BS Murthy

Sundara Kãnda

Hanuman's Odyssey

Sexy co-wives of Ravan / Kissed in ardour one another; In their craving for Ravan / Made they lesbian love in turns; Made some thighs of their co-wives / headrests for their wondrous heads; Used for leggies flat bellies / Of co-wives to spread their legs. Amorous woman in all her want / Locked one lissome lass like brace; Came to Ravan's women handy / instruments varied that there lay. One with throbbing boobs so big / Hugged a drum like lover in want; Pressed one flute in her valley / As would amorous manhood; Hugged as eager a woman violin / Pressed by heaving breasts of hers / Scored it erotic notes on own; Looked one temptress every inch / Hugged she trumpet like a wrench; One who drank all to the dregs / Tabor she locked in armpit; Demure was the one that hugged / Drum so small her breasts could hold; Those that could hold no longer / made they dildos of their flutes. These are not excerpts from some modern romantic poetry but the transcreative verses of Sundara Kanda of Ramayana,

Sundara Kãnda: Hanuman's Odyssey

Sundara Kãnda - Hanuman’s Odyssey

BS Murthy

ISBN 81-901911-7-9

Copyright © 2005 BS Murthy

Originally published by Self Imprint in 2005

This improved E-book edition is of 2013

Cover designed with Madhubani painting

Other books of BS Murthy free on obooko.com

Benign Flame- Saga of Love

Jewel-less Crown – Saga of Life

Crossing the Mirage – Passing through youth

Glaring Shadow - A stream of consciousness novel

Prey on the Prowl - A Crime Novel

Onto the Stage - slighted Souls and other stage and radio plays

Puppets of Faith: Theory of Communal Strife (Non-fiction)

Bhagvad-Gita: Treatise of self-help ( A trans-creative work in verse)

If Mahabharata's Bhagvad-Gita is taken as a philosophical guide, Ramayana's Sundara Kãnda is sought for spiritual solace. What is more, many believe that reading Sundara Kãnda or hearing it recited would remove all hurdles and usher in good tidings! Well miracles apart, it's in the nature of Sundara Kãnda to inculcate fortitude and generate hope in one and all. After all, isn't it a depiction of how Hanuman goes about his errand against all odds! Again, won't it portray how Seetha, on the verge of self-immolation, overcomes despair to see life in a new light? Besides, how Hanuman's Odyssey paves the way for Rama to rescue his kidnapped wife!

One is bound to be charmed by the rhythm of the verse and the flow of the narrative in this sloka to sloka transcreation of Valmiki's adi kavya - the foremost poetical composition in the world. After all, it was the saga of Rama that inspired Valmiki the barbarian to spiritualize the same as Ramayana in classical Sanskrit!

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Dedicated to -

Childhood friends,  Nittala Rama Rao, who envisaged that I transcreate in English this momentous episode of the adi kavya and Erramilli Rohini Kumar, who, besides encouraging me to undertake the challenge, came  up with  the book jacket besides Katlin Darnall of the World Public Library for the enriching editing."

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Canto 1 - Hurdles in Skies

Egged on by peers Vayu’s son

Enshrined by man as Hanuman

Enthused himself to shoulder

Search of Seetha, Rama’s spouse

Snared whom Ravan to Lanka

Sea across that hundred leagues.

With his head then held so high

Gained he size for task on hand.

On that Mahendra mountain then

Colossus like he sauntered there.

Uprooted were trees all those

Brushed as with his chest that strong.

Varied hues of elements there

Made that mountain resplendent.

Grace angels those hill ranges

For their honeymoon so near moon.

At length he reached that hilltop

Lay where elephants in their scores.

Besides Brahma ’n Surya

Prayed he Indra and Vayu.

Facing east he sought blessings

Of Vayu then his Wind God dad

And grew more by turning south.

Grew as Hanuman more and more

To cross that sea vast as it roared

With full tides of full-moon night

Came he face to face with clouds.

As though to test that mountain

Whether it’s right for his take-off

Tapped it Hanuman with his feet.

Shook that mountain his impinge

Shed trees flowers of hues varied.

Flowers all fell then covered it full

Spread they fragrance far and wide.

Welled out water in thick springs

Such was pressure of Hanuman’s feel.

From the cracks it developed thus

Creaked out molten metals varied.

While huge boulders slid in scores

Out came smoke in thick columns.

With that squeeze it came under

Cried all creatures in their caves.

Frightened was no less wildlife

Heard were their howls world over.

In their state of confusion

Serpents with all fiery fangs

Marks of swastik on their hoods

Spewed then venom in profusion.

Venom they spit was fireball like

Turned to tiny stones there rocks.

Herbs of anti-venom were there

Turned though antidote none of them.

Felt all yogis spirit at play

Took to their heels demigods then.

Not to speak of vessels of gold

In their fright gods left all goods.

In panic they left mid-meal

Thought they none of gold armour.

In their sodden demeanours then

Reached they all their heavenly homes.

Amorous angels in their scores

Built their love-nests in those skies.

Ascetics of earth ascended

For bird’s eye view of Hanuman’s feat.

Heard all averments of siddhas

As well seers all stationed there.

Hill like Hanuman is all set

Agile as ether to cross seas.

It was vanar Lord Sugreev

That sent him on Ram’s errand.

Angels there who heard those words

Looked at Hanuman then wide-eyed.

Raring to go then Hanuman

Slapped his thighs and roared like clouds.

Stretched he full then his long tail

Jerked it like would eagle its prey.

Circled Hanuman his tail then

Looked that eagle-clawed serpent.

Set to take off on that flight

Stance he took for task that tough.

In that as he shrugged himself

Seemed he eager and vigorous.

Stared he long at his flight route

Deep breathed he for take-off then.

All set to go Hanuman then

Thought it fit to them address

Folks his who were so anxious.

Spoke he thus to assure them:

Won’t I dart like Ram’s arrow

To Ravan’s land there lay yonder?

No sooner than I set foot

Find I Rama’s spouse Seetha.

Were I to happen to fail there

Won’t I rush to heaven itself?

Were I to land in blind alley

Won’t I go back to Lanka?

Prevail I over Ravan then

And fetch Seetha unfettered

With him in tow but in chains.

As he took-off he declared

Comes it ever if to the brink

Uproot he would all Lanka

And bring it as gift to Lord Ram.

By the thrust of his take-off

Sucked in were trees into flight.

As he flew at jet speed then

Tailed him trees with birds on them

And buds that flowered in between.

In truck with him all of them

Seemed they relatives at send off.

Sal trees then too followed suit

Seemed he spearhead of  large force.

With the flowers and birds in tow

Made then Hanuman wondrous sight.

In time weakened as the pull

Dropped all trees in those waters.

Covered as he by flowers and all

Hanuman flew then glowworm like.

As he shrugged off in mid-air

Fell some flowers on salt waters.

Turned as flower-bed sea that vast

Seemed it then like star filled sky.

Flowers of varied hues on him

Rainbow on move made him seem.

Sonic boom of Hanuman’s flight

Scattered flowers on those waters

Seemed then that sea sky at dawn.

Arms his outstretched in his flight

Looked like serpents with five hoods.

Filled his shadow shore to shore

Though he picked up Mach two speed.

Sparkled his eyes as in flight

Seemed some lava there in flow.

Wide open were his bright eyes

Seemed they sun ’n moon in skies.

With his rosy nose-tip then

Looked he like the setting sun.

In flight his tail that was long

Banner then of Indra seemed.

With the sparkling teeth of his

And the tail thus well coiled

Sun like aura Hanuman had.

Blood red as those Hanuman’s hinds

Seemed they red hills well sundered.

Wind as passed through his armpits

Roared it then like lightning clouds.

Mistook him then sky watchers

For some meteor that was rare.

In flight he looked like elephant

With its tail spread round its waist.

Shadow that he cast on seas

Seemed to all a speeding boat.

Concord like he moved in skies

Caused he whirlpools in the seas.

With his broad chest Hanuman did

Ward off sea tides that reached him.

As he speeded in his flight

Formed a cyclone in the skies

Caused that storm then in the seas.

Mean sea level as rose to skies

Made he light of all those tides.

As he sped he seemed to count

Mountain tides that so neared him.

Splash from tides as foamed the skies

Gave that silver coat to space.

Torn as thus the water sheet

Felt all fish as turned naked.

Water snakes as sighted skies

Feared they eagle was on prowl.

Thick and wide was his shadow

Seemed so symmetric to one’s eyes.

Sped as he past in high skies

Seemed his shadow like a cloud.

Looked then Hanuman in motion

Like a mountain with huge wings.

Split as that sea in columns

Cruisers they seemed in his chase.

Coursed as he thus Garuda like

In those skies that filled with birds

Wind like then he scattered clouds.

Clouds as all then went askance

Shone they well in colours varied.

In and out of clouds Hanuman

Seemed he like the moon on course.

In awe celestial beings then

Myriad flowers they showered on him.

Filtered Surya his heat then

While made easy breeze Vayu.

Sang his praises seers all there

Awestruck angels his prowess.

Wondered at his endurance

Angels all who watched him then.

Felt thus Sagar, Lord of Seas

For whom Rama’s cause came first.

Were I to fail to help Hanuman

Make I myself blameworthy.

Won’t I owe my reign and all

To Ram’s ancestor, my namesake?

For he exerts for Ram’s cause

Bound am I to help Hanuman.

Spoke then Sagar to Mainak

Prince of hills with golden peaks

Made who ocean bed his home.

Confined were thou by Indra

On my bed for ever so long

Barrier though as to netherworld.

Demons all for that lay therein

Block thou approach to this world.

Prowess such is unique thine

Expand thou the way thy  wish.

Behold Hanuman as he flies

Head over mine for Ram’s sake.

Owe that I his ancestor

Seek I now thy helping hand

To let our Hanuma serve Rama.

Fail if we to help him out

Enrage we might angels all.

Shoot up forthwith in his path

To let him rest on peak thy high.

Hanuman is so long in flight

Feel I time he rests a while.

Lighten if thou his burden

Brings it end to Rama’s plight

Agony as well  of his spouse.

Shoot up now O golden hill

Graced by varied vegetation.

Came out then as Mainaka

Depths of sea from that so deep

Scene it made like mid-day sun

Came out as it from thick clouds.

In the midst of sea that vast

Shone then Mainak like Surya.

Lovers all there as lay languid

Skimmed its peaks the rim of skies.

With his golden peak Mainak

Shone he then like rising sun.

In time as he showed up full

Dazzled he like suns in scores.

Mistook Hanuman for hurdle

Mainak who rose to the skies.

Not the one to get daunted

Hanuman toppled Mainaka

With his bare chest that was strong.

Turned as he all turtle then

Mainaka was so dumbfounded.

So as a way to woo Hanuman

Assumed Mainak human form.

It’s my request O Hanuman

That thee rest on my shoulder.

It was Rama’s ancestor

Helped who seas all to expand

That’s why grateful Lord of Seas

Sent me to help thee take rest.

Well it’s adage that so old

Help we must all those us help

Sees thus Sagar as favour

Rest  if thou on my shoulder.

Wants me Sagar make thou feel

At home on my peak utmost.

Pray thee break now on my back

Non-stop flight leagues eight hundred.

Might as well thou savour now

Smell-well fruits of rarest taste.

Have as we such ties us bind

Consent thou to strengthen them.

Cross as thou sea Concord like

Proud are all of us of thee.

Make as thee our V.I.P

Guests all we give due respect.

Amongst demigods rank thee high

Speed thine no less than thy dad.

Let if am I to serve thee

Feel I served thy dad as well

Hold I whom in special esteem.

Had all mountains wings in yore

Hovered thus they all three worlds.

Scared all angels and sages

Mischance could well cause us crash.

It’s thus Indra clipped our wings

With the diamond sword of his.

Came in time as my own turn

Unsheathed Indra diamond sword,

Spiriting me off with gale wind

It’s thy dad that saved my wings.

Owing to thy parent’s grace

Wings mine escaped Indra’s wrath.

See in this I golden chance

Debt to repay benefactor.

Pray thee give a chance to us

Redeem that we age old debt.

Now thou consent O great soul

Rest have thee as our dear guest.

Hanuman at that told Mainak:

Words though thine me move no end

Precedence takes now Rama’s cause.

Stop if I now in mid-flight

How am I to meet deadline?

Token then as of his love

Caressed Hanuman Mainak’s head.

Moved were Sagar ’n Mainak

At the way thus Hanuman placed

Lord’s his interest above all else.

Bidding adieu to them both

Picked up Hanuman height in flight.

While on course in skies Hanuman

Looked at them both in reverence.

Well in awe at what they saw

Praised all angels Hanuman then.

Standing ovation gave Indra

With other gods to Mainaka.

Heartened then by his gesture

Addressed Indra Mainak thus:

Pleased as gods all Mainaka

Feel at ease as I leave thee free.

In spite of the threat I posed

Came out thou to aid Hanuman.

In thy bid to help Hanuman

Tried thee to aid Rama’s cause.

Indra as thus assured him

Breathed then easy that mountain.

Cherished as Mainak his freedom

Sped past Hanuman by him then.

Thought it fit then gods to put

Hanuman to test in his quest

Spoke they thus to mother of snakes:

Well O Surasa see Hanuman

Flies he how to find Seetha

Sea this across to Lanka!

Pray posit thyself in his way

Obstruct him with ogress frame.

Test we must the mettle in him

Moves on or he beats retreat.

Egged on thus by gods themselves

Surasa came to confront him.

With its ogress look Surasa

Addressed Hanuman in mid-air.

Gods all destined thy large frame

Serves as sumptuous meal for me.

Without a twitch of his eyelids

Addressed Hanuman that ogress.

Let me tell thee what happened

To Ram ’n Seetha as they stayed

With Lakshman  in tow in Dandak.

Sent evil Ravan Maareecha

Decoy as to lure Rama

And snared his spouse to Lanka.

Set as I on Seetha’s trial

And live as thou by Rama’s grace

Pray thee not put stop to that.

Eye me if thou as thy prey

As soon as I finish my task

Return I would to oblige thee.

Surasa made him then privy

Boon which Brahma gave to her

That none can ever pass her by

Until and unless she lets go.

Having ignored Surasa’s threat

Kept as Hanuman his own course

To test him thus she engaged him.

None there is an escape route

Settled it all that Brahma’s boon

As and when I come in way

Pass all through but mine own mouth.

Enraged Hanuman dared Surasa

See if she could swallow him.

Neared as she with hill like mouth

Outgrew Hanuman mountain like.

Stretched she jaws then undaunted

Tides that took and clouds in stride.

Stalling Surasa’s great swallow

Assumed Himalayan size Hanuman.

Stretched she into troposphere

Touched he then the stratosphere.

None less was the mother serpent

Mouth she widened enough for him.

Hanuman to thwart her for all

Raised himself to heaven itself.

Snarled then she her mouth awful

Enough to engulf heaven and earth.

With his presence of mind Hanuman

Turned then simian with thin tail.

Before she could drop her jaws

Traversed Hanuman through her mouth.

Gaped as Surasa spoke Hanuman:

Came out as I from thy mouth

Boon of Brahma thus fulfilled

Feel I am a free bird now.

Seemed he then to Surasa’s eyes

Like the moon that’s past eclipse.

Spoke thus Surasa to Hanuman:

Go on with no hindrance now

And bring Seetha back to Ram.

Looked all worlds in wonderment

Hanuman’s feat that third in row.

Having tricked that Surasa thus

Then in high skies flew Hanuman.

Celestial singers there he saw

Stable of Airavat as well.

With features of earth’s wildlife

Saw he flying beasts in skies.

With their aura of angels

Lived all righteous people there.

Went he near to sun ’n moon

Saw he Agni conduits who

Oblations to gods all there.

It’s the region that ruled by

Visvavas the king that fair

Live where angels ’n such like

Besides good souls after death.

Entered he then that region

Serves as canopy of three worlds,

Path there sun ’n moon doth share

With Indra’s stable of white elephants.

Saw them he all in their turn

Martyrs all of great battles.

Clouds of myriad colours in skies

Scattered were by Hanuman’s thrust.

Clouds with playing hide and seek

In skies then he shone like moon.

Flying non-stop in high skies

Looked he like a winged mountain.

Seeing Hanuman thus speeding

Fiendish Simhik turned greedy.

Was there ever a prey like this?

What a sumptuous meal it makes!

Gripped she then him by shadow

Cast which Hanuman coast to coast.

Ship in sail as up the wind

Slowed down Hanuman in his course.

At last as he looked for clue

Found his shadow in fiend’s grip.

Recalled he in dismay then

What Sugreev said at outset

That one fiend had aptitude

To grip its prey by mere shadow.

Stuck as he got in spite of

Effort his great to speed up well

Realized that he was its prey.

Grew he then to fill the skies

Cast his shadow on all earth.

At that Simhik came jumping

At him with her cave-like mouth.

Sensed as he then her intent

Hanuman thought then better of it.

As with Surasa so with her

Turned he simian in no time

And thus entered her wide mouth.

Seen in awe by all angels

It was as if moon eclipsed.

Into Simhik as he went

Vitals her tore with his nails.

Moaned as she then in great pain

Opened she wide mouth her large,

Came out as he from her then

Stopped she moaning as she died.

Torso as her sank in seas

Flight he resumed in those skies.

Saw all demigods his great deed

Showered they praises then on him.

Blessed him angels nonetheless

Wished him well on his errand.

Felt all Hanuman’s great passion

Search for  Seetha, Rama’s spouse

Worth it was for Hall of Fame.

Flew as he leagues eight-hundred

Saw he yonder some island.

On that horizon came to sight

Found he tree-lines touching skies.

Landed he soon on high peak

Of the Malaya mountain range.

Like a mountain on the move

Sauntered Hanuman on that high.

Felt he then that his giant size

Won’t make spying his easy.

It’s thus Hanuman thought it fit

Better he assumed simian shape.

It was akin to Vishnu

Becoming pygmean to push down

Bali into depths of earth.

Before he turned a small fry then

Looked he at his huge frame though.

Climbed he Lamba Mountain then

Had which countless coconut crowns.

For the close up of the town

Jumped onto ground then Hanuman.

Sea across that miles and miles

In the end then thus Hanuman

Made his way to Ravan’s land.

Canto 2 - City in Clouds

On the landmass of Lanka

Chitrakoot was the king mountain

Kissed its peaks all clouds in skies

Reigned Ravan from peak foremost.

Climbed as Hanuman that mountain

Rained all trees then flowers on him.

Such was stamina of Hanuman

Fresh he looked from that short rest.

Felt he had still left in him

Strength to circle earth itself.

Flying wonder that Hanuman

Powerful soldier none the less.

Green all yonder found Hanuman

Reached as he that mountain range.

Valleys all of that hill range

Had thick trees ’n wide gardens.

Had he thus a full measure of

Land of Ravan that was green.

Bore all trees there fruits varied

Besides date palms and santras.

Thick were bushes on those hills

Fragrant flowers all bloomed therein.

Birds well nestled on trees all there

Rustled leaves were by southern breeze.

Graced flowers lotus tanks all those

Swans in them swam with rare grace.

Grew fruits well in all seasons

Well-grown farms in scores there lay.

Itching to search Ravan’s town

Hanuman in time reached its gates.

Lest Rama should sneak in there

On high alert were Ravan’s troops.

Bricks of gold made Lanka’s wall

Kissed its castles clouds in skies.

Mansions it had in millions

Wide ’n well laid were there roads.

Climbed creepers green gold arches

Looked like Lanka heaven on earth.

Seemed as Lanka city in clouds

Lay dwellings on mountain peaks.

Built it was by gods’ builder

Earned it fame in Ravan’s reign.

Lankan fort in that sea then

Seemed like saree clad maiden,

Compound wall its laid in gold

Looked like virgin’s narrow waist,

Long-range guns its plaits parted

Seemed as gables gold ear-rings.

Moved as Hanuman languidly

Thought he thus in wonderment:

Sky scrappers these of Lanka

Won’t they lead to heaven itself!

None but Kubera owned it once

But vile Ravan grabbed from him.

Demons then came to own this place

Teeth that protrude seem them fiends.

Such as reside in Lanka

Circled by seas as it were

Foe to fear made king Ravan.

Came as cropper demigods all

Of what avail Rama’s vanar force!

Maginot line that Ravan built

Find would Rama hard to breach.

Rich as Lankans ’n powerful

Bribe ’n bravery might not work.

But for Angad, Neel ’n Sugreev

Rest might get stuck at these gates.

Place why horse before the cart

Makes it sense to strive my best.

So felt Hanuman it’s proper

Handled he better task on hand.

With my normal simian form

Won’t I hoodwink Ravan’s men?

Big and powerful they are all

How to throw wool in their eyes!

Why not I turn tinier

And wait till the sun goes down.

Lying in wait Hanuman then

Weighed all options on his hand.

Not by letting Ravan’s men

Smell a rat of my spying

How am I to find Seetha!

Without muddling my errand

How to find here Seetha soon?

Towel in throws as night at dawn

Confronted by unforeseen

Mid-course dullards leave their jobs.

Mission one’s awry goes for sure

Meddles if one in half knowledge.

Thus for having come so far

Why not carry Seetha’s word

For the waiting ears of Ram.

Stop me if these in my tracks

Derailed gets then Seetha’s search.

How to look for Rama’s spouse

Unseen by these guards in scores!

Given the strength of their network

None the disguise might well work.

Were I to surface as it were

Might I as well get captured.

Makes it eminent if I move

With darkness to aid me well.

It’s night that makes conducive

To search Ravan’s own premises.

Having worked out his plan thus

Waited Hanuman moon to come.

When the sun went out of scene

Cat-like instinct showed Hanuman.

Airborne was he soon over

Lanka’s well-laid avenues all.

Pillars silver had buildings

Windows whose wore golden frames.

Built were mansions eight-storied

Set on gold floors were cat’s eyes.

Stuccoes precious gems had walls

Adorned pearls their wide doors all.

Domes there were all gold plated

Bright they were by day and night.

Having had a bird’s- eye view

Flustered Hanuman Lanka’s wealth.

Land that was of king Ravan

Domicile of those demons varied.

As if to show him the way

Moon  came out in full bloom then.

In the moon rays of full moon

Seen Hanuman the green signal.

Canto 3 - Prelude to Entry

Having hovered in the skies

Landed Hanuman in Lanka.

Bypassed Hanuman those sentries

Manned who Lanka’s gates all there.

Such was mirth of Lankans then

Matched in decibels roars of seas

Graced that place with soothing breeze.

Lived there people strong ’n stout

Carved were elephants on main gates.

Of the star-filled bluish skies

Mirror image so Lanka seemed.

Unfurled sea breeze Lankan flags

Unleashed tinkles their trinkets.

Onto Lankan wall he jumped

Got he then a bird’s-eye view.

Doors there all were gold plated

Paved were verandahs with corals.

Facades were all filled with gems

Rooftops there had gold elephants.

Cat’s eyes inlaid staircases

Furnished well were drawing rooms.

In tandem with those tinkles

Emanated from women’s jewels

Bird calls rent air from courtyards.

Wide-eyed he then stared for long

At such splendour never equalled.

