Sundara Kanda — Sarga 56

ततस्तु शिंशपामूले जानकी पर्यवस्थिताम्। अभिवाद्यब्रवीद् दिष्ट्या पश्यामि त्वामिहाक्षताम्॥

Then seeing Jānakī seated at the foot of the Śinsapa tree, (Hanumān) saluting her said, “By luck it is that I see you unhurt."

Sundara Kanda 56.1

ततस्तं प्रस्थितं सीता वीक्षमाणा पुनः पुनः। भर्तुः स्नेहान्विता वाक्यं हनूमन्तमभाषत॥ यदि त्वं मन्यसे तात वसैकाहमिहानघ। क्वचित् सुसंवृते देशे विश्रान्तः श्वो गमिष्यसि॥

Then eying him again and again as he was on the point of departing, Sītā said to Hanumān in words informed with affection for her husband. "If, my child, it like you, do you, O stainless one, stay here today in some retired spot. Tomorrow having refreshed yourself, you shall set out."

Sundara Kanda 56.2

मम चैवाल्पभाग्यायाः सांनिध्यात् तव वानर। शोकस्यास्याप्रमेयस्य मुहूर्तं स्यादपि क्षयः॥

Your vicinity, O monkey, for a while beguiles me of slender luck of my measureless grief.

Sundara Kanda 56.3

गते हि हरिशार्दूल पुनः सम्प्राप्तये त्वयि। प्राणेष्वपि न विश्वासो मम वानरपुङ्गव॥

You will go, O powerful monkey; but ere you return, it is, O foremost of monkeys, doubtful whether I shall live.

Sundara Kanda 56.4

अदर्शनं च ते वीर भूयो मां दारयिष्यति। दुःखाद् दुखतरं प्राप्तां दुर्मनः शोककर्शिताम्॥

O hero, the not seeing you shall try me sorely, who have fallen from one misfortune in to a grater one, and who, my mind distracted have been exercised by sorrow.

Sundara Kanda 56.5

अयं च वीर संदेहस्तिष्ठतीव ममाग्रतः। सुमहत्सु सहायेषु हर्युक्षेषु महाबलः॥ कथं नु खलु दुष्पारं संतरिष्यति सागरम्। तानि हयृक्षसैन्यानि तौ वा नरवरात्मजौ॥

O hero, this mighty doubt is (ever) present before me. How shall that exceedingly powerful one or that host of monkeys or those two sons of that man of men, albeit backed by mighty monkeys, cross over the ocean incapable of being crossed?

Sundara Kanda 56.6

त्रयाणामेव भूतानां सागरस्यापि लङ्घने। शक्तिः स्याद् वैनतेयस्य तव वा मारुतस्य वा॥

Three beings have the power to bound over the deep; Vinata's offspring, you, and the Windgod.

Sundara Kanda 56.7

तदत्र कार्यनिर्बन्धे समुत्पन्ने दुरासदे। किं पश्यसि समाधानं त्वं हि कार्यविशारदः॥

Then in this business at hand hard to accomplish, what means do you, versed in business, see, whereby the end may be attained?

Sundara Kanda 56.8

काममस्य त्वमेवैकः कार्यस्य परिसाधने। पर्याप्तः परवीरघ्न यशस्यस्ते बलोदयः॥

O slayer of hostile heroes, you alone are quite competent to perform this task; and you shall attain fame through your rising prowess.

Sundara Kanda 56.9

बलैस्तु संकुलां कृत्वा लङ्कां परबलार्दनः। मां नयेद् यदि काकुत्स्थस्तत् तस्य सदृशं भवेत्॥

But if blocking up Lankā with his forces, that afflictor of enemies, Kākutstha, take me (from hence), then that shall be worthy of him.

Sundara Kanda 56.10

तद् यथा तस्य विक्रान्तमनुरूपं महात्मनः। भवत्याहवशूरस्य तथा त्वमुपपादय॥

Therefore do you so order things that powerful and high-souled hero in conflict, may act as becomes himself.

