Hanuman recognizes Sita

स वीक्षमाणस्तत्रस्थो मार्गमाणश्च मैथिलीम् ।

sa vīkṣamāṇastatrastho mārgamāṇaśca maithilīm |

Remaining there, looking about and searching for the princess of Mithila,

अवेक्षमाणश्च महीं सर्वां तामन्ववैक्षत ॥

avekṣamāṇaśca mahīṃ sarvāṃ tāmanvavaikṣata ||

he surveyed the whole stretch of ground.

संतानकलताभिश्च पादपैरुपशोभिताम् ।

saṃtānakalatābhiśca pādapairupaśobhitām |

It was beautified by santanaka creepers and trees,

दिव्यगन्धरसोपेतां सर्वतः समलंकृताम् ॥

divyagandharasopetāṃ sarvataḥ samalaṃkṛtām ||

rich in heavenly fragrance and sweetness and adorned on every side.

तां स नन्दनसंकाशां मृगपक्षिभिरावृताम् ।

tāṃ sa nandanasaṃkāśāṃ mṛgapakṣibhirāvṛtām |

It resembled Nandana, filled with animals and birds,

हर्म्यप्रासादसम्बाधां कोकिलाकुलनिःस्वनाम् ॥

harmyaprāsādasambādhāṃ kokilākulaniḥsvanām ||

crowded with houses and palaces and alive with cuckoos' calls.

काञ्चनोत्पलपद्माभिर्वापीभिरुपशोभिताम् ।

kāñcanotpalapadmābhirvāpībhirupaśobhitām |

Pools of golden lotuses and water-lilies beautified it;

बह्वासनकुथोपेतां बहुभूमिगृहायुताम् ॥

bahvāsanakuthopetāṃ bahubhūmigṛhāyutām ||

it held many seats and carpets and many chambers upon its grounds.

सर्वर्तुकुसुमै रम्यैः फलवद्भिश्च पादपैः ।

sarvartukusumai ramyaiḥ phalavadbhiśca pādapaiḥ |

With lovely flowers of every season and fruit-bearing trees,

पुष्पितानामशोकानां श्रिया सूर्योदयप्रभाम् ॥

puṣpitānāmaśokānāṃ śriyā sūryodayaprabhām ||

the blossoming ashoka trees made it bright as sunrise.

प्रदीप्तामिव तत्रस्थो मारुतिः समुदैक्षत ।

pradīptāmiva tatrastho mārutiḥ samudaikṣata |

From his place the son of the Wind saw it as though aflame,

निष्पत्रशाखां विहगैः क्रियमाणामिवासकृत् ॥

niṣpatraśākhāṃ vihagaiḥ kriyamāṇāmivāsakṛt ||

its branches repeatedly seeming stripped of leaves by birds—

विनिष्पतद्भिः शतशश्चित्रैः पुष्पावतंसकैः ।

viniṣpatadbhiḥ śataśaścitraiḥ puṣpāvataṃsakaiḥ |

hundreds of colorful birds flying out among flower ornaments,

समूलपुष्परचितैरशोकैः शोकनाशनैः ॥

samūlapuṣparacitairaśokaiḥ śokanāśanaiḥ ||

and ashoka trees covered in blossom down to their roots, banishing sorrow—

पुष्पभारातिभारैश्च स्पृशद्भिरिव मेदिनीम् ।

puṣpabhārātibhāraiśca spṛśadbhiriva medinīm |

their branches burdened by flowers and almost touching the ground,

कर्णिकारैः कुसुमितैः किंशुकैश्च सुपुष्पितैः ॥

karṇikāraiḥ kusumitaiḥ kiṃśukaiśca supuṣpitaiḥ ||

with flowering karnikara and richly blooming kimshuka trees.

स देशः प्रभया तेषां प्रदीप्त इव सर्वतः ।

sa deśaḥ prabhayā teṣāṃ pradīpta iva sarvataḥ |

Their brilliance seemed to set the whole place alight;

पुंनागाः सप्तपर्णाश्च चम्पकोद्दालकास्तथा ॥

puṃnāgāḥ saptaparṇāśca campakoddālakāstathā ||

punnaga, saptaparna, champaka, and uddalaka trees—

विवृद्धमूला बहवः शोभन्ते स्म सुपुष्पिताः ।

vivṛddhamūlā bahavaḥ śobhante sma supuṣpitāḥ |

many with well-grown roots, shone in full bloom.

