Sundara Kanda — Sarga 38

ततः स कपिशार्दूलस्तेन वाक्येन तोषितः। सीतामुवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः॥

Hearing those words, that foremost of monkeys, skilled in speech, was greatly delighted and again addressed Sītā in the following words,

Sundara Kanda 38.1

युक्तरूपं त्वया देवि भाषितं शुभदर्शने। सदृशं स्त्रीस्वभावस्य साध्वीनां विनयस्य च॥

O worshipful lady, O you of an auspicious presence, what you had said, speaks well for a feminine nature and the modesty of a chaste damsel.

Sundara Kanda 38.2

स्त्रीत्वान्न त्वं समर्थासि सागरं व्यतिवर्तितुम्। मामधिष्ठाय विस्तीर्णं शतयोजनमायतम्॥

And because you are a female, you are not capable of crossing on my back, the main extending over a thousand leagues.

Sundara Kanda 38.3

द्वितीयं कारणं यच्च ब्रवीषि विनयान्विते। रामादन्यस्य नार्हामि संसर्गमिति जानकी॥ एतत् ते देवि सदृशं पत्न्यास्तस्य महात्मनः। का ह्यन्या त्वामृते देवि ब्रूयाद् वचनमीदृशम्॥

The second argument—I shall not touch any other person's body than Rāma's, which you have produced, O Janaki! O you gifted with modesty! truely become you, who are the spouse of that high-souled one. Who else than you, O worshipful one, can give expression to such words?

Sundara Kanda 38.4

श्रोष्यते चैव काकुत्स्थः सर्वं निरवशेषतः। चेष्टितं यत् त्वया देवि भाषितं च ममाग्रतः॥

Truly shall Kākutstha hear from the beginning to the end, O worshipful dame, of your actions before me, and all you had said.

Sundara Kanda 38.5

कारणैर्बहुभिर्देवि रामप्रियचिकीर्षया। स्नेहप्रस्कन्नमनसा मयैतत् समुदीरितम्॥

For many reason, I gave vent to such words, O lady, I am anxious to compass Rāma's end, and my heart is melted with affection.

Sundara Kanda 38.6

लङ्काया दुष्प्रवेशत्वाद् दुस्तरत्वान्महोदधेः। सामर्थ्यादात्मनश्चैव मयैतत् समुदीरितम्॥

It is very difficult to enter this city of Lankā, it is equally hard to cross over the main—but I am capable of doing all these, and hence I gave utterance to all those words.

Sundara Kanda 38.7

इच्छामि त्वां समानेतुमद्यैव रघुनन्दिना । गुरुस्नेहेन भक्त्या च नान्यथा तदुदाहृतम्॥

I wish to take you even to-day to the descendant of Raghu. It is for my devotion to him and regard for you that I said so and for nothing else.

Sundara Kanda 38.8

यदि नोत्सहसे यातुं मया सार्धमनिन्दिते। अभिज्ञानं प्रयच्छ त्वं जानीयाद् राघवो हि यत्॥

If you do not wish to go with me, O you of a blameless person, do you give me such a token as might create Rāghava's confidence.

Sundara Kanda 38.9

एवमुक्ता हनुमता सीता सुरसुतोपमा। उवाच वचनं मन्दं बाष्पप्रग्रथिताक्षरम्॥

Being thus accosted by Hanumān, Sītā resembling the daughter of a celestial, spoke, gently, words with their letters strung on the vapour of grief,

Sundara Kanda 38.10

इदं श्रेष्ठमभिज्ञानं ब्रूयास्त्वं तु मम प्रियम्। शैलस्य चित्रकूटस्य पादे पूर्वोत्तरे पदे॥ तापसाश्रमवासिन्याः प्राज्यमूलफलोदके। तस्मिन् सिद्धाश्रिते देशे मन्दाकिन्यविदूरतः॥ तस्योपवनखण्डेषु नानापुष्पसुगन्धिषु । विहत्य सलिले क्लिन्नो ममाङ्के समुपाविशः॥

Do you mentioned to my dear lord (in my words) what had happened to me while living in the hermitage at the foot of the mount Pratyanga, situate on the north-east of Citrakūta, abounding in roots, fruits and water. At no distance from that place frequented by the ascetics flowed the sacred stream Mandakini. While ranging in that woodland fragrant with the odour of many flowers, you, having your person wet in consequence of your sport in the water, did sit on my lap.

