Sundara Kãnda: Hanuman's Odyssey

  * these verses are revered the most by the devout. 

  In the face of Hanuman then

  Saw there Ravan’s men nadir.

   

  Being loyal to their Lord

  Battle yet they gave Hanuman.

   

  Unarmed as he flew in there

  For use as his makeshift club

  Pulled he latch of Lanka’s gates.

   

  With that latch so thick and strong

  Amuck he ran then amidst his foes.

   

  In times yore as Indra did

  Slew then Hanuman them in scores.

   

  Scanned he then the battleground

  To take on them who stood the ground.

   

  Managed who then to escape

  Ran to Ravan with that news.

   

  Slighting that as storm in teacup

  So to throw the book at Hanuman

  Sent then Ravan Prahastha’s son.     

  Canto 43 -Itching for Fight

  None there left to give battle

  Prahastha’s son as not yet reached 

  Thought of future course Hanuman.

   

  Thought he fit to despoil

  Hill like palace found therein

  Used for funeral pyres to lay.

   

  Up the golden roof of it

  Hop step and jump he went.

   

  Perched on top of that terrace

  Seemed he rivalled sun in skies.

   

  Saw all those him stand up there

  Wondered how he reached those heights.

   

  Grew he so tall that he touched

  Skyscape that was filled with clouds.

   

  Slapped afresh he arms his strong

  Sound that made the guards all there

  Lose their consciousness en masse.

   

  Prayed he Ram ’n Lakshman too

  Invoked he Lord Sugreev’s grace.

   

  Gaped as all those guards at him

  Addressed Hanuman them all thus:

   

  Come may Ravans in thousands

  Won’t I mincemeat make them all.

   

  Over thy dead bodies now

  Go and I see Rama’s spouse.

   

  So to unnerve them further

  Roared he like thunderbolt.

   

  Provoked by the daring of

  Intruder who challenged them 

  Rose to one man guards all there

  So to subdue who snubbed them.

   

  Arrayed Ravan’s guards well built

  Aimed they allied weapons at him.

   

  Around the vanar thus they trapped

  Whirlpool like look had those guards.

   

  Enraged by their act Hanuman

  Pulled he pillar of huge girth

  Of that structure of sky high.

   

  Like a rod he twirled it long

  To ward off weapons they threw at him.

   

  Sparks of friction emanated then 

  Burnt that place all far and wide. 

   

  Spoke thus Hanuman to those few

  Survived then his great onslaught.

   

  Force ours realize hath thousands  

  Match who would me bone to bone.

   

  Know they all to smash thy heads

  Land would soon on Lankan shores.  

   

  Know a weakling of vanar

  Equals elephants ten no less.

   

  Prowess elite force ours hath

  Such is that thou can’t figure out.

   

  Witness how all vanars would 

  Come to kill thee with their nails. 

   

  It’s thy ill fate that thy Lord

  Snaring Seetha to thy land

  Invited Ram’s wrath on thee

  Hapless subjects of his State.

   

  Canto 44 -Takes on Prahastha’s Son

  Sent as he was by Ravan   

  In time garden gate Prahastha’s 

  Son had reached to slay Hanuman

  Who by then came back to post. 

   

  Came thus Hanuman face to face 

  With Jambumali that Prahastha’s son

  Savage fiend that slain all dared

  Feared thus most the world over. 

   

  Bow his rivalled Indra’s own

  Sent shivers it down enemies spines.

   

  Strung as he the string to test

  Of his bow to serve his cause

  Echoed its sound in high skies.

   

  Driven in cart of four donkeys

  Came as Prahastha’s son near him

  Greeted Hanuman him in scorn

  Slapping hard his own thighs then.

   

  Jambumali then lost no time

  Aimed he arrows sharp at him.

   

  Missed no arrow its target

  Tip to toe was hurt Hanuman.

   

  Bloodied face of Hanuman then

  Looked like flowering rose at dawn.

   

  Hurt by arrows in their scores

  Mouth of Hanuman’s coral red

  Looked like lotus in full bloom.

   

  So to launch a blitzkrieg on

  Prahastha’s son by Ravan sent

  Picked up some slab then Hanuman.

  What he hurled at Prahastha’s son

  Turned that then to pebbles latter. 

   

  Enraged Hanuman plucked a tree     

  And javelined hard at Jambumali. 

   

  Aimed his arrows Prahastha’s son  

  Tree that just left Hanuman’s hands.

