Indrajit captures Hanuman

ततस्तु रक्षोऽधिपतिर्महात्मा

tatastu rakṣo’dhipatirmahātmā

After Hanuman had killed Prince Aksha,

हनूमताक्षे निहते कुमारे ।

hanūmatākṣe nihate kumāre |

the mighty lord of the rakshasas

मनः समाधाय स देवकल्पं

manaḥ samādhāya sa devakalpaṃ

collected his thoughts and angrily commanded

समादिदेशेन्द्रजितं सरोषः ॥

samādideśendrajitaṃ saroṣaḥ ||

Indrajit, whose appearance was godlike.

त्वमस्त्रविच्छस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठः

tvamastravicchastrabhṛtāṃ variṣṭhaḥ

'You know divine weapons and excel among armed warriors;

सुरासुराणामपि शोकदाता ।

surāsurāṇāmapi śokadātā |

you bring grief even to gods and asuras.

सुरेषु सेन्द्रेषु च दृष्टकर्मा

sureṣu sendreṣu ca dṛṣṭakarmā

The gods and Indra have witnessed your deeds;

पितामहाराधनसंचितास्त्रः ॥

pitāmahārādhanasaṃcitāstraḥ ||

by worshipping Brahma you have acquired celestial weapons.

त्वदस्त्रबलमासाद्य ससुराः समरुद‍्गणाः ।

tvadastrabalamāsādya sasurāḥ samarudgaṇāḥ |

Faced with the power of your weapons, the gods and Maruts,

न शेकुः समरे स्थातुं सुरेश्वरसमाश्रिताः ॥

na śekuḥ samare sthātuṃ sureśvarasamāśritāḥ ||

even sheltered by their sovereign, could not stand in battle.

न कश्चित् त्रिषु लोकेषु संयुगे न गतश्रमः ।

na kaścit triṣu lokeṣu saṃyuge na gataśramaḥ |

None in the three worlds has escaped weariness in combat with you;

भुजवीर्याभिगुप्तश्च तपसा चाभिरक्षितः ।

bhujavīryābhiguptaśca tapasā cābhirakṣitaḥ |

your arm's prowess protects you, and austerity guards you.

देशकालप्रधानश्च त्वमेव मतिसत्तमः ॥

deśakālapradhānaśca tvameva matisattamaḥ ||

Wise beyond others, you give first attention to place and time.

न तेऽस्त्यशक्यं समरेषु कर्मणां

na te’styaśakyaṃ samareṣu karmaṇāṃ

No feat in battle is impossible for you,

न तेऽस्त्यकार्यं मतिपूर्वमन्त्रणे ।

na te’styakāryaṃ matipūrvamantraṇe |

and nothing defeats your considered planning.

न सोऽस्ति कश्चित् त्रिषु संग्रहेषु

na so’sti kaścit triṣu saṃgraheṣu

Among the forces of the three worlds,

न वेद यस्तेऽस्त्रबलं बलं च ॥

na veda yaste’strabalaṃ balaṃ ca ||

none is ignorant of your weapons or your power.

ममानुरूपं तपसो बलं च ते

mamānurūpaṃ tapaso balaṃ ca te

Your strength through austerity equals mine,

पराक्रमश्चास्त्रबलं च संयुगे ।

parākramaścāstrabalaṃ ca saṃyuge |

as do your courage and mastery of weapons in war.

न त्वां समासाद्य रणावमर्दे

na tvāṃ samāsādya raṇāvamarde

With you engaged in a crushing battle,

मनः श्रमं गच्छति निश्चितार्थम् ॥

manaḥ śramaṃ gacchati niścitārtham ||

my mind remains untroubled and certain of the result.

निहताः किंकराः सर्वे जम्बुमाली च राक्षसः ।

nihatāḥ kiṃkarāḥ sarve jambumālī ca rākṣasaḥ |

All the Kinkaras have been killed, and Jambumali,

अमात्यपुत्रा वीराश्च पञ्च सेनाग्रगामिनः ॥

amātyaputrā vīrāśca pañca senāgragāminaḥ ||

the brave ministers' sons, and the five commanders.

