Valmiki Ramayana - November 12

November 12 - sarga 51 of Sundara Kanda.

The hallmark of a superhero is that there is nothing casual or thoughtless about anything he does, whether it is action, speech, or thought.

Hanuman speaks directly and fearlessly and diplomatically to Ravana.

***

अर्थवदव्यग्रः Valmiki says Hanuman spoke without being perturbed, and his words were of deep import.

भ्रातुः श्रुणु समादेशम् - Hanuman begins by introducing himself as the minister of the great vanara King Sugriva, whom he refers to as Ravana's brother. "Oh Ravana, your brother enquires after your welfare. Listen to the message from the great-souled Sugriva."

धर्मार्थसहितं वाक्यमिह चामुत्र च क्षमम् - "Sugriva's advice is rooted in  bringing you Dharma and  wellbeing, and meant for conferring good in the here and hereafter."

"King Dasharatha ruled Ayodhya well, equal in glory to Indra himself. His firstborn and favourite son is Sri Rama. He went into exile gladly by obeying his father's orders. He was joined dutifully by his brother Lakshmana and his wife Sita, the princess of Mithila and daughter of the great King Janaka.

"It was reported that Sita went missing in the forest. Sri Rama went in search of Devi Sita along with Lakshmana. In Rishyamuka he met King Sugriva who vowed to find Sita for him. In turn, Sri Rama promised to restore Sugriva his kingdom and accordingly killed his brother Vali in battle with a single arrow.  I think, Ravana, that you well know the mighty Vali. (Vali in fact had tamed Ravana once and let him go.)

"On Sugriva's orders, thousands and thousands of his army troops of vanaras and bears went in all directions looking for Sita in heaven and on earth. Some of Sugriva's comanders equal Garuda in valour and speed. Some match Vayu himself. Some are simply beyond compare.

"Ravana, I am Hanuman, the son of the Wind-god Vayu. I leapt across the ocean and came here looking for Sita. And I then saw her on your premises.

तद्भवान् दृष्टधर्मार्थस्तपःकृतपरिग्रहः -"Oh noble king Ravana, you have seen what is Dharma and what is good for your welfare, and you have performed great austerities also. 

परदारान् महाप्राज्ञ नोपरोद्धुं त्वमर्हसि - "Indeed, oh greatly wise one, you know it is not right to abduct someone else's wife."

कर्मसु मूलघातिषु न हि सज्जन्ते बुद्धिमन्तो भवद्विधाः - "Intelligent ones like you do not indulge in evil acts that strike at the very root of Dharma and thereby at the root of their own well-being."

"Oh, Ravana, indeed, who, among rakshasas or asuras can hope to face and survive the arrows coming from Lakshmana on orders from an infuriated Sri Rama? Oh, King, there is none in the three worlds who can hope to live well after incurring the displeasure of Sri Rama."

तत् त्रिकालहितं वाक्यं धर्म्यमर्थानुयायि च ।

मन्यस्व नरदेवाय जानकी  प्रतिदीयताम्       ॥ 

"Therefore, Ravana, take this advice that will serve you well in the past, present and future, and which ensures your Dharma as well as your Artha (life and material welfare). Go and return at once to the king of all men, Sri Rama, Janaki, his wife."

"I have penetrated your security cordon and met with Devi Sita. The next course of action will be determined by Sri Rama. When I saw Sita, she was full of extreme anguish and suffering. You do not know it, but you have, by abducting Sita, harboured a five-hooded deadly serpent in your house."

"No one can digest poison as food. No one among gods or demons can hope to keep Sita in captivity. The merits of your austerities are being frittered away by your deed. You will forfeit your life itself."

अवध्यतां तपोभिर्यां भवान् समनुपश्यति  ।

आत्मनः सासुरैर्देवैर्हेतुस्तत्राप्ययं महान्     ॥

"It seems that your act of abducting Sita was prompted by your seeing that by the boons you have earned by your tapas, you cannot be killed by either gods or demons. "

सुग्रीवो न च देवोऽयं न यक्षो न च राक्षसः ।

मानुषो राघवो राजन् सुग्रीवश्च हरीश्वरः      ॥

"But you have missed the fact that Sugriva is neither a god nor a demon nor a yaksha. Sri Rama is a human, and Sugriva is the lord of vanaras (simians)."

तस्मात् प्राणपरित्राणं कथं राजन् करिष्यसि ।

"So, oh King, how do you hope to survive and escape death at their hands?"

"Whatever life you are enjoying is the result of your meritorious dharma in the past. But that is not going to survive after this act of adharma.  Your merits are destroyed by your vile act. You will shortly reap the fruits of your unrighteous acts!"

"Ravana, you know how Sri Rama single-handedly killed all the rakshasas in Janasthana. You also know Sugriva is allied with him now. I think you can work out what is best for your welfare."

कामं खल्वहमप्येकस्सवाजिरथकुन्जराम्    ।

लङ्कां नाशयितुं शक्तः तस्यैष तु न निश्चयः ॥    

"Perhaps you can understand that if I do want, I can single-handedly destroy all this Lanka, with all its chariots, horses and elephants. I am fully capable of it but have no such intention. Sri Rama has vowed in the presence of all vanaras and bears that he will himself exterminate the arrogant ones with all their armies who are culpable of abducting Devi Sita."

"Even Indra cannot hope to survive after offending Sri Rama. What to speak of someone like you? Know for sure that Devi Sita is the Final Dissolution who will cause the total destruction of Lanka."

तदलं कालपाशेन सीताविग्रहरूपिणा - "Ravana, you have placed your neck in the noose of death called Devi Sita." "Visualise Lanka burning down in a huge fire with all its palaces and markets and glory. That fire is Devi Sita's chastity and Sri Rama's fury."

"Oh Ravana, do not sacrifice all your friends, ministers, brothers, sons, women, children, wellwishers and the treasures of Lanka to total destruction. Listen to the words of truth from this vanara, a messenger of Sri Rama."

"Sri Rama can annihilate without a trace the entire creation, and also bring it back also to life. Such is his power. He is no ordinary human. He is equal to Bhagavan Vishnu in valour. There is none who can face his rage and destructive power - gods, asuras, yakshas, rakshasas, vidyadharas, gandharvas, siddhas, serpents and snakes, kinnaras, birds, animals -nobody. Nowhere. At no time."

ब्रह्मा स्वयम्भूश्चतुराननो वा रुदस्त्रिनेत्रस्त्रिपुरान्तको वा          ।

इन्द्रो महेन्द्रस्सुरनायको वा त्रातुं न शक्ता युधि रामवध्यम्  ॥ 

"Ravana, get this straight from me. Neither the self-born, four-headed Brahma himself, nor the three-eyed Shiva who exterminated the Tripura kingdom of demons, nor again the lord of gods, the great Indra himself, is indeed capable of  saving someone who is going to be killed by Sri Rama."

Ravana reacted rather on expected lines to all this. He was simply angered by all the sagely advice given very diplomatically by Hanuman. 

समादिशत्तस्य वधं महाकपेः 

He ordered the great vanara to be put to death.

