Chapter 3
Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty
स लम्ब शिखरे लम्बे लम्ब तोयद सम्निभे
सत्त्वम् आस्थाय मेधावी हनुमान् मारुत आत्मजः
sa lamba śikhare lambe lamba toyada samnibhe
sattvam āsthāya medhāvī hanumān māruta ātmajaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That Hanuma, best among monkeys, the intellectual son of Vayu, one with great might, stood on the moutain called Lamba with its high peaks equalling a high cloud, gathered courage and entered at night the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana and filled with beautiful forests and places of water such as lakes.
शारद अम्बु धर प्रख्यैः भवनैः उपशोभिताम्
सागर उपम निर्घोषाम् सागर अनिल
सेविताम्
śārada ambu dhara prakhyaiḥ bhavanaiḥ upaśobhitām
sāgara upama nirghoṣām sāgara anila
sevitām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The city of Lanka was shone by buildings equalling autumnal clouds. With a sound resembling that of an ocean, it was served by ocean breeze. It was filled with well fed and mighty armies like Vitapati, the capital of Kubera. It had elephants positioned at archways and had white gates and archways.
भुजग आचरिताम् गुप्ताम् शुभाम् भोगवतीम् इव
ताम् सविद्युत् घन आकीर्णाम् ज्योतिः मार्ग
निषेविताम्
bhujaga ācaritām guptām śubhām bhogavatīm iva
tām savidyut ghana ākīrṇām jyotiḥ mārga
niṣevitām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Quickly approaching that city of Lanka which was protected by Rakshasas, like the the auspicious city of Bhogavati being protected by serpents moving about, spread with cloud illumined by flashes of lightening, served by pathways of stars, witha light breeze like the Indra's city of Amaravati, surrounded by a wall with a golden hue, decorated by flags with sounds from groups of small bells. He became happy and leapt up the wall.
विस्मय आविष्ट हृदयः पुरीम् आलोक्य सर्वतः
जाम्बूनदमयैः द्वारैः वैदूर्य कृत वेदिकैः
vismaya āviṣṭa hṛdayaḥ purīm ālokya sarvataḥ
jāmbūnadamayaiḥ dvāraiḥ vaidūrya kṛta vedikaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seeing the city everywhere Hanuma became surprised at heart. Thereafter Hanuma the monkey, became happy seeing the doors which were of golden color, with platforms of cat's eye gems, inlaid with diamonds, crystals and pearls, embellished with floors of gems, graced with elephants made of refined gold, crowned with spotless white silver, stairs studded with cat's eye gems, with inside walls made of crystal free from dust, provided with lovely assembly halls, with sounds of Krauncha birds and peacocks, served by royal swans, looking as though flying toward the sky, with auspicious houses resounding everywhere with the sounds of clarionets and ornaments, equalling the city of Vasvaukasaara, as though flying towards the sky.
ताम् समीक्ष्य पुरीम् लन्काम् राक्षस अधिपतेः शुभाम्
अनुत्तमाम् ऋद्धि युताम् चिन्तयाम् आस
वीर्यवान्
tām samīkṣya purīm lankām rākṣasa adhipateḥ śubhām
anuttamām ṛddhi yutām cintayām āsa
vīryavān
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seeing that city of Ravana, which was best among cities, a wealthy city, a beautiful and auspicious city, that powerful Hanuma thought thus.
न इयम् अन्येन नगरी शक्या धर्षयितुम् बलात्
रक्षिता रावण बलैः उद्यत आयुध धारिभिः
na iyam anyena nagarī śakyā dharṣayitum balāt
rakṣitā rāvaṇa balaiḥ udyata āyudha dhāribhiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"It is not possible for anyone else to oppose this city, by strength alone, which is being guarded by armies of Ravana with raised weapons."
कुमुद अन्गदयोः वा अपि सुषेणस्य महा कपेः
प्रसिद्धा इयम् भवेत् भूमिः मैन्द द्विविदयोः
अपि
kumuda angadayoḥ vā api suṣeṇasya mahā kapeḥ
prasiddhā iyam bhavet bhūmiḥ mainda dvividayoḥ
api
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
This land may be conquerable by Kumuda or Angada, to the great monkey Sushena or to Mainda or Dvivida.