बलानि सुसमृद्धानि साश्वनागरथानि च ।

balāni susamṛddhāni sāśvanāgarathāni ca |

Powerful forces with horses, elephants and chariots have fallen;

सहोदरस्ते दयितः कुमारोऽक्षश्च सूदितः ।

sahodaraste dayitaḥ kumāro’kṣaśca sūditaḥ |

your beloved brother, Prince Aksha, has also been slain.

न तु तेष्वेव मे सारो यस्त्वय्यरिनिषूदन ॥

na tu teṣveva me sāro yastvayyariniṣūdana ||

Yet, destroyer of enemies, none gave me the confidence I place in you.

इदं च दृष्ट्वा निहतं महद् बलं

idaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā nihataṃ mahad balaṃ

Seeing this great army destroyed

कपेः प्रभावं च पराक्रमं च ।

kapeḥ prabhāvaṃ ca parākramaṃ ca |

and the vanara's might and prowess,

त्वमात्मनश्चापि निरीक्ष्य सारं

tvamātmanaścāpi nirīkṣya sāraṃ

also examine your own resources

कुरुष्व वेगं स्वबलानुरूपम् ॥

kuruṣva vegaṃ svabalānurūpam ||

and exert yourself in proportion to your strength.

बलावमर्दस्त्वयि संनिकृष्टे

balāvamardastvayi saṃnikṛṣṭe

When you enter the conflict, may the destruction

यथा गते शाम्यति शान्तशत्रौ ।

yathā gate śāmyati śāntaśatrau |

of our forces end, with the enemy subdued.

तथा समीक्ष्यात्मबलं परं च

tathā samīkṣyātmabalaṃ paraṃ ca

Weigh your strength and your opponent's,

समारभस्वास्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठ ॥

samārabhasvāstrabhṛtāṃ variṣṭha ||

then begin, foremost wielder of weapons.

न वीर सेना गणशो च्यवन्ति

na vīra senā gaṇaśo cyavanti

Hero, these troops fall in companies;

न वज्रमादाय विशालसारम् ।

na vajramādāya viśālasāram |

even taking a mighty thunderbolt will not suffice.

न मारुतस्यास्ति गतिप्रमाणं

na mārutasyāsti gatipramāṇaṃ

The Wind's speed cannot be measured,

न चाग्निकल्पः करणेन हन्तुम् ॥

na cāgnikalpaḥ karaṇena hantum ||

nor can ordinary means kill one like fire.

तमेवमर्थं प्रसमीक्ष्य सम्यक्

tamevamarthaṃ prasamīkṣya samyak

Consider this matter properly,

स्वकर्मसाम्याद्धि समाहितात्मा ।

svakarmasāmyāddhi samāhitātmā |

keeping your mind steady and your deeds equal to the task.

स्मरंश्च दिव्यं धनुषोऽस्य वीर्यं

smaraṃśca divyaṃ dhanuṣo’sya vīryaṃ

Remember the divine power of your bow;

व्रजाक्षतं कर्म समारभस्व ॥

vrajākṣataṃ karma samārabhasva ||

go and undertake the work without injury.

न खल्वियं मतिश्रेष्ठ यत्त्वां सम्प्रेषयाम्यहम् ।

na khalviyaṃ matiśreṣṭha yattvāṃ sampreṣayāmyaham |

Wisest one, sending you is not merely my personal wish;

इयं च राजधर्माणां क्षत्रस्य च मतिर्मता ॥

iyaṃ ca rājadharmāṇāṃ kṣatrasya ca matirmatā ||

this is understood as the duty of kings and warriors.

नानाशस्त्रेषु संग्रामे वैशारद्यमरिंदम ।

nānāśastreṣu saṃgrāme vaiśāradyamariṃdama |

Skill with different weapons in battle must be learned,

अवश्यमेव बोद्धव्यं काम्यश्च विजयो रणे ॥

avaśyameva boddhavyaṃ kāmyaśca vijayo raṇe ||

destroyer of enemies, and victory in war is desirable.