   

  Prowess such was Jambumali’s

  Shot he arrows in their scores

  Missed none of them its target 

  Chipped to firewood tree all that.

   

  With the shield of tree thus lost

  To body blows of Prahastha’s son

  Laid bare then all Hanuman frame.

   

  Hanuman pulled a door latch then

  Leapt he thus at Prahastha’s son.

   

  Hit then Hanuman with that latch

  Chest of Prahastha’s son that strong.

   

  Blow that Hanuman dealt was such

  Broke all bones of fiend that strong.

   

  Battered as by Hanuman then

  Lay dead Ravan’s chosen one.

   

  Heard as breaking news Ravan

  Of the death of Prahastha’s son

  Went he into rare frenzy.

   

  So to bring to book Hanuman

  Sent Ravan for seven Marshals

  Heirs apparent of secretaries

  Seven of his who served him right.

  Canto 45 - Marshals in the Mire

  Like the balls of fearsome fire

  Forthwith set out seven Marshals.

   

  Famous for their fighting skills

  Went thy all for Hanuman’s scalp.

   

  Drawn by horses that were swift

  Chariots theirs were made of gold.

   

  Bows theirs were all gold plated

  Quivers of theirs were made of gems.

  Enraged they all at the thought

  Scores of Lankans lost their lives

  In their own land at alien hands. 

   

  At the head of  their force then

  Attack they led all from the front.
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  Like the darts of pouring rain

  Sent they arrows in their scores.

   

  In the midst of that downpour

  Stood then Hanuman like a rock. 

   

  Rose as Hanuman to high skies

  Made he null and void those 

  Arrows thus they aimed at him.

   

  Battled as he them from skies

  Seemed he rainbow well therein.

   

  Thundered as he from high skies

  Shivered demons all there gathered. 

   

  So to make all those Marshals

  Bite the dust in battle dress

  Needed Hanuman just bare fist.

   

  By the scare thus caused by him 

  Demons all in scores then and there

  Died of stroke by awe they felt.

   

  Those all at the fringes then

  Retreated to save their skin.

   

  Looked the battlefield in time

  Like the burial ground to brim.

   

  Formed as canals blood by then

  Flowed with force to hinterland. 

   

  Seeing backs of fleeing ranks

  Stood well Hanuman to take on

  Fresh forays of Lankan force

  Ordained by king Ravan next. 

  Canto 46 - Generals in the Dumps

  Pondered Ravan death over

  Chosen ones all in their scores. 

   

  Thought he then it fit to send

  Four star Generals to take on

  Vanar that was hard to beat.

  Chose he Durdhar and his ilk

  Wage who war with lightning speed.

   

  Said Ravan to his Generals

  Wise it’s not to take chances

  With that vanar on rampage.

   

  Use all thy wile to ensnare 

  Him to bring thus to me live.

   

  That he could slay best of us

  Makes him mighty foe no less.

   

  For the havoc he had wrought

  Reckon I not him mere vanar.

   

  Seems Indra with all his guile

  Shaped this simian our equal.

  Subdued  as we for him long

  Sense it makes to expect that

  Try he might to hurt us thus.

   

  Need thou tackle this vanar

  With but joint move by thee.

   

  Seems he ghost by Indra sent

  Doubt have I none in my mind.

   

  Know I Vali and his tribe

  Give who can a hearty fight.

   

  Yet they make no patch on this

  Simian shaped by Indra’s wile.

   

  Looks he like a superman

  Out to test our demonic strength. 

   

  All of thee though severally 

  Could win over this simian

  Wisdom lies to take on him

  With the combined strength of thine.  

   

  Pays regardless though to press 

  One shouldn’t fail to guard his flanks.

   

  Spurred on thus by king Ravan

  Pressed his Generals to the front. 

   

  Seemed it as an exodus

  Led as they their force varied.

   

  Came they face to face in time

  To face thus Hanuman lay in wait.

   

  So that they could surprise him

  Pounced they all at once on him. 

   

  With no let the five all fought 

  With their lightning arms to boot. 

   

  First to hit him was Durdhar

  With his arrows five so sharp

  Managed which all but to scratch 

  Frame that giant of Hanuman then.

   

  Took that Hanuman as affront

  Turned he skyward to confront.

