A memory and the crest-jewel

ततः स कपिशार्दूलस्तेन वाक्येन तोषितः ।

tataḥ sa kapiśārdūlastena vākyena toṣitaḥ |

Pleased by Sita’s words, that foremost vanara,

सीतामुवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः ॥

sītāmuvāca tacchrutvā vākyaṃ vākyaviśāradaḥ ||

skilled in speech, answered her after listening.

युक्तरूपं त्वया देवि भाषितं शुभदर्शने ।

yuktarūpaṃ tvayā devi bhāṣitaṃ śubhadarśane |

“Beautiful lady, what you have said is fitting,

सदृशं स्त्रीस्वभावस्य साध्वीनां विनयस्य च ॥

sadṛśaṃ strīsvabhāvasya sādhvīnāṃ vinayasya ca ||

in keeping with a virtuous woman’s nature and modesty.

स्त्रीत्वान्न त्वं समर्थासि सागरं व्यतिवर्तितुम् ।

strītvānna tvaṃ samarthāsi sāgaraṃ vyativartitum |

As a woman, you may not be able to cross

मामधिष्ठाय विस्तीर्णं शतयोजनमायतम् ॥

māmadhiṣṭhāya vistīrṇaṃ śatayojanamāyatam ||

the broad, hundred-yojana ocean mounted upon me.

द्वितीयं कारणं यच्च ब्रवीषि विनयान्विते ।

dvitīyaṃ kāraṇaṃ yacca bravīṣi vinayānvite |

And your second reason, modest Janaki,

रामादन्यस्य नार्हामि संसर्गमिति जानकि ॥

rāmādanyasya nārhāmi saṃsargamiti jānaki ||

is that you should not willingly touch anyone but Rama.

एतत् ते देवि सदृशं पत्न्यास्तस्य महात्मनः ।

etat te devi sadṛśaṃ patnyāstasya mahātmanaḥ |

That is worthy of you, lady, the wife of that great soul.

का ह्यन्या त्वामृते देवि ब्रूयाद् वचनमीदृशम् ॥

kā hyanyā tvāmṛte devi brūyād vacanamīdṛśam ||

Who but you would speak such words?

श्रोष्यते चैव काकुत्स्थः सर्वं निरवशेषतः ।

śroṣyate caiva kākutsthaḥ sarvaṃ niravaśeṣataḥ |

Kakutstha shall hear everything without omission:

चेष्टितं यत् त्वया देवि भाषितं च ममाग्रतः ॥

ceṣṭitaṃ yat tvayā devi bhāṣitaṃ ca mamāgrataḥ ||

your conduct and all that you have said before me.

कारणैर्बहुभिर्देवि रामप्रियचिकीर्षया ।

kāraṇairbahubhirdevi rāmapriyacikīrṣayā |

For many reasons, lady, wishing to please Rama,

स्नेहप्रस्कन्नमनसा मयैतत् समुदीरितम् ॥

snehapraskannamanasā mayaitat samudīritam ||

with a heart moved by affection, I made this offer.

लङ्काया दुष्प्रवेशत्वाद् दुस्तरत्वान्महोदधेः ।

laṅkāyā duṣpraveśatvād dustaratvānmahodadheḥ |

Because Lanka is hard to enter, the ocean hard to cross,

सामर्थ्यादात्मनश्चैव मयैतत् समुदीरितम् ॥

sāmarthyādātmanaścaiva mayaitat samudīritam ||

and because I know my own strength, I spoke thus.

इच्छामि त्वां समानेतुमद्यैव रघुनन्दिना ।

icchāmi tvāṃ samānetumadyaiva raghunandinā |

I wished to reunite you with Raghu’s descendant this very day.

गुरुस्नेहेन भक्त्या च नान्यथा तदुदाहृतम् ॥

gurusnehena bhaktyā ca nānyathā tadudāhṛtam ||

I spoke from deep affection and devotion, for no other reason.

