सा सीता वचनं श्रुत्वा पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानना। हनूमन्तमुवाचेदं धर्मार्थसहितं वचः॥
Hearing those words, Sītā having a moon-like countenance, again spoke to Hanuman, words, sound and pious:
अमृतं विषसंपृक्तं त्वया वानर भाषितम्। यच्च नान्यमना रामो यच्च शोकपरायणः॥
O monkey, what you had said that Rāma is not attached to any other thing and is worn with grief, is like nectar mixed with poison.
ऐश्वर्ये वा सुविस्तीर्णे व्यसने वा सुदारुणे। रज्ज्वेव पुरुषं बद्ध्वा कृतान्तः परिकर्षति॥
Whether in the enjoyment of vast riches, or emerged in the abyss of miseries, Death is pulling a man, binding him roughly with a chord.
विधिनमसंहार्यः प्राणिनां प्लवगोत्तम। सौमित्रिं मां च रामं च व्यसनैःपश्य मोहितान्॥
O best of monkey, people cannot thwart the course of de tiny. Behold me, Rāma and Saumitri, therefore sunk in miseries.
शोकस्यास्य कथं पारं राघवोऽधिगमिष्यति। प्लवमानः परिक्रान्तो हतनौः सागरे यथा॥
I do not know when shall Rāghava get at the other end of the ocean of grief, by displaying his prowess, like to one, swimming across the ocean when the boat is sunk.
राक्षसानां वधं कृत्वा सूदयित्वा च रावणम्। लङ्कामुन्मथितां कृत्वा कदा द्रक्ष्यति मां पतिः॥
I do not know when shall my lord see me, destroying the Rākşasas, killing Rāvana and devastating the city of Lankā.
स वाच्यः संत्वरस्वेति यावदेव न पूर्यते। अयं संवत्सरः कालस्तावद्धि मम जीवितम्॥
Do you tell him to come before this year expires for till then I shall live.
वर्तते दशमो मासो द्वौ तु शेषौ प्लवङ्गम। रावणेन नृशंसेन समयो यः कृतो मम॥
This is the tenth month and two months still remain, O monkey and that is the time appointed by the cruel Rāvaņa.
विभीषणेन च भ्रात्रा मम निर्यातनं प्रति। अनुनीतः प्रयत्नेन न च तत् कुरुते मतिम्॥
He was entreated very much by his brother Vibhīşaņa to restore me but he paid no need to his requests.
मम प्रतिप्रदानं हि रावणस्य न रोचते। रावणं मार्गते संख्ये मृत्युः कालवशंगतम्॥
Rāvana dose not desire to restore me (to Rāma) for he has been brought under the influence of Death who is seeking him in battle.
ज्येष्ठा कन्या कला नाम विभीषणसुता कपे। तया ममैतदाख्यातं मात्रा प्रहितया स्वयम्॥
Vibhisana's eldest daughter, O monkey, by name Kalā, has related this to me, being appointed by her mother.
अविन्ध्यो नाम मेधावी विद्वान् राक्षसपुङ्गवः। धृतिमाञ्छीलवान् वृद्धो रावणस्य सुसम्मतः॥ रामात् क्षयमनुप्राप्तं रक्षसां प्रत्यचोदयत्। न च तस्य स दुष्टात्मा शृणोति वचनं हितम्॥
There is a leading, steady, old, intelligent and educated Rākşasa, gifted with a good character, named Avindhya and highly respected of Rāvana who told him that the destruction of the Rākṣasa race would proceed from Rāma, but the vicious-souled one paid no attention to his wellmeaning words. is my
आशंसेयं हरिश्रेष्ठ क्षिप्रं मां प्राप्स्यते पतिः। अन्तरात्मा हि मे शुद्धस्तस्मिंश्च बहवो गुणाः॥
I hope, O foremost of monkeys, that my husband shall soon regain me for pure soul and he is gifted with many accomplishments.
