Sundar Kand

शान्तं शाश्वतमप्रमेयमनघं निर्वाणशान्तिप्रदं ब्रह्माशम्भुफणीन्द्रसेव्यमनिशं वेदान्तवेद्यं विभुम् । रामाख्यं जगदीश्वरं सुरगुरुं मायामनुष्यं हरिं वन्देऽहं करुणाकरं रघुवरं भूपालचूड़ामणिम्।।1।। नान्या स्पृहा रघुपते हृदयेऽस्मदीये सत्यं वदामि च भवानखिलान्तरात्मा। भक्तिं प्रयच्छ रघुपुङ्गव निर्भरां मे कामादिदोषरहितं कुरु मानसं च।।2।। अतुलितबलधामं हेमशैलाभदेहं दनुजवनकृशानुं ज्ञानिनामग्रगण्यम्। सकलगुणनिधानं वानराणामधीशं रघुपतिप्रियभक्तं वातजातं नमामि।।3।।

I bow to Shri Ram, the peaceful, eternal, immeasurable and sinless Lord who grants the peace of liberation, who is worshipped ceaselessly by Brahma, Shambhu (Shiva) and Sheshnag, who is known through the Vedanta, all-pervading, called Ram, the Lord of the universe, the guru of the gods, the compassionate best of the Raghus and crown-jewel of kings, who appears as a man through His Maya. O Lord of the Raghus, there is no other desire in my heart; I speak the truth, for You are the inner Self of all. O best of the Raghus, grant me firm, unbroken devotion and make my mind free of the faults of lust and the rest. I bow to Hanuman, the abode of matchless strength, whose body shines like a golden mountain, who is a fire to the forest of demons, foremost among the wise, the treasure of all virtues, lord of the monkeys and the dear devotee of Shri Ram, the son of the Wind-god.

जामवंत के बचन सुहाए। सुनि हनुमंत हृदय अति भाए।। तब लगि मोहि परिखेहु तुम्ह भाई। सहि दुख कंद मूल फल खाई।। जब लगि आवौं सीतहि देखी। होइहि काजु मोहि हरष बिसेषी।। यह कहि नाइ सबन्हि कहुँ माथा। चलेउ हरषि हियँ धरि रघुनाथा।। सिंधु तीर एक भूधर सुंदर। कौतुक कूदि चढ़ेउ ता ऊपर।। बार बार रघुबीर सँभारी। तरकेउ पवनतनय बल भारी।। जेहिं गिरि चरन देइ हनुमंता। चलेउ सो गा पाताल तुरंता।। जिमि अमोघ रघुपति कर बाना। एही भाँति चलेउ हनुमाना।। जलनिधि रघुपति दूत बिचारी। तैं मैनाक होहि श्रमहारी।।

Jambavan's encouraging words gladdened Hanuman's heart deeply. Hanuman said, 'Brother, wait for me here, bearing hardship and living on roots, bulbs and fruit, until I return after seeing Sita; then our task will be accomplished and I shall be especially joyful.' Saying this and bowing his head to all, he set off in delight, holding Shri Raghunath in his heart. On the seashore stood a beautiful mountain, and Hanuman playfully leapt up onto it. Again and again invoking Shri Ram, the mighty son of the Wind sprang forth with great force. The mountain on which Hanuman pressed his feet at once sank down into the netherworld, just as an unfailing arrow of Shri Ram speeds on — so did Hanuman fly through the air. The ocean, thinking of Shri Ram's messenger, said to Mount Mainaka, 'You go and relieve his fatigue.'

हनूमान तेहि परसा कर पुनि कीन्ह प्रनाम। राम काजु कीन्हें बिनु मोहि कहाँ बिश्राम।।1।।

Hanuman touched that mountain (Mainaka) with his hand and then bowed to it in respect, but said, 'Without accomplishing Shri Ram's work, where is rest for me?'

जात पवनसुत देवन्ह देखा। जानैं कहुँ बल बुद्धि बिसेषा।। सुरसा नाम अहिन्ह कै माता। पठइन्हि आइ कही तेहिं बाता।। आजु सुरन्ह मोहि दीन्ह अहारा। सुनत बचन कह पवनकुमारा।। राम काजु करि फिरि मैं आवौं। सीता कइ सुधि प्रभुहि सुनावौं।। तब तव बदन पैठिहउँ आई। सत्य कहउँ मोहि जान दे माई।। कबनेहुँ जतन देइ नहिं जाना। ग्रससि न मोहि कहेउ हनुमाना।। जोजन भरि तेहिं बदनु पसारा। कपि तनु कीन्ह दुगुन बिस्तारा।। सोरह जोजन मुख तेहिं ठयऊ। तुरत पवनसुत बत्तिस भयऊ।। जस जस सुरसा बदनु बढ़ावा। तासु दून कपि रूप देखावा।। सत जोजन तेहिं आनन कीन्हा। अति लघु रूप पवनसुत लीन्हा।। बदन पइठि पुनि बाहेर आवा। मागा बिदा ताहि सिरु नावा।। मोहि सुरन्ह जेहि लागि पठावा। बुधि बल मरमु तोर मै पावा।।

The gods watched the son of the Wind as he flew, wishing to test his special strength and wisdom, and sent Surasa, the mother of serpents, who came and told him, 'Today the gods have given me food.' Hearing this, Hanuman said, 'Let me go, complete Shri Ram's work and bring Sita's news to my Lord; then I will come and enter your mouth — I speak truly, so let me pass, O mother.' When by no means would she let him go, Hanuman said, 'Then swallow me.' She stretched her mouth a league wide; the monkey made his body twice as large. She made her mouth sixteen leagues wide; at once the Wind's son became thirty-two leagues. As Surasa enlarged her mouth, the monkey showed a form twice as big; when she made her jaws a hundred leagues wide, Hanuman took a very tiny form, entered her mouth and came out again, then took his leave, bowing his head. She said, 'The gods sent me only to learn your intelligence and strength, and I have found it.'

राम काजु सबु करिहहु तुम्ह बल बुद्धि निधान। आसिष देह गई सो हरषि चलेउ हनुमान।।2।।

'You will accomplish all of Shri Ram's work, for you are the treasure-house of strength and wisdom.' Giving this blessing she departed, and Hanuman went on joyfully.

निसिचरि एक सिंधु महुँ रहई। करि माया नभु के खग गहई।। जीव जंतु जे गगन उड़ाहीं। जल बिलोकि तिन्ह कै परिछाहीं।। गहइ छाहँ सक सो न उड़ाई। एहि बिधि सदा गगनचर खाई।। सोइ छल हनूमान कहँ कीन्हा। तासु कपटु कपि तुरतहिं चीन्हा।। ताहि मारि मारुतसुत बीरा। बारिधि पार गयउ मतिधीरा।। तहाँ जाइ देखी बन सोभा। गुंजत चंचरीक मधु लोभा।। नाना तरु फल फूल सुहाए। खग मृग बृंद देखि मन भाए।। सैल बिसाल देखि एक आगें। ता पर धाइ चढेउ भय त्यागें।। उमा न कछु कपि कै अधिकाई। प्रभु प्रताप जो कालहि खाई।। गिरि पर चढि लंका तेहिं देखी। कहि न जाइ अति दुर्ग बिसेषी।। अति उतंग जलनिधि चहु पासा। कनक कोट कर परम प्रकासा।।

A demoness lived in the ocean who, by her magic, would seize the birds of the sky: she would catch the shadow of creatures flying in the air, so that they could not fly and thus she always devoured the sky-travellers. She played this same trick on Hanuman, but the wise monkey at once recognized her deceit. Slaying her, the steadfast, heroic son of the Wind crossed to the far shore of the ocean. Arriving there he saw the beauty of a forest, where bees hummed greedily for honey, with many kinds of lovely fruit-and-flower-laden trees and flocks of birds and deer that delighted his mind. Seeing a great mountain in front, he ran and climbed it fearlessly. (Uma, says Shiva, this was no greatness of the monkey; it is the glory of the Lord, which devours even Death itself.) Climbing the mountain, he beheld Lanka — an exceedingly strong fortress beyond describing, very lofty, with the ocean on all four sides and a golden rampart shining with supreme brilliance.

कनक कोट बिचित्र मनि कृत सुंदरायतना घना। चउहट्ट हट्ट सुबट्ट बीथीं चारु पुर बहु बिधि बना।। गज बाजि खच्चर निकर पदचर रथ बरूथिन्ह को गनै।। बहुरूप निसिचर जूथ अतिबल सेन बरनत नहिं बनै।। बन बाग उपबन बाटिका सर कूप बापीं सोहहीं। नर नाग सुर गंधर्ब कन्या रूप मुनि मन मोहहीं।। कहुँ माल देह बिसाल सैल समान अतिबल गर्जहीं। नाना अखारेन्ह भिरहिं बहु बिधि एक एकन्ह तर्जहीं।। करि जतन भट कोटिन्ह बिकट तन नगर चहुँ दिसि रच्छहीं। कहुँ महिष मानषु धेनु खर अज खल निसाचर भच्छहीं।। एहि लागि तुलसीदास इन्ह की कथा कछु एक है कही। रघुबीर सर तीरथ सरीरन्हि त्यागि गति पैहहिं सही।।

The golden rampart was studded with wondrous gems, and there were many splendid mansions; crossroads, markets, fine bazaars and lovely lanes made the city beautiful in countless ways. Who could count the hosts of elephants, horses, mules, foot-soldiers and chariots? The mighty, many-formed bands of demon troops could not be described. Woods, gardens, groves, orchards, lakes, wells and step-wells adorned it, and the maidens of men, Nagas, gods and Gandharvas were so lovely they enchanted even the minds of sages. Here and there wrestlers with huge bodies like mountains roared with great strength, grappling in many arenas and challenging one another. Millions of fierce-bodied warriors carefully guarded the city on all four sides. Somewhere the wicked demons devoured buffaloes, men, cows, donkeys and goats. It is for this reason, says Tulsidas, that a little of their story has been told — for slain by Shri Ram's arrows on the field, giving up their bodies they will surely attain salvation.

पुर रखवारे देखि बहु कपि मन कीन्ह बिचार। अति लघु रूप धरौं निसि नगर करौं पइसार।।3।।

Seeing the many guards of the city, Hanuman reflected in his mind, 'Let me take a very tiny form and enter the city by night.'

मसक समान रूप कपि धरी। लंकहि चलेउ सुमिरि नरहरी।। नाम लंकिनी एक निसिचरी। सो कह चलेसि मोहि निंदरी।। जानेहि नहीं मरमु सठ मोरा। मोर अहार जहाँ लगि चोरा।। मुठिका एक महा कपि हनी। रुधिर बमत धरनीं ढनमनी।। पुनि संभारि उठि सो लंका। जोरि पानि कर बिनय संसका।। जब रावनहि ब्रह्म बर दीन्हा। चलत बिरंचि कहा मोहि चीन्हा।। बिकल होसि तैं कपि कें मारे। तब जानेसु निसिचर संघारे।। तात मोर अति पुन्य बहूता। देखेउँ नयन राम कर दूता।।

The monkey took a form the size of a mosquito and, remembering Shri Ram (Narahari), set out for Lanka. A demoness named Lankini stopped him, saying, 'Who are you, that you go slighting me? Fool, you do not know my nature — whoever is a thief here is my food.' The great monkey struck her a single blow of his fist; vomiting blood she fell writhing to the ground. Then, recovering and rising, Lankini, with folded hands and in awe, said, 'When Brahma granted Ravana his boon, the Creator, as he departed, told me this sign: when you are overcome, struck by a monkey, then know the destruction of the demons is at hand. Dear one, my merit is very great, that I have seen with my eyes the messenger of Shri Ram.'

तात स्वर्ग अपबर्ग सुख धरिअ तुला एक अंग। तूल न ताहि सकल मिलि जो सुख लव सतसंग।।4।।

'Dear one, if the happiness of heaven and of final liberation be placed on one pan of a scale, together they still do not equal even a fraction of the joy of a moment's company of the holy (satsang).'

