Its golden walls studded with all kinds of jewels, a marvellously beautiful sight, with market-places, bazaars, quays, and streets, and all the other accessories of a fine city. Who could count the multitude of elephants, horses and mules, the crowds of footmen and chariots, and the troops of demons of every shape, a formidable host beyond all description. The woods, gardens, groves, and pastures, the ponds, wells and tanks were all superb; and the soul of a saint would be ravished at the sight of the fair daughters, both of men and Nâgas, of gods and Gandharvas. Here wrestlers, of monstrous stature like mountains, were thundering with mighty voice and grappling with one another in the different courts, with shouts of mutual defiance. Thousands of warriors of huge bulk were sedulously guarding the city on all four sides; elsewhere horrid demons were banqueting in the form of buffaloes, men, oxen, asses and goats. Tulsi Dâs for this reason gives them a few words of mention, because they lost their life by Râma’s hallowed shafts and thus became assured of entrance into heaven.
Dohâ
Seeing the number of the city guards, the monkey thought to himself, “I must make myself very small and slip into the town by night.”
Chaupâi
Thereupon he assumed the form of a gnat, and entered Lankâ after invoking Vishnu. The female demon, by name Lankini, accosted him: “How dare you come here in contempt of me? Fool, do you not know my practice, that every thief in Lankâ becomes my prey?” The monkey struck her one such a blow with his fist that she fell to the ground vomiting blood. Recovering herself again, she stood up and with clasped hands made this confident petition: “When Brahma granted Râvan’s prayer, the Creator gave me a sign before he left, ‘When worsted by a monkey, know then that it is all over with the demons.’ My meritorious deeds, my son, must have been very many that I have been rewarded with the sight of Râma’s messenger.
Dohâ
Seeing the number of the city guards, the monkey thought to himself, “I must make myself very small and slip into the town by night.”
Chaupâi
Thereupon he assumed the form of a gnat, and entered Lankâ after invoking Vishnu. The female demon, by name Lankini, accosted him: “How dare you come here in contempt of me? Fool, do you not know my practice, that every thief in Lankâ becomes my prey?” The monkey struck her one such a blow with his fist that she fell to the ground vomiting blood. Recovering herself again, she stood up and with clasped hands made this confident petition: “When Brahma granted Râvan’s prayer, the Creator gave me a sign before he left, ‘When worsted by a monkey, know then that it is all over with the demons.’ My meritorious deeds, my son, must have been very many that I have been rewarded with the sight of Râma’s messenger.
“Listen, Son of the Wind; my condition here is like that of the poor tongue between the teeth. Yet do not suppose, Father, that I am friendless: the Lord of the Solar race will show me favour. The sinful body is of no avail, if the soul has no love for His lotus feet. But now, Hanumân, I have gained confidence; for it is only by Hari’s favour that one meets a Good man, and it is the result of his kindness that you have so readily revealed yourself to me.”
“Listen, Vibhishan, to my experience of the Lord; He is ever affectionate to his servants. Say, who am I and of what noble descent? A wanton monkey, of no merit whatever, a creature the mention of whose name in the early morning makes a man go fasting for the whole day.
On hearing of Sita’s distress, the lotus eyes of the Lord, the abode of bliss, overflowed with tears. “When in thought, word and deed, a believer follows in my steps, what ought He to know of misfortune?” Said Hanumân: “There is no misfortune, my lord, except to forget You and Your worship. Of what account are the demons to my lord, who can rout them at once and recover Sita?”
“Hearken, O monkey; neither god, nor man, nor saint that has ever been born into this world, has been such a benefactor to me as you. What return can I make you? There is none that occurs to my mind. Mark me, my son; I am not free from my obligation to you; I will think and see what I can do.” Again and again as the deliverer of the gods gazed upon the monkey, his eyes filled with tears and his whole body quivered with emotion.
“Listen, Vibhishan, to my experience of the Lord; He is ever affectionate to his servants. Say, who am I and of what noble descent? A wanton monkey, of no merit whatever, a creature the mention of whose name in the early morning makes a man go fasting for the whole day.
On hearing of Sita’s distress, the lotus eyes of the Lord, the abode of bliss, overflowed with tears. “When in thought, word and deed, a believer follows in my steps, what ought He to know of misfortune?” Said Hanumân: “There is no misfortune, my lord, except to forget You and Your worship. Of what account are the demons to my lord, who can rout them at once and recover Sita?”
