Sundara Kanda, Sarga 3

Meaning

Standing on a towering peak of the Lamba mountain (a synonym of Trikūṭa), which looked much like a high cloud, and relying on his own virility, the intelligent Hanumān, son of the wind-god, who was full of great courage and was an elephant among the monkeys, entered by night the city of Laṅkā, which was protected by Rāvaṇa, and was rich in lovely forests and water-bodies, which was adorned with mansions white as autumnal clouds, which unceasingly emitted a sound like the roaring of the sea and was fanned by breezes from the sea, nay, which had been rendered sufficiently strong by well-fed forces even like Vitapavati (a synonym of Alakāpurī, the capital of Kubera’s realm), had elephants in rut stationed at its charming outer gates and was provided with white gates and archways and which was frequented by huge serpents and guarded by them like the splendid Bhogavati (the city of serpents, the capital of Patilla, the nethermost subterranean region). Delighted to reach the city—which was ever overcast with clouds illumined with flashes of lightning, and served by hosts of luminaries, the planets and stars and which ever resounded with the thunder-like sound of violent blasts even like Amarāvatī, the city of gods, the capital of heaven, nay, which was enclosed with a defensive wall of gold and was decorated with pennons fluttering with the jingling of tiny bells attached to them—Hanumān leapt up the wall. (1—7)

Meaning

When he had surveyed the city on all sides, his heart was filled with wonder. Hanumān rejoiced to gaze on Laṅkā, which was distinguished by charming golden entrances, with platforms of cat’s-eye gems on both sides of the gates inside as well as with those inlaid with diamonds, crystals and pearls—entrances which were embellished with floors of gems and graced with elephants of refined gold and were crowned with spotless white vaults of silver, entrances accessible by means of stairs of cat’s-eye and with their inside walls made of crystal and free from dust and provided with lovely and charming assembly halls, entrances which appeared to have risen to the skies due to their height, and were rendered noisy by herons and frequented by swans—and by which Laṅkā was resonant on all sides with the sound of clarionets and the tinkling of ornaments, was a replica of Vaswokasara (another name of the city of Alakā) and appeared as though risen to the skies on account of its lofty mansions. (8—12)

Meaning

Gazing on Laṅkā, that splendid city of the suzerain lord of ogres, which was unsurpassed in beauty and was full of opulence, the valiant Hanumān reflected as follows : (13)

Meaning

‘Guarded by the forces of Rāvaṇa with weapons uplifted in their hands, this city is incapable of being subdued by anyone by force. (14)

Meaning

‘This land is accessible only to Kumuda and Aṅgada or to the great monkey, Suṣeṇa, as also to Mainda and Dwivida. (15)

Meaning

‘Again access to it may be had by Sugrīva (sprung from the loins of the sun-god), the monkey Kuśaparva, Jāmbavān, the bear, the foremost of the monkey hordes, and even by myself.’ (16)

Meaning

Fully considering, however, the prowess of the mighty-armed Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu, as also the valour of Lakṣmaṇa, Hanumān felt satisfied. (17)

Meaning

That mighty Hanumān looked upon that celebrated and flourishing city of Rāvaṇa, the lord of ogres—whose darkness had been dispelled by lights as well as by the major planets full of radiance—as if it were a young woman adorned with ornaments, nay, having the bejewelled defensive wall for her raiment, the cow-pens (including stables etc.,) as well as other houses for her earrings and the armouries for her breasts. (18-19)

Meaning

Appearing in her personal form, Laṅkā, the presiding ogress of the city, now beheld the great monkey, Hanumān, sprung from the loins of the wind-god, a tiger among the monkeys, entering the city. (20)

Meaning

Seeing that jewel among the monkeys, the aforesaid Laṅkā, protected by Rāvaṇa, rose up on her own initiative on that spot showing her ugly features. (21)

Meaning

She stood before that heroic offspring of the wind-god. Emitting a loud cry she spoke as follows to Hanumān, sprung from the loins of the wind-god: (22)

Meaning

“Who are you and for what purpose have you come hither, O dweller of the forest? Speak out what the truth is so long as life has its hold on you. (23)

Meaning

“Protected by the forces of Rāvaṇa and strongly guarded on all sides, this Laṅkā can never be penetrated by you, O monkey !” (24)

Meaning

The valiant Hanumān then replied to the ogress standing before him: “I shall presently give out that truth which you have just questioned me about. (25)

Meaning

“Who are you with hideous eyes standing at the city gate? And what for do you angrily threaten me, O cruel one!”(26)

