Hanuman crosses the ocean

ततो रावणनीतायाः सीतायाः शत्रुकर्षणः ।

tato rāvaṇanītāyāḥ sītāyāḥ śatrukarṣaṇaḥ |

Then Hanuman, the vanquisher of foes, sought Sita, whom Ravana had carried away.

इयेष पदमन्वेष्टुं चारणाचरिते पथि ॥

iyeṣa padamanveṣṭuṃ cāraṇācarite pathi ||

He resolved to discover her whereabouts by travelling the sky-path used by the celestial Charanas.

दुष्करं निष्प्रतिद्वन्द्वं चिकीर्षन् कर्म वानरः ।

duṣkaraṃ niṣpratidvandvaṃ cikīrṣan karma vānaraḥ |

The vanara wished to accomplish a difficult deed without equal.

समुदग्रशिरोग्रीवो गवां पतिरिवाबभौ ॥

samudagraśirogrīvo gavāṃ patirivābabhau ||

With his head and neck held high, he looked like a mighty bull.

अथ वैदूर्यवर्णेषु शाद्वलेषु महाबलः ।

atha vaidūryavarṇeṣu śādvaleṣu mahābalaḥ |

The immensely strong hero moved across grassy slopes the colour of beryl.

धीरः सलिलकल्पेषु विचचार यथासुखम् ॥

dhīraḥ salilakalpeṣu vicacāra yathāsukham ||

Calm and resolute, he wandered freely over lawns that looked like water.

द्विजान् वित्रासयन् धीमानुरसा पादपान् हरन् ।

dvijān vitrāsayan dhīmānurasā pādapān haran |

The wise hero frightened birds and pushed down trees with his chest.

मृगांश्च सुबहून् निघ्नन् प्रवृद्ध इव केसरी ॥

mṛgāṃśca subahūn nighnan pravṛddha iva kesarī ||

Like a full-grown lion, he struck down many animals as he moved.

नीललोहितमाञ्जिष्ठपद्मवर्णैः सितासितैः ।

nīlalohitamāñjiṣṭhapadmavarṇaiḥ sitāsitaiḥ |

The mountain bore blue, red, madder-red, lotus-coloured, white and dark hues.

स्वभावसिद्धैर्विमलैर्धातुभिः समलंकृतम् ॥

svabhāvasiddhairvimalairdhātubhiḥ samalaṃkṛtam ||

Its clear, naturally occurring mineral deposits adorned it.

कामरूपिभिराविष्टमभीक्ष्णं सपरिच्छदैः ।

kāmarūpibhirāviṣṭamabhīkṣṇaṃ saparicchadaiḥ |

Shape-changing beings often inhabited it with their companions.

यक्षकिंनरगन्धर्वैर्देवकल्पैः सपन्नगैः ॥

yakṣakiṃnaragandharvairdevakalpaiḥ sapannagaiḥ ||

Yakshas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas and godlike serpents made their homes there.

स तस्य गिरिवर्यस्य तले नागवरायुते ।

sa tasya girivaryasya tale nāgavarāyute |

At the foot of that great mountain, among its noble elephants, stood the foremost vanara.

तिष्ठन् कपिवरस्तत्र ह्रदे नाग इवाबभौ ॥

tiṣṭhan kapivarastatra hrade nāga ivābabhau ||

He appeared like an elephant standing in a lake.

स सूर्याय महेन्द्राय पवनाय स्वयम्भुवे ।

sa sūryāya mahendrāya pavanāya svayambhuve |

To the Sun, great Indra, the Wind and the self-born Brahma,

भूतेभ्यश्चाञ्जलिं कृत्वा चकार गमने मतिम् ॥

bhūtebhyaścāñjaliṃ kṛtvā cakāra gamane matim ||

and to all beings, he joined his palms before resolving to depart.

अञ्जलिं प्राङ्मुखं कुर्वन् पवनायात्मयोनये ।

añjaliṃ prāṅmukhaṃ kurvan pavanāyātmayonaye |

Facing east, he offered joined palms to the Wind, the source of his birth.

ततो हि ववृधे गन्तुं दक्षिणो दक्षिणां दिशम् ॥

tato hi vavṛdhe gantuṃ dakṣiṇo dakṣiṇāṃ diśam ||

Then the capable hero enlarged himself to travel south.

प्लवगप्रवरैर्दृष्टः प्लवने कृतनिश्चयः ।

plavagapravarairdṛṣṭaḥ plavane kṛtaniścayaḥ |

The foremost vanaras watched him, firmly resolved to leap.

ववृधे रामवृद्ध्यर्थं समुद्र इव पर्वसु ॥

vavṛdhe rāmavṛddhyarthaṃ samudra iva parvasu ||

For Rama's success he grew, like the ocean swelling at the lunar turning points.

निष्प्रमाणशरीरः सँल्लिलङ्घयिषुरर्णवम् ।

niṣpramāṇaśarīraḥ sam̐llilaṅghayiṣurarṇavam |

His body became immeasurably large as he prepared to cross the sea.

बाहुभ्यां पीडयामास चरणाभ्यां च पर्वतम् ॥

bāhubhyāṃ pīḍayāmāsa caraṇābhyāṃ ca parvatam ||

He pressed the mountain with both arms and both feet.

स चचालाचलश्चाशु मुहूर्तं कपिपीडितः ।

sa cacālācalaścāśu muhūrtaṃ kapipīḍitaḥ |

Pressed by the vanara, the motionless mountain suddenly shook.

तरूणां पुष्पिताग्राणां सर्वं पुष्पमशातयत् ॥

tarūṇāṃ puṣpitāgrāṇāṃ sarvaṃ puṣpamaśātayat ||

It shook loose all the flowers from the trees' blossoming crowns.

तेन पादपमुक्तेन पुष्पौघेण सुगन्धिना ।

tena pādapamuktena puṣpaugheṇa sugandhinā |

The fragrant mass of blossoms released by the trees

सर्वतः संवृतः शैलो बभौ पुष्पमयो यथा ॥

sarvataḥ saṃvṛtaḥ śailo babhau puṣpamayo yathā ||

covered the mountain on every side, making it seem made of flowers.

तेन चोत्तमवीर्येण पीड्यमानः स पर्वतः ।

tena cottamavīryeṇa pīḍyamānaḥ sa parvataḥ |

Pressed by that hero of incomparable strength, the mountain

सलिलं सम्प्रसुस्राव मदमत्त इव द्विपः ॥

salilaṃ samprasusrāva madamatta iva dvipaḥ ||

sent out streams of water, like a rutting elephant exuding fluid.

पीड्यमानस्तु बलिना महेन्द्रस्तेन पर्वतः ।

pīḍyamānastu balinā mahendrastena parvataḥ |

As powerful Hanuman pressed Mount Mahendra,

रीतीर्निर्वर्तयामास काञ्चनाञ्जनराजतीः ॥

rītīrnirvartayāmāsa kāñcanāñjanarājatīḥ ||

it released streams of gold-coloured, dark and silvery mineral matter.

मुमोच च शिलाः शैलो विशालाः समनःशिलाः ।

mumoca ca śilāḥ śailo viśālāḥ samanaḥśilāḥ |

The mountain shed great rocks containing red mineral deposits.

मध्यमेनार्चिषा जुष्टो धूमराजीरिवानलः ॥

madhyamenārciṣā juṣṭo dhūmarājīrivānalaḥ ||

It resembled a fire casting out trails of smoke from its burning centre.

हरिणा पीड्यमानेन पीड्यमानानि सर्वतः ।

hariṇā pīḍyamānena pīḍyamānāni sarvataḥ |

As the vanara pressed down, creatures dwelling in the caves were squeezed on every side.

गुहाविष्टानि सत्त्वानि विनेदुर्विकृतैः स्वरैः ॥

guhāviṣṭāni sattvāni vinedurvikṛtaiḥ svaraiḥ ||

They cried out in strange and frightened voices.

स महान् सत्त्वसन्नादः शैलपीडानिमित्तजः ।

sa mahān sattvasannādaḥ śailapīḍānimittajaḥ |

The great uproar of those creatures, caused by the mountain's distress,

पृथिवीं पूरयामास दिशश्चोपवनानि च ॥

pṛthivīṃ pūrayāmāsa diśaścopavanāni ca ||

filled the earth, every direction and the surrounding groves.

शिरोभिः पृथुभिर्नागा व्यक्तस्वस्तिकलक्षणैः ।

śirobhiḥ pṛthubhirnāgā vyaktasvastikalakṣaṇaiḥ |

Serpents with broad heads bearing distinct auspicious markings

वमन्तः पावकं घोरं ददंशुर्दशनैः शिलाः ॥

vamantaḥ pāvakaṃ ghoraṃ dadaṃśurdaśanaiḥ śilāḥ ||

breathed dreadful fire and bit the rocks with their fangs.

तास्तदा सविषैर्दष्टाः कुपितैस्तैर्महाशिलाः ।

tāstadā saviṣairdaṣṭāḥ kupitaistairmahāśilāḥ |

Bitten by those angry, venomous serpents, the great rocks

जज्वलुः पावकोद्दीप्ता बिभिदुश्च सहस्रधा ॥

jajvaluḥ pāvakoddīptā bibhiduśca sahasradhā ||

blazed with fire and shattered into a thousand pieces.

यानि त्वौषधजालानि तस्मिञ्जातानि पर्वते ।

yāni tvauṣadhajālāni tasmiñjātāni parvate |

The many medicinal plants growing upon that mountain,

विषघ्नान्यपि नागानां न शेकुः शमितुं विषम् ॥

viṣaghnānyapi nāgānāṃ na śekuḥ śamituṃ viṣam ||

even those that countered poison, could not quell the serpents' venom.

भिद्यतेऽयं गिरिर्भूतैरिति मत्वा तपस्विनः ।

bhidyate’yaṃ girirbhūtairiti matvā tapasvinaḥ |

Thinking that mighty beings were breaking the mountain, its ascetics were alarmed.

त्रस्ता विद्याधरास्तस्मादुत्पेतुः स्त्रीगणैः सह ॥

trastā vidyādharāstasmādutpetuḥ strīgaṇaiḥ saha ||

The frightened Vidyadharas rose from it with their womenfolk.

पानभूमिगतं हित्वा हैममासवभाजनम् ।

pānabhūmigataṃ hitvā haimamāsavabhājanam |

They abandoned the golden wine vessel in their drinking place,

पात्राणि च महार्हाणि करकांश्च हिरण्मयान् ॥

pātrāṇi ca mahārhāṇi karakāṃśca hiraṇmayān ||

their costly dishes and their golden cups,

लेह्यानुच्चावचान् भक्ष्यान् मांसानि विविधानि च ।

lehyānuccāvacān bhakṣyān māṃsāni vividhāni ca |

their various savoury foods, delicacies and kinds of meat,

आर्षभाणि च चर्माणि खड्गांश्च कनकत्सरून् ॥

ārṣabhāṇi ca carmāṇi khaḍgāṃśca kanakatsarūn ||

their bull hides and their swords with golden handles.

कृतकण्ठगुणाः क्षीबा रक्तमाल्यानुलेपनाः ।

kṛtakaṇṭhaguṇāḥ kṣībā raktamālyānulepanāḥ |

Wearing necklaces, red garlands and red perfumes, still flushed with drink,

रक्ताक्षाः पुष्कराक्षाश्च गगनं प्रतिपेदिरे ॥

raktākṣāḥ puṣkarākṣāśca gaganaṃ pratipedire ||

the red-eyed, lotus-eyed beings rose into the sky.

हारनूपुरकेयूरपारिहार्यधराः स्त्रियः ।

hāranūpurakeyūrapārihāryadharāḥ striyaḥ |

Their women wore necklaces, anklets, armlets and bracelets.

विस्मिताः सस्मितास्तस्थुराकाशे रमणौः सह ॥

vismitāḥ sasmitāstasthurākāśe ramaṇauḥ saha ||

Amazed yet smiling, they stood in the sky with their companions.

