Sundara Kanda Chapter 58 — Sanskrit & English

Verse 1 · 5.58.1

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ततस्तस्य गिरेः शृङ्गे महेन्द्रस्य महाबलाः ।

Then, on the summit of Mount Mahendra, the mighty vanaras,

हनुमत्प्रमुखाः प्रीतिं हरयो जग्मुरुत्तमाम् ॥

with Hanuman foremost among them, felt the greatest joy.

Verse 2 · 5.58.2

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प्रीतिमत्सूपविष्टेषु वानरेषु महात्मसु ।

When those noble vanaras had seated themselves happily,

तं ततः प्रतिसंहृष्टः प्रीतियुक्तं महाकपिम् ॥

the great vanara, himself delighted and full of gladness—

Verse 3 · 5.58.3

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जाम्बवान् कार्यवृत्तान्तमपृच्छदनिलात्मजम् ।

Jambavan asked the son of the Wind about the mission:

कथं दृष्टा त्वया देवी कथं वा तत्र वर्तते ॥

How did you find the lady, and how is she living there?

Verse 4 · 5.58.4

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तस्यां चापि कथं वृत्तः क्रूरकर्मा दशाननः ।

How has the cruel ten-headed Ravana behaved towards her?

तत्त्वतः सर्वमेतन्नः प्रब्रूहि त्वं महाकपे ॥

Great vanara, tell us all this exactly as it happened.

Verse 5 · 5.58.5

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सम्मार्गिता कथं देवी किं च सा प्रत्यभाषत ।

How did you search out the lady, and what did she say?

श्रुतार्थाश्चिन्तयिष्यामो भूयः कार्यविनिश्चयम् ॥

Once we have heard, we shall consider what must be done next.

Verse 6 · 5.58.6

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यश्चार्थस्तत्र वक्तव्यो गतैरस्माभिरात्मवान् ।

Tell us, thoughtful one, what we should say when we return,

रक्षितव्यं च यत्तत्र तद् भवान् व्याकरोतु नः ॥

and what matters we must carefully keep in mind there.

Verse 7 · 5.58.7

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स नियुक्तस्ततस्तेन सम्प्रहृष्टतनूरुहः ।

Thus requested, with the hair on his body bristling in joy,

नमस्यन् शिरसा देव्यै सीतायै प्रत्यभाषत ॥

he bowed his head in reverence to Lady Sita and began to speak.

Verse 8 · 5.58.8

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प्रत्यक्षमेव भवतां महेन्द्राग्रात् खमाप्लुतः ।

Before your own eyes I leapt into the sky from Mahendra’s summit,

उदधेर्दक्षिणं पारं काङ्क्षमाणः समाहितः ॥

concentrating on reaching the ocean’s southern shore.

Verse 9 · 5.58.9

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गच्छतश्च हि मे घोरं विघ्नरूपमिवाभवत् ।

As I travelled, something appeared that seemed a formidable obstacle:

काञ्चनं शिखरं दिव्यं पश्यामि सुमनोहरम् ॥

I saw a wondrous golden peak, exceedingly beautiful.

Verse 10 · 5.58.10

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स्थितं पन्थानमावृत्य मेने विघ्नं च तं नगम् ।

It stood blocking my way, and I took the mountain for an obstacle.

उपसंगम्य तं दिव्यं काञ्चनं नगमुत्तमम् ॥

Approaching that magnificent, heavenly golden mountain,

Verse 11 · 5.58.11

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कृता मे मनसा बुद्धिर्भेत्तव्योऽयं मयेति च ।

I resolved in my mind that I must break through it.

प्रहतस्य मया तस्य लाङ्गूलेन महागिरेः ॥

When I struck that great mountain with my tail,

Verse 12 · 5.58.12

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शिखरं सूर्यसंकाशं व्यशीर्यत सहस्रधा ।

its sun-bright peak broke into a thousand pieces.

व्यवसायं च तं बुद्‍ध्वा स होवाच महागिरिः ॥

Understanding my determination, that great mountain spoke,

Verse 13 · 5.58.13

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पुत्रेति मधुरां वाणीं मनः प्रह्लादयन्निव ।

calling me ‘son’ in a sweet voice that gladdened my heart:

पितृव्यं चापि मां विद्धि सखायं मातरिश्वनः ॥

Know me as your father’s brother, a friend of the Wind.

Verse 14 · 5.58.14

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मैनाकमिति विख्यातं निवसन्तं महोदधौ ।

I am known as Mainaka and dwell in the great ocean.

पक्षवन्तः पुरा पुत्र बभूवुः पर्वतोत्तमाः ॥

Long ago, my son, the foremost mountains possessed wings.

Verse 15 · 5.58.15

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छन्दतः पृथिवीं चेरुर्बाधमानाः समन्ततः ।

They roamed the earth at will, troubling beings everywhere.

श्रुत्वा नगानां चरितं महेन्द्रः पाकशासनः ॥

Hearing how the mountains behaved, mighty Indra, destroyer of Paka,

Verse 16 · 5.58.16

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वज्रेण भगवान् पक्षौ चिच्छेदैषां सहस्रशः ।

cut their wings by the thousand with his thunderbolt.

अहं तु मोचितस्तस्मात् तव पित्रा महात्मना ॥

But your noble father saved me from him.

Verse 17 · 5.58.17

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मारुतेन तदा वत्स प्रक्षिप्तो वरुणालये ।

Dear child, the Wind cast me into Varuna’s ocean abode.

राघवस्य मया साह्ये वर्तितव्यमरिंदम ॥

Now I must help Raghava, subduer of foes.

Verse 18 · 5.58.18

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रामो धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो महेन्द्रसमविक्रमः ।

Rama is foremost among those upholding dharma, equal to Indra in valour.

एतच्छ्रुत्वा मया तस्य मैनाकस्य महात्मनः ॥

When I heard these words of noble Mainaka,

Verse 19 · 5.58.19

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कार्यमावेद्य च गिरेरुद्धतं वै मनो मम ।

I explained my mission to the mountain, and my spirits rose.

तेन चाहमनुज्ञातो मैनाकेन महात्मना ॥

Then that noble Mainaka gave me permission to continue.

Verse 20 · 5.58.20

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स चाप्यन्तर्हितः शैलो मानुषेण वपुष्मता ।

The great mountain then disappeared into the ocean,

शरीरेण महाशैलः शैलेन च महोदधौ ॥

both in his splendid human form and in his mountain form.

Verse 21 · 5.58.21

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उत्तमं जवमास्थाय शेषमध्वानमास्थितः ।

Taking on my greatest speed, I continued the remaining journey.

ततोऽहं सुचिरं कालं जवेनाभ्यगमं पथि ॥

For a long time I travelled swiftly along that course.