उत्साहः पौरुषं सत्त्वमानृशंस्यं कृतज्ञता। विक्रमश्च प्रभावश्च सन्ति वानर राघवे॥
Rāghava has in him, O monkeys, energy, manliness, strength, kindness, gratitude and prowess.
चतुर्दश सहस्राणि राक्षसानां जघान यः। जनस्थाने विना भ्रात्रा शत्रुः कस्तस्य नोद्विजेत्॥
He brought about without his brother's aid, the destruction of the fourteen thousand Rākṣasas at Janasthāna. What enemy is not troubled at this?
न स शक्यस्तुलयितुं व्यसनैः पुरुषर्षभः। अहं तस्यानुभावज्ञा शक्रस्येव पुलोमजा॥
The disaster-creating Rākşasas can never be compared with that best of men. I am cognizant of his prowess as Sacī is of Indra's.
शरजालांशुमाञ्छूरः कपे रामदिवाकरः। शत्रुरक्षोमयं तोयमुपशोषं नयिष्यति॥
O monkey, Rāma the Sun, with his arrow-like rays, shall dry up the water-the inimical Rākşasas.
इति संजल्पमानां तां रामार्थे शोककर्शिताम्। अश्रुसम्पूर्णवदनामुवाच हनुमान् कपिः॥
Saying this she was overwhelmed with grief on Rāma's account, and Hanumān again spoke to her having her countenance bathed in tears.
श्रुत्वैव च वचो मह्यं क्षिप्रमेष्यति राघवः। चमूं प्रकर्षन् महतीं हर्यक्षगणसंकुलाम्॥
No sooner shall Rāghava hear from me than he shall speedily repair hither followed by a huge army of monkeys and bears.
अथवा मोचयिष्यामि त्वामद्यैव सराक्षसात्। अस्माद् दुःखादुपारोह मम पृष्ठमनिन्दिते॥
Or I shall release you even to-day from the grasp of that Räkşasa and these miseries. Do you place yourself on my back, O you of a blameless person.
त्वां तु पृष्ठगतां कृत्वा संतरिष्यामि सागरम्। शक्तिरस्ति हि मे वोढुं लङ्कामपि सरावणाम्॥
And having you on my back I shall leap over the main. I am capable of carrying the city of Lankā even with Rāvana.
अहं प्रस्रवणस्थाय राघवायाद्य मैथिलि। प्रापयिष्यामि शक्राय हव्यं हुतमिवानलः॥
I shall restore you to-day, O Maithili, to Rāghava on the mount Prasravaņa, like to fire carrying to Indra, the sacrificial offerings.
द्रक्ष्यस्यद्यैव वैदेहि राघवं सहलक्ष्मणम्। व्यवसायसमायुक्तं विष्णुं दैत्यवधे यथा॥
You shall behold to-day, O Vaidehi, Rama along with Lakşmaņa, making preparations (for the destruction of his enemy) like to Vişņu, engaged in the destruction of demons.
त्वदर्शनकृतोत्साहमाश्रमस्थं महाबलम्। पुरंदरमिवासीनं नगराजस्य मूर्धनि॥
(And you shall observe) that highly powerful one, anxious to behold you and seated like to Purandara on the summit of that foremost of mountains.
पृष्ठमारोह मे देवि मा विकाङ्क्षस्व शोभने। योगमन्विच्छ रामेण शशाङ्केनेव रोहिणी॥
Do you place yourself on my back, O worshipful dame, do you not neglect it, O beautiful lady, and be thus reconciled to Rāma like to Rohini restored to the Moon.
कथयन्तीव शशिना संगमिष्यसि रोहिणी। मत्पृष्ठमधिरोह त्वं तराकाशं महार्णवम्॥
By the time, that we will take in talking thus, you shall reach Rāma like Rohiņi restored to the Moon. Do you therefore place yourself on my back and I shall cross the ocean sailing by the aetherial way.