Sundara Kanda 56.11

तदर्थोपहितं वाक्यं प्रश्रितं हेतुसंहितम्। निशम्य हनुमान् वीरो वाक्यमुत्तरमब्रवीत्॥

Hearing her reasonable, affectionate and pregnant speech, that hero, Hanumān, answered,

Sundara Kanda 56.12

देवि हयृक्षसैन्यानामीश्वरः प्लवतां वरः। सुग्रीवः सत्त्वसम्पन्नस्तवार्थे कृतनिश्चयः॥

O noble lady, that lord and foremost of monkeys, Sugrīva gifted with strength, is determined on your behalf.

Sundara Kanda 56.13

स वानरसहस्राणां कोटीभिरभिसंवृतः। क्षिप्रमेष्यति वैदेहि सुग्रीवः प्लवगाधिपः॥

And that master of monkeys, Sugriva, O Vaidehī, surrounded by thousands and Koțīs of monkeys, shall speedily come here (for the purpose).

Sundara Kanda 56.14

तौ च वीरौ नरवरौ सहितौ रामलक्ष्मणौ। आगम्य नगरी लङ्कां सायकैर्विधमिष्यतः॥

And those best of men, those heroes, Rāma and Lakşmana, coming together, shall afflict Lankā with their arrows.

Sundara Kanda 56.15

सगणं राक्षसं हत्वा नचिराद् रघुनन्दनः। त्वामादाय वरारोहे स्वां पुरीं प्रति यास्यति॥

And slaughtering the Rākṣasa with his own adherents, Raghu's son, O exceedingly fair one, shall ere long take you back to his palace.

Sundara Kanda 56.16

समाश्वसिहि भद्रं ते भव त्वं कालकाङ्क्षिणी। क्षिप्रं द्रक्ष्यसि रामेण निहतं रावणं रणे॥

O gentle damsel, do you console yourself. Remain, expecting the hour. Soon shall you see Rāvana slain in battle by Rāma.

Sundara Kanda 56.17

निहते राक्षसेन्द्रे च सपुत्रामात्यबान्धवे। त्वं समेष्यसि रामेण शशाङ्केनेव रोहिणी॥

On the lord of Rākṣasas being slain along with his sons, councillors, and friends, you shall meet with Rāma as Rohiņi meet with the Moon.

Sundara Kanda 56.18

क्षिप्रमेष्यति काकुत्स्थो हपृक्षप्रवरैर्युतः। यस्ते युधि विजित्यारीञ्छोकं व्यपनयिष्यति॥

At once shall Käkutstha come, accompanied by the foremost of monkeys, who, conquering (Ravana) in conflict, shall remove your grief.

Sundara Kanda 56.19

एवमाश्वास्य वैदहीं हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः। गमनाय मतिं कृत्वा वैदेहीमभ्यवादयत्॥

Having thus consoled Vaidehi's daughter, Hanumān, son to the Wind-god, setting his heart upon departure, saluted Vaidehi.

Sundara Kanda 56.20

राक्षसान् प्रवरान् हत्वा नाम विश्राव्य चात्मनः। समाश्वास्य च वैदेही दर्शयित्वा परं बलम्॥ नगरीमाकुलां कृत्वा वञ्चयित्वा च रावणम्। दर्शयित्वा बलं घोरं वैदेहीमभिवाद्य च॥ प्रतिगन्तुं मनश्चक्रे पुनर्मध्येन सागरम्।

And having soothed Vaidehī, and displayed his surpassing strength, having rendered the city disconsolate, and baffled Rāvana, exhibited his terrific might, and saluted Vaidehī, Hanuman became bent upon returning, crossing over the mid-sea.