Verse 22 · 5.58.22

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ततः पश्याम्यहं देवीं सुरसां नागमातरम् ।

Then I saw the goddess Surasa, mother of serpents.

समुद्रमध्ये सा देवी वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥

In the middle of the ocean she spoke these words to me:

Verse 23 · 5.58.23

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मम भक्ष्यः प्रदिष्टस्त्वममरैर्हरिसत्तम ।

Foremost vanara, the immortals have assigned you as my food.

ततस्त्वां भक्षयिष्यामि विहितस्त्वं हि मे सुरैः ॥

I shall therefore eat you, for the gods have allotted you to me.

Verse 24 · 5.58.24

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एवमुक्तः सुरसया प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतः स्थितः ।

At Surasa’s words I stood bowing with folded hands.

विवर्णवदनो भूत्वा वाक्यं चेदमुदीरयम् ॥

My face losing its colour, I spoke as follows:

Verse 25 · 5.58.25

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रामो दाशरथिः श्रीमान् प्रविष्टो दण्डकावनम् ।

The glorious Rama, Dasharatha’s son and scourge of foes, entered Dandaka forest

लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा सीतया च परंतपः ॥

with his brother Lakshmana and with Sita.

Verse 26 · 5.58.26

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तस्य सीता हृता भार्या रावणेन दुरात्मना ।

His wife Sita has been carried away by wicked Ravana.

तस्याः सकाशं दूतोऽहं गमिष्ये रामशासनात् ॥

At Rama’s command I am going to her as his messenger.

Verse 27 · 5.58.27

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कर्तुमर्हसि रामस्य साहाय्यं विषये सती ।

You should help Rama while I am within your domain.

अथवा मैथिलीं दृष्ट्वा रामं चाक्लिष्टकारिणम् ॥

Otherwise, after seeing Maithili and Rama, tireless in action,

Verse 28 · 5.58.28

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आगमिष्यामि ते वक्त्रं सत्यं प्रतिशृणोमि ते ।

I shall return to enter your mouth; I promise you this truthfully.

एवमुक्ता मया सा तु सुरसा कामरूपिणी ॥

When I said this, Surasa, able to assume forms at will,

Verse 29 · 5.58.29

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अब्रवीन्नातिवर्तेत कश्चिदेष वरो मम ।

replied: No one may pass me; that is the boon I possess.

एवमुक्तः सुरसया दशयोजनमायतः ॥

At Surasa’s words I became ten yojanas long,

Verse 30 · 5.58.30

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ततोऽर्धगुणविस्तारो बभूवाहं क्षणेन तु ।

and in an instant half as much in breadth.

मत्प्रमाणाधिकं चैव व्यादितं तु मुखं तया ॥

But she opened her mouth wider still than my size.

Verse 31 · 5.58.31

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तद् दृष्ट्वा व्यादितं त्वास्यं ह्रस्वं ह्यकरवं पुनः ।

Seeing her mouth stretched open, I made myself small again.

तस्मिन् मुहूर्ते च पुनर्बभूवाङ्गुष्ठसम्मितः ॥

In that very instant I became no larger than a thumb.

Verse 32 · 5.58.32

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अभिपत्याशु तद्वक्त्रं निर्गतोऽहं ततः क्षणात् ।

I swiftly entered her mouth and came out again in a moment.

अब्रवीत् सुरसा देवी स्वेन रूपेण मां पुनः ॥

Resuming her own form, the goddess Surasa spoke to me:

Verse 33 · 5.58.33

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अर्थसिद्धौ हरिश्रेष्ठ गच्छ सौम्य यथासुखम् ।

Gentle, foremost vanara, go freely to accomplish your purpose.

समानय च वैदेहीं राघवेण महात्मना ॥

Reunite Vaidehi with the noble Raghava.

Verse 34 · 5.58.34

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सुखी भव महाबाहो प्रीतास्मि तव वानर ।

Be happy, mighty-armed vanara; I am pleased with you.

ततोऽहं साधुसाध्वीति सर्वभूतैः प्रशंसितः ॥

Then all beings praised me, crying: Well done, well done!

Verse 35 · 5.58.35

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ततोऽन्तरिक्षं विपुलं प्लुतोऽहं गरुडो यथा ।

Then I leapt through the vast sky like Garuda.

छाया मे निगृहीता च न च पश्यामि किंचन ॥

My shadow was seized, yet I could see nothing.

Verse 36 · 5.58.36

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सोऽहं विगतवेगस्तु दिशो दश विलोकयन् ।

With my speed checked, I looked in all ten directions,

न किंचित् तत्र पश्यामि येन मे विहता गतिः ॥

but saw nothing there that could have stopped my passage.

Verse 37 · 5.58.37

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अथ मे बुद्धिरुत्पन्ना किंनाम गमने मम ।

Then I wondered: What can this be upon my journey?

ईदृशो विघ्न उत्पन्नो रूपमत्र न दृश्यते ॥

Such an obstacle has arisen, yet no form can be seen here.

Verse 38 · 5.58.38

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अधोभागे तु मे दृष्टिः शोचतः पतिता तदा ।

As I considered it, my gaze fell downwards.

तत्राद्राक्षमहं भीमां राक्षसीं सलिलेशयाम् ॥

There I saw a terrifying rakshasi lying in the water.

Verse 39 · 5.58.39

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प्रहस्य च महानादमुक्तोऽहं भीमया तया ।

Laughing loudly, that dreadful being addressed me,

अवस्थितमसम्भ्रान्तमिदं वाक्यमशोभनम् ॥

as I stood steady and unalarmed, with these ominous words:

Verse 40 · 5.58.40

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क्वासि गन्ता महाकाय क्षुधिताया ममेप्सितः ।

Huge-bodied one, where are you going? You are the food I desire in my hunger.

भक्षः प्रीणय मे देहं चिरमाहारवर्जितम् ॥

Satisfy this body of mine, deprived of food for so long.

Verse 41 · 5.58.41

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बाढमित्येव तां वाणीं प्रत्यगृह्णामहं ततः ।

I accepted her challenge, answering: Very well.

आस्यप्रमाणादधिकं तस्याः कायमपूरयम् ॥

Then I enlarged my body beyond the measure of her mouth.

Verse 42 · 5.58.42

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तस्याश्चास्यं महद् भीमं वर्धते मम भक्षणे ।

Her immense, dreadful mouth grew wider to swallow me.

न तु मां सा नु बुबुधे मम वा विकृतं कृतम् ॥

But she did not perceive me properly or understand my change of form.

Verse 43 · 5.58.43

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ततोऽहं विपुलं रूपं संक्षिप्य निमिषान्तरात् ।

Then, shrinking my vast form within the blink of an eye,

तस्या हृदयमादाय प्रपतामि नभःस्थलम् ॥

I tore out her heart and sprang back into the sky.

