Chapter 66

Kishkindha Kanda - The Empire of Holy Monkeys

VERSE 1

अनेक शत साहस्रीम् विषण्णाम् हरि वाहिनीम्
जांबवान् समुदीक्ष्य एवम् हनुमंतम् अथ अब्रवीत्

aneka śata sāhasrīm viṣaṇṇām hari vāhinīm
jāṃbavān samudīkṣya evam hanumaṃtam atha abravīt

SYNONYMS

jāmbavān: Jambavanta | viṣaṇṇām: crestfallen | aneka śata sāhasrīm: many, hundreds, thousands [soldiers] having | hari vāhinīm: monkey, soldiery | samudīkṣya: on overseeing | atha: then | hanumantam evam abravīt: to Hanuma, this way, said. |

TRANSLATION

On overseeing the crestfallen monkey-soldiery, which is with many hundreds and thousands of soldiers, then Jambavanta sad this way to Hanuma. [4-66-1]

VERSE 2

वीर वानर लोकस्य सर्व शास्त्र विदाम् वर
तूष्णीम् एकांतम् आश्रित्य हनुमन् किम् न जल्पसि

vīra vānara lokasya sarva śāstra vidām vara
tūṣṇīm ekāṃtam āśritya hanuman kim na jalpasi

SYNONYMS

vānara lokasya: of vanara, world | vīra: oh, valiant one | sarva śāstra vidām vara: in all, scriptures, among scholars, eminent one | hanuman: oh, Hanuma | tūṣṇīm ekāntam āśritya: calmly, loneliness, resorting to | kim na jalpasi: why, not, mumble [something.] |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, valiant one in the world of vanara-s, being an erudite scholar among all the scriptural scholars, Hanuma, why do not you mumble something, why do you resort to a calmly loneliness... [4-66-2]

VERSE 3

हनुमन् हरि राजस्य सुग्रीवस्य समो हि असि
राम लक्ष्मणयोः च अपि तेजसा च बलेन च

hanuman hari rājasya sugrīvasya samo hi asi
rāma lakṣmaṇayoḥ ca api tejasā ca balena ca

SYNONYMS

hanuman: oh, Hanuma | tejasā ca balena ca: by brilliance, also, by brawn, as well | hari rājasya sugrīvasya: monkey's, king, Sugreeva's | rāma lakṣmaṇayoḥ ca api: to Rama, Lakshmana, also, even to | samaḥ asi hi: you match up to, you are, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"By your brilliance and brawn, oh, Hanuma, you match up to king of monkeys Sugreeva, or even to Rama and Lakshmana, as well... [4-66-3]

VERSE 4

अरिष्टनेमिनः पुत्रो वैनतेयो महाबलः
गरुत्मान् इव विख्यात उत्तमः सर्व पक्षिणाम्

ariṣṭaneminaḥ putro vainateyo mahābalaḥ
garutmān iva vikhyāta uttamaḥ sarva pakṣiṇām

SYNONYMS

ariṣṭaneminaḥ putraḥ: Aristanemi, [another name of Kashyapa Prajapati,] son of | sarva pakṣiṇām uttamaḥ: among all, birds, best bird | vainateyaḥ: son of Lady Vinata | mahābalaḥ: superbly mighty one | garutmān iva [iti] vi khyāta = ġaruda, thus, universally, renovned as: such a bird is there. |

TRANSLATION

"The son of Kashyapa Prajapati and Lady Vinata is the best bird among all the birds who is superbly mighty and who is universally renowned as Garuda... [4-66-4]

VERSE 5

बहुशो हि मया दृष्टः सागरे स महाबलः
भुजगान् उद्धरन् पक्षी महावेगो महायशाः

bahuśo hi mayā dṛṣṭaḥ sāgare sa mahābalaḥ
bhujagān uddharan pakṣī mahāvego mahāyaśāḥ

SYNONYMS

mahā balaḥ: he, great mighty | mahā vegaḥ: rapidly, speedy | mahā yaśāḥ: highly, glorious | saḥ pakṣī: that, bird | sāgare: from ocean | bhujagān uddharan: reptiles, on upheaving | mayā bahuśaḥ dṛṣṭaḥ hi: by me, oftentimes, is seen, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"Iindeed, I have oftentimes seen that highly glorious, rapidly speedy, great mighty bird Garuda, pecking up reptiles from ocean... [4-66-5]

VERSE 6

पक्षयोः यत् बलम् तस्य तावत् भुज बलम् तव
विक्रमः च अपि वेगः च न ते तेन अपहीयते

pakṣayoḥ yat balam tasya tāvat bhuja balam tava
vikramaḥ ca api vegaḥ ca na te tena apahīyate

SYNONYMS

tasya pakṣayoḥ yat balam = his, of vings, vhic, might: is there | tava bhuja balam tāvat: your, arms, strength of, is that much | te vikramaḥ ca api: by your, daring, also, even | vegaḥ ca: dash, too | tena: by him [his dash and dare] | na apahīyate: underwhelmed [unreprovable.] |

TRANSLATION

"Whatever is the strength of his wings, that much is the strength of you arms, and even by the yardsticks of his dash and dare, yours too, are unreprovable... [4-66-6]

VERSE 7

बलम् बुद्धिः च तेजः च सत्त्वम् च हरि सत्तम
विशिष्टम् सर्व भूतेषु किम् आत्मानम् न सज्जसे

balam buddhiḥ ca tejaḥ ca sattvam ca hari sattama
viśiṣṭam sarva bhūteṣu kim ātmānam na sajjase

SYNONYMS

hari sattama: oh, monkey, forthright one | balam buddhiḥ ca tejaḥ ca sattvam ca: [your] force, faculty, also, flair, also, fortitude, also | sarva bhūteṣu: among all, beings | viśiṣṭam: is finest | ātmānam kim na sajjase: yourself, why, not, readying [yourself.] |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, forthright monkey, you are the finest among all beings by the dint of your force, faculty, flair, and fortitude... why then is your unreadiness in this task of leaping ocean... [4-66-7]

VERSE 8

अप्सर अप्सरसाम् श्रेष्ठा विख्याता पुंजिकस्थला
अंजना इति परिख्याता पत्नी केसरिणो हरेः

apsara apsarasām śreṣṭhā vikhyātā puṃjikasthalā
aṃjanā iti parikhyātā patnī kesariṇo hareḥ

SYNONYMS

punjikasthalā: Punjikasthala | apsarasām śreṣṭhā: among apsara-s, nicest one | vikhyātā: renowned one | anjanā iti pari khyātā = [yclept] ānjana, thus, made, knovn: known as | apsara: such apsara | hareḥ kesariṇaḥ patnī: of a monkey, of Kesari, wife of. |

TRANSLATION

"Punjikasthala yclept Anjana is the nicest apsara among all apsara-s and she is the wife of Kesari, the monkey... [4-66-8]

