Excerpts from the सुन्दरकाण्ड - pt. 2
Hanuman arrives at Lanka and meets Vibhishan and Sita
This is the second post in a series where we work our way sequentially through excerpts from the Sundarkāṇḍ. In the first post, we went word-by-word through the first few stanzas of the chapter, and observed in action some features of Awadhi grammar and vocabulary. Now, we will go through many more stanzas. Instead of breaking them down word-for-word, I will translate them one pāda1 (i.e. about 4-6 words) at a time. The goal here is to build intuition on how to extract meaning from the text, without getting too bogged down in pedantic grammatical points.
As with the previous post, I will be relying heavily on the translation by Rupert Snell and Neha Tiwari in Reading the Rāmcaritmānas (p. 364-389), as well as the grammar and glossary sections of that book. I am also referring to the text and translation at Ramcharitmanas.info (which is also convenient for copy-pasting the text).
To help with building vocabulary, I have annotated some words in the Devanagari text with links to entries from UChicago’s Digital Dictionaries of South Asia project, which Snell calls “the internet’s most valuable gift to Indology.”2 In particular, I will be relying heavily on A Comparative Dictionary of the Indo-Aryan Languages (CDIAL) by R. L. Turner, which, according to Snell, is “a magisterial record of the development of the Indo-Aryan lexicon, tracing the history of vernacular words back to their actual or reconstructed Sanskrit etymons; the essential resources for premodern vernacular texts.”3 This dictionary, in which each entry contains cognates across multiple Indo-Aryan (and even other I.E.) languages, seems to be the best approach towards glossing words in the Rāmcaritmānas, since the Awadhi language of Tulsidas is not a standardized modern language. When I did not find a good entry in CDIAL, I referred to the McGregor (Hindi) and Combined Sanskrit dictionaries.
In some places, I have added in brackets information that is implied in the original text, for example when a new speaker of quoted text is not explicitly stated. If a quote runs on across multiple pādas, I include new quotation marks in each line, to remind the reader that the text is still quoted.
I have also added some footnotes with remarks on context, definitions, and etymology. There are my own comments, and are distinct from the footnotes in Snell and Tiwari’s book (which are also great to read through).
When we last left off, Hanuman had outsmarted the snake goddess Surasa, who had been sent by the Devas to test him as he was making his way across the sea to Lanka to find Sita. After an additional encounter with a demoness, Hanuman finally reaches Lanka.
Let’s pick up with the third Doha.
Hanuman enters Lanka and meets Vibhishan [listen]
पुर रखवारे देखि बहु कपि मन कीन्ह बिचार।
अति लघु रूप धरों निसि नगर करौं पइसार॥3॥
पुर रखवारे देखि बहु (Seeing the many guardians of the city)
कपि मन कीन्ह बिचार (The monkey pondered4 in his mind)
अति लघु रूप धरौं निसि ([Hanuman]: “I will assume a very small form at night”)
नगर करौं पइसार (“I will enter the city”)
मसक समान रूप कपि धरी। लंकहि चलेउ सुमिरि नरहरी॥
नाम लंकिनी एक निसिचरी। सो कह चलेसि मोहि निंदरी॥4.1॥
मसक समान रूप कपि धरी (Taking a form like a mosquito)
लंकहि चलेउ सुमिरि नर-हरी5 (He went to Lanka, remembering Narasimha)
नाम लंकिनी एक निसिचरी (There was a demoness named Lankini)
सो कह चलेसि मोहि निंदरी (She said, “he has come, ridiculing me”)
जानेहि नहीं मरमु सठ मोरा। मोर अहार जहाँ लगि चोरा॥
मुठिका एक महा कपि हनी। रुधिर बमत धरनीं ढनमनी॥4.2॥
जानेहि नहीं मरमु सठ मोरा (“Do you not know my purpose, O Fool?”)