दर्शयन्तो महाविद्यां विद्याधरमहर्षयः ।

darśayanto mahāvidyāṃ vidyādharamaharṣayaḥ |

Displaying their great powers, the Vidyadhara sages

सहितास्तस्थुराकाशे वीक्षांचक्रुश्च पर्वतम् ॥

sahitāstasthurākāśe vīkṣāṃcakruśca parvatam ||

remained together in the sky and looked down at the mountain.

शुश्रुवुश्च तदा शब्दमृषीणां भावितात्मनाम् ।

śuśruvuśca tadā śabdamṛṣīṇāṃ bhāvitātmanām |

Then they heard the voices of sages whose minds were purified,

चारणानां च सिद्धानां स्थितानां विमलेऽम्बरे ॥

cāraṇānāṃ ca siddhānāṃ sthitānāṃ vimale’mbare ||

and of Charanas and Siddhas standing in the clear sky.

एष पर्वतसंकाशो हनुमान् मारुतात्मजः ।

eṣa parvatasaṃkāśo hanumān mārutātmajaḥ |

“This mountain-like figure is Hanuman, son of the Wind.

तितीर्षति महावेगः समुद्रं वरुणालयम् ॥

titīrṣati mahāvegaḥ samudraṃ varuṇālayam ||

With tremendous speed he intends to cross the ocean, Varuna's dwelling.

रामार्थं वानरार्थं च चिकीर्षन् कर्म दुष्करम् ।

rāmārthaṃ vānarārthaṃ ca cikīrṣan karma duṣkaram |

For Rama and the vanaras he wishes to perform this difficult deed.

समुद्रस्य परं पारं दुष्प्रापं प्राप्तुमिच्छति ॥

samudrasya paraṃ pāraṃ duṣprāpaṃ prāptumicchati ||

He seeks the distant shore of the ocean, so hard to reach.”

इति विद्याधरा वाचः श्रुत्वा तेषां तपस्विनाम् ।

iti vidyādharā vācaḥ śrutvā teṣāṃ tapasvinām |

Hearing these words from the ascetics, the Vidyadharas

तमप्रमेयं ददृशुः पर्वते वानरर्षभम् ॥

tamaprameyaṃ dadṛśuḥ parvate vānararṣabham ||

looked upon the immeasurably great vanara standing on the mountain.

दुधुवे च स रोमाणि चकम्पे चानलोपमः ।

dudhuve ca sa romāṇi cakampe cānalopamaḥ |

He shook his hair and quivered like flame.

ननाद च महानादं सुमहानिव तोयदः ॥

nanāda ca mahānādaṃ sumahāniva toyadaḥ ||

He gave a mighty roar, like a vast rain cloud.

आनुपूर्व्या च वृत्तं तल्लाङ्गूलं रोमभिश्चितम् ।

ānupūrvyā ca vṛttaṃ tallāṅgūlaṃ romabhiścitam |

Preparing to leap, he swung his rounded, tapering, hairy tail,

उत्पतिष्यन् विचिक्षेप पक्षिराज इवोरगम् ॥

utpatiṣyan vicikṣepa pakṣirāja ivoragam ||

as the king of birds might whirl a serpent.

तस्य लाङ्गूलमाविद्धमतिवेगस्य पृष्ठतः ।

tasya lāṅgūlamāviddhamativegasya pṛṣṭhataḥ |

His tail, swept behind his swiftly moving body,

ददृशे गरुडेनेव ह्रियमाणो महोरगः ॥

dadṛśe garuḍeneva hriyamāṇo mahoragaḥ ||

looked like a great serpent being carried by Garuda.

बाहू संस्तम्भयामास महापरिघसंनिभौ ।

bāhū saṃstambhayāmāsa mahāparighasaṃnibhau |

He stiffened his arms, which resembled enormous iron bars.

आससाद कपिः कट्यां चरणौ संचुकोच च ॥

āsasāda kapiḥ kaṭyāṃ caraṇau saṃcukoca ca ||

He lowered his body at the hips and drew in his legs.

संहृत्य च भुजौ श्रीमांस्तथैव च शिरोधराम् ।

saṃhṛtya ca bhujau śrīmāṃstathaiva ca śirodharām |

Drawing in his arms and his neck, the glorious hero

तेजः सत्त्वं तथा वीर्यमाविवेश स वीर्यवान् ॥

tejaḥ sattvaṃ tathā vīryamāviveśa sa vīryavān ||

gathered his radiance, courage and strength within himself.

मार्गमालोकयन् दूरादूर्ध्वप्रणिहितेक्षणः ।

mārgamālokayan dūrādūrdhvapraṇihitekṣaṇaḥ |

Looking far along his route, with his eyes turned upward,

रुरोध हृदये प्राणानाकाशमवलोकयन् ॥

rurodha hṛdaye prāṇānākāśamavalokayan ||

he held his breath within his chest and gazed into the sky.

पद्भ्यां दृढमवस्थानं कृत्वा स कपिकुञ्जरः ।

padbhyāṃ dṛḍhamavasthānaṃ kṛtvā sa kapikuñjaraḥ |

The foremost vanara planted his feet firmly.

निकुच्य कर्णौ हनुमानुत्पतिष्यन् महाबलः ॥

nikucya karṇau hanumānutpatiṣyan mahābalaḥ ||

Strong Hanuman drew back his ears as he prepared to spring.

वानरान् वानरश्रेष्ठ इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ।

vānarān vānaraśreṣṭha idaṃ vacanamabravīt |

The best of the vanaras spoke these words to his companions:

यथा राघवनिर्मुक्तः शरः श्वसनविक्रमः ॥

yathā rāghavanirmuktaḥ śaraḥ śvasanavikramaḥ ||

“As an arrow released by Rama travels with the force of the wind,

गच्छेत् तद्वद् गमिष्यामि लंकां रावणपालिताम् ।

gacchet tadvad gamiṣyāmi laṃkāṃ rāvaṇapālitām |

so I shall go to Lanka, ruled by Ravana.

नहि द्रक्ष्यामि यदि तां लंकायां जनकात्मजाम् ॥

nahi drakṣyāmi yadi tāṃ laṃkāyāṃ janakātmajām ||

If I do not find Janaka's daughter there in Lanka,

अनेनैव हि वेगेन गमिष्यामि सुरालयम् ।

anenaiva hi vegena gamiṣyāmi surālayam |

with this same speed I shall go to the realm of the gods.

यदि वा त्रिदिवे सीतां न द्रक्ष्यामि कृतश्रमः ॥

yadi vā tridive sītāṃ na drakṣyāmi kṛtaśramaḥ ||

If, despite my efforts, I do not find Sita in heaven either,

बद्‍ध्वा राक्षसराजानमानयिष्यामि रावणम् ।

baddhvā rākṣasarājānamānayiṣyāmi rāvaṇam |

I shall bind Ravana, king of the rakshasas, and bring him here.

सर्वथा कृतकार्योऽहमेष्यामि सह सीतया ॥

sarvathā kṛtakāryo’hameṣyāmi saha sītayā ||

In every way I shall fulfil the task and return with Sita,

आनयिष्यामि वा लंकां समुत्पाट्य सरावणाम् ।

ānayiṣyāmi vā laṃkāṃ samutpāṭya sarāvaṇām |

or uproot Lanka together with Ravana and bring it back.”

एवमुक्त्वा तु हनुमान् वानरो वानरोत्तमः ॥

evamuktvā tu hanumān vānaro vānarottamaḥ ||

Having spoken thus, Hanuman, foremost among the vanaras,

उत्पपाताथ वेगेन वेगवानविचारयन् ।

utpapātātha vegena vegavānavicārayan |

sprang forward with great speed and without hesitation.

सुपर्णमिव चात्मानं मेने स कपिकुञ्जरः ॥

suparṇamiva cātmānaṃ mene sa kapikuñjaraḥ ||

The mighty vanara thought himself like Garuda.

समुत्पतति वेगात् तु वेगात् ते नगरोहिणः ।

samutpatati vegāt tu vegāt te nagarohiṇaḥ |

As he rose swiftly, the trees growing on the mountain

संहृत्य विटपान् सर्वान् समुत्पेतुः समन्ततः ॥

saṃhṛtya viṭapān sarvān samutpetuḥ samantataḥ ||

drew their branches together and flew up around him under that force.

स मत्तकोयष्टिभकान् पादपान् पुष्पशालिनः ।

sa mattakoyaṣṭibhakān pādapān puṣpaśālinaḥ |

Bearing flowering trees with their excited birds,

उद्वहन्नुरुवेगेन जगाम विमलेऽम्बरे ॥

udvahannuruvegena jagāma vimale’mbare ||

he travelled through the clear sky with the power of his thighs.

ऊरुवेगोत्थिता वृक्षा मुहूर्तं कपिमन्वयुः ।

ūruvegotthitā vṛkṣā muhūrtaṃ kapimanvayuḥ |

The trees lifted by the force of his thighs followed him briefly,

प्रस्थितं दीर्घमध्वानं स्वबन्धुमिव बान्धवाः ॥

prasthitaṃ dīrghamadhvānaṃ svabandhumiva bāndhavāḥ ||

like relatives accompanying a loved one setting out on a long journey.

तमूरुवेगोन्मथिताः सालाश्चान्ये नगोत्तमाः ।

tamūruvegonmathitāḥ sālāścānye nagottamāḥ |

The sal trees and other great trees, uprooted by his powerful movement,

अनुजग्मुर्हनूमन्तं सैन्या इव महीपतिम् ॥

anujagmurhanūmantaṃ sainyā iva mahīpatim ||

followed Hanuman as an army follows its king.

सुपुष्पिताग्रैर्बहुभिः पादपैरन्वितः कपिः ।

supuṣpitāgrairbahubhiḥ pādapairanvitaḥ kapiḥ |

Surrounded by many trees crowned with beautiful flowers,

हनूमान् पर्वताकारो बभूवाद्भुतदर्शनः ॥

hanūmān parvatākāro babhūvādbhutadarśanaḥ ||

mountain-sized Hanuman presented a wondrous sight.

सारवन्तोऽथ ये वृक्षा न्यमज्जँल्लवणाम्भसि ।

sāravanto’tha ye vṛkṣā nyamajjam̐llavaṇāmbhasi |

The heavy, solid trees then sank into the salt sea,

भयादिव महेन्द्रस्य पर्वता वरुणालये ॥

bhayādiva mahendrasya parvatā varuṇālaye ||

like mountains hiding in Varuna's realm out of fear of Indra.

स नानाकुसुमैः कीर्णः कपिः साङ्कुरकोरकैः ।

sa nānākusumaiḥ kīrṇaḥ kapiḥ sāṅkurakorakaiḥ |

Covered in different flowers, young shoots and buds, the vanara

शुशुभे मेघसंकाशः खद्योतैरिव पर्वतः ॥

śuśubhe meghasaṃkāśaḥ khadyotairiva parvataḥ ||

shone like a cloud, or a mountain lit by fireflies.

विमुक्तास्तस्य वेगेन मुक्त्वा पुष्पाणि ते द्रुमाः ।

vimuktāstasya vegena muktvā puṣpāṇi te drumāḥ |

Released from his force, the trees shed their flowers

व्यवशीर्यन्त सलिले निवृत्ताः सुहृदो यथा ॥

vyavaśīryanta salile nivṛttāḥ suhṛdo yathā ||

and fell apart in the water, like friends turning back after a farewell.

लघुत्वेनोपपन्नं तद् विचित्रं सागरेऽपतत् ।

laghutvenopapannaṃ tad vicitraṃ sāgare’patat |

Their light, many-coloured blossoms fell upon the sea.

द्रुमाणां विविधं पुष्पं कपिवायुसमीरितम् ।

drumāṇāṃ vividhaṃ puṣpaṃ kapivāyusamīritam |

The flowers of different trees were scattered by the wind of his passage.

