Sri Valmiki Ramayanam Sundara kanda (Book 5) Prose Sarga 19 to 36

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

( Translation and Commentary by Scholar, 

 Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

                                          

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 19
  

In this chapter Valmiki describes the plight of Seetha in Ashoka garden in detail.

Thereafter at that time Seetha a princess without any blame of excellent limbs shook like a plantain tree in wind on seeing Ravana the king of rakshasas endowed with beauty and youth adorned with excellent ornaments. The wide eyed Seetha with excellent color covering stomach with thighs and breasts with hands sat down crying.

Ravana saw Seetha protected by batches of ogres looking miserable being struck with grief like a ship in danger in the sea. Hanuma saw Seetha sitting down on uncovered land, with a firm resolve, like a branch of a tree fallen down on earth being torn from the tree. Seetha with a strange body with dirt as ornament, who although suited to decorate with ornaments was without ornaments. Although She was shining like a lotus stem covered with mud, She was not shining also. Seetha was as though going near to Rama a lion among kings with a famous personality with desires as chariot tied with thoughts as horses. Seetha a pleasant one, was emaciated, was crying, being alone having surrendered to Her thoughts and sorrow not seeing the end of grief, following the will of Rama. And also Seetha was like a great she-serpent writhing under the spell of an incantation. She was like Rohini being fumigated by a smoke colored planet called Ketu. Being born in a virtuous traditional family with good conduct and character and getting married, Seetha appeared as if She was born in a bad family.

Seetha was like fame fallen down due to false blame. She was like education ruined due to lack of learning by heart. She was like deteriorated great fame, like insulted faith, like an understanding grown feeble, like dulled hope. She was like an expectation destroyed, like an order flouted; like a blazing quarter during a period of destruction, like a worship stolen. She was like a lotus destroyed, like an army with killed warriors, like light destroyed by darkness, like vanished river. She was like an altar desecrated, like a tongue of fire gone out, like a full moon night with moon devoured by Rahu.

Seetha was like a lotus pond agitated with torned out leaves and lotuses, being roughly treated by the trunk of an elephant. Grieved for husband, Seetha was like a river which has dried up with water caused to flow out lacking best washing, was like a new moon night.

Seetha was a delicate one with well built limbs, accustomed to houses full of diamonds, being tormented by heat, like a lotus fiber uprooted short time back. She was like a she-elephant captured and tied to a pillar, made to be without the leader of herd, sighing, very much tormented by grief. With a long single plait, shining without effort, She was like the earth with dark groups of trees at the end of rainy season. Wasted, emaciated due to fasting, due to sorrow, due to thought and due to fear, She was with limited food and with austerity as wealth. Seetha was like a celestial being, tormented by grief and by thought with joined palms, desiring the defeat of Ravana at the hands of Sri Rama. 

Ravana was trying to allure and threatening death to Seetha who was looking at every direction, crying, without blame, with good eye lids and reddish and white eyes, with an excessive vow to follow Sri Rama. 

Thus completes 19th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose

Sarga 20

In this chapter Ravana entices Seetha with wealth, gems, sovereignty over all wives of Ravana.

Ravana conveyed in significant words to that Seetha who was surrounded by ogresses, wretched, without happiness and pitiable. "You are with thighs like the trunk of an elephant. Seeing me covering your breasts and belly, you desire obtaining disappearance of self due to fear. O wide eyed one! You are endowed with bodily excellencies, pleasing to all people. I desire you. O lovable one! respect me."

"O Seetha! Here there are no humans or ogres with ability to change form. Let your fear caused due to me be removed. O one with fear! Obtaining women belonging to others or abducting by force is the righteous deed for ogres by all means. There is no doubt in this. It is like this. desire very much may behave in whatever way it likes in my body. But I will not touch you without lust."

"O queen of my heart! In this matter fear is not to be made. O love! Believe in me. Truly become with love. Do not become absorbed in sorrow like this. Single plait, the bed of ground, mediation, dirty cloth, fasting at an inappropriate time - all these are not useful to you."

"O Seetha! After getting me gain wonderful garlands, sandals, Agallochums, a variety of cloths and best ornaments, the best drinks, beds and seats, song and dance and musical instrument. You are a gem among women. Do not be like this. Make decoration on your limbs. O one with a good body! Getting me how will you become unsuited for luxuries?"

"This your youth born beautifully is passing away, whichever youth is quickly passing away will not come back again like the flow of water. O one with auspicious appearance! The creator of form, that creator of the world, Lord Brahma has made you and stopped - I think thus. There is not another who is equal to your appearance."

"O Seetha! Obtaining you endowed with beauty and youth, which man even if he is Lord Brahma himself will disregard (leave) you. O one with face like that of moon! O one with broad hips! Your whichever limb I see, my eye is getting tied in that that limb. 

"O Seetha! Become my wife. Leave this ignorance. In all my many best women brought from here and there, become foremost consort. Let there be auspicious to you. O timid one! Whatever gems that have been brought by force, all those, my this kingdom and also myself belong to you. Conquering the entire earth together with chain of various cities for your sake, I can give to king Janaka."

"In this world I do not see another one who is equally matched to me. See my very great power. Suras and Asuras defeated with broken flags by me in war many times are powerless to stand in an army against me. Desire me! Now let your best decoration be made. On your body let ornaments also with great brilliance be fit. I will see well your form together with decoration."

"O one with best face! O timid one! With consideration enjoy luxuries according to your desire together with decoration. Drink. Rejoice. You donate land and wealth according to your wish. With confidence behave freely in my matter. Fearlessly order also. By my grace with your sporting, tour relatives will also sport. O auspicious one! You see my wealth and my fame. 

"O beautiful one! What can you do with Rama clad in tatters, with lost hope of victory, with gone fortune. Roaming in forests, observing austerities and also sleeping on floor, I doubt if Rama is alive or not. O Seetha, Rama indeed does not get opportunity even to see you like moonlight covered by dark clouds with cranes at the front."

"Like Keerthi got by Hiranyakasipu from Indra's hand, Rama is not suited to get you from my hands. O one with a beautiful smile! O one with beautiful teeth! O one with beautiful eyes! O charmful one! O timid one! You are stealing my heart like a serpent stolen by Garuda."

"You are Wearing a silk cloth in a bad condition. You are emaciated. Even though you have not decorated, seeing you I am not getting happiness in my wives. O Seetha! whoever women living in gynaeceum endowed with all virtues, have sovereignty on all of them. O one with black hair! My those women and apsarasas who are the best among the three worlds will serve you like the goddess of wealth."

"O one with beautiful hips! O one with beautiful eyebrows! Enjoy according to your comfort whatever gems and wealth belonging to Kubera, all those three worlds and me. O Seetha! Rama is not equal to me by austerity, not equal by might, not equal by strength, not equal by wealth, by brilliance and by fame."

"O playful one! I will give hordes of wealth and land. You drink. Roam freely and play. Enjoy luxuries. Sport according to comfort in me. Your relatives may sport together in you. O timid one! With body decorated with gold colored, pure garlands, roam with me in forests born at sea shore filled with groups of flowered trees and with humble bees."

Thus completes 20th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose

 Sarga 21

In this chapter Seetha replies to Ravana saying that He should seek friendship with Rama and return Her back to Rama.

Seetha listening to that horrible ogre's word, being tormented spoke in reply with a pitiable voice, pitifully and slowly. Being tormented by grief, in a pitiful state, with excellent limbs, devoted to husband, thinking about husband alone, with pleasant smiles Seetha was sobbing, shivering and placing a straw in between herself and Ravana spoke thus in reply. "Turn your mind back from me. Let your mind be made on your own wives. Like best emancipation for a sinner, it is not appropriate to pray me. I was born in a great family. Getting such family, having one husband, a bad deed which is blamable is not to be made by me."

Seetha with renown thus speaking to that Ravana, turned back and spoke words again:
"I who am wife of another and devoted to husband am not suitable wife to you. Observe righteousness well. Follow well course of conduct of virtuous. O Ogre! How your wives are to be protected, in the same way others' wives are to be protected. Making yourself as an example enjoy your own wives. One who is not satisfied in own wives, a fickle-minded one with disturbed senses, mean minded one, to such a man, others' wives will lead to humiliation. Here are there not good people? Or are you not following those who are good? It must be like that because your mind, devoid of traditions is perverse."

"You who is being led by mind towards unreal is not taking wholesome words being said by righteous onesfor the destruction of ogres. After getting a king who has uncontrolled mind, interested in a bad path, wealthy states and cities also will be destroyed. After getting you like that this Lanka filled with best things in a short while will be destroyed due to your one sin. O Ravana! When there is destruction of a short sighted one being hit by his own deeds, a sinner, living beings will be happy. About you who is a sinner thus being destroyed, people who have been humiliated by you being happy will speak thus: 'The cruel Ravana by God's grace has got this danger' ".

"I am not capable to be tempted by wealth or by money. I am not separate with Raghava like the sun-shine with the sun. After making as a pillow that worshipped shoulder of that lord of the world, of that Rama, how can I make as pillow some other one's shoulder? Like the education of a brahmin with a famous mind, initiated in religious vow, I am suitable wife to that Rama alone the lord of earth."

"O Ravana! Let me meet together with Rama like a female elephant with a male elephant in a forest. It is suited that this Rama, best among men, is made to be a friend by you who is desiring continued existence and not desiring a horrible slaying. Rama the righteous one is indeed known as one who loves those who seek protection. If you desire to live. let there be friendship between you and Rama."

"You seek graciousness of this Rama who loves those who seek protection. Becoming piously disposed, you are suited to return me to this Rama. In this way giving me to Rama will become fortunate to you. O Ravana! If you do in a different way, you will get slayed. Drawn out Vajrayudha, the weapon of Indra may spare some one like you. Lord of death may spare you for a long time. That Rama the lord of worlds greatly enraged will not spare you."

"Like the great sound of Vajrayudha hurled by Indra, you will hear a loud sound which is sonorous of Rama's bow. Arrows with good nodes, with blazing tips, like snakes, with characteristic signs of Rama and Lakshmana will fall down soon here in Lanka. Arrows tied with the plumes of an eagle will hit ogres everywhere in this city and will cover the city without space. That Garuda called Rama speedily will pluck the great serpents called ogres like Vainateya plucking the serpents."

"My husband who is a destroyer of foes will take me away from you like Lord Vishnu with three steps taking away the brilliant prosperity from Asuras. "O ogre! While the army of ogres was being killed at Janasthana which became the land of dead, this bad deed has been done by you being powerless. O lowest one! When those brothers were gone out, entering hermitage without them, I have been abducted by you."