***

॥        श्रीरामजयम्        ॥ 

  

Valmiki Ramayana - November 11

November 11 - Sargas 49 and 50 of Sundara Kanda. 

When Hanuman sees Ravana in his royal court, he is awestruck and astonished by his obvious magnificence - both physical opulence as well as his impressive personality exuding power and supreme confidence. Hanuman muses how such a great character could be the beloved ruler of even gods but has now become the detested enemy of the three worlds by his vile acts.

Hanuman is questioned as to who he is and what business he has in Lanka and why did he do what he did so far. Hanuman begins to answer Ravana.

***

Hanuman has not taken kindly to the ill-treatment at the hands of rakshasas he has had to bear after being bound hand and foot. He betrays his anger in his red eyes as he stares at Ravana.

भ्राजमानं महार्हेण काञ्चनेन विराजता  ।

मुक्ताजालवृतानेथ मुकुटेन महाद्युतिम्    ॥

"Hanuman saw Ravana with his innate splendour, radiant with his exquisite golden crown encircled with strings of pearls. " He wore ornaments of gold, studded with diamonds and of a design beyond normal craftsmanship. He wore a most precious silk garment and was smeared with rare fragrances. With his protruding rakshasa teeth, blood-red eyes, and ten heads that looked like mountain peaks, indeed Ravana was the epitome of heroic splendour. He looked like a huge rain-bearing cloud with the string of pearls on his torso looking like cranes flying in formation. 

Ravana sat on a huge throne made of crystal, adorned with precious gems and upholstered with a wonderful carpet. Very beautiful young maidens fanned him.

His four ministers, Prahasta, Durdhara, Mahaparshva, and Nikhumba sat around Ravana.

अहो रूपमहो धैर्यमहो सत्त्वमहो द्युतिः    ।

अहो राक्षसराजस्य सर्वलक्षणयुक्तता    ॥

यद्यधर्मो न स्यादयं सुरलोकस्य रक्षिता       ।

अस्य क्रूरैर्नृशंसैश्च कर्मभिर्लोककुत्सितैः सर्वे बिभ्यति ॥

Hanuman was buried in a welter of thoughts. "What a physical personality! What courage! What power! What radiance! This Ravana is endowed with everything, yes, everything, that one can imagine.  Indeed, but for his total unrighteousness, he is fit to rule heaven, Indra included. Instead, now his wicked and cruel way of life has incurred the condemnation of everyone in the three worlds and the only feeling he invokes in everyone is fear."

***

Ravana was busy with his own thoughts.

किमेष भगवान्नन्दी भवेत्साक्षादिहागतः    ।

येन श्प्तोऽस्मि कैलासे मया सञ्चालिते पुरा ॥ किं सोऽयं बाणो महासुरः

"Could this be Bhagavan Nandi himself, by whom I  was cursed when I misbehaved in Kailasa, now come here to teach me a lesson? Or perhaps this is the big asura Bana himself?"

Ravana instructed his minister Prahasta in a few words to extract all information from the vanara.

दुरात्मा पृच्छयातामेष कतः किं वात्र कारणम् वनभङ्गे च कोऽस्यार्थो राक्षसीनां च तर्जने 

"Find out who this miscreant is, why did he desecrate Ashoka Vana and frighten the rakshasis."

***

 

Prahasta spoke to Hanuman:

समाश्वसिहि भद्रं ते न भीः कार्या त्वया कपे मा भूत्ते भयं वानर मोक्ष्यसे 

"Oh vanara, relax. Speak the truth. Are you sent here by Indra? Don't be afraid. You will be let free."

"Have you been sent by Kubera, or Yama, or Varuna, or even Vishnu?"

"It is clear that only your form is that of a vanara. But your prowess and radiance speak of someone special."

"If you lie, you shall not live."

Hanuman drew himself up and spoke in a dignified tone:

"Nay, I have not been sent by Indra, Kubera, Yama, Varuna, or Vishnu. By birth, I am a vanara. I came here to see the sights of Ashoka Vana, I had to fight in self-defence with the rakshasas. I allowed myself to be bound by the rakshasas as I wished to meet Ravana. Know that I have a special boon from Brahma that these astras shall have no effect on me. 

"Know that I have a special mission for my lord, the powerful Sri Rama. Please, of lord Ravana, listen to the beneficial words I have for you. श्रूयतां चापि वचनं मम पथ्यमिदं प्रभो ।

***

॥      श्रीरामजयम्      ॥ 

Why cricket is not for everyone

As a nation, we Indians believe that cricket has been invented for everyone of us. Just as we giggle at the gawky way girls wield the bat or boys come and chuck the ball thinking they are Bumrah, we also believe that cricket is in everyone of us.

That is not true. 

At least no more. The respect we show tennis or golf, we need to show towards cricket too. I don't know enough about basketball and baseball so I am not drawing comparisons.

Speed, strength, suppleness, stamina, hand-eye coordination, athleticism, and a superhuman sense of doing daring things at the right moment, are all a given. 

There is also strategy. Science. Study of each player. It is all drilled down to an incredible level of detail. That is why you find a whole bunch full of experts with computers and coaches  in each team.

The sheer physicality of playing in such hot and bright conditions takes a big toll. 

Then there is the stress factor of scoring, curtailing, accelerating, etc. at required rates which is a big number game.

Then there is a whole lot of communication real-time between players. 

Then there is uncontrollable stuff like pitches, weather, toss and so on. 

Then there is motivation, ability to shut out the noise and the unwanted stuff to focus on the task of the moment.

Now layer on all this the following

1. Huge pressure to become and stay a star. 

2. Politics of teams. 

3. Money. Lots of it.

4. Pressure to feature in ads and be camera-ready. 

5. Post match and pre match interviews. 

6. Travel. LOTS of it. 

7. Partying. 

8. Tamashas like IPL. 

9. Gambling and betting. 

10. Match fixing. 

Do you need me to tell you that cricket is no longer a game for everyone? 

Valmiki Ramayana - November 10

November 10 - Sarga 48 of Sundara Kanda.

Ravana strangely shrugs off the death of his son Aksha, and sends his most eminent son, Indrajit, to go and capture Hanuman. Hanuman decides that it is time to allow himself to be captured and taken to meet Ravana.

***

मनः समाधाय देवकल्पं इन्द्रजितं समादिदेश - Ravana somehow controlled his grief and directed his son Indrajit, equal to gods in valour, to go after Hanuman.

सुरेषु सेन्द्रेषु च दृष्टकर्मा पितामहाराधनसञ्चितास्त्रः - "Oh son, Indrajit, you have shown your unconquerable prowess in your battles with the gods led by Indra himself. You have acquired special boons of weapons from Brahma himself."

"You alone, in the three worlds, are indefatigable at war and have protected your weapons by your strength and austerity. Your intelligence serves you well always. Your mantra-invoked weapons are well known. I am certain of your victory in every battle. You know how the kinkaras, Jambumali, the seven sons of ministers, my five generals, and now your dear brother Aksha, have all been killed."

न मारुतस्यास्य गतेः प्रमाणं न चाग्निकल्पः करणेन हन्तुम् - "We have seen that this vanara has an unfathomable speed of the wind, and just as the sacrificial fire is unquenchable, he cannot be killed by any weapon."