विवस्वतः तनूजस्य हरेः च कुश पर्वणः
ऋक्षस्य केतु मालस्य मम चैव गतिः भवेत्
vivasvataḥ tanūjasya hareḥ ca kuśa parvaṇaḥ
ṛkṣasya ketu mālasya mama caiva gatiḥ bhavet
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
There may be access to this land to the son of Sun God Sugreeva, to the monkey Kusaparvana, to the chief among monkeys Riksha and to me.
समीक्ष्य तु महा बाहः राघवस्य पराक्रमम्
लक्ष्मणस्य च विक्रान्तम् अभवत् प्रीतिमान्
कपिः
samīkṣya tu mahā bāhaḥ rāghavasya parākramam
lakṣmaṇasya ca vikrāntam abhavat prītimān
kapiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Considering the long armed Sri Rama's strength and Lakshmana's valour, Hanuma became happy.
ताम् रत्न वसन उपेताम् कोष्ठ आगार अवतंसकाम्
यन्त्र अगार स्तनीम् ऋद्धाम् प्रमदाम्
इव भूषिताम्
tām ratna vasana upetām koṣṭha āgāra avataṃsakām
yantra agāra stanīm ṛddhām pramadām
iva bhūṣitām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That great monkey saw that city of king of rakshasas like a wealthy woman decorated with diamonds for her clothes, with various storage houses as earrings, with amouries for her breasts. Due to the lamps that illuminated the radiant great houses, all darkness was lost.
अथ सा हरिशार्दूलम् प्रविशन्तिम् महाबलम्
नगरी स्वेन रूपेण ददर्श पवनात्मजम्
atha sā hariśārdūlam praviśantim mahābalam
nagarī svena rūpeṇa dadarśa pavanātmajam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, the guardian of that city, in her own form, saw Hanuma, the best among monkeys and the mighty one, entering.
सा तम् हरिवरम् दृष्ट्वा लङ्का रावणपालिता
स्वयमेवोत्थिता तत्र विकृताननदर्शना
sā tam harivaram dṛṣṭvā laṅkā rāvaṇapālitā
svayamevotthitā tatra vikṛtānanadarśanā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Seeing that best among monkeys Hanuma there, that Lanka ruled by Ravana, rose up herself with a horrific appearance of face an eyes.
पुरस्तत्क पिवर्यस्य वायुसूनोरतिष्ठत
मुञ्चमाना महानादमब्रवीत्पवनात्मजम्
purastatka pivaryasya vāyusūnoratiṣṭhata
muñcamānā mahānādamabravītpavanātmajam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
She stood in front of the best among Vanaras Hanuma. She made a great sound and spoke to Hanuma thus.
कस्त्वम् केन च कार्येण इह प्राप्तो वनालय
कथय स्वेह यत्तत्त्वम् यावत्प्राणा धरन्ति
ते
kastvam kena ca kāryeṇa iha prāpto vanālaya
kathaya sveha yattattvam yāvatprāṇā dharanti
te
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O one who lives in gardens! Who are you? For what reason did you come here? As long as your lives are sustained, tell me the truth here before that."
न शक्यम् खल्वियम् लङ्का प्रवेष्टुम् वानर त्वया
रक्षिता रावणबलैरभिगुप्ता समन्ततः
na śakyam khalviyam laṅkā praveṣṭum vānara tvayā
rakṣitā rāvaṇabalairabhiguptā samantataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O Vanara! It is indeed not possible for you to enter this city of Lanka which is protected by Ravana's forces and strongly guarded all around."
अथ तामब्रवीद्वीरो हनुमानग्रतः स्थिताम्
कथयिष्यामि ते तत्त्वम् यन्मम् त्वम् परिपृच्छसि
atha tāmabravīdvīro hanumānagrataḥ sthitām
kathayiṣyāmi te tattvam yanmam tvam paripṛcchasi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Therafter the mighty Hanuma spoke to Lanka standing in front of Him as follows : "Whatever matter you are asking me, I will tell you that truthfully."