प्रबिसि नगर कीजे सब काजा। हृदयँ राखि कौसलपुर राजा।। गरल सुधा रिपु करहिं मिताई। गोपद सिंधु अनल सितलाई।। गरुड़ सुमेरु रेनू सम ताही। राम कृपा करि चितवा जाही।। अति लघु रूप धरेउ हनुमाना। पैठा नगर सुमिरि भगवाना।। मंदिर मंदिर प्रति करि सोधा। देखे जहँ तहँ अगनित जोधा।। गयउ दसानन मंदिर माहीं। अति बिचित्र कहि जात सो नाहीं।। सयन किए देखा कपि तेही। मंदिर महुँ न दीखि बैदेही।। भवन एक पुनि दीख सुहावा। हरि मंदिर तहँ भिन्न बनावा।।

'Enter the city and accomplish all your work, keeping the King of Kaushalpur (Shri Ram) in your heart. For him whom Shri Ram looks upon with grace, poison becomes nectar, foes become friends, the ocean becomes like the hoof-print of a cow, fire becomes cool, and Mount Sumeru becomes light as dust like Garuda's speck.' Hanuman took a very tiny form and, remembering the Lord, entered the city. He searched mansion after mansion, seeing countless warriors here and there. He went into the palace of the ten-headed one (Ravana), of a splendour beyond words. The monkey saw Ravana asleep, but did not find Vaidehi (Sita) in that palace. Then he saw a lovely building, a separate temple of Shri Hari (Vishnu) built there.

रामायुध अंकित गृह सोभा बरनि न जाइ। नव तुलसिका बृंद तहँ देखि हरषि कपिराइ।।5।।

The house was marked with the emblems of Shri Ram's weapons, its beauty beyond describing, and seeing there fresh clusters of tulsi plants, the monkey-chief (Hanuman) rejoiced in his heart.

लंका निसिचर निकर निवासा। इहाँ कहाँ सज्जन कर बासा।। मन महुँ तरक करै कपि लागा। तेहीं समय बिभीषनु जागा।। राम राम तेहिं सुमिरन कीन्हा। हृदयँ हरष कपि सज्जन चीन्हा।। एहि सन हठि करिहउँ पहिचानी। साधु ते होइ न कारज हानी।। बिप्र रुप धरि बचन सुनाए। सुनत बिभीषण उठि तहँ आए।। करि प्रनाम पूँछी कुसलाई। बिप्र कहहु निज कथा बुझाई।। की तुम्ह हरि दासन्ह महँ कोई। मोरें हृदय प्रीति अति होई।। की तुम्ह रामु दीन अनुरागी। आयहु मोहि करन बड़भागी।।

'Lanka is the abode of hosts of demons — how could a virtuous man dwell here?' As the monkey pondered thus in his mind, at that very moment Vibhishan awoke and repeated 'Ram, Ram' in remembrance. Hanuman rejoiced in his heart, recognizing a saintly soul, and thought, 'I will make his acquaintance by all means, for from a holy man no harm comes to one's task.' Taking the form of a brahmin, he spoke; hearing him, Vibhishan rose and came there. Making obeisance, Vibhishan asked his welfare, 'O brahmin, tell me your story clearly. Are you one among the servants of Shri Hari? For my heart feels great love for you. Or are you Shri Ram Himself, the lover of the humble, come to make me fortunate?'

तब हनुमंत कही सब राम कथा निज नाम। सुनत जुगल तन पुलक मन मगन सुमिरि गुन ग्राम।।6।।

Then Hanuman told him all the story of Shri Ram and his own name. Hearing it, the bodies of both thrilled with joy and their minds were absorbed, remembering the host of Shri Ram's virtues.

सुनहु पवनसुत रहनि हमारी। जिमि दसनन्हि महुँ जीभ बिचारी।। तात कबहुँ मोहि जानि अनाथा। करिहहिं कृपा भानुकुल नाथा।। तामस तनु कछु साधन नाहीं। प्रीति न पद सरोज मन माहीं।। अब मोहि भा भरोस हनुमंता। बिनु हरिकृपा मिलहिं नहिं संता।। जौ रघुबीर अनुग्रह कीन्हा। तौ तुम्ह मोहि दरसु हठि दीन्हा।। सुनहु बिभीषन प्रभु कै रीती। करहिं सदा सेवक पर प्रीती।। कहहु कवन मैं परम कुलीना। कपि चंचल सबहीं बिधि हीना।। प्रात लेइ जो नाम हमारा। तेहि दिन ताहि न मिलै अहारा।।

Vibhishan said, 'Listen, son of the Wind, to how I live here — like the poor tongue that dwells among the teeth. Dear one, will the Lord of the Sun-dynasty (Shri Ram) ever take pity on me, knowing me to be forlorn? This body of mine is of the mode of darkness (tamas), with no spiritual practice, and my mind has no love for His lotus feet. But now I have gained hope, O Hanuman, for without Shri Hari's grace one does not meet the saints. Since Shri Ram has shown me His favour, you have thus come and given me your sight by force of grace. Listen, Vibhishan, to the Lord's way: He always loves His servants. Tell me, of what high birth am I? A fickle monkey, low in every way; whoever takes my name in the morning will not get food that day!'

अस मैं अधम सखा सुनु मोहू पर रघुबीर। कीन्ही कृपा सुमिरि गुन भरे बिलोचन नीर।।7।।

'I am so lowly, O friend, yet listen — even upon me Shri Raghuveer has shown grace.' Remembering His virtues, Hanuman's eyes filled with tears.

जानतहूँ अस स्वामि बिसारी। फिरहिं ते काहे न होहिं दुखारी।। एहि बिधि कहत राम गुन ग्रामा। पावा अनिर्बाच्य बिश्रामा।। पुनि सब कथा बिभीषन कही। जेहि बिधि जनकसुता तहँ रही।। तब हनुमंत कहा सुनु भ्राता। देखी चहउँ जानकी माता।। जुगुति बिभीषन सकल सुनाई। चलेउ पवनसुत बिदा कराई।। करि सोइ रूप गयउ पुनि तहवाँ। बन असोक सीता रह जहवाँ।। देखि मनहि महुँ कीन्ह प्रनामा। बैठेहिं बीति जात निसि जामा।। कृस तन सीस जटा एक बेनी। जपति हृदयँ रघुपति गुन श्रेनी।।

'Those who knowingly forsake such a Master and turn away — why should they not be miserable?' Speaking thus of Shri Ram's virtues, Hanuman attained an inexpressible peace. Then Vibhishan told him the whole account of how Janak's daughter (Sita) was kept there. Then Hanuman said, 'Listen, brother, I wish to see Mother Janaki.' Vibhishan explained to him all the means, and the son of the Wind took his leave and set off. Taking that same tiny form, he went to where Sita dwelt in the Ashok grove. Seeing her, he made obeisance in his mind. She was passing the nights and watches sitting up; her body wasted, a single braid of matted hair on her head, repeating in her heart the string of Shri Ram's virtues.

निज पद नयन दिएँ मन राम पद कमल लीन। परम दुखी भा पवनसुत देखि जानकी दीन।।8।।

Her eyes fixed on her own feet, her mind absorbed in Shri Ram's lotus feet — seeing Janaki so wretched, the son of the Wind became deeply grieved.

तरु पल्लव महुँ रहा लुकाई। करइ बिचार करौं का भाई।। तेहि अवसर रावनु तहँ आवा। संग नारि बहु किएँ बनावा।। बहु बिधि खल सीतहि समुझावा। साम दान भय भेद देखावा।। कह रावनु सुनु सुमुखि सयानी। मंदोदरी आदि सब रानी।। तव अनुचरीं करउँ पन मोरा। एक बार बिलोकु मम ओरा।। तृन धरि ओट कहति बैदेही। सुमिरि अवधपति परम सनेही।। सुनु दसमुख खद्योत प्रकासा। कबहुँ कि नलिनी करइ बिकासा।। अस मन समुझु कहति जानकी। खल सुधि नहिं रघुबीर बान की।। सठ सूने हरि आनेहि मोहि। अधम निलज्ज लाज नहिं तोही।।

Hanuman remained hidden among the leaves of the tree, thinking, 'What should I do, brother?' At that moment Ravana came there, accompanied by many women in fine array. The wicked one tried to persuade Sita in many ways, using conciliation, bribery, threat and dissension. Ravana said, 'Listen, fair and wise lady, and all you queens, Mandodari and the rest — I take a vow to make you all my handmaids, if you will but once look towards me.' Placing a blade of grass before her as a screen, Vaidehi, remembering the Lord of Ayodhya, her most beloved, said, 'Listen, ten-headed one: can a lotus ever bloom by the light of a firefly? Reflect on this in your mind,' said Janaki, 'wicked one, you have no awareness of Shri Ram's arrows. Vile one, you have stolen me away from a lonely place; base, shameless wretch, have you no shame?'

आपुहि सुनि खद्योत सम रामहि भानु समान। परुष बचन सुनि काढ़ि असि बोला अति खिसिआन।।9।।

Hearing himself likened to a firefly and Shri Ram to the sun, Ravana, on hearing her harsh words, drew his sword and spoke in great fury.

सीता तैं मम कृत अपमाना। कटिहउँ तव सिर कठिन कृपाना।। नाहिं त सपदि मानु मम बानी। सुमुखि होति न त जीवन हानी।। स्याम सरोज दाम सम सुंदर। प्रभु भुज करि कर सम दसकंधर।। सो भुज कंठ कि तव असि घोरा। सुनु सठ अस प्रवान पन मोरा।। चंद्रहास हरु मम परितापं। रघुपति बिरह अनल संजातं।। सीतल निसित बहसि बर धारा। कह सीता हरु मम दुख भारा।। सुनत बचन पुनि मारन धावा। मयतनयाँ कहि नीति बुझावा।। कहेसि सकल निसिचरिन्ह बोलाई। सीतहि बहु बिधि त्रासहु जाई।। मास दिवस महुँ कहा न माना। तौ मैं मारबि काढ़ि कृपाना।।

'Sita, you have insulted me; I will cut off your head with this cruel sword. Or else at once accept my word, fair one, otherwise you will lose your life.' Sita replied, 'The Lord's arm is dark and beautiful like a garland of blue lotuses, and his hand is like an elephant's trunk, O ten-necked one. That arm shall be around my neck — or else your dreadful sword; hear, fool, this is my firm resolve.' Turning to the sword, she said, 'O Chandrahas (sword), remove my torment, born of the fire of separation from Shri Ram. You rain forth a cool, sharp, excellent stream — remove my heavy sorrow.' Hearing her words, Ravana again rushed to kill her, but Mayasura's daughter (Mandodari) instructed him with wise counsel. He then called all the demonesses and said, 'Go and terrify Sita in every way. If within a month she does not heed my word, I will draw my sword and slay her.'

भवन गयउ दसकंधर इहाँ पिसाचिनि बृंद। सीतहि त्रास देखावहि धरहिं रूप बहु मंद।।10।।

The ten-headed Ravana went off to his palace; here the hosts of she-demons showed terror to Sita, assuming many hideous forms.

त्रिजटा नाम राच्छसी एका। राम चरन रति निपुन बिबेका।। सबन्हौ बोलि सुनाएसि सपना। सीतहि सेइ करहु हित अपना।। सपनें बानर लंका जारी। जातुधान सेना सब मारी।। खर आरूढ़ नगन दससीसा। मुंडित सिर खंडित भुज बीसा।। एहि बिधि सो दच्छिन दिसि जाई। लंका मनहुँ बिभीषन पाई।। नगर फिरी रघुबीर दोहाई। तब प्रभु सीता बोलि पठाई।। यह सपना में कहउँ पुकारी। होइहि सत्य गएँ दिन चारी।। तासु बचन सुनि ते सब डरीं। जनकसुता के चरनन्हि परीं।।

There was one demoness named Trijata, devoted to Shri Ram's feet and skilled in discernment. She called them all and told them her dream: 'Serve Sita and do good to yourselves. In my dream a monkey burned Lanka and slew the whole demon army; the ten-headed one, naked and mounted on a donkey, his head shaved and his twenty arms mutilated, went thus toward the south — as if Lanka had passed to Vibhishan. Then, in the name of Shri Raghuveer, the city was proclaimed his, and the Lord summoned Sita. This dream I declare aloud: it will come true after four days.' Hearing her words they were all frightened and fell at the feet of Janak's daughter.