यदि नोत्सहसे यातुं मया सार्धमनिन्दिते ।

yadi notsahase yātuṃ mayā sārdhamanindite |

If you do not wish to go with me, blameless lady,

अभिज्ञानं प्रयच्छ त्वं जानीयाद् राघवो हि यत् ॥

abhijñānaṃ prayaccha tvaṃ jānīyād rāghavo hi yat ||

give me a token that Raghava will recognize.”

एवमुक्ता हनुमता सीता सुरसुतोपमा ।

evamuktā hanumatā sītā surasutopamā |

Thus addressed by Hanuman, Sita, like a heavenly maiden,

उवाच वचनं मन्दं बाष्पप्रग्रथिताक्षरम् ॥

uvāca vacanaṃ mandaṃ bāṣpapragrathitākṣaram ||

spoke softly, her words caught in tears.

इदं श्रेष्ठमभिज्ञानं ब्रूयास्त्वं तु मम प्रियम् ।

idaṃ śreṣṭhamabhijñānaṃ brūyāstvaṃ tu mama priyam |

“Tell my beloved this finest token of recognition:

शैलस्य चित्रकूटस्य पादे पूर्वोत्तरे पदे ॥

śailasya citrakūṭasya pāde pūrvottare pade ||

at Chitrakuta mountain’s north-eastern foot,

तापसाश्रमवासिन्याः प्राज्यमूलफलोदके ।

tāpasāśramavāsinyāḥ prājyamūlaphalodake |

where I lived in an ascetics’ hermitage, rich in roots, fruits and water,

तस्मिन् सिद्धाश्रिते देशे मन्दाकिन्यविदूरतः ॥

tasmin siddhāśrite deśe mandākinyavidūrataḥ ||

in that region inhabited by perfected beings, near the Mandakini,

तस्योपवनखण्डेषु नानापुष्पसुगन्धिषु ।

tasyopavanakhaṇḍeṣu nānāpuṣpasugandhiṣu |

after roaming its groves fragrant with many flowers,

विहृत्य सलिले क्लिन्नो ममाङ्के समुपाविशः ॥

vihṛtya salile klinno mamāṅke samupāviśaḥ ||

wet from bathing, you sat upon my lap.

ततो मांससमायुक्तो वायसः पर्यतुण्डयत् ।

tato māṃsasamāyukto vāyasaḥ paryatuṇḍayat |

Then a crow, intent on flesh, pecked at me.

तमहं लोष्टमुद्यम्य वारयामि स्म वायसम् ॥

tamahaṃ loṣṭamudyamya vārayāmi sma vāyasam ||

Taking up a clod, I tried to drive the crow away.

दारयन् स च मां काकस्तत्रैव परिलीयते ।

dārayan sa ca māṃ kākastatraiva parilīyate |

Scratching me, the crow remained nearby;

न चाप्युपारमन्मांसाद् भक्षार्थी बलिभोजनः ॥

na cāpyupāramanmāṃsād bhakṣārthī balibhojanaḥ ||

the bird, accustomed to offerings, would not abandon its desire for flesh.

उत्कर्षन्त्यां च रशनां क्रुद्धायां मयि पक्षिणे ।

utkarṣantyāṃ ca raśanāṃ kruddhāyāṃ mayi pakṣiṇe |

As I angrily pulled up my girdle because of the bird,

स्रंसमाने च वसने ततो दृष्टा त्वया ह्यहम् ॥

sraṃsamāne ca vasane tato dṛṣṭā tvayā hyaham ||

my garment slipped, and you saw me.

त्वया विहसिता चाहं क्रुद्धा संलज्जिता तदा ।

tvayā vihasitā cāhaṃ kruddhā saṃlajjitā tadā |

You laughed, and I was angry and ashamed.

भक्ष्यगृद्धेन काकेन दारिता त्वामुपागता ॥

bhakṣyagṛddhena kākena dāritā tvāmupāgatā ||

Wounded by the crow greedy for food, I came to you.

