Sundara Kanda · Sarga 58
Hanuman's Full Account
Shloka 1 (sundara.58.1)
ततस्तस्य गिरेः शृङ्गे महेन्द्रस्य महाबलाः। हनुमत्प्रमुखाः प्रीतिं हरयो जग्मुरुत्तमाम् ॥ 58.1 ॥
tatastasya gireḥ śṛṅge mahendrasya mahābalāḥ| hanumatpramukhāḥ prītiṃ harayo jagmuruttamām || 58.1 ||
Then, on the summit of that mountain, Mount Mahendra, the mighty monkeys, headed by Hanuman, experienced the greatest joy.
Shloka 2 (sundara.58.2)
प्रीतिमत्सूपविष्टेषु वानरेषु महात्मसु। तं ततः प्रतिसंहृष्टः प्रीतियुक्तं महाकपिम् ॥ 58.2 ॥
prītimatsūpaviṣṭeṣu vānareṣu mahātmasu| taṃ tataḥ pratisaṃhṛṣṭaḥ prītiyuktaṃ mahākapim || 58.2 ||
When those great-souled monkeys, joyful, had all taken their seats, Jambavan, thrilled with delight, then questioned that joyous great monkey —
Shloka 3 (sundara.58.3)
जाम्बवान् कार्यवृत्तान्तमपृच्छदनिलात्मजम्। कथं दृष्टा त्वया देवी कथं वा तत्र वर्तते ॥ 58.3 ॥
jāmbavān kāryavṛttāntamapṛcchadanilātmajam| kathaṃ dṛṣṭā tvayā devī kathaṃ vā tatra vartate || 58.3 ||
— Jambavan asked the son of the Wind-god about the whole account of his task: "How did you see the princess? And how does she fare there?
Shloka 4 (sundara.58.4)
तस्यां चापि कथं वृत्तः क्रूरकर्मा दशाननः। तत्त्वतः सर्वमेतन्नः प्रब्रूहि त्वं महाकपे ॥ 58.4 ॥
tasyāṃ cāpi kathaṃ vṛttaḥ krūrakarmā daśānanaḥ| tattvataḥ sarvametannaḥ prabrūhi tvaṃ mahākape || 58.4 ||
"And how has that cruel-deeded Ravana behaved toward her? Tell us all this truthfully, O great monkey."
Shloka 5 (sundara.58.5)
सम्मार्गिता कथं देवी किं च सा प्रत्यभाषत। श्रुतार्थाश्चिन्तयिष्यामो भूयः कार्यविनिश्चयम् ॥ 58.5 ॥
sammārgitā kathaṃ devī kiṃ ca sā pratyabhāṣata| śrutārthāścintayiṣyāmo bhūyaḥ kāryaviniścayam || 58.5 ||
"How was the princess found, and what did she say in reply? Having heard the facts, we shall then further deliberate on our course of action."
Shloka 6 (sundara.58.6)
यश्चार्थस्तत्र वक्तव्यो गतैरस्माभिरात्मवान्। रक्षितव्यं च यत्तत्र तद् भवान् व्याकरोतु नः ॥ 58.6 ॥
yaścārthastatra vaktavyo gatairasmābhirātmavān| rakṣitavyaṃ ca yattatra tad bhavān vyākarotu naḥ || 58.6 ||
"And what should be told there when we go, O wise one, and what must be kept guarded — of that, do you inform us clearly."
Shloka 7 (sundara.58.7)
स नियुक्तस्ततस्तेन सम्प्रहृष्टतनूरुहः। नमस्यन् शिरसा देव्यै सीतायै प्रत्यभाषत ॥ 58.7 ॥
sa niyuktastatastena samprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ| namasyan śirasā devyai sītāyai pratyabhāṣata || 58.7 ||
Thus urged by him, Hanuman, his hairs bristling with delight, bowing his head in homage to the princess Sita, replied:
Shloka 8 (sundara.58.8)
प्रत्यक्षमेव भवतां महेन्द्राग्रात् खमाप्लुतः। उदधेर्दक्षिणं पारं काङ्क्षमाणः समाहितः ॥ 58.8 ॥
pratyakṣameva bhavatāṃ mahendrāgrāt khamāplutaḥ| udadherdakṣiṇaṃ pāraṃ kāṅkṣamāṇaḥ samāhitaḥ || 58.8 ||
"In your very presence, I leapt into the sky from the summit of Mount Mahendra, composed in mind, aiming for the southern shore of the ocean.
Shloka 9 (sundara.58.9)
गच्छतश्च हि मे घोरं विघ्नरूपमिवाभवत्। काञ्चनं शिखरं दिव्यं पश्यामि सुमनोहरम् ॥ 58.9 ॥
gacchataśca hi me ghoraṃ vighnarūpamivābhavat| kāñcanaṃ śikharaṃ divyaṃ paśyāmi sumanoharam || 58.9 ||
"And as I went, a terrible obstacle seemed to arise before me — I saw a divine, most enchanting, golden peak.
Shloka 10 (sundara.58.10)
स्थितं पन्थानमावृत्य मेने विघ्नं च तं नगम्। उपसंगम्य तं दिव्यं काञ्चनं नगमुत्तमम् ॥ 58.10 ॥
sthitaṃ panthānamāvṛtya mene vighnaṃ ca taṃ nagam| upasaṃgamya taṃ divyaṃ kāñcanaṃ nagamuttamam || 58.10 ||
"Standing across my path, I took that mountain for an obstacle. Approaching that divine, excellent golden mountain —
Shloka 11 (sundara.58.11)
कृता मे मनसा बुद्धिर्भेत्तव्योऽयं मयेति च। प्रहतस्य मया तस्य लाङ्गूलेन महागिरेः ॥ 58.11 ॥
kṛtā me manasā buddhirbhettavyo'yaṃ mayeti ca| prahatasya mayā tasya lāṅgūlena mahāgireḥ || 58.11 ||
"— I resolved in my mind, 'This must be shattered by me.' And when that great mountain was struck by me with my tail —
Shloka 12 (sundara.58.12)
शिखरं सूर्यसंकाशं व्यशीर्यत सहस्रधा। व्यवसायं च तं बुद्ध्वा स होवाच महागिरिः ॥ 58.12 ॥
śikharaṃ sūryasaṃkāśaṃ vyaśīryata sahasradhā| vyavasāyaṃ ca taṃ buddhvā sa hovāca mahāgiriḥ || 58.12 ||
"— its sun-bright peak shattered into a thousand pieces. And, understanding my resolve, that great mountain spoke to me:
Shloka 13 (sundara.58.13)
पुत्रेति मधुरां वाणीं मनः प्रह्लादयन्निव। पितृव्यं चापि मां विद्धि सखायं मातरिश्वनः ॥ 58.13 ॥
putreti madhurāṃ vāṇīṃ manaḥ prahlādayanniva| pitṛvyaṃ cāpi māṃ viddhi sakhāyaṃ mātariśvanaḥ || 58.13 ||
"'My son' — with sweet words, as if soothing my mind — 'know me also as your father's brother, and as a friend of the Wind-god.
Shloka 14 (sundara.58.14)
मैनाकमिति विख्यातं निवसन्तं महोदधौ। पक्षवन्तः पुरा पुत्र बभूवुः पर्वतोत्तमाः ॥ 58.14 ॥
mainākamiti vikhyātaṃ nivasantaṃ mahodadhau| pakṣavantaḥ purā putra babhūvuḥ parvatottamāḥ || 58.14 ||
"'I am known as Mainaka, dwelling in the great ocean. Long ago, my son, the finest mountains had wings —
Shloka 15 (sundara.58.15)
छन्दतः पृथिवीं चेरुर्बाधमानाः समन्ततः। श्रुत्वा नगानां चरितं महेन्द्रः पाकशासनः ॥ 58.15 ॥
chandataḥ pṛthivīṃ cerurbādhamānāḥ samantataḥ| śrutvā nagānāṃ caritaṃ mahendraḥ pākaśāsanaḥ || 58.15 ||
"'—and they roamed the earth at will, harassing everyone on every side. Hearing of the mountains' conduct, Indra, the punisher of Paka —
Shloka 16 (sundara.58.16)
वज्रेण भगवान् पक्षौ चिच्छेदैषां सहस्रशः। अहं तु मोचितस्तस्मात् तव पित्रा महात्मना ॥ 58.16 ॥
vajreṇa bhagavān pakṣau cicchedaiṣāṃ sahasraśaḥ| ahaṃ tu mocitastasmāt tava pitrā mahātmanā || 58.16 ||
"'—the illustrious one, with his thunderbolt, sheared off their wings by the thousand. But I was saved from that by your great-souled father,
Shloka 17 (sundara.58.17)
मारुतेन तदा वत्स प्रक्षिप्तो वरुणालये। राघवस्य मया साह्ये वर्तितव्यमरिंदम ॥ 58.17 ॥
mārutena tadā vatsa prakṣipto varuṇālaye| rāghavasya mayā sāhye vartitavyamariṃdama || 58.17 ||
"'—the Wind-god, my child, who cast me then into Varuna's abode, the ocean. O tamer of foes, I must lend my aid to Raghava,
Shloka 18 (sundara.58.18)
रामो धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो महेन्द्रसमविक्रमः। एतच्छ्रुत्वा मया तस्य मैनाकस्य महात्मनः ॥ 58.18 ॥
rāmo dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭho mahendrasamavikramaḥ| etacchrutvā mayā tasya mainākasya mahātmanaḥ || 58.18 ||
"'—for Rama, foremost among upholders of dharma, is equal in valor to Indra himself.' Hearing this from that great-souled Mainaka,
Shloka 19 (sundara.58.19)
कार्यमावेद्य च गिरेरुद्धतं वै मनो मम। तेन चाहमनुज्ञातो मैनाकेन महात्मना ॥ 58.19 ॥
kāryamāvedya ca gireruddhataṃ vai mano mama| tena cāhamanujñāto mainākena mahātmanā || 58.19 ||
— and having told the mountain of my mission, my mind, eager to press on, rose up again; and by that great-souled Mainaka I was given leave to depart.
Shloka 20 (sundara.58.20)
स चाप्यन्तर्हितः शैलो मानुषेण वपुष्मता। शरीरेण महाशैलः शैलेन च महोदधौ ॥ 58.20 ॥
sa cāpyantarhitaḥ śailo mānuṣeṇa vapuṣmatā| śarīreṇa mahāśailaḥ śailena ca mahodadhau || 58.20 ||
That great mountain too, having taken on a human form, vanished — the great mountain, along with its mountain-body, sank back into the great ocean.
Shloka 21 (sundara.58.21)
उत्तमं जवमास्थाय शेषमध्वानमास्थितः। ततोऽहं सुचिरं कालं जवेनाभ्यगमं पथि ॥ 58.21 ॥
uttamaṃ javamāsthāya śeṣamadhvānamāsthitaḥ| tato'haṃ suciraṃ kālaṃ javenābhyagamaṃ pathi || 58.21 ||
Assuming the utmost speed, I continued upon the remaining path. Then, for a very long time, I sped onward along that route.