जहँ तहँ गईं सकल तब सीता कर मन सोच। मास दिवस बीतें मोहि मारिहि निसिचर पोच।।11।।

Then they all went off here and there, and Sita's mind was full of anguish: 'When a month has passed, the wretched demon will kill me.'

त्रिजटा सन बोली कर जोरी। मातु बिपति संगिनि तैं मोरी।। तजौं देह करु बेगि उपाई। दुसहु बिरहु अब नहिं सहि जाई।। आनि काठ रचु चिता बनाई। मातु अनल पुनि देहि लगाई।। सत्य करहि मम प्रीति सयानी। सुनै को श्रवन सूल सम बानी।। सुनत बचन पद गहि समुझाएसि। प्रभु प्रताप बल सुजसु सुनाएसि।। निसि न अनल मिल सुनु सुकुमारी। अस कहि सो निज भवन सिधारी।। कह सीता बिधि भा प्रतिकूला। मिलहि न पावक मिटिहि न सूला।। देखिअत प्रगट गगन अंगारा। अवनि न आवत एकउ तारा।। पावकमय ससि स्त्रवत न आगी। मानहुँ मोहि जानि हतभागी।। सुनहि बिनय मम बिटप असोका। सत्य नाम करु हरु मम सोका।। नूतन किसलय अनल समाना। देहि अगिनि जनि करहि निदाना।। देखि परम बिरहाकुल सीता। सो छन कपिहि कलप सम बीता।।

With folded hands Sita said to Trijata, 'Mother, you are my companion in distress. Quickly find some means for me to give up this body; this unbearable separation can no longer be endured. Bring wood and build a pyre, mother, then set fire to it. O wise one, prove your love for me; who can bear these words that pierce the ear like darts?' Hearing this, Trijata clasped her feet and consoled her, recounting the might, glory and fair fame of the Lord: 'Listen, tender one, fire is not to be had at night,' and saying so she went off to her own house. Sita said, 'Fate has turned against me; I get no fire and my agony does not end. I see live coals plainly in the sky, yet not a single star falls to earth. The moon, all made of fire, sheds no flame — as if knowing me to be ill-fated. Hear my prayer, O Ashok tree, make your name true and take away my sorrow. Your fresh sprouts are like fire — give me that flame; do not become the cause of my endless torment.' Seeing Sita so extremely distraught with separation, that moment passed for the monkey like an age.

कपि करि हृदयँ बिचार दीन्हि मुद्रिका डारी तब। जनु असोक अंगार दीन्हि हरषि उठि कर गहेउ।।12।।

Reflecting in his heart, the monkey then dropped the ring down; as if the Ashok tree had given a live coal, she rose in delight and took it in her hand.

तब देखी मुद्रिका मनोहर। राम नाम अंकित अति सुंदर।। चकित चितव मुदरी पहिचानी। हरष बिषाद हृदयँ अकुलानी।। जीति को सकइ अजय रघुराई। माया तें असि रचि नहिं जाई।। सीता मन बिचार कर नाना। मधुर बचन बोलेउ हनुमाना।। रामचंद्र गुन बरनैं लागा। सुनतहिं सीता कर दुख भागा।। लागीं सुनैं श्रवन मन लाई। आदिहु तें सब कथा सुनाई।। श्रवनामृत जेहिं कथा सुहाई। कहि सो प्रगट होति किन भाई।। तब हनुमंत निकट चलि गयऊ। फिरि बैंठीं मन बिसमय भयऊ।। राम दूत मैं मातु जानकी। सत्य सपथ करुनानिधान की।। यह मुद्रिका मातु मैं आनी। दीन्हि राम तुम्ह कहँ सहिदानी।। नर बानरहि संग कहु कैसें। कहि कथा भइ संगति जैसें।।

Then she saw the enchanting ring, marked with Shri Ram's name, exceedingly beautiful. Astonished, she gazed and recognized the ring, her heart agitated with both joy and grief. 'Who can conquer the invincible Shri Raghunath? Such a ring cannot be fashioned by any magic.' As Sita's mind ran through many thoughts, Hanuman spoke in sweet words. He began to describe the virtues of Ramchandra, and as she heard, Sita's sorrow fled. She listened with mind and ears attentive, as he told the whole story from the beginning. 'Whoever has narrated this tale, nectar to the ears — why does he not appear, brother?' Then Hanuman moved near; she turned and sat back, amazed in her mind. 'I am a messenger of Shri Ram, Mother Janaki — I swear truly by the Ocean of Compassion. This ring, mother, I have brought; Shri Ram gave it to me as a token for you.' 'But how,' she asked, 'came a man and a monkey to be together?' So he told the story of how their friendship arose.

कपि के बचन सप्रेम सुनि उपजा मन बिस्वास।। जाना मन क्रम बचन यह कृपासिंधु कर दास।।13।।

Hearing the monkey's loving words, faith arose in her mind, and she knew him in thought, word and deed to be a servant of the Ocean of Compassion (Shri Ram).

हरिजन जानि प्रीति अति गाढ़ी। सजल नयन पुलकावलि बाढ़ी।। बूड़त बिरह जलधि हनुमाना। भयउ तात मों कहुँ जलजाना।। अब कहु कुसल जाउँ बलिहारी। अनुज सहित सुख भवन खरारी।। कोमलचित कृपाल रघुराई। कपि केहि हेतु धरी निठुराई।। सहज बानि सेवक सुख दायक। कबहुँक सुरति करत रघुनायक।। कबहुँ नयन मम सीतल ताता। होइहहि निरखि स्याम मृदु गाता।। बचनु न आव नयन भरे बारी। अहह नाथ हौं निपट बिसारी।। देखि परम बिरहाकुल सीता। बोला कपि मृदु बचन बिनीता।। मातु कुसल प्रभु अनुज समेता। तव दुख दुखी सुकृपा निकेता।। जनि जननी मानहु जियँ ऊना। तुम्ह ते प्रेमु राम कें दूना।।

Knowing him to be a servant of Shri Hari, her love grew very deep; her eyes brimmed with tears and her hair thrilled with joy. 'Hanuman, when I was drowning in the ocean of separation, you have become a ship for me, dear one. Now tell me the welfare of the Slayer of Khar (Shri Ram) with his younger brother, the abode of bliss; I am a sacrifice to it. Shri Ram is tender-hearted and merciful — why then, monkey, has he assumed such hardness? His nature is to give joy to his servants; does the Lord of the Raghus ever remember me? Will my eyes ever be cooled, dear one, by beholding his dark, soft limbs? No word comes forth, my eyes are full of water; alas, my Lord has quite forgotten me.' Seeing Sita so overwhelmed with separation, the monkey spoke gentle, humble words: 'Mother, the Lord and his brother are well; he is grieved by your grief, that abode of grace. Do not, O mother, feel any less in your heart; Shri Ram's love for you is twice your own.'

रघुपति कर संदेसु अब सुनु जननी धरि धीर। अस कहि कपि गद गद भयउ भरे बिलोचन नीर।।14।।

'Now hear, mother, holding patience, the message of Shri Raghunath.' Saying this the monkey grew choked with emotion, his eyes filled with tears.

कहेउ राम बियोग तव सीता। मो कहुँ सकल भए बिपरीता।। नव तरु किसलय मनहुँ कृसानू। कालनिसा सम निसि ससि भानू।। कुबलय बिपिन कुंत बन सरिसा। बारिद तपत तेल जनु बरिसा।। जे हित रहे करत तेइ पीरा। उरग स्वास सम त्रिबिध समीरा।। कहेहू तें कछु दुख घटि होई। काहि कहौं यह जान न कोई।। तत्व प्रेम कर मम अरु तोरा। जानत प्रिया एकु मनु मोरा।। सो मनु सदा रहत तोहि पाहीं। जानु प्रीति रसु एतेनहि माहीं।। प्रभु संदेसु सुनत बैदेही। मगन प्रेम तन सुधि नहिं तेही।। कह कपि हृदयँ धीर धरु माता। सुमिरु राम सेवक सुखदाता।। उर आनहु रघुपति प्रभुताई। सुनि मम बचन तजहु कदराई।।

'Shri Ram said: Sita, in your absence everything has become adverse to me. The fresh sprouts of trees are like fire; the moonlit night is like the night of doom; moonbeams burn like the sun. The bed of lotuses is like a forest of spears; the raincloud pours as if raining hot oil. Those that were friendly now cause pain; the breeze in all its three forms is like a serpent's breath. By telling my grief it might be lessened — but to whom shall I tell it? No one knows it. The true essence of the love between you and me, beloved, only my mind knows. And that mind of mine ever dwells with you; know the flavour of our love from this alone.' Hearing the Lord's message, Vaidehi was so lost in love that she lost awareness of her body. The monkey said, 'Take courage in your heart, mother; remember Shri Ram, who gives joy to his servants. Bring to mind the majesty of Shri Raghunath and, hearing my words, cast off your faintheartedness.'

निसिचर निकर पतंग सम रघुपति बान कृसानु। जननी हृदयँ धीर धरु जरे निसाचर जानु।।15।।

'The hosts of demons are like moths, and Shri Ram's arrows like fire. Mother, hold courage in your heart — consider the demons already burnt.'

जौं रघुबीर होति सुधि पाई। करते नहिं बिलंबु रघुराई।। रामबान रबि उएँ जानकी। तम बरूथ कहँ जातुधान की।। अबहिं मातु मैं जाउँ लवाई। प्रभु आयसु नहिं राम दोहाई।। कछुक दिवस जननी धरु धीरा। कपिन्ह सहित अइहहिं रघुबीरा।। निसिचर मारि तोहि लै जैहहिं। तिहुँ पुर नारदादि जसु गैहहिं।। हैं सुत कपि सब तुम्हहि समाना। जातुधान अति भट बलवाना।। मोरें हृदय परम संदेहा। सुनि कपि प्रगट कीन्ह निज देहा।। कनक भूधराकार सरीरा। समर भयंकर अतिबल बीरा।। सीता मन भरोस तब भयऊ। पुनि लघु रूप पवनसुत लयऊ।।

'Had Shri Raghuveer got the news, the Lord of the Raghus would not have delayed. Once Shri Ram's arrows rise like the sun, Janaki, where will the demons' host of darkness be? Even now, mother, I could carry you away — but there is no command of the Lord, I swear by Shri Ram. Hold patience for a few days, mother; Shri Raghuveer will come with the monkeys, slay the demons and take you away, and in all three worlds Narad and others will sing his glory.' 'But my sons,' said Sita, 'these monkeys are all like you, while the demons are very mighty warriors; there is great doubt in my heart.' Hearing this, the monkey revealed his true body — a form like a golden mountain, terrible in battle, immensely strong and heroic. Then Sita gained assurance in her mind, and the son of the Wind again took his tiny form.

सुनु माता साखामृग नहिं बल बुद्धि बिसाल। प्रभु प्रताप तें गरुड़हि खाइ परम लघु ब्याल।।16।।

'Listen, mother: a monkey has no great strength or wisdom, but by the Lord's might a very tiny snake can swallow even Garuda.'

मन संतोष सुनत कपि बानी। भगति प्रताप तेज बल सानी।। आसिष दीन्हि रामप्रिय जाना। होहु तात बल सील निधाना।। अजर अमर गुननिधि सुत होहू। करहुँ बहुत रघुनायक छोहू।। करहुँ कृपा प्रभु अस सुनि काना। निर्भर प्रेम मगन हनुमाना।। बार बार नाएसि पद सीसा। बोला बचन जोरि कर कीसा।। अब कृतकृत्य भयउँ मैं माता। आसिष तव अमोघ बिख्याता।। सुनहु मातु मोहि अतिसय भूखा। लागि देखि सुंदर फल रूखा।। सुनु सुत करहिं बिपिन रखवारी। परम सुभट रजनीचर भारी।। तिन्ह कर भय माता मोहि नाहीं। जौं तुम्ह सुख मानहु मन माहीं।।

Hearing the monkey's words, steeped in devotion, glory, splendour and strength, Sita's mind was satisfied. Knowing him dear to Shri Ram, she gave her blessing: 'Be, my son, a store of strength and virtue. Be ageless, immortal and a treasure of virtues, my son, and may Shri Raghunath show you much grace.' Hearing with his ears the words 'May the Lord be gracious,' Hanuman was overwhelmed with boundless love. Again and again he bowed his head at her feet, and with folded hands the monkey said, 'Now I am fulfilled, mother; your blessing is famed as unfailing. Listen, mother, I am very hungry, and I see these lovely fruit-laden trees.' 'Listen, son, mighty demon warriors guard this grove.' 'I have no fear of them, mother, if you feel happy in your heart to permit me.'