ततः श्रान्ताहमुत्सङ्गमासीनस्य तवाविशम् ।

tataḥ śrāntāhamutsaṅgamāsīnasya tavāviśam |

Tired, I entered your lap as you sat there;

क्रुध्यन्तीव प्रहृष्टेन त्वयाहं परिसान्त्विता ॥

krudhyantīva prahṛṣṭena tvayāhaṃ parisāntvitā ||

you cheerfully comforted me when I seemed angry.

बाष्पपूर्णमुखी मन्दं चक्षुषी परिमार्जती ।

bāṣpapūrṇamukhī mandaṃ cakṣuṣī parimārjatī |

With tears upon my face, gently wiping my eyes,

लक्षिताहं त्वया नाथ वायसेन प्रकोपिता ॥

lakṣitāhaṃ tvayā nātha vāyasena prakopitā ||

you saw me, lord, angered by the crow.

परिश्रमाच्च सुप्ता हे राघवाङ्केऽस्म्यहं चिरम् ।

pariśramācca suptā he rāghavāṅke’smyahaṃ ciram |

From weariness I slept a long time in Raghava’s lap;

पर्यायेण प्रसुप्तश्च ममाङ्के भरताग्रजः ॥

paryāyeṇa prasuptaśca mamāṅke bharatāgrajaḥ ||

in turn Bharata’s elder brother slept upon mine.

स तत्र पुनरेवाथ वायसः समुपागमत् ।

sa tatra punarevātha vāyasaḥ samupāgamat |

Then that crow came there again.

ततः सुप्तप्रबुद्धां मां राघवाङ्कात् समुत्थिताम् ।

tataḥ suptaprabuddhāṃ māṃ rāghavāṅkāt samutthitām |

After I woke and rose from Raghava’s lap,

वायसः सहसागम्य विददार स्तनान्तरे ॥

vāyasaḥ sahasāgamya vidadāra stanāntare ||

the crow suddenly came and wounded me between the breasts.

पुनः पुनरथोत्पत्य विददार स मां भृशम् ।

punaḥ punarathotpatya vidadāra sa māṃ bhṛśam |

Again and again it flew up and wounded me severely;

ततः समुत्थितो रामो मुक्तैः शोणितबिन्दुभिः ॥

tataḥ samutthito rāmo muktaiḥ śoṇitabindubhiḥ ||

then Rama awoke when drops of blood fell upon him.

स मां दृष्ट्वा महाबाहुर्वितुन्नां स्तनयोस्तदा ।

sa māṃ dṛṣṭvā mahābāhurvitunnāṃ stanayostadā |

Seeing my wounded breast, the long-armed hero

आशीविष इव क्रुद्धः श्वसन् वाक्यमभाषत ॥

āśīviṣa iva kruddhaḥ śvasan vākyamabhāṣata ||

breathed in anger like a venomous serpent and spoke:

केन ते नागनासोरु विक्षतं वै स्तनान्तरम् ।

kena te nāganāsoru vikṣataṃ vai stanāntaram |

‘Graceful-thighed lady, who has wounded your breast?

कः क्रीडति सरोषेण पञ्चवक्त्रेण भोगिना ॥

kaḥ krīḍati saroṣeṇa pañcavaktreṇa bhoginā ||

Who plays with an enraged five-hooded serpent?’

वीक्षमाणस्ततस्तं वै वायसं समवैक्षत ।

vīkṣamāṇastatastaṃ vai vāyasaṃ samavaikṣata |

Looking around, he saw the crow facing me,

नखैः सरुधिरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्मामेवाभिमुखं स्थितम् ॥

nakhaiḥ sarudhiraistīkṣṇairmāmevābhimukhaṃ sthitam ||

its sharp claws stained with blood.

पुत्रः किल स शक्रस्य वायसः पततां वरः ।

putraḥ kila sa śakrasya vāyasaḥ patatāṃ varaḥ |

That foremost bird, they say, was Indra’s son in crow form,

धरान्तरं गतः शीघ्रं पवनस्य गतौ समः ॥

dharāntaraṃ gataḥ śīghraṃ pavanasya gatau samaḥ ||

swift as the wind, moving between regions of the earth.