VERSE 9

विख्याता त्रिषु लोकेषु रूपेणा अप्रतिमा भुवि
अभिशापात् अभूत् तात कपित्वे काम रूपिणी

vikhyātā triṣu lokeṣu rūpeṇā apratimā bhuvi
abhiśāpāt abhūt tāta kapitve kāma rūpiṇī

SYNONYMS

tāta: dear boy | rūpeṇā a pratimā = by mien, [śe] not, paralleled: as an unparalleled apsara | triṣu lokeṣu vikhyātā: in three, worlds, she is distinguished | abhiśāpāt: by a curse | bhuvi: on earth | kāma rūpiṇī: by wish, form changer | kapitve: with monkey-hood | abhūt: she became [took rebirth.] |

TRANSLATION

"She who is distinguished for her unparalleled mien in the three worlds, oh, dear boy Hanuma, had to take a rebirth on earth as a monkey who can change her form by her wish, owing to a curse... [4-66-9]

VERSE 10

दुहिता वानर इन्द्रस्य कुंजरस्य महात्मनः
मानुषम् विग्रहम् कृत्वा रूप यौवन शालिनी

duhitā vānara indrasya kuṃjarasya mahātmanaḥ
mānuṣam vigraham kṛtvā rūpa yauvana śālinī

SYNONYMS

, 11| vānara indrasya: of monkey, chief's | mahātmanaḥ: great souled one | kunjarasya: of Kunjara | duhitā [ābhūtā]: daughter, [on taking birth] | rūpa yauvana śālinī: form [rarity of beauty], nubility, when shining forth with them | kadācit: at one time | mānuṣam vigraham kṛtvā: human, physique, on assuming | vicitra mālya ābharaṇā: amazing, garlands, decorations having | kśauma dhāriṇī: silken-clothes, dressed in | prāvṛḍ ambuda sannibhe: rainy season's, black-cloud, similar in shine | [adhyadhāra / elliptic: vidyut iva: streak of lightning, like] parvatasya agre = mountain, on top | acarat: she ambled. |

TRANSLATION

"She who took birth as the daughter of great souled monkey chief Kunjara, on assuming a human physique, putting on caparisons of amazing garlands, dressed in silken clothing, and shining forth with rarity of her beauty and nubility, at one time ambled on the top of a mountain like a streak of lightning athwart a black-cloud of rainy season. [4-66-10, 11]

VERSE 11

तस्या वस्त्रम् विशालाक्ष्याः पीतम् रक्त दशम् शुभम्
स्थितायाः पर्वतस्य अग्रे मारुतो अपहरत् शनैः

tasyā vastram viśālākṣyāḥ pītam rakta daśam śubham
sthitāyāḥ parvatasya agre māruto apaharat śanaiḥ

SYNONYMS

parvatasya agre sthitāyāḥ: on mountain's, top, when she is staying [strolling] | viśāla akṣyāḥ: of broad, eyed one | tasyāḥ: hers | pītam rakta daśam śubham vastram: ochry, with red, having such rouches, auspicious, [silky] apparel | mārutaḥ śanaiḥ apaharat: Air-god, slowly, stolen [air-flown, lifted up.] |

TRANSLATION

"When she is strolling on the mountaintop Air-god has slowly lifted up that broad-eyed lady's auspicious and ochry silk apparel with red rouches... [4-66-12]

VERSE 12

स ददर्श ततः तस्या वृत्तौ ऊरू सुसंहतौ
स्तनौ च पीनौ सहितौ सुजातम् चारु च आननम्

sa dadarśa tataḥ tasyā vṛttau ūrū susaṃhatau
stanau ca pīnau sahitau sujātam cāru ca ānanam

SYNONYMS

tataḥ saḥ: then, he that Air-god | tasyā: of her | vṛttau: roundish | su sam hatau: well, twinned, thickset | ūrū: thighs | pīnau sahitau stanau: plumpish, paired off, breasts | su jātam: well, proportioned [becomingly build] | cāru ānanam ca: beautiful, face, also | dadarśa: he beheld. |

TRANSLATION

"Then the Air-god beheld her well-twinned, thickset, roundish thighs, and even the paired off plumpish breasts, and her beautiful face which is well proportioned in its build... [4-66-13]

VERSE 13

ताम् बलात् आयत श्रोणीम् तनु मध्याम् यशस्विनीम्
दृष्ट्वा एव शुभ सर्वान्गीम् पवनः काम मोहितः

tām balāt āyata śroṇīm tanu madhyām yaśasvinīm
dṛṣṭvā eva śubha sarvāngīm pavanaḥ kāma mohitaḥ

SYNONYMS

balāt [viśāla] āyata śroṇīm = one vith: fatly [broad,] ample, pelvic girdle | tanu madhyām: body, medium [slender-waisted] | yaśasvinīm: gorgeous one | śubha sarva angīm: pristine, by all, her limbs | tām: her | dṛṣṭvā eva: catching sight of, just on | pavanaḥ: Air-god | kāma mohitaḥ: by enamour, enamoured. |

TRANSLATION

"Just on catching the sight of that gorgeous one, whose pelvic-girdle is fat and ample and who is slender-waisted, and who by all her limbs is pristine, the Air-god is enamoured... [4-66-14]

VERSE 14

स ताम् भुजाभ्याम् दीर्घाभ्याम् पर्यष्वजत मारुतः
मन्मथ आविष्ट सर्वान्गो गत आत्मा ताम् अनिन्दिताम्

sa tām bhujābhyām dīrghābhyām paryaṣvajata mārutaḥ
manmatha āviṣṭa sarvāngo gata ātmā tām aninditām

SYNONYMS

a ninditām: not, blameable [immaculate lady | tām: her | gata ātmā = he vho: lost, his heart | saḥ mārutaḥ: he, that Air-god | manmatha āviṣṭa sarva angaḥ: by Love-god, ensorcelled by, in all, limbs | dīrghābhyām bhujābhyām: with long, arms | paryaṣvajata: embraced. |

TRANSLATION

"He that Air-god who is ensorcelled by Love-god in all of his limbs, though he is limbless and existing in thin air, embraced that immaculate lady with both of his far-flung arms, as he lost his heart for her... [4-66-15]

VERSE 15

सा तु तत्र एव संभ्रांता सुवृत्ता वाक्यम् अब्रवीत्
एक पत्नी व्रतम् इदम् को नाशयितुम् इच्छति

sā tu tatra eva saṃbhrāṃtā suvṛttā vākyam abravīt
eka patnī vratam idam ko nāśayitum icchati

SYNONYMS

tatra: therein [the matter of invisible hugging] | eva sambhrāntā: just, perplexed | su vṛttā: of good, principles [conscientious lady] | sā tu: she, on her part | vākyam abravīt: sentence, said | idam eka patnī vratam = this, single, vifehūd, vov: one-man-one-wife principle of mine | kaḥ nāśayitum icchati: who, to despoil, wishes to. |

