Sundara Kanda · Sarga 3 of 68 · 51 verses
The Guardian Goddess of Lanka
On the high peak of Lamba, like a hanging rain-cloud, the wise Hanuman, son of the wind, summoning his courage, the great-spirited elephant among monkeys, enters Lanka at night: Ravana’s city, rich in lovely woods and water, adorned with houses like autumn clouds, roaring like the sea, fanned by sea winds, crowded with well-fed troops like Vitapavati, with lovely gateways and white gate-arches, guarded and haunted by serpents like lovely Bhogavati, crowded like a sky full of lightning and clouds, frequented by hosts of lights, roaring with fierce winds like Amaravati, surrounded by a great golden wall, adorned with flags jingling with nets of bells. Reaching it, he suddenly springs onto the wall, glad, his heart filled with wonder as he looks over the city: golden gates with beryl altars, floors set with diamonds, crystal, pearls and gems, turrets of refined gold, spotless white silver, stairs made of beryl, crystal-dusted courtyards, lovely halls, lovely buildings as if flying up into the sky, echoing with curlews and peacocks, frequented by royal swans, resounding everywhere with the sound of instruments and ornaments. Seeing the city like Vasvaukasara, Lanka as if flying up into the sky, the monkey Hanuman is delighted. Seeing that lovely city of the lord of the rakshasas, unsurpassed, rich, the mighty one reflects: “This city cannot be attacked by force by anyone else, guarded by Ravana’s forces with weapons raised in their hands. This land would be accessible to Kumuda and Angada, to the great monkey Sushena, to Mainda and Dvivida, to the son of Vivasvat, to the monkey Kushaparvan, to Riksha, chief of monkeys, and to me.” And thinking of the prowess of mighty-armed Raghava and of Lakshmana’s valour, the monkey becomes glad. He sees the city of the king of the rakshasas like a richly adorned young woman, wearing jewels for clothes, cattle-sheds and storehouses for ear ornaments, armouries for breasts, her darkness dispelled by lamps and by shining great planets.
Then the city, in her own form, sees the great monkey, the tiger among monkeys, son of the wind, entering. Seeing the best of monkeys, Lanka, ruled by Ravana, rises up there herself, with a hideous face, and stands before the hero, son of the Wind, and with a great roar says to him: “Who are you, and for what purpose have you come here, forest-dweller? Tell me the truth while your life still holds. This Lanka cannot be entered by you, monkey, guarded on every side by Ravana’s forces.” The hero Hanuman says to her standing before him: “I will tell you the truth you ask me. But who are you, with your ugly eyes, standing at the city gate? And why do you threaten me in anger, cruel one?” Hearing Hanuman, Lanka, who takes any form at will, angrily speaks harsh words to the son of the Wind: “I am the unassailable one who awaits the command of great-souled Ravana, king of the rakshasas; I guard this city. You cannot enter this city by disregarding me. Today you will lose your life and lie killed by me. I am the city Lanka herself, leaper; I guard it on every side; so I have told you.” Hearing Lanka, Hanuman, son of the Wind, best of monkeys, stands firm like another mountain. Seeing her, monstrous in a woman’s form, the wise, courageous bull among leapers says: “I want to see the city of Lanka with its watchtowers, walls and gateways. That is why I have come; I am very curious. I have come to see the woods and groves of Lanka, its forests and its chief houses everywhere.” Hearing this, Lanka, who takes any form at will, speaks again in harsh syllables: “Without conquering me, fool, worst of monkeys, you cannot see this city ruled by the lord of the rakshasas today.” Then the tiger among monkeys says to the night-ranger: “Having seen this city, good lady, I will go back the way I came.” Then Lanka, with a terrible roar, strikes the best of monkeys swiftly with the palm of her hand. Struck hard by Lanka, the mighty tiger among monkeys, son of the Wind, roars a very great roar. Then, enraged, Hanuman clenches the fingers of his left hand and strikes her with his fist; but thinking, “She is a woman,” he does not put too much anger into it himself. Even so, at that blow the night-ranger, her limbs shaken, falls suddenly to the ground, her face hideous to see. Seeing her struck down, the splendid hero Hanuman takes pity, thinking of her as a woman. Then Lanka, deeply shaken, speaks humbly to the monkey Hanuman in a faltering voice: “Be gracious, mighty-armed one; save me, best of monkeys. The strong and mighty, gentle one, keep to the rule. I am the city Lanka herself, leaper; I have been conquered by your valour, hero, mighty one. Hear from me this truth, lord of the monkeys, the boon the Self-born himself gave me: ‘When a monkey brings you into his power by his valour, then you must know that fear has come to the rakshasas.’ That time has come for me today, gentle one, with the sight of you; what the Self-born ordained is true and cannot be overstepped. Because of Sita, destruction has come to wicked King Ravana and to all the rakshasas. So enter the city ruled by Ravana, best of monkeys, and do whatever you wish here. Entering the lovely city ruled by the chief of the rakshasas, struck by a curse, lord of the monkeys, search everywhere at your ease for the good daughter of Janaka.”
