Chapter 2

Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

VERSE 1

स सागरमनाधृष्यमतिक्रम्य महाबलः
त्रिकूटशिखरे लङ्कां स्थितां स्वस्थो ददर्श

sa sāgaramanādhṛṣyamatikramya mahābalaḥ
trikūṭaśikhare laṅkāṃ sthitāṃ svastho dadarśa
ha

SYNONYMS

saḥ: that Hanuma | mahābalaḥ: one with great strength | atikramya: crossed | anādhriṣyam: the insurmountable | sāgaram: ocean | svasthaḥ: (stayed) healthy (without any physical tiredness) | dadarśa ha: and viewed | laṅkām: the city of Lanka | sthitām: situated | trikūṭa sikhare: on the peak of Mount Trikuta. |

TRANSLATION

That Hanuma with great strength crossed the insurmountable ocean without becoming tired and viewed the city of Lanka located on the peak of Mount Trikuta.

VERSE 2

ततः पादपमुक्तेन पुष्पवर्षेण वीर्यवान्
अभिवृष्टः स्थितस्तत्र बभौ पुष्पमयो यथा

tataḥ pādapamuktena puṣpavarṣeṇa vīryavān
abhivṛṣṭaḥ sthitastatra babhau puṣpamayo yathā

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: after that | vīryavān: the powerful Hanuma | sthitaḥ: standing | tatra: there | babhau: shone | puṣpamayo yathā: like one (with a body) of flowers | abhivṛṣṭaḥ: being showered | puṣpavarṣeṇa: by a rain of flowers | pādapamuktena: released by trees. |

TRANSLATION

After that, the powerful Hanuma standing there shone like one made of flowers being showered by a rain of flowers released by trees.

PURPORT

Comment : Being showered by flowers is considered auspicious.
VERSE 3

योजनानां शतं श्रीमांस्तीर्त्वाप्युत्तमविक्रमः
अनिःस्वसन् कपिस्तत्र न ग्लानिमधिगच्छति

yojanānāṃ śataṃ śrīmāṃstīrtvāpyuttamavikramaḥ
aniḥsvasan kapistatra na glānimadhigacchati

SYNONYMS

śrīmān: the glorious | kapiḥ: Hanuma | uttama vikramaḥ: with the best courage | tīrtvāpi: even though crossing | śatam: a hundred | yojanānām: yojanas | aniḥśvan: was without a sigh | na adhigachati: (and) did not obtain | glānim: tiredness | tatra: there. |

TRANSLATION

The glorious Hanuma with the best courage, even though crossing a hundred yojanas, was without a sigh and did not obtain any tiredness.

PURPORT

Comment : This verse and others clearly mention that Hanuma crossed an ocean of hundred yojanas. At the present time the shore to shore distance between southern tip of India and Northern tip of Sri Lanka is around sixty miles. Even with a measure of 2.5 miles per yojana, hundred yojanas translate to 250 miles. To explain this anomaly, we need to consider that around the time of Ramayana, the distance was lot more than the current sixty miles. This is in sync with the current theories by geologists that the ocean between India and the current Sri Lanka had been replaced by land mass over a period of time. Most of the land to the south of current Raghunatha Pura had been covered by landmass in antiquity. Also according to Ramayana, the mountains Trikuta, Lamba and Suvela were to the north of Lanka, but currently the mountains are found in the southern part of Lanka. This suggests that the northern parts of current Lanka were submerged in water during the Ramayana period.
VERSE 4

शतान्यहं योजनानां क्रमेयं सुबहुन्यपि
किं पुनः सागरस्यान्तं संख्यातं शतयोजनम्

śatānyahaṃ yojanānāṃ krameyaṃ subahunyapi
kiṃ punaḥ sāgarasyāntaṃ saṃkhyātaṃ śatayojanam

SYNONYMS

aham: I | krameyam: will cross | subahūnyapi: a lot of | śatānyapi yojanānām: hundreds of yojanas also | kim punaḥ: what to say | antam: (about) the end | sāgarasya: of the ocean | saṃkhyātam: counted | śata yojanam: to be hundred yojanas (long) . |

TRANSLATION

"I can cross many hundreds of yojanas. What to say about the end of the ocean which had been counted to be hundred yojanas long?"

VERSE 5

स तु वीर्यवतां श्रेष्ठः प्लवतामपि चोत्तमः
जगाम वेगवान् लङ्कां लङ्घयित्वा महोदधिम्

sa tu vīryavatāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ plavatāmapi cottamaḥ
jagāma vegavān laṅkāṃ laṅghayitvā mahodadhim

SYNONYMS

saḥ tu: that Hanuma | śresahhṭhaḥ: best | vīryavatām: among the powerful ones | uttamaḥ: foremost | plavatāmapi: also among those who fly | jagāma: went | vegavān: with (good) speed | lan^kām: for Lanka | lañġhayitvā: crossing | mahodadhim: the great ocean. |

TRANSLATION

That Hanuma, the best among powerful ones and the foremost also among those who can fly, reached the city of Lanka by crossing the great ocean with good speed.

VERSE 6

शाद्वलानि च नीलानि गन्धवन्ति वनानि च
गण्डवन्ति च मध्येन जगाम नगवन्ति च

śādvalāni ca nīlāni gandhavanti vanāni ca
gaṇḍavanti ca madhyena jagāma nagavanti ca

SYNONYMS

jagāma: (He) passed | madhyena: in the middle of | vanāni ca: forests | nīlāni: (with) dark green hued | gandhavanti: fragrant | śādvalāni ca: lawns | gaṇḍavanti ca: with great rocks | nagavanti ca: and also hills. |

TRANSLATION

He passed through forests with dark green hued fragrant lawns and also consisting of great rocks and hills.