"Like tiger by dog, smelling the scent of Rama and Lakshmana it is indeed not possible by you to stand in their view. To you like that, enmity with those two is like the enmity of one hand of Vruttasura with two hands of Indra and it is not persevering for you to be an opponent with them."

"My husband that Rama together with Lakshmana will take away with His arrows your life quickly like the sun drying up shallow water. Killed by time even if you go to the mountain of Kubera or to his house or if you go to the assembly of King Varuna, without doubt you will not be released from Rama like a great tree from thunderbolt."

Thus completes 21st Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 22

Ravana gives Seetha two months to marry him. He orders ogres to frighten Seetha and bring Her to his control. Ravana then goes back to his own house with his consorts.

Ravana listening to Seetha's words which were harsh thereafter replied to Seetha unpleasant words which are seen to be pleasant. "In whatever way gentle language is used to women in that way they will be under control. In whatever way men speak dear words, in that way they will be rejected. In your matter desire which has risen up is subduing my anger like horses running obtaining a bad path being subdued by a good charioteer. Desire of men is unfavourable. In which man desire is tied up, in that man there is compassion and fondness."

"O one with a beautiful face! For this reason although you are suitable to be killed and suitable to be humiliated, interested in Rama who is in sham exile, I am not killing you. O Seetha! Here whatever harsh words you are speaking about me, because of those words, you are suitable to be horribly slayed."

The king of ogres Ravana speaking thus to Seetha, full of anger and fury spoke subsequent word to Seetha: "O Seetha with best complexion! Whatever limit has been made by me to you, those two months are protectable to me. Thereafter ascend my bed. Above two months if you not desiring me as husband you will be killed in my kitchen for my breakfast."

Seeing Seetha being frightened by Ravana those Deva and Gandharva maidens grieved with troubled eyes. Some in the way of lips and in like manner some others with faces and eyes consoled that Seetha frightened by that ogre. Consoled by them Seetha proud of virtuous conduct spoke words beneficial to self to the king of ogres Ravana.

"Whoever prevents you from these actions which are blamable, such a person interested in your welfare there is none. This is definite. In all the three worlds except you who even by heart will desire me who am the wife of virtuous Rama like Sachi the wife of Indra. O vile ogre! Whatever sinful word you spoke to me who is the wife of the great resplendent Rama, from that word where will you go to be released? Like an elephant in rut and a hare at war in the forest, in the same way O vile one! Rama is like an elephant and you are said to be like a hare."

"Such you are not shameful abusing the lord of Ikshvaku dynasty Rama. You are not getting Rama's matter so much. O ignoble one! your these eyes which are cruel, crooked, which are black and reddish brown, which are seeing me, for what reason are they not falling down. Thus speaking about me who am the wife of virtuous Rama and the daughter-in-law of Dasaratha how your tongue did not fall off. O Ravana! Although you are suited to be burnt into ashes, not having the mandate of Rama and preserving austerity, I am not reducing you into ashes with my glory."

"Wise Rama's I am not capable of being abducted by you. This act has been made for your slaying. In this there is no doubt. By you who is strong, brother of Kubera possessed of army, removing Rama for what reason abduction of wife has been done."

King of rakshasas Ravana listening to Seetha's words turned around his cruel eyes and saw Seetha. Ravana was equal to a black cloud, with big shoulders and neck with the strength and gait of a lion, glorious with radiant tip of tongue and eyes. He was tall with moving front portion of crown, with excellent garlands and anointments, wearing red garlands and clothes, with ornaments made of refined gold.

Like Mount Mandara tied by Vasuki for producing nectar, Ravana was well tied by a black big thread. Equalling a mountain the king of ogres shone with those perfect shoulders like Mount Mandara with its peaks.

With the color of just risen sun, decorated by earrings, he was like a mountain with Ashoka trees with red flowers and shoots. Equalling a Kalpavriksha he was like the embodiment of spring season. Like a funeral mound in a grave-yard was horrible even though decorated.

With red eyes due to anger Ravana was looking at Seetha sighing like a serpant and spoke to Seetha. “O follower of Rama possessing bad conduct, without wealth! Now I will destroy you like sun destroying morning twilight with light.”

The king Ravana who causes enemies to cry thus speaking to Seetha, thereafter ordered all ogre women with horrible appearances. Ravana ordered one with a single eye, one with a single ear and one with ears as covering, one with cow's wars, one with ears of an elephant, one with dangling ears, one without ears and one with the feet of an elephant and one with the feet of a horse, one with feet of a cow, one with hair over feet, one with a single eye and one with a single foot, one with big feet, one without feet, one with a big head and neck, one with big breasts and stomach, and one with big mouth and eyes, one with a long tongue, one without tongue, one without nose, one with the face of a lion, one with the face of a cow, one with the face of a pig.

"O ogres! How the daughter of Janaka, Seetha becomes under my control quickly, thus all of you together do that task. With hostile and favourable tasks, with kind words, with gifts and dividing words and exertion of punishment, bring Seetha under my possession."

 Ravana thus ordered again and again with a mind full of lust and anger frightened Seetha. 

Thereafter an ogre named Dhanyamalini quickly neared Ravana, embraced him and spoke these words: "O king! Sport with me. O lord of ogres! Of what use to you is this Seetha who is colorless and a wretched human. O king! Lord Barhma did not assign to Her wonderful best luxuries earned by the might of your arms. This is definite. The body of one who desires a woman without desire suffers pain. Good happiness will occur to one who loves a woman who desires him."

Thus spoken to by that ogre that Ravana who was strong equalling a cloud, thereafter being taken away turned back laughing. That Ravana departing was as though shaking the earth and entered his house with the luster of blazing sun shine. Deva and Gandharva maidens and Naga maidens surrounding Ravana in all directions entered that best among houses. That Ravana frightening Seetha who was steadfastly intent on virtue and who was shaking, leaving Seetha, infatuated by love, entered his own house which was shining.

Thus completes 22nd Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 23

This chapter describes the ogre women speaking to Seetha about her marrying Ravana.

 

The king Ravana who makes enemies to cry thus speaking to Seetha thereafter also ordering all ogre women went away. After Ravana left and obtained gynaeceum, those ogres with horrible appearances went running to Seetha. 

Thereafter reaching Seetha ogre women swooned with anger and with a very harsh speech spoke these words to Seetha. "O Seetha! You are not respecting becoming wife of Ravana born in the family of Paulastya, best among men, a great soul with ten heads."

Thereafter an ogre woman named Ekajata with red eyes due to anger calling Seetha with stomach that can be held by palm of the hand, spoke these words: "Among the six Prajapatis, whichever son, the fourth Prajapati, born by the thought of Lord Brahma, he is famous as Paulastya."

By the name, famous as Visrava, with a radiance equalling that of Lord Brahma that glorious sage is the son born from the thought of Pulastya. "O wide eyed one! Ravana who makes enemies to cry, is Visrava's son. You are suited to become Ravana's wife. O one with all beautiful limbs! Why will you not agree words spoken by me." Thereafter an ogre woman named Harijata with eyes like those of a cat turned around eyes due to anger and spoke these words.

"By whom thirtythree Devas and the king of Devas have been conquered, you are suited to become the wife of that lord of ogres." Thereafter an ogre named Praghasa swooning with anger and then frightening Seetha, spoke this horrible word. Why will you not get wifehood of Ravana who is proud of his might, valiant, who will not turn back in wars, who is strong together with valour. The mighty Ravana can leave dear respectable wife who among all wives is most fortunate and can obtain you."

"Ravana leaving gynaeceum filled with thousand women and shone by various best things can obtain you. Another ogre woman named Vikata spoke these words: "By whom a number of times in war Devas, in war Nagas, Gandharvas and Danavas have been conquered that Ravana has come to your side."

"O vile one! Why are you not desiring wifehood of such Ravana, fulfilled in all respects, who is a great soul and lord of ogres. Thereafter an ogre woman named Durmukhi spoke these words: "O one with long eyes! Fearing whom the sun will not consume by heat, fearing whom the wind will not blow, to that one why are you not favourable."

"O one with good eyebrows! O Seetha! By the fear of whom trees shed a shower of flowers, whenever Ravana desired mountains and clouds will shed water, why you are not making mind to be the wife of such Ravana, who is the king of ogres and king of kings."

"O Seetha with a good smile! O princess! Understand kind words spoken to you well and truly. 

Thus completes 23rd Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose 

Sarga 24

 

Seetha cites the examples of Sachi, Arundhati, Rohini et.al., on their devotion towards their husbands. Ogre women threaten to kill Seetha and eat her.

Thereafter ogre women with a cruel nature, with crooked faces neared that Seetha and spoke unpleasant words harshly.

"O Seetha! Why are you not agreeing to stay in the gynaeceum pleasing to all beings together with very best beds. You who are a human are thinking highly about the wifehood of a human being. Withdraw your mind from Rama. Otherwise you will not exist at all. Sport according to your comfort coming together with the king of ogres Ravana enjoying luxuries of the three worlds and taking him as husband. O beautiful one! O irrreproachable one! But being a human you are desiring that Rama who is a human, banished from kingdom, unsuccessful and gloomy."

Seetha with eyes like lotuses hearing the words of ogre women spoke these words with eyes filled with tears: "All of you coming together whatever words which are hated in the world you spoke in my matter, this does it not seem sinful in your mind? Human woman is not waited to become wife of an ogre. All of you freely eat me. I will not honour your words. Although wretched or without kingdom, whoever is my husband, He alone is my master. Like Suvarchala with the Sun God, I am fond of Him always."

"Like the highly fortunate Sachi who waits upon Indra, like Arundhati on Vasishta, like Rohini on the Moon God, like Lopamudra on Agastya, like Sukanya on Chyavana, like Savitri on Satyavanta, like Srimati on Kapila, like Madayanti on Saudasa, like Kesini on Sagara, like Damayanti the daughter of Bhima, devoted to husband Nala, in the same way I am devoted to my husband Rama, the best in Ikshvaku dynasty."

Ogre women incited by Ravana listening to the words of Seetha, swooned with anger and frightened Her with harsh words. That monkey Hanuma not talking and hiding in the Simsupa tree listened to those ogre women frightening Seetha. Nearing that Seetha shaking with fear in all directions, those ogres being angry licked a lot shining and hanging lips.

Being angry a lot and grasping axes quickly spoke as follows: "This woman is not suited to have the king of ogres Ravana as husband."

Being frightened by ogre women who were horrible that Seetha with best face with tears in eyes and moving from there reached that Simsupa tree. Thereafter the wide eyed Seetha nearing that Simsupa tree being surrounded by ogre women was situated there with gloom.

Those ogres frightened from all directions that Seetha who was emaciated with a pitiful face and wearing dirty garments. Thereafter an ogre woman named Vinata with a horrible appearance with an angry form, crooked, having a prominent belly spoke to Her.

