रामायणम् — सुन्दरकाण्डे अष्टाविंशः सर्गः | rāmāyaṇam

हनुमानपि विक्रान्तः सर्वं शुश्राव तत्त्वतः ।
सीतायास्त्रिजटायाश्च राक्षसीनां च तर्जनम् ॥

Summary AI The heroic Hanumān also heard everything in reality—the words of Sītā, the dream of Trijaṭā, and the threats of the demonesses.

M N Dutt And the powerful Hanumān, heard from the beginning to the end (the bewailings) of Sitā, the story to Trijatā's dream and the threats of the Rākşasīs.

५.२८.२

अवेक्षमाणस्तां देवीं देवतामिव नन्दने ।
ततो बहुविधां चिन्तां चिन्तयामास वानरः ॥

Summary AI Beholding that goddess-like lady, who resembled a celestial being in the Nandana grove, the Vānara then became lost in various reflections.

M N Dutt And beholding the worshipful damsel, living in the forest of Asoka, like to a celestial damsel in the garden of Nandana, the monkey-entered in a maze of anxious thoughts.

५.२८.३

यां कपीनां सहस्राणि सुबहून्ययुतानि च ।
दिक्षु सर्वासु मार्गन्ते सेयमासादिता मया ॥

Summary AI She, whom many thousands and tens of thousands of monkeys are searching for in all directions, has finally been found by me.

M N Dutt At length my watchful eyes have seen her, whom have been seeking in vain, the thousands and millions of the monkeys in all directions and quarters.

५.२८.४

चारेण तु सुयुक्तेन शत्रोः शक्तिमवेक्षिता ।
गूढेन चरता तावदवेक्षितमिदं मया ॥

Summary AI Through the role of a well-appointed spy, the strength of the enemy has been gauged; while moving in secret, all this has been observed by me.

M N Dutt Truly have I seen her today, engaged as I have been as a spy to estimate the strength of the enemy and am ranging secretly everywhere. I have seen minutely the city of the Rākşasas, and the strength of Rāvana the lord of Rākşasas.

५.२८.५

राक्षसानां विशेषश्च पुरी चेयमवेक्षिता ।
राक्षसाधिपतेरस्य प्रभावो रावणस्य च ॥

Summary AI The distinction of the Rākṣasas, this city, and the power of Rāvaṇa, the lord of the demons, have all been observed.

M N Dutt Truly have I seen her today, engaged as I have been as a spy to estimate the strength of the enemy and am ranging secretly everywhere. I have seen minutely the city of the Rākşasas, and the strength of Rāvana the lord of Rākşasas.

५.२८.६

युक्तं तस्याप्रमेयस्य सर्वसत्त्वदयावतः ।
समाश्वासयितुं भार्यां पतिदर्शनकाङ्क्षिणीम् ॥

Summary AI It is appropriate to comfort the wife of that immeasurable one, who is compassionate toward all beings, as she yearns for the sight of her husband.

M N Dutt It now remains to console the spouse of Rāma of incomparable power, and kind to all, who pants for her lord.

५.२८.७

अहमाश्वासयाम्येनां पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननाम् ।
अदृष्टदुःखां दुःखस्य न ह्यन्तमधिगच्छतीम् ॥

Summary AI I shall console this lady with a face like the full moon, who previously had not known sorrow but now finds no end to her grief.

M N Dutt I shall console this damsel, having the countenance of the full moon, who had never seen grief before, and who shall not soon reach its end.

५.२८.८

यदि ह्यहमिमां देवीं शोकोपहतचेतनाम् ।
अनाश्वास्य गमिष्यामि दोषवद्गमनं भवेत् ॥

Summary AI If I depart without comforting this goddess-like lady whose mind is overcome by grief, my departure would be flawed and improper.

M N Dutt And if I go away without soothing this chaste lady, who is almost senseless with grief, I shall be blamed of neglect of duty.

५.२८.९

गते हि मयि तत्रेयं राजपुत्री यशस्विनी ।
परित्राणमविन्दन्ती जानकी जीवितं त्यजेत् ॥

Summary AI For if I return there, this illustrious princess Jānakī, finding no protection, might give up her life.