Marveled as he at such wealth

Thoughts his turned to Ravan’s might.

Guarded as well Lanka thus

Is there scope for entry then?

But Kumud, Angad, Sushena too

Might stand chance as Maind and Dwivid.

Not to speak of Lord Sugreev

Kusaparv, Jambavan, Ketumal, and I no less.

Be that as it may Lanka

Stands no chance with Ram Lakshman.

Won’t look Lanka like a dame

With these dwellings as ear-rings

And its workshops her huge boobs?

Lights with its on won’t Lanka

Look like woman in white saree?

Got wind of him Lankin then

Deity Lanka’s that huge fiend.

Came she forthwith in his way

Hideous with her frame so large.

Lost she no time to confront

Him in her tone that was harsh.

Value if thou life thy now

Make a clean breast of thyself.

How it entered thy little head

Sneak thou might in Ravan’s land?

Undaunted said thus Hanuman:

Dared as thee to address thus

May I know now who art thou?

With thy hideous looks and all

Why thee stand guard at this time?

Then the deity in response

Spoke to Hanuman in disdain.

Guard I Lanka day ’n night

Serve I Ravan in good faith.

Tuck thy tail and run for life

Lest thy soul should rest in peace.

That thou realized who I am

Make haste now ’n beat retreat.

Hanuman at this grew so huge

Matching Lankin pound for pound.

Having come thus face to face

Hanuman then her thus addressed.

As I heard of thy Lanka

Know I came as just tourist.

All I want is to saunter

All through Lanka in leisure.

With that Lankin lost her cool

Flared she thus at Hanuman then.

Enough of cunning O simian

Dare if thou cross swords with me.

Acting then all innocent

Addressed Hanuman thus Lankin:

Seek as I to see thy place

Wonder why thou make big fuss?

Lankin at that turned physical

With her fist on Hanuman’s frame.

Roused as Hanuman in anger

Roared he loud like lion hungry.

Then a left hook he landed

On her huge frame bare fisted.

Yet he did no more than that

Out of respect for women folk.

With the power of his punch then

On all fours the fiend fell down.

Writhed  as she in such great pain

Pitied Hanuman the woman in her.

Scared no end was wounded fiend

Begged she mercy from Hanuman.

Hurt not women valorous men

Know am Lankin, Lanka’s deity.

As I was by thee matted

Think I time to tell thee all.

Signalled Brahma to Lanka

Nadir as I lose my fight

At the hands of some simian.

Lost as I the fight to thee

End I see of Ravan’s reign.

How can Brahma ever go wrong?

Seetha’s kidnap proves him right.

Thus O Hanuman get thee set

On thy mission in Lanka straight.

Seizes us as Brahma’s curse

Go in search of Seetha now

Snared who Ravan to this land.

Canto 4 - Foray into Fort

Lankin as thus gave visa

Set then Hanuman on his course.

Having Lanka’s bird’s eye view

Through its back door he entered.

So to bring it bad tidings

Put forth he then his left foot.

In time he went to King’s Way

Had that flowering trees on sides.

Dwellings in all either side

Saw he mirth ’n merry then.

Glow of Lanka seemed to him

As cloud of silver in the skies.

Light as creaked out from houses

Swastiks in their scores rays made.

Roamed as he then Ravan’s town

Well-pleased Hanuman with himself.

Houses he passed one by one

Each was shaped a different one.

Sang as dames in those dwellings

The sound of music pleased Hanuman.

Wore as women waist-bands all

Trinkets theirs made music scores.

Breathed in roars who exercised

Rhapsodic too were Vedic chants.

Saw he demons all there gathered

Sang they hymns in Ravan’s praise.

For men in arms and spies on rolls

In Lanka’s heart lay large barracks.

Tonsured men in penance he saw

Magical powers all seemed to have.

Weird men he found single-eyed

With lone ear some left him dumb.

Hideous many such fiends he found

Well armed with their arms varied,

Maces some had furrows-long

Discs rest held that covered acres.

Medium built they by and large

Frames theirs neither long nor short.

Fair were some and others darkish

Lookers were there in both groups.

Turns took sentries to hold high

Ravan’s standards of conquests.

Flowers men garlands wore pastel

Frames their glowed with sandal paste.

Men all dressed in ways varied

Myriad all they arms carried.

To guard Ravan’s gynoecium

In midst garrison was that laid.

Archways wide of solid gold

Adorned Ravan’s famed palace.

Moats it had of lotus white

Wide-eyed Hanuman witnessed them.

Chamber music rent then air

Neighed white horses in courtyards.

Lined as chariots in deep files

Lay in hangers airplanes large,

Languid while in move elephants

Scores were horses with long manes.

Strolled all over deer in heat

So the sentries on their beat.

In spite of the vigil they kept

Threw Hanuman wool in their eyes.

Canto 5 - Life in Lanka

Moon in time came overhead

Raged he bull like in cow-pen.

Kept he darkness all at bay

Seemed to dispel sins of men.

Rays his splendid in columns

Sparkled lotus-like in prime.

In those high skies full of clouds

Seemed he like one swan encaged.

Spot his that was well visible

Appeared like a well-horned bull.

Light the king of stars as shed

Fell that on his cousin blooming

Brought that latter’s spots luster.

Like the king on diamond throne

Shone as well the moon that night.

Ambience moonlight enticed all

Mates estranged to warm embrace.

Went as wanton to walk streets

Women married were ever eager

To mate their men they loved to core.

Men there were no less in scores

Gulped who by then pint or more.

Some of them as tried to boast

Rest in fistcuffs took to brawls.

Tried to shake their stupor as some

Others took amorous routes to mates.

Full of smiles were women fulfilled

Heaved though heavy then unfulfilled.

Roared as skies then like trumpets

Swore soldiers like hissing snakes.

Saw he many there sober souls

Took place debates informed then.

Found he many an ugly folk

Were they none the less decent.

Women wondrous had virtuous mates

Matched they stars of cloudless skies.

Birds as hidden by flowering buds

Women charming lay in male arms.

Went to their men women in want

Fondlers they turned to rouse them.

Women lovelorn who rivalled moon

Lacked as they mates turned all pale.

Men all who had women to mate

Love they made to them all night.

Eye lashes of dove-eyed dames

Hid their eyes in thick black veils,

Jewels that those wore in scores

Cast a charming light on them.

None of them though made him feel

Seetha could be one of them.

Forlorn Seetha he knew well

Would be lost in Rama’s thought.

Saw he none of that anguish

In them Seetha would have felt.

In her agonized mood Seetha

Won’t she look like that crescent

Screened by thick dark clouds in skies?

Failed as he to find Seetha

Nonplussed was then Vayu’s son.

Canto 6 - Precincts to Beat

Having recouped from despair

Roamed then Hanuman all the more.

Entered he then Admin block

Came with face-to-face palace.

Keep at bay as lions poachers

Looked all scary palace guards.

Archways silver, gateways gold

Made that look like heaven on earth.

Vigil while some kept on elephants

Rode others tireless horses there.

Guards had ivory chariots there

Wheels of which were made of gold.

Facades had all well cut gems

Furniture there lay out of world.

Deer as ran fast in their stride

Birds went helter-skelter then.

Like a diamond in the sky

Lay there palace of Ravan.

Wore there dames all such jewels

Made which them all seem angels.

Lay shaking hands sandal trees

And that gave it woods like look.

Kettledrums as raised high decibels

Conchs in chambers blared in scores.

Ocean like spread had that fort

Paved its rooftop with rare gems.

Such was splendour of that place

Gaped it Hanuman wonder-struck.

Felt of Ravan’s place he then

As the jewel crown of worlds.

Left he none there bush to search

Peeped he then through all windows.

Done with dwellings of hirelings

Prahastha’s mansion then he reached.

Kumbhakarn ’n Vibhishan

Ravan’s siblings both of them

Lived in mansions magnificent.

Went in Hanuman one by one

Quarters there of eminent men.

Entered he then abodes of

Vidyunmal ’n Vidyujjivih.

Spared he not the places of

Sons of Ravan in his search.

Sumali’s palace he sauntered

Jambumali’s own not to spare.

Hurried Hanuman in his search

Of Math’s as well Yuddhonmath’s.

Into Sukana’s house he went

Came he out of Vikata’s place.

Got as he in Vakra’s suite

Lost his privacy latter then.

Karala’s residence came under

Hanuman’s scanner along with

Pisaacha’s palace that was next.

In his search of Seetha thus

Laid he bare there all nobles.

Having drawn blank with Lieutenants’

Quarters he searched then General’s.

Hideous ogresses at the gates

Guarded Ravan’s high fortress.

Fearful they looked head to foot

Carried weapons they weird in shape.

As though to catch foes in flight

Harnessed scores were horses there.

Battle hardened elephants then

In their hundreds he found there.

Mountain-like they move in wars

Make they enemies run for life.

Shiver all mighty down the spine

When they come to hear trumpets.

In their gold shields soldiers all

Glittered then like mid-day sun.

Found he there all palanquins gold

Galleries filled with masters’ works.

Gyms as there for body builders

Parks to peck for lovers there were.

Ravan’s place was mountain like

Peacocks there strolled on their toes.

Flags there fluttered in their scores

Lent they breeze the roaring sound.

Like hot sun of mid-summer

Dazzled Ravan in nightgown.

Vessels of gold and ivory cots

Hanuman in scores saw them there.

Sauntered as he in aisles then

Spillover on wine he stepped.

Women there as had lovely gait

Rustled sarees to rhythmic beat.

Women in numbers he found there

Looked who charming dream-girl like.

Canto 7 - Palace in the Plane

To probe Ravan’s own chambers

Ventured Hanuman further down.

Armaments stacked in piles he found

With rare conchs that give war cries.

With flaw none in cut or shine

Vessels he found with gems to brim.

What he saw in Ravan’s place

Made it seem like magic land.

To his wonder he found parked

Aircar unique called Pushpak.

Stood out for its looks Pushpak

Seemed it was like made for gods.

Lodged in it were women of charm

Live wire like they moved in aisles.

In its splendour looked Pushpak

Like the moon on earth landed.

Insignia it had hills of gold

Bore they trees of flowers diamond.

Housed it mansions furrows-long

Lawns theirs had large swimming pools.

Seemed it as if on take-off

Sight that made him rub his eyes.

Carved were birds on huge corals

Made of gems were horse statues.

Birds therein all seemed to him

Like the allies of Love God.

Goddess Lakshmi’s deity lay

On lotus red in blue waters

With elephants white on either side.

Swayed as it him no end then

Went he in thrall round Pushpak.

Overawed though he by Pushpak

Resumed his search soon Hanuman.

Having failed to trace Seetha

Seized was he with thus sorrow.

Canto 8 - Pushpak’s Prowess

End to end he searched Pushpak

Cover he could not all its ground.

Wonder that was Pushpak called

Like the one that never conceived.

Abodes of gods ’n angels too

Add up not to Pushpak’s tail.

It had in itself to change

Needs to suit of who owns it,

Got it Ravan not for song

For he had to shed his blood.

When in flight it acquires speed

Synch which would with pilot’s mind.

Presence of it then got Lanka

Preeminence in all three worlds.

Frescos it had men in rows

With that vigorous look on them.

Amidst vernal season then

Looked Pushpak like flower mountain.

Canto 9 - Harem at Night

In the midst of Pushpak lay

The Palace Royal of Ravan.

Built it was with gems all rare

Plinth it had of two score miles.

Went in Hanuman in the hope

Therein he would find Seetha.

Having got in he sauntered

In those royal chambers there.

With their knives drawn to the hilt

Found he guards there door to door.

Saw he Ravan’s wives in scores

Maidens that he grabbed by force.

Found he ponds of ocean size

Lived where crocodiles with white whales.

Amidst the riches it sported

God like Ravan lived in there.

With sons ’n siblings there Ravan

Bettered thus lifestyle of all gods.

Entered harem Ravan’s Hanuman

Pushpak’s that was star attraction.

Custom built was that Pushpak

By God’s own architect for Brahma.

In the times of yore Kuber

Sought and got it from Brahma,

Wanting it to serve his needs

Grabbed it Ravan waging war.

Spoils of war as it made

Pictured bullfights on its walls.

Stretched its ceiling to high skies

Cellars its touched depths of earth.

Pushpak’s glitter makes Lanka

Seem as daytime during nights.

Emeralds it had for doorknobs

Windowpanes were crystal class.

Pearls it had all paved for floor

Gave that look of white carpet.

Woodwork of its red sandals

Made the place all smell so sweet.

Shaped so well were secret vaults

Deceive they would the best of spies.

Entered Hanuman its pantry

Feed which could a million mouths.

Aroma of all recipes there

Reached him with a come-hither tag.

Entered he then that portion

Lived where Ravan as the god.

Stairs it had of gems inlaid

Handles of them ivory made.

Pillars it had gold ingots

Glowed they all like candlelights.

None was taken for granted

Flawless was the way it shaped.

With woven Atlas on them bright

Laid were carpets continent size.

Birds on heat were perched on trees

Cooed they in their scores well pecked.

Smoke that scented sticks emitted

Got spread throughout Ravan’s land.

Kept its aura gloom at bay

It’s where Ravan set his shop.

At home Hanuman felt therein

Entered though he enemy’s place.

Felt he was in heaven itself

Fit for gods of every faith.

Finding no scent of Seetha

Seemed he gambler who lost all.

With his person ’n harem

No less Ravan added then

Lustre to that bright Pushpak.

Maidens there were in thousands

Dressed they like for fashion show.

Drunk they were all to the dregs

Bent their eyelids all downward.

Slept one by one all of them

Seemed the place as swan filled pond.

Postures theirs were well composed

Breath their smelled as flowers at dawn.

Petals like lotus their faces

Seemed in sleep all lotus buds.

Zoomed all drunken bees in scores

As would go round flowers in bloom.

Celibate as he wished they were

Flowers all real and not damsels.

Angel like dames made Ravan’s

Harem seem like star filled sky.

Ravan in their midst then looked

Like the blooming moon in skies.

Felt of Ravan’s lovers Hanuman

Were like meteors made there home.

Skins theirs were like cloudless skies

Pure were demeanours of those dames.

Orgasms multiple they had all

Askance went things on them all.

In their coitus furious dots

Vermilion theirs smudged foreheads.

Passion with such they coited

Crushed were pearls of chains they wore.

Breath of theirs as they made love

Withered all flowers of their garlands.

Chains of jewels that they wore

Made their boobs seem sun ’n moon.

Sank as pearls in their valleys

Seemed they swans that lay in rest.

Looked like canal banks their thighs

Waists theirs seemed so tiny streams.

Smiled in slumber some sweetly

Dreamt as though of lay they had.

Embrace in theirs of Ravan

Breasts of theirs as chest his crushed

Made then imprints of their chains

Seemed that matching pairs on them.

Covered as pallus their faces

Pairs of bellows turned their breaths.

As was standards of Ravan

Bright were hues of their sarees.

Turned as pallus to bellows

Vibed like pendulums their ear-rings.

Smelled well as the breath of theirs

Got that better with wine they had.

Sexy co-wives of Ravan

Kissed in ardour one another.

In their craving for Ravan

Made they lesbian love in turns.

Some of them in their slumber

Folded their hands for pillows.

Made some thighs of their co-wives

Headrests for their wondrous heads.

Used some leggies flat bellies

Of co-wives to spread their legs.

Entwined slept as Ravan’s dames

Seemed they strings of white roses,

Hair theirs seemed to cover them all

Bees as would all flowers in bloom.

Harem Ravan’s felt Hanuman

Creeper like grove in full spring.

Body odours of those dames

Lent the air all with then scents.

With such abandon slept they all

Moved their sarees up their thighs.

That Ravan was fast asleep

Gods dared eye his women in sleep.

Most of them in Ravan’s hold

Came coveting him on their own.

Beauty as theirs made him weak

Dragged he some of them to bed.

Fetched him some the hearsay true

His great valour spread world over.

Found none of them then Hanuman

Found might wanting to share throne.

Seeing them all so fulfilled

Wished he Ram ’n Seetha well.

That the learned Ravan snared

Seetha who was chaste to Rama

Saddened Hanuman no end then.

Canto 10 - Women in Want

Hanuman on the sly entered

Chambers private of Ravan.

Such a cot he found lay there

Made to rival Ravan’s throne.

Meant to impart moon’s aura

Had it canopy made of wreaths.

Cot his huge was made of gold

Seemed on it sun came to rest.

Fanned by lovely handmaidens

Rent air perfumes rare fragrance.

Bed it had of soft sheepskin

Stuffed to brim with silk cotton.

With red eyes for want of sleep

He-man Ravan lay there spread.

Layers thick of sandal paste

Applied on his manly frame

Soothed those scores of love bites deep.

Splendid jewels wore he then

Seemed they lightning in grey cloud.

In the forest of fair sex

Slept there Ravan like a log.

Signs there were for all to see

Left he none there to make love.

Hanuman in awe neared Ravan

But the fact that he played foul

Made him stop then in his tracks.

Such was aura of Ravan

Made the simian stare at him.

Harem in his lay Ravan

Like a trunk with thick creepers.

Arms his long with gold epaulets

Looked like poles for Indra’s flags.

Sported scores both combat scars

Of his battles fought with gods.

Like the mythical five-hood snakes

Arms his strong were well tapered.

Of hair oils his women had used

Smelled his hands of varied scents.

Rings he wore on his fingers

Gave a measure of his strong hands

Made which worlds all bow to him.

With the power of his own hands

Subdue he could all three worlds.

In that king-size bed Ravan

Lay he like a king elephant.

Such was the build of his frame

Looked he like a mountain then.

Breaths of Ravan seemed to fill

The insides all of that Pushpak.

Thus the aisles of that Pushpak

Were then filled with flowery scent.

Diamond ear-studs of Ravan

Seemed as diadem askew then.

On his hairy chest that broad

Glistened golden chains he wore.

Loincloth he wore of white silk

Left its guard on legs his strong.

Lay as he on white bedspread

Looked he like a black diamond.

Amidst the candle light that night

Seemed he like rain-bearing cloud.

Women that slept on his huge bed

Shone like stars in clear blue skies.

Saw Hanuman all Ravan’s wives

With their aura that paled moon.

While some slept on arms his long

Others lay on his thighs that strong.

Had they ear-rings of cat’s eyes

Wore they armlets of large gems.

It’s their aura in Pushpak

Made it Milky Way on earth.

Hourglass figure women all had

Had them Ravan all of them.

For those in queue to make it to

Ravan’s bed of hot pursuit

Thought of his was so pumping

Failed they manage to have wink.

Like a wreath that logged to boat

Lasses some hugged their veenas.

Slept a dame with drum by side

As would she have her newborn.

One with throbbing boobs so big

Hugged a drum like lover in want.

Pressed one flute in her valley

As would amorous woman manhood.

Hugged as eager a woman violin

Pressed by heaving breasts of hers

Scored it erotic notes on own.

Looked one temptress every inch

Hugged she trumpet like a wrench.

One who drank all to the dregs

Tabor she locked in armpit.

Demure was the one that hugged

Drum so small her breasts could hold.

Those that could hold no longer

Made they dildos of their flutes.

Tipsy turned a woman in sleep

Jug of lavender thus upturned.

One of those whom Ravan had

Drained as she to dress herself

Laid her hands on her nipples.

Amorous woman in all her want

Locked one lissome lass like brace.

Came to Ravan’s women handy

Instruments varied that there lay.

Saw he then the gem of all

Slept who on a separate cot.

Charm hers was such made the rest

Woman of golden hue there lay

None other than king Ravan’s queen.

Heard as he all gods coveted

Mandodari the marvellous one

Yet felt Hanuman that peerless

Woman might as well be Seetha.

In his joy he found Seetha

Got he into simian ways.

Canto 11 - Qualms of Celibate

Felt soon Hanuman that Seetha

Forsake would not her Lord Ram.

How could forlorn Seetha then

Would have had that happy look?

Could ever Seetha find a man

Who would out tempt her Rama?

In his search for Rama’s spouse

Went in Hanuman further down.

To his surprise there he found

Many more in wait for Ravan.

After a bout of game of dice

Worn out there lay some on beds.

On their sexiness lasses

Indulged then in innuendos.

Some as cracked crude party jokes

Rest of them had heck of time.

Praised all each other’s wantonness

Bragged they all about ways of flesh.

Felt then Hanuman if at dawn

Should Ravan all lay them true

Makes him raging bull in pen.

Finds as he his mates on heat

Looks he no less king elephant.

Meant to succor their sex urge

Sweets varied were well laid there.

Found he there lay on platter

Meat of deer and boars deep-fried.

‘Use-me’ vessels of solid gold

Brimming there with leftovers.

Beasts assorted were slaughtered

For the sumptuous meal they had.

Recipes all of fish he found

Flesh as well of birds roasted.

Plentiful lay food vegetarian

Fresh that was and spicy too.

Besides silver jars of wine

Desserts were there in gold plates.

On the cots that lined furlongs

Spread were jasmines one foot deep.

Corals those that filled the floors

Seemed they all like burning coals.

Aroma of the food there lay

All the more them made hungry.

Served were juices of fresh fruits

Spirits they raised in there gathered.

Mean it was no that quarter

Than those chambers of Ravan.

Entered storeroom as Hanuman

Found he racks and racks of gold.

Saw he wine in vats of gold

Studded which all with rare gems.

Vats of silver there he found

With half full of wine still left.

Lay there mounds of food so fresh

Feed which could scores hungry souls.

Found be broken goblets there

Stamped by maidens in their haste.

Stepped he out of that quarter

Straight into that banquet hall

Lesbians full in their couplings.

In their pairs they shared blankets

Which in turns they pulled on each.

Breath of some made own pallus

Ripple like reeds in windy climes.

Aroma from their breath then matched

With those dregs of wine they left.

Sea breeze that was so profuse

Scent theirs took to all corners.

In that banquet hall were found

Beauties black ‘n blonds as well.

Worn out as by excess sex

Looked some then like shrunken bees.

Women of allure though they were

None had charms of Rama’s spouse.

Celibate that he was Hanuman

Developed thus he qualms of own

If the sight was right for him!

Doubts came thick and fast to him

Turned if he then peeping Tom.

Blamed he Ravan for his plight

Act whose brought him to that pass.

Single minded that Hanuman

Aside he set his doubts in time.

For he had no covetous look

Women all failed to excite him.

Felt he nice that his own mind

Helped his celibate intent then.

What else could he do to find

Seetha than to scan fair sex.

Would one expect to find her

Amidst a flock of deer on run.

With no stone as left unturned

Alas, Seetha he couldn’t find.

Lovely women all he found there

But not Seetha his Lord’s spouse.

Looked he then back at Pushpak

Searched he which from tip to toe.

Not the one to leave mid-course

Pursued Hanuman Seetha’s search.

Canto 12 - At Wits End

In his search for Seetha thus

Sauntered Ravan’s place Hanuman.

Failed as he to find her still

Felt she could have died of grief.

Finding her no yielding type

Ravan could have got her hanged.

Or else Seetha should’ve gone

Underground in Ravan’s land.

Were he to go with blank page

Would Lord Sugreev approve that?

Would not all the pains it took

For him to reach Ravan’s land

Come to naught were she not found?