Shloka 22 (sundara.58.22)
ततः पश्याम्यहं देवीं सुरसां नागमातरम्। समुद्रमध्ये सा देवी वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥ 58.22 ॥
tataḥ paśyāmyahaṃ devīṃ surasāṃ nāgamātaram| samudramadhye sā devī vacanaṃ cedamabravīt || 58.22 ||
Then I saw the goddess Surasa, mother of serpents. In the midst of the ocean, that goddess spoke these words to me:
Shloka 23 (sundara.58.23)
मम भक्ष्यः प्रदिष्टस्त्वममरैर्हरिसत्तम। ततस्त्वां भक्षयिष्यामि विहितस्त्वं हि मे सुरैः ॥ 58.23 ॥
mama bhakṣyaḥ pradiṣṭastvamamarairharisattama| tatastvāṃ bhakṣayiṣyāmi vihitastvaṃ hi me suraiḥ || 58.23 ||
"O foremost of monkeys, the immortals have destined you as my food. I shall now devour you, for you have been allotted to me by the gods."
Shloka 24 (sundara.58.24)
एवमुक्तः सुरसया प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतः स्थितः। विवर्णवदनो भूत्वा वाक्यं चेदमुदीरयम् ॥ 58.24 ॥
evamuktaḥ surasayā prāñjaliḥ praṇataḥ sthitaḥ| vivarṇavadano bhūtvā vākyaṃ cedamudīrayam || 58.24 ||
Thus addressed by Surasa, I stood with joined palms, bowed low, and, my face turning pale, spoke these words:
Shloka 25 (sundara.58.25)
रामो दाशरथिः श्रीमान् प्रविष्टो दण्डकावनम्। लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा सीतया च परंतपः ॥ 58.25 ॥
rāmo dāśarathiḥ śrīmān praviṣṭo daṇḍakāvanam| lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā sītayā ca paraṃtapaḥ || 58.25 ||
"'The glorious Rama, son of Dasharatha, tormentor of foes, entered the Dandaka forest together with his brother Lakshmana and with Sita.
Shloka 26 (sundara.58.26)
तस्य सीता हृता भार्या रावणेन दुरात्मना। तस्याः सकाशं दूतोऽहं गमिष्ये रामशासनात् ॥ 58.26 ॥
tasya sītā hṛtā bhāryā rāvaṇena durātmanā| tasyāḥ sakāśaṃ dūto'haṃ gamiṣye rāmaśāsanāt || 58.26 ||
"'His wife Sita was carried off by the evil-minded Ravana. As his envoy, I am going to her, by Rama's command.
Shloka 27 (sundara.58.27)
कर्तुमर्हसि रामस्य साहाय्यं विषये सती। अथवा मैथिलीं दृष्ट्वा रामं चाक्लिष्टकारिणम् ॥ 58.27 ॥
kartumarhasi rāmasya sāhāyyaṃ viṣaye satī| athavā maithilīṃ dṛṣṭvā rāmaṃ cākliṣṭakāriṇam || 58.27 ||
"'You, dwelling faithfully within Rama's domain, ought to render him aid. Or else, after I have seen Maithili and unwearied Rama —
Shloka 28 (sundara.58.28)
आगमिष्यामि ते वक्त्रं सत्यं प्रतिशृणोमि ते। एवमुक्ता मया सा तु सुरसा कामरूपिणी ॥ 58.28 ॥
āgamiṣyāmi te vaktraṃ satyaṃ pratiśṛṇomi te| evamuktā mayā sā tu surasā kāmarūpiṇī || 58.28 ||
"'—I shall come back into your mouth; this I promise you truly.'" Thus addressed by me, that Surasa, who could assume any form at will —
Shloka 29 (sundara.58.29)
अब्रवीन्नातिवर्तेत कश्चिदेष वरो मम। एवमुक्तः सुरसया दशयोजनमायतः ॥ 58.29 ॥
abravīnnātivarteta kaścideṣa varo mama| evamuktaḥ surasayā daśayojanamāyataḥ || 58.29 ||
— said: "No one may pass beyond me — this is my boon." Thus addressed by Surasa, I extended myself to ten yojanas,
Shloka 30 (sundara.58.30)
ततोऽर्धगुणविस्तारो बभूवाहं क्षणेन तु। मत्प्रमाणाधिकं चैव व्यादितं तु मुखं तया ॥ 58.30 ॥
tato'rdhaguṇavistāro babhūvāhaṃ kṣaṇena tu| matpramāṇādhikaṃ caiva vyāditaṃ tu mukhaṃ tayā || 58.30 ||
and then, in a moment, grew half again that size. But she opened her mouth wider still, larger even than my own measure.
Shloka 31 (sundara.58.31)
तद् दृष्ट्वा व्यादितं त्वास्यं ह्रस्वं ह्यकरवं पुनः। तस्मिन् मुहूर्ते च पुनर्बभूवाङ्गुष्ठसम्मितः ॥ 58.31 ॥
tad dṛṣṭvā vyāditaṃ tvāsyaṃ hrasvaṃ hyakaravaṃ punaḥ| tasmin muhūrte ca punarbabhūvāṅguṣṭhasammitaḥ || 58.31 ||
Seeing her mouth thus opened wide, I at once made myself small again; and in that same instant I became the size of a thumb.
Shloka 32 (sundara.58.32)
अभिपत्याशु तद्वक्त्रं निर्गतोऽहं ततः क्षणात् । अब्रवीत् सुरसा देवी स्वेन रूपेण मां पुनः ॥ 58.32 ॥
abhipatyāśu tadvaktraṃ nirgato'haṃ tataḥ kṣaṇāt | abravīt surasā devī svena rūpeṇa māṃ punaḥ || 58.32 ||
Darting swiftly into her mouth, I came out again the very next instant. Then the goddess Surasa, resuming her own form, said to me:
Shloka 33 (sundara.58.33)
अर्थसिद्धौ हरिश्रेष्ठ गच्छ सौम्य यथासुखम्। समानय च वैदेहीं राघवेण महात्मना ॥ 58.33 ॥
arthasiddhau hariśreṣṭha gaccha saumya yathāsukham| samānaya ca vaidehīṃ rāghaveṇa mahātmanā || 58.33 ||
"'O gentle one, foremost of monkeys, go happily to accomplish your purpose. Bring about the reunion of Vaidehi with the great-souled Raghava.
Shloka 34 (sundara.58.34)
सुखी भव महाबाहो प्रीतास्मि तव वानर। ततोऽहं साधुसाध्वीति सर्वभूतैः प्रशंसितः ॥ 58.34 ॥
sukhī bhava mahābāho prītāsmi tava vānara| tato'haṃ sādhusādhvīti sarvabhūtaiḥ praśaṃsitaḥ || 58.34 ||
"'Be happy, O mighty-armed one; I am pleased with you, O monkey.'" Then, praised by all beings with cries of "Well done! Well done!" —
Shloka 35 (sundara.58.35)
ततोऽन्तरिक्षं विपुलं प्लुतोऽहं गरुडो यथा। छाया मे निगृहीता च न च पश्यामि किंचन ॥ 58.35 ॥
tato'ntarikṣaṃ vipulaṃ pluto'haṃ garuḍo yathā| chāyā me nigṛhītā ca na ca paśyāmi kiṃcana || 58.35 ||
— I then leapt into the vast sky, like Garuda. But suddenly my shadow was seized, and I could see nothing that had done it.
Shloka 36 (sundara.58.36)
सोऽहं विगतवेगस्तु दिशो दश विलोकयन्। न किंचित् तत्र पश्यामि येन मे विहता गतिः ॥ 58.36 ॥
so'haṃ vigatavegastu diśo daśa vilokayan| na kiṃcit tatra paśyāmi yena me vihatā gatiḥ || 58.36 ||
My speed thus checked, I looked about in all ten directions, but saw nothing there by which my motion had been obstructed.
Shloka 37 (sundara.58.37)
अथ मे बुद्धिरुत्पन्ना किंनाम गमने मम। ईदृशो विघ्न उत्पन्नो रूपमत्र न दृश्यते ॥ 58.37 ॥
atha me buddhirutpannā kiṃnāma gamane mama| īdṛśo vighna utpanno rūpamatra na dṛśyate || 58.37 ||
Then this thought arose in me: "What is it that has thus obstructed my journey? Such an obstacle has arisen, yet no form is to be seen here."
Shloka 38 (sundara.58.38)
अधोभागे तु मे दृष्टिः शोचतः पतिता तदा। तत्राद्राक्षमहं भीमां राक्षसीं सलिलेशयाम् ॥ 58.38 ॥
adhobhāge tu me dṛṣṭiḥ śocataḥ patitā tadā| tatrādrākṣamahaṃ bhīmāṃ rākṣasīṃ salileśayām || 58.38 ||
As I pondered thus, my gaze then fell downward, and there I beheld a terrible demoness lying in the water.
Shloka 39 (sundara.58.39)
प्रहस्य च महानादमुक्तोऽहं भीमया तया। अवस्थितमसम्भ्रान्तमिदं वाक्यमशोभनम् ॥ 58.39 ॥
prahasya ca mahānādamukto'haṃ bhīmayā tayā| avasthitamasambhrāntamidaṃ vākyamaśobhanam || 58.39 ||
Laughing aloud with a great sound, that terrible one, seeing me standing there unperturbed, spoke this unpleasant speech:
Shloka 40 (sundara.58.40)
क्वासि गन्ता महाकाय क्षुधिताया ममेप्सितः। भक्षः प्रीणय मे देहं चिरमाहारवर्जितम् ॥ 58.40 ॥
kvāsi gantā mahākāya kṣudhitāyā mamepsitaḥ| bhakṣaḥ prīṇaya me dehaṃ ciramāhāravarjitam || 58.40 ||
"'Where do you think you are going, O huge-bodied one? Desired by me in my hunger, become my meal, and gladden this body of mine, long deprived of food.'
Shloka 41 (sundara.58.41)
बाढमित्येव तां वाणीं प्रत्यगृह्णामहं ततः। आस्यप्रमाणादधिकं तस्याः कायमपूरयम् ॥ 58.41 ॥
bāḍhamityeva tāṃ vāṇīṃ pratyagṛhṇāmahaṃ tataḥ| āsyapramāṇādadhikaṃ tasyāḥ kāyamapūrayam || 58.41 ||
"'So be it,' I replied, accepting her words; and then I made my body swell larger than the measure of her mouth.
Shloka 42 (sundara.58.42)
तस्याश्चास्यं महद् भीमं वर्धते मम भक्षणे। न तु मां सा नु बुबुधे मम वा विकृतं कृतम् ॥ 58.42 ॥
tasyāścāsyaṃ mahad bhīmaṃ vardhate mama bhakṣaṇe| na tu māṃ sā nu bubudhe mama vā vikṛtaṃ kṛtam || 58.42 ||
Her huge, terrible mouth kept growing too, in order to devour me; yet she did not perceive me, nor the transformation I had wrought.