"O Seetha! You have showed love of husband. This much is enough. O auspicious one! At all times doing something excessively serves as vice. O Seetha! I am happy. Human duty has been done by you. Let there be fortune to you. Do also according to my wholesome words being told. Obtain as husband Ravana who is the lord of al l ogres, bold and handsome, like Indra the lord of Devas, able one and liberal with a pleasing appearance to all."

"Leaving Rama who is a human and miserable, seek refuge in Ravana. O Seetha! With best unguents to the body and decorated with best ornaments, become mistress of all the worlds from today. O auspicious one! Like Svaha the wife of the Fire God, like Sachi the wife of Indra become mistress of all worlds. O Seetha! What is the use with Rama who is miserable and with gone vigour."

If you do not do my this spoken word, all of us in this moment will eat you. Another ogre named Vikata with hanging breasts raising fist and roaring with anger spoke to Seetha.

"O Seetha with an evil mind! Your many words which are unpleasant have been tolerated due to pity and due to softness. You are not doing according to our word which is respected by time and wholesome. You have been brought to this bank of the ocean not obtainable by others. You have entered the terrible gynaeceum of Ravana."

"Withheld in the house of Ravana well protected by us, even Devendra himself is not capable to protect you. O Seetha! Do according to my word, which is beneficial. Discharge of tears is  enough. Leave worthless gloom. Have love and happiness. Leave this daily gloom. Sport according to comfort with the king of ogres."

"O timid one! You know how youth of women is not lasting. As long as your youth will not pass away, so long get comfort. You along with king of ogres roam beautiful groves, mountains and nearby forests. seven thousand women will be in your control. Have as husband Ravana the lord of all ogres."

"O Seetha! If you do not do according to my spoken word as is, I will eat your heart indeed by plucking it out."

 Thereafter an ogre woman named Chandodari swooning with anger, turning around a big spike spoke this word: "Seeing this woman with eyes like that of a deer, with moving breasts due to fear, abducted by Ravana, there occurred to me a great desire. It is my mind to eat the liver, the spleen, flesh above heart and heart together with muscle and entrails and the head." 

An ogre woman named Pragasa spoke these words : "Squeeze the neck of this cruel woman. Why do we delay? Thereafter let it be known to the king that that human woman has died. He will say thus : "Eat.". There is no doubt in this matter."

Thereafter an ogre woman named Ajamukhi spoke these words : "All of you killing this woman thereafter do equal pieces. 

"Thereafter all of us will divide. Quarrel is not desirable to me. Liquor, many kinds and a lot of lickables be brought quickly."

Thereafter an ogre woman named Surpanakha spoke these words: "That which was spoken by Ajamukhi, is desirable to me. Liquor which is the destroyer of all sorrow be brought quickly. Eating human flesh afterwards, we will dance for propitiating Nikumbila."

Thus being frightened by horrible ogres, that Seetha equalling a daughter of gods, abandoning fortitude, was crying.

Thus completes 24th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose

Sarga 25

Seetha calls out Rama and others and bursts into a wail not being able to endure the threats of ogre women.

As those ogre woman with a cruel nature were speaking a lot harshly and horribly, Seetha cried. Thus being spoken to by ogre women, Seetha with a good mind being frightened a lot spoke as follows with a voice indistinct due to tears.

"A human woman is not suited to become a wife of an ogre. All of you eat me according to your desire. I will not do according to your words."

Being in the middle of ogre women, being frightened by Ravana also, like a daughter of gods, that Seetha did not get comfort being tormented by grief. Like a fawn in a forest lost from its herd and tormented by wolves, Seetha was as though sinking into own body and shook a lot. That Seetha with a broken heart due to grief, held a wide flowering branch of Ashoka tree and thought about Her husband.

Then that Seetha washing Her wide breasts with a flow of tears from eyes and thinking, did not get end of sorrow. That Seetha was shaking like a plantain tree fallen down in an exceedingly windy place, trembling with fear of the ogre women, and became with a pale face.

That moving plait, which was wide and long, of that best woman was seen to be like a serpent in motion. That Seetha tormented by grief, with a mind hit by sorrow, struck by calamity was sighing and let down tears and also cried.

Seetha being tormented by grief said : "Oh! Rama!" and again "Oh! Lakshmana!","Oh! Kausalya!, my mother-in-law" "Oh! Sumitra! I thus being tormented by cruel ogre women here lacking Rama, being tormented by grief, when I am living even for a moment,' death at wrong time to woman or to a man is hard' - thus being said this popular saying in the world is true. This me with small merit, wretched, like an orphan, will perish like a ship in the middle of the ocean being hit by the speed of wind. Not seeing my husband that Rama and obtaining control of ogre women like a bank hit by water I am verily perishing with sorrow."

"Only fortunate see that my husband with eyes like petals of an expanded lotus, walking with the gait of a lion, correct in conduct and a pleasant talker. To me lacking that Rama with a famous soul, like after eating a pungent poison life in all ways is hard. By what this horrible and very dreadful grief is obtained by me, what kind of great sin had been done by me in another life. Together with great grief, I desire to give away my life. This desire is not obtainable by me. I am well protected by ogre women. Fie upon human condition! Fie upon being in the control of others. By what reason it is not possible according to own desire to give up life."

Thus completes 25th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

 

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose

Sarga 26

In this chapter Seetha ponders a lot and decides to give up life without Rama.

With a face continually shedding tears, Seetha an young woman, thus speaking with a downward face, started to weep. Seetha was crying like a mad one, like an intoxicated one, with a deluded mind. Like a female horse rolling on ground, Seetha rolled on the ground. 

"While Rama was heedless (taken away by Mareecha), I who have been crying was forcibly brought overpowered by the ogre Ravana who can wear desired form. Being under the control of ogresses, being frightened very horribly, thinking and being tormented by grief, I do not desire to live. Without Rama, a great car-warrior, living in the midst of ogresses, there is no use with life to me; not with wealth, not with ornaments. Or my this heart truly is made of iron. It is undecaying and without death. By what reason is it not destroying with sorrow?"

"Whoever I with a sinful life made to be without Rama, protecting life even for a moment, to such me who am ignoble, who am bad wife, shame on me. Without husband Rama who is the lord of the earth with ocean at the end, a pleasant talker, what is the interest to me in life or in comfort. I will leave the body. Let it be split into pieces or let it be eaten. I without husband will not tolerate sorrow for a long time."

"I will not touch even with my left foot Ravana an ogre of reprehensible conduct. What to say of desiring him. Whoever Ravana with a cruel nature is desiring to solicit me, that Ravana does not know him to be refused; he does not know his race. Even if cut or if divided into parts in blazing fire, I will not reach Ravana. What is the use with your prattling for a long time?"

"Rama is famous, is a wise man, is compassionate with a good conduct. Due to the deterioration of my fortune, I doubt He became hard hearted. By whom alone fourteen thousand of ogres have been destroyed, why is that Rama not saving me. I am withheld by the ogre Ravana with little strength. My husband is indeed capable of killing Ravana in a war. By which Rama Viradha, best among ogres, has been killed in Dandaka forest in a war, why is that He not saving me?"

"This city of Lanka being in the middle of ocean is difficult to be attacked. But there will not be an obstacle to flying of Rama's arrows. What now is that reason by which Rama with a firm courage is not protecting His dear wife stolen by an ogre. I doubt that Rama elder to Laksmana does not know me to be here. After knowing will that glorious Rama tolerate this outrage?"

"Whoever Jatayu nearing Rama will have let known to Rama that Seetha was stolen, that king of vultures has been killed by Ravana in war. A great deed has been done by that Jatayu, thus protecting me, although of old age standing in a dual combat with Ravana. If that Rama knows me to be living here, with anger He will make the world to be without ogres with His arrows now. Rama will blow away the city of Lanka, will dry up the great ocean, will destroy the name and fame of Ravana."

"Thereafter how I am crying in this way, in the same way, in very house, ogresses with killed husbands will cry again and again. There is no doubt in this. Rama together will Lakshmana will search the city of Lanka belonging to ogres. An enemy seen by those two will indeed not live even for a moment. This Lanka shortly will become like a graveyard, with paths agitated with smoke of funeral pyres, crowded with a group of vultures."

"In a short time only I will attain my desire. This evil course is telling of destruction of you all. Here in Lanka whatever inauspicious things are being seen, from those, in a short while Lanka will become deprived of glory. While the sinful, vile ogre Ravana is being killed, Lanka which is unconquerable till now, definitely will get drying up like a woman who lost husband. Now abounding in pious festivities, the city of Lanka with lost lord together with ogresses will become like a woman with lost husband. In a short while here in every house I can definitely hear the sound of ogresses crying being tormented by grief. The city of Lanka will become burnt by Rama's arrows together with darkness, with destroyed luster with killed best ogres."

"Will that Rama who is a strong man with red eye corners know me to be in the house of Ravana. Whatever time has been ordered by this cruel and vilest of men Ravana, this time has come to me. That death decreed to me does not hold good to this evil one (Ravana). Whoever sinful ogres who do not know what should not be done, due to their unrighteousness now there will be a great calamity. These meat eating ogres do not know virtue. An ogre will definitely eat me for breakfast. What should such I do without Rama with pleasing appearance? I am grieving a lot not seeing Rama with red eye corners."

"Now if there exists any one who is a giver of poison here, I without husband quickly will see the god Yama. That Rama elder to Lakshmana may not know me to be alive. If those two know me to be alive, then it cannot be said that they will not do my search on earth. That valiant Rama who is the elder brother of Lakshmana due to grief of me, leaving the body on earth has gone to celestial world. This is certain."

"Whoever is seeing my husband Rama with eyes resembling a lotus flower such Devas, Siddhas together with Gandharvas and great sages are fortunate. Or to that Rama with a desire in virtuousness, who is intelligent, a sage-king, the supreme spirit, there is no use with me, his wife."

"Friendly disposition will occur in what is being seen. There is no friendship to one who does not see. Ungrateful ones destroy friendship. But Rama will not destroy friendship. I who is a woman who is perishing without the chief Rama to such me are there no good qualities or has my fortune diminished."

"To me who is deprived of Rama with untroubled reputation, a warrior, annihilator of enemies, a great soul, more than living, death is good. Or those two brothers who are best among men giving up weapons in the forest may have become dwellers of forest eating roots and fruits. Or Rama and Lakshmana the warrior brothers may have been killed by the evil soul king of ogres Ravana by deceit. Under such circumstances and time, such I in all ways am desiring to die. Even in this grief, death is not bestowed on me."

"Great souled ones with abandoned sins, with a conquered mind, those with great fortune, sages are indeed fortunate to whom there is no pleasure and displeasure. From pleasure sorrow and from displeasure great fear do not occur to great souls. Whoever are separated from pleasure and displeasure, my obeisance to such great souls. Left by dear Rama with a well known mind coming under the control of sinful Ravana, such I will leave breath of life."