तमेवमर्थं प्रसमीक्ष्य सम्यक् व्रजाक्षतं कर्म समारभस्व- "assess your relative situation properly and act so that you do not fail."

Ravana told Indrajit he does not really want to send him to battle now but he has no alternative and it is also Indrajit's duty.

***

Indrajit was most enthused for battle. He circumambulated Ravana and set out.

निर्जगाम महातेजाः समुद्र इव पर्वणि - "That most illustrious warrior set out like the ocean in high tide at full moon."

Indrajit had captured Indra's own chariot in battle. It was drawn by four terrific tigers with sharp canines. His chariot matched Garuda in speed. That best of archers reached Hanuman quickly.

Hanuman rose in delight at the sound of the approaching chariot and the twang of Indrajit's bow. As is his wont, Valmiki describes how the skies dimmed, beasts and birds screeched, and the celestials assembled in the skies to watch the ensuing battle.

***

The majestic Indrajit twanging his bow with lightning speed, Hanuman swelling up in size to immensity, met each other. As Hanuman took off at the speed of the Wind-god high into the skies, Indrajit's multiple arrows flew up in vain without touching him. This went on for some time even as the magnificent arrows were futile in hitting Hanuman who was able to move out of their reach all the time.

अवध्यतां तस्य कपेस्समीक्ष्य कथं निगच्छेदिति निग्रहार्थं - "Indrajit considered his options about capturing Hanuman, knowing that he was not to be killed."

ततः पैतामहं सोऽस्त्रमस्त्रविदां वरः संदधे हरिप्रवरं प्रति - "Then Indrajit, best among knowers of weapons, launched the Brahmastra itself at the supreme vanara, Hanuman."

As Indrajit knew, the Bramhastra bound up Hanuman, who fell down. Meanwhile, Hanuman recalled the boon he had received long ago from Brahma that even though the astra would bind him down and he should show respect to Brahma, he would be able at will to extricate himself. He also recalled that he was well protected by the boons of Brahma, Indra, and Vayu himself. Hanuman calculated that he would allow himself to be bound so that he would be taken to an audience with Ravana himself.

The rakshasa soldiers came gingerly towards an immobile Hanuman and began to taunt and abuse him physically. He roared. The rakshasas quickly brought hemp ropes and creepers and tied Hanuman up properly. Hanuman bore the humiliation quietly, waiting for the meeting with Ravana.

Both Hanuman and Indrajit knew that the rakshasas had been foolish, because any man-made bonds of ropes would desecrate and hence nullify the effect of Brahmastra. While Indrtajit was within himself quite disappointed and apprehensive of what Hanuman might do, Hanuman was docile.

Beating Hanuman with sticks, and making loud noises of victory, the rakshasas presented him to Ravana.

Valmiki says that as Ravana stared at him in rage, Hanuman saw him radiant like the sun and full of brilliance and valour.

Ravana questioned the elders in his council and others about who this vanara was.

यथाक्रमं तैः स कपिश्च पृष्टः कार्यार्थमर्थस्य च मूलमादौ "The vanara was then formally questioned by the counsellors who he was, what was the root cause of his mission, and whom he came from."

Hanuman replied that he had come on an important mission on behalf of the chief of vanaras, King Sugriva.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - November 9

November 9 - Sarga 47 of Sundara Kanda.

Looking at the poetry of this sarga, I decided to cover only just this one sarga today.

***

सेनापतीन् पञ्च च तु प्रमापितान्

              हनूमता सानुचरान् सवाहनान्      ।

निशम्य राजा समरोद्धतोन्मुखं 

              कुमारमक्षं प्रसमैक्षताग्रतः         ॥      

"Raja Ravana, on receiving the news of Hanuman's killing of his five generals, along with their contingents and chariots, cast his glance at his worthy son, Prince Aksha Kumara, who stood in the court, eager for battle."

दृष्ट्यर्पणसम्प्रचोदितः प्रतापवान्काञ्चचित्रकार्मुकः  "Taking that glance as enough encouragement for him to proceed to battle, that mighty warrior, Aksha Kumara, set out, holding his magnificent bow covered with gold and decorations."

How did Aksha Kumara look? द्विजातिमुख्यैर्हविषेव पावकः "Like the resplendent sacrificial fire rising up when it is fed afresh with oblations by Brahmin chiefs chanting Vedic mantras properly."

Aksha approached Hanuman in a powerful chariot he had won as the boon for his great austerities. It was drawn by eight wonderful horses that advanced at the speed of thought. The chariot did not touch the ground as it flew, unassailable by gods and demons. It was filled up with quivers, eight swords, javelins, and clubs. Aksha's march with his contingent resounded on earth and the mountains.

The awestruck Aksha saw the majestic and huge form of Hanuman seated on the archway and felt great respect. He swelled in his fighting spirit, shining like the sun at the end of winter. He invited Hanuman to battle with three sharp arrows. The ensuing battle was fit to be seen by gods. The sun dimmed and the wind ceased, The sky thundered and the ocean stirred. The three gold shafted arrows struck Hanuman on his forehead. Hanuman looked like the sun, with the arrows stuck and the blood running down his face. Readying himself for battle, Hanuman burnt down Aksha and his contingent with his blazing eyes.

Aksha rained arrows on Hanuman.

कुमारमक्षं प्रसमीक्ष्य संयुगे ननाद हर्षाद् घनतुल्यविक्रमम्     "Hanuman was delighted to see the wonderful valour of Aksha and let out a roar like a mighty thunderclap."  

Valmiki says the emboldened Aksha advanced, "like an elephant walking towards a pit covered with grass as a trap" गजो महाकूपमिवावृतं तृणैः

***

Hanuman roared and leaped high into the sky, spreading his arms and legs terrifyingly. As Aksha rained arrows like a hailstorm, Hanuman moved so swiftly that he could duck the arrows all the time. Hanuman now started thinking about how to finish off Aksha.

अबालवद्बालदिवाकरप्रभः 

            करोत्ययं कर्म महन्महाबलः        ।

न चास्य सर्वाहवकर्मशालिनः

            प्रमापणे मे मतिरत्र जायते       ॥

"Alas, this young prince, looking like the tender, rising sun, is anything but an amateur. He is fighting like a mighty warrior. Seeing his great prowess in battle, at such a young age, I am loath to kill him."

अयं महात्मा च महांश्च वीर्यता .... असंशयं कर्मगुणौदयादयं सनागयक्षैर्मुनिभिश्च पूजितः 

"Undoubtedly, this prince is a great soul, and magnificent in his valour. Undoubtedly, by his deeds and qualities, he must be worshipped by the great nagas, yakshas, and even ascetics."

पराक्रमोत्साहविवृद्धमानसः

              समीक्षते मां प्रमुखोऽग्रतः स्थितः      ।

पराक्रमो ह्यस्य मानांसि कम्पयेत्

               सुरासुराणामपि शीघ्रकारिणः         ॥

"This prince's mindscape is enlarged by his great valour and enthusiasm for battle. He is even standing directly in front of me and looking me straight in the eye! I am sure his bravery and valour must be rattling them and causing fear in the minds of even the gods and demons!"

