Ravanavadha 8
English (machine translation) 8
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Contents
8.1
Then Hanūmat of immense body plunged into the sky; / the birds, the sun, and the winds could not surpass his speed.
8.2
He shone like the sun rising clear at the start of autumn; / as he advanced onward, no path remained untrodden by him.
8.3
The monkey and the ocean expanded their forms in the sky; / and they passed along the highest path frequented by the sun, the moon, and Indra.
8.4
Even the ocean did not surpass his steadfastness as he went; / even the fierce whirlwind did not overtake his gait.
8.5
Striking the demoness who struck at him, the son of the Wind / entered her mouth and killed her, coming out quickly after tearing open her belly.
8.6
The ocean agitated by the wind and the dying demoness / blended their terrifying sounds with each other's noises.
8.7
She sank alone into the abode of sea-monsters crowded with huge crocodiles, / becoming food to the belly of many alligators.
8.8
He saw Mount Maināka risen up, repaying the past service / rendered by the Wind, having been protected by his father from Indra.
8.9
Conquering the sky by rising high, that mountain
said to the Wind-god's son: “Conquer your foe after resting upon me.
8.10
Eat the diverse fruits, play on the ridges,
and behold the flocks of birds playing delightfully.
8.11
Stand here for a moment, good sir! From here you will set forth again;
that task will not perish which has been undertaken by you, an able one.
8.12
Our affection stands in you; we wait upon you.
Who does not hold you in high regard as you rise up for the sake of a friend?
8.13
The twice-born who wait upon the sun with mantras at the three junctures of the day,
even they, tormented by the demons, now meditate upon your success.
8.14
Wait upon me without anxiety, O hero! I am a friend of the Wind-god.
The sun burns exceedingly hot; go after resting upon me.
8.15
Blazing intensely, this heat is unbearable to endure,
as if striking from all sides repeatedly with fiery brands.
8.16
Make an agreement, O monkey! Meet with my lovely forests;
my desired intentions have been fulfilled now that you have arrived.
8.17
Who does not know that Mount Maināka is the friend of the Wind-god?
With effort I call upon you, well-disposed; speak what is to be spoken.”
8.18
To that mountain which seemed to weave the sky together,
serving him exceedingly, the monkey spoke, acting like a dependent:
8.19
“I am going in haste to see the Ten-necked one who makes a wife of a noble woman,
O lord of mountains! Do not equip yourself against anyone.
8.20
He who carried Sītā away from the forest, whom Hari did not overcome—
altering my voice today, I shall destroy his army.
8.21
Today I will perform deeds in the city of that wicked enemy of Raghu;
I will either give up my dear life, or I will bear away renown,
8.22
or, stepping into the assembly of foes, I will dispel my wrath.”
Having spoken thus, the son of the Wind-god bounded swiftly into the sky.
8.23
A demoness approached to test his prowess,
like a terrifying comet star invading the sky.
8.24
As she strode wide in the water, Hanūmat entered her hundred-league
mouth and, having become minuscule, came out unnoticed.
8.25
Setting out to see Sītā, he reached the ocean shore,
which was crowded with dread night-roamers moving about.
8.26
Concealing himself and remaining the size of a hare, he spent the day;
clever and skilled in action, he resolved: “I will discover [her] at night.”
8.27
Observing the many attendants of Rāvaṇa who recognised each other,
he entered Laṅkā at night, declaring it impassable to foes.
8.28
He said nothing deceitful, nor was he betrayed by anyone,
as he listened to the people speaking together of Rāvaṇa’s virtues.
8.29
With chatter, shouts, singing, dancing, smiles, and laughter,
Laṅkā seemed to echo the clamour of the city of Indra.
8.30
He saw it filled with Brahma-rākṣasas disputing
and piśācas gulping down flesh and blood.
8.31
In their gatherings, they recounted their master's virtues each in his own way,
and those skilled in drinking, drunken, walked the roads in crowds.
8.32
Others travelled in vehicles such as elephants, horses, and chariots;
others distributed beautiful flowers and fruits through female captives.
8.33
Out of anger, some women would not accept the liquor offered by their lovers;
to them, desiring to test their love, the lovers swore oaths.
8.34
Desiring to remember Rāma afflicted by the pain of separation,
that monkey wished neither to watch the dancing nor to listen to the singers.
8.35
As if wishing to permit the viewing of Laṅkā,
the moon arose in the eastern quarter, shedding darkness-dispelling rays.
