Sri Valmiki Ramayanam - Sundara Kanda (Book 5) Sarga 49 to 56

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

( Translation and Commentary by Scholar, 

 Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

 

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 49

Introduction

Hanuma sees well-adorned Ravana, who is seated on a well-decorated throne of crystal. He is surrounded by four ministers viz., Durdhara, Prahasta, Mahaparshva and Nikumbha. Surprised to behold the splendor and glory of Ravana, Hanuma believes that he could even rule heaven along with Indra, but for his gross unrighteousness, which pulled him down.

tataH sa karmaNaa tasya vismito bhiima vikramaH |
hanumaan roSha taamra akSho rakSho adhipam avaikShata || 5-49-1

1. tataH= then; saH hanuman= that Hanuma; bhiima vikramaH= with a terrific prowess; krodha taamraakSaH= was enraged and with his red-hot eyes; avaikSata= saw; rakSodhipam= that Ravana; vismitaH= was surprised; tena tasya= by that Indrait’s; karmaNaa= deed.

Then, Hanuma with a terrific prowess, was enraged (at his capture and his being dragged) and saw Ravana with his red hot eyes. He was surprised by that deed of Indrajit.

bhraajamaanam mahaaarheNa kaancanena viraajataa |
muktaa jaala aavR^itena atha mukuTena mahaadyutim || 5-49-2

2. (Ravana) mahaadyutim= was endowed with a great splendor; bhraajamaanam= and shone; viraajataa= with a glittering; mahaarheNa= and precious; makuTena= diadem; kaaN^chanena= of gold; atha= and; muktaa jaalaavR^itena= encircled with strings of pearls.

Ravana was endowed with a great splendor and shone with a glittering and precious diadem of gold as also encircled with strings of pearls.

vajra samyoga samyuktaiH mahaaarha maNi vigrahaiH |
haimaiH aabharaNaiH citraiH manasaa iva prakalpitaiH || 5-49-3

3. (That Ravana was adorned) chitraiH haimaiH aabharaNaiH= with bright-coloured gold ornaments; vajra samyoga yuktaiH= inlaid with diamonds; mahaarha maNi vigrahaiH= and decorated with worthy gems; prakalpitairiva= which appeared as though prepared with the mind.

That Ravana was adorned with bright-coloured gold ornaments, inlaid with diamonds and decorated with worthy gems, which appeared as though they were prepared with the mind.

mahaaarha kShauma samviitam rakta candana ruuShitam |
svanuliptam vicitraabhiH vividhabhiH ca bhaktibhiH || 5-49-4

4. (Ravana) mahaarha Khaumasamviitam= was attired in very costly silk; raktachandananruuSitam= and smeared with red sandal-paste; svanuliptam= and well-painted; vividhaabhishcha= with various; vichitraabhiH= brightly coloured; bhaktibhiH= designs.

Ravana was attired in very costly silk and his body was smeared with red-sandal paste and well painted with various brightly coloured designs.

vipulaiH darshaniiyaiH ca rakSha akShaiH bhiima darshanaiH |
diipta tiikShNa mahaadamShTraiH pralamba dashanac chadaiH || 5-49-5
shirobhiH dashabhiH viiram bhraajamaanam mahaaojasam |
naanaa vyaala samaakiirNaiH shikharaiH iva mandaram || 5-49-6

5, 6. (Ravana looked) vichitram= strange; dashabhiH shirobhiH= with his ten heads; bhiimadarshanaiH= with terrible looking; darshaniiyaiH= yet good-looking; raktaakSaiH= red eyes; diipta tiikSNa mahaadamSTraiH= with brilliant sharp enormous teeth; pralamba dashanahchhadaiH= and protruding lips; viiram= a daring demon; mahaujasam= endowed with extraordinary vigour; bhraajamaanam= shining brightly; mandaram iva= as Mount Mandra; shikharaiH= with its peaks; naanaa vyaaLasamaakiirNaiH= and infested with snakes of different varieties.

Ravana looked strange with his ten heads, having terrible-looking yet good-looking pair of red eyes each, with brilliant sharp enormous teeth and protruding lips, like a daring demon endowed with extra ordinary vigour, shining brightly as Mount Mandara with its peaks and infested with snakes of different varieties.

niila a~njana caya prakhyam haareNa urasi raajataa |
puurNa candra aabha vaktreNa sabalaakam iva ambudam || 5-49-7

7. (Ravana) raajataa= was shining; haareNa= with a pearl necklace; urasi= on his bosom; niilaaN^anachayaprakhyam= looking like a mass of blue antimony; puurNachandraabhavaktrNa= but with his countenance shining like the full moon; ambudamiva= and appearing like a cloud; sabaalaarkam= illumined by the rising sun.

Ravana was having a pearl necklace casting its splendor on his bosom. He was looking like a mass of blue antimony, but with his countenance shining like the full moon and appearing like a cloud illumined by the rising sun.

baahubhiH baddha keyuuraiH candana uttama ruuShitaiH |
bhraajamaana angadaiH piinaiH panca shiirShaiH iva uragaiH || 5-49-8

8. baahubhiH= Ravana was distinguished by (twenty) arms; baddha keyuuraiH= adorned with bracelets; chandanottama ruuSitaiH= smeared with excellent sandal-paste; bhraajamaana aN^gadaiH= and decked with shining Angadas another type of bracelets; piinaiH paNchashiirSaiH uragairiva= and looking like large five-hooded serpents

Ravana was distinguished by (twenty) arms, adorned with bracelets, smeared with excellent sandal-paste and decked with shining Angadas another variety of bracelets and looking like large five-hooded serpents.

mahati sphaaTike citre ratna samyoga samskR^ite |
uttama aastaraNa aastiirNe upaviShTam vara aasane || 5-49-9

9. suupaviSTam= (Ravana) was comfortably seated; mahati= on a big; varaasane= excellent throne; sphaaTike= of crystal; chitre= rendered picturesque; ratna samyoga samskR^ite= by being embedded with jewels; uttmaaastaraNa astiirNe= and overspread with an exquisite covering.

He was comfortably seated on a big excellent throne of crystal, rendered picturesque by being embedded with jewels and overspread with an exquisite covering.

alamkR^itaabhiH atyartham pramadaabhiH samantataH |
vaala vyajana hastaabhiH aaraat samupasevitam || 5-49-10

10. samupasevitam= He was duly waited upon; aaraat= at close quarters; samantataH= on all sides; pramadaabhiH= by young ladies; atyartham alankR^itaabhiH= well adorned; vaalavajanahastaabhiH= with whisks in their hands.

He was duly waited upon at close quarters on all sides by young ladies, well-adorned and with whisks in their hands.

durdhareNa prahastena mahaapaarshvena rakShasaa |
mantribhiH mantra tattvaj~naiH nikumbhena ca mantriNaa || 5-49-11
upa upaviShTam rakShobhiH caturbhiH bala darpitaiH |
kR^itsnaiH parivR^itam lokam caturbhiH iva saagaraiH || 5-49-12

11, 12. Balagarvitam= He was proud of his might; chaturbhiH rakSobhiH= and had four counselors; upopaviSTam= sitting nearby; rakSobhiH= all belonging to the demoniacal race; mantratattvajJNaiH= who knew the secret of good counsel; durdhareNa= namely Durdhara; prahastena= Prahasta; mahaaparshvena= Mahaparshva; rakSasaa= the demons; maNtriNaa= and the counselor; nikumbhena= Nikumbha; kR^itsnam loka iva= and looked like the entire terrestrial globe; parivR^itam= enclosed; chaturbhiH saagaraiH= by four oceans.

He was proud of his might and had four counselors sitting nearby, all belonging to the demonical race and who knew the secret of good counsel, viz. Durdhara, Prahasta, Mahaparshva the demon and the counselor Nikumbha and looked like the entire terrestrial globe enclosed by four oceans.

mantribhiH mantra tattvaj~naiH anyaiH ca shubha buddhibhiH |
ashvaasyamaanam sacivaiH suraiH iva sura iishvaram || 5-49-13

13. aashvaasyamaanam= He was being reassured; mantribhiH= by counselors; mantratattvajJNaiH= knowing the secret of good counsel; anyaiH= and other; rakSobhiH= demons; shubhabuddhibhiH= with; rakSobhiH= demons; shubhabuddhibhiH= with auspicious minds; sureshvanam iva= as Indra the lord of celestials; ( is reassured) sraiH= by celestials.

He was being reassured by counselors knowing the secret of good counsel and other demons with auspicious minds, as Indra the lord of celestials is reassured by celestials.

apashyat raakShasa patim hanuumaan atitejasam |
viShThitam meru shikhare satoyam iva toyadam || 5-49-14

14. hanuman= Hanuma; apashyat= saw; raakSasapatim= Ravana; ati tejasam= with a great splendor; viSThitam= being present (on the throne) satoyam toyadam iva= like a rainy cloud; merushikaare= on the peak of Mount Meru.

Hanuma saw Ravana with a great splendor, sitting on the throne, looking like a rainy cloud on the peak of Mount Meru.

sa taiH sampiiDyamaano api rakShobhiH bhiima vikramaiH |
vismayam paramam gatvaa rakSho adhipam avaikShata || 5-49-15

15. sampiiDyamaano.api= though tortured; rakSobhiH= by the demons; saH= that Hanuman; bhiimavikramaiH= of terrific prowess; gatvaa= undergoing terrific prowess; gatvaa= undergoing; paramam= a great; vismayam= surprise; avaikSata= looked attentively; rakSodhipam= at Ravana.

Though tortured by the demons that Hanuma, of terrific prowess, experiencing a great surprise, looked attentively at Ravana.

bhraajamaanam tato dR^iShTvaa hanumaan raakShasa iishvaram |
manasaa cintayaamaasa tejasaa tasya mohitaH || 5-49-16

16. tataH= thereupon; dR^iSTvaa= seeing; bhraajamaanam= the glittering; raakSaseshvaram= king of demons; hanuman= Hanuma; mohitaH= was bewildered; tasya= by his; tejasaa= splendor; chintayaamaasa= thought; manasaa= in his mind (as follows):

Seeing the glittering Ravana, the king of demons, Hanuma was bewildered by his splendor and thought in his mind as follows:

aho ruupam aho dhairyam aho sattvam aho dyutiH |
aho raakShasa raajasya sarva lakShaNa yuktataa || 5-49-17

17. aho ruupam= what figure; aho dhairyam= what courage; aho sattvam= what strength; aho dyutiH= what splendor; aho sarvalakSaNa yuktaa= and what bestowal of all auspicious marks; aho raakSasaraajasya= alas, this king of demons has.

“What figure, what courage, what strength, what splendor and what amalgam of auspicious marks, alas, this king of demons has!”

yadi adharmo na balavaan syaat ayam raakShasa iishvaraH |
syaat ayam sura lokasya sashakrasya api rakShitaa || 5-49-18

18. yadi ayam raakSaseshvaraH= (had) this lord of demons; na syaad= not perhaps; balavaan= strong; adharmaH= in unrighteousness; syaat= he would have been; raksitaa= a protector; suralokasyaapi= of even the world of celestials; sashakrasya= including Indra the Lord of celestials.

“Had this lord of demons perhaps not strong in unrighteousness, he would have been a protector of even the world of celestials together with Indra the lord of celestials.”

asya kruurairnR^isham saishcha karmabhirlokakutsitaiH |
sarve bibhyati khalvasmaallokaaH saamaradaanavaaH || 5-49-19
ayam hyutsahte kruddhaH kartumekaarNavam jagat |

19. asya karmabhiH= by his acts; kruuraH= cruel; nR^ishamsaishcha= and violent; lokakutsitaiH= despised by the world; sarve lokaaH= all people; samara daanavaaH= including gods and demons; bibhyati hi= indeed remain frighteed; asmaat= of him; ayam= he; kruddhaH= if enraged; utsahate hi= is indeed capable; kartum= to turn; jagat= the world; ekaarNavan= into a single ocean.

“By his cruel and violent acts despised by the world, all people including gods and demons indeed remain frightened of him. If enraged he is indeed capable to turn the entire world into a single ocean.”

iti cintaam bahu vidhaam akaron matimaan kapiH |
dR^iShTvaa raakShasa raajasya prabhaavam amita ojasaH || 5-49-20

20. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; prabhaavam= the power; raakSasaraajasya= of Ravana the king of demons; amitonjasaH= who had an unlimited vigour; matimaan= the intelligent; hariH= Hanuma; akarot= formed; bahuvidhaam= many kinds; chintaam= of thought; iti= in this way.

Seeing the power of Ravana the king of demons, who possessed an unlimited vigour, the intelligent Hanuma formulated many kinds of thoughts in this way.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe ekonapaJNchaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 49th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 50

Introduction

As instructed by Ravana, Prahasta his chief minister inquires of Hanuma as to who he was and also his motive in destroying the pleasure-garden as also killing the demons. In reply, Hanuma says that he destroyed the pleasure-garden in order that he might be taken captive and dragged to the presence of Ravana, whom he was eager to see and was forced in self-defense to kill those who stood in his way. Finally, he declares himself to be a messenger of Rama and adds that, though he was incapable of being bound by a missile presided over by Brahma, he surrendered to it only in order to see Ravana in person

tam udviikShya mahaabaahuH pinga akSham purataH sthitam |
roSheNa mahataa aaviShTo raavaNo loka raavaNaH || 5-50-1
sa raajaa roSha taamra akShaH prahastam mantri sattamam |

1. saH raavaNaH= That Ravana; mahaabaahuH= the long armed; lokaraavaNaH= who causes the people to cry; udviikSya= looking up; tam piN^gaakSam= at that mokey; sthitam= standing; purataH= in front of him; mahataa kopena aaviSTah= affected with violent anger; shaN^kaahR^itmaa= with his mind seized with suspicion; dadhyau= speenlated; kapiindram= about Hanuma the formost of monkeys; aavR^itam= who was invested; tejasaa= with splendour.

That Ravana, the long-armed, who caused people to cry, looking up at that monkey standing in front of him, was affected with violent anger, having his mind seized with suspicion, speculated (as follows) about Hanuma, the jewel among the monkeys, who was invested with splendour.

kimeSa bhagavaannandii bhavetsaakSaadihaagataH || 5-50-2
yena shapto.asmi kailaase mayaa samchaalite puraa |
so.ayam vaanaramuurtiH syaatkimsvidbaaNo mahaasuraH || 5-50-3

2, 3. Kailaase= (when) Mount Kailasa; samchaalite= was moved; mayaa= by me; kim bhavet= whether (he is); saakSaat= actually; bhagavaan= the divine; nandii= bull; aagataH= who came; iha= here; yena= and by whom; shaptaH asmin= I was cursed; puraa= long ago; saH ayam= or he; syaat kim svit= in whether; mahaasuraH baaNaH= the great demon named Bana; vaanara muurtiH= in the form of a monkey.

“When Mount Kailasa was moved by me, is it the same Nandi the divine bull (attendant of Siva) which cursed me long ago and came here now in this form or whether he is Bana the great demon (son of Bali) came here in the form of a monkey.”

sa raajaa roSataamraakSaH prahastam mantrisattamam |
kaala yuktam uvaaca idam vaco vipulam arthavat || 5-50-4

4. saH raajaa= that king; roSa taam raakSaH= enraged with red-hot eyes; uvaacha= spoke; idam vachaH= these words; kaalavat= connected with that time; arthavat= meaningful; avipulam= and concise; prahastam= to Prahasta; mantrisattaamam= his chief of ministers.

That king Ravana, becoming enraged with red hot eyes, spoke the following concise and meaningful words relevant to that occasion, to Prahasta, his chief of ministers.

duraatmaa pR^icChyataam eSha kutaH kim vaa asya kaaraNam |
vana bhange ca ko asya artho raakShasiinaam ca tarjane || 5-50-5

5. pR^ichchhyataam eSaH duraatmaa= let this wicked one be asked; kutaH= from where did he come; kim kaaaNam= for what reason; atra= at this place; kaH arthaH= and for what purpose; asya= for him; tarjane= to frighten; raakSasiinaam= the female-demons; vana bhaNgecha= in destroying the garden.

“Ask this wicked monkey from where did he come, for what reason did he come to this place and for what purpose did he frighten the female-demons in destroying our garden.”

matpuriimapradhR^iSyaam vaagamane kiM prayojanam |
aayodhane vaakiM kaaryam pR^ichchhyataameSa durmatiH ||5-50-6

6. pR^ichchhyataam eSaH durmatiH= let this evil-minded monkey be asked; kim prayojanam= on what purpose; aagamane= in coming; matpuriim= to my City; apradhR^iSyaam= which is invincible; kim kaaryam= and on what pursuit; aayodhanevaa= in doing the battle.

“Ask this evil-minded monkey as to what really is his purpose in coming over to my invincible City and what pursuit he is doing this battle.”

raavaNasya vacaH shrutvaa prahasto vaakyam abraviit |
samaashvasihi bhadram te na bhiiH kaaryaa tvayaa kape || 5-50-7

7. shrutvaa= hearing; vachaH= the words; raavaNasya= of Ravana; prahastaH= Prahasta; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= (the following) words (to Hanuma); samaashvasihi= take courage!; bhadram te= Happiness to you!; bhiiH na kaaryaa= not to be frightened; tvayaa= by you!; kape= O monkey.

Hearing the words of Ravana, Prahasta spoke the following words to Hanuma, “Take courage! Happiness to you! You need not get frightened, O monkey!”

yadi taavat tvam indreNa preShito raavaNa aalayam |
tattvam aakhyaahi maa te bhuut bhayam vaanara mokShyase || 5-50-8

8. vaanara= O monkey!; tvam preSitaH yadi taavat= If you are sent; indreNa= by Indra; raavaNaalayam= to the abode of Ravana; aakhyaahi= tell (me); tattvam= the truth; maa bhuut= let there not be; bhayam= fear; te= for you; mokSyase= you will be released.

“O monkey! If Indra has sent you to the abode of Ravana, tell me the truth. Do not have fear. You will be released.”

yadi vaishravaNasya tvam yamasya varuNasya ca |
caaru ruupam idam kR^itvaa oravuSTo naH puriimimaam || 5-50-9
viShNunaa preShito vaa api duuto vijaya kaankShiNaa |

9. tvam= you; praviSTaH= the one who has entered; imam purim= this city; naH= of ours; kR^itvaa= assuming; idam= this; chaararuupam= guise of a spy; tvam= (are) you; vaishrvaNasya= belonging to Kubera the lord of riches; yamasya= or belonging to Yama the god of death; varuNasya= or belonging to Varuna the Lord of the sea; preSitovaapi yadi= or whether sent; viSnunaa= by Vishnu, the lord of preservation; duutaH= as a messenger; vijayakaamkSiNaa= longing for a victory?

“Are you, the one who has entered our city, assuming the guise of a spy, sent by Kubera the god of riches or by Yama the god of death or by Varuna the lord of the sea or whether sent by Vishnu the lord of preservation, as a messenger, longing for a victory?”

na hi te vaanaram tejo ruupa maatram tu vaanaram || 5-50-10
tattvataH kathayasva adya tato vaanara mokShyase |

10. vaanara= O monkey!; te= your; ruupamadtramtu= form alone; vaanaram= (is that of) a monkey; tejaH= (your) splendour; na hi= is not indeed; vaanaram= that of a monkey; adya= Now; kathayasva= tell (me); tattvataH= actually; mokSase= you will be released; tataH= thereafter.

"O monkey! Your form alone is that of a monkey. Your splendour indeed is not that of a monkey. Now, tell me the truth. Thereupon, you will be released."

anR^itam vadataH ca api durlabham tava jiivitam || 5-50-11
athavaa yan nimittaH te pravesho raavaNa aalaye |

11. tava vadataH= If you tell; anR^itam= a lie; jiivitam= your survival; durlabham= will be difficult; athavaa= or (tell me); yannimittam= for what purpose; te praveshaH= is your entry; raavaNaalaye= into Ravana's abode."

"If you tell a lie, your survival will be difficult. Or else, tell me the purpose of your entry into Ravana's abode."

evam ukto hari varaH tadaa rakSho gaNa iishvaram || 5-50-12
abraviin na asmi shakrasya yamasya varuNasya vaa |
dhanadena na me sakhyam viShNunaa na asmi coditaH || 5-50-13
jaatiH eva mama tu eShaa vaanaro aham iha aagataH |

12, 13. evan= thus; uktaH= spoken; harishreSTaH= Hanuma the foremost of monkeys; tadaa= then; abraviit= spoke; rakSogaNeshvaram= to Ravana the Lord of demons; (as follows); naasmi= I am not (a messenger); shakrasya= of Indra; yamasya= or of Yama; varuNasye= or of Varuna; me= to me; na shakhyam= there is no friendship; dhanadena= with Kubera the god of riches; na= nor; choditaH= instigated; viSNunaa= by Vishnu; eSaa= this; mame eva= is just my; jaatiH= form of existence; aham= I; vaanaraH= am a monkey; aagataH= who came; iha= here.

Hearing the words of Prahasta, Hanuma spoke to Ravana the Lord of demons as follows, "I am not a messenger of Indra or Yama or Varuna. I have no friendship with Kubera the god of riches, nor am I instigated by Vishnu. This is just my form of existence, by my very birth. I am a monkey who came here."

darshane raakShasa indrasya durlabhe tat idam mayaa || 5-50-14
vanam raakShasa raajasya darshana arthe vinaashitam |

14. darshane= the sight; raakSasendrasya= of the king of demons; durlabhe= difficult to be obtained; taidam= Intent on that; darshanaarthe= object of sight; raakSasaraajasya= of the king of demons; vanam= the garden; vinaashitam= was destroyed; mayaa= by me.