Thus completes 26th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose

Sarga 27

 

In this chapter an ogress named Trijata describes her dream. She dreams of Sri Rama triumphs and the ogre Ravana is conquered.

Thus spoken to by Seetha, ogresses swooned with anger terribly. Some went to tell that to Ravana the evil minded one. Therafter ogresses with a terrible appearance neared Seetha and ten again spoke words of evil purpose, with a single meaning and which were harsh. "O ignoble one! O one with a sinful resolve! O Seetha! Today at this moment ogresses will eat this your flesh according to comfort."

Then, seeing Seetha frightened by those evil ones, an ogress named Trijata, sleeping till then, spoke these words:

"O evil ones! Eat your selves. You will not eat Seetha who is the dear daughter of king Janaka and daughter-in-law of king Dasaratha. Now a dream which is terrible, causing the hairs to stand erect for the destruction of ogres and for the welfare of Her husband, has been seen by me."

Thus spoken to by Trijata all ogresses were frightened and spoke to that Trijata these words:

"Of what kind is this dream seen by you. Tell us". Listening to this utterance that came forth from the mouths of those ogresses, Trijata spoke at that time this word relating to the dream. Rama wearing white garlands and clothes passing through the sky, Himself ascending a palanquin made of ivory tied with a thousand swans, arrived along with Lakshmana. Now it has been seen by me in the dream that Seetha also wearing white clothes was sitting on a white mountain surrounded by the ocean."

"Seetha came together with Rama like the light with the Sun. Rama also was seen by me to be mounted on a great elephant with four tusks and equalling a mountain and Rama wandered together with Lakshmana. Thereafter shining with their own radiance, wearing white garlands and clothes, those two best among men Rama and Laksmana neared Seetha."

"Thereafter Seetha rested on the upper part of back of elephant in the sky; taken by Her husband Rama to the front of that mountain. Thereafter it has been seen by me that Seetha with eyes like lotuses has risen up from the lap of Her husband and gently touched the Moon and the Sun with Her hand."

"Thereafter that best elephant ascended by those princes Rama and Lakshmana and by Seetha with wide eyes stood on the top of Lanka. Rama together with wife Seetha, Himself came here in a chariot tied with eight white bulls. The valorous best among men Rama together with brother Lakshmana and with Seetha ascended wonderful Pushpaka aeroplane equalling the Sun, went in the northern direction. Rama with strength equalling that of Lord Vishnu, born in Raghu's dynasty together with brother Lakshmana and with Seetha has been seen by me thus in the dream. 

"Rama with great glory is not possible to be defeated by Suras or by ogres or by others like heaven not being conquerable by sinners. Ravana also was seen by me on earth sprinkled with oil, with red clothes, with garlands tied with Oleander flowers, drinking oil and intoxicated. Now Ravana fallen down on to earth from Pushpaka aeroplane having the head shaved, wearing black clothes again was seen to be pulled by a woman."

"Wearing red garlands and unguents, drinking oil, laughing, dancing, with a confused mind, with agitated senses, Ravana went by a chariot tied by donkeys. Undertaking southern direction, Ravana went quickly by a donkey. Again it was seen by me that the king of ogres Ravana stupefied with fear, fell down from the donkey with head down."

"That Ravana rising up quickly, together with perplexity, distressed with fear, excited by passion, being naked, like a mad man, prattling many bad words, entering dirt with a bad smell, which was intolerable, horrible, dark, like the hell and quickly sank in that."

"A woman with red clothes, who was black, with body smeared with dirt, tying Ravana by the throat, was pulling him in southern direction. In that dream the ogre Kumbhakarna has been seen thus by me. All Ravana's sons have been seen to be sprinkled with oil. Ravana by a pig, Indrajit by a porpoise, Kumbhakarna by a camel set out in southern direction."

"Among those Vibhishana is the only one who has been seen by me to be having a white umbrella, wearing white garlands and clothes and anointing body with white unguents. Vibhishana is there adorned with the sound of conch shells and kettledrums, with dances and songs, ascended a best elephant equalling a mountain with the sound of a thundering cloud, with four tusks. He approached the sky together with four ministers"

"An assembly also of ogres drinking oil and wearing red garlands, with red clothes, with the sound of songs and musical instruments has been seen by me. This beautiful city of Lanka has also been seen together with horses and elephants with broken gates and arches fallen down in the ocean."

"Lanka protected by Ravana has been seen by me in the dream to be burnt by a quick Vanara who is a messenger of Rama. In Lanka horrible with ash, all ogresses were drinking oil, laughing heartily with a great noise and also dancing a lot. All these best among ogres such as Kumbhakarna and others taking a red cloth entered a hole filled with cow dung. Go away! Be destroyed! Rama will get Seetha. With a great anger He will get you killed together with other ogres."

"Rama will not approve frightening to threatening His dear wife who is highly valued by Him, who followed Him to live in the forest. For that reason, enough of cruel words. Gentle words indeed be said. Let us request Seetha. This is agreeable to me. Which woman while being sorrowful, such type of dream has been seen, that woman being released from various sorrows, will get unsurpassed pleasure."

"O ogresses! Entreat Seetha who has been frightened. What is the use with a desire to speak. From Rama a horrible fear has come to ogres. This Seetha daughter of Janaka, pleased with prostration is competent to protect us from great danger. And also I do not see in Her who is wide eyed, in Her limbs even a minute misshapen characteristic, even insignificant one."

"I see an imperfection in complexion alone. I doubt that this princess who came near an aeroplane in my dream, who is not suited to sorrows received sorrow. I am seeing Seetha coming near accomplishment of motive. I also see the destruction of Ravana also and victory of Rama coming near. Being a cause to listen to a great pleasure of Her, this throbbing eye long like a lotus petal is being seen my me."

"One left arm of this straight forward Seetha suddenly has become erect and is slightly trembling. Seetha's best left thigh equal to an elephant's trunk is trembling indicating Rama's standing in front of Her. A bird also entering its dwelling place on a branch again and again speaking best consolating words, is telling heartily welcoming words being delighted again and again, as though impelling Seetha."

Thus completes 27th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose 

Sarga 28

 

Seetha recollects the time limit of two months given by Ravana and her vulnerability of being killed by him. After lamenting for a while, she tries to strangle herself to death with the braid of her hair. At that moment, a propitious omen never seen before appears on her person.

That Seetha, hearing those unpleasant words of Ravana, tormented by grief, was frightened like a tiny female-elephant overpowered by a lion in the middle of a forest. That fearful Seetha, who was situated in the middle of female-demons and also threatened by Ravana with his words galore, lamented (as follows) like a young virgin who was left lonely in the midst of a forest.

“Truly the saints affirm that untimely death does not come in the world, as I being impure am surviving even for an instant, though being threatened in this way. Though devoid of happiness and frequently full of sorrow, my heart must be hard indeed, in that it does not break into a thousand pieces today like a mountain-top struck by lightning. There is no fault of mine in this matter. I have become killable at the hands of this demon of disagreeable perception. I am not able to give him my affection any more than a member of the twice-born classes would offer a mystical verse to one not belonging to the twice-born classes."

“If Rama the Ruler of the world does not come here, the evil Ravana, the king of Demons will cut off my limbs with his sharpened weapons, even as a surgeon would cut the limbs of a lifeless feotus. To me lamenting, two months will go up to a long time, as at the end of a night a thief imprisoned and to be capitally punished under the detention orders of a king. Alas! This is painful."

“O Rama, O Lakshmana, O Sumitra, O Kausalya! O mother! I, of a scanty fortune, am going to be destroyed, like a ship driven out of its course by a strong wind in a mighty ocean. In the disguise of a deer, those two energetic sons of Dasaratha were surely killed for my sake, as two excellent lions killed by a flashing thunderbolt.”

“Certainly that Time-spirit, assuming the guise of a deer, allured me, a woman of poor fortune at that time and to whom I, a stupid woman, sent forth (far away) Lakshmana and the noble prince Rama the elder brother of Lakshmana. O Rama, the strictly truthful man and the long-armed, O the man whose face resembles the full-moon! You, who are well-disposed of the world of living beings, do not indeed know me to have been sentenced to death by the demons.”

“My not having a deity (other than my husband), this patience, my reposing on the floor, my restriction in righteousness, my devotion to the husband – all this has become a waste, like a good act done by men to ungrateful men becoming waste. For me who is not seeing you, who is bereft of you, who is not hopeful of coming into contact with you, who is emaciated and pale in complexion this righteous act performed by me has indeed become a waste. Likewise, this state of my being only one wife to you has become useless..”

“Having fulfilled your father’s command as per the order of his words and observed your vow, you return from the forest fearlessly and having accomplished your purpose, I think you will enjoy carnally with large-eyed women. O Rama! Having performed austerity and vow in vain, I for myself who has fallen in love with you and in whose was confined an affection for you for a long time, for my own destruction, I can lose my life. Woe to me of my little fortune! I as such will abandon quickly my life by poison or by a sharp weapon. To me, none is there, who is a giver either of a poison or of a sharp weapon in the house of Ravana. 

Thus lamenting in several ways, Seetha was recollecting Rama in all spirits and trembling with and emaciated face, approached that excellent tree in bloom. Seetha, who was tormented with grief, thus thinking in various ways and thereafter holding her braid of hair looking like a hanging rope (now thought within herself) “I shall go to the presence of Yama the God of Death by tying my neck quickly with my braid of hair looking like a hanging rope"

Thereafter Seetha with all her soft limbs stood seizing a branch of that tree. To her having handsome limbs, who was thinking of Rama, Lakshmana and her own race, then appeared many omens, which were not having adequate occasion for grief, which procured courage in the world, which were excellent and which were seen earlier also as thoroughly efficacious.

Thus completes 28th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose

 Sarga 29

Seetha experiences some good omens as follows; Her left eye, left shoulder and left thigh quivered, as also her clothing slipped a bit. Feeling these omens, her consciousness was awakened with exaltation.

To her who was in such circumstances, who was in distress, who was irreproachable, devoid of joy and dejected but virtuous, was bestowed with auspicious omens, as a prosperous man is bestowed with dependent servants. The beautifully haired Seetha's left eye, which was auspicious, whose surrounding row of eye-lashes were curved, which was black, wide and bright-looking; was predominantly quivering, like a red lotus quivered by the blow of a fish.

Her left shoulder, which was pretty, distinguished beefy and round, which deserved to be applied with excellent black aloe and sandalwood paste, which had been used for long as a pillow by her most excellently beloved Rama, quickly quivered. Of her two thighs kept together, the left thighs which was beefy and well born, which resembled the trunk of a princely elephant was predominantly quivering, spoke indistinctly of existence of Rama in front.

