स सागरमनाधृष्यमतिक्रम्य महाबलः। त्रिकूटस्य तटे लङ्कां स्थितः स्वस्थो ददर्श ह॥
Having crossed over the ocean incapable of being repressed, that one endowed with great strength, staying at the plateau of Chitrakūta, and having refreshed himself, cast his eyes on Laukā.
ततः पादपमुक्तेन पुष्पवर्षेण वीर्यवान्। अभिवृष्टस्ततस्तत्र बभौ पुष्पमयो हरिः॥
And covered with showers of blossoms poured down by the trees, that monkey possessed of prowess then appeared there like Puspamaya.* *A monkey so named.
योजनानां शतं श्रीमांस्ती।त्युत्तमविक्रमः। अनिःश्वसन् कपिस्तत्र न ग्लानिमधिगच्छति॥
Having cleared an hundred Yoyanas, that monkey gifted with first-rate prowess, did not heave sighs or feel any fatigue.
शतान्यहं योजनानां क्रमेयं सुबहून्यपि। किं पुनः सागरस्यान्तं संख्यातं शतयोजनम्॥
I am competent to bound over many hundreds of Yojanas. What then is this end of the ocean measuring an hundred Yojanas only?
स तु वीर्यवतां श्रेष्ठः प्लवतामपि चोत्तमः। जगाम वेगवाँल्लङ्कां लवयित्वा महोदधिम्॥
That foremost of those endowed with energy and the prime of monkeys, gifted with speed, went to Laikā,* having crossed over the mighty main. *Descending, remarks the commentator, from the mountain-summit.
शाद्वलानि च नीलानि गन्धवन्ति वनानि च । मधुमन्ति च मध्येन जगाम नगवन्ति च॥
Seeing blue lawns, and perfumed woods, replete with honey and filled with mountains, he held his way by the central thoroughfare.
शैलांश्च तरुसंछन्नान् वनराजीश्च पुष्पिताः। अभिचक्राम तेजस्वी हनूमान् प्लवगर्षभः॥
That foremost of monkeys, the energetic Hanumān, went by hills filled with trees, and ranges of blossoming woods.
स तस्मिन्नचले तिष्ठन् वनान्युपवनानि च। स नगाग्रे स्थितां लङ्कां ददर्श पवनात्मजः॥
And stationing himself in that mountain, the offspring of the Wind-god beheld woods and groves and Lankā established at the brow of the mountain.
सरलान् कर्णिकारांश्च खजूरांश्च सुपुष्पितान् । प्रियालान् मुचुलिन्दांश्च कुटजान् केतकानपि॥ प्रियङ्गुन् गन्धपूर्णांश्च नीपान् सप्तच्छदांस्तथा। असनान् कोविदारांश्च करवीरांश्च पुष्पितान्॥ पुष्पभारनिबद्धांश्च तथा मुकुलितानपि। पादपान् विहगाकीर्णान् पवनाधूतमस्तकान्॥ हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णा वापी: पद्मोत्पलावृताः। आक्रीडान् विविधारम्यान्विविधांश्च जलाशयान्॥ संततान् विविधैर्वृक्षैः सर्वर्तुफलपुष्पितैः। उद्यानानि च रम्याणि ददर्श कपिकुञ्जरः॥
That elephant of a monkey surveyed Saralas, and Karņikāras, and dates in full flower, priyalas, Muculindas, Kutajas and Ketakas, Priyangus warm with aroma, and Nipas, and Saptachchhadas; Asanas, Kovidaras, and flowering Karavīras, and trees bearing blossoms, filled with swans and Kārandavas, and covered with lotuses and lilies; and charming sporting hills* and various watery expanses; and extensive tracts covered with diverse trees bearing flowers and furies at all seasons, and gardens exceedingly beautiful to behold. *Sporting hills according to Kataka. According to others, akrira means a grove in general.