मोर अहार जहाँ लगि चोरा (“The thieves who come here are my food”)
मुठिका एक महा कपि हनी (The monkey dealt a great blow)
रुधिर बमत6 धरनीं ढनमनी (Vomiting blood, she thrashed on the ground)
पुनि संभारि उठी सो लंका। जोरि पानि कर बिनय ससंका॥
जब रावनहि ब्रह्म बर दीन्हा। चलत बिरंच कहा मोहि चीन्हा॥4.3॥
पुनि संभारि उठी सो लंका (Collecting herself again, that Lanka7 got up)
जोरि पानि कर बिनय ससंका (Folding her hands, she made a timid prayer)
जब रावनहि ब्रह्म बर दीन्हा ([Lankini]: “When Brahma gave Ravana a boon”)
चलत बिरंच8 कहा मोहि चीन्हा9 (“As he was leaving, Brahma told me of an omen”)
बिकल होसि तैं कपि कें मारे। तब जानेसु निसिचर संघारे॥
तात मोर अति पुन्य बहूता। देखेउँ नयन राम कर दूता॥4.4॥
बिकल होसि तैं कपि कें मारे (“[Brahma]: ‘When you are maimed by a monkey’”)
तब जानेसु निसिचर संघारे (“‘Then know it is the destruction of the demons’”)
तात मोर अति पुन्य बहूता ([Lankini]: “Son10, great are the rewards of my karma”)
देखेउँ नयन राम कर दूता (“I have seen with my own eyes the messenger of Rama”)
तात स्वर्ग अपबर्ग सुख धरिअ तुला एक अंग।
तूल न ताहि सकल मिलि जो सुख लव सतसंग॥4॥
तात स्वर्ग अपबर्ग सुख (“Son, the joys of heaven and liberation”)
धरिअ तुला एक अंग (“If they were placed on one side of a scale”)
तूल न ताहि सकल मिलि (“All of it together could not equal”)
जो सुख लव सतसंग (“The joy of a bit of company with the pious”)
प्रबिसि नगर कीजे सब काजा। हृदयँ राखि कोसलपुर राजा॥
गरल सुधा रिपु करहिं मिताई। गोपद सिंधु अनल सितलाई॥5.1॥
प्रबिसि नगर कीजे सब काजा (“Enter the city and do all of your task”)
हृदयँ राखि कोसलपुर राजा (“Keeping the King of Kosalapura11 in your heart”)
गरल सुधा रिपु करहिं मिताई (Poison becomes nectar, enemies make friendship)
गोपद सिंधु अनल सितलाई12 (A cow’s hoofprint becomes the ocean, and fire cools)
गरुड़ सुमेरु रेनु सम ताही। राम कृपा करि चितवा जाही॥
अति लघु रूप धरेउ हनुमाना। पैठा नगर सुमिरि भगवाना॥5.2॥
गरुड़ सुमेरु रेनु सम ताही (O Garuda13, Mount Sumeru is like a speck of dust to him)
राम कृपा करि चितवा जाही (To whom Rama glances with grace)
अति लघु रूप धरेउ हनुमाना (Hanuman assumed a very small form)
पैठा नगर सुमिरि भगवाना (He entered the city, remembering the name of the Lord)
मंदिर मंदिर प्रति करि सोधा। देखे जहँ तहँ अगनित जोधा॥
गयउ दसानन मंदिर माहीं। अति बिचित्र कहि जात सो नाहीं॥5.3॥
मंदिर मंदिर प्रति करि सोधा (He searched from palace to palace)
देखे जहँ तहँ अगनित जोधा (And saw innumerable warriors here and there)
गयउ दसानन मंदिर माहीं (He went inside the palace of the Ten-Faced14)
अति बिचित्र कहि जात सो नाहीं (Very colorful, it was beyond description15)
सयन किएँ देखा कपि तेही। मंदिर महुँ न दीखि बैदेही॥
भवन एक पुनि दीख सुहावा। हरि मंदिर तहँ भिन्न बनावा॥5.4॥
सयन किएँ देखा कपि तेही (The monkey saw him sleeping)
मंदिर महुँ न दीखि बैदेही (Inside the palace, Vaidehi16 was not to be seen)
भवन एक पुनि दीख सुहावा (Again, he saw a beautiful palace)
हरि मंदिर तहँ भिन्न बनावा (Inside it was built a separate Hari Mandir)
रामायुध अंकित गृह सोभा बरनि न जाइ।
नव तुलसिका बृंद तहँ देखि हरष कपिराई ॥5॥
राम-आयुध17 अंकित गृह (The house was marked with Rama’s weapons)
सोभा बरनि न जाइ ([Its] splendor could not be described)
नव तुलसि का बृंद तहँ (A cluster of new Tulsi plants)
देखि हरष कपिराई (Having seen, the Lord of the Monkeys became happy)
लंका निसिचर निकर निवासा। इहाँ कहाँ सज्जन कर बासा॥
मन महुँ तरक करैं कपि लागा। तेहीं समय बिभीषनु जागा॥6.1॥
लंका निसिचर निकर निवासा ([Hanuman]: “Lanka is the abode of multitudes of demons”)
इहाँ कहाँ सज्जन कर बासा (“Here, where is a good man’s house?”)