Verse 44 · 5.58.44

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सा विसृष्टभुजा भीमा पपात लवणाम्भसि ।

With her arms flung out, that dreadful, mountain-sized being fell

मया पर्वतसंकाशा निकृत्तहृदया सती ॥

into the salt sea, her heart cut out by me.

Verse 45 · 5.58.45

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शृणोमि खगतानां च वाचः सौम्या महात्मनाम् ।

I heard the gracious words of noble beings travelling in the sky:

राक्षसी सिंहिका भीमा क्षिप्रं हनुमता हता ॥

Hanuman has swiftly slain the terrible rakshasi Simhika.

Verse 46 · 5.58.46

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तां हत्वा पुनरेवाहं कृत्यमात्ययिकं स्मरन् ।

Having killed her, I again remembered my urgent duty.

गत्वा च महदध्वानं पश्यामि नगमण्डितम् ॥

After travelling a great distance, I saw a mountain-adorned shore—

Verse 47 · 5.58.47

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दक्षिणं तीरमुदधेर्लङ्का यत्र गता पुरी ।

the ocean’s southern coast, where the city of Lanka stands.

अस्तं दिनकरे याते रक्षसां निलयं पुरीम् ॥

When the sun had set, that city, the rakshasas’ dwelling,

Verse 48 · 5.58.48

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प्रविष्टोऽहमविज्ञातो रक्षोभिर्भीमविक्रमैः ।

I entered without being noticed by its fiercely powerful rakshasas.

तत्र प्रविशतश्चापि कल्पान्तघनसप्रभा ॥

But as I was entering, a woman like a cloud at the world’s end,

Verse 49 · 5.58.49

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अट्टहासं विमुञ्चन्ती नारी काप्युत्थिता पुरः ।

laughing loudly, rose before me.

जिघांसन्तीं ततस्तां तु ज्वलदग्निशिरोरुहाम् ॥

She wished to kill me, and her hair blazed like fire.

Verse 50 · 5.58.50

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सव्यमुष्टिप्रहारेण पराजित्य सुभैरवाम् ।

Defeating that fearsome woman with a blow of my left fist,

प्रदोषकाले प्रविशं भीतयाहं तयोदितः ॥

I entered at dusk; afraid, she said to me:

Verse 51 · 5.58.51

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अहं लङ्कापुरी वीर निर्जिता विक्रमेण ते ।

Hero, I am the city of Lanka, conquered by your valour.

यस्मात् तस्माद् विजेतासि सर्वरक्षांस्यशेषतः ॥

Because of this, you will conquer all the rakshasas without exception.

Verse 52 · 5.58.52

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तत्राहं सर्वरात्रं तु विचरञ्जनकात्मजाम् ।

All night I wandered there in search of Janaka’s daughter.

रावणान्तःपुरगतो न चापश्यं सुमध्यमाम् ॥

Though I entered Ravana’s inner apartments, I did not see the slender-waisted lady.

Verse 53 · 5.58.53

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ततः सीतामपश्यंस्तु रावणस्य निवेशने ।

Unable to find Sita in Ravana’s residence,

शोकसागरमासाद्य न पारमुपलक्षये ॥

I entered an ocean of sorrow whose far shore I could not see.

Verse 54 · 5.58.54

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शोचता च मया दृष्टं प्राकारेणाभिसंवृतम् ।

While I grieved, I noticed a splendid palace garden,

काञ्चनेन विकृष्टेन गृहोपवनमुत्तमम् ॥

enclosed by a tall, extensive golden wall.

Verse 55 · 5.58.55

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सप्राकारमवप्लुत्य पश्यामि बहुपादपम् ।

Leaping across its wall, I saw a place full of trees.

अशोकवनिकामध्ये शिंशपापादपो महान् ॥

In the middle of the ashoka grove stood a great shimshapa tree.

Verse 56 · 5.58.56

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तमारुह्य च पश्यामि काञ्चनं कदलीवनम् ।

Climbing it, I saw a golden grove of plantain trees.

अदूराच्छिंशपावृक्षात् पश्यामि वरवर्णिनीम् ॥

Not far from the shimshapa I saw a beautiful woman:

Verse 57 · 5.58.57

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श्यामां कमलपत्राक्षीमुपवासकृशाननाम् ।

dusky and lotus-eyed, her face made thin by fasting,

तदेकवासःसंवीतां रजोध्वस्तशिरोरुहाम् ॥

wrapped in a single garment, her hair covered with dust.

Verse 58 · 5.58.58

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शोकसंतापदीनाङ्गीं सीतां भर्तृहिते स्थिताम् ।

It was Sita, her limbs weakened by sorrow and anguish, devoted to her husband’s welfare,

राक्षसीभिर्विरूपाभिः क्रूराभिरभिसंवृताम् ॥

surrounded by cruel, misshapen rakshasis.

Verse 59 · 5.58.59

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मांसशोणितभक्ष्याभिर्व्याघ्रीभिर्हरिणीं यथा ।

Those eaters of flesh and blood encircled her like tigresses around a doe.

सा मया राक्षसीमध्ये तर्ज्यमाना मुहुर्मुहुः ॥

I saw her among the rakshasis, threatened again and again,

Verse 60 · 5.58.60

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एकवेणीधरा दीना भर्तृचिन्तापरायणा ।

her hair in a single braid, distressed and absorbed in thoughts of her husband,

भूमिशय्या विवर्णाङ्गी पद्मिनीव हिमागमे ॥

sleeping on the ground, her body pale like a lotus plant in winter.

Verse 61 · 5.58.61

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रावणाद् विनिवृत्तार्था मर्तव्ये कृतनिश्चया ।

Rejecting Ravana entirely, she had resolved to die.

कथंचिन्मृगशावाक्षी तूर्णमासादिता मया ॥

With difficulty I managed to reach that doe-eyed lady promptly.

Verse 62 · 5.58.62

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तां दृष्ट्वा तादृशीं नारीं रामपत्नीं यशस्विनीम् ।

Seeing the renowned wife of Rama in such a condition,

तत्रैव शिंशपावृक्षे पश्यन्नहमवस्थितः ॥

I remained in that very shimshapa tree, watching her.

Verse 63 · 5.58.63

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ततो हलहलाशब्दं काञ्चीनूपुरमिश्रितम् ।

Then I heard a deep, rising clamour, mingled with the sound

शृणोम्यधिकगम्भीरं रावणस्य निवेशने ॥

of girdles and anklets, coming from Ravana’s residence.

Verse 64 · 5.58.64

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ततोऽहं परमोद्विग्नः स्वरूपं प्रत्यसंहरम् ।

Greatly concerned, I drew my form back into concealment.

