Sri Valmiki Ramayanam - Sundara kanda (Book 5) Sarga 2 to 7

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] 2

Introduction

This chapter introduces us to the glorious city of Lanka and Hanuma's first encounter with it. The geography around the island where Lanka is located is described herein. The chapter also depicts the initial reaction of Hanuma on seeing the city and his initial thoughts about the feasibility of the task of overcoming the Rakshasas and Ravana to reunite Sri Rama with mother Seetha. As the book progresses, we shall see how Hanuma overcomes these thoughts and moves toward achieving this task.

sa saagaramanaadhR^ishhyamatikramya mahaabalaH |
trikuuTashikhare laN^kaaM sthitaaM svastho dadarsha ha || 5-2-1

1. saH= that Hanuma, mahaabalaH= one with great strength, atikramya= crossed, anaadhrishhyam= the insurmountable, saagaram= ocean, svasthaH= (stayed) healthy (without any physical tiredness), dadarsha ha= and viewed, laN^kaam= the city of Lanka, sthitaam= situated, trikuuTa sikhare= on the peak of Mount Trikuta.

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

tataH paadapamuktena pushhpavarshheNa viiryavaan |
abhivR^ishhTaH sthitastatra babhau pushhpamayo yathaa || 5-2-2

2. tataH= after that, viiryavaan= the powerful Hanuma, sthitaH= standing, tatra= there, babhau= shone, pushhpamayo yathaa= like one (with a body) of flowers, abhivR^ishhTaH= being showered, pushhpavarshheNa= by a rain of flowers, paadapamuktena= released by trees.

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

Comment : Being showered by flowers is considered auspicious.

yojanaanaaM shataM shriimaaMstiirtvaapyuttamavikramaH |
aniHsvasan kapistatra na glaanimadhigachchhati || 5-2-3

3. shriimaan= the glorious, kapiH= Hanuma, uttama vikramaH= with the best courage, tiirtvaapi= even though crossing, shatam= a hundred, yojanaanaam= yojanas, aniHshvan= was without a sigh, na adhigachhati= (and) did not obtain, glaanim= tiredness, tatra= there.

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

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

shataanyahaM yojanaanaaM krameyaM subahunyapi |
kiM punaH saagarasyaantaM saMkhyaataM shatayojanam || 5-2-4

4. aham= I, krameyam= will cross, subahuunyapi= a lot of, shataanyapi yojanaanaam= hundreds of yojanas also, kim punaH= what to say, antam= (about) the end, saagarasya= of the ocean, saMkhyaatam= counted, shata yojanam= to be hundred yojanas (long) .

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

sa tu viiryavataaM shreshhThaH plavataamapi chottamaH |
jagaama vegavaan laN^kaaM laN^ghayitvaa mahodadhim || 5-2-5

5. saH tu= that Hanuma, shresahhThaH= best, viiryavataam= among the powerful ones, uttamaH= foremost, plavataamapi= also among those who fly, jagaama= went, vegavaan= with (good) speed, lan^kaam= for Lanka, laJNGhayitvaa= crossing, mahodadhim= the great ocean.

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

shaadvalaani cha niilaani gandhavanti vanaani cha |
gaNDavanti cha madhyena jagaama nagavanti cha || 5-2-6

6. jagaama= (He) passed, madhyena= in the middle of, vanaani cha= forests, niilaani= (with) dark green hued, gandhavanti= fragrant, shaadvalaani cha= lawns, gaNDavanti cha= with great rocks, nagavanti cha= and also hills.

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

shailaaMshcha tarusaMchannaan vanaraajiishcha pushhpitaaH |
abhichakraama tejasvii hanumaan plavagarshhabhaH || 5-2-7

7. hanumaan= Hanuma, plavagarshhabhaH= the best among Vanaras, tejasvii= the radiant one, abhichakraama= tread, shailaaMshcha= on mountains, tarusaMchannaan= covered with trees, vanaraajiishcha= and on series of trees, pushhpitaaH= (which were) blooming.

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

sa tasminnachale tishhThanvanaanyupavanaani cha |
sa nagaagre cha taaM laN^kaaM dadarsha pavanaatmajaH || 5-2-8

8. saH pavanaatmajaH= that Hanuma, tishhThan= stood, tasmin achale= on that mountain, dadarsha= and saw, vanaani= forests, upavanaani cha= and gardens, taam laN^kaam= (and also) that city of Lanka, nagaagre= situated on the top of a mountain.

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

saraLaan karNikaaraaMshcha kharjuuraaMshcha supushhpitaan |
priyaaLaanmuchuLindaaMshcha kuTajaan ketakaanapi || 5-2-9
priyaN^guun gandhapuurNaaMshcha niipaan saptachchhadaaMstathaa |
asanaan kovidaaraaMshcha karaviiraaMshcha pushhpitaan || 5-2-10
pushhpabhaaranibaddhaaMshcha tathaa mukuLitaanapi |
paadapaan vihagaakiirNaan pavanaadhuutamastakaan || 5-2-11
haMsakaaraNDavaakiirNaanvaapiiH padmotmalaayutaaH |
aakriiDaan vividhaan ramyaanvividhaaMshcha jalaashayaan || 5-2-12
saMtataan vividhairvaR^ikaiH sarvartuphalapushhpitaiH |
udyaanaani cha ramyaaNi dadarsha kapikuJNjaraH || 5-2-13

9,10,11,12,13. kapi kuJNaraH= The elephant among monkeys (Hanuma), dadarsha= saw, saraLaan= pine trees, karNikaaraaMshcha= Karnikaras, kharjuuraMshcha= date-palms, supushhpitaan= in full blossom, priyaalaan= Priyalas, muchulindas= lemon trees, kutajaan= wild jasmine trees, ketakaanapi= mogra trees, priyaJNguuMshcha= long pepper trees, gandhapuurNaan= filled with fragrance, niipaan= Kadamba trees, tathaa= and, saptachchhadaan= seven leaved banana trees, asanaan= Asanas, kovidaaraaMshcha= Kovidaras, karaviiraaMshcha= Karaviras, pushhpitaan= in full blossom, padapaan= trees, pushhpabhaara nibaddhaaMshcha= tied by the weight of flowers, tathaa= and, mukulitaanapi= with flower buds, vihagaakiirNaan= distressed by birds, pavanaadhuutamastakaan= with (their) peaks moved by wind, vaapiiH= wells, vividhaan= (and) various, ramyaan= glorious, aakriiDaan= pleasure-groves, vividhaiH vR^ikshaiH= (filled) by various trees, sarvartuphalapushhpitaiH= that give fruits and flowers in all seasons, ramyaaNi= (and) beautiful, udyaanaani cha= gardens also, saMtataan= surrounded by, vividhaan= various, jalaashayaaMshcha= ponds, haMsakaaraNDa vaakiirNaaH= consisting of swans and ducks.

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

samaasaadya cha lakshmiivan laN^kaaM raavaNapaalitaam |
parikhaabhiH sapadmaabhiH sotpalaabhiralaMkR^itaam || 5-2-14
siitaapaharaNaarthena raavaNena surakshitaam |
samantaadvicharadbhishcha raakshasairugradhanvibhiH || 5-2-15
kaaJNchanenaavR^itaaM ramyaaM praakaareNa mahaapuriim |
gR^ihaishcha grahasaMkaashaiH shaaradaambudasannibhaiH || 5-2-16
paaNDuraabhiH pratoLiibhiruchchaabhirabhisaMvR^itaam |
aTTaalakashataakiirNaaM pataakaadhvajamaaliniim || 5-2-17
toraNaiH kaaJNchanairdivyairlataapaN^kivichitritaiH |
dadarsha hanumaan laN^kaaM divi devapuriiM yathaa || 5-2-18

14, 15, 16, 17, 18. lakshmiivaan= the glorious, hanumaan= Hanuma, samaasaadya= neared, laN^kaam= the city of Lanka, raavaNa paalitaam= ruled by Ravana, alaMkR^itaam= decorated by, parikhaabhiH= moats, sapadmaabhiH= filled with lotuses, sotpalaabhiH= and water-lilies, surakshitaam= well protected, siitaapaharaNaarthena= due to the reason of Seetha's abduction, raavaNena= by Ravana, raakshasaiH= (and also) by Rakshasas, ugradhvanibhiH= with horrifying voices, vicharadbhiH= roaming, samantaat= around, aavR^itaam= surrounded, kaaJNchanena praakaareNa= by a golden boundary wall, ramyaam= the beautiful, mahaapuriim= great city, abhisaMvR^itaam= consisting, gR^ihaishcha= houses, girisaMkaashaiH= equal to mountains, shaaradaambudasannibhaiH= equal to the autumnal clouds, pratoliibhiH= (and) main streets, paaNDuraabhiH= which were white (plastered), uchchaabhiH= (and) which were elevated, pataakaadhvaja maaliniim= decorated with flags and pennons, toraNaiH= archaways, divyaiH= excellent, kaaJNchanaiH= golden hued, lataapaN^kti vichitritaiH= adorned with sculpted rows of climbers, dadarsha= (Hanuma) saw, laN^kaam= (that) Lanka, devapurrimiva= like the city of Gods, divi= in heaven.

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

girimuurdhni sthitaaM laN^kaaM paaNDurairbhavanaiH shubhaiH |
dadarsha sa kapishreshhThaH puramaakaashagaM yathaa || 5-2-19

19. saH= that, kapi shreshhThaH= best among monkeys Hanuma, dadarsha= saw, laN^kaam= the city of Lanka, bhavanaiH= with buildings, paaNDuraiH= white in color, shubhaiH= beautiful ones, sthitaam= situated, giri muurdhni= on the top of a mountain, aakaashagam puram yathaa= like a city located in the sky.

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

paalitaaM raakshasendreNa nirmitaaM vishvakarmaNaa |
plavamaanaamivaakaashe dadarsha hanumaan puriim || 5-2-20

20. hanumaan= Hanuma, dadarsha= saw, puriim= that city, paalitaam= ruled, raakshasendreNa= by the king of Rakshasas, nirmitaam= constructed, vishvakarmaNaa= by Visvakarma - the architect of Gods, plavamaaniva= looked as though it were floating, aakaashe= in the sky.

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

paprapraakaarajaghanaaM vipulaambunavaambaraam |
shataghniishuulakeshaantaamaTTaalakavataMsakaam || 5-2-21
manseva kR^itaaM laN^kaaM nirmitaaM vishvakarmaNaa |
dvaaramuttaramaasaadya chintayaamaasa vaanaraH || 5-2-22

21, 22. vaanaraH= Hanuma (saw), laN^kaam= city of Lanka, vaprapraakaara jaghanaam= (with) buttress and enclosure wall as her hip and loins, vipulaambunavaambaraam= the vast body of water (in the moat) as her raiment, shataghnii shuula keshantaam= Satagnis and Sulas as her locks, aTTaalakavataMsakaam= the mansions as her earrings, nirmitaam= constructed, manasaa= by thought, (He) aasaadya= reached, uttaram dvaaram= the northern gate, chintayaamaasa= and thought ( thus - ) .

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

kailaasashikharaprakhyaamaalikhsntiimivaambaram |
DiiyamaanaamivaakaashamuchchhritairbhavanottamaiH || 5-2-23
saMpuurNaaM raakshasairghorairnaagairbhogavatiimiva |
achintyaaM sukR^itaaM spashhTaaM kuberaadhyushhitaaM puraa || 5-2-24
daMshhTribhirbahubhiH shuuraiH shuulapaTTisapaaNibhiH |
rakshitaaM raakshasairghorairguhaamaashiivishhairiva || 5-2-25
tasyaashcha mahatiiM guptiM saagaraM cha niriikshya saH |
raavaNaM cha ripuM ghoraM chintayaamaasa vaanaraH || 5-2-26

23, 24, 25, 26. kailaasa shikhara prakhyaam= (Hanuma saw the city of Lanka ) equal to the peak of Kailasa, aalikhantiimiva= as though touching, ambaram= the sky, Diiyamaanaamiva= as though flying, aakaasham= for sky, ucchritaiH bhavanottamaiH= with its best mansions, saMpuurNaam= filled, ghoraiH= (with) horrible, raakshasaiH= Rakshasas, bhogavatiimiva= like in the city of Bhogavati, naagaiH= and by Serpents, achintyaam= one which is unfathomable, sukR^itaam= well arranged one, spashhTaam= the clear one, kuberaadhyushhitaam= governed by Kubera, puraa= in earlier times, rakshitaam= protected, aashiivishhaiH= by serpents, raakshasaiH= (and) Rakshasas, guhaamiva= (with a mouth) like a cave, daMshhTribhiH= with sharp teeth, shuuraiH= courageous ones, shuulapattisa paanibhiH= with spikes and Pattisas in their hands, ghoraiH= horrible ones, saH vaanaraH= that Hanuma, niriikshya= saw, tasyaaH= that Lanka's, mahatiim= great, guptim= protection, saagaram cha= and the ocean, raavaNam cha= and Ravana, ghoram ripum= the horrible enemy, chintayaamaasa= and thought thus.

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

aagatyaapiiha harayo bhavishhyanti nirarathakaaH |
na hi yuddhena va laN^kaa shakyaa jetuM surairapi || 5-2-27

27. harayaH= vaanaras, aagatyaapi= even (if they) could come, iha= here, bhavishhyanti= they would become, nirarthakaaH= without success, laN^kaa= Lanka, na shakyaa hi= is not possible, jetum= to be overcome, yuddhena= in war, surairapi= even by Suras.

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

imaaM tu vishhamaaM durgaaM laN^kaaM raavaNapaalitaam |
praapyaapi sa mahaabaahuH kim karishhyati raaghavaH || 5-2-28

28. praapyaapi= even after reaching, imaam= this, vishhamaam= very difficult, durgaam= impenetrable, laN^kaam= Lanka, raavaNa paalitaam= ruled by Ravana, kiM karishhyati saH mahaabaahuH raaghavaH= what can that Sri Rama with mighty arms do?.

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

avakaasho na saantvasya rakshaseshhvabhigamyate |
na daanasya na bhedasya naiva yuddhasya dR^ishyate || 5-2-29

29. raakshaseshhu= in (the matter of overcoming) rakshasas, avakaashaH na abhigamyate= no opportunity can be obtained, saantvasya= for persuasion, na daanasya= no (opportunity for) gift, na bhedasya= no (opportunity for) dissension, yuddhasya= (an opportunity for) war, naiva drishyate= is not even to be seen.

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

chaturNaameva hi gatirvaanaraaNaaM mahaatmanaam |
vaaliputrasya niilasya mama raajJNashcha dhiimataH || 5-2-30

30. chaturNaam eva hi= only four, mahaatmaanaam= great, vaanaraaNaam= vanaras, gatiH hi= (have) the possibility of coming (here), vaaliputrasya= for the son of Vali - Angada, niilasya= for Nila, mama= for me, dhiimataH raaNJnashcha= and for the wise king Sugriva.

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

yaavajjaanaami vaidehiiM yadi jiivati vaa na vaa |
tatraiva chintayishhyaami dR^ishhTvaa taaM janakaatmajaam || 5-2-31

31. yaavat jaanaami= I will find out, vaidehiim= about Seetha, yadi jeevati vaa= if she is alive or, na= not, chintayishhyaami= I will think, tatriava= there, dR^ishhTvaa= after seeing, taam janakaatmajaam= that Seetha.

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

tataH sa chintayaamaasa muhuurtaM kapikuJNjaraH |
girishR^iN^ge sthitastasmin raamasyaabhyudaye rataH || 5-2-32

32. tataH= after that, saH kapikuJNaraH= that elephant among monkeys Hanuma, rataH= interested, abhyudaye= in the welfare, raamasya= of Sri Rama, sthitaH= stood, tasmin girishR^iJNge= on that mountain peak, chintayaamaasa= and thought, muhuurtam= for an instant.

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

anena ruupeNa mayaa na shakyaa rakshasaaM purii |
praveshhTuM raakshasairguptaa kruurairbalasamanvitaiH || 5-2-33

33. na shakyaa= it is not possible, praveshhTum= to enter, mayaa= by me, anena ruupeNa= in this appearance, purii= the city, rakshasaam= of rakshasa, guptaa= protected, raakshasaiH= by rakshasas, kruuraiH= (who are) cruel, balasamanvitaiH= (and) with strength.

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

ugraujaso mahaaviiryaa balavantashcha raakshasaaH |
vaJNchaniiyaa mayaa sarve jaanakiiM parimaargataa || 5-2-34

34. raakshasaaH sarve= all rakshasas, ugraujasaH= who are with extraordinary energy, mahaaviiryaH= great prowess, balavantashcha= and of might, vaN^chaniiyaaH= are to be cheated, mayaa= by me, parimaargataa= who is searching, jaanakiim= Seetha.

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

lakshyaalakshyeNa ruupeNa raatrau laN^kaa purii mayaa |
praveshhTuM praaptakaalaM me kR^ityaM saadhayituM mahat || 5-2-35

35. saadhayitum= to acheive, me= my, mahat= great, kR^ityam= task, mayaa= by me, praveshhTum= to enter, laN^kaapurii= city of Lanka, lakshyaalakshyeNa= in a seen-unseen (barely seen), ruupeNa= form, raatrau= at night, praaptakaalam= is a timely (thing).

