* 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.