Hope in the ashoka grove

विमानात् तु स संक्रम्य प्राकारं हरियूथपः ।

vimānāt tu sa saṃkramya prākāraṃ hariyūthapaḥ |

Passing from the aerial palace to the outer wall, swift Hanuman,

हनूमान् वेगवानासीद् यथा विद्युद् घनान्तरे ॥

hanūmān vegavānāsīd yathā vidyud ghanāntare ||

leader of vanaras, appeared like lightning within a cloud.

सम्परिक्रम्य हनुमान् रावणस्य निवेशनान् ।

samparikramya hanumān rāvaṇasya niveśanān |

Having searched all around Ravana's residences

अदृष्ट्वा जानकीं सीतामब्रवीद् वचनं कपिः ॥

adṛṣṭvā jānakīṃ sītāmabravīd vacanaṃ kapiḥ ||

without finding Janaki, the vanara spoke these words.

भूयिष्ठं लोलिता लंका रामस्य चरता प्रियम् ।

bhūyiṣṭhaṃ lolitā laṃkā rāmasya caratā priyam |

'In doing what is dear to Rama, I have searched most of Lanka,

न हि पश्यामि वैदेहीं सीतां सर्वांगशोभनाम् ॥

na hi paśyāmi vaidehīṃ sītāṃ sarvāṃgaśobhanām ||

yet I do not see Sita of Videha, lovely in every limb.'

पल्वलानि तटाकानि सरांसि सरितस्तथा ।

palvalāni taṭākāni sarāṃsi saritastathā |

'Pools, tanks, lakes, streams,

नद्योऽनूपवनान्ताश्च दुर्गाश्च धरणीधराः ॥

nadyo’nūpavanāntāśca durgāśca dharaṇīdharāḥ ||

rivers, waterside woods, and inaccessible hills—'

लोलिता वसुधा सर्वा न च पश्यामि जानकीम् ।

lolitā vasudhā sarvā na ca paśyāmi jānakīm |

'I have searched the entire ground, but I do not see Janaki.

इह सम्पातिना सीता रावणस्य निवेशने ।

iha sampātinā sītā rāvaṇasya niveśane |

Sampati, king of vultures, said Sita was here

आख्याता गृध्रराजेन न च सा दृश्यते न किम् ॥

ākhyātā gṛdhrarājena na ca sā dṛśyate na kim ||

in Ravana's dwelling; why then is she not visible?'

किं नु सीताथ वैदेही मैथिली जनकात्मजा ।

kiṃ nu sītātha vaidehī maithilī janakātmajā |

'Could Sita of Videha, Janaka's daughter from Mithila,

उपतिष्ठेत विवशा रावणेन हृता बलात् ॥

upatiṣṭheta vivaśā rāvaṇena hṛtā balāt ||

helpless after being taken by force, have submitted to Ravana?'

क्षिप्रमुत्पततो मन्ये सीतामादाय रक्षसः ।

kṣipramutpatato manye sītāmādāya rakṣasaḥ |

'Perhaps she fell while the rakshasa flew swiftly carrying her,

बिभ्यतो रामबाणानामन्तरा पतिता भवेत् ॥

bibhyato rāmabāṇānāmantarā patitā bhavet ||

frightened as he was of Rama's arrows.'

अथवा ह्रियमाणायाः पथि सिद्धनिषेविते ।

athavā hriyamāṇāyāḥ pathi siddhaniṣevite |

'Or as she was carried along the path frequented by perfected beings,

मन्ये पतितमार्याया हृदयं प्रेक्ष्य सागरम् ॥

manye patitamāryāyā hṛdayaṃ prekṣya sāgaram ||

perhaps the noble woman's heart failed at the sight of the ocean.'

रावणस्योरुवेगेन भुजाभ्यां पीडितेन च ।

rāvaṇasyoruvegena bhujābhyāṃ pīḍitena ca |

'Perhaps that noble, wide-eyed woman lost her life

तया मन्ये विशालाक्ष्या त्यक्तं जीवितमार्यया ॥

tayā manye viśālākṣyā tyaktaṃ jīvitamāryayā ||

through Ravana's great speed and the pressure of his arms.'