ततः पितुस्तद्वचनं निशम्य

tataḥ pitustadvacanaṃ niśamya

Hearing those words from his father,

प्रदक्षिणं दक्षसुतप्रभावः ।

pradakṣiṇaṃ dakṣasutaprabhāvaḥ |

the hero, splendid like a son of Daksha,

चकार भर्तारमतित्वरेण

cakāra bhartāramatitvareṇa

quickly walked reverently around his lord,

रणाय वीरः प्रतिपन्नबुद्धिः ॥

raṇāya vīraḥ pratipannabuddhiḥ ||

his mind resolved upon battle.

ततस्तैः स्वगणैरिष्टैरिन्द्रजित् प्रतिपूजितः ।

tatastaiḥ svagaṇairiṣṭairindrajit pratipūjitaḥ |

Honoured by his own dear followers, Indrajit,

युद्धोद्धतकृतोत्साहः संग्रामं सम्प्रपद्यत ॥

yuddhoddhatakṛtotsāhaḥ saṃgrāmaṃ samprapadyata ||

stirred with martial enthusiasm, advanced to the battlefield.

श्रीमान् पद्मविशालाक्षो राक्षसाधिपतेः सुतः ।

śrīmān padmaviśālākṣo rākṣasādhipateḥ sutaḥ |

The glorious, lotus-eyed son of the rakshasa king,

निर्जगाम महातेजाः समुद्र इव पर्वणि ॥

nirjagāma mahātejāḥ samudra iva parvaṇi ||

radiant with power, went forth like the ocean at the full moon.

स पक्षिराजोपमतुल्यवेगै-

sa pakṣirājopamatulyavegai-

Four sharp-fanged tigers,

र्व्याघ्रैश्चतुर्भिः स तु तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रैः ।

rvyāghraiścaturbhiḥ sa tu tīkṣṇadaṃṣṭraiḥ |

swift as the king of birds,

रथं समायुक्तमसह्यवेगः

rathaṃ samāyuktamasahyavegaḥ

drew the chariot mounted by Indrajit,

समारुरोहेन्द्रजिदिन्द्रकल्पः ॥

samārurohendrajidindrakalpaḥ ||

whose irresistible force resembled Indra's.

स रथी धन्विनां श्रेष्ठः शस्त्रज्ञोऽस्त्रविदां वरः ।

sa rathī dhanvināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ śastrajño’stravidāṃ varaḥ |

That foremost archer, master of weapons and their use,

रथेनाभिययौ क्षिप्रं हनूमान् यत्र सोऽभवत् ॥

rathenābhiyayau kṣipraṃ hanūmān yatra so’bhavat ||

swiftly drove his chariot to where Hanuman stood.

स तस्य रथनिर्घोषं ज्यास्वनं कार्मुकस्य च ।

sa tasya rathanirghoṣaṃ jyāsvanaṃ kārmukasya ca |

Hearing the rumble of his chariot and the twang of his bowstring,

निशम्य हरिवीरोऽसौ सम्प्रहृष्टतरोऽभवत् ॥

niśamya harivīro’sau samprahṛṣṭataro’bhavat ||

the vanara hero became still more eager.

इन्द्रजिच्चापमादाय शितशल्यांश्च सायकान् ।

indrajiccāpamādāya śitaśalyāṃśca sāyakān |

Indrajit took up his bow and sharply pointed arrows,

हनूमन्तमभिप्रेत्य जगाम रणपण्डितः ॥

hanūmantamabhipretya jagāma raṇapaṇḍitaḥ ||

and that expert in battle advanced upon Hanuman.

तस्मिंस्ततः संयति जातहर्षे

tasmiṃstataḥ saṃyati jātaharṣe

As he went forth gladly to battle

रणाय निर्गच्छति बाणपाणौ ।

raṇāya nirgacchati bāṇapāṇau |

with arrows in his hand,

दिशश्च सर्वाः कलुषा बभूवु-

diśaśca sarvāḥ kaluṣā babhūvu-

all directions became troubled,

र्मृगाश्च रौद्रा बहुधा विनेदुः ॥

rmṛgāśca raudrā bahudhā vineduḥ ||

and fierce beasts cried out in many voices.

