Rama Requests Hanuma to Describe Lanka in Detail

सुग्रीवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा हेतुमत् परम अर्थवित् | प्रतिजग्राह काकुत्स्थो हनूमन्तम् अथ अब्रवीत् || ६-३-१

sugriivasya vacaH shrutvaa hetumat parama arthavit | pratijagraaha kaakutstho hanuumantam atha abraviit || 6-3-1

Hearing the well-founded and highly reasonable words of Sugreeva, Rama concurred with him and spoke then to Hanuma as follows:

तरसा सेतु बन्धेन सागर उच्चोषणेन वा | सर्वथा सुसमर्थो अस्मि सागरस्य अस्य लन्घने || ६-३-२

tarasaa setu bandhena saagara ucchoShaNena vaa | sarvathaa susamartho asmi saagarasya asya langhane || 6-3-2

"I am competent of crossing this ocean by all means, either by way of austerity or by forming a bridge or by drying up the ocean."

कति दुर्गाणि दुर्गाया लंकायास् तद् ब्रवीहि मे | ज्ञातुम् इच्चामि तत् सर्वम् दर्शनाद् इव वानर || ६-३-३

kati durgaaNi durgaayaa la.nkaayaas tad braviihi me | jJNaatum icchaami tat sarvam darshanaad iva vaanara || 6-3-3

"Tell me how many citadels in Lanka are difficult of access, Oh, Hanuma! I desire to know all that, as though viewed with an eye."

बलस्य परिमाणम् च द्वार दुर्ग क्रियाम् अपि | गुप्ति कर्म च लंकाया रक्षसाम् सदनानि च || ६-३-४ यथा सुखम् यथावच् च लंकायाम् असि दृष्टवान् | सरम् आचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन सर्वथा कुशलो हि असि || ६-३-५

balasya parimaaNam ca dvaara durga kriyaam api | gupti karma ca la.nkaayaa rakShasaam sadanaani ca || 6-3-4 yathaa sukham yathaavac ca la.nkaayaam asi dR^iShTavaan | saram aacakShva tattvena sarvathaa kushalo hi asi || 6-3-5

"You had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the size of the army, the fortification-details of the gates and citadels, the way in which Lanka was guarded and the various mansions of ogres. Describe everything in accordance with facts, for you are skilled in all ways."

श्रुत्वा रामस्य वचनम् हनूमान् मारुत आत्मजः | वाक्यम् वाक्यविदाम् श्रेष्ठो रामम् पुनर् अथ अब्रवीत् || ६-३-६

shruuyataam sarvam aakhyaasye durga karma vidhaanataH | guptaa purii yathaa la.nkaa rakShitaa ca yathaa balaiH || 6-3-7

Hearing the words of Rama, Hanuma the son of wind-god, who was excellent in the art of expression, forthwith spoke once more to Rama as follows:

श्रूयताम् सर्वम् आख्यास्ये दुर्ग कर्म विधानतः | गुप्ता पुरी यथा लंका रक्षिता च यथा बलैः || ६-३-७

raakshasaashcha yathaa snigdhaa raavaNasya cha tejasaa | paraam samR^iddhim la.nkaayaaH saagarasya ca bhiimataam || 6-3-8 vibhaagam ca bala oghasya nirdesham vaahanasya ca | evamuktvaa kapishreshhThaH kathayaamaasa tatvavit || 6-3-9

"Listen to me! I shall tell you everything-how the city of Lanka has been defended by the various methods of fortification and how it has been guarded by the troops."

राक्षसाश्च यथा स्निग्धा रावणस्य च तेजसा | पराम् समृद्धिम् लंकायाः सागरस्य च भीमताम् || ६-३-८ विभागम् च बल ओघस्य निर्देशम् वाहनस्य च | एवमुक्त्वा कपिश्रेष्ठः कथयामास तत्ववित् || ६-३-९

prahR^iShTaa muditaa la.nkaa matta dvipa samaakulaa | mahatii ratha sampuurNaa rakSho gaNa samaakulaa || 6-3-10

"I shall tell you the details of how the ogres are attached to their king, the excellent prosperity of Lanka generated by the glory of Ravana, the awfulness of the ocean, the division of the body of his forces and of animals like horses and elephants carrying his forces other than the infantry." Saying so, Hanuma the foremost among monkeys, who knew the truth narrated as follows.