नहि मे सम्प्रयातस्य त्वामितो नयतोऽङ्गने। अनुगन्तुं गतिं शक्ताः सर्वे लङ्कानिवासिनः॥
O fair one, carrying you from this place, none among the inhabitants of Lankä shall be able to follow me.
यथैवाहमिह प्राप्तस्तथैवाहमसंशयम्। यास्यामि पश्य वैदेहि त्वामुद्यम्य विहायसम्॥
In the same way I have come here I shall return by the welkin, O Vaidehī placing three on my back.
मैथिली तु हरिश्रेष्ठाच्छ्रुत्वा वचनमद्भुतम्। हर्षविस्मितसर्वाङ्गी हनूमन्तमथामब्रवीत्॥
Hearing those surprising words from that best of monkeys, Maithilī, having her entire frame worked up with joy, again bespake Hanumān.
हनूमन् दूरमध्वानं कथं मां नेतुमिच्छसि। तदेव खलु ते मन्ये कपित्वं हरियूथप॥
Hanumān, how darest you take me to such a long distance? O lord of monkey hosts, this attests to your monkey-hood.
कथं चाल्पशरीरस्त्वं मामितो नेतुमिच्छसि। सकाशं मानवेन्द्रस्य भर्तुर्मे प्लवगर्षभ॥
O foremost of monkeys, little-bodied as you are, how do you desire, to take me hence to my husband the lord of men?
सीतायास्तु वचः श्रुत्वा हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः। चिन्तयामास लक्ष्मीवान् नवं परिभवं कृतम्॥
Hearing the words of Sītā, the graceful son of the Wind-god Hanumān reflected aside-This is my first insult.
न मे जानाति सत्त्वं वा प्रभाव वासितेक्षणा। तस्मात् पश्यतु वैदेही यद् रूपं मम कामतः॥
The lotus-eyed dame is not cognizant of my prowess or strength. Vaidehi should therefore learn that I can assume shapes at will.
इति संचिन्त्य हनुमांस्तदा प्लवगसत्तमः। दर्शयामास सीतायाः स्वरूपमरिमर्दनः॥
Thinking thus, Hanumān, the foremost of the monkeys and the slayer of foes, showed himself to Sītā, in his true shape.
स तस्मात् पादपाद् धीमानाप्लुत्य प्लवगर्षभः। ततो वर्धितुमारेभे सीताप्रत्ययकारणात्॥
And leaping down from the tree, that best of monkeys began to increase himself to create Sītā's confidence.
मेरुमन्दरसंकाशो बभौ दीप्तानलप्रभः। अग्रतो व्यवतस्थे च सीताया वानरर्षभः॥ हरिः पर्वतसंकाशस्ताम्रवक्त्रो महाबलः। वज्रदंष्ट्रनखो भीमो वैदेहीमिदमब्रवीत्॥
His person appeared like the hill Mandara and the flaming fire. And that best of monkeys having a copper-coloured countenance, thunderlike nails and teeth and mountain-like huge body, appeared before Sītā and said.
सपर्वतवनोद्देशां साट्टप्राकारतोरणाम्। लङ्कामिमां सनाथां वा नयितुं शक्तिरस्ति मे॥
I am capable of carrying this Lankā with her lord, the mountains, forests gardens, buildings, walls and gate-ways.
तदवस्थाप्यतां बुद्धिरलं देवि विकाङ्गया। विशोकं कुरु वैदेहि राघवं सहलक्ष्मणम्॥
Do you therefore confide in me, O worshipful dame, and be not suspicious. And O Vaidehi, do you remove Rāma's grief as well as Laksmana's.
तं दृष्ट्वाचलसंकाशमुवाच जनकात्मजा। पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षी मारुतस्यौरसं सुतम्॥
Beholding the Wind-god's own begotten son, Hanumān, resembling a huge mountain, Sītā, the daughter of Janaka, having eyes resembling lotus-petals, said.