समागतास्तत्र तु नागयक्षा

samāgatāstatra tu nāgayakṣā

Nagas, yakshas, great sages,

महर्षयश्चक्रचराश्च सिद्धाः ।

maharṣayaścakracarāśca siddhāḥ |

celestial wanderers and perfected beings assembled.

नभः समावृत्य च पक्षिसङ्घा

nabhaḥ samāvṛtya ca pakṣisaṅghā

Flocks of birds filled the sky

विनेदुरुच्चैः परमप्रहृष्टाः ॥

vineduruccaiḥ paramaprahṛṣṭāḥ ||

and cried loudly in great excitement.

आयान्तं स रथं दृष्ट्वा तूर्णमिन्द्रध्वजं कपिः ।

āyāntaṃ sa rathaṃ dṛṣṭvā tūrṇamindradhvajaṃ kapiḥ |

Seeing the swiftly approaching chariot with its Indra-like standard,

ननाद च महानादं व्यवर्धत च वेगवान् ॥

nanāda ca mahānādaṃ vyavardhata ca vegavān ||

Hanuman roared mightily and increased his size.

इन्द्रजित् स रथं दिव्यमाश्रितश्चित्रकार्मुकः ।

indrajit sa rathaṃ divyamāśritaścitrakārmukaḥ |

Indrajit, standing in his divine chariot with a decorated bow,

धनुर्विस्फारयामास तडिदूर्जितनिःस्वनम् ॥

dhanurvisphārayāmāsa taḍidūrjitaniḥsvanam ||

stretched it with a sound like thunder accompanying lightning.

ततः समेतावतितीक्ष्णवेगौ

tataḥ sametāvatitīkṣṇavegau

Both were exceedingly swift and powerful,

महाबलौ तौ रणनिर्विशङ्कौ ।

mahābalau tau raṇanirviśaṅkau |

fearless in battle.

कपिश्च रक्षोऽधिपतेस्तनूजः

kapiśca rakṣo’dhipatestanūjaḥ

The vanara and the rakshasa king's son met

सुरासुरेन्द्राविव बद्धवैरौ ॥

surāsurendrāviva baddhavairau ||

like hostile sovereigns of gods and asuras.

स तस्य वीरस्य महारथस्य

sa tasya vīrasya mahārathasya

Hanuman, now enlarged, thwarted

धनुष्मतः संयति सम्मतस्य ।

dhanuṣmataḥ saṃyati sammatasya |

the arrows of that renowned great chariot-warrior,

शरप्रवेगं व्यहनत् प्रवृद्ध-

śarapravegaṃ vyahanat pravṛddha-

the hero who wielded the bow,

श्चचार मार्गे पितुरप्रमेयः ॥

ścacāra mārge pituraprameyaḥ ||

while moving freely along his father's path through the sky.

ततः शरानायततीक्ष्णशल्यान्

tataḥ śarānāyatatīkṣṇaśalyān

The enemy-slaying warrior released long,

सुपत्रिणः काञ्चनचित्रपुङ्खान् ।

supatriṇaḥ kāñcanacitrapuṅkhān |

sharply pointed, well-feathered shafts,

मुमोच वीरः परवीरहन्ता

mumoca vīraḥ paravīrahantā

their flights beautifully worked with gold,

सुसंततान् वज्रसमानवेगान् ॥

susaṃtatān vajrasamānavegān ||

in a continuous stream swift as thunderbolts.

ततः स तत्स्यन्दननिःस्वनं च

tataḥ sa tatsyandananiḥsvanaṃ ca

Hearing again the chariot's rumble,

मृदङ्गभेरीपटहस्वनं च ।

mṛdaṅgabherīpaṭahasvanaṃ ca |

the sounds of mridangas, kettledrums and war drums,

विकृष्यमाणस्य च कार्मुकस्य

vikṛṣyamāṇasya ca kārmukasya

and the resonance of the bow

निशम्य घोषं पुनरुत्पपात ॥

niśamya ghoṣaṃ punarutpapāta ||

being drawn, Hanuman leapt up once more.

शराणामन्तरेष्वाशु व्यावर्तत महाकपिः ।

śarāṇāmantareṣvāśu vyāvartata mahākapiḥ |

The great vanara moved swiftly between the arrows,

हरिस्तस्याभिलक्ष्यस्य मोक्षयँल्लक्ष्यसंग्रहम् ॥

haristasyābhilakṣyasya mokṣayam̐llakṣyasaṃgraham ||

frustrating the archer's attempts to hold him within his aim.