अहं च शिंशपावृक्षे पक्षीव गहने स्थितः ॥

I remained like a bird hidden in the dense shimshapa tree.

Verse 65 · 5.58.65

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ततो रावणदाराश्च रावणश्च महाबलः ।

Then Ravana’s wives and mighty Ravana himself

तं देशमनुसम्प्राप्तो यत्र सीताभवत् स्थिता ॥

came to the place where Sita was staying.

Verse 66 · 5.58.66

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तं दृष्ट्वाथ वरारोहा सीता रक्षोगणेश्वरम् ।

Seeing that lord of the rakshasa host, the graceful Sita

संकुच्योरू स्तनौ पीनौ बाहुभ्यां परिरभ्य च ॥

drew her thighs together and covered her full breasts with her arms.

Verse 67 · 5.58.67

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वित्रस्तां परमोद्विग्नां वीक्ष्यमाणामितस्ततः ।

She was terrified and deeply disturbed, looking about on every side,

त्राणं कंचिदपश्यन्तीं वेपमानां तपस्विनीम् ॥

finding no protector, trembling in her misery.

Verse 68 · 5.58.68

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तामुवाच दशग्रीवः सीतां परमदुःखिताम् ।

The ten-necked one spoke to Sita in her great distress,

अवाक्शिराः प्रपतितो बहुमन्यस्व मामिति ॥

bowing his head low and saying: Regard me with favour.

Verse 69 · 5.58.69

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यदि चेत्त्वं तु मां दर्पान्नाभिनन्दसि गर्विते ।

But if, proud woman, you refuse me out of arrogance,

द्विमासानन्तरं सीते पास्यामि रुधिरं तव ॥

Sita, after two months I shall drink your blood.

Verse 70 · 5.58.70

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एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य रावणस्य दुरात्मनः ।

Hearing those words from wicked Ravana,

उवाच परमक्रुद्धा सीता वचनमुत्तमम् ॥

Sita became deeply angry and gave this noble answer:

Verse 71 · 5.58.71

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राक्षसाधम रामस्य भार्याममिततेजसः ।

Lowest of rakshasas, I am the wife of Rama, whose splendour is boundless,

इक्ष्वाकुवंशनाथस्य स्नुषां दशरथस्य च ॥

the lord of Ikshvaku’s line, and I am Dasharatha’s daughter-in-law.

Verse 72 · 5.58.72

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अवाच्यं वदतो जिह्वा कथं न पतिता तव ।

How has your tongue not fallen out for speaking such unspeakable words?

किंस्विद्वीर्य तवानार्य यो मां भर्तुरसंनिधौ ॥

Ignoble one, what valour is yours, when in my husband’s absence

Verse 73 · 5.58.73

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अपहृत्यागतः पाप तेनादृष्टो महात्मना ।

you stole me away, sinful one, unseen by that great soul?

न त्वं रामस्य सदृशो दास्येऽप्यस्य न युज्यसे ॥

You are no equal of Rama; you are not fit even to serve him.

Verse 74 · 5.58.74

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अजेयः सत्यवाक् शूरो रणश्लाघी च राघवः ।

Raghava is unconquerable, truthful, heroic and renowned in battle.

जानक्या परुषं वाक्यमेवमुक्तो दशाननः ॥

When Janaka’s daughter addressed the ten-headed one so sternly,

Verse 75 · 5.58.75

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जज्वाल सहसा कोपाच्चितास्थ इव पावकः ।

he suddenly blazed with fury like fire upon a funeral pyre.

विवृत्य नयने क्रूरे मुष्टिमुद्यम्य दक्षिणम् ॥

Opening his cruel eyes wide and raising his right fist,

Verse 76 · 5.58.76

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मैथिलीं हन्तुमारब्धः स्त्रीभिर्हाहाकृतं तदा ।

he moved to strike Maithili, and the women cried out in alarm.

स्त्रीणां मध्यात् समुत्पत्य तस्य भार्या दुरात्मनः ॥

Springing from among them, a wife of that wicked one—

Verse 77 · 5.58.77

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वरा मन्दोदरी नाम तया स प्रतिषेधितः ।

the foremost queen named Mandodari—restrained him.

उक्तश्च मधुरां वाणीं तया स मदनार्दितः ॥

She addressed sweet words to him, overcome as he was by desire:

Verse 78 · 5.58.78

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सीतया तव किं कार्यं महेन्द्रसमविक्रम ।

You whose valour equals Indra’s, what need have you of Sita?

मया सह रमस्वाद्य मद्विशिष्टा न जानकी ॥

Take your pleasure with me now; Janaki is not superior to me.

Verse 79 · 5.58.79

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देवगन्धर्वकन्याभिर्यक्षकन्याभिरेव च ।

My lord, enjoy the company of maidens of the gods, gandharvas and yakshas.

सार्धं प्रभो रमस्वेति सीतया किं करिष्यसि ॥

What will you accomplish through Sita?

Verse 80 · 5.58.80

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ततस्ताभिः समेताभिर्नारीभिः स महाबलः ।

Then those women together suddenly raised the powerful

उत्थाप्य सहसा नीतो भवनं स्वं निशाचरः ॥

night-roaming rakshasa and led him back to his own palace.

Verse 81 · 5.58.81

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याते तस्मिन् दशग्रीवे राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः ।

When the ten-headed one had gone, the misshapen-faced rakshasis

सीतां निर्भर्त्सयामासुर्वाक्यैः क्रूरैः सुदारुणैः ॥

reviled Sita with cruel and dreadful words.

Verse 82 · 5.58.82

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तृणवद् भाषितं तासां गणयामास जानकी ।

Janaki counted their speech as worthless as straw.

गर्जितं च तथा तासां सीतां प्राप्य निरर्थकम् ॥

Their roaring, directed against Sita, achieved nothing.

Verse 83 · 5.58.83

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वृथा गर्जितनिश्चेष्टा राक्षस्यः पिशिताशनाः ।

Their vain roaring exhausted, those flesh-eating rakshasis

रावणाय शशंसुस्ताः सीताव्यवसितं महत् ॥

reported Sita’s firm determination to Ravana.

Verse 84 · 5.58.84

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ततस्ताः सहिताः सर्वा विहताशा निरुद्यमाः ।

Then, their hopes frustrated and their efforts abandoned,

परिक्लिश्य समस्तास्ता निद्रावशमुपागताः ॥

all of them, worn out by their exertions, fell asleep.

Verse 85 · 5.58.85

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तासु चैव प्रसुप्तासु सीता भर्तृहिते रता ।

While they slept, Sita, intent on her husband’s welfare,

विलप्य करुणं दीना प्रशुशोच सुदुःखिता ॥

lamented piteously and grieved in deep distress.