Shloka 43 (sundara.58.43)
ततोऽहं विपुलं रूपं संक्षिप्य निमिषान्तरात्। तस्या हृदयमादाय प्रपतामि नभःस्थलम् ॥ 58.43 ॥
tato'haṃ vipulaṃ rūpaṃ saṃkṣipya nimiṣāntarāt| tasyā hṛdayamādāya prapatāmi nabhaḥsthalam || 58.43 ||
Then, in the space of an instant, I contracted my vast form, and, seizing her heart, I sprang forth into the expanse of the sky.
Shloka 44 (sundara.58.44)
सा विसृष्टभुजा भीमा पपात लवणाम्भसि। मया पर्वतसंकाशा निकृत्तहृदया सती ॥ 58.44 ॥
sā visṛṣṭabhujā bhīmā papāta lavaṇāmbhasi| mayā parvatasaṃkāśā nikṛttahṛdayā satī || 58.44 ||
She, that terrible one, resembling a mountain, her heart torn out by me, fell with limbs outstretched into the salt sea.
Shloka 45 (sundara.58.45)
शृणोमि खगतानां च वाचः सौम्या महात्मनाम्। राक्षसी सिंहिका भीमा क्षिप्रं हनुमता हता ॥ 58.45 ॥
śṛṇomi khagatānāṃ ca vācaḥ saumyā mahātmanām| rākṣasī siṃhikā bhīmā kṣipraṃ hanumatā hatā || 58.45 ||
Then I heard the gentle voices of great-souled beings moving in the sky, saying: "The terrible demoness Simhika has swiftly been slain by Hanuman."
Shloka 46 (sundara.58.46)
तां हत्वा पुनरेवाहं कृत्यमात्ययिकं स्मरन्। गत्वा च महदध्वानं पश्यामि नगमण्डितम् ॥ 58.46 ॥
tāṃ hatvā punarevāhaṃ kṛtyamātyayikaṃ smaran| gatvā ca mahadadhvānaṃ paśyāmi nagamaṇḍitam || 58.46 ||
Having slain her, and again calling to mind my urgent task, I traveled a great distance and beheld land adorned with trees —
Shloka 47 (sundara.58.47)
दक्षिणं तीरमुदधेर्लङ्का यत्र गता पुरी। अस्तं दिनकरे याते रक्षसां निलयं पुरीम् ॥ 58.47 ॥
dakṣiṇaṃ tīramudadherlaṅkā yatra gatā purī| astaṃ dinakare yāte rakṣasāṃ nilayaṃ purīm || 58.47 ||
— the southern shore of the ocean, where the city of Lanka lies. As the sun set, I approached that city, the abode of the demons.
Shloka 48 (sundara.58.48)
प्रविष्टोऽहमविज्ञातो रक्षोभिर्भीमविक्रमैः। तत्र प्रविशतश्चापि कल्पान्तघनसप्रभा ॥ 58.48 ॥
praviṣṭo'hamavijñāto rakṣobhirbhīmavikramaiḥ| tatra praviśataścāpi kalpāntaghanasaprabhā || 58.48 ||
I entered unnoticed by the demons of terrible might. And as I was entering there, a woman with the radiance of a cloud at the world's dissolution —
Shloka 49 (sundara.58.49)
अट्टहासं विमुञ्चन्ती नारी काप्युत्थिता पुरः। जिघांसन्तीं ततस्तां तु ज्वलदग्निशिरोरुहाम् ॥ 58.49 ॥
aṭṭahāsaṃ vimuñcantī nārī kāpyutthitā puraḥ| jighāṃsantīṃ tatastāṃ tu jvaladagniśiroruhām || 58.49 ||
— loosing a loud, harsh laugh, rose up before me. Her hair blazing like fire, she sought to kill me;
Shloka 50 (sundara.58.50)
सव्यमुष्टिप्रहारेण पराजित्य सुभैरवाम्। प्रदोषकाले प्रविशं भीतयाहं तयोदितः ॥ 58.50 ॥
savyamuṣṭiprahāreṇa parājitya subhairavām| pradoṣakāle praviśaṃ bhītayāhaṃ tayoditaḥ || 58.50 ||
— but I overcame that most fearsome one with a blow of my left fist, and entered the city in the early evening. Frightened, she spoke to me:
Shloka 51 (sundara.58.51)
अहं लङ्कापुरी वीर निर्जिता विक्रमेण ते। यस्मात् तस्माद् विजेतासि सर्वरक्षांस्यशेषतः ॥ 58.51 ॥
ahaṃ laṅkāpurī vīra nirjitā vikrameṇa te| yasmāt tasmād vijetāsi sarvarakṣāṃsyaśeṣataḥ || 58.51 ||
"'O hero, I am the city of Lanka in person; I have been conquered by your might. For this very reason, you shall conquer all the demons entirely.'
Shloka 52 (sundara.58.52)
तत्राहं सर्वरात्रं तु विचरञ्जनकात्मजाम्। रावणान्तःपुरगतो न चापश्यं सुमध्यमाम् ॥ 58.52 ॥
tatrāhaṃ sarvarātraṃ tu vicarañjanakātmajām| rāvaṇāntaḥpuragato na cāpaśyaṃ sumadhyamām || 58.52 ||
There I searched the whole night through for the daughter of Janaka, having entered Ravana's inner apartments, but I did not find that slender-waisted one.
Shloka 53 (sundara.58.53)
ततः सीतामपश्यंस्तु रावणस्य निवेशने। शोकसागरमासाद्य न पारमुपलक्षये ॥ 58.53 ॥
tataḥ sītāmapaśyaṃstu rāvaṇasya niveśane| śokasāgaramāsādya na pāramupalakṣaye || 58.53 ||
Then, not finding Sita in Ravana's dwelling, I fell into an ocean of grief, and could see no shore to it.
Shloka 54 (sundara.58.54)
शोचता च मया दृष्टं प्राकारेणाभिसंवृतम्। काञ्चनेन विकृष्टेन गृहोपवनमुत्तमम् ॥ 58.54 ॥
śocatā ca mayā dṛṣṭaṃ prākāreṇābhisaṃvṛtam| kāñcanena vikṛṣṭena gṛhopavanamuttamam || 58.54 ||
As I grieved, I saw an excellent garden attached to the dwelling, enclosed by a long wall painted in gold.
Shloka 55 (sundara.58.55)
सप्राकारमवप्लुत्य पश्यामि बहुपादपम्। अशोकवनिकामध्ये शिंशपापादपो महान् ॥ 58.55 ॥
saprākāramavaplutya paśyāmi bahupādapam| aśokavanikāmadhye śiṃśapāpādapo mahān || 58.55 ||
Leaping over the wall as well, I saw it full of many trees. In the midst of that Ashoka grove stood a great shimshapa tree.
Shloka 56 (sundara.58.56)
तमारुह्य च पश्यामि काञ्चनं कदलीवनम्। अदूराच्छिंशपावृक्षात् पश्यामि वरवर्णिनीम् ॥ 58.56 ॥
tamāruhya ca paśyāmi kāñcanaṃ kadalīvanam| adūrācchiṃśapāvṛkṣāt paśyāmi varavarṇinīm || 58.56 ||
Climbing that tree, I saw a golden grove of plantain trees; and not far from the shimshapa tree, I beheld a lady of lovely hue,
Shloka 57 (sundara.58.57)
श्यामां कमलपत्राक्षीमुपवासकृशाननाम्। तदेकवासःसंवीतां रजोध्वस्तशिरोरुहाम् ॥ 58.57 ॥
śyāmāṃ kamalapatrākṣīmupavāsakṛśānanām| tadekavāsaḥsaṃvītāṃ rajodhvastaśiroruhām || 58.57 ||
— dark-hued, her eyes like lotus petals, her face wasted from fasting, clad in a single garment, her hair defiled with dust,
Shloka 58 (sundara.58.58)
शोकसंतापदीनाङ्गीं सीतां भर्तृहिते स्थिताम्। राक्षसीभिर्विरूपाभिः क्रूराभिरभिसंवृताम् ॥ 58.58 ॥
śokasaṃtāpadīnāṅgīṃ sītāṃ bhartṛhite sthitām| rākṣasībhirvirūpābhiḥ krūrābhirabhisaṃvṛtām || 58.58 ||
— her limbs pitiable with grief and anguish — that was Sita, devoted still to her husband's welfare, surrounded by hideous, cruel demonesses,
Shloka 59 (sundara.58.59)
मांसशोणितभक्ष्याभिर्व्याघ्रीभिर्हरिणीं यथा। सा मया राक्षसीमध्ये तर्ज्यमाना मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ 58.59 ॥
māṃsaśoṇitabhakṣyābhirvyāghrībhirhariṇīṃ yathā| sā mayā rākṣasīmadhye tarjyamānā muhurmuhuḥ || 58.59 ||
— demonesses who feed on flesh and blood, as a doe is surrounded by tigresses. Amid those demonesses, threatened again and again by them,
Shloka 60 (sundara.58.60)
एकवेणीधरा दीना भर्तृचिन्तापरायणा। भूमिशय्या विवर्णाङ्गी पद्मिनीव हिमागमे ॥ 58.60 ॥
ekaveṇīdharā dīnā bhartṛcintāparāyaṇā| bhūmiśayyā vivarṇāṅgī padminīva himāgame || 58.60 ||
— wretched, wearing but a single braid, wholly absorbed in thought of her husband, her bed the bare ground, her limbs pale like a lotus-plant in the frosty season —
Shloka 61 (sundara.58.61)
रावणाद् विनिवृत्तार्था मर्तव्ये कृतनिश्चया। कथंचिन्मृगशावाक्षी तूर्णमासादिता मया ॥ 58.61 ॥
rāvaṇād vinivṛttārthā martavye kṛtaniścayā| kathaṃcinmṛgaśāvākṣī tūrṇamāsāditā mayā || 58.61 ||
— her heart turned away from Ravana, resolved upon death — that fawn-eyed one was, with some difficulty, quickly found by me.
Shloka 62 (sundara.58.62)
तां दृष्ट्वा तादृशीं नारीं रामपत्नीं यशस्विनीम्। तत्रैव शिंशपावृक्षे पश्यन्नहमवस्थितः ॥ 58.62 ॥
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā tādṛśīṃ nārīṃ rāmapatnīṃ yaśasvinīm| tatraiva śiṃśapāvṛkṣe paśyannahamavasthitaḥ || 58.62 ||
Having seen that illustrious woman, Rama's wife, in such a state, I remained there upon that very shimshapa tree, watching her.
Shloka 63 (sundara.58.63)
ततो हलहलाशब्दं काञ्चीनूपुरमिश्रितम्। शृणोम्यधिकगम्भीरं रावणस्य निवेशने ॥ 58.63 ॥
tato halahalāśabdaṃ kāñcīnūpuramiśritam| śṛṇomyadhikagambhīraṃ rāvaṇasya niveśane || 58.63 ||
Then I heard, from Ravana's dwelling, an exceedingly deep uproar, a tumult mingled with the sound of girdles and anklets.