ततस्तस्मिन् महाबाहुः कोपसंवर्तितेक्षणः ।

tatastasmin mahābāhuḥ kopasaṃvartitekṣaṇaḥ |

Then the long-armed one, his eyes turning with anger,

वायसे कृतवान् क्रूरां मतिं मतिमतां वरः ॥

vāyase kṛtavān krūrāṃ matiṃ matimatāṃ varaḥ ||

foremost of the wise, formed a severe resolve against the crow.

स दर्भसंस्तराद् गृह्य ब्रह्मणोऽस्त्रेण योजयत् ।

sa darbhasaṃstarād gṛhya brahmaṇo’streṇa yojayat |

Taking a blade from the darbha grass-seat, he empowered it with Brahma’s weapon;

स दीप्त इव कालाग्निर्जज्वालाभिमुखो द्विजम् ॥

sa dīpta iva kālāgnirjajvālābhimukho dvijam ||

it blazed towards the bird like the fire of destruction.

स तं प्रदीप्तं चिक्षेप दर्भं तं वायसं प्रति ।

sa taṃ pradīptaṃ cikṣepa darbhaṃ taṃ vāyasaṃ prati |

He hurled that blazing darbha blade at the crow;

ततस्तु वायसं दर्भः सोऽम्बरेऽनुजगाम ह ॥

tatastu vāyasaṃ darbhaḥ so’mbare’nujagāma ha ||

then the blade pursued the crow through the sky.

अनुसृष्टस्तदा काको जगाम विविधां गतिम् ।

anusṛṣṭastadā kāko jagāma vividhāṃ gatim |

Pursued, the crow travelled in many directions;

त्राणकाम इमं लोकं सर्वं वै विचचार ह ॥

trāṇakāma imaṃ lokaṃ sarvaṃ vai vicacāra ha ||

seeking protection, it wandered through the whole world.

स पित्रा च परित्यक्तः सर्वैश्च परमर्षिभिः ।

sa pitrā ca parityaktaḥ sarvaiśca paramarṣibhiḥ |

Rejected by its father and all the great sages,

त्रीँल्लोकान् सम्परिक्रम्य तमेव शरणं गतः ॥

trīm̐llokān samparikramya tameva śaraṇaṃ gataḥ ||

it circled the three worlds and sought refuge in Rama himself.

स तं निपतितं भूमौ शरण्यः शरणागतम् ।

sa taṃ nipatitaṃ bhūmau śaraṇyaḥ śaraṇāgatam |

Kakutstha, a refuge for those who seek him, compassionately protected

वधार्हमपि काकुत्स्थः कृपया पर्यपालयत् ॥

vadhārhamapi kākutsthaḥ kṛpayā paryapālayat ||

the bird fallen upon the ground in surrender, though it deserved death.

परिद्यूनं विवर्णं च पतमानं तमब्रवीत् ।

paridyūnaṃ vivarṇaṃ ca patamānaṃ tamabravīt |

He told the exhausted, pale bird lying before him,

मोघमस्त्रं न शक्यं तु ब्राह्मं कर्तुं तदुच्यताम् ॥

moghamastraṃ na śakyaṃ tu brāhmaṃ kartuṃ taducyatām ||

‘Brahma’s weapon cannot be made fruitless; say what shall be done.’

ततस्तस्याक्षि काकस्य हिनस्ति स्म स दक्षिणम् ।

tatastasyākṣi kākasya hinasti sma sa dakṣiṇam |

Then he destroyed the crow’s right eye;

दत्त्वा तु दक्षिणं नेत्रं प्राणेभ्यः परिरक्षितः ॥

dattvā tu dakṣiṇaṃ netraṃ prāṇebhyaḥ parirakṣitaḥ ||

giving up that eye, the bird was spared its life.

स रामाय नमस्कृत्वा राज्ञे दशरथाय च ।

sa rāmāya namaskṛtvā rājñe daśarathāya ca |

Bowing to Rama and King Dasharatha,

विसृष्टस्तेन वीरेण प्रतिपेदे स्वमालयम् ॥

visṛṣṭastena vīreṇa pratipede svamālayam ||

and released by the hero, it returned to its own home.