तव सत्त्वं बलं चैव विजानामि महाकपे। वायोरिव गतिश्चापि तेजश्चाग्नेरिवाद्भुतम्।॥
O great monkey, I know your strength and bravery, they air-like motion and your wonderful fire-like energy.
प्राकृतोऽन्यः कथं चेमां भूमिमागन्तुमर्हति। उदधेरप्रमेयस्य पारं वानरयूथप॥
What ordinary man can come here crossing the incomparable ocean.
जानामि गमने शक्ति नयने चापि ते मम। अवश्यं सम्प्रधाशु कार्यसिद्धरिवात्मनः।॥
O lord of monkey hosts, I understand that you are capable of returning and you shall be able to carry me. But I should consider now how the work might be accomplished.
अयुक्तं तु कपिश्रेष्ठ मया गन्तुं त्वया सह। वायुवेगसवेगस्य वेगो मां मोहयेत् तव॥
O foremost of monkeys, I should not go with you. Perhaps I might lose my sense with your air-like velocity.
अहमाकाशमासक्ता उपर्युपरि सागरम्। प्रपतेयं हि ते पृष्ठाद् भूयो वेगेन गच्छतः॥
When moving terribly you shall proceed high up in the welkin, perhaps I shall then fall down.
पतिता सागरे चाहं तिमिनक्रझषाकुले। भवेयमाशु विवशा यादसामन्नमुत्तमम्॥
No sooner I shall fall down into the ocean infested with fish and other animals than I shall be an excellent food to them.
न च शक्ष्ये त्वया सार्धं गन्तुं शत्रुविनाशन। कलत्रवति संदेहस्त्वयि स्यादप्यसंशयम्॥
O slayer of foes, I shall not be able to accompany you. For seeing you carry a woman, they shall surely suspect you.
ह्रियमाणां तु मां दृष्ट्वा राक्षसा भीमविक्रमाः। अनुगच्छेयुरादिष्टा रावणेन दुरात्मना ॥
And finding me stolen, those terribly powerful Rākşasas commanded by the vicious-souled Rāvana, shall follow you.
तैस्त्वं परिवृतः शूरैः शूलमुद्गरपाणिभिः। भवेस्त्वं संशयं प्राप्तो मया वीर कलत्रवान्॥
O hero, carrying me and encircled by those heroic Rākṣasas with maces and darts in their hands, you shall be beset with dangers.
सायुधा बहवो व्योम्नि राक्षसास्त्वं निरायुधः। कथं शक्ष्यसि संयातुं मां चैव परिरक्षितुम्॥
And on the sky the Rākşasas shall be armed with weapons and you shall be without any. How shall you be able to fight and protect me at the same time.
युध्यमानस्य रक्षोभिस्ततस्तैः क्रूरकर्मभिः। प्रपतेयं हि ते पृष्ठाद् भयार्ता कपिसत्तम॥
When you shall be engaged in conflict with those Rākşasas of terrible deeds, I, O foremost of monkeys, stricken with fear, shall fall down from your back.
अथ रक्षांसि भीमानि महान्ति बलवन्ति च। कथंचित् साम्पराये त्वां जयेयुः कपिसत्तम॥ अथवा युध्यमानस्य पतेयं विमुखस्य ते। पतितां च गृहीत्वा मां नयेयुः पापराक्षसाः॥
O foremost of monkeys those terrible and powerful Rākşasas shall be able to defeat you a little. And when you shall be defeated in battle I shall fall down and those vicious Rākṣasas shall carry me away from your hands or destroy me.
मां वा हरेयुस्त्वद्धस्ताद् विशसेयुरथापि वा। अनवस्थौ हि दृश्येते युद्धे जयपराजयौ॥ अहं वापि विपद्येयं रक्षोभिरभितर्जिता। त्वत्प्रयत्नो हरिश्रेष्ठ भवेनिष्फल एव तु॥
Victory or defeat is uncertain in a battle. I shall thus be distressed by those Rākşasas setting up terrible roars and they endeavours shall be fruitless, O best of monkeys.