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

taaM puriiM taadR^ishiiM dR^ishhTvaa duraadharshaaM suraasuraiH |
hanumaan chintayaamaasa vinishchitya muhurmuhuH || 5-2-36

36. hanumaan= Hanuma, dR^ishhTvaa= saw, taadR^ishiim= such, taam= that, puriim= city, duraadharshham= difficult to overcome, suraasuraiH= (even for) devas or asuras, chintayaamaasa= (and) thought, muhurmuhuH= repeatedly.

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

kenopaayena pasheyaM maithiliiM janakaatmajaam |
adR^ishhTo raakshasendreNa raavaNena duraatmanaa || 5-2-37

37. kena= By which, upaayena= idea, pashyeyam= can I see, maithiliim= Seetha, janakaatmajaam= the daughter of Janaka, adR^ishhTaH= unseen, duraatmanaa raavaNena= by the wicked Ravana, raakshasendreNa= the king of ogres.

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

na vinashyetkathaM kaaryaM raamasya viditaatmanaH |
ekaamekashcha pashyeyaM rahite janakaatmajaam || 5-2-38

38. katham= how, kaaryam= (can) the task, viditaatmanaH raamsya= of Sri Rama, the knower of self, na vinashyet= not be destroyed, pashyeyam ekashcha= (How) can I alone see, janakaatmajaam= Seetha, ekaam= alone, rahite= in a place devoid of people.

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

bhuutaashchaarthaa vipadyante deshakaalavirodhitaaH |
viklabaM duutamaasaadya tamaH suuryodaye yathaa || 5-2-39

39. aasaadya= obtaining, duutam= a messenger, viklabam= with a gloomy mind, deshakaalavirodhitaaH= being against the place and time, bhuutaaH= ready, arthaaH= tasks, vipadyante= get harmed, tamaH yathaa= like darkness (getting destroyed), suuryodaye= at dawn.

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

arthaanarthaantare buddhirnishchitaapi na shobhate |
ghaatayanti hi kaaryaaNi duutaaH paNDitamaaninaH || 5-2-40

40. nishchitaaH buddhirapi= even a decided mind, na shobhate= will not shine, arthaanarthaantare= (when vacillating) between gain and loss, duutaaH= messengers, paNDitamaaninaH= who are respected by scholars, ghaatayanti hi= will also harm, kaaryaaNi= tasks (due to their arrogance).

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

na vinashyetkathaM kaaryaM vaiklabyam na kathaM bhavet |
laN^ghanaM cha samudrasya kathaM nu na vR^ithaa bhavet || 5-2-41

41. katham= how, kaaryam= the task (at hand), na vinashyet= will not be harmed, katham= how, vaiklabyam= gloominess, na bhavet= will not be got, katham nu= how, laJNghanam cha= crossing, samudrasya= of the ocean, na bhavet= will not become, vR^idhaa= waste.

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

mayi dR^ishhTe tu rakshobhii raamasya viditaatmanaH |
bhavedvyarthamidaM kaaryaM raavaNaanarthamichchhataH || 5-2-42

42. mayi dR^ishhTe tu= If I am seen, rakshobhiH= by rakshasas, idam kaaryam= this task, raamasya= of Sri Rama, viditaatmanaH= one with famed mind, icchataH= who desires, raavaNaanartham= the slaying of Ravana, bhavet= will become, vyartham= wasteful.

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

na hi shakyaM kvachit sthaatumavijJNaatena raakshasaiH |
api raakshasaruupeNa kimutaanyena kenachit || 5-2-43

43. na shakyam hi= it is not possible, sthaatum= to be, kvachit= in any place, raakshasa ruupeNaapi= with the form of a rakshasa, aviNJaatena= not being known, raakshaiH= by rakshasas, kimuta= what to say, anyena kenachit= (about) any other form.

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

vaayurapyatra naajJNaatashcharediti matirmama |
na hyastyaviditaM kiMchidraakshasaanaaM baliiyasaam || 5-2-44

44. iti= this, mama matiH= is my thought, vaayurapi= even wind, na charet= cannot pass, atra= here, aNJgnaataH= without being known, naasti hi kiMchit= there is nothing, aviditam= not known, baliiyasaam raakshasaanaam= to the mighty rakshasas.

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

ihaahaM yadi tishhThaami svena ruupeNa saMvR^itaH |
vinaashamupayaasyaami bharturarthashcha hiiyate || 5-2-45

45. aham tishhThaami yadi= if I stay, iha= here, svena ruupeNa saMvR^itaH= consisting of my usual form, upayaasyaami= I can obtain, vinaasham= destruction, arthashcha= the task, bhartuH= of Lord Sri Rama, hiiyate= will also be harmed.

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

tadahaM svena ruupeNa rajanyaaM hrasvataaM gataH |
laN^kaamabhipatishhyaami raaghavasyaarthasiddhaye || 5-2-46

46. tat= for that (reason), aham= I, gataH= will obtain, hrasvataam= smallness, svena ruupeNa= in my usual form, abhipatishhyaami= and will enter, laN^kaam= Lanka, rajanyaam= at night, artha siddhaye= for the success of the task, raaghavasya= of Sri Rama.

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

raavaNasya puriiM raatrau pravishya suduraasadaam |
vichinvan bhavanaM srvaM drakshyaami janakaatmajaam || 5-2-47

47. pravishya= entering, suduraasadaam= the unapproachable, puriim= city, raatrau= at night, vichinvan= searching, sarvam bhavanam= all the mansion, raavaNasya= of Ravana, drakshyaami= I can see, janakaatmajaam= Seetha.

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

iti saMchintya hanumaan suuryasyaastamayaM kapiH |
aachakaaMkshe tato viiro vaidehyaa drashanotusakaH || 5-2-48

48. viiraH kapiH= the courageous monkey, hanumaan= Hanuma, iti= thus, saMchintya= thinking, darshanotsukaH= interested in discovery, vaidehyaaH= of Seetha, tadaa= then, aachakaaMkshe= desired, suuryasya astamayam= the sun set.

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

suurye chaastaM gate raatrau dehaM saMkshipya maarutiH |
vR^ishhadaMshakamaatraH san babhuuvaadbhutadarshanaH || 5-2-49

49. suurye astaMgate cha= After the sun had set, maarutiH= Hanuma, saMkshipya= reduced, deham= body, raatrau= at night, vR^ishhadaMshaka maatraH san= with a body size equal to that of a cat, babhuuva= became, adhuta darshanaH= a wonderful sight (to behold).

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

pradoshhakaale hanumaaMstuurNamutplutya viiryavaan |
pravivesha puriiM ramyaaM suvibhaktamahaapathaam || 5-2-50

50. viiryavaan= the courageous, hanumaan= Hanuma, tuurNam= quickly, utplutya= flew, pradoshhakaale= during the evening time, pravivesha= (and) entered, ramyaam= beautiful, puriim= city of Lanka, suvibhaktamahaapathaam= with well divided main pathways.

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

praasaadamaalaavitataaM stambhaiH kaaJNchanaraajataiH |
shaatakumbhamayairjaalairgandharvanagaropamaam || 5-2-51
saptabhaumaashhTabhaumaishcha sa dadarsha mahaapuriim |
talaiH sphatikasaMkiirNaiH kaartasvaravibhuushhitaiH || 5-2-52

51, 52. saH= Hanuma, dadarsha= saw, mahaapuriim= (that) great city, praasaada maalaa vitataam= filled with series of mansions, kaaN^chana raajataiH= (with) golden hued, sthambhaiH= pillars, jaalaiH= and windows, gandharvanagaropamaam= equal to the city of Gandharvas, saptabhaumaashhTabhaumai cha= (consisting of) seven and eight storied houses, talaiH= (with) top portions, sphaTika saMkiirNaiH= inlaid with crystals, kaartasvaravibhuushhitaiH= and decorated with gold.

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

vaiDuuryamaNichitraishcha muktaajaalavibhuushhitaiH |
talaiH shushubhire taani bhavanaanyatra rakshasaam || 5-2-53

53. atra= there (in that city of Lanka), bhavanaani= the houses, rakshasaam= of rakshasas, shushubhire= shone, talaiH= with top portions, vaiDuuryamaNi chitraiH= painted by cats-eyes and emeralds, muktaajaalavibhuushhitaiH= decorated by groups of pearls.

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

kaaJNchanaani cha chitraaNi toraNaani cha rakshasaam |
laN^kaamuddyotayaamaasuH sarvataH samalaMkR^itaam || 5-2-54

54. kaaN^chanaani= golden, toraNaani= archways, chitraaNi= with strange hues, uddyotayaamaasuH= illuminated, samalaMkR^itaam= well decorated, laN^kaam= city of Lanka, sarvataH= in all directions.

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

achintyaamadbhutaakaaraaM dR^ishhTvaa laN^kaaM mahaakapiH |
aasiidvishhNDo hR^ishhTashcha vaidehyaa darshanotsukaH || 5-2-55

55. mahaakapiH= Hanuma, dR^ishhTvaa= seeing, achintyaam= the unimaginable, laN^kaam= city of Lanka, adbhutaakaaraam= with a wonderful appearance, darshanotsukaH= eager in discovery, vaidehyaaH= of Seetha, aasiit= became, vishhaNNaH= sad, hR^ishhTashcha= and happy.

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

sa paaNDuraaviddhavimaanamaaliniiM |
mahaarhajaambuunadajaalatoraNaam |
yashasviniiM raavaNabaahupaalitaaM |
kshapaacharairbhimabalaiH samaavR^itaam || 5-2-56

56. saH= Hanuma (saw Lanka), paaNDuraaviddhavimaanamaaliniim= with white, closely built series of buildings, mahaarhajaambuunadajaalatoraNaam= having golden windows and doorways of great value, yashasviniim= of great fame, samaavR^itaam= consisting, kshapaacharaiH= of ogres, bhimmabalaiH= of great strength, raavaNabaahupaalitaam= ruled by the hands of Ravana.

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

chandro.api saachivyamivaasya kurvaM |
staaraagaNairmadhyagato viraajan |
jyotsnaavitaanena vitatya loka |
muttishhThate naikasahasrarashmiH || 5-2-57

57. naikasahasrarashmiH chandro~pi= Moon with many thousands of rays, taaraa gaNaiH= together with a retinue of stars, madhyagataH= obtaining the center of stars, viraajan= shining, vitatya= (and) covering, lokam= the earth, jyotsnaa vitaanena= with canopy of moon-light, uttishhThate= rose up, kurvanniva= as though performing, saachivyam= help, asya= to Him (Hanuma) . saH hari praviiraH= that Hanuma, dadarsha= saw, chandram= the moon, udgachchhamaanam= rising up, shaNJkhaprabham= with a glow of a conch, vyavabhaasamaanam= shining, kshiiramR^iNaala varNam= with milky white hue like a lotus-fiber, haMsamiva= like a swan, popluuyamaanam= swimming, sarasi= in a lake.

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

shaN^khaprabhaM kshiiramR^iNaalavarNa |
mudgachchhamaanaM vyavabhaasamaanam |
dadarsha chandraM sa haripraviiraH |
plopluuyamaanaM sarasiiva haMsam || 5-2-58

58. saH haripraviiraH= that Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; chandram= the moon; udgachha maanam= who was rising up; shaN^kha prabham= with the splendour of a couch-shell; vyavabhaasamaanam= shining; kShiiramR^iNaala varNam= in white colour as milk and lotus-fibre; hamsamiva= and looking like a swan; popluuyamaanam= swimming; sarasi= in a lake.

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

ityaarShe shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaaNDe dvitiiyaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 2nd chapter in Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 3

Introduction

In this chapter Hanuma faces Lanka, the city of Lanka herself in the form of a demoness

sa lamba shikhare lambe lamba toyada samnibhe |
sattvam aasthaaya medhaavii hanumaan maaruta aatmajaH || 5-3-1
nishi lankaam mahaa sattvaH vivesha kapi kunjaraH |
ramya kaanana toya aaDhyaam puriim raavaNa paalitaam || 5-3-2

1-2. saH = That, hanumaan = Hanuma, medhaavii = the intellectual, maarutaatmajaH = son of God of Wind, mahaasattvaH = one with great might, kapikunjaraH = best among monkeys, lambe = on the mountain called Lamba, lamba shikhare = with high peaks, lambatoyada sannibhe = equalling a high cloud, aasthaaya = gathered, sattvam = courage, vivesha = and entered, nishi = at night, laN^kaam puriim = the city of Lanka, raavaNa paalitaam = ruled by Ravana, ramya kaanana toyaaDhyaam = and filled with beautiful forests and (places of) water.

That Hanuma, best among monkeys, the intellectual son of Vayu, one with great might, stood on the mountain called Lamba with its high peaks equalling a high cloud, gathered courage and entered at night the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana and filled with beautiful forests and places of water such as lakes.

shaarada ambu dhara prakhyaiH bhavanaiH upashobhitaam |
saagara upama nirghoSaam saagara anila sevitaam || 5-3-3
supuSTa bala samguptaam yathaiva viTapaavatiim |
caaru toraNa niryuuhaam paaNDura dvaara toraNaam|| 5-3-4

3-4. upashobhitaam = (city of Lanka was) shone, bhavanaiH = by buildings, shaaradaambhudhara prakhyaiH = equalling autumnal clouds, saagaropama nirghoshhaam = with a sound resembling that of an ocean, saagara anila sevitaam = served by ocean breeze, supushhTa bala saMpushhTaam = filled by mighty armies, yathaiva = like, viTapaavatiim = Vitapavati, chharu toraNa niryuuhaam = with elephants standing at archways, paaNDuradvaara toraNaam = with white gates and archways.

The city of Lanka was shone by buildings equalling autumnal clouds. With a sound resembling that of an ocean, it was served by ocean breeze. It was filled with well fed and mighty armies like Vitapati, the capital of Kubera. It had elephants positioned at archways and had white gates and archways.

bhujaga aacaritaam guptaam shubhaam bhogavatiim iva |
taam savidyut ghana aakiirNaam jyotiH maarga niSevitaam || 5-3-5
caNDa maaruta nirhraadaam yathaa indrasya amaraavatiim |
shaatakumbhena mahataa praakaareNa abhisamvR^itaam || 5-3-6
kinkiNii jaala ghoSaabhiH pataakaabhiH alamkR^itaam |
aasaadya sahasaa hR^iSTaH praakaaram abhipedivaan || 5-3-7

5-7. sahasaa = quickly, aasaadya = approaching, taam = that Lanka, bhujagaacharitaam = with serpants moving about, guptaam = and being protected by them, shubhaam bhogavatiimiva = like auspicious city of Bhogavati, savidyudghanaakiirNaam = spread with lightening clouds, jyotirmaarga nishhevitaam = served by pathway of stars, manda maaruta saMchaaraam = with a light breeze, indrasya amaraavatiim yathaa = like Indra's city of Amaravati, abhisaMVR^itaam = surrounded, mahataa praakaareNa = by a city wall, shaatakumbhena = with a golden hue, alaMkR^itaam = decorated, pataakaabhiH = by flags, kinkiNii jaala ghoshhaabhiH = with sounds from groups of bells, hrishhTaH = became happy, ahipedivaan = and obtained, praakaaram = the wall.

Quickly approaching that city of Lanka which was protected by Rakshasas, like the the auspicious city of Bhogavati being protected by serpents moving about, spread with cloud illumined by flashes of lightening, served by pathways of stars, witha light breeze like the Indra's city of Amaravati, surrounded by a wall with a golden hue, decorated by flags with sounds from groups of small bells. He became happy and leapt up the wall.

vismaya aaviSTa hR^idayaH puriim aalokya sarvataH |
jaambuunadamayaiH dvaaraiH vaiduurya kR^ita vedikaiH || 5-3-8
maNi sphaTika muktaabhiH maNi kuTTima bhuuSitaiH |
tapta haaTaka niryuuhaiH raajata amala paaNDuraiH || 5-3-9
vaiduurya tala sopaanaiH sphaaTika antara paamsubhiH |
caaru samjavana upetaiH kham iva utpatitaiH shubhaiH || 5-3-10
kraunca barhiNa samghuSTe raaja hamsa niSevitaiH |
tuurya aabharaNa nirghoSaiH sarvataH pratinaaditaam || 5-3-11
vasvokasaaraa pratimaam samiikSya nagariim tataH |
kham iva utpatitaam lankaam jaharSa hanumaan kapiH || 5-3-12

8-12. aalokya = seeing, puriim = the city, sarvataH = everywhere, vismayaavishhTa hR^idayaH = (Hanuma) became surprised at heart, tataH = thereafter, kapiH hanumaan = Hanuma, the monkey, jaharshha = became happy, viikshya = seeing, dvaaraiH = with doors, jaambuunadamayaiH = which were golden hued, vaiDurrya kR^ita vedikaiH = with platforms of cat's eye gems, vajrasphatikamuktaabhiH = inlaid with diamonds, crystals and pearls, maNi kuttima bhuushhitaiH = embellished with floors of gems, taptahaaTakaniryuuhaiH = graced with elephants made of refined gold, raajataamal paaNDuraiH = crowned with spotless white silver, vaiduurya kR^ita sopaanaiH = stairs studded with cat's eye gems, sphaaTikaantarapaaMsubhiH = with inside walls made of crystal free from dust, chaarusaMja vanopetaiH = provided with lovely assembly halls, krauncha barhiNa saMghashhTaiH = with sounds of Krauncha birds and peacocks, raajahaMsa nishevitaiH = served by royal swans, utpatitairiva = as though flying, kham = towards the sky, shubhaiH = with auspicious houses, prati naaditaam = resounding, sarvataH = everywhere, tuuryaabharaNa nirghoshhaiH = with the sounds of clarionets and ornaments, vasvaukasaaraapratimaam = equalling the city of Vasvaukasaara, utpatitaam iva = as though flying, kham = towards sky.