VERSE 7

शैलांश्च तरुसंचन्नान् वनराजीश्च पुष्पिताः
अभिचक्राम तेजस्वी हनुमान् प्लवगर्षभः

śailāṃśca tarusaṃcannān vanarājīśca puṣpitāḥ
abhicakrāma tejasvī hanumān plavagarṣabhaḥ

SYNONYMS

hanumān: Hanuma | plavagarṣabhaḥ: the best among Vanaras | tejasvī: the radiant one | abhicakrāma: tread | śailāṃśca: on mountains | tarusaṃcannān: covered with trees | vanarājīśca: and on series of trees | puṣpitāḥ: (which were) blooming. |

TRANSLATION

Hanuma, the best among Vanaras and the radiant one, tread on mountains covered with trees and on series of trees full of flowers.

VERSE 8

स तस्मिन्नचले तिष्ठन्वनान्युपवनानि च
स नगाग्रे च तां लङ्कां ददर्श पवनात्मजः

sa tasminnacale tiṣṭhanvanānyupavanāni ca
sa nagāgre ca tāṃ laṅkāṃ dadarśa pavanātmajaḥ

SYNONYMS

saḥ pavanātmajaḥ: that Hanuma | tiṣṭhan: stood | tasmin acale: on that mountain | dadarśa: and saw | vanāni: forests | upavanāni ca: and gardens | tām laṅkām: (and also) that city of Lanka | nagāgre: situated on the top of a mountain. |

TRANSLATION

That son of God Vayu stood on a mountain and saw forests and gardens and also the city of Lanka situated on the top of a mountain.

VERSE 9

सरल्दान् कर्णिकारांश्च खर्जूरांश्च सुपुष्पितान्
प्रियाल्दान्मुचुल्दिन्दांश्च कुटजान् केतकानपि

saraldān karṇikārāṃśca kharjūrāṃśca supuṣpitān
priyāldānmuculdindāṃśca kuṭajān ketakānapi

SYNONYMS

13| kapi kuñaraḥ: The elephant among monkeys (Hanuma) | dadarśa: saw | saraḻān: pine trees | karṇikārāṃśca: Karnikaras | kharjūraṃśca: date-palms | supuṣpitān: in full blossom | priyālān: Priyalas | muculindas: lemon trees | kutajān: wild jasmine trees | ketakānapi: mogra trees | priyañgūṃśca: long pepper trees | gandhapūrṇān: filled with fragrance | nīpān: Kadamba trees | tathā: and | saptacchadān: seven leaved banana trees | asanān: Asanas | kovidārāṃśca: Kovidaras | karavīrāṃśca: Karaviras | puṣpitān: in full blossom | padapān: trees | puṣpabhāra nibaddhāṃśca: tied by the weight of flowers | mukulitānapi: with flower buds | vihagākīrṇān: distressed by birds | pavanādhūtamastakān: with (their) peaks moved by wind | vāpīḥ: wells | vividhān: various | ramyān: glorious | ākrīḍān: pleasure-groves | vividhaiḥ vṛkśaiḥ: (filled) by various trees | sarvartuphalapuṣpitaiḥ: that give fruits and flowers in all seasons | ramyāṇi: (and) beautiful | udyānāni ca: gardens also | saṃtatān: surrounded by | jalāśayāṃśca: ponds | haṃsakāraṇḍa vākīrṇāḥ: consisting of swans and ducks. |

TRANSLATION

Standing on that mountain, the elephant among monkeys, Hanuma, saw pine trees, Karnikaras, date-palms in full blossom, Priyalas, lemon trees, wild jasmine trees, mogra trees, long pepper trees filled with sweet fragrance, Kadamba trees and seven leaved banana trees, Asana trees, Kovidaras, Karaviras in full blossom, trees that were tied by the weight of their flowers and flower buds, that were distressed by birds, with their crests moved by wind, wells and various glorious pleasure-groves filled by various trees that give fruits and flowers in all seasons and beautiful gardens also, surrounded by various ponds consisting of swans and ducks.

VERSE 14

समासाद्य च लक्ष्मीवन् लङ्कां रावणपालिताम्
परिखाभिः सपद्माभिः सोत्पलाभिरलंकृताम्

samāsādya ca lakṣmīvan laṅkāṃ rāvaṇapālitām
parikhābhiḥ sapadmābhiḥ sotpalābhiralaṃkṛtām

SYNONYMS

18| lakśmīvān: the glorious | hanumān: Hanuma | samāsādya: neared | laṅkām: (that) Lanka | rāvaṇa pālitām: ruled by Ravana | alaṃkṛtām: decorated by | parikhābhiḥ: moats | sapadmābhiḥ: filled with lotuses | sotpalābhiḥ: and water-lilies | surakśitām: well protected | sītāpaharaṇārthena: due to the reason of Seetha's abduction | rāvaṇena: by Ravana | rākśasaiḥ: (and also) by Rakshasas | ugradhvanibhiḥ: with horrifying voices | vicaradbhiḥ: roaming | samantāt: around | āvṛtām: surrounded | kāñcanena prākāreṇa: by a golden boundary wall | ramyām: the beautiful | mahāpurīm: great city | abhisaṃvṛtām: consisting | gṛhaiśca: houses | girisaṃkāśaiḥ: equal to mountains | śāradāmbudasannibhaiḥ: equal to the autumnal clouds | pratolībhiḥ: (and) main streets | pāṇḍurābhiḥ: which were white (plastered) | uccābhiḥ: (and) which were elevated | patākādhvaja mālinīm: decorated with flags and pennons | toraṇaiḥ: archaways | divyaiḥ: excellent | kāñcanaiḥ: golden hued | latāpaṅkti vicitritaiḥ: adorned with sculpted rows of climbers | dadarśa: (Hanuma) saw | devapurrimiva: like the city of Gods | divi: in heaven. |