Press › to begin with verse 1.
स लम्बशिखरे लम्बे लम्बतोयदसंनिभे । सत्त्वमास्थाय मेधावी हनुमान् मारुतात्मजः ॥ १ ॥
On the high peak of Lamba, like a hanging cloud, taking up courage, the wise Hanuman, son of the wind,
Commentary on the whole sarga
The Guardian Goddess of Lanka 1 min read.
Read the commentary
निशि लंकां महासत्त्वो विवेश कपिकुञ्जरः । रम्यकाननतोयाढ्यां पुरीं रावणपालिताम् ॥ २ ॥
at night entered Lanka, the great-spirited elephant among monkeys, the city ruled by Ravana, rich in lovely woods and water,
शारदाम्बुधरप्रख्यैर्भवनैरुपशोभिताम् । सागरोपमनिर्घोषां सागरानिलसेविताम् ॥ ३ ॥
adorned with houses like autumn clouds, with a roar like the ocean, frequented by the ocean wind,
सुपुष्टबलसम्पुष्टां यथैव विटपावतीम् । चारुतोरणनिर्यूहां पाण्डुरद्वारतोरणाम् ॥ ४ ॥
well furnished with well-fed troops, just like Vitapavati, with lovely gateways and turrets, with white gates and arches,
भुजगाचरितां गुप्तां शुभां भोगवतीमिव । तां सविद्युद्घनाकीर्णां ज्योतिर्गणनिषेविताम् ॥ ५ ॥
haunted by serpents, guarded, lovely like Bhogavati, crowded as with clouds with lightning, frequented by hosts of lights,
चण्डमारुतनिर्ह्रादां यथा चाप्यमरावतीम् । शातकुम्भेन महता प्राकारेणाभिसंवृताम् ॥ ६ ॥
with the roar of fierce winds, and like Amaravati, surrounded by a great golden wall,
किङ्किणीजालघोषाभिः पताकाभिरलंकृताम् । आसाद्य सहसा हृष्टः प्राकारमभिपेदिवान् ॥ ७ ॥
adorned with flags sounding with nets of bells: reaching it, suddenly delighted, he leapt onto the wall.
विस्मयाविष्टहृदयः पुरीमालोक्य सर्वतः । जाम्बूनदमयैर्द्वारैर्वैदूर्यकृतवेदिकैः ॥ ८ ॥
His heart filled with wonder, looking at the city on every side, with gates made of gold, with altars made of beryl,
वज्रस्फटिकमुक्ताभिर्मणिकुट्टिमभूषितैः । तप्तहाटकनिर्यूहै राजतामलपाण्डुरैः ॥ ९ ॥
adorned with floors of diamond, crystal and pearls and gems, with turrets of refined gold, spotless white with silver,
वैदूर्यकृतसोपानैः स्फाटिकान्तरपांसुभिः । चारुसंजवनोपेतैः खमिवोत्पतितैः शुभैः ॥ १० ॥
with stairs made of beryl, with crystal dust within, joined with lovely halls, lovely, as if flown up into the sky,
क्रौञ्चबर्हिणसंघुष्टै राजहंसनिषेवितैः । तूर्याभरणनिर्घोषैः सर्वतः परिनादिताम् ॥ ११ ॥
resounding with curlews and peacocks, frequented by royal swans, sounding on every side with the noise of instruments and ornaments:
वस्वोकसारप्रतिमां समीक्ष्य नगरीं ततः । खमिवोत्पतितां लंकां जहर्ष हनुमान् कपिः ॥ १२ ॥
seeing that city like Vasvaukasara, Lanka as if flown up into the sky, the monkey Hanuman was delighted.