देखि बुद्धि बल निपुन कपि कहेउ जानकीं जाहु। रघुपति चरन हृदयँ धरि तात मधुर फल खाहु।।17।।

Seeing the monkey skilled in wisdom and strength, Janaki said, 'Go; hold Shri Raghunath's feet in your heart, dear one, and eat the sweet fruit.'

चलेउ नाइ सिरु पैठेउ बागा। फल खाएसि तरु तोरैं लागा।। रहे तहाँ बहु भट रखवारे। कछु मारेसि कछु जाइ पुकारे।। नाथ एक आवा कपि भारी। तेहिं असोक बाटिका उजारी।। खाएसि फल अरु बिटप उपारे। रच्छक मर्दि मर्दि महि डारे।। सुनि रावन पठए भट नाना। तिन्हहि देखि गर्जेउ हनुमाना।। सब रजनीचर कपि संघारे। गए पुकारत कछु अधमारे।। पुनि पठयउ तेहिं अच्छकुमारा। चला संग लै सुभट अपारा।। आवत देखि बिटप गहि तर्जा। ताहि निपाति महाधुनि गर्जा।।

Bowing his head, Hanuman entered the garden, ate the fruit and began to break the trees. Many warriors were on guard there; some he killed, and some went off crying out: 'Lord, a huge monkey has come and laid waste the Ashok grove! He has eaten the fruit, uprooted the trees and crushed the guards to the ground.' Hearing this, Ravana sent many warriors; seeing them, Hanuman roared. He slew all the demons; a few, half-dead, went off crying out. Then Ravana sent Prince Aksha (Akshaya Kumar), who went taking countless brave warriors. Seeing him come, Hanuman seized a tree and threatened him, and striking him down, roared with a mighty sound.

कछु मारेसि कछु मर्देसि कछु मिलएसि धरि धूरि। कछु पुनि जाइ पुकारे प्रभु मर्कट बल भूरि।।18।।

Some he slew, some he crushed, and some he ground into the dust; a few again went off and cried out to their lord Ravana, 'Great is the monkey's strength!'

सुनि सुत बध लंकेस रिसाना। पठएसि मेघनाद बलवाना।। मारसि जनि सुत बांधेसु ताही। देखिअ कपिहि कहाँ कर आही।। चला इंद्रजित अतुलित जोधा। बंधु निधन सुनि उपजा क्रोधा।। कपि देखा दारुन भट आवा। कटकटाइ गर्जा अरु धावा।। अति बिसाल तरु एक उपारा। बिरथ कीन्ह लंकेस कुमारा।। रहे महाभट ताके संगा। गहि गहि कपि मर्दइ निज अंगा।। तिन्हहि निपाति ताहि सन बाजा। भिरे जुगल मानहुँ गजराजा। मुठिका मारि चढ़ा तरु जाई। ताहि एक छन मुरुछा आई।। उठि बहोरि कीन्हिसि बहु माया। जीति न जाइ प्रभंजन जाया।।

Hearing of his son's death, the lord of Lanka grew furious and sent the mighty Meghnad, saying, 'Do not kill him, but bind him, my son, and let us see this monkey — who is he and whence has he come?' Indrajit (Meghnad), a warrior of matchless might, set out, wrath rising in him on hearing of his brother's death. The monkey saw the terrible warrior approach, gnashed his teeth, roared and charged. He uprooted a huge tree and made the prince of Lanka chariot-less. The great warriors with Meghnad the monkey seized and crushed against his own limbs. Slaying them, he clashed with Meghnad; the two grappled like two lordly elephants. Striking him a blow of his fist, the monkey climbed up a tree; for a moment Meghnad fainted. Rising again, Meghnad worked much magic, but the son of the Wind (Prabhanjan) could not be conquered.

ब्रह्म अस्त्र तेहिं साँधा कपि मन कीन्ह बिचार। जौं न ब्रह्मसर मानउँ महिमा मिटइ अपार।।19।।

Then Meghnad fitted the Brahma-astra to his bow. The monkey reflected in his mind, 'If I do not honour the Brahma-weapon, its boundless glory will be lost.'

ब्रह्मबान कपि कहुँ तेहि मारा। परतिहुँ बार कटकु संघारा।। तेहि देखा कपि मुरुछित भयऊ। नागपास बाँधेसि लै गयऊ।। जासु नाम जपि सुनहु भवानी। भव बंधन काटहिं नर ग्यानी।। तासु दूत कि बंध तरु आवा। प्रभु कारज लगि कपिहिं बँधावा।। कपि बंधन सुनि निसिचर धाए। कौतुक लागि सभाँ सब आए।। दसमुख सभा दीखि कपि जाई। कहि न जाइ कछु अति प्रभुताई।। कर जोरें सुर दिसिप बिनीता। भृकुटि बिलोकत सकल सभीता।। देखि प्रताप न कपि मन संका। जिमि अहिगन महुँ गरुड़ असंका।।

Meghnad struck the monkey with the Brahma-arrow, but even so the monkey had slain his army many times over. Seeing the monkey seemingly stunned, Meghnad bound him with the Naga-noose and carried him off. (Listen, Bhavani, says Shiva: by repeating whose name the wise cut the bonds of worldly existence — can his messenger really be bound? For the Lord's work the monkey let himself be bound.) Hearing that the monkey was captured, the demons rushed in, and all came to the court out of curiosity. Going to the ten-headed one's assembly, the monkey saw a majesty beyond words. The gods and guardians of the quarters stood there with folded hands, humble and all afraid, watching Ravana's frowning brows. Seeing his majesty, there was no fear in the monkey's mind — like Garuda unafraid amid a host of snakes.

कपिहि बिलोकि दसानन बिहसा कहि दुर्बाद। सुत बध सुरति कीन्हि पुनि उपजा हृदयँ बिषाद।।20।।

Beholding the monkey, the ten-headed Ravana laughed and spoke insultingly; then, remembering his son's death, sorrow arose in his heart.

कह लंकेस कवन तैं कीसा। केहिं के बल घालेहि बन खीसा।। की धौं श्रवन सुनेहि नहिं मोही। देखउँ अति असंक सठ तोही।। मारे निसिचर केहिं अपराधा। कहु सठ तोहि न प्रान कइ बाधा।। सुन रावन ब्रह्मांड निकाया। पाइ जासु बल बिरचित माया।। जाकें बल बिरंचि हरि ईसा। पालत सृजत हरत दससीसा। जा बल सीस धरत सहसानन। अंडकोस समेत गिरि कानन।। धरइ जो बिबिध देह सुरत्राता। तुम्ह ते सठन्ह सिखावनु दाता। हर कोदंड कठिन जेहि भंजा। तेहि समेत नृप दल मद गंजा।। खर दूषन त्रिसिरा अरु बाली। बधे सकल अतुलित बलसाली।।

The lord of Lanka said, 'Who are you, monkey? By whose strength did you lay the grove waste? Have you not heard of me, fool, that I see you so utterly fearless? For what offence did you kill the demons? Tell me, fool, do you not fear for your life?' 'Listen, Ravana,' the monkey replied, 'he by whose strength the multitude of universes and Maya were fashioned; by whose might Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva create, preserve and destroy, O ten-headed one; by whose strength the thousand-headed Shesha bears the earth with its mountains and forests upon his head; who assumes various bodies to protect the gods and teach a lesson to fools like you; who broke Shiva's mighty bow and crushed the pride of the assembled kings along with it, and who slew Khar, Dushan, Trishira and Bali — all matchless in strength.'

जाके बल लवलेस तें जितेहु चराचर झारि। तासु दूत मैं जा करि हरि आनेहु प्रिय नारि।।21।।

'By a mere fraction of whose strength you conquered all moving and unmoving creation — I am the messenger of that Lord, whose beloved wife you have carried away.'

जानउँ मैं तुम्हारि प्रभुताई। सहसबाहु सन परी लराई।। समर बालि सन करि जसु पावा। सुनि कपि बचन बिहसि बिहरावा।। खायउँ फल प्रभु लागी भूँखा। कपि सुभाव तें तोरेउँ रूखा।। सब कें देह परम प्रिय स्वामी। मारहिं मोहि कुमारग गामी।। जिन्ह मोहि मारा ते मैं मारे। तेहि पर बाँधेउ तनयँ तुम्हारे।। मोहि न कछु बाँधे कइ लाजा। कीन्ह चहउँ निज प्रभु कर काजा।। बिनती करउँ जोरि कर रावन। सुनहु मान तजि मोर सिखावन।। देखहु तुम्ह निज कुलहि बिचारी। भ्रम तजि भजहु भगत भय हारी।। जाकें डर अति काल डेराई। जो सुर असुर चराचर खाई।। तासों बयरु कबहुँ नहिं कीजै। मोरे कहें जानकी दीजै।।

'I know your might — how you fought with the thousand-armed Kartavirya, and won fame in battle against Bali.' Hearing the monkey's words, Ravana laughed them off. 'I ate the fruit because I was hungry, Lord; and by a monkey's nature I broke the trees. To everyone his own body is very dear, master; when the wicked ones came to kill me, those who struck me I struck back. Then your son bound me; I feel no shame at being bound, for I wish to accomplish my Lord's work. I make a request to you with folded hands, Ravana; give up your pride and heed my counsel. Reflect on your own noble lineage; cast off delusion and worship Shri Ram, who dispels the fears of his devotees. He whom even Death itself dreads, who devours gods, demons and all creation — never make enmity with him. Heed my word and give Janaki back.'

प्रनतपाल रघुनायक करुना सिंधु खरारि। गएँ सरन प्रभु राखिहैं तव अपराध बिसारि।।22।।

'Shri Raghunath is the protector of the humble, the ocean of compassion, the slayer of Khar; if you go to him for refuge, the Lord will forgive your offence and shelter you.'

राम चरन पंकज उर धरहू। लंका अचल राज तुम्ह करहू।। रिषि पुलिस्त जसु बिमल मंयका। तेहि ससि महुँ जनि होहु कलंका।। राम नाम बिनु गिरा न सोहा। देखु बिचारि त्यागि मद मोहा।। बसन हीन नहिं सोह सुरारी। सब भूषण भूषित बर नारी।। राम बिमुख संपति प्रभुताई। जाइ रही पाई बिनु पाई।। सजल मूल जिन्ह सरितन्ह नाहीं। बरषि गए पुनि तबहिं सुखाहीं।। सुनु दसकंठ कहउँ पन रोपी। बिमुख राम त्राता नहिं कोपी।। संकर सहस बिष्नु अज तोही। सकहिं न राखि राम कर द्रोही।।

'Hold Shri Ram's lotus feet in your heart and rule Lanka in unshaken sovereignty. Sage Pulastya's fame is a spotless moon; do not become a blot upon that moon. Without Shri Ram's name speech has no beauty; consider this and give up pride and delusion. As a beautiful woman, though adorned with all ornaments, has no grace without clothes, O enemy of the gods — so does wealth and lordship without Shri Ram: it comes and stays only to depart, gain that is no gain. Just as rivers without a source of water dry up as soon as the rains have passed — so hear, ten-necked one, I declare this vow: for one turned away from Shri Ram there is no protector, even if angry. Shankar, thousands of Vishnus and Brahma cannot protect one who is a foe of Shri Ram.'

मोहमूल बहु सूल प्रद त्यागहु तम अभिमान। भजहु राम रघुनायक कृपा सिंधु भगवान।।23।।

'Cast off this darkness of pride, rooted in delusion and giving much pain; worship Shri Ram, the lord of the Raghus, the ocean of compassion, the Lord God.'