न खल्वयं नाभिभवेदुपेक्षितः   न वर्धमानोऽग्निरुपेक्षितः क्षमः  "Indeed I should not take him lightly and allow him more slack. He is like a spreading fire that should be put out at once."

***

Hanuman increased his speed, and with his incredibly huge palm, struck the eight horses that were capable of carrying even heavy burdens, as they flew  in the sky drawing the chariot. That one stroke was enough to kill all the horses, shatter the chariot in its entirety. Everything dropped to the ground. Aksha now leapt up on his own,  a sword in one hand and his bow in the other. He looked like an ascetic that rises in the sky by his spiritual power.

Hanuman swiftly caught hold of Aksha's legs as the prince was flying up, reaching into the higher world of Garuda, Vayu and Siddhas.

Catching Aksha like Garuda would a king of serpents, Hanuman swung him in the air at terrific speed a thousand times and threw him to the ground as powerfully as the Wind-god would.

Aksha, the rakshasa prince and son of Ravana, now lay dead, his body shattered into fragments, all his limbs and torso smashed, eyes and all strewn around, blood all over.

***

Ravana was devastated. The rishis and siddhas, celestials, asuras and suras led by Indra, watching the battle, were awestruck by Hanuman's power. 

Hanuman went back and stood quietly on the archway again, as if it was a routine day at the office.

***

॥           श्रीरामजयम्           ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - November 8

November 8 - Sargas 45 and 46 of Sundara Kanda.

Ravana sends more and more warriors to deal with Hanuman, and they all meet with the same end at Hanuman's hands.

***

ततस्ते राक्षसेन्द्रेण चोदिताः मन्त्रिणः सुताः     ।

निर्ययुः भवनात् तस्मात् सप्त सप्तार्चिवर्चसः ॥ 

"Then, as ordered by the king of rakshasas, Ravana, the seven sons of ministers, all set out from the palace radiant like the blazing fire." They all wielded mighty weapons and travelled in great chariots.

जनन्यस्तास्ततस्तेषां विदित्वा किङ्करान् हतान्   ।

बभूवुः शोकसम्भ्रान्ताः सबान्धवासुहृज्जनाः     ॥

"But their mothers, along with their relatives and friends, were all distressed for them, after coming to know the fate suffered by the thousands of kinkaras drafted into fighting with Hanuman and all slain by him."

Hanuman took off into the sky and warded off the sharp arrows that the warriors showered on him. Soon, he was descending with great speed, striking some to death with his palms, squeezing some to death between his thighs, and tearing some with his nails. Some fell dead out of sheer fright. Soon all the warriors lay dead, amidst their broken chariots and fallen horses and elephants on the run.

Hanuman went back to his perch atop the golden archway of Ashoka Vana.

***

Ravana decided to capture Hanuman. He called his five military generals, Virupaksha, Yupaksha,  Durdhara, Praghasa, and Bhaskarna.

"Oh generals, go and deal with this vanara as he deserves. Take your army with you. I don't think he is an ordinary monkey. His strength is too great. I think he has been created by Indra after much tapas to take revenge. I have subdued the gods, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, and even ascetics. So this must be Indra's retaliation. Don't harm the monkey. Capture and bring him alive to me." 

***

Ravana recalls the capabilities of Vali, Sugriva, jambavan, Nala and Nila, and says that none of them comes anywhere near Hanuman in strength and cleverness. 

   

The generals proceed with much paraphernalia of warfare. They encounter Hanuman. They realise he is too clever and strong to be easily captured. They surround him from all sides and rain weapons on him.

***

Durdhara shot sharp arrows at Hanuman's head. They seemed to drop off, causing no harm. Just as Durdhara shot even more deadly arrows,  Hanuman uttered a deafening roar, grew in size and flew into the air high. From that height, he flew down straight and smashed with his body Durdhara with his weapons, chariot, and everything in one shot. Durdhara lay dead.

Virupaksha and Yupaksha flew into the sky to meet Hanuman on equal terms. They hit him hard with two big hammers. Hanuman reeled from the blow. Recovering swiftly, Hanuman pulled out a big sala tree and swung it so hard at the two generals that they were both killed in one stroke.

The remaining two generals attacked Hanuman simultaneously, with a crowbar and a spear. They both hurt Hanuman and he began to bleed, looking red like the sun. Hanuman was enraged. He flew up and picked up a mountain peak and struck the two generals with it. They were smashed to their death.

All the elephants, horses and chariots were lying about in disarray unable to move anywhere because of the debris of battle. Hanuman finished this round of damage and went back to sit on the golden archway. He surveyed his work so far and felt happy.

***

॥          श्रीरामजयम्          ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - November 7

November 7 - Sargas 43 and 44 of Sundara Kanda. 

Hanuman continues to destroy structures and kill rakshasas, creating a wave of great fear in Lanka. 

***

It is not for nothing that Hanuman is the original superhero of the world. The way he goes about causing mayhem in the evil Ravana's Lanka and gives him a taste of what is to come is the stuff of any adventure hero's dreams. I read a lucid translation of Sri C. Rajagopalachari's "Valmiki Ramayana" in Kannada before I was ten. 

This portion narrating Hanuman fighting the rakshasas in Ashoka Vana was my favourite and I must have read it a hundred times!

***

Hanuman again puts on his thinking cap in the innings break. He realizes that the prized part of Ashoka Vana is the Chaitya Praasaada, a temple of sorts combined with a palace. That was described earlier as made of precious metals and gems and pearls and rose up high and shone like a golden mountain. Hanuman now attacks that. In a short time, he destroys that palace and reduces it to rubble. There are several rakshasas armed to their ugly teeth guarding it. They all come and attack Hanuman with all kinds of deadly weapons. Hanuman shrugs them all off. Soon, his huge figure shines atop the destroyed Chaitya palace like the sacred mountain Pariyatra.

***

When Hanuman slapped his body hard, it produced a terrifying sound like a cloudburst that killed birds mid-flight and shook Lanka.  Many rakshasas fell unconscious.

Hanuman shouted the same words as before, "Glory to Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva! I will destroy Lanka. Even a thousand Ravanas cannot stop me! Then I will pay my respects to Devi Sita!"

The rakshasa guards surrounded Hanuman like a whirlpool in the big river Ganga. They started attacking Hanuman. An enraged Hanuman pulled out a huge tall pillar encased in gold and encrusted with precious gems in the palace. He whirled it around so fast and so hard that the friction created a huge fire and burnt down the Chaitya palace. He used the same pillar to kill all the guards in one fell swoop. 

Hauman now proclaimed what all Lanka could hear:

मादृशानां बलिनां वानरेनद्राणां सुग्रीववशवर्तिनां अटन्ति वसुधां कृत्स्नां वयमन्ये च वानराः "Know well for sure that thousands of mighty vanaras like me roam the earth on Sugriva's orders, and are going to come soon to destroy Lanka! Some have the strength of ten elephants, some of a hundred, and some even of a thousand! Some are as destructive as a huge river in flood, and some, like a hurricane. Some are so strong I do not have any comparison."