मन महुँ तरक करैं कपि लागा (In his mind, the monkey thought thus)
तेहीं समय बिभीषनु जागा (At that time, Vibhishana awoke)
राम राम तेहिं सुमिरन कीन्हा। हृदयँ हरष कपि सज्जन चीन्हा॥
एहि सन हठि करिहउँ पहिचानी। साधु ते होइ न कारज हानी॥6.2॥
राम राम तेहिं सुमिरन कीन्हा ([Saying] “Ram, Ram,” he took remembrance)
हृदयँ हरष कपि सज्जन चीन्हा (The monkey was happy at heart, seeing a good man)
एहि सन हठि करिहउँ पहिचानी ([Hanuman]: “I will briefly get to know him”)
साधु ते होइ न कारज हानी (“He being a saint is no harm to my task”)
बिप्र रूप धरि बचन सुनाए। सुनत बिभीषन उठि तहँ आए॥
करि प्रनाम पूँछी कुसलाई। बिप्र कहहु निज कथा बुझाई॥6.3॥
बिप्र रूप धरि बचन सुनाए (He took the form of a Brahmin and called out)
सुनत बिभीषन उठि तहँ आए (Vibhishana heard and came to him)
करि प्रनाम पूँछी कुसलाई (He bowed and asked about his well-being)
बिप्र कहहु निज कथा बुझाई ([Vibhishana]: “O Brahmin, tell your story”)
की तुम्ह हरि दासन्ह महँ कोई। मोरें हृदय प्रीति अति होई॥
की तुम्ह रामु दीन अनुरागी। आयहु मोहि करन बड़भागी॥6.4॥
की तुम्ह हरि दासन्ह महँ कोई (“Are you one of the servants of Hari?”)
मोरें हृदय प्रीति अति होई (“My heart is filled with love”)
की तुम्ह रामु दीन अनुरागी (“Or are you Rama, friend of the poor”)
आयहु मोहि करन बड़-भागी (“Coming to make me the most fortunate”)
तब हनुमंत कही सब राम कथा निज नाम।
सुनत जुगल तन पुलक मन मगन सुमिरि गुन ग्राम॥6॥
तब हनुमंत कही सब (Then Hanuman told all)
राम कथा निज नाम (Rama’s story and his own name)
सुनत जुगल तन पुलक मन (Hearing this, both of their bodies shook, and their minds)
मगन सुमिरि गुन ग्राम (Were engrossed in the thought of the wealth18 of virtues [of Rama])
सुनहु पवनसुत रहनि हमारी। जिमि दसनन्हि महुँ जीभ बिचारी॥
तात कबहुँ मोहि जानि अनाथा। करिहहिं कृपा भानुकुल नाथा॥7.1॥
सुनहु पवनसुत रहनि हमारी ([Vibhishana]: “Listen, O Son of the Wind, of my situation”)
जिमि दसनन्हि महुँ जीभ बिचारी (“Like the wretched tongue in between teeth”)
तात कबहुँ मोहि जानि अनाथा (“O Son, when, knowing me as an orphan,”)
करिहहिं कृपा भानुकुल नाथा (“Will the Lord of the Solar Dynasty19 bestow grace?”)