ताराचितमिवाकाशं प्रबभौ स महार्णवः ॥

tārācitamivākāśaṃ prababhau sa mahārṇavaḥ ||

The great ocean shone like a sky strewn with stars.

पुष्पौघेण सुगन्धेन नानावर्णेन वानरः ।

puṣpaugheṇa sugandhena nānāvarṇena vānaraḥ |

Covered with fragrant blossoms of many colours, the vanara

बभौ मेघ इवोद्यन् वै विद्युद‍्गणविभूषितः ॥

babhau megha ivodyan vai vidyudgaṇavibhūṣitaḥ ||

looked like a rising cloud adorned with flashes of lightning.

तस्य वेगसमुद्भूतैः पुष्पैस्तोयमदृश्यत ।

tasya vegasamudbhūtaiḥ puṣpaistoyamadṛśyata |

The water, covered with blossoms scattered by his speed,

ताराभिरिव रामाभिरुदिताभिरिवाम्बरम् ॥

tārābhiriva rāmābhiruditābhirivāmbaram ||

looked like the sky filled with lovely rising stars.

तस्याम्बरगतौ बाहू ददृशाते प्रसारितौ ।

tasyāmbaragatau bāhū dadṛśāte prasāritau |

His two outstretched arms appeared in the sky

पर्वताग्राद् विनिष्क्रान्तौ पञ्चास्याविव पन्नगौ ॥

parvatāgrād viniṣkrāntau pañcāsyāviva pannagau ||

like five-headed serpents emerging from a mountain peak.

पिबन्निव बभौ चापि सोर्मिजालं महार्णवम् ।

pibanniva babhau cāpi sormijālaṃ mahārṇavam |

The great vanara seemed to drink up the ocean and its waves.

पिपासुरिव चाकाशं ददृशे स महाकपिः ॥

pipāsuriva cākāśaṃ dadṛśe sa mahākapiḥ ||

He seemed eager to drink up the sky as well.

तस्य विद्युत्प्रभाकारे वायुमार्गानुसारिणः ।

tasya vidyutprabhākāre vāyumārgānusāriṇaḥ |

As he followed the path of the wind, his lightning-bright eyes

नयने विप्रकाशेते पर्वतस्थाविवानलौ ॥

nayane viprakāśete parvatasthāvivānalau ||

shone like two fires burning upon a mountain.

पिङ्गे पिङ्गाक्षमुख्यस्य बृहती परिमण्डले ।

piṅge piṅgākṣamukhyasya bṛhatī parimaṇḍale |

The great, round, tawny eyes of the foremost tawny-eyed vanara

चक्षुषी सम्प्रकाशेते चन्द्रसूर्याविव स्थितौ ॥

cakṣuṣī samprakāśete candrasūryāviva sthitau ||

shone like the sun and moon standing together.

मुखं नासिकया तस्य ताम्रया ताम्रमाबभौ ।

mukhaṃ nāsikayā tasya tāmrayā tāmramābabhau |

His face glowed copper-red around his copper-coloured nose,

संध्यया समभिस्पृष्टं यथा स्यात् सूर्यमण्डलम् ॥

saṃdhyayā samabhispṛṣṭaṃ yathā syāt sūryamaṇḍalam ||

like the sun's disc touched by twilight.

लाङ्गूलं च समाविद्धं प्लवमानस्य शोभते ।

lāṅgūlaṃ ca samāviddhaṃ plavamānasya śobhate |

The Wind's son swept his tail high as he flew.

अम्बरे वायुपुत्रस्य शक्रध्वज इवोच्छ्रितम् ॥

ambare vāyuputrasya śakradhvaja ivocchritam ||

It shone in the sky like Indra's raised banner.

लाङ्गूलचक्रो हनुमान् शुक्लदंष्ट्रोऽनिलात्मजः ।

lāṅgūlacakro hanumān śukladaṃṣṭro’nilātmajaḥ |

Wise Hanuman, son of the Wind, with white teeth and a circling tail,

व्यरोचत महाप्राज्ञः परिवेषीव भास्करः ॥

vyarocata mahāprājñaḥ pariveṣīva bhāskaraḥ ||

shone like the sun surrounded by a halo.

स्फिग्देशेनातिताम्रेण रराज स महाकपिः ।

sphigdeśenātitāmreṇa rarāja sa mahākapiḥ |

The great vanara's deeply reddish hindquarters gleamed,

महता दारितेनेव गिरिर्गैरिकधातुना ॥

mahatā dāriteneva girirgairikadhātunā ||

like a mountain split open to reveal a great vein of red ochre.

तस्य वानरसिंहस्य प्लवमानस्य सागरम् ।

tasya vānarasiṃhasya plavamānasya sāgaram |

As that lion among vanaras crossed the ocean,

कक्षान्तरगतो वायुर्जीमूत इव गर्जति ॥

kakṣāntaragato vāyurjīmūta iva garjati ||

the wind passing beneath his arms roared like a rain cloud.

खे यथा निपतत्युल्का उत्तरान्ताद् विनिःसृता ।

khe yathā nipatatyulkā uttarāntād viniḥsṛtā |

Like a meteor falling through the sky from the northern region,

दृश्यते सानुबन्धा च तथा स कपिकुञ्जरः ॥

dṛśyate sānubandhā ca tathā sa kapikuñjaraḥ ||

visible with its trailing streak, so appeared the mighty vanara.

पतत्पतङ्गसंकाशो व्यायतः शुशुभे कपिः ।

patatpataṅgasaṃkāśo vyāyataḥ śuśubhe kapiḥ |

Stretched out like a bird in flight, the vanara shone,

प्रवृद्ध इव मातङ्गः कक्ष्यया बध्यमानया ॥

pravṛddha iva mātaṅgaḥ kakṣyayā badhyamānayā ||

like a huge elephant held around the body by a girdle.

उपरिष्टाच्छरीरेण च्छायया चावगाढया ।

upariṣṭāccharīreṇa cchāyayā cāvagāḍhayā |

With his body above and his shadow deep upon the sea,

सागरे मारुताविष्टा नौरिवासीत् तदा कपिः ॥

sāgare mārutāviṣṭā naurivāsīt tadā kapiḥ ||

the vanara looked like a ship driven across the ocean by wind.

यं यं देशं समुद्रस्य जगाम स महाकपिः ।

yaṃ yaṃ deśaṃ samudrasya jagāma sa mahākapiḥ |

Every part of the ocean over which the great vanara passed

स तु तस्याङ्गवेगेन सोन्माद इव लक्ष्यते ॥

sa tu tasyāṅgavegena sonmāda iva lakṣyate ||

seemed driven into frenzy by the force of his body.

सागरस्योर्मिजालानामुरसा शैलवर्ष्मणाम् ।

sāgarasyormijālānāmurasā śailavarṣmaṇām |

Striking mountain-sized ocean waves with his chest,

अभिध्नंस्तु महावेगः पुप्लुवे स महाकपिः ॥

abhidhnaṃstu mahāvegaḥ pupluve sa mahākapiḥ ||

the great vanara sped onward.

कपिवातश्च बलवान् मेघवातश्च निर्गतः ।

kapivātaśca balavān meghavātaśca nirgataḥ |

The strong wind of his passage and the wind issuing from the clouds

सागरं भीमनिर्ह्रादं कम्पयामासतुर्भृशम् ॥

sāgaraṃ bhīmanirhrādaṃ kampayāmāsaturbhṛśam ||

shook the ocean violently, making it roar.

विकर्षन्नूर्मिजालानि बृहन्ति लवणाम्भसि ।

vikarṣannūrmijālāni bṛhanti lavaṇāmbhasi |

Dragging apart the great waves of salt water,

पुप्लुवे कपिशार्दूलो विकिरन्निव रोदसी ॥

pupluve kapiśārdūlo vikiranniva rodasī ||

the foremost vanara flew as though scattering heaven and earth.

मेरुमन्दरसंकाशानुद‍्गतान् सुमहार्णवे ।

merumandarasaṃkāśānudgatān sumahārṇave |

He swiftly passed waves rising in the great ocean like Mount Meru and Mount Mandara,

अत्यक्रामन्महावेगस्तरङ्गान् गणयन्निव ॥

atyakrāmanmahāvegastaraṅgān gaṇayanniva ||

as though counting them as he went.

तस्य वेगसमुद‍्घुष्टं जलं सजलदं तदा ।

tasya vegasamudghuṣṭaṃ jalaṃ sajaladaṃ tadā |

The water tossed into the air by his speed, together with the clouds,

अम्बरस्थं विबभ्राजे शरदभ्रमिवाततम् ॥

ambarasthaṃ vibabhrāje śaradabhramivātatam ||

spread shining across the sky like an autumn cloud.

तिमिनक्रझषाः कूर्मा दृश्यन्ते विवृतास्तदा ।

timinakrajhaṣāḥ kūrmā dṛśyante vivṛtāstadā |

Whales, crocodiles, great fish and turtles became exposed,

वस्त्रापकर्षणेनेव शरीराणि शरीरिणाम् ॥

vastrāpakarṣaṇeneva śarīrāṇi śarīriṇām ||

like bodies revealed when clothing is drawn away.

क्रममाणं समीक्ष्याथ भुजगाः सागरंगमाः ।

kramamāṇaṃ samīkṣyātha bhujagāḥ sāgaraṃgamāḥ |

The serpents living in the ocean saw the mighty vanara travelling

व्योम्नि तं कपिशार्दूलं सुपर्णमिव मेनिरे ॥

vyomni taṃ kapiśārdūlaṃ suparṇamiva menire ||

through the sky and thought him Garuda.

दशयोजनविस्तीर्णा त्रिंशद्योजनमायता ।

daśayojanavistīrṇā triṃśadyojanamāyatā |

His shadow was ten yojanas broad and thirty yojanas long.

छाया वानरसिंहस्य जवे चारुतराभवत् ॥

chāyā vānarasiṃhasya jave cārutarābhavat ||

As that lion among vanaras sped on, it became a remarkable sight.

श्वेताभ्रघनराजीव वायुपुत्रानुगामिनी ।

śvetābhraghanarājīva vāyuputrānugāminī |

Like a bank of white clouds following the Wind's son,

तस्य सा शुशुभे छाया पतिता लवणाम्भसि ॥

tasya sā śuśubhe chāyā patitā lavaṇāmbhasi ||

his shadow lay beautifully upon the salt sea.

शुशुभे स महातेजा महाकायो महाकपिः ।

śuśubhe sa mahātejā mahākāyo mahākapiḥ |

The brilliant, vast-bodied vanara shone

वायुमार्गे निरालम्बे पक्षवानिव पर्वतः ॥

vāyumārge nirālambe pakṣavāniva parvataḥ ||

in the unsupported sky like a mountain with wings.

येनासौ याति बलवान् वेगेन कपिकुञ्जरः ।

yenāsau yāti balavān vegena kapikuñjaraḥ |

Wherever the powerful vanara hurried on,

तेन मार्गेण सहसा द्रोणीकृत इवार्णवः ॥

tena mārgeṇa sahasā droṇīkṛta ivārṇavaḥ ||

the ocean beneath his route seemed suddenly hollowed into a trough.

आपाते पक्षिसङ्घानां पक्षिराज इव व्रजन् ।

āpāte pakṣisaṅghānāṃ pakṣirāja iva vrajan |

Moving among flocks of birds like their king,

हनुमान् मेघजालानि प्रकर्षन् मारुतो यथा ॥

hanumān meghajālāni prakarṣan māruto yathā ||

Hanuman pulled cloud banks along as the wind does.

पाण्डुरारुणवर्णानि नीलमञ्जिष्ठकानि च ।

pāṇḍurāruṇavarṇāni nīlamañjiṣṭhakāni ca |

White, reddish, blue and madder-coloured

कपिनाऽऽकृष्यमाणानि महाभ्राणि चकाशिरे ॥

kapinā’’kṛṣyamāṇāni mahābhrāṇi cakāśire ||

clouds gleamed as the vanara drew them along.