***

Prahasta's son, Jambumali, arrived in a chariot yoked to donkeys. With his protruding canines, wearing red clothes, garlands, and earrings, and with his big eyes, Jambumali was  terrifying in appearance and invincible. He carried a powerful bow and shot arrows that were like Indra's thunderbolt. When he twanged the bow, all the directions resonated with a heart-rending sound. He was most enthusiastic about killing Hanuman.

Jambumali struck Hanuman as he stood tall on the archway. His crescent-tipped arrow struck Hanuman's face. Dozens of arrows hurt his arms and chest. Hanuman was bleeding and looked like a giant lotus in the sky with drops of red sandal (raktachandana) sprinkled on it.

Hanuman hurled a giant rock at Jambumali. The rakshasa was able to smash it to smithereens with ten arrows. Hanuman was enraged and plucked out a massive, tall, Sala tree. Even as he was about to launch it, Jambumali shot the tree down to pieces with four arrows. He struck Hanuman with many more arrows on his chest and middle.

Hanuman had had enough. He picked up again the huge iron crowbar-like piece that he had used first. He brought it down so hard on Jambumali that Jambumali, his bow and arrows, his chariot, and his donkeys were all smashed and mashed up into a single pulp. Jambumali was dead. All his ornaments had become dust.

***

Ravana heard that kinkaras, rakshasa guards, and now Jambumali, had all been killed by Hanuman.

You can imagine Ravana's rage. He sent now the sons of the ministers in his cabinet. Those young rakshasas were all were great warriors.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - November 6

   November 6 - sargas 41 and 42 of Sundara Kanda.

After taking leave of Sita, Hanuman proceeds a short distance and starts considering, "What else is left to be done, after accomplishing the major task of meeting Devi Sita?" अल्पशेषमिदं कार्यम्  

कार्यं कर्मणि निर्वृत्ते यो बहून्यपि साधयेत्    ।

पूर्वकार्याविरोधेन स कार्यं कर्तुमर्हति          ॥

"One, who, having accomplished an important task, accomplishes other tasks of value too, without spoiling the first accomplishment, is indeed adept and should do so."

 

परात्मसम्मर्दविशेषतत्त्ववित् ततः कृतं स्यान्मम भर्तृशासनम्     "If I am able to find out the relative military power of the enemy here and our own forces, then I would have fulfilled the assignment given to me by King Sugriva."

Hanuman decides to provoke Ravana into a direct military conflict, so he can assess the balance of military power. "This Ashoka Vana is a precious asset and Ravana is very proud of it. It is laid out divinely with extraordinary structures and wonderful trees and animals. If I destroy it, it will provoke Ravana sufficiently."

इदं विध्वंसयिष्यामि शुष्कं वनमिवानलः "I will destroy this garden as a wildfire would destroy a forest."

Then an enraged Ravana will send all his forces with terrific weapons to fight Hanuman.

Hanuman looks forward to the battle after which he will happily return to Kishkindha.

***

मारुतिर्भीमविक्रमः ऊरुवेगेन महता द्रमान्क्षेप्तुमाथारभत् "Hanuman, with his powerful legs and arms, started uprooting the trees of the garden." 

In no time, Hanuman had laid waste that garden which was favoured by Ravana's women for sport. Valmiki says that the garden now wore a terrible look. Buildings were torn down, animals and birds shrieked and fled. 

सा विह्वलाशोकलताप्रताना वनस्थली शोकलताप्रताना 

"That pleasure garden named Asoka or "Sorrowless" had become distraught and "Sorrowful"."

Hanuman now went and waited, perched atop the main archway leading into the garden.

***

The terrible sounds of destruction woke up the entire city of Lanka. Extremely ugly demonesses who had been assigned the task of guarding Sita all woke up in confusion. They saw that the garden had been ruined in a  strange way and a very huge monkey was seated on the main archway. They all rushed to Sita.

"Who is this monkey? Who has sent him? What did he speak with you, Sita!? Tell us all. Don't be afraid."

Sita gave a suitably evasive answer. "How am I to know the ways of these rakshasas who can take any form and do any mischief? " 

अहिरेव ह्यहेः पादान्विजानाति न संशयः "There is no doubt that only a serpent will be able to understand the path taken by a serpent."

***

The demonesses rushed to Ravana and reported that a terrible monkey of gigantic proportions had visited Ashoka Vana to meet Sita, and had afterwards destroyed the garden. Perhaps he had been sent by Indra or Kubera or perhaps even Rama (some of the known foes of Ravana.). They emphasized that the only place left unscathed by the giant monkey was the Shimshupa tree under which Sita was sitting. 

Obviously, Ravana should not spare that monkey who had invited sure death by his mischief and daring.

Ravana flew into a wild rage. Valmiki says his eyes spat fire as he asked his several-thousand-strong battalion of kinkaras to go and catch that vanara.

***

These ugly rakshasas, armed with mighty sharp weapons, marched into Ashoka Vana. As Hanuman stood on the archway, they rushed towards him and attacked him with maces, tridents, spears, crowbars, and arrows.

Hanuman, who had swelled even more in size, gave a giant heart-shattering roar and patted his own body (a typical act of wrestlers even now) with a bang. He also stomped the earth with his tail menacingly. He roared,

"Victory to the mighty and glorious Sri Rama! Victory to Lakshmana! Victory to Sugriva who has allegiance to Sri Rama!"

हनूमान्शत्रुसैन्यानां निहन्ता मारुतात्मजः "I am Hanuman, son of the Wind-god, the destroyer of all enemy armies!"

"Even a thousand Ravanas cannot face me. I shall fight with trees and rocks in a thousand ways.

I shall destroy this Lanka. I will then pay my respects to Maithili Devi Sita. Then only shall I return whence I came."

The kinkaras were deeply frightened. But nonetheless, as ordered, they attacked Hanuman.

Hanuman went to the archway, pulled out a long and big iron girder that had been fixed to it. He used it to thrash all the kinkaras into a pulp and they were all killed.

A couple of the kinkaras who had stayed at the back managed to escape and rush to Ravana to tell him what was happening.

Ravana was even angrier now. He ordered the unconquerable hero, son of Prahasta, to go and fight Hanuman.

Hanuman, looking for more action, went back and sat on the archway again.

***

॥               श्रीरामजयम्             ॥ 

Naaga! Glory to the Superhero!

Oh Naaga! A true superhero!

Why has no one sung your glory?

Is it fear? Is it ignorance? 

Is it your venom? 

Is it your fury?!

You are all energy. 

All alertness. 

All steadiness. 

All speed. 

All strength. 

All beauty. 

All danger. 

All fury.

Some call you evil. Show you as the devil. 

But for us you are truly a god. 

No less. 

No wonder you are Vishnu's bed. 

No wonder you sport around Shiva's head. 

Ganesha ties you round his middle. 

Kumara holds you just to twiddle. 

The Earth is happy to spin on your head. 

You awaken in my spine, 

Illumine my head. 

Now I begin to see your beauty. 

To know you better is my duty. 

When I know your story

I will think less 

Of your venom and fury

And more about your glory. 