तामस तनु कछु साधन नाहीं। प्रीत न पद सरोज मन माहीं॥
अब मोहि भा भरोस हनुमंता। बिनु हरिकृपा मिलहिं नहिं संता॥7.2॥
तामस तनु कछु साधन नाहीं (“[With my] Tamasic20 body, there is no penance”)
प्रीत न पद सरोज मन माहीं (“There is no love for the Lotus Feet in [my] heart”)
अब मोहि भा भरोस हनुमंता (“Now I have confidence, O Hanuman”)
बिनु हरिकृपा मिलहिं नहिं संता (“Without Hari’s grace, I would not have met a saint”)
जौं रघुबीर अनुग्रह कीन्हा। तौ तुम्ह मोहि दरसु हठि दीन्हा॥
सुनहु बिभीषन प्रभु कै रीती। करहिं सदा सेवक पर प्रीति॥7.3॥
जौं रघुबीर अनुग्रह कीन्हा (“When Raghuveer showed kindness”)
तौ तुम्ह मोहि दरसु हठि दीन्हा (“Then [he] gave me the vision of you” )
सुनहु बिभीषन प्रभु कै रीती ([Hanuman]: “Listen, Vibhishana, it is the nature of the Lord”)
करहिं सदा सेवक पर प्रीति (“He always bestows love upon his servants”)
कहहु कवन मैं परम कुलीना। कपि चंचल सबहीं बिधि हीना॥
प्रात लेइ जो नाम हमारा। तेहि दिन ताहि न मिलै अहारा॥7.4॥
कहहु कवन मैं परम कुलीना (“Tell, to what great clan to I belong?”)
कपि चंचल सबहीं बिधि हीना (“I am a playful monkey, lacking all qualities”)
प्रात लेइ जो नाम हमारा (“He who takes my name in the morning”)
तेहि दिन ताहि न मिलै अहारा (“That day, he will not get food”)
अस मैं अधम सखा सुनु मोहू पर रघुबीर।
कीन्हीं कृपा सुमिरि गुन भरे बिलोचन नीर॥7॥
अस मैं अधम सखा सुनु (“I am lowly like this - listen, O Friend,”)
मोहू पर रघुबीर (“Upon me, Raghuveer”)
कीन्हीं कृपा सुमिरि गुन (“Has bestowed his grace.” Remembering [Rama’s] qualities)
भरे बिलोचन नीर ([Hanuman’s] eyes filled with water)
Confrontation between Sita and Ravana
The conversation between Hanuman and Vibhishan continues for a bit. Vibhishan tells Hanuman that Sita is in the Ashoka grove. Hanuman then heads off to find her. When he arrives at the grove, he sits in a tree and watches her. At that moment, Ravana enters. He tries to convince Sita to accept him. The heated dialogue between them ensues, with Hanuman listening quietly.
तरु पल्लव महँ रहा लुकाई। करइ बिचार करौं का भाई॥
तेहि अवसर रावनु तहँ आवा। संग नारि बहु किएँ बनावा॥9.1॥|
तरु पल्लव महँ रहा लुकाई ([Hanuman] hid in the leaves of a tree)
करइ बिचार करौं का भाई (He thought, “What shall I do, Brother?21”)
तेहि अवसर रावनु तहँ आवा (At that time, Ravana arrived there)
संग नारि बहु किएँ बनावा (Accompanied by women in great finery)
बहु बिधि खल सीतहि समुझावा। साम दान भय भेद देखावा॥
कह रावनु सुनु सुमुखि सयानी। मंदोदरी आदि सब रानी॥9.2॥
बहु बिधि खल सीतहि समुझावा (In many ways, the cruel [Ravana] tried to persuade Sita)
साम-दान-भय-भेद22 देखावा (He showed advice, gifts, fear, and secrecy)
कह रावनु सुनु सुमुखि सयानी (Ravana said, “Listen, O beautiful-faced, wise woman,”)
मंदोदरी आदि सब रानी (“Mandodari and all the other queens,”)
तव अनुचरीं करउँ पन मोरा। एक बार बिलोकु मम ओरा॥
तृन धरि ओट कहति बैदेही। सुमिरि अवधपति परम सनेही॥9.3॥
तव अनुचरीं23 करउँ पन मोरा (“I will make them your servants - that is my promise”)
एक बार बिलोकु मम ओरा (“One time, look in my direction”)
तृन धरि ओट कहति बैदेही (Concealing herself with a blade of grass, Vaidehi said)
सुमिरि अवधपति परम सनेही (While remembering the Lord of Ayodhya, her most beloved)
सुनु दसमुख खद्योत प्रकासा। कबहुँ कि नलिनी करइ बिकासा॥
अस मन समुझु कहति जानकी। खल सुधि नहिं रघुबीर बान की॥9.4॥
सुनु दसमुख खद्योत प्रकासा (“Listen, O Ten-Headed! The light of the firefly-”)
कबहुँ कि नलिनी करइ बिकासा (“When does it make the lotus bloom?”)