"The sight of Ravana the King of demons is difficult to be obtained. Intent on that object (of sight of Ravana), the garden was destroyed by me."

tataH te raakShasaaH praaptaa balino yuddha kaankShiNaH || 5-50-15
rakShaNa artham ca dehasya pratiyuddhaa mayaa raNe |

15. te balinaH raakSasaaH= those strong demons; tataH= then; praaptaaH= came; yuddha kaaN^kSiNah= with a desire to fight; rakSaNaartham tu= for the protection; dehasya= of my body; pratiyuddhaaH= they were attacked; raNe= in battle; mayaa= by me.

"Then, those strong demons came with a desire to fight with me. Just for protecting my body, I had to attack them in battle."

astra paashaiH na shakyo aham baddhum deva asuraiH api || 5-50-16
pitaamahaat eva varo mama api eSho abhyupaagataH |

16. aham= I; na shakyaH= am incapable; baddhum= of being bound; astrapaashaiH= by missiles and nooses; devaasurairapi= even by celestials and demons; eSaH varaH= this boon; abhyupaagataH= came; mamaapi= to me too; pitaamahaadeva= from Brahma only.

"I am incapable of being bound by missiles and nooses even by celestials and demons. This boon came to me also from Brahama only."

raajaanam draShTu kaamena mayaa astram anuvartitam || 5-50-17
vimukto aham astreNa raakShasaiH tu atipiiDitaH |
kevachidraajakaaryeNa sampraapto.asmi tavaantikam || 5-50-18

17, 18. mayaa= by me; draSTukaamena= with a desire to see; raajaanam= you the king; astram anuvartitam= the missile was obeyed; mayaa= by me; abhipiiDitaH tu= after being bound; raakSasaiH= by the demons; aham= I; vimuktohi= was indeed released; astreNa= from the missile; sampraaptaH asmi= I came; tava antikam= to your vicinity; kenachit raajakaaryeNa= on some king's duty.

With a desire to see you the king, I surrendered to the missile. Soon after bound by the demons, I was indeed released from the missile. I came to your presence, prompted by some mission of Rama."

duuto.ahamiti vijJNeyo raaghavasyaamitaujasaH |
shruuyataam chaapi vachanam mama pathyamidam prabho || 5-50-19

19. aham= I; vijNeyaH= am to be known; duutaaH iti= as a messenger; raaghavasya= of Rama; amitoujasaH= possessing an unlimited splendour; prabho= O Lord of demons!; idam= let this; pathyam= beneficial; mama vachaam= word of mine; shruujataam cha= be heard (by you).

"O, Lord of demons! Know me to be a messenger of Rama who is possessing I am unlimited splendour. I am telling you a beneficial word. Listen to it."

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe paN^chaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 50th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 51

Introduction

Hanuma narrates the story of Rama, who on command from his father, went on exile to Dandaka forest along with Seetha, who was later borne away by Ravana through the sky over Rishyamuka mountain. Hanuma adds that Rama, while searching for Seetha at Mount Rishyamuka, happened to meet Sugreeva and made friendship with him. Hanuma also tells the story about Rama installing Sugreeva in the throne, after killing Vali and about Sugreeva promising Rama to get Seetha searched. Celebrating the glory of Rama, Hanuma points out to Ravana that if he wished to survive he should give back Seetha to Rama and that he should be prepared for the worst if on the other hand he refuses to do so

tam samiikShya mahaasattvam sattvavaan haari sattamaH |
vaakyam arthavat avyagraH tam uvaaca dasha aananam || 5-51-1

1. samiikSya= seeing; tam= that; mahaasattvam= highly energetic; dashaananam= Ravana; sattvavaan= the courageous; harisattamaH= Hanuma; uvaacha= spoke; tam= to him; arthavat= (the following) meaningful; vaakyam= words; avyagram= coolly.

Seeing that highly energetic Ravana, the courageous Hanuma coolly spoke to him the following meaningful words:

aham sugriiva samdeshaat iha praaptaH tava aalayam |
raakShasa indra hari iishaH tvaam bhraataa kushalam abraviit || 5-51-2

2. raakSasendra= O king of demons!; sugriiva samdeshaat= by the command of Sugreeva; aham= I; praaptaH= came; iha= here; tava aalayam= to your abode; hariishaH= Sugreeva, that Lord of monkeys; bhraataa= your brother; abraviit= enquired; tvaam kushalam= about your welfare.

"O king of demons! By the command of Sugreeva, I came here to your abode. Sugreeva, the Lord of monkeys, your brother, asked me to enquire about your welfare.

bhraatuH shR^iNu samaadesham sugriivasya mahaatmanaH |
dharma artha upahitam vaakyam iha ca amutra ca kShamam || 5-51-3

3. shruNa= here; vaakyam= the words; samaadesham= as an advice; mahaatmanaH sugriivasya= of the high-souled Sugreeva; bhraatuH= your brother; kSamam= conducive to good; ihacha= in this world; amutracha= and in the other world; dharmaarthopahitam= as also endowed with righteousness and meaningfulness.

"Hear the righteous and meaningful words, as a following advice, of the high-souled Sugreeva, your brother, conducive to good in the world as well as in the other world."

raajaa dasharatho naama ratha kunjara vaajimaan |
pitaa iva bandhuH lokasya sura iishvara sama dyutiH || 5-51-4

4. raajaa= (there was) a king; dasharathonaama= named Dasaratha; ratha kuN^jara vaajimaan= having chariots, elephants and horses; piteva= like a father; lokasya= to the people; sureshvara samadyutiH= and possessing a splendour equal to that of Indra the Lord of celestials.

"There was a king named Dasaratha, having chariots, elephants and horses, like a father to the people and endowed with a splendour equal to that of Indra the lord of celestials."

jyeShThaH tasya mahaabaahuH putraH priya karaH prabhuH |
pituH nideshaan niShkraantaH praviShTo daNDakaa vanam || 5-51-5
lakShmaNena saha bhraatraa siitayaa ca api bhaaryayaa |
raamo naama mahaatejaa dharmyam panthaanam aashritaH || 5-51-6

5, 6. tasya= his; jyeSThaH putraH= eldest son; raamo naama= named Rama; mahaabaahuH= having mighty arms; priyakaraH= a bestower of affection; prabhuH= and our lord; nideshaat= by the command; pitaH= of his father; asthitaH= abiding; dharmyam panthaanam= in a righteous path; niSkraantaH= went out; praviSTaH= and entered; daNDakaavanam= a forest called Dandaka; bhraatraa lakSmaNena= (along with) his brother Lakshmana; bhaaryayaa siitayaa= and with his wife, Seetha.

"His eldest son named Rama, having mighty arms, a bestower of affection and our lord, by the command of his father, abiding in a righteous path, went out on exile and entered a forest called Dandaka along with Lakshmana his brother and Seetha his wife."

tasya bhaaryaa vane naShTaa siitaa patim anuvrataa |
vaidehasya sutaa raaj~no janakasya mahaatmanaH || 5-51-7

7. siitaa= Seetha; tasya bhaaryaa= Rama's wife; patim anuvrataa= devoted to her husaband; sutaa= and daughter; mahaatmanaH= of the high-souled; raaj~naH= king; janakasya= called Janaka; vaidehasya= the head of Videha kingdom; naSTaa= got lost; vane= in the forest.

"Seetha, wife of Rama, devoted to her husband and daughter of the high-souled king, named Janaka, the head of Videha kingdom, got lost in the forest."

sa maargamaaNaH taam deviim raaja putraH saha anujaH |
R^ishyamuukam anupraaptaH sugriiveNa ca samgataH || 5-51-8

8. saH raajaputraH= Rama, that prince; sahaanujaH= along with his brother; maarga maaNaH= searching; taam deviim= that lady; anupraaptaH= reached; R^iSyamuukam= Mount Rishyamuka; samaagataH= and met; sugreevaNa= Sugreeva.

"That prince, Rama together with his brother, searching that lady, reached Mount Rishyamuka and happened to meet Sugreeva."

tasya tena pratij~naatam siitaayaaH parimaargaNam |
sugriivasya api raameNa hari raajyam niveditam || 5-51-9

9. tena= by that Sugreeva; siitaayaaH parimaargaNam= looking for Seetha; pratijJNaatam= was promised; tasya= to that Rama; raameNa api= even by Rama; hariraajyam= the kingdom of monkeys; niveditam= was announced (promised); sugriivasya= to Sugreeva.

"While Sugreeva promised Rama to get Seetha searched, Rama too promised to get the kingdom of monkeys to Sugreeva."

tataH tena mR^idhe hatvaa raaja putreNa vaalinam |
sugriivaH sthaapito raajye hari R^ikShaaNaam gaNa iishvaraH || 5-51-10

10. tataH= thereafter; vaalinam= Vali; hatvaa= having been killed; mR^idhe= in combat; tena raajaputreNa= by Rama; sugriiva= Sugreeva; sthaapitaH= was installed; raajye= in the kingdom; haryR^ikSaNaam= of monkeys and bears; gaNeshvaraH= as a Lord of that troop.

"Thereafter, killing Vali in a combat, Rama installed Sugreeva on the throne as a lord of that troop monkeys and bears."

tvayaa vijJNaatapuurvashcha vaalii vaanarapuN^gavaH |
raameNa nihataH saMkhye shareNaikena vaanaraH || 5-51-11

11. vaali= Vali; vaanarapuNgavaH= the foremost among monkeys; tvayaa vijJNaata puurvashcha= was known to you previously; vaanaraH= that Vali; nihataH= was killed; raameNa= by Rama; ekena shareNa= with a single arrow; samkhye= in battle.

"You may indeed know Vali, the foremost among monkeys, previously. Rama killed that Vali with a single arrow in battle."

sa siitaa maargaNe vyagraH sugriivaH satya samgaraH |
hariin sampreShayaamaasa dishaH sarvaa hari iishvaraH || 5-51-12

12. saH hariishvaraH= that lord of monkeys; sugriivaH= Sugreeva; satya sangaraH= true to his promise; vyagraH= was intent on; siitaamaargaNe= searching for Seetha; sampreSayaamaasa= and sent; hariin= his monkeys; sarvaaaH= to all dishaH= directions.

"Sugreeva, the lord of monkeys, true to his promise, was intent on searching for Seetha and sent his monkeys to all directions."

taam hariiNaam sahasraaNi shataani niyutaani ca |
dikShu sarvaasu maargante adhaH ca upari ca ambare || 5-51-13

13. sahasraaNi= thousands; shataani= hundreds; niyutaani= and lakhs; hariiNaam= of monkeys; maargante= are searching; taam= for her; sarvaasu dikSu= in all directions; adhashcha= as also below; upari= and above; ambare cha= in the sky.

"Hundreds, thousands and lakhs of monkeys are searching for her in all quarters, as also below and above in the sky."

vainateya samaaH kecit kecit tatra anila upamaaH |
asamga gatayaH shiighraa hari viiraa mahaabalaaH || 5-51-14

14. tatra= in those monkeys; kechit= some; mahaabalaaH= mighty; hariviiraaH= virile monkeys; vainateya samaaH= are like Garuda the eagle. kechit= some; anilopamaaH= are like wind; shiighraaH= swiftly going; asmgagatayaH= with an unhindered movement.

"Among those monkeys, some mighty and virile monkeys are similar to Garuda the eagle. Some are like wind, swiftly going with an unhindered movement."

aham tu hanumaan naama maarutasya aurasaH sutaH |
siitaayaaH tu kR^ite tuurNam shata yojanam aayatam || 5-51-15
samudram langhayitvaa eva taam didR^ikShuH iha aagataH |

15. aham tu= I am, however; ourasaH sutaH= an own son; maarutasya= of wind-god; hanumaannaama= and named as Hanuma; aagataH= who came; iha= here; laN^ghayitvaiva= even by crossing; tuurNam= quickly; samudram= the sea; shatayojanam aayatam= which is a hundred yojanas (or eight hundred miles) wide; siitaayaaH kR^ite= for the sake of Seetha; didR^ikSuH= and wishing to see; taam= her.

“I am, however, an own son of wind-god and named as Hanuma. I came here even by crossing quickly the ocean, which is a hundred yojanas (or eight hundred miles) wide for the sake of Seetha and wishing to see her."

bhramataa cha mayaa dR^iSTaa gR^ihe te janakaatmajaa || 5-51-16
tat bhavaan dR^iShTa dharma arthaH tapaH kR^ita parigrahaH |
para daaraan mahaapraaj~na na uparoddhum tvam arhasi || 5-51-17

16, 17. mayaa= by me; bhramataa= who was strolling around; janakaamajaa= Seetha; dR^iSTaa= was seen; te gR^ihe= in your abode; bhavaan= you; dR^iSTadharmaarthaH= learnt about religious merit and wealth; tapaH kR^itaparigrahaH= and performed and mastered the austerities; mahaapraajJNa= O great intellectual!; tat= that is why; tvam na arhasi= you ought not; uparoddhum= besiege; paradaaraan= the wife of another.

"While strolling around in the city of Lanka, I found Seetha in your abode. You know about religious merit and wealth. You performed and mastered the austerities. That is why, you ought not besiege the wife of another, O great intellectual!"

na hi dharma viruddheShu bahv apaayeShu karmasu |
muula ghaatiShu sajjante buddhimanto bhavat vidhaaH || 5-51-18

18. buddhimantaH= Intellectuals; bhavadvidhaaH= like you; na sujjante hi= indeed are not engrossed; karmasu= in actions; dharmaviruddheSu= which are antagonistic to righteousness; bahvapaayeSu= which are attended with many dangers; muulaghaatiSu= and which ruin doer at the roots.

"Intellectuals like you indeed are not engrossed in acts, which are antagonistic to righteousness, which are attended with many dangers and which even ruin the doer at the roots."

kaH ca lakShmaNa muktaanaam raama kopa anuvartinaam |
sharaaNaam agrataH sthaatum shakto deva asureShv api || 5-51-19

19. kaH= who; shaktaH= is capable; devaaasureSvapi= even among celestials and demons; sthaatum= to stand firmly; agrataH= in front; sharaaNaam= of arrows; lakSmaNamuktaanaam= discharged by LakSmaNamuktaanaam= discharged by Lakshmana; raama kopaanuvartinaam= in the wake of the fury of Rama?

"Who is capable even among celestials and demons, to withstand the arrows discharged by Lakshmana, in the wake of the fury of Rama?

na ca api triShu lokeShu raajan vidyeta kashcana |
raaghavasya vyaliikam yaH kR^itvaa sukham avaapnuyaat || 5-51-20

20. raajan= O king!; na vidyeta kashchana= none is known; triSu lokeSu= in the three worlds; yaH= who avaapnuyaat= have gained; sukham= happiness; kR^itaa= by doing; vyaLiikam= harm; raaghavaya= to Rama.

"O king! No one is known in the three worlds, who have gained happiness, by doing harm to Rama."

tat trikaala hitam vaakyam dharmyam artha anubandhi ca |
manyasva nara devaaya jaanakii pratidiiyataam || 5-51-21

21. tat= that is why; manyasva= agree with; vaakyam= my words; trikaalahitam= which are beneficial for all the three times; dharmyam= legitimate; arthaanubandhicha= and resulting in affluence and respectability janakii= 9let) Seetha; pratidiiyataam= be restored; naradevaaya= to Rama.

"That is why, accede to my words, which are beneficial for all the three divisions of time (viz. the past, present and future), resulting in affluence and respectability as well. Let Seetha be restored to Rama."

dR^iShTaa hi iyam mayaa devii labdham yat iha durlabham |
uttaram karma yat sheSham nimittam tatra raaghavaH || 5-51-22

22. maaa= by me; iyam devii= this princess, Seetha; dR^iSTaa hi= has been indeed beheld; yat= which; durlabham= is difficult to be achieved; labdham= and which is achieved; iha= here; yat karma= whichever work; sheSam= remaining; uttaram= of future consequence; nimittam= is for; raaghavaH= Rama; tatra= there (to decide)

"I beheld Seetha, the princess. The audience of Seetha is difficult to be achieved and it is obtained here. It is for Rama there to decide his remaining task of future consequence."

lakShitaa iyam mayaa siitaa tathaa shoka paraayaNaa |
gR^ihya yaam na abhijaanaasi panca aasyaam iva pannagiim || 5-51-23

23. gR^ihya= capturing; yaam= which Seetha; paN^chaasyaam pannagiimiva= akin to a five-hooded female-serpent; naabhijaanaasi= you are not able to recognize; iyam siitaa= this Seetha; shokaparaayaNaa= wholly given up to sorrow; lakSitaa= was seen; mayaa= by me; tathaa= in that manner.

"Capturing Seetha, whom you do not recognize as a five-hooded female serpent in your abode, has been found by me in that manner, and wholly given over to sorrow."

na iyam jarayitum shakyaa saasuraiH amaraiH api |
viSha samsR^iShTam atyartham bhuktam annam iva ojasaa || 5-51-24

24. iyam= she; na shakyaa= is incapable; jarayitum= of being devoured; ojasaa= with one's might; amarairapi= even by celestials; saasuraiH= together with demons; annamiva= like food; atyartham viSasamsR^iSTam= mixed with abundant poison; bhuktam= is in capable of being consumed.

"She is incapable of being devoured with one's might even by celestials and demons, any more than food mixed with abundant poison could be digested with one's digestive power, if consumed."

tapaH samtaapa labdhaH te yo ayam dharma parigrahaH |
na sa naashayitum nyaayya aatma praaNa parigrahaH || 5-51-25

25. na nyaayyaH= it is not proper; naashayitum= to lose; saH= that; aatma praaNa parigrahaH= capacity to preserve your life (for exceptional longevity); yaH= or which; ayam dharmaparigrahaH= is an outcome of your virtue; tapaH samaapa labdhaH= both of which have been acquired by you through the practice of austerities.

"It is not proper for you to lose your exceptional longevity and that fortune which is an outcome of your virtue, both of which have been acquired by you through the practice of austerities."

avadhyataam tapobhiH yaam bhavaan samanupashyati |
aatmanaH saasuraiH devaiH hetuH tatra api ayam mahaan || 5-51-26

26. bhavaan samanupashyasi= you may perceive; aatmanaH avadhyataam= your own immunity from death; saasuraiH= from demons; devaiH= and celestials; tapobhiH= by your austerities, tatraapi= in that matter also; ayam= this; mahaan= great; hetuH= reason (exists).

"You may be thinking that you are immune from death from demons and celestials, because of your austerities. But your opinion in that matter is not correct, on account of the following reason.

sugriivo na hi devo ayam na asuro na ca maanuShaH |
na daanavo na gandharvo na yakSo na cha pannagaH || 5-51-27
tasmaat praaNa paritraaNam katham raajan kariShyasi |

27. ayam sugriivaH= this Sugreeva; na hi= is not indeed; devaH= a god; asuraH na= nor Asura the chief of evil spirits; raakSasaH cha= nor a demon; daanavaH na= nor a child of Danu the demons; gandharvaH na= nor Gandhara, the celestial musician; yakSaH na= nor Yaksha, the semi-divine being; pannaga the serpent-demon; raajan= O king!; katham= how; kariSyasi= do you; praaNaparitraaNam= protect your life; tasmaat= from him?

"This Sugreeva is indeed neither a god, nor Asura the chief of evil spirits nor a demon nor a child of Danu the demon, nor Gandharva the celestial musician nor Yaksha the semi-divine being nor pannaga the serpent-demon. O King! How do you protect your life from him?"

na tu dharma upasamhaaram adharma phala samhitam || 5-51-28
tat eva phalam anveti dharmaH ca adharma naashanaH |

28. dharmopasamhaaram= the fruit of righteousness; na tu= is not; adharmaphalasamhitam= close by the result of unrighteousness; tat phalameva= that consequence of unrighteousness alone; anveti= follows as an adherent; dharmashcha= righteousness; adharma naashanaH= destroys unrighteousness.

"The fruit of righteousness does not exist together with the result of unrighteousness (eventhough he practices virtue). That consequence of unrighteousness alone follows him. Righteousness in abundance destroys unrighteousness."

praaptam dharma phalam taavat bhavataa na atra samshayaH || 5-51-29
phalam asya api adharmasya kShipram eva prapatsyase |

29. dharmaphalam= the fruit of virtue; praaptam taavat= has already been obtained; bhavataa= by you; na samshayah= there is no doubt; atra= about it; prapatsyase= you will obtain; kSiprameva= just soon; phalamapi= even the fruit; adharmasya= of unrighteousness also."

"You already obtained the fruit of virtue till now. There is no doubt about it. In no time, you will obtain the fruit of unrighteousness also."

jana sthaana vadham buddhvaa buddhvaa vaali vadham tathaa || 5-51-30
raama sugriiva sakhyam ca budhyasva hitam aatmanaH |

30. buddhvaa= recognizing; janasthaana vadham= the killing of demons in Janasthana-forest; tathaa= and; buddhvaa= recognizing; vaalivadham= the killing of Vali; raama sugriiva sakhyam cha= and about the friendship between Rama and Sugreeva; budhyasva= realise; aatmanaH= your own; hitam= interest.

"Recognizing the killing of demons in the forest of Janasthana, about the killing of Vali and about the friendship between Rama and Sugreeva, realize your own interest."

kaamam khalv aham api ekaH savaaji ratha kunjaraam || 5-51-31
lankaam naashayitum shaktaH tasya eSha tu vinishcayaH |

31. aham= I; eko.api= even alone; shaktaH khalu= am capable indeed; naashayitum= to destroy; laN^kaam= Lanka; savaajiratha kuN^jaraam= along with its horses, chariots and elephants; kaamam= undoubtedly; eSaH tu= However, this; ma= is not; nishchayaH= a decision; tasya= of Rama.