TRANSLATION

The glorious Hanuma neared the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana, and saw the city which looked like the city of Gods in heaven, decorated by moats filled with lotuses and water-lilies, which was well protected, since the time of Seetha's abduction, by Ravana and by Rakshasas with horrifying voices roaming around, which was surrounded by a golden boundary wall, that beautiful great city consisted of houses equal in height to mountains and which looked like autumnal clouds, with white and elevated main streets, decorated with flags and pennons, with excellent golden hued archways adorned with sculpted rows of vines.

VERSE 19

गिरिमूर्ध्नि स्थितां लङ्कां पाण्डुरैर्भवनैः शुभैः
ददर्श स कपिश्रेष्ठः पुरमाकाशगं
यथा

girimūrdhni sthitāṃ laṅkāṃ pāṇḍurairbhavanaiḥ śubhaiḥ
dadarśa sa kapiśreṣṭhaḥ puramākāśagaṃ
yathā

SYNONYMS

saḥ: that | kapi śreṣṭhaḥ: best among monkeys Hanuma | dadarśa: saw | laṅkām: the city of Lanka | bhavanaiḥ: with buildings | pāṇḍuraiḥ: white in color | śubhaiḥ: beautiful ones | sthitām: situated | giri mūrdhni: on the top of a mountain | ākāśagam puram yathā: like a city located in the sky. |

TRANSLATION

That best among monkeys Hanuma saw the city of Lanka with beautiful white buildings situated on the top of a mountain like a city located in the sky.

VERSE 20

पालितां राक्षसेन्द्रेण निर्मितां विश्वकर्मणा
प्लवमानामिवाकाशे ददर्श हनुमान् पुरीम्

pālitāṃ rākṣasendreṇa nirmitāṃ viśvakarmaṇā
plavamānāmivākāśe dadarśa hanumān purīm

SYNONYMS

hanumān: Hanuma | dadarśa: saw | purīm: that city | pālitām: ruled | rākśasendreṇa: by the king of Rakshasas | nirmitām: constructed | viśvakarmaṇā = by Visvakarma: the architect of Gods | plavamāniva: looked as though it were floating | ākāśe: in the sky. |

TRANSLATION

Hanuma saw that city of Lanka ruled by Ravana the king of Rakshasas, constructed by Visvakarma (architect of Gods), and which looked as though it were floating in the sky.

VERSE 21

पप्रप्राकारजघनां विपुलाम्बुनवाम्बराम्
शतघ्नीशूलकेशान्तामट्टालकवतंसकाम्

papraprākārajaghanāṃ vipulāmbunavāmbarām
śataghnīśūlakeśāntāmaṭṭālakavataṃsakām

SYNONYMS

22| vānaraḥ: Hanuma (saw) | laṅkām: city of Lanka | vapraprākāra jaghanām: (with) buttress and enclosure wall as her hip and loins | vipulāmbunavāmbarām: the vast body of water (in the moat) as her raiment | śataghnī śūla keśantām: Satagnis and Sulas as her locks | aṭṭālakavataṃsakām: the mansions as her earrings | nirmitām: constructed | manasā: by thought | (ḥe) āsādya: reached | uttaram dvāram: the northern gate | cintayāmāsa = and thought ( thus: ) . |

TRANSLATION

Hanuma saw the city of Lanka with buttress and enclosure wall as her hip and loins, the vast body pf water in the moat as her raiment, Satagnis and Sulas as her locks, the mansions as her earrings, constructed by thought. He reached the northern gate and thought thus.

VERSE 23

कैलासशिखरप्रख्यामालिख्स्न्तीमिवाम्बरम्
डीयमानामिवाकाशमुच्छ्रितैर्भवनोत्तमैः

kailāsaśikharaprakhyāmālikhsntīmivāmbaram
ḍīyamānāmivākāśamucchritairbhavanottamaiḥ

SYNONYMS

26| kailāsa śikhara prakhyām: (Hanuma saw the city of Lanka ) equal to the peak of Kailasa | ālikhantīmiva: as though touching | ambaram: the sky | ḍīyamānāmiva: as though flying | ākāśam: for sky | uccritaiḥ bhavanottamaiḥ: with its best mansions | saṃpūrṇām: filled | ghoraiḥ: horrible ones | rākśasaiḥ: (and) Rakshasas | bhogavatīmiva: like in the city of Bhogavati | nāgaiḥ: and by Serpents | acintyām: one which is unfathomable | sukṛtām: well arranged one | spaṣṭām: the clear one | kuberādhyuṣitām: governed by Kubera | purā: in earlier times | rakśitām: protected | āśīviṣaiḥ: by serpents | guhāmiva: (with a mouth) like a cave | daṃṣṭribhiḥ: with sharp teeth | śūraiḥ: courageous ones | śūlapattisa pānibhiḥ: with spikes and Pattisas in their hands | saḥ vānaraḥ: that Hanuma | nirīkśya: saw | tasyāḥ: that Lanka's | mahatīm: great | guptim: protection | sāgaram ca: and the ocean | rāvaṇam ca: and Ravana | ghoram ripum: the horrible enemy | cintayāmāsa: and thought thus. |