   

  So to engage in dogfight

  Made chariot his then Durdhar 

  Airborne like a fighter jet

   

  Wind as toys with clouds all

  Arrows all those of Durdhar

  Managed Hanuman to scatter.

   

  Durdhar’s job to make difficult

  Grew then Hanuman further more.

   

  In time from high skies Hanuman

  Landed straight on Durdhar’s cart.

   

  Crushed as Durdhar therein lay

  Saucer turned his chariot huge.

   

  With the fall of Durdhar thus

  Crushed he couple of more Generals.

   

  Not to give up Ravan’s men

  Hit all Hanuman in tandem

  With their maces on his chest.

   

  Withstood he then their assault

  With no more than his bare first. 

   

  Enraged in the end Hanuman

  Plucked a tree large lay thereby 

  With which he felled Ravan’s men.

   

  With the death of his peers thus

  Took on Hanuman Praghana then.

   

  Bhasakarna too joined hands

  So to aid then Praghana’s cause.

  Threw as Praghana at Hanuman

  Sword his sharp with all his strength

  Bhasakarna sent lance his long.

   

  Bled his body head to foot

  Hurt as Hanuman by them both.

   

  Plucked then Hanuman some hillock

  With which he crushed them to bones.

   

  Having killed all five Generals 

  Slain he then the entire force.

   

  In his fury then Hanuman

  Looked like Indra on rampage.

   

  Littered by the corpses then

  Graveyard looked the battlefield. 

   

  Amidst the ruins of Ravan’s hopes

  Stood like colossus Hanuman then.

  Canto 47 - Akshay’s Life on Line

  Heard as all of Durdhar’s fall 

  Akshay truly itched for fight.

   

  Fell as Ravan’s eyes on him

  Bowed his son with golden bow. 

   

  In his chariot made of gold

  Rode as Akshay to Hanuman

  Seemed he like the sun on move. 

   

  Wind God it beats at his game

  Akshay’s chariot drawn by eight. 

   

  Custom built in heaven itself

  Outmaneuvers it all on earth.

   

  Battles as he from that frame

  None can ever face Akshay then. 

   

  With such battle guard Akshay

  Went to confront Hanuman then. 

   

  Like the lion on hunt Akshay

  Looked at Hanuman as his prey. 

   

  Having met his match Akshay

  Felt eager to fight Hanuman.

   

  To tease the vanar to fight him

  Shot Akshay then three arrows.

   

  Failed as they to hurt his foe

  Saw the fight on hand Akshay.

   

  Hanuman too then came to see

  Makes Akshay hard nut to crack. 

   

  Raged as battle between them

  Stopped all worlds to witness that.

   

  Bull’s eye hit those arrows three

  Aimed by Akshay at Hanuman’s
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  Head that he held ever so high.

   

  Blood as spilled on his frame thus

  Made him seem the morning sun. 

   

  Enthused by the fight on hand

  Enhanced his frame then Hanuman.

   

  So to account his foe’s affront

  Destroyed vanar Akshay’s force. 

   

  Angered at that Akshay then

  Aimed arrows in scores at him,

  Akin that was to downpour 

  Of monsoon on mountain then.

   

  Prowess at such of Akshay

  Shouted Hanuman his salute.

   

  Went as the praise to his head

  Taunted Akshay Hanuman then

  To fight the one whom angels dread.

   

  Hurt though he was by arrows   

  Sent in rows by Akshay’s bow

  To take then on the daring youth

  Jumped up Hanuman high in skies.

   

  With no respite to Hanuman

  Aiming arrows thick and fast

  As would hailstorm hill terrain

  Chased him all the way Akshay. 

   

  With his lightning reflexes

  Escaped arrows all Hanuman.

   

  Taking  Akshay’s tender youth 

  Though he was no babe at arms

  Felt like sparing him Hanuman.

  But then Akshay was intent

  To take the vanar his captive.

   

  Matchless prowess of Akshay

  Made the son of Vayu think

  Youth he was not meant to die.

   

  Lad this Ravan’s on his own    

  Could bring gods ’n angels too

  Knees on to theirs in battles.

   

  Battle that’s on hand I now

  Looks he’s gaining  upper hand.

   

  Fail if I now to confine him

  Shame me he would in no time. 

   

  No way out for me but now

  Than slay Akshay Ravan’s son.

   

  Killed as prelude then Hanuman

  Stallions eight of Akshay’s cart.

   

  Broke as Hanuman his vehicle

  Hors de combat turned Akshay.