"I am indeed, even alone, undoubtedly, destroying Lanka, along with its horses, chariots and elephants. However, this is not in accordance with the resolution of Rama."

raameNa hi pratij~naatam hari R^ikSha gaNa samnidhau || 5-51-32
utsaadanam amitraaNaam siitaa yaiH tu pradharShitaa |

32. pratijJNaatamhi= It was indeed promised; raameNa= by Rama; haryR^ikSagaNa sammidhau= in the presence of troops of monkeys and bears; utsaadanam= about the extermination; amitraaNaam= of enemies; yaiH= by whom; siitaa= Seetha; pradharSitaa= was actually laid violent hands upon.

"For, Rama, indeed, promised in the presence of troops of monkeys and bears, about the extermination of enemies, by whom Seetha was actually laid violent hands upon."

apakurvan hi raamasya saakShaat api puram daraH || 5-51-33
na sukham praapnuyaat anyaH kim punaH tvat vidho janaH |

33. puramdaraH api= even Indra the Lord of celestials; saakSaat= in person; na praapnuyaat= cannot attain; sukham= happiness; apakurvan= if he does any harm; raamasya= to Rama; kim punaH= how much more; anyaH janaH= to another person; tvadvidhaH= like you?

"Even Indra the Lord of celestials, in person, cannot attain happiness if he does any harm to Rama. How much move to another person like you?"

yaam siitaa iti abhijaanaasi yaa iyam tiShThati te vashe || 5-51-34
kaala raatrii iti taam viddhi sarva lankaa vinaashiniim |

34. viddhi= know; yaa imam= her; yaam= whom; abhijaanaasi= you recognize; siitaa iti= as Seetha; tiSThati= and who stays; te vashe= in your captivity; kaalaraatriiti= to be none else than kalaratri (the goddess presiding over and responsible for universal dissolution); sarva laN^kaavinaashiniim= who can destroy the entire Lanka.

"Know her, whom you recognize as Seetha and who stays in your captivity, to be none else than Kalaratri (the goddess presiding over and responsible for dissolution), who can destroy the entire Lanka."

tat alam kaala paashena siitaa vigraha ruupiNaa || 5-51-35
svayam skandha avasaktena kShamam aatmani cintyataam |

35. tat= therefore; alam= enough; kaalapaashena= of this noose of death; siitaavigraharuupiNaa= in the form of Seetha's personality; svayam skandhaavasaktena= which has been placed by yourself around your neck; aatmani= let your; kSemam= safety; chintyatataam= be thought of.

"Therefore, have it enough of this noose of death, in the form of Seetha's personality, which has been placed by yourself around your neck. Think well of your safety."

siitaayaaH tejasaa dagdhaam raama kopa prapiiDitaam || 5-51-36
dahyamanaam imaam pashya puriim saaTTa pratolikaam |

36. pashya= See; (in the immediatefuture); imaam= this; puriim= city (of Lanka); dagdhaam= burnt away; tejasaa= by the effulgence; siitaayaaH= of Seetha; dahyamaanaam= and (the city too) being scorched; saaTTapratoLikaam= with its markets and main streets; raama kopa piiDitaam= afflicted by the wrath of Rama.

"See; (in the immediate future), this city of Lanka, burnt away by the effulgence of Seetha and the City too being scorched with its markets and main streets, afflicted by the wrath of Rama."

svaani mitraaNi mantriimshcha jJNaatiin bhraatR^in sutaan hitaan || 5-51-37
bhogaan daaraamshcha laN^kaam cha maa vinaashamupaanaya |

37. maa upaanaya= do not lead; vinaasham= to extermination; svaani= your own; mitraaNi= friends; mantriimshcha= counsellors; jJNaatiin= kinsmen; bhraatR^iin= brothers; sutaan= sons; hitaan= well-wishers; bhogaan= enjoyments; daaraamshcha= wives; laN^kaamcha= and Lanka.

"Do not lead to extermination your own friends, counsellors, kinsmen, brothers, sons, well-wishers, enjoyments, wives and Lanka."

satyam raakSasaraajendra shR^iNuSva vachanam mama || 5-51-38
raamadaasasya duutasya vaanarasya visheSataH |

38. raakSasaraajendra= O king of demons!; shR^iNusva= listen to; mama= my; satyam= truthful; vahanam= words; raamadaasasya= (coming as it is) from the lips of a serpent of Rama, duutasya= of his messenger; visheSataH= and particularly; vaanarasya= of a monkey.

"O king of demons! Listen to my truthful words coming as it is from the lips of this servant of Rama, his messenger and particularly of this monkey."

sarvaan lokaan susamhR^itya sabhuutaan sacharaacharaan || 5-51-39
punareva tathaa sraSTum shakto raamo mahaayashaaH |

39. mahaa yashaaH raamaH= the renowned Rama; shaktaH= is capable; susamhR^itya= of completely destroying; sarvaan= all; lokaan= the worlds; sabhuutaan= together with its five elements; sacharaacharaan= along with its animate and inanimate things; tathaa sraSTum= and also to create in like manner as before; punareva= yet again.

"The renowned Rama is capable of totally destroying all the worlds together with its five elements, along with its animate and inanimate things and also to create yet again all the worlds in like manner as before."

devaasuranarendreSu yakSarakSogaNeSu cha || 5-51-40
vidyaadhareSu sarveSu gandharveSuurageSu cha |
siddheSu kinnarendreSu patatriSu cha sarvataH || 5-51-41
sarvabhuuteSu sarvatra sarvakaaleSu naasti saH |
yoraamam pratiyudhyeta viSNutulyaparaakramam || 5-51-42

40, 41, 42. naasti= there is none; saH yaH= that who; pratiyudhyeta= can fight against; raamam= Rama; viSNutulyaparaakramam= who is equal in prowess to Vishnu the lord of preservation; devaasura narendreSu= among celestials or demons or the foremost of men; yakSarakSogaNeSucha= or among hordes of Yakshas the semi-divine beings or ogres; sarveSu= or among all; vidyaadhareSu= Vidyadharas, a kind of super-natural beings; gandharveSu= or among Gandharvas the celestial musicians; urageSu cha= or among Uragas the semi-divine serpents; siddheSu= or among Siddhas the holy personages having super-natural powers; kinnarendreSu= or among excellent Kinnaras the mythical beings with a human figure and the head of a horse; sarvatra= at all places; sarvakaaleSu= and at all times.

"The renowned Rama, who is equal in prowess to Vishnu the lord of the preservation and among celestials, demons or the foremost of men, or among hordes of Yakshas the semi-divine beings or ogres or among all Vidyadharas, a king of super-natural beings or among Gandharvas the celestials musicians or among Uragas the semi-divine serpents or among Siddhas the holy personages having super-natural powers or among excellent Kinnaras the mythical beings with human figure and head of a horse or among all types of birds or among all living beings at all places and at all times."

sarvalokeshvarasyaivam kR^itvaa vipriyamuttamam |
raamasya raajasimhasya durlabham tava jiivitam || 5-51-43

43. kR^itvaa= doing; uttamam vipriyam= a great harm; evam= in this manner; raamasya= to Rama; sarvalokeshvarasya= the lord of all the worlds; raajasimhasya= and the lion among kings; jiivitam= survival; durlabham= is difficult; tava= for you.

"After doing a great harm in this manner to Rama the lord of all worlds as well as the lion among kings, your survival will be difficult."

devaashcha daityaashcha nishaacharendra |
gandharvavidyaadharanaagayakSaaH |
raamasya lokatrayanaayakasya |
sthaatum na shaktaaH samareSu sarve || 5-51-44

44. nishaacharendra= O king of demons!; devaashcha= either celestials; daityaashcha= or demons; gandharva vidyaadhara naaga yakshaaH= or Gandharvas the celestial musicians or Vidyadharas a king of super natural beings or Nagas the semi-divine serpents or Yaksha the semi-divine beings; sarve= all of them; nashaktaaH= are not able; sthatum= to stand; samareSu= in combats; raamasya= in front of Rama; lokatraya naayakasya= the lord of the three worlds.

"O king of demons! Either celestials or demons or Gandharvas the celestial musicians or Vidyadharas a king of super-natural beings or Nagas the semi-divine serpents or Yakshas the semi divine beings-all of them are not able to stand before Rama the lord of the three worlds."

brahma svayamubhuushcha turaanano vaa |
rudrastriNetrastripuraantako vaa |
indro mahendraH suranaayako vaa |
traatum na shaktaa yudhi raamavadhyam || 5-51-45

45. brahmaa vaa= either Brahma; svayambhuuH= the self-existing; chaturaananaH= god with four faces; rudraa vaa= or Rudra; triNetraH= having three eyes; tripuraantakaH= and destroyer of Tripura, the city built of gold, sivler and iron, in the sky, air and earth, by Maya for the demons and burnt (by Shiva); mahendraH vaa= or Mahendra; indraH= the god of atmosphere and sky; suranaayakah= and the lord of celestials; na shaktaaH= are not able; traatum= to protect; raamavadhyam= the one to be killed by Rama; yudhi= in battle.

"Either Brahma the self-existing god with four faces or Rudra with three eyes and the destroyer of Tripura (the city built of gold, silver and iron in the sky, air and earth, by Maya for the demons and burnt by Shiva), or Mahendra the god of atmosphere and sky as also the lord of celestials would not be able to protect the one to be killed by Rama in battle."

sa sauShThava upetam adiina vaadinaH |
kapeH nishamya apratimo apriyam vacaH |
dasha aananaH kopa vivR^itta locanaH |
samaadishat tasya vadham mahaakapeH || 5-51-46

46. nishamya= hearing; vachaH= the words; sauSThhavopetam= endowed with extreme skillfulness; apriyam= which were unpleasant; adiinavaadinaH= and spoken without fear; kapeH= from Hanuma; saH apratimaH dashaananaH= the unequalled Ravana; samaadishat= ordered; vadham= the killing; tasya mahaakapeH= of that Hanuma.

Hearing those unpleasant words endowed with extreme skillfulness and which were spoken without fear from Hanuma, that unequalled Ravana ordered for the killing of that Hanuma.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe ekapaN^chashaH sargaH

Thus completes 51st Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 52

Introduction

Hearing the harsh words of Hanuma, Ravana orders him to be killed. Vibhishana, however, advises Ravana to desist from the dastardly act, pointing out that the killing of an envoy is forbiddenaccording to religious scriptures.

tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa vaanarasya mahaatmanaH |
aaj~naapayat vadham tasya raavaNaH krodha muurchitaH || 5-52-1

1. shrutvaa= hearing; tat vachanam= those words; tasya vaanarasya= of that Hanuma; mahaatmanaH= the high-souled one; raavaNaH= Ravana; krodhamuurchhitaH= excited with anger; aajJNaapayat= ordered; vadham= for the killing; tasya= of Hanuma.

Hearing those words of the high=souled Hanuma, Ravana duly excited with anger, ordered for the killing of Hanuma.

vadhe tasya samaaj~napte raavaNena duraatmanaa |
niveditavato dautyam na anumene vibhiiShaNaH || 5-52-2

2. samaajJNapte= while it was ordered; duraatmanaa raavaNena= by the evil-natured Ravana; tasya vadhe= for killing of Hanuma; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; naanumene= did not agree; dautyam niveditavataH= to the killing of Hanuma, who was entrusted with the function of a messenger.

While it was ordered by the evil-natured Ravana for the killing of Hanuma, Vibhishana did not agree to the killing of Hanuma, who was entrusted with the functions of a messenger.

tam rakSho adhipatim kruddham tac ca kaaryam upasthitam |
viditvaa cintayaamaasa kaaryam kaarya vidhau sthitaH || 5-52-3

3. viditvaa= looking to; tat= that; kaaryam cha= affair (of killing an envoy); upasthitam= that has arisen; tam= and that; rakSodhipatim= Ravana; kruddham= getting enraged; kaaryavidhau; sthitaH= Vibhishana, who was firm in accompanying any object; chintayaamaasa= reflected upon; kaaryam= the appropriate action to be done.

Seeing Ravana getting enraged and looking to that affair (of killing of an envoy) that has arisen, Vibhishana who was firm in accompanying any object, reflected upon an appropriate action to be done.

nishcita arthaH tataH saamnaa aapuujya shatrujit agrajam |
uvaaca hitam atyartham vaakyam vaakya vishaaradaH || 5-52-4

4. tataH= then; nishchitaarthaH= deciding about a right action; vaakyavishaaradaH= Vibhishana, who was skilled in communication; shatrujit= and a conqueror of enemies; uvaacha= spoke; atyartham= very meaningful; hitam= and useful; vaakyam= words; puujyam agrajam= to his venerable brother; saamnaa= softly.

Then, deciding about a right action, Vibhishna, who was silled in communication and a conqueror of enemies, spoke softly the following very meaningful and useful words to Ravana, his venerable borther.

kSamasva roSam tyaja raakSasendra |
prasiida madvaakyamidam shR^iNuSva |
vadham na kurvanti paraavarajJNaa |
duutasya santo vasudhaadhipendraaH || 5-52-5

5. raakSasendra= O king of demons!; kSamasva= forgive; tyaja= and give up; roSam= anger; prasiida= be gracious; shR^iNusva= and hear; idam= these; madvaakyam= words of mine; santaH= virtuous; vasudhaadhipendraaH= kings of excellence; paraavarajJNaaH= knowing the disant and the near; na kurvanti= do not cause; vadham= killing; duutasya= of an envoy.

"O king of demons! Forgive and give up your anger. Be gracious and hear my words. Virtuous kings of excellence, knowing the distant and the near, do not cause killing of an envoy."

raajan dharma viruddham ca loka vR^itteH ca garhitam |
tava ca asadR^isham viira kapeH asya pramaapaNam || 5-52-6

6. viira= O hero!; pramaapaNam= murder; asya kapeH= of this monkey; raajadharma viruddham= is antagonistic to a royal virtue; garhitam= and is condemnable; loka vR^itteshcha= according to universal custom; asadR^isham= It is improper; tavacha= for you too.

"O hero! Killing of this monkey is against a royal virtue and any universal custom condemns it. Hence, it is improper for you also to do it."

dharmajJNshcha kR^itajJNshcha raajadharmavishaaradaH |
paraavarajJNo bhuutaanaam tvameva paramaarthavit || 5-52-7

7. tvameva= you are indeed; dharmajJNascha= the knower of what is right; kR^itajJNashcha= and a person of gratitude; raajadharma vishaaradaH= you are experienced in royal virtues; paraavarajJNaH= you know both the distant and the near; bhuutaanaam= in beings; paramaarthavit= you know the highest truth.

"You are indeed the knower of what is right. You are a person of gratitude. You are well-versed in royal virtues. You know both the distant and the near in beings. You know the highest truth."

gR^ihyante yadi roSeNa tvaadR^isho.api vipashcitaH |
tataH shaastravipashchittvam shrama eva hi kevalam || 5-52-8

8. vipashchito.api yadi= if even learned persons; tvaadR^ishaH= like you; gR^ihyante= are seized; roSam= by anger; tataH= then; shaastravipashchittvam= the knowledge of scriptures; kevalam shrama eva hi= is indeed just a labour in vain.

"If even learned persons like you are seized by anger, then the knowledge of scriptures is indeed just a labour in vain."

tasmaatprasiida shatrughna raakSasendra duraasada |
tataH shaastravipashchittvam shrama eva hi kevalm || 5-52-9

9. raakSasendra= O king of demons!; shatrughna= O annihilator of enemies!; duuraasada= O king, dangerous to be approached!; tasmaat= therefore; prasiida= be greaceful; vinishchitya= determining; yuktaayuktam= about right and wrong; duutadaN^DaH= (let) the punishment to the envoy; vidhiiyataam= be ordered.

"O king of demons! O annihilator of enemies, dangerous to be approached! Therefore, be graceful. After ascertaining about right and wrong, let appropriate punishment be ordered to the envoy."

vibhiiSaNavachaH shrutvaa raavaNo raakSaseshvaraH |
roSeNa mahataaviSTo vaakyamuttaramabraviit || 5-52-10

10. shrutvaa= hearing; vibhiiSaNa vachaH= the words of Vibhishana; raavaNaH= Ravana; raakSaseshvaraH= the lord of demons; aaviSTaH mahataa roSeNa= was enveloped by a great anger; abraviit= and spoke; vaakyam= (the following) words; uttaran= in reply.

Hearing the words of Vibhishana, Ravana the lord of demons was greatly enraged and replied in the following words:

na paapaanaam vadhe paapam vidyate shatrusuudana |
tasmaadenam vadhiSyaami vaanaram paapachaariNam || 5-52-11

11. shatru suudana= O annihilator of enemies!; na vidyate paapam= there is no sin; vadhe= in killing; paapaanaam= of sinners; tasmaat= therefore; vadhiSyaami= I shall kill; enam= this; vaanaram= monkey; paapachaariNam= who performed sins.

"O Vibhishana, the annihilator of enemies! There is no sin, even if the sinners are killed. So, I shall kill this monkey, who performed sins."

adharmamuulam bahudoSayukta |
manaaryajuSTam vachanam nishamya |
uvaacha vaakyam paramaarthatattvam |
vibhiiSaNo buddhimataam variSThaH || 5-52-12

12. nishamya= hearing; vachanam= those words; adharma muulam= rooted in unrighteousness; bahuroSayuktam= accompanied by a great enragement; anaarya juSTam= and practised by the dishonourable; vibhiiSaNaH= Vibhishana; variSThaH= the best buddhimataam= among those who were endowed iwht understanding; uvaacha= spoke; vaakyam= ( the following) words; paramaarthatattvam= comprising of the highest truth.

Hearing those words, rooted in unrighteousness, enveloped in a great anger and accepted by the dishonourable, Vibhishana the best among those who weer endowed with understanding, spoke the following words, comprising of the highest truth.

prasiida laN^keshvara raakSasendra |
dharmaarthayuktam vachanam shR^iNuSva |
duutaanavadhyaan samayeSu raajan |
sarveSu sarvatra vadanti santaH || 5-52-13

13. raakSasendra= O king of demons!; laN^keshwara= O Lord of Lanka!; prasiida= be gracious enough!; shruNuSva= hear; vachanam= my words; dharmaarthayuktam= endowed with righteousness and significance; raajan= O king; santah= sages; vadanti= say; duutaan= that envoys; avadhyaan= are not to be killed; sarveSu samayeSu= at all times; sarvatra= and at all places.

"O king of demons! O lord of Lanka! Be gracious enough. Hear my words endowed with righteousness and significance. O king! Sages say that messengers should not be killed at all places and at all times."

asamshayam shatruH ayam pravR^iddhaH |
kR^itam hi anena apriyam aprameyam |
na duuta vadhyaam pravadanti santo |
duutasya dR^iShTaa bahavo hi daNDaaH || 5-52-14

14. asamshayam= there is no doubt; ayam shatruH= this enemy; pravR^iddhaH= is arrogant; aprameyam= an unlimited; apriyam= displeasure; kR^itam hi= has indeed been done; anena= by him; santaH= sages; na pravadanti= do not speak; duuta vadhyaam= about the killing of an envoy; bahavaH= many; daN^DaaH= punishments; dR^iSTaaH hi= are indeed indentified; duutasya= for an envoy.

"There is no doubt that this enemy is arrogant. He has created an unlimited displeasure to us. But, sages do not talk about the killing of an envoy There are indeed severeal punishments, intended for an envoy."

vairuupyaam angeShu kasha abhighaato |
mauNDyam tathaa lakShmaNa samnipaataH |
etaan hi duute pravadanti daNDaan |
vadhaH tu duutasya na naH shruto api || 5-52-15

15. vairuupyam= deforming; aN^geSu= the limbs; kashaabhighaataH= striking with a whip; mauN^Dyam= shaving the head; tathaa= ad; lakSaNa sannipaataH= impressing marks on the body; pravadanti= (they) say; etaan= these; daN^Daan= to be the punishments; duute= for the envoys; naasti= It is not; shrutaH= heard; naH= by us; vadhastu= about the killing; duutasya= of a messenger.

"Some of the punishments to an envoy are-deforming the limbs, striking with a whip, shaving the head and impressing marks on the body. Indeed, we have not heard at any time of killing a messenger."

katham ca dharma artha viniita buddhiH |
para avara pratyaya nishcita arthaH |
bhavat vidhaH kopa vashe hi tiShThet |
kopam niyacChanti hi sattvavantaH || 5-52-16

16. katham= how; bavadvidhaH= can a person like you; dharmaartha viniita buddhiH= holding an intellect trained in religious merit and purpose; paraavara pratyayanishchitaarthaH= and who has a right judgement over cause and effect; tiSThet= abide; kopavashe= in subjection of anger; sattvantaH= wise persons; niyachchhantihi= indeed contain; kopam= their anger.

"How can a person like you, holding an intellect trained in religious merit and purpose and a right judgement on cause and effect, subject to anger? Wise people indeed contain their anger."

na dharma vaade na ca loka vR^itte |
na shaastra buddhi grahaNeShu vaa api |
vidyeta kashcit tava viira tulyaH |
tvam hi uttamaH sarva sura asuraaNaam || 5-52-17

17. viira= O hero!; na vidyeta= there is none; tulyaH= equal; tava= to you; dharma vaade= who can discuss about the law or duty; na= none; loka vR^itte= about universal custom; na= and none; shaastra buddhi grahaNeSu= in capturing the essence of scriptures; tvam= you; uttamaH hi= are indeed excellent; sarva suraasuraaNaam= among all the celestials and demons (in these matters).