TRANSLATION

"But she that conscientious lady perplexedly said this sentence in that matter of invisible hugging, 'who wishes to despoil my vow of one-man-one-wife...' [4-66-16]

VERSE 16

अंजनाया वचः श्रुत्वा मारुतः प्रत्यभाषत
न त्वाम् हिंसामि सुश्रोणि मा भूत् ते मनसोइ भयम्

aṃjanāyā vacaḥ śrutvā mārutaḥ pratyabhāṣata
na tvām hiṃsāmi suśroṇi mā bhūt te manasoi bhayam

SYNONYMS

anjanāyā vacaḥ śrutvā: Anjana's, words, on listening | mārutaḥ prati abhāṣata: by Air-god, in reply, spoke | suśroṇi: oh, high-hipped one | tvām na himsāmi: you, not, I assault [archaic = dishonour] | te manasaḥ bhayam mā bhūt: to your, heart, fear, let not, be there. |

TRANSLATION

"On listening the words of Anjana the Air-god spoke this in reply, 'oh, high-hipped one, I don't dishonour you, hence let there be no fear in your heart, for I am the all-permeating Air-god... [4-66-17]

VERSE 17

मनसा अस्मि गतो यत् त्वाम् परिष्वज्य यशस्विनि
वीर्यवान् बुद्धि संपन्नः पुत्रः तव भविष्यति

manasā asmi gato yat tvām pariṣvajya yaśasvini
vīryavān buddhi saṃpannaḥ putraḥ tava bhaviṣyati

SYNONYMS

yaśasvini: oh, honourable lady | yat: by which reason | tvām pariṣvajya: you, on embracing | manasā gataḥ: by sense [supersensorily,] entered [impregnate within you] | asmi: I am | tava: to you | vīryavān: valiant one | buddhi sampannaḥ: intellect, endowed with | putraḥ bhaviṣyati: son, will be there [takes birth.] |

TRANSLATION

" 'By which reason I embraced you and impregnate myself within you, by that reason you are impregnated in a supersensory manner, thereby you will beget a valiant son endowed with intellect... [4-66-18]

VERSE 18

महासात्त्वो महातेज महाबल पराक्रमः
लंघने प्लवने चैव भविष्यति मया समः

mahāsāttvo mahāteja mahābala parākramaḥ
laṃghane plavane caiva bhaviṣyati mayā samaḥ

SYNONYMS

mahā sāttvaḥ: admirably, brave | mahā teja = bravely [formal: splendid, spectacular: make a brave show,] dazzling | mahā bala: dazzlingly [intr. archaic | parākramaḥ: [elliptic: forcefully] overpowering | langhane plavane caiva: in fly off, jump off, also thus | [putraḥ: a son] | mayā samaḥ: with me, a coequal | bhaviṣyati: will be there. |

TRANSLATION

" 'An admirably brave, and a bravely dazzling, and a dazzlingly forceful, and a forcefully overpowering son will be there, also thus, he will be a coequal of mine in flying off and jumping up...' Thus, the Air-god said to Anjana. [4-66-19]

VERSE 19

एवम् उक्ता ततः तुष्टा जननी ते महाकपेः
गुहायाम् त्वाम् महाबाहो प्रजज्ञे प्लवगर्षभ

evam uktā tataḥ tuṣṭā jananī te mahākapeḥ
guhāyām tvām mahābāho prajajñe plavagarṣabha

SYNONYMS

mahābāhuḥ: oh, ambidextrous one | mahākapeḥ = great [arcane,] monkey: Hanuma | evam uktā: that way, when she is said [by Air-god] | te jananī tuṣṭā: your, mother, is gratified | tataḥ: thereby | plavagarṣabha: oh, fly-jumper, the best | tvām guhāyām: you, in a cave | pra ja jñe = very, vell, divined [tr| discover by guessing, intuition, inspiration, or magic: not a uterine birth.] |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, arcane monkey Hanuma, when Air-god said so to her, oh, ambidextrous one, your mother is gratified, and then, oh, bullish fly-jumpers, your mother very well divined you in a cave... [4-66-20]

VERSE 20

अभ्युत्थितम् ततः सूर्यम् बालो दृष्ट्वा महा वने
फलंचेतिजिघृक्षुस्त्वमुत्प्लुत्याभ्युत्पतोदिवम् यद्वा
फलम् च इति जिघृक्षुः त्वम् उत्प्लुत्य अभिउत्पतो दिवम्

abhyutthitam tataḥ sūryam bālo dṛṣṭvā mahā vane
phalaṃcetijighṛkṣustvamutplutyābhyutpatodivam - yadvā -
phalam ca iti jighṛkṣuḥ tvam utplutya abhiutpato divam

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: thereafter | bālaḥ: [when you were a] boy | tvam mahā vane: you, in vast, forest | abhi utthitam sūryam dṛṣṭvā: just, risen, sun, on seeing | phalam ca iti: fruit, just, thus [thinking] | jighṛkṣuḥ: thinking it to be a best catch | ut plutya: up, hopped | divam: onto sky | abhi ut pataḥ = tovards, on, fell up: flew up. |

TRANSLATION

"Thereafter, when you were a boy you have see the just risen sun in the vast of forest, and deeming it to be a just ripen reddish fruit, and thinking it to be a best catch, you hopped up and flew towards sun on the sky... [4-66-21]

VERSE 21

शतानि त्रीणि गत्वा अथ योजनानाम् महाकपे
तेजसा तस्य निर्धूतो न विषादम् ततो गतः

śatāni trīṇi gatvā atha yojanānām mahākape
tejasā tasya nirdhūto na viṣādam tato gataḥ

SYNONYMS

mahākape: oh, brave monkey | atha: then | yojanānām trīṇi śatāni gatvā: yojana-s, three, hundreds, on going [on flying up] | tasya: his [sun's] | tejasā nirdhūtaḥ: by radiation, [though] puffed and blown down | tataḥ viṣādam na gataḥ: by it, into anguish [scare,] not, you got into [you were indefatigably courageous.] |

TRANSLATION

"Even on your flying up three hundred yojana-s, oh, brave monkey, and even when sun's radiation puffed and blown you down, you did not get into any anguish as were indefatigable... [4-66-22]

VERSE 22

त्वाम् अपि उपगतम् तूर्णम् अंतरीक्षम् महाकपे
क्षिप्तम् इन्द्रेण ते वज्रम् कोप आविष्टेन तेजसा

tvām api upagatam tūrṇam aṃtarīkṣam mahākape
kṣiptam indreṇa te vajram kopa āviṣṭena tejasā

SYNONYMS

mahākape: oh, mighty monkey | tūrṇam: quickly | antarīkśam: to vault of heaven | upagatam: coming near | tvām api: at you, even [on seeing you] | kopa āviṣṭena = one vho vith: anger, captivated by | indreṇa: by Indra | tejasā: by his effulgence | vajram: Thunderbolt | te: [at] you | kṣiptam: catapulted. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, mighty monkey, even on seeing you who are coming near the vault of heaven, Indra is captivated by anger and by his effulgence he catapulted his Thunderbolt at you... [4-66-23]

