“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42

Ravana Informed of ’s Intrusion

Summary

Seeing the devastation caused to the pleasant grove by Hanuma the female-demons ask Seetha who that great monkey was and wherefore he has come and talked to her. Seetha replies that she knows nothing of him. Some of the female-demons go to and report to him that the pleasant grove attached to the gynaeceum has been destroyed by a mighty monkey and that the monkey went to Seetha and talked to her also earlier to the devastation. They also report that Seetha expressed her ignorance about him. Then, Ravana gets angry and sends some demons called Kinkaras to catch hold of Hanuma. Eighty thousand Kinkaras rush towards Hanuma to catch him. But Hanuma, with his might, kills all Kinkaras with an iron rod. Getting to know of the killings, Ravana again sends Jambumali, the son of Prahasta to catch hold of Hanuma.

Chapter [Sarga] 42 in Detail

tatah pakshi ninaadena vriksha bhanga svanena ca |

babhuuvuh traasa sambhraantaah sarve lankaa nivaasinah || 5-42-1

At the screaming sound of birds and at the sound of the crash of falling trees, all the inhabitants of then became trembled with fear.

vidrutaah ca bhaya trastaa vineduh mriga pakshunah |

rakshasaam ca nimittaani kruuraani pratipedire || 5-42-2

Made to run to-and-fro and getting frightened, beasts and birds began to scream. Atrocious omens made their appearance before the demons.

tato gataayaam nidraayaam raakshasyo vikrita aananaah |

tat vanam dadrishuh bhagnam tam ca viiram mahaakapim || 5-42-3

Then, the ugly-faced female-demons, whose sleep has vanished, found that grove demolished and saw that great heroic monkey.

Page 1 of 10 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42 sa taa drishtva mahaabaahuh mahaasattvo mahaabalah |

cakaara sumahat ruupam raakshasiinaam bhaya aavaham || 5-42-4

Seeing those female-demons, the mighty armed Hanuma endowed with a great courage and might, assumed a gigantic form which created a terror to the female-demons.

tatah tam giri samkaasham atikaayam mahaabalam |

raakshasyo vaanaram drishtvaa papracchuh aatmajaam || 5-42-5

Beholding that mighty monkey having a gigantic body similar to a mountain, the female- demons then asked Seetha (as follows):

ko ayam kasya kuto vaa ayam kim nimittam iha aagatah |

katham tvayaa saha anena samvaadah krita iti uta || 5-42-6

"Who is he? Whose messenger is he? From where and for what purpose he has come here? Wherefore a conversation was held by him with you?"

aacakshva no vishaala akshi maa bhuut te subhage bhayam |

samvaadam asita apaange tvayaa kim kritavaan ayam || 5-42-7

"O large-eyed Seetha! Tell us. Let there be no fear for you, O fortunate lady! What did he speak to you? O lady having black outer eye-corners!"

atha abraviit tadaa saadhvii siitaa sarva anga shobhanaa |

rakshasaam kaama ruupaanaam vijnaane mama kaa gatih || 5-42-8

Thereupon Seetha the virtuous lady, having a complete beauty of all limbs, spoke as follows: "Where is the ability for me to know about the demons of a terrific form?"

Page 2 of 10 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42 yuuyam eva asya jaaniita yo ayam yat vaa karishyati |

ahih eva aheh paadaan vijaanaati na samshayah || 5-42-9

"You alone can recognize who he is and what he does. A serpent only can recognize the feet of another serpent. There is no doubt about it."

aham api asya bhiitaa asmi na enam jaanaami ko anvayam |

vedmi raakshasam eva enam kaama ruupinam aagatam || 5-42-10

"By seeing him, I too get frightened. I do not know who he is. I only know him as a demon, able to assume any form at his will, who arrived here."

vaidehyaa vacanam shrutvaa raakshasyo vidrutaa drutam |

sthitaah kaashcit gataah kaashcit raavanaaya niveditum || 5-42-11

Hearing the words of Seetha some female-demons fled to different directions. Some stayed back. Some others went to Ravana to inform about the matter.

raavanasya samiipe tu raakshasyo vikrita aananaah |

viruupam vaanaram bhiimam aakhyatum upacakramuh || 5-42-12

After approaching Ravana, the female demons of ugly faces started to tell (as follows) of the monstrous and terrific monkey.

ashoka vanikaa madhye raajan bhiima vapuh kapih |

siitayaa krita samvaadah tishthati amita vikramah || 5-42-13

"O king! A monkey having a terrific body and a boundless prowess [extraordinary ability] is stationed in the middle of Ashoka grove and made a conversation with Seetha."