Sundara Kanda 38.11

ततो मांससमायुक्तो वायसः पर्यतुण्डयत्। तमहं लोष्टमुद्यम्य वारयामि स्म वायसम्॥ दारयन् स च मां काकस्तत्रैव परिलीयते। न चाप्युपारमन्मांसाद् भक्षार्थी बलिभोजनः॥

A crow, at that time, longing to feed on my flesh, tore my breast with its beak. And I threatened it with a pebble. But it continued tearing my breast as if it sat there to feed on my flesh and therefore did not fly off.

Sundara Kanda 38.12

उत्कर्षन्त्यां च रशनां क्रुद्धायां मयि पक्षिणे। स्रंसमाने च वसने ततो दृष्टा त्वया ह्यहम्॥ त्वया विहसिता चाहं क्रुद्धा संलज्जिता तदा। भक्ष्यगृद्धेन काकेन दारिता त्वामुपागता॥

Being enraged with that bird, as I tried to tighten the cloth around my waist, it gave way a little, and you, rising up from your seat and looking at me, did laugh over it. And I was greatly enraged with your laughter and ashamed, and, being wounded by the crow, I approached you.

Sundara Kanda 38.13

ततः श्रान्ताहमुत्सङ्गमासीनस्य तवाविशम्। क्रुध्यन्तीव प्रहृष्टेन त्वयाह परिसान्त्विता॥

Thereupon, tired as I was, I sat on your lap, and, exercised with ire, I was consoled by you laughing.

Sundara Kanda 38.14

बाष्पपूर्णमुखी मन्दं चक्षुषी परिमार्जती। लक्षिताहं त्वया नाथ वायसेन प्रकोपिता ॥

Now I, having my countenance bathed in tears, gently rubbed my eyes. And I was seen by you, O my lord, in that wise, greatly enraged with the crow.

Sundara Kanda 38.15

परिश्रमाच्च सुप्ता हे राघवाङ्केऽस्म्यहं चिरम्। पर्यायेण प्रसुप्तश्च ममाङ्के भरताग्रजः॥

O Rāghava, I slept for sometime, at your lap, out of exhaustion, and yourself in turn, slept at mine, O elder brother of Bharata.

Sundara Kanda 38.16

स तत्र पुनरेवाथ वायसः समुपागमत्। ततः सुप्तप्रबुद्धां मां राघवाङ्कात् समुत्थिताम्। वायसः सहसागम्य विददार स्तनान्तरे॥

In the meantime, that crow again suddenly approaching, tore my breast with its beak, as I awoke and was rising up from your lap, O Rāghava.

Sundara Kanda 38.17

पुनः पुनरथोत्पत्य विददार स मां भृशम्। ततः समुत्थितो रामो मुक्तैः शोणितबिन्दुभिः॥ स मां दृष्ट्वा महाबाहुर्वितुन्नां स्तनयोस्तदा। आशीविष इव क्रुद्धः श्वसन् वाक्यमभाषत॥

Thereupon Rāghava awoke with the shedding of blood. Beholding my breast wounded, that larged-armed hero wroth like a serpent, sighing, said.

Sundara Kanda 38.18

केन ते नागनासोरु विक्षतं वै स्तनान्तरम्। कः क्रीडति सरोषेण पञ्चवक्त्रेण भोगिना॥

O you having thighs like the trunk of an elephant, by whom has your breast been wounded? Who wants to play with an angry five-hooded serpent?

Sundara Kanda 38.19

वीक्षमाणस्ततस्तं वै वायसं समवैक्षत। नखैः सरुधिरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्मामेवाभिमुखं स्थितम्॥

Thereupon, casting his looks around, he espied the crow, sitting in my front with its claws besmeared with blood.

Sundara Kanda 38.20

पुत्रः किल स शक्रस्य वायसः पततां वरः। धरान्तरं गतः शीघ्रं पवनस्य गतौ समः॥

That crow, best of birds, was the son of the lord of the celestials in disguise. And gifted with air-like velocity, he speedily entered inside the earth.

Sundara Kanda 38.21

ततस्तस्मिन् महाबाहुः कोपसंवर्तितेक्षणः। वायसे कृतवान् क्रूरां मतिं मतिमतां वरः॥

Thereupon that large-eyed hero, best of the intelligent, with his eyes whirling with ire, resolving to destroy that crow.

Sundara Kanda 38.22

स दर्भसंस्तराद् गृह्य ब्रह्मणोऽस्त्रेण योजयत्। स दीप्त इव कालाग्निर्जज्वालाभिमुखो द्विजम्॥

And taking a blade of Kusa off his seat, he tied it to a Brahma weapon. And that blade, facing the bird, appeared with its flaming face, like the fire that would destroy the world.