Seeing the city everywhere Hanuma became surprised at heart. Thereafter Hanuma the monkey, became happy seeing the doors which were of golden color, with platforms of cat's eye gems, inlaid with diamonds, crystals and pearls, embellished with floors of gems, graced with elephants made of refined gold, crowned with spotless white silver, stairs studded with cat's eye gems, with inside walls made of crystal free from dust, provided with lovely assembly halls, with sounds of Krauncha birds and peacocks, served by royal swans, looking as though flying toward the sky, with auspicious houses resounding everywhere with the sounds of clarionets and ornaments, equalling the city of Vasvaukasaara, as though flying towards the sky.

taam samiikSya puriim lankaam raakSasa adhipateH shubhaam |
anuttamaam R^iddhi yutaam cintayaam aasa viiryavaan || 5-3-13

13. samiikshya = seeing, taam puriim = that city, raakshsaadhipateH = of the king of rakshasas, anuttamam = best one, buddhiyutaam = with wealth, ramyaam = beautiful one, shubhaam = auspicious one, viiryavaan = that powerful Hanuma, chintayaamaasa = thought (thus).

Seeing that city of Ravana, which was best among cities, a wealthy city, a beautiful and auspicious city, that powerful Hanuma thought thus.

na iyam anyena nagarii shakyaa dharSayitum balaat |
rakSitaa raavaNa balaiH udyata aayudha dhaaribhiH || 5-3-14

14. na shakyaa = (it is) not possible, dharshhayitum = to oppose, balaat = by strength, anyena = by anyone else, iyam nagarii = this city, rakshitaa = guarded, raavaNa balaiH = by armies of Ravana, udyataayudha dhaaribhiH = with raised weapons.

"It is not possible for anyone else to oppose this city, by strength alone, which is being guarded by armies of Ravana with raised weapons."

kumuda angadayoH vaa api suSeNasya mahaa kapeH |
prasiddhaa iyam bhavet bhuumiH mainda dvividayoH api || 5-3-15

15. iyam = this, bhuumiH = land, prasiddhaa bhavet = may become conquerable, kumuda angadayorvaapi = to Kumuda or Angada, mahaa kapeH sushheNasya = to the great monkey Sushena, mainda dvividayorapi = to Mainda or Dvivida.

This land may be conquerable by Kumuda or Angada, to the great monkey Sushena or to Mainda or Dvivida.

vivasvataH tanuujasya hareH ca kusha parvaNaH |
R^ikSasya ketu maalasya mama caiva gatiH bhavet || 5-3-16

16. gatiH bhavet = there may be access, vivasvataH tanuujasya = to son of Sun God - Sugreeva, hareH = the monkey, kushaparvaNaH = Kusaparvana, kapi mukhyasya R^ikshasa = to the chief among monkeys Riksha, mama cha eva = and to me.

There may be access to this land to the son of Sun God Sugreeva, to the monkey Kusaparvana, to the chief among monkeys Riksha and to me.

samiikSya tu mahaa baahaH raaghavasya paraakramam |
lakSmaNasya ca vikraantam abhavat priitimaan kapiH || 5-3-17

17. samiikshya = considering, mahabaahoH = the great armed, raaghavasya = scion of Raghu's, paraakramam = strength, lakshmaNasya cha = and Lakshmana's, vikraantam = valour, kapiH = Hanuma, abhavat = became, priitimaan = happy.

Considering the long armed Sri Rama's strength and Lakshmana's valour, Hanuma became happy.

taam ratna vasana upetaam koSTha aagaara avatamsakaam |
yantra agaara staniim R^iddhaam pramadaam iva bhuuSitaam || 5-3-18
taam naSTa timiraam diipaiH bhaasvaraiH ca mahaa gR^ihaiH |
nagariim raakSasa indrasya dadarsha sa mahaa kapiH || 5-3-19

18,19. saH mahaakapiH = that great monkey, dadarsha = saw, taam = that, raakshasendrasya nagariim = city of king of rakshasas, pramdaam iva = like a woman, budhhaam = with wealth, bhuushhitaam = decorated, ratnavasanopetaaam = with diamonds for her clothes, koshhThaagaaravataMsakaam = with various storage houses as earrings,antraagaarastaniim = with armouries for her breasts, nashhTa timiraam = losing darkness, mahaaR^ihaiH = by great houses, bhaasvaraishcha = radiating, diiptaiH = being illuminated by(lamps).

That great monkey saw that city of king of rakshasas like a wealthy woman decorated with diamonds for her clothes, with various storage houses as earrings, with amouries for her breasts. Due to the lamps that illuminated the radiant great houses, all darkness was lost.

atha saa harishaarduulam pravishantim mahaabalam |
nagarii svena ruupeNa dadarsha pavanaatmajam || 5-3-20

20. atha = thereafter, saa nagarii = (guardian of) that city, svena ruupeNa = in her own form, dadarsha = saw, hari shaarduulam = best among monkeys, mahaa balam = one with great strength, pavanaatmajam = Hanuma, pravishantam = entering.

Thereafter, the guardian of that city, in her own form, saw Hanuma, the best among monkeys and the mighty one, entering.

saa tam harivaram dR^ishhTvaa laN^kaa raavaNapaalitaa |
svayamevotthitaa tatra vikR^itaananadarshanaa || 5-3-21

21. dR^ishhTvaa = seeing, tam harivaram = that Hanuma, tatra = there, saa laN^kaa = that Lanka, raavaNa paalitaa = ruled by Ravana, uthitaa = rose up, svayameva = herself, vikR^ita aanana darshanaa = with a horrific appearence of face and eyes.

Seeing that best among monkeys Hanuma there, that Lanka ruled by Ravana, rose up herself with a horrific appearance of face an eyes.

purastatka pivaryasya vaayusuunoratishhThata |
muJNchamaanaa mahaanaadamabraviitpavanaatmajam || 5-3-22

22. atishhThata = stood, purastaat = in front, vaayusuunoH = of Hanuma, kapivarasya = the best among Vanaras, munchamaanaa = leaving, mahaaa naada = a great sound, abraviit = spoke, pavanaatmajam = to Hanuma.

She stood in front of the best among Vanaras Hanuma. She made a great sound and spoke to Hanuma thus.

kastvam kena cha kaaryeNa iha praapto vanaalaya |
kathaya sveha yattattvam yaavatpraaNaa dharanti te || 5-3-23

23. vanaalaya = O one who lives in gardens, tvam kaH = who are you, kena kaaryeNa = for what reason, praaptaH iha = did you come here, yaavat dharanti = as long as (you) sustained, te praaNaaH = your lives, (before that), kathayasva = tell, yat = whatever, tattvam = truth, iha = here.

"O one who lives in gardens! Who are you? For what reason did you come here? As long as your lives are sustained, tell me the truth here before that."

na shakyam khalviyam laN^kaa praveshhTum vaanara tvayaa |
rakshitaa raavaNabalairabhiguptaa samantataH || 5-3-24

24. vaanara = O Vanara, na shakyam khalu = it is indeed not possible, tvayaa = by you, praveshhTum = to enter, iyam laN^kaa = this Lanka, rakshitaa = protected, raavaNa balaiH = by Ravana's forces, abhiguptaa = guarded, samantataH = all around.

"O Vanara! It is indeed not possible for you to enter this city of Lanka which is protected by Ravana's forces and strongly guarded all around."

atha taamabraviidviiro hanumaanagrataH sthitaam |
kathayishhyaami te tattvam yanmam tvam paripR^ichchhasi || 5-3-25

25. atha = therafter, viiraH = the mighty, hanumaan = Hanuma, abraviit = spoke, taam = to her, sthitaam = who stood, agrataH = in front (of Him), yat = whatever, tvam = you, paripR^cchasi = are asking, maam = me, kathayishhyaami = I will tell, te = you, tattvam = that truth.

Thereafter the mighty Hanuma spoke to Lanka standing in front of Him as follows : "Whatever matter you are asking me, I will tell you that truthfully."

kaa tvam viruupanayanaa puradvaare.avatishhThasi |
kimartham chaapi maam ruddhvaa nirbhartsayasi daaruNaa || 5-3-26

26. avatishhThasi = you are standing, puradvaare = at the entrance to city, viruupanayanaa = O one with ugly eyes, tvam kaa = who are you, daaruNaa = O horrible one, ruddhvaa = stopping, maam = me, kimartham = for what reason, nirbhatyasi = are you threatening me.

"You are standing at the entrance to the city. O one with ugly eyes! Who are you? O horrible one! Stopping me, for what reason are you threatening me?"

hanumadvachanam shrutvaa laN^kaa saa kaamaruupiNii |
uvaacha vachanam kruddhaa parushhaM pavanaatmajam || 5-3-27

27. shrutvaa = listening, hanumat vachanam = to Hanuma's words, sa laN^kaa = that Lanka, kaamaruupiNii = with ability to change form according to will, kruddhaa = became angry, uvaacha = and spoke, parushham = strong, vachanam = words, pavanaatmajam = to Hanuma.

Listening to Hanuma's words, that Lanka, with ability to achieve desired form, became angry and spoke these strong words to Hanuma.

aham raakshasaraajasya raavaNasya mahaatmanaH |
aajJNaapratiikshaa durdharshhaa rakshaami nagariimimaam || 5-3-28

28. aham = I, rakshaami = protect, imaam = this, nagariim = city, durdharshhaa = being invincible, aaJNaa pratiikshaa = waiting for orders, raakshasa raajasya = of the king of rakshasas, raavaNasya = of Ravana, mahaatmanaH = the great souled one.

"I protect this city, being invincible. I wait for the orders of the king of demons Ravana, the great one."

na shakyaa maamavajJNaaya praveshhTum nagarii tvayaa |
adya praaNaiH parityaktaH svapsyase nihato mayaa || 5-3-29

29. avajNaaya = humiliating, maam = me, na shakyaa = it is not possible, tvayaa = by you, praveshhTum = to enter, nagarii = the city, adya = now, nihataH = being beaten, mayaa = by me, parityaktaH = leaving, praaNaiH = life, svapsase = you will sleep (forever).

"After humilliating me it is not possible for you to enter the city. Being beaten by me, you will leave life and have a permanent sleep."

aham hi nagarii laN^kaa svayameva plavaN^gama |
sarvataH parirakshaami hyetatte kathitam mayaa || 5-3-30

30. plavangama = O Vanara! aham = I, parirakshaami = am protecting, laNkaa nagarii = the city of Lanka, sarvataH = in all directions, etat = this matter, kathitam = has been indeed told, te = to you, mayaa = by me.

"O Vanara! I am protecting this city of Lanka in all directions. This matter has been already told to you by me."

laN^kaayaa vachanam shrutvaa hanumaan maarutaatmajaH |
yatnavaansa harishreshhThaH sthitashshaila ivaaparaH || 5-3-31

31. maarutaatmajaH = Son of Vayu - Hanuma, hari shreshhThaH = the best among Vanaras, shrutvaa = hearing, laNkayaaH vachanam = Lanka's words, sthitaH = stood up, aparaH shailaH iva = like a second mountain, yatnavaan = with a purpose.

The son of Vayu and best among Vanaras heard Lanka's words and stood up like a second mountain, with a purpose.

sa taam striiruupavikR^itaam dR^ishhTvaa vaanarapuN^gavaH |
aababhaashhe.atha medhaavi sattvaan plavagarshhabhaH || 5-3-32

32. atha = thereafter, saH = that Hanuma, methaavii = the wise one, sattvaan = with strength, plavagarshhabhaH = best among those who can fly, vaanara puNgavaH = best among Vanaras, dR^ishhTvaa = saw, aam = that Lanka, strii ruupa ikR^itaam = in the form of a lady and ugly, aababhaashhe = spoke thus.

Thereafter that Hanuma the wise one, with great strength, best among those who can fly and best among Vanaras, saw that city of Lanka in the form of an ugly woman and spoke thus.

drakshyaami nagariim laN^kaam saaTTapraakaaratoraNaam |
ityarthamiha sampraaptaH param kautuuhalam hi me || 5-3-33

33. drakshyaami = I should like to see, laN^kaam nagariim = the city of lanka, saaTTaa praakaara toraNaam = with its palaces, defensive walls and archways, iti artham = for this reason, saMpraaptaH = (I) came, iha = here, param kautuuhalam = (there is) lot of curiosity, me = to me.

"I should like to see the city of Lanka with its palaces, defensive walls and archways. I came here for that reason. I am very curious to see them."

vanaanyupavanaaniiha laN^kaayaaH kaananaani cha |
sarvato gR^ihamukhyaani drashhTumaagamanam hi me || 5-3-34

34. me aagamanm = my arrival, iha = here, drashhTum hi = to indeed see, laN^kaayaaH = Lanka's, vanaani = gardens, upavanaani = parks, kaananaani cha = and forests, gR^iha mukhyaani = important houses, sarvataH = all over

"My arrival here is indeed to see Lanka's gardens, parks, forests and important houses all over."

tasya tadvachanam shrutvaa laN^kaa saa kaamaruupiNii |
bhuuya eva punarvaakyam babhaashhe parushhaaksharam || 5-3-35

35. shrutvaa = listening, tasya = to His, tat vachanam = those words, laN^kaa kaama ruupiNii = Lanka with the ability to change form according to will, babhaashhe = spoke, punaH = again, parushhaaksharam = strong words, bhuuyaH eve = stronger than before.

Listening to Hanuma's words, Lanka with the ability to assume desired form, spoke harsh words stronger than before.

maamanirjatya durbaddhe raakshaseshvarapaalitaa |
na shakyamadya te drashhTum puriiyam vanaraadhama || 5-3-36

36. vaanaraadhama = O lowly Vanara! durbuddhe = with evil mind, na shakyam = it is not possible, te = to you, drashhTum = to see, adya = now, iyam purii = this city, raakshaseswara paalitaa = ruled by king of rakshasas, anirjitya maam = without defeating me.

"O lowly Vanara with an evil mind! It is not possile for you to see this city ruled by king of rakshasas, without first defeating me."

tataH sa kapishaarduulastaamuvaacha nishaachariim |
dR^ishhvaa puriimimaam bhadre punaryaasye yathaagatam || 5-3-37

37. tataH = then, saH kapi shaarduulaH = that tiger among Vanaras Hanuma, uvaacha = spoke, taam nishaachariim = to that demon, bhadre = O auspicious one! dR^ishhTvaa = after seeing, imaam puriim = this city, yaasye = I will return, punaH = agin, yataagatam = as I came.

Then that tiger among Vanaras Hanuma spoke to that demon : "O auspicious one! After seeing this city I will return back again to where I came from."

tataH kR^itvaa mahaanaadam saa vai laN^kaa bhayaavaham |
talena vaanarashreshhTham taaDayaamaasa vegitaa || 5-3-38

38. tataH = thereafter, saa lankaa = that Lanka, kR^itvaa = made, mahaanaadam = a great sound, bhayaavaham = causing terror, taaDayaamaasa = hit, vaanarashreshhTham = the best among Vanaras, talena = with the palm, vegitaa = quickly.

Thereafter that Lanka made a great sound causing terror and hit Hanuma, the best among Vanaras, with her palm quickly.

tataH sa kapishaardulo laN^kaayaa taaDito bhR^isham |
nanaada sumahaanaadam viiryavaan pavanaatmajaH || 5-3-39

39. tataH = then, saH kapishaarduulaH = that tiger among Vanaras, viiryavaan = the poweful, pavanaatmajaH = son of Vayu, taaDitaH = being hit, lankayaa = by Lanka, bhR^isham = a lot, nanaada = made, sumahaanaadam = a great sound.

Then that tiger among Vanaras, the powerful son of Vayu, being hit powerfully by Lanka made a great sound.

tataH samvartayaamaasa vaamahastasya so.aN^guLiiH |
muShhTinaabhijaghuunainaam hanumaan krodhamuurchitaH || 5-3-40
strii cheti manyamaanena naatikrodhaH svayam kR^itaH |

40. tataH = thereafter, saH hanumaan = that Hanuma, krodhamuurchitaH = became dizzy with anger, saMvartayaamaasa = folded, aN^guLiiH = fingers, vaamahastasya = of left hand, abhihaghaana = hit, enaam = her, mushhTinaa = with His fist, strii cha iti = she is a woman (thus), manyamaanena = thinking, ati krodhaH = great anger, svayam na kR^itaH = was not done by Himself.

