Chapter 55
Hanuma Doubts Whether Seetha Dies in the Fire
34 Verses
संदीप्यमानाम् विध्वस्ताम् त्रस्त रक्षो गणाम् पुरीम् | अवेक्ष्य हानुमाम्ल् लन्काम् चिन्तयामास वानरः || ५-५५-१
sa.ndiipyamaanaam vidhvastaam trasta rakSho gaNaam puriim | avekShya haanumaaml lankaam cintayaamaasa vaanaraH || 5-55-1
Seeing the city of Lanka blazing, and frightened with its multitude of demons getting alarmed, Hanuma the monkey became thoughtful.
तस्य अभूत् सुमहान् त्रासः कुत्सा च आत्मनि अजायत | लन्काम् प्रदहता कर्म किंस्वित् कृतम् इदम् मया || ५-५५-२
tasya abhuut sumahaan traasaH kutsaa ca aatmani ajaayata | lankaam pradahataa karma ki.nsvit kR^itam idam mayaa || 5-55-2
A great anxiety entered his mind and there arose in him a feeling of self-contempt. He said to himself "What an admonitory act has bee done by me in burning Lanka."
धन्याः ते पुरुष श्रेष्ठ ये बुद्ध्या कोपम् उत्थितम् | निरुन्धन्ति महात्मानो दीप्तम् अग्निम् इव अम्भसा || ५-५५-३
dhanyaaH te puruSha shreShTha ye buddhyaa kopam utthitam | nirundhanti mahaatmaano diiptam agnim iva ambhasaa || 5-55-3
"As a burning fire is extinguished with water, blessed indeed are those great-souled men of excellence, who in their wisdom, restrain their elevated fury."
क्रुद्धः पापम् न कुर्यात्कः क्रुद्धो हन्याद्गुरूनपि | क्रुद्धः परुषया वाचा नरः साधूनधिक्षिपेत् || ५-५५-४
kruddhaH paapam na kuryaatkaH kruddho hanyaadguruunapi | kruddhaH paruShayaa vaachaa naraH saadhuunadhikShipet || 5-55-4
"Which enraged man would not incur a sinful act? An enraged person may even kill his elders. An enraged person may insult virtuous men with harsh words."
वाच्यावाच्यम् प्रकुपितो न विजानाति कर्हिचित् | नाकार्यमस्ति क्रुद्धस्य नावाच्यम् विद्यते क्वचित् || ५-५५-५
vaachyaavaachyam prakupito na vijaanaati karhichit | naakaaryamasti kruddhasya naavaachyam vidyate kvachit || 5-55-5
"An agitated person ever does not know which appropriate words are and which are forbidden words to be uttered. For enraged persons, there is neither an improper act nor ever an improper word to be spoken."
यः समुत्पतितम् क्रोधम् क्षमयैव निरस्यति | यथोरगस्त्वचम् जीर्णाम् स वै पुरुष उच्यते || ५-५५-६
yaH samutpatitam krodham kShamayaiva nirasyati | yathoragastvacham jiirNaam sa vai puruSha uchyate || 5-55-6
"As a serpent casts off its slough, whoever casts aside an intense anger sprung up in him suddenly by virtue of his endurance, he verily is said to be an excellent man."
धिगस्तु माम् सुदुर्भद्धिम् निर्लज्जम् पापकृत्तमम् | अचिन्तयित्वा ताम् सीतामग्निदम् स्वामिघातकम् || ५-५५-७
dhigastu maam sudurbhaddhim nirlajjam paapakR^ittamam | achintayitvaa taam siitaamagnidam svaamighaatakam || 5-55-7
"Shame be upon me, the greatest sinner with utter foolishness and impudence, who became a fire-brand without giving thought to that Seetha and became hurtful to my master."
यदि दग्धा तु इयम् लन्का नूनम् आर्या अपि जानकी | दग्धा तेन मया भर्तुः हतम् कार्यम् अजानता || ५-५५-८
yadi dagdhaa tu iyam lankaa nuunam aaryaa api jaanakii | dagdhaa tena mayaa bhartuH hatam kaaryam ajaanataa || 5-55-8
"If this whole Lanka for its part has been burnt, the worshipful Seetha too has surely been burnt. Thus, I have spolt the purpose of my lord inadvertently."