मत्कृते काकमात्रेऽपि ब्रह्मास्त्रं समुदीरितम् ।

matkṛte kākamātre’pi brahmāstraṃ samudīritam |

For my sake you unleashed Brahma’s weapon against a mere crow.

कस्माद् यो माहरत् त्वत्तः क्षमसे तं महीपते ॥

kasmād yo māharat tvattaḥ kṣamase taṃ mahīpate ||

Why, king, do you tolerate the one who abducted me from you?

स कुरुष्व महोत्साहां कृपां मयि नरर्षभ ।

sa kuruṣva mahotsāhāṃ kṛpāṃ mayi nararṣabha |

Foremost man, show me compassion joined with great energy.

त्वया नाथवती नाथ ह्यनाथा इव दृश्यते ॥

tvayā nāthavatī nātha hyanāthā iva dṛśyate ||

Though I have you as my protector, lord, I appear unprotected.

आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मस्त्वत्त एव मया श्रुतम् ।

ānṛśaṃsyaṃ paro dharmastvatta eva mayā śrutam |

From you I heard that compassion is the highest dharma.

जानामि त्वां महावीर्यं महोत्साहं महाबलम् ॥

jānāmi tvāṃ mahāvīryaṃ mahotsāhaṃ mahābalam ||

I know your great courage, energy and strength,

अपारवारमक्षोभ्यं गाम्भीर्यात् सागरोपमम् ।

apāravāramakṣobhyaṃ gāmbhīryāt sāgaropamam |

boundless, unshakable, deep as the ocean,

भर्तारं ससमुद्राया धरण्या वासवोपमम् ॥

bhartāraṃ sasamudrāyā dharaṇyā vāsavopamam ||

Indra-like lord of the earth and its seas.

एवमस्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठो बलवान् सत्त्ववानपि ।

evamastravidāṃ śreṣṭho balavān sattvavānapi |

Thus foremost in weapons, strong and courageous,

किमर्थमस्त्रं रक्षःसु न योजयसि राघव ॥

kimarthamastraṃ rakṣaḥsu na yojayasi rāghava ||

why do you not direct a weapon against the rakshasas, Raghava?

न नागा नापि गन्धर्वा न सुरा न मरुद‍्गणाः ।

na nāgā nāpi gandharvā na surā na marudgaṇāḥ |

Neither Nagas, Gandharvas, gods, nor hosts of Maruts

रामस्य समरे वेगं शक्ताः प्रतिसमीहितुम् ॥

rāmasya samare vegaṃ śaktāḥ pratisamīhitum ||

can withstand Rama’s force in battle.

तस्य वीर्यवतः कच्चिद् यद्यस्ति मयि सम्भ्रमः ।

tasya vīryavataḥ kaccid yadyasti mayi sambhramaḥ |

If that mighty hero has concern for me,

किमर्थं न शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः क्षयं नयति राक्षसान् ॥

kimarthaṃ na śaraistīkṣṇaiḥ kṣayaṃ nayati rākṣasān ||

why does he not destroy the rakshasas with sharp arrows?

भ्रातुरादेशमादाय लक्ष्मणो वा परंतपः ।

bhrāturādeśamādāya lakṣmaṇo vā paraṃtapaḥ |

Or why does brave, mighty Lakshmana, conqueror of foes,

कस्य हेतोर्न मां वीरः परित्राति महाबलः ॥

kasya hetorna māṃ vīraḥ paritrāti mahābalaḥ ||

not rescue me at his brother’s command?

यदि तौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ वाय्विन्द्रसमतेजसौ ।

yadi tau puruṣavyāghrau vāyvindrasamatejasau |

Those foremost men equal Wind and Indra in brilliance

सुराणामपि दुर्धर्षौ किमर्थं मामुपेक्षतः ॥

surāṇāmapi durdharṣau kimarthaṃ māmupekṣataḥ ||

and are invincible even to gods; why do they neglect me?