शराणामग्रतस्तस्य पुनः समभिवर्तत ।

śarāṇāmagratastasya punaḥ samabhivartata |

Again Hanuman, the Wind's son, moved before the arrows

प्रसार्य हस्तौ हनुमानुत्पपातानिलात्मजः ॥

prasārya hastau hanumānutpapātānilātmajaḥ ||

and sprang upwards with both hands spread.

तावुभौ वेगसम्पन्नौ रणकर्मविशारदौ ।

tāvubhau vegasampannau raṇakarmaviśāradau |

Both swift and skilled in warfare,

सर्वभूतमनोग्राहि चक्रतुर्युद्धमुत्तमम् ॥

sarvabhūtamanogrāhi cakraturyuddhamuttamam ||

they fought a magnificent battle that held every creature's attention.

हनूमतो वेद न राक्षसोऽन्तरं

hanūmato veda na rākṣaso’ntaraṃ

The rakshasa found no opening in Hanuman;

न मारुतिस्तस्य महात्मनोऽन्तरम् ।

na mārutistasya mahātmano’ntaram |

the Wind's son found none in his noble opponent.

परस्परं निर्विषहौ बभूवतुः

parasparaṃ nirviṣahau babhūvatuḥ

Meeting with prowess equal to the gods',

समेत्य तौ देवसमानविक्रमौ ॥

sametya tau devasamānavikramau ||

neither could overpower the other.

ततस्तु लक्ष्ये स विहन्यमाने

tatastu lakṣye sa vihanyamāne

When his aim was repeatedly frustrated

शरेष्वमोघेषु च सम्पतत्सु ।

śareṣvamogheṣu ca sampatatsu |

even as his unfailing arrows flew,

जगाम चिन्तां महतीं महात्मा

jagāma cintāṃ mahatīṃ mahātmā

the great-minded warrior entered deep thought,

समाधिसंयोगसमाहितात्मा ॥

samādhisaṃyogasamāhitātmā ||

concentrating carefully upon his task.

ततो मतिं राक्षसराजसूनु-

tato matiṃ rākṣasarājasūnu-

The rakshasa king's son began to think

श्चकार तस्मिन् हरिवीरमुख्ये ।

ścakāra tasmin harivīramukhye |

how to restrain that foremost vanara hero.

अवध्यतां तस्य कपेः समीक्ष्य

avadhyatāṃ tasya kapeḥ samīkṣya

Seeing that the vanara could not be slain,

कथं निगच्छेदिति निग्रहार्थम् ॥

kathaṃ nigacchediti nigrahārtham ||

he considered how he might capture him.

ततः पैतामहं वीरः सोऽस्त्रमस्त्रविदां वरः ।

tataḥ paitāmahaṃ vīraḥ so’stramastravidāṃ varaḥ |

That radiant hero, foremost knower of divine weapons,

संदधे सुमहातेजास्तं हरिप्रवरं प्रति ॥

saṃdadhe sumahātejāstaṃ haripravaraṃ prati ||

fitted Brahma's weapon against the excellent vanara.

अवध्योऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा तमस्त्रेणास्त्रतत्त्ववित् ।

avadhyo’yamiti jñātvā tamastreṇāstratattvavit |

Knowing his opponent could not be killed, Indrajit, skilled in weapons,

निजग्राह महाबाहुं मारुतात्मजमिन्द्रजित् ॥

nijagrāha mahābāhuṃ mārutātmajamindrajit ||

bound the strong-armed Wind's son with that weapon.

तेन बद्धस्ततोऽस्त्रेण राक्षसेन स वानरः ।

tena baddhastato’streṇa rākṣasena sa vānaraḥ |

Bound by the weapon released by the rakshasa,

अभवन्निर्विचेष्टश्च पपात च महीतले ॥

abhavannirviceṣṭaśca papāta ca mahītale ||

the vanara became motionless and fell to the ground.