यत् अर्थम् अयम् आरम्भः तत् कार्यम् अवसादितम् | मया हि दहता लन्काम् न सीता परिरक्षिता || ५-५५-९
yat artham ayam aarambhaH tat kaaryam avasaaditam | mayaa hi dahataa lankaam na siitaa parirakShitaa || 5-55-9
"That purpose for which all this effort was taken, has been spoilt. At the time of burning the city, I have not saved Seetha indeed."
ईषत् कार्यम् इदम् कार्यम् कृतम् आसीन् न संशयः | तस्य क्रोध अभिभूतेन मया मूल क्षयः कृतः || ५-५५-१०
iiShat kaaryam idam kaaryam kR^itam aasiin na sa.nshayaH | tasya krodha abhibhuutena mayaa muula kShayaH kR^itaH || 5-55-10
"This task (of burning Lanka) has been fulfilled by me and it has been completed only with a small effort. Overpowered as I was with anger, the very root of that fulfillment has been destroyed by me. There is no doubt."
विनष्टा जानकी व्यक्तम् न हि अदग्धः प्रदृश्यते | लन्कायाः कश्चित् उद्देशः सर्वा भस्मी कृता पुरी || ५-५५-११
vinaShTaa jaanakii vyaktam na hi adagdhaH pradR^ishyate | lankaayaaH kashcit uddeshaH sarvaa bhasmii kR^itaa purii || 5-55-11
"The entire Lanka has been reduced to ashes. No place is seen unburnt in this City. Therefore, Seetha also must have been surely lost."
यदि तत् विहतम् कार्यम् मया प्रज्ञा विपर्ययात् | इह एव प्राण सम्न्यासो मम अपि हि अतिरोचते || ५-५५-१२
yadi tat vihatam kaaryam mayaa praj~naa viparyayaat | iha eva praaNa samnyaaso mama api hi atirocate || 5-55-12
"If this task has been spoiled due to my perverted intelligence, it is appropriate even for me, here and now itself, to give up my life."
किम् अग्नौ निपतामि अद्य आहोस्वित् वडवा मुखे | शरीरम् आहो सत्त्वानाम् दद्मि सागर वासिनाम् || ५-५५-१३
kim agnau nipataami adya aahosvit vaDavaa mukhe | shariiram aaho sattvaanaam dadmi saagara vaasinaam || 5-55-13
"Shall I jump into fire now or into the mouth of a submarine fire? Or shall I give up my body as a feed to the marine animals?"
कथम् हि जीवता शक्यो मया द्रष्टुम् हरि ईश्वरः | तौ वा पुरुष शार्दूलौ कार्य सर्व स्व घातिना || ५-५५-१४
katham hi jiivataa shakyo mayaa draShTum hari iishvaraH | tau vaa puruSha shaarduulau kaarya sarva sva ghaatinaa || 5-55-14
"By me who has ruined the entire task, how can I, even while remaining alive, see Sugreeva the Lord of monkeys or Rama and Lakshmana the best of men?"
मया खलु तत् एव इदम् रोष दोषात् प्रदर्शितम् | प्रथितम् त्रिषु लोकेषु कपितम् अनवस्थितम् || ५-५५-१५
mayaa khalu tat eva idam roSha doShaat pradarshitam | prathitam triShu lokeShu kapitam anavasthitam || 5-55-15
"Due to culpability of my anger, I have indeed shown this apishness that is famous for instability in the three worlds."
धिग् अस्तु राजसम् भावम् अनीशम् अनवस्थितम् | ईश्वरेण अपि यत् रागान् मया सीता न रक्षिता || ५-५५-१६
dhig astu raajasam bhaavam aniisham anavasthitam | iishvareNa api yat raagaan mayaa siitaa na rakShitaa || 5-55-16
"Let there be shame upon the passionate way of my thinking, which breeds helplessness and instability. fir, eventhough capable as I am, Seetha could not be saved by me due to my exciting passion of anger."