TRANSLATION

Hanuma saw the city of Lanka equal to peak of Kailasa as though touching the sky, as though flying to reach the sky, with its best mansions, filled with horrible rakshasas and serpants like the city of Bhogavati (capital of Patala), one which was unfathomable, a well arranged and a clear city governed by Kubera in earlier times, protected by courageous, horrible serpents and Rakshasas with mouths with sharp teeth like a cave, with spikes and Pattisas (spears) in their hands. Hanuma saw that Lanka's great protection and the ocean and Ravana the horrible enemy and thought thus.

VERSE 27

आगत्यापीह हरयो भविष्यन्ति निररथकाः
न हि युद्धेन व लङ्का शक्या जेतुं सुरैरपि

āgatyāpīha harayo bhaviṣyanti nirarathakāḥ
na hi yuddhena va laṅkā śakyā jetuṃ surairapi

SYNONYMS

harayaḥ: vaanaras | āgatyāpi: even (if they) could come | iha: here | bhaviṣyanti: they would become | nirarthakāḥ: without success | laṅkā: Lanka | na śakyā hi: is not possible | jetum: to be overcome | yuddhena: in war | surairapi: even by Suras. |

TRANSLATION

"Even if Vanaras were to come here they would not meet with success. It is not possible even for Devas to be victorious against Lanka in war".

VERSE 28

इमां तु विषमां दुर्गां लङ्कां रावणपालिताम्
प्राप्यापि स महाबाहुः किम् करिष्यति राघवः

imāṃ tu viṣamāṃ durgāṃ laṅkāṃ rāvaṇapālitām
prāpyāpi sa mahābāhuḥ kim kariṣyati rāghavaḥ

SYNONYMS

prāpyāpi: even after reaching | imām: this | viṣamām: very difficult | durgām: impenetrable | laṅkām: Lanka | rāvaṇa pālitām: ruled by Ravana | kiṃ kariṣyati saḥ mahābāhuḥ rāghavaḥ: what can that Sri Rama with mighty arms do?. |

TRANSLATION

"Even if He reaches this very difficult and impenetrable Lanka ruled by Ravana, what can that Sri Rama with mighty arms do"?

VERSE 29

अवकाशो न सान्त्वस्य रक्षसेष्वभिगम्यते
न दानस्य न भेदस्य नैव युद्धस्य दृश्यते

avakāśo na sāntvasya rakṣaseṣvabhigamyate
na dānasya na bhedasya naiva yuddhasya dṛśyate

SYNONYMS

rākśaseṣu: in (the matter of overcoming) rakshasas | avakāśaḥ na abhigamyate: no opportunity can be obtained | sāntvasya: for persuasion | na dānasya: no (opportunity for) gift | na bhedasya: no (opportunity for) dissension | yuddhasya: (an opportunity for) war | naiva driśyate: is not even to be seen. |

TRANSLATION

"In the matter of overcoming rakshasas, there seems to be no opportunity for persuasion, gifts, dissension or even war".

VERSE 30

चतुर्णामेव हि गतिर्वानराणां महात्मनाम्
वालिपुत्रस्य नीलस्य मम राज्ञश्च धीमतः

caturṇāmeva hi gatirvānarāṇāṃ mahātmanām
vāliputrasya nīlasya mama rājñaśca dhīmataḥ

SYNONYMS

caturṇām eva hi: only four | mahātmānām: great | vānarāṇām: vanaras | gatiḥ hi: (have) the possibility of coming (here) | vāliputrasya = for the son of Vali: Angada | nīlasya: for Nila | mama: for me | dhīmataḥ rāṇznaśca: and for the wise king Sugriva. |

TRANSLATION

"Only four great Vanaras can come here - the son of Vali (Angada), Nila, myself and the wise king Sugriva".

VERSE 31

यावज्जानामि वैदेहीं यदि जीवति वा न वा
तत्रैव चिन्तयिष्यामि दृष्ट्वा तां जनकात्मजाम्

yāvajjānāmi vaidehīṃ yadi jīvati vā na vā
tatraiva cintayiṣyāmi dṛṣṭvā tāṃ janakātmajām

SYNONYMS

yāvat jānāmi: I will find out | vaidehīm: about Seetha | yadi jīvati vā: if she is alive or | na: not | cintayiṣyāmi: I will think | tatriava: there | dṛṣṭvā: after seeing | tām janakātmajām: that Seetha. |

TRANSLATION

"I will first find out if Seetha is alive or not. I will think all this later, after seeing that daughter of Janaka".

VERSE 32

ततः स चिन्तयामास मुहूर्तं कपिकुञ्जरः
गिरिशृङ्गे स्थितस्तस्मिन् रामस्याभ्युदये रतः

tataḥ sa cintayāmāsa muhūrtaṃ kapikuñjaraḥ
giriśṛṅge sthitastasmin rāmasyābhyudaye rataḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: after that | saḥ kapikuñaraḥ: that elephant among monkeys Hanuma | rataḥ: interested | abhyudaye: in the welfare | rāmasya: of Sri Rama | sthitaḥ: stood | tasmin giriśṛñge: on that mountain peak | cintayāmāsa: and thought | muhūrtam: for an instant. |

TRANSLATION

After that, that elephant among monkeys Hanuma who was interested in the welfare of Sri Rama, stood on that mountain peak and thought for an instant.