तां समीक्ष्य पुरीं लंकां राक्षसाधिपतेः शुभाम् । अनुत्तमामृद्धिमतीं चिन्तयामास वीर्यवान् ॥ १३ ॥
Seeing that lovely city Lanka of the lord of the rakshasas, unsurpassed, rich, the mighty one reflected:
नेयमन्येन नगरी शक्या धर्षयितुं बलात् । रक्षिता रावणबलैरुद्यतायुधपाणिभिः ॥ १४ ॥
“This city cannot be assaulted by another by force, guarded by Ravana’s forces with weapons raised in their hands.
कुमुदाङ्गदयोर्वापि सुषेणस्य महाकपेः । प्रसिद्धेयं भवेद् भूमिर्मैन्दद्विविदयोरपि ॥ १५ ॥
“But this land might be accessible to Kumuda and Angada, or to the great monkey Sushena, and to Mainda and Dvivida too,
विवस्वतस्तनूजस्य हरेश्च कुशपर्वणः । ऋक्षस्य कपिमुख्यस्य मम चैव गतिर्भवेत् ॥ १६ ॥
“to the son of Vivasvat and to the monkey Kushaparvan, to Riksha, chief of monkeys, and there would be passage for me.”
समीक्ष्य च महाबाहो राघवस्य पराक्रमम् । लक्ष्मणस्य च विक्रान्तमभवत् प्रीतिमान् कपिः ॥ १७ ॥
And seeing the prowess of mighty-armed Raghava and the valour of Lakshmana, the monkey became glad.
तां रत्नवसनोपेतां गोष्ठागारावतंसिकाम् । यन्त्रागारस्तनीमृद्धां प्रमदामिव भूषिताम् ॥ १८ ॥
That one, joined with clothes of jewels, with cattle-sheds and storehouses for ear ornaments, with armouries for breasts, rich, adorned like a young woman,
तां नष्टतिमिरां दीपैर्भास्वरैश्च महाग्रहैः । नगरीं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य स ददर्श महाकपिः ॥ १९ ॥
with darkness destroyed by lamps and by shining great planets: that city of the lord of the rakshasas the great monkey saw.
अथ सा हरिशार्दूलं प्रविशन्तं महाकपिम् । नगरी स्वेन रूपेण ददर्श पवनात्मजम् ॥ २० ॥
Then that city, in her own form, saw the tiger among monkeys, the great monkey, son of the wind, entering.
सा तं हरिवरं दृष्ट्वा लंका रावणपालिता । स्वयमेवोत्थिता तत्र विकृताननदर्शना ॥ २१ ॥
Seeing that best of monkeys, Lanka, ruled by Ravana, herself rose up there, with a hideous face to see.
पुरस्तात् तस्य वीरस्य वायुसूनोरतिष्ठत । मुञ्चमाना महानादमब्रवीत् पवनात्मजम् ॥ २२ ॥
She stood before that hero, the son of the Wind; letting out a great roar, she spoke to the son of the wind:
कस्त्वं केन च कार्येण इह प्राप्तो वनालय । कथयस्वेह यत् तत्त्वं यावत् प्राणा धरन्ति ते ॥ २३ ॥
“Who are you, and for what task have you come here, forest-dweller? Tell here the truth while your breaths hold.
न शक्यं खल्वियं लंका प्रवेष्टुं वानर त्वया । रक्षिता रावणबलैरभिगुप्ता समन्ततः ॥ २४ ॥
“This Lanka cannot be entered by you, monkey, guarded by Ravana’s forces, protected on every side.”