का त्वम् विरूपनयना पुरद्वारे।अवतिष्ठसि
किमर्थम् चापि माम् रुद्ध्वा निर्भर्त्सयसि
दारुणा
kā tvam virūpanayanā puradvāre|avatiṣṭhasi
kimartham cāpi mām ruddhvā nirbhartsayasi
dāruṇā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"You are standing at the entrance to the city. O one with ugly eyes! Who are you? O horrible one! Stopping me, for what reason are you threatening me?"
हनुमद्वचनम् श्रुत्वा लङ्का सा कामरूपिणी
उवाच वचनम् क्रुद्धा परुषं पवनात्मजम्
hanumadvacanam śrutvā laṅkā sā kāmarūpiṇī
uvāca vacanam kruddhā paruṣaṃ pavanātmajam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Listening to Hanuma's words, that Lanka, with ability to achieve desired form, became angry and spoke these strong words to Hanuma.
अहम् राक्षसराजस्य रावणस्य महात्मनः
आज्ञाप्रतीक्षा दुर्धर्षा रक्षामि नगरीमिमाम्
aham rākṣasarājasya rāvaṇasya mahātmanaḥ
ājñāpratīkṣā durdharṣā rakṣāmi nagarīmimām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I protect this city, being invincible. I wait for the orders of the king of demons Ravana, the great one."
न शक्या मामवज्ञाय प्रवेष्टुम् नगरी त्वया
अद्य प्राणैः परित्यक्तः स्वप्स्यसे निहतो
मया
na śakyā māmavajñāya praveṣṭum nagarī tvayā
adya prāṇaiḥ parityaktaḥ svapsyase nihato
mayā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"After humilliating me it is not possible for you to enter the city. Being beaten by me, you will leave life and have a permanent sleep."
अहम् हि नगरी लङ्का स्वयमेव प्लवङ्गम
सर्वतः परिरक्षामि ह्येतत्ते कथितम् मया
aham hi nagarī laṅkā svayameva plavaṅgama
sarvataḥ parirakṣāmi hyetatte kathitam mayā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O Vanara! I am protecting this city of Lanka in all directions. This matter has been already told to you by me."
लङ्काया वचनम् श्रुत्वा हनुमान् मारुतात्मजः
यत्नवान्स हरिश्रेष्ठः स्थितश्शैल इवापरः
laṅkāyā vacanam śrutvā hanumān mārutātmajaḥ
yatnavānsa hariśreṣṭhaḥ sthitaśśaila ivāparaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
The son of Vayu and best among Vanaras heard Lanka's words and stood up like a second mountain, with a purpose.
स ताम् स्त्रीरूपविकृताम् दृष्ट्वा वानरपुङ्गवः
आबभाषे।अथ मेधावि सत्त्वान् प्लवगर्षभः
sa tām strīrūpavikṛtām dṛṣṭvā vānarapuṅgavaḥ
ābabhāṣe|atha medhāvi sattvān plavagarṣabhaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereafter that Hanuma the wise one, with great strength, best among those who can fly and best among Vanaras, saw that city of Lanka in the form of an ugly woman and spoke thus.
द्रक्ष्यामि नगरीम् लङ्काम् साट्टप्राकारतोरणाम्
इत्यर्थमिह सम्प्राप्तः परम् कौतूहलम्
हि मे
drakṣyāmi nagarīm laṅkām sāṭṭaprākāratoraṇām
ityarthamiha samprāptaḥ param kautūhalam
hi me
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I should like to see the city of Lanka with its palaces, defensive walls and archways. I came here for that reason. I am very curious to see them."
वनान्युपवनानीह लङ्कायाः काननानि च
सर्वतो गृहमुख्यानि द्रष्टुमागमनम् हि मे
vanānyupavanānīha laṅkāyāḥ kānanāni ca
sarvato gṛhamukhyāni draṣṭumāgamanam hi me
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"My arrival here is indeed to see Lanka's gardens, parks, forests and important houses all over."
