Sundara Kanda: Chapter 54

वीक्षमाणस्ततो लङ्कां कपिः कृतमनोरथः। वर्धमानसमुत्साहः कार्यशेषमचिन्तयत्॥
Casting his eyes on Lankā, the monkey, his wish attained, increasing his person and bursting with spirits, considered as to how to give the coup de grace to his exertions.

किं नु खल्वशिष्टं मे कर्तव्यमिह साम्प्रतम्। यदेषां रक्षसां भूयः संतापजननं भवेत्॥
What recently is to done by me here to finish this business, that may afflict them the more?

वनं तावत्प्रमथितं प्रकृष्टा राक्षसा हताः। बलैकदेशः क्षपितः शेषं दुर्गविनाशनम्॥
I have ravaged the wood, and slain the choice Rākşasas, and destroyed by main force a portion of the army. Now it remains to demolish the fortifications.

दुर्गे विनाशिते कर्म भवेत् सुखपरिश्रमम्। अल्पयत्नेन कार्येऽस्मिन् मम स्यात् सफलः श्रमः॥
On the fortifications being destroyed, my work shall nave its toils crowned with joy. By undergoing slight labour in this business, I shall have my pains furnished with fruit.

यो ह्ययं मम लाङ्गुले दीप्यते हव्यवाहनः। अस्य संतर्पणं न्याय्यं कर्तुमेभिर्गृहोत्तमैः॥
That bearer of sacrificial offerings (Vide ante) who flame on my tail, it is my duty to propitiate him with these excellent edifices.

ततः प्रदीप्तलाङ्गुलः सविद्युदिव तोयदः। भवनाग्रेषु लङ्काया विचचार महाकपिः॥
Thereat that mighty monkey, with his tail aglow, and resembling a cloud (luminous) with lightning, began to range before the dwellings in Lankā.

गृहाद् गृहं राक्षसानामुद्यानानि च वानरः। वीक्षमाणो ह्यसंत्रस्तः प्रासादांश्च चचार सः॥
And that monkey with a calm mind, eyeing (all round), ranged one house from another, and gardens, and stately piles.

अवप्लुत्य महावेगः प्रहस्तस्य निवेशनम्। अग्नि तत्र विनिक्षिप्य श्वसनेन समो वली॥ ततोऽन्यत् पुप्लुवे वेश्म महापार्श्वस्य वीर्यवान्। मुमोच हनुमानग्नि कालानलशिखोपमम्॥
And that one gifted with exceeding vehemence, and in strength resembling the Wind, bounding up set fire to the dwelling of Prahasta. Then Hanuman endowed with prowess, leaping up, set to Mahaparsva's mansion fire resembling that at the universal dissolution.

वज्रदंष्ट्रस्य च तथा पुप्लुवे स महाकपिः। शुकस्य च महातेजाः सारणस्य च धीमतः॥
And (then) the mighty monkey darting up, set fire to Vajradanştra's; and (then) that highly energetic one set fire to Suka's and to the intelligent Sārana's.

तथा चेन्द्रजितो वेश्म ददाह हरियूथपः। जम्बुमालेः सुमालेश्च ददाह भवनं ततः॥ रश्मिकेतोश्च भवनं सूर्यशत्रोस्तथैव च। ह्रस्वकर्णस्य दंष्ट्रस्य रोमशस्य च रक्षसः॥ युद्धोन्मत्तस्य मत्तस्य ध्वजग्रीवस्य रक्षसः। विद्युज्जिह्वस्य घोरस्य तथा हस्तिमुखस्य च॥ करालस्य विशालस्य शोणिताक्षस्य चैव हि। कुम्भकर्णस्य भवनं मकराक्षस्य चैव हि॥ नरान्तकस्य कुम्भस्य निकुम्भस्य दुरात्मनः। यज्ञशत्रोश्च भवनं ब्रह्मशत्रोस्तथैव च॥
And the leader of monkey bands in the same way burnt down Indrajit's mansion; and then he burnt the abodes of Sumāli and Jambumălī; and Rasmiketu's mansion and Suryasatru's, and Hrasvakarma's, and the Raksasa Romasa's; and the houses of Yuddhonmatta, and Matta, and the Rākṣasa Dhvajagrīva, and the calm Vidyujjihva, and Hastimukha; and of Karāla, and of Viśāla, and of Sonitāksa; and Kumbhakarma's mansion, and Nikumbha's, and the residence of Yajnasatru, and of Brahmasatru.