Thereafter that Hanuma became dizzy with anger and folded his fingers of left hand. He then hit her with His fist. "She is a woman" - thinking thus He did not show much anger by Himself.

saa tu tena prahaareNa vihvalaaN^gii niishaacharii || 5-3-41
papaata sahasaa bhuumau vikR^itaananadarshanaa |

41. saa nishaacharii tu = that demon, papaata = fell, bhuumau = on land, sahasaa = immediately,tena prahaareNa = by that hit, vihvlaaN^gii = with a distressed body, vikR^itaanana darshanaa = and became with a horrific face in appearance.

That demon fell on land immediately by that hit with a distressed body and appeared with a horrific face.

tatastu hanumaan praajJNastaam dR^ishhTvaa vinipaatitaam || 5-3-42
kR^ipaam chakaara tejasvii manyamaanaH striyam tu taam |

42. tataH = thereafter, praJNaH = the intellectual, tesjasvii = the glorious one, hanumaan = Hanuma, dR^ishhTvaa = saw, taam = her, vinipaatitaam = fallen down, manya maaaanaH = thinking, taam = her, striyam = to be woman, chakaara = made, kR^ipaam = kindness.

Thereafter the intellectual and glorious Hanuma saw her fallen down and thinking her to be woman, showed kindness.

tato vai bhR^ishasamvignaa laN^kaa gadgadaaksharam || 5-3-43
uvaachaagarvitam vaakyam hanuumantam plavaN^gamam |

43. tataH = thereafter, saa lan^kaa = that Lanka, bhR^isha saMvignaa = being very gloomy, uvaacha = spoke, gadgadaaksharam = with faltering tone, vaakyam = these words, agarvitam = without being proud, hanuumantam = to Hanuma, plavaN^gam = the Vanara.

Thereafter that Lanka being very gloomy spoke with a falterting tone without pride these words to Hanuma the Vanara.

prasiida sumahaabaaho traayasva harisattama || 5-3-44
samaye saumya tishhThanti sttvavanto mahaabalaaH |

44. su mahaabaaho = O long armed one!, hari sattama = O best among Vanaras!, prasiida = get propitiated, traayasva = protect me, saumya = O gentle one!, mahaabalaaH = those with great strength, sattvavantaH = with courage, tishhThanti = stand, samaye = on tradition.

"O long armed one! O best among Vanaras! Get propitiated and protect me. O gentle one! Those with great strength and courage always stand firm on tradition."

ahaM tu nagarii laN^kaa svayameva plavaN^gama || 5-3-45
nirjitaaham tvayaa viira vikrameNa mahaabala |

45. plavangama = O Vanara! aham tu = I am, lankaanagaryeva = city of Lanka itself, svayameva = myself, mahaa bala = O strong one! viia = O courageous one! aham = I, nirjitaa = have been defeated, tvayaa vikrameNa = by your strength.

"O Vanara! I am myself the city of Lanka. O strong one! O courageous one! I am defeated by your strength."

idam tu tathyam shR^iNu vai bruvantya me hariishvara || 5-3-46
svayambhuvaa puraa dattam varadaanam yathaa mama |

46. harrishvaraa = O lord of Vanaras! puraa = in earlier times, yathaa = how, varadaanam = a gift of boon, dattam = had been given, mama = to me, svayambhuvaa = by Brahma, shR^iNu vai = hear, me = by me, bruvanyaaH = being spoken, idam tathyam tu = this truth.

"O lord of Vanaras! In earlier times I had been given a boon by Lord Brahma. Hear from me about this matter."

yadaa tvaam vaanaraH kashchidvikramaadvashamaanayet || 5-3-47
tadaa tvayaa hi vijJNeyam rakshasaam bhayaamaagatam |

47. yadaa = whenever, kashchit vaanaraH = one Vanara, vikramaat = by his prowess, tvaam vasham aanayet = conquers you, tadaa = then, bhayam = fear, aagatam = will come, rakshasaam = for Rakshasas, tvayaa vigneyam = let it be known by you.

"Let this be known by you - whenever a Vanara conquers you with his might, then a fear will come for Rakshasas."

sa hi m samayaH saumya praapto.aya tava drshanaat || 5-3-48
svayambhuuvihitaH satyo na tasyaasti vyatikramaH |

48. saumya = O gentle one! tava darshanaat = with your apparance, adya = now, saH samayaH praaptaH = that time has arrived, me = for me, svayambhuuvihitaH = the ordinance of Brahma, satyaH = is true, naasti = there is no, vyatikramaH = change, tasya = to that.

"O gentle one! With your appearance now, that time has come for me. Ordinance of Brahma is the truth and is immutable."

siitaanimittaMm raajJNastu raavaNasya duraatmanaH || 5-3-49
vidhatsva sarvakaaryaaNi yaani yaaniha vaaJNchasi |

49. vinaashaH = destruction, samupaagataH = has come, raavaNasya = of Ravana, durraatmanaH = the evil minded, raaJNAH = king, sarveshhaam rakshasaam cha = and to all Rakshasas, siitaa nimittam = due to Seetha.

"The destruction has come for Ravana the evil minded king and to all Rakshasas due to Seetha."

tatpravishya harishreshhTham puriim raavaNapaalitaam || 5-3-50
vidhatsva sarvakaaryaaN yaani yaaniiha vaaJNchasi |

50. hari shreshhTha = O best among Vanaras! tat = for that reason, pravishya = enter, puriim = the city, raavaNa paalitaam = ruled by Ravana, i vidhtva = do, yaani yaani = whatever, vaanchasi = you desire, sarva kaaryaaNi = all those tasks, iha = here.

"O best aming Vanaras! For that reason, enter the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana and do here whatever tasks you want to."

pravishya shaapopahataam hariishvara |
shubhaam puriim raakshasaraajapaalitaam |
yadR^ichchhayaa tvam janakaatmajaam satiim |
vimaarga sarvatra gato yathaasukham || 5-3-51

51. hariishvaraa = O lord of Vanaras! pravishya = enter, puriim = the city, yadR^ichhayaa = freely, shaapopahataam = stuck by curse, raakshasa raaja paalitaam = ruled by the king of Rakshasas, shubhaam = auspicious one, tvam = you, sarvatra gataH = being gone everywhere, vimaargasva = search, satiim janakaatmajaam = the chaste wife Seetha, yathaa sukham = according to comfort.

"O lord of Vanaras! Enter the auspicious city of Lanka stuck by the curse, ruled by the king of Rakshasas, roam everywhere and search for the chaste wife Seetha according to your comfort."

iti shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaanNDe tR^itayaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 3rd chapter in Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 4

Introduction

Entering Lanka at night by placing His left foot desiring the destruction of enemies, Hanuma hears various musical instruments being played upon inside. He also observes enemies' forces and moves towards the royal gynaeceum.

sa nirjatya puriim laNkaa shreshhThaam taam kaamaruupiNiim |
vikrameNa mahaatejaa hanumaan kapisattamaH || 5-4-1
advaareNa maHaatejaa haumaan kapisattamaH |

1. saH hanumaan = that Hanuma, kapisattamaH = the best among Vanaras, mahaatejaaH = the great radiant one, mahaa baahuH = the long armed one, nirjitya = conquered, vikrameNa = by strength, taam laN^kaam = that Lanka, shreeshhThaam = the best one, kaamaruupiNiim = capable of assuming desired form, abhipupluve = leapt, praakaaram = (over) fortress wall, advaareNa = at a non-entry gate.

That Hanuma the best among Vanaras, the great radiant one, the long armed one, conquered with His might the best Lanka who is capable of assuming desired form. He then leapt over the city wall at a place that was not a gate.

pravishya nagariim laN^kaam kapiraajahitamkaraH || 5-4-2
chakreNaa.atha padam savyam shatruuNaam sa tu muurdhani |

2. kapiraaja hitaMkaraH = desiring the benefit of the king of Vanaras, saH = that Hanuma, pravishya = entered, laN^kaam nagariim = the city of Lanka, atha = and, chakre = made, savyaM paadam = left foot, shatruuNaam muurdhani = on enemies' head.

Desiring the benefit of the king of Vanaras Sugreeva, that Hanuma entered the city of Lanka and thus actually placed His left foot on the enemies' heads.

Comment : When entering a city of enemies, one who wishes their destruction should always place one's left foot first into the city.

pravishhTaH sattvasaMpanno vishaayaam maarutaatmajaH || 5-4-3
sa mahaapathamaasthaaya muktaapushhpaviraajitam |
tatastu taam puriim laN^kaam ramyaamabhiyayau kapiH || 5-4-4

3,4. saH maarutaatmajaH = that son of Vayu, sattva saMpannaH = endowed with great strength, praishhTaH = entered, nishaayaam = at night, aasthaaya = and took, mahaa patham = the grand road, muktaa pushhpa viraajitam = shone by pearls and flowers, tataH = then, kapiH = Hanuma, abhiyayau = went, taam ramyaam la^kaam puriim = towards that beautiful city of Lanka.

That son of Vayu endowed with great strength, entered the city at night and took the grand road shone by flowers and pearls. After that Hanuma went towards that beautiful city of Lanka.

hasita udghuSTa ninadaiH tuurya ghoSa puraH saraiH |
vajra ankusha nikaashaiH ca vajra jaala vibhuuSitaiH || 5-4-5
gR^iha medhaiH purii ramyaa babhaase dyauH iva ambudaiH |

5. ramyaa purii = the beautiful city, babhaase = shone, dyauriva = like the sky, ambudaiH = with clouds, gR^iha meghaiH = with cloud like houses, hasitotkR^ishhTa ninadaiH = with sounds of laughter, tuurya ghoshha puraH saraiH = with sounds of musical instruments at the interior, vajraaMkusha nikaashaishcha = equal (in strength) to diamonds and clubs, vajra jaala vibhuushhitaiH = with windows decorated with diamonds.

The beautiful city shone like the sky together with clouds, with its cloud like houses filled with sounds of laughter and with sounds of musical instruments at the interior, equal in strength to diamonds and clubs and with windows decorated with diamonds.

prajajvaala tadaa lankaa rakSaH gaNa gR^ihaiH shubhaiH || 5-4-6
sita abhra sadR^ishaiH citraiH padma svastika samsthitaiH |
vardhamaana gR^ihaiH ca api sarvataH suvibhaaSitaiH || 5-4-7

6,7. tataH = then, (the city) prajajvaalaa = shone, suvibhuushhitaa = being well decorated, sarvataH = everywhere, rakshogaNagR^ihaiH = by houses of Rakshasas, varthamaana gR^ihaishchaai = and also modern houses, sitaabhra sadR^ishaiH = equalling white clouds, chitraiH = surprising ones, padmasvastika saMsthitaiH = with the shape of lotus and swastika, shubhaiH = (and) auspicious.

Then that city of Lanka shone brilliantly being well decorated by the houses of Rakshasas. These were modern houses which equalled white clouds, which were surprising with the shape of lotus and swastika and which were auspicious.

taam citra maalya aabharaNaam kapi raaja hitam karaH |
raaghava artham caran shriimaan dadarsha ca nananda ca || 5-4-8

8. kapi raaja hitaM karaH = performer of good deeds for the king of monkeys, shriimaan = the glorious Hanuma, charan = moving, raaghavaartham = for the sake of Sri Rama, dadarsha = saw, taam = that city, chitramaalyaa bharaNaam = with wonderful garlands and jewellery, nananda cha = and became happy too.

That glorious Hanuma, performer of beneficial deeds for Sugreeva the king of monkeys, moved around the city of Lanka which had wonderful garlands and jewellery, for the sake of Sri Rama. He saw the city and became happy too.

bhavanaadbhavanaM gachchhn dadarsha pavanaatmajaH |
vividhaakR^itiruupaaNi bhavanaani tatastataH || 5-4-9

9. gacchan = going, bhavanaat bhavanam = from one buiding to another, pavanaatmajaH = Hanuma, dadarsha = saw, bhavanaani = buildings, vividhaakR^iti ruupaaNi = in various shapes and forms, tatastataH = on every side.

Going from one building to another, Hanuma saw buildings in various shapes and forms on every side.

shushraava madhuram giitam tri sthaana svara bhuuSitam |
striiNaam mada samR^iddhaanaam divi ca apsarasaam iva || 5-4-10

10. apsarasaam+iva= like Apsarasa women; divi= in heaven; mada samR^iddhaanaam= filled with love; striiNaam= of women; tristhaanasvarabhuuSitam= decorated by sounds born from the three areas- Mandra, Madhya, Tara; shushraava= heard; giitam= song; madhuram= which was sweet.

Hanuma heard a sweet song which was decorated by sound from the three svaras - Mandra, Madhya and Tara of love lorne women like Apsara women in heaven.

shushraava kaancii ninadam nuupuraaNaam ca nihsvanam |
sopaana ninadaamH caiva bhavaneSu mahaatmanam || 5-4-11

11. shushraava= (He) heard; tataH tataH= there and there; mahaatmanam bhavaneshhu= in houses of wealthy people; kaanciininadamnuupuraaNaam nihsvanam= tinkling of ornaments worn around the waist ; sopaana ninadaam cha iva= sound footfall over stairs; aspotita ninaadamcha= sound from warriors due to clapping of arms; kshveLitaamshcha= roar of ogres.

Hanuma also heard there and there sound from the tinkling of ornaments worn around the waist in the houses of wealthy people, sounds of footfall over stair, sound from clapping of arms by warriors and roar of ogres.

aasphoTita ninaadaamH ca kSveDitaamH ca tataH tataH |
shushraava japataam tatra mantran rakshogR^iheshhu vai || 5-4-12

12. shushraava= (He) heard; tataH tataH= there and there; mahaatmanam bhavaneshhu= in houses of wealthy people; kaanciininadamnuupuraaNaam nihsvanam= tinkling of ornaments worn around the waist ; sopaana ninadaam cha iva= sound footfall over stairs; aasphoTita ninaadaamH ca= sound from warriors due to clapping of arms; kSveDitaamH ca= roar of ogres.

Hanuma also heard there and there sound from the tinkling of ornaments worn around the waist in the houses of wealthy people, sounds of footfall over stair, sound from clapping of arms by warriors and roar of ogres.

svaadhyaaya nirataamH caiva yaatu dhaanaan dadarsha saH |
raavaNa stava samyuktaan garjataH raakSasaan api || 5-4-13

13. shushraava= (He) heard; mantraan= ritual chantings; japataam= chanted by ogres; tatra= there; rakshogR^iheshhu= in the house of rakshasas; saH= He; dadarsha= saw; yatudhaanaam= a class of ogres; svadhyaayanirataan= engaged in study of Vedas; dadarsha= saw; raakshasaanapi= also rakshasas; garjataH= roaring; ravanastatasamyuktaan= who came together praise to Ravana.

There Hanuma heard ritual chantings muttered by rakshasas in their houses. He saw ogres engaged in study of Vedas. He also saw roaring rakshasas who came together to praise Ravana.

raaja maargam samaavR^itya sthitam rakSaH balam mahat |
dadarsha madhyame gulme raakSasasya caraan bahuun || 5-4-14

14. dadarsha= (He) saw; bahuun caraan= many spies; raavanasya= of Ravana; rakshobalam= army of ogres; mahat= which was a big one; stitam= which stood; raajamaargam smaavR^itya= surrounding royal highway; madhyame gulme= in the central zone of the city.

He saw many spies of Ravana and a big army of ogres which stood surrounding the royal highway in the central zone of city.

diikSitaan jaTilaan muNDaan gaH ajina ambara vaasasaH |
darbha muSTi praharaNaan agni kuNDa aayudhaamH tathaa || 5-4-15
kuuTa mudgara paaNiimH ca daNDa aayudha dharaan api |
eka akSa aneka karNaamH ca calal lamba payaH dharaan || 5-4-16
karaalaan bhugna vaktraamH ca vikaTaan vaamanaamH tathaa |
dhanvinaH khaDginaH caiva shataghnii musala aayudhaan || 5-4-17
parigha uttama hastaamH ca vicitra kavaca ujjvalaan |
naatisthuulaan naatikR^ishaan naatidiirgha atihrasvakaan || 5-4-18
naatigauraannaatikR^ishhNaannaatikubjaanna vaamanaan |
viruupaan bahu ruupaamH ca suruupaamH ca suvarcasaH || 5-4-19

15,16,17,18,19. dadarsha= (He)saw; diikshitaan= those who were initiated into various Vedic practices; jaTilaan= those who wore matted locks on their head; muNDaan= those who had shaven heads; gojinaambaravasinaH= those who had worn cow hides and other clothing; darbhamushhTipraharaNaan= those who were carrying Kusa grass as weapons; tadhaa= and also; agnikunDaayudhaan= those who had fire vessels as weapons; kuuTamudgarapaaNiimshca= those who carried hammers and clubs in their hands; daNDaayudhadharaanapi= and also those who had worn staffs as weapons; ekaakshaan= those who were one-eyed; ekakarNaamshca= those who had one ear; lambodarapayodharaan= those who were pot-bellied and with hanging breast; karaaLaan= those who had horrible appearances; bhugnavaktramshca= those with twisted mouths; vikaTaan= those who were horrific; tadhaa= and also; vaamanaan= short people; dhanvinaH= those who carried bows and arrows; khaDginashcaiva= those who carried swords; shataghnimusalaayudhaan= those who carried pestles and clubs as weapons; parighottamahastaamshca= those who carried excellent Parighas in their hands; vicitrakavacojjvalaan= those who shone with strange armour; naatisthuulaan= those who were not very fat; naatikR^ishaan= those who were not too thin; naatidhiirghaatihrasvaakaan= those who were neither tall nor short; naatigauraan= those who were not very fair; naatikR^ishhNaan= those who were not very dark; naatikubjaan= those who were not very hunchbacked; na vaamanaan= those who were not very short; viruupaan= those who had distorted appearance; bahuruupanshca= those who had multiple appearances; suruupaaMshca= those who had a good appearance; suvarcasaH= those who had great brilliance; dhvajiin= those who carried banners; pataakinashcaiva= those who carried flags; vividhaayudhaan= those who carried different weapons.