प्रविशन्नभ्रजालानि निष्पतंश्च पुनः पुनः ।

praviśannabhrajālāni niṣpataṃśca punaḥ punaḥ |

Entering masses of cloud and emerging again and again,

प्रच्छन्नश्च प्रकाशश्च चन्द्रमा इव दृश्यते ॥

pracchannaśca prakāśaśca candramā iva dṛśyate ||

he appeared like the moon, now hidden and now revealed.

प्लवमानं तु तं दृष्ट्वा प्लवगं त्वरितं तदा ।

plavamānaṃ tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā plavagaṃ tvaritaṃ tadā |

Seeing the vanara flying so swiftly,

ववृषुस्तत्र पुष्पाणि देवगन्धर्वचारणाः ॥

vavṛṣustatra puṣpāṇi devagandharvacāraṇāḥ ||

the gods, Gandharvas and Charanas showered flowers upon him.

तताप नहि तं सूर्यः प्लवन्तं वानरेश्वरम् ।

tatāpa nahi taṃ sūryaḥ plavantaṃ vānareśvaram |

The Sun did not scorch the flying lord of vanaras.

सिषेवे च तदा वायू रामकार्यार्थसिद्धये ॥

siṣeve ca tadā vāyū rāmakāryārthasiddhaye ||

The Wind served him, helping Rama's purpose succeed.

ऋषयस्तुष्टुवुश्चैनं प्लवमानं विहायसा ।

ṛṣayastuṣṭuvuścainaṃ plavamānaṃ vihāyasā |

The sages praised him as he crossed the sky.

जगुश्च देवगन्धर्वाः प्रशंसन्तो वनौकसम् ॥

jaguśca devagandharvāḥ praśaṃsanto vanaukasam ||

Divine Gandharvas sang in honour of the forest-dwelling hero.

नागाश्च तुष्टुवुर्यक्षा रक्षांसि विविधानि च ।

nāgāśca tuṣṭuvuryakṣā rakṣāṃsi vividhāni ca |

Nagas, Yakshas and many kinds of rakshasas also praised him.

प्रेक्ष्य सर्वे कपिवरं सहसा विगतक्लमम् ॥

prekṣya sarve kapivaraṃ sahasā vigataklamam ||

All watched the foremost vanara move swiftly without weariness.

तस्मिन् प्लवगशार्दूले प्लवमाने हनूमति ।

tasmin plavagaśārdūle plavamāne hanūmati |

While mighty Hanuman was flying,

इक्ष्वाकुकुलमानार्थी चिन्तयामास सागरः ॥

ikṣvākukulamānārthī cintayāmāsa sāgaraḥ ||

the Ocean, wishing to honour the Ikshvaku dynasty, began to reflect.

साहाय्यं वानरेन्द्रस्य यदि नाहं हनूमतः ।

sāhāyyaṃ vānarendrasya yadi nāhaṃ hanūmataḥ |

“If I do not offer help to Hanuman, lord among the vanaras,

करिष्यामि भविष्यामि सर्ववाच्यो विवक्षताम् ॥

kariṣyāmi bhaviṣyāmi sarvavācyo vivakṣatām ||

all who speak of this will find fault with me.

अहमिक्ष्वाकुनाथेन सगरेण विवर्धितः ।

ahamikṣvākunāthena sagareṇa vivardhitaḥ |

King Sagara of the Ikshvaku line enlarged me.

इक्ष्वाकुसचिवश्चायं तन्नार्हत्यवसादितुम् ॥

ikṣvākusacivaścāyaṃ tannārhatyavasāditum ||

This one serves that same line; he should not be allowed to suffer.

तथा मया विधातव्यं विश्रमेत यथा कपिः ।

tathā mayā vidhātavyaṃ viśrameta yathā kapiḥ |

I must arrange a place where the vanara can rest.

शेषं च मयि विश्रान्तः सुखी सोऽतितरिष्यति ॥

śeṣaṃ ca mayi viśrāntaḥ sukhī so’titariṣyati ||

After resting upon me, he will cross the remaining distance more easily.”

इति कृत्वा मतिं साध्वीं समुद्रश्छन्नमम्भसि ।

iti kṛtvā matiṃ sādhvīṃ samudraśchannamambhasi |

Having formed this generous resolve, the Ocean addressed

हिरण्यनाभं मैनाकमुवाच गिरिसत्तमम् ॥

hiraṇyanābhaṃ mainākamuvāca girisattamam ||

golden-hearted Mainaka, the noble mountain hidden beneath the water.

त्वमिहासुरसङ्घानां देवराज्ञा महात्मना ।

tvamihāsurasaṅghānāṃ devarājñā mahātmanā |

“The noble king of the gods placed you here as a barrier

पातालनिलयानां हि परिघः संनिवेशितः ॥

pātālanilayānāṃ hi parighaḥ saṃniveśitaḥ ||

against the hosts of asuras dwelling in the lower world.

त्वमेषां ज्ञातवीर्याणां पुनरेवोत्पतिष्यताम् ।

tvameṣāṃ jñātavīryāṇāṃ punarevotpatiṣyatām |

You stand across the entrance to boundless Patala,

पातालस्याप्रमेयस्य द्वारमावृत्य तिष्ठसि ॥

pātālasyāprameyasya dvāramāvṛtya tiṣṭhasi ||

preventing those beings of well-known strength from rising out again.

तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधश्चैव शक्तिस्ते शैल वर्धितुम् ।

tiryagūrdhvamadhaścaiva śaktiste śaila vardhitum |

Mountain, you have the power to grow sideways, upward and downward.

तस्मात् संचोदयामि त्वामुत्तिष्ठ गिरिसत्तम ॥

tasmāt saṃcodayāmi tvāmuttiṣṭha girisattama ||

Therefore I urge you: rise, noblest of mountains!

स एष कपिशार्दूलस्त्वामुपर्येति वीर्यवान् ।

sa eṣa kapiśārdūlastvāmuparyeti vīryavān |

This heroic foremost vanara is passing above you.

हनूमान् रामकार्यार्थी भीमकर्मा खमाप्लुतः ॥

hanūmān rāmakāryārthī bhīmakarmā khamāplutaḥ ||

Hanuman has leapt into the sky to perform Rama's mighty task.

अस्य साह्यं मया कार्यमिक्ष्वाकुकुलवर्तिनः ।

asya sāhyaṃ mayā kāryamikṣvākukulavartinaḥ |

I must help this servant of the Ikshvaku line.

मम इक्ष्वाकवः पूज्याः परं पूज्यतमास्तव ॥

mama ikṣvākavaḥ pūjyāḥ paraṃ pūjyatamāstava ||

The Ikshvakus deserve my reverence, and yours even more.

कुरु साचिव्यमस्माकं न नः कार्यमतिक्रमेत् ।

kuru sācivyamasmākaṃ na naḥ kāryamatikramet |

Assist us; do not let our purpose go unfulfilled.

कर्तव्यमकृतं कार्यं सतां मन्युमुदीरयेत् ॥

kartavyamakṛtaṃ kāryaṃ satāṃ manyumudīrayet ||

Leaving a duty undone rightly displeases good people.

सलिलादूर्ध्वमुत्तिष्ठ तिष्ठत्वेष कपिस्त्वयि ।

salilādūrdhvamuttiṣṭha tiṣṭhatveṣa kapistvayi |

Rise above the water and let this vanara stand upon you.

अस्माकमतिथिश्चैव पूज्यश्च प्लवतां वरः ॥

asmākamatithiścaiva pūjyaśca plavatāṃ varaḥ ||

The best of leapers is our guest and deserves honour.

चामीकरमहानाभ देवगन्धर्वसेवित ।

cāmīkaramahānābha devagandharvasevita |

Golden-hearted mountain, attended by gods and Gandharvas,

हनूमाँस्त्वयि विश्रान्तस्ततः शेषं गमिष्यति ॥

hanūmām̐stvayi viśrāntastataḥ śeṣaṃ gamiṣyati ||

Hanuman can rest on you and then complete the remaining journey.

काकुत्स्थस्यानृशंस्यं च मैथिल्याश्च विवासनम् ।

kākutsthasyānṛśaṃsyaṃ ca maithilyāśca vivāsanam |

Consider Rama's kindness, the exile of Maithili,

श्रमं च प्लवगेन्द्रस्य समीक्ष्योत्थातुमर्हसि ॥

śramaṃ ca plavagendrasya samīkṣyotthātumarhasi ||

and the exertion of the vanara chief; you should rise to help.”

हिरण्यगर्भो मैनाको निशम्य लवणाम्भसः ।

hiraṇyagarbho maināko niśamya lavaṇāmbhasaḥ |

Hearing the salt Ocean's words, golden-hearted Mainaka,

उत्पपात जलात् तूर्णं महाद्रुमलतावृतः ॥

utpapāta jalāt tūrṇaṃ mahādrumalatāvṛtaḥ ||

covered in tall trees and creepers, quickly rose out of the water.

स सागरजलं भित्त्वा बभूवात्युच्छ्रितस्तदा ।

sa sāgarajalaṃ bhittvā babhūvātyucchritastadā |

Breaking through the ocean's water, he towered upward,

यथा जलधरं भित्त्वा दीप्तरश्मिर्दिवाकरः ॥

yathā jaladharaṃ bhittvā dīptaraśmirdivākaraḥ ||

like the radiant Sun breaking through a cloud.

स महात्मा मुहूर्तेन पर्वतः सलिलावृतः ।

sa mahātmā muhūrtena parvataḥ salilāvṛtaḥ |

In a moment that noble mountain, previously covered by water,

दर्शयामास शृङ्गाणि सागरेण नियोजितः ॥

darśayāmāsa śṛṅgāṇi sāgareṇa niyojitaḥ ||

displayed its peaks as the Ocean had requested.

शातकुम्भमयैः शृङ्गैः सकिंनरमहोरगैः ।

śātakumbhamayaiḥ śṛṅgaiḥ sakiṃnaramahoragaiḥ |

His golden peaks, inhabited by Kinnaras and great serpents,

आदित्योदयसंकाशैरुल्लिखद्भिरिवाम्बरम् ॥

ādityodayasaṃkāśairullikhadbhirivāmbaram ||

gleamed like the rising Sun and seemed to scratch the sky.

तस्य जाम्बूनदैः शृङ्गैः पर्वतस्य समुत्थितैः ।

tasya jāmbūnadaiḥ śṛṅgaiḥ parvatasya samutthitaiḥ |

As that mountain's golden peaks rose up,

आकाशं शस्त्रसंकाशमभवत् काञ्चनप्रभम् ॥

ākāśaṃ śastrasaṃkāśamabhavat kāñcanaprabham ||

the steel-bright sky took on a golden glow.

जातरूपमयैः शृङ्गैर्भ्राजमानैर्महाप्रभैः ।

jātarūpamayaiḥ śṛṅgairbhrājamānairmahāprabhaiḥ |

With his bright, radiant peaks of gold,

आदित्यशतसंकाशः सोऽभवद् गिरिसत्तमः ॥

ādityaśatasaṃkāśaḥ so’bhavad girisattamaḥ ||

the noble mountain looked like a hundred suns.

समुत्थितमसङ्गेन हनूमानग्रतः स्थितम् ।

samutthitamasaṅgena hanūmānagrataḥ sthitam |

Hanuman saw him rise directly and stand before him

मध्ये लवणतोयस्य विघ्नोऽयमिति निश्चितः ॥

madhye lavaṇatoyasya vighno’yamiti niścitaḥ ||

in the middle of the salt ocean, and decided that this was an obstacle.

स तमुच्छ्रितमत्यर्थं महावेगो महाकपिः ।

sa tamucchritamatyarthaṃ mahāvego mahākapiḥ |

The great, swift vanara struck the towering mountain with his chest,

उरसा पातयामास जीमूतमिव मारुतः ॥

urasā pātayāmāsa jīmūtamiva mārutaḥ ||

as the wind might drive away a rain cloud.