उपर्युपरि सा नूनं सागरं क्रमतस्तदा ।

uparyupari sā nūnaṃ sāgaraṃ kramatastadā |

'While he passed high above the sea,

विचेष्टमाना पतिता समुद्रे जनकात्मजा ॥

viceṣṭamānā patitā samudre janakātmajā ||

Janaka's daughter may have struggled and fallen into it.'

आहो क्षुद्रेण चानेन रक्षन्ती शीलमात्मनः ।

āho kṣudreṇa cānena rakṣantī śīlamātmanaḥ |

'Or, protecting her own virtue and without anyone to help her,

अबन्धुर्भक्षिता सीता रावणेन तपस्विनी ॥

abandhurbhakṣitā sītā rāvaṇena tapasvinī ||

poor Sita may have been devoured by this base Ravana.'

अथवा राक्षसेन्द्रस्य पत्नीभिरसितेक्षणा ।

athavā rākṣasendrasya patnībhirasitekṣaṇā |

'Or the innocent, dark-eyed woman may have been devoured

अदुष्टा दुष्टभावाभिर्भक्षिता सा भविष्यति ॥

aduṣṭā duṣṭabhāvābhirbhakṣitā sā bhaviṣyati ||

by the wicked-minded wives of the rakshasa king.'

सम्पूर्णचन्द्रप्रतिमं पद्मपत्रनिभेक्षणम् ।

sampūrṇacandrapratimaṃ padmapatranibhekṣaṇam |

'Thinking of Rama's full-moon-like face and lotus-petal eyes,

रामस्य ध्यायती वक्त्रं पञ्चत्वं कृपणा गता ॥

rāmasya dhyāyatī vaktraṃ pañcatvaṃ kṛpaṇā gatā ||

the unhappy one may have died.'

हा राम लक्ष्मणेत्येवं हायोध्ये चेति मैथिली ।

hā rāma lakṣmaṇetyevaṃ hāyodhye ceti maithilī |

'Crying, “Ah Rama! Lakshmana! Ah Ayodhya!”

विलप्य बहु वैदेही न्यस्तदेहा भविष्यति ॥

vilapya bahu vaidehī nyastadehā bhaviṣyati ||

Sita of Videha may have lamented greatly and laid down her life.'

अथवा निहिता मन्ये रावणस्य निवेशने ।

athavā nihitā manye rāvaṇasya niveśane |

'Or perhaps she is hidden within Ravana's residence,

भृशं लालप्यते बाला पञ्जरस्थेव सारिका ॥

bhṛśaṃ lālapyate bālā pañjarastheva sārikā ||

lamenting bitterly like a myna confined in a cage.'

जनकस्य कुले जाता रामपत्नी सुमध्यमा ।

janakasya kule jātā rāmapatnī sumadhyamā |

'Born in Janaka's family and married to Rama,

कथमुत्पलपत्राक्षी रावणस्य वशं व्रजेत् ॥

kathamutpalapatrākṣī rāvaṇasya vaśaṃ vrajet ||

how could that lotus-eyed, slender-waisted woman yield to Ravana?'

विनष्टा वा प्रणष्टा वा मृता वा जनकात्मजा ।

vinaṣṭā vā praṇaṣṭā vā mṛtā vā janakātmajā |

'Whether Janaka's daughter is lost, destroyed, or dead,

रामस्य प्रियभार्यस्य न निवेदयितुं क्षमम् ॥

rāmasya priyabhāryasya na nivedayituṃ kṣamam ||

I cannot bear to tell Rama, who dearly loves his wife.'

निवेद्यमाने दोषः स्याद् दोषः स्यादनिवेदने ।

nivedyamāne doṣaḥ syād doṣaḥ syādanivedane |

'There would be harm in reporting it, and harm in withholding it.

कथं नु खलु कर्तव्यं विषमं प्रतिभाति मे ॥

kathaṃ nu khalu kartavyaṃ viṣamaṃ pratibhāti me ||

What should I do? The situation seems impossible.'