Shloka 64 (sundara.58.64)
ततोऽहं परमोद्विग्नः स्वरूपं प्रत्यसंहरम्। अहं च शिंशपावृक्षे पक्षीव गहने स्थितः ॥ 58.64 ॥
tato'haṃ paramodvignaḥ svarūpaṃ pratyasaṃharam| ahaṃ ca śiṃśapāvṛkṣe pakṣīva gahane sthitaḥ || 58.64 ||
Then, greatly alarmed, I drew my form back in to a smaller size, and remained on that shimshapa tree, like a bird hidden in the foliage.
Shloka 65 (sundara.58.65)
ततो रावणदाराश्च रावणश्च महाबलः। तं देशमनुसम्प्राप्तो यत्र सीताभवत् स्थिता ॥ 58.65 ॥
tato rāvaṇadārāśca rāvaṇaśca mahābalaḥ| taṃ deśamanusamprāpto yatra sītābhavat sthitā || 58.65 ||
Then Ravana's wives, and the mighty Ravana himself, arrived at that place where Sita was.
Shloka 66 (sundara.58.66)
तं दृष्ट्वाथ वरारोहा सीता रक्षोगणेश्वरम्। संकुच्योरू स्तनौ पीनौ बाहुभ्यां परिरभ्य च ॥ 58.66 ॥
taṃ dṛṣṭvātha varārohā sītā rakṣogaṇeśvaram| saṃkucyorū stanau pīnau bāhubhyāṃ parirabhya ca || 58.66 ||
Seeing that lord of the demon hosts, Sita of lovely form drew in her thighs and clasped her full breasts with her arms,
Shloka 67 (sundara.58.67)
वित्रस्तां परमोद्विग्नां वीक्ष्यमाणामितस्ततः। त्राणं कंचिदपश्यन्तीं वेपमानां तपस्विनीम् ॥ 58.67 ॥
vitrastāṃ paramodvignāṃ vīkṣyamāṇāmitastataḥ| trāṇaṃ kaṃcidapaśyantīṃ vepamānāṃ tapasvinīm || 58.67 ||
— terrified, greatly agitated, glancing this way and that, finding no protector anywhere, that pitiable woman trembling —
Shloka 68 (sundara.58.68)
तामुवाच दशग्रीवः सीतां परमदुःखिताम्। अवाक्शिराः प्रपतितो बहुमन्यस्व मामिति ॥ 58.68 ॥
tāmuvāca daśagrīvaḥ sītāṃ paramaduḥkhitām| avākśirāḥ prapatito bahumanyasva māmiti || 58.68 ||
— to that Sita, so deeply grieved, the ten-necked one spoke, prostrating himself with head bowed low: "Hold me in high regard," he said.
Shloka 69 (sundara.58.69)
यदि चेत्त्वं तु मां दर्पान्नाभिनन्दसि गर्विते। द्विमासानन्तरं सीते पास्यामि रुधिरं तव ॥ 58.69 ॥
yadi cettvaṃ tu māṃ darpānnābhinandasi garvite| dvimāsānantaraṃ sīte pāsyāmi rudhiraṃ tava || 58.69 ||
"'And if, out of your pride, O haughty one, you do not welcome me, then, O Sita, after two months I shall drink your blood.'
Shloka 70 (sundara.58.70)
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य रावणस्य दुरात्मनः। उवाच परमक्रुद्धा सीता वचनमुत्तमम् ॥ 58.70 ॥
etacchrutvā vacastasya rāvaṇasya durātmanaḥ| uvāca paramakruddhā sītā vacanamuttamam || 58.70 ||
Hearing these words of that evil-minded Ravana, Sita, in the greatest fury, spoke this noble reply:
Shloka 71 (sundara.58.71)
राक्षसाधम रामस्य भार्याममिततेजसः। इक्ष्वाकुवंशनाथस्य स्नुषां दशरथस्य च ॥ 58.71 ॥
rākṣasādhama rāmasya bhāryāmamitatejasaḥ| ikṣvākuvaṃśanāthasya snuṣāṃ daśarathasya ca || 58.71 ||
"'O basest of demons — how did your tongue not fall off, speaking such unspeakable words to the wife of Rama, of boundless splendor,
Shloka 72 (sundara.58.72)
अवाच्यं वदतो जिह्वा कथं न पतिता तव। किंस्विद्वीर्य तवानार्य यो मां भर्तुरसंनिधौ ॥ 58.72 ॥
avācyaṃ vadato jihvā kathaṃ na patitā tava| kiṃsvidvīrya tavānārya yo māṃ bharturasaṃnidhau || 58.72 ||
"'—the daughter-in-law of Dasharatha, lord of the Ikshvaku line? What manner of valor is this of yours, O base one, that in my husband's absence —
Shloka 73 (sundara.58.73)
अपहृत्यागतः पाप तेनादृष्टो महात्मना। न त्वं रामस्य सदृशो दास्येऽप्यस्य न युज्यसे ॥ 58.73 ॥
apahṛtyāgataḥ pāpa tenādṛṣṭo mahātmanā| na tvaṃ rāmasya sadṛśo dāsye'pyasya na yujyase || 58.73 ||
"'—you, O sinner, carried me off unseen by that great-souled one? You are not fit to be compared with Rama; you are not even worthy of being his servant.
Shloka 74 (sundara.58.74)
अजेयः सत्यवाक् शूरो रणश्लाघी च राघवः। जानक्या परुषं वाक्यमेवमुक्तो दशाननः ॥ 58.74 ॥
ajeyaḥ satyavāk śūro raṇaślāghī ca rāghavaḥ| jānakyā paruṣaṃ vākyamevamukto daśānanaḥ || 58.74 ||
"'Raghava is unconquerable, truthful in speech, valiant, and glorious in battle.'" Thus addressed with harsh words by Janaki, that ten-faced one —
Shloka 75 (sundara.58.75)
जज्वाल सहसा कोपाच्चितास्थ इव पावकः। विवृत्य नयने क्रूरे मुष्टिमुद्यम्य दक्षिणम् ॥ 58.75 ॥
jajvāla sahasā kopāccitāstha iva pāvakaḥ| vivṛtya nayane krūre muṣṭimudyamya dakṣiṇam || 58.75 ||
— blazed up at once with fury, like a fire upon a funeral pyre. Rolling his cruel eyes and raising his right fist,
Shloka 76 (sundara.58.76)
मैथिलीं हन्तुमारब्धः स्त्रीभिर्हाहाकृतं तदा। स्त्रीणां मध्यात् समुत्पत्य तस्य भार्या दुरात्मनः ॥ 58.76 ॥
maithilīṃ hantumārabdhaḥ strībhirhāhākṛtaṃ tadā| strīṇāṃ madhyāt samutpatya tasya bhāryā durātmanaḥ || 58.76 ||
— he set about to kill Maithili, at which the women there cried out in dismay. Then, springing up from among those women, that evil one's wife,
Shloka 77 (sundara.58.77)
वरा मन्दोदरी नाम तया स प्रतिषेधितः। उक्तश्च मधुरां वाणीं तया स मदनार्दितः ॥ 58.77 ॥
varā mandodarī nāma tayā sa pratiṣedhitaḥ| uktaśca madhurāṃ vāṇīṃ tayā sa madanārditaḥ || 58.77 ||
— the excellent Mandodari, restrained him. And he, tormented by passion, was addressed by her in sweet words:
Shloka 78 (sundara.58.78)
सीतया तव किं कार्यं महेन्द्रसमविक्रम। मया सह रमस्वाद्य मद्विशिष्टा न जानकी ॥ 58.78 ॥
sītayā tava kiṃ kāryaṃ mahendrasamavikrama| mayā saha ramasvādya madviśiṣṭā na jānakī || 58.78 ||
"'What business have you with Sita, O you whose valor equals Indra's? Take your pleasure with me today — Janaki is no better than I am.
Shloka 79 (sundara.58.79)
देवगन्धर्वकन्याभिर्यक्षकन्याभिरेव च। सार्धं प्रभो रमस्वेति सीतया किं करिष्यसि ॥ 58.79 ॥
devagandharvakanyābhiryakṣakanyābhireva ca| sārdhaṃ prabho ramasveti sītayā kiṃ kariṣyasi || 58.79 ||
"'Take your pleasure, O lord, with maidens of gods, of gandharvas, and of yakshas — what will you do with Sita?'
Shloka 80 (sundara.58.80)
ततस्ताभिः समेताभिर्नारीभिः स महाबलः। उत्थाप्य सहसा नीतो भवनं स्वं निशाचरः ॥ 58.80 ॥
tatastābhiḥ sametābhirnārībhiḥ sa mahābalaḥ| utthāpya sahasā nīto bhavanaṃ svaṃ niśācaraḥ || 58.80 ||
Then that mighty night-wanderer was raised up and, by all those women together, at once led away to his own palace.
Shloka 81 (sundara.58.81)
याते तस्मिन् दशग्रीवे राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः। सीतां निर्भर्त्सयामासुर्वाक्यैः क्रूरैः सुदारुणैः ॥ 58.81 ॥
yāte tasmin daśagrīve rākṣasyo vikṛtānanāḥ| sītāṃ nirbhartsayāmāsurvākyaiḥ krūraiḥ sudāruṇaiḥ || 58.81 ||
When that ten-necked one had gone, the misshapen-faced demonesses threatened Sita with cruel, most terrible words.
Shloka 82 (sundara.58.82)
तृणवद् भाषितं तासां गणयामास जानकी। गर्जितं च तथा तासां सीतां प्राप्य निरर्थकम् ॥ 58.82 ॥
tṛṇavad bhāṣitaṃ tāsāṃ gaṇayāmāsa jānakī| garjitaṃ ca tathā tāsāṃ sītāṃ prāpya nirarthakam || 58.82 ||
Janaki regarded their words as no more than straw. And so their roaring, aimed at Sita, proved fruitless.
Shloka 83 (sundara.58.83)
वृथा गर्जितनिश्चेष्टा राक्षस्यः पिशिताशनाः। रावणाय शशंसुस्ताः सीताव्यवसितं महत् ॥ 58.83 ॥
vṛthā garjitaniśceṣṭā rākṣasyaḥ piśitāśanāḥ| rāvaṇāya śaśaṃsustāḥ sītāvyavasitaṃ mahat || 58.83 ||
Their roaring in vain and their efforts spent, those flesh-eating demonesses went and reported to Ravana Sita's great resolve.
Shloka 84 (sundara.58.84)
ततस्ताः सहिताः सर्वा विहताशा निरुद्यमाः। परिक्लिश्य समस्तास्ता निद्रावशमुपागताः ॥ 58.84 ॥
tatastāḥ sahitāḥ sarvā vihatāśā nirudyamāḥ| parikliśya samastāstā nidrāvaśamupāgatāḥ || 58.84 ||
Then all of them together, their hopes dashed, their efforts abandoned, wearied out entirely, fell under the sway of sleep.