Meaning

Irritated to hear the counter-question of Hanumān, the aforesaid Laṅkā, who was able to change her form at will, spoke harshly as follows to the offspring of the wind-god: (27)

Meaning

“Always remaining at the beck and call of the high-souled Rāvaṇa—the ruler of ogres—and difficult to overpower, I guard this city. (28)

Meaning

“It is not possible to make one’s way into this city disregarding me. Overthrown by me and deprived of your life-breath, you will lie down in eternal sleep today. (29)

Meaning

“In truth I am the city of Laṅkā in person, O monkey, and guard it on all sides; hence such harsh words have been spoken to you by me.” (30)

Meaning

Hearing the words of Laṅkā, that jewel among the monkeys, Hanumān, sprung from the loins of the wind-god, stood like another mountain (standing on the Trikuṭa mountain), full of agility to give her a sound thrashing if she dared to assail him. (31)

Meaning

Seeing that monster in the form of a woman, that bull among the monkeys, a veritable jewel among monkeys, who was full of intelligence and courage, then spoke to her as follows : (32)

Meaning

“I should like to see the city of Laṅkā with its palaces, defensive wall and archways. I have come here for this very purpose; for great is my curiosity in this behalf. (33)

Meaning

“Indeed, my visit to this place is purported to explore the forests, gardens and groves of Laṅkā and to see the foremost of its mansions on all sides.” (34)

Meaning

Hearing the aforesaid reply of Hanumān, the ill-famed Laṅkā, who was able to take any form at will, once more uttered the following harsh words : (35)

Meaning

“Without overcoming me, protected as I am by Rāvaṇa, the ruler of ogres, O monkey of perverted mind, it is surely not possible for you to see the city today, O the lowest of monkeys !” (36)

Meaning

Thereupon that tiger among the monkeys, said to that ogress, “Having seen this city, O good lady, I shall go back as I came.” (37)

Meaning

Raising a loud and frightful cry, Laṅkā then actually struck with impetuosity that jewel among the monkeys with the palm of her hand. (38)

Meaning

Smitten violently by Laṅkā, that valiant offspring of the wind-god, a veritable tiger among the monkeys, thereupon uttered a very high-pitched roar. (39)

Meaning

Overcome with anger, the aforesaid Hanumān then closed the fingers of his left hand and smote her with his fist. (40)

Meaning

No violent anger, however, was exhibited by him of his own accord, inasmuch as he looked upon her as a woman. Her limbs having been overpowered by that blow, that ogress fell precipitately to the ground, displaying her ugly features. (41)

Meaning

Seeing her prostrated, the heroic and noble Hanumān showed compassion to her, considering her to be a woman (one belonging to the weaker sex). (42)

Meaning

Greatly alarmed at this turn of events, the aforesaid Laṅkā actually addressed the following words, which were shorn of pride, to the monkey, Hanumān, in a faltering tone: (43)

Meaning

“Get propitiated, O exceedingly mighty-armed one! Spare me, O jewel among the monkeys! Those endowed with courage and extraordinary might honour the code of chivalry that a woman ought not to be killed, O gentle one ! (44)

Meaning

“I am the city of Laṅkā-incarnate. I have actually been vanquished by you by dint of your prowess, O heroic monkey of extraordinary might ! (45)

Meaning

“And duly hear this truth from me even as I speak, O lord of monkeys ! The following prophecy was uttered in my presence by Brahmā himself : (46)

Meaning

“Surely, at the time when some monkey subdues you by dint of his prowess, destruction of the ogres should be concluded by you to be imminent. (47)

Meaning

“From your sight, O gentle one, it is concluded by me that the aforesaid time has now come. The fact has been ordained by Brahmā, the self-born creator, and no reversal of it is possible. (48)

Meaning

“The time of destruction of King Rāvaṇa of perverted mind as well as of all the ogres has duly arrived on account of the abduction of Sītā. (49)

Meaning

“Therefore, penetrating deep into this city protected by Rāvaṇa, accomplish all objects whichever you seek to accomplish. (50)

Meaning

“Entering deep into the charming city protected by Rāvaṇa (the foremost of ogres), which has been consigned to destruction by an imprecation (uttered by Nandikeswara, the divine bull, who carries Lord Śiva on his back and remains posted at the entrance of His Abode), O lord of monkeys, and, having easily found access to every place, carefully look at will for the virtuous daughter of Janaka.” (51)