Again, the clothing of Seetha standing there, of spotless eyes and charming limbs, having teeth resembling the buds of jasmine, which was of golden shade and was slightly soiled as it were with dust, glided down, which appeared auspicious (for her). Bolstered by these and some other omens which straight explained that they were fruitful on the earlier occasion also, Seetha of beautiful eyebrows disclosed a great joy, even as a seed vanished and withered by the wind and the sun, got sprouted by rain.

Moreover, having the lips resembling Bimba fruit, having beautiful eyes and eyebrows, whose eye lids are curved, having charming white teeth, her face shone like the moon liberated from the mouth of the demon Rahu. Free from sorrow, her weariness removed, her mental affliction alleviated and her consciousness awakened with exaltation, that esteemed lady (Seetha) looked handsome with her countenance, as a night with the moon appears during the bright fortnight.

Thus completes 29th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 30

Hanuma falls in a dilemma whether to console Seetha or to remain silent. Finally Hanuma decides to console Seetha, by eulogising Rama's attributes in a sweet voice, so that Seetha can give credence to his words.

The valiant Hanuma also heard truly all those words of Seetha, Trijata and the threatening words of the female demons. Thereafter, seeing that Seetha as a divine lady in the garden of Nandana, Hanuma echoed his thought in various ways. "Which Seetha is being searched in all directions by many thousands and myriads of monkeys, the same Seetha has been found by me. By me, employed thoughtfully (by my Master) as a secret agent and gone about secretly with a view to ascertain the enemy's strength, this has been perceived. The characteristics of demons, this town and the power of the king of demons, Ravana, have been perceived by me."

"It is proper for me to console the wife of Rama, desirous of seeing her husband who is compassionate towards all beings and who is of immeasurable might. I shall console this woman, whose face resembles a full moon, who is having an unforeseen affliction, who is tormented by grief and who is not attaining the end to her affliction. If I return without consoling this Seetha, the wife of Rama, even though her mind is tormented by grief, my departure becomes blemished."

"Not finding a rescue when I return to Kishkindha, the illustrious princess Seetha may give up her life. That long-armed Rama having the countenance of a full moon, eagerly longing to see Seetha, is fit to be consoled by me. It is not proper to speak with her within the sight of these female-demons. How indeed is this to be done? I am indeed perplexed."

"If she is not consoled by me during the rest of this night, she will forsake her life by all means. There is no doubt about it. If Rama enquires of me as to what words did Seetha speak about him, what can I say to Rama without speaking now to this Seetha, the slender-waisted lady? To me returning in haste from here without carrying Seetha's message Rama may get irritated and burn me up with his pungent eyes."

"Even if I instigate my master Sugreeva to do his best in the cause of Rama, his arrival here with an army will be futile. Staying here itself and getting hold of an opportunity even in the midst of the female-demons (when they are in attentive), I shall slowly console Seetha who is very much in distress. However, I am very small in stature, particularly as a monkey and can speak now Sanskrit, the human language too."

"If I use Sanskrit language like a brahmin, Seetha will get frightened, thinking me as Ravana. Especially, how can a monkey speak it? Certainly, meaningful words of a human being are to be spoken by me. Otherwise, the virtuous Seetha cannot be consoled. Looking at my figure and the language, Seetha who was already frightened previously by the demons, will get frightened again. Thereafter, this large-eyed Seetha who is full of mind, thinking me as Ravana who can assume any form at will, may shout loudly, engendered by fear."

"As soon as Seetha shouts loudly, a troop of female-demons, wielding various kinds of weapons and appearing dreadful as Yama the Lord of Death, may assemble here. Then those ugly faced female-demons may encircle me from all sides and try to catch and kill me with all their might. Then, seeing me running hither and thither, seizing big branches, twigs and trunks of excellent trees, they may get alarmed with fear."

"The ugly faced female-demons will be frightened with fear, after seeing my huge figure wandering in the grove. Then those female-demons may call the other demons too retained by Ravana in his house. Those female-demons with an element of turbulence and rapidity may rush into a battle with various kinds of weapons like spears lances and swords."

"Surrounded on all sides by them, I may not be able to reach the other shore of the great ocean, while destroying the army of demons. Or having jumped up (over me) many demons operating speedily may capture me. Then, Seetha may not be able to know the occurrence of my arrival. Even I may get captured too. Or the violent minded demons may kill this Seetha. Consequently this work of Rama and Sugreeva will be ruined."

"Seetha is residing in this secret place, with a concealed access, surrounded by demons and encircled by an ocean. If I am killed in the battle or got captured by the demons, I do not see any other companion for Rama who can fulfill this work (of searching for Seetha). Even after due reflection, I do not see any monkey who can transgress the ocean with a breadth of one hundred Yojanas, in case I am killed."

"I am competent to kill even thousands of demons. I am quite sure. But, after doing such a large battle, I may not be capable of reaching the other shore of the ocean. Conflicts are unreal too and to me, there is no desire for uncertainty. which intellectual will do an assured act with an apprehension?"

"If I do not talk, there will be Seetha's death. If I talk to Seetha, this great lapse will occur. Actions which are going to be accomplished shortly, get spoiled at the hands of a accomplished shortly, get spoiled at the hands of a confused messenger, when the actions are set in opposition to time and space, even as darkness disappears at sun rise. Even if a decision is taken, regarding what is worthy and what is worthless, it does not yield good results. Messengers boasting themselves to be learned, thus indeed ruin those actions."

"How does not my work get spoiled? How should I avoid my feebleness? Also how does not my leaping across the sea become vain? How can Seetha hear my words without fear?" Thinking in this way, the wise Hanuma made up his mind (as follows):

"If I eulogize Rama, who is unwearied in action and a good relation, I shall not frighten her, whose mind is directed towards that relation. Offering auspicious and righteous words about Rama the most excellent prince Ikshvaku dynasty who possesses a learned soul and myself speaking in a sweet voice, I shall make everything intelligible so that Seetha rightly believes everything."

The noble-minded Hanuman, abiding in the midst of the twigs of the trees and seeing Seetha, spoke the following words of many kinds which were not futile.

Thus completes 30th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 31

Sitting on the branch of a Simshapa tree, Hanuma began to narrate in human language the story of Rama from the time he was born till his sending Hanuma to Lanka in search of Seetha. Hearing the narration of Hanuman, Seetha was overjoyed and finds Hanuma perched on Simshapa tree.

Thus reflecting on many kinds of thought, Hanuma spoke the following sweet words within the hearing range of Seetha.

“There was a king named Dasaratha who was very glorious among the kings of Ikshvaku dynasty and had a virtuous disposition. He owned chariots, elephants and horses, becoming very famous. He was excellent in virtues among royal sages. He was equal to the seven sages in austerity. He was born in the lineage of emperors and was equivalent to Indra in prowess. He was keen on harmlessness. He was not vulgar. He was compassionate. He was truly mighty. He was an eminent king in Ikshvaku race. He was endowed with prosperity and was causing to increase prosperity.”

“The king Dasaratha was endowed with royal characteristics, highly prosperous, excellent among kings and highly prosperous, excellent among kings and famous on earth with its four borders. He was happy man and gave happiness to others. There was an eldest son named Rama to that Dasaratha. Rama was beloved having a moon-like face. He, knows the distinctions among humans and others. He was excellent among all the wielders of the bow.”

“That Rama who annihilates enemies, is a protector of his own mode of life, a protector of his own people, a protector of every living being and a protector of righteousness. By the command of that Dasaratha, his old father and true-speaking man, that Rama a brave man went on exile to a forest along with his wife and brother. While hunting in that forest, that Rama killed many demons who were valiant and who could assume any form at will.”

“Thereafter, hearing about the killing of demons in Janasthana, a part of Dandaka forest, in addition to killing of Khara and Dushana the demons, the enraged Ravana took away, Seetha, by deceiving Rama in creating an illusive image of deer in the forest. Searching for Seetha the irreproachable lady, that Rama met a monkey called Sugreeva as his friend in the forest.”

“Thereafter, Rama the conqueror of enemy’s cities and very strong man, killed Vali and gave away that kingdom of monkeys to Sugreeva. As commanded and sent by Sugreeva, thousands of monkeys capable of assuming form at their will, are searching for that lady Seetha in all quarters of the earth. By the words of Sampati, I a swift monkey crossed the ocean having a length of one hundred yojanas for the sake of this broad eyed Seetha.”

“This Seetha has been found by me according to the same comeliness, complexion and the bodily marks as I had heard from Rama. Having spoken these words, Hanuma kept quiet. Hearing those words, Seetha too got a great surprise. Thereafter, that Seetha whose consciousness was enshrouded by affliction, whose hair-ends were curved and who was of a fearful nature, lifted her face and looked towards Shimshupa tree.

Hearing Hanuma’s words and looking at all quarters and sub-quarters, Seetha was recollecting Rama in all ways and obtained a great joy. Looking at sides, up and down, that Seetha saw that Hanuman, the sun of wind-god, having an unimaginable intelligence, the minister of Sugreeva and looking like the sun behind an eastern mountain.

Thus completes 31st Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 32

 

Seetha is shocked to see Hanuma, perched on the branches of a shimshupa tree She is confused whether it is a dream or a reality. Finally, she thinks that as the monkey is talking to her in a manifested form, it is quite a reality. She prays Lord Brihaspati and Brahma to make he words spoken by Hanuma as true

Then, seeing Hanuma, who was tawny coloured like a series of flashing thunderbolts wrapped up in a white cloth and hiding behind the branches of a tree, Seetha had her mind shaken. Seetha beheld there a monkey, beaming like a cluster of Ashoka flowers wide opened, with his eyes resembling refined gold, humble and speaking agreeable words.

Seetha got a great surprise and thought (as follows): "Alas! This monkey is hard to be approached, fearful and difficult to be looked at." Thus thinking, she was bewildered again. The splendid woman Seetha, bewildered by fear and afflicted with grief, lamented most piteously saying "O, Rama! O, Rama! and "O Lakshmana!". Seetha wept faintly in a low voice in many ways.

Seeing that excellent monkey approaching humbly, that splendid woman Seetha thought it as a dream. Seetha, looking hither and thither, saw Hanuman, who was having a wide and curved mouth, doing acts as told by Sugreeva the king of monkeys, the foremost of monkeys, greatly adored and the best among the intelligent. As soon as seeing Hanuma Seetha lost her consciousness very much and became seemingly lifeless. Regaining her consciousness after a long time the wide eyed Seetha moreover thought (as follows):

"Today, I saw an ugly monkey in my dream, which is forbidden according to a body of scriptures. May it be well with Rama together with Lakshmana and with my father, King Janaka. This is not a dream. To me, tormented by sorrow and grief, there is indeed no sleep. To me, separated from Rama whose countenance resembles a full moon, there is no happiness indeed!"