Shloka 85 (sundara.58.85)
तासु चैव प्रसुप्तासु सीता भर्तृहिते रता। विलप्य करुणं दीना प्रशुशोच सुदुःखिता ॥ 58.85 ॥
tāsu caiva prasuptāsu sītā bhartṛhite ratā| vilapya karuṇaṃ dīnā praśuśoca suduḥkhitā || 58.85 ||
And with them thus asleep, Sita, devoted still to her husband's welfare, lamented piteously and grieved most sorrowfully, wretched as she was.
Shloka 86 (sundara.58.86)
तासां मध्यात् समुत्थाय त्रिजटा वाक्यमब्रवीत्। आत्मानं खादत क्षिप्रं न सीतामसितेक्षणाम् ॥ 58.86 ॥
tāsāṃ madhyāt samutthāya trijaṭā vākyamabravīt| ātmānaṃ khādata kṣipraṃ na sītāmasitekṣaṇām || 58.86 ||
Then Trijata, rising up from among them, spoke these words: "'Devour yourselves at once, rather than this dark-eyed Sita —
Shloka 87 (sundara.58.87)
जनकस्यात्मजां साध्वीं स्नुषां दशरथस्य च। स्वप्नो ह्यद्य मया दृष्टो दारुणो रोमहर्षणः ॥ 58.87 ॥
janakasyātmajāṃ sādhvīṃ snuṣāṃ daśarathasya ca| svapno hyadya mayā dṛṣṭo dāruṇo romaharṣaṇaḥ || 58.87 ||
"'—Janaka's virtuous daughter, and Dasharatha's daughter-in-law. For today I have seen a terrible dream, that made my hair stand on end,
Shloka 88 (sundara.58.88)
रक्षसां च विनाशाय भर्तुरस्या जयाय च। अलमस्मान् परित्रातुं राघवाद् राक्षसीगणम् ॥ 58.88 ॥
rakṣasāṃ ca vināśāya bharturasyā jayāya ca| alamasmān paritrātuṃ rāghavād rākṣasīgaṇam || 58.88 ||
"'—foretelling the destruction of the demons and the victory of her husband. She alone can protect us, the host of demonesses, from Raghava.
Shloka 89 (sundara.58.89)
अभियाचाम वैदेहीमेतद्धि मम रोचते। यदि ह्येवंविधः स्वप्नो दुःखितायाः प्रदृश्यते ॥ 58.89 ॥
abhiyācāma vaidehīmetaddhi mama rocate| yadi hyevaṃvidhaḥ svapno duḥkhitāyāḥ pradṛśyate || 58.89 ||
"'Let us plead for Vaidehi's forgiveness — this seems best to me. For if such a dream is seen by one in sorrow,
Shloka 90 (sundara.58.90)
सा दुःखैर्विविधैर्मुक्ता सुखमाप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्। प्रणिपातप्रसन्ना हि मैथिली जनकात्मजा ॥ 58.90 ॥
sā duḥkhairvividhairmuktā sukhamāpnotyanuttamam| praṇipātaprasannā hi maithilī janakātmajā || 58.90 ||
"'—she is freed from her manifold sorrows and attains the highest happiness. Maithili, Janaka's daughter, will surely be appeased by our submission,
Shloka 91 (sundara.58.91)
अलमेषा परित्रातुं राक्षस्यो महतो भयात्। ततः सा ह्रीमती बाला भर्तुर्विजयहर्षिता ॥ 58.91 ॥
alameṣā paritrātuṃ rākṣasyo mahato bhayāt| tataḥ sā hrīmatī bālā bharturvijayaharṣitā || 58.91 ||
"'—and she alone is able to save us demonesses from great danger.'" Then that modest young woman, delighted at her husband's foretold victory,
Shloka 92 (sundara.58.92)
अवोचद् यदि तत् तथ्यं भवेयं शरणं हि वः। तां चाहं तादृशीं दृष्ट्वा सीताया दारुणां दशाम् ॥ 58.92 ॥
avocad yadi tat tathyaṃ bhaveyaṃ śaraṇaṃ hi vaḥ| tāṃ cāhaṃ tādṛśīṃ dṛṣṭvā sītāyā dāruṇāṃ daśām || 58.92 ||
— said: "'If that is indeed true, I shall become your refuge.'" And having seen that terrible plight of Sita in such a state,
Shloka 93 (sundara.58.93)
चिन्तयामास विश्रान्तो न च मे निर्वृतं मनः। सम्भाषणार्थे च मया जानक्याश्चिन्तितो विधिः ॥ 58.93 ॥
cintayāmāsa viśrānto na ca me nirvṛtaṃ manaḥ| sambhāṣaṇārthe ca mayā jānakyāścintito vidhiḥ || 58.93 ||
— I, having paused, fell to thinking, and my mind found no peace. So I devised a means by which to speak with Janaki.
Shloka 94 (sundara.58.94)
इक्ष्वाकुकुलवंशस्तु स्तुतो मम पुरस्कृतः। श्रुत्वा तु गदितां वाचं राजर्षिगणभूषिताम् ॥ 58.94 ॥
ikṣvākukulavaṃśastu stuto mama puraskṛtaḥ| śrutvā tu gaditāṃ vācaṃ rājarṣigaṇabhūṣitām || 58.94 ||
I began by praising, and setting before her, the lineage of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Hearing those words, adorned with the names of royal sages, that I uttered,
Shloka 95 (sundara.58.95)
प्रत्यभाषत मां देवी बाष्पैः पिहितलोचना। कस्त्वं केन कथं चेह प्राप्तो वानरपुङ्गव ॥ 58.95 ॥
pratyabhāṣata māṃ devī bāṣpaiḥ pihitalocanā| kastvaṃ kena kathaṃ ceha prāpto vānarapuṅgava || 58.95 ||
— the princess, her eyes veiled with tears, replied to me: "'Who are you? By whom, and how, have you come here, O foremost of monkeys?
Shloka 96 (sundara.58.96)
का च रामेण ते प्रीतिस्तन्मे शंसितुमर्हसि। तस्यास्तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा अहमप्यब्रुवं वचः ॥ 58.96 ॥
kā ca rāmeṇa te prītistanme śaṃsitumarhasi| tasyāstad vacanaṃ śrutvā ahamapyabruvaṃ vacaḥ || 58.96 ||
"'And what is your friendship with Rama? You should tell me this.'" Hearing her words, I too spoke these words:
Shloka 97 (sundara.58.97)
देवि रामस्य भर्तुस्ते सहायो भीमविक्रमः। सुग्रीवो नाम विक्रान्तो वानरेन्द्रो महाबलः ॥ 58.97 ॥
devi rāmasya bhartuste sahāyo bhīmavikramaḥ| sugrīvo nāma vikrānto vānarendro mahābalaḥ || 58.97 ||
"'O princess, there is a mighty ally of your husband Rama, of terrible valor, called Sugriva, the valiant, mighty lord of monkeys.
Shloka 98 (sundara.58.98)
तस्य मां विद्धि भृत्यं त्वं हनूमन्तमिहागतम्। भर्त्रा सम्प्रहितस्तुभ्यं रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा ॥ 58.98 ॥
tasya māṃ viddhi bhṛtyaṃ tvaṃ hanūmantamihāgatam| bhartrā samprahitastubhyaṃ rāmeṇākliṣṭakarmaṇā || 58.98 ||
"'Know me to be his servant, Hanuman, who has come here, sent to you by your husband Rama, unwearied in action.'
Shloka 99 (sundara.58.99)
इदं तु पुरुषव्याघ्रः श्रीमान् दाशरथिः स्वयम्। अङ्गुलीयमभिज्ञानमदात् तुभ्यं यशस्विनि ॥ 58.99 ॥
idaṃ tu puruṣavyāghraḥ śrīmān dāśarathiḥ svayam| aṅgulīyamabhijñānamadāt tubhyaṃ yaśasvini || 58.99 ||
"'This ring, O illustrious one, the glorious tiger among men, the son of Dasharatha, gave me himself, as a token for you.'
Shloka 100 (sundara.58.100)
तदिच्छामि त्वयाज्ञप्तं देवि किं करवाण्यहम्। रामलक्ष्मणयोः पार्श्वं नयामि त्वां किमुत्तरम् ॥ 58.100 ॥
tadicchāmi tvayājñaptaṃ devi kiṃ karavāṇyaham| rāmalakṣmaṇayoḥ pārśvaṃ nayāmi tvāṃ kimuttaram || 58.100 ||
"'Now I wish for your command, O princess: what shall I do? Shall I take you to the side of Rama and Lakshmana? What is your answer?'
Shloka 101 (sundara.58.101)
एतच्छ्रुत्वा विदित्वा च सीता जनकनन्दिनी। आह रावणमुत्पाट्य राघवो मां नयत्विति ॥ 58.101 ॥
etacchrutvā viditvā ca sītā janakanandinī| āha rāvaṇamutpāṭya rāghavo māṃ nayatviti || 58.101 ||
Having heard and understood this, Sita, Janaka's daughter, said: "'Let Raghava, having uprooted Ravana, take me away himself.'"
Shloka 102 (sundara.58.102)
प्रणम्य शिरसा देवीमहमार्यामनिन्दिताम्। राघवस्य मनोह्लादमभिज्ञानमयाचिषम् ॥ 58.102 ॥
praṇamya śirasā devīmahamāryāmaninditām| rāghavasya manohlādamabhijñānamayāciṣam || 58.102 ||
Bowing my head to that noble and blameless princess, I begged for some token that would gladden Raghava's heart.
Shloka 103 (sundara.58.103)
अथ मामब्रवीत् सीता गृह्यतामयमुत्तमः। मणिर्येन महाबाहू रामस्त्वां बहु मन्यते ॥ 58.103 ॥
atha māmabravīt sītā gṛhyatāmayamuttamaḥ| maṇiryena mahābāhū rāmastvāṃ bahu manyate || 58.103 ||
Then Sita said to me: "'Take this excellent jewel, by which the mighty-armed Rama will hold you in high regard.'"
Shloka 104 (sundara.58.104)
इत्युक्त्वा तु वरारोहा मणिप्रवरमुत्तमम्। प्रायच्छत् परमोद्विग्ना वाचा मां संदिदेश ह ॥ 58.104 ॥
ityuktvā tu varārohā maṇipravaramuttamam| prāyacchat paramodvignā vācā māṃ saṃdideśa ha || 58.104 ||
So saying, that lady of lovely form gave me that most excellent jewel; and, greatly distressed, she also charged me with a message in words.
Shloka 105 (sundara.58.105)
ततस्तस्यै प्रणम्याहं राजपुत्र्यै समाहितः। प्रदक्षिणं परिक्राममिहाभ्युद्गतमानसः ॥ 58.105 ॥
tatastasyai praṇamyāhaṃ rājaputryai samāhitaḥ| pradakṣiṇaṃ parikrāmamihābhyudagatamānasaḥ || 58.105 ||
Then, having bowed to that princess, composed in mind, I circled around her in reverence, my heart already set on coming back here.