स तदासादितस्तेन कपिना पर्वतोत्तमः ।

sa tadāsāditastena kapinā parvatottamaḥ |

Struck by the vanara, the noble mountain

बुद्‍ध्वा तस्य हरेर्वेगं जहर्ष च ननाद च ॥

buddhvā tasya harervegaṃ jaharṣa ca nanāda ca ||

recognised his speed and strength, rejoiced and gave a great cry.

तमाकाशगतं वीरमाकाशे समुपस्थितः ।

tamākāśagataṃ vīramākāśe samupasthitaḥ |

Rising to meet the hero in the sky,

प्रीतो हृष्टमना वाक्यमब्रवीत् पर्वतः कपिम् ॥

prīto hṛṣṭamanā vākyamabravīt parvataḥ kapim ||

the pleased and joyful mountain addressed the vanara.

मानुषं धारयन् रूपमात्मनः शिखरे स्थितः ।

mānuṣaṃ dhārayan rūpamātmanaḥ śikhare sthitaḥ |

Taking human form and standing upon his own summit, he said:

दुष्करं कृतवान् कर्म त्वमिदं वानरोत्तम ॥

duṣkaraṃ kṛtavān karma tvamidaṃ vānarottama ||

“Best of vanaras, you have accomplished a difficult deed.

निपत्य मम शृङ्गेषु सुखं विश्रम्य गम्यताम् ।

nipatya mama śṛṅgeṣu sukhaṃ viśramya gamyatām |

Land upon my peaks, rest comfortably, and then go on.

राघवस्य कुले जातैरुदधिः परिवर्धितः ॥

rāghavasya kule jātairudadhiḥ parivardhitaḥ ||

The ocean was enlarged by those born in Raghava's lineage.

स त्वां रामहिते युक्तं प्रत्यर्चयति सागरः ।

sa tvāṃ rāmahite yuktaṃ pratyarcayati sāgaraḥ |

This ocean therefore honours you, who are devoted to Rama's welfare.

कृते च प्रतिकर्तव्यमेष धर्मः सनातनः ॥

kṛte ca pratikartavyameṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ ||

Returning a kindness is an enduring duty.

सोऽयं तत्प्रतिकारार्थी त्वत्तः सम्मानमर्हति ।

so’yaṃ tatpratikārārthī tvattaḥ sammānamarhati |

Wishing to repay that kindness, he deserves your regard.

त्वन्निमित्तमनेनाहं बहुमानात् प्रचोदितः ॥

tvannimittamanenāhaṃ bahumānāt pracoditaḥ ||

Out of great respect, he has sent me to help you.

योजनानां शतं चापि कपिरेष खमाप्लुतः ।

yojanānāṃ śataṃ cāpi kapireṣa khamāplutaḥ |

‘This vanara has leapt into the sky to cross a hundred yojanas.

तव सानुषु विश्रान्तः शेषं प्रक्रमतामिति ॥

tava sānuṣu viśrāntaḥ śeṣaṃ prakramatāmiti ||

Let him rest upon your slopes and then finish the journey,’ he said.

तिष्ठ त्वं हरिशार्दूल मयि विश्रम्य गम्यताम् ।

tiṣṭha tvaṃ hariśārdūla mayi viśramya gamyatām |

Stay here, tiger among vanaras; rest upon me and then continue.

तदिदं गन्धवत् स्वादु कन्दमूलफलं बहु ॥

tadidaṃ gandhavat svādu kandamūlaphalaṃ bahu ||

Here are plentiful fragrant, tasty tubers, roots and fruits.

तदास्वाद्य हरिश्रेष्ठ विश्रान्तोऽथ गमिष्यसि ।

tadāsvādya hariśreṣṭha viśrānto’tha gamiṣyasi |

Enjoy them, foremost vanara, and go on after resting.

अस्माकमपि सम्बन्धः कपिमुख्य त्वयास्ति वै ।

asmākamapi sambandhaḥ kapimukhya tvayāsti vai |

Chief of vanaras, there is also a bond between us,

प्रख्यातस्त्रिषु लोकेषु महागुणपरिग्रहः ॥

prakhyātastriṣu lokeṣu mahāguṇaparigrahaḥ ||

a bond of great merit, celebrated in the three worlds.

वेगवन्तः प्लवन्तो ये प्लवगा मारुतात्मज ।

vegavantaḥ plavanto ye plavagā mārutātmaja |

Son of the Wind, among the swift-moving vanaras who leap,

तेषां मुख्यतमं मन्ये त्वामहं कपिकुञ्जर ॥

teṣāṃ mukhyatamaṃ manye tvāmahaṃ kapikuñjara ||

I consider you the very foremost, mighty one.

अतिथिः किल पूजार्हः प्राकृतोऽपि विजानता ।

atithiḥ kila pūjārhaḥ prākṛto’pi vijānatā |

Anyone who wishes to understand dharma should honour even an ordinary guest.

धर्मं जिज्ञासमानेन किं पुनर्यादृशो भवान् ॥

dharmaṃ jijñāsamānena kiṃ punaryādṛśo bhavān ||

How much more, then, a guest such as you!

त्वं हि देववरिष्ठस्य मारुतस्य महात्मनः ।

tvaṃ hi devavariṣṭhasya mārutasya mahātmanaḥ |

You are the son of the great Wind, foremost among the gods.

पुत्रस्तस्यैव वेगेन सदृशः कपिकुञ्जर ॥

putrastasyaiva vegena sadṛśaḥ kapikuñjara ||

Mighty vanara, you equal him in speed.

पूजिते त्वयि धर्मज्ञे पूजां प्राप्नोति मारुतः ।

pūjite tvayi dharmajñe pūjāṃ prāpnoti mārutaḥ |

When you, who know dharma, are honoured, the Wind is honoured too.

तस्मात् त्वं पूजनीयो मे शृणु चाप्यत्र कारणम् ॥

tasmāt tvaṃ pūjanīyo me śṛṇu cāpyatra kāraṇam ||

That is why I should honour you; hear also my reason.

पूर्वं कृतयुगे तात पर्वताः पक्षिणोऽभवन् ।

pūrvaṃ kṛtayuge tāta parvatāḥ pakṣiṇo’bhavan |

Long ago, dear one, in the Krita age, mountains had wings.

तेऽपि जग्मुर्दिशः सर्वा गरुडा इव वेगिनः ॥

te’pi jagmurdiśaḥ sarvā garuḍā iva veginaḥ ||

They travelled swiftly in every direction, like Garuda.

ततस्तेषु प्रयातेषु देवसङ्घाः सहर्षिभिः ।

tatasteṣu prayāteṣu devasaṅghāḥ saharṣibhiḥ |

As they moved, the gods, the sages

भूतानि च भयं जग्मुस्तेषां पतनशङ्कया ॥

bhūtāni ca bhayaṃ jagmusteṣāṃ patanaśaṅkayā ||

and other beings feared that the mountains might fall upon them.

ततः क्रुद्धः सहस्राक्षः पर्वतानां शतक्रतुः ।

tataḥ kruddhaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ parvatānāṃ śatakratuḥ |

Then the thousand-eyed Indra became angry.

पक्षांश्चिच्छेद वज्रेण ततः शतसहस्रशः ॥

pakṣāṃściccheda vajreṇa tataḥ śatasahasraśaḥ ||

With his thunderbolt he cut off the wings of mountains by the thousands.

स मामुपगतः क्रुद्धो वज्रमुद्यम्य देवराट् ।

sa māmupagataḥ kruddho vajramudyamya devarāṭ |

The angry king of the gods approached me with his thunderbolt raised.

ततोऽहं सहसा क्षिप्तः श्वसनेन महात्मना ॥

tato’haṃ sahasā kṣiptaḥ śvasanena mahātmanā ||

Then the great Wind suddenly swept me away.

अस्मिँल्लवणतोये च प्रक्षिप्तः प्लवगोत्तम ।

asmim̐llavaṇatoye ca prakṣiptaḥ plavagottama |

He cast me into this salt sea, best of vanaras.

गुप्तपक्षः समग्रश्च तव पित्राभिरक्षितः ॥

guptapakṣaḥ samagraśca tava pitrābhirakṣitaḥ ||

Your father protected me, keeping my wings hidden and intact.

ततोऽहं मानयामि त्वां मान्योऽसि मम मारुते ।

tato’haṃ mānayāmi tvāṃ mānyo’si mama mārute |

So I honour you, son of the Wind; you deserve my respect.

त्वया ममैष सम्बन्धः कपिमुख्य महागुणः ॥

tvayā mamaiṣa sambandhaḥ kapimukhya mahāguṇaḥ ||

Foremost vanara, this is the strong bond between us.

अस्मिन् नेवंगते कार्ये सागरस्य ममैव च ।

asmin nevaṃgate kārye sāgarasya mamaiva ca |

Since matters stand thus for the ocean and for me,

प्रीतिं प्रीतमनाः कर्तुं त्वमर्हसि महामते ॥

prītiṃ prītamanāḥ kartuṃ tvamarhasi mahāmate ||

wise one, kindly give us this happiness with a willing heart.

श्रमं मोक्षय पूजां च गृहाण हरिसत्तम ।

śramaṃ mokṣaya pūjāṃ ca gṛhāṇa harisattama |

Ease your weariness and accept our welcome, finest vanara.

प्रीतिं च मम मान्यस्य प्रीतोऽस्मि तव दर्शनात् ॥

prītiṃ ca mama mānyasya prīto’smi tava darśanāt ||

Grant me this joy, for seeing you has made me glad.”

एवमुक्तः कपिश्रेष्ठस्तं नगोत्तममब्रवीत् ।

evamuktaḥ kapiśreṣṭhastaṃ nagottamamabravīt |

When the great mountain had spoken, the foremost vanara replied:

प्रीतोऽस्मि कृतमातिथ्यं मन्युरेषोऽपनीयताम् ॥

prīto’smi kṛtamātithyaṃ manyureṣo’panīyatām ||

“I am delighted and consider your hospitality already received; please do not be disappointed.

त्वरते कार्यकालो मे अहश्चाप्यतिवर्तते ।

tvarate kāryakālo me ahaścāpyativartate |

My task is urgent, and the day is passing.

प्रतिज्ञा च मया दत्ता न स्थातव्यमिहान्तरा ॥

pratijñā ca mayā dattā na sthātavyamihāntarā ||

I have also given my word that I will not stop along the way.”

इत्युक्त्वा पाणिना शैलमालभ्य हरिपुङ्गवः ।

ityuktvā pāṇinā śailamālabhya haripuṅgavaḥ |

Having spoken, the mighty vanara touched the mountain with his hand.

जगामाकाशमाविश्य वीर्यवान् प्रहसन्निव ॥

jagāmākāśamāviśya vīryavān prahasanniva ||

Then, smiling, he rose into the sky and went on.

स पर्वतसमुद्राभ्यां बहुमानादवेक्षितः ।

sa parvatasamudrābhyāṃ bahumānādavekṣitaḥ |

The mountain and ocean watched him with great respect.

पूजितश्चोपपन्नाभिराशीर्भिरभिनन्दितः ॥

pūjitaścopapannābhirāśīrbhirabhinanditaḥ ||

They honoured him and greeted him with fitting blessings.

अथोर्ध्वं दूरमागत्य हित्वा शैलमहार्णवौ ।

athordhvaṃ dūramāgatya hitvā śailamahārṇavau |

Rising far above and leaving the mountain and ocean behind,

पितुः पन्थानमासाद्य जगाम विमलेऽम्बरे ॥

pituḥ panthānamāsādya jagāma vimale’mbare ||

he took his father's path through the clear sky.