   

  Not the one to get daunted

  Kept up tempo still Akshay.

   

  Eagle as an would have its prey

  Took hold Akshay’s legs Hanuman.

   

  Handled Hanuman then Akshay

  Washerwoman would  as garments

  On some stone by waterside.

   

  With the impact that it took

  Akshay’s frame there lay tattered. 

   

  With the fall of Akshay thus

  Even Indra felt surprised.

   

  To slay more of Ravan’s men

  Lay then Hanuman there in wait.

  Canto 48 - It takes Indrajit

  Aggrieved as by Akshay’s death  

  Thought then Ravan of sending  

  Son his eldest who subdued

  Indra himself in battle.

   

  Addressed Ravan his eldest

  Who could invoke that mantra

  To make his arrow Brahmastra

  And thus stun foes formidable.

   

  With thy prowess at battle

  Beat thou all in battlefield.

   

  With thy mystic powers and all

  None can harm thee in combat.

   

  Is there any in all three worlds

  Hath who not heard of thy fame.

   

  In the art of waging war

  Thou I know are my equal.

   

  At the hands of this vanar

  Dared who challenge Lanka’s might

  Warriors in their thous did die

  With the Generals at their head.

   

  Wonder how did our Akshay

  In spite of his combat skills

  Come a cropper with vanar!

   

  Wise it not to take him light  

  Saw who end of young Akshay

  And such veterans from our ranks

   

  Won’t thy sight in battlefield

  Scare the mighty of all worlds.

   

  Wiped as vanar our panzers

  Akshay ’n the five Generals

  Not to speak of seven Marshals

  Makes it no sense to expose  

  More of our men to the same.

   

  Using arms of thine varied

  Use there none to waste thy time

  Looks like none but Brahmastra

  Could take care of this vanar.

   

  For the dharma of the land

  Won’t let rulers fight the foes

  Having men to fill that role

  Constrained am I to send thee.

   

  Takes as one the battlefield

  Killer instinct he should have.

  Ravan’s son then Indrajit

  Rose to greet his revered dad.

   

  Praised by all there to one man

  Felt then Ravan’s son enthused.

   

  On his errand Indrajit  

  Seemed like tidal wave on move. 

   

  Got he onto his chariot

  Drawn by roaring lions all four.

   

  With no further loss of time

  Reached straight Indrajit target.

   

  From his aura knew vanar

  It was none but Indrajit

  And that he had fight on hand.

   

  Posited himself Indrajit  

  To take the vanar in his stride.

   

  With the dust the lions did kick

  Filled was entire space in skies.

   

  So to watch how Vayu’s son

  Takes on one who subdued them

  With their fingers crossed in awe

  Watched all gods there from high skies. 

   

  Sight at that of Indrajit  

  Itched then vanar to engage 

  Him in single combat who

  Done in Indra Lord of gods.  

   

  Tested Indrajit his bow

  Sound it made like thunderbolt.

   

  In time Hanuman found himself

  Engaged at war of his life.

   

  As a ploy to stall his foe

  Fought him Hanuman from the skies.

   

  To make Hanuman his target

  Sent Ravan’s son such arrows 

  Wings which had to cruise in air.

   

  Swift as Hanuman in escape

  Arrows all those got past him.

   

  Sparred with some more Indrajit

  Managed Hanuman to thwart them.

  As though to tease Indrajit

  Neared as Hanuman ever so close

  Shot then Ravan’s son arrows

  With such aim to hit bull’s-eye

  But swift as Hanuman in mid-air

  Kept he ever thus out of range.

   

  Sight all this made exciting

  For all those who came to watch them.

   

  Hanuman then was all at sea  

  How to conquer Ravan’s son,

  Latter too seemed have no clue

  How to tackle foe his strange.

   

  Worried all looked Indrajit 

  For his failure to bring down

  Foe of Lanka with his skills.

 
 

  Realized Indrajit at length

  Hard it was to slay Hanuman.

   

  So he thought it fit to use

  Brahmastra to stun Hanuman.

   

  Invoked Indrajit Brahma

  Powers he arrow of his sharp

  To stun Hanuman out of wits.

   

  With the power of Brahmastra

  Lay then Hanuman unconscious.

   

  Hanuman by the blessings of

  Brahma his own grandfather

  In time regained consciousness.