“Hearken, O monkey; neither god, nor man, nor saint that has ever been born into this world, has been such a benefactor to me as you. What return can I make you? There is none that occurs to my mind. Mark me, my son; I am not free from my obligation to you; I will think and see what I can do.” Again and again as the deliverer of the gods gazed upon the monkey, his eyes filled with tears and his whole body quivered with emotion.
Dohâ 32
As he listened to his Lord’s words and looked upon his face, Hanumân was enraptured, and in an ecstasy of love fell at his feet, crying, “Save me, save me, O my Lord God.”
Chaupâi
Again and again his Lord sought to raise him up, but he was so absorbed in devotion that he would not rise. (As he called to mind the Lord with his lotus hands thus placed on the monkey’s head, Siva himself was overcome with emotion; but again, restraining his feelings, he proceeded, with the charming narrative.) After raising the monkey, the Lord embraced him and took him by the hand and seated him close by his side: “Tell me, O monkey, about Râvan’s stronghold, of Lankâ, and how you were able in such an offhand way to burn down his fort.” Seeing his lord so gracious, Hanumân replied in terms of singular modesty: “A monkey forsooth is a creature of singular prowess to skip about as he does from bough to bough. When I leaped across the sea, burnt down the golden city, routed the demon host and laid waste the grove, it was all done through Your power, Raghurâi; it was no strength of mine, my Lord.
Dohâ 33
Nothing is difficult for him to whom you are propitious; a mere shred of cotton, were it Your pleasure, could burn up the whole submarine fire.”
As he listened to his Lord’s words and looked upon his face, Hanumân was enraptured, and in an ecstasy of love fell at his feet, crying, “Save me, save me, O my Lord God.”
Chaupâi
Again and again his Lord sought to raise him up, but he was so absorbed in devotion that he would not rise. (As he called to mind the Lord with his lotus hands thus placed on the monkey’s head, Siva himself was overcome with emotion; but again, restraining his feelings, he proceeded, with the charming narrative.) After raising the monkey, the Lord embraced him and took him by the hand and seated him close by his side: “Tell me, O monkey, about Râvan’s stronghold, of Lankâ, and how you were able in such an offhand way to burn down his fort.” Seeing his lord so gracious, Hanumân replied in terms of singular modesty: “A monkey forsooth is a creature of singular prowess to skip about as he does from bough to bough. When I leaped across the sea, burnt down the golden city, routed the demon host and laid waste the grove, it was all done through Your power, Raghurâi; it was no strength of mine, my Lord.
Dohâ 33
Nothing is difficult for him to whom you are propitious; a mere shred of cotton, were it Your pleasure, could burn up the whole submarine fire.”
Chaupâi
The Lord smiled much to hear these words, and recognized him as indeed a loving servant. “Ask of me a boon, my son, some choice blessing; to-day I will make you happy for ever.” “Faith, my lord, is the greatest of blessings; of your favour grant me this else unattainable boon.” On hearing the monkey’s pious request the Lord, Bhavani, responded, “So be it.” O Umâ, he who knows Râma’s true nature can take pleasure in nothing but his worship: and he who takes this truth to heart has attained to the virtue of faith in Râma. When the assembled monkeys heard the Lord’s reply, they cried “Glory, glory, glory, to the All-merciful, the All-blessed.” Raghupati then summoned the monkey-chief and told him to make preparations for the march: “What need now for any delay? At once issue orders to the monkeys.” The gods, who had witnessed the spectacle, rained down many flowers and returned with joy from the lower air to their own celestial spheres.
Dohâ 34
In obedience to Sugriva’s summons all his hosts of captains came in, differing in colour, but all unequalled in strength, a vast multitude of monkeys and bears.
Chaupâi
The Lord smiled much to hear these words, and recognized him as indeed a loving servant. “Ask of me a boon, my son, some choice blessing; to-day I will make you happy for ever.” “Faith, my lord, is the greatest of blessings; of your favour grant me this else unattainable boon.” On hearing the monkey’s pious request the Lord, Bhavani, responded, “So be it.” O Umâ, he who knows Râma’s true nature can take pleasure in nothing but his worship: and he who takes this truth to heart has attained to the virtue of faith in Râma. When the assembled monkeys heard the Lord’s reply, they cried “Glory, glory, glory, to the All-merciful, the All-blessed.” Raghupati then summoned the monkey-chief and told him to make preparations for the march: “What need now for any delay? At once issue orders to the monkeys.” The gods, who had witnessed the spectacle, rained down many flowers and returned with joy from the lower air to their own celestial spheres.
Dohâ 34
In obedience to Sugriva’s summons all his hosts of captains came in, differing in colour, but all unequalled in strength, a vast multitude of monkeys and bears.
