Hanuman earns Sita’s trust

तां तु रामकथां श्रुत्वा वैदेही वानरर्षभात् ।

tāṃ tu rāmakathāṃ śrutvā vaidehī vānararṣabhāt |

Hearing Rama’s story from that foremost vanara,

उवाच वचनं सान्त्वमिदं मधुरया गिरा ॥

uvāca vacanaṃ sāntvamidaṃ madhurayā girā ||

Vaidehi spoke gently in a sweet voice.

क्व ते रामेण संसर्गः कथं जानासि लक्ष्मणम् ।

kva te rāmeṇa saṃsargaḥ kathaṃ jānāsi lakṣmaṇam |

“Where did you meet Rama? How do you know Lakshmana?

वानराणां नराणां च कथमासीत् समागमः ॥

vānarāṇāṃ narāṇāṃ ca kathamāsīt samāgamaḥ ||

How did vanaras and men come together?

यानि रामस्य चिह्नानि लक्ष्मणस्य च वानर ।

yāni rāmasya cihnāni lakṣmaṇasya ca vānara |

Tell me again, vanara, the distinguishing marks

तानि भूयः समाचक्ष्व न मां शोकः समाविशेत् ॥

tāni bhūyaḥ samācakṣva na māṃ śokaḥ samāviśet ||

of Rama and Lakshmana, so that grief may not overwhelm me.

कीदृशं तस्य संस्थानं रूपं तस्य च कीदृशम् ।

kīdṛśaṃ tasya saṃsthānaṃ rūpaṃ tasya ca kīdṛśam |

What is his build? What is his appearance?

कथमूरू कथं बाहू लक्ष्मणस्य च शंस मे ॥

kathamūrū kathaṃ bāhū lakṣmaṇasya ca śaṃsa me ||

Describe his thighs and arms, and Lakshmana’s too.”

एवमुक्तस्तु वैदेह्या हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः ।

evamuktastu vaidehyā hanūmān mārutātmajaḥ |

Thus addressed by Vaidehi, Hanuman, the Wind’s son,

ततो रामं यथातत्त्वमाख्यातुमुपचक्रमे ॥

tato rāmaṃ yathātattvamākhyātumupacakrame ||

began to describe Rama as he truly was.

जानन्ती बत दिष्ट्या मां वैदेहि परिपृच्छसि ।

jānantī bata diṣṭyā māṃ vaidehi paripṛcchasi |

“Fortunately, lotus-eyed Vaidehi, though you know them,

भर्तुः कमलपत्राक्षि संस्थानं लक्ष्मणस्य च ॥

bhartuḥ kamalapatrākṣi saṃsthānaṃ lakṣmaṇasya ca ||

you ask me about your husband’s build and Lakshmana’s.

यानि रामस्य चिह्नानि लक्ष्मणस्य च यानि वै ।

yāni rāmasya cihnāni lakṣmaṇasya ca yāni vai |

Listen, wide-eyed lady, as I describe the distinguishing marks

लक्षितानि विशालाक्षि वदतः शृणु तानि मे ॥

lakṣitāni viśālākṣi vadataḥ śṛṇu tāni me ||

I have observed in Rama and Lakshmana.

रामः कमलपत्राक्षः पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननः ।

rāmaḥ kamalapatrākṣaḥ pūrṇacandranibhānanaḥ |

Rama has lotus-petal eyes and a face like the full moon;

रूपदाक्षिण्यसम्पन्नः प्रसूतो जनकात्मजे ॥

rūpadākṣiṇyasampannaḥ prasūto janakātmaje ||

Janaka’s daughter, he is endowed with beauty and graciousness.

तेजसाऽऽदित्यसंकाशः क्षमया पृथिवीसमः ।

tejasā’’dityasaṃkāśaḥ kṣamayā pṛthivīsamaḥ |

He resembles the sun in radiance, the earth in patience,

बृहस्पतिसमो बुद्ध्या यशसा वासवोपमः ॥

bṛhaspatisamo buddhyā yaśasā vāsavopamaḥ ||

Brihaspati in wisdom, and Indra in fame.

रक्षिता जीवलोकस्य स्वजनस्य च रक्षिता ।

rakṣitā jīvalokasya svajanasya ca rakṣitā |

He protects living beings and his own people,

रक्षिता स्वस्य वृत्तस्य धर्मस्य च परंतपः ॥

rakṣitā svasya vṛttasya dharmasya ca paraṃtapaḥ ||

his conduct and righteousness, while subduing foes.

रामो भामिनि लोकस्य चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य रक्षिता ।

rāmo bhāmini lokasya cāturvarṇyasya rakṣitā |

Lady, Rama protects the four social orders of the world;

मर्यादानां च लोकस्य कर्ता कारयिता च सः ॥

maryādānāṃ ca lokasya kartā kārayitā ca saḥ ||

he establishes its proper boundaries and ensures their observance.