Sundara Kanda 38.23

स तं प्रदीप्तं चिक्षेप दर्भ तं वायसं प्रति। ततस्तु वायसं दर्भः सोऽम्बरेऽनुजगाम ह॥

He hurled that burning blade at the crow. And it pursued the crow high up in the welkin.

Sundara Kanda 38.24

अनुसृष्टस्तदा काको जगाम विविधां गतिम्। त्राणकाम इमं लोकं सर्वं वै विचचार ह॥

Being thus pursued, that crow, in order to save himself, traversed various regions.

Sundara Kanda 38.25

स पित्रा च परित्यक्तः सर्वैश्च परमर्षिभिः। त्रील्लोकान् सम्परिक्रम्य तमेव शरणं गतः॥

And being then renounced by his father (Indra) and the great ascetics, he, ranging the three worlds, at last resorted to his (Rāma's) shelter.

Sundara Kanda 38.26

स तं निपतितं भूमौ शरण्यः शरणागतम्। वर्धार्हमपि काकुत्स्थः कृपया पर्यपालयत्॥

And, placing himself on the earth, he sought his shelter, and Kākutstha, out of mercy, saved him, albeit worthy of being killed.

Sundara Kanda 38.27

परिधूनं विवर्णं च पतमानं तमब्रवीत्। मोघमस्त्रं न शक्यं तु ब्राह्मं कर्तुं तदुच्यताम्॥

And he spoke to him, greatly famished, of a pale countenance and lying on the earth, It is impossible to render this Brahma weapon fruitless. Therefore, do you speak (as to what is to be done).

Sundara Kanda 38.28

ततस्तस्याक्षि काकस्य हिनस्ति स्म स दक्षिणम्। दत्त्वा तु दक्षिणं नेत्रं प्राणेभ्यः परिरक्षितः॥

He then destroyed the right eye of the crow. Having given up his eye, he saved himself.

Sundara Kanda 38.29

स रामाय नमस्कृत्वा राज्ञे दशरथाय च। विसृष्टस्तेन वीरेण प्रतिपेदे स्वमालयम्॥

Then bowing to Rāma as well as king Dasaratha, the crow, liberated by that hero, went to his own abode.

Sundara Kanda 38.30

मत्कृते काकमात्रेऽपि ब्रह्मास्त्रं समुदीरितम्। कस्माद् यो माहरत् त्वत्तः क्षमसे तं महीपते॥

You hadston my behalf discharged the Brahma weapon even at a crow. Why then, O lord of earth, do you forbear him who had carried me off from you?

Sundara Kanda 38.31

स कुरुष्व महोत्साहां कृपां मयि नरर्षभ। त्वया नाथवती नाथ अनाथा इव दृश्यते॥

O foremost of men, do you dispense to me your kindness capable of inspiring hope. O lord, possessing a lord in you, I (now) appear as if I had none.

Sundara Kanda 38.32

आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मस्त्वत्त एव मया श्रुतम्। जानामि त्वां महावीर्य महोत्साहं महाबलम्॥ । अपारवारमक्षोभ्यं गाम्भीर्यात् सागरोपमम्। भर्तारं ससमुद्राया धरण्या वासवोपमम्॥

That kindness in a prime virtue I have heard even from you; and I know that you are exceedingly energetic and possessed of great strength an high courage, unfettered by considerations of time and space, incapable of being agitated, you in gravity resemblest the ocean, and like to that lord of the earth furnished with seas-Vasava.

Sundara Kanda 38.33

एवमस्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठो बलवान् सत्त्ववानपि। किमर्थमस्त्रं रक्षःसु न योजयसि राघव॥

O Rāghava, being thus the foremost of those acquainted with weapons, powerful, and possessed of strength, wherefore do you not direct your weapon against the Rākşasas'?

Sundara Kanda 38.34

न नागा नापि गन्धर्वा न सुरा न मरुद्गणाः। रामस्य समरे वेगं शक्ताः प्रतिसमीहितुम्॥

Neither Nāgas, nor Gandharvas, nor the gods, nor the Maruts, are competent to resist the onset of Rāma in battle.

Sundara Kanda 38.35

तस्य वीर्यवतः कच्चिद् यद्यस्ति मयि सम्भ्रमः। किमर्थं न शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः क्षयं नयति राक्षसान्॥

If that puissant one still retains any regard for me, why dose he not by means of sharpened shafts make roots and branch work with the Raksasas?

Sundara Kanda 38.36

भ्रातुरादेशमादाय लक्ष्मणो वा परंतपः। कस्य हेतोर्न मां वीरः परित्राति महाबलः॥

And why, taking the permission of his brother, that repressor of foes, the heroic Laks maņa gifted with great strength, dose not deliver me?