जदपि कहि कपि अति हित बानी। भगति बिबेक बिरति नय सानी।। बोला बिहसि महा अभिमानी। मिला हमहि कपि गुर बड़ ग्यानी।। मृत्यु निकट आई खल तोही। लागेसि अधम सिखावन मोही।। उलटा होइहि कह हनुमाना। मतिभ्रम तोर प्रगट मैं जाना।। सुनि कपि बचन बहुत खिसिआना। बेगि न हरहुँ मूढ़ कर प्राना।। सुनत निसाचर मारन धाए। सचिवन्ह सहित बिभीषनु आए। नाइ सीस करि बिनय बहूता। नीति बिरोध न मारिअ दूता।। आन दंड कछु करिअ गोसाँई। सबहीं कहा मंत्र भल भाई।। सुनत बिहसि बोला दसकंधर। अंग भंग करि पठइअ बंदर।।

Although the monkey spoke words of great goodwill, steeped in devotion, discernment, dispassion and wisdom, the greatly arrogant Ravana laughed and said, 'We have found in this monkey a great wise guru! Death has drawn near you, wretch, that you, a base creature, begin to instruct me!' 'It will be the other way round,' said Hanuman; 'your mind's delusion is clear to me.' Hearing the monkey's words, Ravana was much enraged: 'Why do you not quickly take this fool's life?' At this the demons rushed to kill him, but Vibhishan came with his ministers, and bowing his head, prayed earnestly, 'It is against statecraft to kill an envoy, master; give him some other punishment.' All said, 'Well counselled, brother.' Hearing this, the ten-headed one laughed and said, 'Maim the monkey and send him back.'

कपि कें ममता पूँछ पर सबहि कहउँ समुझाइ। तेल बोरि पट बाँधि पुनि पावक देहु लगाइ।।24।।

'A monkey holds its tail very dear — this I tell you all, that you may understand. Soak cloth in oil, wrap it round the tail, and then set it alight with fire.'

पूँछहीन बानर तहँ जाइहि। तब सठ निज नाथहि लइ आइहि।। जिन्ह कै कीन्हसि बहुत बड़ाई। देखेउँमैं तिन्ह कै प्रभुताई।। बचन सुनत कपि मन मुसुकाना। भइ सहाय सारद मैं जाना।। जातुधान सुनि रावन बचना। लागे रचैं मूढ़ सोइ रचना।। रहा न नगर बसन घृत तेला। बाढ़ी पूँछ कीन्ह कपि खेला।। कौतुक कहँ आए पुरबासी। मारहिं चरन करहिं बहु हाँसी।। बाजहिं ढोल देहिं सब तारी। नगर फेरि पुनि पूँछ प्रजारी।। पावक जरत देखि हनुमंता। भयउ परम लघु रुप तुरंता।। निबुकि चढ़ेउ कपि कनक अटारीं। भई सभीत निसाचर नारीं।।

'The tailless monkey will go back there, and then the fool will bring his master here; those whose greatness he praises so much — I too would see their might!' Hearing these words the monkey smiled in his mind: 'Saraswati has come to my aid, I know.' Hearing Ravana's command, the foolish demons began arranging just that. No cloth, ghee or oil was left in the city, so much did his tail grow — the monkey made great sport. The townsfolk came to see the spectacle; they struck him with their feet and mocked him much. Drums were beaten and all clapped; they led him through the city and set his tail ablaze. Seeing the fire burning, Hanuman at once became very tiny, slipped free and leapt up onto the golden mansions; the demon women were struck with fear.

हरि प्रेरित तेहि अवसर चले मरुत उनचास। अट्टहास करि गर्ज़ा कपि बढ़ि लाग अकास।।25।।

At that moment, impelled by Shri Hari, the forty-nine winds began to blow; laughing loudly and roaring, the monkey grew and leapt up towards the sky.

देह बिसाल परम हरुआई। मंदिर तें मंदिर चढ़ धाई।। जरइ नगर भा लोग बिहाला। झपट लपट बहु कोटि कराला।। तात मातु हा सुनिअ पुकारा। एहि अवसर को हमहि उबारा।। हम जो कहा यह कपि नहिं होई। बानर रूप धरें सुर कोई।। साधु अवग्या कर फलु ऐसा। जरइ नगर अनाथ कर जैसा।। जारा नगरु निमिष एक माहीं। एक बिभीषन कर गृह नाहीं।। ता कर दूत अनल जेहिं सिरिजा। जरा न सो तेहि कारन गिरिजा।। उलटि पलटि लंका सब जारी। कूदि परा पुनि सिंधु मझारी।।

His body grew huge yet very light; he ran leaping from mansion to mansion. The city burned and the people were distraught; huge, terrible flames leapt and darted in millions. 'O father! O mother!' were the cries heard; 'who will save us at such a time?' 'Did we not say this was no monkey — it is some god in the form of a monkey! Such is the fruit of contempt for a holy man: the city burns as if it were masterless.' He burned the whole city in a moment, but not one house — that of Vibhishan alone — did the fire touch. (He whose messenger the fire is, and who himself created it — why should the fire burn him? For that reason, says Shiva to Girija.) Overturning and upsetting all Lanka, he burned it, then leapt and plunged into the ocean.

पूँछ बुझाइ खोइ श्रम धरि लघु रूप बहोरि। जनकसुता के आगें ठाढ़ भयउ कर जोरि।।26।।

Quenching his tail and washing off his weariness, taking a tiny form again, the monkey stood with folded hands before Janak's daughter (Sita).

मातु मोहि दीजे कछु चीन्हा। जैसें रघुनायक मोहि दीन्हा।। चूड़ामनि उतारि तब दयऊ। हरष समेत पवनसुत लयऊ।। कहेहु तात अस मोर प्रनामा। सब प्रकार प्रभु पूरनकामा।। दीन दयाल बिरिदु संभारी। हरहु नाथ मम संकट भारी।। तात सक्रसुत कथा सुनाएहु। बान प्रताप प्रभुहि समुझाएहु।। मास दिवस महुँ नाथु न आवा। तौ पुनि मोहि जिअत नहिं पावा।। कहु कपि केहि बिधि राखौं प्राना। तुम्हहू तात कहत अब जाना।। तोहि देखि सीतलि भइ छाती। पुनि मो कहुँ सोइ दिनु सो राती।।

'Mother, give me some token, such as Shri Raghunath gave me.' Then, taking off her crest-jewel (chudamani), she gave it, and the son of the Wind took it with joy. 'Give my obeisance thus, dear one, and say: The Lord is fulfilled in every way, yet remembering your title of being merciful to the meek, remove, O Lord, this heavy affliction of mine. Tell him, dear one, the story of Indra's son (the crow) and remind the Lord of the might of his arrow. If my Lord does not come within a month, he will not find me alive. Tell me, monkey, by what means shall I keep my life, when even you, dear son, now speak of departing? Seeing you, my heart was cooled; then again for me will come those same days and nights (of sorrow).'

जनकसुतहि समुझाइ करि बहु बिधि धीरजु दीन्ह। चरन कमल सिरु नाइ कपि गवनु राम पहिं कीन्ह।।27।।

Consoling Janak's daughter and giving her much comfort in many ways, the monkey bowed his head at her lotus feet and set off toward Shri Ram.

चलत महाधुनि गर्जेसि भारी। गर्भ स्त्रवहिं सुनि निसिचर नारी।। नाघि सिंधु एहि पारहि आवा। सबद किलकिला कपिन्ह सुनावा।। हरषे सब बिलोकि हनुमाना। नूतन जन्म कपिन्ह तब जाना।। मुख प्रसन्न तन तेज बिराजा। कीन्हेसि रामचन्द्र कर काजा।। मिले सकल अति भए सुखारी। तलफत मीन पाव जिमि बारी।। चले हरषि रघुनायक पासा। पूँछत कहत नवल इतिहासा।। तब मधुबन भीतर सब आए। अंगद संमत मधु फल खाए।। रखवारे जब बरजन लागे। मुष्टि प्रहार हनत सब भागे।।

As he set off he roared with a mighty sound, and hearing it the demon women miscarried. Crossing the ocean, he arrived on this shore and let out a shrill cry that the monkeys heard. All rejoiced to behold Hanuman; then the monkeys knew a new life had come to them. His face was cheerful and his body glowed with splendour, for he had accomplished Shri Ramchandra's work. All met him and were very happy, as a floundering fish revives on getting water. They set off joyfully towards Shri Raghunath, asking and telling this fresh tale. Then they all came into the Madhuban (honey-grove); with Angad's consent they ate the honey and fruit. When the guards began to stop them, they were beaten with fists and all fled.

जाइ पुकारे ते सब बन उजार जुबराज। सुनि सुग्रीव हरष कपि करि आए प्रभु काज।।28।।

Those guards all went and cried out, 'The crown-prince (Angad) has laid the grove waste!' Hearing this Sugriva rejoiced, knowing the monkeys had come having accomplished the Lord's work.

जौं न होति सीता सुधि पाई। मधुबन के फल सकहिं कि खाई।। एहि बिधि मन बिचार कर राजा। आइ गए कपि सहित समाजा।। आइ सबन्हि नावा पद सीसा। मिलेउ सबन्हि अति प्रेम कपीसा।। पूँछी कुसल कुसल पद देखी। राम कृपाँ भा काजु बिसेषी।। नाथ काजु कीन्हेउ हनुमाना। राखे सकल कपिन्ह के प्राना।। सुनि सुग्रीव बहुरि तेहि मिलेऊ। कपिन्ह सहित रघुपति पहिं चलेऊ। राम कपिन्ह जब आवत देखा। किएँ काजु मन हरष बिसेषा।। फटिक सिला बैठे द्वौ भाई। परे सकल कपि चरनन्हि जाई।।

'Had they not got news of Sita, could they have eaten the fruit of the Madhuban?' Thus the king (Sugriva) reflected in his mind, and the monkeys arrived with their company. All came and bowed their heads at his feet, and the lord of the monkeys met them with great love. He asked their welfare; seeing their auspicious feet, he knew that by Shri Ram's grace the work was specially accomplished. 'Lord, Hanuman has done the deed and saved the lives of all the monkeys.' Hearing this, Sugriva embraced Hanuman again, and set off with the monkeys towards Shri Raghunath. When Shri Ram saw them coming, having accomplished the task, his heart felt special joy. The two brothers were seated on a crystal rock, and all the monkeys went and fell at their feet.

प्रीति सहित सब भेटे रघुपति करुना पुंज। पूँछी कुसल नाथ अब कुसल देखि पद कंज।।29।।

Shri Raghunath, the embodiment of compassion, met them all with affection and asked their welfare: 'All is well now, since I behold your lotus feet.'

जामवंत कह सुनु रघुराया। जा पर नाथ करहु तुम्ह दाया।। ताहि सदा सुभ कुसल निरंतर। सुर नर मुनि प्रसन्न ता ऊपर।। सोइ बिजई बिनई गुन सागर। तासु सुजसु त्रेलोक उजागर।। प्रभु कीं कृपा भयउ सबु काजू। जन्म हमार सुफल भा आजू।। नाथ पवनसुत कीन्हि जो करनी। सहसहुँ मुख न जाइ सो बरनी।। पवनतनय के चरित सुहाए। जामवंत रघुपतिहि सुनाए।। सुनत कृपानिधि मन अति भाए। पुनि हनुमान हरषि हियँ लाए।। कहहु तात केहि भाँति जानकी। रहति करति रच्छा स्वप्रान की।।

Jambavan said, 'Listen, O lord of the Raghus: he on whom you, Lord, bestow your grace, to him belong lasting good fortune and unbroken welfare; gods, men and sages are pleased with him. He alone is victorious, humble and an ocean of virtues, and his fair fame illumines the three worlds. By your grace all our work is done, and our birth has become fruitful this day. What the son of the Wind has done, master, cannot be described even by a thousand mouths.' Jambavan recounted to Shri Raghunath the fair deeds of the son of the Wind. Hearing them, the Ocean of Grace was greatly delighted in his mind, and joyfully clasped Hanuman to his heart. 'Tell me, dear one, in what manner does Janaki live and guard her own life?'

नाम पाहरु दिवस निसि ध्यान तुम्हार कपाट। लोचन निज पद जंत्रित जाहिं प्रान केहिं बाट।।30।।

Hanuman replied, 'Your name is her sentinel day and night, meditation upon you is the door, and her eyes fixed on her own feet are the lock — by what path could her life escape?'