Hanuma saw those who were initiated into various Vedic practices, those who wore matted locks on their head, those who had shaven heads, those who wore cow hides and other clothing, those who were carrying Kusa grass as weapons and also those who had fire vessels as weapons, those who carried hammers and clubs in their hands and also those who had worn staffs as weapons, hose who were one-eyed, those who had one ear, hose who were pot-bellied and with hanging breast, those who had horrible appearances, those with twisted mouths, those who were horrific and also short people, those who carried bows and arrows those who carried swords, those who carried pestles and clubs as weapons, those who carried excellent Parighas in their hands, those who shone with strange armour, those who were not very fat, those who were not too thin, those who were neither tall nor short, those who were not very fair, those who were not very dark, those who were not very hunchbacked, those who were not very short, those who had great brilliance, those who carried banners, those who carried flags and those who carried different weapons.

dhvajiin pataakinashchaiva dadarsha vividhaayudhaan |
shakti vR^ikSa aayudhaamH caiva paTTisha ashani dhaariNaH || 5-4-20
kSepaNii paasha hastaamH ca dadarsha sa mahaa kapiH |
sragviNaH tv anuliptaamH ca vara aabharaNa bhuuSitaan || 5-4-21
naanaaveshhasamaayuktaanyathaasvairagataan bahuun |
tiikSNa shuula dharaamH caiva vajriNaH ca mahaa balaan | | 5-4-22

20,21,22. mahaakapiH= Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; shektivR^ikshayudhaamshcaiva= those who carried javelins and trees as weapons; paTisashenidhaariNaH= or holding Pattisa and thunderbolts; kshepaNiipaashahastaamshcha= and holding a sling and noose in their hands; sragviNaH= those who carried flower garlands; anuliptaamshcha= those who wore sandal pastes; varaabharanabhooshhitaan= decorated with best jewellery; naanaaveshhasamaayuktaan= with various kinds of appearances; yadhaasvairagataan= moving about at will; bahuun= many people; tiikshnastuuladhaaranshchaiva= those who carried sharp spikes; vajrinashcha= along with thunderbolt; mahaabalaan= those who had great might

Hanuma saw many people, who had great might, who carried javelins and trees as weapons, those who carried Pattisas and thunderbolts, those who carried in their hands sling and nooses, those who carried flowered garlands, wearing sandal paste and decorated with best jewellery, those who had various kinds of appearances roaming freely at will, those who carried sharp spikes and thunderbolts.

shata saahasram avyagram aarakSam madhyamam kapiH |
rakshodhipatinirdishhTam dadarshaantaHpuraagrataH || | 5-4-23

23. kapiH= Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; antaHpuraagrataH= (statoned) before inner city; madhyamaMaaraksham= central protective force; avyagram= attentive; setasahasram= equal in hundred thousand; rakhodhipatinirdishhTam= positioned at the command of Ravana.

Hanuma saw at the front of inner city, a hundred thousand central protective force which was attentive and was positioned there at the command of Ravana.

sa tadaa tadgR^iham dR^ishhTvaa mahaahaaTakatoraNam |
raakshasendrasya vikhyaatamadrimuurdhni pratishhThitam || 5-4-24
puNDariikaavatamsaabhiH parikhaabhiralamkR^itam |
praakaara aavR^itam atyantam dadarsha sa mahaa kapiH || 5-4-25

24,25. saH= that; mahaakapiH= Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; tat gR^iham= that house; raakshasendrasya= of Ravana;mahaahatakaToraNam= with a great golden doorway; ardrimuurdriNi= on a top of mountain; pratishhThitam= situated; vikyaatam= famous; pudariikavatamsaabhiH= with lotuses as decorations; parikaabhiHalamkR^itam= garnished by moats; praakaaravR^itam= surrounded by a compound wall; tadaa= then; dR^ishhtvaa= seeing; atyantam= a lot.

That Hanuma saw Ravana's house with a golden doorway. That famed house was on the top of a mountain. Motes filled with white lotuses surrounded it. It was also surrounded by a compound wall. He watched the house again and again.

triviSTapa nibham divyam divya naada vinaaditam |
vaaji heSita samghuSTam naaditam bhuuSaNaiH tathaa || 5-4-26
rathaiH yaanaiH vimaanaiH ca tathaa gaja hayaiH shubhaiH |
vaaraNaiH ca catuH dantaiH shveta abhra nicaya upamaiH || 5-4-27
bhuuSitam rucira dvaaram mattaiH ca mR^iga pakSibhiH |
raakSasa adhipateH guptam aavivesha gR^iham kapiH || 5-4-28

26,27,28.. mahaakapiH= The great Hanuma; aavivesha= entered; guptam= secretly; raakshasaadhipateeH= Ravana's inner city; trivishhTapaHnibham= (which was like a) paradise; divyam= best one; vaajighoshhitasangushhTam= resonating with neighing of horses; tadhaa= and; naaditam= made noisy; bhuushhanaiH= with ornaments; radhaiH= by chariots; yaanaiH= by vehicles; vimaanaishca= and by aerial-cars; tadhaa= and; bhuushhitam= decorated by;; subhaiHhayagajaiH= by auspicious horses and elephants; swetaabranicayopamaiH= equalling a group of white clouds; vaaraNaishca= by great elephants; caturdantaiH= with four tusks; mR^igapakshibhiH= by animals and birds; mattaiH= in heat; ruciradvaaram= with a beautiful entrance; rakshitam= protected; yaatudhaanaiH= by raksasas; sumahaaviiraiH= with great strength; shahasrasheH= in thousands.

The great Hanuma entered secretly Ravana's inner city which was equal to paradise, rendered noisy by neighing of horses and tinkling of ornaments, by chariots, vehicles and aerial-cars and decorated by auspicious elephants and horses and great elephants with four tusks and by birds and animals in heat. It had beautiful entrances and was protected by thousands of rakshasas with great strength.

sahemajaambuunadachakravaaLam |
mahaarha muktaamaNibhuushhitaantam |
paraarthyakaalaaguruchandanaaktaM |
sa raavaNaantHpuramaavivesha || 5-4-29

29. saH= Hanuma; aavivesha= entered; raavanaataHpuram= the in inner city of Ravana; sahema= filled with gold; jaabuunadacakravaaLam= with a golden court-yard; mahaaraHmuktaamaNibhuushhitaantam= with a central area decorated by pearls and diamonds of great value; paraardhyakaalaagurucandanaaktam= and which was sprinkled with water containing superb agallocum and sandal-wood.

Hanuma entered the inner city of Ravana which was filled with gold, which had a golden court-yard , with a central area decorated by pearls and diamonds of great value and sprinkled daily with water containing superb algallocum and sandal-wood.

|| iti raamaayane sundarakaaNDe chaturthaH sargaH ||

Thus, this is the 4th chapter in Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 5

Introduction

Hanuma sees the denizens of city of Lanka rendered beautiful by the glorious moon, Hanuma also become anxious had not become to able to find Seetha

tataH sa madhyaMgatamaMshumantaM |
jyotsnaavitaanam mahadudvamantam |
dadarsha dhiimaan divi bhaanumantam |
goshhThe vR^ishhaM mattamiva bhraamantam ||5-5-1

1. tataH= thereafter; dhiimaan saH= that intellectual Hanuma ; dadarsha= saw; bhaanuvantam= the moon; divi= in the sky; madhyamgatam= who obtaining the middle of sky; aomshumantam= who had rays; udvamantam= who spread; mahatjyotsnaavitaanam= a great quantity of moon shine; vR^ishhamiva= moon looked like a bull; mattam= in heat; goshhThebhramantam= among cows.

Thereafter that intellectual Hanuma saw the moon in the sky shining with rays, obtaining the middle portion of sky. Spreading a great quantity of moon shine, moon looked like a bull in heat among cows.

lokasya paapaani vinaashayantam |
mahodadhiM caapi samedhayantam |
bhuutaani sarvaaNi viraajayantam |
dadarsha shiitaamshumathaabhiyaantam || 5-5-2

2. atha= after that; dadarsha= (He) saw; shiitaamshum= the moon; abhiyaantam= coming up; vinaashayantam= destroying; lokasyapaapaani= the sins of the world; samedhayantam cha api= and also causing the growth of; mahodadhim= the great ocean; viraajayantam= causing to shine; sarvaaNibhuutaani= all the living beings.

After that Hanuma saw the moon coming up destroying the sins of the world, causing the great ocean to grow and causing all living beings to shine.

yaa bhaati lakshmiirbhuvi mandarasthaa |
tathaa pradoshheshhu ca saagarasthaa |
tathaiva toyeshhu ca pushhkarasthaa |
raraaja saa caarunishaakarasthaa || 5-5-3

3. yaa= what ever; lakshmiiH= splendour; mandarasthaabhaati= shines over Mount Mandara; bhuvi= on earth; tathaa= in the same way; saagarasthaa= over ocean; pradoshheshhu= during evenings; tathaiva= in the same way; pushhkarastaatoyeshhu= over lotuses in the waters; saa= the same splendour; raraaja= shone; charunishaakarastaa= on the beautiful moon.

What ever splendour shines over Mount Mandara on earth, on the ocean during evenings, over the lotuses in the waters, the same splendour shone on the beautiful moon.

hamso yathaa raajatapaJNjarasathaH |
simho yathaa mandarakandarasthaH |
viiro yathaa garvitakuJNjarastha |
shchandro vibabhraaja tathaamabharasthaH || 5-5-4

4. haMsaHyadaa= like a swan; raajatapaJNjarasthaH= in a silver cage; siMhahayathaa= like a lion; mandharakandarasthaH= in a cave of Mount Mandara; viiraHyathaa= like a warrior; garvitakuJNjarastaH= on proud elephant; tathaa= in the same way; ambarasthaH= in the sky; chandraHvibabhraaja= the moon shone.

Like a swan in a silver cage, like a lion in the cave of Mount Mandara, like a warrior on a proud elephant, in the same way the moon shone in the sky.

sthitah kakudmaaniva tiikshNashR^iN^go |
mahaacalaH shveta ivochchashR^iN^gaH |
hastiiva jaambuunadabaddhash^iN^go |
raraaja candrah paripuurNashR^iN^gaH || 5-5-5

5. candraH= the full moon; paripoorNasR^igaH= with its horn like spot; raraaja= shone; kakudmaaniva= like a high humped ox; stitaH= standing tiikshnasR^igaH= with a high hump; mahaachalaHiva= like a great mountain; svetaH= white in colour; vuchhasR^igaH= with tall summits; hastiiva= like an elephant; jaabuunada baddasR^igaH= with golden tusks.

The full moon with its horn like spot shone like a sharp horned standing ox with a high hump, like a great white mountain with tall summits, like an elephant with golden tusks.

vinashhTashiitaambutushhaarapaN^ko |
mahaagrahagraahavinashhTapaN^kaH |
prakaashalakshmyaashrayanirmalaaN^ko |
raraaja chandro bhagavaan shashaaN^kaH || 5-5-6

6. bhagavaan= Divine; chandraH= the moon; vinashhTashiitaambutushhaarapaN^kaH= who lost cold water and frost; mahaagrahagraahavinashhTapaN^kaH= with lost stain due to the eclipse of the sun; prakaashalakshmyaashrayanirmalaaN^kaH= one who has a calm spot which is an abode of brilliant splendour; shashaaN^kaH= with a symbol of hare; raraaja= shone brilliantly.

The Divine moon who lost the stain of cold water and frost, with lost stain due to eclipse by the great planet sun, one who has a calm spot which is an abode of brilliant splendour, with a symbol of hare, shone brilliantly.

shiilaatalam praapya yathaa mR^igendro |
mahaaraNam praapya yathaa gajendrah |
raajyam samaasaadya yathaa narendra |
stathaaprakaasho viraraaja chandraH || 5-5-7

7. yathaa= in whatever way; mR^igendraH= a lion; praapya= obtaining; shilaatalam= a level surfaced rock(shines); yathaa= in whatever way; gajendraH= best elephant; praapya= obtaining; mahaaraNam= a great battle; yathaa= in whatever way; narendraH= a king; samaasaadhya= obtaining; raajyam= kingdom; tathaa= in the same way; prakaashaH= the clear; candraH= moon; viraraaja= shone.

In whatever way a lion obtaining a level surfaced rock (shines), in whatever way best elephant obtaining a great battle(shines), in whatever way a king obtaining kingdom(shines), in the same way the clear moon shone.

prakaashachandrodayanashhTadoshhaH |
pravR^ittarakshaH pishitaashadoshhaH |
raamaabhiraameritachittadoshhaH |
svargaprakaasho bhagavaan pradoshhaH || 5-5-8

8. bhagavaan= the Divine; pradoshhaH= evening; prakaashachandrodayanashhTadoshhaH= with lost stain due to rise of shining moon; pravR^ittarakshaHpishitaashadoshhaH= with the stain due to meal of flesh eating rakshasas ; raamaabhiraameritacittadoshhaH= and in which the bitterness of mind of young women and their lover is wiped away; svargaprakaashaH= became with a heavenly glow.

The Divine evening with lost stain due to rise of shining moon, with the stain due to meal of flesh eating rakshasas, and in which the bitterness of mind of young women and their lovers is wiped away, became with a heavenly glow.

tantriisvanaah karNasukhaaH pravR^ittaaH |
svapanti naaryaH patibhiH suvR^ittaaH |
naktamcharaashchaapi tathaa pravR^ittaa |
vihartumatyadbhutaraudravR^ittaaH || 5-5-9

9. tantriisvanaaH= musical notes from stringed instruments; karNasukhaaH= which were comforting to ears; pravR^ittaaH= started ; naaryaH= women; suvR^ittaaH= with good character; svapanti= were sleeping; patibhiH= with husbands; tathaa= and also; nattamcharaashchaapi= rakshasas also; atyadbhutaraudravR^ittaaH= with extremely strange character; pravR^ittaah= started; vihartum= to roam.

Musical notes from stringed instruments which were comforting to ears started. Women with good character were sleeping with husbands and also rakshasas with extremely strange character started to roam.

mattapramattaani samaakulaani |
tathaashvabhadraasanasamkulaani |
viiraH shriyaa chaapi samaakulaani |
dadarsha dhiimaan sa kapiH kulaani || 5-5-10

10. saHkapiH= that Hanuma; viiraH= the courageous one; dhiimaan= the intellectual one; dadarsha= saw; kulaani= houses; mattapramattaani= with people in heat; samaakulaani= filled with people; rathaashvabhadraasanasaMkulaani= filled chariots, horses, elephants and best furniture; shriyaa chaapi samaakulaani= and also full of wealth.

That Hanuma the courageous one, the intellectual one, saw houses with people in heat, houses filled with people, full chariots, horses, elephants and best furniture and also full of wealth.

parasparaM chaadhikamaakshipanti |
bhuaamshcha piinaanadhinikshipanti |
mattapralaapaanadhikam kshipanti |
mattaani chaanyonyamadhikshipanti || 5-5-11

11. adikhamaakshipanti= (Hanuma saw rakshasas) railing a lot; parasparam= at one another; adhinikshipanti= moving; piinaanabhujaanca= their shoulders; kshipanti= throwing;adhikanmattapralaapaan= wild and incoherent words a lot; adhikshipanti= insulting; parasparam= one another; mattaani= being intoxicated.

Hanuma saw rakshasas railing a lot at one another moving their heavy shoulders, throwing wild and incoherent words a lot, insulting one another being intoxicated.

rakshaamsi vakshaamsi cha vikshipanti |
gaatraaNi kaantaasu cha vikshipanti |
ruupaaaNi chitraaNi cha vikshipanti |
dR^iDhaani chaapaani cha vikshipanti || 5-5-12

12. (Hanuma saw) rakshaamsi= rakshasas; vikshipanti= who smote; vakaamsi= breast; vikshipanti= those who threw; gaatraani= limbs; kaantaasu= on women; vikshipanti= those who were spreading; chitraaNiruupaaNi= their strange forms; vikshipanti= sporting; dR^iDaani chaapaani= their strong bows.