8.36
Wishing to hear news of Maithilī in the mansions of the demons,
he moved about without fear as the darkness faded away.
8.37
The monkey saw a hundred-thousand-strong guard among the demons,
frightful, encountering which even Death himself would die.
8.38
Then, as the moon desired to occupy the middle of the sky,
the city shone brightly with masses of exceedingly radiant white [mansions].
8.39
The people, devoted to gatherings, speaking endearing words,
enjoyed the moon reflected in their wine-cups as if it were ambrosia.
8.40
As though sharpening its longing, the youthful host of demons
freely consumed pure liquor under the moonlight, pride melting away.
8.41
Near their beloveds, they repeatedly made them drink clear wine with water lilies,
which induced confidence for sexual enjoyment.
8.42
The demons who were skilled in battle and had terrified Indra—
not startling them, the monkey leaped from house to house.
8.43
Desiring to see Sītā in secret, he made the demons greedy,
and baffled the sorceries of the enemies of men with his own illusions.
8.44
Denying his enemies, the thought occurred to him:
“The lord of the demons causes a false proclamation to be made by his spies.”
8.45
Concealing his great power, having wandered through the ministers' councils,
he went to the house of Rāvaṇa, who spoke ill of men—
8.46
a house filled with celestial women illuminating the quarters,
possessing unsurpassed beauty, having attained highest splendour,
8.47
ever exerting themselves in the acts of love's enjoyment,
well acquainted with playful amorous gestures and coquettish expressions,
8.48
making youths bewildered by passion execute their own desires,
while the fish-bannered god sits unconcerned, having them do his work,
8.49
bearing their own radiance, adorning their own bodies,
as though drinking with their eyes the minds of the onlookers.
8.50
Leaving them aside, Hanūmat went towards the Puṣpaka,
a flying aerial car that seemed to imitate the splendour of Mount Mandara.
8.51
In it he beheld Rāvaṇa, who rivalled Kailāsa,
with his heads as peaks and his arms as trees, possessing the glory of a mountain,
8.52
exuding constant fragrance, asleep, surrounded by his attendants,
who had forgiven Maghavan and was supreme in entering upon love.
8.53
From fear of whom the thousand-eyed Indra had ceased from battle,
at the sight of him the son of the Wind-god paused for a moment.
8.54
Beholding him, like charming Meru with its forests shaken by gusts of wind,
the monkey desisted from what he had intended to do.
8.55
Having seen the Ten-necked one alone in secret with his beloved,
and thinking “Sītā is not here,” the son of the Wind-god desisted, sorrowful.
8.56
Then he climbed the rampart, not awakening the night-roamers;
though capable, he did not fight, longing only for the sight of Sītā.
8.57
He sat pondering: "How might I dispel the grief of Rāma, / or how might I produce supreme joy for Vaidehī?
8.58
Only after seeing that beloved wife of Rāma will I put the demons to flight; / for valor shown before seeing her would ruin the mission."
8.59
Thinking thus, he saw nearby the Aśoka grove filled with clusters of flowers, / reaching up to the sky with its lofty woodlands.
8.60
That tiger among monkeys entered it, gently not shaking the trees, / not frightening the birds asleep on the branches, resting in the woods.
8.61
The wind blew gently in it as if making the creepers dance; / the frightened seasons did not afflict each other's abundance.
8.62
The moon, always full by the command of the Ten-faced One, / made the lotus-blooming ponds drink the nectar of its moonlight.
8.63
Captive women brought there, surrounded by enchanting demonesses, / subdued the God of the Flower-Arrows [Kāma].
8.64
In it the enemy kept Sītā alone out of passion; / yet clever and prosperous though he was, he could not make himself pleasing [to her].
8.65
With slowing gait, the monkey roamed in every direction among the trees that were green / and rustling with the wind.
8.66
The moonstones oozed; the beds of white night-lotuses shone; / scattered heaps of blossoms rolled about with the wind.
8.67
As the monkey wished to be near Sītā, his success about to happen, / auspicious birds making a gentle sound brought him joy.
8.68
Then Sītā perceived through true, auspicious omens / that she herself was soon to be, as it were, near her husband.
8.69
"If news of Sītā were not to come forth, then all our exertion / would turn out to be completely in vain," thought Hanūmat.
8.69.p1
Here ends the section on the middle voice [ātmanepada].