When he would go back in time

Won’t his peers and Lords as well

Get round him for Seetha’s news?

Were he to show empty hand

Won’t that break the hearts of all?

What would elder Jambavan say?

How Prince Angad would take it!

So as not to fail them all

Not by finding Seetha now,

Better I pull up socks my well

So to pass through pathless woods.

If one gives up not on hopes

Tends that towards goal his own.

Resolved he thus not to sulk

But to press then even more.

Having felt thus he went back

To all those places he had been.

After making one more round

Of the harem of Ravan

Stepped he out of Pushpak then.

Entered he then those dwellings

Annexed to Ravan’s Royal Court.

Searched he then the town proper

That was Lanka’s headquarters.

As though to leave none to chance

Sauntered Hanuman suburbs there all.

Left he none of private parks

Nor he spared a public place.

But for woman of hideous looks

Found he not there Rama’s spouse.

Saw he though there stunners too

Found he Seetha nowhere there.

Saw he many an angel there

In them in vain he searched her.

Drew he blank in captive cells

Lodged where women by Ravan brought.

Having failed to find her there

Agonized Hanuman even more.

What a waste of time it was

To come to Lanka in her search!

Sank he on his knees Hanuman

Despaired of that mission failure.

Canto 13 - Errand in the Bend

On the rebound then Hanuman

Like a lightning reached Pushpak.

Staring at the place he searched

Thought he errand of his failed.

How come Seetha was not found

Left I though no room to search?

In all entire land of this

Had I left a stone unturned?

If I go by Jataayu’s words

And fetch Rama here forthwith,

Failing to see her he would

Take his wrath on all of us.

Would have Seetha in despair

Succumbed to Ravan in secret!

Sped as Ravan her in arms

Out of range of Ram’s arrow,

Preferring death to his amour

Did she into ocean drop?

Flew as Ravan her in skies

Having seen never ending seas

Lost she might have been her nerve

And thus died in mid-air then.

Chaste as Seetha to her man

The thought of rape by Ravan then

Would have led her heart to seize.

Committed that she to her Lord

Tried as she to wriggle herself

Would have slipped from Ravan’s grip.

With none around to rescue her

Drowned she might have Ram in mind.

For that matter Ravan’s wives

Would have killed her by envy.

Or else forlorn Seetha might

Have died in her great despair.

For Lakshman to help her out

Seetha would have surely cried.

Maybe in some secret vault

Ravan could have confined her.

Seems it absurd even then

Seetha would to Ravan turn.

With no news of Seetha now

Makes it no sense to go back.

Reported dead or found missing,

What a breaking news it makes?

What an end to such beginning

Should that ever end in deadlock?

Were I to go now without a clue

What’s the worth of my errand?

Not for Sugreev sent me here

Have I count of Ravan’s wives.

What would Rama have to say

Were I to face him blank faced?

Were I to state that found her not

Wouldn’t he die of broken heart?

Hears if he of mission failure

What for he would like to live?

Seeing Rama slip in coma

Lakshman too would come to grief.

Back home Bharat ’n Satrughna

Break down hearing breaking news.

Won’t on hearsay go to grave

Mothers three of brothers those four?

Having failed to keep his word

Won’t our Sugreev die of shame?

Unable to bear her man’s death

Wouldn’t then Ruma forego life?

Mourns as Tara, Vali’s death

Won’t her new Lord’s death kill her?

Wont’ then follow suit Angad

Tara’s son to Vali born.

If ever enemies eye our land

What would come of our empire?

Made all prosper Sugreev’s reign

Won’t they feel all orphaned now?

In the wake of Sugreev’s death

Sport ’n pastime suffer no end?

Won’t feel vanars fatherless

And get scattered world over?

In that depressed state of theirs

Many might as well end their lives.

Were I to go without her sight

It’s like taking death sentence.

Serves no purpose going there

Without the news of her welfare.

Were I to stay put here itself

Might they as well live in hope.

Better I remain in her search

Feed I would on fruits ’n roots.

As and when I reach dead end

Can’t I immolate without a trace?

Or unto death I would fast

Upon my frame let beasts all feast.

Why not I let myself drown

In the selfsame sea I crossed?

It was such a good beginning

Why should it ever end different?

Fail in case to find Seetha

What if I turn ascetic here?

Live if I in Lanka thus

Won’t I let live my folk there?

Downs as curtain death on life

Takes none further part on stage.

At not finding Rama’s spouse

That’s how Hanuman’s mind wavered.

Brave that he was rose in time

And thought of seeing Ravan’s end.

Or else I could lift Ravan

And fly across the sea I crossed.

Confined somewhere in these parts

How that would serve Seetha’s cause?

As he thought the better of it

And thought none of Ravan more

Came to sing the same old tune.

Were I to go by Jataayu’s words

And fetch Rama here forthwith

Finding her not he would sulk

And his wrath would harm us all.

Stay if I back in Lanka

Harm I none in Kishkindha.

Oh, isn’t yonder garden there?

Well, how I failed to notice that!

Seems like gods are guiding me

In my search of Rama’s spouse.

What if that grove yields that fruit

Brings which joy to Rama’s heart?

Buoyed by that thought he set

Sights his all then on that grove.

So to bring him good tidings

Prayed he Ram ’n Seetha then

As well Lakshman and Rudra,

Besides Indra and Vayu

Yama ’n Surya not to speak

Angels all there in the skies

Prayed them all he in reverence.

Hoping to find her in grove

Sought he as well Sugreev’s grace.

Striding there in long strides

Worked out moves his in advance.

Find I would there guards for sure

With swords drawn to stop trespass.

For the comfort of someone

Breezes past that he that grove

Seems that Vayu is concerned.

Assume I might tiny form

And turn needle in haystack.

Hope gods all of heavens there are

Help me in my mission on earth.

If I were to go blindfold

Moonlight hope would lead me to

Rama’s spouse in Ravan’s land.

Sure to bless is Lord Vishnu

That I would see Seetha now.

How I wish to see Seetha

With such beauty that is rare.

Pining for so long for Ram

May not she look at her best.

Canto 14 - Garden of Grief

With Seetha in mind Hanuman

Reached that garden royal soon

Perched he then on compound wall.

In that grove that’s thick and wide

Saw he scores of full-grown trees.

Besides Asoka trees there were

Flowering neem and mangoes too.

Like Ram’s arrow then he sped

Towards a climber in that grove.

Flowers there all pleased him much

Thrilled him sounds all birds then made.

Shone there flowers North Star like

Sauntered there then deer languid.

Craving cuckoos cried on trees

Bees on heat on flowers there zoomed.

Hovered birds then for their mates

Clamoured peacocks there on ground.

Jumped as he from tree to tree

Woke up birds all from their sleep.

Birds as fluttered into skies

Severed by their wings flowers all there.

Fell as flowers those on him thus

Made they mountain on his frame.

To get rid of that flower burden

As he grew in size Hanuman

Seemed he Spring God on the rise.

Flowers as scattered all over

Gave that mother earth maiden look.

Toyed as he then with trees there

Fell all balance flowers they wore.

Tried as he to test his strength

Dropped were ripen fruits they bore.

Spared not his push leaves even

Trees there stood like lost gamblers.

Bare as turned thus trees all there

Birds were then left with no shades.

Pulled he trunks then with his tail

Broke them all with arms and legs.

Like the ravaged women by him

Battered there lay Ravan’s grove.

As would scatter clouds by wind

Severed lay creepers from tree trunks.

Found as he his way inside

Saw he footpaths paved with gold.

Ponds were there of pure water

Steps which had with gems inlaid.

Beds of those had pearls for sand

Grew there golden trees on banks.

Made flowers lotus red carpets

Swans like royal guests sauntered.

Serviced were they by canals

Brought they water nectar like.

Lined on banks of those canals

Trees that nearly kissed skyline.

In the midst of that vast grove

Mountain there lay that was huge.

Had it numerous caves so deep

House which could a million men.

Found on it a stream Hanuman

Seemed that like a dame enraged

Sprang who up from beloved’s lap.

As would desist her friends then

Her from leaving estranged mate

So bent branches on those banks

Touching waters at mid-stream.

Wound its way then back that stream

As would pacified woman backtrack.

On those branches of thick trees

Birds of same feather flocked together.

With clear water that was cool

Laid there was a swimming pool.

Change rooms built for both sexes

Gave that complex ambiance rare.

Gardens lay there in the scores

Walkways were all coral paved.

Flowerpots plenty of pure gold

Contained colorful crotons there.

Spread there Sinsupa far and wide

Dais of gold all covered its ground.

Round the dais of spick and span

Grown were tropical trees varied.

In that grove of golden hues

Shone Hanuman like rising sun.

Trinkets tied to branches there

Set they tune for passing breeze.

Soared as hopes his sky high then

Climbed he Sinsupa’s topmost branch.

Had a premonition Hanuman then

Seetha would grace that place soon.

Wonder as was that Pushpak

Seemed the garden none the less.

Forlorn so long that Seetha

Wouldn’t she find this grove soothing?

Why not as she got used to

Strolling in the thick jungles.

Fatigued as would be Seetha

By the constant thought of Ram

Might come her for recouping.

As she saunters in that grove

Recall she would with fondness

Time she spent with her man then.

Besides she was so fond of

All that goes for life in woods.

Fail she might not to turn up

For her morning bath downstream.

Think I not of another place

Better which would for morning walk.

Were she to be alive still

Won’t she be drawn to this stream?

Driven by hope of finding her

Lay there Hanuman in hiding.

Canto 15 - Withered Flower

Failed as Seetha to turn up

Came in open then Hanuman.

Deep breathed as he so he felt

Scent there that of sandalwood.

Ventured as he further down

Thought he was in Indra’s grove.

Wildlife he found there so rare

Thought he visited other planet.

Buildings there were five-storied

By boulevards wide hundred feet.

Fruits they bore all golden hues

Seemed they street lamps in their scores.

Perched as they in their thousands

Seemed as trees had birds for leaves.

Birds as flew with flowers in beaks

Looked they all like well-decked brides.

For their flowery burden then

Developed branches some hunchbacks.

Garden plants in some courtyards

Peeped over their compound walls.

Find them would a passerby

In their varied shades of green.

Wondered Hanuman how he failed

First to search that wondrous place.

In the gardens of all earth

Won’t it score a perfect ten?

What other place can Ravan find

Helps which Seetha change her mind?

Saw he then that hall supreme

Built by Ravan to rival

God’s own pavilion in grandeur.

Raised on thousand gold pillars

Glowed that like one thousand suns.

When he could his sight adjust

Saw he towers its kiss the clouds.

As if it were by sixth sense

To Sinsupa turned back Hanuman

Only to find there seated

Woman so young with dress so old.

Heard her sighs he on and off

Circled her as demonic guards.

Seemed she like a flame so bright

Shrouded then by smoke that thick.

Clad she was in soiled silk

Wore no necklace on her self.

Grief her wore down to core

Sat she bowing head in shame.

Cried she with her tear-filled eyes

Looked she distraught ’n famished.

Like a hare that lost its way

Into hounds on hunt she looked.

Dark hair hers in plait that thick

Touched the ground on which she sat.

In spite of her soiled dress

Demeanor hers was lady like.

Well she could be Rama’s wife

Kidnapped by the Lankan king.

No doubt it was Rama’s spouse

For she matches thumbnail sketch

That Lord Rama drew for him.

Charm her golden frame oozes

Brings forth brightness to darkness.

Waist her narrow lends her frame

The flowing look that aids her gait.

Eyes her wide like lotus leaves

Were shaped to acquire amorous looks.

But, in her grief they lost lustre

As would stars by clouds shrouded.

As would spendthrift his holding

Agony of hers shrivelled her frame.

With signs none of her rescue

Seemed she lost her will to live.

Wanted she her man to know

Ravan by force brought her there

Though she would not yield to him.

Swollen were her tearful eyes

Sunken were her crimson cheeks.

Ever since Ravan brought her there

Looked she had no bath since then

Made which seem her cloudy moon.

Found in dilemma Hanuman then

If she could be Rama’s spouse.

But then aura he espied

None but Seetha could have that.

Looked he then on for jewels

As though they were missing links.

Those to him Ram made privy

Found them lying on low branch.

To help Seetha please Rama

Well crafted were all of them.

Dust as they all thus gathered

Turned those into dirty brown.

Missing indeed from that lot

What she let go from mid-air

So to give clue to her man.

It was vanars who found her

Shawl with jewels hers tied in

That she dropped on Rushyamook.

How well these all now I see

Match with those that dropped by her.

That she wears the same saree

Wore she when was abducted

Won’t that shawl well go with this.

Who else would have this aura

Than dear Rama’s spouse Seetha!

Bound am I to rescue her

From the clutches of these guards.

Won’t that gladden Rama’s heart

Saddened for so long for her?

Paired as well as Seetha-Ram

Were there ever a couple on earth!

Ravan though had parted them

Minds in their they stay as one.

Robbed as he of his Seetha

Rama still has will to fight.

What a wonder Rama

Find the beloved of his Lord.

Canto 16 - She is Seetha

Prayed then Hanuma in earnest

Lord Rama he revered most

And then thought of task on hand.

Seeing her in such distress

Felt as if his heart was seized.

Casts when shadow fate on man

Can he ever go beyond its reach?

But for being Rama’s spouse

Wouldn’t have fate ever crunched her more?

Whichever way one might see it

Made for each other couple they make.

Seeing Seetha in her plight

Recalled he then Ram’s valour.

If not for her would have Ram

Cared to end ever Vali’s reign?

If not for his exile Ram

Why should ever he kill Viradha?

Miss not targets Ram’s arrows

Struck were demons in their thousands.

Khara neither nor Trisura

Could stand Rama in combat.

But for Seetha how Sugreev

Would have got great Vali’s crown.

Why in search of her I came

To this land that Ravan rules.

Were Rama to lose patience

Won’t he topsy-turvy world?

Not for Ram the crown of earth

Were Seetha not sharing throne.

But for being Janaka’s darling

Can one decline Ravan’s hand?

Daunting must be plight her now

Though she is Lord Rama’s spouse.

Wonder how she puts up with

Fiends all those who pester her!

How sad Seetha had to miss

Folk back home all who love her.

It’s her love for her man Ram

Makes which Seetha shun Ravan.

In her sorrow for her man

Lost she appetite once for all.

Ceases not she not to sigh

Once she never ceased to smile.

Seeks as oasis one in sands

Craves Rama to see his wife.

Gets Ram when his beloved back

Won’t he feel like dethroned king

Gets when back his crown in time!

No doubt it’s her will to meet

Her man that keeps her going.

Turned she to her captor blind

Ever she keeps her man in mind.

Seetha though is crown jewel

Sans Ram she’s jewel-less crown.

It’s no different with Lord Ram

Braves who though she’s not on hand.

Sight of hers as shakes me thus

How would Ram ever take her plight?

Can he bear to see Seetha’s

Plight now wretched as here captive?

In the forlorn state of hers

Shadow she’s no more than

Of the former self of hers.

Seem in vain the rays of moon

Try to soothe her soul perturbed.

At the plight of his Lord’s spouse

That’s what mighty Hanuman felt.

Canto 17 - Guards all Hideous

Swans as swim in blue waters

So did moon in Lankan skies.

It’s as if moon wanted him

Espy Seetha’s distressed self.

For the eyes of Hanuman then

Seetha seemed a sinking boat.

Seen then Hanuman in moonlight

All those guarding Rama’s spouse.

Saw he many a single eyed

With no ears he many there found.

Baldish there were some of them

Had hair others from head to foot.

Many had there such drooping lips

Brushed which with their sagging breasts.

Midgets ugly were there too

With weird sentries in their scores.

Coarse all were they in discourse

Wore all sheepskin for their dress.

On their well built torsos some

Had there animal heads varied.

Had some of them camel feet

Moved while others on elephant legs.

On their beastly bodies some

Carried handsome human heads.

Noses had some there across

Had others vertical lips on them.

Tongues had many of carpet size

Hanged which on their wall like lips.

Ogresses such as kept an eye

On Rama’s spouse in that garden.

Armed they were all to their teeth

With varied weapons of war carried.

Flesh they ate of every beast

Drank they blood from veins direct.

On guard was that hideous lot

Circled Seetha round the clock.

Bathed not Seetha in Lanka

Cared she not to comb her hair.

Pulled was Seetha thus forlorn

Weaned from Rama for so long.

Bereft though of she jewels

Love for her man lent aura.

Seemed she hapless deer no less

Strayed who into lions on prowl.

Looks she had of looking glass

Never once dusted for so long.

Failed that graceful Ravan’s grove

To cheer despaired Rama’s spouse.

Sans her smile did Seetha seem

Flowerless plant in midst of spring.

Moved was Hanuman by her sight

Thought he too of Rama’s plight.

Won’t she know in heart of hearts

That her man would come to her?

Doubt she had none in her mind

Life of hers was tied with Ram.

Heat of her sighs seemed to char

Nascent leaves of high branches.

Having perceived her nature

Poised Hanuman to praise her.

Felt he glad for his Lord too

Got who such a wife like her.

Having prayed to Lord Rama

Hanuman lay in wait for dawn.

Canto 18 - Ravan on Heat

In time it was time to dawn

Sprang up Lanka to last man.

Vedic chants that rent the air

Sounded music to Hanuman.

Surely Ravan would wake up

Then to sound of that music.

Thought as Hanuman so Ravan

Stirred in bed in Seetha’s thought.

Lust of his for Rama’s wife

Made him lose his peace of mind.

Got as he down from his bed

Lost he no time to reach her.

Entered Ravan that garden

Failed it charm his enamored heart.

Stride in his to reach Seetha

Left Ravan all deer stranded.

Heat of Ravan’s lusting self

Made the drops of dew boil.

So to be at beck and call

Moved in tow his women folk too.

Heading he thus his harem

Headed Ravan to add one.

Fanned some then their man on move

Dames with swords some doubled for guards.

Held one pretty jug of gold

Filled with vintage wine for him.

Shade one leggy lass of grace

Gave him with a hood of gold.

Still in stupor some of them

Seemed to follow him by scent.

With no time to turn becoming

Followed him some as they woke.

Let loose was hair on their face

Had they none their bras on them.

Lusted they all for Ravan

Bestowed on them he favours.

Felt they proud of his valour

Fetched which riches of all worlds.

Wore they all those gold jewels

Made which Hanuman gasp for breath.

Sighted as he Ravan then

With the women he saw by night

Overawed Hanuman none the less.

Aiding nascent light at dawn

Led him some with candlelights.

With his libido thus evident

Looked Ravan like Cupid on earth.

In his stride his silk garment

Slid over his broad shoulders.

Overwhelmed by what he saw

Discreet distance kept Hanuman.

Hand in hand moved Ravan’s wives

Seemed they strengthened his position.

Cooed then koels to caution

Seetha as he seemed nearing.

Strode yet Ravan in long strides

Towards Seetha whom he snared.

Wondered Hanuman why Ravan

Wanted Seetha who spurned him.

For she spurned a handsome king

Valued Hanuman Rama’s spouse.

At the might of king Ravan

Felt he humble being strong.

At length Ravan reached Seetha

Turned who by then his heartthrob.

Canto 19 - Dame in Despair

Seetha whose head bowed so low

Sensed that Ravan neared her then.

Shook she like a paddy reed

Swept by stormy coastal winds.

Cried she no end in her fright

Black-eyed Seetha at the threat.

Like she was a forlorn boat

In the midst of sea that vast.

Severed as from a well-grown tree

Seemed so withered a branch Seetha.

In spite of her forlorn state

Gave her bright look innate charm.

Made though Ravan her captive

Mind of hers was with her man.

Bore she travails to love Ram

Than to triumphant Ravan turn.

Kept as captive by Ravan

End of tunnel she saw none.

Wondered Hanuman how her fate

Deemed it fit to languish her.

In her grief then looked Seetha

Like one caught in some scandal.

Looked she like a waning lamp

Amidst Ravan’s women on guard.

For the loss of Rama’s love

Wore she look of bankrupt then.

Made her grief then look her like

Lotus stem that plucked from bed.

Like the moon on eclipse night

Lost she spark of her charm then.

Looked she like a lotus pond

Trampled by score wild elephants.

River beds seemed cheeks her both

With lean streams in summer months.

Fair as lily though she was

Sunburns turned brown her fair skin.

Pined then Seetha as lioness

In some zoo for jungle mate.

With her thick plait Seetha looked

Like earth with its well-grown trees.

Fed by Rama’s thoughts Seetha

Lived she just by breathing air.

That her man might slay Ravan

Prayed she gods all in reverence.

It was in that state Ravan

Found the one he craved no end.

Canto 20 - Womanizer at Work

To fair Seetha he confined

Spoke then Ravan in disdain.

With thy pair of lovely hands

Why block sight of thy bosom

Hope it’s not the fear of me

Prompts thee squat in like fashion.

Is a beauty like thine ever

And a lover than me better!

What to fear in this Lanka

Lost whose Lord his heart to thee.

Fair it’s not for thee to blame

Granted when it’s to our ilk

Force we might all women we fond

Never mind ever their state of mind.

Crave as I for thine embrace

Wait I though for thy consent.

Fill thy heart with love for me

Let not fear ever grip thy mind.

Having known my love for thee

Don’t thou know that it’s not fair

That thee should fail thy upkeep

And thus make me sad for thee.

From heaven I fetch garments such

To make thee best dressed dame on earth.

For thy wear I get jewels

Not even by angels worn.

Thou being the crown jewel

Of the feminine world at large

How come then thou shun jewels!

Knowing as well youth is like

River that courses to the seas

Why not grant me thy favour

And thus make the best of life.

Since there none to rival thee

Having set the hallmark thus

Looks like Brahma ceased His work.

Perchance He now espies thee

Finding thou so well endowed

What with such rare sex appeal

Would He ever quit ogling thee?

Such is beauty of thy frame

Wherever I look I get stuck.

Dearth there none for mates for me

Brought them in scores from all lands

Yet I’ve taken to thy charms

Make I thee my Queen of Hearts.

Gods from I got such ransom

Made me that the richest man,

Not to speak of self as well

Won’t I place all at thy feet.

Worlds I conquered all the three

Wealth of nations I plundered

Consent if thou to take me

Gift all that to thy father.

None is there in heaven ’n earth

Dares who ever to cross my path.

Dust I made to bite enemies

Burnt their standards in their sight.

Since no one can rescue thee

Better thee tie thy life with me.

Know I value thee no end

Turn thy mind to life at hand.

Spend thy days in royal ways

Make we love in nights for long.

Having enslaved my heart now

Might well treat me as thy slave.

Weigh if thee that Ram and me

In the scale of thy interest

Won’t thou know the way it tilts?

Lost he crown when all too young

Could have died though not so old.

What if he still lives on earth

Gets he how a clue of thee?

Were he to get wind of thee

How doth he dare to face me?

O dear lady thou have won

The heart of mine the ladies man.

O femme fatale as I burn

For the possession of thy frame

Fail I women all who crave me.

See all these are queens no less

Make them willing maids to thee.

Served as thus by all of them

Won’t thou look a goddess then?

In the Pushpak that I won

Come to live like favoured one.