VERSE 23

तदा शैलाग्र शिखरे वामो हनुर् अभज्यत
ततो हि नाम धेयम् ते हनुमान् इति कीर्तितम्

tadā śailāgra śikhare vāmo hanur abhajyata
tato hi nāma dheyam te hanumān iti kīrtitam

SYNONYMS

tadā śailāgra śikhare: then, on mountaintop, highest one [after your falling on it] | vāmaḥ hanuḥ abhajyata: left, cheekbone [zygomatic arch,] broken | tataḥ: thereupon | te: your | nāmadheyam: name-phrasing | hanu mān: cheekbone, one who has | iti: thus | kīrtitam hi: averred to be, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"Then, your left cheekbone, zygomatic arch, is broken when you fell down on a highest mountaintop, from thereupon your name-phrase is indeed averred as Hanumaan ... [4-66-24]

PURPORT

The word hanu also means 'wisdom...' and Hanuma is one having an absolute wisdom. He is also addressed as Hanumanta, Hanuma and at certain places Valmiki terms him as Hani... nectareous...
VERSE 24

ततः त्वाम् निहतम् दृष्ट्वा वायुः गन्ध वहः स्वयम्
त्रैलोक्यम् भृश संक्रुद्धो न ववौ वै प्रभंजनः

tataḥ tvām nihatam dṛṣṭvā vāyuḥ gandha vahaḥ svayam
trailokyam bhṛśa saṃkruddho na vavau vai prabhaṃjanaḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | gandha vahaḥ: scent, carrier | pra bhanjanaḥ = in their entirety, breaker: of trees etc., by his wind-storms, tempestuous Air-god | vāyuḥ: Air-god | tvām nihatam dṛṣṭvā: you, mutilated, on observing | svayam = personally: physically | bhṛśa sankruddhaḥ: highly, infuriated | trailokyam: in triad of worlds | na vavau vai: not, circulate, really. |

TRANSLATION

"Then on observing that you are mutilated, highly infuriated is that scent-wafter Air-god and that tempestuous Air-god has not physically circulated throughout the triad of worlds... [4-66-25]

VERSE 25

संभ्रांताः च सुराः सर्वे त्रैलोक्ये क्षुभिते सति
प्रसादयन्ति संक्रुद्धम् मारुतम् भुवनेश्वराः

saṃbhrāṃtāḥ ca surāḥ sarve trailokye kṣubhite sati
prasādayanti saṃkruddham mārutam bhuvaneśvarāḥ

SYNONYMS

trailokye kṣubhite sati: triad of worlds, roiled, while being | bhuvana īśvarāḥ = universe's, lords: administrative gods | sarve surāḥ: all, [such] gods | sambhrāntāḥ: are bewildered | samkruddham mārutam prasādayanti: enraged, Air-god, started to supplicate for grace. |

TRANSLATION

"When the triad of worlds is being roiled with breathlessness, all the administrative gods of universe are bewildered, and they started to supplicate the Air-god for his grace... [4-66-26]

VERSE 26

प्रसादिते च पवने ब्रह्मा तुभ्यम् वरम् ददौ
अशस्त्र वध्यताम् तात समरे सत्य विक्रम

prasādite ca pavane brahmā tubhyam varam dadau
aśastra vadhyatām tāta samare satya vikrama

SYNONYMS

samare satya vikrama = oh, one: in war, chivalric, warrior - Hanuma | tāta: oh, bear boy | pavane prasādite: Air-god, while being supplicated | brahmā: Brahma | tubhyam: to you | a śastra vadhyatām: not, by [any] missile, destructibility | varam dadau: boon, gave. |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, chivalric warrior at war, while the Air-god is being supplicated, oh, dear boy, Brahma gave you a boon decreeing your 'indestructibility by any missile...' [4-66-27]

VERSE 27

वज्रस्य च निपातेन विरुजम् त्वाम् समीक्ष्य च
सहस्र नेत्रः प्रीत आत्मा ददौ ते वरम् उत्तमम्

vajrasya ca nipātena virujam tvām samīkṣya ca
sahasra netraḥ prīta ātmā dadau te varam uttamam

SYNONYMS

, 29a| prabhuḥ: oh, ablest Hanuma | sahasra netraḥ = ṭhousand: eyed one - Indra | vajrasya nipātena = of ṭhunderbolt, falling: on you, hit by it | tvām: you | vi rujam: without, hurt | samīkṣya: on scrutinising | prīta ātmā: glad, at heart [kind-heartedly] | tava: for you | svacchandataḥ maraṇam syāt: by volition, death, let there be | iti: saying so | te: to you | uttamam varam dadau: choicest, boon, he gave. |

TRANSLATION

"On scrutinising that you are unhurt even after hit by Thunderbolt, oh, ablest Hanuma, the Thousand-eyed Indra kind-heartedly gave you a choicest boon saying that your death occurs only by your own volition... [4-66-28, 29a]

VERSE 28

स त्वम् केसरिणः पुत्रः क्षेत्रजो भीम विक्रमः

sa tvam kesariṇaḥ putraḥ kṣetrajo bhīma vikramaḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 30| bhīma vikramaḥ = one vho is: frightful, venturer [fist fighter - pugilist] | saḥ tvam: such as, you are | kesariṇaḥ: Kesari's | kṣetra jaḥ: arable, born [wife's son, where wife is an arable land, and its crop is his son] | putraḥ: son | mārutasya: Air-god's | aurasaḥ putraḥ: direct-descendent, son | tejasā: by spiritedness [gusting] | tat samaḥ ca: his [Air-god,] selfsame, also | vatsa: oh, dear boy | vāyu sutaḥ: [as] Air-god's, son | tvam plavane tat samaḥ hi: in flying, his [Air-god's,] selfsame, in all respects. |

TRANSLATION

"Such as you are, you are Kesari's son through his wife, oh, frightful pugilist, and you are the lineal son of Air-god, and even by your gusting you are selfsame to Air-god, and even by your flying also you are his selfsame to Air-god, in all respects... [4-66-29b, 30]