Sundara Kanda 38.37

यदि तौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ वाय्विन्द्रसमतेजसौ। सुराणामपि दुर्धर्षों किमर्थं मामुपेक्षतः॥

If those foremost of men be indeed equal to Indra and the Wind, and incapable of being repressed even by the celestials, wherefore do they disregard me?

Sundara Kanda 38.38

ममैव दुष्कृतं किंचिन्महदस्ति न संशयः। समर्थावपि तौ यन्मां नावेक्षेते परंतपौ॥

Surely I must be guilty of some great crime, since although capable, those subduers of enemies do not look at me.

Sundara Kanda 38.39

वैदेह्या वचनं श्रुत्वा करुणं साश्रु भाषितम्। अथाब्रवीन्महातेजा हनुमान् हरियूथपः॥

Hearing Vaidehī's piteous words uttered with tearful eyes, that leader of monkey-bands, the exceedingly energetic Hanumān, said,

Sundara Kanda 38.40

त्वच्छोकविमुखो रामो देवि सत्येन ते शपे। रामे दुःखाभिपन्ने तु लक्ष्मणः परितप्यते॥

O exalted one, I swear by truth, Rāma turn away he countenance (from every work) in consequence of grief for you. And Rāma being seized with sorrow, Laksmana burns in grief.

Sundara Kanda 38.41

कथंचिद् भवती दृष्टा न काल: परिशोचितुम्। इमं मुहूर्तं दुःखानामन्तं द्रक्ष्यसि शोभने ॥

Now that I have been able to obtain a sight of you, this is not season for sorrow. O auspicious one, even now you shall witness the end of this woe.

Sundara Kanda 38.42

तावुभौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ राजपुत्रौ महाबलौ। त्वद्दर्शनकृतोत्साही लोकान् भस्मीकरिष्यतः॥

Filled with hope from my sight of you, those foremost of persons, those mighty princes, shall reduce the worlds to ashes.

Sundara Kanda 38.43

हत्वा च समरक्रूरं रावणं सहबान्धवम्। राघवस्त्वां विशालाक्षि त्वां पुरी प्रति नेष्यति । ५१।।

And, O you of expansive eyes, slaying in battle the wicked Rāvana with his allies, Rághava shall take you back to his palace.

Sundara Kanda 38.44

ब्रूहि यद् राघवो वाच्यो लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः। सुग्रीवो वापि तेजस्वी हरयो वा समागताः॥

Now tell me what I shall communicate to Rāghava, and the highly powerful Lakşmaņa, and the energetic Sugrīva, and all the assembled monkeys.

Sundara Kanda 38.45

इत्युक्तवति तस्मिंश्च सीता पुनरथाब्रवीत्। कौसल्या लोकभर्तारं सुषुवे यं मनस्विनी॥ तं ममार्थे सुखं पृच्छ शिरसा चाभिवादय।

Thus addressed, Sītā again spoke to him, saying, Do you on my behalf, bowing down the head, enquire after the welfare of that protector of men whom Kausalyā has brought forth.

Sundara Kanda 38.46

स्त्रजश्च सर्वरत्नानि प्रिया याश्च वराङ्गना॥ ऐश्वर्यं च विशालायां पृथिव्यामपि दुर्लभम्। पितरं मातरं चैव सम्मान्याभिप्रसाद्य च॥ अनुप्रव्रजितो रामं सुमित्रा येन सुप्रजाः। आनुकूल्येन धर्मात्मा त्यक्त्वा सुखमनुत्तमम्॥ अनुगच्छति काकुत्स्थं भ्रातरं पालयन् वने। सिंहस्कन्धो महाबाहुर्मनस्वी प्रियदर्शनः॥ पितृवद् वर्तते रामे मातृवन्मां समाचरत्। ह्रियमाणां तदा वीरो न तु मां वेद लक्ष्मणः॥ वृद्धोपसेवी लक्ष्मीवाशक्तो न बहुभाषिता। राजपुत्रप्रियश्रेष्ठः सदृशः श्वशुरस्य मे॥ मत्तः प्रियतरो नित्यं भ्राता रामस्य लक्ष्मणः। नियुक्तो धुरि यस्यां तु तामुद्वहति वीर्यवान्॥ यं दृष्ट्वा राघवो नैव वृत्तमार्यमनुस्मरत्। स ममार्थाय कुशलं वक्तव्यो वचनान्मम॥ मृदुर्नित्यं शुचिर्दक्षः प्रियो रामस्य लक्ष्मणः। यथा हि वानर श्रेष्ठ दुःखक्षयकरो भवेत्॥