चलत मोहि चूड़ामनि दीन्ही। रघुपति हृदयँ लाइ सोइ लीन्ही।। नाथ जुगल लोचन भरि बारी। बचन कहे कछु जनककुमारी।। अनुज समेत गहेहु प्रभु चरना। दीन बंधु प्रनतारति हरना।। मन क्रम बचन चरन अनुरागी। केहि अपराध नाथ हौं त्यागी।। अवगुन एक मोर मैं माना। बिछुरत प्रान न कीन्ह पयाना।। नाथ सो नयनन्हि को अपराधा। निसरत प्रान करिहिं हठि बाधा।। बिरह अगिनि तनु तूल समीरा। स्वास जरइ छन माहिं सरीरा।। नयन स्त्रवहि जलु निज हित लागी। जरैं न पाव देह बिरहागी। सीता के अति बिपति बिसाला। बिनहिं कहें भलि दीनदयाला।।

'As I set out, she gave me her crest-jewel.' Shri Raghunath pressed it to his heart. 'O Lord, with both her eyes brimming with tears, Janak's daughter said a few words: Clasp the Lord's feet with his younger brother, the friend of the humble and reliever of the distress of suppliants. In thought, word and deed I am devoted to his feet; for what offence, Lord, have you forsaken me? One fault of mine I do own — that at parting my life did not depart. But, Lord, it is my eyes' fault that they forcibly hinder my life from leaving. The fire of separation is the body, its wick, and the breath the wind; the body could be burnt to ashes in a moment, yet my eyes shed water for their own sake and so the body does not burn in the fire of separation.' 'Sita is in immense distress; it is well, O merciful to the meek, to say no more of it (than this).'

निमिष निमिष करुनानिधि जाहिं कलप सम बीति। बेगि चलिय प्रभु आनिअ भुज बल खल दल जीति।।31।।

'For the Ocean of Compassion (Sita) each moment passes like an age. Come quickly, Lord, and by the might of your arm conquer the wicked host and bring her back.'

सुनि सीता दुख प्रभु सुख अयना। भरि आए जल राजिव नयना।। बचन काँय मन मम गति जाही। सपनेहुँ बूझिअ बिपति कि ताही।। कह हनुमंत बिपति प्रभु सोई। जब तव सुमिरन भजन न होई।। केतिक बात प्रभु जातुधान की। रिपुहि जीति आनिबी जानकी।। सुनु कपि तोहि समान उपकारी। नहिं कोउ सुर नर मुनि तनुधारी।। प्रति उपकार करौं का तोरा। सनमुख होइ न सकत मन मोरा।। सुनु सुत उरिन मैं नाहीं। देखेउँ करि बिचार मन माहीं।। पुनि पुनि कपिहि चितव सुरत्राता। लोचन नीर पुलक अति गाता।।

Hearing of Sita's sorrow, the Lord, that abode of bliss, filled his lotus eyes with tears. 'She to whom my mind, speech and body ever go — should she meet with adversity even in dreams?' Hanuman said, 'Lord, that alone is the true calamity, when your remembrance and worship do not take place. What are the demons to you, Lord? Conquering the foe you will bring Janaki back.' 'Listen, monkey, there is no benefactor equal to you among gods, men, sages or any embodied being. What return can I make you? My mind cannot even face you as an equal. Listen, son: I have reflected in my mind and see that I cannot be free of my debt to you.' Again and again the Lord, protector of the gods, gazed at the monkey, his eyes wet and his body thrilling with joy.

सुनि प्रभु बचन बिलोकि मुख गात हरषि हनुमंत। चरन परेउ प्रेमाकुल त्राहि त्राहि भगवंत।।32।।

Hearing the Lord's words and beholding his face and form, Hanuman rejoiced and fell at his feet, overwhelmed with love, crying, 'Save me, save me, O Lord!'

बार बार प्रभु चहइ उठावा। प्रेम मगन तेहि उठब न भावा।। प्रभु कर पंकज कपि कें सीसा। सुमिरि सो दसा मगन गौरीसा।। सावधान मन करि पुनि संकर। लागे कहन कथा अति सुंदर।। कपि उठाइ प्रभु हृदयँ लगावा। कर गहि परम निकट बैठावा।। कहु कपि रावन पालित लंका। केहि बिधि दहेउ दुर्ग अति बंका।। प्रभु प्रसन्न जाना हनुमाना। बोला बचन बिगत अभिमाना।। साखामृग के बड़ि मनुसाई। साखा तें साखा पर जाई।। नाघि सिंधु हाटकपुर जारा। निसिचर गन बिधि बिपिन उजारा। सो सब तव प्रताप रघुराई। नाथ न कछू मोरि प्रभुताई।।

Again and again the Lord wished to raise him up, but Hanuman, lost in love, did not care to rise. The Lord's lotus hand was on the monkey's head — remembering that state, Shiva (the Lord of Gauri) became absorbed in it. Then, collecting his mind, Shankar resumed telling the exceedingly beautiful tale. The Lord raised the monkey and clasped him to his heart, and taking his hand seated him very close. 'Tell me, monkey, how did you burn the fortress of Lanka, ruled by Ravana and so very strong?' Hanuman, knowing the Lord pleased, spoke words free of pride: 'A monkey's great feat is only to leap from branch to branch. That I crossed the ocean and burned the golden city, laid waste the grove and destroyed the demon host — that was all your might, O Lord of the Raghus; nothing of it, master, was my own doing.'

ता कहुँ प्रभु कछु अगम नहिं जा पर तुम्ह अनुकुल। तब प्रभावँ बड़वानलहिं जारि सकइ खलु तूल।।33।।

'For him to whom you are favourable, Lord, nothing is unattainable. By your power, master, even a wisp of cotton can indeed burn up the submarine fire (Badavagni).'

नाथ भगति अति सुखदायनी। देहु कृपा करि अनपायनी।। सुनि प्रभु परम सरल कपि बानी। एवमस्तु तब कहेउ भवानी।। उमा राम सुभाउ जेहिं जाना। ताहि भजनु तजि भाव न आना।। यह संवाद जासु उर आवा। रघुपति चरन भगति सोइ पावा।। सुनि प्रभु बचन कहहिं कपिबृंदा। जय जय जय कृपाल सुखकंदा।। तब रघुपति कपिपतिहि बोलावा। कहा चलैं कर करहु बनावा।। अब बिलंबु केहि कारन कीजे। तुरत कपिन्ह कहुँ आयसु दीजे।। कौतुक देखि सुमन बहु बरषी। नभ तें भवन चले सुर हरषी।।

'Lord, grant me, in your grace, that devotion which is most joy-giving and never fails.' Hearing the monkey's utterly guileless words, the Lord said, 'So be it,' O Bhavani. (Uma, whoever has known Shri Ram's nature — for him nothing pleases but to worship Ram, giving up all else. Whoever takes this dialogue into his heart attains devotion to Shri Raghunath's feet.) Hearing the Lord's words the host of monkeys cried, 'Victory, victory, victory to the merciful fount of joy!' Then Shri Raghunath summoned Sugriva, the lord of the monkeys, and said, 'Make arrangements for the march. Why delay any longer? Give the command to the monkeys at once.' Watching this spectacle, the gods rained down many flowers and returned to their abodes in joy.

कपिपति बेगि बोलाए आए जूथप जूथ। नाना बरन अतुल बल बानर भालु बरूथ।।34।।

The lord of the monkeys quickly summoned them, and troop upon troop of leaders came — hosts of monkeys and bears of many colours and immeasurable strength.

प्रभु पद पंकज नावहिं सीसा। गरजहिं भालु महाबल कीसा।। देखी राम सकल कपि सेना। चितइ कृपा करि राजिव नैना।। राम कृपा बल पाइ कपिंदा। भए पच्छजुत मनहुँ गिरिंदा।। हरषि राम तब कीन्ह पयाना। सगुन भए सुंदर सुभ नाना।। जासु सकल मंगलमय कीती। तासु पयान सगुन यह नीती।। प्रभु पयान जाना बैदेहीं। फरकि बाम अँग जनु कहि देहीं।। जोइ जोइ सगुन जानकिहि होई। असगुन भयउ रावनहि सोई।। चला कटकु को बरनैं पारा। गर्जहि बानर भालु अपारा।। नख आयुध गिरि पादपधारी। चले गगन महि इच्छाचारी।। केहरिनाद भालु कपि करहीं। डगमगाहिं दिग्गज चिक्करहीं।।

They bowed their heads at the Lord's lotus feet, and the mighty bears and monkeys roared. Shri Ram beheld the whole monkey army and looked upon them graciously with his lotus eyes. Gaining strength from Shri Ram's grace, the monkey-chiefs became like mountains that had grown wings. Then Shri Ram joyfully set out, and many beautiful, auspicious omens occurred. For him whose fame is all auspiciousness, such favourable omens at his march are but fitting. Vaidehi knew of the Lord's march, for her left limbs throbbed as if telling her. Whatever omen was favourable to Janaki, that same became inauspicious for Ravana. The army marched — who could describe it? — the countless monkeys and bears roared. Bearing nails as weapons, wielding mountains and trees, they moved through sky and earth at will. The bears and monkeys made lion-roars; the elephants of the quarters staggered and trumpeted.

चिक्करहिं दिग्गज डोल महि गिरि लोल सागर खरभरे। मन हरष सभ गंधर्ब सुर मुनि नाग किन्नर दुख टरे।। कटकटहिं मर्कट बिकट भट बहु कोटि कोटिन्ह धावहीं। जय राम प्रबल प्रताप कोसलनाथ गुन गन गावहीं।।1।। सहि सक न भार उदार अहिपति बार बारहिं मोहई। गह दसन पुनि पुनि कमठ पृष्ट कठोर सो किमि सोहई।। रघुबीर रुचिर प्रयान प्रस्थिति जानि परम सुहावनी। जनु कमठ खर्पर सर्पराज सो लिखत अबिचल पावनी।।2।।

The elephants of the quarters trumpeted, the earth shook, the mountains quivered and the oceans were in turmoil. In their hearts the Gandharvas, gods, sages, Nagas and Kinnaras rejoiced, their sorrows removed. Countless millions of fierce monkey warriors gnashed their teeth and rushed on, singing the host of virtues of the valiant Ram, lord of Kaushal. Sheshnag, lord of serpents, though so noble, could not bear the burden and was again and again faint; he seized the hard shell of the tortoise (that upholds the earth) again and again with his teeth — how splendid he looked! Knowing the beautiful, majestic march of Shri Raghuveer, it was as if Sheshnag were inscribing this holy, immortal record upon the tortoise's shell.

एहि बिधि जाइ कृपानिधि उतरे सागर तीर। जहँ तहँ लागे खान फल भालु बिपुल कपि बीर।।35।।

In this way the Ocean of Grace (Shri Ram) journeyed on and came down to the seashore, where the many bears and valiant monkeys fell to eating fruit here and there.

उहाँ निसाचर रहहिं ससंका। जब ते जारि गयउ कपि लंका।। निज निज गृहँ सब करहिं बिचारा। नहिं निसिचर कुल केर उबारा।। जासु दूत बल बरनि न जाई। तेहि आएँ पुर कवन भलाई।। दूतन्हि सन सुनि पुरजन बानी। मंदोदरी अधिक अकुलानी।। रहसि जोरि कर पति पग लागी। बोली बचन नीति रस पागी।। कंत करष हरि सन परिहरहू। मोर कहा अति हित हियँ धरहु।। समुझत जासु दूत कइ करनी। स्त्रवहीं गर्भ रजनीचर धरनी।। तासु नारि निज सचिव बोलाई। पठवहु कंत जो चहहु भलाई।। तब कुल कमल बिपिन दुखदाई। सीता सीत निसा सम आई।। सुनहु नाथ सीता बिनु दीन्हें। हित न तुम्हार संभु अज कीन्हें।।

There the demons dwelt in dread ever since the monkey burned Lanka and left. In their homes all reflected, 'There is no saving the demon race. He whose messenger's strength cannot be described — what good can come of his (master's) coming to the city?' Hearing this talk of the townsfolk from the envoys, Mandodari grew greatly distressed. In private she clasped her hands, fell at her husband's feet, and spoke words steeped in the essence of wisdom: 'My lord, give up enmity with Shri Hari; hold my words, most beneficial, dear in your heart. Merely recalling whose messenger's deeds the demon women miscarry — send back his wife, husband, by your own ministers, if you wish your good. Sita has come to the garden of your lineage like a cold, frosty night to a bed of lotuses. Listen, lord, without giving Sita back, neither Shambhu nor Brahma can do you any good.'