VERSE 33

अनेन रूपेण मया न शक्या रक्षसां पुरी
प्रवेष्टुं राक्षसैर्गुप्ता क्रूरैर्बलसमन्वितैः

anena rūpeṇa mayā na śakyā rakṣasāṃ purī
praveṣṭuṃ rākṣasairguptā krūrairbalasamanvitaiḥ

SYNONYMS

na śakyā: it is not possible | praveṣṭum: to enter | mayā: by me | anena rūpeṇa: in this appearance | purī: the city | rakśasām: of rakshasa | guptā: protected | rākśasaiḥ: by rakshasas | krūraiḥ: (who are) cruel | balasamanvitaiḥ: (and) with strength. |

TRANSLATION

"It is not possible for me to enter the city of ogres protected by cruel and strong rakshasas, with this appearance".

VERSE 34

उग्रौजसो महावीर्या बलवन्तश्च राक्षसाः
वञ्चनीया मया सर्वे जानकीं परिमार्गता

ugraujaso mahāvīryā balavantaśca rākṣasāḥ
vañcanīyā mayā sarve jānakīṃ parimārgatā

SYNONYMS

rākśasāḥ sarve: all rakshasas | ugraujasaḥ: who are with extraordinary energy | mahāvīryaḥ: great prowess | balavantaśca: and of might | vaṅcanīyāḥ: are to be cheated | mayā: by me | parimārgatā: who is searching | jānakīm: Seetha. |

TRANSLATION

"All these mighty ogres with extraordinary energy and great prowess are to be cheated by me while engaged in the search of Seetha".

VERSE 35

लक्ष्यालक्ष्येण रूपेण रात्रौ लङ्का पुरी मया
प्रवेष्टुं प्राप्तकालं मे कृत्यं साधयितुं
महत्

lakṣyālakṣyeṇa rūpeṇa rātrau laṅkā purī mayā
praveṣṭuṃ prāptakālaṃ me kṛtyaṃ sādhayituṃ
mahat

SYNONYMS

sādhayitum: to acheive | me: my | mahat: great | kṛtyam: task | mayā: by me | praveṣṭum: to enter | laṅkāpurī: city of Lanka | lakśyālakśyeṇa: in a seen-unseen (barely seen) | rūpeṇa: form | rātrau: at night | prāptakālam: is a timely (thing). |

TRANSLATION

"To achieve this great deed successfully, entering the city of Lanka in a small form at night is a timely thing to do" .

VERSE 36

तां पुरीं तादृशीं दृष्ट्वा दुराधर्शां सुरासुरैः
हनुमान् चिन्तयामास विनिश्चित्य मुहुर्मुहुः

tāṃ purīṃ tādṛśīṃ dṛṣṭvā durādharśāṃ surāsuraiḥ
hanumān cintayāmāsa viniścitya muhurmuhuḥ

SYNONYMS

hanumān: Hanuma | dṛṣṭvā: saw | tādṛśīm: such | tām: that | purīm: city | durādharṣam: difficult to overcome | surāsuraiḥ: (even for) devas or asuras | cintayāmāsa: (and) thought | muhurmuhuḥ: repeatedly. |

TRANSLATION

Hanuma saw such that city of Lanka, which was difficult to overcome even for Devas or asuras, and thought thus repeatedly.

VERSE 37

केनोपायेन पशेयं मैथिलीं जनकात्मजाम्
अदृष्टो राक्षसेन्द्रेण रावणेन दुरात्मना

kenopāyena paśeyaṃ maithilīṃ janakātmajām
adṛṣṭo rākṣasendreṇa rāvaṇena durātmanā

SYNONYMS

kena: By which | upāyena: idea | paśyeyam: can I see | maithilīm: Seetha | janakātmajām: the daughter of Janaka | adṛṣṭaḥ: unseen | durātmanā rāvaṇena: by the wicked Ravana | rākśasendreṇa: the king of ogres. |

TRANSLATION

"By what idea can I see Seetha the daughter of Janaka, unseen by the wicked Ravana, the king of the ogres.

VERSE 38

न विनश्येत्कथं कार्यं रामस्य विदितात्मनः
एकामेकश्च पश्येयं रहिते जनकात्मजाम्

na vinaśyetkathaṃ kāryaṃ rāmasya viditātmanaḥ
ekāmekaśca paśyeyaṃ rahite janakātmajām

SYNONYMS

katham: how | kāryam: (can) the task | viditātmanaḥ rāmsya: of Sri Rama | na vinaśyet: not be destroyed | paśyeyam ekaśca: (How) can I alone see | janakātmajām: Seetha | ekām: alone | rahite: in a place devoid of people. |

TRANSLATION

"How can the task of Sri Rama, one who knows self, not be destroyed? How can I alone see Seetha alone in a place devoid of people?."

