---
title: "Sundara Kanda, Sarga 42"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/sundara-kanda/sarga-42"
lang: "en"
---

# Sundara Kanda, Sarga 42

> ततः पक्षिनिनादेन वृक्षभङ्गस्वनेन च।  
> बभूवुस्त्राससम्भ्रान्ताः सर्वे लङ्कानिवासिनः॥ १॥

Thereupon all the denizens of Laṅkā got terror-stricken at the screaming of birds and the crash of falling trees. (1)

> विद्रुताश्च भयत्रस्ता विनेदुर्मृगपक्षिणः।  
> रक्षसां च निमित्तानि क्रूराणि प्रतिपेदिरे॥ २॥

Put to flight, being panic-stricken, beasts and birds began to scream. Nay, fierce portents made their appearance before the ogres. (2)

> ततो गतायां निद्रायां राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः।  
> तद् वनं ददृशुर्भग्नं तं च वीरं महाकपिम्॥ ३॥

Their sleep having consequently vanished, the ugly-faced ogresses found that grove devastated and saw that huge and gallant monkey before them. (3)

> स ता दृष्ट्वा महाबाहुर्महासत्त्वो महाबलः।  
> चकार सुमहद्रूपं राक्षसीनां भयावहम्॥ ४॥

Beholding them, the mighty-armed Hanumān, who was endowed with extraordinary courage and might, assumed a gigantic form striking terror into the ogresses. (4)

> ततस्तु गिरिसंकाशमतिकायं महाबलम्।  
> राक्षस्यो वानरं दृष्ट्वा पप्रच्छुर्जनकात्मजाम्॥ ५॥

Seeing a colossal monkey looking like a mountain and endowed with extraordinary strength, the ogresses for their part forthwith questioned the daughter of Janaka as follows: (5)

> कोऽयं कस्य कुतो वायं किंनिमित्तमिहागतः।  
> कथं त्वया सहानेन संवादः कृत इत्युत॥ ६॥  
> आचक्ष्व नो विशालाक्षि मा भूत्ते सुभगे भयम्।  
> संवादमसितापाङ्गि त्वया किं कृतवानयम्॥ ७॥

“Please tell us, O large-eyed lady, who this creature is, whose messenger is he, whence and what for he has come and also wherefore talk was held by him with you. No fear need be entertained by you, O graceful lady ! What conversation did he have with you, O lady with dark-cornered eyes?” (6-7)

> अथाब्रवीत् तदा साध्वी सीता सर्वाङ्गशोभना।  
> रक्षसां कामरूपाणां विज्ञाने का गतिर्मम॥ ८॥

The virtuous Sītā, who was charming of every limb, then replied forthwith as follows: “What means can I have for acquiring correct knowledge about the ogres, who are capable of changing their form at will? (8)

> यूयमेवास्य जानीत योऽयं यद् वा करिष्यति।  
> अहिरेव ह्यहेः पादान् विजानाति न संशयः॥ ९॥

“You alone ought to know who he is and what he is about. Indeed a serpent alone has true knowledge about the movements of a serpent: there is no doubt about it. (9)

> अहमप्यतिभीतास्मि नैव जानामि को ह्ययम्।  
> वेद्मि राक्षसमेवैनं कामरूपिणमागतम्॥ १०॥

“I too am exceedingly frightened and do not know at all who he really is. Of course, I believe him to be an ogre able to change his form at will, arrived here.” (10)

> वैदेह्या वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षस्यो विद्रुता द्रुतम्।  
> स्थिताः काश्चिद्गताः काश्चिद् रावणाय निवेदितुम्॥ ११॥

Hearing the reply of Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory), the ogresses fled with all speed. Some of them remained rooted there, while others left to report the matter to Rāvaṇa. (11)

> रावणस्य समीपे तु राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः।  
> विरूपं वानरं भीमं रावणाय न्यवेदिषुः॥ १२॥

Arrived in the presence of Rāvaṇa, the ugly-faced ogresses for their part reported to Rāvaṇa the presence of a monstrous and redoubtable monkey in the following words: (12)

> अशोकवनिकामध्ये राजन् भीमवपुः कपिः।  
> सीतया कृतसंवादस्तिष्ठत्यमितविक्रमः॥ १३॥

“A monkey of terrible proportions and endowed with immense prowess stands, O king, in the heart of the Aśoka grove, having held a talk with Sītā. (13)

> न च तं जानकी सीता हरिं हरिणलोचना।  
> अस्माभिर्बहुधा पृष्टा निवेदयितुमिच्छति॥ १४॥

“Though questioned by us in many ways, Sītā, Janaka’s daughter, whose eyes resemble those of a doe, however, does not wish to disclose the identity of the monkey. (14)

> वासवस्य भवेद् दूतो दूतो वैश्रवणस्य वा।  
> प्रेषितो वापि रामेण सीतान्वेषणकाङ्क्षया॥ १५॥

“He may be an emissary of Indra (the ruler of gods) or an envoy of Kubera (the god of riches) or he may have been dispatched even by Rāma with intent to have Sītā traced out. (15)