Page 3 of 10 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42 na ca tam jaanakii siitaa harim harina locanaa |

asmaabhih bahudhaa prishtaa nivedayitum icchati || 5-42-14

"Even though questioned in many ways by us, Seetha, the daughter of Janaka, having eyes similar to those of a doe, is not inclined to tell about the monkey."

vaasavasya bhavet duuto duuto vaishravanasya vaa |

preshito vaa api raamena siitaa anveshana kaankshayaa || 5-42-15

"He may be a messenger of Indra the Lord of celestials, or the messenger of the king of riches or even a messenger sent by to search for Seetha."

tena tvat bhuuta ruupena yat tat tava mano haram |

naanaa mriga gana aakiirnam pramrishtam pramadaa vanam || 5-42-16

"He, having a wonderful form, has wiped off your grove, attached to the gynaeceum, which is fascinating and extending with many kinds of animal-flock."

na tatra kashcit uddesho yah tena na vinaashitah |

yatra saa jaanakii siitaa sa tena na vinaashitah || 5-42-17

"There is no place whatsoever in that grove, which was not destroyed by him. Only that place, where Seetha the daughter of Janaka was sitting, was not destroyed by him."

jaanakii rakshana artham vaa shramaat vaa na upalabhyate |

athavaa kah shramah tasya saa eva tena abhirakshitaa || 5-42-18

"It is not known whether to protect Seetha or because of fatigue, he has left that place undestroyed, or else, what fatigue is there for him? He has done it to protect Seetha."

Page 4 of 10 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42 caaru pallava patra aadhyam yam siitaa svayam aasthitaa |

pravriddhah shimshapaa vrikshah sa ca tena abhirakshitah || 5-42-19

"That well-grown Simshupa tree, abounding in charming sprouts and flowers, under which Seetha herself took shelter, has been spared by him."

tasya ugra ruupasya ugram tvam dandam aajnaatum arhasi |

siitaa sambhaashitaa yena tat vanam ca vinaashitam || 5-42-20

"To that terribly looking monkey, who talked with Seetha and destroyed that grove, you are entitled to order a terrible punishment."

manah parigrihiitaam taam tava raksho gana iishvara |

kah siitaam abhibhaasheta yo na syaat tyakta jiivitah || 5-42-21

"O chief of the demons-troops! Who would dare to talk to that Seetha, who has been mentally accepted by you, except perhaps he who is ready to abandon his life?"

raakshasiinaam vacah shrutvaa raavano raakshasa iishvarah |

huta agih iva jajvaala kopa samvartita iikshanah || 5-42-22

Hearing the words of the female-demons, Ravana the lord of demons flared up like a funeral fire, his eyes spinning with anger.

tasya kruddhasya netraabhyaam praapatannasrabindavah |

diiptaabhyaamiva jajvaala kopasamvartiteksanah || 5-42-23

Tears dropped from Ravana's enraged eyes, like drops of oil dripping from resplendent lamps.

Page 5 of 10 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42 aatmanah sadrishaan shuuraan kimkaraan naama raakshasaan |

vyaadidesha mahaatejaa nigraha artham hanuumatah || 5-42-24

Ravana, with a great splendor, sent demons with valiance [valor] equal to him, called Kinkaras, in order to catch hold of Hanuma.

teshaam ashiiti saahasram kimkaraanaam tarasvinaam |

niryayuh bhavanaat tasmaat kuuta mudgara paanayah || 5-42-25

mahaaudaraa mahaadamshtraa ghora ruupaa mahaabalaah |

yuddha abhimanasah sarve hanuumat grahana unmukhaah || 5-42-26

He ordered for eighty thousand of those Kinkaras who were strong. All those mighty Kinkaras with their large bellies, long tusks and terrible forms, longing to fight with iron mallets and clubs in hand, in eagerness to lay hold on Hanuma, started from that place.

te kapim tam samaasaadya toranastham avasthitam |

abhipetuh mahaavegaah patangaa iva paavakam || 5-42-27

Approaching Hanuma who was standing near the arched doorway, they rushed towards him with a great speed, like locusts rushing towards a fire.

te gadaabhih vicitraabhih parighaih kaancana angadaih |

aajaghnuh vaanara shreshtham sharaih aaditya samnibhaih || 5-42-28

They banged Hanuma with various kinds of maces, iron bludgeons plated with gold and arrows shining like the sun.

mudgaraih pattisaih shuulaih praasatomarashaktibhih |

parivaarya hanuumantam sahasaa tasthuragratah || 5-42-29

Quickly surrounding Hanuma with clubs, sharp edged spears, iron pikes, lances [a steel- tipped spear], javelins and swords; they stood in front of him.