ममैव दुष्कृतं किंचिन्महदस्ति न संशयः ।

mamaiva duṣkṛtaṃ kiṃcinmahadasti na saṃśayaḥ |

Surely some great wrongdoing must belong to me,

समर्थावपि तौ यन्मां नावेक्षेते परंतपौ ॥

samarthāvapi tau yanmāṃ nāvekṣete paraṃtapau ||

since those capable conquerors of foes do not look after me.”

वैदेह्या वचनं श्रुत्वा करुणं साश्रु भाषितम् ।

vaidehyā vacanaṃ śrutvā karuṇaṃ sāśru bhāṣitam |

Hearing Vaidehi’s piteous, tearful words,

अथाब्रवीन्महातेजा हनूमान् हरियूथपः ॥

athābravīnmahātejā hanūmān hariyūthapaḥ ||

glorious Hanuman, leader of vanaras, replied:

त्वच्छोकविमुखो रामो देवि सत्येन ते शपे ।

tvacchokavimukho rāmo devi satyena te śape |

“Lady, I swear truthfully: Rama is overwhelmed by grief for you;

रामे दुःखाभिपन्ने तु लक्ष्मणः परितप्यते ॥

rāme duḥkhābhipanne tu lakṣmaṇaḥ paritapyate ||

and Lakshmana suffers because Rama is stricken with sorrow.

कथंचिद् भवती दृष्टा न कालः परिशोचितुम् ।

kathaṃcid bhavatī dṛṣṭā na kālaḥ pariśocitum |

At last you have been found; this is no time to despair.

इमं मुहूर्तं दुःखानामन्तं द्रक्ष्यसि शोभने ॥

imaṃ muhūrtaṃ duḥkhānāmantaṃ drakṣyasi śobhane ||

Beautiful lady, you shall now see the end of your suffering draw near.

तावुभौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ राजपुत्रौ महाबलौ ।

tāvubhau puruṣavyāghrau rājaputrau mahābalau |

Those two mighty princes, foremost among men,

त्वद्दर्शनकृतोत्साहौ लोकान् भस्मीकरिष्यतः ॥

tvaddarśanakṛtotsāhau lokān bhasmīkariṣyataḥ ||

roused by the news of finding you, could reduce worlds to ashes.

हत्वा च समरक्रूरं रावणं सहबान्धवम् ।

hatvā ca samarakrūraṃ rāvaṇaṃ sahabāndhavam |

After killing Ravana, terrible in battle, together with his kin,

राघवस्त्वां विशालाक्षि स्वां पुरीं प्रति नेष्यति ॥

rāghavastvāṃ viśālākṣi svāṃ purīṃ prati neṣyati ||

Raghava will take you, wide-eyed lady, back to his own city.

ब्रूहि यद् राघवो वाच्यो लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः ।

brūhi yad rāghavo vācyo lakṣmaṇaśca mahābalaḥ |

Tell me what should be said to Raghava, mighty Lakshmana,

सुग्रीवो वापि तेजस्वी हरयो वा समागताः ॥

sugrīvo vāpi tejasvī harayo vā samāgatāḥ ||

glorious Sugriva, or the assembled vanaras.”

इत्युक्तवति तस्मिंश्च सीता पुनरथाब्रवीत् ।

ityuktavati tasmiṃśca sītā punarathābravīt |

When he had spoken, Sita said again,

कौसल्या लोकभर्तारं सुषुवे यं मनस्विनी ॥

kausalyā lokabhartāraṃ suṣuve yaṃ manasvinī ||

“The one whom noble Kausalya bore to sustain the world—

तं ममार्थे सुखं पृच्छ शिरसा चाभिवादय ।

taṃ mamārthe sukhaṃ pṛccha śirasā cābhivādaya |

ask after his welfare for me and bow your head to him.

