Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 1

Meaning

Filled with delight to hear the story of Hanumān, faithfully narrated, Śrī Rāma made the following appropriate reply: (1)

Meaning

“A very great work, rare on earth, has been done by Hanumān, which could not be accomplished even in thought by another on the earth’s surface. (2)

Meaning

“Indeed, I know of no other than Garuḍa (the king of birds and the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu) and the wind-god and of no other than Hanumān, who could cross the expansive sea. (3)

Meaning

“Having penetrated by dint of his courage deeply into Laṅkā, which cannot be taken violently even by gods, demons and Yakṣas nor by Gandharvas, Nāgas and ogres and is well-protected by Rāvaṇa, who else could actually escape alive? Who can, in fact, even enter the city, which is exceedingly difficult to assail and is strongly guarded by ogres, unless he is richly endowed with virility and strength like Hanumān? Nay, a momentous service has been rendered by Hanumān to Sugrīva by manifesting his strength in proportion to his valour in this way. (4—6)

Meaning

“They speak of that servant as the foremost among men, who, when entrusted by his master with a duty difficult to perform, does even more; of course, in consonance with that work. (7)

Meaning

“The wise speak of that servant as a mediocre man, who, though qualified and capable, does not, when confided with some work, accomplish any other allied work liked by the king. (8)

Meaning

“People dub that servant as the lowest of men, who, though qualified and capable, does not, when entrusted with a duty, carry out the behest of a king with a composed mind. (9)

Meaning

“Extra work was also done by Hanumān when entrusted with the duty of search for Sītā; yet no dishonour was brought to his own self and Sugrīva too was gratified by him by his act of valour. (10)

Meaning

“Through the discovery of Sītā, a princess of the Videha territory, the entire race of Raghu, as well as myself and Lakṣmaṇa too, who is endowed with extraordinary might, have been saved from destruction today in consonance with righteousness. (11)

Meaning

“It undoubtedly wrings my soul further, wretched that I am, to think that I have nothing worthwhile to offer to Hanumān, who has communicated to me this delightful news. (12)

Meaning

“This embrace, which is all that I can call my own at this moment, is unreservedly offered to this high-souled Hanumān.” (13)

Meaning

Saying so, Śrī Rāma, whose limbs were thrilled with delight, embraced the celebrated Hanumān, who had disciplined his mind and who had just returned having carried out his behest. (14)

Meaning

Exercising his mind awhile, Śrī Rāma, the foremost among the Raghus, once more spoke as follows, Sugrīva, the ruler of monkeys, too, listening: (15)

Meaning

“The search for Sītā has, of course, been conducted thoroughly well. On duly reaching the ocean, however, my mind gets dejected once more. (16)

Meaning

“How on earth will the monkeys, gather together for the purpose of recovering Sītā from the enemy’s hands, reach the southern shore of the sea, which is so difficult to cross and comprises a vast sheet of water? (17)

Meaning

Although this fact of the impassability of the sea has been mentioned even by Sītā, a princess of the Videha territory, what step should be taken for the passage of the monkeys across the sea?” (18)

Meaning

Having spoken as aforesaid to Hanumān, the mighty-armed Śrī Rāma, the exterminator of his foes, who felt perplexed through grief, then became thoughtful. (19)