वर्जयित्वा महातेजा विभीषणगृहं प्रति। क्रममाणः क्रमेणैव ददाह हरिपुङ्गवः॥
And leaving alone the dwelling of Vibhişaņa, that exceedingly energetic one-foremost of monkeys-by and by burnt (all the houses there).

तेषु तेषु महार्हेषु भवनेषु महायशाः। गृहेष्वृद्धिमतामृद्धिं ददाह कपिकुञ्जरः॥
In those costly mansions and dwellings, that famous one, that foremost of monkeys, burnt all the wealth of those affluent persons.

सर्वेषां समतिक्रम्य राक्षसेन्द्रस्य वीर्यवान्। आससादाथ लक्ष्मीवान् रावणस्य निवेशनम्॥
Having passed the dwellings of all, that powerful and auspicious one approached the residence of the lord of Rākşasas, Rāvaņa.

ततस्तस्मिन् गृहे मुख्ये नानारत्नविभूषिते। मेरुमन्दरसंकाशे नानामङ्गलशोभिते ॥ प्रदीप्तमग्निमुत्सृज्य लाङ्गुलाग्रे प्रतिष्ठितम्। ननाद हनुमान् वीरो युगान्तजलदो यथा॥
And in that foremost of mansions, adorned or with various gems, resembling Meru Mandara, graced with diverse auspicious things, he set to the same, fire flaming at the end of his tail. And the heroic Hanumān roars, resembling a cloud (appearing) at the end of a Yuga.

श्वसनेन च संयोगादतिवेगो महाबलाः। कालाग्निरिव जज्वाल प्रावर्धत हुताशनः॥
And assisted by the wind, that highly powerful and vehement one (Fire) flaimed up, like fire at the wreck of all, and the fire attained energy.

प्रदीप्तमग्निं पवनस्तेषु वेश्मसु चारयन्। तानि काञ्चनजालानि मुक्तामणिमयानि च॥ भवनानि व्यशीर्यन्त रत्नवन्ति महान्ति च। तानि भग्नविमानानि निपेतुर्वसुधातले॥
The wind spreading the flaming fire all round those dwellings, those mansions furnished with golden networks; and containing pearls and gems; enjewelled and magnificent, were shorn of their splendour.

भवनानीव सिद्धानामम्बरात् पुण्यसंक्षये। संजज्ञे तुमुलः शब्दो राक्षसानां प्रधावताम्॥ स्वे स्वे गृहपरित्राणे भग्नोत्साहोज्झितश्रियाम्। नूनमेषोऽग्निरायातः कपिरूपेण हा इति॥ क्रन्दन्त्यः सहसा पेतुः स्तनंधयधराः स्त्रियः।
And cracked edifices began to topple down to the ground, like the mansions of Siddhās falling from the firmament of the exhaustion of their righteousness. And there arose a mighty uproar of those Rākşasas, as, bereft of their good fortune, despairing of preserving their abodes, they rushed in all directions, "Forsooth it is Fire himself that has come hither in the form of a monkey.” And females crying with babes on their breasts, suddenly plunged (into the fire).

काश्चिदग्निपरीताङ्गयो हर्येभ्यो मुक्तमूर्धजाः॥ पतन्त्यो रेजिरेऽभ्रेभ्यः सौदामन्य इवाम्बरात्।
And some fair ones with hair dishevelled, and surrounded on all sides with fire, as they fell down from dwellings, looked lovely like lightning from the welkin.

वज्रविद्रुमवैदूर्यमुक्तारजतसंहतान्॥ विचित्रान् भवनाद्धातून्स्यन्दमानान् ददर्श सः।
And he (Hanuman) saw various kinds of metals, mixed with diamonds, and coral, and lapises and pearls and silver, running down in streams from the mansions.

नाग्निस्तृप्यति काष्ठानां तृणानां च यथा तथा॥ हनूमान् राक्षसेन्द्राणां वधे किंचिन्न तृप्यति। न हनूमद्विशस्तानां राक्षसानां वसुन्धरा ॥
And as Fire is not cloyed with wood and straw, Hanumān never at all felt satiety on slaying those foremost of Räkşasas. And the Earth could not contain the Rākşasas slain by Hanumăn.