PURPORT

There used to be many systems to beget children in the bygone eras, called kshetraja , one's own, aurasa , in one's own wife but by other supernatural entities, niyoga , in one's own though other superior human beings or supernatural beings, and kR^itrima , by artificial methods like the present day cloning or by 'test tube baby' methods, and by datta , adaptation etc. Here Hanuma is said to be both the kshetraja as well as aurasa where his aurasa sonship is said for its gauNa artha latent and incidental meaning to endow him with the attributes of Air-god. Dharmaakuutam narrates about these system and some of it is: atra maaruta aurasatvam maaruta viirya utpannatva maatreNa gauNam bodhyam | sa~NskR^ite sva kShetre sva viiryaat utpannasya aurasa shabda mukhya arthatvaat | tathaa ca aurasa aadi vibhaaga pratipaadanam upassaram tallakShaNam darshitaani manunaa - aurasa kShetrajaH caiva dattaH kR^itrima eva ca | guuDHotpannao apaviddhaH ca daayaasaa baandhavaaH ca ShaT || - teShaam lakShaNaani api sa eva aaha - sva kShetre sa~NskR^itaayaam tu svayam utpaaditaH ca yaH | tam aurasamvijaaniiyaat putram prathama kalpitam || sva dharmeNa niyuktaayaam kShetrajaH smR^itaH | sadR^isham priiti samyuktam sa j~neyaH kR^itrimaH sutaH | manu -- And these systems of begetting children is a taboo and banned for this Kali Yuga era: eteShu datta aurasa vyatiriktaanaam putratve parigraH kalau niShiddhaH | candrika smR^iti artha saara aadau kali yuga dharma madhye parigaNanaat - iti; And the verse 20 says that Anjana has 'divined Hanuma...' pra ja j~ne = very, well, divined... [tr. discover by guessing, intuition, inspiration, or magic]; but not 'delivered' manually through routine labour. Verse Locator vayam adya gata prāṇā bhavān asmāsu sāṃpratam | dākṣya vikrama saṃpannaḥ kapi rāja iva aparaḥ || 4-66-31 31. adya vayam gata praaNaa = now, we are [I am,] gone, lives [as good as dead]; bhavaan = you; saampratam = presently; asmaasu = among us; daakSya vikrama sampannaH = competence, valiance, rife with; aparaH kapi raaja iva = the other, monkey's, king [Sugreeva,] like. "Presently we are as good as dead, and among us presently you are the only one rife with competence and valiance, you are the other Sugreeva, the king of monkeys, to us... [4-66-31] Verse Locator trivikrame mayā tāta sa śaila vana kānanā | triḥ sapta kṛtvaḥ pṛthivī parikrāntā pradakṣiṇam || 4-66-32 32. taata = oh, dear boy; trivikrame = in Trivikrama [during the period of incarnation]; sa shaila vana kaananaa = with, mountains, forests, thickets; pR^ithivii = earth is; maya = by me; triH sapta kR^itvaH = three*seven = twenty-one, times, on making - multiplying; pradakSiNam parikraantaa = circumambulations, moved around. "During the period of Trivikrama incarnation I have circumambulated the earth inclusive of its mountains, forests and thickets for twenty-one times, moving rightward around it... [4-66-32] Verse Locator tathā ca oṣadhayo asmābhiḥ saṃcitā deva śāsanāt | nirmathyam amṛtam yābhiḥ tadā tadānīm no mahat balam || 4-66-33 33. tadaa = then; tathaa = that way; deva shaasanaat = by gods, orders; yaabhiH = by which [herbs]; amR^itam nirmathyam = ambrosia, is to be churned; [taabhiH = such]; oSadhayaH = herbal plants; asmaabhiH = by us [by me]; sancitaaH = collected; tadaaniim = then; naH balam mahat = for us [to me, there used to be] great, energy. "Like that, by the order of gods we ourselves have collected those herbal plants with which ambrosia had to be churned from Milky Ocean, and in that way, then there used to be a great energy for us... [4-66-33] The expressions 'we' and 'us' 'ourselves' are royal the 'we-s', 'us-s' and 'ourselves...' Verse Locator sa idānīm aham vṛddhaḥ parihīna parākramaḥ | sāmpratam kālam asmākam bhavān sarva guṇa anvitaḥ || 4-66-34 34. idaaniim vR^iddhaH = presently, an aged one; saH aham = such as I am; pari hiina = completely, lessened; paraakramaH = valiance; saampratam kaalam = at present, time; bhavaan asmaakam = you, among us; sarva guNa anvitaH = with all, endowments, endowed with. "Such as I am, I am now aged and my valiance is completely lessened... but at the present time, you alone are endowed with all endowments among us... [4-66-34] Verse Locator tat vijṛṃbhasva vikrāṃtaḥ plavatām uttamo hi asi | tvat vīryam draṣṭu kāmā iyam sarvā vānara vāhinī || 4-66-35 35. vikraantaH = oh, vanquisher; tat = thereby; vijR^imbhasva = give a jump-start - to leap ocean; plavataam uttamaH asi hi = among fly-jumpers, the best, you are, indeed; sarvaa iyam vaanara vaahinii = entire, this, vanara, army; tvat viiryam = your, prowess; draSTu kaama = to witness, is anxious. "Thereby oh, vanquisher Hanuma, you give a jump-start to leap the ocean. Indeed, you alone are the best one among all fly-jumpers, and this entire vanara army is anxious to witness your prowess... [4-66-35] Verse Locator uttiṣṭha hari śārdūla laṃghayasva mahā arṇavam | parā hi sarva bhūtānām hanuman yā gatiḥ tava || 4-66-36 36. hari shaarduula = oh, monkey, lion-like; hanuman = oh, Hanuma; uttiSTha = arise; mahaa arNavam langhayasva = vast, ocean, you leap; tava = your; yaa gatiH = which, cruise [escape velocity = the minimum velocity needed to escape from the gravitational field of a body]; that is; sarva bhuutaanaam = all, beings - escape velocity of all beings; paraa hi = unalike / the other, indeed. "Arise, oh, lion-like monkey, leap over this vast ocean, oh, Hanuma, your escape velocity is indeed unalike that of all the other beings... [4-66-36] Verse Locator viṣāṇṇā harayaḥ sarve hanuman kim upekṣase | vikramasva mahāvega viṣṇuḥ trīn vikramān iva || 4-66-37 37. hanuman = oh, Hanuma; sarve harayaH viSaaNNaa = all, monkeys, are dispirited; kim upekSase = why, indolence of yours; mahaa vega = highly, speedy [speedier than sound, light and thought - supersonic, super-photic, super-cerebric;]; viSNuH triin [lokaan] vikramaan iva = Vishnu, three [who trod the triad of worlds in a trice,] trod, as with; vi kramasva = boldly, triumph over. {( aadaraartham punarukti ) vi kramasva = boldly, triumph over.} "Oh, Hanuma, all these monkeys are dispirited. Why this indolence of yours? You boldly triumph over the ocean as your speed is highest, supersonic, super-photic, super-cerebric is your celerity. As with Vishnu who trod the triad of worlds in a trice, you too triumph over..." Thus Jambavanta persuaded Hanuma to get ready for action. [4-66-37] The bracketed words are in remembrance of the regularly chanted eulogy of Hanuma: manojavam maaruta tulya vegam jitendriyam buddhimataam variShTham | vaataaatmajam vaanara yuudha mukhyam shrii raama duutam shirasaa namaami || in that mano javam is 'speedier than thought...' Verse Locator tataḥ kapīnām ṛṣabheṇa coditaḥ pratīta vegaḥ pavana ātmajaḥ kapiḥ | praharṣayan tām hari vīra vāhinīm cakāra rūpam mahat ātmanaḥ tadā || 4-66-38 38. tataH kapiinaam R^iSabheNa coditaH = thereafter, of monkeys, bullish [Jambavanta] motivated by; pratiita vegaH = familiar, one whose speed [coupled with his irresistible enterprise]; pavana aatmajaH kapiH = Air-god's, son, monkey; taam hari viira vaahiniim = her, monkey, army; pra harSayan = to highly, gladden; tadaa = then; aatmanaH = his own; ruupam = form - physique; mahat cakaara = enormously, made. Thereafter, when the best monkey among monkeys, namely Jambavanta, the king of