प्रहृष्टा मुदिता लंका मत्त द्विप समाकुला | महती रथ सम्पूर्णा रक्षो गण समाकुला || ६-३-१०

tatreshhuupayantraaNi balavanti mahaanti cha | aagatam para sainyam tais tatra pratinivaaryate || 6-3-12

"The great Lanka was rejoiced and gayful, full of elephants in rut, abounding in chariots and inhabited by gangs of ogres."

दृढ बद्ध कवाटानि महापरिघवन्ति च | चत्वारि विपुलान्यस्या द्वाराणि सुमहान्ति || ६-३-११

dvaareShu sa.nskR^itaa bhiimaaH kaala aayasa mayaaH shitaaH | shatasho rocitaa viiraiH shataghnyo rakShasaam gaNaiH || 6-3-13

"Four fairly big and extensive gates are fitted with strong doors along with huge beams for locking those gates."

तत्रेषूपयन्त्राणि बलवन्ति महान्ति च | आगतम् पर सैन्यम् तैस् तत्र प्रतिनिवार्यते || ६-३-१२

sauvarNaH ca mahaa.ns tasyaaH praakaaro duShpradharShaNaH | maNi vidruma vaiduurya muktaa vicarita antaraH || 6-3-14

"Strong and mighty ballista capable of hurling darts and stones have been attached to them. The enemy troops which arrive there are warded off by those catapults at the very gates."

द्वारेषु संस्कृता भीमाः काल आयस मयाः शिताः | शतशो रोचिता वीरैः शतघ्न्यो रक्षसाम् गणैः || ६-३-१३

sarvataH ca mahaabhiimaaH shiita toyaa mahaashubhaaH | agaadhaa graahavatyaH ca parikhaa miina sevitaaH || 6-3-15

"Dangerous and sharp edged Sataghnis made of iron, forged by hordes of ogres, have been kept in readiness in hundreds at the gates.

सौवर्णः च महांस् तस्याः प्राकारो दुष्प्रधर्षणः | मणि विद्रुम वैदूर्य मुक्ता विचरित अन्तरः || ६-३-१४

dvaareShu taasaam catvaaraH samkramaaH parama aayataaH | yantrair upetaa bahubhir mahadbhir dR^iDha sa.ndhibhiH || 6-3-16

"A great rampart made of gold, which is difficult to assail with violence and is inlaid at intervals with gems, corals, cat's eyes and pearls, encircle that Lanka."

सर्वतः च महाभीमाः शीत तोया महाशुभाः | अगाधा ग्राहवत्यः च परिखा मीन सेविताः || ६-३-१५

traayante samkramaas tatra para sainya aagame sati | yantrais tair avakiiryante parikhaasu samantataH || 6-3-17

"Most awe-inspiring and fathomless moats (deep trenches) of great splendor, filled with cold water, infested with alligators and inhabited by fishes are there all round the city."

द्वारेषु तासाम् चत्वारः सम्क्रमाः परम आयताः | यन्त्रैर् उपेता बहुभिर् महद्भिर् दृढ संधिभिः || ६-३-१६

ekas tv akampyo balavaan samkramaH sumahaadR^iDhaH | kaaJNcanair bahubhiH stambhair vedikaabhiH ca shobhitaH || 6-3-18

"Anterior to the gateways, there are four very extensive draw-bridges, equipped with numerous engines and furnished with many rows of buildings (built on the rampart and meant for those entrusted with the duty of guarding the entrances)."

त्रायन्ते सम्क्रमास् तत्र पर सैन्य आगमे सति | यन्त्रैस् तैर् अवकीर्यन्ते परिखासु समन्ततः || ६-३-१७

svayam prakR^iti sampanno yuyutsuu raama raavaNaH | utthitaH ca apramattaH ca balaanaam anudarshane || 6-3-19

"Against the approach of the enemy forces there, the draw-bridges are protected by the aforesaid engines and the enemy-battalions are flung into the moats on every side."