हरिः ॐ तत् सत् 

Valmiki Ramayana - November 5

November 5 - sargas 39 and 40 of Sundara Kanda.

As Hanuman prepares to take his leave, Sita is seized of the significance of the moment. After ten months of torture in Ravana's captivity, when she was about to take her life out of sheer despair, Sri Rama's emissary has achieved the impossible by leaping across the ocean and brought her the good news. 

Hanuman is also extremely happy that he has discovered Sita and can now take the good news to Sri Rama.

They are both loath to say Goodbye. They repeat themselves somewhat.

***

मणिं दृष्ट्वा तु रामो वैत्रयाणां संश्मरिष्यति   ।

वीरो जनन्या मम च राज्ञो दशरथस्य च      ॥

"Dear Hanuman, when Sri Rama sees this Choodamani, he will at once fondly remember three people - my mother, the queen who gave this ornament to me at our wedding, and me, from the moment I put it on at our wedding, and his dear departed father, King Dasharatha, who witnessed the auspicious ceremony."

As Hanuman bowed down in acquiescence, Sita repeatedly told him that she was now confident that he would enthuse Sri Rama and make it happen that Sri Rama will come over with the army, destroy Ravana and take her back.

Hanuman repeatedly told Sita she did not have to wait long.

अर्कमपि पर्जन्यमपि वैवस्वतं यमं सोढुं शक्तस्तव हेतोर्विशेषतः "Devi Sita, particularly on your account, Sri Rama's valour is such that he will brook no obstacle, even if it is posed by the Sun-god, Rain-god, or the god of death, Yama, himself."

***

Sita tells Hanuman to stay a day longer, hide somewhere but be around. She will miss him and be filled with anxiety about what will happen next if he goes away.

***

Suddenly a doubt seizes Sita. It is difficult to imagine this, but the fact is that Hanuman has been able to leap across the ocean, mainly because he is the son of the Wind-god and hence his equal.

सागरस्येह लङ्घने शक्तिः स्याद् वैनतेयस्य तव वा मारुतस्य वा  "Oh! Hanuman! How will others cross the ocean!!!??? That impossible feat is possible only for Garuda, yourself, and the Wind-god! None else!!!"

Poet Valmiki says that Hanuman gave Sita a most wonderful reply, and this has been quoted often in discourses and books about Ramayana. 

Hanuman says, " My lady, Sita! Know that there are hundreds and hundreds of vanaras capable as much as I am and even more powerful than me in Sugriva's army! For them going around the globe is a small task! So worry not!" "And Sugriva has taken an oath that he will rescue you!"

न हि प्रकृष्टाः प्रेष्यन्ते प्रेष्यन्ते हीतरे जनाः  "Devi Sita, you can easily understand that the best one of any army will never be sent as an emissary (for fear of exposing him to untold dangers). The gambit is always to send someone else, more dispensable than the best of the best."

मा रुदो देवि शोकेन माभूत्ते मनसोऽप्रियम् "Dear Devi Sita, stop crying. No more weeping please. Don't fill your mind with sad thoughts at all. " न ते चिरादागमनं प्रियस्य "Before long, your beloved will reunite with you."

***

Sita again says, "Dear Hanuman, please tell Sri Rama that I narrated to you the episode of how he launched the Brahmastra at the crow when he hurt me. And also another incident - once the tilaka mark on my forehead was wiped away. He at once lovingly took a pigmented stone and marked the tilaka on my forehead. Remind him of this too! Tell him, "Oh, Sri Rama, Sita is unable to live a moment longer away from you.""

Hanuman asks if Sita has any other memento to give Sri Rama. Sita says that the Choodamani she has given is the most sacred and the best. 

Hanuman starts swelling in size, ready to take off. Sita starts weeping copiously. Hanuman's mind travels at once to Kishkindha, where Sri Rama is waiting anxiously, and Hanuman feels happy he has been able to meet Sita.

***

॥        श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

Valmiki Ramayana - November 4

Happy Deepaavali to all!

Today, November 4, Thursday, we read of the sacred moment in Srimad Valmiki Ramayana when Sita gives Mahaveera Hanuman her Choodamani ornament to be given to Sri Rama (in sarga 38 of Sundara Kanda).

***

Hanuman is delighted to hear Sita's explanation of why it was infeasible for her to travel on his back to Sri Rama.

एतत्ते देवि सदृशं पत्न्यास्तस्य महात्मनः        ।

का ह्यन्या त्वामृते देवि ब्रूयाद् वचनमीदृशम्   ॥  

"Oh, Devi Sita, your reasons for not choosing to travel on my back (especially by being strict about not touching any male other than your husband Sri Rama) is typical and special for you who are the glorious wife of the glorious Sri Rama. Who else among women would have said such a thing in this circumstance!?"

Hanuman explains that Sri Rama will be dutifully reported in its entirety Hanuman's conversation with Sita. He also clarifies that his offer to carry Sita over the ocean was occasioned by his extreme distress at seeing Sita's precarious condition and the difficulty for everyone else to cross over the hundred yojana ocean to come to Lanka for her rescue.

***

Hanuman now asks Sita, 

अभिज्ञानं प्रयच्छ त्वं जानीयाद् राघवो हि यत् "Devi Sita, would you give me something that Sri Rama will recognize instantly as coming from you!? "

Valmiki says, सीता सुरासुतोपमा उवाच वचनं मन्दं बाष्पप्रग्रथिताक्षरम्   - "That blessed daughter of the gods, Devi Sita, responded to Hanuman's request, in a soft voice choked with tears."

***

Sita recounts an episode that only Sri Rama and Sita know about, which happened in their idyllic days in Chitrakoota. 

Once, in the afternoon, Sri Rama was resting in that beautiful shady garden, and Sita was seated in his lap. It was an intimate moment. Just then a wicked crow came and started pecking Sita between her breasts, attracted no doubt to her wonderful physical shape. 

Sita was annoyed, embarassed, and hurt by the crow and she tried her best to shoo him away without disturbing Sri Rama's reverie. At one stage, she had to get up from Sri Rama's lap to readjust her clothes. Sri Rama woke up and teased her, asking what was bothering her. She did not tell him about the crow. 

Soon it was Sri Rama's turn to take a siesta, laying his head in Sita's lap. The crow was hell-bent on pecking Sita in her fleshy chest. He came and clawed her badly and blood started dripping from the spot and woke up Sri Rama.

Sri Rama was angry seeing her wound. "Oh beautiful Sita, who dares to to provoke a five-hooded serpent? Who has hurt you!?" Looking around, he saw the crow. That crow was in fact Indra's son, a kind of divine crow travelling the three worlds. Sri Rama's eyes rolled in utter fury and he picked up a blade of darbha grass, invoked the Brahmastra (the mightiest weapon), and released it after the crow. The crow was alarmed and flew at incredible speed to save himself, but the Brahmastra followed, catching up with him. He went to his father, Indra, then rishis and so on. Nobody dared to rescue him or interfere with Sri Rama's missile coming after him. At last, in the very last moment before he would be destroyed, the crow came to Sri Rama's feet and pleaded,"Please forgive me, oh, Sri Rama! Spare me my life!"