   

  Having realized Ravan’s son

  Tied him with the Brahmastra

  Recalled Hanuman boon he got

  From Brahma to safeguard him.

   

  How were Indrajit to know

  Made me Brahma exempt from

  Mantra invoked in his name?

   

  Aware got he unshackled

  From the grip of Brahmastra

  Thought he fit to lay low then

  Out of respect for the Lord

  Brahma who gave birth to his

  Father Vayu rules who skies.

   

  Feared not Hanuman Indrajit

  Blessed as he was by Brahma.

   

  Taken he would be captive

  All too well then Hanuman knew.

   

  Feigned as Hanuman in coma

  Sent men Ravan’s son to him.

   

  Chose as he to turn captive

  Lost no time then Ravan’s men

  To tie his frame then tip to toe.  

   

  Wanting then to meet Ravan   

  Hanuman bore the insults all

  Thrown at him by Lankans then.  

   

  Soon as Lankans tied vanar

  With ropes made of strong coir

  Eased out its force Brahmastra.

   

  Realized Indrajit in time

  Foolishness it was to use  

  Ropes to augment Brahmastra.

   

  At loss was thus Indrajit

  How to tackle Hanuman then

  Got who freed from Brahmastra.

   

  Pricked as Lankans all the way

  Kept mum Hanuman in the hope

  Led he would be to Ravan.   

   

  Let thus Hanuman to take him

  Though he could have freed himself.  

   

  In time to the Lankan court

  Brought was Hanuman tied in ropes. 

   

  Took a hard look Ravan then

  At that vanar who looked strong.  

   

  In whispers then Ravan’s court

  Wondered at the developments.

   

  Angered were all those nobles

  Slew that he their kith and kin,  

  Soon as they saw Hanuman thus

  Brayed all they for blood of his.    

   

  At the sight of Ravan’s court

  The like of which he never saw

  Wondered Hanuman for his part. 

  Ravan as he saw Hanuman 

  Pushed  ’n prodded by his guards

  Seemed too nonplussed as it were.  

   

  Espied as he thus Ravan 

  Had who aura of but God

  Stunned no end was Hanuman then.

   

  Lost as Ravan his cool soon

  Wanted he to go to roots,

  Bid he thus his men enquire

  How come Hanuman did trespass. 

   

  Council as then questioned him

  Declared Hanuman that he came

  Sent by vanar Lord Sugreev  

  On an errand of import.

   

  Canto 49 - Ravan’s Darbar

  Stared as Ravan in dismay   

  Looked at him in awe Hanuman.  

   

  Studded as it with rare diamonds

  Had king Ravan crown of crowns.

   

  Garments Ravan wore were silk

  Ornaments on him all were gold. 

   

  Frills to its his dress scented  

  Smeared with ash was his forehead.

   

  Eyes of his so wide and sharp

  Turned they red by his rage then.

   

  Heads he sported ten in all

  Seemed they all but as if one.

   

  Wore as myriad chains of gems

  Dangled which on his bare chest,  

  Made they rays of mid-day sun

  Peeping out of thick dark clouds.

   

  Epaulets he wore seemed to crown

  Hands his both so strong and long. 

   

  Sat thus Ravan on his throne

  Had that for seat smooth carpet.

   

  Posited as he on high throne

  Fanned him damsels for comfort. 

   

  With their advice to render

  On call were his secretaries.

   

  In the midst of those gathered

  Seemed he island in high seas.

   

  Ravan in his darbar seem

  As though Indra held his court.

   

  Stood then Hanuman gaping at

  Ravan at his splendorous best. 

   

  Though the pain of confinement

  Made him feel thus out of sorts

  Sight of Ravan made Hanuman

  Stare at him in wonderment.

   

  Bowled over by Ravan’s charm

  Thought over then Hanuman thus:

   

  Can there be a king on earth

  Better who can the Ravan Great?

   

  Were he not to foul dharma

  Is he not the one to rule

  In his right the heaven as well.

   

  But that he is perverted

  World all made to pay the price.

   

  Were Ravan to set his mind

  To destroy earth and heaven itself

  Power he seems to have for that.

  Canto 50 - Cause of Loss

  Seeing Hanuman unshaken

  Smitten was Ravan by doubts then.

   

  Wondered Ravan if bull god

  Cursed him when he shook Kailash

  Came in disguise to harm thus.

   

  Or could he be that Banasur

  Came in form of this vanar?