एकस् त्व् अकम्प्यो बलवान् सम्क्रमः सुमहादृढः | काञ्चनैर् बहुभिः स्तम्भैर् वेदिकाभिः च शोभितः || ६-३-१८

la.nkaa purii niraalambaa deva durgaa bhaya aavahaa | na adeyam paarvatam vanyam kR^itrimam ca catur vidham || 6-3-20

"The most important draw-bridge which is unshakable, firmly fastened very well and strong, is dazzling with numerous gold pillars and pedestals."

स्वयम् प्रकृति सम्पन्नो युयुत्सू राम रावणः | उत्थितः च अप्रमत्तः च बलानाम् अनुदर्शने || ६-३-१९

sthitaa paare samudrasya duura paarasya raaghava | nau pathaH ca api na asti atra niraadeshaH ca sarvataH || 6-3-21

"Ravana, inclined to war and endowed with powers of the state, himself remains alert and in readiness to review the forces, Oh, Rama!"

लंका पुरी निरालम्बा देव दुर्गा भय आवहा | न अदेयम् पार्वतम् वन्यम् कृत्रिमम् च चतुर् विधम् || ६-३-२०

shaila agre racitaa durgaa saa puur deva pura upamaa | vaaji vaaraNa sampuurNaa la.nkaa parama durjayaa || 6-3-22

"Lanka therefore is impregnable, it is a celestial citadel, that inspires terror. Surrounded by water and built on a mountain, it has four fold defenses including forest and artificial fortification."

स्थिता पारे समुद्रस्य दूर पारस्य राघव | नौ पथः च अपि न अस्ति अत्र निरादेशः च सर्वतः || ६-३-२१

parighaaH ca shataghnyaH ca yantraaNi vividhaani ca | shobhayanti puriim la.nkaam raavaNasya duraatmanaH || 6-3-23

"Lanka is situated on the other side of the ocean, which is difficult of access, Oh Rama! It offers no passage for vehicles either and there is no proper communication from all sides."

शैल अग्रे रचिता दुर्गा सा पूर् देव पुर उपमा | वाजि वारण सम्पूर्णा लंका परम दुर्जया || ६-३-२२

ayutam rakShasaam atra pashcima dvaaram aashritam | shuula hastaa duraadharShaaH sarve khaDga agra yodhinaH || 6-3-24

"That city of Lanka, resembling the city of Gods, is built on a mountain peak and is inaccessible. That Lanka is abound with horses and elephants and is extremely difficult to conquer."

परिघाः च शतघ्न्यः च यन्त्राणि विविधानि च | शोभयन्ति पुरीम् लंकाम् रावणस्य दुरात्मनः || ६-३-२३

niyutam rakShasaam atra dakShiNa dvaaram aashritam | catur angeNa sainyena yodhaas tatra api anuttamaaH || 6-3-25

Deep trenches and Sataghnis too as well as engines of war of every kind adorn Lanka the city of wicked Ravana."

अयुतम् रक्षसाम् अत्र पश्चिम द्वारम् आश्रितम् | शूल हस्ता दुराधर्षाः सर्वे खड्ग अग्र योधिनः || ६-३-२४

prayutam rakShasaam atra puurva dvaaram samaashritam | carma khaDga dharaaH sarve tathaa sarva astra kovidaaH || 6-3-26

"Ten thousand ogres all carrying darts in their hands and warriors contending with swords, who are difficult to assail, are positioned at the eastern gate."

नियुतम् रक्षसाम् अत्र दक्षिण द्वारम् आश्रितम् | चतुर् अन्गेण सैन्येन योधास् तत्र अपि अनुत्तमाः || ६-३-२५

nyarbudam rakShasaam atra uttara dvaaram aashritam | rathinaH ca ashva vaahaaH ca kula putraaH supuujitaaH || 6-3-27

"One hundred thousand of ogres, with an army of four limbs (viz. horses, foot soldiers, elephants and chariots) are positioned at the southern gate of the city. Warriors unsurpassed by others constitute that army."