(Hanuma saw) rakshasas who smote breast, those who threw limbs on women, those who were spreading their strange forms sporting their strong bows.

dadarsha kaantaashcha samaalabhantya |
stathaa paraastatra punaH svapantyaH |
suruupavaktraashcha tathaa hasantyaH |
kruddhaaH paraashchapi viniHshvasantyaH || 5-5-13

13. (Hanuma saw) kaantaHcha= some women; samaalabhantyaH= applying sandal paste on their bodies; tathaa= and also; aparaaHpunaH= some other women; svapantyaH= sleeping; tatra= there; tathaa= in the same way; suruupavraHcha= some women with good appearance; hasantyaH= were smiling; paraaHcha= and some other women; viniHshvasantyaH= were sighing; kR^iddaaH= in anger.

Hanuma saw some women applying sandal paste on their bodies and also some other women sleeping there, in the same way some women with good appearance were smiling, and some other women were sighing in anger.

mahaagajaishchaapi tathaa nadadbhiH |
supuujitaishchaapi tathaa susadbhiH |
raraaja viiraishcha viniHshvasadbhi |
rhrado bhujaN^gairiva niHshvasadbhiH || 5-5-14

14. tathaa= in the same way; raraaja= (the city of Lanka) shone; mahaagajaishchaapi= with great elephants making sound; tathaa= and, susadbhiH chaapi= also with gentlemen; supuujitaiH= well respected; raraaja= shone; viiraishcha= with warriors; viniHsvasabhiH= with long sighs; bhujaN^gairiva= like serpents in a lake; nisvasadbhiH= hissing.

Hanuma saw (the city of Lanka that) shone with great elephants making sound and also with gentlemen well respected, shone with warriors in a wresting bout, with long sighs, like serpents in a lake hissing.

buddhipradhaanaan ruchiraabhidhaanaan |
samshraddadhaanaan jagataH pradhaanaan |
naanaavidhaanaan ruchiraabhidhaanaan |
dadarsha tasyaam puri yaatudhaanaan || 5-5-15

15. dadarsha= (Hanuma) saw; yaatuddhaanaan= yatudhanaa; buddhipradhaanaan= who were intellectuals; ruchiraabhidhaanaanan= who were good talker's; samshraddadhaanaan= who had good devotion; jagataH pradhaanaan= important people to the world; naanaavidhaanaan= who had various ways; ruchiraavidhaanaanan= who had beautiful names; tasyaam puri= in that city.

Hanuma saw Yatudhanaas who were intellectuals, who were good talkers, who had good devotion, important people to the world, who had various ways, and people who had beautiful names in that city.

nananda dR^ishhTvaa sa cha taan suruupaa |
nnaanaaguNaanaatmaguNaanuruupaan |
vidyotamaanaansa tadaanuruupaan |
dadarsha kaamshchichcha punarviruupaan || 5-5-16

16. saH= That Hanuma; dR^ishhTvaa= seeing; suruupaan= people with good appearance; naanaaguNaan= who had various good virtues; atmaguNaanuruupaan= those who were according to their character; vidyotamaanaann= those who were radiant; taan= all those; nananda= became happy; tadaa= then; saH= that Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; virupaan= those who had horrific appearance; anurupaan= those who were according to their appearance; kaaMshchichcha= some of those too.

That Hanuma seeing people with good appearance, who had various good virtues, those who were according to their character, those who were radiant, all those - became happy. Then that Hanuma saw those who had horrific appearance, those who were according to their appearance - some of those too.

tato varaarhaH suvishuddhabhaavaa |
steshhaam striyastatra mahaanubhaavaah |
priyeshhu paaneshhu cha saktabhaavaa |
dadarsha taaraaiva suprabhaavaaH || 5-5-17

17. dadarsha= Hanuma saw; tataH= thereafter; tatra= there; streshhaaMstriyaH= their women; varaarhaaH= those who were eligible for distinction; mahaanubaaH= those who were of great skill; saktabhaavaa= with an interested heart; priyeshhu= in lovers; paaneshhucha= and in drinks; taaraaHiva= like stars; supraabhaavaaH= with good effect.

Hanuma saw thereafter there, their women - those who were eligible for distinction, those who were of great skill with an interested heart in lovers and in drinks and those who were like stars with good effect.

shriyaa jvalantiistrapayoguuDhaa |
nishiithakaale ramaNopaguuDhaaH |
dadarsha kaashchitpramadopaguuDhaa |
yathaa vihaN^gaaH kusumopaguuDhaaH || 5-5-18

18. dadarsha= Hanuma saw; kaashchit= some women; jvalantiH= who were brilliant; shriyaaH= with radiance; upaguuDaaH= adorned a lot; trapaya= with bashfulness; ramaNopaguuDhaaH= those who were hugged by lovers; nishiithakaale= in the middle of night; pramadopaguuDaaH= those who were hugged with great pleasure; kusumopaguuDhaaH= those who were hugged by flowers; vihaN^gaH= like birds.

Hanuma saw some women who were brilliant with radiance, adorned a lot with bashfulness, those who were hugged by lovers in the middle of night, those who were hugged with great pleasure, those who were hugged by flowers like birds.

anyaaH punarharmyatalopavishhTaa |
statra priyaaN^keshhu sukhopavishhTaaH |
bhartuH priyaa dharmaparaa nivishhTaa |
dadarsha dhiimaan madanaabhivishhTaaH || 5-5-19

19. dhiimaan= the intellectual Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; anyaaH= some other women; tatra= there; priyaaN^keshhu sukhopavishhTaaH= comfortably sitting on the laps of the lovers; nivishhTaaH= sitting; harmyatalopavishhTaaH= at the top of their buildings; bhartuH priyaaH= dear to their husbands(some other women); dharmaparaaH= interested in virtuous deeds; madanaabhivishhTaaH= (some other women) possessed by the lord of love.

The intellectual Hanuma saw some other women there comfortably sitting on the laps of their lovers, at the top of their buildings, dear to their husbands and (some other women) interested in virtuous deeds, and some possessed by the lord of love.

apraavR^itaaH kaaJNchanaraajivarNaaH |
kaashchitparaarthyaastapaniiyavarNaaH |
punashcha kaashchichchhashalakshmavarNaaH |
kaantaprahiiNaaruchiraaN^gavarNaaH || 5-5-20

20. kaaJNchanaraajivarNaaH= (Hanuma saw)women with a golden complexion; apraavR^itaaH= lacking clothes; tapaniiyavarNaaH= women with a complexion of refined gold; paraarthyaaH= suitable for mating; kaashchit= and some other women; punashcha= also; shashalakshmavarNaaH= with the colour of moon; kaashchit= and some other women; ruchiraaN^gavarNaaH= with beautiful bodies; kaantaprahiiNaaH= lacking lovers.

Hanuma saw women with golden complexion lacking clothes, women with a complexion of refined gold suitable for mating and some other women also with the colour of moon and some other women with beautiful bodies lacking a lover.

tatah priyaan praapya manobhiraamaan |
supriitiyuktaaH sumanobhiraamaaH |
gR^iheshhu hR^ishhTaaH paramaabhiraamaaH |
haripraviiraH sa dadarsha raamaaH || 5-5-21

21. tataH= thereafter; haripraviiraH= that Vanara warrior; dadarsha= saw; supriitayuktaaH= those with great happiness; priyaanpraapya= obtained lovers; manobhiraamaan= who entertained (them); sumanobhiraamaaH= those who attracted like flowers; paramaabhiraamaaH= those with great beauty; raamaaH= and women; hR^ishhTaaH= filled with happiness; gR^iheshhu= in their houses.

Thereafter that Vanara warrior saw those with great happiness, those who obtained lovers who entertained, those who attracted like flowers, those with great beauty and women in their houses filled with happiness.

chandraprakaashaashcha hi vaktramaalaa |
vakraakshipakshmaashcha sunetramaalaaH |
vibhuushhaaNaanaam cha dadarsha maalaaH |
shatahradaanaamiva chaarumaalaaH || 5-5-22

22. dadarsha= (Hanuma) saw; vaktramaalaashcha= rows faces; chandraprakaashaaH= shining like the moon; sunetramaalaaH= beautiful rowus of eyes; vkraakshipakshmaashcha= with curved eyebrows; vibhuushhaNaanaam cha= and rowus of ornaments; chaarumaalaaH= like beautiful rowus; satahradaanaam= of lighting.

Hanuma saw rows of faces shining like the moon, beautiful rows of eyes with curved eyebrows and rows of ornaments like beautiful rows of lighting.

na tveva siitaam paramaabhijaataam |
pathi sthite raajakule prajaataam |
lataam prapullaamiva saadhu jaataam |
dadarsha tanviim manasaabhijaataam || 5-5-23

23. nadadarsha= Hanuma did not see; siitaamtu= Seetha; paramaabhijaataam= one with great beauty; prajaataam= born; raajakule= in a royal family; pathi sthite= in virtuous path; saadhujaataam= well brought up; lathaamiva= like a creeper; prapullaam= in full blossom; tanviim= one who was thin; abhijaataam= born; manasaa= from the mind(of creator).

Hanuma did not see Seetha, one with great beauty born in a royal family following a virtuous path, well brought up, like a creeper in full blossom, one who was thin, and one who was born from the mind (of creator).

sanaatane vartmaani samnivishhTaam |
raamekshaNaaM taaM madanaabhivishhTaam |
bharturmanaH shriimadanupravishhTaam |
striibhyo varaabhyashcha sadaa vishishhTaam || 5-5-24

24. (Hanuma did not see) taam= that Seetha; saMnivishhTaam= who stood; sanaatane vartmaani= in the path of ancient righteousness; raamekshaNaam= with Her sight on Sri Rama; madanaabhivishhTaam= who was possessed by the love for Sri Rama; anupravishhTaam= who entered; shrrimatmanaH= the glorious mind; bhartuH= of husband; sadaa= always; vishishhtaam= the best; striibhyashcha= among women; varaabhyaH= who were the best.

Hanuma did not see that Seetha who stood in the path of ancient righteousness with Her sight on Sri Rama, who was possessed by the love for Sri Rama, who entered the glorious mind of husband and always the best among women who were the best.

ushhNaarditaam saanusR^itaasrakaNThiim |
puraa varaarhottamanishhkakaNThiim |
sujaatapakshmaamabhiraktakaNThiim |
vane.apranR^ittaamiva niilakaNThiim || 5-5-25

25. (Hanuma did not see Seetha) ushhNaarditaam= tourched by separation from Sri Rama; saanusR^itaashrakhanThiim= with unabounding tears in her throat; puraa= in earlier times; varaarhottamanishhkakaNThiim= who had invaluable and best jewellery on her neck; sujaatapakshmaam= born with beautiful eyebrows; abhiraktakaNThiiM= with a sweet voice; niilakaNThiim iva= like a she hen; apranuttaan= who did not dance; vane= in a forest.

Hanuma did not see Seetha, tortured by separation from Sri Rama, with unabounding tears in her throat, in earlier times who had invaluable and best jewellery on her neck, born with beautiful eyebrows, with a sweet voice, like a she- hen who did not dance in a forest because of Her current sorrow.

avyaktarekhaamiva chandrarekhaaM |
paamsupradigdhaamiva hemarekhaam |
kshatapraruuDhaamiva baaNarekhaaM |
vaayuprabhinnaamiva megharekshaam || 5-5-26

26. (Hanuma did not see Seetha)chandrarekhaamiva= like a crescent; avyaktarekhaam= with a blurred outline; hemarekhaamiva= like a streek of gold; paamsupradhigdhaam= coated by dust; baaNarekhaamiva= like an arrow; kshatapraruuDhaamiva= in an injury; megharekhaamiva= like a series of clouds; vaayuprabhinnaan= scattered by wind.

Hanuma did not see Seetha who was like a crescent with a blurred outline, like a streek of gold coated by dust, like an arrow in an injury, like a series of clouds scattered by wind.

siitaamapashyan manujeshvarasya |
raamasya patniim vadataam varasya |
babhuuva duHkhaabhihatashchirasya |
plavaN^gamo manda ivaachirasya || 5-5-27

27. plavaN^gamo = Hanuma; babhuva= became; mandaH iva= like a numb minded one; achirasya= for sometime; dukhaabhi hataH= stricken with grief; apashyan= not seeing; chirasya= for a moment; siitaam= Seetha; patniim= wife; raamasya= of Sri Rama; varasya= the best; vadataam= among those who talk; manujeshvarasya= the lord of all humans.

Hanuma became a numb minded one for sometime, stricken with grief not seeing for a moment Seetha, wife of Sri Rama the best among those who talk, and the lord of all humans.

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye sundara kaaNDe pa~nchamaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 5th chapter in Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 6

Introduction

Hanuma moves about the city of Lanka, going from one house to another in search of mother Seetha. He finds amazing wealth and riches abounding in that city of Ravana. He finally enters the huge house of Ravana.

sa nikaamam vimaaneSu vishhaNNaH kaama ruupadhR^it |
vicacaara punarlaN^kaam laaghavena samanvitaH || 5-6-1

1. saH= that Hanuma; kaamaruupadR^it= who could assume any desire form; vimaaneshhu= (searching) among houses; nikaamamvishhaNNaH= had a lot of grief; laaghavenasamanvitaH= endowed with great speed; vichachaara= roamed; punaH= again; laN^kaam= the city of Lanka.

That Hanuma who could assume any desire form, searching among houses had a lot of grief. Endowed with great speed, He roamed again the city of Lanka.

aasasaada atha lakSmiivaan raakSasa indra niveshanam |
praakaareNa arka varNena bhaasvareNa abhisamvRtam || 5-6-2

2. atha= after that; lakshmivaan= the glorious Hanuma; asasaada= neared; raakshasendraniiveshanam= the house of Ravana; bhaasvareNa= shining; arkavarNena= with the hue of Sun; abhisamvR^itam= surrounded; praakaareNa= by a compound wall.

After that, the glorious Hanuma neared the house of Ravana shining with the golden hue of Sun, surrounded by a compound wall.

rakSitam raakSasair bhiimaiH simhair iva mahad vanam |
samiikSamaaNo bhavanam cakaashe kapi kunjaraH || 5-6-3

3. kapikunJNjaraH= Hanuma; chakaashe= shined; samiikshamaaNaH= purveying; bhavanam= the building; rakshitaam= protected; bhiimaiH raakshasaihi= by horrible rakshasas; mahaavanamiva= like a forest; simhaiH= by lions.

Hanuma shined purveying the building protected by horrible rakshasas, like a forest by lions.

ruupya kopa hitaiH citraiH toraNair hema bhuuSitaiH |
vicitraabhiH ca kakSyaabhir dvaaraiH ca rucirair vRtam || 5-6-4

4. vR^itam= (Ravana's house)consisted of; toraNaiH= archways; ruupyakopahitaiH= decorated with sliver; chitraiH= surprising one's; hemabhhuushhitaiH= decorated with gold; vichitraabhi= strange; kakshyaabhiH= entrances; ruchiraiH dvaaraishcha= and beautiful doors.

Ravana's house consisted of surprising archways decorated with sliver and gold, strange entrances and beautiful doors.

gaja aasthitair mahaa maatraiH shuuraiH ca vigata shramaiH |
upasthitam asamhaaryair hayaiH syandana yaayibhiH || 5-6-5

5. upasthitam= (Ravana's house)waited upon; gajaasthitaiH= by men on elephants; shuuraiH= warriors; vigatasramaiH= people with removed tiredness; mahaamaatraiH= drivers of elephants; asamhaaraiH hayaiH= by undefeatable horses; syandanayaayibhiH= by charioteers.

Ravana's house waited upon by men on elephants, warriors, people with removed tiredness, drivers of elephants, by undefeatable horses, and by charioteers.

simha vyaaghra tanu traaNair daanta kaancana raajataiH |
ghoSavadbhir vicitraiH ca sadaa vicaritam rathaiH || 5-6-6

6. (Hanuma saw Ravana's house) simhavyaaghraatanutraaNaiH= with protective shields made of lion and tiger skins; daantakaaJNchanaraajataiH= decorated with ivory, gold and silver; vicharitam= being roamed; sadaa= always; vichiraiHradhaiH= by strange chariots; ghoshhavadbhiH= with great sound.

Hanuma saw Ravana's house with protective shields made of lion and tiger skins, decorated with ivory, gold and silver, being roamed always by strange chariots with great sound.

bahu ratna samaakiirNam para ardhya aasana bhaajanam |
mahaa ratha samaavaasam mahaa ratha mahaa aasanam || 5-6-7

7. (Hanuma saw Ravana's house) bahuratnasamaakiirNam= filled with a lot of diamonds; paraardhyaasanabhaajanam= having valuable seats and utensils; mahaarathasamaavaasam= abode of great warriors; mahaarathamahaasanam= with great chariots and great utensils.

Hanuma saw Ravana's house filled with a lot of diamonds, having valuable seats and utensils, abode of great warriors, with great chariots and great utensils.

dR^ishyaiH ca parama udaaraiH taiH taiH ca mR^iga pakSibhiH |
vividhair bahu saahasraiH paripuurNam samantataH || 5-6-8

8. paripuurNam= filled all around with; taiH taiH= those and those; vividhaiH= various kinds of; mR^igapakshibhiH= animals and birds; bahusaahasraiH= in those thousands; dR^ishyaiH= lovely to watch; paramodaaraiH= very beautiful ones.