Do you on my behalf, and on account of my words, enquire after the welfare of him, who, renouncing wreaths and gems of all kinds, and beloved damsels possessed of transcendent beauty, and wealth such as is difficult to obtain on this spacious earth; and who, honouring and bowing to his father and mother, followed Rāma, in whom Sumitrā has an excellent son, of that righteous one, who, espousing the cause of his brother, renouncing choice happiness, follow his brother to the forest, ministering to him; who is lion-shouldered, long-armed, intelligent, and of a prepossessing presence; who bear himself towards Rāma as if he were his sire, and towards me, as if I were his mother; of that heroic Laks maņa who did not know when I was ravished away-the servant of the elders, crowned with auspiciousness, who is competent and rein in his tongue; who is the foremost of those dear to the king's son, (Rāma) and worthy of my father-inlaw; who is dearer (to Rama) than even my own self; of Laksmana, brother to Rama; that energetic one who undertak even such tasks as he is not equal to, and seeing whom Rāghava has forgotten his deceased sire, (In corsequence of the fatherly care of Lakşmaņa) him for the sake of my words, you must ask as to his welfare. Lakşmana is always mild and pure, and dear to Rāma. Do you speak to him so, that, O best of monkeys, he may remove my miseries.

Sundara Kanda 38.47

त्वमस्मिन् कार्यनिर्वाहे प्रमाणं हरियूथप। राघस्त्वत्समारम्भान्मयि यत्नपरो भवेत्॥

O leader of monkey-bands, do you bring about success on this undertaking. From this preliminary endeavour of yours, Rāghava shall take pains on my behalf.

Sundara Kanda 38.48

इदं ब्रूयाश्च मे नाथं शूरं रामं पुनः पुनः। जीवितं धारयिष्यामि मासं दशरथात्मज ॥ ऊर्ध्वं मासान्न जीवेयं सत्येनाहं ब्रवीमि ते।

This also shall you say again and again to that hero— my lord, 'O son of Dasaratha, I shall keep on this life for another month; and this I swear to you by truth that I will not live beyond this month.

Sundara Kanda 38.49

रावणेनोपरुद्धां मां निकृत्या पापकर्मणा। त्रातुमर्हसि वीर त्वं पातालादिव कौशिकीम्॥

O hero, even as Vişnu rescued Kausikī from the nether regions, (According to Kataka, Kausikī is Earth, who was rescued by Narāyaṇa from the subterranean regions. According to Tīrtha, Kausikī is Indra's Auspiciousness, who on the occasion of the destruction of the Asura, Vritrā, took refuge in the nether regions, and was brought back by Vişņu) it behove you to rescue me, who have ignominiously been confined by the impious Rāvana,

Sundara Kanda 38.50

ततो वस्त्रगतं मुक्त्वा दिव्यं चूडामणिं शुभम्। प्रदेयो राघवायेति सीता हनुमते ददौ॥

Thereupon, saying, "Hand this to Rāghava,” Sītā gave to Hanumān a noble and excellent jewel for the head, (Cudamani. According to the commentator, the word means a gem worn in the head) which was tied up in her attire.

Sundara Kanda 38.51

प्रतिगृह्य ततो वीरो मणिरत्नमनुत्तमम्। अङ्गुल्या योजयामास नह्यस्य प्राभवद्भुजः॥

Then taking that best of gems, the hero tried to fix it on this finger, but it did not enter into it. (Another meaning is, “But fearing discovery on account of the brilliance of the jewel, he desisted").

Sundara Kanda 38.52

मणिरत्नं कपिवरः प्रतिगृह्याभिवाद्य च। सीतां प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा प्रणतः पार्श्वतः स्थितः॥

And taking the gem, and bowing to Sītā and going round her, that foremost of monkeys remained by her side in humble guise.

Sundara Kanda 38.53

हर्षेण महता युक्तः सीतादर्शनजेन सः। हृदयेन गतो राम लक्ष्मणं च सलक्षणम्॥

And experiencing rapture in consequence of his seeing Sītä, he mentally presented himself before Rāma, and Lakşmaņa graced with auspicious marks.

Sundara Kanda 38.54

मणिवरमुपगृह्य तं महाहँ जनकनृपात्मजया धृतं प्रभावात्। गिरिवरपवनावधूतमुक्तः सुखितमनाः प्रतिसंक्रमं प्रपेदे॥

Taking that costly and superb gem, which by virtue of some power, king Janaka's daughter had managed to hide (from the gaze of the Raksasis), Hanumān, feeling delighted like one, shaken by the wind blowing on the top of the foremost of mountains, and then getting away from it, prepared to set out.

Sundara Kanda 38.55