bears has motivated, then that son of Air-god, Hanuma, whose speed is familiar coupled with his irresistible enterprise, enormously increased his physique as though to gladded the army of monkeys. [4-66-38] - - - . Some parables of Hanuma Apart from trying to snatch Sun-fruit, Hanuma's childhood-rascaling was intolerable for some sages and hermits. Hanuma used to tease and tickle the sages by snatching away their personal belongings, by spoiling well arranged worship articles etc. Knowing that Hanuma is indomitable by the blessings of Brahma and Indra and all the celestials, and as a severe punishment is uncalled for, as he is simple little monkey, the sages gave him a minor curse. That curse is 'Hanuma does not remember his might on his own, but recollects it whenever others remind him about it...' If Hanuma were to be aware of his own might, the course of Ramayana would have been otherwise. He would have simply enlarged his body and brought whole of Lanka island to Rama, as he has lifted sanjivini mountain, to enliven Lakshmana in the war with Ravana's son, Indrajit. So this was a necessary curse upon Hanuma. Hence Jambavanta had to harangue Hanuma. The word kapi also means 'Sun...' kam = water; pi = drinker, drinker of waters... the Sun. kaparkayebhavaanaraaH Sun, monkey, elephant are the meanings for kapi . As Sun drinks waters only to give rain Hanuma drinks raama rasa amR^ita to shower wisdom on anyone, may it be Sugreeva, Angada or Seetha. Hanuma is the student of a guru no less than Sun-god. On ascertaining that nobody is prepared to teach him scriptures, and fied him as a fickle monkey, he approaches Sun, as Sun is an all-knowing teacher, karma saakshi , an eternal witness of all deeds. Hanuma raises his body to solar orbit and requests Sun to accept his studentship. Sun declines saying, "I am ever on my wheels, where can I be standstill to teach you leisurely, I have my unending duty to perform..." and thus continued His solar traversal. But Hanuma undeterred by Sun's dismissing, still enhances his body, placing one leg on the eastern mountain range and the other on the western, face turned toward the travelling Sun. Hanuma again requested Sun in this posture saying, "my face will always be towards you, in whichever orbit you go, but teach me...oh! God..." Pleased by the pertinence of Hanuma, Sun teaches all the scriptures to Hanuma. So also Hanuma is a witness to all the happenings in Ramayana, like Sun, and also performing whatever duty assigned to him. Even today any student is asked to adore Hanuma, to obtain such a stubborn health, enduring education, and above all a reverential scholarship. Hanuma is having a benefit of icChaa maraNam 'death at his wish...' but he is not yet dead, believably, for he is chiranjiivi 'eternal entity on earth...' When Rama is crowned as emperor, after his exile and eliminating Ravana, Rama and Seetha gave gifts to all of their friends. When it was turn to Hanuma to choose a gift, shunning the heavens or other higher planes or other things, he asks for living in this mortal world as long as the name Rama is audible. Then Seetha blesses Hanuma with that gift saying " Oh! Hanuma, wherever you are, there will be plenty of fruits and eatables, and further, in villages, public shelters, temples, houses, gardens, cowsheds, cities, and at riversides, crossroads, pilgrimages, water tanks, trunks of banyan trees, and on mountains, caves, peaks and wherever people stroll, your image will be installed, so that you can listen Rama's name, uttered by the people from all corners of the earth..." Thus Hanuma is believed to be still living, as the name of Rama is still audible. He is also called an old monkey living from ages till now, which is reflected in Maha Bharata, when Bhima could not lift the tail of this old monkey, on his way in forests. Even today one can see huge images, statues of Hanuma at all these places, as said by Seetha, either installed ages ago, or recently. Another parable is told that Hanuma is the first one to script Ramayana on claytablets, recording each and every detail of what Rama did. Having finished his writing he brought those claytablets to Rama, to bless that work. Rama humbly said to Hanuma, "I have not done anything great to be recorded this laboriously... I have done my righteous duty...that's all..." Then Hanuma was upset. Dejected by the slighting away of 'his great deeds as simple acts of duty' by Rama, Hanuma brought those clay tablets to seashore, recited each verse, and broke each tablet on his knee and threw them into sea. This writing is called hanumad ramayana . This work is unavailable from that time. But one tablet came to shore afloat on the sea, which is retrieved during the period of Mahakavi Kalidasa, and hung at a public place to be deciphered by scholars. On that tablet only one foot of a stanza is available. That foot says "Oh! Ravana, those your ten heads, on which you lifted of Mt. Kailah, the abode of Shiva, are now bumped on battlefield by the claws of crows and eagles, know what has happened to your high-headed Decahedral pride, at the hands of virtue..." Kalidasa deciphers this stanza and informs that it is from hanumad ramayana , recorded by Hanuma, but an extinct script. And Kalidasa salutes that clayplate for he is fortunate enough to see at least one stanza of hanumad ramaayana . It is said that none can conclusively narrate about Hanuma, for he is many faceted. He is symbolic for unwavering dedication to righteousness, unstinting performance of entrusted duties, unfailing talents in service. So the tradition holds Hanuma dear... - - - iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye kiṣkindha kāṇḍe ṣaṭ ṣaṣṭitamaḥ sargaḥ Thus, this is the 66th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. Verse Locator for Book IV : Kishkindha Kanda - The Empire of Holy Monkeys : Chapter 66 Top of Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 © April, 2003, Desiraju Hanumanta Rao [Revised : January 05 World Wide view of hanuma and verse Fastest FTPS anywhere, Go FTP FREE Software atra maaruta aurasatvam maaruta viirya utpannatva maatreNa gauNam bodhyam | sa~NskR^ite sva kShetre sva viiryaat utpannasya aurasa shabda mukhya arthatvaat | tathaa ca aurasa aadi vibhaaga pratipaadanam upassaram tallakShaNam darshitaani manunaa - aurasa kShetrajaH caiva dattaH kR^itrima eva ca | guuDHotpannao apaviddhaH ca daayaasaa baandhavaaH ca ShaT || - teShaam lakShaNaani api sa eva aaha - sva kShetre sa~NskR^itaayaam tu svayam utpaaditaH ca yaH | tam aurasamvijaaniiyaat putram prathama kalpitam || sva dharmeNa niyuktaayaam kShetrajaH smR^itaH | sadR^isham priiti samyuktam sa j~neyaH kR^itrimaH sutaH | manu -- And these systems of begetting children is a taboo and banned for this Kali Yuga era: eteShu datta aurasa vyatiriktaanaam putratve parigraH kalau niShiddhaH | candrika smR^iti artha saara aadau kali yuga dharma madhye parigaNanaat - iti; And the verse 20 says that Anjana has 'divined Hanuma...' pra ja j~ne = very, well, divined... [tr. discover by guessing, intuition, inspiration, or magic]; but not 'delivered' manually through routine labour. eteShu datta aurasa vyatiriktaanaam putratve parigraH kalau niShiddhaH | candrika smR^iti artha saara aadau kali yuga dharma madhye parigaNanaat - iti;
VERSE 31