Chaupâi
They bowed the head at the Lord’s lotus feet, those roaring bears and gigantic monkeys. Râma beheld all the monkey host, and turned upon them the gracious glance of his lotus eyes. Each monkey chief was as much emboldened by his favour as Sumeru would be by the recovery of his wings. Râma then sallied forth exulting, and many were the glad and auspicious omens that befell him. It was only befitting that his march should be attended by favourable omens, since in him abide all glory and auspiciousness. Jânaki knew of his departure, for her left side throbbed as if to tell her. Every good omen that befell her was converted into an omen of ill for Râvan. Who could adequately describe the army on the road, with the terrible roaring of the monkeys and the bears, how they marched, brandishing rocks and trees and with their talons for weapons, now in the heaven and now on earth, as the fancy moved them. They bellowed as if with the voice of a tiger; earth shook and the elephants of the eight quarters trembled.
Chhand 1–2
The elephants of the eight quarters trembled, the earth reeled, the mountains tottered, and the ocean was agitated; the sun and the moon, gods, saints, Nagas, and Kinnars, all rejoiced to know that their troubles were over. Myriads upon myriads of enormous fighting monkeys pressed onwards, snapping and snarling, singing glory to Rama's conquering might and hymning the praises of Kosala's lord. The huge serpent king could not support the burden; he staggered again and again, but each time saved himself by clutching in his jaws the hard shell of the tortoise; as though he had mastered the stupendous theme of Raghu-vir's glorious expedition, and were inscribing it on the tortoise's back as the most imperishable material to be had.
Chhand 1–2
The elephants of the eight quarters trembled, the earth reeled, the mountains tottered, and the ocean was agitated; the sun and the moon, gods, saints, Nagas, and Kinnars, all rejoiced to know that their troubles were over. Myriads upon myriads of enormous fighting monkeys pressed onwards, snapping and snarling, singing glory to Rama's conquering might and hymning the praises of Kosala's lord. The huge serpent king could not support the burden; he staggered again and again, but each time saved himself by clutching in his jaws the hard shell of the tortoise; as though he had mastered the stupendous theme of Raghu-vir's glorious expedition, and were inscribing it on the tortoise's back as the most imperishable material to be had.
Dohā 36.
In such wise the All-merciful marched onwards, till He arrived at the seashore, where the host of bears and fighting monkeys began to devour all the fruit they found.
Chaupai.
On the other hand the demons had been living in great fear, ever since the time the monkey had left, after burning down the city. Every one kept at home thinking to himself: “There is no hope of safety for the demon race; if his messenger was so unspeakably powerful, how can the city escape when He comes himself?” When Mandodari was informed of what the people were saying, she was still more distressed, and with clasped hands fell at her lord's feet and thus besought him, in words full of sound judgment: “O my husband, cease to contend against Hari: take my words to your heart as most wholesome advice. His mere messenger did such deeds that our matrons, on hearing of them, were overtaken by premature labour; if then you desire your own welfare, call your ministers and send him back his wife. As a frosty night comes upon a bed of lotuses, so has Sita come for the ruin of your race. Hearken, my lord; unless you give up Sita, neither Sambhu nor Brahma can help you.”
Dohā 36.
Rama's arrows are like serpents, and the demon host so many frogs; delay not, but do the best you can before they have gobbled you up.
In such wise the All-merciful marched onwards, till He arrived at the seashore, where the host of bears and fighting monkeys began to devour all the fruit they found.
Chaupai.
On the other hand the demons had been living in great fear, ever since the time the monkey had left, after burning down the city. Every one kept at home thinking to himself: “There is no hope of safety for the demon race; if his messenger was so unspeakably powerful, how can the city escape when He comes himself?” When Mandodari was informed of what the people were saying, she was still more distressed, and with clasped hands fell at her lord's feet and thus besought him, in words full of sound judgment: “O my husband, cease to contend against Hari: take my words to your heart as most wholesome advice. His mere messenger did such deeds that our matrons, on hearing of them, were overtaken by premature labour; if then you desire your own welfare, call your ministers and send him back his wife. As a frosty night comes upon a bed of lotuses, so has Sita come for the ruin of your race. Hearken, my lord; unless you give up Sita, neither Sambhu nor Brahma can help you.”
Dohā 36.
Rama's arrows are like serpents, and the demon host so many frogs; delay not, but do the best you can before they have gobbled you up.
Chaupai.