-राम बान अहि गन सरिस निकर निसाचर भेक। जब लगि ग्रसत न तब लगि जतनु करहु तजि टेक।।36।।

'Shri Ram's arrows are like a host of serpents, and the demon multitude like frogs. So long as they have not devoured you, make effort — give up your obstinacy.'

श्रवन सुनी सठ ता करि बानी। बिहसा जगत बिदित अभिमानी।। सभय सुभाउ नारि कर साचा। मंगल महुँ भय मन अति काचा।। जौं आवइ मर्कट कटकाई। जिअहिं बिचारे निसिचर खाई।। कंपहिं लोकप जाकी त्रासा। तासु नारि सभीत बड़ि हासा।। अस कहि बिहसि ताहि उर लाई। चलेउ सभाँ ममता अधिकाई।। मंदोदरी हृदयँ कर चिंता। भयउ कंत पर बिधि बिपरीता।। बैठेउ सभाँ खबरि असि पाई। सिंधु पार सेना सब आई।। बूझेसि सचिव उचित मत कहहू। ते सब हँसे मष्ट करि रहहू।। जितेहु सुरासुर तब श्रम नाहीं। नर बानर केहि लेखे माही।।

Hearing her words with his ears, the fool, world-famous for his arrogance, laughed: 'A woman's nature is by nature timid — even in a happy hour her feeble mind is full of fear. If the monkey army comes, the poor demons will live by devouring them! She at whose terror the guardians of the worlds tremble — that his wife should be afraid is a great joke!' Saying this, he laughed and clasped her to his heart, then walked to court with even greater fondness. In her heart Mandodari felt anxious: 'Fate has turned against my husband.' Ravana sat in his court, having received the news that the whole army had come across the ocean. He asked his ministers, 'Tell me sound counsel.' They all laughed and said, 'Keep quiet! When you conquered gods and demons without any trouble, of what account are men and monkeys?'

सचिव बैद गुर तीनि जौं प्रिय बोलहिं भय आस। राज धर्म तन तीनि कर होइ बेगिहीं नास।।37।।

If minister, physician and teacher — these three — speak pleasing words out of fear or hope of gain, then of kingdom, health and faith — these three respectively — swift ruin comes.

सोइ रावन कहुँ बनि सहाई। अस्तुति करहिं सुनाइ सुनाई।। अवसर जानि बिभीषनु आवा। भ्राता चरन सीसु तेहिं नावा।। पुनि सिरु नाइ बैठ निज आसन। बोला बचन पाइ अनुसासन।। जौ कृपाल पूँछिहु मोहि बाता। मति अनुरुप कहउँ हित ताता।। जो आपन चाहै कल्याना। सुजसु सुमति सुभ गति सुख नाना।। सो परनारि लिलार गोसाईं। तजउ चउथि के चंद कि नाई।। चौदह भुवन एक पति होई। भूतद्रोह तिष्टइ नहिं सोई।। गुन सागर नागर नर जोऊ। अलप लोभ भल कहइ न कोऊ।।

Thus did it befall Ravana's undoing, for his ministers flattered him aloud, singing his praises. Judging the time right, Vibhishan came, bowed his head at his brother's feet, then bowed again and took his own seat, and, receiving leave to speak, said: 'Gracious brother, since you ask me for counsel, I speak what is beneficial, as far as my wit allows, dear one. He who desires his own welfare — fair fame, sound sense, a good destiny and manifold happiness — should shun another's wife, master, as one shuns the moon of the fourth day (avoided as ill-omened). Though one be sole lord of the fourteen worlds, he cannot endure if he is hostile to living beings. However great an ocean of virtue and however cultured a man may be, none call him good if he has even a little greed.'

काम क्रोध मद लोभ सब नाथ नरक के पंथ। सब परिहरि रघुबीरहि भजहु भजहिं जेहि संत।।38।।

'Lust, anger, arrogance and greed — all these, master, are the roads to hell. Shunning them all, worship Shri Raghuveer, whom the saints worship.'

तात राम नहिं नर भूपाला। भुवनेस्वर कालहु कर काला।। ब्रह्म अनामय अज भगवंता। ब्यापक अजित अनादि अनंता।। गो द्विज धेनु देव हितकारी। कृपासिंधु मानुष तनुधारी।। जन रंजन भंजन खल ब्राता। बेद धर्म रच्छक सुनु भ्राता।। ताहि बयरु तजि नाइअ माथा। प्रनतारति भंजन रघुनाथा।। देहु नाथ प्रभु कहुँ बैदेही। भजहु राम बिनु हेतु सनेही।। सरन गएँ प्रभु ताहु न त्यागा। बिस्व द्रोह कृत अघ जेहि लागा।। जासु नाम त्रय ताप नसावन। सोइ प्रभु प्रगट समुझु जियँ रावन।।

'Dear brother, Shri Ram is no mortal king — he is the Lord of the worlds, the Death of Death himself, the changeless Brahma, unborn, the Lord God, all-pervading, unconquerable, without beginning and without end. He is the benefactor of cows, brahmins, kine and gods, an ocean of grace incarnate in human form; delighter of his devotees, destroyer of the host of the wicked, and the guardian of the Vedas and dharma — hear this, brother. Give up enmity with him and bow your head; Shri Raghunath is the reliever of the suppliant's distress. Give up Vaidehi to the Lord, master, and worship Shri Ram, the causeless, loving friend. Whoever comes to him for refuge the Lord does not abandon, even one stained with the sin of enmity to the whole world. He whose very name destroys the three kinds of affliction — know that same Lord, O Ravana, has manifestly appeared; understand this in your heart.'

बार बार पद लागउँ बिनय करउँ दससीस। परिहरि मान मोह मद भजहु कोसलाधीस।।39(क)।। मुनि पुलस्ति निज सिष्य सन कहि पठई यह बात। तुरत सो मैं प्रभु सन कही पाइ सुअवसरु तात।।39(ख)।।

'Again and again I fall at your feet and make entreaty, O ten-headed one: give up pride, delusion and arrogance, and worship the Lord of Kaushal (Shri Ram).' (Sage Pulastya, through his disciple, sent this very message; at a fitting moment, dear one, I have at once conveyed it to you, Lord.)

माल्यवंत अति सचिव सयाना। तासु बचन सुनि अति सुख माना।। तात अनुज तव नीति बिभूषन। सो उर धरहु जो कहत बिभीषन।। रिपु उतकरष कहत सठ दोऊ। दूरि न करहु इहाँ हइ कोऊ।। माल्यवंत गृह गयउ बहोरी। कहइ बिभीषनु पुनि कर जोरी।। सुमति कुमति सब कें उर रहहीं। नाथ पुरान निगम अस कहहीं।। जहाँ सुमति तहँ संपति नाना। जहाँ कुमति तहँ बिपति निदाना।। तव उर कुमति बसी बिपरीता। हित अनहित मानहु रिपु प्रीता।। कालराति निसिचर कुल केरी। तेहि सीता पर प्रीति घनेरी।।

Malyavan, a very wise minister, heard Vibhishan's words and was greatly pleased. 'Dear one, your younger brother is an ornament of wisdom; take to heart what Vibhishan says.' 'Both these fools speak of the enemy's greatness,' Ravana retorted; 'is there no one here to remove them from my sight?' So Malyavan went back to his house. Then Vibhishan again spoke with folded hands: 'Both good sense and bad dwell in everyone's heart, master; so declare the Puranas and the Vedas. Where there is good sense, there is manifold prosperity; where bad sense, there disaster in the end. In your heart bad sense of the perverse kind has settled, so that you take the beneficial for harmful and a foe for a friend. Sita is the very night of doom for the demon race, yet you have great love for her.'

तात चरन गहि मागउँ राखहु मोर दुलार। सीत देहु राम कहुँ अहित न होइ तुम्हार।।40।।

'Dear brother, clasping your feet I beg you: keep your affection for me. Give Sita back to Shri Ram, so that no harm may come to you.'

बुध पुरान श्रुति संमत बानी। कही बिभीषन नीति बखानी।। सुनत दसानन उठा रिसाई। खल तोहि निकट मुत्यु अब आई।। जिअसि सदा सठ मोर जिआवा। रिपु कर पच्छ मूढ़ तोहि भावा।। कहसि न खल अस को जग माहीं। भुज बल जाहि जिता मैं नाही।। मम पुर बसि तपसिन्ह पर प्रीती। सठ मिलु जाइ तिन्हहि कहु नीती।। अस कहि कीन्हेसि चरन प्रहारा। अनुज गहे पद बारहिं बारा।। उमा संत कइ इहइ बड़ाई। मंद करत जो करइ भलाई।। तुम्ह पितु सरिस भलेहिं मोहि मारा। रामु भजें हित नाथ तुम्हारा।। सचिव संग लै नभ पथ गयऊ। सबहि सुनाइ कहत अस भयऊ।।

Vibhishan expounded this counsel, approved by the wise, the Puranas and the Vedas. Hearing it, the ten-headed one rose in fury: 'Wretch, your death has now drawn near! You have ever lived on my sustenance, fool, yet the enemy's side pleases you, dolt. Do you not say, wretch, who there is in the world by whose strength of arm I have not been vanquished? Living in my city you love the ascetics; go, fool, and join them and teach them your statecraft.' Saying so, he kicked him, though the younger brother clasped his feet again and again. (Uma, this is the very greatness of a saint: he does good even to one who does him evil.) 'You are as my father; you did well to strike me. But your welfare, master, lies in worshipping Shri Ram.' Taking his ministers, Vibhishan went off by the aerial path, and declared aloud to all this that had come to pass:

रामु सत्यसंकल्प प्रभु सभा कालबस तोरि। मै रघुबीर सरन अब जाउँ देहु जनि खोरि।।41।।

'Shri Ram is the Lord whose resolve is ever true; your assembly is in the grip of Death. I now go to take refuge with Shri Raghuveer; do not lay any blame on me for it.'

अस कहि चला बिभीषनु जबहीं। आयूहीन भए सब तबहीं।। साधु अवग्या तुरत भवानी। कर कल्यान अखिल कै हानी।। रावन जबहिं बिभीषन त्यागा। भयउ बिभव बिनु तबहिं अभागा।। चलेउ हरषि रघुनायक पाहीं। करत मनोरथ बहु मन माहीं।। देखिहउँ जाइ चरन जलजाता। अरुन मृदुल सेवक सुखदाता।। जे पद परसि तरी रिषिनारी। दंडक कानन पावनकारी।। जे पद जनकसुताँ उर लाए। कपट कुरंग संग धर धाए।। हर उर सर सरोज पद जेई। अहोभाग्य मै देखिहउँ तेई।।

The moment Vibhishan set off, all in that assembly became bereft of life (doomed). (Contempt of a holy man, O Bhavani, at once brings ruin of all one's welfare.) The instant Ravana forsook Vibhishan, that wretch became bereft of all his splendour. Joyfully Vibhishan went towards Shri Raghunath, forming many longings in his mind: 'I shall go and behold his lotus feet, rosy and soft, that give joy to his servants; those feet by whose touch the sage's wife (Ahalya) was saved and the Dandaka forest sanctified; those feet that Janak's daughter holds to her heart, and which ran after the illusory deer; those lotus-feet that dwell in the lake of Shiva's heart — how blessed am I that I shall behold them!'

जिन्ह पायन्ह के पादुकन्हि भरतु रहे मन लाइ। ते पद आजु बिलोकिहउँ इन्ह नयनन्हि अब जाइ।।42।।

'Those feet, whose sandals Bharat keeps with his mind fixed upon them — those very feet I shall today behold with these eyes of mine, going there now.'