अर्चिष्मानर्चितोऽत्यर्थं ब्रह्मचर्यव्रते स्थितः ।

arciṣmānarcito’tyarthaṃ brahmacaryavrate sthitaḥ |

Radiant and greatly honoured, he observes disciplined continence,

साधूनामुपकारज्ञः प्रचारज्ञश्च कर्मणाम् ॥

sādhūnāmupakārajñaḥ pracārajñaśca karmaṇām ||

recognizes kindness from good people, and understands how duties are performed.

राजनीत्यां विनीतश्च ब्राह्मणानामुपासकः ।

rājanītyāṃ vinītaśca brāhmaṇānāmupāsakaḥ |

Trained in statecraft and attentive to brahmanas,

ज्ञानवान् शीलसम्पन्नो विनीतश्च परंतपः ॥

jñānavān śīlasampanno vinītaśca paraṃtapaḥ ||

that conqueror of foes is wise, well-conducted and humble.

यजुर्वेदविनीतश्च वेदविद्भिः सुपूजितः ।

yajurvedavinītaśca vedavidbhiḥ supūjitaḥ |

Trained in the Yajurveda and honoured by Vedic scholars,

धनुर्वेदे च वेदे च वेदाङ्गेषु च निष्ठितः ॥

dhanurvede ca vede ca vedāṅgeṣu ca niṣṭhitaḥ ||

he is grounded in archery, the Vedas and their auxiliary disciplines.

विपुलांसो महाबाहुः कम्बुग्रीवः शुभाननः ।

vipulāṃso mahābāhuḥ kambugrīvaḥ śubhānanaḥ |

Broad-shouldered and long-armed, with a conch-like neck and lovely face,

गूढजत्रुः सुताम्राक्षो रामो नाम जनैः श्रुतः ॥

gūḍhajatruḥ sutāmrākṣo rāmo nāma janaiḥ śrutaḥ ||

full over the collarbones and reddish-eyed, he is known among people as Rama.

दुन्दुभिस्वननिर्घोषः स्निग्धवर्णः प्रतापवान् ।

dundubhisvananirghoṣaḥ snigdhavarṇaḥ pratāpavān |

His voice resounds like a kettledrum; his complexion is lustrous and his presence powerful.

समश्च सुविभक्ताङ्गो वर्णं श्यामं समाश्रितः ॥

samaśca suvibhaktāṅgo varṇaṃ śyāmaṃ samāśritaḥ ||

His limbs are symmetrical and well proportioned, and his colour is dark.

त्रिस्थिरस्त्रिप्रलम्बश्च त्रिसमस्त्रिषु चोन्नतः ।

tristhirastripralambaśca trisamastriṣu connataḥ |

Three features are firm, three long, three equal, and three raised;

त्रिताम्रस्त्रिषु च स्निग्धो गम्भीरस्त्रिषु नित्यशः ॥

tritāmrastriṣu ca snigdho gambhīrastriṣu nityaśaḥ ||

three are copper-red, three lustrous, and three always deep.

त्रिवलीमांस्त्र्यवनतश्चतुर्व्यङ्गस्त्रिशीर्षवान् ।

trivalīmāṃstryavanataścaturvyaṅgastriśīrṣavān |

He has three bodily folds, three low-set features, four short features, and three hair-whorls;

चतुष्कलश्चतुर्लेखश्चतुष्किष्कुश्चतुःसमः ॥

catuṣkalaścaturlekhaścatuṣkiṣkuścatuḥsamaḥ ||

four auspicious signs and lines, a height of four cubits, and four equal features.

चतुर्दशसमद्वन्द्वश्चतुर्दंष्ट्रश्चतुर्गतिः ।

caturdaśasamadvandvaścaturdaṃṣṭraścaturgatiḥ |

Fourteen paired features are symmetrical; he has four marked canine teeth and four noble gaits;

महोष्ठहनुनासश्च पञ्चस्निग्धोऽष्टवंशवान् ॥

mahoṣṭhahanunāsaśca pañcasnigdho’ṣṭavaṃśavān ||

his lips, jaw and nose are prominent, five features lustrous, and eight long.

दशपद्मो दशबृहत् त्रिभिर्व्याप्तो द्विशुक्लवान् ।

daśapadmo daśabṛhat tribhirvyāpto dviśuklavān |

Ten features are lotus-like, ten broad; three qualities pervade him, and two are pure;

षडुन्नतो नवतनुस्त्रिभिर्व्याप्नोति राघवः ॥

ṣaḍunnato navatanustribhirvyāpnoti rāghavaḥ ||

six features are raised and nine fine; Raghava attends to the three aims of life.

सत्यधर्मरतः श्रीमान् संग्रहानुग्रहे रतः ।

satyadharmarataḥ śrīmān saṃgrahānugrahe rataḥ |

Glorious, devoted to truth and dharma, he delights in gathering and giving support;

देशकालविभागज्ञः सर्वलोकप्रियंवदः ॥

deśakālavibhāgajñaḥ sarvalokapriyaṃvadaḥ ||

he understands place and time and speaks agreeably to everyone.

भ्राता चास्य च वैमात्रः सौमित्रिरमितप्रभः ।

bhrātā cāsya ca vaimātraḥ saumitriramitaprabhaḥ |

His brother by another mother, Saumitri of boundless radiance,

अनुरागेण रूपेण गुणैश्चापि तथाविधः ॥

anurāgeṇa rūpeṇa guṇaiścāpi tathāvidhaḥ ||

is like him in affection, appearance and virtues.