तस्य तद्वचनम् श्रुत्वा लङ्का सा कामरूपिणी
भूय एव पुनर्वाक्यम् बभाषे परुषाक्षरम्
tasya tadvacanam śrutvā laṅkā sā kāmarūpiṇī
bhūya eva punarvākyam babhāṣe paruṣākṣaram
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Listening to Hanuma's words, Lanka with the ability to assume desired form, spoke harsh words stronger than before.
मामनिर्जत्य दुर्बद्धे राक्षसेश्वरपालिता
न शक्यमद्य ते द्रष्टुम् पुरीयम् वनराधम
māmanirjatya durbaddhe rākṣaseśvarapālitā
na śakyamadya te draṣṭum purīyam vanarādhama
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O lowly Vanara with an evil mind! It is not possile for you to see this city ruled by king of rakshasas, without first defeating me."
ततः स कपिशार्दूलस्तामुवाच निशाचरीम्
दृष्वा पुरीमिमाम् भद्रे पुनर्यास्ये यथागतम्
tataḥ sa kapiśārdūlastāmuvāca niśācarīm
dṛṣvā purīmimām bhadre punaryāsye yathāgatam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then that tiger among Vanaras Hanuma spoke to that demon : "O auspicious one! After seeing this city I will return back again to where I came from."
ततः कृत्वा महानादम् सा वै लङ्का भयावहम्
तलेन वानरश्रेष्ठम् ताडयामास वेगिता
tataḥ kṛtvā mahānādam sā vai laṅkā bhayāvaham
talena vānaraśreṣṭham tāḍayāmāsa vegitā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereafter that Lanka made a great sound causing terror and hit Hanuma, the best among Vanaras, with her palm quickly.
ततः स कपिशार्दुलो लङ्काया ताडितो भृशम्
ननाद सुमहानादम् वीर्यवान् पवनात्मजः
tataḥ sa kapiśārdulo laṅkāyā tāḍito bhṛśam
nanāda sumahānādam vīryavān pavanātmajaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Then that tiger among Vanaras, the powerful son of Vayu, being hit powerfully by Lanka made a great sound.
ततः सम्वर्तयामास वामहस्तस्य सो।अङ्गुल्दीः
मुष्टिनाभिजघूनैनाम् हनुमान् क्रोधमूर्चितः
tataḥ samvartayāmāsa vāmahastasya so|aṅguldīḥ
muṣṭinābhijaghūnainām hanumān krodhamūrcitaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereafter that Hanuma became dizzy with anger and folded his fingers of left hand. He then hit her with His fist. "She is a woman" - thinking thus He did not show much anger by Himself.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That demon fell on land immediately by that hit with a distressed body and appeared with a horrific face.
ततस्तु हनुमान् प्राज्ञस्ताम् दृष्ट्वा विनिपातिताम्
tatastu hanumān prājñastām dṛṣṭvā vinipātitām
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereafter the intellectual and glorious Hanuma saw her fallen down and thinking her to be woman, showed kindness.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Thereafter that Lanka being very gloomy spoke with a falterting tone without pride these words to Hanuma the Vanara.
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O long armed one! O best among Vanaras! Get propitiated and protect me. O gentle one! Those with great strength and courage always stand firm on tradition."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O Vanara! I am myself the city of Lanka. O strong one! O courageous one! I am defeated by your strength."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O lord of Vanaras! In earlier times I had been given a boon by Lord Brahma. Hear from me about this matter."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Let this be known by you - whenever a Vanara conquers you with his might, then a fear will come for Rakshasas."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O gentle one! With your appearance now, that time has come for me. Ordinance of Brahma is the truth and is immutable."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The destruction has come for Ravana the evil minded king and to all Rakshasas due to Seetha."
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"O best aming Vanaras! For that reason, enter the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana and do here whatever tasks you want to."