Shloka 106 (sundara.58.106)
उत्तरं पुनरेवाह निश्चित्य मनसा तदा। हनूमन् मम वृत्तान्तं वक्तुमर्हसि राघवे ॥ 58.106 ॥
uttaraṃ punarevāha niścitya manasā tadā| hanūman mama vṛttāntaṃ vaktumarhasi rāghave || 58.106 ||
Then, having resolved something in her mind, she spoke again in reply: "'Hanuman, you must tell Raghava of my condition here,
Shloka 107 (sundara.58.107)
यथा श्रुत्वैव नचिरात् तावुभौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। सुग्रीवसहितौ वीरावुपेयातां तथा कुरु ॥ 58.107 ॥
yathā śrutvaiva nacirāt tāvubhau rāmalakṣmaṇau| sugrīvasahitau vīrāvupeyātāṃ tathā kuru || 58.107 ||
"'—so that, hearing it, those two heroes Rama and Lakshmana, together with Sugriva, will come here before long. Act so that it may be so.
Shloka 108 (sundara.58.108)
यदन्यथा भवेदेतद् द्वौ मासौ जीवितं मम। न मां द्रक्ष्यति काकुत्स्थो म्रिये साहमनाथवत् ॥ 58.108 ॥
yadanyathā bhavedetad dvau māsau jīvitaṃ mama| na māṃ drakṣyati kākutstho mriye sāhamanāthavat || 58.108 ||
"'If this should not come to pass, my life has but two months left; Kakutstha will not see me again, and I shall die like one without protector.'"
Shloka 109 (sundara.58.109)
तच्छ्रुत्वा करुणं वाक्यं क्रोधो मामभ्यवर्तत। उत्तरं च मया दृष्टं कार्यशेषमनन्तरम् ॥ 58.109 ॥
tacchrutvā karuṇaṃ vākyaṃ krodho māmabhyavartata| uttaraṃ ca mayā dṛṣṭaṃ kāryaśeṣamanantaram || 58.109 ||
Hearing that piteous speech, anger arose in me; and I then saw what further task remained for me to do.
Shloka 110 (sundara.58.110)
ततोऽवर्धत मे कायस्तदा पर्वतसंनिभः। युद्धाकाङ्क्षी वनं तस्य विनाशयितुमारभे ॥ 58.110 ॥
tato'vardhata me kāyastadā parvatasaṃnibhaḥ| yuddhākāṅkṣī vanaṃ tasya vināśayitumārabhe || 58.110 ||
Then my body grew, becoming like a mountain; and, longing for battle, I set about destroying that grove.
Shloka 111 (sundara.58.111)
तद् भग्नं वनखण्डं तु भ्रान्तत्रस्तमृगद्विजम्। प्रतिबुद्ध्य निरीक्षन्ते राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः ॥ 58.111 ॥
tad bhagnaṃ vanakhaṇḍaṃ tu bhrāntatrastamṛgadvijam| pratibuddhya nirīkṣante rākṣasyo vikṛtānanāḥ || 58.111 ||
That grove now broken, its deer and birds fleeing in terror, the misshapen-faced demonesses woke and looked upon it.
Shloka 112 (sundara.58.112)
मां च दृष्ट्वा वने तस्मिन् समागम्य ततस्ततः। ताः समभ्यागताः क्षिप्रं रावणायाचचक्षिरे ॥ 58.112 ॥
māṃ ca dṛṣṭvā vane tasmin samāgamya tatastataḥ| tāḥ samabhyāgatāḥ kṣipraṃ rāvaṇāyācacakṣire || 58.112 ||
Seeing me there in that grove, gathering from every side, they quickly went and reported everything to Ravana.
Shloka 113 (sundara.58.113)
राजन् वनमिदं दुर्गं तव भग्नं दुरात्मना। वानरेण ह्यविज्ञाय तव वीर्यं महाबल ॥ 58.113 ॥
rājan vanamidaṃ durgaṃ tava bhagnaṃ durātmanā| vānareṇa hyavijñāya tava vīryaṃ mahābala || 58.113 ||
"'O king, this impregnable grove of yours has been destroyed by an evil-minded monkey, O mighty one, who does not know your prowess.
Shloka 114 (sundara.58.114)
तस्य दुर्बुद्धिता राजंस्तव विप्रियकारिणः। वधमाज्ञापय क्षिप्रं यथासौ न पुनर्व्रजेत् ॥ 58.114 ॥
tasya durbuddhitā rājaṃstava vipriyakāriṇaḥ| vadhamājñāpaya kṣipraṃ yathāsau na punarvrajet || 58.114 ||
"'Such is the folly, O king, of him who does you harm. Order his death at once, that he may not go free again.'"
Shloka 115 (sundara.58.115)
तच्छ्रुत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रेण विसृष्टा बहुदुर्जयाः। राक्षसाः किंकरा नाम रावणस्य मनोऽनुगाः ॥ 58.115 ॥
tacchrutvā rākṣasendreṇa visṛṣṭā bahudurjayāḥ| rākṣasāḥ kiṃkarā nāma rāvaṇasya mano'nugāḥ || 58.115 ||
Hearing that, the lord of demons dispatched many hard-to-conquer demons, called Kinkaras, obedient to Ravana's will.
Shloka 116 (sundara.58.116)
तेषामशीतिसाहस्रं शूलमुद्गरपाणिनाम्। मया तस्मिन् वनोद्देशे परिघेण निषूदितम् ॥ 58.116 ॥
teṣāmaśītisāhasraṃ śūlamudagarapāṇinām| mayā tasmin vanoddeśe parigheṇa niṣūditam || 58.116 ||
Eighty thousand of them, armed with spears and clubs, were slain by me, with an iron bar, in that part of the grove.
Shloka 117 (sundara.58.117)
तेषां तु हतशिष्टा ये ते गता लघुविक्रमाः। निहतं च मया सैन्यं रावणायाचचक्षिरे ॥ 58.117 ॥
teṣāṃ tu hataśiṣṭā ye te gatā laghuvikramāḥ| nihataṃ ca mayā sainyaṃ rāvaṇāyācacakṣire || 58.117 ||
Those few nimble ones of them who survived went and reported to Ravana that their army had been slain by me.
Shloka 118 (sundara.58.118)
ततो मे बुद्धिरुत्पन्ना चैत्यप्रासादमुत्तमम्। तत्रस्थान् राक्षसान् हत्वा शतं स्तम्भेन वै पुनः ॥ 58.118 ॥
tato me buddhirutpannā caityaprāsādamuttamam| tatrasthān rākṣasān hatvā śataṃ stambhena vai punaḥ || 58.118 ||
Then it occurred to me to climb the excellent chaitya-palace; and, slaying a hundred demons stationed there with a single pillar,
Shloka 119 (sundara.58.119)
ललामभूतो लङ्काया मया विध्वंसितो रुषा। ततः प्रहस्तस्य सुतं जम्बुमालिनमादिशत् ॥ 58.119 ॥
lalāmabhūto laṅkāyā mayā vidhvaṃsito ruṣā| tataḥ prahastasya sutaṃ jambumālinamādiśat || 58.119 ||
— I, in my fury, destroyed that ornament of Lanka. Then Ravana sent forth Jambumali, the son of Prahasta,
Shloka 120 (sundara.58.120)
राक्षसैर्बहुभिः सार्धं घोररूपैर्भयानकैः। तमहं बलसम्पन्नं राक्षसं रणकोविदम् ॥ 58.120 ॥
rākṣasairbahubhiḥ sārdhaṃ ghorarūpairbhayānakaiḥ| tamahaṃ balasampannaṃ rākṣasaṃ raṇakovidam || 58.120 ||
— together with many demons of dreadful, terrifying form. That demon, though endowed with strength and skilled in battle,
Shloka 121 (sundara.58.121)
परिघेणातिघोरेण सूदयामि सहानुगम्। तच्छ्रुत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रस्तु मन्त्रिपुत्रान् महाबलान् ॥ 58.121 ॥
parigheṇātighoreṇa sūdayāmi sahānugam| tacchrutvā rākṣasendrastu mantriputrān mahābalān || 58.121 ||
— I slew, along with his followers, with a most terrible iron bar. Hearing this, the lord of demons then sent forth the mighty sons of his ministers,
Shloka 122 (sundara.58.122)
पदातिबलसम्पन्नान् प्रेषयामास रावणः। परिघेणैव तान् सर्वान् नयामि यमसादनम् ॥ 58.122 ॥
padātibalasampannān preṣayāmāsa rāvaṇaḥ| parigheṇaiva tān sarvān nayāmi yamasādanam || 58.122 ||
— equipped with infantry forces. And all of them too I dispatched, with that very iron bar, to the abode of Yama.
Shloka 123 (sundara.58.123)
मन्त्रिपुत्रान् हतान् श्रुत्वा समरे लघुविक्रमान्। पञ्च सेनाग्रगान् शूरान् प्रेषयामास रावणः ॥ 58.123 ॥
mantriputrān hatān śrutvā samare laghuvikramān| pañca senāgragān śūrān preṣayāmāsa rāvaṇaḥ || 58.123 ||
Hearing that the ministers' sons, so swift in valor, had been slain in battle, Ravana sent forth five valiant generals of his army.
Shloka 124 (sundara.58.124)
तानहं सहसैन्यान् वै सर्वानेवाभ्यसूदयम्। ततः पुनर्दशग्रीवः पुत्रमक्षं महाबलम् ॥ 58.124 ॥
tānahaṃ sahasainyān vai sarvānevābhyasūdayam| tataḥ punardaśagrīvaḥ putramakṣaṃ mahābalam || 58.124 ||
All of them too, together with their forces, I slew entirely. Then the ten-necked one again sent forth his mighty son Aksha,
Shloka 125 (sundara.58.125)
बहुभी राक्षसैः सार्धं प्रेषयामास संयुगे। तं तु मन्दोदरीपुत्रं कुमारं रणपण्डितम् ॥ 58.125 ॥
bahubhī rākṣasaiḥ sārdhaṃ preṣayāmāsa saṃyuge| taṃ tu mandodarīputraṃ kumāraṃ raṇapaṇḍitam || 58.125 ||
— together with many demons, sent into battle. That prince, Mandodari's son, skilled in warfare —
Shloka 126 (sundara.58.126)
सहसा खं समुद्यन्तं पादयोश्च गृहीतवान्। तमासीनं शतगुणं भ्रामयित्वा व्यपेषयम् ॥ 58.126 ॥
sahasā khaṃ samudyantaṃ pādayośca gṛhītavān| tamāsīnaṃ śataguṇaṃ bhrāmayitvā vyapeṣayam || 58.126 ||
— as he sprang up suddenly into the sky, I seized by the feet; and, whirling him round a hundred times, I dashed him to pieces.