M N Dutt And if I go away, the royal daughter, the famed Janaki, finding no means of safety, shall, for certain, renounce her life.

५.२८.१०

मया च स महाबाहुः पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननः ।
समाश्वासयितुं न्याय्यः सीतादर्शनलालसः ॥

Summary AI It is also right for me to console that mighty-armed one, whose face is like the full moon and who is eager for the sight of Sītā.

M N Dutt She is worthy of being consoled like to the great armed (Rāma) having the countenance of the full-moon and anxious to behold Sita.

५.२८.११

निशाचरीणां प्रत्यक्षमक्षमं चाभिभाषणम् ।
कथं नु खलु कर्तव्यमिदं कृच्छ्र गतो ह्यहम् ॥

Summary AI Speaking to her in the presence of the demonesses is impossible. How indeed should this task be performed? I have truly fallen into a dilemma.

M N Dutt It is not proper to speak before the Rākşasas-What shall I do them? I am in very great difficulty.

५.२८.१२

अनेन रात्रिशेषेण यदि नाश्वास्यते मया ।
सर्वथा नास्ति संदेहः परित्यक्ष्यति जीवितम् ॥

Summary AI If she is not comforted by me during the remainder of this night, she will certainly give up her life; there is no doubt about it.

M N Dutt If I do not console her at this later end of the night, surely shall she renounce her life.

५.२८.१३

रामश्च यदि पृच्छेन्मां किं मां सीताब्रवीद्वचः ।
किमहं तं प्रतिब्रूयामसंभाष्य सुमध्यमाम् ॥

Summary AI If Rāma asks me, 'What word did Sītā say to me?', what shall I reply to him without having spoken to that slender-waisted lady?

M N Dutt How shall I answer Rāma, without consoling Sītā of comely stature, when he will ask me “What message from my Sītā?”

५.२८.१४

सीतासंदेशरहितं मामितस्त्वरया गतम् ।
निर्दहेदपि काकुत्स्थः क्रुद्धस्तीव्रेण चक्षुषा ॥

Summary AI If I return from here in haste without a message from Sītā, the enraged Kākutstha might even consume me with his fierce gaze.

M N Dutt And if I speedily repair hence without any information regarding Sītā, surely shall Kākuthutha scorci me lifeless with the fire of his angry eyes.

५.२८.१५

यदि चेद्योजयिष्यामि भर्तारं रामकारणात् ।
व्यर्थमागमनं तस्य ससैन्यस्य भविष्यति ॥

Summary AI If I return to her husband for Rāma's sake without speaking to her, then his arrival along with the army will become futile.

M N Dutt And if I urge my lord the king (Vibhīşaņa) to bring his hosts here for Rāma, in vain shall be his toil. (For before that Sītā shall renounce her life.)

५.२८.१६

अन्तरं त्वहमासाद्य राक्षसीनामिह स्थितः ।
शनैराश्वासयिष्यामि संतापबहुलामिमाम् ॥

Summary AI Staying here and finding an opportune moment when the demonesses are distracted, I shall slowly comfort this lady who is overwhelmed with agony.

M N Dutt And seizing the occasion when she shall be free from her demoniac guards, I shall console her in her dire distress.

५.२८.१७

अहं ह्यतितनुश्चैव वनरश्च विशेषतः ।
वाचं चोदाहरिष्यामि मानुषीमिह संस्कृताम् ॥

Summary AI I am indeed very small and specifically a monkey. Here, I shall employ human speech in the refined Saṃskṛta language.

M N Dutt And a puny monkey as I am, I shall speak in Sanskrit (The language refined by the strict rules of grammar) which men delight to use.

५.२८.१८

यदि वाचं प्रदास्यामि द्विजातिरिव संस्कृताम् ।
रावणं मन्यमाना मां सीता भीता भविष्यति ॥

Summary AI If I speak refined Saṃskṛta like a twice-born person, Sītā, thinking me to be Rāvaṇa in disguise, will become terrified.

M N Dutt And if I speak Sanskrit like a Brāhmaṇa, Sītā shall be terrified considering me Råvaņa.

५.२८.१९

अवश्यमेव वक्तव्यं मानुषं वाक्यमर्थवत् ।
मया सान्त्वयितुं शक्या नान्यथेयमनिन्दिता ॥

Summary AI I must certainly speak meaningful human words. This faultless lady cannot be consoled in any other way.

