम्। राक्षसा राक्षसेन्द्राय रावणाय न्यवेदयन् ॥ 48.54 ॥

taṃ mattamiva mātaṅgaṃ baddhaṃ kapivarottamam| rākṣasā rākṣasendrāya rāvaṇāya nyavedayan || 48.54 ||

The rakshasas presented that best of monkeys, bound like a rutting elephant, to the lord of the rakshasas, Ravana.

Shloka 55 (sundara.48.55)

कोऽयं कस्य कुतो वापि किं कार्यं कोऽभ्युपाश्रयः। इति राक्षसवीराणां दृष्ट्वा संजज्ञिरे कथाः ॥ 48.55 ॥

ko'yaṃ kasya kuto vāpi kiṃ kāryaṃ ko'bhyupāśrayaḥ| iti rākṣasavīrāṇāṃ dṛṣṭvā saṃjajñire kathāḥ || 48.55 ||

"Who is this? Whose is he? From where has he come? What is his purpose? On whom does he depend?" — such talk arose among the rakshasa warriors as they beheld him.

Shloka 56 (sundara.48.56)

हन्यतां दह्यतां वापि भक्ष्यतामिति चापरे। राक्षसास्तत्र संक्रुद्धाः परस्परमथाब्रुवन् ॥ 48.56 ॥

hanyatāṃ dahyatāṃ vāpi bhakṣyatāmiti cāpare| rākṣasāstatra saṃkruddhāḥ parasparamathābruvan || 48.56 ||

"Let him be killed! Let him be burnt! Or let him be devoured!" — thus other rakshasas there, enraged, said to one another.

Shloka 57 (sundara.48.57)

अतीत्य मार्गं सहसा महात्मा स तत्र रक्षोऽधिपपादमूले। ददर्श राज्ञः परिचारवृद्धान् गृहं महारत्नविभूषितं च ॥ 48.57 ॥

atītya mārgaṃ sahasā mahātmā sa tatra rakṣo'dhipapādamūle| dadarśa rājñaḥ paricāravṛddhān gṛhaṃ mahāratnavibhūṣitaṃ ca || 48.57 ||

Passing swiftly along the way, that great-souled one, there at the foot of the lord of the rakshasas' seat, beheld the king's aged attendants and the palace adorned with great jewels.

Shloka 58 (sundara.48.58)

स ददर्श महातेजा रावणः कपिसत्तमम्। रक्षोभिर्विकृताकारैः कृष्यमाणमितस्ततः ॥ 48.58 ॥

sa dadarśa mahātejā rāvaṇaḥ kapisattamam| rakṣobhirvikṛtākāraiḥ kṛṣyamāṇamitastataḥ || 48.58 ||

That greatly resplendent Ravana beheld that foremost of monkeys being dragged here and there by rakshasas of distorted forms.

Shloka 59 (sundara.48.59)

राक्षसाधिपतिं चापि ददर्श कपिसत्तमः। तेजोबलसमायुक्तं तपन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥ 48.59 ॥

rākṣasādhipatiṃ cāpi dadarśa kapisattamaḥ| tejobalasamāyuktaṃ tapantamiva bhāskaram || 48.59 ||

And that foremost of monkeys too beheld the lord of the rakshasas, endowed with splendour and strength, blazing like the sun.

Shloka 60 (sundara.48.60)

स रोषसंवर्तितताम्रदृष्टि- र्दशाननस्तं कपिमन्ववेक्ष्य। अथोपविष्टान् कुलशीलवृद्धान् समादिशत् तं प्रति मुख्यमन्त्रीन् ॥ 48.60 ॥

sa roṣasaṃvartitatāmradṛṣṭi- rdaśānanastaṃ kapimanvavekṣya| athopaviṣṭān kulaśīlavṛddhān samādiśat taṃ prati mukhyamantrīn || 48.60 ||

Ravana, his coppery eyes rolling with rage, having looked closely at that monkey, then commanded his chief ministers seated there, aged in noble lineage and conduct, to question him.

Shloka 61 (sundara.48.61)

यथाक्रमं तैः स कपिश्च पृष्टः कार्यार्थमर्थस्य च मूलमादौ। निवेदयामास हरीश्वरस्य दूतः सकाशादहमागतोऽस्मि ॥ 48.61 ॥

yathākramaṃ taiḥ sa kapiśca pṛṣṭaḥ kāryārthamarthasya ca mūlamādau| nivedayāmāsa harīśvarasya dūtaḥ sakāśādahamāgato'smi || 48.61 ||

Questioned by them in due order about his purpose and the very root of the matter, that monkey declared, first of all: 'I have come as a messenger from the presence of the lord of monkeys.'