Ramayan - Ramcharitramanas - Purushotam Charitramanas

Overview 5. Sundar Kand

When Jambvant reminded Hanuman clearly,

About his latent powers very extraordinary,

Hanuman only then did became ready,

To bound across the enormous ocean truly.

He climbed the nearby mountain eagerly,

Crossing the ocean in a giant leap easily,

During which tested by Mainaak, Surasa be,

For his intellect, power and capability fully.

Hanuman came out with flying colors finally,

But to state so would be in fact unnecessary,

There no rest without completing for him be,

Of his master's work – just as for any devotee.

He saw Lanka’s enormous riches, prosperity,

Reached house of Vibhishan subsequently,

There informed of Sita's whereabouts be,

Then headed to Ashok-Vatika but resolutely.

Hanuman saw Sita being tormented clearly,

By King Ravan for marriage to him forcefully,

He then met Sita and gave her hope finally,

With Lord Ram's ring and message reverently.

He sang praises of Lord Ram unequivocally,

Told her He was coming to her rescue finally,

Sita doubted if over demons of Lankan army,

Could win the punitive, carefree monkey army.

In response to Sita's doubt Hanuman clearly,

He showed his grand form relieving wholly;

With Sita’s permission on surrounding trees,

Started unrooting them, eating their fruits juicy.

To run him off many warriors dispatched be,

By Lord of Lanka who had become angrily,

Hanuman scattered or killed unhesitatingly,

Slaying Ravan’s son, Akshay Kumar, swiftly.

Later Meghanath used his weapon finally,

Brahamstra – Lord’s weapon undoubtedly,

Hanuman decided to respect it passively,

And so was taken to Ravan's palace lastly.

Hanuman met Ravan in court uncaringly,

And unafraid, taunted him continuously,

Asked him to restore Sita to Ram promptly,

Lest he faced Ram's wrath conclusively.

A furious Ravan lost his temper finally,

And ordered to kill this eloquent monkey,

With mediation of Vibhishan subsequently,

Ravan agreed to teach him a lesson clearly.

Then Ravan ordered his guards furiously,

To set Hanuman’s tail on fire mockingly,

Hanuman unhurt by flames consequently,

Jumped all-over with his tail ablaze rapidly.

He burnt to cinders the rich goldern city,

Left Vibhishan’s place untouched only,

Then he jumped into ocean ultimately,

Extinguished his tail’s fire unmindfully.

Thereafter he returned to see Sita finally,

For salutation and bowed respectfully,

Sita gave Hanuman a jewel lovingly,

To pass on to Lord Sri Ram unfailingly.

Hanuman returned to Lord Sri Ram swiftly,

Who was elated to see Sita's jewel dotingly,

On hearing Hanuman's account completely,

Ram decided to attack Lanka unhesitatingly.

In Lanka people were taken aback truly,

By the valour of Hanuman, his furiousity,

Speculated of what Lord Ram’s might be,

Whose envoy caused havoc single-handedly.

Mandodari, queen of Ravan tried vainly,

To sway Ravan to return Sita courteously,

His councils including Vibhishan futilely,

Politely advised the same unflinchingly.

King Ravan with this advice but got angry,

And kicked Vibhishan out of Lanka crossly,

Vibhishan headed to take refuge promptly,

Unto Ram's lotus feet knowing His mercy.

Sri Ram welcomed him, proclaimed clearly

Vibhishan as the King of Lanka majestically,

He guided Sri Ram to pray to Sea God humbly,

To cross oceans with his warrior monkeys.

Sri Ram did so, observed fast respectfully,

For three day but in vain it be very clearly,

But then decided to dry the ocean totally,

Then the Ocean God appeared ultimately.

Gave ceremonial welcome - the Ocean deity

To Sri Ram and told him most respectfully,

That Nala and Nil the two engineers do be,

In his army with those powers extraordinary.

So to make a bridge across the ocean truly,

Their dedicated services required merely,

And to reach Lanka for the battle finally,

It was a matter of time for the whole army.