Verse 86 · 5.58.86

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तासां मध्यात् समुत्थाय त्रिजटा वाक्यमब्रवीत् ।

Rising from among them, Trijata said:

आत्मानं खादत क्षिप्रं न सीतामसितेक्षणाम् ॥

Quickly eat yourselves instead, not dark-eyed Sita—

Verse 87 · 5.58.87

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जनकस्यात्मजां साध्वीं स्नुषां दशरथस्य च ।

the virtuous daughter of Janaka and daughter-in-law of Dasharatha.

स्वप्नो ह्यद्य मया दृष्टो दारुणो रोमहर्षणः ॥

Today I have seen a terrible dream that made my hair stand on end.

Verse 88 · 5.58.88

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रक्षसां च विनाशाय भर्तुरस्या जयाय च ।

It foretells the destruction of the rakshasas and her husband’s victory.

अलमस्मान् परित्रातुं राघवाद् राक्षसीगणम् ॥

She can save us, this company of rakshasis, from Raghava.

Verse 89 · 5.58.89

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अभियाचाम वैदेहीमेतद्धि मम रोचते ।

Let us beg Vaidehi for protection; that is what I advise.

यदि ह्येवंविधः स्वप्नो दुःखितायाः प्रदृश्यते ॥

If such a dream is seen concerning a woman in distress,

Verse 90 · 5.58.90

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सा दुःखैर्विविधैर्मुक्ता सुखमाप्नोत्यनुत्तमम् ।

she will be freed from her many sorrows and attain unsurpassed happiness.

प्रणिपातप्रसन्ना हि मैथिली जनकात्मजा ॥

Maithili, Janaka’s daughter, is pleased by a humble bow.

Verse 91 · 5.58.91

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अलमेषा परित्रातुं राक्षस्यो महतो भयात् ।

Rakshasis, she can protect you from great danger.

ततः सा ह्रीमती बाला भर्तुर्विजयहर्षिता ॥

Then that modest young lady, delighted by the prospect of her husband’s victory,

Verse 92 · 5.58.92

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अवोचद् यदि तत् तथ्यं भवेयं शरणं हि वः ।

said: If that comes true, I shall indeed be your refuge.

तां चाहं तादृशीं दृष्ट्वा सीताया दारुणां दशाम् ॥

Seeing Sita’s terrible condition in this way,

Verse 93 · 5.58.93

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चिन्तयामास विश्रान्तो न च मे निर्वृतं मनः ।

I considered matters while resting, but my mind found no peace.

सम्भाषणार्थे च मया जानक्याश्चिन्तितो विधिः ॥

I thought out a way to enter into conversation with Janaki.

Verse 94 · 5.58.94

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इक्ष्वाकुकुलवंशस्तु स्तुतो मम पुरस्कृतः ।

First I praised the lineage of the house of Ikshvaku.

श्रुत्वा तु गदितां वाचं राजर्षिगणभूषिताम् ॥

Hearing my words, adorned with accounts of its royal sages,

Verse 95 · 5.58.95

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प्रत्यभाषत मां देवी बाष्पैः पिहितलोचना ।

the lady, her eyes covered with tears, answered me:

कस्त्वं केन कथं चेह प्राप्तो वानरपुङ्गव ॥

Foremost vanara, who are you, and why and how have you come here?

Verse 96 · 5.58.96

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का च रामेण ते प्रीतिस्तन्मे शंसितुमर्हसि ।

What bond of friendship have you with Rama? Tell me this.

तस्यास्तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा अहमप्यब्रुवं वचः ॥

Hearing her question, I replied:

Verse 97 · 5.58.97

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देवि रामस्य भर्तुस्ते सहायो भीमविक्रमः ।

Lady, your husband Rama has a helper of formidable valour,

सुग्रीवो नाम विक्रान्तो वानरेन्द्रो महाबलः ॥

a courageous and mighty king of the vanaras named Sugriva.

Verse 98 · 5.58.98

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तस्य मां विद्धि भृत्यं त्वं हनूमन्तमिहागतम् ।

Know me as his servant Hanuman, who has come here.

भर्त्रा सम्प्रहितस्तुभ्यं रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा ॥

Your husband Rama, tireless in action, has sent me to you.

Verse 99 · 5.58.99

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इदं तु पुरुषव्याघ्रः श्रीमान् दाशरथिः स्वयम् ।

The glorious son of Dasharatha, that tiger among men, himself

अङ्गुलीयमभिज्ञानमदात् तुभ्यं यशस्विनि ॥

gave this ring as a token for you, renowned lady.

Verse 100 · 5.58.100

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तदिच्छामि त्वयाज्ञप्तं देवि किं करवाण्यहम् ।

Lady, I wish to act at your command. What shall I do?

रामलक्ष्मणयोः पार्श्वं नयामि त्वां किमुत्तरम् ॥

Shall I take you to Rama and Lakshmana? What is your answer?

Verse 101 · 5.58.101

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एतच्छ्रुत्वा विदित्वा च सीता जनकनन्दिनी ।

Hearing and understanding this, Sita, Janaka’s beloved daughter,

आह रावणमुत्पाट्य राघवो मां नयत्विति ॥

said: Let Raghava overthrow Ravana and take me away himself.

Verse 102 · 5.58.102

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प्रणम्य शिरसा देवीमहमार्यामनिन्दिताम् ।

Bowing my head to that noble, blameless lady,

राघवस्य मनोह्लादमभिज्ञानमयाचिषम् ॥

I asked for a token that would gladden Raghava’s heart.

Verse 103 · 5.58.103

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अथ मामब्रवीत् सीता गृह्यतामयमुत्तमः ।

Then Sita said to me: Take this excellent jewel;

मणिर्येन महाबाहू रामस्त्वां बहु मन्यते ॥

through it mighty-armed Rama will hold you in high regard.

Verse 104 · 5.58.104

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इत्युक्त्वा तु वरारोहा मणिप्रवरमुत्तमम् ।

Having spoken, that graceful lady gave me the finest jewel,

प्रायच्छत् परमोद्विग्ना वाचा मां संदिदेश ह ॥

and, deeply distressed, entrusted a spoken message to me.

Verse 105 · 5.58.105

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ततस्तस्यै प्रणम्याहं राजपुत्र्यै समाहितः ।

Then, composed, I bowed to that princess

प्रदक्षिणं परिक्राममिहाभ्युद‍्गतमानसः ॥

and walked reverently around her, my mind turned towards returning here.

Verse 106 · 5.58.106

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उत्तरं पुनरेवाह निश्चित्य मनसा तदा ।

Resolving firmly in her mind, she spoke once more:

हनूमन् मम वृत्तान्तं वक्तुमर्हसि राघवे ॥

Hanuman, you must tell Raghava of my condition.