   

  Clueless as was Ravan then

  Prahastha he then addressed thus:

   

  Wish I Prahastha thee find out

  Wherefore came this simian fiend, 

  What was at his back of mind 

  Spoiled when he our garden?  

  Trespass why did he Lanka

  Made him what to give us fight?

   

  Assured Prahastha then vanar

  Harm him none would in Lanka.

   

  Promised he then safe passage

  To trespasser there thus lay trapped.

   

  Have thou come to spy on us

  Sent by gods from heaven itself? 

   

  Clear it’s all from thy valour

  That thou art no mean vanar.

   

  Mince no words ’n bare the truth 

  That we could thee free forthwith.

   

  If  thou try to sidetrack us

  Know that will be at thy risk.

   

  Hanuman in turn told Ravan

  That his trip had none to do

  With the gods that Lankans scorned.

   


  Am I from the vanar ranks

  Came to see thee king Ravan.

   

  Spoiled I know thy garden  

  That thy guards would usher me

  To thy court O Lankan king.

   

  Came as thy guards to kill me

  Slain  them just to save my life. 

   

  Stunned as Indrajit me then

  With the aid of Brahmastra

  Blessed as I was by Brahma.

  Came I soon out of its spell.     

   

  On my own I came to thee

  None  as ever would contain me.  

   

  Know me as the one sent by

  Rama to make truce with thee.

  Canto 51 - Advice to Deliver

  Unnerved continued Hanuman

  With Ravan who scared all gods. 

   

  Wishes Sugreev thou all well

  With the message that follows.

  Help as it would thee all now

  Heed thee advice of my Lord.

   

  Dasarath was a godly king  

  Fame he earned for rule his fair.

   

  Son his eldest Lord Rama

  So to honour his dad’s word

  Gave up lawful right on crown.

   

  For the help his wife the third

  Rendered him in some battle

  Gave word Dasarath to her then

  Honour bound he would be to  

  Fulfill wishes three of hers,

  Came when time to crown Rama

  Sought as she crown for her son

  Went Ram with his spouse Seetha 

  In tow with his brother Lakshman  

  To Dandak woods on exile then.

   

  Janaka’s daughter that worthy

  Woman that wed first Dasarath’s son

  Kidnapped was she from those woods.

   

  With his sibling Lord Rama

  Went on searching for Seetha.

   

  Came he soon to Kishkindha

  Made he pact with Sugreeva.

   

  Vow as per his Lord Rama

  Slew the sibling of Sugreev

  Vali who stole wife of his.

   

  Vali’s valour world all knows

  Felled him but Ram at one go.

   

  Got as Sugreev Vanar Crown          

  Besides hand of Vali’s wife

  Apart from his stolen one

  So to keep the word he gave

  To Lord Ram to find Seetha  

  Sent he vanars in their scores 

  Covering earth and heaven as well.

   

  Find thou in the vanar ranks

  Valorous all in their thousands

  Conquer who could on their own

  Worlds all three there at one go.  

  It’s me Hanuman, Vayu’ son

  Flew the sea of hundred leagues

  To reach Lanka in search of

  Seetha kidnapped wife of Ram.

   

  Scanned I Lanka’s width ’n breadth

  Found I Seetha in the end.

   

  O well learned king Ravan

  Is it fair for thee confine

  Wife of another in thy land?

   

  It’s no dharma for the king

  Breaks he rules of humankind.

   

  Bodes it ill for all thy folk

  That thee annoy Ram and his

  Sibling who could destroy all

  And sundry as well at their will.

   

  For thine unfairness to Ram

  In snaring loving spouse of his   

  Sure to rue thy citizens all.

   

  Send back Seetha to her man

  Pray heed advice of this mine

  Given in keeping thy interest.

   

  Fail thou heed my Lord’s advice

  Found as I now in thy land

  Seetha faithful wife of Ram

  Rest of it is left to him

  How to book thee for thy foul.

   

  Being such a learned king  

  Wonder how thou fail to know

  Seetha would prove thee costly. 

   

  Pays it to know Rama’s wife

  Is not the one to get seduced

  By the vile of devil itself.

   

  May thou live for ever so long

  Boon thou got from God Himself 

  Fail if thee to mend thy ways

  Sure thou soon would come to grief.

   

  Know the rider that God put

  For thee to keep death at bay

  Is on hand to see thy end.

   

  In battles all with gods and such

  Boon hath it that come thou clean. 