स सुवर्णच्छविः श्रीमान् रामः श्यामो महायशाः ।

sa suvarṇacchaviḥ śrīmān rāmaḥ śyāmo mahāyaśāḥ |

Glorious Lakshmana is golden-hued; renowned Rama is dark.

तावुभौ नरशार्दूलौ त्वद्दर्शनकृतोत्सवौ ॥

tāvubhau naraśārdūlau tvaddarśanakṛtotsavau ||

Those two foremost men are eagerly intent on seeing you.

विचिन्वन्तौ महीं कृत्स्नामस्माभिः सह संगतौ ।

vicinvantau mahīṃ kṛtsnāmasmābhiḥ saha saṃgatau |

Searching the whole earth, they met us;

त्वामेव मार्गमाणौ तौ विचरन्तौ वसुन्धराम् ॥

tvāmeva mārgamāṇau tau vicarantau vasundharām ||

they were roaming the world seeking you alone.

ददर्शतुर्मृगपतिं पूर्वजेनावरोपितम् ।

dadarśaturmṛgapatiṃ pūrvajenāvaropitam |

At the foot of tree-covered Rishyamuka,

ऋष्यमूकस्य मूले तु बहुपादपसंकुले ॥

ṛṣyamūkasya mūle tu bahupādapasaṃkule ||

they saw the vanara ruler, displaced by his elder brother,

भ्रातुर्भयार्तमासीनं सुग्रीवं प्रियदर्शनम् ।

bhrāturbhayārtamāsīnaṃ sugrīvaṃ priyadarśanam |

pleasant-looking Sugriva, sitting in fear of his brother.

वयं च हरिराजं तं सुग्रीवं सत्यसङ्गरम् ॥

vayaṃ ca harirājaṃ taṃ sugrīvaṃ satyasaṅgaram ||

We were attending that vanara king, Sugriva, true to his pledge,

परिचर्यामहे राज्यात् पूर्वजेनावरोपितम् ।

paricaryāmahe rājyāt pūrvajenāvaropitam |

who had been driven from his kingdom by his elder brother.

ततस्तौ चीरवसनौ धनुःप्रवरपाणिनौ ॥

tatastau cīravasanau dhanuḥpravarapāṇinau ||

Then those two, dressed in bark and holding fine bows,

ऋष्यमूकस्य शैलस्य रम्यं देशमुपागतौ ।

ṛṣyamūkasya śailasya ramyaṃ deśamupāgatau |

came to a lovely place on Mount Rishyamuka.

स तौ दृष्ट्वा नरव्याघ्रौ धन्विनौ वानरर्षभः ॥

sa tau dṛṣṭvā naravyāghrau dhanvinau vānararṣabhaḥ ||

Seeing those two tiger-like men carrying bows, the foremost vanara

अभिप्लुतो गिरेस्तस्य शिखरं भयमोहितः ।

abhipluto girestasya śikharaṃ bhayamohitaḥ |

leapt in fear to that mountain’s summit.

ततः स शिखरे तस्मिन् वानरेन्द्रो व्यवस्थितः ॥

tataḥ sa śikhare tasmin vānarendro vyavasthitaḥ ||

Established there upon the peak, the vanara king

तयोः समीपं मामेव प्रेषयामास सत्वरम् ।

tayoḥ samīpaṃ māmeva preṣayāmāsa satvaram |

quickly sent me alone to approach them.

तावहं पुरुषव्याघ्रौ सुग्रीववचनात् प्रभू ॥

tāvahaṃ puruṣavyāghrau sugrīvavacanāt prabhū ||

At Sugriva’s command, I approached those mighty, tiger-like men,

रूपलक्षणसम्पन्नौ कृताञ्जलिरुपस्थितः ।

rūpalakṣaṇasampannau kṛtāñjalirupasthitaḥ |

endowed with beauty and noble marks, with my palms joined.

तौ परिज्ञाततत्त्वार्थौ मया प्रीतिसमन्वितौ ॥

tau parijñātatattvārthau mayā prītisamanvitau ||

After I learned their true purpose, the two were pleased;

पृष्ठमारोप्य तं देशं प्रापितौ पुरुषर्षभौ ।

pṛṣṭhamāropya taṃ deśaṃ prāpitau puruṣarṣabhau |

I carried those foremost men on my back to that place

निवेदितौ च तत्त्वेन सुग्रीवाय महात्मने ॥

niveditau ca tattvena sugrīvāya mahātmane ||

and truthfully introduced them to great-souled Sugriva.

तयोरन्योन्यसम्भाषाद् भृशं प्रीतिरजायत ।

tayoranyonyasambhāṣād bhṛśaṃ prītirajāyata |

Through conversation, great affection arose between them.

तत्र तौ कीर्तिसम्पन्नौ हरीश्वरनरेश्वरौ ॥

tatra tau kīrtisampannau harīśvaranareśvarau ||

There the renowned vanara lord and lord of men

परस्परकृताश्वासौ कथया पूर्ववृत्तया ।

parasparakṛtāśvāsau kathayā pūrvavṛttayā |

reassured one another by recounting their earlier experiences.