भूयश्चोर्ध्वं गतिं प्राप्य गिरिं तमवलोकयन् ।

bhūyaścordhvaṃ gatiṃ prāpya giriṃ tamavalokayan |

Climbing still higher and looking back at the mountain,

वायुसूनुर्निरालम्बो जगाम कपिकुञ्जरः ॥

vāyusūnurnirālambo jagāma kapikuñjaraḥ ||

the Wind's son travelled without support through the air.

तद् द्वितीयं हनुमतो दृष्ट्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम् ।

tad dvitīyaṃ hanumato dṛṣṭvā karma suduṣkaram |

Seeing this second difficult deed of Hanuman,

प्रशशंसुः सुराः सर्वे सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः ॥

praśaśaṃsuḥ surāḥ sarve siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ ||

all the gods, perfected beings and great sages praised him.

देवताश्चाभवन् हृष्टास्तत्रस्थास्तस्य कर्मणा ।

devatāścābhavan hṛṣṭāstatrasthāstasya karmaṇā |

The gods there rejoiced at what the golden-peaked mountain had done.

काञ्चनस्य सुनाभस्य सहस्राक्षश्च वासवः ॥

kāñcanasya sunābhasya sahasrākṣaśca vāsavaḥ ||

So too did thousand-eyed Vasava, king of the gods.

उवाच वचनं धीमान् परितोषात् सगद‍्गदम् ।

uvāca vacanaṃ dhīmān paritoṣāt sagadgadam |

Wise Indra himself, the husband of Shachi, spoke to that excellent mountain,

सुनाभं पर्वतश्रेष्ठं स्वयमेव शचीपतिः ॥

sunābhaṃ parvataśreṣṭhaṃ svayameva śacīpatiḥ ||

his voice trembling with delight.

हिरण्यनाभ शैलेन्द्र परितुष्टोऽस्मि ते भृशम् ।

hiraṇyanābha śailendra parituṣṭo’smi te bhṛśam |

“Golden-peaked lord of mountains, I am greatly pleased with you.

अभयं ते प्रयच्छामि गच्छ सौम्य यथासुखम् ॥

abhayaṃ te prayacchāmi gaccha saumya yathāsukham ||

I grant you freedom from fear; go in peace wherever you wish.

साह्यं कृतं ते सुमहद् विश्रान्तस्य हनूमतः ।

sāhyaṃ kṛtaṃ te sumahad viśrāntasya hanūmataḥ |

You offered great help and a place of rest to Hanuman,

क्रमतो योजनशतं निर्भयस्य भये सति ॥

kramato yojanaśataṃ nirbhayasya bhaye sati ||

who fearlessly travels a hundred yojanas despite the dangers.

रामस्यैष हितायैव याति दाशरथेः कपिः ।

rāmasyaiṣa hitāyaiva yāti dāśaratheḥ kapiḥ |

This vanara goes for the welfare of Rama, son of Dasharatha.

सत्क्रियां कुर्वता शक्त्या तोषितोऽस्मि दृढं त्वया ॥

satkriyāṃ kurvatā śaktyā toṣito’smi dṛḍhaṃ tvayā ||

By honouring him as fully as you could, you have greatly pleased me.”

स तत् प्रहर्षमलभद् विपुलं पर्वतोत्तमः ।

sa tat praharṣamalabhad vipulaṃ parvatottamaḥ |

The excellent mountain felt immense joy

देवतानां पतिं दृष्ट्वा परितुष्टं शतक्रतुम् ॥

devatānāṃ patiṃ dṛṣṭvā parituṣṭaṃ śatakratum ||

on seeing the lord of the gods so pleased.

स वै दत्तवरः शैलो बभूवावस्थितस्तदा ।

sa vai dattavaraḥ śailo babhūvāvasthitastadā |

Having received that boon, the mountain remained there.

हनूमांश्च मुहूर्तेन व्यतिचक्राम सागरम् ॥

hanūmāṃśca muhūrtena vyaticakrāma sāgaram ||

Meanwhile, Hanuman continued swiftly over the ocean.

ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः ।

tato devāḥ sagandharvāḥ siddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ |

Then the gods, gandharvas, perfected beings and great sages

अब्रुवन् सूर्यसंकाशां सुरसां नागमातरम् ॥

abruvan sūryasaṃkāśāṃ surasāṃ nāgamātaram ||

spoke to Surasa, mother of serpents, radiant as the sun.

अयं वातात्मजः श्रीमान् प्लवते सागरोपरि ।

ayaṃ vātātmajaḥ śrīmān plavate sāgaropari |

“This splendid son of the Wind, named Hanuman, is flying over the sea.

हनूमान् नाम तस्य त्वं मुहूर्तं विघ्नमाचर ॥

hanūmān nāma tasya tvaṃ muhūrtaṃ vighnamācara ||

Place a brief obstacle in his way.

राक्षसं रूपमास्थाय सुघोरं पर्वतोपमम् ।

rākṣasaṃ rūpamāsthāya sughoraṃ parvatopamam |

Assume a fearsome, mountain-sized rakshasa form,

दंष्ट्राकरालं पिङ्गाक्षं वक्त्रं कृत्वा नभःस्पृशम् ॥

daṃṣṭrākarālaṃ piṅgākṣaṃ vaktraṃ kṛtvā nabhaḥspṛśam ||

with terrible fangs, tawny eyes and a mouth reaching to the sky.

बलमिच्छामहे ज्ञातुं भूयश्चास्य पराक्रमम् ।

balamicchāmahe jñātuṃ bhūyaścāsya parākramam |

We wish to test his strength and courage further.

त्वां विजेष्यत्युपायेन विषादं वा गमिष्यति ॥

tvāṃ vijeṣyatyupāyena viṣādaṃ vā gamiṣyati ||

Will he overcome you by resourcefulness, or lose heart?”

एवमुक्ता तु सा देवी दैवतैरभिसत्कृता ।

evamuktā tu sā devī daivatairabhisatkṛtā |

Thus addressed and honoured by the gods, the goddess Surasa

समुद्रमध्ये सुरसा बिभ्रती राक्षसं वपुः ॥

samudramadhye surasā bibhratī rākṣasaṃ vapuḥ ||

took a rakshasa form in the middle of the sea.

विकृतं च विरूपं च सर्वस्य च भयावहम् ।

vikṛtaṃ ca virūpaṃ ca sarvasya ca bhayāvaham |

With a strange, misshapen appearance terrifying to all,

प्लवमानं हनूमन्तमावृत्येदमुवाच ह ॥

plavamānaṃ hanūmantamāvṛtyedamuvāca ha ||

she blocked the flying Hanuman and spoke.

मम भक्ष्यः प्रदिष्टस्त्वमीश्वरैर्वानरर्षभ ।

mama bhakṣyaḥ pradiṣṭastvamīśvarairvānararṣabha |

“Best of vanaras, the gods have appointed you as my food.

अहं त्वां भक्षयिष्यामि प्रविशेदं ममाननम् ॥

ahaṃ tvāṃ bhakṣayiṣyāmi praviśedaṃ mamānanam ||

I shall eat you; enter this mouth of mine.

वर एष पुरा दत्तो मम धात्रेति सत्वरा ।

vara eṣa purā datto mama dhātreti satvarā |

The Creator granted me this boon long ago.”

व्यादाय वक्त्रं विपुलं स्थिता सा मारुतेः पुरः ॥

vyādāya vaktraṃ vipulaṃ sthitā sā māruteḥ puraḥ ||

She quickly opened her enormous mouth and stood before the Wind's son.

एवमुक्तः सुरसया प्रहृष्टवदनोऽब्रवीत् ।

evamuktaḥ surasayā prahṛṣṭavadano’bravīt |

Addressed by Surasa, Hanuman replied with a cheerful face:

रामो दाशरथिर्नाम प्रविष्टो दण्डकावनम् ।

rāmo dāśarathirnāma praviṣṭo daṇḍakāvanam |

“Rama, son of Dasharatha, entered the Dandaka forest

लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा वैदेह्या चापि भार्यया ॥

lakṣmaṇena saha bhrātrā vaidehyā cāpi bhāryayā ||

with his brother Lakshmana and his wife, the princess of Videha.

अन्यकार्यविषक्तस्य बद्धवैरस्य राक्षसैः ।

anyakāryaviṣaktasya baddhavairasya rākṣasaiḥ |

While he was occupied elsewhere, having become the rakshasas' enemy,

तस्य सीता हृता भार्या रावणेन यशस्विनी ॥

tasya sītā hṛtā bhāryā rāvaṇena yaśasvinī ||

Ravana carried away his celebrated wife Sita.

तस्याः सकाशं दूतोऽहं गमिष्ये रामशासनात् ।

tasyāḥ sakāśaṃ dūto’haṃ gamiṣye rāmaśāsanāt |

At Rama's command, I am going to her as his messenger.

कर्तुमर्हसि रामस्य साह्यं विषयवासिनि ॥

kartumarhasi rāmasya sāhyaṃ viṣayavāsini ||

You who dwell in this region should help Rama.

अथवा मैथिलीं दृष्ट्वा रामं चाक्लिष्टकारिणम् ।

athavā maithilīṃ dṛṣṭvā rāmaṃ cākliṣṭakāriṇam |

Or, after seeing Sita of Mithila and Rama of tireless deeds,

आगमिष्यामि ते वक्त्रं सत्यं प्रतिशृणोमि ते ॥

āgamiṣyāmi te vaktraṃ satyaṃ pratiśṛṇomi te ||

I shall return to enter your mouth; I promise you this truthfully.”

एवमुक्ता हनुमता सुरसा कामरूपिणी ।

evamuktā hanumatā surasā kāmarūpiṇī |

When Hanuman spoke thus, Surasa, who could change her form, replied:

अब्रवीन्नातिवर्तेन्मां कश्चिदेष वरो मम ॥

abravīnnātivartenmāṃ kaścideṣa varo mama ||

“No one may pass me by: that is my boon.”

तं प्रयान्तं समुद्वीक्ष्य सुरसा वाक्यमब्रवीत् ।

taṃ prayāntaṃ samudvīkṣya surasā vākyamabravīt |

Seeing Hanuman trying to continue, Surasa spoke again.

बलं जिज्ञासमाना सा नागमाता हनूमतः ॥

balaṃ jijñāsamānā sā nāgamātā hanūmataḥ ||

The mother of serpents wished to learn the measure of his strength.

निविश्य वदनं मेऽद्य गन्तव्यं वानरोत्तम ।

niviśya vadanaṃ me’dya gantavyaṃ vānarottama |

“Foremost vanara, you may go only after entering my mouth today.

वर एष पुरा दत्तो मम धात्रेति सत्वरा ॥

vara eṣa purā datto mama dhātreti satvarā ||

The Creator granted me this boon long ago.”

व्यादाय विपुलं वक्त्रं स्थिता सा मारुतेःपुरः ।

vyādāya vipulaṃ vaktraṃ sthitā sā māruteḥpuraḥ |

She swiftly opened her vast mouth and stood before the Wind's son.

एवमुक्तः सुरसया क्रुद्धो वानरपुंगवः ॥

evamuktaḥ surasayā kruddho vānarapuṃgavaḥ ||

At these words from Surasa, the foremost vanara grew angry.

अब्रवीत् कुरु वै वक्त्रं येन मां विषहिष्यसि ।

abravīt kuru vai vaktraṃ yena māṃ viṣahiṣyasi |

He said, “Make your mouth large enough to contain me.”

इत्युक्त्वा सुरसां क्रुद्धो दशयोजनमायताम् ॥

ityuktvā surasāṃ kruddho daśayojanamāyatām ||

Having said this to Surasa, whose form extended ten yojanas,

दशयोजनविस्तारो हनूमानभवत् तदा ।

daśayojanavistāro hanūmānabhavat tadā |

Hanuman then made himself ten yojanas across.