VERSE 39

भूताश्चार्था विपद्यन्ते देशकालविरोधिताः
विक्लबं दूतमासाद्य तमः सूर्योदये यथा

bhūtāścārthā vipadyante deśakālavirodhitāḥ
viklabaṃ dūtamāsādya tamaḥ sūryodaye yathā

SYNONYMS

āsādya: obtaining | dūtam: a messenger | viklabam: with a gloomy mind | deśakālavirodhitāḥ: being against the place and time | bhūtāḥ: ready | arthāḥ: tasks | vipadyante: get harmed | tamaḥ yathā: like darkness (getting destroyed) | sūryodaye: at dawn. |

TRANSLATION

"With a mediator who has an unsteady and gloomy mind working against time and place, tasks that are otherwise ready to succeed get harmed, like the darkness that gets destroyed at dawn".

VERSE 40

अर्थानर्थान्तरे बुद्धिर्निश्चितापि न शोभते
घातयन्ति हि कार्याणि दूताः पण्डितमानिनः

arthānarthāntare buddhirniścitāpi na śobhate
ghātayanti hi kāryāṇi dūtāḥ paṇḍitamāninaḥ

SYNONYMS

niścitāḥ buddhirapi: even a decided mind | na śobhate: will not shine | arthānarthāntare: (when vacillating) between gain and loss | dūtāḥ: messengers | paṇḍitamāninaḥ: who are respected by scholars | ghātayanti hi: will also harm | kāryāṇi: tasks (due to their arrogance). |

TRANSLATION

"Even a decided mind will not shine when thinking about gain and loss. Mediators who are respected by scholarly people will also harm tasks due to their arrogance."

VERSE 41

न विनश्येत्कथं कार्यं वैक्लब्यम् न कथं भवेत्
लङ्घनं च समुद्रस्य कथं नु
न वृथा भवेत्

na vinaśyetkathaṃ kāryaṃ vaiklabyam na kathaṃ bhavet
laṅghanaṃ ca samudrasya kathaṃ nu
na vṛthā bhavet

SYNONYMS

katham: how | kāryam: the task (at hand) | na vinaśyet: will not be harmed | vaiklabyam: gloominess | katham nu: how | lañghanam ca: crossing | samudrasya: of the ocean | na bhavet: will not become | vṛdhā: waste. |

TRANSLATION

"How will the task at hand be not harmed? How will my mind not get gloominess? How will not the crossing of ocean go waste?."

VERSE 42

मयि दृष्टे तु रक्षोभी रामस्य विदितात्मनः
भवेद्व्यर्थमिदं कार्यं रावणानर्थमिच्छतः

mayi dṛṣṭe tu rakṣobhī rāmasya viditātmanaḥ
bhavedvyarthamidaṃ kāryaṃ rāvaṇānarthamicchataḥ

SYNONYMS

mayi dṛṣṭe tu: If I am seen | rakśobhiḥ: by rakshasas | idam kāryam: this task | rāmasya: of Sri Rama | viditātmanaḥ: one with famed mind | iccataḥ: who desires | rāvaṇānartham: the slaying of Ravana | bhavet: will become | vyartham: wasteful. |

TRANSLATION

"If I were to be seen by rakshasas, this task of Sri Rama, with a famed mind, who desires the slaying of Ravana will become wasteful."

VERSE 43

न हि शक्यं क्वचित् स्थातुमविज्ञातेन राक्षसैः
अपि राक्षसरूपेण किमुतान्येन केनचित्

na hi śakyaṃ kvacit sthātumavijñātena rākṣasaiḥ
api rākṣasarūpeṇa kimutānyena kenacit

SYNONYMS

na śakyam hi: it is not possible | sthātum: to be | kvacit: in any place | rākśasa rūpeṇāpi: with the form of a rakshasa | aviṇzātena: not being known | rākśaiḥ: by rakshasas | kimuta: what to say | anyena kenacit: (about) any other form. |

TRANSLATION

"It is not possible to be in Lanka even in the form of a rakshasa. What to say about being there in any other form?"

VERSE 44

वायुरप्यत्र नाज्ञातश्चरेदिति मतिर्मम
न ह्यस्त्यविदितं किंचिद्राक्षसानां बलीयसाम्

vāyurapyatra nājñātaścarediti matirmama
na hyastyaviditaṃ kiṃcidrākṣasānāṃ balīyasām

SYNONYMS

iti: this | mama matiḥ: is my thought | vāyurapi: even wind | na caret: cannot pass | atra: here | aṇzgnātaḥ: without being known | nāsti hi kiṃcit: there is nothing | aviditam: not known | balīyasām rākśasānām: to the mighty rakshasas. |

TRANSLATION

"My thought goes thus: Even wind cannot pass here without being known. There is nothing not known to the might rakshasas."

VERSE 45

इहाहं यदि तिष्ठामि स्वेन रूपेण संवृतः
विनाशमुपयास्यामि भर्तुरर्थश्च हीयते

ihāhaṃ yadi tiṣṭhāmi svena rūpeṇa saṃvṛtaḥ
vināśamupayāsyāmi bharturarthaśca hīyate

SYNONYMS

aham tiṣṭhāmi yadi: if I stay | iha: here | svena rūpeṇa saṃvṛtaḥ: consisting of my usual form | upayāsyāmi: I can obtain | vināśam: destruction | arthaśca: the task | bhartuḥ: of Lord Sri Rama | hīyate: will also be harmed. |

TRANSLATION

"If I stay here with my usual form, I can be destroyed. The task of the Lord will also be harmed."

