November 16 - Sarga 57 od Sundara Kanda.
We read of the triumphant arrival of Hanuman and the boundless joy of the vanaras as they receive him. Meanwhile, Valmiki gives us another taste of his poetic abilities that beg the question as to how we can call him an accidental poet. He continues to astonish me with his incredible eye for detail in first-hand descriptions of events, interactions, and dialogues; as well as extremely visual descriptions of nature and phenomena to a level of mastery I have not come across before.
(Disclaimer: Of course I am not such a learned or well-read man.)
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स चन्द्रकुमुदं रम्यं सार्ककारण्डवं शुभम् ।
हनूमानपरिश्रान्तः पुप्लुवे गगनार्णवम् ॥
"The great Hanuman, without any trace of fatigue, flew across the wonderful sky that resembled the mighty ocean. The moon glittered like a large night lotus, the sun shone like a white Karandava bird sporting in the water. The stars Tishya, Shravana, and Swati, were like swans, the Punarvasu constellation was like a large fish. The clouds swirled like waves raised by the Wind-god, and Hanuman himself was like a large ship sailing in the sea at great speed - महानौरिव सागरम् ।
All the celestials gathered above, like nagas, gandharvas, and yakshas, witnessing his incredible flight, were like several full-blown lotuses and water lilies in the water body.
Hanuman, the worthy son of the Wind-god, appeared as if he was scratching the moon. It appeared he was sweeping and gathering into his arms the clouds. The clouds themselves sported many colours - white, black, blue, and yellow. and in a couple of places, even greenish-red in colour.
Hanuman looked like the white Garuda himself. He let out a thunderous roar. After all, the superhero had accomplished unimaginable acts of valour - he had leapt across the ocean, he had breached Ravana's security, he had met and paid his tribute to Devi Sita, and caused havoc among the rakshasas who challenged him.
Hanuman did not stop for refreshment but fondly tapped the Mountain lord who rose up to receive him. No doubt he was in a hurry to bring the great news to the vanaras.
स किञ्चिदारात् सम्प्राप्तः समालोक्य महागिरिम् ।
महेन्द्रं मेघसंकाशं ननाद स महाकपिः ॥
स तं देशमनुप्राप्तः सुहृद्दर्शनलालसः ।
ननाद सुमहानादं लाङ्गूलं चाप्यकम्पयत् ॥
"As the great vanara Hanuman came into the vicinity and sighted the Mahendra mountain that looked like a huge rain cloud, he let out a roar in utter joy.
"Having reached where his dear ones waited, and extremely eager to meet and be with them, Hanuman let out a terrific roar and shook his raised tail vigorously!"
Hanuman's cry resonated deafeningly in the ten directions. The vanaras waiting impatiently heard the roar and the loud whistling sound as Hanuman's thighs sped through the air.
Jambavan was thrilled! He called out to all the vanaras and bears-
सर्वथा कृतकार्योऽसौ हनूमान् नात्र संशयः! "Indeed, Hanuman has accomplished his mission most successfully! Of this, there is not the slightest doubt!"
The vanaras jumped in joy. They leapt from treetop to treetop, from mountain peak to mountain peak, unable to contain their excitement and fervent delight. They vigorously shook trees in welcome.
दृष्ट्वा ते वानरास्सर्वे तस्थुः प्राञ्जलयस्तदा "All the vanaras lined up, looking up at the great Hanuman landing, and stood with folded hands."
Hanuman landed with great force and touched down next to a river. All the vanara leaders rushed and crowded around him. Everyone was motionless in utter joy परां प्रीतिम् उपगताः ।
उपायनानि चादाय मूलानि च फलानि च ।
प्रत्यर्चयन् हरिश्रेष्ठं हरयो मारुतात्मजम् ॥
"The vanaras, out of boundless joy and affection, brought whatever gifts they could lay their hands on, and brought roots and fruits, and offered them respectfully to the supreme vanara hero Hanuman, son of the Wind-god."
विनेदुर्मुदिताः केचित् केचित् किलकिलां तथा ।
हृष्टाः पादपशाखाश्च आनन्युर्वानरर्षभाः ॥
हनूमान्सतु गुरून् वृद्धाञ्जाम्बवत्प्रमुखांस्तदा ।
कुमारमङ्गदं चैव सोऽवन्दत महाकपिः ॥
"Some vanaras made loud sounds of joy. Some vanaras appeared to be giggling in uncontrollable happiness. Some were so happy they broke and brought branches of trees, such was the celebration of the great vanaras there.
"The magnificent vanara Hanuman on his part went first to the elders and respectable leaders starting with Jambavan and paid his humble respects to them. He did so to the Prince Angada, too, in a scene of wonderful felicity."
Hanuman also went and grasped the hands of Angada in affectionate regard.
स ताभ्यां पूज्यः कपिभिश्च प्रसादितः ।
दृष्टा देवीति विक्रान्तः संक्षेपेण न्यवेदयत् ॥
"Having been felicitated by both Angada and Jambavan, the honour-worthy and heroic Hanuman, who had accomplished Mission Impossible, said in brief,
"The glorious Devi Sita was met with!"
(Note: In Sanskrit, it is the time-honoured practice to put such important achievements in passive voice, as a sign of humility and reverence.)
As the vanaras all settled around him, seated holding Angada's hands, Hanuman narrated:
अशोकवनिकासंस्था दृष्टा सा जनकात्मजा ।
रक्ष्यमाणा सुधोराभी राक्षसीभिरनिन्दिता ॥
एकवेणीधरा बाला रामदर्शनलालसा ।
उपवासपरिश्रान्ता मलिना जटिला कृशा ॥
"Oh, vanaras, Devi Sita, the glorious daughter of King Janaka, was seen by me, stationed in Ashoka Vana.
That unfaultable lady was guarded by terrible rakshasis.
"Devi Sita had put her tresses in a single plait. She looked tender and frail. She was deeply anguished and hankering to meet her beloved Sri Rama. She had withered by constant fasting. She was soiled in appearance, thin, and had matted hair."
The vanaras were thrilled to hear all this. Each one celebrated in his own unique way. Some roared, some jumped about, some thrashed their tails in joy. Some came and hugged Hanuman.
उक्तवाक्यं हनूमन्तमङ्गदस्तु तदाब्रवीत् ।
सर्वेषां हरिवीर्याणां मध्ये वानर विद्यते ॥
यदवप्लुत्य विस्तीर्णं सागरं पुनरागतः ।
जीवितस्य प्रदाता नस्त्वमेको वानरोत्तम ॥
अहो स्वामिनि ते भक्तिरहो वीर्यमहो धृतिः ।
दिष्ट्या दृष्टा त्वया देवी रामपत्नी यशस्विनी ।
दिष्ट्या त्यक्ष्यति काकुत्स्थः शोकं सीतावियोगजम् ॥
"Dear, honourable Hanuman, that you have leapt across the vast ocean, and come back to tell us of your successful mission, is something only you could have accomplished! By your achievement, you have saved all our lives.
"Oh, what devotion to your master! Oh, what tremendous valour! Fortitude! Bravery!
"By our good fortune, you managed to go and meet that blemishless divine consort of Sri Rama, Devi Sita. By our good fortune, now Sri Rama is going to abandon his grief at his separation from his beloved wife."
All the vanaras went around Hanuman, Jambavan, and Angada and did their obeisances. They all now settled down, wanting to hear everything of Hanuman's adventure, and he was going to narrate everything, leaving no detail.
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॥ श्रीरामजयम् ॥