अस मन समुझु कहति जानकी (“Understand this in your heart,” said Janaki24)
खल सुधि नहिं रघुबीर बान की (“O Cruel One, you have no knowledge of Rama’s arrows”)
सठ सूनें हरि आनेहि मोही। अधम निलज्ज लाज नहिं तोही॥9.5॥
सठ सूनें हरि आनेहि मोही (“O Fool, you abducted me when I was alone and brought me”)
अधम निलज्ज लाज नहिं तोही (“You are lowly and shameless - you have no shame!”)
आपुहि सुनि खद्योत सम रामहि भानु समान।
परुष बचन सुनि काढ़ि असि बोला अति खिसिआन॥9॥
आपुहि सुनि खद्योत सम (Hearing himself compared to a firefly)
रामहि भानु समान (And Rama to the sun)
परुष बचन सुनि काढ़ि असि (Hearing these harsh words, he pulled out his sword)
बोला अति खिसिआन (And said, very angrily - )
सीता तैं मम कृत अपमाना। कटिहउँ तव सिर कठिन कृपाना॥
नाहिं त सपदि मानु मम बानी। सुमुखि होति न त जीवन हानी॥10.1॥
सीता तैं मम कृत अपमाना (“Sita, you have insulted me”)
कटिहउँ तव सिर कठिन कृपाना (“I will cut your head with my tough sword”)
नाहिं त सपदि मानु मम बानी (“If not, accept my offer at once”)
सुमुखि होति न त जीवन हानी (“O Pretty One, otherwise your life will be lost”)
स्याम सरोज दाम सम सुंदर। प्रभु भुज करि कर सम दसकंधर॥
सो भुज कंठ कि तव असि घोरा। सुनु सठ अस प्रवान पन मोरा॥10.2॥
स्याम सरोज दाम सम सुंदर ([Sita]: “Beautiful as a garland of dark lotuses”)
प्रभु भुज करि कर सम दस-कंधर (“The Lord’s arm is as an elephant trunk, O Ten-Necked”)
सो भुज कंठ कि तव असि घोरा (“That arm, or your terrible blade, [will be on my] neck”)
सुनु सठ अस प्रवान पन मोरा (“Hear, O Fool, such is my attested oath”)
चंद्रहास हरु मम परितापं। रघुपति बिरह अनल संजातं॥
सीतल निसित बहसि बर धारा। कह सीता हरु मम दुख भारा॥10.3॥
चंद्रहास हरु मम परितापं (“O Chandrahas,25 remove my burning pain,”)
रघुपति बिरह अनल संजातं (“Born from the fire of separation from Raghupati”)
सीतल निसित बहसि बर धारा (“Cool and sharp flows your fine blade”)
कह सीता हरु मम दुख भारा (“Says Sita - ‘Remove my burden of sorrow!’”)
सुनत बचन पुनि मारन धावा। मयतनयाँ कहि नीति बुझावा॥
कहेसि सकल निसिचरिन्ह बोलाई। सीतहि बहु बिधि त्रासहु जाई॥10.4॥
सुनत बचन पुनि मारन धावा (Hearing these words, [Ravana] rushed to strike her)
मयतनयाँ कहि नीति बुझावा (The daughter of Maya26 cautioned him about his conduct)
कहेसि सकल निसिचरिन्ह बोलाई (He called all the demonesses and said,)
सीतहि बहु बिधि त्रासहु जाई (“Go and terrify Sita in multiple ways!”)
मास दिवस महुँ कहा न माना। तौ मैं मारबि काढ़ि कृपाना॥10.5॥
मास दिवस महुँ कहा न माना (“If she doesn’t accept my word in a month to the day,”)
तौ मैं मारबि27 काढ़ि कृपाना (“I will surely draw my sword and kill her!”)
भवन गयउ दसकंधर इहाँ पिसाचिनि बृंद।
सीतहि त्रास देखावहिं धरहिं रूप बहु मंद॥10॥
भवन गयउ दसकंधर (The Ten-Shouldered went to his abode.)