If ever thy man regains crown

Would he make a patch on me?

So that I add honey as well

Know thy buttered side of bread.

Lovebirds like we all our life

Live ever making love no end.

Canto 21 - Steadfast in Love

Hurt by Ravan’s words Seetha

Spoke to him thus in smooth tone.

How thou belittle my Lord Ram!

Doth it behove a learned man?

Blinded by thy lust Ravan

Fail thou see the God in Ram.

Having lovely wives in scores

Why eye me Ram’s only wife?

How come thou think Rama’s wife

Would ever bed with another man!

Pray thee divert from me lust

Engage all thy women in want.

Want as thou thy wives loyal

Let me be bound to my man.

Lust if thou for another’s wife

Won’t thou know that mars thy life?

That thee take the righteous path

Won’t’ thou have a right counsel?

Wonder how thee fail to see

Lanka by thine act would rue.

History all know bears witness

Ruined are kingdoms ruled by vile.

If thou wish thy Lanka well

Better bear that in mind O king.

Well O Ravan wicked as thee

Sure thou die like some street dog.

Hear as all those by thee hurt

Sure they feel good at thy death.

Sever as its rays never from sun

Never I would wean from my Ram.

Had I Rama’s arm for rest

Is there better for thee to give?

Gain as wisdom read who Vedas

It’s my Lord who gained my hand.

Help as might a gamekeeper

Beast on heat to find its mate

Let me lovelorn meet my man.

Why thou want to ruin thyself

Why not fences mend with Ram.

My Lord I tell is large hearted

Treats he kindly those penitent.

Take O Ravan my counsel

So thou could live for so long.

Plead I would thy case with Ram

Though thou hurt my cause no end.

Scare thou might the death even

Escape there none from his wrath.

Comes when Rama with war cry

Thou then shiver in thine own shoes.

Leave my Lord the king archer

Can thou stand up to Lakshman?

Come their arrows thick and fast

Where thee find some place to hide?

Know it won’t be beyond my man

Lakshman being there with him

To hunt down thee all to last man.

It’s no big deal for my man

To take me back by slaying thee.

Having known thy limitations

To confront my man in person

Don’t I know that thou contrived

That golden deer to keep him out.

Shame on thee O low Ravan

With that golden deer as ruse

The way thou snared me to Lanka.

It’s one thing to trick me then

When my man was not at home

As thou face Ram ’n Lakshman

Ball game it would be different.

Canst thou hold their little fingers

How can then thou fight them both?

Scorch as sun-rays ponds there all

Sharp their arrows sieve thy frame.

Earned as thee, wrath of Ram

Know thine end is so near end.

Canto 22 - Deadline to Death

Hurt as he by Seetha’s taunts

Spoke thus Ravan in harsh tone.

Wonder the way women all tend

Tends as enamoured man of them,

As though his stock fell so low

Tend they all to belittle him.

If not for my love for thee

Rein in how could my anger!

It’s but fondness for thee mine

Makes me spare the day for thee.

But for the fact thou won me

Head thine would have rolled by now.

Know the way thee rubbished me

Should’ve earned thee third degree.

Afflicted though by his lust

Couldn’t take Ravan Seetha’s snub.

Months two more is all I give

For thee to choose death or me.

Fail if thou to bed with me

Make thy flesh then my breakfast.

Feared all angels having heard

Threat that Ravan’s to Seetha.

Concern theirs for Seetha then

Made them signal her welfare.

Assured thus of angelic grace

Spoketh Seetha thus assured:

To put the right into thy head

Sad O Ravan thee have none.

Knowing that I’m Rama’s wife

Thinks fit none to day-dream me.

For the sin of snaring me

Escape there none thee from death.

Bid in thine to kidnap me

If not for thy fear of Ram

Why thee contrived his absence?

What to make of thy valour

Boast thou as from safe distance

From my Lord thou fear to face?

Ogle as thee Rama’s wife

Wonder how thou turned not blind ?

Abused as thou my Lord Ram

How come thou not turned yet dumb!

Given if Rama me the nod

Power I have to burn thee now.

It’s no joke to dupe my man

Ruse it’s but of thine own fate.

Helped thee thus to hijack me

So that my Lord sees thy end.

For that cowardly act of thine

Boasts of thine all sound hollow.

Enraged by her words Ravan

Stared at her in seething rage.

Shook he as in burning wrath

Stilted sideways his gold crown.

Turned as his, eyes blood red

Peeled off sandal paste on him.

Turned to lumps of coal at once

Diamonds of his waist-band then.

On his arms with gold epaulets

Hair his stood all in straight lines.

Ear-rings his of bright corals

Matched they both the rising sun.

In his rage did Ravan seem

Like the funeral pyre on fire.

Hissed then Ravan in anger

Spoke to her thus in despair.

But for lack of common sense

How can someone fall for Ram!

Looks like I have lost patience

Time I end thy rein on life.

Having spoken to Ram’s wife

Addressed Ravan his own folk.

Know I lost my heart to her

Kept I whom as thy captive.

For the possession of this lass

Passion mine is ever on raise.

Until she takes me in arms

I can’t have the peace of mind.

If she were to turn my queen

Make her see the life in store.

Pander her to my embrace

Pamper would I her in bed.

Fails if she to fall in line

Torture all the way to hell.

Came at that an ardent dame

Spoke she then in passion thus:

Make me thine in heat Ravan

What thou get from this cold fish?

Brahma seems to have deprived

Her the chance to bed with thee.

Requites not if lass his love

Won’t she turn a pain in neck?

Mounts if man a dame in want

Takes she would him to his cum.

Having said that lass on heat

Forced then Ravan fence across.

Turned as ground their makeshift bed

Seemed as though the earth had quaked.

Came as he back from that jaunt

Led Ravan his women all home.

Went as he thus to Pushpak

Left was Seetha in panic.

Canto 23 - Guards that Pander

To see Ravan off the grove

Followed suit then guards all there.

At the bidding of their king

Trooped they all back to Seetha.

Felt they disgust for Seetha

That she rubbished Ravan thus.

Sang they praises of Ravan

Sense they tried to put in her.

In time lost a guard temper

And then spoke to Seetha thus:

Great grandad of king Ravan

Is none other than Lord Brahma.

Ravan’s father Visravas

Was the son of Pulasthyu.

Looks thy wits have gone astray

To snub Brahma’s great grandson.

To give Seetha more of lead

Harijata took the baton then.

Don’t thee know that Ravan’s might

Made all demigods turn their backs?

To make Ravan thine own man

Wonder how thou take so long?

To entice Seetha for their Lord

Praised then Praghasa thus Ravan:

Loves no less his queen Ravan

Looks whose make thee pale even

That’s why it’s all seem so strange

That our king should take to thee.

Harem his filled to the brim

With beauties of rarest kind

Who would rival thee no less.

Taunting Seetha as her wont

Took-off then an amorous one.

Dames all die to climb his bed

Craves he but to bed with thee

Seem thou fail to well perceive

What’s it like his lovemaking?

Sun said another in same vein

Looks so pale at Ravan’s glow.

Why thou fail to bask thyself

In the embrace of such man?

At thy feet is king of kings

Wonder how thee shun him thus.

Well be thou in Ravan’s bed

Why thee opt for then deathbed.

Canto 24 - Carrot and Stick

Finding Seetha still unmoved

Thought the better of guards all then

Brought they dreamland close to her.

Said they all in one tone then

None there ever a Pushpak like

In which Ravan keeps his queens.

For thy man the Lankan gates

Out of bounds by Ravan made

Stop thy lament for lost cause

Make the best as Lankan queen.

Know Ravan is Fortune One

Takes thee as his beloved one

Grant he would thine every wish.

Even one-night stand with him

Make thee forget thy man’s want

Lost who throne ’n failed thee too.

For all they said to pander her

Hurt was Seetha’s aggrieved soul

Take she could no more of that.

Stop thy tirade of my man

Know it’s sin to belittle him

And to pander his spouse thus.

Prefer I die as Rama’s wife

Than to live as Ravan’s queen.

Though he lost the crown of his

Sits he yet on my heart’s throne.

What if he lacks worldly wealth

Makes me rich his manly worth.

Apart though are our bodies

Milk and water make our souls.

It’s thy foolishness to think

My man can’t ever make it here,

In the palanquin of my heart

Didn’t I bring him so long back?

Raged as were they by her sneer

Enraged they mobbed all her then.

Saw as he the scene Hanuman

Feared he then for Seetha’s life.

Frightful as all made themselves

Shivered then Seetha in her shoes.

Picked up they all pick-axes

Poked they Seetha with stick’s end.

At that Hanuman saw Seetha

Run for cover to where he was.

Chased all Seetha all the way

Nail they could her in the end.

Worked all single minded then

To make Seetha change her mind.

To floor Seetha for their Lord

Took then fiendish Vinatha floor.

It’s as well thee stood by Ram

It’s time that thee shift thy base.

For thy steadfastness to Ram

Looks like gods all granted thee

Fortune that’s rare for fair sex

That of becoming Ravan’s queen.

Why to speak in equal terms

Can Ram match his little finger?

Block thy past as Rama’s wife

Gloat thyself as Ravan’s queen.

Why not take thee Ravan’s hand

And turn toast of all three worlds?

In time thy man in despair

Wander would he to deathbed.

Were thou fail to heed our words

Won’t we make a meal of thee?

With her sagging breasts that swing

Venomous Vikata came forward.

Spoketh as thee words such rash

It’s our goodness that spared thee.

Brought thee Ravan to this shore

Forget that Ram comes this far.

Dares none ever to eye Lanka

Scope there none for thy escape.

Invoke and see Lord Indra

How he fears our king Ravan.

What’s the sense in thy crying

It’s time that thee jump for joy.

Surely thou pass prime in time

As the favoured of Ravan

Why not make the best of prime?

In the garden of thy bloom

It’s all joy rides with Ravan.

At the beck and call we all

Come to serve thee all the time.

Fail if thee take Ravan’s hand

Fail we not to sever thy head.

Chandodari then put her mace

On breasts daunting of Seetha.

Is it not to enjoy these

Assets ample of snow white

Brought thee Ravan all the way?

As thou let not Ravan lay

Hands his eager on thy breasts

Make I would them food for me.

At that Praghasa spoken thus:

Why to waste our breath on her

Why not stuff out breath of hers.

As she failed to lay with him

Learns as Ravan of her death

Won’t he let us feast her flesh?

Set the pyre to roast her well

And fetch I arrack in barrels.

Surpanakha thus spoketh then:

Find I tiring all this grind

Guarding Seetha round the clock

High time it’s all brought to end

In grand orgy with her flesh.

Put they thus the fear of death

In Seetha who then liked to live

For the sake of Ram she loved.

Canto 25 - Hapless Soul

Guards as gave her no respite

Broke down Seetha in despair.

Seetha in time pulled herself

And thus explained her position.

It’s no custom for humans

To get wed to the demonic folk.

Stick I would to our tradition

Leave the rest to thy decision.

Having stated her position

Sulked then Seetha in distress.

Cornered as would deer hunted

Crouched there Seetha in dismay.

Like a withered leaf on floor

Lovelorn Seetha thus there lay.

Tears those profuse as she shed

Passed her valley in thick streams.

In her fright then her frail frame

Looked like banana plant in storm.

In her fear as shivered Seetha

Snake like shrivelled then her black plait.

Ceased as Seetha not to sigh

Blouse her wet then turned all dry.

In her pain then Seetha wailed

‘Oh my Rama where art thou’!

Why not thou me give consent

Now to die though love to live

To spend the rest of life with thee.

Won’t it prove the words of wise

One can’t time his death himself?

Takes as leaking boat its time

To sink down to the ocean bed

What if my grief kills me slow?

Seems my sorrow cuts my heart

Erode as floods the banks there all.

What else it’s but misfortune

To lose such a good husband.

Suffer I like the one who took

Arsenic on one’s way to death.

Looks like I am paying price

For the misdeeds of last birth.

See none escape route to Ram

Better I draw the curtains now

On the accursed life of mine.

How I forgot as his wife

Until he doth give his nod

Right none have I to take life!

Canto 26 - Wandering Thoughts

Sense of respect for her man

Made her position all the worse.

Having lost her nerve in time

Cried she like a hapless child.

With the intent to snare me

Cruel Ravan lured my man

With that golden deer I craved.

That thy canny Ravan made

Me the captive of thee folk

Taunt as thou by sadist pranks

Intent have I none to live.

Of what avail is my life now

Useless since it’s to my Lord.

Seems my heart is made of steel

Or else grief mine sundered same.

Sans Ram life is leper like

Since I nurse it nonetheless

What a worthless woman am I?

What a man is my Lord Ram

Sans him what doth life portend?

How I wish thou kill me now

Bear I can this pain no more.

Not even with mile long pole

Touch I would that wretched Ravan.

Scorned by me as all the way

What a shameless man is he

So to crave for hand of mine?

No way I would turn to him

Why thou waste thy time on me?

Wonder how my wondrous man

Came to spare this beastly man!

On his own did slay my Lord

Demons fourteen thousand once.

What threat Ravan would then pose

To my Lord who killed those fiends?

He who slain Viradha then

Would he fail to save me now?

True it’s no mean task to come

To Ravan’s land in midst of seas

But can one ever stop my man?

Still I wonder why Rama

Fails to come to my rescue!

Looks like my Lord is clueless

Where his beloved wife is held,

If not for that wouldn’t he chase

Ravan all the way to hell?

When he took him in mid-air

Clipped as Jataayu’s wings Ravan

Who then Rama makes privy

It was Ravan that snared me!

How I owe my gratitude

To that noble bird so old

Who fought Ravan for my sake.

Should Rama get wind of me

Won’t he descend on this land

Whirlwind like to suck Ravan?

Won’t he turn on his wrath then

On the demonic Ravan’s force?

Won’t thus Lankan women all get

Measure for measure of my pain then?

One and all of Ravan’s men

Would find too hot to handle

Ram in battle with Lakshman.

Won’t all funeral pyres redden

Skies of Lanka for days on?

It’s all Ravan’s mindlessness

Brings which Lanka to the brink.

Won’t I see omens portend

Lanka’s fall in near future?

Bites as Ravan battle dust

Brings that Lanka to nadir.

As thy men all go to hell

Won’t thee then all pine for them?

With no male to caress thee

Wail all thee in every hearth.

Comes all this true when Rama

Learns here Ravan confines me.

Lands as Ram in hot pursuit

Ravan would have no respite.

Naïve is Ravan for he gloats

That he kept me on death row.

Won’t he shortly come to know

That he himself dug his grave?

Deserve demons no more now

Graves than mass in barren lands.

Having put a brave face thus

Gripped was Seetha yet by doubts!

Can I come to see my Ram

Should vile Ravan keeps his word

And gets served me for breakfast?

Might my Lord have thought I died

Or else wouldn’t he scan all earth?

Taking me for dead and gone

Man mine would have given up life.

Won’t he gladden gods all there

Stay with his in heaven of theirs?

Would a godly man like Ram

Need to keep his woman in mind?

Out of sight is out of mind

Maybe norm with all humans,

With his sense of fairness Ram

Won’t he cherish his life with me?

Wonder how I met this fate

Being wife of such great soul!

Turned as void for his loss

Why hanker for life I now?

Having lost the will to fight

What if Ram ’n Lakshman too

Penance to taken in despair!

Who knows wily Ravan didn’t

Contrive death of Ram and him.

See I no end of misery

Carry why now more of it?

Come I nowhere near yogis

For whom joys and sorrows

Meaning have none of their own.

But the rest all gloat fortune

And get shaken by hard times.

Ram as is not there to guide

Why not I take my own life?

Canto 27 - Dream of a Nightmare

Seetha’s intent to end life

Made some scurry to Ravan.

Stayed some back to turn their ire

On Rama’s spouse in despair then.

That thou would be put to death

No need for thee to end life.

Rose then Trijata one learned

Appraised thus the risks involved.

She’s Janaka’s daughter fair

Married young to Dasarath’s son

Reveres whom world as Lord Rama.

Slept off as I dream I had

Trouble that portends to us all.

Trijata’s prophesy of doomsday

Shell-shocked those on Seetha’s guard.

Detail now thou dream thy had

Makes thee speak thus so frightened.

Averred well Trijata that she saw

Heavenly palanquin in her dream.

Reclined therein Ram in white

Stood by Lakshman in blood red.

Found I Seetha in my dream

Sit on sky-high white mountain.

Mounted then Ram ’n Lakshman

Huge white elephant with four tusks.

Oh that elephant that unique

Made they to that mountain peak.

Taken as if cue from Ram

Lowered its back that white giant.

For her to climb up to him

Gave Ram his hand to Seetha.

Having sat thus in Ram’s lap

Rose as Seetha so to probe

Saw I touch her sun ’n moon.

Took they chariot swift all then

Drawn by bulls all eight snow white.

Drove it Lakshman to us straight

Ram and Seetha came our midst.

In our land as they landed

Reached out Pushpak in welcome.

Having took them on its board

Flew off Pushpak then northwards.

It’s as if gods beckon Rama

Makes that risky for Ravan.

Saw I Ravan in my dream

Drunkard like lay on the floor.

In his flight to save his skin

Seems he slipped from thus Pushpak.

Saw I Ravan’s tonsured head

Peeping from that donkey cart.

Looked he like one out of mind

Madman like he played then pranks.

In all fear then fell Ravan

On all fours in front of Ram.

Tore he all his garments then

Lost he coherence as he raved.

Went he then to hole so foul

Filled with filth and night soil.

Pushed as was he by some lass

Fouled he was from head to foot.

All the way to that quagmire

Dragged was Kumbhakarna too

As though to share Ravan’s fate.

Saw I naked Ravan’s sons

Riding southward on wild beasts.

In that pell-mell in Lanka

Found I Vibhishan stand his ground

Waving that white flag at Ram.

All in white with his aura

Wore Vibhishan then Lankan crown.

Held as Vibhishan Court Royal

Played then music Band Royal.

Climbed he up a white elephant

With his men wise four in tow.

Heard I demon folk of Lanka

Playing drums to funeral tunes.

To the brim of its gables

Saw I Lanka sink in seas.

With his burning tail I saw

Came down Rama’s aid on us,

Torched as he thus one by one

Went up in flames homes of all.

Lanka as was thus burning

Wailing I saw women in streets.

Saw I men folk of Lanka

Apply cow dung on their wives.

So to escape Rama’s wrath

Better we into woods retreat.

No man ever spares tormentors

Of the woman he comes to love.

Stop thy tirade at Seetha

Seek her pardon for thy life.

Portend but well such dreams all

For those hapless women forlorn.

Count thou on her good nature

Though all thee had abused her.

Nothing but her forgiveness

Can save us from Rama’s ire.

Take this all as just bad patch

In her glorious reign on earth.

In the regal mien of queen

Seen I Seetha with Rama

Flying back to her native.

Portends trouble to our Ravan

At the hands of Seetha’s man.

See that eyelid left her twitch

Fetches it news her all good.

Shoulder as her left spasms

It’s but signal troubles exit.

See I quivering her left thigh

Know it portends no different.

Heard I some bird tell Seetha

Expect she could her man soon.

Having heard what Trijata said

In her goodness Rama’s wife

Promised them all safe passage

As and when Ram comes chasing.

Canto 28 - On the Verge

Stunned as guards all kept silent

Had then Seetha yet second thought.

Recalled as she Ravan’s threat

Thought she fit to end her life.

Wonder didn’t I drop dead now

Ravan though scared me to death!

If it were not made of stone

Why wouldn’t sorrow break my heart?

Better on my own end my life

Fiends all here sure skin me live.

Fails to turn up if my Lord

Bound to cruel Ravan then

Like a surgeon at his work

Turn his scalpel on my frame.

Since the outer limit he gave

Me to lean my mind on him

Would be at hand in two months

Feel I like one on death row

To be led for her hanging

One fine morning to gallows.

How can ever I tell my folk

Fate mine is like boat that caught

In the storm of high seas now.

It’s by craving golden deer

Brought I ruin on all of us.

Looks like ill-fate was at work

To make me lose my common sense.

Thou all-knowing O my Lord

How thou fail to come to know

Me that Ravan vowed to kill?

My heart though is set on thee

It’s as though thou forsook me.

O my Lord, how come thou

Thought it fit to ignore me!

When thou regain crown thine soon

Won’t thou regale with new queens?

But thy Seetha likes to end

Life hers as thy faithful one.

Loyal here all to Ravan

Who would poison me procure?

Wavered as her hapless mind

So she wandered for low branch.

In her bid to hang herself

Coiled she her hair that long.

Thought she dearly of her man

And her beloved brother-in-law.

As she was to take the plunge

Paused she finding omens some good.

Canto 29 - Good Tidings

Courtiers as would flock to kings

Omens good came in thick and fast.

Twitched her left eye unceasing

Turned as bright her dark eyes then.

Shoulder splendid of hers left

Wont to shoulder Rama’s head

Seized by spasm to usher good.

As if her man was on hand

Shivered the left one in welcome

Wondrous thigh of hers so round

As if Rama sought them both

Slid down pallu from her breasts.

Having read the signals right

Seed she seemed at onset sown

Of that monsoon which was full.

In the phase of post eclipse

Moon like looked then Rama’s wife.

Felt at all ease Seetha then

Hoping better days would come soon.

Canto 30 - Hanuman’s Dilemma

Picture perfect of Seetha

From his hiding got Hanuman.

Divined having Seetha thus

Gloated Hanuman his fortune.

Hoping to see Rama’s wife

Roam as my peers world over

Blessed am I that gods all willed

It’s me but who finds her now.

Having come to Ravan’s land

Won’t my spying aid Rama?

Privy if to ins and outs

Of the fortress of Lanka

Won’t that come all so handy

For Lord Ram to win this war?

Isn’t lament pulling her

How to infuse hope in her!

Worry she had none of yore

Neck deep now she in sorrow

Won’t I owe it to my Lord

Console should I his beloved.

Were I to fail to infuse hope

In the hapless Rama’s spouse

Of what avail this trip mine?

Fail if I to inform her

Rama’s intent to reach her

In her state of helplessness

Won’t I leave her high and dry?

Truly it’s my chance of life

Make I could Ram feel at ease

With the news of her welfare.

How to make it to Seetha

Encircled by Ravan’s guards?

Fail if I to sound her now

In her hapless state of mind

Might end her life as it dawns.

Fail if I to speak to her

What am I to tell her man?

Were I to go back to Rama

Without a word from his beloved

Won’t that make him frustrated?

Fail if I were to lift her

Before we close in on Ravan

Won’t she bring her life to close?

Why rush back to Kishkindha

Why not find I ways ’n means

To appraise her of Rama’s plans.

Speak I might as well to her

To make her know there all to know.

Were I to converse in Sanskrit

Might she take me for Ravan

In the guise of Rama’s friend.

Let me talk in native slang

That she takes me for vanar.

In her state of shock Seetha

See might in me weird creature.

Fearing Ravan came in disguise

What if Seetha starts shouting?

With the knives all drawn out now

Won’t guards all those gherao me?

Might they as well try to kill

Me to serve as mid-day meal.