Page 6 of 10 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42 hanuumaan api tejasvii shriimaan parvata samnibhah |

kshitaav aavidhya laanguulam nanaada ca mahaasvanam || 5-42-30

The highly splendorous and illustrious Hanuma too, looking like a mountain, hurled his tail on the ground, making a thunderous noise.

sa bhuutvaa sumahaakaayo hanumaan maarutaatmajah |

dhristamaasphotayaamaasa lankaam shabdena puurayan || 5-42-31

The highly splendorous and illustrious Hanuma too, looking like a mountain, hurled his tail on the ground, making a thunderous noise.

tasyasphotitashabdena mahataa saanunaadinaa |

peturvihangaa gaganaaducchaishchedamaghoyat || 5-42-32

By that great sound made by Hanuma through clapping on his arms together with a resound, birds fell down from the sky. Hanuma also then cried aloud with a clamorous voice (as follows):

jayatyatibalo raamo laksmanashcha mahaabalah |

raajaa jayati sugriivo raaghavenaabhipaalitah || 5-42-33

"Long live the mighty Rama and the powerful ! Long live the King Sugreeva, protected by Rama!"

daaso.aham kosalendrasya raamasyaaklistakarmanah |

hanumaan shatrusainyaanaam nihantaa maarutaatmajah || 5-42-34

"I am Hanuma, the destroyer of the army of adversaries and the son of wind-god. I am the servant of Rama, the king of Kosala Kingdom, who is unwearied in action."

Page 7 of 10 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42 na raavanasahasram me yuddhe pratibalam bhavet |

shilaabhistu praharatah paadapaishcha sahasrashah || 5-42-35

"Even a thousand of Ravana’s will not be matching equally with me, who is capable of striking with thousands of rocks and trees in battle."

ardayitvaa puriim lankaamabhivaadya cha maithiliim |

samriddhaartho gamisyaami misataam sarvaraksasaam || 5-42-36

"Here, before the eyes of all the demons, I will annihilate the City of Lanka and after offering salutation to Seetha, I will go back after fully completing my task."

tasya sannaada shabdena te abhavan bhaya shankitaah |

dadrishuh ca hanuumantam samdhyaa megham iva unnatam || 5-42-37

Those demons became frightened by the clamorous voice of Hanuma cried aloud and saw him to be as high as a twilight rain-cloud.

svaami samdesha nihshankaah tatah te raakshasaah kapim |

citraih praharanaih bhiimaih abhipetuh tatah tatah || 5-42-38

Not feeling apprehended because of the orders of their king, those demons thereafter rushed towards Hanuma, with their terrific and amazing weapons.

sa taih parivritah shuuraih sarvatah sa mahaabalah |

aasasaada aayasam bhiimam parigham torana aashritam || 5-42-39

Surrounded on all sides by those strong demons, that Hanuma endowed with a great strength seized a huge iron bar belonging to the arched gate.

Page 8 of 10 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42 sa tam parigham aadaaya jaghaana rajanii caraan |

sa pannagam iva aadaaya sphurantam vinataa sutah || 5-42-40

vicacaara ambare viirah parigrihya ca maarutih |

Taking that iron rod, Hanuma killed the demons. That violent Hanuma strolled in the sky, taking that iron rod in his hand, as Garuda the eagle would carry a serpent in its claws.

sa hatvaa raakshasaan viirah kimkaraan maaruta aatmajah || 5-42-41

yuddha aakaankshii punah viirah toranam samupasthitah |

Killing the valiant demons called Kinkaras, that heroic Hanuma wishing to fight again, arrived at the archy gate way.

tatah tasmaat bhayaan muktaah katicit tatra raakshasaah || 5-42-42

nihataan kimkaraan sarvaan raavanaaya nyavedayan |

Some demons, who somehow escaped from that terror, went to Ravana and informed him that all the Kinkaras have been killed.

sa raakshasaanaam nihatam mahaabalam |

nishamya raajaa parivritta locanah |

samaadidesha apratimam paraakrame |

prahasta putram samare sudurjayam || 5-42-43

Hearing of large army of demons having been killed, that Ravana with his eyes rolling rapidly (with anger), ordered Jambumali, son of Prahasta, who was unequal in prowess and admirably unconquerable in battle.

Page 9 of 10 “Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 42 ityaarse shriimadraamaayane aadikaavye sundarakaande dvichatvaarimshah sargah

Thus completes 42nd Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.

Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate

References

Durga, Kishore Kopalle, and K. M. K. Murthy. (2001). Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty.

Merriam-Webster. (2007). At http://www.m-w.com.

Reference.com. (2007). At http://www.reference.com.

Page 10 of 10