Sundara Kanda, Sarga 49

Meaning

Astonished at the feat of Indrajit (resulting in his own capture and his being dragged to the presence of Rāvaṇa) and his eyes turned coppery through rage at the thought of his atrocious deed in the form of Sītā’s abduction, that heroic Hanumān of redoubtable prowess looked at Rāvaṇa, the suzerain lord of ogres, who, though endowed with extraordinary splendour, shone further with a glittering and precious diadem of gold encircled with strings of pearls, as well as with lovely gold ornaments inlaid with diamonds and studded with costly gems, which appeared as though evolved with the mind; who was attired in valuable silk and daubed with red sandal-paste and painted with various peculiar designs; who looked wonderful with his twenty terrible-looking, yet shapely ruddy eyes, had brilliant, sharp, enormous teeth and protruding lips; who was endowed with extraordinary strength and shone brightly with his ten heads as Mount Mandāra with its peaks infested with snakes of every variety; who was graced with a pearl necklace casting its splendour on his bosom and who not only looked like a mass of blue antimony but with his countenance shining like the full moon also presented the appearance of a cloud illumined by the rising sun; who was distinguished by twenty terrible arms adorned with Keuras (a kind of jewel), smeared with excellent sandal-paste and decked with shining Aṅgadas (another ornament) and looking like as many five-hooded serpents with their fingers appearing like hoods; who was comfortably seated on a big, wonderful and excellent throne of crystal, rendered picturesque by being inlaid with jewels and overspread with an exquisite covering; who was duly waited upon at close quarters on all sides by young women sumptuously adorned, whisk in hand; who was proud of his might and had four counselors, belonging to the ogre race, who knew the secret of good counsel, viz., Dūrdhara, Prahasta, the ogre Mahāpārśva and the counsellor Nikumbha, seated by his side, and looked like the entire terrestrial globe in miniature enclosed by the four oceans in the quarters; and who was being reassured by counsellors knowing the secret of good counsel and other ministers wishing well of him even as lndra, the ruler of gods, is reassured by gods. (1—13)

Meaning

Hanumān thus saw Rāvaṇa, the ruler of ogres, who was endowed with surpassing energy, resembling a cloud laden with moisture and perched on a peak of Mount Meru. (14)

Meaning

Experiencing supreme wonder, even though greatly oppressed by those ogres of terrible prowess, Hanumān looked intently on Rāvaṇa, the suzerain lord of ogres. (15)

Meaning

Dazzled by his magnificence on seeing Rāvaṇa shining brightly, Hanumān thought in his mind as follows: (16)

Meaning

‘What charm, what presence of mind, what courage, what splendour and what combination of all auspicious bodily marks are present in the king of ogres ! (17)

Meaning

‘Had this mighty lord of ogres not been antagonistic to virtue, he would have proved to be a protector of the realm of gods including Indra, the ruler of gods. (18)

Meaning

‘Due to his cruel and ruthless deeds, condemned by the world, all people including gods and demons remain actually afraid of him. (19)

Meaning

‘If enraged, he can really turn the world into one ocean.’ Perceiving the glory of Rāvaṇa (the king of ogres), who was endowed with extraordinary might, the sagacious Hanumān brooded on such diverse thoughts. (20)