हनूमता वेगवता वानरेण महात्मना। लङ्कापुरं प्रदग्धं तद् रुद्रेण त्रिपुरं यथा॥
And as Rudra had burnt down Tripura, the vehement and high-souled monkey, Hanumān, burnt down Lankā.

ततः स लङ्कापुरपर्वताग्रे समुत्थितो भीमपराक्रमोऽग्निः। प्रसार्य चूडावलयं प्रदीप्तो हनूमता वेगवतोपसृष्टः॥
And rising to the brow of Lanka's mount, (Trikūţa on which Lankā rested) the fire of terrific energy kindled by the impetuous Hanumān, spread wide his tongues.

युगान्तकालानलतुल्यरूपः समारुतोऽग्निर्ववृधे दिवस्पृक् । विधूमरश्मिर्भवनेषु सक्तो रक्षःशरीराज्यसमर्पितार्चिः॥
With the Wind assisting him, the smokeless Fire in the dwellings, with his flames feeding on the bodies of the Rākşasas representing sacrificial offerings, spread his magnitude, touching the horizen-resembling the conflagration kindled the universal dissolution.

आदित्यकोटीसदृशः सुतेजा लङ्कां समस्तां परिवार्य तिष्ठन्। भिन्दन्निवाण्डं प्रबभौ महाग्निः॥
And possessing the fierce energy of a koti suns, the nighty Fire completely encompassing the entire Lanka, increased (in volume), riving at the mundane Egg with various sounds resembling thunder-claps.

तत्राम्बरादग्निरतिप्रवृद्धो रूक्षप्रभः किंशुकपुष्पचूडः। निर्वाणधूमाकुलराजयश्च नीलोत्पलाभाः प्रचकाशिरेऽभ्राः॥
And the Fire of terrific might, having his flames resembling Kinsuka blossoms, rising up to the sky, clouds caused by volumes of smoke arising from extinguished fire, in hue resembling blue lotuses, looked exceedingly beautiful.

क्ज्री महेन्द्रस्त्रिदशेश्वरो वा साक्षाद् यमो वा वरुणोऽनिलो वा। रौद्रोऽग्निरर्को धनदश्च सोमो न वानरोऽयं स्वयमेव कालः॥ किं ब्रह्मणः सर्वपितामहस्य लोकस्य धातुश्चतुराननस्य। इहागतो वानररूपधारी रक्षोपसंहारकरः प्रकोपः॥ किं वैष्णवं वा कपिरूपमेत्य रक्षोविनाशाय परं सुतेजः। अचिन्त्यमव्यक्तमनन्तमेकं स्वमायया साम्प्रतमागतं वा॥ इत्येवमूचुर्बहवो विशिष्टा रक्षोगणास्तत्र समेत्य सर्वे। सप्राणिसङ्घ सगृहां सवृक्षा दग्धां पुरी तां सहसा समीक्ष्य॥
Either the thunder-bolt-bearing Indra the Great-chief of celestials, or Yama himself, or Varuna, or the Wind-god, or the Fire generated by Rudra's third eye, or the Sun, or Dhanda, or Soma. This is no monkey, this is verily Kāla (A name of Yama) himself or is this the Rākşasa annihilating Fire or Brahmä himself, the Great sire of all, the four-faced Disposer of the world's destinies, come hither, wearing the form of a monkey? Or is this Visnu's Energy, inconceivable, unutterable, infinite and sole, and of surpassing power, now come hither in its own illusory nature, assuming a monkey-form?" Seeing that city suddenly consumed, with her souls, dwellings, and trees, Raksasas of note, assembled together, thus talked to each other.

ततस्तु लङ्कां सहसा प्रदग्धा सराक्षसा साश्वरथा सनागा। सपक्षिसङ्घा समृगा सवृक्षा रुरोद दीना तुमुलं सशब्दम्॥
And then Lankä, suddenly consumed with Raksasas, horses, cars, serpents, crowds of birds, beasts and trees, began to bewail tumultuously and loud in forlorn guise.