अस्मिन् नेवंगते कार्ये प्राप्तकालं क्षमं च किम् ।

asmin nevaṃgate kārye prāptakālaṃ kṣamaṃ ca kim |

Thinking further about what would be timely and proper

भवेदिति मतिं भूयो हनुमान् प्रविचारयन् ॥

bhavediti matiṃ bhūyo hanumān pravicārayan ||

with the task in such a state, Hanuman reflected again.

यदि सीतामदृष्ट्वाहं वानरेन्द्रपुरीमितः ।

yadi sītāmadṛṣṭvāhaṃ vānarendrapurīmitaḥ |

'If I return from here to the vanara king's city without seeing Sita,

गमिष्यामि ततः को मे पुरुषार्थो भविष्यति ॥

gamiṣyāmi tataḥ ko me puruṣārtho bhaviṣyati ||

what will my achievement amount to?'

ममेदं लङ्घनं व्यर्थं सागरस्य भविष्यति ।

mamedaṃ laṅghanaṃ vyarthaṃ sāgarasya bhaviṣyati |

'My crossing of the ocean will be fruitless,

प्रवेशश्चैव लंकायां राक्षसानां च दर्शनम् ॥

praveśaścaiva laṃkāyāṃ rākṣasānāṃ ca darśanam ||

as will entering Lanka and observing the rakshasas.'

किं वा वक्ष्यति सुग्रीवो हरयो वापि संगताः ।

kiṃ vā vakṣyati sugrīvo harayo vāpi saṃgatāḥ |

'What will Sugriva or the assembled vanaras say

किष्किन्धामनुसम्प्राप्तं तौ वा दशरथात्मजौ ॥

kiṣkindhāmanusamprāptaṃ tau vā daśarathātmajau ||

when I reach Kishkindha, and what will Dasharatha's two sons say?'

गत्वा तु यदि काकुत्स्थं वक्ष्यामि परुषं वचः ।

gatvā tu yadi kākutsthaṃ vakṣyāmi paruṣaṃ vacaḥ |

'If I go to Kakutstha and speak the harsh words,

न दृष्टेति मया सीता ततस्त्यक्ष्यति जीवितम् ॥

na dṛṣṭeti mayā sītā tatastyakṣyati jīvitam ||

“I have not seen Sita,” he may abandon his life.'

परुषं दारुणं तीक्ष्णं क्रूरमिन्द्रियतापनम् ।

paruṣaṃ dāruṇaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ krūramindriyatāpanam |

'Hearing cruel, dreadful, piercing news about Sita,

सीतानिमित्तं दुर्वाक्यं श्रुत्वा स न भविष्यति ॥

sītānimittaṃ durvākyaṃ śrutvā sa na bhaviṣyati ||

painful to every sense, he may not survive.'

तं तु कृच्छ्रगतं दृष्ट्वा पञ्चत्वगतमानसम् ।

taṃ tu kṛcchragataṃ dṛṣṭvā pañcatvagatamānasam |

'Seeing Rama in that extremity, his mind turned toward death,

भृशानुरक्तमेधावी न भविष्यति लक्ष्मणः ॥

bhṛśānuraktamedhāvī na bhaviṣyati lakṣmaṇaḥ ||

wise Lakshmana, deeply devoted to him, may not survive either.'

विनष्टौ भ्रातरौ श्रुत्वा भरतोऽपि मरिष्यति ।

vinaṣṭau bhrātarau śrutvā bharato’pi mariṣyati |

'Hearing that both brothers have died, Bharata too may die;

भरतं च मृतं दृष्ट्वा शत्रुघ्नो न भविष्यति ॥

bharataṃ ca mṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā śatrughno na bhaviṣyati ||

seeing Bharata dead, Shatrughna may not remain alive.'

पुत्रान् मृतान् समीक्ष्याथ न भविष्यन्ति मातरः ।

putrān mṛtān samīkṣyātha na bhaviṣyanti mātaraḥ |

'Seeing their sons dead, their mothers would surely not survive:

कौसल्या च सुमित्रा च कैकेयी च न संशयः ॥

kausalyā ca sumitrā ca kaikeyī ca na saṃśayaḥ ||

Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi.'