"Since I am pondering with my mind about that Rama only, and always saying 'Rama! Rama!' thus, conformably I am seeing and hearing a story thus corresponding to he same thought. Tormented as I am today by Manmatha god of love longing for Rama, my whole feelings directed towards him and constantly thinking of him alone, in the like manner I am seeing him and in the like manner i am hearing of him alone. I am imagining that my wish will be fulfilled. Likewise, I am reasoning my wish by my intellect also. There is no concrete form indeed for my wish. He, with a well manifested form is speaking to me. for what reason?"

"My salutation to Brihaspati the Lord of eloquence, together with Indra the wielder of a thunderbolt, to Brahma the self-existent Lord and to the Lord of Fire eating the oblations! Let whatever words spoken by this monkey be true! Let them not be untrue!" 

Thus completes 32nd Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 33

Stepping down from the tree, Hanuma approached Seetha and asked her to clarify him whether she is the wife of Rama. Seetha then starts to narrate her antecedents and the story of Rama along with circumstances under which she along with Rama and Lakshmana went to Dandaka forest as per the command of King Dasaratha. She also informs Hanuma about her snatching away of Ravana from the forest.

That Hanuma, with coral-coloured face, very bright, the son of wind-god, wearing a humble and feeble look, approached Seetha by stepping down from the tree and offered her his salutation by keeping his joined palms on his head and spoke the following sweet words: "O Lady with your eyes resembling lotus leaves, wearing a worn out silken cloth! O, the irreproachable one! You have stood, holding by the hand a branch of the tree who are you? Tears of sorrow are gushing down from your eyes, as water is scattered down from two lotus-petals. Why?"

"O auspicious lady! In whom are you born-whether in celestials or in ogres or in serpent-demons or in celestial musicians or in demons or in semi-divine beings or in mythical beings? O lovely-faced woman! Who are you among eleven Rudras who bestow strength, or among Maruts the storm-gods or among eight Vasus the beneficent gods? O Handsome lady with fine hips! You appear to me as a deity."

"Are you Rohini, endowed with all the best qualities, fallen from heaven, left behind by moon and excellent among stars. O dark-eyed lady! Are you not the auspicious Arundhati, who irritated her husband, Vasishta the sage either by anger or by error?"

"O the slender waisted lady! You seem to be lamenting over someone who died is he your son, or father or brother or husband. You are lamenting. You are sighing a lot. You are touching the earth. You have royal insignia in you. According to these things, I do not consider you as a divine woman. Based on the marks on your person and your bodily characteristics, I believe you to be a queen of an emperor and the daughter of a king."

"If you are Seetha stolen per force by Ravana from Janasthana, tell it to me who is asking if you please! According to your miserable state, the super-human beautiful figure and your costume endowed with austerity, surely you are Rama's wife."

Hearing his words, Seetha was delighted of Rama's mention and spoke the following words to Hanuma, who was dwelling on a tree. "I am the daughter-in-law of Dasaratha, eminent among the excellent kings on earth, who understands the nature of the spirit and who torments the army of the adversary. I am the daughter of the noble-natured Janaka, the king of Videha kingdom. I am know.

"I stayed in Rama's house there for twelve years, enjoying the worldly pleasures belonging to human kind and fulfilling all my desires. Thereafter, in the thirteenth year, King Dasaratha along with his preceptors started to perform anointment of the kingdom to Rama, a celebrity of Ikshvaku dynasty."

"While that anointment of Rama was being arranged, a queen called Kaikeyi spoke the following words to Dasaratha, her husband. If Rama gets anointed for the kingdom, from now onwards, I shall neither drink water nor take my food daily. This is the end to my life. O the excellent king! If that word of pledge was uttered affectionately by you and if it is not going to be a waste, let Rama go to the forest."

"Hearing the cruel and the disagreeable words of Kaikeyi and recollecting the boon given to the queen, King Dasaratha who was true to his word, fell unconscious. Then, the aged king, who was firmly established in truth and righteousness, regretfully asked his illustrious eldest son to give back the kingdom, which he bestowed him earlier."

"That glorious Rama first admitted his father's words in mind, considering them more dearer than his anointment to the kingdom and accepted them with his word. The truly courageous Rama always gives anything to others and does not take anything from others. He does not speak just a little of a disagreeable word even for the cause of his life."

"Leaving behind his greatly valuable outer garments and wearing garments made of bark, that highly illustrious Rama gave up his kingdom willingly and assigned me to his mother. To me bereft of him, residing even in heaven does not indeed give pleasure. I, as such, decided to proceed to the forest and soon was ready to start even ahead of Rama."

"Adorned with clothes of bark, the illustrious Lakshmana, the rejoice of his friends, got ready to follow his elder brother even before (me). Obeying respectfully the command of Lord Dasaratha, we as such with a firm resolution, entered the forest, which we have never seen before and which was deep and profound in appearance."

"While Rama of great vigour was dwelling in the forest of Dandaka, the evil-minded demon, Ravana took me, Rama's wife, away. A period of two months of survival-benefit has been given to me by him. For that reason, after the said two months, I shall give up my life."

Thus completes 33rd Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 34

Hearing the words of the grief-stricken Seetha, Hanuma reveals himself to be a messenger of Rama and repeats the enquiries made by Rama, Lakshmana and Sugreeva. Seetha, however, suspects Hanuma to be Ravana in disguise and chides him when Hanuma approaches nearer to her. Seetha then asks Hanuma to describe the good qualities of Rama. Hanuma on his part discloses to her his actuality as a minister of Sugreeva and tells the important qualities of Rama. He requests her to have faith in his words.

Hearing those words of Seetha who was overthrown from one grief to another, Hanuma the best of monkeys gave the following reply in a kindly and affectionate manner.

"O Seetha the daughter of the king of Videha Kingdom! I have come here as your messenger on Rama's directions. The virtuous Rama enquired about your welfare too. O Divine Lady! Rama the son of Dasaratha, who is excellent among the knower of Veda and who knows Brahma's missile (a mythical weapon which deals infallible destruction) and Vedas the sacred knowledge, enquired about your welfare. Also the greatly splendorous Lakshmana, the favourite brother and the follower of your husband, himself tormented with grief, performed salutation to you by bowing his head." 

Hearing that news of welfare of Rama and Lakshmana the excellent of men, the divine lady, with all her limbs thrilled with joy, spoke to Hanuma (as follows): " 'Joy rushes to surviving man even though (it be) as the end of a hundred years' - this popular adage appears true and and auspicious for me." 

Seetha showed wonderful friendly disposition towards Hanuma who approached her. Both of them also conversed with each other in full confidence. Hearing that reply of Seetha who was afflicted with grief, Hanuma the army-chief of monkeys endeavoured to draw nearer to her. In as much as that Hanuma drew nearer to her, in the same way, that Seetha suspected him as Ravana.

"O shame! It was my guilt to tell him all this to him. He is indeed that Ravana, who obtained another guise." That Seetha, having faultless limbs, leaving that branch of Ashoka tree and as emaciated with grief, sat down on that ground itself.

Seeing Seetha afflicted with grief and deluded with fear, the great armed Hanuma also then simply saluted her. She too, trembling with fear, did not look towards him again. Seetha, with her countenance resembling the moon, seeing Hanuma saluting her, had a deep sigh and spoke to Hanuma in a sweet-sounding voice (as follows)

"If you are Ravana, who made use of an illusive guise and yourself a conjurer, you are causing me a further agony. It is no good. You are indeed the same Ravana, who, abandoning your real form, appeared to me in the guise of a vagrant religious mendicant in Janasthana. O demon who can assume any form at your will! It is no good that again you are causing agony to me, emaciated because of fasting and feeling very miserable. Otherwise, whatever is suspected by me is not indeed true because in my mind, a pleasurable sensation indeed occurred by reason of your audience."

"If you have come as Rama's messenger, may you be blessed! O the best of monkeys! Rama's anecdote is very pleasurable for me. Hence, I am requesting you to narrate it. "O monkey! Narrate the qualities of my beloved Rama. O gentle one! You are eroding my mind as a rapid course of stream erodes a river bank. I, who was taken away long ago, is seeing a monkey sent by Rama in this way. Alas! How delightful this dream is!'

"If I have seen the eminent Rama together with Lakshmana, I would not have disheartened. In my case, even my dream is wicked! I do not deem it as a dream. Seeing a monkey in a dream does not bring about prosperity But prosperity has come to me!"

"How possibly is it a delusion of my mind? Is it an impending course of flatulence or changing mental condition of madness? Is it a looming mirage? Otherwise, it is neither madness nor even a delusion, which is a symptom of madness. Because I am knowing about myself as also about this monkey."

Thus deliberating upon the strengths and weaknesses in several ways, Seetha finally imagined him to be Ravana, as demons can change their forms at will. Then, that slender waisted Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, thus having made up her mind, did not reply in return anything further to Hanuman.

Understanding the contemplation of Seetha, Hanuma the son of wind-god then brought about a great joy in her with his words most favourable to her ears (as follows): "Rama has a great splendour like that of the sun. He is pleasing to all like the moon. As Kubera the Lord of wealth, he is a lord to the entire world. Like Vishnu, he is greatly renowned and endowed with valour. Rama is a speaker of truth. Like Lord Brihaspati, he has a sweet voice. He is a handsome man, possessing good fortune and a royal dignity. He is a personified Manmadha, the lord of love."

"Rama gets anger only at right time. He strikes a befitting person at a right time. He is an excellent chariot-warrior. The world is resting under the shelter of arms of this high souled man. Showing an illusory antelope, Ravana detracted Rama and took you away from a deserted hermitage. You will see later, the consequence Ravana will get for this act."

"Which valiant Rama with arrows strongly shining like sparkles released with anger, by the same Rama I was sent here as a messenger and I arrived at your presence. That Rama, agonised by your separation wishes to enquire of your welfare. That long-armed Lakshmana too, having a great splendour and who augments the happiness of Sumitra his mother, saluted you and enquired about your welfare. O princess! That monkey called Sugreeva, a companion of Rama and the king of the excellent monkeys, asked about your welfare."

"Rama, together with Sugreeva and Lakshmana, is always recollecting you. O Seetha! Eventhough coming into the control female-demons, you are somehow surviving by your good lunch! Within a few days, you will see Rama, the mighty Lakshmana and the highly splendorous Sugreeva, in the presence of crores of monkeys. I am a monkey, the minister of Sugreeva, called Hanuma. I entered the city of Lanka, by traversing the great ocean."

