---
title: "Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 51"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/kishkindha-kanda/sarga-51"
lang: "en"
---

# Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 51

> इत्युक्त्वा हनुमांस्तत्र चीरकृष्णाजिनाम्बराम्।  
> अब्रवीत् तां महाभागां तापसीं धर्मचारिणीम्॥ १॥

Having questioned as aforesaid the highly blessed ascetic woman, who was clad in bark and black antelope skin and was practising virtue there, Hanumān submitted to her as follows : (1)

> इदं प्रविष्टाः सहसा बिलं तिमिरसंवृतम्।  
> क्षुत्पिपासापरिश्रान्ताः परिखिन्नाश्च सर्वशः॥ २॥

“Exhausted with hunger and thirst and fully tired in everyway, we rashly penetrated deep into this cave completely shrouded in darkness. (2)

> महद् धरण्या विवरं प्रविष्टाः स्म पिपासिताः।  
> इमांस्त्वेवंविधान् भावान् विविधानद्भुतोपमान्॥ ३॥  
> दृष्ट्वा वयं प्रव्यथिताः सम्भ्रान्ता नष्टचेतसः।  
> कस्यैते काञ्चना वृक्षास्तरुणादित्यसंनिभाः॥ ४॥  
> शुचीन्यभ्यवहाराणि मूलानि च फलानि च।  
> काञ्चनानि विमानानि राजतानि गृहाणि च॥ ५॥  
> तपनीयगवाक्षाणि मणिजालावृतानि च।  
> पुष्पिताः फलवन्तश्च पुण्याः सुरभिगन्धयः॥ ६॥  
> इमे जाम्बूनदमयाः पादपाः कस्य तेजसा।  
> काञ्चनानि च पद्मानि जातानि विमले जले॥ ७॥

“Beholding such diverse curio-like objects on entering this large hole in the earth’s surface, seized with thirst, as we were, we felt bewildered, disquieted and distracted to think that they might be products of demoniac Māyā or enchantment. Whose property are these golden trees shining brightly like the rising sun, pure foods as also roots and fruits golden palaces and mansions of silver provided with windows of gold and protected with lattices of gems? By whose spiritual power have these holy golden trees full of blossom and fruit and emitting a fragrant smell been brought into existence? And through whose might have these golden lotuses sprung up in the pellucid water? (3—7)

> कथं मत्स्याश्च सौवर्णा दृश्यन्ते सह कच्छपैः।  
> आत्मनस्त्वनुभावाद् वा कस्य चैतत्तपोबलम्॥ ८॥

“Again, how do fishes alongwith turtles appear golden? Is this attributable to your own might or is this the spiritual power of someone else acquired through askesis? (8)

> अजानतां नः सर्वेषां सर्वमाख्यातुमर्हसि।  
> एवमुक्ता हनुमता तापसी धर्मचारिणी॥ ९॥  
> प्रत्युवाच हनूमन्तं सर्वभूतहिते रता।  
> मयो नाम महातेजा मायावी वानरर्षभ॥ १०॥

“Be pleased to point out everything to us all, who are ignorant in this matter.” Questioned thus by Hanumān, the ascetic woman, who was practising virtue and was devoted to the good of all created beings, replied to Hanumān as follows : “There is a conjurer, Maya by name, who is endowed with great energy, O jewel among the monkeys ! (9-10)

> तेनेदं निर्मितं सर्वं मायया काञ्चनं वनम्।  
> पुरा दानवमुख्यानां विश्वकर्मा बभूव ह॥ ११॥

“By him alone was this entire golden grove brought into existence by his wonderful architectural skill. Formerly, they say, he was the architect of the demon chiefs. (11)

> येनेदं काञ्चनं दिव्यं निर्मितं भवनोत्तमम्।  
> स तु वर्षसहस्राणि तपस्तप्त्वा महद्वने॥ १२॥  
> पितामहाद् वरं लेभे सर्वमौशनसं धनम्।  
> विधाय सर्वं बलवान् सर्वकामेश्वरस्तदा॥ १३॥  
> उवास सुखितः कालं कंचिदस्मिन् महावने।  
> तमप्सरसि हेमायां सक्तं दानवपुङ्गवम्॥ १४॥  
> विक्रम्यैवाशनिं गृह्य जघानेशः पुरंदरः।  
> इदं च ब्रह्मणा दत्तं हेमायै वनमुत्तमम्॥ १५॥  
> शाश्वतः कामभोगश्च गृहं चेदं हिरण्मयम्।  
> दुहिता मेरुसावर्णेरहं तस्याः स्वयंप्रभा॥ १६॥  
> इदं रक्षामि भवनं हेमाया वानरोत्तम।  
> मम प्रियसखी हेमा नृत्तगीतविशारदा॥ १७॥

“By him was this foremost ethereal golden palace constructed. Having practised austerities in this extensive grove for thousands of years, he for his part secured from Brahmā (the father of the progenitors of the universe) as a boon the entire wealth of Sage Śukra (in the form of his marvellous creative power as well as all the materials required for creation and the science of architecture, which is attributed to the said sage). Having accomplished everything, the mighty Maya, who had absolute control over all the objects of enjoyment evolved by him then lived happily for some time in this large grove. Seizing his thunderbolt and assailing the said demon chief, who was found attached to the celestial nymph Hemā, Indra (the destroyer of strong-holds), the ruler of gods, made short work of him. Nay, this excellent grove was bestowed on Hemā by Brahmā (the creator), as also perpetual enjoyment of luxuries and this golden mansion. I, Swayamprabhā by name, daughter of Merusāvarṇi, guard this dwelling of the said Hemā, O jewel among the monkeys! Hemā, who is my beloved friend, is an adept in the arts of dancing and singing. (12—17)

> तयादत्तवरा चास्मि रक्षामि भवनं महत्।  
> किं कार्यं कस्य वा हेतोः कान्ताराणि प्रपद्यथ॥ १८॥

“And I, from whom a boon has been secured by her for the protection of her house, guard the huge building on her behalf. What is your purpose in coming over here and for whose sake do you tread these difficult paths? (18)

> कथं चेदं वनं दुर्गं युष्माभिरुपलक्षितम्।  
> शुचीन्यभ्यवहाराणि मूलानि च फलानि च।  
> भुक्त्वा पीत्वा च पानीयं सर्वं मे वक्तुमर्हसि॥ १९॥

“Again, how has this grove, which is difficult of access, been found by you? Having partaken of these pure foods as well as of the roots and fruits and drunk the water which are being offered by me, you ought to tell me everything.” (19)

Book: https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana

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