शातकुम्भनिभाः केचित् केचिदग्निशिखप्रभाः ॥

śātakumbhanibhāḥ kecit kecidagniśikhaprabhāḥ ||

Some were the color of refined gold, others bright as flames.

नीलाञ्जननिभाः केचित् तत्राशोकाः सहस्रशः ।

nīlāñjananibhāḥ kecit tatrāśokāḥ sahasraśaḥ |

Some were dark as collyrium, with ashoka trees in their thousands;

नन्दनं विबुधोद्यानं चित्रं चैत्ररथं यथा ॥

nandanaṃ vibudhodyānaṃ citraṃ caitrarathaṃ yathā ||

it resembled the gods' Nandana garden and beautiful Chaitraratha.

अतिवृत्तमिवाचिन्त्यं दिव्यं रम्यश्रियायुतम् ।

ativṛttamivācintyaṃ divyaṃ ramyaśriyāyutam |

Its divine and delightful splendor seemed almost unimaginable,

द्वितीयमिव चाकाशं पुष्पज्योतिर्गणायुतम् ॥

dvitīyamiva cākāśaṃ puṣpajyotirgaṇāyutam ||

like a second sky filled with stars made of flowers.

पुष्परत्नशतैश्चित्रं पञ्चमं सागरं यथा ।

puṣparatnaśataiścitraṃ pañcamaṃ sāgaraṃ yathā |

Patterned with hundreds of flower-jewels, it seemed a fifth ocean;

सर्वर्तुपुष्पैर्निचितं पादपैर्मधुगन्धिभिः ॥

sarvartupuṣpairnicitaṃ pādapairmadhugandhibhiḥ ||

it was filled with flowers of every season and honey-scented trees.

नानानिनादैरुद्यानं रम्यं मृगगणद्विजैः ।

nānāninādairudyānaṃ ramyaṃ mṛgagaṇadvijaiḥ |

The lovely garden rang with varied cries of animals and birds,

अनेकगन्धप्रवहं पुण्यगन्धं मनोहरम् ॥

anekagandhapravahaṃ puṇyagandhaṃ manoharam ||

sending forth many fragrances, pure and delightful.

शैलेन्द्रमिव गन्धाढ्यं द्वितीयं गन्धमादनम् ।

śailendramiva gandhāḍhyaṃ dvitīyaṃ gandhamādanam |

It was fragrant like the king of mountains, a second Gandhamadana;

अशोकवनिकायां तु तस्यां वानरपुंगवः ॥

aśokavanikāyāṃ tu tasyāṃ vānarapuṃgavaḥ ||

within that ashoka grove, the foremost vanara—

स ददर्शाविदूरस्थं चैत्यप्रासादमूर्जितम् ।

sa dadarśāvidūrasthaṃ caityaprāsādamūrjitam |

saw nearby a lofty sacred pavilion,

मध्ये स्तम्भसहस्रेण स्थितं कैलासपाण्डुरम् ॥

madhye stambhasahasreṇa sthitaṃ kailāsapāṇḍuram ||

standing among a thousand pillars, white as Kailasa.

प्रवालकृतसोपानं तप्तकाञ्चनवेदिकम् ।

pravālakṛtasopānaṃ taptakāñcanavedikam |

Its steps were coral and its platform burnished gold,

मुष्णन्तमिव चक्षूंषि द्योतमानमिव श्रिया ॥

muṣṇantamiva cakṣūṃṣi dyotamānamiva śriyā ||

as though dazzling the eyes with its shining splendor.

निर्मलं प्रांशुभावत्वादुल्लिखन्तमिवाम्बरम् ।

nirmalaṃ prāṃśubhāvatvādullikhantamivāmbaram |

Clear and so tall that it seemed to scratch the sky, it rose above him.