अथ तामब्रवीद् वीरो हनुमानग्रतः स्थिताम् । कथयिष्यामि तत् तत्त्वं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसे ॥ २५ ॥
Then the hero Hanuman said to her standing before him: “I will tell that truth which you ask me.
का त्वं विरूपनयना पुरद्वारेऽवतिष्ठसे । किमर्थं चापि मां क्रोधान्निर्भर्त्सयसि दारुणे ॥ २६ ॥
“Who are you, with ugly eyes, standing at the city gate? And why do you threaten me with anger, cruel one?”
हनुमद्वचनं श्रुत्वा लंका सा कामरूपिणी । उवाच वचनं क्रुद्धा परुषं पवनात्मजम् ॥ २७ ॥
Hearing Hanuman’s words, that Lanka, taking forms at will, angry, spoke harsh words to the son of the wind:
अहं राक्षसराजस्य रावणस्य महात्मनः । आज्ञाप्रतीक्षा दुर्धर्षा रक्षामि नगरीमिमाम् ॥ २८ ॥
“I, awaiting the command of great-souled Ravana, king of the rakshasas, unassailable, guard this city.
न शक्यं मामवज्ञाय प्रवेष्टुं नगरीमिमाम् । अद्य प्राणैः परित्यक्तः स्वप्स्यसे निहतो मया ॥ २९ ॥
“This city cannot be entered disregarding me. Today, abandoned by your breaths, killed by me, you will sleep.
अहं हि नगरी लंका स्वयमेव प्लवङ्गम । सर्वतः परिरक्षामि अतस्ते कथितं मया ॥ ३० ॥
“For I am the city Lanka herself, leaper. I guard it on every side; therefore it has been told you by me.”
लंकाया वचनं श्रुत्वा हनुमान् मारुतात्मजः । यत्नवान् स हरिश्रेष्ठः स्थितः शैल इवापरः ॥ ३१ ॥
Hearing Lanka’s words, Hanuman, son of the wind, the best of monkeys, intent, stood like another mountain.
स तां स्त्रीरूपविकृतां दृष्ट्वा वानरपुङ्गवः । आबभाषेऽथ मेधावी सत्त्ववान् प्लवगर्षभः ॥ ३२ ॥
Seeing her, monstrous in a woman’s form, the bull among monkeys, wise, courageous, bull among leapers, then spoke:
द्रक्ष्यामि नगरीं लंकां साट्टप्राकारतोरणाम् । इत्यर्थमिह सम्प्राप्तः परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ ३३ ॥
“I will see the city Lanka with its watchtowers, walls and gateways; for this purpose I have come here, for my curiosity is great.
वनान्युपवनानीह लंकायाः काननानि च । सर्वतो गृहमुख्यानि द्रष्टुमागमनं हि मे ॥ ३४ ॥
“The woods and groves here of Lanka, and its forests, and the chief houses on every side: my coming is to see them.”
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा लंका सा कामरूपिणी । भूय एव पुनर्वाक्यं बभाषे परुषाक्षरम् ॥ ३५ ॥
Hearing those words of his, that Lanka, taking forms at will, spoke again words with harsh syllables:
मामनिर्जित्य दुर्बुद्धे राक्षसेश्वरपालिताम् । न शक्यं ह्यद्य ते द्रष्टुं पुरीयं वानराधम ॥ ३६ ॥
“Without conquering me, evil-minded one, this city ruled by the lord of the rakshasas cannot be seen by you today, lowest of monkeys.”
ततः स हरिशार्दूलस्तामुवाच निशाचरीम् । दृष्ट्वा पुरीमिमां भद्रे पुनर्यास्ये यथागतम् ॥ ३७ ॥
Then that tiger among monkeys said to that night-roamer: “Having seen this city, good lady, I will go again as I came.”
ततः कृत्वा महानादं सा वै लंका भयंकरम् । तलेन वानरश्रेष्ठं ताडयामास वेगिता ॥ ३८ ॥
Then, making a great, terrifying roar, that Lanka, swift, struck the best of monkeys with her palm.