तं ततः सान्त्वयामास सुग्रीवं लक्ष्मणाग्रजः ॥

taṃ tataḥ sāntvayāmāsa sugrīvaṃ lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ ||

Then Lakshmana’s elder brother comforted Sugriva,

स्त्रीहेतोर्वालिना भ्रात्रा निरस्तं पुरुतेजसा ।

strīhetorvālinā bhrātrā nirastaṃ purutejasā |

who had been driven out by mighty Vali over a dispute concerning a wife.

ततस्त्वन्नाशजं शोकं रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः ॥

tatastvannāśajaṃ śokaṃ rāmasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ ||

Then the grief of Rama, unfailing in action, caused by your disappearance,

लक्ष्मणो वानरेन्द्राय सुग्रीवाय न्यवेदयत् ।

lakṣmaṇo vānarendrāya sugrīvāya nyavedayat |

was related by Lakshmana to Sugriva, lord of vanaras.

स श्रुत्वा वानरेन्द्रस्तु लक्ष्मणेनेरितं वचः ॥

sa śrutvā vānarendrastu lakṣmaṇeneritaṃ vacaḥ ||

Hearing the words spoken by Lakshmana, that vanara king

तदासीन्निष्प्रभोऽत्यर्थं ग्रहग्रस्त इवांशुमान् ।

tadāsīnniṣprabho’tyarthaṃ grahagrasta ivāṃśumān |

became greatly downcast, like the sun seized in eclipse.

ततस्त्वद‍्गात्रशोभीनि रक्षसा ह्रियमाणया ॥

tatastvadgātraśobhīni rakṣasā hriyamāṇayā ||

Then the ornaments that had adorned your body,

यान्याभरणजालानि पातितानि महीतले ।

yānyābharaṇajālāni pātitāni mahītale |

which you had cast to the ground while being carried away by the rakshasa,

तानि सर्वाणि रामाय आनीय हरियूथपाः ॥

tāni sarvāṇi rāmāya ānīya hariyūthapāḥ ||

were all brought to Rama by the vanara leaders.

संहृष्टा दर्शयामासुर्गतिं तु न विदुस्तव ।

saṃhṛṣṭā darśayāmāsurgatiṃ tu na vidustava |

They gladly showed them, though they did not know where you had gone.

तानि रामाय दत्तानि मयैवोपहृतानि च ॥

tāni rāmāya dattāni mayaivopahṛtāni ca ||

I myself brought and handed those ornaments to Rama.

स्वनवन्त्यवकीर्णानि तस्मिन् विहतचेतसि ।

svanavantyavakīrṇāni tasmin vihatacetasi |

They had fallen scattered with a tinkling sound; his mind was shattered.

तान्यङ्के दर्शनीयानि कृत्वा बहुविधं तदा ॥

tānyaṅke darśanīyāni kṛtvā bahuvidhaṃ tadā ||

Placing those lovely ornaments on his lap,

तेन देवप्रकाशेन देवेन परिदेवितम् ।

tena devaprakāśena devena paridevitam |

that godlike lord lamented in many ways.

पश्यतस्तानि रुदतस्ताम्यतश्च पुनः पुनः ॥

paśyatastāni rudatastāmyataśca punaḥ punaḥ ||

As he looked at them, wept, and repeatedly grew faint,

प्रादीपयद् दाशरथेस्तदा शोकहुताशनम् ॥

prādīpayad dāśarathestadā śokahutāśanam ||

they kindled the fire of sorrow in Dasharatha’s son.

शायितं च चिरं तेन दुःखार्तेन महात्मना ।

śāyitaṃ ca ciraṃ tena duḥkhārtena mahātmanā |

That great soul lay for a long time, overcome by sorrow.

मयापि विविधैर्वाक्यैः कृच्छ्रादुत्थापितः पुनः ॥

mayāpi vividhairvākyaiḥ kṛcchrādutthāpitaḥ punaḥ ||

With many words I finally persuaded him to rise again.

तानि दृष्ट्वा महार्हाणि दर्शयित्वा मुहुर्मुहुः ।

tāni dṛṣṭvā mahārhāṇi darśayitvā muhurmuhuḥ |

After looking at those precious things and showing them repeatedly,

राघवः सहसौमित्रिः सुग्रीवे संन्यवेशयत् ॥

rāghavaḥ sahasaumitriḥ sugrīve saṃnyaveśayat ||

Raghava, together with Saumitri, entrusted them to Sugriva.

स तवादर्शनादार्ये राघवः परितप्यते ।

sa tavādarśanādārye rāghavaḥ paritapyate |

Noble lady, Raghava suffers because he cannot see you,

महता ज्वलता नित्यमग्निनेवाग्निपर्वतः ॥

mahatā jvalatā nityamagninevāgniparvataḥ ||

like a fiery mountain continually burning with a great flame.