इहाँ पिसाचिनि बृंद (Here, the multitude of demonesses)
सीतहि त्रास देखावहिं (Showed Sita terror)
धरहिं रूप बहु मंद (And took many wicked forms)
Sita’s despair
After this, Sita pleads with the demoness Trijata to help her find firewood to kill herself. Trijata pleads with her not to do it, saying that one cannot find firewood at night. Trijata then leaves the garden. Sita, in despair, is still thinking of ways to take her life. A few poignant lines:
कह सीता बिधि भा प्रतिकूला। मिलिहि न पावक मिटिहि न सूला॥
देखिअत प्रगट गगन अंगारा। अवनि न आवत एकउ तारा॥12.4॥
कह सीता बिधि भा प्रतिकूला (Sita said, “Fate is against [me]”)
मिलिहि न पावक मिटिहि न सूला (“Not finding fire, the spear [of pain] is not removed”)
देखिअत प्रगट गगन अंगारा (“I see sparks of flame revealed in the sky”)
अवनि न आवत एकउ तारा (“[But] not a single star falls to the ground”)
पावकमय ससि स्रवत न आगी। मानहुँ मोहि जानि हतभागी॥
सुनहि बिनय मम बिटप असोका। सत्य नाम करु हरु मम सोका॥12.5॥
पावकमय ससि स्रवत न आगी (“The moon, which is able to burn, does not rain down fire”)
मानहुँ मोहि जानि हतभागी (“I think it knows me as ill-fated”)
सुनहि बिनय मम बिटप असोका (“Listen to my please, O Asoka tree”)
सत्य नाम करु हरु मम सोका (“Make true to your name and take away my sadness”)
Hanuman’s conversation with Sita
After listening to Sita’s lamentations for a while, Hanuman finally decides to introduce himself to her.
कपि करि हृदयँ बिचार दीन्हि मुद्रिका डारि तब।
जनु असोक अंगार दीन्ह हरषि उठि कर गहेउ॥12॥
कपि करि हृदयँ बिचार (The monkey pondered in his heart)
दीन्हि मुद्रिका डारि तब (And then threw down the ring)
जनु असोक अंगार ([Sita] thought it to be a flame from the Asoka tree)
दीन्ह हरषि उठि कर गहेउ28 (Happily got up and took that which was given)
तब देखी मुद्रिका मनोहर। राम नाम अंकित अति सुंदर॥
चकित चितव मुदरी पहिचानी। हरष बिषाद हृदयँ अकुलानी॥13.1॥
तब देखी मुद्रिका मनोहर (Then seeing the ring of her beloved)
राम नाम अंकित अति सुंदर (Decorated beautifully with Rama’s name29)
चकित चितव मुदरी पहिचानी (She was bewildered upon recognizing the ring)
हरष बिषाद हृदयँ अकुलानी (Happiness and sadness were confused in her heart)
जीति को सकइ अजय रघुराई। माया तें असि रचि नहिं जाई॥
सीता मन बिचार कर नाना। मधुर बचन बोलेउ हनुमाना॥13.2॥
जीति को सकइ अजय रघुराई (“Who can conquer the unconquerable Lord of the Raghus?”)
माया तें असि रचि नहिं जाई (“But also, such a ring cannot be prepared by magic”)
सीता मन बिचार कर नाना (Sita’s heart pondered these several thoughts)
मधुर बचन बोलेउ हनुमाना (Hanuman spoke sweet words)
रामचंद्र गुन बरनैं लागा। सुनतहिं सीता कर दुख भागा॥
लागीं सुनैं श्रवन मन लाई। आदिहु तें सब कथा सुनाई॥13.3॥
रामचंद्र गुन बरनैं लागा (He described the qualities of Ramachandra)
सुनतहिं सीता कर दुख भागा (Hearing this, Sita’s sorrow fled)
लागीं सुनैं श्रवन मन लाई (She listened with her heart and ear)
आदिहु तें सब कथा सुनाई (As [Hanuman] told that whole story from the beginning)
श्रवनामृत जेहिं कथा सुहाई। कही सो प्रगट होति किन भाई॥
तब हनुमंत निकट चलि गयऊ। फिरि बैठीं मन बिसमय भयऊ ॥13.4॥
श्रवनामृत जेहिं कथा सुहाई (“By whom the pleasing nectar of this story”)
कही सो प्रगट होति किन भाई (“Was told - why does he not reveal himself, O Brother?”)