"O hero! There is no one equal to you, who can discuss about the law or duty, none about universal custom and none in capturing the essence of scriptures. You are indeed excellent among all the celestials and demons in these matter."

shuureNa viireNa nishaacharendra |
suraasuraaNaamapi durjayena |
tvayaa pragalbhaaH suradaityasamghaa |
jitaashcha yuddheSvasakR^innarendraaH || 5-52-18

18. nishaacharendra= O king of demons!; shuureNa= you are valiant; viireNa= you are heroic; tvayaa= by you; durjayena= who cannot be conquered; suraasuraaNaamapi= even by celestials and demons; pragalbhaaH= proud; suradaitya samghaaH= multitude of celestials and demons; narendraaH= together with their kings; jiteshcha= were conquered; yuddheSu= in battles; asakR^it= several times.

"O king of demons! You are valiant. You are heroic. Even celestials and demons cannot conquer you. You conquered a multitude of proud celestials and demons together with their kings in battles several times"

na ca api asya kapeH ghaate kamcit pashyaami aham guNam |
teShv ayam paatyataam daNDo yaiH ayam preShitaH kapiH || 5-52-19

19. aham= I; na pashyaami= do not see; kamchit guNam= any merit; ghaate= in killing; asya= this; kapeH= monkey; ayam daN^DaH= let this punishment; paatyataam= be employed; teSu= on those; yaiH= by whom; ayam kapiH= this monkey; preSitaH= was sent.

"I do not see any merit in killing this monkey. Let this carnal punishment be employed on those by whom this monkey was sent."

saadhuH vaa yadi vaa asaadhuH paraiH eSha samarpitaH |
bruvan para artham paravaan na duuto vadham arhati || 5-52-20

20. eSaH= He; samarpitH= is a person sent; paraiH= by our enemies; saadhurvaa= or bad; na arhati= It is not worthy; vadham= of killing; duutaH= him who is a messenger; paravaan= who is dependent on others; bruvan= and who talks; paraartham= for the cause of others.

"He is a person, sent by our enemies, whether he is good or bad. It is not worthy of killing him, who is an envoy, who is dependent on others and who talks for the cause of others."

api ca asmin hate raajan na anyam pashyaami khe caram |
iha yaH punaH aagacChet param paaram mahaaudadhiH || 5-52-21

21. raajaa= O king!; apicha= moreover; asmin= (If) he; hate= is killed; na pashyaami= I do not find; anyam= any other person; yaH khecharam= who can travel through sky; aagachchhet= and come; iha= here; punaH= again; param paaram= to this shore; mahodadhe= of the great ocen.

"O king! Moreover, If he is killed, I do not find any other person, who can travel through the sky and come here again to this shore of the great ocean."

tasmaan na asya vadhe yatnaH kaaryaH para puram jaya |
bhavaan sa indreShu deveShu yatnam aasthaatum arhati || 5-52-22

22. para puramjaya= O conqueror of enemies!; tasmaat= therefore; na kaaryaH yatnaH= do not make effort; vadhe= to kill; asya= him; bhavaan= you; arhasi= ought; aasthaatum= to strengthen; yatnam= your effort; deveSu= on celestials; sendreSu= including Indra.

"O conqueror of enemies! Therefore, do not make efforts to kill him. On the other hand, you ought to strengthen such effort on celestials including indra."

asmin vinaShTe na hi duutam anyam |
pashyaami yaH tau nara raaja putrau |
yuddhaaya yuddha priya durviniitaav |
udyojayet diirgha patha avaruddhau || 5-52-23

23. yuddhapriya= O Ravana, fond of war!; asmin vinaSTe= If he is dead; na pashyaami hi= I do not indeed find; anyam= another; viiram= her; yaH= who; udyojayet= can incite; tau nara raajaputrau= those princes; durviniitaa= who are arrogant; diirgha pathaavaruddhau= and who are hindered by a long distance; yuddhaa ya= for war.

"O Ravana, who is fond of war! If he is dead, I do not find any other hero, who can incite those two arrogant princes, who are hindered by a long distance, for war."

paraakrama utsaaha manasvinaam ca |
sura asuraaNaam api durjayena |
tvayaa mano nandana nairR^itaanaam |
yuddha aayatiH naashayitum na yuktaa || 5-52-24

24. manonandana= O Ravana who can gladden the hearts; nairR^itaanaam= of demons!; tvayaa= by you; durjayena= who are difficult to be conquered; suraasuraaNaamapi= by even celestials and demons; paraakramat saaha manasvinaam= having prowess, energy and courage, na yuktaa= it is not proper; naashayitum= to eliminate; yuddhaayatiH= an arrival of war.

"O Ravana who can gladden the hearts of demons! It is not proper for you, who are difficult to be conquered by even celestials and demons having sufficient prowess energy and courage, to crush the arrival of a war."

hitaaH ca shuuraaH ca samaahitaaH ca |
kuleShu jaataaH ca mahaaguNeShu |
manasvinaH shastrabhR^itaam variShThaaH |
koTi agra shaste subhR^itaaH ca yodhaaH || 5-52-25

25. koTyagrataH= (There are) more than a crore; yodhaaH= of warriors; subhR^itaashcha= well-maintained; te hitaashcha= and who desire your welfare; shuuraashcha= valiant ones; samaahitaashcha= mahaaguNeSu= who have colossal merits;; jaataaH= who were born; kuleSu= in a good tribe; manasvinaH= who are n high spirits; variSThaaH= excellent ones; shastra bhR^itaam= among wielders of weapons.

"There are more than a crore of valiant warriors in your charge, well-maintained, who desire your welfare, quite devoted, having colossal merits, born in a good tribe, holding high spirits and excellent wielders of weapons."

tat eka deshena balasya taavat |
kecit tava aadesha kR^ito apayaantu |
tau raaja putrau vinigR^ihya muuDhau |
pareShu te bhaavayitum prabhaavam || 5-52-26

26. tat= therefore; kechit= some; tava aadesha kR^itaH= who follow your command; abhiyaantu= go; ekadeshena= with a portion; balasya= of your army; vinigR^ihya= subjugating; tau= those; muuDhyau raajaputrau= two stupid princes; bhaavayitum= and to protect; te= your; prabhaavam= power; pareSu= on the enemies.

"Therefore, let some who follow your command, by talking a portion of your army, subjugate those two stupid princes, in order to make your power known to your adversaries."

nishaacharaaNaamadhipo.anujasya |
vibhiiSaNasyottamavaakyamiSTam |
jagraaha buddhyaa suralokashatru |
rmahaabalo raakSasaraajamukhyaH || 5-52-27

27. mahaabalaH= the mighty; raakSasaraaja mukhyaH= and eminent king of demons; adhipaH= the lord; nishaacharaaNaam= of ogres; suralokashatruH= and the adversary of the world of celestials; jagraaha= understood; iSTam= the cherished; uttam vaakyam= and excellent message; amyasya vibhiiSaNasya= of Vibhishana his brother; buddhyaa= with his presence of mind.

Ravana, the mighty and the eminent king of demons as also the lord of ogres and the adversary of the world of celestials, understood the cherished and excellent message of Vibhishana his brother with his due presence of mind."

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe dvipaJNchaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 52nd Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 53

Introduction

As ordered by Ravana, the demons wrap up old rags around Hanuma's tail, pour oil to it and burn it with fire. The demons tie Hanuma with ropes and conduct ihm to walk down the entire city, proclaining to the citizens of Lanka saying that Hanuma is a spy. The female-demons inform Seetha about the burning of Hanuma's tail and making him move around the city by demons. Then, Seetha starts praying the fire-god to do good to Hanuma. In response to her prayers, fire-god makes Hanuma feel cool with his burnign tail. Then, Hanuma approaches the city-gate of Lanka, takes an iron-rod from the arched door of the gate and kills all the security-guards there.

tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa dashagriivo mahaabalaH |
desha kaala hitam vaakyam bhraatuH uttamam abraviit || 5-53-1

1. shrutvaa= hearing; tat vachanam= those words; desha kaala hitam= suitable for place and time; tasya mahaamanaH= spoken by that high-souled Vibhishana; bhraatuH= his brother; dashagriivaH= Ravana; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= the (following) words; uttaram= in reply.

Hearing those words, which were aprropriate for that place and time, spoken by that hih-souled Vibhishana, his brother, Ravana spoke the following words in reply:

samyag uktam hi bhavataa duuta vadhyaa vigarhitaa |
avashyam tu vadhaat anyaH kriyataam asya nigrahaH || 5-53-2

2. uktamhi= It has been indeed told; samyak= well; bhavataa= by you; duutavadhyaa= killing of an envoy; vigrahitaa= is forbidden; anyaH= another; nigrahaH= punishment; vadhaat= other than killing; avashyam kriyataam= needs be certainly meted out; asya= to him.

"You have spoken well indeed that killing of an envoy is forbidden. Another punishment other than killing needs be certainly meted out to him."

kapiinaam kila laanguulam iShTam bhavati bhuuShaNam |
tat asya diipyataam shiighram tena dagdhena gacChatu || 5-53-3

3. kila= It is so said that; kapiinaam= to monkeys; bhavati= it is possible; laaN^guulam= that a tail; iSTam= is a beloved; bhuuSaNam= ornament; tat laaN^guulam= let that tail; asya= of Hanuma; diipyataam= be burnt; shiighram= immediately; gachchhatu= let him go; dagdhena tena= with a burnt tail.

"It is said that a tail is possibly a beloved ornament for the monkeys. Let his tail be burn immediately. Let him go with a burnt tail."

tataH pashyantu imam diinam anga vairuupya karshitam |
samitraa j~naatayaH sarve baandhavaaH sasuhR^ij janaaH || 5-53-4

4. tataH= then; sarve= (Let) all; baandhavaaH= his relatives; samitrajJNaataaH= together with his friends and kinsmen; sasuhR^ijjanaaH= along with his amicable persons; pashyantu= see; imam= him; aN^gavairuupyakarshitano= injured iwth his deformed limbs; diinam= miserable.

"Let all his relatives together with his friends, kinsmen and amicable persons then see him miserably injured with his deformed limbs."

aaj~naapayat raakShasa indraH puram sarvam sacatvaram |
laanguulena pradiiptena rakShobhiH pariNiiyataam || 5-53-5

5. raakSasendraH= Ravana; aajJNaapayat= ordered; pariNiiyataam= that let him be carried around; pradiiptena; laaNguulena= with his burning tail; rakSobhiH= by the demons; sarvam= in the entire; puram= city; sachatvaram= with its cross-roads.

Ravana ordered that let the monkey be carried around with his burning tail by the demons in the entire city around its cross-roads."

tasya tat vacanam shrutvaa raakShasaaH kopa karkashaaH |
veShTante tasya laanguulam jiirNaiH kaarpaasikaiH paTaiH || 5-53-6

6. shrutvaa= hearing; tat vachanam= those words; tasya= of Ravana; raakSasaaH= the demons; kopakarkashaaH= hard-tempered with their wrath; jiirNaiH kaarpaasakaiH paTaiH= with old ragged garments.

Hearing those words of Ravana, the demons, hard-tempered with their wrath, wrapped, up old ragged clothes around Hanuma's tail.

samveShTyamaane laanguule vyavardhata mahaakapiH |
shuShkam indhanam aasaadya vaneShv iva huta ashanaH || 5-53-7

7. laaN^guule samveSTyamaane= while his tail was wrapped around with cottong tatters; mahaakapiH= Hanuma; vyavardhata= increased his body; hutaashanaH iva= like a fire; aasaadya= after catching; shuSkam indhanam= dry wood; vaneSu= in forests.

While his tail was being wrapped around with cotton tatters, Hanuma proliferating, soon after catching dry wood in forests.

tailena pariShicya atha te agnim tatra avapaatayan |
laanguulena pradiiptena raakShasaan taan apaatayat || 5-53-8
roSha amarSha pariita aatmaa baala suurya sama aananaH |

8. atha= then; pariSichya= sprinkling; tailena= oil; te= they; abhyapaatayan= set out; agnim= fire; tatra= on that tail; baalasuuryasamaananaH= Hanuma, with his face resembling a rising sun; roSaamarSapariitaatmaa= and with his mind filled with rage and impatience; pradiiptena laaNguulena= and with his burning tail; apaatayat= threw down; taan raakSasaan= those demons.

The demons sprinkled oil and set out fire on that tail. Then, Hanuma, with his face resembling a rising sun with his mind filled with anger and impatience and with his burning tail, threw those demons down.

laaN^guulam sampradiiptam tu draSTum tasya hanuumataH || 5-53-9
sahastriibaalavR^iddhaashcha jagmuH priitaa nishaacharaaH |

9. draSTum= to see; sampradiitptam= the burning; laaN^guulam= tail; tasya hanuumataH= of that Hanuma; nishaacharaaH= the demons; sahastrii baala vR^iddhaashcha= together with their women, children and elders; jagmuH= went; priitaaH= delighted.

To see the burning tail of that Hanuma, the delighted demons together with their women, chldren and elders went there.

sa bhuuyaH samgataiH kruurai raakasaiH hari sattamaH || 5-53-10
nibaddhaH kR^itavaan viiraH tat kaala sadR^ishiim matim |

10. nibaddhaH= tied down; samgataiH= coming together; saH viiraH harisattamaH= that heroic Hanuma; the foremost among the monkeys; kR^itavaan= made up; matim= his mind; tatkaala sadR^ishiim= appropriate for that occasion (as follows):

Tied down again by the cruel demons, coming together, the heroic Hanuma the foremost among monkeys made up his mind appropriate for that occasion (as follows):

kaamam khalu na me shaktaa nibadhasya api raakShasaaH || 5-53-11
chittvaa paashaan samutpatya hanyaam aham imaan punaH |

11. nibaddhasyaapi= though I have been tied down; raakSasaaH= those demons; na shaktaaH kaamam khalu= cannot do anything they wish; me= against me; chhitvaa= breaking; paashaan= the nooses; punaH= again; aham= I; samutpatya= by jumping up; hanyaam= can kill; imaan= them.

"Though I have been tied down, those demons cannot do whatever they wish to do against me. Breaking the ties, I can fly up and kill them."

yadibharturhataarthaaya charantam bhartR^ishaasanaat || 5-53-12
badhnantyete duraatmano na tu me niSkR^itiH kR^itaa |

12. ete duraatmanaH yadi= If these evil minded demons; badhnanti= fasten; charantam= me, acting; hitaarthaaya= for the benefit; bhartuH= of Rama, my lord; bhartuH= of Rama, my lord; bhartR^ishaasanaat= because of the command of their lord; na niSkR^itiH= no rebuff; kR^itaa= has been done; me= to me.

"If these evil-minded demons fasten me who is acting for the good of Rama my lord, because of the command by their lord, no rebuff has been done to me."

sarveShaam eva paryaapto raakShasaanaam aham yudhi || 5-53-13
kim tu raamasya priiti artham viShahiShye aham iidR^isham |
lankaa carayitavyaa me punaH eva bhavet iti || 5-53-14

13, 14. ahami= I; paryaaptaH= am adequate; sarveSaameva raakSasaanaam= even for all the demons; yudhi= in battle; kimtu= but; priityartham= for the delight; raamasya= of Rama; iidR^isham= such; laN^kaa= Lanka; punareva= again; bhavet= becomes; chaarayitavyaa= fit to be espionaged; iti= for this reason; viSahiSye= I am putting up with it.

"I am adequate enough to kill all these demons in battle. But, for the delight of Rama, such city of Lanka is fit to be espionaged again. For this reason, I am putting up with it."

raatrau na hi sudR^iShTaa me durga karma vidhaanataH |
avashyam eva draShTavyaa mayaa lankaa nishaa kShaye || 5-53-15

15. laN^kaa= Lanka; na hi sudR^iSTaa= was not indeed observed well; raatrau= during night-time; durgakarmavidhaanataH= as to the particulars of specifications of the fort; meva= surely; draSTavyaa= it is to be seen; mayaa= by me; nishaakSaye= in the day-time.

"Lanka was not indeed observed well as to the particulars of specifications of the fort, when it was seen by me during the night. Surely, it is to be seen by me during the day-time."

kaamam bandhaiH ca me bhuuyaH pucChasya uddiipanena ca |
piiDaam kurvantu rakShaamsi na me asti manasaH shramaH || 5-53-16

16. me= to me; baddhasya= who has been tied down; bhuuyaH= again; rakSaamsi= let the demons; kurvantu piiDaam= torment me; kaamam= as they wish; uddiipanenacha= by burning also; puchchhasya= my tail; me manasaH= to my mind; naasti= there will be no; shramaH= travail.

"Let the demons tie me down of again and torment me as they wish, by burning my tail. There will be no travail to my mind."

tataH te samvR^ita aakaaram sattvavantam mahaakapim |
parigR^ihya yayuH hR^iShTaa raakShasaaH kapi kunjaram || 5-53-17

17. tataH= then; te hR^iSTaaH raakSasaaH= those delighted demons; yayuH= went; parigR^ihya= taking; mahaakapim= Hanuma; savR^itaakaaram= who concealed all types of feelings; sattvavantam= who was strong; kapikuN^jaram= and the foremost among monkeys.

Then, those delighted demons went, seizing Hanuma, who concealed all types of his feelings, who was strong and foremost among monkeys.

shankha bherii ninaadaiH taiH ghoShayantaH sva karmabhiH |
raakShasaaH kruura karmaaNaH caarayanti sma taam puriim || 5-53-18

18. shaNkhabherii ninaadaishcha= sounding couches and kettle-drums; ghoSayantaH= proclaiming; svakarmabhiH= the acts of Hanuma; raakSasaaH= the demons; kruurakarmaaNaH= performing terrible deeds; chaarayantisma= dragged him; taam purim= throughout that city.

Sounding couches and kettle-drums and proclaining the acts of Hanuma like his damaging of the pleasure-garden, the demons performing terrible deeds, dragged Hanuma through out that city.

anviiyamaano rakSobhiryayau sukhamarimdamaH |
hanumaan caarayaamaasa raakShasaanaam mahaapuriim || 5-53-19

19. anviiyamaanaH= accompanied; rakSobhiH= by demons; hanumaan= Hanuma; arimdamaH= the annihilator of enemies; yayau= went; sukham= happily; chaarayaamaasa= and roamed about; mahaapuriim= in the great city; raakSasaanaam= of the demons.

Accompanied by demons, Hanuma the annihilator of enemies, went happily and roamed about in that great city of demons.

atha apashyat vimaanaani vicitraaNi mahaakapiH |
samvR^itaan bhuumi bhaagaan ca suvibhaktaan ca catvaraan || 5-53-20

20. atha= then; mahaakapiH= Hanuma; apashyat= saw; vichitraaNi= wonderful; vimaanaani= houses; samvR^itaan= wrapped up; bhuumi bhaagaamshcha= plots of land; suvibhaktaan= well-parted; chatvaraan= cross-ways.

Then, Hanuma saw some wonderful house some wrapped up plots of land and well parted cross ways.

viithiishcha gR^ihasambaadhaaH kapiH shR^iN^gaTakaani cha |
tathaa rathyoparathyaashcha tathaiva gR^ihakaantaraan || 5-53-21
gR^ihaamshcha meghasamkaashaan dadarsha pavanaatmajaH |

21. kapiH= Hanuma; pavanaatmajaH= the son of wind-god; dadarsha= saw; viithiiH= streets; gR^ihasambaadhaaH= congested with houses; shR^iNgaaTakaani= places where several roads meet; tathaa= and; rathyoparathyaashcha= high-ways as also approach-roads; gR^ihakaantaraan= small inner apartments; gR^ihaamshcha= and palaces; meghasamkaashaan= appearing in multitudes like clouds.

Hanuma, the son of wind-god, saw streets congested with dwellings, places where several roads meet, high-ways as also approach-roads, small inner apartments and palaces appearing in multitudes, like clouds.

catvareShu catuShkeShu raaja maarge tathaiva ca || 5-53-22
ghoShayanti kapim sarve caariika iti raakShasaaH |

22. sarve= all; raakSasaaH= the demons; ghoSayanti= proclaimed; chatvareSu= in cross-roads; chatuSkeSu= four-pillared temples; tathaiva cha= and; raajamaarge= royal high-ways; kapim chaarikaH iti= saying that Hanuma was a spy.

All the demons proclaimed in cross roads, four-pillared temples and in royal high-ways, saying that Hanuma was a spy.

striibaalavR^iddhaa nirjagmustatra tatra kutuuhalaat || 5-53-23
tam pradiipitalaaN^guulam hanumantam didR^ikSavaH |

23. striibaala vR^iddhaaH= women, children and old people; nirjagmuH= came out; tatra tatra= from their respective dwellings; kutuuhalaat= with an eagerness; didR^ikSavaH= to see; tam hanumantam= that Hanuma; pradiipila laaN^gmulam= with his burnign tail.

Women, children and old people came out from their respective dwellings, with an eagerness to see that Hanuma with his burning tail.

diipyamaane tataH tasya laanguula agre hanuumataH || 5-53-24
raakShasyaH taa viruupa akShyaH shamsuH devyaaH tat apriyam |

24. hanumataH laaNgullaagre= (while) the tip of Hanuma's tail; diipyamaane= was being ignited; tatra= there; taaH raakSasyaH= those female-demons; viruupaakSyaH= with monstrous eyes; tataH= then; shashamsuH= inforemed; tat apriyam= that unpleasant thing; devyaaH= to Seetha the princess.