वयम् अद्य गत प्राणा भवान् अस्मासु सांप्रतम्
दाक्ष्य विक्रम संपन्नः कपि राज इव अपरः

vayam adya gata prāṇā bhavān asmāsu sāṃpratam
dākṣya vikrama saṃpannaḥ kapi rāja iva aparaḥ

SYNONYMS

adya vayam gata prāṇā: now, we are [I am,] gone, lives [as good as dead] | bhavān: you | sāmpratam: presently | asmāsu: among us | dākṣya vikrama sampannaḥ: competence, valiance, rife with | aparaḥ kapi rāja iva: the other, monkey's, king [Sugreeva,] like. |

TRANSLATION

"Presently we are as good as dead, and among us presently you are the only one rife with competence and valiance, you are the other Sugreeva, the king of monkeys, to us... [4-66-31]

VERSE 32

त्रिविक्रमे मया तात स शैल वन कानना
त्रिः सप्त कृत्वः पृथिवी परिक्रान्ता प्रदक्षिणम्

trivikrame mayā tāta sa śaila vana kānanā
triḥ sapta kṛtvaḥ pṛthivī parikrāntā pradakṣiṇam

SYNONYMS

tāta: oh, dear boy | trivikrame: in Trivikrama [during the period of incarnation] | sa śaila vana kānanā: with, mountains, forests, thickets | pṛthivī: earth is | maya: by me | triḥ sapta kṛtvaḥ = thrī*seven = tventy: one, times, on making - multiplying | pradakṣiṇam parikrāntā: circumambulations, moved around. |

TRANSLATION

"During the period of Trivikrama incarnation I have circumambulated the earth inclusive of its mountains, forests and thickets for twenty-one times, moving rightward around it... [4-66-32]

VERSE 33

तथा च ओषधयो अस्माभिः संचिता देव शासनात्
निर्मथ्यम् अमृतम् याभिः तदा तदानीम् नो महत् बलम्

tathā ca oṣadhayo asmābhiḥ saṃcitā deva śāsanāt
nirmathyam amṛtam yābhiḥ tadā tadānīm no mahat balam

SYNONYMS

tadā: then | tathā: that way | deva śāsanāt: by gods, orders | yābhiḥ: by which [herbs] | amṛtam nirmathyam: ambrosia, is to be churned | [tābhiḥ: such] | oṣadhayaḥ: herbal plants | asmābhiḥ: by us [by me] | sancitāḥ: collected | tadānīm: then | naḥ balam mahat: for us [to me, there used to be] great, energy. |

TRANSLATION

"Like that, by the order of gods we ourselves have collected those herbal plants with which ambrosia had to be churned from Milky Ocean, and in that way, then there used to be a great energy for us... [4-66-33]

PURPORT

The expressions 'we' and 'us' 'ourselves' are royal the 'we-s', 'us-s' and 'ourselves...'
VERSE 34

स इदानीम् अहम् वृद्धः परिहीन पराक्रमः
साम्प्रतम् कालम् अस्माकम् भवान् सर्व गुण अन्वितः

sa idānīm aham vṛddhaḥ parihīna parākramaḥ
sāmpratam kālam asmākam bhavān sarva guṇa anvitaḥ

SYNONYMS

idānīm vṛddhaḥ: presently, an aged one | saḥ aham: such as I am | pari hīna: completely, lessened | parākramaḥ: valiance | sāmpratam kālam: at present, time | bhavān asmākam: you, among us | sarva guṇa anvitaḥ: with all, endowments, endowed with. |

TRANSLATION

"Such as I am, I am now aged and my valiance is completely lessened... but at the present time, you alone are endowed with all endowments among us... [4-66-34]

VERSE 35

तत् विजृंभस्व विक्रांतः प्लवताम् उत्तमो हि असि
त्वत् वीर्यम् द्रष्टु कामा इयम् सर्वा वानर वाहिनी

tat vijṛṃbhasva vikrāṃtaḥ plavatām uttamo hi asi
tvat vīryam draṣṭu kāmā iyam sarvā vānara vāhinī

SYNONYMS

vikrāntaḥ: oh, vanquisher | tat: thereby | vijṛmbhasva = give a jump: start - to leap ocean | plavatām uttamaḥ asi hi: among fly-jumpers, the best, you are, indeed | sarvā iyam vānara vāhinī: entire, this, vanara, army | tvat vīryam: your, prowess | draṣṭu kāma: to witness, is anxious. |

TRANSLATION

"Thereby oh, vanquisher Hanuma, you give a jump-start to leap the ocean. Indeed, you alone are the best one among all fly-jumpers, and this entire vanara army is anxious to witness your prowess... [4-66-35]

VERSE 36

उत्तिष्ठ हरि शार्दूल लंघयस्व महा अर्णवम्
परा हि सर्व भूतानाम् हनुमन् या गतिः तव

uttiṣṭha hari śārdūla laṃghayasva mahā arṇavam
parā hi sarva bhūtānām hanuman yā gatiḥ tava

SYNONYMS

hari śārdūla: oh, monkey, lion-like | hanuman: oh, Hanuma | uttiṣṭha: arise | mahā arṇavam langhayasva: vast, ocean, you leap | tava: your | yā gatiḥ: which, cruise [escape velocity = the minimum velocity needed to escape from the gravitational field of a body] | sarva bhūtānām = all, beings: escape velocity of all beings | parā hi: unalike / the other, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"Arise, oh, lion-like monkey, leap over this vast ocean, oh, Hanuma, your escape velocity is indeed unalike that of all the other beings... [4-66-36]

VERSE 37

विषाण्णा हरयः सर्वे हनुमन् किम् उपेक्षसे
विक्रमस्व महावेग विष्णुः त्रीन् विक्रमान् इव

viṣāṇṇā harayaḥ sarve hanuman kim upekṣase
vikramasva mahāvega viṣṇuḥ trīn vikramān iva