समासाद्य च लक्ष्मीवॉलङ्कां रावणपालिताम्। परिखाभिः सपद्माभिः सोत्पलाभिरलंकृताम्॥ सीतापहरणात् तेन रावणेन सुरक्षिताम्। समन्ताद् विचरद्भिश्च राक्षसैरुग्रधन्वभिः॥ काञ्चनेनावृतां रम्यां प्राकारेण महापुरीम्। गृहैश्च गिरिसंकाशैः शारदाम्बुदसंनिभैः॥ पाण्डुराभिः प्रतोलीभिरुच्चाभिरभिसंवृताम्। अट्टालकशताकीर्णा पताकाध्वजशोभिताम्॥ तोरणैः काञ्चनैर्दिव्यैर्लतापङ्क्तिविराजितैः। ददर्श हनुमाँल्लङ्कां देवो देवपुरीमिव॥
Drawing near to Lankā embellished with lilies and environed by a moat filled with lotuses, that one graced with auspiciousness, that graceful monkey, Hanumān, beheld Lankā vigilantly guarded by Rāvaņa, in consequence of Sītā having been carried away, with Rākṣasas bearing fierce bows ranging all around, that mighty and captivating capital surrounded by a golden wall, filled with edifices resembling cliffs and looking like autumnal clouds, and elevated yellowish highways; abounding in hundreds of banners mounted on the walls, and beautified with pennons an streamers; with noble golden gateways painted with plants; and resembling the metropolis of the very sovereign of the celestials.
पालितां राक्षसेन्द्रेण निर्मितां विश्वकर्मणा। प्लवमानामिवाकाशे ददर्श हनुमान् कपिः॥ वप्रप्राकारजघनां विपुलाम्बुवनाम्बराम्। शतघ्नीशूलकेशान्तामट्टालकावतंसकाम्॥ मनसेव कृतां लङ्कां निर्मितां विश्वकर्मणा।
And that graceful monkey saw Lankā situated on the top of the mountain, filled with splendid yellow-white palaces, like to a city stationed in the sky ruled by the lord of Rākşasas and reared by Viśvakarmā himself. And the monkey, Hanumān, beheld Lankā, as if moving in the sky: with her walls furnished with daises for her hips, the immense waters and woods for her cloth, Śataghnīs and darts for her hair ends: and pennons on her walls for earrings, built as if by the agency of the Mind; and constructed by Viśvakarmā himself.
द्वारमुत्तरमासाद्य चिन्तयामास वानरः॥ कैलासनिलयप्रख्यमालिखन्तमिवाम्बरम्। ध्रियमाणमिवाकाशमुच्छ्रितैर्भवनोत्तमैः॥ सम्पूर्णां राक्षसै।रैर्गुहामाशीविषैरिव। तस्याश्च महतीं गुप्तिं सागरं च निरीक्ष्य सः। रावणं च रिपुं घोरं चिन्तयामास वानरः॥ आगत्यापीह हरयो भविष्यन्ति निरर्थकाः। नहि युद्धेन लङ्का शक्या जेतुं सुरैरपि॥
And arriving at the Northern gate resembling the mansion of Kailāsa, and cleaving, as it were, the welkin, and as if holding the firmament with lofty and glorious edifices, and observing the sea; his dreadful enemy, Ravana; the city teeming with poisonous snakes, as well as the method of defence (displayed in it)-the monkeys reflected, Even if the monkeys came here, they should fail to achieve success; for Lankā is incapable of being taken in battle by the celestials themselves.
इमां त्वविषमां लङ्कां दुर्गा रावणपालिताम्। प्राप्यापि सुमहाबाहुः किं करिष्यति राघवः॥
Even if the mighty-armed Rāghava should reach this terrible-looking and impregnable Lankā reared by Rāvana, what could he do?
अवकाशो न साम्नस्तु राक्षसेप्वभिगम्यते। न दानस्य न भेदस्य नैव युद्धस्य दृश्यते॥
Opportunity find I none either for conciliation with the Raksasas, or for (winning them over) by gifts, or for sowing dissensions among them, or for conquering them in fight.
चतुर्णामेव हि गतिर्वानराणां तरस्विनाम्। वालिपुत्रस्य नीलस्य मम राज्ञश्च धीमतः॥
Of all the monkeys, four only endowed with (exceptional) celerity, viz., Vāli's son, Nīla, the intelligent king, and myself, heave the power to come over here.