"Asserting my strength and putting down my feet on the head of the evil minded Ravana, I have come to see you. O Princess! I am not so, as you comprehend me (as Ravana). Let your suspicion be given up. Believe me as I say it."

Thus completes 34th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

nslation of Sarga 35

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Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 35

 

Seetha asks Hanuma to describe the various characteristics of Rama and Lakshmana. Hanuma describes n detail to Seetha the appearance and qualities of Rama and Lakshmana. Hanuma also gives an account of how a friendship developed between Rama and Lakshmana as well as Sugreeva the Lord of monkeys. Hanuma also narrates his own life-story from the time he was born till his role as a minister of Sugreeva. He ends the story with his sight of Seetha in Lanka.

ics of Rama and Lakshmana? Narrate them to me, so that sorrow will not take possession of me again. Of what kind was the appearance of that Rama and of Lakshmana? Of what kind was their form? How were the thighs? How were the arms? Tell me."

Hearing the words of Seetha, Hanuma, the son of wind-god, then started to describe Rama according to his actual state (as follows): "O Seetha having eyes resembling lotus leaves! By my fortune, you are enquiring about the appearance of Rama your husband and Lakshmana, eventhough you know about them. Alas! what a pleasure! O the large eyed Seetha! I tell the characteristics of Rama and Lakshmana as I recognized them; hear them from me. O Seetha the daughter of Janaka! Rama has his eyes resembling the petals of a lotus. He has a handsomeness, attracting the hearts of all living beings. He is endowed with grace and dexterity, by birth."

"He is equal to the sun in splendour, earth in endurance, Brihaspati in intelligence and Indra in fame. Rama the tormentator of his adversaries, is a protector of the world of beings, further protecting his own people. He is the protector of his own behaviour and righteousness. O Seetha! Rama is the protector of the four castes of the world. He is the doer and also the agent for the people's propriety of conduct."

* Four principal castes described in Manu's code - Brahmanas (priestly class), Kshatriyas (members of military or reigning order); Vaisyas (Traders and agriculturists) and Sudras (class of servitude).

"Rama is a resplendent man. He is respected exceedingly. He is established in a vow of chastity. He knows how to do good to virtuous people. He knows the application and advantage of his actions. He is well trained in statesmanship. He honours brahmins, the priestly class. He possesses sacred knowledge. He is endowed with good conduct. He is a modest man. He torments his adversaries. He got trained in Yajurveda, the sacrificial Veda. He is highly honoured by those well-versed in Vedas. He is skilled in Dhanurveda, the science of archery, other Vedas and the six limbs* of Vedangas."

Six limbs of Vedangas : 1) Siksha, the science of proper articulaton and pronunciation 2) Chandas, the metre 3) Vyakarana, the grammar 4) Nirukta, the explanation of difficult Vedic words 5) Jyotisha, the astronomy or rather the Vedic Calendar. 6) Kalpa, the ceremonial represented by a large number of Sura works.

"O princess! Rama is a broad shouldered and a long-armed man. He has a shell-like neck. He has a handsome countenance. He has a hidden collar-bone. He has beautiful red eyes. His fame is heard about by people. He has a voice like the sound of a kettle-drum. He has a shining skin. He is full of splendour. He is square-built. His limbs are built symmetrically. He is endowed with a dark-brown complexion."

"He is ever firm in three limbs (viz. the breast, waist and fist), long in three (viz. the breast, waist and fist), long in three (viz. the eyebrows, arms and soles), uniform in three (viz. his locks, testicle and knees, elevated in three (viz. his breast, rim of his navel and lower abdomen), coppery in three of the navel and the lower abdomen), coppery in three (viz. the rims of his eyes, nails, palms and soles), soft in three (viz. the lines on his soles, hair and the end of the membrane virile) and always deep in three (viz. the voice, gait and the navel)."

"He has three folds in the skin of his neck and belly. He is depressed at three places (viz. the middle of his soles, the lines on his soles and the nipples). He is undersized at four places (viz. the neck, membram virile, the back and the shanks). He is endowed with three spirals in the hair of his head. He has four lines at the root of his thumb (denoting his proficiency in the four Vedas). He has four lines on his forehead (indicating longevity). He is four cubits high (96 inches). He has four pairs of limbs (viz. the cheeks, arms, shanks and knees) equally matched."

"He has fourteen other pairs of limbs (viz. the eye brows, nostrils, eyes, ears, lips, nipples, elbows, wrists, knees testicles, lions, hands, feet and thighs) equally matched. The four large teeth at both the ends of his upper and lower jaws are very sharp. He walks in four gaits (resembling the walks of a lion, a tiger, an elephant and a bull). He is endowed with excellent lips, chin and nose. He has five glossy limbs (viz. the hair, eyes, teeth, skin and soles). He has eight long limbs (viz. the arms, fingers and toes, eyes and ears, thighs and shanks).

"Rama has ten lotus-like limbs (viz. the countenance, the mouth, the eyes, the tongue, lips, palate, breasts, nails, the hands and the feet). He has ten ample limbs (viz. the chest, the head, the forehead, the neck, the arms, the heart, the mouth the feet, the back and the ears). He is spread through by reason of three (viz. splendour, renown and glory). He is doubly pure (on father's and mother's side). He is elevated in six limbs (viz. the flanks, the abdomen, the breast, the nose, the shoulders and the forehead). He is small, thin, fine or sharp in nine (viz. the hair, the moustaches and the beard, nails the hair on the body, the skin, the finger-joints, the membrum virile, acumen and perception). He pursues religious merit, worldly riches and the sensuous delight in three periods (viz. the forenoon, midday and afternoon).

"Rama is engrossed in truth and righteousness. He is a prosperous man. He is interested in reception and facilitation. He knows how to apportion place and time. He speaks affectionately with all. The invincible Lakshmana, the son of Rama's step-mother and Rama's brother, is resembling Rama in appearance, affection and in qualities. Rama and Lakshmana, the two tigers among men, very anxiously desirous of seeing you and searching all over the earth, came in contact with us."

"Those two brothers Rama and Lakshmana, wandering only in search of you all over the earth, saw Sugreeva the Lord of monkeys, sitting on the top of Rishyamuka mountain, filled with several trees, having been dethroned by his elder brother, oppressed with fear, but who was pleasant to the sight. We for one are serving that Sugreeva, the Lord of monkeys, who was true to his promise, but was dethroned from the kingdom from his elder brother."

"In the meanwhile, those two brothers Rama and Lakshmana, wearing clothes made of bark and arming the best bows, came to the charming place of Rishyamuka mountain. Seeing Rama and Lakshmana, the excellent of men, coming with bows in hand, that Sugreeva the best of monkeys was deluded with fear and jumped over to the hill-top of that mountain. Thereafter, stationed on that hill-top, that Sugreeva the lord of monkeys, very soon sent me only, to approach those two brothers."

"On that command of Sugreeva, I reached saluting those two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana the excellent and capable men, endowed with good form and characteristics. Those two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, the excellent among men, were fully endowed with kindness, after knowing the exact position about Sugreeva. Then, I made Rama and Lakshmana to ascend on my back and took them to Sugreeva's place."

"I informed the high-souled Sugreeva about the true position of Rama and Lakshmana. After a mutual conversation between those two brothers and Sugreeva, a great friendship developed among them. Thus endowed with friendship, Sugreeva the lord of monkeys and Rama the best of men, by talking together of their earlier occurrences, developed mutual confidence."

"Thereafter, that Rama the elder brother of Lakshmana, through the extremely effulgent Vali the brother of Sugreeva, consoled Sugreeva who was earlier expelled from the kingdom; (by Vali), for the sake of Ruma a woman. Then, Lakshmana informed Sugreeva the king of monkeys about the sadness of Rama, (who is unwearied in action), born out of your disappearance."

"Hearing the words of Lakshmana, Sugreeva then became highly dim-witted, as the sun becomes dim when overpowered by an eclipse. Thereafter, all those multitude of ornaments which adorned your body, which were being tried to be be snatched away by Ravana and which were dropped on to the earth, were brought by monkey-leaders joyfully and shown to Rama. But the monkey-leaders did not know the further course of your movement."

"I indeed brought those ornaments near to Rama and gave them to him. Then, soon after receiving them, Rama lost his consciousness and the resounding ornaments were scattered all over. That Lord Rama looking like god, kept those beautiful ornaments of yours in his flank and lamented in many ways."

"While seeing those ornaments, Rama was lamenting and getting suffocated again and again. Thus, those ornaments ignited the fire of Rama's grief. That grief-stricken mighty man was thus lying on the floor for a long time. Then, with great difficulty, I made him to get up by telling several consoling words."

"That long-armed Rama, along with Lakshmana, after seeing those ornaments, examined them, again and again. He later gave them to Sugreeva. O the kind mistress! As you were being unseen, Rama was tormented forever with a great flaming fire of grief, like a volcano."

"For your sake, insomnia, grief and worry were tornmenting that great souled Rama, as flames torment a burning house. By the grief caused by your not being seen, Rama is trembled with grief, as a high mountain is trembled by a great earthquake. O princess! In not seeing you, Rama is not obtaining delight, even while moving in quite charming forests, encompassing rivers and water-falls."

"O Seetha the daughter of Janaka! That Rama the excellent of men will receive you, soon after, killing Ravana along with Ravana's friends and relatives. That day when Rama and Sugreeva were together, both of them made an agreement that Rama would annihilate Vali and Sugreeva would arrange for a search of you."

"Thereafter, Rama and Lakshmana the two valiant princes reached Kishkindha. Rama killed Vali the king of monkeys there in a combat. After killing Vali in combat by means of his strength, Rama made Sugreeva the king for the entire multitude of bears and monkeys. O princess! A friendship was held well in such a manner between Rama and Sugreeva. Know me as Hanuma, who came here as a messenger on behalf of both of them."

"Having got his own kingdom, Sugreeva summoned for mighty as well as capable monkeys and sent them to ten different directions in search of you. As commanded by Sugreeva of a great splendour and the king of monkeys, those monkeys resembling Himalayan mountains, started out on all directions of the earth."

"Then, we along with other monkeys too who are eager to fulfill the command of Sugreeva, are wandering the entire earth in search of you. An excellent monkey named Angada, possessed of fortune, son of Vali and having great strength, taking one third of army along with him, set out in search of you."

"A number of days and nights passed, filled as we were with grief, having got lost our way intensely in a mountain-range called Vindhya. We were determined to forsake our lives because of despair in our non-fulfillment of work, in our overstepping of time-limit given by Sugreeva and in fear of the King Sugreeva."