The monster heard her prayer and laughed aloud; his arrogance is known throughout the world. “A woman is naturally cast in a timorous mould, and even in prosperity has a mind ill at ease. If the monkey army comes, the poor wretches will all be eaten up by the demons. The very guardians of the spheres tremble for fear of me; it is quite absurd for my wife to be afraid.” So saying he laughed and embraced her, and then full of inordinate conceit proceeded to the council-chamber. But Mandodari was sore troubled at heart, saying, “Heaven is against my lord.” While he was sitting in court, he received intelligence that the whole army had crossed the sea. Then he enquired of his ministers, “Tell me what you think best to be done.” They all laughed and replied, “Remain quiet. You have conquered gods and demons without any trouble; of what account can men and monkeys be?”
Dohā 37.
When these three, a minister, a physician and a spiritual adviser, use fair words either from fear or hope of reward, dominion, religion and health are all three quickly destroyed.
Chaupai.
This was all the help that Ravan got; they did nothing but sound his praises. Perceiving his opportunity, Vibhishan came and bowed his head at his brother's feet, then again bowing took his seat on his throne and after obtaining permission spoke thus: “As you graciously ask of me my opinion, I declare it, Sire, to the best of my ability. If you desire your own welfare and glory, with a reputation for wisdom, a prosperous issue and every other happiness, turn away from the face of another man's wife as from the moon on its fourth day. Though a man were lord of the fourteen spheres, he cannot set himself to oppose the Universal. However amiable and accomplished a person may be, no one will speak well of him if he shows even the slightest covetousness.”
The monster heard her prayer and laughed aloud; his arrogance is known throughout the world. “A woman is naturally cast in a timorous mould, and even in prosperity has a mind ill at ease. If the monkey army comes, the poor wretches will all be eaten up by the demons. The very guardians of the spheres tremble for fear of me; it is quite absurd for my wife to be afraid.” So saying he laughed and embraced her, and then full of inordinate conceit proceeded to the council-chamber. But Mandodari was sore troubled at heart, saying, “Heaven is against my lord.” While he was sitting in court, he received intelligence that the whole army had crossed the sea. Then he enquired of his ministers, “Tell me what you think best to be done.” They all laughed and replied, “Remain quiet. You have conquered gods and demons without any trouble; of what account can men and monkeys be?”
Dohā 37.
When these three, a minister, a physician and a spiritual adviser, use fair words either from fear or hope of reward, dominion, religion and health are all three quickly destroyed.
Chaupai.
This was all the help that Ravan got; they did nothing but sound his praises. Perceiving his opportunity, Vibhishan came and bowed his head at his brother's feet, then again bowing took his seat on his throne and after obtaining permission spoke thus: “As you graciously ask of me my opinion, I declare it, Sire, to the best of my ability. If you desire your own welfare and glory, with a reputation for wisdom, a prosperous issue and every other happiness, turn away from the face of another man's wife as from the moon on its fourth day. Though a man were lord of the fourteen spheres, he cannot set himself to oppose the Universal. However amiable and accomplished a person may be, no one will speak well of him if he shows even the slightest covetousness.”
Dohā 38.
Lust, passion, vanity, and covetousness are all paths that lead to hell: abjure them and worship Raghubir, whom all the saints worship.
Chaupai.
Rama, my brother, is no mortal king, but the sovereign of the universe, the Fate of Fate itself, the Supreme Spirit, the imperishable and uncreated God, the benefactor of cows and of Brahmans, of the earth and of the gods: he who in his infinite mercy has assumed the form of humanity, to rejoice his votaries and to break the ranks of the impious; the champion of the Veda and true religion, the saviour of the immortals. Cease to fight against him and humbly bow the head. Raghunath relieves the distress of every suppliant. O my lord, give him back Sita and worship him with disinterested affection. The lord has never abandoned any one who has fled to him for protection, though he were guilty
Lust, passion, vanity, and covetousness are all paths that lead to hell: abjure them and worship Raghubir, whom all the saints worship.
Chaupai.
Rama, my brother, is no mortal king, but the sovereign of the universe, the Fate of Fate itself, the Supreme Spirit, the imperishable and uncreated God, the benefactor of cows and of Brahmans, of the earth and of the gods: he who in his infinite mercy has assumed the form of humanity, to rejoice his votaries and to break the ranks of the impious; the champion of the Veda and true religion, the saviour of the immortals. Cease to fight against him and humbly bow the head. Raghunath relieves the distress of every suppliant. O my lord, give him back Sita and worship him with disinterested affection. The lord has never abandoned any one who has fled to him for protection, though he were guilty