  It’s thy fate that failed thee true 

  To seek no harm from men and us,

  It’s thus Ram and we vanars

  Bring would thy end in combat.

   

  Lay not as knives two in sheath

  So’s the case with good and bad. 

   

  Blessed as gods thee for good deeds  

  Punish they would now for foul acts.

   

  How thou fail to see writing

  On the wall when Seetha’s man

  Could slay Vali thy equal!

   

  Rama if were to give nod

  For that matter I would now

  Sink thy Lanka in the seas.

   

  Tied are my hands for Rama

  Vowed he would slay well in time

  Hands with his own who that dared 

  Kidnap his dear spouse Seetha.

   

  Spare would Rama not even

  Indra were to harm his cause,

  What would come of folk like thee

  Were they to cross swords with him?

   

  Know Seetha thou here confine

  Would cause curtains to come down

  On the Lankan stage of thine. 

   

  She’s like the hangman’s rope

  Brought by thyself to Lanka

  On thine own to hang thyself.

   

  With her power of chariness

  Burn as well she might thy land.    

   

  Why drag down them all of them

  Hordes of wives and thy siblings. 

   

  O Ravan the Lankan king

  Heed thee advice of Sugreev.

   

  Know Ram is no mere mortal

  Power hath he to destroy all

  Exists whatever in three  worlds

  And bring life back onto earth.

   

  In all races of worlds all

  None there equals him as man.

  Makes it’s no joke to join

  Battle with the god in him.

   

  That thou hurt the god on earth

  Hope there none for thee in life. 

   

  In their bid to save thy life

  All three worlds if ever combine

  Yet Ram would make bite thee dust.

   

  Destined if  were one to die

  At the hands of Seetha’s man

  Gods themselves know wash their hands.

   

  Treating Hanuman’s words ranting

  Lost his cool then Lankan king.

    

  Canto 52 -Placates the Sibling

  In rage Ravan then ordered

  Hanuman be to put to death.

   

  Stood up Vibhishan in dismay

  The sibling fair of Lankan king. 

   

  To stall the folly of the court r />
  Pleaded Vibhishan with Ravan. 

   

  To set Ravan in right frame

  Praised his sibling him to skies.

   

  Heed me learned king Ravan

  Fair it’s none to kill Hanuman.

   

  Kill if we one on errand

  Don’t all we earn infamy?

   

  Remind none thee O learned

  It’s not how the king should act. 

   

  Swayed if thou by thine anger

  What would come of thy learning?

   

  Thus O Ravan unrivalled  

  Better be prudent in thy act.

   

  Words at these of his sibling

  Hissed in anger then Ravan.

   

  The way he acted mala fide 

  It’s no ill to kill Hanuman. 

   

  Would not let go Vibhishan

  Ravan on the path that’s wrong. 

   

  Won’t thee realize O learned  

  It’s no dharma to kill one

  Brings that missive from rivals? 

   

  Brief it’s not mine to plead for

  Life of one who harmed us all

  But to keep up thy fair name

  Deal thou with him as ordained.

   

  Severe a limb or lash him well

  That’s the way to deal with him. 

   

  It’s not wise to act in haste

  Calm down so my great sibling.

   

  Is there any better than thee

  Knows who dharma in theory

  Nuances as well in practice? 

   

  Valour with thine unrivalled  

  Conquer did thou all three worlds.

   

  High such being thy position

  Why let act such lower that?

   

  Uphold honour of Lanka

  Not by killing this vanar

  But by slaying Ram who sent 

  Him to act in foul manner.

   

  How this vanar on errand

  Could have acted on his own 

  Without the goading of his Lord? 

   

  Were he to be freed by thee

  Fetch he would then his masters  

  Itching  to land on our shores  

  For thee to see the end of them. 

   

  Falls if Rama at thy feet

  Bites as and when he the dust 

  It’s then but gods would realize

  How thou made all cowards of them. 

   

  With thy penchant to conquer

  Were thee to slay this vanar now

  Would thou lose the chance of life 

  To slay that Ram ’n Lakshman too 

  For they fail to come to know

  Made thou captive Seetha thus.

  To slay vanar hordes are all

  Itching are our men at arms,

  Slay if thee but one vanar

  Won’t thou deprive them their chance?

   

  So to let our foes to know

  To face us death is no less scared

  Force we may all foes to show

  Backs of theirs in battlefield.