त्वत्कृते तमनिद्रा च शोकश्चिन्ता च राघवम् ।

tvatkṛte tamanidrā ca śokaścintā ca rāghavam |

Sleeplessness, sorrow and anxious thought on your account

तापयन्ति महात्मानमग्न्यगारमिवाग्नयः ॥

tāpayanti mahātmānamagnyagāramivāgnayaḥ ||

torment great-souled Raghava like fires blazing in a fire-house.

तवादर्शनशोकेन राघवः परिचाल्यते ।

tavādarśanaśokena rāghavaḥ paricālyate |

Grief at not seeing you shakes Raghava

महता भूमिकम्पेन महानिव शिलोच्चयः ॥

mahatā bhūmikampena mahāniva śiloccayaḥ ||

like a great mountain shaken by a mighty earthquake.

काननानि सुरम्याणि नदीप्रस्रवणानि च ।

kānanāni suramyāṇi nadīprasravaṇāni ca |

Though he wanders lovely woods, rivers and springs,

चरन् न रतिमाप्नोति त्वामपश्यन् नृपात्मजे ॥

caran na ratimāpnoti tvāmapaśyan nṛpātmaje ||

he finds no pleasure without seeing you, princess.

स त्वां मनुजशार्दूलः क्षिप्रं प्राप्स्यति राघवः ।

sa tvāṃ manujaśārdūlaḥ kṣipraṃ prāpsyati rāghavaḥ |

That foremost man, Raghava, will soon reach you,

समित्रबान्धवं हत्वा रावणं जनकात्मजे ॥

samitrabāndhavaṃ hatvā rāvaṇaṃ janakātmaje ||

after killing Ravana with his friends and kin, Janaka’s daughter.

सहितौ रामसुग्रीवावुभावकुरुतां तदा ।

sahitau rāmasugrīvāvubhāvakurutāṃ tadā |

Rama and Sugriva together made an agreement

समयं वालिनं हन्तुं तव चान्वेषणं प्रति ॥

samayaṃ vālinaṃ hantuṃ tava cānveṣaṇaṃ prati ||

concerning Vali’s defeat and the search for you.

ततस्ताभ्यां कुमाराभ्यां वीराभ्यां स हरीश्वरः ।

tatastābhyāṃ kumārābhyāṃ vīrābhyāṃ sa harīśvaraḥ |

Then, with those two heroic princes, the vanara lord

किष्किन्धां समुपागम्य वाली युद्धे निपातितः ॥

kiṣkindhāṃ samupāgamya vālī yuddhe nipātitaḥ ||

went to Kishkindha, where Vali was struck down in battle.

ततो निहत्य तरसा रामो वालिनमाहवे ।

tato nihatya tarasā rāmo vālinamāhave |

Having swiftly killed Vali in battle, Rama

सर्वर्क्षहरिसङ्घानां सुग्रीवमकरोत् पतिम् ॥

sarvarkṣaharisaṅghānāṃ sugrīvamakarot patim ||

made Sugriva lord of all the bands of bears and vanaras.

रामसुग्रीवयोरैक्यं देव्येवं समजायत ।

rāmasugrīvayoraikyaṃ devyevaṃ samajāyata |

Thus, lady, Rama and Sugriva became united.

हनूमन्तं च मां विद्धि तयोर्दूतमुपागतम् ॥

hanūmantaṃ ca māṃ viddhi tayordūtamupāgatam ||

Know me as Hanuman, come as their messenger.

स्वं राज्यं प्राप्य सुग्रीवः स्वानानीय महाकपीन् ।

svaṃ rājyaṃ prāpya sugrīvaḥ svānānīya mahākapīn |

Regaining his kingdom, Sugriva assembled his great vanaras

त्वदर्थं प्रेषयामास दिशो दश महाबलान् ॥

tvadarthaṃ preṣayāmāsa diśo daśa mahābalān ||

and sent those mighty ones through all ten directions for your sake.

आदिष्टा वानरेन्द्रेण सुग्रीवेण महौजसः ।

ādiṣṭā vānarendreṇa sugrīveṇa mahaujasaḥ |

At the command of their king Sugriva, those mighty beings,

अद्रिराजप्रतीकाशाः सर्वतः प्रस्थिता महीम् ॥

adrirājapratīkāśāḥ sarvataḥ prasthitā mahīm ||

resembling great mountains, set out across the earth.

ततस्ते मार्गमाणा वै सुग्रीववचनातुराः ।

tataste mārgamāṇā vai sugrīvavacanāturāḥ |

Thus, eagerly following Sugriva’s command,

चरन्ति वसुधां कृत्स्नां वयमन्ये च वानराः ॥

caranti vasudhāṃ kṛtsnāṃ vayamanye ca vānarāḥ ||

we and the other vanaras roamed the whole earth searching.

अङ्गदो नाम लक्ष्मीवान् वालिसूनुर्महाबलः ।

aṅgado nāma lakṣmīvān vālisūnurmahābalaḥ |

A glorious, mighty son of Vali, named Angada,

प्रस्थितः कपिशार्दूलस्त्रिभागबलसंवृतः ॥

prasthitaḥ kapiśārdūlastribhāgabalasaṃvṛtaḥ ||

that foremost vanara, set out with a division of the army.