शरण्यः शरणागतं कृपया पर्यपालयत् - "The refuge of the world, Sri Rama, saved that crow who had come to him in surrender."

Sri Rama said that the Brahmastra could not go in vain, and he would reduce the punishment to hurting one part of the crow's body so that his life would be saved. The crow offered his right eye and the astra destroyed it on Sri Rama's order and thus the crow was saved.

***

By narrating this intimate story, Sita tells Hanuman that the greatest warrior and the refuge of the world Sri Rama, who had invoked the Brahmastra itself on a mere crow for hurting Sita, should now rise and act to save Sita as her time is running out fast and Ravana has to be detroyed at once. Or he can send Lakshmana at least to save her. 

Hanuman, in utter sympathy, tells Sita to hold on to her courage and hope a little longer - 

इमं मुहूर्तं दुःखानां द्रक्ष्यस्यन्तमनिन्दिते 

"Oh Devi Sita! the moment has come when your sorrows will end. Just see. Sri Rama and Lakshmana will come, destroy Ravana and his people, and take you safely back to Ayodhya."

Hanuman asks Sita for any messages she wants to be conveyed personally to Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva.

Sita says," Please bow to Sri Rama and offer my salutations to the son of blessed Devi Kausalya. 

"And offer my remembrances to the supreme hero, Lakshmana, who gave up all his regal luxuries and comforts, and respecting his blessed mother Sumitra and his father, chose to become an ascetic and follow and serve Sri Rama in the forest. 

पितृवद्वर्तते रामे  मातृवन्मां समाचरत्   "Lakshmana treated Sri Rama as his father and me as his mother. The most glorious warrior Lakshmana did not know when I was abducted (If he were around the abduction would have been impossible for Ravana). ह्रियमाणां तदा वीरो न तु मां वेद लक्ष्मणः "

Sita recounts how glorious Lakshmana was in his duties and conduct. Sri Rama did not miss his own father's love or company as Lakshmana took care of everything. Lakshmana was a man of few words and was tireless in constant, efficient, and proactive activity to take care of them. 

Sita says that Lakshmana will do everything even now to alleviate her distress.

Sita requests Hanuman to convey everything he has seen and heard in such a way that Sri Rama comes and rescues her within the remaining month. She gives the example of how Kaushiki was saved once even from Paatala.  

***

ततो वस्त्रगतं मुक्त्वा दिव्यं चूडामणिं  शुभम्  ।

प्रदेयो राघवायेति सीता हनुमते ददौ            ॥

"Then Sita removed her divine, auspicious, ornament, Choodamani, which had been secreted away in her garment, and handed it over to Hanuman, saying that he should give it to Sri Rama."

Hanuman received it in utter reverence and fixed it on his finger, as it was too small to be worn by him asn an armlet.

सीतां प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा प्रणतं पार्श्वतः स्थितः "Hanuman circumambulated Sita, bowed down, and stood reverentially by her side." 

Valmiki says that physically Hanuman was next to Sita, but his mind had already gone to Sri Rama.

Valmiki says that Hanuman then readied himself to take off like a mountain being lifted away by a powerful enough wind.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्         ॥ 

 

Valmiki Ramayana - November 3

 

November 3 - Sarga 37 of Sundara Kanda. 

Hanuman explains to Sita that all her grief can be banished at once if she travels sitting on his back to Sri Rama on Prasravana mountain in Rishyamuka.

Sita jokes that it is a monkey idea because Hanuman is so small. Hanuman feels slighted. He swells to his immense size like a mountain and conveys how he can lift and carry away even Lanka, being the son of the Wind-god and therefore no ordinary vanara.

Sita agrees but explains to Hanuman that for several reasons, it is inadvisable for her to travel sitting on Hanuman's back. She says Hanuman has to find a way so that Sri Rama himself arrives in time and releases Sita with his own prowess.

***

अमृतं विषसम्पर्कं त्वया वानर भाषितम् - Sita reacts to the news of Sri Rama's longing for her and his  resultant distress and austerity by telling Hanuman that this news is like Amruta laced with poison.

एश्वर्ये वा सविस्तीर्णे व्यसने वा सुदारुणे ।रज्जेव पुरुषं बद्ध्वा कृतान्तः परिकर्षति  ॥सौमित्रिं मां च रामं च व्यसनैः पश्य मोहितान्  ।

"Oh Hanuman, indeed the inexorable rope of Fate pulls a man relentlessly like a beast whether he is enjoying the largesse of wealth or endless misery. Look at the way Fate is pulling Lakshmana, me, and Sri Rama cruelly in our stupified and hapless condition. "

Sita is unable to see how Sri Rama will reach the shore of the ocean of his grief, destroy the rakshasas and release her. Of one whole year since her abduction, only two months are left and Ravana's ultimatum is ending soon.

Sita now narrates how Vibhishana, the younger brother of Ravana, rooted in righteousness, has been telling Ravana to restore Sita to Sri Rama and restitute his evil act of abduction. Vibhishana's wife has conveyed to Sita through their eldest daughter Kala/Nala that Vibhishana has been warning Ravana of the total destruction of Lanka and Ravana's sure death at Sri Rama's hands unless he returns Sita.

Sita alternates between strong faith and grave despair. She says that the incomparably virtuous, mighty, and determined Sri Rama will soon arrive, kill Ravana and release her. And yet, she urges Hanuman anxiously not to allow any more delay in bringing over Sri Rama to Lanka.

Hanuman reassures Sita that Sri Rama will start at once and come with the immense vanara army. 

Then Hanuman offers a great solution.

त्वां हि पृष्टगतां कृत्वा संतरिष्यामि सागरम् । द्रक्ष्यस्वद्यैव वैदेहि राघवं सहलकहष्मणम्    ॥

"Oh Devi Sita, let us do one thing! Climb on my back. I shall take you across the ocean in no time to Sri Rama! You can see him instantly, seated along with Lakshmana, on the Prasravana mountain!"

Hanuman paints a wonderful picture of Sita's reunion with Sri Rama. The imagery gladdens Sita no end. But being practical, she says,

हुनुमान्दूरम्ध्वानं कथं मां नेतुमिच्छसि ।  तदेव खलु ते मन्ये कपित्वं हरियूथप  ॥ कथं वाल्पशरीरस्त्वम्  

"Oh, but Hanuman, how indeed do you even think you can carry me that far on your back? After all, you have such a tiny body!!! I suppose that idea has come because of your monkey mind, after all."

***

परिभवं कृतम्  Hanuman is insulted by this. He explains to himself that after all Sita has seen only his small monkey form on top of the Shimshupa tree. He climbs down. 

ततो वर्धितुमारेभे मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशो बभौ दीप्तानलप्रभः "Then Hanuman began to swell to his massive form and soon looked like the Meru mountain, and shone with a fiery radiance in his incredible glory."

Sita is astonished to see Hanuman. She realizes that Hanuman is the same as the Wind-god in capability. 

With his huge form, radiant face with sharp teeth, his big hands with diamantine nails, Hanuman says, "Oh Devi Sita, even to carry away Lanka, with its fort and all, is a small task for me." 