स्रजश्च सर्वरत्नानि प्रियायाश्च वराङ्गनाः ॥

srajaśca sarvaratnāni priyāyāśca varāṅganāḥ ||

Garlands, every jewel, and beloved noble women,

ऐश्वर्यं च विशालायां पृथिव्यामपि दुर्लभम् ।

aiśvaryaṃ ca viśālāyāṃ pṛthivyāmapi durlabham |

and sovereignty over the vast earth, hard to obtain—

पितरं मातरं चैव सम्मान्याभिप्रसाद्य च ॥

pitaraṃ mātaraṃ caiva sammānyābhiprasādya ca ||

having honoured and pleased his father and mother,

अनुप्रव्रजितो रामं सुमित्रा येन सुप्रजाः ।

anupravrajito rāmaṃ sumitrā yena suprajāḥ |

he followed Rama, making Sumitra blessed with a worthy son.

आनुकूल्येन धर्मात्मा त्यक्त्वा सुखमनुत्तमम् ॥

ānukūlyena dharmātmā tyaktvā sukhamanuttamam ||

That righteous one, obediently abandoning unsurpassed comfort,

अनुगच्छति काकुत्स्थं भ्रातरं पालयन् वने ।

anugacchati kākutsthaṃ bhrātaraṃ pālayan vane |

follows Kakutstha, protecting his brother in the forest;

सिंहस्कन्धो महाबाहुर्मनस्वी प्रियदर्शनः ॥

siṃhaskandho mahābāhurmanasvī priyadarśanaḥ ||

lion-shouldered, long-armed, steadfast and pleasant to see,

पितृवद् वर्तते रामे मातृवन्मां समाचरत् ।

pitṛvad vartate rāme mātṛvanmāṃ samācarat |

he treats Rama as a father and behaved towards me as a mother.

ह्रियमाणां तदा वीरो न तु मां वेद लक्ष्मणः ॥

hriyamāṇāṃ tadā vīro na tu māṃ veda lakṣmaṇaḥ ||

Brave Lakshmana did not know when I was being abducted.

वृद्धोपसेवी लक्ष्मीवान् शक्तो न बहुभाषिता ।

vṛddhopasevī lakṣmīvān śakto na bahubhāṣitā |

Attentive to elders, splendid, capable and sparing in speech,

राजपुत्रप्रियश्रेष्ठः सदृशः श्वशुरस्य मे ॥

rājaputrapriyaśreṣṭhaḥ sadṛśaḥ śvaśurasya me ||

dearest among princes, he resembles my father-in-law.

मत्तः प्रियतरो नित्यं भ्राता रामस्य लक्ष्मणः ।

mattaḥ priyataro nityaṃ bhrātā rāmasya lakṣmaṇaḥ |

Rama’s brother Lakshmana is always dearer to him even than I;

नियुक्तो धुरि यस्यां तु तामुद्वहति वीर्यवान् ॥

niyukto dhuri yasyāṃ tu tāmudvahati vīryavān ||

whatever burden he is assigned, that hero bears it.

यं दृष्ट्वा राघवो नैव वृत्तमार्यमनुस्मरत् ।

yaṃ dṛṣṭvā rāghavo naiva vṛttamāryamanusmarat |

Seeing him, Raghava did not dwell on the loss of his noble father.

स ममार्थाय कुशलं वक्तव्यो वचनान्मम ॥

sa mamārthāya kuśalaṃ vaktavyo vacanānmama ||

Convey my words asking after his welfare.

मृदुर्नित्यं शुचिर्दक्षः प्रियो रामस्य लक्ष्मणः ।

mṛdurnityaṃ śucirdakṣaḥ priyo rāmasya lakṣmaṇaḥ |

Gentle, always pure and capable, Lakshmana is dear to Rama.

यथा हि वानरश्रेष्ठ दुःखक्षयकरो भवेत् ॥

yathā hi vānaraśreṣṭha duḥkhakṣayakaro bhavet ||

Foremost vanara, act so that he may bring an end to sorrow.