तेषां नो विप्रणष्टानां विन्ध्ये पर्वतसत्तमे ।

teṣāṃ no vipraṇaṣṭānāṃ vindhye parvatasattame |

Many days and nights passed while we lost our way

भृशं शोकपरीतानामहोरात्रगणा गताः ॥

bhṛśaṃ śokaparītānāmahorātragaṇā gatāḥ ||

in the great Vindhya mountains, surrounded by sorrow.

ते वयं कार्यनैराश्यात् कालस्यातिक्रमेण च ।

te vayaṃ kāryanairāśyāt kālasyātikrameṇa ca |

Hopeless about the task, beyond the allotted time,

भयाच्च कपिराजस्य प्राणांस्त्यक्तुमुपस्थिताः ॥

bhayācca kapirājasya prāṇāṃstyaktumupasthitāḥ ||

and afraid of the vanara king, we prepared to give up our lives.

विचित्य गिरिदुर्गाणि नदीप्रस्रवणानि च ।

vicitya giridurgāṇi nadīprasravaṇāni ca |

Having searched difficult mountains, rivers and springs,

अनासाद्य पदं देव्याः प्राणांस्त्यक्तुं व्यवस्थिताः ॥

anāsādya padaṃ devyāḥ prāṇāṃstyaktuṃ vyavasthitāḥ ||

we found no trace of you and resolved to abandon life.

ततस्तस्य गिरेर्मूर्ध्नि वयं प्रायमुपास्महे ।

tatastasya girermūrdhni vayaṃ prāyamupāsmahe |

Then we undertook a fast to death on that mountain’s summit.

दृष्ट्वा प्रायोपविष्टांश्च सर्वान् वानरपुङ्गवान् ॥

dṛṣṭvā prāyopaviṣṭāṃśca sarvān vānarapuṅgavān ||

Seeing all the foremost vanaras seated in that fast,

भृशं शोकार्णवे मग्नः पर्यदेवयदङ्गदः ।

bhṛśaṃ śokārṇave magnaḥ paryadevayadaṅgadaḥ |

Angada, sunk in a deep ocean of grief, lamented

तव नाशं च वैदेहि वालिनश्च तथा वधम् ॥

tava nāśaṃ ca vaidehi vālinaśca tathā vadham ||

your disappearance, Vaidehi, and Vali’s death,

प्रायोपवेशमस्माकं मरणं च जटायुषः ।

prāyopaveśamasmākaṃ maraṇaṃ ca jaṭāyuṣaḥ |

our fast to death and the death of Jatayu.

तेषां नः स्वामिसंदेशान्निराशानां मुमूर्षताम् ॥

teṣāṃ naḥ svāmisaṃdeśānnirāśānāṃ mumūrṣatām ||

To us, despairing of our master’s command and wishing to die,

कार्यहेतोरिहायातः शकुनिर्वीर्यवान् महान् ।

kāryahetorihāyātaḥ śakunirvīryavān mahān |

came a mighty great bird, furthering the undertaking:

गृध्रराजस्य सोदर्यः सम्पातिर्नाम गृध्रराट् ॥

gṛdhrarājasya sodaryaḥ sampātirnāma gṛdhrarāṭ ||

a vulture king named Sampati, the vulture king’s own brother.

श्रुत्वा भ्रातृवधं कोपादिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ।

śrutvā bhrātṛvadhaṃ kopādidaṃ vacanamabravīt |

Hearing of his brother’s death, he angrily said,

यवीयान् केन मे भ्राता हतः क्व च निपातितः ॥

yavīyān kena me bhrātā hataḥ kva ca nipātitaḥ ||

‘Who killed my younger brother, and where was he struck down?

एतदाख्यातुमिच्छामि भवद्भिर्वानरोत्तमाः ।

etadākhyātumicchāmi bhavadbhirvānarottamāḥ |

Foremost vanaras, I wish you to tell me this.’

अङ्गदोऽकथयत् तस्य जनस्थाने महद्वधम् ॥

aṅgado’kathayat tasya janasthāne mahadvadham ||

Angada related to him the terrible killing in Janasthana,

रक्षसा भीमरूपेण त्वामुद्दिश्य यथार्थतः ।

rakṣasā bhīmarūpeṇa tvāmuddiśya yathārthataḥ |

truthfully explaining how the fearsome rakshasa killed him for your sake.

जटायोस्तु वधं श्रुत्वा दुःखितः सोऽरुणात्मजः ॥

jaṭāyostu vadhaṃ śrutvā duḥkhitaḥ so’ruṇātmajaḥ ||

Hearing of Jatayu’s death, that son of Aruna grieved.

त्वामाह स वरारोहे वसन्तीं रावणालये ।

tvāmāha sa varārohe vasantīṃ rāvaṇālaye |

Then, graceful lady, he said you lived in Ravana’s abode.

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सम्पातेः प्रीतिवर्धनम् ॥

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā sampāteḥ prītivardhanam ||

Hearing Sampati’s words, which increased our joy,

अङ्गदप्रमुखाः सर्वे ततः प्रस्थापिता वयम् ।

aṅgadapramukhāḥ sarve tataḥ prasthāpitā vayam |

we all, led by Angada, were set on our way.