While the tip of Hanuma's tail was being ignited by the demons there, those female-demons with monstrous eyes then informed that unpleasant matter to Seetha, the princess.

yaH tvayaa kR^ita samvaadaH siite taamra mukhaH kapiH || 5-53-25
laanguulena pradiiptena sa eSha pariNiiyate |

25. siite= O Seetha!; sa eSaaH kapiH= that monkey; yaH= who; taamra mukhaH= was having a red face; kR^ita samvaadaH= and who had conversation; tvayaa= with you; pariNiiyate= is being moved around; pradiiptena laaNguulena= with his ignited tail; (in the city).

"O Seetha! That monkey with a red face, who had a conversation with you, is being moved around in the city, with his ignited tail."

shrutvaa tat vacanam kruuram aatma apaharaNa upamam || 5-53-26
vaidehii shoka samtaptaa huta ashanam upaagamat |

26. shrutvaa= hearing; tat kruuram vachanam= that cruel news; aatmaapaharaNopamam= which was equal to the news of her carrying away (by Ravana); vaidehii= Seetha; shoka samtaptaa= was tormented with grief; upaagamat= and paid homage; hutaashanam= the fire-god.

Hearing that cruel news, which created as much sorrow as when she was carried away by Ravana, Seetha was tormented with grief and started to pay homage to the fire-god.

mangalaa abhimukhii tasya saa tadaa aasiin mahaakapeH || 5-53-27
upatasthe vishaala akShii prayataa havya vaahanam |

27. tadaa= then; saa= she; aasiit= was maN^galaabhimukhii= wishing for the welfare; mahaakapeH= of Hanuma; vishaalaakSi= the large-eyed Seetha; prayataa= with her devoted self; upatasthe= worshipped; havya vaahanam= the fire-god.

Then, the large-eyed Seetha, wishing for the welfare of Hanuma, prayed the fire-god with her devoted self.

yadi asti pati shushruuShaa yadi asti caritam tapaH || 5-53-28
yadi ca asti eka patniitvam shiito bhava hanuumataH |

28. asti yadi= If I have done; patishushruuSaa= any service to my husband; astiyadi charitam= if I have done; tapaH= a penance; asti cha yadi= if I am; eka patniitvam= a faithful wife; tvam= you; bhava= be; shiitaH= cool; hanumataH= to Hanuma.

"If I have done any service to my husband, if I have performed a penance and if I am a faithful wife, please be cool to Hanuma."

yadi kashcit anukroshaH tasya mayi asti dhiimataH || 5-53-29
yadi vaa bhaagya sheSham me shiito bhava hanuumataH |

29. dhiimataH tasya yadi= if the wise Rama, kimchit= has even a little; anukroshaH= of Kindness; mayi= towards me; yadi vaa me= and if towards me; bhaagya sheSaH= some good fortune is remaining; bhava= be; shiitaH= cool; hanuumataH= to Hanuma.

"If the wise Rama has even a little of kindness to me and if I have still some good fortune remaining to my credit, please be cool to Hanuma."

yadi maam vR^itta sampannaam tat samaagama laalasaam || 5-53-30
sa vijaanaati dharma aatmaa shiito bhava hanuumataH |

30. saH dharmaatmaa yadi= If that virtuous Rama; vijaanaati= understands; maam= me; vR^ittasampannam= as endowed with a good moral conduct; tatsamaagama laalasaam= ardently desirous of meeting him; bhava= be; shiitaH= cool; hanumataH= to Hanuma.

"If that virtuous Rama recognises me as one,, who is endowed with a good moral conduct and who is ardently desirous of meeting him, please be cool to Hanuma."

yadi maam taarayati aaryaH sugriivaH satya samgaraH || 5-53-31
asmaat duhkhaan mahaabaahuH shiito bhava hanuumataH |

31. aaryaH yadi= (If) the venerable; sugriivaH= Sugreeva; satya samgaraH= true to his promise; me taarayet= can make me traverse; asmaat duH khaambu samrodhaat= from this ocean of sorrow; bhava= be; shiitaH= cool; hanuumataH= to Hanuma.

"If the venerable Sugreeva, true to his promise, can make me traverse from this ocean of sorrow, please be cool to Hanuma."

tataH tiikShNa arciH avyagraH pradakShiNa shikho analaH || 5-53-32
jajvaala mR^iga shaava akShyaaH shamsann iva shivam kapeH |

32. tataH= then; analaH= the fire-god; shamsanniva= as though informing; mR^igashabaakSyaaH= the fawn-eyed; Seetha; kapeH shivam= about the welfare of Hanuma; jajvaala= sone brilliantly; tiikSNaarchiH= with sharp flames; avyagraH= undisturbed; pradakSiNa shikhaH= shooting out pointed flames towards the right.

Then, the fire-god, as though informing the fawn-eyed Seetha about the well-being of Hanuma, shone brightly with sharp flames, undisteurbed and shooting out pointed flames towards the right.

hanumajjanakashchaapi puchchhaanalayuto.anilaH || 5-53-33
vavau svaasthyakaro devyaaH praaleyaanilashiitalaH |

33. anilaH apicha= even wind-god; hanumajjanakaH= father of Hanuma; puchchhaanala yutaH= combined with the fire on his tail; vavau= swept; praaleyaanila shiitalaH= coolly like a snow-breeze; svaasthyakaraH= creating a soloce; devyaaH= to Seetha.

Even wind-god, the father of Hanuma, combined with the fire on Hanuma's tail, swept coolly like a snow-breeze, creating a solace to Seetha.

dahyamaane ca laanguule cintayaamaasa vaanaraH || 5-53-34
pradiipto agniH ayam kasmaan na maam dahati sarvataH |

34. laN^guule= (While) his tail; dahyamaane= was burning; vaanaraH= Hanuma; chintayaamaasa= was reflecting; kasmaat= why, ayam agniH= this fire; pradiiptaH= which was burning; saavataH= on all sides; na dahati= was not burning; maam= him.

While his tail was in flames, Hanuma was reflecting why the fire, which was blazing on all sides, was not burning him.

dR^ishyate ca mahaajvaalaH karoti ca na me rujam || 5-53-35
shishirasya iva sampaato laanguula agre pratiShThitaH |

35. dR^ishyate= It is conspicuous; mahaajvaalaH= with large flames; na karoti cha= not creating;rujam= paoin; me= to me; iva= as though; shishirasya samghaataH= a snow-ball; pratiSThitaH= is kept; laaNguulaagre= at the tip of my tail.

"It is conspicuous with large flames. But it is not creating any paoin to me, as if a snow-ball is kept at the tip of my tail."

athavaa tat idam vyaktam yat dR^iShTam plavataa mayaa || 5-53-36
raama prabhaavaat aashcaryam parvataH saritaam patau |

36. athava= Or; plavataa= while jumping over; mayaa= by me; raama prabhaavaat= due to the power of Rama; aashcharyam= a surprise; dR^iSTam= was seen; parvatodadhi samgame= in a friendly alliance with a mountain and the sea; yat tat= by which; idam= this; vyaktam= is clear.

"Or, while I was jumping over the ocean, a surprise-alliance was formed with Mount Mainaka and through the mountain, with the ocean, because of Rama's power. By this, the reason of the coolness is clear."

yadi taavat samudrasya mainaakasya ca dhiimatha || 5-53-37
raama artham sambhramaH taadR^ik kim agniH na kariShyati |

37. yadi= If; samudrasya= for the ocean; dhiimataH mynakasya= and the wise Mount Mainaka; taadR^ik sambhramaH= such an eagerness was tehre; raamaartham= for the sake of Rama; kim= why; agniH= the fire-god; nakariSyati= will not do it?

"If such an eagerness was there in the mind of the sea and the wise Mount Mainaka for the cause of Rama; will not the fire-god show the same degree of eagerness in making its touch cold?"

siitaayaaH ca aanR^ishamsyena tejasaa raaghavasya ca || 5-53-38
pituH ca mama sakhyena na maam dahati paavakaH |

38. paavakaH= the fire; na dahati= does not burn; maam= me; aanR^ishamsyena= due to kindness; siitaayaaH= of Seetha; tejasaa= power; raaghavasya= of Rama; sakhyena= and friendship; mama pituH= of my father.

"The fire does not burn me, due to kindness of Seetha, powerfulness of Rama and friendlines of my father."

bhuuyaH sa cintayaamaasa muhuurtam kapi kunjaraH || 5-53-39
utpapaata atha vegena nanaada ca mahaakapiH |

39. saH mahaakapiH= that Hanuma; kapikuN^jaraH= the foremost among mokeys; chintayaamaasa= reflected; bhuuyaH= again; atha= and thereafter; utpapaata= jumped; vegena= with swiftness; nanaada cha= and roared also.

That Hanuma, the foremost among the monkeys, reflected agian for a monment, jumped with swiftness and roared too.

pura dvaaram tataH shriimaan shaila shR^ingam iva unnatam || 5-53-40
vibhakta rakShaH sambaadham aasasaada anila aatmajaH |

40. tataH= then; shriimaan= the glorious; anilaatmajaH= Hanuma; shaila shR^iN^gamiva= like a mountain-peak; aasasaada= approached; puradvaaram= the city-gate; unnatam= which was looking high; vibhaktarakSaH sambaadham= and stood secluded from the crowds of demons.

Then, the glorious Hanuma like a mountain-peak, approached the city-gate, which was looking high and stood secluded from the crowds of demons.

sa bhuutvaa shaila samkaashaH kShaNena punaH aatmavaan || 5-53-41
hrasvataam paramaam praapto bandhanaani avashaatayat |

41. saH aatmavaan= that prudent Hanuma; bhuutvaa= became; shaila samkaashaH= similar to a mountain; kSaNena= and within a moment; praaptaH= reached; paramaam hrasvataam= an exceedingly short form; avashaatayat= and became free; bandhanaani= from tethers.

That prudent Hanuma assumed the form of a mountain and immediately within a moment, assumed an exceedingly short form, thus becoming free from his tethers.

vimuktaH ca abhavat shriimaan punaH parvata samnibhaH || 5-53-42
viikShamaaNaH ca dadR^ishe parigham toraNa aashritam |

42. shriimaan= the glorious Hanuma; vimuktashcha= having been free from his tethers; punaH= again; abhavat= assumed; parvatasannibhaH= a form equal to a mountain; viikSamaaNashcha= and while looking around; dadR^ishe= saw; parigham= an iron rod; toraNaashritam= belonging to the arched door-way.

The glorious Hanuma, having been free from his bonds, again assumed the form equal to a mountain and while looking around, found and iron rod belonging to the arched door-way.

sa tam gR^ihya mahaabaahuH kaala aayasa pariShkR^itam || 5-53-43
rakShiNaH taan punaH sarvaan suudayaamaasa maarutiH |

43. saH mahaabaahuH= that long-armed; maarutiH= Hanuma; punaH= again; gR^ihya= taking; tam= that rod; kaalaaasapariSkR^itam= made of iron; suudayaamaasa= killed; sarvaan= all; taan rakSiNaH= tose guards.

That long-armed Hanuma, again taking taht rod made of iron, killed all those guards.

sa taan nihatvaa raNa caNDa vikramaH |
samiikShamaaNaH punaH eva lankaam |
pradiipta laanguula kR^ita arci maalii |
prakaashata aaditya iva amshu maalii || 5-53-44

44. saH= that Hanuma; raNa chaN^Da vikramaH= possessing impetuous valour in combat; nihattvaa= destroying; taan= them; punareva= and again; samiikSamaaNaH= looking over; laN^kaam= Lanka; prakaashata= shone; aaditya iva= like the sun; archimaalii= encircled with rays; pradiipta laaNguulakR^itaarchi maalii= with the wreath of flames, blazing on his tail.

That Hanuma, having an impetuous valour in combat, destroying those demons and looking over Lanka, shone like the sun encircled with rays, with the wreath of flames blazing on his tail.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe tripaJNchashaH sargaH

Thus completes 53rd Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 54

Introduction

Hanuma, with his blazing tail comes out and flits over the horses in Lanka, making up his mind to set fire to the city of Lanka which is the only work let for him to do. Hanuma burns the entire city, barring the abode of Vibhishana. All the demons were frightened o seeing the blazing fire, consuming their city with its trees, houses and a host of living beings. Surprised to see the city burning, the celestials and musicians (Gandharvas) gain a great delight.

viikShamaaNaH tato lankaam kapiH kR^ita mano rathaH |
vardhamaana samutsaahaH kaarya sheSham acintayat || 5-54-1

1. tataH= then; kR^ita manorathaH= after fulfilling his heart's wish; kapiH= Hanuma; viikSamaaNaH= looking over; laN^kaam= Lanka; achintayat= thought; kaarya sheSam= about the remaining act to be done; vardhamaanasamutsaahaH= with an augmented energy.

Then, after fulfilling his heart's wish, Hanuma, looking over Lanka, thought about the remaining act to be done, with an augmented energy.

kim nu khalv avishiShTam me kartavyam iha saampratam |
yat eShaam rakShasaam bhuuyaH samtaapa jananam bhavet || 5-54-2

2. kimnu= which; kartavyam= (is the) act; khalu= indeed; avashiSTam= remaining; iha= here; me= for me; yat= that; ibhavet= may; bhuuyaH= anguish; saampratam= now; eSaam= to these; rakSasaam= demons?

"Which act indeed is remaing nowto be done by me here, that may further create anguish to these demons?"

vanam taavat pramathitam prakR^iShTaa raakShasaa hataaH |
bala eka deshaH kShapitaH sheSham durga vinaashanam || 5-54-3

3. vanam= the garden; pramathitam taavat= has been destroyed; prakR^iSTaaH= excellent; raakSasaaH= demons; hataaH= have been killed; balaikadeshaH= a portion of the army; kSapitaH= has been destroyed durgavinaashanam= the demolition of the fort; sheSam= is remaining.

"I have demolished the garden. I have killed excellent demons. I destroyed a portion of the army. The demolition of the fort is still remaining."

durge vinaashite karma bhavet sukha parishramam |
alpa yatnena kaarye asmin mama syaat saphalaH shramaH || 5-54-4

4. durge= (While) the fort; vinaashite= is destroyed; karma= the task; bhavet= will become; sukhaprishramam= bereft of fatigue; alpayatnena= by a small effort; asmin kaarye= in this task; shramaH= the work; syaat= will become; saphalah= fruitful.

"When the fort gets destroyed, the task (of Rama's battle) will be devoid of fatigue. Even with a small effort in this task, the work will become fruitful."

yo hi ayam mama laanguule diipyate havya vaahanaH |
asya samtarpaNam nyaayyam kartum ebhiH gR^iha uttamaiH || 5-54-5

5. nyaayam= It is justified; kartum= to do; samtarpaNam= the act of satiating; asya= to it; ayam= this; haryavaahanaH= fire; yaH diipyate= which is flaring up; mama laaNguule= on my tail; ebhiH= with these; gR^ihottamaH= excellent houses.

"It is justified to satisfy this blazing flame on my tail, by feeding it to the full, with these excellent houses (in the city of Lanka)."

tataH pradiipta laanguulaH savidyut iva toyadaH |
bhavana agreShu lankaayaa vicacaara mahaakapiH || 5-54-6

6. tataH= then; mahaakapiH= Hanuma; prataptalaaNguulaH= with his burning tail; vichachaara=strolled; bhavanaagreSu= over the house-tops; laN^kaayaaH= in Lanka; savidyut toyadaH iva= like a cloud charged with lightning.

Then, Hanuma, with his burning tail, strolled over the house-tops of Lanka, like a cloud charged with lightning.

gR^ihaadgR^iham raakSasaanaamudyaanaani ca vaanaraH |
viikSamaaNo hyasamtrastaH praasaadaamshcha chachaara saH || 5-54-7

7. viikSamaaNaH= Surveying; udyaanaani= the gardens; praasaadaashcha= and lofty palatial mansions; saH vaanaraH= that Hanuma; asamtraptaH= without fear; chachaara= wandered; gR^ihaat= from one house; gR^iham= to another house; raakSasaanaam= of the demons.

Surveying the gardens and lofty palatial mansions, that Hanuma, without fear, passed from one house to another, of the demons.

avaplutya mahaavegaH prahastasya niveshanam |
agnim tatra sa nikSipya shvasanena samo balii || 5-54-8
tato.anyatpupluve veshma mahaapaarshvasya viiryavaan |
mumoca hanumaan agnim kaala anala shikhaa upamam || 5-54-9

8, 9. avaplutya= jumping down; prahastasya niveshanam= on Prahasta's house; viiryavaan= the valiant; saH= Hanuma; mahaavegaH= with great swiftness; balii= having strength; samaH= equal; shvasanena= to wind; nikSipya= putting down; agnim= fire; tatra= on it; tataH= and from there; pupluve= jumped over; anyat= another; veshma= house; mahaaparshvasya= of Mahaparsva; hanumaan= Hanuman; mumocha= dropped; agnim= fire; kaalaanalashikhopamam= resembling a flame of fire that is to destroy the world; (on that house).

Jumping down on Prahasta's house, the valiant Hanuma, with great swiftness, having strength equal to wind, scattering fire on it, jumped over from there, to another house belonging to Mahaparsva. Hanuma, with great swiftness, having strength equal to wind, scattering fire on it, jumped over from there, to another house belonging to Mahaparsva. Hanuma scattered a fire there resembling a flame of fire that is to destroy the world.

vajradaMSTra sya cha tadaa pupluve sa mahaakapiH |
shukasya cha mahaatejaaH saaraNasya cha dhiimataH || 5-54-10

10. saH mahaakapiH= that Hanuma; mahaatejaa= of great splendour; tadaa= then; pupluve= jumped over; (the houses); vajradamSTrasycha= of Vajradamshtra; shukasya= of Shuka; dhiimataH saaraNasya= and of the intelligent Sarana.

That Hanuma, of great splendour, then leapt to the houses of Vajradamshtra, Shuka and Sarana, the intelligent.

tathaa chendrajito veshma dadaaha hariyuuthapaH |
jambumaaleH sumaaleshcha dadaaha bhavanam tataH || 5-54-11
rashmiketoshcha bhavanam suuryashatrostathaiva cha |
hrasvakarNasya daMSTrasya romashasya cha rakSasaH || 5-54-12
yuddhonmattasya mattasya dhvajagriivasya rakSasaH |
vidyujjihvasya ghorasya tathaa hastimukhasya cha || 5-54-13
karaaLasya pishaachasya shoNitaakSasya chaiva hi |
kumbhakarNasya bhavanam makaraakSasya chaiva hi || 5-54-14
yajJNashatroshcha bhavanam brahmashatrostathaiva cha|
naraantakasya kumbhasya nikumbhasya duraatmanaH || 5-54-15
varjayitvaa mahaatejaa vibhiiSaNagR^iham prati |
kramamaaNaH krameNaiva dadaaha haripuN^gavaH || 5-54-16

11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16. varjayitvaa= leaving; vibhiiSaNa gR^ihamprati= the house of Vibhishana; haripuN^gava= Hanuma; mahaatejaaH= of great splendour; kramamaaNaH= went; krameNaiva= successively; bhavanam= to the house; rashmiketoshcha= of Rashmiketu; tathaiva cha= and; suuryashatroH= of surya shatru; hrasvakarNashcha= of Hrasvakarna; damSTrasya= of Damstra; rakSasaH romashasya= of Romasha the demon; yuddhonmattasya= of Yuddhaumatta; mattasya= of Matta; rakSasaH dhvajagriivasya= of Dhvajagriva, the demon; ghorasya vidyujjihvasya= of the terrific Vidyujjihva; tathaa= and; hastimukhasya cha= of Hastimukha; karaahasya= of Karala; pishaachasya= of Pishacha; shoNitaakSasya chaiva hi= of Shonitaaksha; bhavanam= the house; kumbhakarNasya= of Kumbhakarna; makaraakSasya chaivahi= of Makaraaksha; yajJNashatroshcha bhavanam= the house of Yajnashatru; tathaiva cha= and; brahmashatro= of Bhrahmashatru; naraantakasya= of Narantaka; kumbhasya= of Kumbha; duraatmanaH nikumbhasya= and the house of the evil minded Nikumbha.

Leaving the house of Vibhishana, Hanuma of great splendour, went successively to the houses of Rashmiketu, Surya shatru, Hrasvakarna, Damshtra, Romasha the demon, Yuddhonmatta, Matta, Dhvajagreeva the demon, the terrific Vidyujjihva, Hastimukha, Karala, Pishacha, Shonitaaksha, Kumbhakarna, Makaraksha, Yajnashatru, Brahmashatru, Narantaka, Kumbha as also the evil-minded Nikumbha and burnt the houses.

teSu teSu mahaarheSu bhavaneSu mahaayashaaH |
gR^iheSvR^iddhimataamR^iddhim dadaaha sa mahaakapiH || 5-54-17

17. saH mahaakapiH= that Hanuma; mahaayashaaH= of great fame; dadaaha= burnt away; R^iddhim= the wealth; teSu teSu= in the respective; mahaarheSu gR^iheSu= mansions; R^iddhimataam= of the rich.

That Hanuma of great fame burnt away wealth in the mansions of the rich.

sarveSaam samatikramya raakSasendrasya viiryavaan |
aasasaadaatha lakSmiivaan raavaNasya niveshanam || 5-54-18

18. samatikramya= having passed over; sarveSaam= all the houses; viiryavaan= the mighty; lakSmiivaan= Hanuman of glory; atha= thereafter; aasasaada= approached; niveshanam= the house; rakSasendrasya= of Ravana the king of demons.