यावज्जानामि वैदेहीं यदि जीवति वा न वा। तत्रैव चिन्तयिष्यामि दृष्ट्वा तां जनकात्मजाम्॥
When I have ascertained whether Vaidehī is alive or not, I shall, after interviewing Janaka's daughter, think about this.
ततः स चिन्तयामास मुहूर्तं कपिकुञ्जरः। गिरेः शृङ्गे स्थिस्तस्मिन् रामस्याभ्युदयं ततः॥
Then that elephantine monkey, stationed on the summit of that mountain, for a while bethought himself as the success of Rāma.* *About rescuing his wife.
अनेन रूपेण मया न शक्या रक्षसां पुरी। प्रवेष्टुं राक्षसैर्गुप्ता क्रूरैर्बलसमन्वितैः॥
I cannot in this form succeed in entering the city of the Rākşasas, guarded by wily and powerful Rākṣasas.
महौजसो महावीर्या बलवन्तश्च राक्षसाः। वञ्चनाया मया सर्वे जानकी परिमार्गता॥
I should, while engaged in searching for Jānaki, deceive all the strong and highly energetic Rākşasas gifted with prowess.
लक्ष्यालक्ष्येण रूपेण रात्रौ लङ्कापुरी मया। प्राप्तकालं प्रवेष्टुं मे कृत्यं साधयितुं महत्॥
For attaining this mighty object, it behove me to enter Lankā at night in a shape invisible yet well suited to the end in view.
तां पुरी तादृशीं दृष्ट्वा दुराधर्षां सुरासुरैः। हनूमांश्चिन्तयामास विनिःश्वस्य मुहूर्मुहुः॥
Beholding the city in that state, difficult of being subdued by the celestials and Asuras (combined), Hanumān, sighing moment arily, thought within himself,
केनोपायेन पश्येयं मैथिली जनकात्मजाम्। अदृष्टो राक्षसेन्द्रेण रावणेन दुरात्मना॥
How can I, without being discovered by the impious lord of Rākşasas, Rāvana, succeed in seeing Janaka's daughter, Maithili?
न विनश्येत् कथं कार्यं रामस्य विदितात्मनः। एकामेकस्तु पश्येयं रहिते जनकात्मजाम्॥
How can the work of Rāma cognizant of self (be so managed that it) may not be brought to naught? How can I see Janaka's daughter singly in secret?
भूताश्चार्था विनश्यन्ति देशकालविरोधिताः। विक्लवं दूतमासाद्य तमः सूर्योदये यथा॥
Action on the very eve of success, on being obstructed by adverse season and place, and through the agency of unreflecting envoys come to nought, even as darkness is dispelled on sunrise.
अर्थानान्तरे बुद्धिनिश्चितापि न शोभते। घातयन्तीह कार्याणि दूताः पण्डितमानिनः॥
In respect of what should he undertaken and what not, even the certain decision (of a master assisted by his counsellors), because of a heedless messenger, dose not appear in all its beauty: messengers (foolish) yet proud of their knowledge, bring every business to nought.
न विनश्येत् कथं कार्यं वैक्लव्यं न कथं भवेत्। लङ्घनं च समुद्रस्य कथं नु न भवेद् वृथा॥
How can I so manage that my business may not suffer? How can I avoid recklessness? How can my bounding over the deep bear fruit?
मयि दृष्टे तु रक्षोभी रामस्य विदितात्मनः। भवेद् व्यर्थमिदं कार्यं रावणानर्थमिच्छतः॥
On my being seen by the Rākşasas, the work of Rāma cognizant of self, desirous of the destruction of Ravana, shall be marred.
नहि शक्यं क्वचित् स्थातुमविज्ञातेन राक्षसैः। अपि राक्षसरूपेण किमुतान्येन केनचित्॥
Even if I wear a Rākşasa form, I cannot anywhere remain undiscovered by the Rākṣasas.
वायुरप्यत्र नाज्ञातश्चरेदिति मतिर्मम। नह्यत्राविदितं किंचिद् रक्षसां भीमकर्मणाम्॥
What shall I say of any other form? Even the wind, I conceive dose not stray here, unperceived. Nothing whatever is here that is unknown to the Räkşasas of redoubtable deeds.