8.70
Moving from tree to tree, unseen, the bull among monkeys saw Janaka's daughter, / who was terrified of Rāvaṇa, seeing no protection from the enemy,
8.71
feeling utterly defeated, worthy of protection from the Ten-faced One by her beloved, / hiding herself from the demons, soiled and with faded hair,
8.72
bereft of smiles, appearing as though born from the sun, / while the son of the Wind had learned Rāma's message.
8.73
Pleasing to the foul-eyed demons, having bestowed wealth, / boasting before other women, the lord of the demons arrived there.
8.74
Bewildered by desire, concealing his intention, he swore [his devotion] to Sītā, / and presented riches to her as if paying a debt.
8.75
Yearning for her, he spoke many pleasing words; / and though trying to conciliate, he did not grow angry at Sītā, nor did he revile her:
8.76
"Why are you falsely angered at me, who wish to see you, O fawn-eyed one? / Women belonging to others should be looked upon: this is the inherent duty of demons.
8.77
Mediocre men promise to those who ask, O timid one, not the best; / others, whose purposes are unaccomplished, praise those who praise them, but men like me do not.
8.78
Rejoicing in affection, desire the sense-objects and the lord of the world! / Purchased for your enjoyment, I will do nothing displeasing to you.
8.79
Dwell with me in a mansion; do not stay in a deserted forest! / Do not abide on the bare ground; recline on a bed, longing for love!
8.80
Just as you have entered into my mind unimpeded, / do not likewise bar me, who dwell in your heart!
8.81
Do not despise the lord of the world who bows to you, O you who know not what is fitting! / When I am seen, what woman would desire the wretched descendant of Kakutstha?
8.82
He who milks milk from a stone might obtain prosperity from Rāma! / Bring joy to Rāvaṇa, who teaches you what is good and bad.
8.83
Pleased, I will make you enjoy the three worlds; / why do you lament so much? Let Rāvaṇa sleep at your side!
8.84
Have commands carried out by the demons; have desirable things brought to you! / Who would not want the cupped hands raised above the head by Śakra?"
8.84.p1
Here ends the section on case relations [kāraka].
8.85
Enraged following the words of the lord of the demons, Sītā, loving her husband, / spoke these words scented with sin to Rāvaṇa:
8.86
"If you are not inferior to Rāma or among heroes, / then why did you carry me off here by deceit, luring the two heroes away?
8.87
How is your conduct not inferior to a hero's, O lowest of night-roamers, / since you now live in Laṅkā out of fear of men?
8.88
Until you see Rāma, O sinner, boast yourself before women, / you of wicked conduct inferior to the virtuous, struck with passion for another's wife!
8.89
Rāma will soon outshine you here, / having raised his arrows in battle, he who is a match for Nārāyaṇa.
8.90
Where will you escape, O cruel one, when struck by his winged arrows? / It was not well said by you, extremely harsh, arrogant with pride, surpassing Rāma!
8.91
The lord will not leave behind even your name as a remnant! / Rāma could conquer even Sthāṇu [Śiva]; how slight is the capture of you?
8.92
Praise or censure us, the truth has been spoken, O man-eater! / Pour out on fire your pride, as well as your lust directed toward me!
8.93
Valiant above Rāma, he will bring about your destruction!" / Having said this to the Ten-faced One, the daughter of Mithilā sat silent.
8.94
Then Rāvaṇa, of cruel form, raising his sword, / angered at Vaidehī, sighed and spoke for a moment:
8.95
"Spoken to favorably for a long time, averse to compliance, / if you will not accept me within a month, O Maithilī, you will die!"
8.96
Returning to his palace, he instructed the dreadful demonesses: / "Inspire fears in Sītā, all of you, for my sake!"
8.97
When he had gone, the demonesses approached Maithilī to terrify her, / and to please Rāvaṇa they repeatedly spoke harshly and vehemently:
8.98
"Bow to Rāvaṇa, O Sītā! Welfare would surely be yours; / otherwise, we shall make you our morning meal."
8.99
Thinking them all as worthless as grass as they spoke, Trijaṭā said: / "Kill yourselves, you wicked ones! Make a meal of your own flesh!
8.100
Today in a dream I saw Sītā—slender, dark-complexioned, fair-eyed— / touching the sun along with the moon with her waist."
8.101
All of them, rebuked by her, with their terrifying faces and dreadful words and deeds, / went off to bed just as they had come, wishing to sleep.
8.102
When they had gone, the son of the Wind, recognizing Maithilī, / who had remained concealed for a long time on the arrival of the Ten-mouthed One,
8.103
as if released from being bound by debt by the departure of the enemy of sacrifices [Rāvaṇa], / began the story of Rāma for the purpose of awakening Maithilī's confidence.