कामं त्वमपि पर्याप्तो निहन्तुं सर्वराक्षसान्। राघवस्य यशो हीयेत् त्वया शस्तैस्तु राक्षसैः॥
You are capable of destroying the Rākṣasas very easily (I admit)—but Rama's fame shall then be souled if do you bring about their destruction.
अथवाऽऽदाय रक्षांसि न्यसेयुः संवृते हि माम्। यत्र ते नाभिजानीयुर्हरयो नापि राघवः॥
Or the Rākşasas taking me away shall keep me in such a secret place, that neither the monkeys nor Rāghava shall be able to ascertain my where abouts.
आरम्भस्तु मदर्थोऽयं ततस्तव निरर्थकः। त्वया हि सह रामस्य महानागमने गुणः॥
All your preparations for me, shall thus be useless. And mighty shall be the result of Rāma's coming with you.
मयि जीवितमायत्तं राघवस्यामितौजसः। भ्रातॄणां च महाबाहो तव राजकुलस्य च॥
O large armed one, the life of Rāghava of unmitigated prowess, those of his brothers and of your royal race are all subject to me.
तौ निराशौ मदर्थं च शोकसंतापकर्शितौ। सह सर्वक्षहरिभिस्त्यक्ष्यतः प्राणसंग्रहम्॥
When they shall give up their hopes of releasing me, they, worn out with grief and anxiety shall renounce their lives along with the monkeys and bears.
भर्तुर्भक्तिं पुरस्कृत्य रामादन्यस्य वानर। नाहं स्पष्टुं स्वतो गात्रमिच्छेयं वानरोत्तम ॥
O monkey, being guided by my love for my husband, I do not like willingly to touch any body's person but Rāma's.
यदहं गात्रसंस्पर्शं रावणस्य गता बलात्। अनीशा किं करिष्यामि विनाथा विवशा सती॥
When Rāvaņa, by force touched my person, I had no other help, for I was then without me lord and therefore was subject to another person.
यदि रामो दशग्रीवमिह हत्वा सराक्षसम्। मामितो गृह्य गच्छेत तत्तस्य सदृशं भवेत्॥
If Rāma can take me away from here, destroying the Ten-necked one with all the Rākşasas-he shall then perform the worthy action.
श्रुताश्च दृष्ट्वा हि मया पराक्रमा महात्मनस्तस्य रणावमर्दिनः। न देवगन्धर्वभुजङ्गराक्षसा भवन्ति रामेण समा हि संयुगे॥
I have heard of and myself seen the prowess of the highly-souled (Rāma) unconquerable in a battle. There is none among the celestials, Gandharvas, Nāgas and the Rākşasas who can match him in a conflict.
समीक्ष्य तं संयति चित्रकार्मुकं महाबलं वासवतुल्यविक्रमम्। सलक्ष्मणं को विषहेत राघवं हुताशनं दीप्तमिवानिलेरितम्॥
Beholding that highly powerful Rāghava, in a conflict, like to Vāsava in prowess, holding a wonderful bow and followed by Lakşmaņa, who can withstand his prowess resembling the flaming fire?
सलक्ष्मणं राघवमाजिमर्दनं दिशागजं मत्तमिव व्यवस्थितम्। सहेत को वानरमुख्य संयुगे युगान्तसूर्यप्रतिमं शरार्चिषम्॥
O foremost of monkeys, who can withstand Rāghava in a conflict, followed by Lakşmaņa moving like infuriated an elephant and showering shafts like to the rays of the sun at the time of Dissolution?
स मे कपिश्रेष्ठ सलक्ष्मणं प्रियं सयूथपं क्षिप्रमिहोपपादय। चिराय रामं प्रति शोककर्शितां कुरुष्व मां वानरवीर हर्षिताम्॥
O best of monkeys do you speedily bring here my dear one along with Lakşmaņa and the lord of monkey hosts. O heroic monkey, do you soon satisfy me, who am stricken with grief in consequence of my long separation from Rāma.