M N Dutt Must I therefore use the language of a common man or else I shall not be able to console the dame of a blameless person. (This passage clearly indicates that Sanskrit if not spoken by men, and women of the upper classes of the time when Rāmāyaṇa was written, was at least understood by them, and was commonly spoken by men of priestly class and other educated persons")

५.२८.२०

सेयमालोक्य मे रूपं जानकी भाषितं तथा ।
रक्षोभिस्त्रासिता पूर्वं भूयस्त्रासं गमिष्यति ॥

Summary AI Seeing my form and hearing my speech, this Jānakī, who has already been terrorized by the Rākṣasas, will once again be filled with fear.

M N Dutt And beholding my monkey shape and hearing my human language she might be afraid again, terrified as she had been before by the band of the Rākşasas.

५.२८.२१

ततो जातपरित्रासा शब्दं कुर्यान्मनस्विनी ।
जानमाना विशालाक्षी रावणं कामरूपिणम् ॥

Summary AI Then, the high-minded and large-eyed *Sītā*, becoming terrified and thinking me to be *Rāvaṇa* who can assume any form at will, might cry out.

M N Dutt And considering me Rāvaņa wearing shapes at will, that large-eyed and high-minded dame, shall cry piteously for help.

५.२८.२२

सीतया च कृते शब्दे सहसा राक्षसीगणः ।
नानाप्रहरणो घोरः समेयादन्तकोपमः ॥

Summary AI When *Sītā* cries out, a terrifying troop of female demons, resembling Death himself and armed with various weapons, would suddenly assemble.

M N Dutt And Sītā making a sudden noise, those terrible Rākṣasīs resembling Death himself and arined with various weapons, shall at once arrive there.

५.२८.२३

ततो मां संपरिक्षिप्य सर्वतो विकृताननाः ।
वधे च ग्रहणे चैव कुर्युर्यत्नं यथाबलम् ॥

Summary AI Then, those hideous-faced demons, surrounding me on all sides, would strive with all their might to either capture or kill me.

M N Dutt And thereupon casting their looks all around and finding me out, those highly powerful and grim-viasged demons shall try to kill or catch ine.

५.२८.२४

तं मां शाखाः प्रशाखाश्च स्कन्धांश्चोत्तमशाखिनाम् ।
दृष्ट्वा विपरिधावन्तं भवेयुर्भयशङ्किताः ॥

Summary AI Seeing me jumping across the branches, twigs, and trunks of these excellent trees, the demons would become apprehensive and filled with fear.

M N Dutt Beholding me leap from branch to branch and trunk to trunk of big trees they shall be greatly alarmed.

५.२८.२५

मम रूपं च संप्रेक्ष्य वनं विचरतो महत् ।
राक्षस्यो भयवित्रस्ता भवेयुर्विकृताननाः ॥

Summary AI Beholding my massive form as I roam through the great forest, the hideous-faced female demons would be utterly terrified with fear.

M N Dutt And espying my appearance while ranging in the forest, those Rākşasīs greatly terrified, shall fill the wood with their wild shouts.

५.२८.२६

ततः कुर्युः समाह्वानं राक्षस्यो रक्षसामपि ।
राक्षसेन्द्रनियुक्तानां राक्षसेन्द्रनिवेशने ॥

Summary AI Thereupon, the female demons would summon the male guards appointed by the Lord of *Rākṣasas* in the palace of *Rāvaṇa*.

M N Dutt Then they shall call (to their assistance) all those Rākşasīs engaged in guarding the abode of the lord of the Rāksasas.

५.२८.२७

ते शूलशरनिस्त्रिंश विविधायुधपाणयः ।
आपतेयुर्विमर्देऽस्मिन्वेगेनोद्विग्नकारिणः ॥

Summary AI Armed with spears, arrows, swords, and various other weapons, those causing agitation would rush with great speed into this conflict.

M N Dutt They, greatly agitated, shall with vehemence arrive here, armed with dirts, arrow, scimitars and various other weapons.