Verse 107 · 5.58.107

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यथा श्रुत्वैव नचिरात् तावुभौ रामलक्ष्मणौ ।

Act so that, as soon as they hear, those two heroes Rama and Lakshmana,

सुग्रीवसहितौ वीरावुपेयातां तथा कुरु ॥

together with Sugriva, will come here without delay.

Verse 108 · 5.58.108

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यदन्यथा भवेदेतद् द्वौ मासौ जीवितं मम ।

If matters turn out otherwise, my life has only two months left.

न मां द्रक्ष्यति काकुत्स्थो म्रिये साहमनाथवत् ॥

Kakutstha will not see me; I shall die as one without protection.

Verse 109 · 5.58.109

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तच्छ्रुत्वा करुणं वाक्यं क्रोधो मामभ्यवर्तत ।

Hearing those sorrowful words, anger came over me.

उत्तरं च मया दृष्टं कार्यशेषमनन्तरम् ॥

Then I saw what further part of the mission still needed doing.

Verse 110 · 5.58.110

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ततोऽवर्धत मे कायस्तदा पर्वतसंनिभः ।

My body then grew until it resembled a mountain.

युद्धाकाङ्क्षी वनं तस्य विनाशयितुमारभे ॥

Desiring battle, I began to destroy Ravana’s garden.

Verse 111 · 5.58.111

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तद् भग्नं वनखण्डं तु भ्रान्तत्रस्तमृगद्विजम् ।

The grove was broken, its animals and birds confused and frightened.

प्रतिबुद्ध्य निरीक्षन्ते राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः ॥

Waking, the misshapen-faced rakshasis looked upon it.

Verse 112 · 5.58.112

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मां च दृष्ट्वा वने तस्मिन् समागम्य ततस्ततः ।

Seeing me in that garden, they gathered from every side,

ताः समभ्यागताः क्षिप्रं रावणायाचचक्षिरे ॥

then quickly went and reported the matter to Ravana.

Verse 113 · 5.58.113

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राजन् वनमिदं दुर्गं तव भग्नं दुरात्मना ।

King, this protected garden of yours has been broken by a wicked

वानरेण ह्यविज्ञाय तव वीर्यं महाबल ॥

vanara who does not know your power, mighty one.

Verse 114 · 5.58.114

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तस्य दुर्बुद्धिता राजंस्तव विप्रियकारिणः ।

King, how foolish is this creature who acts against your pleasure!

वधमाज्ञापय क्षिप्रं यथासौ न पुनर्व्रजेत् ॥

Order his death at once, so that he cannot return.

Verse 115 · 5.58.115

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तच्छ्रुत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रेण विसृष्टा बहुदुर्जयाः ।

Hearing this, the rakshasa king sent out hard-to-conquer

राक्षसाः किंकरा नाम रावणस्य मनोऽनुगाः ॥

rakshasas called Kinkaras, obedient to Ravana’s will.

Verse 116 · 5.58.116

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तेषामशीतिसाहस्रं शूलमुद‍्गरपाणिनाम् ।

Eighty thousand of them came carrying spears and iron clubs.

मया तस्मिन् वनोद्देशे परिघेण निषूदितम् ॥

In that part of the garden I killed them with an iron bar.

Verse 117 · 5.58.117

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तेषां तु हतशिष्टा ये ते गता लघुविक्रमाः ।

Those who survived the slaughter fled swiftly

निहतं च मया सैन्यं रावणायाचचक्षिरे ॥

and told Ravana that I had destroyed the force.

Verse 118 · 5.58.118

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ततो मे बुद्धिरुत्पन्ना चैत्यप्रासादमुत्तमम् ।

Then I turned my thoughts to the splendid sanctuary.

तत्रस्थान् राक्षसान् हत्वा शतं स्तम्भेन वै पुनः ॥

After killing a hundred rakshasas stationed there with a pillar,

Verse 119 · 5.58.119

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ललामभूतो लङ्काया मया विध्वंसितो रुषा ।

I angrily demolished that building, an ornament of Lanka.

ततः प्रहस्तस्य सुतं जम्बुमालिनमादिशत् ॥

Then Ravana ordered Prahasta’s son Jambumali to go,

Verse 120 · 5.58.120

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राक्षसैर्बहुभिः सार्धं घोररूपैर्भयानकैः ।

together with many dreadful, terrifying rakshasas.

तमहं बलसम्पन्नं राक्षसं रणकोविदम् ॥

That powerful rakshasa, well versed in battle, I—

Verse 121 · 5.58.121

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परिघेणातिघोरेण सूदयामि सहानुगम् ।

killed with a formidable iron bar, together with his followers.

तच्छ्रुत्वा राक्षसेन्द्रस्तु मन्त्रिपुत्रान् महाबलान् ॥

Hearing this, the rakshasa king Ravana sent the mighty sons of his ministers,

Verse 122 · 5.58.122

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पदातिबलसम्पन्नान् प्रेषयामास रावणः ।

accompanied by a force of infantry.

परिघेणैव तान् सर्वान् नयामि यमसादनम् ॥

With that same iron bar I sent them all to Yama’s abode.

Verse 123 · 5.58.123

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मन्त्रिपुत्रान् हतान् श्रुत्वा समरे लघुविक्रमान् ।

Hearing that the swift-fighting ministers’ sons had been killed,

पञ्च सेनाग्रगान् शूरान् प्रेषयामास रावणः ॥

Ravana sent five courageous army commanders.

Verse 124 · 5.58.124

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तानहं सहसैन्यान् वै सर्वानेवाभ्यसूदयम् ।

I killed every one of them, together with their troops.

ततः पुनर्दशग्रीवः पुत्रमक्षं महाबलम् ॥

Then the ten-headed one sent his mighty son Aksha,

Verse 125 · 5.58.125

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बहुभी राक्षसैः सार्धं प्रेषयामास संयुगे ।

with many rakshasas into the battle.

तं तु मन्दोदरीपुत्रं कुमारं रणपण्डितम् ॥

That prince, Mandodari’s son and an expert in warfare,

Verse 126 · 5.58.126

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सहसा खं समुद्यन्तं पादयोश्च गृहीतवान् ।

I suddenly caught by both feet as he rose into the sky.

तमासीनं शतगुणं भ्रामयित्वा व्यपेषयम् ॥

Whirling him around a hundred times, I dashed him down and killed him.

Verse 127 · 5.58.127

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तमक्षमागतं भग्नं निशम्य स दशाननः ।

Hearing that Aksha had been destroyed after going out, the ten-headed Ravana

ततश्चेन्द्रजितं नाम द्वितीयं रावणः सुतम् ॥

then turned to another son, named Indrajit.

