--- title: "Sundara Kanda, Sarga 48" canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/sundara-kanda/sarga-48" lang: "en" --- # Sundara Kanda, Sarga 48 > ततस्तु रक्षोऽधिपतिर्महात्मा > हनूमताक्षे निहते कुमारे। > मनः समाधाय स देवकल्पं > समादिदेशेन्द्रजितं सरोषः॥ १॥ Filled with rage on Prince Akṣa having been killed by Hanumān, yet controlling his mind, the high-minded Rāvaṇa, the suzerain lord of ogres, for his part next commanded his eldest son Indrajit*, who vied with gods, as follows: (1) > त्वमस्त्रविच्छस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठः > सुरासुराणामपि शोकदाता। > सुरेषु सेन्द्रेषु च दृष्टकर्मा > पितामहाराधनसंचितास्त्रः ॥ २॥ “Proficient in the use of mystic missiles and the foremost of those wielding arms, you cause grief even to the gods and the demons. Your exploits have been witnessed even against the gods including Indra, their ruler, and you have acquired proficiency in the use of mystic missiles by propitiating Brahmā (the grandfather of the entire creation, being the progenitor of Marīci and others, the lords of creation). (2) > त्वदस्त्रबलमासाद्य ससुराः समरुद्गणाः। > न शेकुः समरे स्थातुं सुरेश्वरसमाश्रिताः॥ ३॥ “Coming in conflict with the might of your missiles, none, including gods and the company of the forty-nine wind-gods, dependent on Indra, the ruler of gods, could stand on the field of battle. (3) > न कश्चित् त्रिषु लोकेषु संयुगे न गतश्रमः। > भुजवीर्याभिगुप्तश्च तपसा चाभिरक्षितः। > देशकालप्रधानश्च त्वमेव मतिसत्तमः॥ ४॥ “There is none in the three worlds except you who is free from fatigue even in combat. You are protected on all sides by the might of your arms and are further protected by virtue of askesis. Time and place are the main considerations with you, nay, you are the foremost of all in intelligence. (4) > न तेऽस्त्यशक्यं समरेषु कर्मणां > न तेऽस्त्यकार्यं मतिपूर्वमन्त्रणे। > न सोऽस्ति कश्चित् त्रिषु संग्रहेषु > न वेद यस्तेऽस्त्रबलं बलं च॥ ५॥ “Nothing is incapable of achievement by means of your exploits in contests nor is there anything which cannot be accomplished by you after deliberation through your judgment. Nor is there anyone in the three worlds, who does not know the force of your missiles or your own physical strength. (5) > ममानुरूपं तपसो बलं च ते > पराक्रमश्चास्त्रबलं च संयुगे। > न त्वां समासाद्य रणावमर्दे > मनः श्रमं गच्छति निश्चितार्थम्॥ ६॥ “The power of your austerities, nay, your prowess as well as the might of your missiles in combat is equal to mine. Finding you in the thick of fight, my mind does not give way to despair, being assured of victory. (6) > निहताः किंकराः सर्वे जम्बुमाली च राक्षसः। > अमात्यपुत्रा वीराश्च पञ्च सेनाग्रगामिनः॥ ७॥ “All the Kiṅkaras have been destroyed as also the ogre, Jambumālī. Even the seven heroic sons of my chief minister as well as the five generals have been killed. (7) > बलानि सुसमृद्धानि साश्वनागरथानि च। > सहोदरस्ते दयितः कुमारोऽक्षश्च सूदितः। > न तु तेष्वेव मे सारो यस्त्वय्यरिनिषूदन॥ ८॥ “Nay, forces fully equipped with strength and arms and accompanied by horses, elephants and chariots, as well as your beloved uterine brother, Prince Akṣa, have been destroyed. The strength, however, which exists in me, O destroyer of foes, hinges on you alone, and did not hinge on them. (8) > इदं च दृष्ट्वा निहतं महद् बलं > कपेः प्रभावं च पराक्रमं च। > त्वमात्मनश्चापि निरीक्ष्य सारं > कुरुष्व वेगं स्वबलानुरूपम्॥ ९॥ “Seeing this large army destroyed by the monkey and considering the influence as well as the prowess of the monkey and weighing your own strength, exhibit your valour according to your might. (9) > बलावमर्दस्त्वयि संनिकृष्टे > यथा गते शाम्यति शान्तशत्रौ। > तथा समीक्ष्यात्मबलं परं च > समारभस्वास्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठ॥ १०॥ “Fully weighing your own strength as well as of the enemy, exert yourself in such a way, O jewel among those employing missiles, that the further destruction of our army may stop the moment you, whose enemies have ceased, have arrived near Hanumān. (10) > न वीर सेना गणशो च्यवन्ति > न वज्रमादाय विशालसारम्। > न मारुतस्यास्ति गतिप्रमाणं > न चाग्निकल्पः करणेन हन्तुम्॥ ११॥ “Forces should not be led by you against the enemy; for they flee en masse before a powerful enemy or perish all together. Nor should you march against him taking a weapon exceedingly sharp-edged and hard like the thunderbolt; for there is no limit to the strength of Hanumān. Nay, resembling fire, as he does, he cannot be destroyed by means of any weapon. (11) > तमेवमर्थं प्रसमीक्ष्य सम्यक् > स्वकर्मसाम्याद्धि समाहितात्मा। > स्मरंश्च दिव्यं धनुषोऽस्य वीर्यं > व्रजाक्षतं कर्म समारभस्व॥ १२॥ “Concluding what has been stated by me to be precisely true, and with your mind composed by the thought that success can be achieved by your own effort, nay, bearing in mind the wonderful potency of this bow, sally forth and duly proceed with your work of subduing the enemy intact. (12) > न खल्वियं मतिश्रेष्ठ यत्त्वां सम्प्रेषयाम्यहम्। > इयं च राजधर्माणां क्षत्रस्य च मतिर्मता॥ १३॥ “Indeed, the thought is not well-advised that I should willingly send you to face this danger. O darling of excellent judgment ! But you know this decision is in accord with the duties of a king and is approved of by the warrior class. (13) > नानाशस्त्रेषु संग्रामे वैशारद्यमरिंदम। > अवश्यमेव बोद्धव्यं काम्यश्च विजयो रणे॥ १४॥ “Proficiency in the various branches of learning (such as ethics, economics and political science) as well as in military operations should be acquired by a king and triumph in war should also be sought, O tamer of enemies !” (14) > ततः पितुस्तद्वचनं निशम्य > प्रदक्षिणं दक्षसुतप्रभावः। > चकार भर्तारमतित्वरेण > रणाय वीरः प्रतिपन्नबुद्धिः॥ १५॥ Hearing that exhortation of his father, the hero Indrajit, who was powerful as a god (a son of Dakṣa*, a lord of created beings), and had made up his mind to seek the field of battle with all speed, then went round his lord, Rāvaṇa, clockwise. (15) > ततस्तैः स्वगणैरिष्टैरिन्द्रजित् प्रतिपूजितः। > युद्धोद्धतकृतोत्साहः संग्रामं सम्प्रपद्यत॥ १६॥ Honoured by some beloved people of his own class present in the royal assembly, Indrajit, who was terrific in combat and was full of martial ardour, proceeded towards the field of battle. (16) > श्रीमान् पद्मविशालाक्षो राक्षसाधिपतेः सुतः। > निर्जगाम महातेजाः समुद्र इव पर्वणि॥ १७॥ The glorious son of Rāvaṇa, the suzerain lord of ogres, who had eyes big as a lotus, and was endowed with extraordinary energy, rushed forth like a sea on a full-moon day. (17) > स पक्षिराजोपमतुल्यवेगै- > र्व्याघ्रैश्चतुर्भिः स तु तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रैः। > रथं समायुक्तमसह्यवेगः > समारुरोहेन्द्रजिदिन्द्रकल्पः ॥ १८॥ The notorious Indrajit of irresistible vigour, for his part who compared with Indra, duly ascended his chariot, yoked to four sharp-toothed tigers, vying with Garuḍa in speed and well-matched in swiftness. (18) > स रथी धन्विनां श्रेष्ठः शस्त्रज्ञोऽस्त्रविदां वरः। > रथेनाभिययौ क्षिप्रं हनूमान् यत्र सोऽभवत्॥ १९॥ That chariot-warrior, the foremost of bowmen, skilled in the use of weapons and a jewel among those proficient in the use of missiles, drove rapidly in his chariot to where the celebrated Hanumān was. (19) > स तस्य रथनिर्घोषं ज्यास्वनं कार्मुकस्य च। > निशम्य हरिवीरोऽसौ सम्प्रहृष्टतरोऽभवत्॥ २०॥ That famous hero among the monkeys felt extremely rejoiced to hear the rattling of Indrajit’s chariot and the twang of his bowstring. (20) > इन्द्रजिच्चापमादाय शितशल्यांश्च सायकान्। > हनूमन्तमभिप्रेत्य जगाम रणपण्डितः॥ २१॥ Taking his bow and sharp-pointed arrows, Indrajit, skilled in the art of warfare, proceeded towards Hanumān. (21) > तस्मिंस्ततः संयति जातहर्षे > रणाय निर्गच्छति बाणपाणौ। > दिशश्च सर्वाः कलुषा बभूवु- > र्मृगाश्च रौद्रा बहुधा विनेदुः॥ २२॥ Nay, as Indrajit sallied forth from that place for a contest, arrow in hand and full of passion for war, all the four quarters became gloomy and hideous beasts such as jackals began to howl in various ways. (22) > समागतास्तत्र तु नागयक्षा > महर्षयश्चक्रचराश्च सिद्धाः। > नभः समावृत्य च पक्षिसङ्घा > विनेदुरुच्चैः परमप्रहृष्टाः॥ २३॥ Thickly covering the sky, Nāgas and Yakṣas, eminent Ṛṣis and Siddhas moving in multitudes, gathered there; and flocks of birds began to emit shrill cries, supremely rejoiced as they were. (23) > आयान्तं स रथं दृष्ट्वा तूर्णमिन्द्रध्वजं कपिः। > ननाद च महानादं व्यवर्धत च वेगवान्॥ २४॥ Perceiving the chariot bearing the standard of Indra (seized by him as a token of his having conquered Indra) coming rapidly towards him, Hanumān, who was full of ardour, raised a great shout and grew to immense proportions. (24) > इन्द्रजित् स रथं दिव्यमाश्रितश्चित्रकार्मुकः। > धनुर्विस्फारयामास तडिदूर्जितनिःस्वनम्॥ २५॥ Seated in a celestial chariot, that conqueror of Indra, who was armed with a marvellous bow, pulled his bow string, which emitted a harsh sound like that accompanying a stroke of lightning. (25) > ततः समेतावतितीक्ष्णवेगौ > महाबलौ तौ रणनिर्विशङ्कौ। > कपिश्च रक्षोऽधिपतेस्तनूजः > सुरासुरेन्द्राविव बद्धवैरौ॥ २६॥ Thereupon the two warriors, viz., Hanumān and Indrajit, who were endowed with a fiery spirit and extraordinary might, were intrepid in war and had conceived confirmed hostility towards each other like Indra (the ruler of gods) and Bali (the ruler of demons), closed with each other. (26) > स तस्य वीरस्य महारथस्य > धनुष्मतः संयति सम्मतस्य। > शरप्रवेगं व्यहनत् प्रवृद्ध- > श्चचार मार्गे पितुरप्रमेयः॥ २७॥ Hanumān, who had grown to huge proportions and was immeasurable in strength, wheeled about in the path of his father, the wind-god, and evaded the extraordinary vehemence of the shafts of that valiant bowman, Indrajit, a great chariot-warrior, highly esteemed on the field of battle. (27) > ततः शरानायततीक्ष्णशल्यान् > सुपत्रिणः काञ्चनचित्रपुङ्खान्। > मुमोच वीरः परवीरहन्ता > सुसंततान् वज्रसमानवेगान्॥ २८॥ Thereupon the hero, Indrajit, the slayer of hostile warriors, began to discharge long and sharp-pointed beautifully-feathered arrows, provided with picturesque golden shafts, swift as lightning and discharged continuously, one after the other. (28) > ततः स तत्स्यन्दननिःस्वनं च > मृदङ्गभेरीपटहस्वनं च। > विकृष्यमाणस्य च कार्मुकस्य > निशम्य घोषं पुनरुत्पपात॥ २९॥ Hearing the rumbling of his chariot as well as the crash of wooden tomtoms, kettle drums and war-drums accompanying him as also the sound of his bowstring being pulled, Hanumān forthwith sprang up once more. (29) > शराणामन्तरेष्वाशु व्यावर्तत महाकपिः। > हरिस्तस्याभिलक्ष्यस्य मोक्षयँल्लक्ष्यसंग्रहम्॥ ३०॥ Baffling the marksmanship of Indrajit, who was well-known for his hitting the target, Hanumān, the great monkey, swiftly wheeled about between the arrows. (30) > शराणामग्रतस्तस्य पुनः समभिवर्तत। > प्रसार्य हस्तौ हनुमानुत्पपातानिलात्मजः॥ ३१॥ Hanumān, sprung from the loins of the wind-god, stood once more facing his arrows and forthwith leapt up stretching his arms to escape his arrows. (31) > तावुभौ वेगसम्पन्नौ रणकर्मविशारदौ। > सर्वभूतमनोग्राहि चक्रतुर्युद्धमुत्तमम्॥ ३२॥ Both the aforesaid warriors, who were richly endowed with swiftness and skilled in warfare, carried on an excellent fight, which captivated the mind of all created beings.(32) > हनूमतो वेद न राक्षसोऽन्तरं > न मारुतिस्तस्य महात्मनोऽन्तरम्। > परस्परं निर्विषहौ बभूवतुः > समेत्य तौ देवसमानविक्रमौ॥ ३३॥ The ogre found no opportunity to hit Hanumān nor did the son of the wind-god find any opportunity to catch hold of and overpower that high-minded ogre. Closing with one another, the two warriors, who were equal in prowess to gods, grew unbearable to each other. (33) > ततस्तु लक्ष्ये स विहन्यमाने > शरेष्वमोघेषु च सम्पतत्सु। > जगाम चिन्तां महतीं महात्मा > समाधिसंयोगसमाहितात्मा ॥ ३४॥ Hanumān (who was the target of Indrajit’s arrows) remaining unscathed, even though Indrajit’s infallible shafts were raining on him, the high-minded ogre, whose mind was focussed on directing his arrows against his target, gave way to great anxiety. (34) > ततो मतिं राक्षसराजसूनु- > श्चकार तस्मिन् हरिवीरमुख्ये। > अवध्यतां तस्य कपेः समीक्ष्य > कथं निगच्छेदिति निग्रहार्थम्॥ ३५॥ Realizing the fact of the monkey in question incapable of being slain, Indrajit (son of the ruler of ogres) began to consider the question of capturing that leader of monkey heroes and thought how he could fall into bondage. (35) > ततः पैतामहं वीरः सोऽस्त्रमस्त्रविदां वरः। > संदधे सुमहातेजास्तं हरिप्रवरं प्रति॥ ३६॥ Thereupon that hero, the foremost of those well-versed in the use of missiles, and endowed with exceptional energy, put to his bow the missile presided over by Brahmā (the creator), aiming it at that jewel among monkeys. (36) > अवध्योऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा तमस्त्रेणास्त्रतत्त्ववित्। > निजग्राह महाबाहुं मारुतात्मजमिन्द्रजित्॥ ३७॥ Concluding that he was incapable of being killed even with that missile, Indrajit, who knew how to use a missile correctly, bound that mighty-armed offspring of the wind-god by means of the missile. (37) > तेन बद्धस्ततोऽस्त्रेण राक्षसेन स वानरः। > अभवन्निर्विचेष्टश्च पपात च महीतले॥ ३८॥ Bound by that ogre with the help of that missile, the aforesaid monkey became unconscious and fell on the ground. (38) > ततोऽथ बुद्ध्वा स तदस्त्रबन्धं > प्रभोः प्रभावाद् विगताल्पवेगः। > पितामहानुग्रहमात्मनश्च > विचिन्तयामास हरिप्रवीरः॥ ३९॥ Realizing at once that he had been bound with the help of a missile presided over by Brahmā, and yet free from the least pain due to a boon granted by the latter, that pre-eminent hero among the monkeys considered it to be a favour done to him by Brahmā. (39) > ततः स्वायम्भुवैर्मन्त्रैर्ब्रह्मास्त्रं चाभिमन्त्रितम्। > हनूमांश्चिन्तयामास वरदानं पितामहात्॥ ४०॥ Recognizing it to be a missile presided over by Brahmā and consecrated by means of spells sacred to Brahmā (the self-born creator), Hanumān recalled a boon received by him from the grandfather of the entire creation to the effect that he would be freed from its effect after an hour or so. (40) > न मेऽस्य बन्धस्य च शक्तिरस्ति > विमोक्षणे लोकगुरोः प्रभावात्। > इत्येवमेवं विहितोऽस्त्रबन्धो > मयाऽऽत्मयोनेरनुवर्तितव्यः ॥ ४१॥ He said to himself: ‘Due to the power of Brahmā (operating through the missile) the capacity to loosen this bondage does not lie in me. Therefore, the bondage through the missile presided over by Brahmā (the self born creator), imposed on me by Indrajit as above must be borne by me.’ (41) > स वीर्यमस्त्रस्य कपिर्विचार्य > पितामहानुग्रहमात्मनश्च। > विमोक्षशक्तिं परिचिन्तयित्वा > पितामहाज्ञामनुवर्तते स्म॥ ४२॥ Reflecting on the potency of the missile, the grace of Brahmā enjoyed by him and pondering his capacity to undo it (which was going to descend on him after a while), Hanumān submitted to the ordinance of Brahmā (the grandfather of the entire creation). (42) > अस्त्रेणापि हि बद्धस्य भयं मम न जायते। > पितामहमहेन्द्राभ्यां रक्षितस्यानिलेन च॥ ४३॥ He said to himself : ‘No fear is experienced by me even though I stand bound by means of a missile, protected as I am by Brahmā and Indra, the ruler of gods, as well as by the wind-god, my own procreator.(43) > ग्रहणे चापि रक्षोभिर्महन्मे गुणदर्शनम्। > राक्षसेन्द्रेण संवादस्तस्माद् गृह्णन्तु मां परे॥ ४४॥ ‘I discern a great advantage, viz., the opportunity of a talk with Rāvaṇa, the ruler of ogres, following from my capture at the hands of the ogres. Therefore, let my enemies seize me.’ (44) > स निश्चितार्थः परवीरहन्ता > समीक्ष्यकारी विनिवृत्तचेष्टः। > परैः प्रसह्याभिगतैर्निगृह्य > ननाद तैस्तैः परिभर्त्स्यमानः॥ ४५॥ Being chided by different ogres, who had arrived near and forcibly caught hold of him, Hanumān, the slayer of hostile heroes, who acted after fully considering the pros and cons, had decided upon his course of action as above and had fully ceased all movement of body, and groaned as though in pain. (45) > ततस्ते राक्षसा दृष्ट्वा विनिश्चेष्टमरिंदमम्। > बबन्धुः शणवल्कैश्च द्रुमचीरैश्च संहतैः॥ ४६॥ Seeing Hanumān bereft of all movement, the said ogres forthwith bound him with plaited cords of hemp and bark. (46) > स रोचयामास परैश्च बन्धं > प्रसह्य वीरैरभिगर्हणं च। > कौतूहलान्मां यदि राक्षसेन्द्रो > द्रष्टुं व्यवस्येदिति निश्चितार्थः॥ ४७॥ He approved of his having been forcibly bound and reviled by the hostile warriors since, having decided to seek the presence of Rāvaṇa, he felt sure that Rāvaṇa, the ruler of ogres, might make an effort to see him out of curiosity. (47) > स बद्धस्तेन वल्केन विमुक्तोऽस्त्रेण वीर्यवान्। > अस्त्रबन्धः स चान्यं हि न बन्धमनुवर्तते॥ ४८॥ Bound with that rope, the powerful Hanumān was set free by the missile; for the bondage of that missile does not at all co-exist with another bondage and leaves its victim. (48) > अथेन्द्रजित् तं द्रुमचीरबद्धं > विचार्य वीरः कपिसत्तमं तम्। > विमुक्तमस्त्रेण जगाम चिन्ता- > मन्येन बद्धोऽप्यनुवर्ततेऽस्त्रम्॥ ४९॥ > अहो महत् कर्म कृतं निरर्थं > न राक्षसैर्मन्त्रगतिर्विमृष्टा। > पुनश्च नास्त्रे विहतेऽस्त्रमन्यत् > प्रवर्तते संशयिताः स्म सर्वे॥ ५०॥ Recognizing that jewel among the monkeys, who had now been bound with a rope made of the bark of trees, as having been set free by the missile, Indrajit now became thoughtful when he saw that, even though bound with other means, the monkey was behaving as if he was still bound with the missile. He said to himself, ‘Oh, my great exploit in the form of taking this monkey captive has been rendered futile by the ogres, by whom the mode of operation of the mystic formula (by which this missile is controlled) was surely not taken into consideration. Once the missile has been rendered ineffective, another round of the missile cannot be operative again; and thus we have all been placed in a predicament.’ (49-50) > अस्त्रेण हनुमान् मुक्तो नात्मानमवबुध्यते। > कृष्यमाणस्तु रक्षोभिस्तैश्च बन्धैर्निपीडितः॥ ५१॥ Even though set free by the missile, Hanumān did not reveal himself as aware of this fact, while being dragged by the ogres and held fast with earthly cords. (51) > हन्यमानस्ततः क्रूरै राक्षसैः कालमुष्टिभिः। > समीपं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य प्राकृष्यत स वानरः॥ ५२॥ Being struck by cruel ogres with their severe fists, the aforesaid monkey was dragged violently to the presence of Rāvaṇa, the ruler of ogres. (52) > अथेन्द्रजित् तं प्रसमीक्ष्य मुक्त- > मस्त्रेण बद्धं द्रुमचीरसूत्रैः। > व्यदर्शयत् तत्र महाबलं तं > हरिप्रवीरं सगणाय राज्ञे॥ ५३॥ Vividly perceiving that eminent hero among the monkeys, who was endowed with extraordinary might, set free by the missile and bound with cords of bark alone, Indrajit now presented him in the court before the king, Rāvaṇa, surrounded by his courtiers. (53) > तं मत्तमिव मातङ्गं बद्धं कपिवरोत्तमम्। > राक्षसा राक्षसेन्द्राय रावणाय न्यवेदयन्॥ ५४॥ The ogres announced to Rāvaṇa, the ruler of ogres, the presence of that jewel among the foremost of monkeys, who stood bound like an elephant in rut. (54) > कोऽयं कस्य कुतो वापि किं कार्यं कोऽभ्युपाश्रयः। > इति राक्षसवीराणां दृष्ट्वा संजज्ञिरे कथाः॥ ५५॥ “Who is this being? Whose son or servant is he? Where has he come from? What is his mission and who is his supporter?” So went round the inquiries of the ogre heroes on seeing Hanumān. (55) > हन्यतां दह्यतां वापि भक्ष्यतामिति चापरे। > राक्षसास्तत्र संक्रुद्धाः परस्परमथाब्रुवन्॥ ५६॥ Nay, highly enraged, other ogres on the spot forthwith said to one another, “Let the monkey be killed, roasted alive or even devoured.” (56) > अतीत्य मार्गं सहसा महात्मा > स तत्र रक्षोऽधिपपादमूले। > ददर्श राज्ञः परिचारवृद्धान् > गृहं महारत्नविभूषितं च॥ ५७॥ Having covered the way, that exalted soul, Hanumān, beheld all of a sudden on that spot—elderly attendants of the king seated at the feet of Rāvaṇa, the suzerain lord of ogres, as well as his assembly hall richly decorated with precious jewels. (57) > स ददर्श महातेजा रावणः कपिसत्तमम्। > रक्षोभिर्विकृताकारैः कृष्यमाणमितस्ततः॥ ५८॥ The splendid Rāvaṇa too, who was endowed with extraordinary energy, saw Hanumān, the foremost of monkeys being dragged hither and thither by ogres of ugly bearing. (58) > राक्षसाधिपतिं चापि ददर्श कपिसत्तमः। > तेजोबलसमायुक्तं तपन्तमिव भास्करम्॥ ५९॥ Hanumān, too beheld Rāvaṇa, the suzerain lord of ogres, richly endowed with energy and strength and resembling the blazing sun. (59) > स रोषसंवर्तितताम्रदृष्टि- > र्दशाननस्तं कपिमन्ववेक्ष्य। > अथोपविष्टान् कुलशीलवृद्धान् > समादिशत् तं प्रति मुख्यमन्त्रीन्॥ ६०॥ Looking unwinkingly and intently on the aforesaid monkey, his coppery eyes rolling rapidly through rage, that ten-headed monster forthwith commanded his chief counsellors seated in their due places there, who were distinguished for their lineage and character, to interrogate him. (60) > यथाक्रमं तैः स कपिश्च पृष्टः > कार्यार्थमर्थस्य च मूलमादौ। > निवेदयामास हरीश्वरस्य > दूतः सकाशादहमागतोऽस्मि॥ ६१॥ Questioned by them in succession as to the work he had taken upon himself, the motive by which he was actuated and the ultimate aim with which he had come, that monkey said at the outset: “I am a messenger arrived from the presence of Sugrīva, the lord of monkeys.” (61) Book: https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana --- Source: Gita Press, Gorakhpur editions. Buy the book: https://gitapress.org/product/sri-ramcharitmanas-special-edition Ramayana.com, a free, ad-free project of Ved Vyas Foundation.