हा तात हा पुत्रक कान्त मित्र हा जीवितेशाङ्ग हतं सुपुण्यम्। रक्षोभिरेवं बहुधा ब्रुवद्भिः शब्दः कृतो घोरतरः सुभीमः॥
O father! O son! O love! O friend! O lord of my life and frame! all our religious merit is abolished "Indulging in various lamentations, the Rākşas thus created a mighty and frightful uproar."

हुताशनज्वालसमावृता सा हतप्रवीरा परिवृत्तयोधा। हनूमतः क्रोधबलाभिभूता बभूव शापोपहतेव लङ्का ॥
And with the flames encircling her, and her foremost heroes fallen, and her warriors destroyed, Lankā, overcome by the might of Hanumān's wrath, became as if she had been blighted by an imprecation.

ससम्भ्रमं त्रस्तविषण्णराक्षसां समुज्ज्वलज्ज्वालहुताशनाङ्किताम्। ददर्श लङ्कां हनुमान्महामनाः स्वयंभुरोषापहतामिवावनिम्।॥
Then the mighty-minded Hanumān beheld the Rākşasas in terror and trepidation and cast down, and Lankā marked by fire and bright flames, even as the Self-sprung eye the world destroyed by his rage.

भङ्कत्वा वनं पादपरत्नसंकुलं हत्वा तु रक्षांसि महान्ति संयुगे। दग्ध्वा पुरी तां गृहरत्नमालिनी तस्थौ हनूमान्पवनात्मजः कपिः।॥
And devastating the forest filled with many excellent trees, slaying many a terrible Rākşasa in conflict, and burning down the city of Lankā filled with picturesque houses, the monkey, Hanumān, Wind-god's son, stationed himself there.

स राक्षसांस्तान्सुबहूंश्च हत्वा वनं च भङ्क्त्वा बहुपादपं तत्। विसृज्य रक्षोभवनेषु चाग्नि जगाम रामं मनसा महात्मा॥
And destroying many a Rākṣasa, felling many trees in the forest and setting fire to the houses of the Raksasas, the high-souled (monkey) became engaged in thoughts touching Rāma.

ततस्तु तं वानरवीरमुख्यं महाबलं मारुततुल्यवेगम्। महामतिं वायुसुतं वरिष्ठं प्रतुष्टवुर्देवगणाश्च सर्वे॥
Thereupon all the celestials praised highly the high-souled, excellent and mighty son of the Wind-god, foremost of heroic monkeys, gifted with the velocity of the of the Wind.

देवाश्च सर्वे मुनिपुङ्गवाश्च गन्धर्वविद्याधरपन्नगाश्च। भूतानि सर्वाणि सहान्ति तत्र जग्मुः परां प्रीतिमतुल्यरूपाम्॥
All the celestials, the foremost ascetics, the Gandharvas, the Vidyādharas, the Pannāgas, and all other great heroes, attained excess of delight.

भङ्क्त्वा वनं महातेजा हत्वा रक्षांसि संयुगे। दग्ध्वा लङ्कापुरीं भीमां रराज स महाकपिः॥
And having devastated the forest, slain the Rākşasas in conflict and burnt the grand city of Lankā, the great monkey appeared there.

गृहार्यशृङ्गाग्रतले विचित्रे प्रतिष्ठितो वानरराजसिंहः। प्रदीप्तलाङ्गुलकृतार्चिमाली व्यराजतादित्य इवार्चिमाली॥
And seated on the variegated top of a splendid and high mansion, the foremost of monkeys, spreading the rays of his burning tail, looked like to the sun of many rays.

लङ्कां समस्तां सम्पीड्य लाङ्गुलाग्निं महाकपिः। निर्वापयामास तदा समुद्रे हरिपुङ्गवः॥
And having consumed ihe city of Lankä, the great monkey quenched the fire of his tail in the Ocean.

ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः। दृष्ट्वा लङ्कां प्रदग्धां तां विस्मयं परमं गताः॥
Thereupon beholding Lankā burnt down, the celestials along with Gandharvas, Siddhās, and the great ascetics, were struck with wonder. And having consumed ihe city of Lankä, the great monkey quenched the fire of his tail in the Ocean.

ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः। दृष्ट्वा लङ्कां प्रदग्धां तां विस्मयं परमं गताः॥
Thereupon beholding Lankā burnt down, the celestials along with Gandharvas, Siddhās, and the great ascetics, were struck with wonder.