Well, would they find me sitting duck

Won’t I jump from branch to branch.

As I go on gaining size

Won’t they shiver all down their spines?

Forces to fetch to rein me

Won’t they all to Ravan run?

Won’t then Ravan send his force

Chance that gives me to take them.

But in that sea of his army

How to find an escape route?

If I were to get captured

Fail I would to contact her,

So she fails to get the wind

Of the state of Rama’s mind?

Seetha as would stay perturbed

Won’t that make my trip wasted?

Keeps that Rama in darkness

Place where Ravan confined her.

Were I to get killed or captured

Leaves that Rama in square one.

Can one Rama find to cross

Sea this vast to reach Seetha?

Take I can all Ravan’s men

But that drags on for so long

Thus I can’t go back in time.

How can one ever zero on

One who wins the war on hand

Gauge I till width of the gulf

Wise it not to go for jump.

If I were to turn my tail

How would Seetha get my trial,

Were I to try to talk to her

Won’t I have a war on hand?

Won’t the success of errands

Come to depend on the one

Vested who is with the same?

Won’t the best of well-laid plans

Go awry in hands of those

That lack tact to tackle them?

Better I fail not Rama’s cause

With some thoughtless act of mine.

How to make her take it cool

That me her man sent for her!

In the hearing of her now

Mutter if I would Rama’s tale

Might it as well dawn on her

It was her Lord that sent me.

Won’t my words in praise of Ram

Bring back memories of their time?

So to sing then Rama’s tale

In the hearing of his spouse

Perched then Hanuman on low branch.

Canto 31 - Rama’s Ballad

For Seetha’s ears then Rama’s tale

Sang in sonorous tone Hanuman.

In lineage old of Ikshvaakus

Known to all for his valour

Dasarath was the reigning king.

Noble as he was the king

Valued was he like a saint

Power he had to rival gods.

Generous was he by nature

Took he care of his subjects

Ruled he like a god on earth.

For his righteous reign Dasarath

Earned he fame the world over.

Esteemed he his eldest son

Known to all as Lord Rama,

Prowess his to target well

Arrows at his enemies awe.

Wavers not he from dharma

Adheres he to human rights

Keeps his word at every turn

Gives no quarter to enemies.

Stepmother of Ram, Kaikeyi

Wanted who crown for her son

Coerced as she Dasarath then

Gave up Ram thus his birthright

So led Seetha with Lakshman

To the thick woods of Dandak.

Demons that ruled roost in Dandak

Menaced they folk lived all there

Killed them all Ram at one go

Restored he thus righteous reign.

At the news of kindred’s death

Thought of settling scores Ravan,

So he summoned Maareecha

Turned who into golden deer

Tempting Seetha to seek him,

Sent then Seetha Ram to fetch

Magic deer that stole her heart,

Arrow when Ram’s hit Maareech

Rent he cries then mimicking him

Made which Seetha fear for Ram,

Goaded Rama’s wife Lakshman

To go in search of his sibling,

With none there to stand by her

Kidnapped Ravan Seetha then.

Set as he on search for spouse

Came Ram in touch with Sugreev

Stole whose wife his own sibling.

To uphold dharma then Rama

Slew he Vali that mighty

Helping Sugreev ascend throne.

In time as per pact he made

Sent Sugreev his vanar force

In search of Seetha thus missing.

It’s my fortune that I came

Place to this in search of her.

Picture have I of Seetha

Painted for me by Rama.

Won’t this lady well tally

Picture with that Ram gave me?

Spake as he with all his warmth

Looked up Rama’s wife in hope.

Found though she no soul in sight

What she heard then made her glad.

Sensing Seetha’s upbeat mood

From hideout then came out Hanuman.

Canto 32 - Is it True?

Aura Hanuman’s made Seetha

Think in terms of sun at dawn

Peeping out of branching trees.

Stared then Seetha in wonder

Hanuman sighted in splendour.

Wondered in awe then Seetha

Who that wondrous vanar was.

As she was at loss to know

What to make of that visitor

Prayed she then Ram for guidance.

Stared as Hanuman at her long

In her awe then swooned Seetha.

Seetha at length pulled herself

Wondered whether she had a dream.

Looked then Seetha all over

Waking up though from her sleep.

Finding Hanuman staring her

Lost she consciousness at once.

Regained sense as she in time

Recalled she then that proverb

Portend simians ill in dreams.

Felt then Seetha to start with

Wink with none in lovelorn state

How she could have had a dream!

Since I tend to think of Ram

All the time with never a pause

What I heard that simian sing

Product could be of my mind.

Song as it’s that my heart sings

Seems my ears have probed inside.

But then it’s no illusion

Him I see in flesh and blood.

May god bless that what he said

Would come true to bring me cheer.

Canto 33 - Genesis of Exile

Seeing Seetha’s demeanour change

Gladdened Hanuman’s heart no end.

Folding his hands in reverence

Approached he then Rama’s wife.

Find thee grieving for some time

What doth make thee feel so sad?

Thy eyes that are all welled up

Make they clear that thou are hurt.

From thy bearing one can see

Come that thou from noble stock.

Tend I think that thou are none

But an angel strayed to earth.

Wonder thou could be North Star

Came down here from those high skies.

Pray thee tell me who art thou

Have thee left thy man in huff?

Seen thee grieving for some time

Have thee lost some dear soul then?

The more I see thee lovely one

All the more I hold thee high.

O thy bearing ’n demeanour

No less empress make thee look.

Are thee hapless Seetha then

Snared by Ravan from thy man?

Making two plus two as four

Take I thee for Rama’s wife.

Spoke as Hanuman to her thus

Seetha thought it fit to speak.

Dasarath was the king of kings

Daughter in-law am his near

Treated me he daughter like.

Seetha am king Janaka’s dear

Given in marriage to Rama

Son of Kausalya the Queen

In that palace of Koshal

What a life I led with Ram

For the best of twelve summers.

Heavenly rule to bring on earth

Came then time to crown Rama.

Thought it fit then Kaikeyi

Dasarath’s favoured number three

To see her son then ascend throne.

Made she clear then to Dasarath

Surely she would starve to death

Were he to crown Ram instead.

Pressed as she her suit to hilt

Cited she then that caveat,

Cater would the king to her

Wishes three all when expressed.

Pulled as by his love for Ram

Stressed as Dasarath to the core

Wanted she that Ram may spend

From then fourteen years in woods.

Bound as Dasarath to his word

Sounded he then his first-born.

Gladly my man gave up then

Birthright his to rule his land.

Ordained thus by Kaikeyi

Set to Dandak woods then Ram.

Wanting hassles none for me

Wanted Ram that I stayed back.

What was there for me to cling

On to Dasarath’s palace then

When my man was not at home?

Not the one to forego Ram

Lakshman too then joined us.

That’s how three of us entered

Those thick jungles of Dandak.

Neared as end of our exile

Snared me Ravan from my man.

Intends Ravan to kill me

Were I to fail to take his hand

No more than in two more months,

Who is there to tell my man

Made up my mind to die now

For none I would have of Ravan.

Canto 34 - Swings in Mood

Moved as Hanuman to the core

Made he move to soothe Seetha.

Know am Hanuman Rama’s man

Came in search of thee his spouse.

Rama is so scholarly

Well versed he with four Vedas

Possesses as well Brahmastra

Spares that none in combat zone.

Know Lakshman is no less sad

That he made thee hapless then.

Having heard all what he said

Joyous turned then Rama’s wife.

Hoping for the best in life

How well said that one should live.

Felt all at ease then Seetha

With the simian her man sent.

Seeing change in Seetha thus

Moved he then to reach her close.

What if Ravan came disguised

Developed Seetha thus second thought.

Opened my mind to Ravan

What a fool all I made myself!

Taking Hanuman for Ravan

Sank in sorrow then Seetha.

Saddened as her change of stance

Bent then Hanuman in reverence.

Sighed then Seetha at her fate

She at length thus addressed him.

In thy disguise as vanar

Won’t I know thee vile Ravan?

How come thou think I forgot

Saintly garb donned by thee then?

What a shame on thee Ravan

Stalk thou dame so unwilling?

Sensing Hanuman in distress

Looked she into his eyes then,

Feelings what she saw in him

Made her sing a different tune:

Make as thou me feel easy

And that Ravan puts me off

Think my fears are but liars

Seems thou art but Rama’s man.

If thou are by Rama sent

Won’t thee tell me his welfare?

Flood waters as wear river-banks

Rama’s name so weans sorrows.

Is it true and not a dream

That Rama’s Hanuman is with me?

Making nights for me wink-less

That Ram can’t sooth me in dreams

Seems dream-god is jealous of me!

Sights as ’n when man vanar

Said to bring all good tidings,

Came I face-to-face with thee

Won’t it then all portend well?

How come at the drop of hat

Changing am I my thinking?

Time I kept my doubts at bay

Lest Ravan should gain leeway.

In spite of her averments thus

Failed Seetha to trust Hanuman.

Having into shell withdrawn

Kept she then her own counsel.

Having gauged her state of mind

Addressed Hanuman her sweetly.

It’s but sun-like shines thy Ram

Nears him when moon turns all pale.

Him none equals in learning

Rivals gods in kindness Ram.

Sight at his all vile turn pale

Next to him looks Cupid but plain.

Using his man Maareecha

Turned who into golden deer

Contrived Ravan to make Ram

Chase it leaving thee his spouse.

Ram in time would let Ravan

Pay the price for snaring thee.

To make thee privy his intent

Sent I was by thine own Lord.

Lovelorn Ram is crestfallen

Lakshman too is ever eager

To set thee free from evil Ravan.

Pledged his force all Lord Sugreev

That Lord Ram could fight Ravan.

Back home all but think of thee

Know they sent me to trace thee.

Take it won’t thee long to meet

Ram and Lakshman in this spot.

Treats me equal as Sugreev

Servant like I serve thy Ram.

Crossed I know the sea this vast

Bade by Ram to reach thee now.

Know it none of Ravan’s tricks

But am Hanuman Rama’s man.

Canto 35 - Winning the Trust

Spoke as Hanuman in that vein

Developed Seetha trust in him.

She then said in sonorous tone -

How come Rama came in touch

With thee and thy Lord Sugreev?

How can thou be so certain

Ram ’n Lakshman that thou met.

Tell O Hanuman for my sake

Facial features of those two.

Gladdened as she opened up

Spoke thus Hanuman to Seetha:

Talking no end of thy man

It’s a pleasure of its own kind.

Recall as I his features

Solace it would thy sad heart.

Whether it’s godly frame of his

Or his kindly heart therein

None can ever know which scores more.

While frame his is mid-sun like

Hath he patience of mother earth.

Gives he shelter who might seek

Blemish he hath none in conduct.

Lays he store on noble thoughts

Goads his folk to think likewise.

Leads he life of celibate now

Fate as thee thus weaned from him.

None he slights as come to seek

Given not Ram to spare who dare.

Hath he Vedas all by heart

Excels he ever in warfare.

Second to none he in valour

None there equals him in grace.

Whoso submit tone his soothes

Terse it turns to those oppose.

While at ease he seems vigorous

Looks he strong from head to foot.

Frame his seven-foot is well built

Face his oblong ever looks good.

Lips his rosy slip like glove

Rows teeth over of snow white.

Eyes his wide both compelling

Strike so dark and deep as well.

Manner as well demeanour his

Holds good adage of old thus

Handsome is as handsome doth.

Worthy no less than thy man

Lakshman the brother-in-law thine.

If thy Ram is blue diamond

Lakshman is all golden-hued.

It’s the search for thee Seetha

Brought them both to Kishkindha.

Banished as by his sibling

Met them Sugreev in hiding.

Sugreev as was good to us

Followed we his loyal band.

It was thus we came to meet

Ram ’n Lakshman dressed all coarse.

But Ram had that bow on him

Make which would all bow to him.

Sighted as he them in arms

Shivered but Sugreev in his pants.

Sent me my Lord on errand

So that I could befriend them.

Made I thus thy man privy

Plight of our own Lord so good.

Having heard that story Ram

Thought it fit to meet Sugreev.

Realized as they both of them

Sail they thus in same boat then

Lords those both came ever so close.

Consoled Rama vanar Lord

Lost who wife to his sibling.

Said then Lakshman to Sugreev

Seems Ram’s spouse was snared by some.

That Ram had to lose his wife

Made Sugreev grieve all the more.

Flew as Ravan thee by force

Recall how thee threw jewels

From the skies of Kishkindha.

Showed we them all to thy man

Told we know not who snared thee.

How the sound of that landing

Still rings fresh in Kishkindha?

Sighted  as he thy jewels

Fainted Ram in Lakshman’s lap.

Compelled as if by thy thought

Woke up Ram and tapped them all.

As if to dust them all then

Shed Ram tears on all of them.

Left with no more drop to drop

Seemed he drained his heart for thee.

For safe keeping of them all

Gave them Ram to Sugreeva.

Having thus lost thee consort

There none is to console Ram.

Had he no wink all these days

Pines he ever to sleep with thee

Having lost the trace of thee

Know thy man is truly lost.

Lost as he his lovely spouse

Pleases him none spring even.

It’s for certain that Rama

Would kill Ravan in Lanka.

Know vanars all bound by oath

Take thee back soon to thy Lord.

For he slew the vile Vali

Oath we took to help thy Lord.

Having crowned our Sugreeva

As the king of Kishkindha

Won’t we all owe to thy man?

Grateful Sugreev vow then took

To help thy man to get thee back.

It’s in thy search Sugreeva

Sent all simians to scan earth.

Bade us Sugreev not to leave

Stone unturned to search Seetha.

Vanars are on global hunt

To nail the vile who snared thee thus.

Angad son of slain Vali

Marched with some of us southward.

Lost we way in vast Vindhyas

Groped in dark for several weeks.

Not to go sans breaking news

To our Lord who owed thy man

Thought we all to end our lives.

If ever it came to the crunch

Felt we should die exhausted

In search of Rama’s dear Seetha.

Haunted by our own failure

Lost we hope of finding thee.

Low then we all felt to core

Lay we flat on mountain peak

Flew in then Sampaathi

Sibling of slain Jataayu.

Having heard his sibling’s death

Spaketh thus the agonized bird.

Pray thee tell me O vanars

Who did kill my good sibling?

Angad then told Sampaathi

Trying to save Rama’s spouse

Lost his sibling his own life.

Having heard the story thus

Sampaathi then told Angad

With the bird’s-eye view of his

Sensed he Ram’s spouse in Lanka.

Having got the clue from him

Led us southward then Angad.

At the prospect of success

Enthused were then all of us.

Sea vast in time as we reached

Poured that water on our hopes.

In that Angad and the rest

Saw the mission as ending there.

But the urge to find out thee

Made me lunge that sea across.

Chance I had to see Ravan

Glad I met my Rama’s wife.

It’s me Rama’s own Hanuman

Treat me as thine own servant.

Know am none but Vayu’s son

Trust that Rama yearns for thee.

Lakshman as is wont of his

Is at Rama’s beck and call.

Sent me Sugreev to Lanka

In the service of thy Lord.

At the news of thy kidnap

Sunk our vanar folk in grief.

Break I when the news to them

Know they all would jump for joy.

Hears as Rama thou are sad

Won’t he itch to take thee soon?

Know am but the son born to

Anjana Devi queen of queens.

Married though she king Kesar

Womb hers was by Vayu blessed.

Valour of mine ’n conduct

Spread far ’n wide fame of mine.

Brought I thee as good tidings

Time thee look for happy times.

Ardour that she found in him

Made then Seetha trust Hanuman.

With the change of her mind thus

Rolled on her cheeks tears of joy.

With that bright look on her face

Shone she like a full moon then

Freshly out of grand eclipse.

Knowing that he won her trust

Spoke then Hanuman to her thus:

It’s time that I now start moving

Pray tell whatever in thy mind

Treat I would as Rama’s word.

Being none but Wind God’s son

Strength I have to fly all worlds.

Canto 36 - More of the Same

Went on Hanuman in same vein

So that Seetha trusts him more.

O Lord Rama’s revered wife

Gave thy man this ring of his

Me to pass on to thee now.

Guessed thy man thy state of mind

Felt his ring would make thee trust

Me he sent in search of thee.

Grabbed then Seetha Rama’s ring

Fondled it for ever so long

As she would her husband’s hand.

Aided by that bright diamond

Face her glowed like moon in bloom.

Reminisced as she Rama’s love

Turned then coyer her demeanour.

For the valour he had shown

Seetha in time praised Hanuman.

One as would a small canal

Wonder how thou crossed the sea!

It’s but bravado O Hanuman

For thou came to face Ravan.

That thou enjoy my man’s trust

Know thee have my trust as well.

Came it when to judging men

Know my man is none to err.

That Rama is keeping fit

Take that as my good fortune.

Having lost his loving wife

Wonder why it takes so long

For him to scorch all this earth!

Looks like I am ill-fated

That Ravan could confine me

Wife of whom all gods give way.

Hope not my loss made Rama

Lose his nerve to face Ravan.

Despair in his at my loss

Hath it made him lose focus?

Hath he in his forlorn state

Lost all interest in his mates?

Came it when to foes of his

Hath he softened in his stance?

Bid in his to rescue me

Can he count on his allies?

Doth he draw his plans with care?

And yet to make it good in life

Need as men all gods’ blessings

Won’t he pray for his success?

Hope not year long separation

Made him lose his love for me.

Knew he not what hardship is

Wonder how he bears all this!

Hope they are all doing fine

Won’t he get to hear from home?

Beset by grief of my absence

What if Rama got bogged down

And goes he slow on my rescue?

Dutiful sibling that he is

To join battle with Ravan

Did Bharata send his army?

Would thy good Lord Sugreeva

Force his bring to fight my cause?

Know I Lakshman on his own

Can take Ravan and his men.

Hope the day is not far off

Ravan when is felled by Ram.

Doth the heat of his passion

Stoked thus by my separation

Wont to wither his handsomeness?

Word to keep of his father

Left he crown with no regret,

With no bother in the world

Led me with him to the woods,

Now that I am not with him

Hath he lost the track of life?

Loves as he me dear than self

Loves his people nonetheless.

Having reminisced her man thus

Hoping Hanuman picks up threads

Kept then silent Rama’s spouse.

Having read her mind Hanuman

Made the position clear then thus:

In the know is not thy Lord

Ravan it was who snared thee.

Report as I back to Ram

Ravan it’s thee made captive

Won’t he descend on Lanka

With our vanar force to boot?

To help us land in Ravan’s land

Won’t he with his arrows make

Bridges across sea though vast?

Were the god of death to try

Stop to Rama in his tracks

Won’t he slain that god even?

Sans his consort to comfort

Stirs Ram in bed restlessly.

To espy thy man in Lanka

Takes it not long for thee now.

On my word O Rama’s dear

Day that now is not far off.

Sees as Rama demeanour thine

Won’t his visage turn so bright?

Touches he not drink or meat

Partakes but a meagre meal.

Fails he feel the flies on him

Lives as he lost in thy thought.

Engrossed as ever in thy thought

Thought he hath none for the rest.

Forlorn in his eyes so deep

Barring eyelids from closing

Fills thy picture to the brim.

Sees as he a flower or fruit

Wont it his to sigh for thee.

Sad though he in separation

None he slacks in preparation

To take thee back for reparation.

That her man would rescue her

Made the hapless Seetha glad,

But the plight of her beloved

Made the spouse of Rama sad.

Canto 37 - Aborted Move

In time Seetha gave Hanuman

The key to state of mind of hers.

That my man is so constant

Lifts my spirits all well to skies

But the news of his despair

Pulls me down back to square one.

Vices if were to drag down

Man on road of his misery

In the plenty of riches

Forever loses man his course

Can one really overcome

What is ordained by his fate?

Won’t my story underscore

Aspect this of life on earth.

In the high seas of sorrows

Boat of my life as capsized

Can my man ever carry me

To the joyous shores of life?

When Rama would bring nadir

Closer to the Lankan shores?

Tell Rama to beat deadline

Set by Ravan for my death.

For Ravan to snuff my life

Left are just but two more months.

Plead did my case Vibhishan

But paid deaf ear his sibling.

Won’t make my man Ravan pay

The price for treating me badly?

Told me Anala in person

Daughter dear of Vibhishan.

Aid de Ravan Avindhya

Advised his Lord in public

‘Better give Seetha to her man’.

Averred Ravan’s ablest aide

Lands when Rama in Lanka

That would be the end of it.

Sixth sense of mine seems to tell

That my man would come for sure.

It’s not in Ram to leave his wife

High and dry in enemies’ hands.

Know I know that he did kill

Demons in thousands at one go.

Know I my man can tackle

Ticklish things as one trivia

Strike his arrows his enemies

As would lightning its targets.

Felt glad Hanuman he induced

Hope in Rama’s distressed spouse.

To cheer Seetha all the more

Assured he then Ram would come.

Or else why not escape now

Carry thee would on my back

And  land thee in thy man’s lap.

Permit if thou I would pluck

Lanka from its roots in earth

And place it at the feet of Ram.

Either way it helps thee meet

Man thine who is in thy wait.

Be that as it may thy man

Is all set to rescue thee.

Choose if thou to come with me

Cuts that short thy separation.

Make up thy mind Rama’s wife

Leave thus thou this Ravan’s den.

Rest as thou on my strong back

Fly I would at Mach two speed.

Thee as I fly back to Ram

None of Ravan’s could catch up.

Came as I here in flicker

Won’t we slip back in whisker?

Amused at what Hanuman said

Spoke then Seetha to him thus:

With due respect to thyself

To take me over sea this wide

More it takes than simian jumps.

Tell me how with tiny frame

Thou me carry on thy back?

Words those Seetha’s naïve uttered

Made great Hanuman feel slighted.

Why to fault good Rama’s wife

For she knows not my true worth.

So thought it fit then Vayu’s son

To show her all his innate strength.

For that he then chose a spot

Which wouldn’t restrict his full  growth.

Tried as she to keep up pace

Glimpse to have of his face then

Seetha at length found herself

Staring at the stars themselves.

Having shown her his prowess

Assumed normal form Hanuman.

Told he then her that he could

Fetch her forthwith to her man.

Won’t that let her cut short all

Suffering of her beloved Ram?

Splendorous Seetha then in awe

Spoke to wondrous Hanuman thus.

Seen O Hanuman with my eyes

What a mighty frame thou have!

If not for thy skill Hanuman

Know I it’s no joke to reach

Lanka across sea this vast.

Sure I feel thou fly me back

For me to reach Rama’s feet.

But on second thought I wonder

Whether I lose my self in flight.

Once in mid-air nerve I might

Lose and fall down from that height.

Then the hungry whales in seas

Won’t they make a meal of me?

Slow down if thou for my sake

Won’t that make us sitting ducks?

Gives that Ravan’s loyal men

Time to spare in catching us.

Gherao as they us mid-air

Contrive how thou to escape?

Won’t that put thy life at risk

And mine as well in mid-flight?

Fight as thee all Ravan’s men

Won’t in fright I lose balance?

Dares not one to ever engage

Thee in dogfight in high skies

But then Ravan’s men in hoards

Prevail might by hook or crook.

Engage as thou all of them

Won’t that leave me unguarded?