कृतज्ञः सत्यसंधश्च सुग्रीवः प्लवगाधिपः ।

kṛtajñaḥ satyasaṃdhaśca sugrīvaḥ plavagādhipaḥ |

'Grateful and true to his promise, Sugriva, lord of vanaras,

रामं तथागतं दृष्ट्वा ततस्त्यक्ष्यति जीवितम् ॥

rāmaṃ tathāgataṃ dṛṣṭvā tatastyakṣyati jīvitam ||

would give up his life on seeing Rama in that condition.'

दुर्मना व्यथिता दीना निरानन्दा तपस्विनी ।

durmanā vyathitā dīnā nirānandā tapasvinī |

'Unhappy, distressed, helpless, and without joy,

पीडिता भर्तृशोकेन रुमा त्यक्ष्यति जीवितम् ॥

pīḍitā bhartṛśokena rumā tyakṣyati jīvitam ||

Ruma, tormented by grief for her husband, would abandon her life.'

वालिजेन तु दुःखेन पीडिता शोककर्शिता ।

vālijena tu duḥkhena pīḍitā śokakarśitā |

'Already afflicted by Vali's death and worn down by sorrow,

पञ्चत्वमागता राज्ञी तारापि न भविष्यति ॥

pañcatvamāgatā rājñī tārāpi na bhaviṣyati ||

Queen Tara too would not survive another calamity.'

मातापित्रोर्विनाशेन सुग्रीवव्यसनेन च ।

mātāpitrorvināśena sugrīvavyasanena ca |

'With his parents lost and Sugriva overtaken by disaster,

कुमारोऽप्यंगदस्तस्माद् विजहिष्यति जीवितम् ॥

kumāro’pyaṃgadastasmād vijahiṣyati jīvitam ||

Prince Angada too would give up his life.'

भर्तृजेन तु दुःखेन अभिभूता वनौकसः ।

bhartṛjena tu duḥkhena abhibhūtā vanaukasaḥ |

'Overcome by sorrow for their lord,

शिरांस्यभिहनिष्यन्ति तलैर्मुष्टिभिरेव च ॥

śirāṃsyabhihaniṣyanti talairmuṣṭibhireva ca ||

the forest-dwellers would strike their heads with palms and fists.'

सान्त्वेनानुप्रदानेन मानेन च यशस्विना ।

sāntvenānupradānena mānena ca yaśasvinā |

'Cherished by their renowned king with kindness, gifts, and honor,

लालिताः कपिनाथेन प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यन्ति वानराः ॥

lālitāḥ kapināthena prāṇāṃstyakṣyanti vānarāḥ ||

the vanaras would abandon their lives.'

न वनेषु न शैलेषु न निरोधेषु वा पुनः ।

na vaneṣu na śaileṣu na nirodheṣu vā punaḥ |

'The foremost vanaras would no longer gather

क्रीडामनुभविष्यन्ति समेत्य कपिकुञ्जराः ॥

krīḍāmanubhaviṣyanti sametya kapikuñjarāḥ ||

to enjoy their games in forests, mountains, or secluded places.'

सपुत्रदाराः सामात्या भर्तृव्यसनपीडिताः ।

saputradārāḥ sāmātyā bhartṛvyasanapīḍitāḥ |

'With wives, children, and ministers, distressed by their lord's misfortune,

शैलाग्रेभ्यः पतिष्यन्ति समेषु विषमेषु च ॥

śailāgrebhyaḥ patiṣyanti sameṣu viṣameṣu ca ||

they might throw themselves from mountain summits onto the ground below.'

विषमुद‍्बन्धनं वापि प्रवेशं ज्वलनस्य वा ।

viṣamudbandhanaṃ vāpi praveśaṃ jvalanasya vā |

'The vanaras might seek death through poison, hanging, fire,

उपवासमथो शस्त्रं प्रचरिष्यन्ति वानराः ॥

upavāsamatho śastraṃ pracariṣyanti vānarāḥ ||

fasting, or weapons.'