विन्ध्यादुत्थाय सम्प्राप्ताः सागरस्यान्तमुत्तमम् ॥

vindhyādutthāya samprāptāḥ sāgarasyāntamuttamam ||

Rising from the Vindhyas, we reached the great ocean’s shore.

त्वद्दर्शने कृतोत्साहा हृष्टाः पुष्टाः प्लवङ्गमाः ।

tvaddarśane kṛtotsāhā hṛṣṭāḥ puṣṭāḥ plavaṅgamāḥ |

Glad, strengthened and eager to see you,

अङ्गदप्रमुखाः सर्वे वेलोपान्तमुपागताः ॥

aṅgadapramukhāḥ sarve velopāntamupāgatāḥ ||

all the vanaras led by Angada approached the water’s edge.

चिन्तां जग्मुः पुनर्भीमां त्वद्दर्शनसमुत्सुकाः ।

cintāṃ jagmuḥ punarbhīmāṃ tvaddarśanasamutsukāḥ |

Eager to find you, they again fell into grave anxiety.

अथाहं हरिसैन्यस्य सागरं दृश्य सीदतः ॥

athāhaṃ harisainyasya sāgaraṃ dṛśya sīdataḥ ||

Then, seeing the vanara army discouraged before the ocean,

व्यवधूय भयं तीव्रं योजनानां शतं प्लुतः ।

vyavadhūya bhayaṃ tīvraṃ yojanānāṃ śataṃ plutaḥ |

I cast aside intense fear and leapt a hundred yojanas.

लङ्का चापि मया रात्रौ प्रविष्टा राक्षसाकुला ॥

laṅkā cāpi mayā rātrau praviṣṭā rākṣasākulā ||

At night I entered Lanka, crowded with rakshasas.

रावणश्च मया दृष्टस्त्वं च शोकनिपीडिता ।

rāvaṇaśca mayā dṛṣṭastvaṃ ca śokanipīḍitā |

I saw Ravana and you, oppressed by sorrow.

एतत् ते सर्वमाख्यातं यथावृत्तमनिन्दिते ॥

etat te sarvamākhyātaṃ yathāvṛttamanindite ||

Blameless lady, I have told you everything as it happened.

अभिभाषस्व मां देवि दूतो दाशरथेरहम् ।

abhibhāṣasva māṃ devi dūto dāśaratheraham |

Speak to me, lady; I am Dasharatha’s son’s messenger.

तन्मां रामकृतोद्योगं त्वन्निमित्तमिहागतम् ॥

tanmāṃ rāmakṛtodyogaṃ tvannimittamihāgatam ||

I have undertaken Rama’s task and come here for your sake;

सुग्रीवसचिवं देवि बुद्ध्यस्व पवनात्मजम् ।

sugrīvasacivaṃ devi buddhyasva pavanātmajam |

recognize me, lady, as Sugriva’s minister and the Wind’s son.

कुशली तव काकुत्स्थः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः ॥

kuśalī tava kākutsthaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ ||

Your Kakutstha, foremost bearer of weapons, is well.

गुरोराराधने युक्तो लक्ष्मणः शुभलक्षणः ।

gurorārādhane yukto lakṣmaṇaḥ śubhalakṣaṇaḥ |

Auspicious Lakshmana attends devotedly upon his elder,

तस्य वीर्यवतो देवि भर्तुस्तव हिते रतः ॥

tasya vīryavato devi bhartustava hite rataḥ ||

concerned, lady, for the welfare of your valiant husband.

अहमेकस्तु सम्प्राप्तः सुग्रीववचनादिह ।

ahamekastu samprāptaḥ sugrīvavacanādiha |

At Sugriva’s command I alone have reached this place.

मयेयमसहायेन चरता कामरूपिणा ॥

mayeyamasahāyena caratā kāmarūpiṇā ||

Alone and able to change form, I have travelled

दक्षिणा दिगनुक्रान्ता त्वन्मार्गविचयैषिणा ।

dakṣiṇā diganukrāntā tvanmārgavicayaiṣiṇā |

through the southern direction seeking your trail.

दिष्ट्याहं हरिसैन्यानां त्वन्नाशमनुशोचताम् ॥

diṣṭyāhaṃ harisainyānāṃ tvannāśamanuśocatām ||

Fortunately I shall relieve the vanara army, grieving over your loss,

अपनेष्यामि संतापं तवाधिगमशासनात् ।

apaneṣyāmi saṃtāpaṃ tavādhigamaśāsanāt |

of its anguish by announcing that you have been found.

दिष्ट्या हि न मम व्यर्थं सागरस्येह लङ्घनम् ॥

diṣṭyā hi na mama vyarthaṃ sāgarasyeha laṅghanam ||

Fortunately my crossing of the ocean was not in vain.