For vile Ravan’s men to kill

Won’t that make me easy prey?

Comes it if to such a pass

Won’t thy toil go in vain?

In spite of the odds so great

Should thou take me to my man

Won’t that leave him feel slighted?

In case Ravan gets me back

Holds me tight in no man’s land

How on earth my man gets there?

Whichever way might one may look

Seems it sound that thou might fetch

Man mine here than other way round.

Turns it if our mission failure

Won’t that put the life of Ram

As well the rest all at risk?

Hear if they soon none of me

Ram ’n Lakshman both of them

For sure embrace death in time.

Credo it’s but of my soul

Touch I never another man

Than my Rama whom I love.

Held me Ravan in kidnap

Disgust it caused all the way.

Know I well my man doth hit

Bull’s-eye every time he aims.

Enters he once battle zone

Know his arrows like sun-rays

Cease they never from his bow.

To join battle with Ravan

It’s my request O Hanuman

Fetch thou my man with Lakshman.

Canto 38 - Story to Tell

Respect with all due to her

Addressed Hanuman thus Seetha.

Surmise I can from thy words

What a woman of virtue makes.

It was not a fair offer

For the fair sex on my part

Help I them as piggyback.

Intent that thine not to touch

Someone other than thy husband

Made I know thee stay thus put.

One so chastely as Seetha

Is there ever in all three worlds!

Won’t I tell Ram in detail

Spoke thee what and all I saw.

Urge it’s mine to bring an end

To the suffering of thee both

That was at the back of mind

Offered when I thee my back.

Thought I fit to offer help

Takes as it some time for Ram

Reach to Lanka with his force.

Owing to my love for Ram

Without further loss of time

Thought I would fetch his beloved.

Canst if thou come back with me

Bestow something that soothes him.

Moved to core as Rama’s wife

Spoke with ardour to Hanuman.

Dost thou remind my man then

The story of that amorous crow.

It was during our outing

On the banks of Mandakin

Happened that in broad daylight.

Stayed we then at Siddhashram

Laid which was in thick garden.

Lay as I in Rama’s lap

Having lapped up garden path,

Got a crow at my bosom

Dropped I pallu chasing it.

Pushed as that I in dismay

Back it came to try its luck.

Lord mine witnessed that tussle

In which my breasts got exposed.

Amused by its eagerness

Teased as Ram with innuendos

Kept I blushing all the while.

Scolded him as I roundly

Me he took then in embrace

Smiled he sweetly to soothe me.

Tears that gushed then from my eyes

Streams as they made on my cheeks

Wiped them he to comfort me.

Sapped as I lay in his lap

Slumbered I for so long thus.

Woke up as I my man took

Turn his to rest on my thigh.

Finding my man in deep sleep

Back came that crow to resume

Beaked it flesh from my bosom.

Bore all as I fearing that

Gets disturbed my man in sleep

Blood in streams from my valley

Made its way to Rama’s chest.

Having woke up by its warmth

Saw my Lord then my torment.

Hurt as I was by that crow

Pearl like breasts mine turned corals.

Saw as Ram that eager crow

With its blood stained beak ’n all

Gripped was my Lord with anger.

Oh, that crow was Kakasur

Happened to be Indra’s son

Known to cover the earth and all

With the matching speed of sound.

Seeing Rama’s blood red eyes

Saw the danger Kakasur

Flew thus swiftly in panic.

Upset by the hurt it caused

To me beloved of his heart

Lost no time Ram to punish it.

Took he some reed lay nearby

Which with power of his mantra

Turned then into Brahmastra.

Chased that missile Kakasur

All the way to Indra’s place.

Even Lord of heavenly gods

Felt he could not help his son.

Back came that crow to save life

Sought he pardon from my Lord.

Though Ram came to forgive him

The weapon in use was sure to hurt.

As a way to save his life

Pleaded Kakasur with Ram

Let the damage be limited

To the right eye that he bore.

Having owed his life to Ram

Left then one-eyed Indra’s son.

Wonder how the one who used

Brahmastra on Kakasur

Fails to put the same to use

To punish the man who confines me?

Is it that Ram fails to know

Bitter would be his better half!

Having taken vow to help

All and sundry in distress

Is it fair for Ram to leave

His own one thus in the lurch?

Not the one to act in haste

Hath he patience of oceans.

Hath my suffering not tested

Patience his with vile Ravan?

Aims as he and shoots arrows

Escape none there for his foes.

If my Lord has some concern

For me forlorn spouse of his

Won’t he come to my rescue?

What of Lakshman his sibling

Moves not one inch in spite of

The loss of sister-in-law his?

Surely my Lord and Lakshman

On their own can bring to knees

Gods all there in heaven at once.

Looks like it’s my misfortune

That my Lord and his sibling

Should make no move to rescue

Me from clutches of this man.

Moved as Hanuman by lament

Of the hapless Rama’s wife

Tried he thus to cheer her up.

Swear I to the fact that Ram

Swallowed was by thy sorrow.

Now that I would head to Ram

With the tidings of our meet

Know its beginning of the end

Of thy sorrows of all hues.

For these demons to rue in time

Count on Ram to bring curtains

Down on Ravan’s Lankan stage.

It’s no big deal for Rama

To make cruel Ravan meet

His nadir with all his men.

Let me hasten to thy man

So to convey news of thine.

In spite of the hope it gave

Spoketh in teras thus Seetha.

Tell my man that I live by

Hope of making life with him.

What else can I wish for him

Rama’s dearest brother Lakshman

That he joins his wife soon

Whom he left to serve us both.

Sad it was that he gave up

Conjugal his life for long

So to take care of us both.

He is such a pet of Ram

For he is a handsome man.

Though he is my brother-in-law

Me he treats as mother no less.

If not for his loving care

In our exile in those woods

Life would have been hell for us.

Know that Rama loves Lakshman

Much more than me his own spouse.

Sees Ram their dad in Lakshman

And that helps him soothe himself.

To do the needful for my sake

Trust I would thou spur Lakshman.

Entrust I would thee the task

To goad my man to take me back.

Let my man know I wouldn’t live

Day one longer than one month.

Surely Rama can save me

From the sin of my suicide.

As a token of her love

To be passed on to her man

Gave him Seetha her diadem.

Took that Hanuman in reverence

Matched which well with ring finger.

Felt then Hanuman truly blessed

For the trust that Seetha placed.

Being in front of Seetha

Bore he Rama in his mind.

At length he came out of trance

Made he move to take her leave.

Canto 39 - Doubts to the Fore

In her new found hope Seetha

Voiced then her feelings thus:

Once Rama sees this diadem

Warmth of my love fills his heart.

It’s all left to thee Hanuman

How thou make it back to Ram.

Hope thou slip not on thy way

So that I could come out clean.

Having assured her Hanuman

Inclined was he to take leave.

Lost her nerve then Rama’s wife

Leave would Hanuman all too soon.

In the choking tone of hers

Encored she her feelings thus:

Tell O Hanuman my concern

To my man and his sibling.

Protocol by thou deem it fit

Regards mine pay to thy folk

One by one to each of them.

Feel I thou art the right one

To goad my Lord to save me true.

Fetch thou Rama for my sake

Earn thee goodwill of us both.

Like a rock thou stand by Ram

Hurricane like stir his conscience.

Roused if  Ram by thee Hanuman

Know he would turn typhoon then.

Having heard thus Seetha speak

Assured Hanuman Rama’s spouse.

At the head of vanar force

In no time would land Lord Rama.

Declares as Ram war on him

Face would Ravan wrath his then.

Surely thy hurt would impart

Cutting edge to thy Lord’s wrath.

Know thy Ram is all eager

To make thee empress of this world.

At those words of Hanuman then

Pleased was Rama’s spouse no end.

Stood as he to bid adieu

Tried she thus to detain him.

Why not stay  for one more day

Wish I now thou took some  rest.

Presence thine in precincts these

Soothes my hard pressed mind as well.

Till thou come back with my man

Wonder whether my life would last?

Visit of thine as soared my spirits

Fear thy farewell doubles my grief.

Honest to be with thee now

Came to develop on second thought

Doubts on Sugreev’s simian force.

How can vanars ever on earth

And for that matter Ram even

Cross the seas to reach this shore?

For all I know, other than thee

God Vayu and good Garuda

Can none ever cross Lankan seas.

Be that as it may pray tell

How thou could bring vanars all

With Ram ’n Lakshman to this land.

Find if ways ’n means to take

Me back to my anxious Lord

Brings that glory none to Ram.

Regain I but my glory

Go back as I to my folk

With the standard of my Lord.

If my man ever slays Ravan

Battle great in for his spouse,

Enhance that would his prestige

As the one to contend with.

Battle in that for his spouse

For my Ram to slay Ravan

Pray thee show me script thou have.

Felt then Hanuman Seetha’s words

Worthy they all woman of note

So he  addressed her nerves thus:

How thee fail to reckon Sugreev’s

Resolve to win this war for Ram?

To take on Ravan and his men

Know brings Sugreev to Lanka

Tens and thousands of vanars.

Know our vanar force excels

Man to man all Ravan’s men.

Creed it’s that of us vanars

Not to show our backs to foes.

Bears in our force in numbers

None the less than our vanars.

Deem if thou me fit and strong

Know my folk score more than me.

Came as I here all the way

For the rest all it’s child’s play.

Thus O Seetha in no time

Land would vanars in Lanka.

On my shoulders take I Ram

As well Lakshman to fly them.

Once they set foot in Lanka

Know that would end Ravan’s reign.

Perish as Ravan and his men

Take thee back would Rama home.

Lurks as Ravan’s end in corner

Come to quick end thy sufferings.

As would Ravan bite thus dust

Reach thou thy Lord as free soul.

Bound as Ravan to exit

Bid all sorrows thee adieu.

Though he felt he said it all

Resumed Hanuman on second thought.

Mark my word O Rama’s wife

Man thy would soon kill Ravan.

So to slay all Ravan’s men

Vanars know need no more than

Mere their nails ’n teeth of theirs.

Won’t the war cries of vanars

Make all Ravan’s men stone-deaf?

Piqued as by pain in groin

Caused by longing for thee long

Heat thy man turns on Ravan

Caused who thus thy separation.

Thus O Seetha be certain

Bound is Ram to take thee back.

Man as thy hath his sibling

Face to Ravan’s force in tow

What is there for thy worry?

With the end of Ravan thus

Turn thou new leaf in thy life.

Canto 40 - Repeats the Dose

Spurred as Seetha by pep talk

Spoke she then with fortitude.

Words thy no less drops of rain

Land on that so parched for long.

In the despaired heart of mine

Seed like words as sowed by thee

Seem they turned all sprouts of hope.

Ever I cherish the time I spent

With my beloved spouse Rama,

Keep in mind to remind my Lord

The tale of crow that lost its eye.

In that night-long lovemaking

Smudged as dot my vermillion

Remind my Ram that he fashioned

Dot on my cheek not forehead.

How a valorous man like Ram

Fails to wreck his vengeance on

Man who came to snare his wife?

Let him know that this diadem

Which I got at our wedding

Helps me think of him fondly.

Now that I have parted with

Let him know that have I none

Helps that to soothe my torment.

It’s the hope of meeting  him

With which I bear slights all these.

Live I thirty days in hope

Fails if my Lord me by then

Left I with but no option

Than to take my life on own.

Ram if fails to come in time

With no reason to live more,

Ogles at me as Ravan

Bear I won’t his lustful look.

Sank as Seetha in sorrow

Spoke thus vanar to cheer her.

Swear I do now by thy man

Fond he is no less of thee.

Now that I traced thee at last

For the end of thy sorrows

Note the count down hath started.

As and when I let him know

Though art confined by Ravan

To land in Lanka with vanars

Wastes not Ram a second even.

Battle Royal that follows

Ensures Ram would slay Ravan.

To spur on Rama even more

Why not give me something more?

Show if thou him my diadem

To spur him on to fight for me

Need there none for something else.

Enthused by her words Hanuman

Stirred his frame to fly back home.

Grew as he in size Hanuman

In awe Seetha gazed at him.

At the prospect of his loss

Spoke to him in tears Seetha.

Tell my man ’n his sibling

Suffering am in anxiety.

How to rescue me in time

Counsel Rama O Hanuman.

Fare thee well O dear vanar

Know I wish thee bon voyage.

To journey back to Kishkindha

All set Hanuman to leave her.

Canto 41 - Rampage in the Park

Bid as adieu Hanuman soon

Exuded warmth Seetha then.

As he left her felt Hanuman -

Were I to fail to probe Lanka

Won’t my trip be incomplete?

How to test the guys all these

Than ride roughshod over them?

Were I to slay a few Generals

Won’t that weaken Ravan’s force?

Found as I now Rama’s wife

What if I dent Ravan’s pride?

Why not eyes ’n ears I keep

Wide open for task on hand?

Why fail assess relative strength

Of  Ravan’s men and us vanars?

Better I invite Ravan’s wrath

That he lets loose kinkar force.

Battle as I palace guards

Chance it gives to test their strength.

Oh, this garden of gardens

Could be dear to evil Ravan.

Were I to arson this garden

Spits fire enraged Ravan then.

Won’t he send his elite force

Alive or dead to take me soon?

Won’t I take on all of them

On my own in their own land?

All those high and mighty trees

Hurricane like then Hanuman mowed.

Bulldozed as he his way through

Birds there perched all lost their nests.

Set he as the place on fire

Seemed that like huge funeral pyre.

Birds there flew to save their lives

Sounds they made then reached the skies.

Fire as raged there thick and fast

Cried wildlife there then thus trapped.

Soon the scene turned inferno

Came dwellings all crumbling down.

Turned in no time burning coal

Garden meant for queens to cool.

Hanuman in all eagerness

Waited to take Ravan’s men

Expected to confront him.

Canto 42 - Panic in the Town

To the sound of falling trees

Woke up Lanka from siesta.

Cried as flying birds all then

Cuddled all Lankans in panic.

Reached as tongues of flame to skies

Rushed out Lankans from their homes.

So to put the fear of death

In them into giant he turned.

Ran to Seetha women in fright

Hoping that she  throws some light.

Tell us Seetha what thee know

Why this fiend did came to us?

Fear thee have none to tell us

What was that he spoke to thee?

Playing her cards close to chest

Countered Seetha them all thus:

How can thee ever expect me

Privy to thy demonic tricks?

Find as serpents their kindred

Thou should know him from his ways?

If thou let me I surmise

Demon some could be on roll now.

Ran as some to Ravan then

Went round some to see debris.

Appraised Lankans then Ravan

About the fiend that came to town.

O Lord Ravan came vanar

With whom Seetha spoke for long.

Pressed as we her long ’n hard

Preferred she not to divulge things.

It’s quite likely that vanar

Is one sent by her own man.

Garden that is Lanka’s pride

That is after thine own heart

Razed that vanar to the ground.

In spite of the fire he set

Sits as Seetha though unfazed,

What else it’s but his miracle

Touch her none those tongues of fire?

Clearly it was his intent

To see that Seetha was not hurt.

Sits still Seetha in cool shade

Right under the tree thus spared.

That he conferred with Seetha

And caused arson in thy land

Feel that fiend hath doubly sinned.

Thus we feel O Lankan king

Spare thou must not that simian.

Words those uttered by his folk

Made then Ravan fume in rage.

Scorch as if to  all three worlds

Burned he like the mid-day sun.

To restrain vanar on rampage

Committed Ravan his panzers.

Eighty thousand strong it was

Force he sent to take Hanuman.

On their way to pin him down

Armed they all were to the teeth.

Went they all to have a go

As if to keep date with death.

Came as he in striking range

Spears they threw all at him sharp.

Closed in they all soon on him

With their swords ’n clubs as well.

Itching for a fight with them

Hit the ground with tail Hanuman.

Grew then Hanuman all the more

Slapped he arms his to scare them.

Sound that traversed to high skies

Made birds drop dead in their scores.

* Invoking Ram ’n Lakshman

As well vanar Lord Sugreev,

Laid who store on Lord Rama

Thundered Hanuman at them thus:

Hanuman I’m Vayu’s son

Privileged to serve mighty Ram

Lord of Koshal land there yore,

None him in this world equals

Sent by him am errand boy

Smash I would now all thy heads.

Ravans in their scores even

Match me not in battle skills,

Slabs ’n trees are all I need

For razing Lanka to the ground.

Watch as thou in wonderment

Find I Seetha unhindered

Leave then Lanka blessed by her. *

* 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.

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

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

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.

Canto 54 - Arson to Hurt

Having had his way thus far

Thought of future course Hanuman.

Why not I give them in kind

For what they did all to my tail?

Much is left to hurt the foe

Caused I might have some damage.

Why not I torch Ravan’s town

With the help of tail mine

That they set on fire themselves?

For the favour of Agni

Make I Lanka his fodder.

Hovered as he in mid-air

Surveyed Ravan’s land he thus.

Landed then on some dwelling

Jumped he then from one another.

Chose he Prahastha’s own palace

With its sprawling compound then

And made he bonfire of all there.

Next in line was Mahaparsva’s

Mansion that met similar fate.

Not to content even then

Burnt he dwellings of nobles.

Leaned he then on that palace

Owned by one who subdued him.

Set he fire then one by one

Houses of the following.

Jambumali’s ’n Sumali’s

Rasmiketha’s ’n Suryasathru’s

Damstra’s ’n so Duraatma’s

Romasa’s ’n Ghora’s as well

Mattali’s besides Yuddhonmatha’s

Karala’s and Pisaachas’s too.

Kumbha’s as well Nikumbha’s

Yagnasatru’s ’n Brahmasatru’s

Not to speak of Kumbhakarna’s.

But spared Hanuman that dwelling

Lived where Vibhishan who pleaded

Case his then in Ravan’s Court.

Razed as fire in those places

Turned all therein to ashes.

Went he then to that courtyard

Where lived Lankan king Ravan.

Set he Ravan’s fort on fire

With the fading flame on tail.

Spread as fire in Ravan’s court

Thundered  Hanuman even more.

As if to aid his son’s cause

Unleashed Vayu his frenzy.

Goaded thus by Hanuman’s dad

Spread tongues Agni far and wide.

In that towering inferno

Came  all dwellings crashing down.

Looked then Lanka that lost soul

Thrown down from the heaven itself.

Lost their wits all then Lankans

Felt they Fire God turned vanar.

Filled all streets were with Lankans

Rent were skies there with their cries.

Jumped all over compound

From the debris of dwellings

Flowed then molten gold in streams.

Turned to ashes demonic frames

Turned grey landscape of Lanka.

In myriad shades of crimson red

Sprouted tongues of fire to skies.

Burning Lanka seemed as if

Tripura of yore Shankar burnt.

To bring Lanka to its knees

Moved then Hanuman to outskirts.

With still burning tail of his

Set fire Hanuman there dwellings.

Raged as fire in those buildings

Heard all bursting sounds from them.

Smoke that embers emitted then

Rose in columns to high skies.

Wondered all those who survived

Came if death in Hanuman’s form.

Brahma’s it was wrath felt some

Set what Hanuman to smash them.

Took some Hanuman for Vishnu’s

Avatar to end Ravan’s reign.

It’s in no time fire got spread

To nearby jungles all so deep.

Trapped as such in jungle fire

Died wildlife of forests there.

Rent was air with cries of all

Lost who then their kith and kin.

With the havoc that he caused

Lanka seemed an accursed land.

Climbed up Chitrakoot Hanuman

Surveyed Ravan’s land ravaged.

Felt glad Hanuman that Lanka

Lost its edge to fight Lord Ram.

Tail as his was still on fire

Looked he still the rising sun.

Having done his job Hanuman

Prayed he in all reverence Ram.

Gods all for his one-man show

Showered then praises on Hanuman.

Amidst the ruins of Lanka then

Stood like victor there Hanuman.

Felt on second thought gods all there

What they discerned was but dream,

For how could Hanuman on his own

Raze all Lanka at one go!

At the sight of Lanka thus

Rubbed all angels then their eyes,

At the havoc Hanuman caused

Worlds all trembled then dismayed.

Sages at that in their scores

As well angels there gathered

Not to speak of Yakshas then

Thought it augured well for world.

Canto 55 - What of Seetha?

Died as embers in Lanka

So to quench his burning tail

Went upto beach then Hanuman.

Cooled as he tail by seashore

Felt then Hanuman thus in qualms.

Have I gone wrong by burning

Lanka to the last dwelling?

Was it all wrong on my part

Lost I bearing in my wrath?

Of all what that afflicts man

Anger takes the pride of place.

Drives to extremes man anger

Thought in his ’n deed as well.

Whoever can nip his anger

In the bud is man seasoned.

Reckoned as I not her welfare

On whom Rama stakes his life

Raison d’etre of Odyssey mine

Doubt there none it’s foolhardy.

Now that Lanka is on fire

Wouldn’t have Seetha lost her life?

What for came I to Lanka

Is it to kill Rama’s wife?

While the going was so good

How come lost I my bearing!

Spared as fury of Fire God

Not a square inch of Lanka

Where was space for her to hide?

Were Seetha to perish in fire

How am I to show my face

To her Lord who trusted me.

Why not I now end my life

Why to go to Ram with guilt.

How am I go back to them

How to look all them in face?

How I subscribed to world-view

That vanars wouldn’t get focused!

To let him in spite all go wrong.

Makes man passion imperfect

Hear if they that Seetha died

Ram ’n Lakshman won’t live more.

At the death of their siblings

Bharat ’n Satrughn follow suit.

Reign if ends of Ikshvaakus

Orphaned would be world at large.

For the foolish act of mine

Won’t I turn the accursed soul?

As sunk Hanuman in sorrow

Omens he sighted all too good.

Felt he raging flames of fire

Won’t match power of Rama’s wife.

Won’t her aura keep at bay

Flames of raging fire from her.

Won’t the Fire God himself know

Touch he cannot Rama’s spouse?

How can ever be Rama’s wife

Destined to burn like some sack?

As well Agni spared my tail

Would he ever touch Seetha then?

Mainak as did offer help

To sustain cause of Lord Rama

Wouldn’t then Agni follow suit?

Won’t her love for Rama make

Lakshman rekha for Fire God?

Wavered as thus Hanuman then

Heard he angels speak in awe.

Gods too never dared to dream

Ever would Ravan get subdued,

With Lanka thus now on fire

Lankans have no place to hide.

What did Hanuman to Ravan

Was like taming lion on heat

In its own den with bare arms.

Turned though Lanka to ashes

Wonder what made tongues of fire

Leave out Rama’s spouse unscathed!

Having heard all those angles

Spoke of her escape from fire

Heaved a sigh of relief he then.

That Seetha was left unharmed

Made then Hanuman jump for joy.

On the spur then felt Hanuman

Should go back to Rama’s spouse

So that he could take her leave.

Canto 56 - Havoc of a Take-off

Finding Seetha in fine shape

To her Hanuman prostrated.

As bade Hanuman her goodbye

Spoke in fondness Rama’s spouse.

Wish I now thee in some nook

Take some rest for day or two.

Well, O Hanuman thy advent

Made my sorrows turn their backs.

Bring as and when thou my Ram

Know am not sure  whether I live.