घोरमारोदनं मन्ये गते मयि भविष्यति ।

ghoramārodanaṃ manye gate mayi bhaviṣyati |

'I think my return would bring terrible lamentation,

इक्ष्वाकुकुलनाशश्च नाशश्चैव वनौकसाम् ॥

ikṣvākukulanāśaśca nāśaścaiva vanaukasām ||

the ruin of Ikshvaku's family and the destruction of the forest-dwellers.'

सोऽहं नैव गमिष्यामि किष्किन्धां नगरीमितः ।

so’haṃ naiva gamiṣyāmi kiṣkindhāṃ nagarīmitaḥ |

'Therefore I will not return from here to Kishkindha;

नहि शक्ष्याम्यहं द्रष्टुं सुग्रीवं मैथिलीं विना ॥

nahi śakṣyāmyahaṃ draṣṭuṃ sugrīvaṃ maithilīṃ vinā ||

I cannot face Sugriva without having found the princess of Mithila.'

मय्यगच्छति चेहस्थे धर्मात्मानौ महारथौ ।

mayyagacchati cehasthe dharmātmānau mahārathau |

'While I remain here without returning, those two righteous warriors

आशया तौ धरिष्येते वानराश्च तरस्विनः ॥

āśayā tau dhariṣyete vānarāśca tarasvinaḥ ||

and the swift vanaras will stay alive through hope.'

हस्तादानो मुखादानो नियतो वृक्षमूलिकः ।

hastādāno mukhādāno niyato vṛkṣamūlikaḥ |

'If I cannot find Janaka's daughter, I shall become a disciplined forest hermit,

वानप्रस्थो भविष्यामि ह्यदृष्ट्वा जनकात्मजाम् ॥

vānaprastho bhaviṣyāmi hyadṛṣṭvā janakātmajām ||

living beneath a tree and accepting only the food that comes to hand or mouth.'

सागरानूपजे देशे बहुमूलफलोदके ।

sāgarānūpaje deśe bahumūlaphalodake |

'In a seaside place with roots, fruits, and water,

चितिं कृत्वा प्रवेक्ष्यामि समिद्धमरणीसुतम् ॥

citiṃ kṛtvā pravekṣyāmi samiddhamaraṇīsutam ||

I might prepare a pyre and enter the kindled fire.'

उपविष्टस्य वा सम्यग् लिंगिनं साधयिष्यतः ।

upaviṣṭasya vā samyag liṃginaṃ sādhayiṣyataḥ |

'Or, seated in disciplined resolve to complete an ascetic end,

शरीरं भक्षयिष्यन्ति वायसाः श्वापदानि च ॥

śarīraṃ bhakṣayiṣyanti vāyasāḥ śvāpadāni ca ||

I might leave my body to crows and wild creatures.'

इदमप्यृषिभिर्दृष्टं निर्याणमिति मे मतिः ।

idamapyṛṣibhirdṛṣṭaṃ niryāṇamiti me matiḥ |

'I think such a departure has also been contemplated by sages;

सम्यगापः प्रवेक्ष्यामि न चेत् पश्यामि जानकीम् ॥

samyagāpaḥ pravekṣyāmi na cet paśyāmi jānakīm ||

if I do not find Janaki, I might enter the waters.'

सुजातमूला सुभगा कीर्तिमाला यशस्विनी ।

sujātamūlā subhagā kīrtimālā yaśasvinī |

'My garland of honor, well-rooted, fortunate, and renowned,

प्रभग्ना चिररात्राय मम सीतामपश्यतः ॥

prabhagnā cirarātrāya mama sītāmapaśyataḥ ||

has long been broken by my failure to see Sita.'