तं दृष्ट्वा मेघसंकाशं दशयोजनमायतम् ।

taṃ dṛṣṭvā meghasaṃkāśaṃ daśayojanamāyatam |

Seeing him like a cloud, extending ten yojanas,

चकार सुरसाप्यास्यं विंशद् योजनमायतम् ॥

cakāra surasāpyāsyaṃ viṃśad yojanamāyatam ||

Surasa made her mouth twenty yojanas wide.

हनूमांस्तु ततः क्रुद्धस्त्रिंशद् योजनमायतः ।

hanūmāṃstu tataḥ kruddhastriṃśad yojanamāyataḥ |

Then Hanuman, stirred to anger, extended thirty yojanas.

चकार सुरसा वक्त्रं चत्वारिंशत् तथोच्छ्रितम् ॥

cakāra surasā vaktraṃ catvāriṃśat tathocchritam ||

Surasa made her mouth forty yojanas high.

बभूव हनुमान् वीरः पञ्चाशद् योजनोच्छ्रितः ।

babhūva hanumān vīraḥ pañcāśad yojanocchritaḥ |

The heroic Hanuman became fifty yojanas tall.

चकार सुरसा वक्त्रं षष्टिं योजनमुच्छ्रितम् ॥

cakāra surasā vaktraṃ ṣaṣṭiṃ yojanamucchritam ||

Surasa opened her mouth to a height of sixty yojanas.

तदैव हनुमान् वीरः सप्ततिं योजनोच्छ्रितः ।

tadaiva hanumān vīraḥ saptatiṃ yojanocchritaḥ |

At once the heroic Hanuman became seventy yojanas tall.

चकार सुरसा वक्त्रमशीतिं योजनोच्छ्रितम् ॥

cakāra surasā vaktramaśītiṃ yojanocchritam ||

Surasa opened her mouth eighty yojanas high.

हनूमाननलप्रख्यो नवतिं योजनोच्छ्रितः ।

hanūmānanalaprakhyo navatiṃ yojanocchritaḥ |

Hanuman, shining like fire, became ninety yojanas tall.

चकार सुरसा वक्त्रं शतयोजनमायतम् ॥

cakāra surasā vaktraṃ śatayojanamāyatam ||

Surasa made her mouth a hundred yojanas wide.

तद् दृष्ट्वा व्यादितं त्वास्यं वायुपुत्रः स बुद्धिमान् ।

tad dṛṣṭvā vyāditaṃ tvāsyaṃ vāyuputraḥ sa buddhimān |

The wise son of the Wind saw Surasa's mouth spread open,

दीर्घजिह्वं सुरसया सुभीमं नरकोपमम् ॥

dīrghajihvaṃ surasayā subhīmaṃ narakopamam ||

with its long tongue, fearsome as the underworld.

स संक्षिप्यात्मनः कायं जीमूत इव मारुतिः ।

sa saṃkṣipyātmanaḥ kāyaṃ jīmūta iva mārutiḥ |

Then the Wind's son shrank his body like a contracting cloud.

तस्मिन् मुहूर्ते हनुमान् बभूवाङ्गुष्ठमात्रकः ॥

tasmin muhūrte hanumān babhūvāṅguṣṭhamātrakaḥ ||

In that instant Hanuman became no larger than a thumb.

सोऽभिपद्याथ तद्वक्त्रं निष्पत्य च महाबलः ।

so’bhipadyātha tadvaktraṃ niṣpatya ca mahābalaḥ |

The mighty one entered her mouth and immediately flew out.

अन्तरिक्षे स्थितः श्रीमानिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

antarikṣe sthitaḥ śrīmānidaṃ vacanamabravīt ||

Standing in the sky, the splendid Hanuman spoke these words:

प्रविष्टोऽस्मि हि ते वक्त्रं दाक्षायणि नमोऽस्तुते ।

praviṣṭo’smi hi te vaktraṃ dākṣāyaṇi namo’stute |

“Daughter of Daksha, I have entered your mouth; my respects to you.

गमिष्ये यत्र वैदेही सत्यश्चासीद् वरस्तव ॥

gamiṣye yatra vaidehī satyaścāsīd varastava ||

I shall go where Sita is, and your boon has proved true.”

तं दृष्ट्वा वदनान्मुक्तं चन्द्रं राहुमुखादिव ।

taṃ dṛṣṭvā vadanānmuktaṃ candraṃ rāhumukhādiva |

Seeing him free of her mouth like the moon released from Rahu,

अब्रवीत् सुरसा देवी स्वेन रूपेण वानरम् ॥

abravīt surasā devī svena rūpeṇa vānaram ||

the goddess Surasa resumed her own form and addressed him.

अर्थसिद्ध्यै हरिश्रेष्ठ गच्छ सौम्य यथासुखम् ।

arthasiddhyai hariśreṣṭha gaccha saumya yathāsukham |

“Go happily, gentle and foremost vanara, to accomplish your purpose.

समानय च वैदेहीं राघवेण महात्मना ॥

samānaya ca vaidehīṃ rāghaveṇa mahātmanā ||

Bring Sita and the great Rama together again.”

तत् तृतीयं हनुमतो दृष्ट्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम् ।

tat tṛtīyaṃ hanumato dṛṣṭvā karma suduṣkaram |

Seeing this third difficult deed of Hanuman,

साधुसाध्विति भूतानि प्रशशंसुस्तदा हरिम् ॥

sādhusādhviti bhūtāni praśaśaṃsustadā harim ||

the beings praised the vanara, crying, “Well done! Well done!”

स सागरमनाधृष्यमभ्येत्य वरुणालयम् ।

sa sāgaramanādhṛṣyamabhyetya varuṇālayam |

Crossing the unassailable ocean, the dwelling of Varuna,

जगामाकाशमाविश्य वेगेन गरुडोपमः ॥

jagāmākāśamāviśya vegena garuḍopamaḥ ||

he travelled swiftly through the sky like Garuda.

सेविते वारिधाराभिः पतगैश्च निषेविते ।

sevite vāridhārābhiḥ patagaiśca niṣevite |

He passed through a sky frequented by rain-bearing clouds and birds,

चरिते कैशिकाचार्यैरैरावतनिषेविते ॥

carite kaiśikācāryairairāvataniṣevite ||

visited by masters of celestial music and by Airavata,

सिंहकुञ्जरशार्दूलपतगोरगवाहनैः ।

siṃhakuñjaraśārdūlapatagoragavāhanaiḥ |

adorned with shining aerial chariots that travelled through it,

विमानैः सम्पतद्भिश्च विमलैः समलंकृते ॥

vimānaiḥ sampatadbhiśca vimalaiḥ samalaṃkṛte ||

with lions, elephants, tigers, birds and serpents as their mounts,

वज्राशनिसमस्पर्शैः पावकैरिव शोभिते ।

vajrāśanisamasparśaiḥ pāvakairiva śobhite |

brilliant as fire and fierce to the touch as thunderbolts,

कृतपुण्यैर्महाभागैः स्वर्गजिद्भिरधिष्ठिते ॥

kṛtapuṇyairmahābhāgaiḥ svargajidbhiradhiṣṭhite ||

occupied by fortunate beings whose good deeds had won heaven,

वहता हव्यमत्यन्तं सेविते चित्रभानुना ।

vahatā havyamatyantaṃ sevite citrabhānunā |

through which the many-rayed fire carries sacrificial offerings,

ग्रहनक्षत्रचन्द्रार्कतारागणविभूषिते ॥

grahanakṣatracandrārkatārāgaṇavibhūṣite ||

and which is decorated with planets, constellations, the moon, sun and stars,

महर्षिगणगन्धर्वनागयक्षसमाकुले ।

maharṣigaṇagandharvanāgayakṣasamākule |

filled with great sages, gandharvas, nagas and yakshas,

विविक्ते विमले विश्वे विश्वावसुनिषेविते ॥

vivikte vimale viśve viśvāvasuniṣevite ||

yet spacious, clear and all-encompassing, visited by Vishvavasu,

देवराजगजाक्रान्ते चन्द्रसूर्यपथे शिवे ।

devarājagajākrānte candrasūryapathe śive |

traversed by the king of the gods' elephant, the auspicious path of sun and moon,

विताने जीवलोकस्य वितते ब्रह्मनिर्मिते ॥

vitāne jīvalokasya vitate brahmanirmite ||

the wide canopy of the living world, fashioned by Brahma,

बहुशः सेविते वीरैर्विद्याधरगणैर्वृते ।

bahuśaḥ sevite vīrairvidyādharagaṇairvṛte |

often visited by heroes and surrounded by hosts of vidyadharas.

जगाम वायुमार्गे च गरुत्मानिव मारुतिः ॥

jagāma vāyumārge ca garutmāniva mārutiḥ ||

Along this path of the wind, the Wind's son travelled like Garuda.

हनुमान् मेघजालानि प्राकर्षन् मारुतो यथा ।

hanumān meghajālāni prākarṣan māruto yathā |

Like the wind, Hanuman drew along masses of clouds,

कालागुरुसवर्णानि रक्तपीतसितानि च ॥

kālāgurusavarṇāni raktapītasitāni ca ||

dark as black aloe wood, and red, yellow and white.

कपिना कृष्यमाणानि महाभ्राणि चकाशिरे ।

kapinā kṛṣyamāṇāni mahābhrāṇi cakāśire |

The great clouds drawn along by the vanara shone.

प्रविशन्नभ्रजालानि निष्पतंश्च पुनः पुनः ॥

praviśannabhrajālāni niṣpataṃśca punaḥ punaḥ ||

He entered the cloud masses and emerged again and again.

प्रावृषीन्दुरिवाभाति निष्पतन् प्रविशंस्तदा ।

prāvṛṣīndurivābhāti niṣpatan praviśaṃstadā |

Appearing and disappearing, he shone like the moon in the rainy season.

प्रदृश्यमानः सर्वत्र हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः ॥

pradṛśyamānaḥ sarvatra hanūmān mārutātmajaḥ ||

Hanuman, son of the Wind, could be seen in every direction.

भेजेऽम्बरं निरालम्बं पक्षयुक्त इवाद्रिराट् ।

bheje’mbaraṃ nirālambaṃ pakṣayukta ivādrirāṭ |

He travelled through the unsupported sky like a winged king of mountains.

प्लवमानं तु तं दृष्ट्वा सिंहिका नाम राक्षसी ॥

plavamānaṃ tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā siṃhikā nāma rākṣasī ||

Seeing him flying, a rakshasi named Simhika

मनसा चिन्तयामास प्रवृद्धा कामरूपिणी ।

manasā cintayāmāsa pravṛddhā kāmarūpiṇī |

— a powerful being able to change her form — thought to herself:

अद्य दीर्घस्य कालस्य भविष्याम्यहमाशिता ॥

adya dīrghasya kālasya bhaviṣyāmyahamāśitā ||

“Today, after a long time, I shall have a meal.

इदं मम महासत्त्वं चिरस्य वशमागतम् ।

idaṃ mama mahāsattvaṃ cirasya vaśamāgatam |

This mighty creature has finally come within my reach.”

इति संचिन्त्य मनसा च्छायामस्य समाक्षिपत् ॥

iti saṃcintya manasā cchāyāmasya samākṣipat ||

Thinking this, she seized his shadow.

छायायां गृह्यमाणायां चिन्तयामास वानरः ।

chāyāyāṃ gṛhyamāṇāyāṃ cintayāmāsa vānaraḥ |

As his shadow was caught, the vanara thought:

समाक्षिप्तोऽस्मि सहसा पङ्गूकृतपराक्रमः ॥

samākṣipto’smi sahasā paṅgūkṛtaparākramaḥ ||

“I have suddenly been held back; my strength can no longer carry me forward,

प्रतिलोमेन वातेन महानौरिव सागरे ।

pratilomena vātena mahānauriva sāgare |

like a great ship at sea driven against an opposing wind.”

तिर्यगूर्ध्वमधश्चैव वीक्षमाणस्तदा कपिः ॥

tiryagūrdhvamadhaścaiva vīkṣamāṇastadā kapiḥ ||

Then the vanara looked sideways, above and below.