Leave as thee to fetch Rama

Wonder whether I stand agony

Replace that would joy thou gave.

Can ever Ram ’n Lakshman cross

Sea this vast to reach Lanka

With the vanar force that’s large?

In spite of thy words so bold

Find I linger doubts these mine.

Apart Garud ’n Vayu, thou

Who else could cross sea this vast?

Tell me how thou would address

Problem this that confronts Ram.

If thee take me back I know

Spares the bother for my man

To cross this sea with force of his,

But then Rama wouldn’t have it

Since it’s not the proper way

For him to reclaim his Seetha.

It’s but proper for Lord Ram

That he takes me on his own.

Measure of Ravan as thou got

Guide my Ram to subdue him.

Impressed as he by her words

Addressed Hanuman her concerns.

Vast is bear and vanar force

To help thy man sure rescue thee

Lord Sugreev mine hath at hand.

Know our army is so vast

Once it lands on Lankan shores

Fills it to the last square inch.

Ram ’n Lakshman with arrows

Could kill Lankans to last man.

Once they thus end Ravan’s reign

Takes thee back Ram to thy town.

Having endured ordeals long

Time thou embrace hope from now.

Having Ravan seen thus dead

Walk thee would free to thy man.

Know the day is not far off

Lands when Ram on Lankan shores.

Having said thus Hanuman took

Leave of Rama’s spouse Seetha.

That Hanuman had come and gone

Seemed that all like dream for her.

That he did make Lankans rue

Portend well for things to come.

Assured that he Ravan’s end

Made Seetha pray Ram no end.

For his take-off to go back

Arishta mountain climbed Hanuman.

Passing clouds made Arishta look

Like the shy bride that was veiled.

Caressed by those sun rays thus

Seemed it woke up then from sleep.

Water falls of rivers on that

Sounded they like Vedic chants.

Seemed all trees of Arishta then

Like raised arms of scores of those

Ascetics engaged in prayers there.

Orchestra of magic flutes

Breeze made Arishta’s bamboos turn.

Covered by snow from tip to toe

Seemed Arishta then blissful soul.

Peaks sky high ’n caves all deep

Made Arishta seem cover all worlds.

Flowers varied of myriad trees

Gave that touch of bridal ware.

Beasts in woods all in their scores

Sauntered in groves that were thick.

Home it made all Gandharvas

Home away home for all of them.

Herbs it all had so myriad

Made they medicines that varied.

Set as Hanuman his huge foot

Rocks all got to pebbles reduced.

In his bid to sail across

Grew he further frame his large.

Sighted Hanuman sea across

Crossed that he to reach Lanka.

On his return trip to home

Veteran like he then took-off.

With the pressure it came to bear

Sank then Arishta deep in ground.

Pressed as Arishta to its core

Caved in with groan ocean bed.

Lost as Arishta its bearing

Trees then there got uprooted.

With their fate as thus got sealed

Roared lions all there in distress.

Flew as Gandharv women all there

Slipped their pallus off their breasts.

Serpents there lay furlongs long

Curled in pits of square foot then.

Angels all then came to rest

On its lovely peak foremost,

With that havoc of take-off

Took flight all of them in fright.

In time only seen was tip

Of that Arishta of great girth.

Left no trace of its glory

At length that peach of mountains.

Unmindful of that havoc

Had a smooth sail back Hanuman.

Canto 57 - Flight sans Hassles

Airborne as he so he seemed

Like a mountain with huge wings.

Nagas all from stratosphere

Saw him then in his flight route.

Stars all in their resplendence

Saw him as he passed them by.

Hanuman got a feeling then

Was he there in another world.

Moved as he thus in high skies

Seemed he swallowed clouds all there.

Picked as up he speed in flight

Seemed as if skies shrunk in size.

Formed then rainbow in mid-air

Looked that like a welcome arch.

Clouds as darkened in mid-course

Played he hide ’n seek like moon.

As and when he came in view

In his vest he shone like moon.

Acquired as if Garuda’s grace

With such ease then Hanuman flew.

Seemed then ether spread to world

Words those Hanuman spoke to self

About the valorous deeds of his

Done by grace of Lord Rama.

Approached when he Mainaka

Touched him Hanuman in reverence.

Sighted as he Indra’s hill

Roared then like a lion Hanuman.

Induced by the roars of his

Thundered all the clouds in skies.

Sighted as he home shore soon

Waved his tail in triumph Hanuman.

Sounded as he his comeback

Seemed all worlds then shook to roots.

With such chaos in the skies

Guessed his peers all his approach.

Waited they with bated breath

For Hanuman to come then in sight.

Soared their spirits as with his roars

Reached they shores to see him land.

Urge of theirs to see Hanuman

Made them all jump up and down.

Jambavan it was then addressed

All the vanars there gathered.

Doubt there none that our Hanuman

Is well on his way back home.

Neared as Hanuman southern shore

Raised sea mean level in welcome.

For the sight of Hanuman then

Climbed all vanars then treetops.

Jumped for joy as those vanars

Fell all leaves from their branches.

Heard they roar of their hero

Raised that decibels all over.

Sighted as all Hanuman soon

Raised they hands in salute then.

Folks as his lay awestruck then

He on Mahendra’s peak landed.

Jumped he down to rejoin

All those vanars whom he left.

In their joy then vanars all

Ran to mob their own hero.

Finding him in pink of health

Sigh of relief heaved they all.

Looked at him all in reverence

Fetched they rare fruits all for him.

Sounding welcome for Hanuman

Gave their throats then vanars all.

To elders all and Prince Angad

For his part then bowed Hanuman.

Knew as he their eagerness

To hear the story in detail,

As though to save all for Ram

Gave he brief as ‘Seen Seetha’.

Having embraced Prince Angad

Squatted Hanuman there on lawn.

Goaded by the vanars then

Told he how he found Seetha.

In her lament for her man

Found I famished her to bone.

That he himself saw Seetha

Cheered the vanars there gathered.

Roared as vanars with one throat

Shocked were birds all in their flight.

Raised as vanars tails their long

Looked like ladders they to skies.

Pachyderm like as sat Hanuman

In their joy they hugged him all.

Bringing order then Angad

Addressed Hanuman thus in praise.

None can equal thee on earth

Flew who over sea this twice.

Swore as all of us to die

Had thee failed to find Seetha

It’s thy valour saved our lives.

It’s thy reverence to Sri Ram

Made thee as the chosen one

To discern Seetha there yonder.

News of Seetha in his wait

Sure to gladden Rama’s heart.

Clapped all vanars to one man

At what all Angad just then said.

Kept they silence of pin drop

So that Hanuman could go on.

So to let him unfold then

With their hearts in mouths they sat.

So to catch his every word

Sat next Angad to Hanuman.

With the vanars there thus sat

Seemed the place then royal court.

Canto 58 - Odyssey in a Nutshell

Felt like Buridan’s ass Hanuman.

For their part then all his folk

Sat there tight to catch his words.

As though to help him in script

Addressed Jambavan Hanuman thus:

Tell O Hanuman where and how

Found thee Seetha Rama’s spouse.

Tell us how thou zeroed on

Rama’s spouse in wilderness.

Brief us now of odyssey thine

So that we can plan ourselves.

At the request of his peer

Spoke then Hanuman in loud tone.

Of course thee all bear witness

That I flew off from these shores.

Came across I in mid-seas

Mountain that was made of gold.

Sky high grew it in no time

Blocked it my way all the way.

To the errand on my hand

Saw it as I then hindrance.

Lashed it as I with my tail

Went it crashing down on knees.

Assumed form it then human

And in warmth thus spoke to me:

For my friendship with thy dad

Thou should take me as thy kin.

Am king of mountains Mainaka

Dwell in seas these underneath.

Mountains all in times of yore

Had we wings to circle worlds

Afraid of our crash landing

Complained all to Lord Indra.

Chose as Indra to clip wings

Of the mountains there are all

It’s thy father but who saved

Wings of mine from being clipped.

Bound am I to extend help

To thee now on this errand

With the intent to serve Ram

That he reclaims his lost spouse.

Offered though he me to take

Rest on golden peak of his

Wanting not to waste my time

Wished I none of that for me.

Having grasped my urgency

Pressed he none more Mainaka.

Bid as I him adieu then

Slipped he back then to sea bed.

Resumed then I unhindered

Journey mine that seemed so long.

Came across I then Surasa

Mother of serpents of all seas.

Oh how she made clear her intent

That she would make meal of me!

Not to rub on her wrong side

Pleaded my case with her thus:

Lived with Seetha ’n Lakshman

For long Ram in Dandak woods.

Snared as Ravan fair Seetha

Sent me her man to find out.

For thy being his subject

Dharma it’s thine aid his cause.

As and when I find Seetha

Convey I would to that Ram

And come back to thee forthwith

So that thou me have for meal.

But she would have none of it

And said none can escape her.

Mouth as she hers wide open

Gained I size to thwart her move.

Pulled as she jaws her so wide

To thwart her then I turned tiny.

So to beat the boon she got

That none can ever detour her

Went in and I came out swift

Brought as she her jaws to close.

In spite of the fact I tricked

Yet she wished me all the best.

Bade as she me then adieu

So all creatures of the seas.

Hardly had I flew a league

Felt as if was slowing down.

Surveyed as I all over

Found no hindrance in my route.

In awe then I continued

Straining every nerve of mine.

To get to the roots of problem

As saw I down from high skies

Found a fiend at my shadow.

Though she saw the giant of me

Yet she challenged me that fiend.

Said the fiend then all in glee

Glad I’ve found a giant in thee

Sure thou make full meal for me.

Like I did with that Surasa

Grew up in size all the more.

Rose as it to swallow me

Made I myself then puny.

Deftly then I entered her

Came out swiftly with her heart.

With her heart thus in my hand

Fell its corpse on high seas then.

From the talk of Siddhas then

Witnessed who all that from skies

Simhik was the fiend I slain

Killed as I the fiend that weird

Came to know that pulls its prey

Clutching at but their shadows.

Sank at length as sun in seas

Set then I foot on those shores.

As I reached the Lankan gates

Found there a fiend to confront.

Having tongues of fire for hair

Tried that fiend to slay me straight.

Needed as I no more than

Fist of mine to pin her down

Spoke that terrified fiend to me.

O great vanar thou may know

Me as Lanka’s main deity

That thee could well beat me true

All else here would bite the dust.

In spite of the guards all there

Covered I Lanka all that night

Yet I found not Seetha there.

Searched I Ravan’s palace then

Came a cropper there even.

Sauntered as I in and out

Found I to my wonder there

Garden with all golden walls.

Entered then I in great hope

Garden that was out of world.

In the midst of that garden

Found a dame I there squatted.

Unkempt all her pitch dark hair

Wide-eyed she was of middle age.

Downcast was she by demeanour

On guard there were women garish.

Taunted her all in their turns

Looked she like a trapped creature.

Ceased she not to pray her man

Cared she none fore self-upkeep.

Cursing Ravan in between

Wished she then to end her life.

By the virtue of her soul

And the beauty of her self

Felt I she could be Seetha.

Heard I tinkles of anklets

Sensed I women were  nearby there.

Hiding myself on high branch

Waited for those women to come.

Sighted then I Ravan there

With his queens ’n keeps in tow.

Seetha who sat in sorrow

Changed her posture to cover more.

Neared as Ravan her in lust

Cowered all the more then Seetha.

In his bid to gain her love

Fell then Ravan at her feet.

Snubbed by Seetha even then

Gave her Ravan two more months

For her to choose from him or death.

At that Seetha seethed in rage

Spoke she to him with disdain.

How thou fail to know Ravan

Spouse am I of godly Ram?

Snared as crooked way by thee

Don’t I know how coward are thou?

What if thou are Lankan king

Measure thou none to Ram’s valet.

Slighted as by Rama’s wife

Burned in anger Ravan then.

Having thus lost his bearing

Moved Ravan to throttle her.

Stopped him in his tracks his queen

With these words that pleased him well.

Measure as thou to Lord Indra

Makes she no patch ever on me.

Why run after Seetha then

With me at thy side for fun?

Won’t thou have in thy harem

Women ever eager to please thee?

Having massaged ego his

Led she back him to harem.

Turned guards all then too hostile

To Rama’s spouse who snubbed Ravan.

Though they scolded her loudly

Paid them deaf ear then Seetha.

Seeing Seetha unmoved thus

Ran some then to brief Ravan.

Rest of them in exhaustion

Fell asleep all one by one.

In spite of that sans respite

Wept then Seetha for her man.

Woke up in trance Trijata then

From their ranks to address them.

Dream I had that bodes all ill

To Lanka ’n our Lord as well

Of course owing to this dame.

Better we make up with her now

So that she would save our lives.

For the suffering women like her

Dreams such as those portend well.

Better we seek now her mercy

So that we could come out clean.

Having heard what Trijata said

Assured Rama’s spouse them help.

Seeing her in such a plight

Felt I wretched for her sake.

Contrived I then to be heard

By her as I praised her man.

Having heard me tell her tale

Moved as she then spoke to me.

O little vanar who art thou

Who did send thee to Lanka?

Got as thee so close to Ram

Tell me how thou met my Lord?

Then I said to soothe her thus:

Made Lord Rama friend my Lord

Sugreev king of vanar world.

Hanuman am I sent by Ram

In search of thee in Ravan’s land.

Gave me Rama to show thee

Ring this he wears ever on him.

At thy beck and call am now

Bid me to take thee to Ram?

Such was Seetha’s perspective

Thought it would be fit for Ram

If he were to slay Ravan

And then take her back with him.

Wanted then I from Seetha

Something dear to both of them

So that I could show that Rama.

Thus she gave me this diadem

That she said would please her man.

Then she told me that episode

Wherein a crow turned eager

All to savour Seetha’s charms

That too when she was with Ram!

She was not to let me go

Wished as I to take her leave.

Wanted Seetha I tell Ram

Suffering hers for want of him.

Bid me she to fetch her man

Soon with Lakshman ’n Sugreev.

Were thou fail to bring Rama

And the rest in just two months

Live I not a day longer.

Spoke as she in such despair

Seized I was with burning rage.

Then and there I turned a fiend

Ravaged the grove that held her.

Cowered all beasts there so varied

Woke up in fright Seetha’s guards.

Seeing me thus in fury

Ran they all to tell Ravan.

Pictured they then to Ravan

Havoc I wrought in garden.

Were Ravan to give orders

Boasted they would make me pay.

In his bid to subdue me

Sent Ravan then his kinkars.

Eighty thousand strong they were

Slew I them all to last man.

‘Lost Lanka its vast army’,

Told Ravan his spies on prowl.

Chose I then their funeral place

Slew its guards with just one stroke.

With huge force to capture me

Sent then Ravan Prahastha’s son.

Spared I not then one even

Broke their backs with iron latch.

With the death of Prahastha’s son

Dispatched Ravan ministers’ sons.

One by one to hell all them

With that latch I then dispatched.

Not the one to give up soon

Sent Ravan his five Generals.

As I made them bite the dust

Chose Ravan to send his son.

Akshay though of tender age

Astute was he in warfare.

Yet I caught him by his legs

Flung him thus to Ravan’s court.

Enraged Ravan by all that

Sent his first born to battle.

That he subdued Lord Indra

Knows him world as Indrajit.

All his valour came to naught

When it came to me subdue.

Realizing I matched him well

Stunned me he with Brahmastra.

At his behest his flock then

Tied me with all sorts of ropes.

As they took me to Ravan

Fumed at me then he in rage

Wanted he to find out then

Why thus I played spoilsport.

Him I told for Seetha’s sake

Caused I all that destruction.

Moreso made it clear to him

Sent I was by Lord Rama.

Gave thee counsel I told him

Lord Sugreev too for thy good.

Sent Sugreev thee his greetings

Words these with to caution thee.

In my exile I met Ram

Vow  I took to stand by him.

Ram then wanted me to help

Him to fight who snared Seetha.

Thereby had I that barter

Whereby he would slay Vali

Stole who my wife unfairly.

To his vow to kill Vali

Made Ram Lakshman bear witness.

With that single arrow Ram

Brought an end to Vali’s reign.

Made as he me vanar king

Owe him I to stand by him.

‘Send back Seetha to Lord Ram’

Advice this mine to thee now

Come would Hanuman to deliver.

That thou know the vanar force

Could well conquer all three worlds

Hope thee heed this advice mine.

Slighted as he by these words

Lost his cool then Lankan king.

Gave he go by to dharma

Ordered I be put to death.

Spoke then sibling of Ravan

Revere all there as Vibhishan.

Goes thy diktat O my Lord

Not with grain of thy dharma.

In the annals of state craft

Sent are men to mend fences

Ill behoves the recipient king

Kills if he the one thus sent.

Punish if we must this vanar

Sever we could a limb or two.

At that Ravan gave orders

Tail mine be then set on fire.

Having hit my tail with sticks

Tied it they with jute and all.

Poured they tons of oil then

Set they thus my tail on fire.

So to slight me all the way

Taken was I round the streets.

That they could make fun of me

Led I was then to main square.

Vanar then I turned tiny

Slipped out of the ropes they tied.

Grew I then to touch the skies

Slew them all there at one go.

Set I fire to buildings all

There in Lanka one by one.

Burnt as Lanka to the core

Worried I was for Seetha.

Took I Seetha’s death for sure

Sank in sorrow to my knees.

Cried then as I unceasing

Heard I Yakshas talk in skies.

From their talk I learnt for sure

Came no harm to Rama’s spouse.

Felt it’s all but grace of hers

Gave that respite to my tail.

Reached I then the Lankan beach

Quenched there well my burning tail.

Went I straight to Seetha then

Took her leave to fly back home.

Took-off then I from Lanka

To head home to see thee all.

There in high skies I flew past

Sun with trillion stars ’n moon.

With the blessings of Rama

And the wishes of our folk

Bring I could thee good tidings.

In brief that’s all what happened

Much is left for us to do.

Canto 59 - Pep Talk to Peers

Having told the main story

Fillips these then gave Hanuman.

Heartened that I found Seetha

Glued I then to Rama’s thought.

Lays who store on spouse like her

Woman there none so ever like her.

Ravan is no common man

For he survived Seetha’s ire.

Can turn Seetha to ashes

With her looks the gods even

Should they come ever coveting her,

But Ravan who laid on her

Hands his as he kidnapped her

Came out unscathed from her wrath.

How I wish that I could have

Brought her back to meet her man.

On my own then I could have

Killed all Lankans with Ravan.

Land as we all in Lanka

What would Ravan’s fate be then?

For me to slay all of them

Could have taken day or two,

So to bring them to their knees

Need we but an hour at most.

But then Ravan’s eldest son

By no means a pushover,

Dared he as well subdued too

None the less than Lord Indra,

Shy as gods all from him thus

Hails him world as Indrajit.

How I wish to fly back now

So to make him bite the dust.

With thy blessings on my own

Conquer could I all three worlds.

Were Jambavan to confront him

Where would Ravan hide his head?

Won’t our Angad on his own

Give a run to demons there all.

We’ve Neel ’n Panasa too

Need but fists to smash mountains.

None there ever in angels too

Match who might well Manduni.

What to speak of Dwividu then

Comes when it to fighting foes.

These two of the Aswin clan

Ever eager to fight such wars.

Come not to grief they in wars

Blessed are thus by Lord Brahma.

Partook both they nectar then

Subdued when they angels all.

Having them at our forefront

For us on the Lankan shores

Figure it would make but picnic.

Fire as I set to Lanka

Prayed all Lankans to Lord Ram.

Ram ’n Lakshman I extolled

Besides vanar Lord Sugreev.

Wondered as they who I was

Gave them that I’m Vayu’s son.

As I reached her to take leave

Found Seetha in great distress.

Amidst the guards who circled her

Seemed she full moon sunk in clouds.

Confined as thus by Ravan

Lost she none the sight of Ram.

Thinks she none of another man

Breathes she air that sounds Rama.

Wore she saree same old one

That which she had on her then

Snared when Ravan so long back.

Plaited she seems not her hair

Ever since she was thus confined.

Wont it’s her to chant Rama

Threaten her as and when her guards.

Pester ever as her captors

Rama’s wife is tired of life.

Felt all glad as Seetha learned

Her man made our Lord his friend.

Doomed as Ravan by her curse

Bound to get killed by her man.

Slim as Seetha by nature

Got she slimmer in despair.

Left it’s now to us vanars

How to see her out of woods.

Canto 60 - Angad on Rebound

Spoke thus Angad Vali’s son:

Found as Hanuman Seetha now

Why not we fetch her to Ram?

How it feels if we tell him

Found though we failed to fetch her.

Know we all could fly across

Ocean this vast to reach there

And slay Ravan and his men.

Then we could bring Seetha back

And make Rama meet his spouse.

Slain as Hanuman Ravan’s men

What is left for us to do

Than lead Seetha back to Ram?

Why to bother folk back home

For what we could do on our own?

When he expects her the least

Won’t it be a pleasant surprise

That we fetch her to him thus.

Having heard thus Angad speak

Said then Jambavan in response:

Sent we were to find Seetha

Not to take her back with us.

Exceed if we Rama’s brief

Might we earn his ire as well.

Better we mind all Rama’s vow

That he would slay with his hands

The one who dared to snare his wife.

Should we go by route thee show

Won’t we make him fail his word?

Sounds it prudent that we might

Go back to Ram with her news.

Move thine surely saves bother

For the rest of folks back home

But know Ram would like it not.

Canto 61 - Eying the Madhuvan

At that Angad retracted

Agreed he to fall in line.

Thought it fit then vanar folk

To let Hanuman lead them back.

Moved as they like cloud in skies

Played the sun then hide and seek.

Kept all vanars their eyes on

Hanuman at the head of them.

Felt all they were indebted

For him having saved their lives.

Buoyed were all by the thought

That Ram would be pleased with them,

Proud all felt that they could help

Lord Rama who helped their Lord.

In that mood they saw Madhuvan

Garden like which nowhere there

Full of honeycombs on huge trees.

Garden that was Sugreev’s own

Dared none ever to step in there.

Aided by all well-built guards

Dadhimukh, Sugreev’s own uncle

Guarded that place round the clock.

Tempted as were vanars all

Licked their fingers all of them.

Pleaded all with Prince Angad

To let them have a glassful each

Of honey in plenty in Madhuvan.

Nod as he got from elders

Gave nod Angad to vanars.

Swarmed then simians all over

Honey they savoured to last drop.

Left they not a fruit or root

Fill to the hilt they had all.

In their mirth then those simians

Danced they all till legs them failed.

Sang some then in sonorous tunes

Blabbered others as in small groups.

Pranks they played of every sort

Spared they none of one another.

Leapt as some from tree to tree

Others did jump from branch to branch.

Lost they all then their bearings

Poked some of them their noses.

Turned they naughty all in end

Spread they all then far and wide.

Wretched as made they garden rare

Warned then Dadhimukh all of them.

Heeded but they not his words

Made that Dadhimukh think over.

Took he then them all to task

And that spoiled their party.

Swarmed all vanars then Dadhimukh

As would bees when stirred from comb

And that frightened Dadhimukh then.

With their nails all long and sharp

Scratched as some the garden chief

Dug their teeth strong others in him.