५.२८.२८

संक्रुद्धस्तैस्तु परितो विधमन्रक्षसां बलम् ।
शक्नुयं न तु संप्राप्तुं परं पारं महोदधेः ॥

Summary AI Although I could destroy that army of *Rākṣasas* while surrounded by them in anger, I might not be able to reach the opposite shore of the vast ocean afterward.

M N Dutt Being surrounded by them on all sides, If I do kill that host of demons, tired, I shall not be able to bound over the main.

५.२८.२९

मां वा गृह्णीयुराप्लुत्य बहवः शीघ्रकारिणः ।
स्यादियं चागृहीतार्था मम च ग्रहणं भवेत् ॥

Summary AI Or, many swift-acting demons might leap and capture me; thus, *Sītā* would remain without the message, and I would be taken prisoner.

M N Dutt And if that host of skilled demons, succeed in making me a captive, too shall be in their hands and Sītā shall remain ignorant of my object.

५.२८.३०

हिंसाभिरुचयो हिंस्युरिमां वा जनकात्मजाम् ।
विपन्नं स्यात्ततः कार्यं रामसुग्रीवयोरिदम् ॥

Summary AI Or, those who delight in violence might kill this daughter of *Janaka*, and consequently, this mission of *Rāma* and *Sugrīva* would be ruined.

M N Dutt Or the Rākşasas, pernicious as they are, shall kill the daughter of Janaka, and there shall the great work of Rāma and Sugrīva, be spoiled.

५.२८.३१

उद्देशे नष्टमार्गेऽस्मिन्राक्षसैः परिवारिते ।
सागरेण परिक्षिप्ते गुप्ते वसति जानकी ॥

Summary AI *Jānaki* dwells in this secluded place, which is surrounded by the ocean, guarded by *Rākṣasas*, and where all paths are lost.

M N Dutt And Jānakī live in this secret place, girt by the ocean, guarded on all sides by the Raksasas, difficult of being got at and having all avenues to it shut up.

५.२८.३२

विशस्ते वा गृहीते वा रक्षोभिर्मयि संयुगे ।
नान्यं पश्यामि रामस्य सहायं कार्यसाधने ॥

Summary AI If I am killed or captured by the *Rākṣasas* in battle, I see no other helper for *Rāma* who can accomplish this task.

M N Dutt If I am killed or captured by Rākşasas in battle, I do not find any who can help Rāma in his enterprise.

५.२८.३३

विमृशंश्च न पश्यामि यो हते मयि वानरः ।
शतयोजनविस्तीर्णं लङ्घयेत महोदधिम् ॥

Summary AI Upon reflection, I do not see any other *Vānara* who could leap across the hundred-league-wide ocean if I were to be killed.

M N Dutt Myself killed, I do not find any monkey who can leap a hundred leagues across the sea.

५.२८.३४

कामं हन्तुं समर्थोऽस्मि सहस्राण्यपि रक्षसाम् ।
न तु शक्ष्यामि संप्राप्तुं परं पारं महोदधेः ॥

Summary AI Although I am certainly capable of killing thousands of *Rākṣasas*, I might not then be able to reach the far shore of the great ocean.

M N Dutt I am capable of destroying thousands of Rākşasas, but I shall not then be able to get at the other shore of the great ocean.

५.२८.३५

असत्यानि च युद्धानि संशयो मे न रोचते ।
कश्च निःसंशयं कार्यं कुर्यात्प्राज्ञः ससंशयम् ॥

Summary AI Outcomes of battles are uncertain, and I do not like doubt. What wise person would turn a certain task into an uncertain one?

M N Dutt Victory or defeat is uncertain in a battle-I do not (therefore) like to engage in such an uncertain (act). What wise man merges certainty in uncertainly?

५.२८.३६

एष दोषो महान्हि स्यान्मम सीताभिभाषणे ।
प्राणत्यागश्च वैदेह्या भवेदनभिभाषणे ॥

Summary AI Speaking to *Sītā* carries this great risk, yet if I do not speak to her, the daughter of the Videha king might give up her life.

M N Dutt It is a great sin in me (I own) to talk with Sita-But she will die if I do not talk with her.