विनष्टायाम् तु सीतायाम् ताव् उभौ विनशिष्यतः | तयोः विनाशे सुग्रीवः सबन्धुः विनशिष्यति || ५-५५-१७
vinaShTaayaam tu siitaayaam taav ubhau vinashiShyataH | tayoH vinaashe sugriivaH sabandhuH vinashiShyati || 5-55-17
"If Seetha dies, those two princes, Rama and Lakshmana will die. If their death occurs, Sugreeva along with his associates will also die."
एतत् एव वचः श्रुत्वा भरतो भ्रातृ वत्सलः | धर्म आत्मा सह शत्रुघ्नः कथम् शक्ष्यति जीवितुम् || ५-५५-१८
etat eva vacaH shrutvaa bharato bhraatR^i vatsalaH | dharma aatmaa saha shatrughnaH katham shakShyati jiivitum || 5-55-18
"How can the virtuous Bharata together with Shatrughna, who are affectionate to his brother, survive after hearing this news?"
इक्ष्वाकु वंशे धर्मिष्ठे गते नाशम् असंशयम् | भविष्यन्ति प्रजाः सर्वाः शोक सम्ताप पीडिताः || ५-५५-१९
ikShvaaku va.nshe dharmiShThe gate naasham asa.nshayam | bhaviShyanti prajaaH sarvaaH shoka samtaapa piiDitaaH || 5-55-19
"When the virtuous Ikshvaku dynasty perishes, all the people will undoubtedly be tormented with anguish and affliction."
तत् अहम् भाग्य रहितो लुप्त धर्म अर्थ सम्ग्रहः | रोग दोष परीत आत्मा व्यक्तम् लोक विनाशनः || ५-५५-२०
tat aham bhaagya rahito lupta dharma artha samgrahaH | roga doSha pariita aatmaa vyaktam loka vinaashanaH || 5-55-20
"Therefore, I, the unfortunate being, deprived of the values of duty and interest, with my mind filled with culpability of anger, clearly became the destroyer of the world."
इति चिन्तयतः तस्य निमित्तानि उपपेदिरे | पूरम् अपि उपलब्धानि साक्षात् पुनः अचिन्तयत् || ५-५५-२१
iti cintayataH tasya nimittaani upapedire | puuram api upalabdhaani saakShaat punaH acintayat || 5-55-21
While thinking thus, Hanuma clearly saw some omens, whose welcome-results had already been directly experienced by him and again thought (as follows);
अथवा चारु सर्व अन्गी रक्षिता स्वेन तेजसा | न नशिष्यति कल्याणी न अग्निः अग्नौ प्रवर्तते || ५-५५-२२
athavaa caaru sarva angii rakShitaa svena tejasaa | na nashiShyati kalyaaNii na agniH agnau pravartate || 5-55-22
"Or else, Seetha the auspicious lady, who is completely charming of her limbs and protected by her own effulgence, does not get destroyed. Fire does not indeed destroy fire!"
न हि धर्मात् मनः तस्य भार्याम् अमित तेजसः | स्व चारित्र अभिगुप्ताम् ताम् स्प्रष्टुम् अर्हति पावकः || ५-५५-२३
nuunam raama prabhaavena vaidehyaaH sukR^itena ca | yan maam dahana karmaa ayam na adahadt havya vaahanaH || 5-55-24
नूनम् राम प्रभावेन वैदेह्याः सुकृतेन च | यन् माम् दहन कर्मा अयम् न अदहद्त् हव्य वाहनः || ५-५५-२४
trayaaNaam bharata aadiinaam bhraatR^iR^iNaam devataa ca yaa | raamasya ca manaH kaantaa saa katham vinashiShyati || 5-55-25
"If this fire with its burning nature is not igniting me, it is surely due to the power of Rama and the benevolence of Seetha."
त्रयाणाम् भरत आदीनाम् भ्रातृऋणाम् देवता च या | रामस्य च मनः कान्ता सा कथम् विनशिष्यति || ५-५५-२५
yat vaa dahana karmaa ayam sarvatra prabhuH avyayaH | na me dahati laanguulam katham aaryaam pradhakShyati || 5-55-26
"How should that Seetha, who is a godhead for the three brothers (of Rama) starting with Bharata and who is dear to the heart of Rama perish?"