ततो मलिनसंवीतां राक्षसीभिः समावृताम् ॥

tato malinasaṃvītāṃ rākṣasībhiḥ samāvṛtām ||

Then he saw a woman in soiled clothing, surrounded by rakshasis—

उपवासकृशां दीनां निःश्वसन्तीं पुनः पुनः ।

upavāsakṛśāṃ dīnāṃ niḥśvasantīṃ punaḥ punaḥ |

thin from fasting, sorrowful, and sighing repeatedly,

ददर्श शुक्लपक्षादौ चन्द्ररेखामिवामलाम् ॥

dadarśa śuklapakṣādau candrarekhāmivāmalām ||

yet pure like the crescent moon at the beginning of the bright fortnight.

मन्दप्रख्यायमानेन रूपेण रुचिरप्रभाम् ।

mandaprakhyāyamānena rūpeṇa ruciraprabhām |

Her loveliness was only faintly visible, though still graceful,

पिनद्धां धूमजालेन शिखामिव विभावसोः ॥

pinaddhāṃ dhūmajālena śikhāmiva vibhāvasoḥ ||

like a flame enclosed in a mass of smoke.

पीतेनैकेन संवीतां क्लिष्टेनोत्तमवाससा ।

pītenaikena saṃvītāṃ kliṣṭenottamavāsasā |

She wore a single fine yellow garment, now worn and soiled;

सपङ्कामनलंकारां विपद्मामिव पद्मिनीम् ॥

sapaṅkāmanalaṃkārāṃ vipadmāmiva padminīm ||

without ornaments and covered with dirt, she was like a lotus pond without flowers.

पीडितां दुःखसंतप्तां परिक्षीणां तपस्विनीम् ।

pīḍitāṃ duḥkhasaṃtaptāṃ parikṣīṇāṃ tapasvinīm |

Afflicted, scorched by sorrow, diminished, and pitiable,

ग्रहेणांगारकेणेव पीडितामिव रोहिणीम् ॥

graheṇāṃgārakeṇeva pīḍitāmiva rohiṇīm ||

she resembled Rohini troubled by the planet Mars.

अश्रुपूर्णमुखीं दीनां कृशामनशनेन च ।

aśrupūrṇamukhīṃ dīnāṃ kṛśāmanaśanena ca |

Her face was full of tears, her body thin from not eating;

शोकध्यानपरां दीनां नित्यं दुःखपरायणाम् ॥

śokadhyānaparāṃ dīnāṃ nityaṃ duḥkhaparāyaṇām ||

sorrowful and absorbed in grief, she remained continually in distress.

प्रियं जनमपश्यन्तीं पश्यन्तीं राक्षसीगणम् ।

priyaṃ janamapaśyantīṃ paśyantīṃ rākṣasīgaṇam |

Seeing no beloved person, only a company of rakshasis,

स्वगणेन मृगीं हीनां श्वगणेनावृतामिव ॥

svagaṇena mṛgīṃ hīnāṃ śvagaṇenāvṛtāmiva ||

she was like a deer separated from its herd and surrounded by dogs.

नीलनागाभया वेण्या जघनं गतयैकया ।

nīlanāgābhayā veṇyā jaghanaṃ gatayaikayā |

Her single braid, dark as a serpent, reached her hips;

नीलया नीरदापाये वनराज्या महीमिव ॥

nīlayā nīradāpāye vanarājyā mahīmiva ||

she resembled the earth with its dark forest line after the clouds have departed.

सुखार्हां दुःखसंतप्तां व्यसनानामकोविदाम् ।

sukhārhāṃ duḥkhasaṃtaptāṃ vyasanānāmakovidām |

Seeing that wide-eyed woman, worthy of happiness but scorched by grief,

तां विलोक्य विशालाक्षीमधिकं मलिनां कृशाम् ॥

tāṃ vilokya viśālākṣīmadhikaṃ malināṃ kṛśām ||

unused to calamity, greatly soiled and thin—

तर्कयामास सीतेति कारणैरुपपादिभिः ।

tarkayāmāsa sīteti kāraṇairupapādibhiḥ |

he reasoned from appropriate signs that she was Sita.