तब हनुमंत निकट चलि गयऊ (Then Hanuman approached)
फिरि बैठीं मन बिसमय भयऊ (Sita sat back, her heart astonished)
राम दूत मैं मातु जानकी। सत्य सपथ करुनानिधान की॥
यह मुद्रिका मातु मैं आनी। दीन्हि राम तुम्ह कहँ सहिदानी॥13.5॥
राम दूत मैं मातु जानकी (“I am Rama’s messenger, O Mother Janaki”)
सत्य सपथ करुना-निधान की (“Following the true path of the storehouse of mercy30”)
यह मुद्रिका मातु मैं आनी (“I have brought this ring”)
दीन्हि राम तुम्ह कहँ सहिदानी (“Rama gave it as a token for you”)
नर बानरहि संग कहु कैसें। कही कथा भइ संगति जैसें॥13.6॥
नर बानरहि संग कहु कैसें ([Sita]: “How is there partnership between Man and Monkey?”)
कही कथा भइ संगति जैसें ([Hanuman] told the story of that friendship)
कपि के बचन सप्रेम सुनि उपजा मन बिस्वास
जाना मन क्रम बचन यह कृपासिंधु कर दास॥13॥
कपि के बचन सप्रेम सुनि (Hearing the monkey’s affectionate words)
उपजा मन बिस्वास (Her heart rose with belief)
जाना मन क्रम बचन यह (She recognized this heart, action, and words)
कृपासिंधु कर दास (As the servant of the Ocean of Mercy)
हरिजन जानि प्रीति अति गाढ़ी। सजल नयन पुलकावलि बाढ़ी॥
बूड़त बिरह जलधि हनुमाना। भयहु तात मो कहुँ जलजाना॥14.1॥
हरिजन जानि प्रीति अति गाढ़ी (Knowing [him as] the servant of Hari, her love intensified)
सजल नयन पुलकावलि बाढ़ी (Her eyes were watery, and her body become more thrilled)
बूड़त31 बिरह जलधि हनुमाना (“I was drowning in the ocean of separation, O Hanuman”)
भयहु तात मो कहुँ जलजाना (“O Son, you have become as a boat to me”)
अब कहु कुसल जाउँ बलिहारी। अनुज सहित सुख भवन खरारी॥
कोमलचित कृपाल रघुराई। कपि केहि हेतु धरी निठुराई॥14.2॥
अब कहु कुसल जाउँ बलिहारी32 (“Now tell me about their well-being, I beg of you”)
अनुज सहित सुख भवन खरारी (“The Slayer of Khara33, the Home of Happiness, along with his younger brother34”)
कोमल-चित कृपाल रघुराई (“The Lord of the Raghus is tender and kind”)
कपि केहि हेतु धरी निठुराई (“O Monkey, for what reason did he adopt cruelty?”)
सहज बानि सेवक सुखदायक। कबहुँक सुरति करत रघुनायक॥
कबहुँ नयन मम सीतल ताता। होइहहिं निरखि स्याम मृदु गाता॥14.3॥
सहज बानि सेवक सुखदायक (“The servant of the Bestower of Happiness”)
कबहुँक सुरति करत रघुनायक (“When will the Lord of the Raghus”)
कबहुँ नयन मम सीतल ताता (“When will my cold eyes, O Son”)
होइहहिं निरखि स्याम मृदु गाता (“Have the vision of the soft and dusky one”)
बचनु न आव नयन भरे बारी। अहह नाथ हौं निपट बिसारी॥
देखि परम बिरहाकुल सीता। बोला कपि मृदु बचन बिनीता॥14.4॥
बचनु न आव नयन भरे बारी (Words did not come, and [her] eyes filled with water.)