Filled all around with those and those various kinds of animals and birds in thousands, lovely to watch - very beautiful ones.

viniitair anta paalaiH ca rakSobhiH ca surakSitam |
mukhyaabhiH ca vara striibhiH paripuurNam samantataH || 5-6-9

9. surakshitam= well protected; rakshobhi= by rakshasas; viniitaiH= well trained one's; antapaalaiH= protecting the inner area; paripuurNam= filled; samantataH= all over; varastriibhiH= by best women; mukhyaabhiH= who were important.

Well protected by well trained rakshasas, protecting the inner area, filled all over by best women who were important.

mudita pramadaa ratnam raakSasa indra niveshanam |
vara aabharaNa nirhraadaiH samudra svana nihsvanam || 5-6-10

10. muditapramaadaaratnam= having happy women; raakshasendraniveshanam= the abode of Ravana; varaabharaNasamhraadaiH= with the tinkling of best jewellery; samudrasvananisvanam= had a sound like that of an ocean.

Having happy women, the abode of Ravana with the tinkling of best jewellery had a sound like that of an ocean.

tad raaja guNa sampannam mukhyaiH ca vara candanaiH |
bherii mRdanga abhirutam shankha ghoSa vinaaditam || 5-6-11

11. raajaguNasampannam= together with royal insignia; mukhaiH agaruchandanaiH= with best scents and sandal woods; samaakiirNam= spread with; mahaajanaiH= great number of people; mahatvanamiva= like a great forest; simhaiH= with lions.

Together with royal insignia, with best scents and sandal wood, spread with great number of people like a great forest with lions.

bheriimR^idaN^gaabhirutam shaN^khaghoshhaninaaditam |
nitya arcitam parva hutam puujitam raakSasaiH sadaa || 5-6-12

12. bheriimR^idaN^gabhirutam= resounded by bheris and mrindagas; shankhaghoshhitaninaaditam= resounded by the sound of conch-shells; nityaarchitam= prayed upon daily; parvahutam= with rituals on festivals; sadaa= always; puujitam= worshipped; rakshaiH= by rakshasas.

Resounded by bheris and mridagas, resounded by the sound of conch-shells, prayed upon daily by Rakshsas, with rituals on festivals, always worshipped by rakshasas.

samudram iva gambhiiram samudram iva nihsvanam |
mahaatmaano mahad veshma mahaa ratna paricchadam || 5-6-13
mahaa jana samaakiirNam dadarsha sa mahaa kapiH |

13. samahaakapiH= the great Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; mahaatmanaH= the wealthy Ravana's; mahatveshma= big house; ghambhiiram= inscrutable; samudramiva= like an ocean; nissvanam samudramiva= like a noiseless ocean; mahaaratna parichchhadam= with a roof embedded with great diamonds; mahaaratnasamaakiirNam= filled with great diamonds.

The great Hanuma saw the wealthy Ravana's huge house, inscrutable like an ocean, like a noiseless ocean, with a roof embedded with great diamondsand filled with great diamonds.

viraajamaanam vapuSaa gaja ashva ratha samkulam || 5-6-14
lankaa aabharaNam iti eva so amanyata mahaa kapiH |
chachaara hanumaamstatra raavaNasya samiipataH || 5-6-15

14,15. saH= that great Hanuma; amanyata= thought; viraajamaanam= (the house which was) shining; vipushhaa= with its form; gajaashvarathasankulam= filled with elephants, horses, chariots; laN^kaabharaNam ityeva= to be the jewel of Lanka; hanumaan= Hanuma; chachaara= walked about; tatra= there; samiipataH= near hood; raavaNasya= of Ravana;

That great Hanuma thought the house, which was shining with its form filled with elephants, horses, chariots, to be the jewel of Lanka. Hanuma walked about there in the near-hood of Ravana.

gR^ihaad gR^iham raakSasaanaam udyaanaani ca vaanaraH |
viikSamaaNo hi asamtrastaH praasaadaamH ca cacaara saH || 5-6-16

16. saH= That Hanuma; chchaara= moved about; gR^ihaat gR^iham= from one house to another; rakshsaanaam= of rakshasas; vudyaanaanicha= and also parks; viikshamaaNaH api= and observing; sarvashaH= in all directions; asantrastaH= without fear; praasaadaamshcha= and also courtyards.

That Hanuma moved about from one house to another of Rakshasas and also parks and observing in all directions without fear and also courtyards.

avaplutya mahaa vegaH prahastasya niveshanam |
tato anyat pupluve veshma mahaa paarshvasya viiryavaan || 5-6-17

17. mahaaviiryaH= Hanuma with great prowess; mahaavegaH= and one with great speed; avaplutya= jumping; niveshanam= for the house; prahastasya= of Prahasta; tataH= and from there; plupluve= leapt; anyatveshma= for another house; mahaapaarshvasya= that of Mahaparshva.

Hanuma with great prowess, and one with great speed, jumped for the house of Prahasta and from there leapt for another house that of Mahaparshva.

atha megha pratiikaasham kumbha karNa niveshanam |
vibhiiSaNasya ca tathaa pupluve sa mahaa kapiH || 5-6-18

18. atha= thereafter; mahaakapiH= the great Hanuma; plupluve= leapt; kumbhakarNaniveshanam= for the house of Kumbhakarna; meghapratiikaasham= which resembled a cloud; tathaa= and in the same way; vibhiishhanasya= for the house of Vibhishana.

Thereafter the great Hanuma leapt for the house of Kumbhakarna which resembled a cloud and in the same way for the house of Vibhishana.

mahaa udarasya ca tathaa viruupa akSasya caiva hi |
vidyuj jihvasya bhavanam vidyun maaleH tathaiva ca || 5-6-19
vajra damSTrasya ca tathaa pupluve sa mahaa kapiH |

19. saH mahaakapiH= That great Hanuma; tathaa= in the same way; plupluve= leapt; bhavanam= for the house; mahodarashya= of Mahodara; viruupaakshasya caivaH= and also that of Virupaaksha; viddyujjihvasya= that of Viddutjihva; tathaivacha= and in the same fashion; vidyunmaaleH= that of Vidhunmaali; tathaiva= and in the same way; vjradamshhTrasya= that of Vajradamshhtra.

That great Hanuma in the same way leapt for the house of Mahodara and also that of Virupaaksha, that of Viddutjihva.

shukasya ca mahaa vegaH saaraNasya ca dhiimataH |
tathaa ca indrajito veshma jagaama hari yuuthapaH || 5-6-20

20. hariyuudhapaH= Hanuma the commander of Vanara army; mahaatejaaH= with great radiance; jagaama= went; shukasya= for Suka's house; dhiimataH shukasya= for the intellectual Suka's house; saaraNasya= for Sarana's house; tathaa= in the same way; gR^iham= for the house; indrajitaH= of Indrajit.

Hanuma the commander of Vanara army with great radiance went for the intellectual Suka's house, for Sarana's house, and in the same way for the house of Indrajit.

jambu maaleH sumaaleH ca jagaama hari yuuthapaH || 5-6-21
rashmi ketoH ca bhavanam suurya shatroH tathaiva ca |
vajrakaayasya cha tathaa pupluve sa mahaakapiH || 5-6-22

21,22. harisattamaH= the best among Vanaras Hanuma; jagaama= went; jambumaaleH= for the house of Jambumali; sumaaleshcha= and for the house of Sumali; saH mahaakapiH= the great Hanuma; pupluve= jumped; rashmiketoH= for the house of Rasmiketu; tathaivacha= and in the same way; suryaketoH= for the house of Suryaketu; tathaa= and in that way; bhavanam= for the building; vajrakaayasya= of Vajrakaaya.

The best among Vanaras Hanuma went for the house of Jambumali and for the house of Sumali. The great Hanuma jumped for the house Rasmiketu and in the same way for the house of Suryaketu and in that way for the building of Vajrakaaya.

dhuumra akSasya ca sampaater bhavanam maaruta aatmajaH |
vidyud ruupasya bhiimasya ghanasya vighanasya ca || 5-6-23
shuka naabhasya vakrasya shaThasya vikaTasya ca |
hrasva karNasya damSTrasya romashasya ca rakSasaH || 5-6-24
yuddha unmattasya mattasya dhvaja griivasya naadinaH |
vidyuj jihva indra jihvaanaam tathaa hasti mukhasya ca || 5-6-25
karaalasya pishaacasya shoNita akSasya caiva hi |

23,24,25. maarutaatmajaH= Hanuma (jumped); dhuumraakshhasaya= for Dhumrah's house; sampaateH= for Sampati's house; vidhudtruupasaya= for Vidhudrupa's; bhiimasya= for Bhimaa's house; ghanasya= for Ghana's house; vighanasyacha= and Vighana's house; shukanaasasya= for Sukhana's house; vakrasya= for Vakra's; shaThasya= for Satha's house; vikaTasyacha= and also for Vikatasaa house; brahmakarnasya= for Brahmakarnas house; damshhtrasya= for Damshra's house; romashyasya= for Romasas house; rakshasaH= for Rakshasas house; yuddhonmatasya= for Ydhonmata's house; mattasya= for Mattaas house; dvaja griivasya= for Dvajagriva's house; naadinaH= for Naadi's house; vidhyujjihvendrajihvaanaam= for Vidhutjiva's and Indrajihva's houses; tathaa= in the same way; hastimukhasya= and also Hastimukaas house; karaaLasya= for Karaala's house; pishchasya= for Pischa's house; shoNitaakshasyachaivaH bhavan= and also for the building of Shonita.

Hanuma jumped for Dhumrah's house, for Sampati's house, for Vidhudrupa's, Bhiima's house, for Ghana's house and Vighana's house, for Sukhana's house, for Vakra's, for Satha's house and also for Vikata's house, for Brahmakarna's house, for Damshra's house, for Roma's house, for Raksha's house, for Ydhonmata's and Indrajihva's house, in the same way for Hastimukas house, for Karala's house, for Pisacha's house, and also for the building of Shonita.

kramamaaNaH krameNa eva hanuumaan maaruta aatmajaH || 5-6-26
teSu teSu mahaa arheSu bhavaneSu mahaa yashaaH |
teSaam R^ddhimataam R^iddhim dadarsha sa mahaa kapiH || 5-6-27

26,27. maarutaatmajaH= the son of Vayu; mahaayashaaH= one with great fame; mahaakapiH= great one among Vanaras; saH hanumaan= that Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; teshhaam buddhim= the wealth of those rakshasas; bhuddhimataam= who were rich; kramamaaNaH= moving; krameNaiva= in a sequence; teshhu teshhu= (in) those and those; mahaarheshhu bhavaneshhu= best buildings.

The son of Vayu, one with great fame, great one among Vanaras , moving about in a sequence in those and those best buildings, saw the wealth of those rakshasas, who were rich.

sarveSaam samatikramya bhavanaani samantataH |
aasasaada atha lakSmiivaan raakSasa indra niveshanam || 5-6-28

28. lakshmivaan= the glorious Hanuma; samati kramya= passing; sarveshham bhavanaani= every ones houses; samantataH= all round; tathaa= there after; asasaada= neared; raakshasendraniveshanam= the house of Ravana.

The glorious Hanuma passing everyone's houses all round, there-after neared the house of Ravana.

raavaNasya upashaayinyo dadarsha hari sattamaH |
vicaran hari shaarduulo raakSasiir vikR^ita iikSaNaaH || 5-6-29
shuula mudgala hastaaH ca shakto tomara dhaariNiiH |

29. harisattamaH= Hanuma best among Vanaras; harishaardulaH= tiger among Vanaras; vicharan= moving about; dadarsha= saw; raakshasiiH= Rakshasa women; raavaNasya upashaayinya= those who were sleeping near to Ravana; vikR^itekshaaH= those who had horrific eyes; shuulamudgarahastaashcha= those who had Sulaas, Mudgaras in their hands; shaktitomaradhaariNiiH= those who had Shaktis and Tomaras.

Hanuma best among Vanaras, tiger among Vanaras, moving about saw Rakshas women, those who were sleeping near to Ravana, those who had horrific eyes, those who had Sulaas, Mudgaras in their hands, those who had Shaktis and Tomaras.

dadarsha vividhaan gulmaamH tasya rakSaH pater gR^ihe |
raakshasaaMshcha mahaakaayaannaanaapraharaNodyataan || 5-6-30

30. dadarsha= (Hanuma) saw; tasyagR^ihe= in that house; rakshaHpate= of Ravana; vividhaangulmaan= a variety of army divisions; raakshasaamshcha= and also rakshasas; mahaakaayaan= those who had huge bodies; naanaapraharaNodhyataan= having different weapons raised up.

Hanuma saw in that house of Ravana a variety of army divisions and also Rakshasas those who had huge bodies having different weapons raise up.

raktaan shvetaan sitaamH caiva hariimH caiva mahaa javaan ||5-6-31
kuliinaan ruupa sampannaan gajaan para gaja aarujaan |
niSThitaan gaja shikhaayaam airaavata samaan yudhi || 5-6-32
nihantRRn para sainyaanaam gR^ihe tasmin dadarsha saH |
kSarataH ca yathaa meghaan sravataH ca yathaa giriin || 5-6-33
megha stanita nirghoSaan durdharSaan samare paraiH |

32,33. saH= that Hanuma; tasmingR^ihe= in that house; dadarsha= saw; hariim chaapi= horses; raktaan= in red colour; shvethaan= in white colour; stitaamshchaiva= slightly whitish; mahaanjavaan= capable of great speed; gajaan= elephants; puliinaan= born in a good breed; ruupasampannaan= having good appearance; paragajaarujaan= capable of harassing enemy's elephants; nishhThitaan= skilled; gajashikhsaayaam= in good elephant training; airaavatasamaan= equalling Iraavata; nihantruun= capable of killing; parasainyaanaam= enemies armies; yudhi= in war; ksharataH= rutting; meghaanyathaa= like raining clouds; giriinyathaa= like mountains; sravataH= (with water falls)that are pouring down; meghastanitanirghoshhaan= with trumpeting resembling thundering of clouds; durdharshhaan= unassailable; paraiH= by enemies; samare= in a battle.

That Hanuma in that house saw horses in red colour and in white colour, slightly whitish, capable of great speed, elephants born in a good breed having good appearance capable of harassing enemy's elephants, skilled in good elephant training, equalling Iraavata, capable of killing enemies armies in war, rutting like raining clouds, like mountains with water falls that are pouring down, with trumpeting resembling thundering of clouds, unassailable by enemies in a battle.

sahasram vaahiniiH tatra jaambuunada pariSkR^itaaH || 5-6-34
hema jaalair avicchinnaaH taruNa aaditya samnibhaaH |
dadarsha raakSasa indrasya raavaNasya niveshane || 5-6-35

34,35. tatra= there; dadarsha= (Hanuma) saw; niveshane= in the house; raavaNasya= of Ravana; rakshasendrasya= the king of rakshasas; vaahiniiH= army divisions; sahasram= in thousands; jaabuunadaparishhkR^itaaH= decorated with gold; hemajaalaparichchhannaH= covered with heaps of gold; taruNaadityasannibhaaH= equalling the sun who has fully come up.

There Hanuma saw in the house of Ravana, the king of rakshasas, army divisions in thousands decorated with gold, covered with heaps of gold, equalling the Sun who has fully come up.

shibikaa vividha aakaaraaH sa kapir maaruta aatmajaH |
lataa gR^ihaaNi citraaNi citra shaalaa gR^ihaaNi ca || 5-6-36
kriiDaa gR^ihaaNi ca anyaani daaru parvatakaan api |
kaamasya gR^ihakam ramyam divaa gR^ihakam eva ca || 5-6-37
dadarsha raakSasa indrasya raavaNasya niveshane |

36,37. saH kapiH= that Hanuma; maarutaatmajaH= the son of Vayu; dadarsha= saw; niveshane= in the house; ravanasya= of Ravana; rakshasendrasya= the king of Rakshasas; shibikaaH= palanquins; vividhaakaaraaH= of various shapes; chitraaNilathaagR^ihaaNi= wonderful bowers; chitraashaalaagR^ihaaNi= art galleries; anyaani= and other; kriiDaagR^ihaaNi= pleasure houses; daaruparvatakaanapi= (which were constructed) with wooden mountains; kaamasyagR^ihakam= house for sexual delights; ramyam divaagR^ikamevacha= and a beautiful diurnal house.

That Hanuma the son of Vayu saw in the house of Ravana the king of rakshasas, palanquins of various shapes, wonderful bowers, art galleries and other pleasure houses which were constructed with wooden mountains, house for sexual delight and a beautiful diurnal house.

sa mandara tala prakhyam mayuura sthaana samkulam || 5-6-38
dhvaja yaSTibhir aakiirNam dadarsha bhavana uttamam |
ananta ratna nicayam nidhi jaalam samantataH || 5-6-39
dhiira niSThita karma antam gR^iham bhuuta pater iva |

38,39. saH= That Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; bhaanuvantam= the best among building; mandaragiriprakhyam= equalling mount Mandara; mayuurasthaanasamkulam= filled with pens for peacocks; aakiirNam= spread; dhvajayashhTibhiH= by flag staffs; dhiiranishhThatakarmaantam= managed by courageous one's; bhuutapateHgR^ihamiva= like the house of Kubera; anekaratnasamkiirNam= filled with many diamonds; nidhijaalam= and also heaps of riches.