ह्रियमाणा तदा तेन रक्षसा कामरूपिणा ॥

hriyamāṇā tadā tena rakṣasā kāmarūpiṇā ||

When she had been carried away by that shape-changing rakshasa—

यथारूपा हि दृष्टा सा तथारूपेयमंगना ।

yathārūpā hi dṛṣṭā sā tathārūpeyamaṃganā |

the form seen then matched the form of this woman:

पूर्णचन्द्राननां सुभ्रूं चारुवृत्तपयोधराम् ॥

pūrṇacandrānanāṃ subhrūṃ cāruvṛttapayodharām ||

a full-moon face, fine brows, and lovely rounded breasts.

कुर्वतीं प्रभया देवीं सर्वा वितिमिरा दिशः ।

kurvatīṃ prabhayā devīṃ sarvā vitimirā diśaḥ |

The noble woman seemed to dispel darkness in every direction by her radiance;

तां नीलकण्ठीं बिम्बोष्ठीं सुमध्यां सुप्रतिष्ठिताम् ॥

tāṃ nīlakaṇṭhīṃ bimboṣṭhīṃ sumadhyāṃ supratiṣṭhitām ||

with a blue-tinged neck, bimba-red lips, a slender waist, and a poised form—

सीतां पद्मपलाशाक्षीं मन्मथस्य रतिं यथा ।

sītāṃ padmapalāśākṣīṃ manmathasya ratiṃ yathā |

lotus-petal-eyed Sita resembled Rati beside the god of Love,

इष्टां सर्वस्य जगतः पूर्णचन्द्रप्रभामिव ॥

iṣṭāṃ sarvasya jagataḥ pūrṇacandraprabhāmiva ||

dear to the whole world like the full moon's light.

भूमौ सुतनुमासीनां नियतामिव तापसीम् ।

bhūmau sutanumāsīnāṃ niyatāmiva tāpasīm |

The slender woman sat upon the ground like a disciplined ascetic,

निःश्वासबहुलां भीरुं भुजगेन्द्रवधूमिव ॥

niḥśvāsabahulāṃ bhīruṃ bhujagendravadhūmiva ||

sighing often and fearful, like the wife of a serpent lord.

शोकजालेन महता विततेन न राजतीम् ।

śokajālena mahatā vitatena na rājatīm |

She did not shine beneath the immense net of sorrow spread over her,

संसक्तां धूमजालेन शिखामिव विभावसोः ॥

saṃsaktāṃ dhūmajālena śikhāmiva vibhāvasoḥ ||

like a flame caught in a web of smoke.

तां स्मृतीमिव संदिग्धामृद्धिं निपतितामिव ।

tāṃ smṛtīmiva saṃdigdhāmṛddhiṃ nipatitāmiva |

She seemed a memory become uncertain, prosperity fallen,

विहतामिव च श्रद्धामाशां प्रतिहतामिव ॥

vihatāmiva ca śraddhāmāśāṃ pratihatāmiva ||

faith obstructed, or hope defeated.

सोपसर्गां यथा सिद्धिं बुद्धिं सकलुषामिव ।

sopasargāṃ yathā siddhiṃ buddhiṃ sakaluṣāmiva |

She seemed an attainment beset by obstacles, understanding clouded,

अभूतेनापवादेन कीर्तिं निपतितामिव ॥

abhūtenāpavādena kīrtiṃ nipatitāmiva ||

or a reputation brought down by a false accusation.

रामोपरोधव्यथितां रक्षोगणनिपीडिताम् ।

rāmoparodhavyathitāṃ rakṣogaṇanipīḍitām |

Distressed by separation from Rama and oppressed by rakshasas,

अबलां मृगशावाक्षीं वीक्षमाणां ततस्ततः ॥

abalāṃ mṛgaśāvākṣīṃ vīkṣamāṇāṃ tatastataḥ ||

the helpless, doe-eyed woman looked here and there.

बाष्पाम्बुपरिपूर्णेन कृष्णवक्राक्षिपक्ष्मणा ।

bāṣpāmbuparipūrṇena kṛṣṇavakrākṣipakṣmaṇā |

With a joyless face filled with tears,

वदनेनाप्रसन्नेन निःश्वसन्तीं पुनः पुनः ॥

vadanenāprasannena niḥśvasantīṃ punaḥ punaḥ ||

her dark curved lashes wet, she sighed repeatedly.