तापसो वा भविष्यामि नियतो वृक्षमूलिकः ।

tāpaso vā bhaviṣyāmi niyato vṛkṣamūlikaḥ |

'Or I will become a restrained ascetic living beneath a tree;

नेतः प्रतिगमिष्यामि तामदृष्ट्वासितेक्षणाम् ॥

netaḥ pratigamiṣyāmi tāmadṛṣṭvāsitekṣaṇām ||

I will not return without seeing that dark-eyed woman.'

यदि तु प्रतिगच्छामि सीतामनधिगम्य ताम् ।

yadi tu pratigacchāmi sītāmanadhigamya tām |

'If I return without finding Sita,

अंगदः सहितः सर्वैर्वानरैर्न भविष्यति ॥

aṃgadaḥ sahitaḥ sarvairvānarairna bhaviṣyati ||

Angada and all the vanaras with him will not survive.'

विनाशे बहवो दोषा जीवन् प्राप्नोति भद्रकम् ।

vināśe bahavo doṣā jīvan prāpnoti bhadrakam |

'Destruction has many evils; a living person may yet find good.

तस्मात् प्राणान् धरिष्यामि ध्रुवो जीवति संगमः ॥

tasmāt prāṇān dhariṣyāmi dhruvo jīvati saṃgamaḥ ||

Therefore I shall preserve my life: while one lives, reunion remains possible.'

एवं बहुविधं दुःखं मनसा धारयन् बहु ।

evaṃ bahuvidhaṃ duḥkhaṃ manasā dhārayan bahu |

Bearing many such painful thoughts in his mind,

नाध्यगच्छत् तदा पारं शोकस्य कपिकुञ्जरः ॥

nādhyagacchat tadā pāraṃ śokasya kapikuñjaraḥ ||

the foremost vanara had not yet reached the end of his sorrow.

ततो विक्रममासाद्य धैर्यवान् कपिकुञ्जरः ।

tato vikramamāsādya dhairyavān kapikuñjaraḥ |

Then, regaining courage, the steadfast vanara thought:

रावणं वा वधिष्यामि दशग्रीवं महाबलम् ।

rāvaṇaṃ vā vadhiṣyāmi daśagrīvaṃ mahābalam |

'Or I shall kill mighty ten-headed Ravana;

काममस्तु हृता सीता प्रत्याचीर्णं भविष्यति ॥

kāmamastu hṛtā sītā pratyācīrṇaṃ bhaviṣyati ||

even if Sita has been taken, her wrong will have been answered.'

अथवैनं समुत्क्षिप्य उपर्युपरि सागरम् ।

athavainaṃ samutkṣipya uparyupari sāgaram |

'Or I shall lift him and carry him over the ocean,

रामायोपहरिष्यामि पशुं पशुपतेरिव ॥

rāmāyopahariṣyāmi paśuṃ paśupateriva ||

presenting him to Rama like a sacrificial animal to the lord of creatures.'

इति चिन्तासमापन्नः सीतामनधिगम्य ताम् ।

iti cintāsamāpannaḥ sītāmanadhigamya tām |

Unable to find Sita, overwhelmed by thought and sorrow,

ध्यानशोकपरीतात्मा चिन्तयामास वानरः ॥

dhyānaśokaparītātmā cintayāmāsa vānaraḥ ||

the vanara continued reflecting.

यावत् सीतां न पश्यामि रामपत्नीं यशस्विनीम् ।

yāvat sītāṃ na paśyāmi rāmapatnīṃ yaśasvinīm |

'Until I see Sita, Rama's renowned wife,

तावदेतां पुरीं लंकां विचिनोमि पुनः पुनः ॥

tāvadetāṃ purīṃ laṃkāṃ vicinomi punaḥ punaḥ ||

I will search this city of Lanka again and again.'

सम्पातिवचनाच्चापि रामं यद्यानयाम्यहम् ।

sampātivacanāccāpi rāmaṃ yadyānayāmyaham |

'Even if I bring Rama on the strength of Sampati's report,

अपश्यन् राघवो भार्यां निर्दहेत् सर्ववानरान् ॥

apaśyan rāghavo bhāryāṃ nirdahet sarvavānarān ||

Raghava, failing to find his wife, might burn all the vanaras in anger.'