त्वमस्मिन् कार्यनिर्वाहे प्रमाणं हरियूथप ।

tvamasmin kāryanirvāhe pramāṇaṃ hariyūthapa |

Leader of vanaras, you are the trusted means of completing this task;

राघवस्त्वत्समारम्भान्मयि यत्नपरो भवेत् ॥

rāghavastvatsamārambhānmayi yatnaparo bhavet ||

through your initiative Raghava may devote himself to rescuing me.

इदं ब्रूयाश्च मे नाथं शूरं रामं पुनः पुनः ।

idaṃ brūyāśca me nāthaṃ śūraṃ rāmaṃ punaḥ punaḥ |

Again and again tell my lord, heroic Rama:

जीवितं धारयिष्यामि मासं दशरथात्मज ॥

jīvitaṃ dhārayiṣyāmi māsaṃ daśarathātmaja ||

‘Son of Dasharatha, I shall sustain my life for one month.

ऊर्ध्वं मासान्न जीवेयं सत्येनाहं ब्रवीमि ते ।

ūrdhvaṃ māsānna jīveyaṃ satyenāhaṃ bravīmi te |

Beyond one month I shall not live; I speak truthfully to you.

रावणेनोपरुद्धां मां निकृत्या पापकर्मणा ।

rāvaṇenoparuddhāṃ māṃ nikṛtyā pāpakarmaṇā |

Wicked Ravana has treacherously confined me;

त्रातुमर्हसि वीर त्वं पातालादिव कौशिकीम् ॥

trātumarhasi vīra tvaṃ pātālādiva kauśikīm ||

hero, you must rescue me, as Kaushiki was rescued from the netherworld.’”

ततो वस्त्रगतं मुक्त्वा दिव्यं चूडामणिं शुभम् ।

tato vastragataṃ muktvā divyaṃ cūḍāmaṇiṃ śubham |

Then, untying a beautiful divine crest-jewel from her garment,

प्रदेयो राघवायेति सीता हनुमते ददौ ॥

pradeyo rāghavāyeti sītā hanumate dadau ||

Sita gave it to Hanuman, saying, “Give this to Raghava.”

प्रतिगृह्य ततो वीरो मणिरत्नमनुत्तमम् ।

pratigṛhya tato vīro maṇiratnamanuttamam |

Receiving that incomparable jewel, the hero

अङ्गुल्या योजयामास नह्यस्य प्राभवद् भुजः ॥

aṅgulyā yojayāmāsa nahyasya prābhavad bhujaḥ ||

placed it on a finger, for his arm would not fit through it.

मणिरत्नं कपिवरः प्रतिगृह्याभिवाद्य च ।

maṇiratnaṃ kapivaraḥ pratigṛhyābhivādya ca |

Receiving the jewel, the foremost vanara bowed,

सीतां प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा प्रणतः पार्श्वतः स्थितः ॥

sītāṃ pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā praṇataḥ pārśvataḥ sthitaḥ ||

circled Sita respectfully, and stood humbly at her side.

हर्षेण महता युक्तः सीतादर्शनजेन सः ।

harṣeṇa mahatā yuktaḥ sītādarśanajena saḥ |

Filled with great joy at having found Sita,

हृदयेन गतो रामं लक्ष्मणं च सलक्षणम् ॥

hṛdayena gato rāmaṃ lakṣmaṇaṃ ca salakṣaṇam ||

in his heart he had already reached Rama and auspicious Lakshmana.

मणिवरमुपगृह्य तं महार्हं

maṇivaramupagṛhya taṃ mahārhaṃ

Taking that precious, excellent jewel

जनकनृपात्मजया धृतं प्रभावात् ।

janakanṛpātmajayā dhṛtaṃ prabhāvāt |

which King Janaka’s daughter had carefully preserved,

गिरिवरपवनावधूतमुक्तः

girivarapavanāvadhūtamuktaḥ

like one freed from a buffeting mountain wind,

सुखितमनाः प्रतिसंक्रमं प्रपेदे ॥

sukhitamanāḥ pratisaṃkramaṃ prapede ||

he gladly prepared for the return.