VERSE 46

तदहं स्वेन रूपेण रजन्यां ह्रस्वतां गतः
लङ्कामभिपतिष्यामि राघवस्यार्थसिद्धये

tadahaṃ svena rūpeṇa rajanyāṃ hrasvatāṃ gataḥ
laṅkāmabhipatiṣyāmi rāghavasyārthasiddhaye

SYNONYMS

tat: for that (reason) | aham: I | gataḥ: will obtain | hrasvatām: smallness | svena rūpeṇa: in my usual form | abhipatiṣyāmi: and will enter | laṅkām: Lanka | rajanyām: at night | artha siddhaye: for the success of the task | rāghavasya: of Sri Rama. |

TRANSLATION

"For that reason, I will become small in my appearance and will enter Lanka at night for the success of the task of Sri Rama."

VERSE 47

रावणस्य पुरीं रात्रौ प्रविश्य सुदुरासदाम्
विचिन्वन् भवनं स्र्वं द्रक्ष्यामि जनकात्मजाम्

rāvaṇasya purīṃ rātrau praviśya sudurāsadām
vicinvan bhavanaṃ srvaṃ drakṣyāmi janakātmajām

SYNONYMS

praviśya: entering | sudurāsadām: the unapproachable | purīm: city | rātrau: at night | vicinvan: searching | sarvam bhavanam: all the mansion | rāvaṇasya: of Ravana | drakśyāmi: I can see | janakātmajām: Seetha. |

TRANSLATION

"Entering the unapproachable city of Lanka at night and searching all the mansion of Ravana, I can see Seetha."

VERSE 48

इति संचिन्त्य हनुमान् सूर्यस्यास्तमयं कपिः
आचकांक्षे ततो वीरो वैदेह्या द्रशनोतुसकः

iti saṃcintya hanumān sūryasyāstamayaṃ kapiḥ
ācakāṃkṣe tato vīro vaidehyā draśanotusakaḥ

SYNONYMS

vīraḥ kapiḥ: the courageous monkey | hanumān: Hanuma | iti: thus | saṃcintya: thinking | darśanotsukaḥ: interested in discovery | vaidehyāḥ: of Seetha | tadā: then | ācakāṃkśe: desired | sūryasya astamayam: the sun set. |

TRANSLATION

The courageous Hanuma thus thinking and being interested in discovering Seetha, then desired the sun to set.

VERSE 49

सूर्ये चास्तं गते रात्रौ देहं संक्षिप्य मारुतिः
वृषदंशकमात्रः सन् बभूवाद्भुतदर्शनः

sūrye cāstaṃ gate rātrau dehaṃ saṃkṣipya mārutiḥ
vṛṣadaṃśakamātraḥ san babhūvādbhutadarśanaḥ

SYNONYMS

sūrye astaṃgate ca: After the sun had set | mārutiḥ: Hanuma | saṃkśipya: reduced | deham: body | rātrau: at night | vṛṣadaṃśaka mātraḥ san: with a body size equal to that of a cat | babhūva: became | adhuta darśanaḥ: a wonderful sight (to behold). |

TRANSLATION

After the sun had set, Hanuma reduced His body at night with a size equal to that of a cat and became a wonderful sight to behold.

VERSE 50

प्रदोषकाले हनुमांस्तूर्णमुत्प्लुत्य वीर्यवान्
प्रविवेश पुरीं रम्यां सुविभक्तमहापथाम्

pradoṣakāle hanumāṃstūrṇamutplutya vīryavān
praviveśa purīṃ ramyāṃ suvibhaktamahāpathām

SYNONYMS

vīryavān: the courageous | hanumān: Hanuma | tūrṇam: quickly | utplutya: flew | pradoṣakāle: during the evening time | praviveśa: (and) entered | ramyām: beautiful | purīm: city of Lanka | suvibhaktamahāpathām: with well divided main pathways. |

TRANSLATION

The courageous Hanuma quickly flew during evening time and entered the beautiful city with well divided main pathways.

VERSE 51

प्रासादमालाविततां स्तम्भैः काञ्चनराजतैः
शातकुम्भमयैर्जालैर्गन्धर्वनगरोपमाम्

prāsādamālāvitatāṃ stambhaiḥ kāñcanarājataiḥ
śātakumbhamayairjālairgandharvanagaropamām

SYNONYMS

52| saḥ: Hanuma | dadarśa: saw | mahāpurīm: (that) great city | prāsāda mālā vitatām: filled with series of mansions | kāṅcana rājataiḥ: (with) golden hued | sthambhaiḥ: pillars | jālaiḥ: and windows | gandharvanagaropamām: equal to the city of Gandharvas | saptabhaumāṣṭabhaumai ca: (consisting of) seven and eight storied houses | talaiḥ: (with) top portions | sphaṭika saṃkīrṇaiḥ: inlaid with crystals | kārtasvaravibhūṣitaiḥ: and decorated with gold. |

TRANSLATION

Hanuma saw that great city filled with series of mansions, golden hued pillars and window lattices, which was equal to the city of Gandharvas, consisting of seven and eight storied buildings with their top portions studded with crystals and pearls and decorated with gold.

VERSE 53

वैडूर्यमणिचित्रैश्च मुक्ताजालविभूषितैः
तलैः शुशुभिरे तानि भवनान्यत्र रक्षसाम्

vaiḍūryamaṇicitraiśca muktājālavibhūṣitaiḥ
talaiḥ śuśubhire tāni bhavanānyatra rakṣasām

SYNONYMS

atra: there (in that city of Lanka) | bhavanāni: the houses | rakśasām: of rakshasas | śuśubhire: shone | talaiḥ: with top portions | vaiḍūryamaṇi citraiḥ: painted by cats-eyes and emeralds | muktājālavibhūṣitaiḥ: decorated by groups of pearls. |

TRANSLATION

There in that city of Lanka, the houses of rakshasas shone with top portions painted by cats-eyes and emeralds and decorated by groups of pearls.