Canto 62 - Orgy in the Garden

At length on the same coin

Paid as Dadhimukh trespassers

Went then Hanuman to save them.

Sending Dadhimukh then packing

Goaded Hanuman them for more.

With that go by from Hanuman

Beseeched Angad then his flock

That they could have more of fun.

Vanars at that hailed Hanuman

As well Angad their young prince.

Having got the license thus

Indulged they in wild orgies.

Cared they two hoots for the guards

And chased them out of that garden.

Having had their fill in time

Vanars then had their siesta.

To take the vanars then to task

Guards all regrouped in their scores.

Drove but vanars all of them

Back to their posts in no time.

Fought then vanars mock battles

Honeycombs with those they emptied.

Vanars some were high by then

Made they beds of leaves to sleep.

Faltered they all in their steps

Tried as some to walk a while.

Stumbled as some in mid-course

Stepped them over rest of them.

Inhaled as though laughing gas

Went on laughing some of them.

Twice shy being bitten for once

Staid put guards all in their posts.

Yet vanars all itched for fight

And threw them all in mid-air.

Injured as they fell on ground

Limped all in pain to Dadhimukh.

Annoyed as he with vanars

Addressed thus the chief of guards.

Time it’s not to lose our hearts

Better we regroup ’n fight them.

Bucked up as all by his words

Back they went to trespassers.

Uprooting a tree Dadhimukh

Signalled he the fight on hand.

Lined up guards all then in files

Marched on rampant vanars there.

Followed suit as some their chief

Lifted boulders others there large.

Angad’s vanars there scattered

Turned they sitting ducks all then.

So to save his men Angad

Took on Dadhimukh on his own.

Half drunk by then as Angad

Gave no quarter to Dadhimukh

And hit him hard with fist his strong.

Fell on floor as then Dadhimukh

Who was none but his grandad

Ceased not Angad to hurt him.

Beaten thus by his grandson

Lost his consciousness Dadhimukh.

Woke up Dadhimukh thereafter

Guards he led back to barracks.

Lost no time the Guards-in-Chief

Addressed his men thus aggrieved.

Serves no purpose to fight back

Appraise we might vanar Lord

Of the havoc wrought by these

To the Madhuvan loves he most.

Be it Angad for such foul

He’s not the one to spare.

Got this garden vanar Lord

As a bequeath from his dad

Who in turn got from his dad.

Treats as Madhuvan as his child

Sure this carnage would outrage

Sugreev our Lord no end now.

Count on me to tell Sugreev

That they be all put to death.

Having spoken thus Dadhimukh

Flew to Sugreev with his flock.

In no time did Dadhimukh sight

Lord his Sugreev with his folks.

Having with his aids landed

Headed Dadhimukh to his Lord.

Saw then Sugreev his uncle

Approach him with dull demeanour.

Led then by the boss of theirs

Guards of Madhuvan saluted

Vanar Lord all one by one.

Canto 63 - Sugreev’s Reading

Fell as Dadhimukh at his feet

Spoketh vanar Lord perplexed.

What’s thy fault that makes thee fall

At the feet of thy nephew?

Fright thine makes me worried man

Harmed might’ve been my Madhuvan.

Ardour thus by Sugreev showed

Moved then Dadhimukh to speak thus:

Though all knew it out of bounds

Trespassed vanars some Madhuvan.

Ignored they all my warnings

Ate they every fruit and root.

Swarmed as by all bees out there

Yet they squeezed out honey in tons.

Having got drunk to the hilt

Mocked they my guards who cautioned.

Guards as there did try to stop

Beat them to pulp those vanars.

Makes me sad that Prince Angad

Aided as well abetted them.

Lay as wounded men of mine

Flung some vanars them sky high.

In thy reign O Lord Sugreev

That’s how folk thine slew our guards.

Having sensed then some import

Enquired Lakshman then Sugreev

What could have gone awry them.

What’s the matter vanar Lord

Why thy folk all look depressed?

Having by then smelt the rat

Appraised Sugreev Lakshman thus:

Complains Dadhimukh my uncle

That Prince Angad and his flock

Ravaged Madhuvan to its roots

As well slew its guards in scores.

If not for the happy end

To the errand on their hand

Would have Angad ever condoned

Deeds those vandal of vanars?

Strong as Dadhimukh ’n his folks

Failed to stop them all in tracks

Would mean spirits of Angad’s flock

Could have soared to skies all high.

Feel I Angad and party

Having by then found Seetha

Would have indulged in orgies.

It’s but Hanuman who could have

Found out Seetha in spite of

Hurdles all there to reach her.

Fails he never to deliver

Backed by Jambavan ’n Angad

Leads when Hanuman from the front.

Turned as joyous by the news

Brought by Hanuman from Seetha

Lost they could have their bearing.

Had not Hanuman sighted her

Dare how they would ever enter

Madhuvan after mine own heart?

It’s but their joy that gave cause

For their pranks all with those guards.

It’s this grasp of their action

Made that Dadhimukh rush to us.

Feel I certain from all this

Found was Rama’s spouse Seetha.

If not Angad would not have

Let his flock thus play havoc

With the Madhuvan of our clan.

With the way Lord Sugreev spoke

Pleased no end was Lakshman then.

Happy was Ram at the turn

Of the tide in Seetha’s search.

Turned then Sugreev to Dadhimukh

Thanked him for the news he brought.

Dispatched Sugreev his uncle

So he sends back Angad’s flock.

No less eager all of us

To hear where Hanuman found Seetha.

Made the joyous look of Ram

Joyous Lakshman and Sugreev.

Canto 64 - Return of the Platoon

At the diktak of his Lord

Took leave Dadhimukh of them all.

Flew he back then to Madhuvan

With his flock to fetch Hanuman.

Speeded as he to his Lord

Rushed he so back to Madhuvan.

In the garden he left them

Found he vanars turn sober.

Went he straight to Angad then

Spoke he thus with folded hands.

Pardon my flock and me too

For we tried to stop thee all

From thy having fun of life.

At thy pleasure O Prince Angad

Let thy folk have some more fun.

Like thy dad in days of yore

Sugreev ’n thou make our Lords.

Told we Sugreev thy uncle

Landed thou all in Madhuvan.

Felt he so glad hearing that

Found I safe ’n sound all thee.

Flared up he not as I told

Spoiled all of thee Madhuvan.

Now he sent me here to fetch

Thee all back to him forthwith.

At this Angad told his flock

Rama could be in the know.

Inclined am to think so

Seeing joyous Dadhimukh’s face.

Now that all of us had fun

Why not go back to our Lord.

Wish I none have to dictate

Like to follow what thee say.

Brought as thou us this glory

Honour me thou as thy Prince

It’s no time that’s opportune

For me to thee dictate terms.

Spake as Angad to his flock

Made that happy one and all.

Spoke they in turn to Angad

All of them in one voice,

Like thou take us as equals

Who else would treat his subjects?

Bow as thou to thy subjects

Take thee that to top of world.

Think as thee of thy uncle

We too wish to see our Lord.

Lead us all to where thee go

None of us would drag his feet.

Gave as Angad green signal

Rose then his flock to the skies.

Angad thus with at the head

Flew they flying saucer like.

Thus in tow with Hanuman then

Pulled his flock all back Angad.

Sighting Angad in the skies

Spoke then Sugreev to Rama.

See our vanars flying back

Portends that well for Seetha.

Espy speed at which they fly

Would they do so had they failed?

To me if he were to fail

Would ever Angad show his face?

Besides fouling my Madhuvan

Were he failed to find Seetha

How dare Angad come to me?

If not that they found Seetha

Would have Angad let his flock

At the pain of death enter

Madhuvan that’s so dear to me?

Feel I certain Hanuman did

Find Seetha in thy waiting.

Espouses as he some cause

Hanuman is ever dedicated.

Whatever he might undertake

Known is Angad for his luck.

Now that Angad advances

Like the one who succeeded

That should make us feel easy.

That our vanars on errand

Wrecked my garden in orgies

Would but portend that Seetha

Was found in the pink of health.

Won’t they roar in joyous mood

What’s that but they got it right.

Saw vanar Lord in descent

Angad’s flock in bid to land.

In salute to that force his strong

Raised then Sugreev tail his straight.

Seeing Sugreev  in welcome

Signalled Angad to his flock

Land they might all on the trot.

Enthused as were all by then

Lost no time to land vanars.

Having went to Rama straight

‘Seen I Seetha’ told Hanuman.

Gladdened tidings of the news

Hearts of Ram and his sibling.

Felt glad Sugreev that Hanuman

Caressed was by Lakshman’s eyes.

Melted loving look of Ram

Hanuman to the core of heart.

Canto 65 - News in Brief

Followed Angad suit Hanuman

Paid he respects to Lord Ram.

Such was vanars’ state of mind

Spoke they out of turn they all.

Blabbered they all one by one

In bits ’n pieces what they heard.

Amused by their hearsay Ram

Heard them all for quite sometime.

Enquired in time Ram of them

What doth Seetha think of him.

At that they all passed baton

To Hanuman who was in the know.

Set to recap then Hanuman

Thought of Seetha in reverence

And turned southward to face her.

Taking seat at Rama’s feet

Handed him then that diadem

Given by Seetha for recall

And thus spoke with folded hands.

Pressed as I was by my peers

Crossed I ocean lay there south

In search of Seetha there yonder.

Reached I Lanka in no time

Land that ruled by vile Ravan.

Found I Seetha in distress

Jailed as Ravan to digress

From her love to thee her Lord.

In the hope of her rescue

Lingers she on in thy thought.

Never having had bad dream

Wonder how her life turned sour.

In tight rein is Seetha held

Day ’n night of vigil to boot

Of the devilish guards in scores.

Floor she uses for her bed

Curses Ravan for her plight.

It’s that Seetha in lament

Found I at length in torment.

In time I could impress her

That am but thine own agent.

How glad was she as I told

Hath Lord Sugreev turned thy friend.

Steadfast as she in thy thought

Prayed thee for long in reverence.

Told me she then that story

Of the eager crow and thee.

Beseeched Seetha then with me

To tell her tale of owes to thee.

Give this diadem to my Lord

When thy Lord is there with him.

Tell my Ram that I relive

Touch his as he adorned me

With this diadem my dad gave

To me on our wedding day.

It’s this one that makes me feel

As if thee are ever with me.

Gave though Ravan two more months

To change my mind or face then death

Prefer I would to end my life

At the end of one more month.

In her state of distress Lord

That’s how Seetha spoke to me.

Now that I made thee privy

To the plight of thy Seetha

Think of ways ’n means to take

Our force there to bring her back.

Felt though Ram then so sad

Spouse his was in such distress

Yet he felt glad that Hanuman

Could show him the way to her.

Canto 66 - Tears in Torrents

Moved by Seetha’s plight he heard

Wept Ram holding her diadem.

Welling his eyes to then brim

Brought it memories in torrents.

Told he then the import of

Diadem that to Lord Sugreev.

It was gift of her father

At the time of our wedding.

Given it was by nonetheless

Than Lord Indra to her dad.

As I see this diadem now

Recall I well our wedding

Graced by parents of us both.

Ever I recall that aura

Gives this diadem to Seetha.

For the solace of my soul

Make it encore O Hanuman

How my Seetha misses me.

My dear sibling O Lakshman

How this diadem in my hands

Wrenches my heart to the core.

Though gave Seetha thirty days

Outer limit for me to act

How can ever I wait that long.

To my Seetha whom I love

Take me forthwith O Hanuman.

Delicate being her nature

What an ordeal it could be

To be confined thus for long?

Won’t her moon like face look like

Full moon shrouded by thick clouds?

Tell me what all Seetha said

Want I hear to her last word.

Keen am I to get picture

Of the pining of my spouse.

Canto 67 - Hanuman’s Replay

Moved no end by Rama’s plight

Spoke with ardour then Hanuman.

Narrate I would verbatim

Tale she told me to tell thee.

Woke up as I ahead of Ram

Slept when we both in open

Pecked my bosom Kakasur.

Bore I pain all in silence.

Not to disturb his sleep then.

Taking advantage of that

Went on hurting me that crow

Making fountains of my breasts.

Fell as my blood on his chest

Woke up Ram to find me bleed.

Saw he as me in distress

Hissed my man like king cobra.

Dare who did to lay his hands

On thy breasts that brush my chest!

To his dismay he then found

Kakasur with blood on hands.

Realized Ram that Kakasur

Bird of birds was Indra’s son.

Misdeed that of Indra’s son

Found then my man hard to bear.

Plucked he then a nearby reed

And with power of his mantra

That he turned to Brahmastra.

Let as Ram that Brahmastra

To chase Kakasur to death

Spewed it tongues of fire at him.

So to save his life his dear

Turned that crow to one and all

Including hid dad Indra.

None as came forward to help

Came back Kakasur to Ram

Sought he  pardon for his foul.

Inclined though Ram to pardon

Yet he couldn’t help hurt his eye

Since none retracts his mantra.

Thanking Ram for his reprieve

Left Kakasur with left eye then.

Said she thus she fails to grasp

How come Rama spares Ravan.

Is there someone in all worlds

Who would stand up to fight Ram?

Concern if hath Lord Rama

For me his spouse ever loyal

May he come ’n slay Ravan.

Am I not like mother to him

What made Lakshman thus stay put?

Oh my man and his sibling

Could kill Ravan on their own,

And if they both feel for me

Why they fail to rescue me?

Seems both of them mistook me

For some reason know not what.

Seeing Seetha doubt herself

Gave I her thus assurance.

It’s his sorrow for thee know

Made that Rama lose his way.

Seeing thy man immobilized

As well Lakshman lost his wits,

Now that I would tell thy tale

Both of them would spring to life.

Enthused by the news I fetch

Land they would soon in Lanka.

That would be the beginning of

The end of Ravan’s reign on earth.

For thy Lord to trust my word

Give me keepsake he gave thee.

Having thought a while Seetha

Gave this diadem now thou hold.

In my hurry to see thee

Bid I adieu to thy spouse.

As I started to gain size

So that I could cross the seas

Spoke then Seetha to me thus.

As she took thy name O Lord

Broke she down then in despair.

Having at length set her tone

Chanted thy name like mantra.

That thou bestow trust in me

Praised my fortune then Seetha.

As a seat for her fly back

Offered then I her my back.

Told I she would be with thee

Before she could spell thy name.

Said she it’s not in her vein

Touch to alien male on own.

Felt I it’s my misfortune

Laid as Ravan hand on me

Kidnapped as he me then thus.

So can’t I make on thy back

Though thou are a friendly soul.

Once thou go back to thy folk

Pay my respects to them all.

Implore upon my Lord Ram

Help me come out clean early.

Mind thee tell all to my Lord

How guards all these distress me.

Men of men O Lord Rama

That’s how Seetha pines for thee.

Canto 68 - Times of Hope

Said then Hanuman to Rama

Came as thy spouse to trust me

Spoke she further thus with me.

Stress the need to do needful

Speak as thou to my Lord Ram.

How I wish thou gone by now

Yet I feel thou need some rest

Stay so back for one more day.

It’s thy coming O Hanuman

Set the mind of mine at rest.

Leave as thee the Lankan shore

High ’n dry me that would leave.

In contrast to strength thee gave

Won’t thy absence make it worse.

Be that as it may Hanuman

Reach to Lanka as thee did

Can all vanars cross this sea?

To slay Ravan for my sake

How my Lord ’n his sibling

Can cross over sea this vast?

But for Vayu, Garud ’n thou

Who else could cross Lankan seas?

How to bring all to these shores

Thus O Hanuman give a thought.

Surely on thy own Hanuman

Make can Ravan bite the dust

Yet that leaves no role for Ram

In the rescue of his spouse.

If my Lord doth declare war

And downs Ravan in combat

That would enhance his prestige

And earns me honour in reclaim.

Ravan as did snare me then

Spirit if thou me from Lanka

Won’t it go down well with Ram.

Proper thus it’s for my Lord

Comes he here ’n takes me back.

Keeping all this in thy mind

For my rescue by my man

Need there is for thee to come

Up with foolproof plan some  now.

Seeing how she lays in store

Honour of her beloved man

Spoke I to her in reverence.

Goddess like O Rama’s spouse

Know Sugreev is committed to

Help thy man to set thee free.

Know we vanars in millions

Stake our lives to keep the word

Lord our thus gave to thy lord.

Choose if vanars to breach earth

Is there someone to stop them?

Blessed are all of us with skills

Roam we may all worlds are there.

Falls none ever as short of me

Vanars in scores better me true.

As I could do what I did

What to speak of rest of them?

Now it’s time thee feel easy

Soon we vanars land in droves

With thy Lord to set thee free.

Discount  if thou vanar strength

Don’t thee know that I could fly

Ram ’n Lakshman on my back

Shores to these to fight Ravan?

Thou well know that thy man with

Sibling his would come out trumps.

Nevertheless we all vanars

To fight the forces of Ravan

Would be there on hand to Ram.

Land  as we on Lankan shores

To hear the roars of vanar force

Won’t it take thee now so long.

Slays when Ram the evil Ravan

Won’t thee hand in hand in time

Ascend Ayodhya’s throne with him?

Having heard my words Seetha

Said she would ever live in hope

That thee would soon set her free.

Peep into Yuddha Kanda: War on Ravan

Embrace of a Gift

Pleased no end was Rama then

Hope thus Hanuman could infuse

In his forlorn spouse Seetha.

Well O Hanuman thy great deeds

Would stand out all times to come.

With God Vayu ’n Garuda

Fly who with ease seas across

Make thee living legend now on.

Just to set foot in Lanka

Dare not angels ever in dreams.

Know not I a soul on earth

Dared that trespass Ravan’s land,

Speaks in volumes thy valour

Dared as thee ’n came back sound.

Comes it when to sheer valour

Know thee none can ever equal.

Blessed is thy Lord Sugreeva

Hath who in ranks Vayu’s son

Acts who to his Lord’s benefit

Outside though brief of his Lord.

Might we call him just worthy

Who that goes by master’s brief.

Meets no end on he errand

Strives who none though well-spoken.

Errand on that thou was sent

To find my spouse in alien land

Ruled by none else but Ravan

Left no stone thou ever unturned.

Had thee not thus found Seetha

Sure it would have been my death

Know thus with thy dedication

Saved thou life of me for now.

For I lost my crown and all

For the worse of fate of mine

For thy good turn O Hanuman

For me to show due gratitude

None have I to bestow thee.

Like to take thee in my arms

So that I could bring my heart

Closer now to thine own one

Helps as that to convey well

Gratitude it bears for thee.

Having spoken thus Rama

Taken Hanuman moved by then

Into warmth of his embrace.

Coronation and After

Led by Vasisht high priest then

Ram ’n Seetha reached high throne.

One by one then twelve Vasus

And those grand seers eight of them

Perfused both of them with scents.

Then those elders let Brahmans

Virgins, nobles and Generals

Likewise perfuse them on throne.

Soon after were invited

Angels all to perfuse Ram

Seetha too with heavenly scents.

Held Ram’s sibling Satrughna

Canopy over royal heads

While Lord Sugreev deemed if fit

To don the role of fan boy then.

As a mark of his respect

Fanned them Vibhishan from other end.

Standing in for Lord Indra

Gave them Vayu gold lotus.

On his own then Vayu gave

Pearl necklace for Ram to wear.

Made the singers ’n dancers

Sent by Indra from his court

Seem it like a heavenly show.

Portend well to Ram’s lordship

Mother earth came up with bounty.

Last which would for generations

Such farm wealth Ram gave Brahmans.

For the sake of their womenfolk

Ram gave Brahmans all rare gems.

Gave then Ram to Sugreeva

Pearl chain that seemed Milky Way.

Gave Lord Ram to Prince Angad

Epaulets gold with blood red stones.

Pearl chain that Ram gave Seetha

Looked like moonbeam in blue skies.

With the consent of her Lord

Gave then Seetha silk garments

As well jewels to Hanuman.

Pulled out Seetha from her self

Necklace that was she fond of.

Sensed as Ram her intent true

Beseeched he she bestows that

Upon the one she loves the most

Apart from the spouse of hers.

Heartened as she was at that

Gave that Seetha to Hanuman.

Wore it Hanuman in reverence

Shone he like the moon on earth.

Honoured Rama Dwividu then

With Maindun ’n Neel as well

With such gifts that touched their hearts.

Went on Ram to honour friends

Left was none from vanar ranks.

Not the one to ignore friends

Ram then called for Vibhishan

Gave him gifts that pleased him most.

Last but not the least on list

Was Hanuman who got the best

From Lord Ram who valued him.

Came as time for guests to part

Gave them consent Ram to leave.

All the way to Kishkindha

Led then flock his Sugreeva.

Left for Vibhishan to Lanka

To reign in place of Ravan then.

Settled as Ram for his long reign

Spoke he then to Lakshman thus:

Sibling loyal O Lakshman

Consent to be my Crown prince.

At that Lakshman turned his back

Bharath he then pushed to forefront.

Yagas ordained by Vedas

In his long reign Ram performed.

Reign ten millennia his lasted

Domain of its spread worlds over.

Helped as Lakshman in his reign

Giving hands of Ram then touched

Horizons wide of all three worlds.

Took care Ram of his subjects

No poor cousin was ever ignored.

In his reign all lived full life

None was ruined by Acts of God.

Died no infant in his reign

Lived no dacoit to name one.

Reigned well dharma in his time

Gone were faction fights of yore.

None was barren in his land

In scores bore women there children.

Took his name all day and night

Revered him all worlds to one man.

Climes all then put their best foot

Dared not drought to visit his land.

Lived all making best of life

Shown was door to greed by all.

Sense of fairness ruled as minds

Were there no mean in his reign.

Such was golden rein of Ram

10 K summers it lasted

To the world that lapsed itself

Turned that distant past in time.

Told are life ’n times of Ram

In this foremost poetic work

Sage Valmiki gave this world.

Brings it cheer to who reads it

Besides those who hear it read.

Women who hear all Ramayan

Bear they sons who live for long.

Hears who victor Rama’s tale

Keeps he death at bay for long.

Who in reverence hears saga

Of Lord Ram in Ramayan

Gave to world by Valmiki

Comes out unscathed from hardships.

Helps man Ramayan come to

Grips with anger and distress.

To and fro in one’s voyage

Gives this tale him safe passage.

Hear who Rama’s tale till end

Gods are known to bless them all.

Rulers who read Ramayan

Come to rule the entire world.

Swear who by this ancient work

Absolved would be from all sins.

Store if set by Rama’s tale

Turns warrior the tides battle.

Reads if one or hears this tale

Grace he hath of Lord Rama.

In his avatar as Rama

Ordained Vishnu that Seshu

Makes who heavenly cushion for him

Would be with him as Lakshman.

One who hears ever this saga

Gets a spouse who well pleases.

Who in reverence hears this tale

Earns he fame that lasts for long.

Reads Whoso this adi kavya

Wins he heart of Lord Vishnu.

Essence of it whoso gets

Pleases progenitors ’n angels.

Rewrites whoso this saga

As told by sage Valmiki

Ascend he would heaven in end.

Table of Contents

Sundara Kãnda

Sundara Kãnda: Hanuman's Odyssey