> तेनैवाद्भुतरूपेण यत्तत्तव मनोहरम्।  
> नानामृगगणाकीर्णं प्रमृष्टं प्रमदावनम्॥ १६॥

“By that very monkey of marvellous form has your soul-captivating pleasance, which was crowded with herds of beasts of every variety, has been laid waste. (16)

> न तत्र कश्चिदुद्देशो यस्तेन न विनाशितः।  
> यत्र सा जानकी देवी स तेन न विनाशितः॥ १७॥

“There is not a single quarter in that pleasance, which has not been utterly devastated by him. That place alone where lives that godlike lady, Sītā, Janaka’s daughter, has not been destroyed. (17)

> जानकीरक्षणार्थं वा श्रमाद् वा नोपलक्ष्यते।  
> अथवा कः श्रमस्तस्य सैव तेनाभिरक्षिता॥ १८॥

“It is not definitely known whether he has spared it with a view to saving her or due to exhaustion. Or, since exhaustion is unknown to him, Janaka’s daughter has definitely been saved by him. (18)

> चारुपल्लवपत्राढ्यं यं सीता स्वयमास्थिता।  
> प्रवृद्धः शिंशपावृक्षः स च तेनाभिरक्षितः॥ १९॥

“That fully developed Śiṁśapā tree too, which is rich in lovely foliage and in the shade of which Sītā herself remains ensconced has been spared by him. (19)

> तस्योग्ररूपस्योग्रं त्वं दण्डमाज्ञातुमर्हसि।  
> सीता सम्भाषिता येन वनं तेन विनाशितम्॥ २०॥

“You ought to enjoin some severe punishment on that monkey having a frightful form, by whom Sītā has been spoken to. By him alone has the grove been devastated. (20)

> मनःपरिगृहीतां तां तव रक्षोगणेश्वर।  
> कः सीतामभिभाषेत यो न स्यात् त्यक्तजीवितः॥ २१॥

“Who would dare to talk with Sītā, who has been mentally accepted by you, save him who has given up all hope of survival, O ruler of ogre hordes?” (21)

> राक्षसीनां वचः श्रुत्वा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः।  
> चिताग्निरिव जज्वाल कोपसंवर्तितेक्षणः॥ २२॥

Hearing the report of the ogresses, Rāvaṇa, the lord of ogres, flared up like a funeral fire, his eyes rolling rapidly through rage. (22)

> तस्य क्रुद्धस्य नेत्राभ्यां प्रापतन्नश्रुबिन्दवः।  
> दीप्ताभ्यामिव दीपाभ्यां सार्चिषः स्नेहबिन्दवः॥ २३॥

From his eyes, angry as he was, trickled down tear-drops like burning drops of oil from a pair of kindled lights. (23)

> आत्मनः सदृशान् वीरान् किंकरान्नाम राक्षसान्।  
> व्यादिदेश महातेजा निग्रहार्थं हनूमतः॥ २४॥

Rāvaṇa, who was endowed with extraordinary energy, ordered in particular valiant ogres, named Kiṅkaras, who vied with himself, to capture Hanumān. (24)

> तेषामशीतिसाहस्रं किंकराणां तरस्विनाम्।  
> निर्ययुर्भवनात् तस्मात् कूटमुद्गरपाणयः॥ २५॥

Of the aforesaid energetic Kiṅkaras, eighty thousand sallied forth from that palace, iron mallets and clubs in hand. (25)

> महोदरा महादंष्ट्रा घोररूपा महाबलाः।  
> युद्धाभिमनसः सर्वे हनूमद्ग्रहणोन्मुखाः॥ २६॥

They were all big-bellied, had large teeth and of terrible form, were endowed with extraordinary might, inclined to fighting and eager to lay hold on Hanumān. (26)

> ते कपिं तं समासाद्य तोरणस्थमवस्थितम्।  
> अभिपेतुर्महावेगाः पतंगा इव पावकम्॥ २७॥

Duly approaching the aforesaid monkey, who was stationed at the archway, ready to fight, they darted at him with great vehemence like moths rushing towards a flame. (27)

> ते गदाभिर्विचित्राभिः परिघैः काञ्चनाङ्गदैः।  
> आजग्मुर्वानरश्रेष्ठं शरैरादित्यसंनिभैः॥ २८॥

They assailed Hanumān, the foremost of monkeys, with maces of different kinds, iron bludgeons plated with gold at the head and arrows shining brightly as the sun. (28)

> मुद्गरैः पट्टिशैः शूलैः प्रासतोमरपाणयः।  
> परिवार्य हनूमन्तं सहसा तस्थुरग्रतः॥ २९॥

Surrounding Hanumān, the Kiṅkaras, who were equipped with clubs, sharp-edged spears and iron pikes and who carried lances and javelins in their hands, stood all of a sudden in front of him. (29)

> हनूमानपि तेजस्वी श्रीमान् पर्वतसंनिभः।  
> क्षितावाविद्ध्य लाङ्गूलं ननाद च महाध्वनिम्॥ ३०॥