Sundara Kanda 56.21

ततः स कपिशार्दूलः स्वामिसंदर्शनोत्सुकः॥ आरुरोह गिरिश्रेष्ठमरिष्टमरिमर्दनः। तुङ्गपद्मकजुष्टाभिर्नीलाभिर्वनराजिभिः॥ सोत्तरीयमिवाम्भोदैः शृङ्गान्तरविलम्बिभिः। बोध्यमानमिव प्रीत्या दिवाकरकरैः शुभैः॥ उन्मिषन्तमिवोद्भूतैर्लोचनैरिव धातुभिः तोयौघनिःस्वनैर्मन्द्रैः प्राधीतमिव पर्वतम्॥ प्रगीतमिव विस्पष्टं नानाप्रस्रवणस्वनैः। देवदारुभिरुद्भूतैरुव॑बाहुमिव स्थितम्॥ प्रपातजलनिर्घोषैः प्राक्क्रुष्टमिव सर्वतः। वेपमानमिव श्यामैः कम्पमानैः शरद्वनैः॥ वेणुभिर्मारुतोद्भूतैः कूजन्तमिव कीचकैः। निःश्वसन्तमिवामर्षाद्धोरैराशीविषोत्तमैः॥ नीहारकृतगम्भीरैायन्तमिव गह्वरैः। मेघपादनिभैः पादैः प्रक्रान्तमिव सर्वतः॥ जृम्भमाणमिवाकाशे शिखरैरभ्रमालिभिः। कूँटैश्च बहुधा कीर्णं शोभितं बहुकन्दरैः॥ सालनालैश्च कर्णैश्च वंशैश्च बहुभिर्वृतम्। लतावितानैर्विततैः : पुष्पवद्भिरलंकृतम्॥ नानामृगगणैः कीर्णं धातुनिष्यन्दभूषितम्। बहुप्रस्रवणोपेतं शिलासंचयसंकटम्॥ महर्षियक्षगन्धर्वकिंनरोरगसेवितम्। लतापादपसम्बाधं सिंहाधिष्ठितकन्दरम् ॥ व्याघ्रादिभिः समाकीर्णं स्वादुमूलफलद्रुमम्। आरुरोहानिलसुतः पर्वतं प्लवगोत्तमः॥ रामदर्शनशीघ्रण प्रहर्षेणाभिचोदितः।

Then that repressor of foes, the powerful monkey, anxious to see his master, ascended Arista, foremost of mountains; (as if covered) with a sheet consisting of blue woods, of tall padmakas, and clouds lying in the intersperse between peaks, and displayed from love by the glad light of the Sun; appearing to be beholding with the minerals scattered about serving for its eyes; seeming to be reciting aloud in consequence of the solemn sound of waters, to be carolling clearly through its many fountains, and to stay with uplifted arms by means of devadarus; appearing to be crying distressfully on account of cascades sounding all round; seeming to be trembling in consequence of verdant autumnal woods waving, and to be piping on account of kīcakas vocal through the breeze; eloquent; with the foremost poisonous serpents appearing to be sighing forth ire; appearing to be sunk in contemplation on account of caverns covered with snow and looking solemn in consequence; as if moving about by means of hills looking like its cloudlegs; seeming to yewn in the sky with peaks towering haven-wards, scattered with summits, and graced with innumerable caves; surrounded with salas, palms, tamalas, Karmas, and bamboos; graced with spreading and flowering under-woods; abounding in various beasts, and decked with mineral streams, containing numerous rills, throughed with collections of crags; frequented by Maharsis, and Yaksas, and Gandharvas and Kinnaras and serpents; impracticable in consequence of plants and trees; with caverns harbouring lions; filled with tigers and other (ferocious beasts); and furnished with trees having tasteful fruits and roots. And the Wind-god's offspring-foremost of monkeys-ascended that mountain.

Sundara Kanda 56.22

तेन पादतलक्रान्ता रम्येषु गिरिसानुषु ॥ सघोषाः समशीर्यन्त शिलाञ्चूर्णीकृतास्ततः।

And on the lovely level of that mountain, the crags, crushed with sounds under the tread of that one burning to behold Rāma and wrought up with excess of joy, were scattered all round.