8.104
Seeing him, Sītā thought: "For what reason has this Rāvaṇa, / descending from the tree, come near in the form of a monkey?
8.105
Praising the son of Daśaratha, he seems different from his former character. / Has he really come without cruelty to win my trust?
8.106
If he is other than Rāvaṇa, a follower of Rāghava, / then my omens before dawn have borne fruit.
8.107
Living north of the ocean, how could Rāma know / the demons' city situated south of the salt-water sea?
8.108
South of Daṇḍaka, passing rivers, mountains, and forests, / and the ocean itself, I was brought to a place inaccessible to men.
8.109
Apart from the fierce wind or except for Garuḍa, / no one has the power to go here—how much less a monkey?"
8.110
Approaching her with difficulty as she was anxious thus, / momentarily left alone by the demons, that elephant among monkeys said: "I am Rāma's servant.
8.111
Far from Mahendra, not far from Mount Vindhya, / and not far from the ocean, on Mālyavat, is your beloved.
8.112
Before the ten-necked [Rāvaṇa] arrived, I entered this grove; / when he departed, I, undetected, approached to see you.
8.113
Though angered while he was speaking, O queen, I showed no valor, / discerning the prior and the subsequent, so as not to ruin the mission.
8.114
Among monkeys the lord is a monkey; he has become the friend of Rāma, the lord among men: / that is Sugrīva, and as his messenger I have come.
8.115
Having surveyed the whole city of the lord of night-wanderers, / skilled in searching, I was dispatched on this messenger's task.
8.116
Beholding women most beautiful even among heavenly women, / and repelling demons more vicious than even venomous serpents, I arrived.
8.117
Rāma yearns for you and is devoted to reunion with you; / having performed the funeral offering to the ancestors under the Maghās, he sent me forth.
8.118
This sign of recognition, O Maithilī, is the ring of Kākutstha, / handed over with respect to me by him who remembers you intensely.
8.119
Showing pity for Rāma, that Lakṣmaṇa thinks constantly of you; / the two foremost kings have prepared for their arrival here: do not fear.
8.120
The monkeys of terrifying prowess will blockade Rāvaṇa here; / with steadfastness, O Vaidehī, pray for [their success]! Destroy your grief!
8.121
When I have returned, Rāma will strike down the demons; / bringing you here, this Rāvaṇa gambled away his life.
8.122
The best of Raghus did not risk the enjoyment of his kinsmen, he gambled away his own wealth; / a hundred times a day he remembers you alone.
8.123
So long as the demonesses lying near you do not awake, / send back a message, O Maithilī, to your husband who wields the Śārṅga bow!"
8.124
Understanding that entry into the city by a monkey was an extraordinary deed, / she gave him a crest-jewel, a sign of recognition dear to Rāma.
8.125
Repeatedly asking how Rāma slept, ate, spoke, smiled, rested, / and went about, she dismissed Hanūmat.
8.126
Holding the token, desiring to perform a fierce deed, / though about to go to the master's presence, he reflected in his mind for a moment:
8.127
"Having performed the task as instructed, he who executes additional work / that does not conflict with the primary purpose—him they call the best messenger.
8.128
Having seen Vaidehī, performing a deed difficult for others too, / I, delivering news and recounting the message, shall attain renown from my lord.
8.129
This pleasure grove to be guarded by the lord of demons must be destroyed by me"— / having thus resolved, the monkey assumed an appearance like [the forest of] Nandana.
8.130
Proclaiming, "May there be welfare to the two Raghus! I am their messenger; / being well-disposed to Rāma, I am destroying [this grove]—what demon says anything here?"—
8.131
brown with shaken flower-pollen, its buds and leaves and blooms crushed, / its ground variegated by fallen flowers, / its birds eager for trees that fell with a crash, / its directions resounding with bird cries, / its deer running wildly away— / the son of the wind destroyed the enemy's grove, the abode of the deer-eyed [Sītā].
Commentaries (4)
- Sarvapathīnā — Mallinātha Sūri, Sanskrit
- Bhaṭṭikāvyavyākhyā — Harisvāmin, Sanskrit
- Bhaṭṭikāvyaṭīkā — Bharatamallīka, Sanskrit
- Jayamaṅgalā — Jayamaṅgala, Sanskrit
Linked texts (1)
- Rāvaṇavadha — Bhaṭṭi, Sanskrit