ततोऽथ बुद्‍ध्वा स तदस्त्रबन्धं

tato’tha buddhvā sa tadastrabandhaṃ

Recognizing the weapon's binding,

प्रभोः प्रभावाद् विगताल्पवेगः ।

prabhoḥ prabhāvād vigatālpavegaḥ |

his ordinary movement checked by the Lord's power,

पितामहानुग्रहमात्मनश्च

pitāmahānugrahamātmanaśca

the vanara hero reflected

विचिन्तयामास हरिप्रवीरः ॥

vicintayāmāsa haripravīraḥ ||

on the favour Brahma had granted him.

ततः स्वायम्भुवैर्मन्त्रैर्ब्रह्मास्त्रं चाभिमन्त्रितम् ।

tataḥ svāyambhuvairmantrairbrahmāstraṃ cābhimantritam |

Hanuman considered that Brahma weapon, empowered by sacred formulas,

हनूमांश्चिन्तयामास वरदानं पितामहात् ॥

hanūmāṃścintayāmāsa varadānaṃ pitāmahāt ||

and remembered the boon bestowed upon him by Brahma.

न मेऽस्य बन्धस्य च शक्तिरस्ति

na me’sya bandhasya ca śaktirasti

'In the presence of the world-teacher's power,

विमोक्षणे लोकगुरोः प्रभावात् ।

vimokṣaṇe lokaguroḥ prabhāvāt |

I should not release myself from this bond.

इत्येवमेवं विहितोऽस्त्रबन्धो

ityevamevaṃ vihito’strabandho

Since the weapon's restraint has been so ordained,

मयाऽऽत्मयोनेरनुवर्तितव्यः ॥

mayā’’tmayoneranuvartitavyaḥ ||

I must honour the command of the self-born Lord.'

स वीर्यमस्त्रस्य कपिर्विचार्य

sa vīryamastrasya kapirvicārya

Considering the weapon's force,

पितामहानुग्रहमात्मनश्च ।

pitāmahānugrahamātmanaśca |

Brahma's favour towards himself,

विमोक्षशक्तिं परिचिन्तयित्वा

vimokṣaśaktiṃ paricintayitvā

and his own capacity to become free,

पितामहाज्ञामनुवर्तते स्म ॥

pitāmahājñāmanuvartate sma ||

the vanara obeyed Brahma's command.

अस्त्रेणापि हि बद्धस्य भयं मम न जायते ।

astreṇāpi hi baddhasya bhayaṃ mama na jāyate |

'Even bound by this weapon I have no fear,

पितामहमहेन्द्राभ्यां रक्षितस्यानिलेन च ॥

pitāmahamahendrābhyāṃ rakṣitasyānilena ca ||

protected as I am by Brahma, Indra and the Wind.

ग्रहणे चापि रक्षोभिर्महन्मे गुणदर्शनम् ।

grahaṇe cāpi rakṣobhirmahanme guṇadarśanam |

I see a great advantage in capture by the rakshasas:

राक्षसेन्द्रेण संवादस्तस्माद् गृह्णन्तु मां परे ॥

rākṣasendreṇa saṃvādastasmād gṛhṇantu māṃ pare ||

I can speak with their king. Therefore let my enemies take me.'

स निश्चितार्थः परवीरहन्ता

sa niścitārthaḥ paravīrahantā

Having decided his purpose, that enemy-subduing hero,

समीक्ष्यकारी विनिवृत्तचेष्टः ।

samīkṣyakārī vinivṛttaceṣṭaḥ |

who acted after reflection, stopped resisting.

परैः प्रसह्याभिगतैर्निगृह्य

paraiḥ prasahyābhigatairnigṛhya

His opponents seized him forcibly,

ननाद तैस्तैः परिभर्त्स्यमानः ॥

nanāda taistaiḥ paribhartsyamānaḥ ||

and he roared as they threatened him in various ways.

ततस्ते राक्षसा दृष्ट्वा विनिश्चेष्टमरिंदमम् ।

tataste rākṣasā dṛṣṭvā viniśceṣṭamariṃdamam |

Seeing the enemy-subduer motionless, the rakshasas

बबन्धुः शणवल्कैश्च द्रुमचीरैश्च संहतैः ॥

babandhuḥ śaṇavalkaiśca drumacīraiśca saṃhataiḥ ||

tied him with hemp cords, bark strips and strong tree-fibre ropes.