यत् वा दहन कर्मा अयम् सर्वत्र प्रभुः अव्ययः | न मे दहति लान्गूलम् कथम् आर्याम् प्रधक्ष्यति || ५-५५-२६
punashchaachintayattatra hanumaanvismitastadaa | hiraNyanaabhasya girerjalamadhye pradarshanam || 5-55-27
"This fire, which spreads everywhere without any hindrance, is not burning my tail. How can it burn the venerable Seetha?"
पुनश्चाचिन्तयत्तत्र हनुमान्विस्मितस्तदा | हिरण्यनाभस्य गिरेर्जलमध्ये प्रदर्शनम् || ५-५५-२७
tapasaa satya vaakyena ananyatvaac ca bhartari | api saa nirdahet agnim na taam agniH pradhakShyati || 5-55-28
Hanuma then recalled with wonder the sight of Mount Mainaka (having gold in its cavities) in the midst of sea-water there.
तपसा सत्य वाक्येन अनन्यत्वाच् च भर्तरि | अपि सा निर्दहेत् अग्निम् न ताम् अग्निः प्रधक्ष्यति || ५-५५-२८
sa tathaa cintayan tatra devyaa dharma parigraham | shushraava hanumaan vaakyam caaraNaanaam mahaatmanaam || 5-55-29
"That Seetha can even burn away the fire by her penance, true utterances and undivided devotion towards her husband. Fire does not ignite her."
स तथा चिन्तयन् तत्र देव्या धर्म परिग्रहम् | शुश्राव हनुमान् वाक्यम् चारणानाम् महात्मनाम् || ५-५५-२९
aho khalu kR^itam karma durviShahyam hanuumataa | agnim visR^ijataa abhiikShNam bhiimam raakShasa sadmani || 5-55-30
Hanuma, who was thus thinking there about the overpowering virtue of Seetha, happened to hear the words of the high-souled charanas (heavenly bards).
अहो खलु कृतम् कर्म दुर्विषह्यम् हनूमता | अग्निम् विसृजता अभीक्ष्णम् भीमम् राक्षस सद्मनि || ५-५५-३०
prapalaayitarakShaH striibaala vR^iddhasamaakulaa | janakolaahalaadhmaataa krandantiivaadrikandaraiH ||31
"Alas! Hanuma, who hurled a very terrific fire into Ravana's house, has indeed done a difficult act."
प्रपलायितरक्षः स्त्रीबाल वृद्धसमाकुला | जनकोलाहलाध्माता क्रन्दन्तीवाद्रिकन्दरैः ||३१
dagdhaa iyam nagarii lankaa saaTTa praakaara toraNaa | jaanakii na ca dagdhaa iti vismayo adbhuta eva naH || 5-55-32
"The city of Lanka, full of demons their wives, children and elders running hither and thither, as also filled with an uproar of people, appears as if it weeping through its mountain-caves."
दग्धा इयम् नगरी लन्का साट्ट प्राकार तोरणा | जानकी न च दग्धा इति विस्मयो अद्भुत एव नः || ५-५५-३२
sa nimittaiH ca dR^iShTa arthaiH kaaraNaiH ca mahaaguNaiH | R^iShi vaakyaiH ca hanumaan abhavat priita maanasaH || 5-55-33
"It is just so surprising a marvel to us that the entire City with its market-places, ramparts and arched door-ways, was burnt, but Seetha alone was not burnt."
स निमित्तैः च दृष्ट अर्थैः कारणैः च महागुणैः | ऋषि वाक्यैः च हनुमान् अभवत् प्रीत मानसः || ५-५५-३३
tataH kapiH praapta mano ratha arthaH | taam akShataam raaja sutaam viditvaa | pratyakShataH taam punaH eva dR^iShTvaa | pratiprayaaNaaya matim cakaara || 5-55-34
That Hanuma became delighted in his mind, by seeing the omens, with their apparent advantages in them and very high qualities of their origin as also the words of those sages.
ततः कपिः प्राप्त मनो रथ अर्थः | ताम् अक्षताम् राज सुताम् विदित्वा | प्रत्यक्षतः ताम् पुनः एव दृष्ट्वा | प्रतिप्रयाणाय मतिम् चकार || ५-५५-३४
Then, Hanuma, having fulfilled his object of desire by learning that Seetha the princess remains uninjured, made up his mind to return only after seeing her personally yet again.