   

  Takes it no more than a score

  Of our men to settle all scores  

  With Ram ’n Lakshman if they dare

  Ever to set foot on our shores.

   

  Averred as thus his own sibling

  Changed his mind then king Ravan  

  To kill Hanuman lay there tied. 

  Canto 53 - Tail on Fire

  Sibling as his stood so firm

  Spoke then Ravan changing tune. 

   

  Spare as we may life of him

  Let him not go scot-free now.

   

  Pride as vanars at their tails

  Set his tail on fire that hurts.

   

  Goes as he back with burnt tail

  Makes a scene to folk back home.

   

  Burns as his tail like a log

  Take this vanar round boulevards.

   

  Having led him out of court

  Set the palace guards all there  

  Rags to tie on Hanuman’s tail.

   

  Worked as guards on tail his long

  Turned it Hanuman like tree trunk.

   

  Pouring oil then on rags

  Set they tail of his on fire.

   

  Gathered in time Lankans all

  To see Hanuman’s tail on fire.

   

  Though he could have freed himself

  Bore that Hanuman thus in thought.

   

  Escape that I this ordeal

  It’s not for me such big deal.

   

  Isn’t it the trouble they give

  Fraction of the hurt I caused? 

   

  Can’t I on my own tackle

  All these Ravan’s men at arms?

   

  Bear I should well this ordeal

  For the sake of my Lord Ram.

   

  Roamed I though the town at night

  Failed I would have to grasp well

  The ins and outs of its layout.

   

  Now that they would take me round

  Through their streets in broad daylight

  Chance I would have to assess

  Strengths and weakness of the foe.

   

  Falling as well in his trap

  Led him Ravan’s men in chains

  Through the streets of Lanka then.

   

  Gloating over their success

  Made they Hanuman their trophy.  

   

  Unmindful of burning tail

  Scanned all Hanuman as he moved.

   

  Saw he dumps of ammos large

  Found he bunkers there well manned.

   

  Buildings he found camouflaged

  Tunnels which had underground. 

   

  As they taunted him a spy

  Smiled to himself then Hanuman.

   

  So to see his tail on fire

  Came out Lankans then in droves.

   

  Carried some then to Seetha

  Tale of vanar’s burning tail.

   

  For so long all in undertones

  He’s the one with whom thee spake.

   

  Hurt was Seetha by that news

  Prayed she Agni to spare him.

   

  Submit she did to Fire God 

  That he might save Hanuman then.

   

  Deem if thou me true to Ram

  Spare then Hanuman from thy heat.

   

  Goodwill of gods if I earned

  For my goodness to mankind 

  Be kind now to this Hanuman.

   

  If Ram feels that I do yearn

  For the embrace of his warmth

  Pray go cool on Hanuman now.

   

  Feel if thee that Lord Sugreev

  Could help Rama take me out

  From the darkness of Lanka

  Pray thee comfort give Hanuman.

   

  Lost no time then God of Fire

  From his heat to spare Hanuman. 

   

  Blew then Vayu his father

  Icy breeze to cool Hanuman.

   

  Wondered Hanuman how it was

  Rags though on his tail on fire

  Yet he felt no heat as such.

   

  Tail as mine as thus burning

  None I feel the pain for that!


   

  For the soothing feel I have

  Lay the reason somewhere else.

   

  For the sake of Rama’s cause

  Didn’t Mainaka offer seat

  For me to rest on his peak?

  Likewise Agni should’ve thought

  Fits it Rama’s cause like glove

  Were he to leave me unscathed.

   

  Might I as well owe all this  

  To the kindness of Lord Rama

  And his faithful spouse Seetha.  

   

  Or else Agni being friend

  Of my father Vayu wind

  Would have spared me this ordeal.

   

  Knowing am on Ram’s errand

  Gave as affront folks all these

  So to keep up his prestige

  And to make them well realize 

  That they played all but with fire

  Won’t I pay them in same coin? 

   

  Houdini made as he then

  Went he roaring up in skies.

   

  With his burning tail and all

  Landed then on Lankan gates.

   

  Assumed simian form Hanuman

  Slipped he through the chains on him.

   

  Grew he then back into giant

  Looked he all the while for mace.

   

  Picked he latch of that huge gate

  Slew he all the guards he faced.

   

  Having none to restrain him

  With his burning tail Hanuman

  Shone he like the mid-day sun.