स रोचयामास परैश्च बन्धं

sa rocayāmāsa paraiśca bandhaṃ

He accepted their binding

प्रसह्य वीरैरभिगर्हणं च ।

prasahya vīrairabhigarhaṇaṃ ca |

and the rough insults of those warriors,

कौतूहलान्मां यदि राक्षसेन्द्रो

kautūhalānmāṃ yadi rākṣasendro

thinking, 'Perhaps the rakshasa king

द्रष्टुं व्यवस्येदिति निश्चितार्थः ॥

draṣṭuṃ vyavasyediti niścitārthaḥ ||

will be curious and decide to see me.'

स बद्धस्तेन वल्केन विमुक्तोऽस्त्रेण वीर्यवान् ।

sa baddhastena valkena vimukto’streṇa vīryavān |

Bound with bark ropes, the mighty one was freed from the divine weapon;

अस्त्रबन्धः स चान्यं हि न बन्धमनुवर्तते ॥

astrabandhaḥ sa cānyaṃ hi na bandhamanuvartate ||

that weapon's bond does not remain when another bond is imposed.

अथेन्द्रजित् तं द्रुमचीरबद्धं

athendrajit taṃ drumacīrabaddhaṃ

Indrajit examined the great vanara

विचार्य वीरः कपिसत्तमं तम् ।

vicārya vīraḥ kapisattamaṃ tam |

tied with strips of bark and fell into concern:

विमुक्तमस्त्रेण जगाम चिन्ता-

vimuktamastreṇa jagāma cintā-

the divine weapon had released him,

मन्येन बद्धोऽप्यनुवर्ततेऽस्त्रम् ॥

manyena baddho’pyanuvartate’stram ||

though his captors assumed it continued after their binding.

अहो महत् कर्म कृतं निरर्थं

aho mahat karma kṛtaṃ nirarthaṃ

'Alas, this great achievement has been made useless!

न राक्षसैर्मन्त्रगतिर्विमृष्टा ।

na rākṣasairmantragatirvimṛṣṭā |

The rakshasas did not understand the sacred weapon's operation.

पुनश्च नास्त्रे विहतेऽस्त्रमन्यत्

punaśca nāstre vihate’stramanyat

Once one such weapon is thwarted, another cannot be applied;

प्रवर्तते संशयिताः स्म सर्वे ॥

pravartate saṃśayitāḥ sma sarve ||

we are all placed in danger.'

अस्त्रेण हनुमान् मुक्तो नात्मानमवबुध्यते ।

astreṇa hanumān mukto nātmānamavabudhyate |

Though released by the weapon, Hanuman gave no sign of awareness,

कृष्यमाणस्तु रक्षोभिस्तैश्च बन्धैर्निपीडितः ॥

kṛṣyamāṇastu rakṣobhistaiśca bandhairnipīḍitaḥ ||

as the rakshasas dragged him, pressing him with their bonds.

हन्यमानस्ततः क्रूरै राक्षसैः कालमुष्टिभिः ।

hanyamānastataḥ krūrai rākṣasaiḥ kālamuṣṭibhiḥ |

Struck with fists by those cruel rakshasas,

समीपं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य प्राकृष्यत स वानरः ॥

samīpaṃ rākṣasendrasya prākṛṣyata sa vānaraḥ ||

the vanara was dragged into the presence of their king.

अथेन्द्रजित् तं प्रसमीक्ष्य मुक्त-

athendrajit taṃ prasamīkṣya mukta-

Indrajit saw him freed from the divine weapon

मस्त्रेण बद्धं द्रुमचीरसूत्रैः ।

mastreṇa baddhaṃ drumacīrasūtraiḥ |

but tied with bark cords.

व्यदर्शयत् तत्र महाबलं तं

vyadarśayat tatra mahābalaṃ taṃ

He presented that immensely strong vanara hero

हरिप्रवीरं सगणाय राज्ञे ॥

haripravīraṃ sagaṇāya rājñe ||

to the king amid his attendants.