मलपङ्कधरां दीनां मण्डनार्हाममण्डिताम् ।

malapaṅkadharāṃ dīnāṃ maṇḍanārhāmamaṇḍitām |

Soiled and pitiable, unadorned though worthy of ornaments,

प्रभां नक्षत्रराजस्य कालमेघैरिवावृताम् ॥

prabhāṃ nakṣatrarājasya kālameghairivāvṛtām ||

she was like moonlight covered by dark clouds.

तस्य संदिदिहे बुद्धिस्तथा सीतां निरीक्ष्य च ।

tasya saṃdidihe buddhistathā sītāṃ nirīkṣya ca |

Looking at Sita in that condition, his mind briefly doubted,

आम्नायानामयोगेन विद्यां प्रशिथिलामिव ॥

āmnāyānāmayogena vidyāṃ praśithilāmiva ||

as one struggles to recognize learning weakened through lack of practice.

दुःखेन बुबुधे सीतां हनुमाननलंकृताम् ।

duḥkhena bubudhe sītāṃ hanumānanalaṃkṛtām |

Hanuman recognized the unadorned Sita with difficulty,

संस्कारेण यथा हीनां वाचमर्थान्तरं गताम् ॥

saṃskāreṇa yathā hīnāṃ vācamarthāntaraṃ gatām ||

as one recognizes speech deprived of correct form and shifted in meaning.

तां समीक्ष्य विशालाक्षीं राजपुत्रीमनिन्दिताम् ।

tāṃ samīkṣya viśālākṣīṃ rājaputrīmaninditām |

Examining the faultless, wide-eyed princess,

तर्कयामास सीतेति कारणैरुपपादयन् ॥

tarkayāmāsa sīteti kāraṇairupapādayan ||

he identified her as Sita by assembling the supporting signs.

वैदेह्या यानि चांगेषु तदा रामोऽन्वकीर्तयत् ।

vaidehyā yāni cāṃgeṣu tadā rāmo’nvakīrtayat |

He noticed upon her body the beautiful ornaments

तान्याभरणजालानि गात्रशोभीन्यलक्षयत् ॥

tānyābharaṇajālāni gātraśobhīnyalakṣayat ||

that Rama had described as belonging to Sita.

सुकृतौ कर्णवेष्टौ च श्वदंष्ट्रौ च सुसंस्थितौ ।

sukṛtau karṇaveṣṭau ca śvadaṃṣṭrau ca susaṃsthitau |

There were finely made ear ornaments and well-fitted tooth-shaped pieces,

मणिविद्रुमचित्राणि हस्तेष्वाभरणानि च ॥

maṇividrumacitrāṇi hasteṣvābharaṇāni ca ||

and ornaments upon her hands patterned with gems and coral.

श्यामानि चिरयुक्तत्वात् तथा संस्थानवन्ति च ।

śyāmāni cirayuktatvāt tathā saṃsthānavanti ca |

'Though darkened by long wearing, they retain their proper shapes.

तान्येवैतानि मन्येऽहं यानि रामोऽन्वकीर्तयत् ॥

tānyevaitāni manye’haṃ yāni rāmo’nvakīrtayat ||

I think these are the very ornaments Rama described.'

तत्र यान्यवहीनानि तान्यहं नोपलक्षये ।

tatra yānyavahīnāni tānyahaṃ nopalakṣaye |

'I do not see those ornaments she cast away then;

यान्यस्या नावहीनानि तानीमानि न संशयः ॥

yānyasyā nāvahīnāni tānīmāni na saṃśayaḥ ||

these are certainly the ones she did not discard.'

पीतं कनकपट्टाभं स्रस्तं तद्वसनं शुभम् ।

pītaṃ kanakapaṭṭābhaṃ srastaṃ tadvasanaṃ śubham |

'The vanaras saw her yellow upper cloth, bright as a band of gold,

उत्तरीयं नगासक्तं तदा दृष्टं प्लवंगमैः ॥

uttarīyaṃ nagāsaktaṃ tadā dṛṣṭaṃ plavaṃgamaiḥ ||

slipped down and caught upon a tree at that time.'