Shloka 127 (sundara.58.127)
तमक्षमागतं भग्नं निशम्य स दशाननः। ततश्चेन्द्रजितं नाम द्वितीयं रावणः सुतम् ॥ 58.127 ॥
tamakṣamāgataṃ bhagnaṃ niśamya sa daśānanaḥ| tataścendrajitaṃ nāma dvitīyaṃ rāvaṇaḥ sutam || 58.127 ||
Hearing that Aksha had thus been slain, that ten-faced one then sent forth his second son, named Indrajit,
Shloka 128 (sundara.58.128)
व्यादिदेश सुसंक्रुद्धो बलिनं युद्धदुर्मदम्। तच्चाप्यहं बलं सर्वं तं च राक्षसपुङ्गवम् ॥ 58.128 ॥
vyādideśa susaṃkruddho balinaṃ yuddhadurmadam| taccāpyahaṃ balaṃ sarvaṃ taṃ ca rākṣasapuṅgavam || 58.128 ||
— that mighty one, arrogant in battle; in great fury he commanded him forth. And I, that entire army, and that foremost of demons too,
Shloka 129 (sundara.58.129)
नष्टौजसं रणे कृत्वा परं हर्षमुपागतः। महतापि महाबाहुः प्रत्ययेन महाबलः ॥ 58.129 ॥
naṣṭaujasaṃ raṇe kṛtvā paraṃ harṣamupāgataḥ| mahatāpi mahābāhuḥ pratyayena mahābalaḥ || 58.129 ||
— having stripped of vigor in battle, I felt the greatest joy. Yet he, mighty-armed and mighty in strength, with great confidence —
Shloka 130 (sundara.58.130)
प्रहितो रावणेनैष सह वीरैर्मदोद्धतैः। सोऽविषह्यं हि मां बुद्ध्वा स्वसैन्यं चावमर्दितम् ॥ 58.130 ॥
prahito rāvaṇenaiṣa saha vīrairmadoddhataiḥ| so'viṣahyaṃ hi māṃ buddhvā svasainyaṃ cāvamarditam || 58.130 ||
— sent by Ravana, along with heroes intoxicated with pride — he, knowing me to be unassailable and his own army crushed,
Shloka 131 (sundara.58.131)
ब्रह्मणोऽस्त्रेण स तु मां प्रबद्ध्वा चातिवेगिनः। रज्जुभिश्चापि बध्नन्ति ततो मां तत्र राक्षसाः ॥ 58.131 ॥
brahmaṇo'streṇa sa tu māṃ prabaddhvā cātiveginaḥ| rajjubhiścāpi badhnanti tato māṃ tatra rākṣasāḥ || 58.131 ||
— bound me with the weapon of Brahma. And then those swift demons bound me further with ropes as well.
Shloka 132 (sundara.58.132)
रावणस्य समीपं च गृहीत्वा मामुपागमन्। दृष्ट्वा सम्भाषितश्चाहं रावणेन दुरात्मना ॥ 58.132 ॥
rāvaṇasya samīpaṃ ca gṛhītvā māmupāgaman| dṛṣṭvā sambhāṣitaścāhaṃ rāvaṇena durātmanā || 58.132 ||
Then, having seized me, they brought me into Ravana's presence. Seeing me, that evil-minded Ravana addressed me,
Shloka 133 (sundara.58.133)
पृष्टश्च लङ्कागमनं राक्षसानां च तं वधम्। तत्सर्वं च रणे तत्र सीतार्थमुपजल्पितम् ॥ 58.133 ॥
pṛṣṭaśca laṅkāgamanaṃ rākṣasānāṃ ca taṃ vadham| tatsarvaṃ ca raṇe tatra sītārthamupajalpitam || 58.133 ||
— and questioned me about my coming to Lanka, and about the slaying of the demons. All of this, in that assembly, I explained as being for Sita's sake.
Shloka 134 (sundara.58.134)
तस्यास्तु दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी प्राप्तस्त्वद्भवनं विभो। मारुतस्यौरसः पुत्रो वानरो हनुमानहम् ॥ 58.134 ॥
tasyāstu darśanākāṅkṣī prāptastvadbhavanaṃ vibho| mārutasyaurasaḥ putro vānaro hanumānaham || 58.134 ||
"'Longing to see her, O lord, I came to your palace. I am the monkey Hanuman, the true son of the Wind-god.
Shloka 135 (sundara.58.135)
रामदूतं च मां विद्धि सुग्रीवसचिवं कपिम्। सोऽहं दौत्येन रामस्य त्वत्सकाशमिहागतः ॥ 58.135 ॥
rāmadūtaṃ ca māṃ viddhi sugrīvasacivaṃ kapim| so'haṃ dautyena rāmasya tvatsakāśamihāgataḥ || 58.135 ||
"'Know me as Rama's envoy, a minister-monkey of Sugriva. I have come here, on Rama's embassy, into your presence.'
Shloka 136 (sundara.58.136)
शृणु चापि समादेशं यदहं प्रब्रवीमि ते। राक्षसेश हरीशस्त्वां वाक्यमाह समाहितम् ॥ 58.136 ॥
śṛṇu cāpi samādeśaṃ yadahaṃ prabravīmi te| rākṣaseśa harīśastvāṃ vākyamāha samāhitam || 58.136 ||
"'And hear also the message that I now deliver to you: O lord of demons, the lord of monkeys sends you this composed word:
Shloka 137 (sundara.58.137)
सुग्रीवश्च महाभागः स त्वां कौशलमब्रवीत्। धर्मार्थकामसहितं हितं पथ्यमुवाच ह ॥ 58.137 ॥
sugrīvaśca mahābhāgaḥ sa tvāṃ kauśalamabravīt| dharmārthakāmasahitaṃ hitaṃ pathyamuvāca ha || 58.137 ||
"'—Sugriva, the illustrious, wishes you well, and speaks a word that is beneficial and wholesome, in accord with dharma, artha, and kama:
Shloka 138 (sundara.58.138)
वसतो ऋष्यमूके मे पर्वते विपुलद्रुमे। राघवो रणविक्रान्तो मित्रत्वं समुपागतः ॥ 58.138 ॥
vasato ṛṣyamūke me parvate vipuladrume| rāghavo raṇavikrānto mitratvaṃ samupāgataḥ || 58.138 ||
"'—While I was dwelling on Mount Rishyamuka, thick with trees, Raghava, mighty in battle, came to me as a friend.
Shloka 139 (sundara.58.139)
तेन मे कथितं राजन् भार्या मे रक्षसा हृता। तत्र साहाय्यहेतोर्मे समयं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ 58.139 ॥
tena me kathitaṃ rājan bhāryā me rakṣasā hṛtā| tatra sāhāyyahetorme samayaṃ kartumarhasi || 58.139 ||
"'By him it was told to me, O king: "My wife has been carried off by a demon. You should make a compact with me, to help me in this matter."
Shloka 140 (sundara.58.140)
वालिना हृतराज्येन सुग्रीवेण सह प्रभुः। चक्रेऽग्निसाक्षिकं सख्यं राघवः सहलक्ष्मणः ॥ 58.140 ॥
vālinā hṛtarājyena sugrīveṇa saha prabhuḥ| cakre'gnisākṣikaṃ sakhyaṃ rāghavaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ || 58.140 ||
"'—and Raghava, together with Lakshmana, made friendship, with fire as witness, with Sugriva, whose kingdom Vali had seized.
Shloka 141 (sundara.58.141)
तेन वालिनमाहत्य शरेणैकेन संयुगे। वानराणां महाराजः कृतः सम्प्लवतां प्रभुः ॥ 58.141 ॥
tena vālinamāhatya śareṇaikena saṃyuge| vānarāṇāṃ mahārājaḥ kṛtaḥ samplavatāṃ prabhuḥ || 58.141 ||
"'By him, Vali was slain in combat with a single arrow, and Sugriva was made the great king, the lord of the leaping tribe of monkeys.
Shloka 142 (sundara.58.142)
तस्य साहाय्यमस्माभिः कार्यं सर्वात्मना त्विह। तेन प्रस्थापितस्तुभ्यं समीपमिह धर्मतः ॥ 58.142 ॥
tasya sāhāyyamasmābhiḥ kāryaṃ sarvātmanā tviha| tena prasthāpitastubhyaṃ samīpamiha dharmataḥ || 58.142 ||
"'To him, we must render aid here with our whole being. It is by him that I have been rightly sent to you here, with this message:
Shloka 143 (sundara.58.143)
क्षिप्रमानीयतां सीता दीयतां राघवस्य च। यावन्न हरयो वीरा विधमन्ति बलं तव ॥ 58.143 ॥
kṣipramānīyatāṃ sītā dīyatāṃ rāghavasya ca| yāvanna harayo vīrā vidhamanti balaṃ tava || 58.143 ||
"'"Let Sita be brought forth swiftly and restored to Raghava, before the heroic monkeys destroy your entire army."
Shloka 144 (sundara.58.144)
वानराणां प्रभावोऽयं न केन विदितः पुरा। देवतानां सकाशं च ये गच्छन्ति निमन्त्रिताः ॥ 58.144 ॥
vānarāṇāṃ prabhāvo'yaṃ na kena viditaḥ purā| devatānāṃ sakāśaṃ ca ye gacchanti nimantritāḥ || 58.144 ||
"'"To whom, indeed, is this power of the monkeys not already known — monkeys who go even into the presence of the gods, when invited?"'
Shloka 145 (sundara.58.145)
इति वानरराजस्त्वामाहेत्यभिहितो मया। मामैक्षत ततो रुष्टश्चक्षुषा प्रदहन्निव ॥ 58.145 ॥
iti vānararājastvāmāhetyabhihito mayā| māmaikṣata tato ruṣṭaścakṣuṣā pradahanniva || 58.145 ||
"'Thus the king of monkeys speaks to you'" — having said this, I was then looked upon by him, enraged, as if he would burn me with his eyes.
Shloka 146 (sundara.58.146)
तेन वध्योऽहमाज्ञप्तो रक्षसा रौद्रकर्मणा। मत्प्रभावमविज्ञाय रावणेन दुरात्मना ॥ 58.146 ॥
tena vadhyo'hamājñapto rakṣasā raudrakarmaṇā| matprabhāvamavijñāya rāvaṇena durātmanā || 58.146 ||
By that demon of terrible deeds, my death was ordered — by that evil-minded Ravana, not knowing my true power.
Shloka 147 (sundara.58.147)
ततो विभीषणो नाम तस्य भ्राता महामतिः। तेन राक्षसराजश्च याचितो मम कारणात् ॥ 58.147 ॥
tato vibhīṣaṇo nāma tasya bhrātā mahāmatiḥ| tena rākṣasarājaśca yācito mama kāraṇāt || 58.147 ||
Then his brother, called Vibhishana, a man of great wisdom, entreated that king of demons on my behalf:
Shloka 148 (sundara.58.148)
नैवं राक्षसशार्दूल त्यज्यतामेष निश्चयः। राजशास्त्रव्यपेतो हि मार्गः संलक्ष्यते त्वया ॥ 58.148 ॥
naivaṃ rākṣasaśārdūla tyajyatāmeṣa niścayaḥ| rājaśāstravyapeto hi mārgaḥ saṃlakṣyate tvayā || 58.148 ||
"'O tiger among demons, this must not be so; let this resolve be abandoned. For the course you are following is seen to depart from the science of statecraft.