ददर्श स महासत्त्वमुत्थितं लवणाम्भसि ।

dadarśa sa mahāsattvamutthitaṃ lavaṇāmbhasi |

He saw a huge being rising from the salt water.

तद् दृष्ट्वा चिन्तयामास मारुतिर्विकृताननाम् ॥

tad dṛṣṭvā cintayāmāsa mārutirvikṛtānanām ||

Seeing her distorted face, the Wind's son reflected:

कपिराज्ञा यथाख्यातं सत्त्वमद्भुतदर्शनम् ।

kapirājñā yathākhyātaṃ sattvamadbhutadarśanam |

“This must be the strange-looking, powerful shadow-grasper

छायाग्राहि महावीर्यं तदिदं नात्र संशयः ॥

chāyāgrāhi mahāvīryaṃ tadidaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ ||

described by the vanara king; there is no doubt.”

स तां बुद्‍ध्वार्थतत्त्वेन सिंहिकां मतिमान् कपिः ।

sa tāṃ buddhvārthatattvena siṃhikāṃ matimān kapiḥ |

The wise vanara correctly recognised her as Simhika.

व्यवर्धत महाकायः प्रावृषीव बलाहकः ॥

vyavardhata mahākāyaḥ prāvṛṣīva balāhakaḥ ||

Then his great body expanded like a monsoon cloud.

तस्य सा कायमुद्वीक्ष्य वर्धमानं महाकपेः ।

tasya sā kāyamudvīkṣya vardhamānaṃ mahākapeḥ |

Seeing the great vanara's body growing,

वक्त्रं प्रसारयामास पातालाम्बरसंनिभम् ॥

vaktraṃ prasārayāmāsa pātālāmbarasaṃnibham ||

she opened her mouth until it seemed to span the underworld and sky.

घनराजीव गर्जन्ती वानरं समभिद्रवत् ।

ghanarājīva garjantī vānaraṃ samabhidravat |

Roaring like a bank of clouds, she rushed towards the vanara.

स ददर्श ततस्तस्या विकृतं सुमहन्मुखम् ॥

sa dadarśa tatastasyā vikṛtaṃ sumahanmukham ||

He then saw her immense and misshapen mouth,

कायमात्रं च मेधावी मर्माणि च महाकपिः ।

kāyamātraṃ ca medhāvī marmāṇi ca mahākapiḥ |

her body's extent, and her vulnerable points, for he was wise.

स तस्या विकृते वक्त्रे वज्रसंहननः कपिः ॥

sa tasyā vikṛte vaktre vajrasaṃhananaḥ kapiḥ ||

Into her distorted mouth the vanara, whose frame was hard as a thunderbolt,

संक्षिप्य मुहुरात्मानं निपपात महाकपिः ।

saṃkṣipya muhurātmānaṃ nipapāta mahākapiḥ |

suddenly plunged, shrinking himself repeatedly.

आस्ये तस्या निमज्जन्तं ददृशुः सिद्धचारणाः ॥

āsye tasyā nimajjantaṃ dadṛśuḥ siddhacāraṇāḥ ||

Perfected beings and celestial bards saw him sinking into her mouth,

ग्रस्यमानं यथा चन्द्रं पूर्णं पर्वणि राहुणा ।

grasyamānaṃ yathā candraṃ pūrṇaṃ parvaṇi rāhuṇā |

like the full moon being swallowed by Rahu at an eclipse.

ततस्तस्या नखैस्तीक्ष्णैर्मर्माण्युत्कृत्य वानरः ॥

tatastasyā nakhaistīkṣṇairmarmāṇyutkṛtya vānaraḥ ||

Then the vanara tore her vital parts with his sharp nails,

उत्पपाताथ वेगेन मनःसम्पातविक्रमः ।

utpapātātha vegena manaḥsampātavikramaḥ |

and sprang out swiftly, with the speed of thought.

तां तु दिष्ट्या च धृत्या च दाक्षिण्येन निपात्य सः ॥

tāṃ tu diṣṭyā ca dhṛtyā ca dākṣiṇyena nipātya saḥ ||

Having brought her down through fortune, resolve and skill,

कपिप्रवीरो वेगेन ववृधे पुनरात्मवान् ।

kapipravīro vegena vavṛdhe punarātmavān |

the self-controlled vanara hero rapidly grew large again.

हृतहृत्सा हनुमता पपात विधुराम्भसि ।

hṛtahṛtsā hanumatā papāta vidhurāmbhasi |

With her heart destroyed by Hanuman, she fell stricken into the water.

स्वयंभुवैव हनुमान् सृष्टस्तस्या निपातने ॥

svayaṃbhuvaiva hanumān sṛṣṭastasyā nipātane ||

It was as though the Creator had made Hanuman for her destruction.

तां हतां वानरेणाशु पतितां वीक्ष्य सिंहिकाम् ।

tāṃ hatāṃ vānareṇāśu patitāṃ vīkṣya siṃhikām |

Seeing Simhika slain by the vanara and quickly fallen,

भूतान्याकाशचारीणि तमूचुः प्लवगोत्तमम् ॥

bhūtānyākāśacārīṇi tamūcuḥ plavagottamam ||

the beings who travelled in the sky addressed the foremost leaper:

भीममद्य कृतं कर्म महत्सत्त्वं त्वया हतम् ।

bhīmamadya kṛtaṃ karma mahatsattvaṃ tvayā hatam |

“You have done a formidable deed today and slain a mighty being.

साधयार्थमभिप्रेतमरिष्टं प्लवतां वर ॥

sādhayārthamabhipretamariṣṭaṃ plavatāṃ vara ||

Best of leapers, fulfil your intended purpose without harm.

यस्य त्वेतानि चत्वारि वानरेन्द्र यथा तव ।

yasya tvetāni catvāri vānarendra yathā tava |

One who possesses these four qualities as you do, foremost vanara

धृतिर्दृष्टिर्मतिर्दाक्ष्यं स कर्मसु न सीदति ॥

dhṛtirdṛṣṭirmatirdākṣyaṃ sa karmasu na sīdati ||

— resolve, observation, understanding and skill — does not fail in his undertakings.”

स तैः सम्पूजितः पूज्यः प्रतिपन्नप्रयोजनैः ।

sa taiḥ sampūjitaḥ pūjyaḥ pratipannaprayojanaiḥ |

Honoured by those worthy beings who understood his purpose,

जगामाकाशमाविश्य पन्नगाशनवत् कपिः ॥

jagāmākāśamāviśya pannagāśanavat kapiḥ ||

the vanara entered the sky and went on like Garuda, eater of serpents.

प्राप्तभूयिष्ठपारस्तु सर्वतः परिलोकयन् ।

prāptabhūyiṣṭhapārastu sarvataḥ parilokayan |

Now almost at the far shore, he looked in every direction.

योजनानां शतस्यान्ते वनराजीं ददर्श सः ॥

yojanānāṃ śatasyānte vanarājīṃ dadarśa saḥ ||

At the end of a hundred yojanas, he saw a stretch of forest.

ददर्श च पतन्नेव विविधद्रुमभूषितम् ।

dadarśa ca patanneva vividhadrumabhūṣitam |

While still in flight, the foremost vanara saw

द्वीपं शाखामृगश्रेष्ठो मलयोपवनानि च ॥

dvīpaṃ śākhāmṛgaśreṣṭho malayopavanāni ca ||

an island adorned with many kinds of trees and the groves of Malaya.

सागरं सागरानूपान् सागरानूपजान् द्रुमान् ।

sāgaraṃ sāgarānūpān sāgarānūpajān drumān |

He saw the ocean, its shores and the trees growing along them,

सागरस्य च पत्नीनां मुखान्यपि विलोकयत् ॥

sāgarasya ca patnīnāṃ mukhānyapi vilokayat ||

and the mouths of the rivers, poetically called the ocean's wives.

स महामेघसंकाशं समीक्ष्यात्मानमात्मवान् ।

sa mahāmeghasaṃkāśaṃ samīkṣyātmānamātmavān |

The self-controlled one examined his own body, vast as a great cloud,

निरुन्धन्तमिवाकाशं चकार मतिमान् मतिम् ॥

nirundhantamivākāśaṃ cakāra matimān matim ||

seeming to block the sky, and considered what to do.

कायवृद्धिं प्रवेगं च मम दृष्ट्वैव राक्षसाः ।

kāyavṛddhiṃ pravegaṃ ca mama dṛṣṭvaiva rākṣasāḥ |

“Seeing my enormous body and speed,

मयि कौतूहलं कुर्युरिति मेने महामतिः ॥

mayi kautūhalaṃ kuryuriti mene mahāmatiḥ ||

the rakshasas would become curious about me,” the wise one thought.

ततः शरीरं संक्षिप्य तन्महीधरसंनिभम् ।

tataḥ śarīraṃ saṃkṣipya tanmahīdharasaṃnibham |

So he contracted his mountain-like body

पुनः प्रकृतिमापेदे वीतमोह इवात्मवान् ॥

punaḥ prakṛtimāpede vītamoha ivātmavān ||

and returned to his natural form, like a disciplined person free from delusion.

तद्रूपमतिसंक्षिप्य हनूमान् प्रकृतौ स्थितः ।

tadrūpamatisaṃkṣipya hanūmān prakṛtau sthitaḥ |

Hanuman reduced that vast shape and stood in his natural form,

त्रीन् क्रमानिव विक्रम्य बलिवीर्यहरो हरिः ॥

trīn kramāniva vikramya balivīryaharo hariḥ ||

like Vishnu after taking three strides and overcoming Bali's power.

स चारुनानाविधरूपधारी

sa cārunānāvidharūpadhārī

He who could assume many beautiful forms

परं समासाद्य समुद्रतीरम् ।

paraṃ samāsādya samudratīram |

reached the far shore of the sea,

परैरशक्यं प्रतिपन्नरूपः

parairaśakyaṃ pratipannarūpaḥ

adopting a form that others could not readily overcome,

समीक्षितात्मा समवेक्षितार्थः ॥

samīkṣitātmā samavekṣitārthaḥ ||

having considered himself and carefully understood his purpose.

ततः स लम्बस्य गिरेः समृद्धे

tataḥ sa lambasya gireḥ samṛddhe

Then on the splendid, varied summit

विचित्रकूटे निपपात कूटे ।

vicitrakūṭe nipapāta kūṭe |

of Mount Lamba he alighted,

सकेतकोद्दालकनारिकेले

saketakoddālakanārikele

amid ketaka, uddalaka and coconut trees,

महाभ्रकूटप्रतिमो महात्मा ॥

mahābhrakūṭapratimo mahātmā ||

that great one who resembled a mass of clouds.

ततस्तु सम्प्राप्य समुद्रतीरं

tatastu samprāpya samudratīraṃ

Having reached the ocean's shore

समीक्ष्य लंकां गिरिवर्यमूर्ध्नि ।

samīkṣya laṃkāṃ girivaryamūrdhni |

and surveyed Lanka upon the mountain's summit,

कपिस्तु तस्मिन् निपपात पर्वते

kapistu tasmin nipapāta parvate

the vanara descended on that mountain,

विधूय रूपं व्यथयन्मृगद्विजान् ॥

vidhūya rūpaṃ vyathayanmṛgadvijān ||

casting off his huge form and startling the animals and birds.

स सागरं दानवपन्नगायुतं

sa sāgaraṃ dānavapannagāyutaṃ

He had crossed by his strength the sea, filled with danavas and serpents

बलेन विक्रम्य महोर्मिमालिनम् ।

balena vikramya mahormimālinam |

and crowned with rows of mighty waves.

निपत्य तीरे च महोदधेस्तदा

nipatya tīre ca mahodadhestadā

Landing then upon the great ocean's shore,

ददर्श लंकाममरावतीमिव ॥

dadarśa laṃkāmamarāvatīmiva ||

he saw Lanka, like the celestial city of Amaravati.