प्रयुतम् रक्षसाम् अत्र पूर्व द्वारम् समाश्रितम् | चर्म खड्ग धराः सर्वे तथा सर्व अस्त्र कोविदाः || ६-३-२६

shatam shata sahasraaNaam madhyamam gulmam aashritam | yaatu dhaanaa duraadharShaaH saagra koTiH ca rakShasaam || 6-3-28

One million troops arrived with shields and swords as well as proficient in the use of all mystic missiles, are positioned at the western gate."

न्यर्बुदम् रक्षसाम् अत्र उत्तर द्वारम् आश्रितम् | रथिनः च अश्व वाहाः च कुल पुत्राः सुपूजिताः || ६-३-२७

te mayaa samkramaa bhagnaaH parikhaaH ca avapuuritaaH | dagdhaa ca nagarii la.nkaa praakaaraaH ca avasaaditaaH || 6-3-29 balaikadeshaH kshapito raakshasaanaam mahaatmanaam |

"A hundred millions of ogres, who are mounted in chariots or who ride on hoses, sons of distinguished families and greatly honored, are positioned there at the northern gate."

शतम् शत सहस्राणाम् मध्यमम् गुल्मम् आश्रितम् | यातु धाना दुराधर्षाः साग्र कोटिः च रक्षसाम् || ६-३-२८

yena kena tu maargeNa taraama varuNa aalayam || 6-3-30 hataa iti nagarii la.nkaam vaanarair avadhaaryataam |

"Moreover, ogres hundreds of thousands in number, difficult to attack, aggregating to one and quarter of a crore of ogres are positioned at the central division."

ते मया सम्क्रमा भग्नाः परिखाः च अवपूरिताः | दग्धा च नगरी लंका प्राकाराः च अवसादिताः || ६-३-२९ बलैकदेशः क्षपितो राक्षसानाम् महात्मनाम् |

aN^gado dvivido maindo jaambavaan panaso nalaH || 6-3-31 niilaH senaa patiH caiva bala sheSheNa kim tava | plavamaanaa hi gatvaa taam raavaNasya mahaapuriim || 6-3-32 saprakaaraam sabhavanaam aanayiShyanti maithiliim | sapraakaaraam sabhavanaamaanayushhyanti raaghava || 6-3-33

"Those bridges were broken by me and the moats were filled up (with the wreckage). The city of Lanka was burnt by me and the defensive walls were pulled down. A part of the army of the gigantic ogres was destroyed."

येन केन तु मार्गेण तराम वरुण आलयम् || ६-३-३० हता इति नगरी लंकाम् वानरैर् अवधार्यताम् |

evam aaGYaapaya kShipram balaanaam sarva samgraham | muhuurtena tu yuktena prasthaanamabhirochaya || 6-3-34

"By some way or other, let us cross the ocean. The city of Lanka should be assumed then as destroyed by the monkeys."

अङ्गदो द्विविदो मैन्दो जाम्बवान् पनसो नलः || ६-३-३१ नीलः सेना पतिः चैव बल शेषेण किम् तव | प्लवमाना हि गत्वा ताम् रावणस्य महापुरीम् || ६-३-३२ सप्रकाराम् सभवनाम् आनयिष्यन्ति मैथिलीम् | सप्राकाराम् सभवनामानयुष्यन्ति राघव || ६-३-३३

"Oh, Rama! What is the use for the rest of the forces to you? Angada, Divida, Mainda, Jambavan, Panasa, Anala and Nila the commander-in-chief alone, by reaching that great city of Ravana leaping and storming Lanka with its mountains and woods, moats and archways, protective walls and buildings, will recover Seetha."

एवम् आज्ञापय क्षिप्रम् बलानाम् सर्व सम्ग्रहम् | मुहूर्तेन तु युक्तेन प्रस्थानमभिरोचय || ६-३-३४

"Order quickly to get all the forces accumulated accordingly. Let us set out at the appropriate moment."