VERSE 54

काञ्चनानि च चित्राणि तोरणानि च रक्षसाम्
लङ्कामुद्द्योतयामासुः सर्वतः समलंकृताम्

kāñcanāni ca citrāṇi toraṇāni ca rakṣasām
laṅkāmuddyotayāmāsuḥ sarvataḥ samalaṃkṛtām

SYNONYMS

kāṅcanāni: golden | toraṇāni: archways | citrāṇi: with strange hues | uddyotayāmāsuḥ: illuminated | samalaṃkṛtām: well decorated | laṅkām: city of Lanka | sarvataḥ: in all directions. |

TRANSLATION

Golden archways with strange hues illuminated the well decorated city of Lanka in all directions.

VERSE 55

अचिन्त्यामद्भुताकारां दृष्ट्वा लङ्कां महाकपिः
आसीद्विष्ण्डो हृष्टश्च वैदेह्या दर्शनोत्सुकः

acintyāmadbhutākārāṃ dṛṣṭvā laṅkāṃ mahākapiḥ
āsīdviṣṇḍo hṛṣṭaśca vaidehyā darśanotsukaḥ

SYNONYMS

mahākapiḥ: Hanuma | dṛṣṭvā: seeing | acintyām: the unimaginable | laṅkām: city of Lanka | adbhutākārām: with a wonderful appearance | darśanotsukaḥ: eager in discovery | vaidehyāḥ: of Seetha | āsīt: became | viṣaṇṇaḥ: sad | hṛṣṭaśca: and happy. |

TRANSLATION

Hanuma on seeing the unimaginable city of Lanka with a wonderful appearance became sad thinking about the prospect of capturing Lanka and also happy being eager to see Seetha.

VERSE 56

स पाण्डुराविद्धविमानमालिनीं
महार्हजाम्बूनदजालतोरणाम्
यशस्विनीं रावणबाहुपालितां
क्षपाचरैर्भिमबलैः समावृताम्

sa pāṇḍurāviddhavimānamālinīṃ
mahārhajāmbūnadajālatoraṇām
yaśasvinīṃ rāvaṇabāhupālitāṃ
kṣapācarairbhimabalaiḥ samāvṛtām

SYNONYMS

saḥ: Hanuma (saw Lanka) | pāṇḍurāviddhavimānamālinīm: with white | mahārhajāmbūnadajālatoraṇām: having golden windows and doorways of great value | yaśasvinīm: of great fame | samāvṛtām: consisting | kśapācaraiḥ: of ogres | bhimmabalaiḥ: of great strength | rāvaṇabāhupālitām: ruled by the hands of Ravana. |

TRANSLATION

Hanuma saw that city of Lanka of great fame, with white, closely built buildings having golden windows and doorways of great value, consisting of ogres of great strength and ruled by the hands of Ravana.

VERSE 57

चन्द्रो।अपि साचिव्यमिवास्य कुर्वं
स्तारागणैर्मध्यगतो विराजन्
ज्योत्स्नावितानेन वितत्य
लोक
मुत्तिष्ठते नैकसहस्ररश्मिः

candro|api sācivyamivāsya kurvaṃ
stārāgaṇairmadhyagato virājan
jyotsnāvitānena vitatya
loka
muttiṣṭhate naikasahasraraśmiḥ

SYNONYMS

naikasahasraraśmiḥ candro'pi: Moon with many thousands of rays | tārā gaṇaiḥ: together with a retinue of stars | madhyagataḥ: obtaining the center of stars | virājan: shining | vitatya: (and) covering | lokam: the earth | jyotsnā vitānena: with canopy of moon-light | uttiṣṭhate: rose up | kurvanniva: as though performing | sācivyam: help | asya: to Him (Hanuma) . saH hari praviiraH = that Hanuma | dadarśa: saw | candram: the moon | udgacchamānam: rising up | śaṇzkhaprabham: with a glow of a conch | vyavabhāsamānam: shining | kśīramṛṇāla varṇam: with milky white hue like a lotus-fiber | haṃsamiva: like a swan | poplūyamānam: swimming | sarasi: in a lake. |

TRANSLATION

The shining moon too rose up with its many thousands of rays, as though performing help to Hanuma, being at the middle of its retinue of stars and covering the earth with a canopy of light. That Hanuma saw the moon rising up with a glow of a conch shell, shining with a milky white hue of a lotus-fiber, like a swan swimming in a lake.

VERSE 58

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये सुन्दरकाण्डे द्वितीयः सर्गः

ityārṣe śrīmadrāmāyaṇe ādikāvye sundarakāṇḍe dvitīyaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

saḥ haripravīraḥ: that Hanuma | dadarśa: saw | candram: the moon | udgacha mānam: who was rising up | śaṅkha prabham: with the splendour of a couch-shell | vyavabhāsamānam: shining | kṣīramṛṇāla varṇam: in white colour as milk and lotus-fibre | hamsamiva: and looking like a swan | poplūyamānam: swimming | sarasi: in a lake. |

TRANSLATION

That Hanuma saw the moon, who was rising up in the sky with the splendour of a couch-shell, shining in white colour as milk or lotus-fibre, and looking like a swan swimming in a lake.