इहैव नियताहारो वत्स्यामि नियतेन्द्रियः ।

ihaiva niyatāhāro vatsyāmi niyatendriyaḥ |

'I shall remain here with restrained senses and limited food;

न मत्कृते विनश्येयुः सर्वे ते नरवानराः ॥

na matkṛte vinaśyeyuḥ sarve te naravānarāḥ ||

all those men and vanaras must not perish because of me.'

अशोकवनिका चापि महतीयं महाद्रुमा ।

aśokavanikā cāpi mahatīyaṃ mahādrumā |

'Here is a great ashoka grove filled with large trees.

इमामधिगमिष्यामि नहीयं विचिता मया ॥

imāmadhigamiṣyāmi nahīyaṃ vicitā mayā ||

I will enter it, for I have not yet searched it.'

वसून् रुद्रांस्तथाऽऽदित्यानश्विनौ मरुतोऽपि च ।

vasūn rudrāṃstathā’’dityānaśvinau maruto’pi ca |

'After bowing to the Vasus, Rudras, Adityas, Ashvins, and Maruts,

नमस्कृत्वा गमिष्यामि रक्षसां शोकवर्धनः ॥

namaskṛtvā gamiṣyāmi rakṣasāṃ śokavardhanaḥ ||

I shall go forward and increase the rakshasas' sorrow.'

जित्वा तु राक्षसान् देवीमिक्ष्वाकुकुलनन्दिनीम् ।

jitvā tu rākṣasān devīmikṣvākukulanandinīm |

'Overcoming the rakshasas, I shall restore the lady, joy of Ikshvaku's family,

सम्प्रदास्यामि रामाय सिद्धीमिव तपस्विने ॥

sampradāsyāmi rāmāya siddhīmiva tapasvine ||

to Rama as a spiritual attainment comes to an ascetic.'

स मुहूर्तमिव ध्यात्वा चिन्ताविग्रथितेन्द्रियः ।

sa muhūrtamiva dhyātvā cintāvigrathitendriyaḥ |

After reflecting for a moment, his senses previously entangled in worry,

उदतिष्ठन् महाबाहुर्हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः ॥

udatiṣṭhan mahābāhurhanūmān mārutātmajaḥ ||

mighty-armed Hanuman, son of the Wind, rose.

नमोऽस्तु रामाय सलक्ष्मणाय

namo’stu rāmāya salakṣmaṇāya

'Salutations to Rama with Lakshmana,

देव्यै च तस्यै जनकात्मजायै ।

devyai ca tasyai janakātmajāyai |

and to that divine lady, Janaka's daughter.

नमोऽस्तु रुद्रेन्द्रयमानिलेभ्यो

namo’stu rudrendrayamānilebhyo

Salutations to Rudra, Indra, Yama, and the Wind;

नमोऽस्तु चन्द्राग्निमरुद‍्गणेभ्यः ॥

namo’stu candrāgnimarudgaṇebhyaḥ ||

salutations to the Moon, Fire, and the hosts of Maruts.'

स तेभ्यस्तु नमस्कृत्वा सुग्रीवाय च मारुतिः ।

sa tebhyastu namaskṛtvā sugrīvāya ca mārutiḥ |

Having bowed to them and to Sugriva, the son of the Wind

दिशः सर्वाः समालोक्य सोऽशोकवनिकां प्रति ॥

diśaḥ sarvāḥ samālokya so’śokavanikāṃ prati ||

looked in every direction and turned toward the ashoka grove.

स गत्वा मनसा पूर्वमशोकवनिकां शुभाम् ।

sa gatvā manasā pūrvamaśokavanikāṃ śubhām |

Having first entered the lovely ashoka grove in his mind,

उत्तरं चिन्तयामास वानरो मारुतात्मजः ॥

uttaraṃ cintayāmāsa vānaro mārutātmajaḥ ||

the vanara, son of the Wind, considered what lay ahead.