Verse 128 · 5.58.128

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व्यादिदेश सुसंक्रुद्धो बलिनं युद्धदुर्मदम् ।

Furious, he ordered that powerful warrior, fierce in battle, to go.

तच्चाप्यहं बलं सर्वं तं च राक्षसपुङ्गवम् ॥

That entire army and its foremost rakshasa warrior I—

Verse 129 · 5.58.129

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नष्टौजसं रणे कृत्वा परं हर्षमुपागतः ।

deprived of their strength in battle and became greatly delighted.

महतापि महाबाहुः प्रत्ययेन महाबलः ॥

That mighty, powerful-armed warrior had been sent with great confidence,

Verse 130 · 5.58.130

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प्रहितो रावणेनैष सह वीरैर्मदोद्धतैः ।

by Ravana, together with proud and confident heroes.

सोऽविषह्यं हि मां बुद्‍ध्वा स्वसैन्यं चावमर्दितम् ॥

Knowing me to be irresistible and seeing his own force crushed,

Verse 131 · 5.58.131

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ब्रह्मणोऽस्त्रेण स तु मां प्रबद्‍ध्वा चातिवेगिनः ।

he bound me with Brahma’s weapon; then those swift-moving

रज्जुभिश्चापि बध्नन्ति ततो मां तत्र राक्षसाः ॥

rakshasas also tied me there with ropes.

Verse 132 · 5.58.132

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रावणस्य समीपं च गृहीत्वा मामुपागमन् ।

Taking hold of me, they brought me before Ravana.

दृष्ट्वा सम्भाषितश्चाहं रावणेन दुरात्मना ॥

That wicked Ravana saw me and addressed me.

Verse 133 · 5.58.133

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पृष्टश्च लङ्कागमनं राक्षसानां च तं वधम् ।

He questioned me about my arrival in Lanka and the killing of the rakshasas.

तत्सर्वं च रणे तत्र सीतार्थमुपजल्पितम् ॥

I explained that all my actions there concerned Sita.

Verse 134 · 5.58.134

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तस्यास्तु दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी प्राप्तस्त्वद्भवनं विभो ।

Lord, wishing to see her, I have reached your residence.

मारुतस्यौरसः पुत्रो वानरो हनुमानहम् ॥

I am the vanara Hanuman, the Wind’s own son.

Verse 135 · 5.58.135

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रामदूतं च मां विद्धि सुग्रीवसचिवं कपिम् ।

Know me as Rama’s messenger and Sugriva’s vanara minister.

सोऽहं दौत्येन रामस्य त्वत्सकाशमिहागतः ॥

I have come to your presence here on Rama’s embassy.

Verse 136 · 5.58.136

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शृणु चापि समादेशं यदहं प्रब्रवीमि ते ।

Hear the message that I shall tell you.

राक्षसेश हरीशस्त्वां वाक्यमाह समाहितम् ॥

Rakshasa lord, the king of the vanaras addresses these considered words to you:

Verse 137 · 5.58.137

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सुग्रीवश्च महाभागः स त्वां कौशलमब्रवीत् ।

Noble Sugriva asks after your welfare.

धर्मार्थकामसहितं हितं पथ्यमुवाच ह ॥

He speaks beneficial and wholesome counsel concerning dharma, prosperity and desire.

Verse 138 · 5.58.138

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वसतो ऋष्यमूके मे पर्वते विपुलद्रुमे ।

While I dwelt on Mount Rishyamuka, rich in great trees,

राघवो रणविक्रान्तो मित्रत्वं समुपागतः ॥

Raghava, valiant in battle, entered into friendship with me.

Verse 139 · 5.58.139

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तेन मे कथितं राजन् भार्या मे रक्षसा हृता ।

He told me: King, a rakshasa has taken away my wife.

तत्र साहाय्यहेतोर्मे समयं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥

You should make an agreement to help me in this matter.

Verse 140 · 5.58.140

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वालिना हृतराज्येन सुग्रीवेण सह प्रभुः ।

With Sugriva, whose kingdom Vali had taken away,

चक्रेऽग्निसाक्षिकं सख्यं राघवः सहलक्ष्मणः ॥

Lord Raghava, accompanied by Lakshmana, formed a friendship witnessed by fire.

Verse 141 · 5.58.141

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तेन वालिनमाहत्य शरेणैकेन संयुगे ।

Killing Vali in battle with a single arrow,

वानराणां महाराजः कृतः सम्प्लवतां प्रभुः ॥

he made the lord of the leaping vanaras their great king.

Verse 142 · 5.58.142

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तस्य साहाय्यमस्माभिः कार्यं सर्वात्मना त्विह ।

We must therefore help him here with our whole strength.

तेन प्रस्थापितस्तुभ्यं समीपमिह धर्मतः ॥

For that rightful purpose I have been sent here to your presence.

Verse 143 · 5.58.143

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क्षिप्रमानीयतां सीता दीयतां राघवस्य च ।

Let Sita be brought back at once and handed over to Raghava,

यावन्न हरयो वीरा विधमन्ति बलं तव ॥

before the heroic vanaras scatter your forces.

Verse 144 · 5.58.144

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वानराणां प्रभावोऽयं न केन विदितः पुरा ।

The power of the vanaras has not previously been known by anyone—

देवतानां सकाशं च ये गच्छन्ति निमन्त्रिताः ॥

these beings go into the presence of the gods when summoned.

Verse 145 · 5.58.145

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इति वानरराजस्त्वामाहेत्यभिहितो मया ।

Thus speaks the vanara king to you, I said.

मामैक्षत ततो रुष्टश्चक्षुषा प्रदहन्निव ॥

Then Ravana stared angrily at me, as though burning me with his eyes.

Verse 146 · 5.58.146

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तेन वध्योऽहमाज्ञप्तो रक्षसा रौद्रकर्मणा ।

That rakshasa of terrible deeds, wicked Ravana,

मत्प्रभावमविज्ञाय रावणेन दुरात्मना ॥

not understanding my power, ordered that I be killed.

Verse 147 · 5.58.147

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ततो विभीषणो नाम तस्य भ्राता महामतिः ।

Then his wise brother, named Vibhishana,

तेन राक्षसराजश्च याचितो मम कारणात् ॥

appealed to the rakshasa king on my behalf.

Verse 148 · 5.58.148

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नैवं राक्षसशार्दूल त्यज्यतामेष निश्चयः ।

Do not act so, foremost rakshasa; abandon this decision.

राजशास्त्रव्यपेतो हि मार्गः संलक्ष्यते त्वया ॥

The path you propose departs from the teachings on kingship.