५.२८.३७

भूताश्चार्था विनश्यन्ति देशकालविरोधिताः ।
विक्लवं दूतमासाद्य तमः सूर्योदये यथा ॥

Summary AI Even well-prepared tasks perish when they conflict with place and time, especially when entrusted to an incompetent messenger, just as darkness vanishes at sunrise.

M N Dutt Works, almost accomplished, when entrusted to an inconsiderate emissary, are generally spoiled, out of season and out of place, like to darkness driven by the appearance of the sun.

५.२८.३८

अर्थानर्थान्तरे बुद्धिर्निश्चितापि न शोभते ।
घातयन्ति हि कार्याणि दूताः पण्डितमानिनः ॥

Summary AI In the choice between gain and loss, even a settled intellect does not shine if the messengers, who consider themselves wise, end up ruining the tasks.

M N Dutt All those works, which are generally taken in hand after duly deliberating over their propriety and impropriety, are generally spoiled by those emissaries who are proud of their learing.

५.२८.३९

न विनश्येत्कथं कार्यं वैक्लव्यं न कथं भवेत् ।
लङ्घनं च समुद्रस्य कथं नु न वृथा भवेत् ॥

Summary AI How can this mission not be ruined? How can failure be avoided? And how can my crossing of the ocean not be in vain?

M N Dutt What shall I do, by which my work is not injured, I am not blamed of foolishness and my crossing over the main dose not become fruitless? What shall I do so that Sītā might listen to me without being terrified? Thinking over this, the intelligent Hanumān arrived at a conclusion.

५.२८.४०

कथं नु खलु वाक्यं मे शृणुयान्नोद्विजेत च ।
इति संचिन्त्य हनुमांश्चकार मतिमान्मतिम् ॥

Summary AI "How indeed may she listen to my words without being terrified?" Thinking thus, the wise *Hanumān* made a decision.

M N Dutt What shall I do, by which my work is not injured, I am not blamed of foolishness and my crossing over the main dose not become fruitless? What shall I do so that Sītā might listen to me without being terrified? Thinking over this, the intelligent Hanumān arrived at a conclusion.

५.२८.४१

राममक्लिष्टकर्माणं स्वबन्धुमनुकीर्तयन् ।
नैनामुद्वेजयिष्यामि तद्बन्धुगतमानसाम् ॥

Summary AI I will not cause her any distress, as her mind is entirely devoted to her kinsman; instead, I shall praise Rāma of unwearied deeds, her own dear relative.

M N Dutt I shall not disturb her, speaking (all on a sudden) about Rāma of unwearied actions, dear to her and to whom.

५.२८.४२

इक्ष्वाकूणां वरिष्ठस्य रामस्य विदितात्मनः ।
शुभानि धर्मयुक्तानि वचनानि समर्पयन् ॥

Summary AI I shall offer auspicious and righteous words concerning Rāma, the most excellent of the Ikṣvāku dynasty and a knower of his own self.

M N Dutt She is firmly attached. Uttering the name of Rāma, the foremost of the Ikşvākus, and of subdued soul and lauding his piety and fame in sweet accents, I shall so manage that Sītā might hear and believe them.

५.२८.४३

श्रावयिष्यामि सर्वाणि मधुरां प्रब्रुवन्गिरम् ।
श्रद्धास्यति यथा हीयं तथा सर्वं समादधे ॥

Summary AI Speaking in a sweet voice, I shall narrate everything; I will arrange all things in such a way that she will truly have faith in my words.

M N Dutt She is firmly attached. Uttering the name of Rāma, the foremost of the Ikşvākus, and of subdued soul and lauding his piety and fame in sweet accents, I shall so manage that Sītā might hear and believe them.

५.२८.४४

इति स बहुविधं महानुभावो
जगतिपतेः प्रमदामवेक्षमाणः ।
मधुरमवितथं जगाद वाक्यं
द्रुमविटपान्तरमास्थितो हनूमान् ॥

Summary AI Thus, the high-souled Hanūmān, stationed within the branches of the tree and beholding the consort of the lord of the world, spoke sweet, truthful, and various words.

M N Dutt Beholding the spouse of that high-souled lord of the earth and engaging in this train of thoughts, Hanumān, stationed on a branch of the tree, spoke the following sweet words.

Other texts to read

कुमारसंभवम् कालिदासः

महाभारतम् वेदव्यासः

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