Having passed over all the houses, the mighty and glorious Hanuma thereafter approached the house of Ravana the king of demons.

tatastasmin gR^ihe mukhye naanaaratnavibhuuSite |
merumandarasaMkaashe sarvamaN^gaLashobhite || 5-54-19
pradiiptamagnimutsR^ijya laaN^guulaagre pratiSThitam |
nanaada hanumaan viiro yugaantajalado yathaa || 5-54-20

19, 20. tataH= thereafter; utsR^ijya= throwing; pradiiptam= blazing; agnim= fire; pratiSThitam= located; laN^guulaagre= at the tip of his tail; tasmin mukhye gR^ihe= on that principal house; naanaaratna vibhuuSite= decorated with various kinds of precious stones; merumandara samkaashe= resembling Mounts Meru and Mandara; sarvamaNgaLa shobhite= and embellished with all good work; viiraH= the valiant; hanumaan= Hanuma; nanaada= roared; yugaantajalado yathaa= like a cloud thundering at noon-time in rainy season.

Thereafter, scattering a blazing fire located at the tip of his tail, on that principal house, decorated with various kinds of precious stones, resembling Mounts Meru and Mandara as also embellished with all good work, the valiant Hanuma roared like a cloud thundering at noon-time in a rainy season.

shvasanena ca samyogaat ativego mahaabalaH |
kaala agniH iva jajvaala praavardhata huta ashanaH || 5-54-21

21. samyogaat= in contact; shvasanena= with the wind; hutaashanah= the fire; praavardhata= escalated; ativegaH= with a great speed; mahaabalaH= and a great intensity; jajvaala= blazed; kaalagniriva= like a fire that is to destroy the world.

In contact with the wind, the fire escalated with a great speed and intensity, blazing like a fire that is to destroy the world.

pradiiptam agnim pavanaH teShu veshmasu caarayat |
abhuuchchhvasanasamyogaadativego hutaashanaH || 5-54-22

22. pavanaH= the wind; aachaarayat= carried; pradiiptam= the blazing; agnim= fire; teSu veshmasu= on those houses; shvasanam yogaat= by combining with the wind; hutaashanaH= the fire; abhuut= became; ativegaH= very swift.

The wind carried the blazing fire to other houses. In conjunction with the wind, the fire became very swift.

taani kaancana jaalaani muktaa maNimayaani ca |
bhavanaani avashiiryanta ratnavanti mahaanti ca || 5-54-23

23. taani mahaanti cha bhavanaani= those; large houses; kaaNchana jaalaani= with golden windows; muktaamaNimayaani cha= embedded with pearls, gems; ratnavanti= and precious stones; avashiiryanta= were shattered (to pieces).

Those large houses, with golden windows, embedded with pearls, gems and precious jewels were shattered to pieces.

samjajJNe tumulaH shabdo raakSasaanaam pradhaavataam |
svagRihasya paritraaNe bhagnotsaahorjiashriyaam || 5-54-24
nuunemeSaa.agniraayaataH kapiruupeNa haa iti |

24. tumulaH= a tumultuous; shabdaH= voice; samjajJNe= was produced; iti= saying; haa= "Alas!; eSaH agniH= this fire; aayataH= has come; nuunam= really; kapiruupeNa= in the form of a monkey!"; raakSasaanaam= by the demons; pradhaavataam= who were running (hither and thither); paritraaNe= to protect; svagR^ihasya= their houses; bhagnotsaahorjita shriyaam= who lost their energy and abundant wealth.

The demons, who were running hither and thither to protect their houses and who lost their spirits and abundant wealth, created a tumultuous nose, saying "Alas! The fire-god has come really in a form of this monkey!"

krandantyaH sahasaa petuH stanamdhayadharaaH striyaH || 5-54-25
kaashchiragnipariitebhyo harmyebhyo muktamuurdhajaaH |
patantyo rejire.abhrebhyaH saudaaminya ivaambaraat || 5-54-26

25, 26. kaashchit= some; striyaH= women; krandantyaH= crying; stamamdhaya dharaaH= carrying their suckling’s; muktamuurdhajaaH= and having their hair dishevelled; petuh= felldown; sahasaa= quickly; harmebhyaH= from their houses; agniparitebhyaH= enveloped by fire; rejire= and shone; soudaaminyaH iva= like lightning’s; patantyaH= falling; abhrebhyaH= from clouds; ambaraat= from the sky.

Some women crying and carrying their suckling’s with their hair dishevelled, fell down from their houses, which were enveloped with fire, and shone like flashes of lightning falling from clouds in the sky.

vajra vidruma vaiduurya muktaa rajata samhitaan |
vicitraan bhavanaat dhaatuun syandamaanaan dadarsha saH || 5-54-27

27. saH= that Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; syandamaanaan= molten; dhaatuun= metals; vajra vidruma vaiduurya muktaa rajata samhitaan= mixed with diamonds, corals, cat's eye gems, pearls and silver; vichintraan bhavanaat= (surging) from every marvellous house.

That Hanuma saw molten metals mixed with diamonds, corals, cat's eye-gems, pearls and silver, surging from every marvellous house.

na agniH tR^ipyati kaaShThaanaam tR^iNaanaam ca yathaa tathaa |
hanuumaan raakShasa indraaNaam vadhe kimcin na tR^ipyati || 5-54-28
na hanuumadvishastaanaam raakSasaanaam vasundharaa |

28. yathaa= how; agniH= the fire; natR^ipyati= is not satisfied; kaaSThaanaam= with firewood; tR^iNaanaam= and dry blades of grass; tathaa= so also; hanumaan= Hanuma; natR^ipyati= was not satisfied; kimchit= even a little; vadhe= in killing; raakSasendraaNaam= of demons; vasundharaa= the earth; na= is not wearied; raakSasaanaam= with the demons; hanumadvishastaanaam= killed by Hanuma (receiving in her lap)

As the fire does not get satisfied with any amount of firewood and straw fed to it, Hanuma was not wearied in killing any number of demons. The earth was not then wearied in receiving the number of demons killed by Hanuma (in her lap).

kvachitkimshukasamkaashaaH kvachichchhaalmalisannibhaaH || 5-54-29
kvachitkuN^kumasamkaashaaH shikhaa vahneshchakaashire |

29. shikaaH= flames; vahneH= of fire; chakaashire= glittered; kimshukasamkaashaaH= like Kimshuka (Butea frondosa) flowers; kvachit= at some places; shaalmali sannibhaaH= like blossoms of Shalmali tree (Salmalia malabarica); kvachit= at some places; kuNkuma samkaashaaH= like flowers of saffron; kvachit= at some places.

Flames of fire glittered like Kimshuka flowers at some places, blossoms of Shalmali tree at some places and like saffron-flowers at some other places.

hanuumataa vegavataa vaanareNa mahaatmanaa |
laN^kaapuram pradagdham tadrudreNa tripuram yathaa || 5-54-30

30. tat= that; laN^kaapuram= city of Lanka; pradagdham= was scorched; mahaatmanaa hanuumataa= by the high-souled Hanuma; vegavataa vaanareNa= the swift monkey; tripuram yathaa= as Tripura city; (was scorched); rudreNa= by Rudra.

The high souled Hanuma, the swift monkey scorched the city of Lanka, as Rudra scorched the city of Tripura.

tatastu laN^kaapuraparvataagre |
smutthito bhiimaparaakramo.agniH |
prasaarya chuuDaavalayam pradiipto |
hanuumataa vegavataa visR^iSTaH || 5-54-31

31. tataH= then; agniH= the fire; bhiima paraakramah= having a terrific prowess; visR^iSTaH= diffused; vegavataa hunuumataa= by the swift Hanuma; prasaarya= having stretched out; chuuDaavalayam= a circle of flames; pradiiptaH= blazed; samutthitaH= and rose up; laN^kaapura parvataagre= to the summit of the mountain on which the city of Lanka was situated.

Then, the fire having a terrific prowess, diffused by the swift Hanuma, stretching out a circle of flames, blazed and rose up to the summit of the mountain on which the city of Lanka.

yugaantakaalaanalatulyavegaH |
samaaruto.agnirvavR^idhe divaspR^ik |
vidhuumarashmirbhavaneSu sakto |
rakSaH shariiraajyasamarpitaarchiH || 5-54-32

32. agniH= (that) fire; bhavaneSu= saktaH= diffused on those buildings; samaarutaH= together with the wind; yugaanta kaalaanala tulya vegaH= having a speed equal to the fire at the time of dissolution of the world; vavR^iddhe= grew taller; divispR^ik= touching the sky; (that fire was) vidhuuma rashmiH= having smokeless splendour; rakSaH shariiraajya samarpitaarchiH= with flames consigned to the bodies of demons like a ghee.

That fire diffused on those buildings, together with the wind picked up a speed equal to that of a fire at the time of dissolution of the world. It grew taller, touching the sky with a smokeless splendour. Those flames of fire shot up, as inflamed by ghee

aadityakoTiisadR^ishaH sutejaa |
laN^kaam samastaam parivaarya tiSThan |
shabdairanekairashanipraruuDai |
rbhindannivaaNDam prababhau mahaagniH || 5-54-33

33. mahaagniH= the great fire; parivaarya tiSThan= persisted; surrounding; samastaan laN^kaam= the entire Lanka; sutejaaH= with a good splendour; aaditya koTiisadR^ishaH= equal to that of a crore of suns; prababhau= blazed; aN^Dam bhindanniva= like a broken-up hemi-sphere of the world; shabdaiH= with sounds; anekaiH= in multitude; ashanipraruuDhaH= of a widely thunderbolt.

The great fire persisted, surrounding the entire Lanka, having a good splendour equal to that of millions of suns and blazed like a broken-up hemi-sphere of the world, creating many sounds of a wide-spread thunderbolt.

tatraambaraadagniratipravR^iddho |
ruukSaprabhaH kimshukapuSpachuuDAH |
nirvaaNadhuumaakularaajayashcha |
niilotpalaabhaaH prachakaashire.abhraaH || 5-54-34

34. tatra= there; ruukSaprabhaH= with a harsh splendour; agniH= the fire; atipravR^iddhaH= extended fully; ambaraat= to the sky; kimshukapuSpa chuuDa= having a crest like; kimshuka flowers; (shooting flomes) abravaaH= the clouds; niilotpalaabhaaH= bearing the colour of blue lotuses; prachakaashire= shone; nirvaaNa dhuuma kuularaajayaH= as covered by smoke formed out of extinguished fire.

The fire with a fierce splendour there, extended fully to the sky, shooting flames like Kumshuka flowers. The clouds, bearing the colour of blue lotuses, shone as covered by smoke formed out of the extinguished fire.

vajrii mahendrastridasheshvaro vaa |
saakSaadyamo vaa varuNo.anilo vaa |
rudrognirarko dhanadashcha somo |
na vaanaro.ayam svayameva kaalaH | 5-54-35

35. ayam= he; na= is not; vaanaraH= a monkey; (He is) mahendraH vaa= either Indra; vajraa= wielding a thunderbolt; saakSaat yamovaa= or Yama the lord of death appearing before the eyes; varuNaH= or Varuna the lord of water; anilovaa= or the wind-god; agniH= or the fire; rudraH= seated in the third eye of Lord Shiva; arkaH= or the sun-god; dhanadashcha= or Kubera the lord of riches; somah= or the moon-god; svayameva kaalaH= he may be Kala (the Time-spirit) himself.

"He is not a monkey. He is either Indra the Lord of celestials wielding a thunderbolt, or Yama the lord of death of water, or the wind-god or the fire seated in the third eye of Lord Shiva or the sun-god or Kubera the lord of riches or the moon-god. He may be Kala (the Time-spirit) himself."

kim brahmaNa sarvapitaamahasya |
sarvasya dhaatushchaturaananasya |
ihaagato vaanararuupadhaarii |
rakSopasamhaarakaraH prataapaH 5-54-36

36. kim= whether; chaturaananasya brahmaNaH prataapaH= the rage of four-faced Brahama; sarva pitaamahasya= the grand father of all; sarvasya dhaatuH= and the creator of all; upaayataH= has arrived; iha= here; vaanara ruupa dhaarii= in the guise of a monkey; rakSopasamhaarakaraH= playing the role of a destroyer of demons?.

"Whether the rage of four-faced Brahma, the grand father of all and the creator of all has arrived here in the guise of a monkey, playing the role of a destroyer of demons?"

kim vaiSNavam vaa kapiruupametya |
rakSovinaashaaya param sutejaH |
anantamavyaktamachintyamekam |
svamaayayaa saampratamaagatam vaa 5-54-37

37. kim vaa= or whether; param= a supreme; sutejaH= bright energy; vaiSNavam= of Vishnu; the lord of maintenance of the Universe; achintyam= unthinkable; avyaktam= unmanifest; anantam= infinite; edam= and peerless; aagatam= arrived; etya kapiruupam= assuming the form of a monkey; rakSovinaashaaya= for the destruction of demons; saampratam= now; svamaayayaa= by virtue of Her extra ordinary power?

"Or whether a supreme bright energy of Vishnu, the lord of maintenance of the Universe, unthinkable, unmanifest, infinite and pearless, arrived now, assuming the form of a monkey for the destruction of demons, by virtue of Her extraordinary power?"

ityevamuuchurbahavo vishiSTaa |
rakSogaNaastatra sametya sarve |
sapraaNisamghaaM sagR^ihaam savR^ikSaam |
dagdhaam puriim taam sahasaa samiikSya || 5-54-38

38. ityevam= thus; uuchuH= spoke; sarve= all; vishiSTaaH raakSogaNaaH= those excellent troops of demons; bahavaH= in multitude; sametya= gathering together; tatra= there; samiikSya= on seeing; taam puriim= the city; dagdhaam= burnt; sahasaa= so soon; sapraaNisamghaam= with its host of living beings; sagR^ihaam= along with houses; savR^ikSaam= as also trees.

Thus spoke all those excellent troops of demons in multitude, gathering together there, on seeing that city scorched so soon, with its host of living beings, houses and trees.

tatastu laN^kaa sahasaa pradagdhaa |
saraakSasaa saashvarathaa sanaagaa |
sapakSisamghaa samR^igaa savR^ikSaa |
ruroda diinaa tumulam sashabdam || 5-54-39

39. tataH= then; laN^kaa= Lanka; pradagdhaa= having been scorched; sahasaa= suddenly; saraakSasaa= with its demons; saashva rathaa= horses, chariots; sa naagaa= elephants; sapkSisamghaa= multitude of birds; samR^igaa= animals; savR^ikSaa= and trees; ruroda= cried; diinaa= pitiably; sashabdam tumulam= with tumultuous noise.

Then, Lanka having been scorched with its demons, horses, chariots, elephants, multitude of birds, animals and trees, cried pitiably with tumultuous noise.

haa taata haa putraka kaanta mitra |
haa jiivitam bhogayutam supuNyam |
rakSobhirevam bahudhaa bruvadbhiH |
shabdaH kR^ito ghoraravaH subhiimaH || 5-54-40

40. subhiimaH= a very terrific; shabdaH= noise; kR^itaH= was made; ghoraravaH= with a dreadful sound; bruvadbhiH= spoken; bahudhaa= in many ways; rakSobhiH= by demons; evam= thus; haa taata= O my dear father!; haa putraka= O my beloved son!; kaanta= O my beloved husband!; mitra= O my friend!; haa supuNyam jiivitam= O my very auspicious life; bhogayutam= filled with enjoyments.

Making a very terrific noise with a dreadful sound, the demons cried in various ways as follows: "O my dear beloved son! O my beloved husband! O my friend! O my very auspicious life, filled with enjoyments!"

hutaashanajvaalasamaavR^itaa saa |
hatapraviiraa parivR^ittayodhaa |
hanuumataH krodhabalaabhibhuutaa |
babhuuva shaapopahatea laN^kaa || 5-54-41

41. saa laNKaa= that Lanka; babhuuva= appeared; shaapopahateva= as afflicted by a curse; krodha balaabhibhuutaa= defeated by a strong fury; hanuumataH= of Hanuma; hutaashana jvaala samaavR^itaa= enveloped by flames of fire; hata praviiraa= with its distinguished heroes killed; parivR^ittayodhaan= with its warriors retreated.

That Lanka appeared as though afflicted by a curse, as defeated by a strong fury of Hanuma, enveloped by flames of fire, with its distinguished heroes killed and with its warriors in retreat.

sa sambhraamatrastaviSaNNaraakSasaaM |
samujjvalajjvaalahutaashanaaN^kitaam |
dadarsha laN^kaam hanumaan mahaamaanaaH |
svayambhuukopopahataamivaavanim || 5-54-42

42. hanumaan= Hanuma; mahaamanaaH= with his great mind; dadarsha= saw; laN^kaam= Lanka; sasambhramatrasta viSaNNa raakSasaam= with its confused, frigtened and dejected demons; samujjvala hutaashanaaN^kitaam= marked by blazing flames of fire; avanim iva= appearing like an earth; svayambhu kopahataam= afflicted by the fury of Brahama, the creator of the universe.

Hanuma, with his great mind, saw Lanka with its dazed, frightened and dejected demons, marked by blazing flames of fire and afflicted by the fury of Brahma the creator of the universe.

bhamktvaa vanam paadaparatnasamkulam |
hatvaa tu rakSaamsi mahaanti samyuge |
dagdhvaa puriim taam gR^iharatnamaaliniim |
tasthau hanuumaan pavanaatmajaH kapiH || 5-54-43

43. bhamktvaa= Breaking; vanam= the garden; paadaparatna samkulam= which was full of excellent trees; hanuumaan= Hanuma; pavanaatmajaH kapiH= the monkey and son of wind-god; hatvaa= (after) killing; mahaanti= great; rakSaamsi= demons; samyuge= in the battle; dagdhvaa= and scorching; taam purrim= that city; gR^iharatnamaaliniim= endowed with a series of excellent houses; tasthau= stood at ease.

After demolishing the garden which was full of excellent trees, killing great demons in battle and burning that city endowed with a series of excellent houses, Hanuma the monkey and the son of wind-god, stood at ease.

trikuuTashR^iN^gaagratale vichitre |
pratiSThito vaanararaajasimhaH |
pradiiptalaaN^guulakR^itaarchimaalii |
vyaraajataaditya ivaamshumaalii || 5-54-44

44. pratiSThitaH= standing; vichintre trikuuTa shR^ingaagratale= on the wonderful flat summit of Mount Trikuta; vaanara raaja simhaH= Hanuma, the foremost leader of the monkeys; pradiipta laaNguula kR^itaarchimaalii= having a garland of flames formed by his blazing tail; vyaraajata= shone; aadityaH iva= like the sun; amshumaalii= having a garland of rays.

Standing there on the wonderful flat summit of Mount Trikuta, Hanuma the foremost leader of the monkeys, having a garland of flames formed by his blazing tail, shone like the sun having a garland of rays.

sa raakSasaaMstaan subahuumshcha hatvaa |
vanam cha bhamktvaa bahuupaadapam tat |
visR^ijya rakSobhavaneSu chaagnim |
jagaama raamam manasaa mahaatmaa || 5-54-45

45. hatvaa= killing; taan subabhuun= those several; raakSasaan= demons; bhaktvaa= demolishing; tat vanamcha= that garden also; bahupaadapam= endowed with several trees; visR^ijya= and throwing; agnim= fire; rakSobhavaneSu= on the houses of demons; saH mahaatmaa= that high souled Hanuma; manasaa= mentally; jagaama= went; raamam= to Rama.

Killing those multitudes of demons, demolishing that garden endowed with several trees and scattering fire on the houses of demons, the high-souled Hanuma sought Rama with his mind.

tatastu tam vaanaviiramukhyam |
mahaabalam maarutatulyavegam |
mahaamatim vaayusutam variSTham |
pratuSTavurdevagaNaashcha sarve || 5-54-46

46. tataH= then; sarve= all; devagaNaaH= the multitude of celestials; pratuSTuvuH= enlogised; tam vaayusutam= that Hanuma; vaanara viira mukhyam= the principal; warrior of the monkeys; mahaabalam= possessing great strength; maarutatulya vegam= and swiftness equal to the wind; mahaamatim= greatly intelligent; variSTham= and the most excellent.

Then, all the multitude of celestials enlogised that Hanuma, the principal warrior of the monkeys, possessing great strength and swiftness similar to the wind, greatly intelligent and the most excellent.

bhamktvaa vanam mahaatejaa hatvaa rakSaamsi samyuge |
dagdhvaa laN^kaapuriim ramyaam raraaja sa mahaakapiH || 5-54-47

47. bhanktvaa= demolishing; vanam= the garden; hatvaa= killing; rakSaamsi= the demons; samyuge= in battle; mahaatejaaH= greatly splendoured; mahaakapiH= Hanuma; raraaja= shone; dagdhvaa= after burning; ramyaam= the beautiful; laN^kaapuriim= City of Lanka.

Demolishing the garden, killing the demons in battle, Hanuma of great splendour shone brightly, after burning the beautiful City of Lanka.

tatra devaaH sagandharvaaH siddhaashcha paramarSyaH |
dR^iSTvaa laN^kaam pradgdhaam taam vismayam paramam gataaH || 5-54-48

48. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; taam laNKaam purrim= that city of Lanka; dagdhaam= burnt; tatra= there; devaaH= celestials; siddhaashcha= saints; para marSayaH= and great sages; sagandharvaaH= along with celestial musicians; gataaH= got; paramam= a colossal vismayam= surprise.