अहह नाथ हौं निपट बिसारी (“The lord will come, [or] I am completely forgotten”)
देखि परम बिरहाकुल35 सीता (Seeing Sita afflicted with separation [from Rama])
बोला कपि मृदु बचन बिनीता (The monkey said in soft, humble words - )
मातु कुसल प्रभु अनुज समेता। तव दुख दुखी सुकृपा निकेता॥
जनि जननी मानहु जियँ ऊना। तुम्ह ते प्रेमु राम कें दूना॥14.5॥
मातु कुसल प्रभु अनुज समेता (“O Mother, the Lord and his brother are well”)
तव दुख दुखी सुकृपा निकेता (“Sadness for you saddens the Abode of Mercy”)
जनि36 जननी मानहु37 जियँ ऊना (“Do not, O Mother, be down in spirits”)
तुम्ह ते प्रेमु राम कें दूना (“Rama’s love for you is redoubled”)
रघुपति कर संदेसु अब सुनु जननी धरि धीर।
अस कहि कपि गदगद भयउ भरे बिलोचन नीर॥14॥
रघुपति कर संदेसु अब (“Now, the message of the Lord of the Raghus”)
सुनु जननी धरि धीर (“Steady yourself and hear it, O Mother”)
अस कहि कपि गदगद भयउ (Saying like this, the monkey became choked with emotion)
भरे बिलोचन नीर ([His] eyes filled with water)
Let’s pause here for now. Basically, Hanuman proceeds to relate a message from Lord Ram to Sita, describing his pain from being separated from her. Hanuman then assures Sita that Rama and his army of monkeys will soon reach Lanka and save her. Pleased at hearing these words, Sita blesses Hanuman.
The main verse style of the poem, the caupaī, consists of four pādas. To get a good understanding of the metrical verses used in the poem, read p. 75-86 of Reading the Rāmcaritmānas.
Snell and Tiwari, Reading the Rāmcaritmānas, p. xviii
Ibid, p. xvii
Actually, there’s no single verb root for “pondered” in this line. From the root करा (“to do,” cf. H. करना), the compound बिचार करा means “to think/ponder.”
In this context, हरि means “lion.” Thus, नर-हरि means “man-lion,” in reference to the fourth Avatar of Vishnu. Note that the second syllable of हरि is lengthened, yielding हरी, since the stanza (chaupai) is supposed to end with a stressed syllable.
Incredibly, बमत (bamata) is in fact etymologically related to the English word vomit via PIE *wemh₁-.
i.e. Lankini
A name of Brahma
Note that this is a noun, and not the past participle of the verb “to see.”
Addressing Hanuman now; Lankini is affectionately addressing him as तात, which would literally mean “father,” but in this context means “son.” From my experience, this phenomenon (addressing a child as a parent) is common across Indian culture, even today.
i.e. Rama
Note the extreme brevity of this line. It’s just four words: गोपद (“cow hoofprint”); सिंधु (“ocean”); अनल (“fire”); सितलाई (“cool”). There are two implied to-be verbs and an implied conjunction: “A cow hoofprint becomes the ocean, and fire becomes cool.”
The frame story of the Rāmcaritmānas is that Kak Bushundi is narrating the tale to Garuda.
i.e. Ravana
“कहि जात सो नाहीं” literally translates to something like “it did not go to speaking”
Vaidehi means “the [princess] of Videha,” i.e. Sita
The word आयुध (“weapon”) is derived from the same root as युद्ध (“war”) and योध (“warrior”).
Here, I am translating गुन ग्राम as “wealth of virtues.” Typically, ग्राम means “village,” but I think in this context it means something like “a place where lots of things are.”
Referring to Rama again
तमस् (lit. “darkness”) is lowest of the three gunas (qualities of the mind), denoting uncontrolled, instinctive behavior
Here, Hanuman is just speaking to himself
The word अनुचरी (“servant”) is composed of अनु (“after”) + चरी (“walking”), i.e. “one who walks after.”
Another name of Sita (i.e. the daughter of King Janaka)
Sita is now addressing Chandrahasa, which is the name of Ravana’s sword.
Mandodari, Ravana’s main queen, had a mother named Maya
This is one of the few instances of the -b- form of the future tense conjugation in the Sundarkāṇḍ (and I assume Rāmcaritmānas as a whole).
Related to Skt. गृह्णाति
Note the reference to written language. I wonder if this is also in the original Valmiki’s Ramayana, given the fact that archeologically, there is no evidence of writing in India prior to the 3rd century BC.
A fancy epithet for Rama
“जाउँ बलिहारी” literally means “I go sacrifice [myself].” Evidently, this is a phrase that is used to implore a favor from someone.
Referring to Rama
Lakshmana
Compound word: “बिरह-आकुल” = “separation-afflicted”
This is an interesting particle of negation in that it doesn’t start with न. Apparently it comes from the Sanskrit phrase “यथा न.”
The closest entry in Snell’s glossary is the nasalized मानहुं, meaning “as if, as though” (p. 482).