Verse 149 · 5.58.149

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दूतवध्या न दृष्टा हि राजशास्त्रेषु राक्षस ।

Rakshasa, the killing of envoys is not sanctioned in the teachings on kingship.

दूतेन वेदितव्यं च यथाभिहितवादिना ॥

A messenger must deliver the words entrusted to him.

Verse 150 · 5.58.150

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सुमहत्यपराधेऽपि दूतस्यातुलविक्रम ।

Even if an envoy has committed a very great offence, peerless warrior,

विरूपकरणं दृष्टं न वधोऽस्ति हि शास्त्रतः ॥

disfigurement is prescribed, but the teachings do not permit his death.

Verse 151 · 5.58.151

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विभीषणेनैवमुक्तो रावणः संदिदेश तान् ।

Thus addressed by Vibhishana, Ravana commanded those rakshasas:

राक्षसानेतदेवाद्य लाङ्गूलं दह्यतामिति ॥

Let this creature’s tail be burned today.

Verse 152 · 5.58.152

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ततस्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा मम पुच्छं समन्ततः ।

Hearing his words, they wrapped my tail all around

वेष्टितं शणवल्कैश्च पट्टैः कार्पासकैस्तथा ॥

with hemp and bark fibre and also with strips of cotton cloth.

Verse 153 · 5.58.153

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राक्षसाः सिद्धसंनाहास्ततस्ते चण्डविक्रमाः ।

Then those fully armed rakshasas, fierce in their valour,

तदादीप्यन्त मे पुच्छं हनन्तः काष्ठमुष्टिभिः ॥

set my tail alight and struck me with wooden clubs.

Verse 154 · 5.58.154

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बद्धस्य बहुभिः पाशैर्यन्त्रितस्य च राक्षसैः ।

Though tied with many bonds and restrained by the rakshasas,

न मे पीडाभवत् काचिद् दिदृक्षोर्नगरीं दिवा ॥

I felt no distress, wishing to see the city in daylight.

Verse 155 · 5.58.155

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ततस्ते राक्षसाः शूरा बद्धं मामग्निसंवृतम् ।

Those rakshasa warriors paraded me, bound and surrounded by flame,

अघोषयन् राजमार्गे नगरद्वारमागताः ॥

proclaiming through the royal road as they reached the city gate.

Verse 156 · 5.58.156

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ततोऽहं सुमहद्रूपं संक्षिप्य पुनरात्मनः ।

Then I shrank my very large body again,

विमोचयित्वा तं बन्धं प्रकृतिस्थः स्थितः पुनः ॥

freed myself from the bonds, and resumed my natural form.

Verse 157 · 5.58.157

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आयसं परिघं गृह्य तानि रक्षांस्यसूदयम् ।

Taking an iron bar, I killed those rakshasas.

ततस्तन्नगरद्वारं वेगेन प्लुतवानहम् ॥

Then I sprang swiftly onto the city gateway.

Verse 158 · 5.58.158

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पुच्छेन च प्रदीप्तेन तां पुरीं साट्टगोपुराम् ।

With my blazing tail I burned that city, with its towers and gateways,

दहाम्यहमसम्भ्रान्तो युगान्ताग्निरिव प्रजाः ॥

unshaken, like the fire at an age’s end consuming living beings.

Verse 159 · 5.58.159

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विनष्टा जानकी व्यक्तं न ह्यदग्धः प्रदृश्यते ।

Then I feared: Janaki has surely perished; no part of Lanka

लङ्कायाः कश्चिदुद्देशः सर्वा भस्मीकृता पुरी ॥

can be seen unburned, and the whole city has become ash.

Verse 160 · 5.58.160

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दहता च मया लङ्कां दग्धा सीता न संशयः ।

While burning Lanka I must have burned Sita—there is no doubt, I thought.

रामस्य च महत्कार्यं मयेदं विफलीकृतम् ॥

I have made this great task of Rama’s fruitless.

Verse 161 · 5.58.161

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इति शोकसमाविष्टश्चिन्तामहमुपागतः ।

Overcome with sorrow, I fell into anxious thought.

ततोऽहं वाचमश्रौषं चारणानां शुभाक्षराम् ॥

Then I heard auspicious words from the celestial charanas,

Verse 162 · 5.58.162

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जानकी न च दग्धेति विस्मयोदन्तभाषिणाम् ।

who spoke in wonder, saying: Janaki has not been burned.

ततो मे बुद्धिरुत्पन्ना श्रुत्वा तामद्भुतां गिरम् ॥

Hearing those astonishing words, understanding arose in me.

Verse 163 · 5.58.163

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अदग्धा जानकीत्येव निमित्तैश्चोपलक्षितम् ।

The signs too indicated that Janaki had not been burned:

दीप्यमाने तु लाङ्गूले न मां दहति पावकः ॥

though my tail was blazing, the fire did not burn me.

Verse 164 · 5.58.164

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हृदयं च प्रहृष्टं मे वाताः सुरभिगन्धिनः ।

My heart was joyful, and fragrant breezes were blowing.

तैर्निमित्तैश्च दृष्टार्थैः कारणैश्च महागुणैः ॥

Through those signs, whose meaning was clear, and those powerful reasons,

Verse 165 · 5.58.165

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ऋषिवाक्यैश्च दृष्टार्थैरभवं हृष्टमानसः ।

and the sages’ words bearing evident truth, my mind grew glad.

पुनर्दृष्टा च वैदेही विसृष्टश्च तया पुनः ॥

I saw Vaidehi again and once more received her leave.

Verse 166 · 5.58.166

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ततः पर्वतमासाद्य तत्रारिष्टमहं पुनः ।

Then I reached Mount Arishta there and again

प्रतिप्लवनमारेभे युष्मद्दर्शनकाङ्क्षया ॥

began the return leap, eager to see all of you.

Verse 167 · 5.58.167

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ततः श्वसनचन्द्रार्कसिद्धगन्धर्वसेवितम् ।

Travelling the path frequented by the Wind, Moon and Sun,

पन्थानमहमाक्रम्य भवतो दृष्टवानिह ॥

by siddhas and gandharvas, I have seen you here again.

Verse 168 · 5.58.168

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राघवस्य प्रसादेन भवतां चैव तेजसा ।

By Raghava’s favour, by your own strength and radiance,

सुग्रीवस्य च कार्यार्थं मया सर्वमनुष्ठितम् ॥

and for Sugriva’s purpose, I have carried out all this.

Verse 169 · 5.58.169

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एतत् सर्वं मया तत्र यथावदुपपादितम् ।

All this I have duly accomplished there.

तत्र यन्न कृतं शेषं तत् सर्वं क्रियतामिति ॥

Now let everything that remains undone be carried out.

Hanuman recounts his journey

A messenger’s full account