SYNONYMS

hanuman: oh, Hanuma | sarve harayaḥ viṣāṇṇā: all, monkeys, are dispirited | kim upekṣase: why, indolence of yours | mahā vega = highly, spīdy [spīdier than sound, light and thought: supersonic, super-photic, super-cerebric | viṣṇuḥ trīn [lokān] vikramān iva: Vishnu, three [who trod the triad of worlds in a trice,] trod, as with | vi kramasva: boldly, triumph over. {( aadaraartham punarukti ) vi kramasva = boldly, triumph over.} |

TRANSLATION

"Oh, Hanuma, all these monkeys are dispirited. Why this indolence of yours? You boldly triumph over the ocean as your speed is highest, supersonic, super-photic, super-cerebric is your celerity. As with Vishnu who trod the triad of worlds in a trice, you too triumph over..." Thus Jambavanta persuaded Hanuma to get ready for action. [4-66-37]

PURPORT

The bracketed words are in remembrance of the regularly chanted eulogy of Hanuma: manojavam maaruta tulya vegam jitendriyam buddhimataam variShTham | vaataaatmajam vaanara yuudha mukhyam shrii raama duutam shirasaa namaami || in that mano javam is 'speedier than thought...'
VERSE 38

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये किष्किन्ध काण्डे षट् षष्टितमः सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye kiṣkindha kāṇḍe ṣaṭ ṣaṣṭitamaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ kapīnām ṛṣabheṇa coditaḥ: thereafter, of monkeys, bullish [Jambavanta] motivated by | pratīta vegaḥ: familiar, one whose speed [coupled with his irresistible enterprise] | pavana ātmajaḥ kapiḥ: Air-god's, son, monkey | tām hari vīra vāhinīm: her, monkey, army | pra harṣayan: to highly, gladden | tadā: then | ātmanaḥ: his own | rūpam = form: physique | mahat cakāra: enormously, made. |

TRANSLATION

Thereafter, when the best monkey among monkeys, namely Jambavanta, the king of bears has motivated, then that son of Air-god, Hanuma, whose speed is familiar coupled with his irresistible enterprise, enormously increased his physique as though to gladded the army of monkeys. [4-66-38]

PURPORT

Apart from trying to snatch Sun-fruit, Hanuma's childhood-rascaling was intolerable for some sages and hermits. Hanuma used to tease and tickle the sages by snatching away their personal belongings, by spoiling well arranged worship articles etc. Knowing that Hanuma is indomitable by the blessings of Brahma and Indra and all the celestials, and as a severe punishment is uncalled for, as he is simple little monkey, the sages gave him a minor curse. That curse is 'Hanuma does not remember his might on his own, but recollects it whenever others remind him about it...' If Hanuma were to be aware of his own might, the course of Ramayana would have been otherwise. He would have simply enlarged his body and brought whole of Lanka island to Rama, as he has lifted sanjivini mountain, to enliven Lakshmana in the war with Ravana's son, Indrajit. So this was a necessary curse upon Hanuma. Hence Jambavanta had to harangue Hanuma. The word kapi also means 'Sun...' kam = water; pi = drinker, drinker of waters... the Sun. kaparkayebhavaanaraaH Sun, monkey, elephant are the meanings for kapi . As Sun drinks waters only to give rain Hanuma drinks raama rasa amR^ita to shower wisdom on anyone, may it be Sugreeva, Angada or Seetha. Hanuma is the student of a guru no less than Sun-god. On ascertaining that nobody is prepared to teach him scriptures, and fied him as a fickle monkey, he approaches Sun, as Sun is an all-knowing teacher, karma saakshi , an eternal witness of all deeds. Hanuma raises his body to solar orbit and requests Sun to accept his studentship. Sun declines saying, "I am ever on my wheels, where can I be standstill to teach you leisurely, I have my unending duty to perform..." and thus continued His solar traversal. But Hanuma undeterred by Sun's dismissing, still enhances his body, placing one leg on the eastern mountain range and the other on the western, face turned toward the travelling Sun. Hanuma again requested Sun in this posture saying, "my face will always be towards you, in whichever orbit you go, but teach me...oh! God..." Pleased by the pertinence of Hanuma, Sun teaches all the scriptures to Hanuma. So also Hanuma is a witness to all the happenings in Ramayana, like Sun, and also performing whatever duty assigned to him. Even today any student is asked to adore Hanuma, to obtain such a stubborn health, enduring education, and above all a reverential scholarship. Hanuma is having a benefit of icChaa maraNam 'death at his wish...' but he is not yet dead, believably, for he is chiranjiivi 'eternal entity on earth...' When Rama is crowned as emperor, after his exile and eliminating Ravana, Rama and Seetha gave gifts to all of their friends. When it was turn to Hanuma to choose a gift, shunning the heavens or other higher planes or other things, he asks for living in this mortal world as long as the name Rama is audible. Then Seetha blesses Hanuma with that gift saying " Oh! Hanuma, wherever you are, there will be plenty of fruits and eatables, and further, in villages, public shelters, temples, houses, gardens, cowsheds, cities, and at riversides, crossroads, pilgrimages, water tanks, trunks of banyan trees, and on mountains, caves, peaks and wherever people stroll, your image will be installed, so that you can listen Rama's name, uttered by the people from all corners of the earth..." Thus Hanuma is believed to be still living, as the name of Rama is still audible. He is also called an old monkey living from ages till now, which is reflected in Maha Bharata, when Bhima could not lift the tail of this old monkey, on his way in forests. Even today one can see huge images, statues of Hanuma at all these places, as said by Seetha, either installed ages ago, or recently. Another parable is told that Hanuma is the first one to script Ramayana on claytablets, recording each and every detail of what Rama did. Having finished his writing he brought those claytablets to Rama, to bless that work. Rama humbly said to Hanuma, "I have not done anything great to be recorded this laboriously... I have done my righteous duty...that's all..." Then Hanuma was upset. Dejected by the slighting away of 'his great deeds as simple acts of duty' by Rama, Hanuma brought those clay tablets to seashore, recited each verse, and broke each tablet on his knee and threw them into sea. This writing is called hanumad ramayana . This work is unavailable from that time. But one tablet came to shore afloat on the sea, which is retrieved during the period of Mahakavi Kalidasa, and hung at a public place to be deciphered by scholars. On that tablet only one foot of a stanza is available. That foot says "Oh! Ravana, those your ten heads, on which you lifted of Mt. Kailah, the abode of Shiva, are now bumped on battlefield by the claws of crows and eagles, know what has happened to your high-headed Decahedral pride, at the hands of virtue..." Kalidasa deciphers this stanza and informs that it is from hanumad ramayana , recorded by Hanuma, but an extinct script. And Kalidasa salutes that clayplate for he is fortunate enough to see at least one stanza of hanumad ramaayana . It is said that none can conclusively narrate about Hanuma, for he is many faceted. He is symbolic for unwavering dedication to righteousness, unstinting performance of entrusted duties, unfailing talents in service. So the tradition holds Hanuma dear...