November 1- Sarga 35 of Sundara Kanda.
Sita is delighted by the confidence-inducing words of Hanuman. She asks cheerfully,
क्व ते रामेण संसर्गः कथं जानासि लकहष्मणम् ।
वानराणां नराणां च कथमासीत् समागमः ॥
यानि रामस्य लिङ्गानि लक्ष्मणस्य च वानर ।
तानि भूयस्समाचक्ष्व न मां शोकससमाविशेत् ॥
"Tell me, how come you came to meet Sri Rama? How do you know Lakshmana? How indeed was a coming together made possible between vanaras (monkeys) and humans?
"Oh vanara, again please tell me the characteristic identification marks on Sri Rama's person and also that of Lakshmana, so that my mind won't slip into despondency again."
Sita asks Hanuman specifically to describe Sri Rama's limbs. And also Lakshmana's.
Hanuman responds, "Oh lady, with your lotus-like eyes, you have very much known their appearance, but thanks for giving me an opportunity to describe them!"
Hanuman begins by saying how the most attractive, lotus-eyed Sri Rama is endowed from birth with extreme politeness and charm. Sri Rama equals the sun in radiance, the earth in forbearance, Brihaspati in intelligence and Indra in fame. He is the protector of entire mankind. He protects the four classes of society without discrimination. He is an exemplar of good conduct.
ब्रह्मचर्यव्रते स्थितः, साधूनामुपकारज्ञः - "He observes celibacy, and recognizes the generosity of the virtuous. He is a master of administration and statecraft. He is well-versed in Yajurveda, Dhanurveda, and other upa-vedas."
विपुलांसो महाबाहुः कम्बुग्रीवश्शुभाननः ।
गूढजत्रुसुताम्राक्षो रामो देवि जनैशश्श्रुतः ॥
"Oh Devi, Sri Rama has broad shoulders, strong arms, a conch-shaped neck, and an auspicious face. He has fleshy round limbs and attractive coppery-red eyes. He is well-known for his good looks! He has a deep voice and a dark complexion. He is neither short nor too tall."
Valmiki then makes Hanuman wax poetic by listing Sri Rama's individual body parts (in much detail, including his privates) in trios, and quartets, sextets, tens, and so on- most of which I don't understand except to know this must have been the method to categorize people precisely by their appearance. Thus, Hanuman leaves Sita in no doubt that he has examined Sri Rama's physical appearance in minute detail at close quarters. He makes it a point to say how symmetrical Sri Rama's organs and features are. This is universally recognised as a great sign of beauty.
Sri Rama's character comes next. He is truthful and accumulates wealth only to help others. He knows the value of time and place in everything.
Lakshmana, although born of a different mother, matches Sri Rama in good looks and noble qualities. Sri Rama is dark-complexioned whereas Lakshmana has a golden complexion.
Hanuman describes how the brothers wandered into the Rishyamuka region, clad in ascetic attire and carrying their weapons, while searching high and low for Sita. Sugriva was alarmed to see two mighty warriors and sent Hanuman to reconnoiter. Hanuman went and met them, and gained much confidence in them. He lifted them on his shoulders and carried them into the recesses of the mountain for meeting Sugriva. After hearing Surgiva's story of being wronged by Vali, Sri Rama assured him of redress. Sugriva in turn promised help in locating and regaining Sita.
Hanuman brought and showed Sri Rama and Lakshmana the ornaments they had seen a lady, while she was being carried away in the sky, drop down and call out the names of the brothers. Sri Rama was deeply happy and equally distressed to see the ornaments that he had intimately known while they were on Sita's person. Hanuman describes Sri Rama's reaction to seeing Sita's ornaments in great detail.
Hanuman says that Sita cannot imagine the distress Sri Rama is undergoing at their separation. He is like a seething volcano. He is like a mountain peak rent by a huge earthquake. He will not rest till reaching here and slaying Ravana and then meeting Sita.
Hanuman describes the massive search operation launched. How under Angada's leadership they came to the south. When they were all ready to lay down their lives for lack of success and the expiry of the ultimatum, the giant bird Sampati heard Angada recounting to the vanaras the story of Jataayu's death. He announced himself as Jataayu's brother and wanted to help them to avenge the death of Jataayu at Ravana's hands. He is the one who told them that Sita was kept in captivity in Lanka.
Hanuman is the son of a great vanara warrior Kesari and Anjana. He took the leap to Lanka by his super-ordinary prowess. He managed to enter Lanka and search everywhere including the innermost chambers of Ravana's palace. At last, he managed to come here to Ashoka Vana.
ततोऽस्मि वायुप्रभवो हि मैथिलि प्रभावतस्तत्प्रतिमश्च वानरः
"Oh Maithili Sita, I am born out of the power and essence of the Wind-god and therefore, despite being a vanara, I am his replica in prowess and might."
***
॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