ध्रुवं तु रक्षोबहुला भविष्यति वनाकुला ।

dhruvaṃ tu rakṣobahulā bhaviṣyati vanākulā |

'Surely this lovely, carefully cultivated ashoka grove,

अशोकवनिका पुण्या सर्वसंस्कारसंस्कृता ॥

aśokavanikā puṇyā sarvasaṃskārasaṃskṛtā ||

dense with woodland, will also contain many rakshasas.'

रक्षिणश्चात्र विहिता नूनं रक्षन्ति पादपान् ।

rakṣiṇaścātra vihitā nūnaṃ rakṣanti pādapān |

'Watchmen must have been appointed here to guard the trees;

भगवानपि विश्वात्मा नातिक्षोभं प्रवायति ॥

bhagavānapi viśvātmā nātikṣobhaṃ pravāyati ||

even the blessed Wind, the life of all, blows without disturbing them much.'

संक्षिप्तोऽयं मयाऽऽत्मा च रामार्थे रावणस्य च ।

saṃkṣipto’yaṃ mayā’’tmā ca rāmārthe rāvaṇasya ca |

'I have made my body small for Rama's task and to deal with Ravana.

सिद्धिं दिशन्तु मे सर्वे देवाः सर्षिगणास्त्विह ॥

siddhiṃ diśantu me sarve devāḥ sarṣigaṇāstviha ||

May all the gods together with the sages grant me success.'

ब्रह्मा स्वयम्भूर्भगवान् देवाश्चैव तपस्विनः ।

brahmā svayambhūrbhagavān devāścaiva tapasvinaḥ |

'May self-born Brahma, the blessed lord, and the ascetic gods,

सिद्धिमग्निश्च वायुश्च पुरुहूतश्च वज्रभृत् ॥

siddhimagniśca vāyuśca puruhūtaśca vajrabhṛt ||

Fire, Wind, and thunderbolt-bearing Indra grant success—'

वरुणः पाशहस्तश्च सोमादित्यौ तथैव च ।

varuṇaḥ pāśahastaśca somādityau tathaiva ca |

'and Varuna with the noose, the Moon and Sun,

अश्विनौ च महात्मानौ मरुतः सर्व एव च ॥

aśvinau ca mahātmānau marutaḥ sarva eva ca ||

the noble Ashvins and all the Maruts.'

सिद्धिं सर्वाणि भूतानि भूतानां चैव यः प्रभुः ।

siddhiṃ sarvāṇi bhūtāni bhūtānāṃ caiva yaḥ prabhuḥ |

'May all beings and the lord of beings grant me success,

दास्यन्ति मम ये चान्येऽप्यदृष्टाः पथि गोचराः ॥

dāsyanti mama ye cānye’pyadṛṣṭāḥ pathi gocarāḥ ||

and any other unseen powers that move upon my path.'

तदुन्नसं पाण्डुरदन्तमव्रणं

tadunnasaṃ pāṇḍuradantamavraṇaṃ

'When shall I see that noble face with its fine nose, white teeth, and unblemished beauty,

शुचिस्मितं पद्मपलाशलोचनम् ।

śucismitaṃ padmapalāśalocanam |

its pure smile and lotus-petal eyes,

द्रक्ष्ये तदार्यावदनं कदा न्वहं

drakṣye tadāryāvadanaṃ kadā nvahaṃ

that face of the lady

प्रसन्नताराधिपतुल्यवर्चसम् ॥

prasannatārādhipatulyavarcasam ||

whose radiance equals the clear moon?'

क्षुद्रेण हीनेन नृशंसमूर्तिना

kṣudreṇa hīnena nṛśaṃsamūrtinā

'Overpowered by a base, vile, cruel being

सुदारुणालंकृतवेषधारिणा ।

sudāruṇālaṃkṛtaveṣadhāriṇā |

wearing a dreadful yet richly adorned form,

बलाभिभूता ह्यबला तपस्विनी

balābhibhūtā hyabalā tapasvinī

that helpless, suffering woman—

कथं नु मे दृष्टिपथेऽद्य सा भवेत् ॥

kathaṃ nu me dṛṣṭipathe’dya sā bhavet ||

how may she come within my sight today?'