भूषणानि च मुख्यानि दृष्टानि धरणीतले ।

bhūṣaṇāni ca mukhyāni dṛṣṭāni dharaṇītale |

'The fine, large, jingling ornaments seen upon the ground

अनयैवापविद्धानि स्वनवन्ति महान्ति च ॥

anayaivāpaviddhāni svanavanti mahānti ca ||

were indeed cast down by this woman.'

इदं चिरगृहीतत्वाद् वसनं क्लिष्टवत्तरम् ।

idaṃ ciragṛhītatvād vasanaṃ kliṣṭavattaram |

'This garment is much more worn from being used so long,

तथाप्यनूनं तद्वर्णं तथा श्रीमद्यथेतरत् ॥

tathāpyanūnaṃ tadvarṇaṃ tathā śrīmadyathetarat ||

yet its color remains the same and its quality matches the other cloth.'

इयं कनकवर्णांगी रामस्य महिषी प्रिया ।

iyaṃ kanakavarṇāṃgī rāmasya mahiṣī priyā |

'This golden-limbed woman is Rama's beloved queen;

प्रणष्टापि सती यस्य मनसो न प्रणश्यति ॥

praṇaṣṭāpi satī yasya manaso na praṇaśyati ||

though lost to his sight, she has never vanished from his mind.'

इयं सा यत्कृते रामश्चतुर्भिरिह तप्यते ।

iyaṃ sā yatkṛte rāmaścaturbhiriha tapyate |

'For her sake Rama suffers in four ways:

कारुण्येनानृशंस्येन शोकेन मदनेन च ॥

kāruṇyenānṛśaṃsyena śokena madanena ca ||

through compassion, tenderness, grief, and love.'

स्त्री प्रणष्टेति कारुण्यादाश्रितेत्यानृशंस्यतः ।

strī praṇaṣṭeti kāruṇyādāśritetyānṛśaṃsyataḥ |

'Compassion for a lost woman, tenderness for one depending on him,

पत्नी नष्टेति शोकेन प्रियेति मदनेन च ॥

patnī naṣṭeti śokena priyeti madanena ca ||

grief for a missing wife, and longing for his beloved.'

अस्या देव्या यथारूपमंगप्रत्यंगसौष्ठवम् ।

asyā devyā yathārūpamaṃgapratyaṃgasauṣṭhavam |

'The beauty and harmony of this lady's limbs

रामस्य च यथारूपं तस्येयमसितेक्षणा ॥

rāmasya ca yathārūpaṃ tasyeyamasitekṣaṇā ||

match Rama's own form; this dark-eyed woman is his.'

अस्या देव्या मनस्तस्मिंस्तस्य चास्यां प्रतिष्ठितम् ।

asyā devyā manastasmiṃstasya cāsyāṃ pratiṣṭhitam |

'Her mind is fixed upon him, and his upon her;

तेनेयं स च धर्मात्मा मुहूर्तमपि जीवति ॥

teneyaṃ sa ca dharmātmā muhūrtamapi jīvati ||

through that bond she and righteous Rama remain alive.'

दुष्करं कृतवान् रामो हीनो यदनया प्रभुः ।

duṣkaraṃ kṛtavān rāmo hīno yadanayā prabhuḥ |

'Rama accomplishes something truly difficult: separated from her,

धारयत्यात्मनो देहं न शोकेनावसीदति ॥

dhārayatyātmano dehaṃ na śokenāvasīdati ||

he preserves his life and does not sink beneath his sorrow.'

एवं सीतां तथा दृष्ट्वा हृष्टः पवनसम्भवः ।

evaṃ sītāṃ tathā dṛṣṭvā hṛṣṭaḥ pavanasambhavaḥ |

Thus seeing Sita, the delighted son of the Wind

जगाम मनसा रामं प्रशशंस च तं प्रभुम् ॥

jagāma manasā rāmaṃ praśaśaṃsa ca taṃ prabhum ||

went to Rama in his thoughts and praised his lord.