Seeing that city of Lanka burnt there, celestials, saints and great sages along with celestial’s musicians, got a colossal surprise.

tam dR^iSTvaa vaanarashreSTham hanumantam mahaakapim |
kaalaagniriti samchintya sarvabhuutaani tatrasuH || 5-54-49

49. dR^iSTvaa= seeing; tam hanumantam= that Hanuma; vaanarashreSTham= the foremost among the monkeys; mahaakapim= and a great monkey; sarva bhuutaani= all the created beings; tatrasuH= were frightened; samchintya= thinking him; kaalaagni riti= to be a fire that is to destroy the world.

Seeing that Hanuma, the foremost among the monkeys and a mighty monkey, all the created beings were frightened, thinking of him as a fire that is to destroy the world.

devaashcha sarve munipuN^gavaashcha |
gandharvavidyaadharanaagayakSaaH |
bhuutaani sarvaaNi mahaanti tatra |
jagmuH paraam priitimatulyaruupaam || 5-54-50

50. tatra= there; sarve= all; devaashcha= the celestials; munipuN^gavaashcha= excellent sages; gandharva vidyaadhara naagayakSaaH= Gandharvas the celestials musicians; Vidyaadharas the supernatural beings, Nagas the celestial serpents and Yakshas the spirits; sarvaani= all; mahaanti bhuutaani= great living beings; jagmuH= got; paraam= a great; atulya ruupaam= peerless; priitim= delight.

There, all the celestial musicians, Vidyadharas the supernatural beings, Nagas the celestial serpents, Yakshas the spirits and all great living beings attained a great joy.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe chatuHpaJNchaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 54th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 55

Introduction

Making out that the whole of Lanka is reduced to ashes and conjecturing that Seetha too thus might have lost her life, Hanuma begins to reproach himself for his unrestrained exhibition of anger. Hanuma regrets that if Seetha dies now in this fire of Lanka, Rama and his brothers on hearing that report will not survive. While reflecting thus, Hanuma sees some good omens and asserts himself that Seetha can survive from the harsh forces of fire by her virtues of penance and devotion to Rama. In the meantime, he hears of her safety from the lips of Charanas (celestial bards) and feels consoled. Hanuma makes up his mind to return only after seeing her again.

samdiipyamaanaam vidhvastaam trasta rakSho gaNaam puriim |
avekShya haanumaaml lankaam cintayaamaasa vaanaraH || 5-55-1

1. aavekSya= seeing; laN^kaam purrim= the city of Lanka; samdiipyamaanaam= blazing; vitrastaam= and frightened; trasta rakSogaNaam= with its troops of demons getting alarmed; hanumaan= Hanuma; vaanaraH= the monkey; chintayaamaasa= became thoughtful.

Seeing the city of Lanka blazing, and frightened with its multitude of demons getting alarmed, Hanuma the monkey became thoughtful.

tasya abhuut sumahaan traasaH kutsaa ca aatmani ajaayata |
lankaam pradahataa karma kimsvit kR^itam idam mayaa || 5-55-2

2. sumahaan= a great; traasaH= anxiety; abhuut= occurred; tasya= to him; kutasacha= an expression of contempt also; ajaayata= was taken; aatmani= on himself; kimsmit= I wonder why; idam= this; karma= act; pradahataa= of burning; laN^kaam= Lanka; kR^itam= has been done; mayaa= by me.

A great anxiety entered his mind and there arose in him a feeling of self-contempt. He said to himself "What an admonitory act has bee done by me in burning Lanka."

dhanyaaH te puruSha shreShTha ye buddhyaa kopam utthitam |
nirundhanti mahaatmaano diiptam agnim iva ambhasaa || 5-55-3

3. diiptam agnim iva= as a burning fire; ambhasaa= is extinguished with water; te= those; mahaatmanaH= great-souled; puruSa shreSThaaH= excellent men; yet= who; nirundhati= restrain; utthitam kopam= their elevated anger; buddhyaa= by their wisdom; dhanyaaH= are fortunate.

"As a burning fire is extinguished with water, blessed indeed are those great-souled men of excellence, who in their wisdom, restrain their elevated fury."

kruddhaH paapam na kuryaatkaH kruddho hanyaadguruunapi |
kruddhaH paruSayaa vaachaa naraH saadhuunadhikSipet || 5-55-4

4. kaH= which; kruddhaH= enraged man; na kuryaat= would not incur; paapam= sin?; kruddhaH= an enraged man; hanyaat= kills; guruunapi= even elders; druddhaH= an enraged; naraH= man; adhikSipet= insults; saadhuun= virtuous men; paruSayaa vaachaa= with harsh words.

"Which enraged man would not incur a sinful act? An enraged person may even kill his elders. An enraged person may insult virtuous men with harsh words."

vaachyaavaachyam prakupito na vijaanaati karhichit |
naakaaryamasti kruddhasya naavaachyam vidyate kvachit || 5-55-5

5. prakupitaH= an agitated person; karhichit na vijaanaati= does not ever know; vaachyaavaachyam= fit words and forbidden words; kruddhasya= for an enraged person; na asti= there is no; akaaryam= improper at; na vidyate= nor is there; kvachit= ever; avaachyam= an improper word to be uttered.

"An agitated person ever does not know which appropriate words are and which are forbidden words to be uttered. For enraged persons, there is neither an improper act nor ever an improper word to be spoken."

yaH samutpatitam krodham kSamayaiva nirasyati |
yathoragastvacham jiirNaam sa vai puruSa uchyate || 5-55-6

6. uragaH yathaa= as a serpent; jiirNaam tvacha= its slough; yaH= whoever; nirasyati= casts aside; samutpatitam krodham= an intense anger sprung up suddenly; kSamayaiva= by endurance alone; saH vai= he verily; uchyate= is said; puruSaH= to be an excellent man

"As a serpent casts off its slough, whoever casts aside an intense anger sprung up in him suddenly by virtue of his endurance, he verily is said to be an excellent man."

dhigastu maam sudurbhaddhim nirlajjam paapakR^ittamam |
achintayitvaa taam siitaamagnidam svaamighaatakam || 5-55-7

7. maam dhik astu= shame be upon me; paapakR^ittamam= the greatest sinner; sudurbiddhim= with utter foolishness; nrlajjam= and impudence; agnidam= who became of fire-brand; achintayitvaa= without giving thought; taam siitaam= to that Seetha; svaami ghaatukam= and became hurtful to me master.

"Shame be upon me, the greatest sinner with utter foolishness and impudence, who became a fire-brand without giving thought to that Seetha and became hurtful to my master."

yadi dagdhaa tu iyam lankaa nuunam aaryaa api jaanakii |
dagdhaa tena mayaa bhartuH hatam kaaryam ajaanataa || 5-55-8

8. iyam laN^kaa dagdhaayadi= if this Lanka has been burnt; aaryaa= the venerable; jaanakyapi= Seetha also; nuunam dagdhaa= has surely been burnt; tena= in this manner; ajaanataa= inadvertently; bhartuH= the lord's; kaaryam= purpose; hatam= has been spoilt; mayaa= by me.

"If this whole Lanka for its part has been burnt, the worshipful Seetha too has surely been burnt. Thus, I have spolt the purpose of my lord inadvertently."

yat artham ayam aarambhaH tat kaaryam avasaaditam |
mayaa hi dahataa lankaam na siitaa parirakShitaa || 5-55-9

9. yadartham= for which purpose; ayam= is its; aarambhaH= effort; tat kaaryam= the purpose; avasaaditam= has been spoilt; mayaa= by me; dahataa= who has been burning; laN^kaam= Lanka; siitaa= Seetha; na parirakSitaa hi= has not been saved indeed.

"That purpose for which all this effort was taken, has been spoilt. At the time of burning the city, I have not saved Seetha indeed."

iiShat kaaryam idam kaaryam kR^itam aasiin na samshayaH |
tasya krodha abhibhuutena mayaa muula kShayaH kR^itaH || 5-55-10

10. idam= this; kaaryam= task; aasiit= became; kR^itam= fulfilled; iiSatkaaryam= and was completed with only a small effort; mayaa= by me; krodhaabhibhuutena= due to overpowering of my anger; tasya muulakSayaH= the destruction of its root; kR^itaH= has been done; na samshayaH= there is no doubt.

"This task (of burning Lanka) has been fulfilled by me and it has been completed only with a small effort. Overpowered as I was with anger, the very root of that fulfillment has been destroyed by me. There is no doubt."

vinaShTaa jaanakii vyaktam na hi adagdhaH pradR^ishyate |
lankaayaaH kashcit uddeshaH sarvaa bhasmii kR^itaa purii || 5-55-11

11. laN^kaayaam= In Lanka; na uddeshaH= no place; kashchit= whatsoever; pradR^ishyate= is seen indeed; adagdhaH= not being burnt; sarvaa= the entire; purii= city; bhasmiikR^itaaa= has been reduced to ashes; janakii= Seetha; nuunam= surely; vinaSTaa= has been lost.

"The entire Lanka has been reduced to ashes. No place is seen unburnt in this City. Therefore, Seetha also must have been surely lost.”

yadi tat vihatam kaaryam mayaa praj~naa viparyayaat |
iha eva praaNa samnyaaso mama api hi atirocate || 5-55-12

12. vihatam yadi tat kaaryam= If that act has been spoiled; mama prajJNaaviparyayaat= due to my perverted intelligence; rochate= it is appropriate; mamaapi= even to me; adya= now; ihaiva= and here itself; praaNa samnyaasah= to give up my life.

"If this task has been spoiled due to my perverted intelligence, it is appropriate even for me, here and now itself, to give up my life."

kim agnau nipataami adya aahosvit vaDavaa mukhe |
shariiram aaho sattvaanaam dadmi saagara vaasinaam || 5-55-13

13. nipataami= shall I jump; agnau= into fire; adya= now?; aahosvit= or else; baDabaamukhe= into the mouth of a submarine fire?; aaho= or; dadmi= shall I give up; shariiram= my body; sattvaanaam= to the animals; saagaravaasinaam= dwelling in the sea?

"Shall I jump into fire now or into the mouth of a submarine fire? Or shall I give up my body as a feed to the marine animals?"

katham hi jiivataa shakyo mayaa draShTum hari iishvaraH |
tau vaa puruSha shaarduulau kaarya sarva sva ghaatinaa || 5-55-14

14. mayaa= by me; kaarya sarva svaghaatinaa= who has spoiled the entire task; katham vaa= how; shakyaH= can I; jiivataa= surviving; draSTum= see; hariishvaraH= Sugreeva; tau vaa= or even those two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana; puruSa shaarduulau= the best among men?

"By me who has ruined the entire task, how can I, even while remaining alive, see Sugreeva the Lord of monkeys or Rama and Lakshmana the best of men?"

Verse Locator

mayaa khalu tat eva idam roSha doShaat pradarshitam |
prathitam triShu lokeShu kapitam anavasthitam || 5-55-15

15. roSadoSaat= due to culpability of my anger; idam= this; kaptvam= apishness; tat= that; prathitam= is famous; anavasthitam= for instability; pradarshitam khalu= was indeed shown; mayaa= by me.

"Due to culpability of my anger, I have indeed shown this apishness that is famous for instability in the three worlds."

dhig astu raajasam bhaavam aniisham anavasthitam |
iishvareNa api yat raagaan mayaa siitaa na rakShitaa || 5-55-16

16. dhik astu= Let there be shame upon; raajasam bhaavam= the passionate way of thinking; aniisham= which is helplessness; anavasthtam= and instability; yat= for; iishvareNaapi= eventhough capable; siitaa= Seetha; na rakSitaa= could not be saved; mayaa= by me; raagaat= due to my exciting passion of anger.

"Let there be shame upon the passionate way of my thinking, which breeds helplessness and instability. fir, eventhough capable as I am, Seetha could not be saved by me due to my exciting passion of anger."

vinaShTaayaam tu siitaayaam taav ubhau vinashiShyataH |
tayoH vinaashe sugriivaH sabandhuH vinashiShyati || 5-55-17

17. siitaayaam vinaSTaayaam= If Seetha dies; tau ubhau= those two princes, Rama and Lakshmana; vinashiSyataH= will die; tayoH vinaashe= If their death happens; sugrrivaH= Sugreeva; sabandhuH= along with his associates; vinashiSyati= will die.

"If Seetha dies, those two princes, Rama and Lakshmana will die. If their death occurs, Sugreeva along with his associates will also die."

etat eva vacaH shrutvaa bharato bhraatR^i vatsalaH |
dharma aatmaa saha shatrughnaH katham shakShyati jiivitum || 5-55-18

18. katham= how; dharmaatmaa= the virtuous; bharataH= Bharata; sahashatrughnaH= together with Shatrughna; bhaatR^ivatsalaH= who are affectionate to his brother; shakSyat= will be able; jiivitum= to survive shrutvaa= after hearing; etadeva= this; vachaH= news?

"How can the virtuous Bharata together with Shatrughna, who are affectionate to his brother, survive after hearing this news?"

ikShvaaku vamshe dharmiShThe gate naasham asamshayam |
bhaviShyanti prajaaH sarvaaH shoka samtaapa piiDitaaH || 5-55-19

19. dharmiSThe= ikSvaaku vamshe= (when) the virtuous Ikshvaku dynasty; naasham= perishes; sarvaaH= all; prajaaH= the people; asamshayam= undoubtedly; bhaviSyanti= will become; shokasamtaapa piiDitaaH= tormented by anguish and affliction.

"When the virtuous Ikshvaku dynasty perishes, all the people will undoubtedly be tormented with anguish and affliction."

tat aham bhaagya rahito lupta dharma artha samgrahaH |
roga doSha pariita aatmaa vyaktam loka vinaashanaH || 5-55-20

20. tat= therefore; aham= I; bhaagyarahitaH= the unfortunate; luptadharmaartha samgrahaH= deprived of the values of duty and interest; roSadoSa pariitaatmaa= having my mind filled with culpability of anger; vyaktam= clearly; lokavinaashanaH= became the destroyer of the world.

"Therefore, I, the unfortunate being, deprived of the values of duty and interest, with my mind filled with culpability of anger, clearly became the destroyer of the world."

iti cintayataH tasya nimittaani upapedire |
puuram api upalabdhaani saakShaat punaH acintayat || 5-55-21

21. tasya= that Hanuma; iti= thus; chintayataH= thinking; nimittaani= the omens; upalabdhaani= as obtained; puurvamapi= even before; upapedire= came; saakSaat= clearly; punah= and again; achintayat= thought (as follows)

While thinking thus, Hanuma clearly saw some omens, whose welcome-results had already been directly experienced by him and again thought (as follows);

athavaa caaru sarva angii rakShitaa svena tejasaa |
na nashiShyati kalyaaNii na agniH agnau pravartate || 5-55-22

22. athavaa= or else; kalyaaNii= Seetha the auspicious lady; chaarusarvaaNgii= having completely charming limbs; rakSitaa= protected svena tejasaa= by her own effulgence; na nashiSyati= does not get destroyed; agniH= fire; na pravartate= doe no do injury agnau= into fire.

"Or else, Seetha the auspicious lady, who is completely charming of her limbs and protected by her own effulgence, does not get destroyed. Fire does not indeed destroy fire!"

na hi dharmaat manaH tasya bhaaryaam amita tejasaH |
sva caaritra abhiguptaam taam spraShTum arhati paavakaH || 5-55-23

23. paavakaH= fire; naarhati hi= is not entitled indeed; spraSTum= to touch; taam= her; bhaaryaam= the wife; tasya= of that Rama; dharmaatmanaH= the virtuous man; amita tejasaH= having unlimited splendour; svachaaritraabhiguptaam= and protected by her own good conduct.

"Fire is not indeed entitled to touch; Seetha, the wife of that Rama the virtuous man having unlimited splendour and duly protected by her own good conduct."

nuunam raama prabhaavena vaidehyaaH sukR^itena ca |
yan maam dahana karmaa ayam na adahadt havya vaahanaH || 5-55-24

24. yat= that; iyam= this; havyavaahanaH= fire; dahanakarmaa= having burning as its act; naadahati= is not igniting; maam= me; nuunam= surely (it is due to); raama prabhaavaNa= the power of Rama; sukrutena= benevolence; vaidehyaaH= of Seetha.

"If this fire with its burning nature is not igniting me, it is surely due to the power of Rama and the benevolence of Seetha."

trayaaNaam bharata aadiinaam bhraatR^iR^iNaam devataa ca yaa |
raamasya ca manaH kaantaa saa katham vinashiShyati || 5-55-25

25. katham= how; saa= that Seetha; yaa= who; devataacha= is a godhead; trayaaNaam= for the three; bharataadiinaam= beginning with Bharata; manaH kaantaa= and dear to the heart; raamasya= of Rama; vinashiSyati= can perish?

"How should that Seetha, who is a godhead for the three brothers (of Rama) starting with Bharata and who is dear to the heart of Rama perish?"

yat vaa dahana karmaa ayam sarvatra prabhuH avyayaH |
na me dahati laanguulam katham aaryaam pradhakShyati || 5-55-26

26. yadvaa= or; iyam dahana karmaa= this fire; sarvatra prabhuH= which is a spread everywhere; avyayaH= and imperishable; nadahati= is not burning; me laaNguulam= my tail; katham= how; pradhakSyati= can it burn; aaryaam= the venerable Seetha?

"This fire, which spreads everywhere without any hindrance, is not burning my tail. How can it burn the venerable Seetha?"

punashchaachintayattatra hanumaanvismitastadaa |
hiraNyanaabhasya girerjalamadhye pradarshanam || 5-55-27

27. hanumaan= Hanuma; tadaa= then; achintayat= recalled; punaH= again; vismitaH= with wonder; pradarshanam= the sight; hiraNyanaabhasya gireH= of Mount Mainaka (having gold in its cavities); jala madhye= in the midst of sea-water; tatra= there.

Hanuma then recalled with wonder the sight of Mount Mainaka (having gold in its cavities) in the midst of sea-water there.

tapasaa satya vaakyena ananyatvaac ca bhartari |
api saa nirdahet agnim na taam agniH pradhakShyati || 5-55-28

28. saa= that Seetha; nirdahet api= can even burn away; agnim= the fire; tapasaa= by her penance; satyavaakyena= by her true speech; ananyatvaachacha= and by her undivided attention; bhartari= towards her husband; agniH= fire; na pradhakSyati= does not ignite; taam= her.

"That Seetha can even burn away the fire by her penance, true utterances and undivided devotion towards her husband. Fire does not ignite her."

sa tathaa cintayan tatra devyaa dharma parigraham |
shushraava hanumaan vaakyam caaraNaanaam mahaatmanaam || 5-55-29

29. saH hanumaan= that Hanuma; chintayan= who was thinking; tatra= there; tathaa= in that way; dharma parigraham= about the overpowering virtue; devyaaH= of Seetha; shushraava= heard; vaakyam= the words; mahaatmanaam= of the high-souled; chaaraNaanaam= charanas (heavenly bards).

Hanuma, who was thus thinking there about the overpowering virtue of Seetha, happened to hear the words of the high-souled charanas (heavenly bards).

aho khalu kR^itam karma durviShahyam hanuumataa |
agnim visR^ijataa abhiikShNam bhiimam raakShasa sadmani || 5-55-30

30. aho= Alas!; hanumataa= by Hanuma; visR^ijataa= who hurled; abhiikSNam= very; bhiimam= terrific; agnim= fire; raakSasaveshmani= into Ravana's house; kR^itam khalu= has been done indeed; duSkaram karma= a difficult act.

"Alas! Hanuma, who hurled a very terrific fire into Ravana's house, has indeed done a difficult act."

prapalaayitarakSaH striibaala vR^iddhasamaakulaa |
janakolaahalaadhmaataa krandantiivaadrikandaraiH ||31

31. prapalaayita rakSah striibaala vR^iddha samaakulaa= (the city of Lanka) full of demons, their wives, children and elders running (hither and thither); janakolaahalaadhamaataa= and filled with an uproar of people; krandanniva= appears like weeping adrikandaraiH= through its mountain-caves.

"The city of Lanka, full of demons their wives, children and elders running hither and thither, as also filled with an uproar of people, appears as if it weeping through its mountain-caves."

dagdhaa iyam nagarii lankaa saaTTa praakaara toraNaa |
jaanakii na ca dagdhaa iti vismayo adbhuta eva naH || 5-55-32

32. vismayaH eva= it is just so surprising; adbhutaH= a marvel; naH= to us; iti= that; iyam= this; sarvaa= entire; nagarii= city; saaTTa praakaaratoraNaa= with its market-places, ramparts and arched door-ways; dagdhaa= was burnt; jaanakiicha= but Seetha alone; na dagdhaa= was not burnt.

"It is just so surprising a marvel to us that the entire City with its market-places, ramparts and arched door-ways, was burnt, but Seetha alone was not burnt."

sa nimittaiH ca dR^iShTa arthaiH kaaraNaiH ca mahaaguNaiH |
R^iShi vaakyaiH ca hanumaan abhavat priita maanasaH || 5-55-33

33. saH hanumaan= that Hanuma; abhavat= became; priita maanasa= delighted in his mind; nimittaiH= by the omens; dR^iSThaarthaiH= with their apparent advantages; mahaagnNaiH= with very high qualities; kaaraNaishcha= of their origins; R^iSivaakyaishcha= and by the words of the sages.