Sundara Kanda 56.23

स तमारुह्य शैलेन्द्र व्यवर्धत महाकपिः॥ दक्षिणादुत्तरं पारं प्रार्थयँल्लवणाम्भसः।

And ascending that lordly hill, the mighty monkey magnified himself, desirous of going from the southern to the northern shore of the salt waters.

Sundara Kanda 56.24

अधिरुह्य ततो वीरः पर्वतं पवनात्मजः॥ ददर्श सागरं भीमं भीमोरगनिषेवितम्।

And getting to the top of the mountain, that hero, son to the Wind-god, cast his eyes upon the dreadful main inhabited by terrible snakes.

Sundara Kanda 56.25

स मारुत इवाकाशं मारुतस्यात्मसम्भवः॥ प्रपेदे हरिशार्दूलो दक्षिणादुत्तरां दिशम्।

And that foremost of monkeys, offspring of the Wind-god, (Māruta—this term is used twice in this Sloka, once for Hanumān, and next for the Wind-god. One of these is left out on the score of redundency) (mentally) went from the south to the north, as if it were the air.

Sundara Kanda 56.26

स तदा पीडितस्तेन कपिना पर्वतोत्तमः।॥ ररास विविधैर्भूतैः प्राविशद् वसुधातलम्। कम्पमानैश्च शिखरैः पतद्भिरपि च दुमैः॥

Then that best of mountains, sore pressed by the monkey, began to emit cries, and with various creatures (on it), entered under the Earth, with its peaks tottering and its trees toppling.

Sundara Kanda 56.27

तस्योरुवेगोन्मथिताः पादपाः पुष्पशालिनः। निपेतुर्भूतले भग्नाः शक्रायुधहता इव॥

And borne down by the violence of his thighs, trees bearing flowers, being shattered, as if destroyed by Sakra's weapon, fell to the ground.

Sundara Kanda 56.28

कन्दरोदरसंस्थानां पीडितानां महौजसाम्। सिंहानां निनदो भीमो नभो भिन्दन् हि शुश्रुवे॥ त्रस्तव्याविद्धवसना व्याकुलीकृतभूषणाः। विद्याधर्यः समुत्पेतुः सहसा धरणीधरात्॥

The dreadful yells of mighty lions in pain, inhabiting caves, entered the car, piercing the heavens. And Vidyādharis with their attires falling off and their ornaments disordered, suddenly rose from the mountain to the sky. (Dharanidharāt-at-from the holder of the Earth, the latter being supposed to rest on a mountain)

Sundara Kanda 56.29

अतिप्रमाणा बलिनो दीप्तजिह्वा महाविषाः। निपीडितशिरोग्रीवा व्यवेष्टन्त महाहयः॥

And exceedingly powerful and mighty snakes of virulent venom, having flaming tongues, with their hoods and necks tortured, began to roll (on the earth).

Sundara Kanda 56.30

किंनरोरगगन्धर्वयक्षविद्याधरास्तथा। पीडितं तं नगवरं त्यक्त्वा गगनमास्थिताः॥

And Kinnar and serpents, Gandharvas, Yaksas and Vidyadharas, forsaking that foremost of mountains in affliction, took refuge in the sky.

Sundara Kanda 56.31

स च भूमिधरः श्रीमान् बलिना तेन पीडितः। सवृक्षशिखरोदनः प्रविवेश रसातलम्॥

And that graceful mountain also, tormented by that powerful one, entered the nether regions with its tall trees and summits.

Sundara Kanda 56.32

दशयोजनविस्तारस्त्रिंशद्योजनमुच्छ्रितः। धरण्यां समतां यातः स बभूव धराधरः॥

That mountain, which (heretofore) had measured ten Yojanas in area and thirty in height, became level with the earth.

Sundara Kanda 56.33

स लिलचियिषुर्भीमं सलीलं लवणार्णवम्। कल्लोलास्फालवेलान्तमुत्पपात नभो हरिः॥

And desirous of crossing over the salt waters, with their shores menaced by sounding (waves), the monkey rose to the sky.

Sundara Kanda 56.34