प्राप्स्याम्यहमिदं देवि त्वद्दर्शनकृतं यशः ।

prāpsyāmyahamidaṃ devi tvaddarśanakṛtaṃ yaśaḥ |

Lady, I shall gain the honour of having seen you;

राघवश्च महावीर्यः क्षिप्रं त्वामभिपत्स्यते ॥

rāghavaśca mahāvīryaḥ kṣipraṃ tvāmabhipatsyate ||

and mighty Raghava will soon come to you,

सपुत्रबान्धवं हत्वा रावणं राक्षसाधिपम् ।

saputrabāndhavaṃ hatvā rāvaṇaṃ rākṣasādhipam |

after killing Ravana, the rakshasa king, with his sons and kin.

माल्यवान् नाम वैदेहि गिरीणामुत्तमो गिरिः ॥

mālyavān nāma vaidehi girīṇāmuttamo giriḥ ||

Vaidehi, there is an excellent mountain called Malyavan;

ततो गच्छति गोकर्णं पर्वतं केसरी हरिः ।

tato gacchati gokarṇaṃ parvataṃ kesarī hariḥ |

from there the vanara Kesari went to Mount Gokarna.

स च देवर्षिभिर्दिष्टः पिता मम महाकपिः ।

sa ca devarṣibhirdiṣṭaḥ pitā mama mahākapiḥ |

At the divine sages’ command, that great vanara, my father,

तीर्थे नदीपतेः पुण्ये शम्बसादनमुद्धरन् ॥

tīrthe nadīpateḥ puṇye śambasādanamuddharan ||

destroyed Shambasadana at the ocean’s sacred pilgrimage place.

यस्याहं हरिणः क्षेत्रे जातो वातेन मैथिलि ।

yasyāhaṃ hariṇaḥ kṣetre jāto vātena maithili |

In that vanara’s household I was born through the Wind, princess of Mithila.

हनूमानिति विख्यातो लोके स्वेनैव कर्मणा ॥

hanūmāniti vikhyāto loke svenaiva karmaṇā ||

Through my own deeds I am known in the world as Hanuman.

विश्वासार्थं तु वैदेहि भर्तुरुक्ता मया गुणाः ।

viśvāsārthaṃ tu vaidehi bharturuktā mayā guṇāḥ |

Vaidehi, I have described your husband’s virtues to establish trust.

अचिरात् त्वामितो देवि राघवो नयिता ध्रुवम् ॥

acirāt tvāmito devi rāghavo nayitā dhruvam ||

Surely, lady, Raghava will soon take you away from here.”

एवं विश्वासिता सीता हेतुभिः शोककर्शिता ।

evaṃ viśvāsitā sītā hetubhiḥ śokakarśitā |

Reassured by these reasons and fitting identifying details,

उपपन्नैरभिज्ञानैर्दूतं तमधिगच्छति ॥

upapannairabhijñānairdūtaṃ tamadhigacchati ||

Sita, wasted by sorrow, recognized him as the messenger.

अतुलं च गता हर्षं प्रहर्षेण तु जानकी ।

atulaṃ ca gatā harṣaṃ praharṣeṇa tu jānakī |

Filled with incomparable happiness, Janaki

नेत्राभ्यां वक्रपक्ष्माभ्यां मुमोचानन्दजं जलम् ॥

netrābhyāṃ vakrapakṣmābhyāṃ mumocānandajaṃ jalam ||

shed tears of joy from her curved-lashed eyes.

चारु तद् वदनं तस्यास्ताम्रशुक्लायतेक्षणम् ।

cāru tad vadanaṃ tasyāstāmraśuklāyatekṣaṇam |

Her lovely face, with long eyes white and reddish at the edges,

अशोभत विशालाक्ष्या राहुमुक्त इवोडुराट् ॥

aśobhata viśālākṣyā rāhumukta ivoḍurāṭ ||

shone like the moon released from Rahu.

हनूमन्तं कपिं व्यक्तं मन्यते नान्यथेति सा ।

hanūmantaṃ kapiṃ vyaktaṃ manyate nānyatheti sā |

She clearly regarded him as Hanuman the vanara, and nothing else.

अथोवाच हनूमांस्तामुत्तरं प्रियदर्शनाम् ॥

athovāca hanūmāṃstāmuttaraṃ priyadarśanām ||

Then Hanuman again addressed the lovely lady:

एतत् ते सर्वमाख्यातं समाश्वसिहि मैथिलि ।

etat te sarvamākhyātaṃ samāśvasihi maithili |

“I have told you everything; take comfort, princess of Mithila.

किं करोमि कथं वा ते रोचते प्रतियाम्यहम् ॥

kiṃ karomi kathaṃ vā te rocate pratiyāmyaham ||

What shall I do? How would you wish me to return?

हतेऽसुरे संयति शम्बसादने

hate’sure saṃyati śambasādane

After the asura Shambasadana was killed in battle

कपिप्रवीरेण महर्षिचोदनात् ।

kapipravīreṇa maharṣicodanāt |

by that foremost vanara at the great sages’ urging,

ततोऽस्मि वायुप्रभवो हि मैथिलि

tato’smi vāyuprabhavo hi maithili

I was born through the Wind, princess of Mithila,

प्रभावतस्तत्प्रतिमश्च वानरः ॥

prabhāvatastatpratimaśca vānaraḥ ||

a vanara equal to him in power.”