That Hanuma saw the best among buildings equalling mount Mandara filled with pens for peacocks, spread by flag staffs managed by courageous ones like the house of Kubera filled with many diamonds and also heaps of riches.

arcirbhiH ca api ratnaanaam tejasaa raavaNasya ca || 5-6-40
viraraaja atha tad veshma rashmimaan iva rashmibhiH |

40. tat= That; veshma= building; viraraaja= shone; archirbhishchaapi= by the rays; ratnaanaam= of diamonds, tejasaacha= by the splendour; raavaNasya= of Ravana; rashmimaaniva= like the Sun; rashmibhiH= by rays.

That building shone by the rays of diamonds, by the splendour of Ravana like the Sun by rays.

jaambuu nadamayaani eva shayanaani aasanaani ca || 5-6-41
bhaajanaani ca shubhraaNi dadarsha hari yuuthapaH |

41. hariyuudhapaH= leader of Vanaras, Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; shayanaani= couches; aasanaanicha= and seats;mukhyaani= and chief vessels; jaambuunadamayaanyeva= all made with gold.

Hanuma leader of Vanaras saw couches and seats and chief vessels all made with gold.

madhv aasava kR^ita kledam maNi bhaajana samkulam || 5-6-42
mano ramam asambaadham kubera bhavanam yathaa |
nuupuraaNaam ca ghoSeNa kaanciinaam ninadena ca || 5-6-43
mR^idanga tala ghoSaiH ca ghoSavadbhir vinaaditam |
praasaada samghaata yutam strii ratna shata samkulam || 5-6-42
suvyuuDha kakSyam hanumaan pravivesha mahaa gR^iham |

42,43,44. hanumaan= Hanuma; pravivesha= entered; mahaagR^iham= the big house; madhvaasavakR^itakledam= moistened by liquor made of honey; maNibhaajanashankulam= filled with vessels made of gems; manoramam= delightful one; asambaadham= un-congested one; kuberabhavanamyathaa= like the building of Kubera; ninaaditam= resounded; nuupuraaNaamghoshheNa= by the sound of tinkles; kaaJNchiinaam ninadena= by the sound waist ornaments; mR^idaN^gatalaghoshhaiishcha= by the sound of percussion on Mrudangas; ghoshhvidbhiH= with deep sound; praasaadasamgaatayutam= which consisted of many mansions; striiratnashetasamkulam= filled with hundreds of best women; suvyuuDhakakshyam= encircled by many spacious enclosures.

Hanuma entered the big house moistened by liquor made of honey, filled with vessels made of gems delightful one, un-congested one like the building of Kubera resounded by the sound of tinkles by the sound of waist ornaments, by the sound of percussion on Mrudangas with deep sound, which consisted of many mansions filled with hundreds of best women, encircled by many spacious enclosures.

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye sundara kaaNDe shhashhThaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 6th chapter in Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Book V : Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty

Chapter [Sarga] 7

introduction

Hanuma continues his search for mother Seetha in Ravana's inner city. He sees the aerial plane Pushpaka in Ravana's building.

sa veshma jaalam balavaan dadarsha |
vyaasakta vaiduurya suvarNa jaalam |
yathaa mahat praavRSi megha jaalam |
vidyut pinaddham savihamga jaalam || 5-7-1

1. saH= That Hanuma; balavaan= the strong one; dadarsha= saw; veshmajaalam= a group of houses; vyaasaktavaiDuuryasuvarNajaalam= with windows in golden hue embedded with cats eye gems; mahat meghajaalam yathaa= like a great group of clouds; praavR^ishhi= in rainy season; vidyutpinaddham= made with lighting; savihaN^gajaalam= together with a group of birds.

That Hanuma, the strong one, saw a group of houses with windows in golden hue, embedded with cat's-eye gems, like a great group of clouds in rainy season with lighting, together with a group of birds.

niveshanaanaam vividhaaH ca shaalaaH |
pradhaana shankha aayudha caapa shaalaaH |
mano haraaH ca api punar vishaalaa |
dadarsha veshma adriSu candra shaalaaH || 5-7-2

2. dadarsha= (Hanuma) saw; vividhaaH shaalaaH= various halls; niveshanaanaam= of the houses; pradhaanashaN^khaayudhachaapashaayudhaaH= important buildings storing conches, bows, and other weapons; punaH= and also; manoharaaH= heartening; vishaalaaH chandrashaalaaH= spacious attics; veshmaadR^ishhu= on the top of mountain like houses.

Hanuma saw various halls of the houses, important buildings storing conches, bows, and other weapons, and also heartening spacious attics at the top of mountain- like houses.

gR^ihaaNi naanaa vasu raajitaani |
deva asuraiH ca api supuujitaani |
sarvaiH ca doSaiH parivarjitaani |
kapir dadarsha sva bala arjitaani || 5-7-3

3. kapiH= Hanuma; dadarsha= saw; gR^ihaaNi= houses; naanaavasuraajitaani= glittered by various riches; supuujitaaNi= well worshipped; devaasuraishchaapi= by devas and asuraas; parivarjitaani= left; sarvaiHdoshhaiH= by all flaws; svabaalaarjitaani= obtained by the self-might of rakshasas;

Hanuma saw houses glittered by various riches, well worshipped by Devas and Asuras, devoid of all flaws and obtained by the self-might of rakshasas.

taani prayatna abhisamaahitaani |
mayena saakSaad iva nirmitaani |
mahii tale sarva guNa uttaraaNi |
dadarsha lankaa adhipater gRhaaNi || 5-7-4

4. dadarsha= (Hanuma) saw; taaNigR^ihaaNi= those houses; laN^kaadhipateH= of the ruler of Lanka; prayanaabhisamaahitaani= constructed by great effort; nirmitaaniiva= as though constructed; saakshaatmayena= by Mayaa himself; mahiitale= on Earth; sarvaguNottaraaNi= with all best qualities.

Hanuma saw those houses of the ruler of Lanka, constructed by great effort as though constructed by Mayaa himself on earth with all best qualities.

tato dadarsha ucchrita megha ruupam |
mano haram kaancana caaru ruupam |
rakSo adhipasya aatma bala anuruupam |
gR^iha uttamam hi apratiruupa ruupam || 5-7-5

5. tataH= thereafter; dadarsha= Hanuma saw; gR^ihottamam= the best house; rakshodhipasya= of the lord of Rakshas; uchchhitamegharuupamam= having the appearance of a cloud; manoharam= soul-captivating one; kaanchanachaarurupam= having a beautiful form made of gold; apratiruparuupam= with that has no comparison; aatmabalaanuruupam= suitable of Ravana's might.

Thereafter Hanuma saw the best house of the lord of rakshasas, having the appearance of a cloud, soul-captivating one having a beautiful form made of gold which has no comparison, suitable of Ravana's might

mahii tale svargam iva prakiirNam |
shriyaa jvalantam bahu ratna kiirNam |
naanaa taruuNaam kusuma avakiirNam |
girer iva agram rajasaa avakiirNam || 5-7-6

6. (Hanuma saw Ravana's house) svargamiva= like heaven; prakiirNam= thrown; mahiitale= upon earth; jvalantam= effulgent; shriyaa= with glory; bahuratnakiirNam= embedded with variety of diamonds; kusumaavakiiraNam= covered by flowers; naanaataruuNaam= of various trees; gireH agramiva= like the summit of mountain; avakiirNam= covered; rajasaa= by pollen.

Hanuma saw Ravana's house like heaven thrown upon earth, effulgent with glory, embedded with variety of diamonds covered by flowers of various trees, like the summit of a mountain covered by pollen.

naarii pravekair iva diipyamaanam |
taDidbhir ambhodavad arcyamaanam |
hamsa pravekair iva vaahyamaanam |
shriyaa yutam khe sukRtaam vimaanam || 5-7-7

7. diipyamaanamiva= being shone; naaripravekaaH= by the best among the women; ambhodavat= like a cloud; taTidbhiH= by lightening; archyamaanam= being worshipped; vaahyamaanamiva= like being carried; hamsapravekaiH= by the best swans; shriiyaayutam= full of splendor; vimaanam= (like an) aerial car; sukR^itaam= of good people; khe= in sky.

Being shone by the best among women like a cloud by lightening, being worshipped, like being carried by the best swans, like an aerial car full of splendor, of good people in sky.

yathaa naga agram bahu dhaatu citram |
yathaa nabhaH ca graha candra citram |
dadarsha yuktii kR^ita megha citram |
vimaana ratnam bahu ratna citram || 5-7-8

8. dadarsha= Hanuma saw; vimaanaratnam= the best house; yuktiikR^ita meghachitram= like a beautiful cloud endowed with many hues; nabhaH yathaa= like the sky; graHchandrachitram= illumined by planets including the moon; bahuratnachitram= decked with numerous precious stones; nagaagram yathaa= like a mountain peak; bahudhaatu chitram= looking picturesque with numerous minerals.

Hanuma saw the best house like a beautiful cloud endowed with many hues, like the sky illumined by planets including the moon, decked with numerous precious stones like a mountain peak, looking picturesque with numerous minerals.

mahii kR^itaa parvata raaji puurNaa |
shailaaH kR^itaa vR^ikSa vitaana puurNaaH |
vR^ikSaaH kRtaaH puSpa vitaana puurNaaH |
puSpam kRtam kesara patra puurNam || 5-7-9

9. mahii= the earth; kR^itaa= was made; parvataraajapuurNa= to be full of mountain ranges; shailaaH= the mountains; kR^itaaH= were made; vR^ikshavitaanapuurNaaH= to be abounding of tree; vR^ikshaaH= the trees; kR^itaaH= were made; pushhpavitaaHpuurNaaH= to be full of flowers; pushhpam= the flower; kR^itam= was made; kesarapatrapuurNam= to be full of filaments and petals.

The earth was made to be full of mountain ranges. The mountains were made to be abounded of trees. The trees were made to be full of flowers. The flower was made to be full of filaments and petals.

kR^itaani veshmaani ca paaNDuraaNi |
tathaa supuSpaa api puSkariNyaH |
punaH ca padmaani sakesaraaNi |
dhanyaani citraaNi tathaa vanaani || 5-7-10

10. paanDuraaNi veshmaani cha= white mansions were also; kR^itaani= built; tathaa= in the same way; pushhkaraaNicha= lakes also; supushhpaaNi= with beautiful flowers; punashcha= and also; padmaani= lotuses; sakesaraaNi= together with filaments; tathaa= and; vanaani= forest; dhanyaani chitraaNi= (that were) the best and wonderful.

White mansions were also built in the same way. Lakes also with beautiful flowers and also lotuses together with filaments and forest that were the best and wonderful.

puSpa aahvayam naama viraajamaanam |
ratna prabhaabhiH ca vivardhamaanam |
veshma uttamaanaam api ca ucca maanam |
mahaa kapiH tatra mahaa vimaanam || 5-7-11

11. tatra= there; mahaakapiH= the great Hanuma(saw); mahaavimaanam= a great aerial car; veshmottamaanaamapi uchchamaanam= the best among best of aerial cars; naamaviraajamaanam= shining with the name; pushhpaaHvayam= of Pushpaka; ratnaprabhaabhiH= with the rays of precious stones; vighuurNamaanam= capable of traveling long distances.

There the great Hanuma saw a great aerial car, the best among best of aerial cars, shining with the name of Pushpaka with the rays of precious stones, and capable of traveling long distances.

kR^itaaH ca vaiduuryamayaa vihamgaa |
ruupya pravaalaiH ca tathaa vihamgaaH |
citraaH ca naanaa vasubhir bhujamgaa |
jaatyaa anuruupaaH turagaaH shubha angaaH || 5-7-12

12. vihaN^gaaH= birds; vaiDuuryamayaaH= of cats eye gems; tathaa= as well as; vihaN^gaaH= birds; ruupyapravaaLaishcha= made of silver and coral; chitraaH bhujaN^gaaH= wonderful serpants; naanaavasubhiH= made of various jewels; turagaaH= horses; subhaaN^gaaH= of beautiful limbs; anuruupaaH= suitable; jaatyaa= by their noble breed; kR^itaa= were arranged.

Artificial birds made of cat's-eye gems, as well as birds made of silver and coral, wonderful serpants made of various jewels, horses of beautiful limbs suitable by their noble breed were arranged.

pravaala jaambuunada puSpa pakSaaH |
saliilam aavarjita jihma pakSaaH |
kaamasya saakSaad iva bhaanti pakSaaH |
kR^itaa vihamgaaH sumukhaaH supakSaaH || 5-7-13

13. vihaN^gaaH= birds; kR^itaaH= were made; pravaaLajaambuunadapushhpapakshaaH= with corals on their wings and with golden flowers; supakshaaH= with good wings; aavarjitajihmapakshaaH= with curved and bent wings; saliilam= in a playful way; bhaanti= shining; pakshaaHiva= like helpers; kaamasya= of the god of love; saakshaat= himself.

Birds were made with corals on their wings and ogether with golden flowers, with good wings, with curved and bent wings in a playful way, shining like helpers of the god of love himself

niyujyamaanaaH ca gajaaH suhastaaH |
sakesaraaH ca utpala patra hastaaH |
babhuuva devii ca kR^itaa suhastaa |
lakSmiiH tathaa padmini padma hastaa || 5-7-14

14. gajaaH= Elephants; padmini= in a lotus-pool; sakesaraashcha= with filaments of lotus petals on body; suhastaa= with shapely trunks; utpalapatrahastaaH= with lotus petals held in their trunks; niyujyamaanaaH tu= devoted to the worship; lakshmiiH= of Goddess Lakshmi; tathaa= and deviicha= (an image of) Goddess Lakshmi also; suhastaa= with graceful hands; padmahastaa= holding lotus in Her hand; kR^itaa babhuuva= was made to exist in Pushpaka;

Images of elephants in a lotus-pool with filaments of lotus on body, with lotus petals held in their trunks, were devoted to the worship of an image of Goddess Lakshmi. And also an image of Goddess Lakshmi with four graceful hands and holding lotus in Her hand was made to exist in Pushpaka.

iti iva tad gRham abhigamya shobhanam |
savismayo nagam iva caaru shobhanam |
punaH ca tat parama sugandhi sundaram |
hima atyaye nagam iva caaru kandaram || 5-7-15

15. itiiva= in this fashion; abhigamyaa= nearing; tatgR^iham= that house; shobhanam= which was shining; nagamiva= like a mountain; chaarushobhanam= with a beautiful glow; savismayaH= became surprised; punashcha= and saw (again); tat= that house; paramasugandhi= with a great sweet fragrance; sundaram nagamiva= like a beautiful mountain; himaatyaye= during spring; chaarukandaram= with beautiful case.

In this fashion, nearing that house which was shining like a mountain with a beautiful glow that house with great sweet fragrance like a beautiful mountain during spring, with beautiful cave became surprised and saw (again). 

tataH sa taam kapir abhipatya puujitaam |
caran puriim dasha mukha baahu paalitaam |
adR^ishya taam janaka sutaam supuujitaam |
suduhkhitaam pati guNa vega nirjitaam || 5-7-16

16. tataH= thereafter; saH kapiH= that Hanuma; abhipatyaa= nearing; taam puriim= that city of Lanka; pujitaam= worshipped (by Rakshasas) dashamukhabaahupaalitaam= ruled by arms of ten-headed Ravana; charan= moving(thereabout); sudukhitaa= became very gloomy; adR^ishyaa= (on) not seeing; taamjanakasutaam= that Seetha; supuujitaam= well worshipped (by all); patiguNaveganirjitaam= greatly conquered by the virtues of Her husband Sri Rama.

Thereafter that Hanuma nearing that city of Lanka worshipped by Rakshasas, ruled by arms of ten-headed Ravana, moving thereabout became very gloomy on not seeing that Seetha well worshipped by all and greatly conquered by the virtues of Her husband Sri Rama

tataH tadaa bahu vidha bhaavita aatmanaH |
kR^ita aatmano janaka sutaam suvartmanaH |
apashyato abhavad atiduhkhitam manaH |
sucakSuSaH pravicarato mahaatmanaH || 5-7-17

17. tataH= Thereafter; tadaa= then; manaH= the heart; mahaatmanaH= of the great souled Hanuma; bahuvidhabhaavitaatmanaH= who contemplated supreme Spirit in many ways; kR^itaatmanaH= with a disciplined mind; suvartmanaH= following ritues path; suchakshushhaH= with good eyes; pravicharataH= moving about(in the city of Lanka) ; abhavat= became; atidukhitam= greatly sorrowful; apasyataH= not seeing; janakasutaam= Seetha;

Thereafter then the heart of the great souled Hanuma who contemplated supreme spirit in many ways with a disciplined mind following righteous path, with good observant eyes, moving about in the city of Lanka became greatly sorrowful on not seeing Seetha.

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye sundara kaaNDe saptamaH sargaH

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