***

"Oh Hanuman, of course, I realize that you could have come across the ocean only by being this strong and capable. Now I know your power glory, oh, great-souled Hanuman!"

Then again, Sita says something very important.

Yes, Hanuman can very easily lift Sita and leap across the ocean. But let us consider all the possibilities. 

Sita will be dead scared looking down at the ocean, and could easily fall to her death. 

Hanuman will be surely accosted by rakshasas. It will be difficult for him to fight them off while balancing Sita. 

They will attack him with deadly weapons and he has only his limbs and teeth to defend himself. 

In fact, seeing all that, Sita would very well drop into the ocean and become a fine meal for all the deadly sea creatures. 

War is always uncertain. What if the rakshasas come in such force that they can defeat even Hanuman!? Then they will take Sita and kill her. Or hide her in such a place that no one including Hanuman will be able to discover her.

Indeed, Sita adds that, being a devoted wife, her loyalty to Sri Rama prevents her from ever touching another male voluntarily. It is a different matter that she was forcibly abducted by Ravana and that was bad enough. So there is no way will she travel with Hanuman. It is a great suggestion, thank you, but unworkable.

Indeed, it behoves on Sri Rama, with all his glory and incomparable prowess, that he should come here  himself to Lanka and rescue Sita.

स मे हरिश्रष्ठ सलक्ष्मणं प्रियं सयूथपं क्षिप्रमिहोपपादय ।

चिराय रामं प्रति शोककर्षितां कुरुष्व मां वानरवीर हर्षिताम्   ।

"Oh great hero among vanaras, Hanuman, therefore, kindly find a way to bring Sri Rama along with Lakshmana and Sugriva with his troops here. Please find a way to end my long-standing sorrow of separation from my dear Sri Rama and bring me cheer."

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्          ॥  

Valmiki Ramayana - November 2

November 2 - Sarga 36 of Sundara Kanda. 

Sita feels quite confident that Hanuman is indeed Sri Rama's emissary and not an imposter. 

Hanuman now produces the one item that will establish  his veracity once and for all.

वानरोऽहं महाभागे दूतो रामस्य धीमतः  ।

रामनामाङ्कितं चेदं पश्य देव्यङ्गुलीयकम्   ॥

प्रत्ययार्थं तवानीतं तेन दत्तं महात्मना       ।

समाश्वसिहि भद्रं ते क्षीणदःखफला ह्यसि  ॥

"Oh blessed Devi,  I am indeed the vanara emissary of the great lord Sri Rama. Kindly see this sacred signet ring engraved with Sri Rama's name and worn by him! Precisely to give you proof of my authenticity,  I have brought this ring, specifically given to me by the great-souled Sri Rama! Please feel well and truly confident and may good befall you and all your sufferings evaporate!"

When Hanuman reverentially extracts the signet ring hidden and offers it to Sita, she is simply thrilled.

गृहीत्वा प्रेक्षमाणा सा भर्तुः करविभूषितम्  ।

भर्तारमिव सम्प्राप्तं जानकी मुदिताभवत्    ॥ 

"Taking from Hanuman that sacred ring that had adorned Sri Rama's hand before, Sita felt glad as if she had got her husband back and was touching him!"

Valmiki says her face with red-lotus-like eyes shone like the moon released from Rahu's eclipse. She even felt shy, holding her husband's ring. Delighted beyond measure, she said,

विक्रान्तस्त्वं समर्थस्त्वं प्राज्ञस्त्वं वानरोत्तम! 

"Oh Hanuman, supreme among vanaras, indeed you are gloriously valorous, extremely capable, astute, and sagacious beyond compare! 

शतयोजनविस्तीर्णः सागरो मकरालयः  ।

विक्रमश्लाघनीयेन क्रमता गोष्पदीकृत: ॥ 

"I cannot commend you enough for your incredible act of crossing the crocodile-infested hundred yojana-stretch of the ocean as if it were a small puddle left by a cow's hoof!"

Sita says that Hanuman is no ordinary vanara at all, the simple proof being he has no fear of Ravana himself! No wonder Sri Rama has chosen him to be the emissary. Sita is indeed most glad to know Sri Rama and Lakshmana are doing well.

***

Sita now shoots a fusillade of questions to Hanuman about why Sri Rama has not yet come to rescue her. 

Why has he not dried up the ocean and burnt down the world? No gods can impede Sri Rama and Lakshmana. Is it her ill-luck? Is Sri Rama depressed and helpless? Hope he knows the Sama-Dana-Bheda stratagem needed. Does he have good advisors? Hope he has not stopped praying to the gods for help. Has he forgotten Sita or lost his affection? Hope Sri Rama continues to get updates about the welfare of Kausalya, Sumitra, and Bharata.

Will Bharata send a mighty army to rescue Sita? Will Sugriva bring over his mighty vanara army? Hope Lakshmana will shoot a sky-full of mighty arrows to vanquish the rakshasas. Hope Sita will see soon Ravana's end.

न चास्य माता न पिता न चान्यः

           स्नेहाद् विशिष्टोऽस्ति मया समो वा ।

तावद्ध्यहं दूत जिजीविषेयं 

           यावत् प्रवृत्तिं शृणुयां प्रियस्य        ॥

"Oh Hanuman, Sri Rama's messenger! Know for certain that no one - not his father, not his mother, no one else, is dearer or even comparable to me in terms of Sri Rama's affection towards me. I shall therefore survive as long as it takes for me to get good news from Sri Rama."  

***

Sita fell silent, perhaps not expecting much of a response. But Hanuman is Hanuman.

The mighty Hanuman placed his hands in obeisance over his head.

"Devi, Sri Rama does not know even now that you are here. That is the only reason he has not embarked on rescuing you. You may recall that Indra was in the same quandary when his queen Shachi was abducted, and he did not know where to look for her."

"Wait a while. Sri Rama will come with the immense army of Sugriva. He will dry up the abode of Varuna, the ocean, and scorch up Lanka and rid it of all rakshasas. Nobody- gods, demons, even Yama, will be able to stop Sri Rama.

"I cannot even begin to describe to you Sri Rama's sorrow of being separated from you. I hereby swear on all the great mountains, Malaya, Vindhya and so on (abode of vanaras), on all the fruits and roots of this earth (food of vanaras) that soon you will behold the lovely face of Sri Rama, with his bimba-fruit-like lips, beautiful eyes, lovely ear-rings, and the full-moon-like face. Sri Rama will be seated on Prasravana mountain in full glory.

"Do you know, Oh Devi Sita, Sri Rama has not touched meat or drink since your separation. He barely eats (that too is only one-fifth of the quantity of prescribed food) roots and fruits. He cannot sleep. He deliriously keeps repeating your name, "Oh Sita." Sri Rama is so distracted that he does not even wave off flies, mosquitoes, or creepy-crawlies when they come near. He sighs deeply whenever he sees a lovely flower or fruit and says, "alas, my darling Sita!"

***

Sita felt most distressed to hear of Sri Rama's condition. It was as if the bright autumnal moon had become covered by clouds.

***

॥         श्रीरामजयम्        ॥

Valmiki Ramayana - November 1

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         ॥