एहि बिधि करत सप्रेम बिचारा। आयउ सपदि सिंधु एहिं पारा।। कपिन्ह बिभीषनु आवत देखा। जाना कोउ रिपु दूत बिसेषा।। ताहि राखि कपीस पहिं आए। समाचार सब ताहि सुनाए।। कह सुग्रीव सुनहु रघुराई। आवा मिलन दसानन भाई।। कह प्रभु सखा बूझिऐ काहा। कहइ कपीस सुनहु नरनाहा।। जानि न जाइ निसाचर माया। कामरूप केहि कारन आया।। भेद हमार लेन सठ आवा। राखिअ बाँधि मोहि अस भावा।। सखा नीति तुम्ह नीकि बिचारी। मम पन सरनागत भयहारी।। सुनि प्रभु बचन हरष हनुमाना। सरनागत बच्छल भगवाना।।

Reflecting thus with love, he swiftly arrived on this shore of the ocean. The monkeys saw Vibhishan coming and thought he must be some special enemy envoy. Detaining him, they went to Sugriva and reported it all to him. Sugriva said, 'Listen, O lord of the Raghus: Ravana's brother has come to meet you.' The Lord said, 'Friend, what do you think we should do?' Sugriva replied, 'Listen, king of men: the demons' wiles cannot be fathomed, and he can take any form at will — for what reason has he come? The fool has come to spy out our secrets; let us bind and keep him — that seems best to me.' 'Friend, you have judged the policy well, but my vow is to remove the fear of those who come for refuge.' Hearing the Lord's words Hanuman rejoiced: 'The Lord is loving to those who seek his shelter!'

सरनागत कहुँ जे तजहिं निज अनहित अनुमानि। ते नर पावँर पापमय तिन्हहि बिलोकत हानि।।43।।

'Those who forsake one who has come to them for refuge, deeming him harmful to their own interest, such men are base and full of sin; even to look upon them is loss.'

कोटि बिप्र बध लागहिं जाहू। आएँ सरन तजउँ नहिं ताहू।। सनमुख होइ जीव मोहि जबहीं। जन्म कोटि अघ नासहिं तबहीं।। पापवंत कर सहज सुभाऊ। भजनु मोर तेहि भाव न काऊ।। जौं पै दुष्टहदय सोइ होई। मोरें सनमुख आव कि सोई।। निर्मल मन जन सो मोहि पावा। मोहि कपट छल छिद्र न भावा।। भेद लेन पठवा दससीसा। तबहुँ न कछु भय हानि कपीसा।। जग महुँ सखा निसाचर जेते। लछिमनु हनइ निमिष महुँ तेते।। जौं सभीत आवा सरनाई। रखिहउँ ताहि प्रान की नाई।।

'Even if one be guilty of slaying a crore of brahmins, once he comes to me for refuge I do not forsake even him. The moment a soul turns towards me, the sins of a crore of births are at once destroyed. It is the very nature of a sinner that worship of me never appeals to him. If Vibhishan were truly evil-hearted, could he have come before me at all? Only a person of pure mind can attain me; deceit, cunning and faults please me not. Even if the ten-headed one has sent him to spy, there is no fear or loss to us, O lord of the monkeys. Friend, however many demons there are in the world, Lakshman can slay them all in a moment. And if he has come, frightened, for shelter, I will guard him as my own life.'

उभय भाँति तेहि आनहु हँसि कह कृपानिकेत। जय कृपाल कहि चले अंगद हनू समेत।।44।।

'In either case bring him to me, laughing,' said the merciful Lord. Crying 'Victory to the merciful one!' Angad set off, along with Hanuman.

सादर तेहि आगें करि बानर। चले जहाँ रघुपति करुनाकर।। दूरिहि ते देखे द्वौ भ्राता। नयनानंद दान के दाता।। बहुरि राम छबिधाम बिलोकी। रहेउ ठटुकि एकटक पल रोकी।। भुज प्रलंब कंजारुन लोचन। स्यामल गात प्रनत भय मोचन।। सिंघ कंध आयत उर सोहा। आनन अमित मदन मन मोहा।। नयन नीर पुलकित अति गाता। मन धरि धीर कही मृदु बाता।। नाथ दसानन कर मैं भ्राता। निसिचर बंस जनम सुरत्राता।। सहज पापप्रिय तामस देहा। जथा उलूकहि तम पर नेहा।।

Respectfully placing the monkeys in front, Vibhishan went to where Shri Raghunath, the mine of compassion, was. From afar he beheld the two brothers, givers of the gift of delight to the eyes. Then, gazing on Shri Ram, the abode of beauty, he stood stock-still, his gaze unblinking, his eyelids arrested. With long arms, lotus-red eyes, dark limbs and dispelling the fears of the humble; with lion-like shoulders and a broad chest, and a face whose measureless charm enchanted even Cupid's mind — beholding it, Vibhishan's eyes filled with tears and his body thrilled. Steadying his mind, he spoke soft words: 'Lord, I am the brother of the ten-headed Ravana, born in the demon race, O protector of the gods. My body is of the mode of darkness and delights by nature in sin, as an owl loves the dark.'

श्रवन सुजसु सुनि आयउँ प्रभु भंजन भव भीर। त्राहि त्राहि आरति हरन सरन सुखद रघुबीर।।45।।

'Hearing your fair fame with my ears, I have come, Lord, dispeller of the fear of worldly existence. Save me, save me, O reliever of distress, giver of joy to those who seek refuge, Shri Raghuveer!'

अस कहि करत दंडवत देखा। तुरत उठे प्रभु हरष बिसेषा।। दीन बचन सुनि प्रभु मन भावा। भुज बिसाल गहि हृदयँ लगावा।। अनुज सहित मिलि ढिग बैठारी। बोले बचन भगत भयहारी।। कहु लंकेस सहित परिवारा। कुसल कुठाहर बास तुम्हारा।। खल मंडलीं बसहु दिनु राती। सखा धरम निबहइ केहि भाँती।। मैं जानउँ तुम्हारि सब रीती। अति नय निपुन न भाव अनीती।। बरु भल बास नरक कर ताता। दुष्ट संग जनि देइ बिधाता।। अब पद देखि कुसल रघुराया। जौं तुम्ह कीन्ह जानि जन दाया।।

Saying this, as he prostrated himself, the Lord saw it and at once rose in special delight. Hearing his humble words, which pleased the Lord's heart, Shri Ram caught him in his mighty arms and clasped him to his bosom. Meeting him along with his younger brother, he seated him beside himself and spoke words that dispel the fears of his devotees: 'Tell me, lord of Lanka, are you and your family well? You dwell in an evil place: how does your virtue survive, friend, dwelling day and night among a wicked assembly? I know all your ways; you are highly skilled in propriety, and injustice does not please you. Better it is, dear one, to dwell in hell than that Providence should give one the company of the wicked. Now, beholding my feet, all is well with you, O lord of Lanka, since you have shown compassion, treating me as your own servant.'

तब लगि कुसल न जीव कहुँ सपनेहुँ मन बिश्राम। जब लगि भजत न राम कहुँ सोक धाम तजि काम।।46।।

'Until a soul worships Shri Ram, giving up desire, that abode of sorrow — until then there is no welfare for it, nor peace of mind even in dreams.'

तब लगि हृदयँ बसत खल नाना। लोभ मोह मच्छर मद माना।। जब लगि उर न बसत रघुनाथा। धरें चाप सायक कटि भाथा।। ममता तरुन तमी अँधिआरी। राग द्वेष उलूक सुखकारी।। तब लगि बसति जीव मन माहीं। जब लगि प्रभु प्रताप रबि नाहीं।। अब मैं कुसल मिटे भय भारे। देखि राम पद कमल तुम्हारे।। तुम्ह कृपाल जा पर अनुकूला। ताहि न ब्याप त्रिबिध भव सूला।। मैं निसिचर अति अधम सुभाऊ। सुभ आचरनु कीन्ह नहिं काऊ।। जासु रूप मुनि ध्यान न आवा। तेहिं प्रभु हरषि हृदयँ मोहि लावा।।

'So long as the many wicked ones — greed, delusion, envy, arrogance and pride — dwell in the heart, so long, that is, as Shri Raghunath, bow and arrows in hand and quiver at his waist, does not abide in the heart. Attachment is like the deep, dark night, and love and hatred are the owls that delight in it. These dwell in a being's mind only so long as the sun of the Lord's glory has not risen. Now I am at peace, my great fears removed, having beheld your lotus feet, O Shri Ram. Him to whom you are gracious, Lord, the threefold miseries of worldly existence do not afflict. I am a demon of most base nature, and have never done a single good deed; yet the Lord, whose form comes not even into the meditation of sages, has joyfully clasped me to his heart.'

-अहोभाग्य मम अमित अति राम कृपा सुख पुंज। देखेउँ नयन बिरंचि सिब सेब्य जुगल पद कंज।।47।।

'My good fortune is immense and beyond measure, an abundance of the joy of Shri Ram's grace, that with these eyes I have beheld both his lotus feet, worshipped by Brahma and Shiva.'

सुनहु सखा निज कहउँ सुभाऊ। जान भुसुंडि संभु गिरिजाऊ।। जौं नर होइ चराचर द्रोही। आवे सभय सरन तकि मोही।। तजि मद मोह कपट छल नाना। करउँ सद्य तेहि साधु समाना।। जननी जनक बंधु सुत दारा। तनु धनु भवन सुह्रद परिवारा।। सब कै ममता ताग बटोरी। मम पद मनहि बाँध बरि डोरी।। समदरसी इच्छा कछु नाहीं। हरष सोक भय नहिं मन माहीं।। अस सज्जन मम उर बस कैसें। लोभी हृदयँ बसइ धनु जैसें।। तुम्ह सारिखे संत प्रिय मोरें। धरउँ देह नहिं आन निहोरें।।

'Listen, friend, I tell you my own nature, which Kakabhushundi, Shambhu and Girija know: if a man, though a foe of all creation, comes fearfully to me, seeking my shelter, and gives up pride, delusion, deceit and all cunning, I straightway make him the equal of a saint. Mother, father, brother, son, wife, body, wealth, house, friends and family — gathering up the threads of affection for all these, he binds his mind fast to my feet with that cord; he is even-eyed, without any desire, and knows neither joy nor grief nor fear in his mind. Such a saint dwells in my heart as wealth dwells in a miser's heart. A saint like you is dear to me; I assume a body only for the sake of such saints, and for no other reason.'

सगुन उपासक परहित निरत नीति दृढ़ नेम। ते नर प्रान समान मम जिन्ह कें द्विज पद प्रेम।।48।।

'Those men who worship God with form, are devoted to the good of others, are firm in righteousness and steadfast in holy vows, and who love the feet of the brahmins — they are dear to me as my own life.'

सुनु लंकेस सकल गुन तोरें। तातें तुम्ह अतिसय प्रिय मोरें।। राम बचन सुनि बानर जूथा। सकल कहहिं जय कृपा बरूथा।। सुनत बिभीषनु प्रभु कै बानी। नहिं अघात श्रवनामृत जानी।। पद अंबुज गहि बारहिं बारा। हृदयँ समात न प्रेमु अपारा।। सुनहु देव सचराचर स्वामी। प्रनतपाल उर अंतरजामी।। उर कछु प्रथम बासना रही। प्रभु पद प्रीति सरित सो बही।। अब कृपाल निज भगति पावनी। देहु सदा सिव मन भावनी।। एवमस्तु कहि प्रभु रनधीरा। मागा तुरत सिंधु कर नीरा।। जदपि सखा तव इच्छा नाहीं। मोर दरसु अमोघ जग माहीं।। अस कहि राम तिलक तेहि सारा। सुमन बृष्टि नभ भई अपारा।।

'Listen, lord of Lanka: all these virtues are in you, and therefore you are exceedingly dear to me.' Hearing Shri Ram's words, the monkey hosts all cried, 'Victory to the abundance of grace!' Hearing the Lord's speech, Vibhishan could not be sated, knowing it nectar to his ears. Again and again he clasped the Lord's lotus feet, boundless love beyond containing in his heart. 'Listen, Lord of all creation moving and unmoving, protector of the humble, inner knower of all hearts: at first there was some desire in my heart, but with love for your feet, Lord, that has been washed away like a river. Now, gracious one, grant me your own pure devotion, ever dear to Shiva's mind.' Saying, 'So be it,' the steadfast-in-battle Lord at once asked for water of the sea. 'Though it is not your wish, friend, my sight is never fruitless in the world.' Saying this, Shri Ram anointed his forehead with the sovereign's mark (tilak), and an endless shower of flowers fell from the sky.