Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 44

Meaning

Sugrīva for his part broached the subject (of conducting a search for Sītā) in particular before Hanūmān, for, so far as the question of achieving that purpose was concerned, he was sure about that jewel among monkeys being able to accomplish the task. (1)

Meaning

Nay, supremely pleased with Hanūmān, Sugrīva, the lord of all the denizens of the forest, spoke as follows to Hanumān, the valiant son of the wind-god : (2)

Meaning

“Neither on earth nor in the air nor again in the sky nor in heaven (the abode of immortals) nor in waters for that matter do I find any obstruction to your movement, O bull among the monkeys ! (3)

Meaning

“All the worlds inhabited by demons, by Gandharvas, by Nāgas (semi-divine beings having the face of a man and the body of a serpent and said to inhabit Pātāla), by human beings and by gods and including oceans and mountains are known to you. (4)

Meaning

“Your unhampered movement and speed, energy and adroitness too are similar to those found in your father, the wind-god, who is possessed of extraordinary strength, O heroic and great monkey ! (5)

Meaning

“There is no created being on earth equal to you in vigour either. Therefore, you alone should ponder on the way in which Sītā may be found. (6)

Meaning

“Nay, in you alone, O Hanumān, repose strength, wisdom, prowess, conformability to place and time, and prudence too, O past master in statecraft !” (7)

Meaning

Concluding from the aforesaid words of Sugrīva that the success of the venture depended on Hanūmān, and also knowing Hanūmān to be capable of accomplishing the work, Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) reflected as follows : (8)

Meaning

“This lord of monkeys is cock-sure about Hanūmān being capable of accomplishing the work entrusted to him, while Hanumān too is even more confident about his being able to accomplish the task. (9)

Meaning

“Therefore, the success of the endeavour of Hanumān, who has been tested by his deeds and chosen for this work by his master, and who is now moving out (in obedience to his master’s call) is certain.” (10)

Meaning

Perceiving the aforesaid monkey, Hanumān, who was pre-eminent in accomplishing the work entrusted to him, Śrī Rāma, who was endowed with extraordinary energy, felt overjoyed as though he had gained his end, his senses and mind thrilled with delight. (11)

Meaning

Full of joy, Śrī Rāma (the scourge of his foes) gave to Hanumān a ring inscribed with his name as a token of identification to Sītā (the daughter of a king). (12)

Meaning

He said to him, “Through this token, O jewel among the monkeys, Sītā (the daughter of Janaka) will unperturbedly recognize you to have arrived from my presence. (13)

Meaning

“Nay, your resolution as well as your prowess coupled with courage as also the words of Sugrīva addressed to you predict success, as it were, to my mind.” (14)

Meaning

Taking the ring and placing it on his head and bowing down at Śrī Rāma’s feet, Hanumān, a jewel among the monkeys, set forth with joined palms. (15)

Meaning

Leading that mighty band of monkeys, the aforesaid monkey, the gallant Hanumān (son of the wind-god) shone like the moon with a stainless orb graced by a galaxy of stars in a cloudless sky. (16)

Meaning

“Śrī Rāma sent him away with the following words : “I depend on your might, O Hanumān, endowed as you are with surpassing strength. Exert yourself in such a way by dint of your great valour, O son of the wind-god, possessing as you do the might of the foremost of lions, that Sītā, daughter of Janaka, may be found.” (17)