तं मत्तमिव मातङ्गं बद्धं कपिवरोत्तमम् ।

taṃ mattamiva mātaṅgaṃ baddhaṃ kapivarottamam |

The rakshasas announced the bound foremost vanara,

राक्षसा राक्षसेन्द्राय रावणाय न्यवेदयन् ॥

rākṣasā rākṣasendrāya rāvaṇāya nyavedayan ||

like a captured rutting elephant, to their king Ravana.

कोऽयं कस्य कुतो वापि किं कार्यं कोऽभ्युपाश्रयः ।

ko’yaṃ kasya kuto vāpi kiṃ kāryaṃ ko’bhyupāśrayaḥ |

'Who is he? Whose servant? Where is he from? What is his purpose and support?'

इति राक्षसवीराणां दृष्ट्वा संजज्ञिरे कथाः ॥

iti rākṣasavīrāṇāṃ dṛṣṭvā saṃjajñire kathāḥ ||

Such questions arose among the rakshasa warriors when they saw him.

हन्यतां दह्यतां वापि भक्ष्यतामिति चापरे ।

hanyatāṃ dahyatāṃ vāpi bhakṣyatāmiti cāpare |

Others, enraged, said to one another,

राक्षसास्तत्र संक्रुद्धाः परस्परमथाब्रुवन् ॥

rākṣasāstatra saṃkruddhāḥ parasparamathābruvan ||

'Kill him! Burn him! Let him be eaten!'

अतीत्य मार्गं सहसा महात्मा

atītya mārgaṃ sahasā mahātmā

Having quickly traversed the route, that great one

स तत्र रक्षोऽधिपपादमूले ।

sa tatra rakṣo’dhipapādamūle |

reached the rakshasa lord's feet.

ददर्श राज्ञः परिचारवृद्धान्

dadarśa rājñaḥ paricāravṛddhān

He saw the king's senior attendants

गृहं महारत्नविभूषितं च ॥

gṛhaṃ mahāratnavibhūṣitaṃ ca ||

and a palace adorned with splendid jewels.

स ददर्श महातेजा रावणः कपिसत्तमम् ।

sa dadarśa mahātejā rāvaṇaḥ kapisattamam |

The radiant Ravana saw the foremost vanara

रक्षोभिर्विकृताकारैः कृष्यमाणमितस्ततः ॥

rakṣobhirvikṛtākāraiḥ kṛṣyamāṇamitastataḥ ||

being dragged here and there by misshapen rakshasas.

राक्षसाधिपतिं चापि ददर्श कपिसत्तमः ।

rākṣasādhipatiṃ cāpi dadarśa kapisattamaḥ |

The foremost vanara also saw the rakshasa king,

तेजोबलसमायुक्तं तपन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥

tejobalasamāyuktaṃ tapantamiva bhāskaram ||

possessed of brilliance and strength, burning like the sun.

स रोषसंवर्तितताम्रदृष्टि-

sa roṣasaṃvartitatāmradṛṣṭi-

Looking at the vanara with angry copper-coloured eyes,

र्दशाननस्तं कपिमन्ववेक्ष्य ।

rdaśānanastaṃ kapimanvavekṣya |

the ten-headed king

अथोपविष्टान् कुलशीलवृद्धान्

athopaviṣṭān kulaśīlavṛddhān

commanded his chief ministers, seated nearby,

समादिशत् तं प्रति मुख्यमन्त्रीन् ॥

samādiśat taṃ prati mukhyamantrīn ||

men distinguished by ancestry and conduct.

यथाक्रमं तैः स कपिश्च पृष्टः

yathākramaṃ taiḥ sa kapiśca pṛṣṭaḥ

They questioned the vanara in due order

कार्यार्थमर्थस्य च मूलमादौ ।

kāryārthamarthasya ca mūlamādau |

about his task and the origin of his mission.

निवेदयामास हरीश्वरस्य

nivedayāmāsa harīśvarasya

He declared, 'I have come here

दूतः सकाशादहमागतोऽस्मि ॥

dūtaḥ sakāśādahamāgato’smi ||

as a messenger from the lord of the vanaras.'