Lashing his tail at the ground, the glorious Hanumān too, who was full of energy and looked like a mountain, uttered a loud roar. (30)

> स भूत्वा तु महाकायो हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः।  
> पुच्छमास्फोटयामास लङ्कां शब्देन पूरयन्॥ ३१॥

Assuming a gigantic form, the celebrated Hanumān, sprung from the loins of the wind-god, waved his tail to and fro, filling Laṅkā with its sound. (31)

> तस्यास्फोटितशब्देन महता चानुनादिना।  
> पेतुर्विहङ्गा गगनादुच्चैश्चेदमघोषयत्॥ ३२॥

At the loud and resonant sound of the swishing of his tail, birds fell from the airspace and he proclaimed in aloud voice: (32)

> जयत्यतिबलो रामो लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः।  
> राजा जयति सुग्रीवो राघवेणाभिपालितः॥ ३३॥

“Victorious is Śrī Rāma, who is possessed of surpassing strength and Lakṣmaṇa, who is endowed with extraordinary might. Victorious too is King Sugrīva, protected on all sides by Śrī Rāma, a scion of Raghu. (33)

> दासोऽहं कोसलेन्द्रस्य रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः।  
> हनूमान् शत्रुसैन्यानां निहन्ता मारुतात्मजः॥ ३४॥

“I, Hanumān, sprung from the loins of the wind-god, and the destroyer of hostile armies, am a servant of Śrī Rāma of unwearied action, the lord of Kośala. (34)

> न रावणसहस्रं मे युद्धे प्रतिबलं भवेत्।  
> शिलाभिश्च प्रहरतः पादपैश्च सहस्रशः॥ ३५॥

“Not even a thousand of Rāvaṇas can stand my might in combat, even as I assail them with a myriad of rocks and trees. (35)

> अर्दयित्वा पुरीं लङ्कामभिवाद्य च मैथिलीम्।  
> समृद्धार्थो गमिष्यामि मिषतां सर्वरक्षसाम्॥ ३६॥

“Destroying the city of Laṅkā and greeting Sītā, the princess of Mithilā, I shall return fully accomplished of purpose, while all the ogres stand looking on.” (36)

> तस्य संनादशब्देन तेऽभवन् भयशङ्किताः।  
> ददृशुश्च हनूमन्तं संध्यामेघमिवोन्नतम्॥ ३७॥

The Kiṅkaras were stricken with fear at his roar and beheld Hanumān standing aloft as an evening cloud. (37)

> स्वामिसंदेशनिःशङ्कास्ततस्ते राक्षसाः कपिम्।  
> चित्रैः प्रहरणैर्भीमैरभिपेतुस्ततस्ततः॥ ३८॥

Rid of all doubt as to who he was by the mention of his master, those ogres thereupon attacked him from every side with various dreadful weapons. (38)

> स तैः परिवृतः शूरैः सर्वतः स महाबलः।  
> आससादायसं भीमं परिघं तोरणाश्रितम्॥ ३९॥

Surrounded by those valiant ogres from all sides, the celebrated Hanumān, who was endowed with extraordinary might, seized a formidable iron bar lying at the archway. (39)

> स तं परिघमादाय जघान रजनीचरान्।  
> सपन्नगमिवादाय स्फुरन्तं विनतासुतः॥ ४०॥

Laying hold on that bar, he struck the rangers of the night even as Garuḍa (son of Vinatā) would, carrying a struggling serpent. (40)

> विचचाराम्बरे वीरः परिगृह्य च मारुतिः।  
> सूदयामास वज्रेण दैत्यानिव सहस्रदृक्॥ ४१॥

Nay, grasping the bar tightly, the gallant Hanumān, son of the wind-god, ranged through the air and began to destroy the ogres even as Indra (the god with a thousand eyes) killed the Daityas (sons of Diti) with his thunderbolt. (41)

> स हत्वा राक्षसान् वीरः किंकरान् मारुतात्मजः।  
> युद्धाकाङ्क्षी महावीरस्तोरणं समवस्थितः॥ ४२॥

Having made short work of the ogres known by the collective name of Kiṅkaras, the aforesaid valiant Hanumān, who was an eminent hero, stood rooted at the gate thirsting for combat. (42)

> ततस्तस्माद् भयान्मुक्ताः कतिचित्तत्र राक्षसाः।  
> निहतान् किंकरान् सर्वान् रावणाय न्यवेदयन्॥ ४३॥

Free from that fear, being at a considerable distance from Hanumān, a few ogres, who had survived there, spoke to Rāvaṇa of all the Kiṅkaras having been disposed of. (43)

> स राक्षसानां निहतं महाबलं  
> निशम्य राजा परिवृत्तलोचनः।  
> समादिदेशाप्रतिमं पराक्रमे  
> प्रहस्तपुत्रं समरे सुदुर्जयम्॥ ४४॥

Hearing of the large army of ogres having been wiped out, King Rāvaṇa whose eyes began to roll rapidly through rage, duly commanded Jambumālī, son of Prahasta, who was unequalled in prowess and was most difficult to conquer in battle. (44)

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