Shloka 149 (sundara.58.149)
दूतवध्या न दृष्टा हि राजशास्त्रेषु राक्षस। दूतेन वेदितव्यं च यथाभिहितवादिना ॥ 58.149 ॥
dūtavadhyā na dṛṣṭā hi rājaśāstreṣu rākṣasa| dūtena veditavyaṃ ca yathābhihitavādinā || 58.149 ||
"'The killing of an envoy, O demon, is nowhere sanctioned in the treatises of statecraft; and one should learn from an envoy who speaks as he has been instructed,
Shloka 150 (sundara.58.150)
सुमहत्यपराधेऽपि दूतस्यातुलविक्रम। विरूपकरणं दृष्टं न वधोऽस्ति हि शास्त्रतः ॥ 58.150 ॥
sumahatyaparādhe'pi dūtasyātulavikrama| virūpakaraṇaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ na vadho'sti hi śāstrataḥ || 58.150 ||
"'—even for a very grave offense, O incomparably valiant one; only disfigurement is prescribed for an envoy, never death, according to the treatises.'"
Shloka 151 (sundara.58.151)
विभीषणेनैवमुक्तो रावणः संदिदेश तान्। राक्षसानेतदेवाद्य लाङ्गूलं दह्यतामिति ॥ 58.151 ॥
vibhīṣaṇenaivamukto rāvaṇaḥ saṃdideśa tān| rākṣasānetadevādya lāṅgūlaṃ dahyatāmiti || 58.151 ||
Thus addressed by Vibhishana, Ravana instructed those demons: "Instead, let his tail be set on fire this very day."
Shloka 152 (sundara.58.152)
ततस्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा मम पुच्छं समन्ततः। वेष्टितं शणवल्कैश्च पट्टैः कार्पासकैस्तथा ॥ 58.152 ॥
tatastasya vacaḥ śrutvā mama pucchaṃ samantataḥ| veṣṭitaṃ śaṇavalkaiśca paṭṭaiḥ kārpāsakaistathā || 58.152 ||
Then, hearing his words, they wrapped my tail all around with hempen fiber, cloth strips, and cotton wadding.
Shloka 153 (sundara.58.153)
राक्षसाः सिद्धसंनाहास्ततस्ते चण्डविक्रमाः। तदादीप्यन्त मे पुच्छं हनन्तः काष्ठमुष्टिभिः ॥ 58.153 ॥
rākṣasāḥ siddhasaṃnāhāstataste caṇḍavikramāḥ| tadādīpyanta me pucchaṃ hanantaḥ kāṣṭhamuṣṭibhiḥ || 58.153 ||
Then those demons of fierce valor, armed and ready, set my tail ablaze, striking me the while with sticks and fists.
Shloka 154 (sundara.58.154)
बद्धस्य बहुभिः पाशैर्यन्त्रितस्य च राक्षसैः। न मे पीडाभवत् काचिद् दिदृक्षोर्नगरीं दिवा ॥ 58.154 ॥
baddhasya bahubhiḥ pāśairyantritasya ca rākṣasaiḥ| na me pīḍābhavat kācid didṛkṣornagarīṃ divā || 58.154 ||
Bound with many ropes and fettered by the demons, I felt no pain at all, eager as I was to see the city by daylight.
Shloka 155 (sundara.58.155)
ततस्ते राक्षसाः शूरा बद्धं मामग्निसंवृतम्। अघोषयन् राजमार्गे नगरद्वारमागताः ॥ 58.155 ॥
tataste rākṣasāḥ śūrā baddhaṃ māmagnisaṃvṛtam| aghoṣayan rājamārge nagaradvāramāgatāḥ || 58.155 ||
Then those valiant demons, having reached the city gate, proclaimed me abroad in the royal highway, bound as I was and wrapped in flames.
Shloka 156 (sundara.58.156)
ततोऽहं सुमहद्रूपं संक्षिप्य पुनरात्मनः। विमोचयित्वा तं बन्धं प्रकृतिस्थः स्थितः पुनः ॥ 58.156 ॥
tato'haṃ sumahadrūpaṃ saṃkṣipya punarātmanaḥ| vimocayitvā taṃ bandhaṃ prakṛtisthaḥ sthitaḥ punaḥ || 58.156 ||
Then I again contracted my own vast form, freed myself from those bonds, and stood once more in my natural shape.
Shloka 157 (sundara.58.157)
आयसं परिघं गृह्य तानि रक्षांस्यसूदयम्। ततस्तन्नगरद्वारं वेगेन प्लुतवानहम् ॥ 58.157 ॥
āyasaṃ parighaṃ gṛhya tāni rakṣāṃsyasūdayam| tatastannagaradvāraṃ vegena plutavānaham || 58.157 ||
Seizing an iron bar, I slew those demons; then, with a bound, I sprang swiftly to that city gate.
Shloka 158 (sundara.58.158)
पुच्छेन च प्रदीप्तेन तां पुरीं साट्टगोपुराम्। दहाम्यहमसम्भ्रान्तो युगान्ताग्निरिव प्रजाः ॥ 58.158 ॥
pucchena ca pradīptena tāṃ purīṃ sāṭṭagopurām| dahāmyahamasambhrānto yugāntāgniriva prajāḥ || 58.158 ||
And with my blazing tail I set fire to that city, with its watchtowers and gate-towers, undismayed, as the fire at the end of an age burns all creatures.
Shloka 159 (sundara.58.159)
विनष्टा जानकी व्यक्तं न ह्यदग्धः प्रदृश्यते। लङ्कायाः कश्चिदुद्देशः सर्वा भस्मीकृता पुरी ॥ 58.159 ॥
vinaṣṭā jānakī vyaktaṃ na hyadagdhaḥ pradṛśyate| laṅkāyāḥ kaściduddeśaḥ sarvā bhasmīkṛtā purī || 58.159 ||
"'Surely Janaki has perished — for no spot of Lanka is to be seen unburnt; the whole city has been reduced to ashes'" —
Shloka 160 (sundara.58.160)
दहता च मया लङ्कां दग्धा सीता न संशयः। रामस्य च महत्कार्यं मयेदं विफलीकृतम् ॥ 58.160 ॥
dahatā ca mayā laṅkāṃ dagdhā sītā na saṃśayaḥ| rāmasya ca mahatkāryaṃ mayedaṃ viphalīkṛtam || 58.160 ||
— thinking thus, while burning Lanka, I feared: "Sita too has undoubtedly been burnt, and I have brought this great mission of Rama's to ruin."
Shloka 161 (sundara.58.161)
इति शोकसमाविष्टश्चिन्तामहमुपागतः। ततोऽहं वाचमश्रौषं चारणानां शुभाक्षराम् ॥ 58.161 ॥
iti śokasamāviṣṭaścintāmahamupāgataḥ| tato'haṃ vācamaśrauṣaṃ cāraṇānāṃ śubhākṣarām || 58.161 ||
Thus overcome with grief, I fell into anxious thought. Then I heard the auspicious-worded voices of the wandering charana-sages,
Shloka 162 (sundara.58.162)
जानकी न च दग्धेति विस्मयोदन्तभाषिणाम्। ततो मे बुद्धिरुत्पन्ना श्रुत्वा तामद्भुतां गिरम् ॥ 58.162 ॥
jānakī na ca dagdheti vismayodantabhāṣiṇām| tato me buddhirutpannā śrutvā tāmadbhutāṃ giram || 58.162 ||
— speaking of this wonder, that "Janaki has not been burnt." Then, hearing that astonishing utterance, this thought arose in me:
Shloka 163 (sundara.58.163)
अदग्धा जानकीत्येव निमित्तैश्चोपलक्षितम्। दीप्यमाने तु लाङ्गूले न मां दहति पावकः ॥ 58.163 ॥
adagdhā jānakītyeva nimittaiścopalakṣitam| dīpyamāne tu lāṅgūle na māṃ dahati pāvakaḥ || 58.163 ||
"Janaki is indeed unburnt" — this was also confirmed by omens: though my tail was ablaze, the fire did not burn me;
Shloka 164 (sundara.58.164)
हृदयं च प्रहृष्टं मे वाताः सुरभिगन्धिनः। तैर्निमित्तैश्च दृष्टार्थैः कारणैश्च महागुणैः ॥ 58.164 ॥
hṛdayaṃ ca prahṛṣṭaṃ me vātāḥ surabhigandhinaḥ| tairnimittaiśca dṛṣṭārthaiḥ kāraṇaiśca mahāguṇaiḥ || 58.164 ||
— my heart was full of joy, and the winds blew fragrant. By these omens, whose meaning was plain, and by these highly auspicious signs,
Shloka 165 (sundara.58.165)
ऋषिवाक्यैश्च दृष्टार्थैरभवं हृष्टमानसः। पुनर्दृष्टा च वैदेही विसृष्टश्च तया पुनः ॥ 58.165 ॥
ṛṣivākyaiśca dṛṣṭārthairabhavaṃ hṛṣṭamānasaḥ| punardṛṣṭā ca vaidehī visṛṣṭaśca tayā punaḥ || 58.165 ||
— and by the words of the sages, whose sense was clear, my mind became joyful. I saw Vaidehi once again, and was again given leave by her,
Shloka 166 (sundara.58.166)
ततः पर्वतमासाद्य तत्रारिष्टमहं पुनः। प्रतिप्लवनमारेभे युष्मद्दर्शनकाङ्क्षया ॥ 58.166 ॥
tataḥ parvatamāsādya tatrāriṣṭamahaṃ punaḥ| pratiplavanamārebhe yuṣmaddarśanakāṅkṣayā || 58.166 ||
— and then, reaching that mountain Arishta once more, I began my leap back, longing to see you all.
Shloka 167 (sundara.58.167)
ततः श्वसनचन्द्रार्कसिद्धगन्धर्वसेवितम्। पन्थानमहमाक्रम्य भवतो दृष्टवानिह ॥ 58.167 ॥
tataḥ śvasanacandrārkasiddhagandharvasevitam| panthānamahamākramya bhavato dṛṣṭavāniha || 58.167 ||
Then, traversing that path frequented by the wind, the moon, the sun, the Siddhas, and the Gandharvas, I have now seen you all here.
Shloka 168 (sundara.58.168)
राघवस्य प्रसादेन भवतां चैव तेजसा। सुग्रीवस्य च कार्यार्थं मया सर्वमनुष्ठितम् ॥ 58.168 ॥
rāghavasya prasādena bhavatāṃ caiva tejasā| sugrīvasya ca kāryārthaṃ mayā sarvamanuṣṭhitam || 58.168 ||
By Raghava's grace, and by your own power as well, I have accomplished everything for the sake of Sugriva's purpose.
Shloka 169 (sundara.58.169)
एतत् सर्वं मया तत्र यथावदुपपादितम्। तत्र यन्न कृतं शेषं तत् सर्वं क्रियतामिति ॥ 58.169 ॥
etat sarvaṃ mayā tatra yathāvadupapāditam| tatra yanna kṛtaṃ śeṣaṃ tat sarvaṃ kriyatāmiti || 58.169 ||
All this have I duly accomplished there. Whatever remains yet undone in this matter, let that now be done.