That Hanuma became delighted in his mind, by seeing the omens, with their apparent advantages in them and very high qualities of their origin as also the words of those sages.

tataH kapiH praapta mano ratha arthaH |
taam akShataam raaja sutaam viditvaa |
pratyakShataH taam punaH eva dR^iShTvaa |
pratiprayaaNaaya matim cakaara || 5-55-34

34. tataH= then; kapiH= Hanuma; praapta manorathaarthaH= having fulfilled his object of desire; viditvaa= by learning taam raajasutaam= that Seetha the princess; akSataam= remains uninjured; matim chakaara= made up his mind; pratiprayaaNaaya= to return; dR^iSTvaa= after seeing; taam= her; pratyakSataH= personally; punareva= yet again.

Then, Hanuma, having fulfilled his object of desire by learning that Seetha the princess remains uninjured, made up his mind to return only after seeing her personally yet again.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe paJNchapaJNchaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 55th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 56

Introduction

Hanuma again visits Ashoka garden and sees Seetha once more. He consoles Seetha that Rama along with his forces of monkeys and bears will come soon and after conquering the enemies in battle, will take her back. After bidding adieu to Seetha, he ascends Mount Arishta and enlarges his body making himself ready to leap across the ocean.

tataH tu shimshapaa muule jaanakiim paryavasthitaam |
abhivaadya abraviit diShTyaa pashyaami tvaam iha akShataam || 5-56-1

1. tataH= thereafter; abhivaadya= having offered is salutation; jaanakiim= to Seetha; paryupasthitaam= who was present; shimshupaamuule= at the foot of Ashoka tree; (Hanuma); abraviit= spoke (as follows); diSTyaa= thank Heaven!; pashyaami= I am seeing; tvaam= you; iha= here; akSataam= uninjured.

Thereafter, having offered his salutation to Seetha, who was present at the foot of Ashoka tree, Hanuma spoke: "Thank heaven! I am seeing you uninjured here!"

tataH tam prasthitam siitaa viikShamaaNaa punaH punaH |
bhartR^i sneha anvitam vaakyam hanuumantam abhaaShata || 5-56-2

2. tataH= then; punaH punaH= again and again; viikSamaaNaa= beholding; tam hanuumantam= that Hanuma; prasthitam= starting out (for his return-journey); siitaa= Seetha; abhaaSata= spoke; vaakyam= (the following) words; bhartR^isnehaanvitam= endowed with affection towards her husband.

Then, beholding again and again, that Hanuma, who had made ready for his return journey, Seetha spoke the following words, filled with affection towards her husband.

kaamam asya tvam eva ekaH kaaryasya parisaadhane |
paryaaptaH para viiraghna yashasyaH te bala udayaH || 5-56-3

3. paraviiraghna= O Hanuma, the annihilator of enemies!; kaamam= surely; tvam= you; ekaH= alone; paryaaptaH= are enough; parisaadhane= in achievement; asya kaaryasya= of this task; te= your; balodayaH= elevated energy; yashasya= is creditable.

"O Hanuma, the annihilator of enemies! You are yourself surely sufficient single-handed completion of this task. Your elevated energy is creditable indeed.

sharaistuH samkulaam kR^itvaa lankaam para bala ardanaH |
maam nayet yadi kaakutsthaH tasya tat saadR^isham bhavet || 5-56-4

4. tu= but; tat bhavet= it will be; sadR^isham= appropriate; tasya kaakutthasaH= of him Rama; parabalaardanaH= who destroys the army of adversaries; nayedyadi= if he takes; maam= me; kR^itvaa= after making; laN^kaam= Lanka; samkulaam= upset; sharaiH= with his arrows.

"But, it will be appropriate for Rama, who destroys the hostile forces, to take me with him, after routing Lanka with his arrows."

tat yathaa tasya vikraantam anuruupam mahaatmanaH |
bhavati aahava shuurasya tattvam eva upapaadaya || 5-56-5

5. tat= therefore; tva= you; upapaadaya= act; yathaa tathaa bhavati= in such a way that; mahaatmanaH= the high-souled Rama; aahavashuurasya= valiant in battle; vikraantam= (may exhibit) prowess; tasya anuruupam= worthy of him.

"Therefore, you act in such a way that the high-souled Rama, valiant in battle, may exhibit prowess worthy of him."

tat artha upahitam vaakyam prashritam hetu samhitam |
nishamya hanumaan tasyaa vaakyam uttaram abraviit || 5-56-6

6. nishamya= hearing; tat= those; vaakyam= words; prashritam= which were humble; hetusamhitam= endowed with reason; arthopahitam= and meaningful; tasyaaH= of her; hanumaan= Hanuma; abraviit= spoke; vaakyam= (the following) words; uttaram= in reply.

Hearing those humble, reasonable and meaningful words of Seetha, Hanuma spoke the following words in reply.

kShipram eShyati kaakutstho hari R^ikSha pravaraiH vR^itaH |
yaH te yudhi vijitya ariin shokam vyapanayiShyati || 5-56-7

7. kaakuthsaH= Rama; vR^itaH= surrounded; haryR^iSapravaraiH= with leaders of monkeys and bears; eSyati= will come; kSipram= immediately; yaH= who; vijitya= after conquering; ariin= the enemies; yudhi= in battle; vyapanayiSyati= will take away; te= your; shokam= grief.

"Rama, accompanied by the leaders of monkeys and bears, will come soon and after conquering the enemies in battle, will take away your grief."

evam aashvaasya vaidehiim hanuumaan maarut aatmajaH |
gamanaaya matim kR^itvaa vaidehiim abhyavaadayat || 5-56-8

8. hanumaan= Hanuma ; maarutaatmajah= the son of wind-god; evam= thus; aashvaasya= consoling; vaidehiim= Seetha; kR^itvaa= and making up; matim= his mind; gamanaaya= to go; vaidehiim abhyavaadayat= saluted Seetha with reverence.

Hanuma, the son of wind-god, thus consoling Seetha and making up his mind to go, saluted Seetha with reverence.

tataH sa kapi shaarduulaH svaami samdarshana utsukaH |
aaruroha giri shreShTham ariShTam ari mardanaH || 5-56-9

9. tataH= thereafter; saH= that; kapishaarduulaH= Hanuma the foremost among the monkeys; arimardanah= the annihilator of enemies; svaami samdarshanotsukaH= with an anxious desire to see his lord; aaruroha= ascended; girishreSTham= (that) mountain of excellence; ariSTham= called Arishta.

Thereafter, that Hanuma the foremost among the monkeys, and the annihilator of enemies, with an anxious desire to see his lord, ascended the Mount Arishta of excellence.

tunga padmaka juShTaabhiH niilaabhiH vana raajibhiH |
sottariiyamivaambhodaiH shR^imgaantaravilambibhiH || 5-56-10

10. niilaabhiH= (that mountain) was covered as it were, with dark green; vanaraajibhiH= rows of gardens; tuN^gapadmakajuSTaabhiH= inhabited by towering elephants with red spots on their skin; ambhodaiH= with clouds; shR^iNgaantaravilambibhiH= hanging between its summits; sottariiyamiva= as with an upper garment.

That mountain was covered as it were with dark green rows of gardens inhabited by towery elephants with red spots on their skin and with its clouds hanging between its summits, as with an upper garment.

bodhyamaanamiva priityaa divaakarakaraiH shubhaiH |
unmiSantimivoddhuutairlochanairiva dhaatubhiH || 5-56-11

11. dhaatubhiH= by metals; uddhuutaiH= scattered here and there; lochanairiva= looking like eyes; unmiSantamiva= drawing up the eye=lids; (the mountain); bodhyamaanamiva= looked like being awakened as it were; priityaa= with love; shubhaiH divaakarakaraiH= by the bright rays of the sun.

By metals scattered here and there, looking like eyes drawing up the eye-lids, the mountain looked like being awakened, as it were, with love by the bright rays of the sun.

toyaughanisvanairmandraiH praadhiitamiva parvatam |
pragiitamiva vispaSTairnaanaaprasravaNasvnai || 5-56-12

12. parvatam= the mountain; praadhiitamiva= looked like the one who has started reciting the scriptures; vispaSTaiH= clearly; mandraiH toyaughanisvanaiH= in the form of the deep sound of running streams of water; pragiitamiva= singing as it were at a high pitch; naanaa prasravaNasvanaiH= in the form of roaring sound of various cascades.

The mountain looked resembling the one which has started reciting the scriptures clearly in the form of the deep sound of running streams of water, singing as it were at a high pitch, in the form of roaring sound of various cascades.

devadaarubhiratyuchchairuurdhvabaahumiva sthitam |
prapaatajalanirghoSaiH praakR^iSTamiva sarvataH || 5-56-13

13. sthitam= (the mountain) stood; uurdhvabaahum iva= as it were with uplifted arms; atyuchchaiH devadaarubhiH= in the form of very high deodars; praakR^iSTamiva= and which started crying loudly as it were; sarvataH= on all sides; prapaatajalanirghoSaiH= on all sides; prapaatajala nirghoSaiH= in the form of the sound of its cascades.

The mountain stood as it were with uplifted arms in the form of very lofty deodars and which started crying loudly as it were, on all sides, in the form of the sound of its cascades.

vepamaanamiva shyaamaiH kampamaanaiH sharadvanaiH |
veNubhirmaarutoddhuutaiH kuujantamiva kiichakaiH || 5-56-14

14. vepamaanamiva= (The mountain) seemed to be trembling; kampamaanaiH= in the form of waving; shaamaiH= dark; sharadvanaiH= antomnal groves; veNubhiH= which was piping as it were; kiichakaiH= in the form of hollow bamboos; maarutoddhuutaiH= shaken up by the wind; kuujantamiva= and as though whistling.

The mountain seemed to be trembling in the form of waving dark automnal groves, which was piping as it were, in the form of hollow bamboos shaken up by the wind and whistling.

niHshvasantamivaamarSaadghorairaashiiviSottamaiH |
viihaarakR^itagambhiirairdhyaayantamiva gahvaraiH || 5-56-15

15. niH shvasantamiva= (the mountain) was hissing as it were with fury; aashiiviSottamaiH= in the form of its terrible and most poisonous snakes; dhyaayantamiva= which sat absorbed in meditation as it were; guhvaraiH= in the form of its caves; niihaara kR^ita gambhiiraiH= which were deep and covered with mist.

The mountain was hissing as it were with fury, in the form of its terrible and most poisonous snakes and which sat absorbed in meditation as it were, in the form of its deep caves covered with mist.

meghapaadanibhaiH paadaiH prakraantamiva sarvataH |
jR^imbhamaaNamivaakaashe shikharairabhraamaalibhiH || 5-56-16

16. prakraantamiva= (the mountain) seems to be setting out on a journey; sarvataH= on all four sides; paadaiH= with the feet of that mountain; meghapaadanibhaiH= looking like rising clouds; shikharaiH= which with its peaks; abhra maalibhiH= having a lining of clouds; jR^imbhamaaNamiva= seemed to stretch its limbs, aakaashe= in the sky.

The mountain seems to be setting out on a journey on all four sides, with feet of the mountain, looking like rising clouds, which with its peaks having a lining of clouds, seemed to stretch its limbs in the sky.

kuuTaishcha bahudhaa kiirNai shobhitam bahukandaraiH |
saala taala ashva karNaiH ca vamshaiH ca bahubhiH vR^itam || 5-56-17

17. (The mountain) shobhitam= was embellished with; kuuTaishcha= number of summits; bahukandaraiH= and adorned with numerous caves; bahudhaakiirNaiH= scattered at many places; vR^itam= and endowed with; bahubhiH= many; saala taalaashvakarNaishcha= sal, palmyrah, karna and bamboo trees.

The mountain was embellished with a number of summits and adorned with numerous caves scattered at many places and endowed with many sal, palmyrah, karna and bamboo trees.

lataavitaanairvitataiH pSpavadbhiralamkR^itam |
naanaamR^igagaNaakiirNam dhaatuniSyandabhuuSitam || 5-56-18

18. (The mountain); alamkR^itam= was adorned; lataavitaanaiH= with clusters of creepers; vitataiH puSpavadbhiH= having plenty of flowers; naaaa mR^igagaNaakiirNam= filled with many troops of animals; dhaatuniSyanda bhuuSitam= and embellished with gushes of liquid minerals.

The mountain was adorned with clusters of creepers having plenty of flowers, filled with a number of summits and adorned with numerous caves scattered at many places and endowed with many sal, palmyrah, karna and bamboo trees.

bahuprasravaNopetam shilaasamchayasamkaTam |
maharSiyakSagandharvakinnaroragasevitam || 5-56-19

19. (The mountain); bahuprasravaNopetam= was endowed with many cascades; shilaasamchaya samkaTam= crowded together with heaps of rocks; maharSiyakSagandharava kinnaroragasevitam= and frequented by great sages, yakshas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras and celestial serpents.

The mountain was endowed with many cascades, crowded together with heaps of rocks and frequented by great sages, Yakshas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras and celestial serpents.

lataapaadapasamghaatam simhaadhyuSitakandaram |
vyaagrasamghasamaakiirNam svaadumuulaphaladrumam || 5-56-20

20. (The mountain); lataapaada samghaatam= was exquisite with creepers and trees; simhaadhyuSia kandaram= having caves inhabited by lions; vyaaghrasamghasamaakiirNam= filled with a number of tigers; svaadumuula phala drumam= and having sweet roots and fruit-trees.

The mountain was exquisite with creepers and trees, having caves inhabited by lions, spread over with a number of tigers and endowed with sweet roots and fruit-trees.

tam aaruroha hanumaan parvatam pavanaatmajaH |
raama darshana shiighreNa praharSheNa abhicoditaH || 5-56-21

21. hanumaan= Hanuma; pavanaatmajah= the son of wind-god; raamadarshana shiighreNa= in a hurry to see Rama; aaruroha= ascended; tamparvatam= that mountain; abhichoditaH= excited as he was; praharSeNa= with an extreme joy.

Hanuma, the son of wind-god, in a hurry to see Rama, ascended that mountain, excited as he was with an extreme joy.

tena paada tala aakraantaa ramyeShu giri saanuShu |
saghoShaaH samashiiryanta shilaaH cuurNii kR^itaaH tataH || 5-56-22

22. tataH= then; shilaaH= the rocks; ramyeSugirisaanusu= in the charming table-land of the mountain; tena paada talaakraantaaH= on which the soles of his feet lied heavily; sama shiiryanta= were crushed; saghoSaaH= with sounds; chuurNiikR^itaaH= and fallen to pieces.

Then, the rocks in the charming table-land of the mountain, on which the soles of Hanuma lied heavily, were crushed with noise and fallen to pieces.

sa tam aaruhya shaila indram vyavardhata mahaakapiH |
dakShiNaat uttaram paaram praarthayaml lavaNa ambhasaH || 5-56-23

23. praarthayan= desirous (of reaching); uttaram paaram= the northern shore; dakSiNaat= from the southern shore; lavaNaambhasaH= of the ocean; mahaakapiH= Hanuma; aaruhya= ascending; tam shailendram= that mountain; vyavardhata= enlarged in his body.

Desirous of reaching the northern shore from the southern shore of that ocean, Hanuma ascended that mountain and enlarged his body.

adhiruhya tato viiraH parvatam pavana aatmajaH |
dadarsha saagaram bhiimam miina uraga niShevitam || 5-56-24

24. tataH= then; viiraH= the valiant; pavanaatmajaH= Hanuma; adhiruuhya= ascending; parvatam= the mountain; dadarsha= saw; bhiimam= the terrific; saagaram= ocean; miinoraganiSevitam= inhabited by fishes and water-snakes.

Then, the valiant Hanuma after ascending the mountain, saw the terrific ocean inhabited by fishes and water-snakes.

sa maaruta iva aakaasham maarutasya aatma sambhavaH |
prapede hari shaarduulo dakShiNaat uttaraam disham || 5-56-25

25. saH harishaarduulaH= that foremost among the monkeys; aatmasambhavaH= the son; maarutasya= of the wind-god; prapede=entered; aakaasham= the sky; uttaraam disham= towards northern direction; dakSiNaat= from southern direction; maarutaH iva= like a wind.

Hanuma, the foremost among the monkeys and the son of the wind-god, entered the sky towards northern direction, like a wind, from southern direction.

sa tadaa piiDitaH tena kapinaa parvata uttamaH |
raraasa saha taiH bhuutaiH praavishat vasudhaa talam || 5-56-26
kampamaanaiH ca shikharaiH patadbhiH api ca drumaiH |

26. piiDitaH= pressed; tadaa= then; tena kapinaa= by that Hanuma; saH parvatottamaH= that excellent mountain; pravishan= entering; vasudhaatalam= the earth; taiH bhuutaiH saha= along with the various living beings; raraasa= made a noise; kampamaanaiH shikharaiH= with its shaking summits; patadbhiH drumaiH= and toppling trees.

Pressed at that moment by Hanuma, that excellent mountain sank into the bowels of the earth along with the various living beings and made a noise with its shaking summits and toppling trees.

tasya uuru vegaan mathitaaH paadapaaH puShpa shaalinaH || 5-56-27
nipetuH bhuu tale rugNaaH shakra aayudha hataa iva |

27. mathitaaH= shaken; uuruvegaat= by the impetus of the thighs; tasya= of that Hanuma; paadapaaH= trees; puSpashaalinaH= endowed with blossoms; rugNaaH= were broken; nipetuH= and fell down; bhuutale= on earth; shokraayudha hataa iva= as struck by a thunder-bolt.

Shaken by the impetus of the thighs of Hanuma, trees in blossom were broken and fell down on earth, as though struck by a thunder-bolt.

kandara udara samsthaanaam piiDitaanaam mahaaojasaam || 5-56-28
simhaanaam ninado bhiimo nabho bhindan sa shushruve |

28. saH bhiimaH ninadaH= that roaring sound; mahaujasaam simhaanaam= of the lions of great prowess; kandaraantara samsthaanaam= dwelling in the midst of the caves; piiDitaanaam= were tormented; shushrave= (and that sound) was heard; bhindan= piercing; uabhaH= the sky.

When the lions of great prowess dwelling in the midst of caves were tormented and roared terribly, that roaring noise was heard as it was piercing the sky.

trasta vyaaaviddha vasanaa vyaakulii kR^ita bhuuShaNaa || 5-56-29
vidyaadharyaH samutpetuH sahasaa dharaNii dharaat |

29. vidyaadharyaH= the females of Vidyadhara class of supernatural beings; trasta vyaaviddha vasanaaH= with their raiments in disorder through fear; vyaakuliikR^ita bhuuSaNaaH= and their ornaments fallen off; samutpetuH= went up; sahasaa= (all of a sudden; dharaNiidharaat= from the mountain.

The females of Vidyadhara class of supernatural beings, with their raiments in disorder through fear and their ornaments fallen off, went up all of a sudden from the mountain.

atipramaaNaa balino diipta jihvaa mahaaviShaaH || 5-56-30
nipiiDita shiro griivaa vyaveShTanta mahaahayaH |

30. mahaahayaH= large serpents; atipramaaNaaH= of immense size; balinaH possessing vigour; diipta jihvaaH= having fiery tongues; mahaaviSaah= very poisonous; nipiiDita shirogriivaaH= with their hoods and necks severely pressed; vyacheSTanta= lay coiled.

Large poisonous serpents of immense size, possessing vigour and having fiery tongues with their hoods and necks severely pressed lay coiled.

kinnara uraga gandharva yakSha vidyaa dharaaH tathaa || 5-56-31
piiDitam tam naga varam tyaktvaa gaganam aasthitaaH |

31. tadaa= then; tyaktvaa= leaving; tam piiDitam= that tormented; nagavaram= mountain of excellence; kinnaroragagandharva yakSavidyaadharaaH= kinnaras, Nagas, Gandharvas, Yakshas and Vidyadharas; aasthitaaH= ascended; gaganam= to the sky.

Then, leaving that tormented mountain of excellence; Kinnaras, Nagas, Gadharvas, Yakshas and Vidyadharas ascended to the sky.

sa ca bhuumi dharaH shriimaan balinaa tena piiDitaH || 5-56-32
savR^ikSha shikhara udagraaH pravivesha rasaa talam |

32. piiDitaH= pressed down; tena balinaa= by the strong Hanuma; saH shriimaan= that beautiful; bhuumidharashcha= mountain; savR^ikSa shikharodagraH= having its elevated summits crowned with trees; pravivesha= entered; rasaatalam= the bowels of the earth.

Pressed down by that strong Hanuma, that beautiful mountain having its elevated summits crowned with trees, entered the bowels of the earth.

dasha yojana vistaaraH trimshat yojanam ucChritaH || 5-56-33
dharaNyaam samataam yaataH sa babhuuva dharaa dharaH |

33. saH dharaadharaH= that mountain; dashayojanavistaaraH= with a width of ten Yojanas (or eighty miles); trimshat yojanam uchchhritaH= and height of thirty Yojanas (two hundred and forty miles); babhuuva= became; yaataH= completely; samataam= in sameness of level; dharaNyaam= with the earth.

That mountain, with a width of ten yojanas (or eighty miles) and a height of thirty yojanas (or two hundred and forty miles) got level with the earth.

sa lilaN^ghuyirbhiimam saliilam lavaNaarNavam || 5-56-34
kallolaasphaalavelaantamutpapaata nabho hariH |

34. lilaN^ghayiSuH= with a desire to cross; saliilam= easily; bhiimam lavaNaarNavam= the terrific ocean; kallola sphaalavelaantam= whose shores were being lashed by its waves; saH hariH= that Hanuma; utpapaata= jumped up (into the sky).

With a desire to cross easily the terrific ocean, whose shores were being lashed by its waves, which Hanuma jumped up into the air.

ityaarSe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe STpaJNchaashaH sargaH

Thus completes 56th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

for the collection