"Having searched in places difficult of access in forests, at mountains and at cascades and not obtaining any indication of you the princess, we were ready to give up our lives. O Seetha! Seeing all the excellent monkeys sitting down and calmly awaiting for the approach of death, Angada was very much immersed in the ocean of sorrow and lamented about your loss, the killing of Vali, the death of Jatayu and our practice of calmly awaiting for the approach of death in simply sitting down. For us who lost all our hopes on our lives and willing to give up our lives as per the command of Sugreeva, as though for the sake of our need alone, a great valiant bird came there."

 Hearing about the killing of his brother, the vulture-king Sampati the brother of slain Jatayu the King of vultures spoke (the following) words in anger: "O the best of monkeys! Tell me who, where and how my younger brother Jablai was killed and made to fall. Then, Angada told Sampati a detailed account of events which led tot he killing of that great bird at Janasthana, by a demon of terrific form, for your sake. O Seetha with an excellent waist! Hearing about the slaughter of Jatayu, that Sampati the son of Aruna was very much pained and said that you were staying in Ravana's house."

"Hearing those delightful words of Sampati, we with our Chief Angada started soon from there. The monkeys were very much delighted and satisfied. They were making up their energy to see you, rose up from Vindhya mountain and reached the northern shore of the ocean. All the monkeys with their Chief Angada, in their anxiety to see you, reached the ocean. They were frightened after seeing the ocean there and they were again worried."

"Thereafter, seeing the ocean, I removed the serious fears of the army of monkeys who were worrying and crossed hundred Yojanas across the sea. Entering even Lanka, filled with demons in the night, I saw Ravana and you too who were immersed in grief. O the faultless princess! I told you all this as actually occurred. I am the messenger of Rama. Talk to me."

"O princess! I made an effort on Rama's behalf and came here for your sake. I am Sugreeva's minister. I am the son of wind-god. Know me, as such. You Rama, the excellent man among all the wielders of bow, is safe. Lakshmana, who is engaged in the service of his elder brother and possessing good characteristics, is also safe."

"O princess! I, who am interested in the welfare of the valiant Rama, your husband, came here alone on the command of Sugreeva. I, who can change my form at will, desirous of finding out your access, wandering alone without any helper, came to this southern direction. I shall remove the anguish of the army of monkeys who are lamenting because of your disappearance by informing them about my coming close to you because of my good fortune!"

"O princess! By my fortune, my crossing of ocean has not gone in vain. I can get this fame of having seen you because of my good luck. The highly valiant Rama, by killing Ravana the Lord of demons along with his friends and relatives, will obtain you soon."

"O Seetha! There is a mountain called Malyavan, which is the best among mountains. From there, a monkeys called Kesari went to another mountain called Gokarna. As prayed by gods and seers, that great monkey called Kesari, my father killed a demon named Shambasadana at a sacred shrine near the sea-shore."

"O Seetha! I am born in the womb of the wife of that Kesari the monkey, by the grace of the wind-god. By my activity alone, I am renowned as Hanuma in this world. O Seetha! I described the qualities of Rama, your husband, to cause trust in you. O the faultless princess! Rama will take you from here within a short time."

Thus inspired by confidence because of the above reasons, Seetha emaciated with grief, by adequate clues served as proof. Seetha obtained unequal delight. She released tears of joy from her eyes having curved eye-lashes, with a thrill of delight. The countenance of that large-eyed Seetha, who is beautiful, whose eyes are red white and long is shining like a moon, the king of stars liberated from Rahu the demon.

Seetha considered Hanuma clearly as a monkey and not otherwise. Thereafter Hanuma replied to her who is pleasant to the sight (as follows): "O Seetha! I told you indeed all this please be consoled. Tell me what I can do for you and also what is agreeable to you. I am going back now. O Seetha! As provoked by the sages, Kesari, the valiant monkey killed a demon called Shamba sadana in battle. I am a monkey born through wind-god and through his influence I am equal to the wind-god in strength."

Thus completes 35th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Valmiki Ramayana - Sundara Kanda in Prose Sarga 36

Hanuma gives Seetha, the signet ring sent by Rama through him in order to strengthen her confidence in Seetha felt very happy to see the ring and praised Hanuma for his arrival to Lanka after having crossed the sea single handedly. She expresses her hope to Hanuma, saying that Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Sugreeva will come to Lanka with their armies so as to destroy Ravana, for her sake. Hearing Seetha's words, Hanuma consoles Seetha saying that Rama, Sugreeva and a host of monkeys will come to Lanka by crossing the ocean, so as to defeat Ravana and his army, with assurance that Rama will appear before her shortly.

Hanuma, the highly energetic son of wind-god, with an inducement to obtain confidence from Seetha, again modestly spoke the following words:

"O illustrious lady! I am a monkey and a messenger of the wise Rama. O princess! Look at this ring too, marked with Rama's name. I brought this ring given by the high souled Rama, for the purpose of gaining your confidence. Get consoled indeed. Happiness to you! You are now free from the object of your grief. I brought this ring given by the high souled Rama, for the purpose of gaining your confidence. Get consoled indeed. Happiness to you! You are now free from the object of your grief."

The countenance of that large-eyed Seetha, which appeared charming with red and white eyes shone like a moon the king of stars liberated by Rahu the demon. Then, that young Seetha, gladdened by the message of her husband, became shy and message of her husband, became shy and well-pleased. Uttering delightful words, she praised Hanuma the great monkey (as follows):

"O Hanuma the best of monkeys! You have singly overpowered this place infested by demons. You are valiant. You are competent. You are intelligent. You, with an acclaimable gallantry, crossed the ocean having a width of one hundred Yojanas and an asylum of crocodiles, making it as a small puddle. O excellent of monkeys! For you there is no fear nor even bewilderment from Ravana. Hence, I do not consider you as an ordinary monkey."

"O the best of monkeys! If you are sent by that Rama, who knows the nature of his self, you are worthy of talking to me well. The indomitable Rama must not have sent you indeed, especially to me, without knowing your enterprise and without testing you in advance. Rama the righteous man who is true to his promise and Lakshmana of great splendour who enriches the joy of Sumitra are fortunately safe."

"If Rama is safe, with his anger why is he not scorching the earth with ocean as its belt, like rising fire at the end of the world? Otherwise, Rama and Lakshmana are capable of holding down even the celestials. But I think there is no end indeed to my troubles. Is not Rama getting perturbed? Is he not tormented with grief? Is Rama the best of men now doing the right acts to annihilate the enemies? Is Rama the prince miserable and confused? Is he even mistaken in his actions? I hope he is doing all acts which require human effort."

"Is Rama the annihilator of enemies as per necessity resorting to the two strategies viz., conciliatory and partaking approaches and even the three strategies viz., partaking, sowing dissension and open assault? Is he kind-hearted towards friends, with a wish to conquer the enemies? Is he getting friends? Has he been approached for friendship by others? I hope he is having good friends and even so honoured by them. Is Rama the prince wishing the grace of the gods? Is he equally aware of the role of human endeavour and the role of fate? 

"O Hanuma! Is Rama not losing affection in me because of my staying away from home? Will he release me from this evil predicament? Is Rama, who is habituated always to pleasures and not habituated to pains, not sinking into despondency by now getting this great pain? Are you constantly hearing the news of safety of Kausalya, Sumitra and Bharata?"

"Is Rama worthy of honour, suffering from pain just because of me? Will he liberate me from my sorrow, without fixing his mind on something else? I hope Bharata, having a brotherly affection, will send for my sake, an army furnished with banners, guarded by the ministers, consisting of ten anikinis (21870 elephants, 21870 chariots, 65610 horses and 109350 foot soldiers) which were terrific in appearance."

"The glorious Sugreeva the lord of monkeys will indeed come for my sake along with his valiant monkeys, who have their tusks and nails as their weapons. Lakshmana, the strong man, who augments the joy of Sumitra and who is an expert in weaponry, will indeed destroy the demons by the multitude of his arrows."

"Within a short time, I hope see Ravana killed along with his companions in the battle-field by terrific weapons burning brightly. That face of Rama with its golden and with the fragrance of a lotus may be looking miserable as bereft of me and getting dehydrated too. I hope it is not parched by the sun, like a louts. Which Rama left the kingdom as an indication of his righteousness and to whom there was neither disturbance nor fear nor sorrow even while taking me to the forest by foot, I hope that the same Rama is maintaining boldness in his heart. To Rama, in the matter of affection, neither his mother nor his father nor any body else is equal to or more than me. O Hanuma the messenger! I wish to survive only as long as I hear the activity of my beloved."

Uttering thus those greatly meaningful and sweetly worthwhile words, Seetha the princess further abstained from talking so as to hear Hanuma's delightful words describing the matters pertaining to Rama.

Hearing Seetha's words, Hanuma of terrific prowess, keeping his joined palms on his head, spoke the following words in reply. "O Seetha having lotus eyes! Rama does not know that you are here. For that reason, he did not take you back soon, as Indra the destroyer of strong holds did not take back Sachi, his wife. Soon after hearing my words, Rama will come soon, drawing forth a large army, consisting of a multitude of monkeys and bears."

"Rama will paralyze the imperturbable ocean with his flood of arrows and make the City of Lanka extinguished of demons. If the goddess of Death along with demons or celestials stand firmly in the way of Rama at that time, he will kill them also. O noble lady! Being full of grief caused by your non-appearance, that Rama is not obtaining happiness, like an elephant tornmented by a lion."

"O Seetha the princess! I swear and tell you by the mountains Malaya, Vindhya, Meru and Dardura as well as by our staple food of roots and fruits, that you will soon see Rama's face, having good eyes, handsome, having lips with the colour of a bright-red gourd (fruit of Momordica monodelpha) and with its charming look like a rising full moon."

"O Seetha! You will see soon Rama on the Prasravana mountain, like Indra the Lord of celestials seated on the back of Airavata, the chief of elephants. Rama is not eating meat, nor indulging even in spirituous liquor. Everyday, in the evening, he is eating the food existing in the forest, well arranged for him."

"With his mind wholly devoted to you, Rama is not even driving away forest-flies from his body, nor mosquitoes nor insects nor reptiles from his body. Rama always cogitates on something or the other. He is forever engaged in sorrow. He is enamoured with the god of love and thinks of nothing else."

"Rama mostly does not have sleaze. Even if that best of men sleeps, he keeps awake uttering sweet words like "lo! behold! Seetha! When he happens to see a fruit or a flower or any other beautiful object, he recollects of you and says 'O beloved!' many times and breathes a sigh."

"O Seetha the princess! Rama the magnanimous prince is always lamenting, speaking just about you, recollecting "Seetha, Seetha!". Being firm in his vow, he makes effort to find you only. That Seetha, who has the same amount of grief as that of Rama, became worn out of her grief upon hearing the adoration of Rama, like a night with the moon obscured by the remnant clouds at the commencement of autumn."

Thus completes 36th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

for the collection