इहाहं यदि तिष्ठामि स्वेन रूपेण संवृतः। विनाशमुपयास्यामि भर्तुरर्थश्च हास्यति॥
Should I stay here embodied in my native form, I shall come by destruction; and the interest also of my master shall suffer.
तदहं स्वेण रूपेण रजन्यां ह्रस्वतां गतः। लङ्कामभिपतिष्यामि राघवस्यार्थसिद्धये॥
Therefore, diminishing myself, I shall at night, for compassing the welfare of Rāghava, enter Lankā is my own form.
रावणस्य पुरी रात्रौ प्रविश्य सुदुरासदाम्। प्रविश्य भवनं सर्वं द्रक्ष्यामि जनकात्मजाम्॥
Entering at night Råvaņa's capital difficult of access, I shall, obtaining entry into every dwelling seek Janaka's daughter.'
इति निश्चित्य हनुमान् सूर्यस्यास्तमयं कपिः। आचकाङ्के तदा वीरो वैदेह्या दर्शनोत्सुकः॥
Having made up his mind thus, the heroic Hanumān, extremely eager to see Vaidehi, wished for the setting of the sun.
सूर्ये चास्तं गते रात्रौ देहं संक्षिप्य मारुतिः। वृषदंशकमात्रोऽथ बभूवाद्भुतदर्शनः॥
On the sun having set, at night the Windgod's son, contracting his person, reducing himself to the dimensions of a cat, became wonderful to behold.
प्रदोषकाले हनुमांस्तूर्णमुत्पत्य वीर्यवान्। प्रविवेश पुरी रम्यां प्रविभक्तमहापथाम्॥ प्रासादमालाविततां स्तम्भैः काञ्चनसंनिभैः। शातकुम्भनिभैर्जालैर्गन्धर्वनगरोपमाम्॥
At dusk, the powerful Hanumān, springing up, entered the charming city of Lankā with its well divided highways; furnished with rows of edifices having golden pillars, and net-works, resembling the metropolis of the Gandharvas.
सप्तभौमाष्टभौमैश्च स ददर्श महापुरीम्। स्थलैः स्फटिकसंकीर्णैः कार्तस्वरविभूषितैः। तैस्तैः शुशुभिरे तानि भवनान्यत्र रक्षसाम्॥
He saw that splendid city containing sevenstoried and eight-storied edifices, studded with crystal and adorned with gold. And the dwellings of the Rākṣasas were embellished with these (ornaments).
काञ्चनानि विचित्राणि तोरणानि च रक्षसाम्। लङ्कामुद्योतयामासुः सर्वतः समलंकृताम्॥
And graceful golden gateways belonging to the Rākṣasas everywhere lent splendour to Lankā adorned all over.
अचिन्त्यामद्भुताकारां दृष्ट्वा लङ्कां महाकपिः। आसीद् विषण्णो दृष्टश्च वैदेह्या दर्शनोत्सुकः। ५२।।
Beholding Lankā, wonderful and of inconceivable loveliness, the mighty monkey, desirous of beholding Vaidehī, became depressed and delighted at the same time.
स पाण्डुराविद्धविमानमालिनी महार्हजाम्बूनदजालतोरणाम्। यशस्विनी रावणबाहुपालितां क्षपाचरैभीमबलैः सुपालिताम्॥
And he (entered Lankā) engarlanded with yellow edifices joined together, with the ornamented arches of her gateways furnished with nets of precious gold; famed (all over the world); ruled by the arm of Ravana, and vigilantly guarded by night-rangers of dreadful strength.
स्तारागणैर्मध्यगतो विराजन्। नुत्तिष्ठतेऽनेकसहस्ररश्मिः ॥
As if ministering to him,* the Moon furnished with many thousands of rays arose with the stars in the midst of the sky, spreading lunar light over all creatures. * Hanuman.
मुद्गच्छमानं व्यवभासमानम्। ददर्श चन्द्रं स कपिप्रवीरः पोप्लूयमानं सरसीव हंसम्॥
And that heroic monkey behold the Moon possessing the sheen of a conch, and hued like milk or the lotus-stalk, arisen and afloat (in the welkin), like a swan swimming in a tank.