ततः स हरिशार्दूलो लंकया ताडितो भृशम् । ननाद सुमहानादं वीर्यवान् मारुतात्मजः ॥ ३९ ॥
Then that tiger among monkeys, struck hard by Lanka, the mighty son of the wind, roared a very great roar.
ततः संवर्तयामास वामहस्तस्य सोऽङ्गुलीः । मुष्टिनाभिजघानैनां हनुमान् क्रोधर्मूच्छितः ॥ ४० ॥
Then he clenched the fingers of his left hand; Hanuman, faint with anger, struck her with his fist.
स्त्री चेति मन्यमानेन नातिक्रोधः स्वयं कृतः । सा तु तेन प्रहारेण विह्वलाङ्गी निशाचरी । पपात सहसा भूमौ विकृताननदर्शना ॥ ४१ ॥
Thinking, “She is a woman,” he did not himself make too much anger. But that night-ranger, her limbs shaken by that blow, fell suddenly to the ground, her face hideous to see.
ततस्तु हनुमान् वीरस्तां दृष्ट्वा विनिपातिताम् । कृपां चकार तेजस्वी मन्यमानः स्त्रियं च ताम् ॥ ४२ ॥
Then the hero Hanuman, seeing her struck down, the splendid one, took pity, thinking of her as a woman.
ततो वै भृशमुद्विग्ना लंका सा गद्गदाक्षरम् । उवाचागर्वितं वाक्यं हनुमन्तं प्लवङ्गमम् ॥ ४३ ॥
Then Lanka, greatly agitated, spoke words without pride, with faltering syllables, to the leaper Hanuman:
प्रसीद सुमहाबाहो त्रायस्व हरिसत्तम । समये सौम्य तिष्ठन्ति सत्त्ववन्तो महाबलाः ॥ ४४ ॥
“Be gracious, mighty-armed one; save me, best of monkeys. The strong and very mighty stand by the rule, gentle one.
अहं तु नगरी लंका स्वयमेव प्लवङ्गम । निर्जिताहं त्वया वीर विक्रमेण महाबल ॥ ४५ ॥
“I am the city Lanka herself, leaper. I have been conquered by you, hero, by valour, very mighty one.
इदं च तथ्यं शृणु मे ब्रुवन्त्या वै हरीश्वर । स्वयं स्वयम्भुवा दत्तं वरदानं यथा मम ॥ ४६ ॥
“And hear this truth from me as I speak, lord of monkeys, as the boon was given to me by the Self-born himself:
यदा त्वां वानरः कश्चिद् विक्रमाद् वशमानयेत् । तदा त्वया हि विज्ञेयं रक्षसां भयमागतम् ॥ ४७ ॥
“’When some monkey brings you under control by valour, then it must be known by you that fear of the rakshasas has come.’
स हि मे समयः सौम्य प्राप्तोऽद्य तव दर्शनात् । स्वयम्भूविहितः सत्यो न तस्यास्ति व्यतिक्रमः ॥ ४८ ॥
“That time of mine has come today, gentle one, from the sight of you. Ordained by the Self-born, it is true; there is no transgressing it.
सीतानिमित्तं राज्ञस्तु रावणस्य दुरात्मनः । रक्षसां चैव सर्वेषां विनाशः समुपागतः ॥ ४९ ॥
“Because of Sita, destruction has come to wicked King Ravana and to all the rakshasas.
तत् प्रविश्य हरिश्रेष्ठ पुरीं रावणपालिताम् । विधत्स्व सर्वकार्याणि यानि यानीह वाञ्छसि ॥ ५० ॥
“So, entering the city ruled by Ravana, best of monkeys, accomplish all tasks, whatever you wish here.
प्रविश्य शापोपहतां हरीश्वर पुरीं शुभां राक्षसमुख्यपालिताम् । यदृच्छया त्वं जनकात्मजां सतीं विमार्ग सर्वत्र गतो यथासुखम् ॥ ५१ ॥
“Entering the lovely city ruled by the chief of the rakshasas, struck by a curse, lord of monkeys, search everywhere for the good daughter of Janaka at your ease, going as you please.”