Maruthi describes his Journey
(Sundara Kandham Concised)
Then Maruth and the other Vanara warriors while they were sitting in that Mahendra Mountain Jhambhavan with emotion and his hair raised asked “ Hanuman ! How did you find Sita? In what state is She?The Cruel Ravana how is he treating her? All this you please tell as it happened. Let us decide what should be spoken in Rama’s presence and what should be discarded from conveying to him” suggested Jhambhavaan.
Then Anjhaneya with hair raising feeling folded his hands and thought & Bowed to Janaki(Sita) in mind and started telling “ As you were seeing me I jumped from this Mountain on to the sky and hadn’t I decided to Leap across the Sea and reach the southern shore? On the way suddenly a Mountain with golden colour creepers sprung from the sea. Since it was blocking my way, I felt it is an hindrance to my journey then I thought I should break it and proceed further.I swirled my tail and hit it’s peak which was shining like the Sun, that portion became pieces. That Mountain understood my intention called me affectionately “ Child! Hey Vayu’s son I am you Father’s dear friend. So iam like an younger father to you. I am living in this Sea.My name is Mynaka. Earlier times the Moutains had wings and could fly when ever they wanted to thus were creating lot of harrasments to the world.Hearing that Mahendra(God of Heaven ) with his Vajhrayudha weapon cut off their wings.Then your father pushed me upto this sea and saved me from facing that hardship. Further Rama is Greatest amongst those adhere Dharma; in Valiant Prowess he is equal to indra. So it is essential to be of help to him.” Said Mynaka.So I reconsidered and informed him of my mission, took his permission and left.Mynaka had hidden ti’s Human form and was like a Mountian in side the Sea.
Then with great speed was flying in the sky. Then the Mother of Serpents Surasa a celestial Lady rose up from the sea and called me “ Hey greatest amongst Vanaras ! Celestials are offering you to em as Food.For lon gi have been awaiting you; today you have come. I am going to eat you” said Surasa.Hearing that I with folded hands and ia asoft manner spoke “ Mother ! Dasratha’s son Raghava is a Valiant person; Tejhasvi ( whose effervescence was Dazzling in all directions with Limitless Aura). For a task he with his younger brother Lakshmana and his wife Sita while they were Living in Dandakaaranya a Wicked Soul called Ravana abducted her. On Rama’s order I am going on a Mission to find her. As you are Living in his Kingdom shouldn’t you help him? If that is not acceptable to you, I will find out about Sita and inform Rama of her where abouts and then I will come enter your Mouth; this IS Sathyam (eternal truthful promise). Surasa who take the disguise She conspired “ Whoever has fallen in my Sigth can’t escape” she said. Immediately I grew into a Huge Form of 10 Youjhanas(3 km or 2.2 Miles) She opened her mouth accordingly. Immediately I shruk my body to Thumb size I went into her mouth and came out in Kshanam(4 seconds). Then Surasa came to her original form and spoke to me “ Child! The mission you are going will be accomplished. You will rejoin Rama and Sita.May all auspicious things happen to you. I have developed special affection for you” then all the Animals said ‘ Good Good’ and celebrated.
Then in the immense Sky while I was going in the speed of Garuda and was going very fast then my speed was reduced ; I could not tell why; while I looked all around, I could not find anyone or thing. What a surprise ! while I was travelling fast, Why this obstacle has happened to me? What is the reason? I am not able to see any Animal on my way. Some one had caught hold of My Shadow and have raised obstruction” thus opining I looked down, in the water I saw a Huge Rakshasi is lying there. Then she looked at me and Laughed aloud at me in a Thunderous manner with Unstinted Courage “ Hey Mountain like Bodied! For a Long time I have been without Food and hungry, Please offer your Body as my Food,satisfy me “ said she. I also grew in Size in my Body , She also opened her Mouth by whih she could swallow me. But she did not know that I could take any disguise I want.So immediately I shrunk myself entred her Mouth and tore open her Heart came out and went up in the Sky;that Gory Huge mountain like Rakshasi died and fell in the sea. Then the Sidha Saranas Living in the Sky “ Hanuman has killed the Dangerous Simhika”(Schylla !!!) spoke amongst themselves.
Then I went into the Sky thinking of the Aim I had focused in the southern sea shore I saw Hills, Forest, and the Lanak City. After Sunset I entered the City which was guarded by ominous looking Rakshasaas in their Capital.Then I saw a Lady who was a Like dark giant cloud came and stopped me. The Rakshasi whose flocks of Hair was like a burning ember rushed to kill me, with my Left fingers clinched I punched and fell her and entered the City. Then she said “ hey Great Person ! I am the Gaurding Ditey of Lanka.Since you have won over me , you will Win over Rakshasaas” said Lankini.
Then that night I had searched entire Lanka, finally screend Ravana’s Queen’s chambers; I could not find Sita. Hence I got drowne in the sea of sorrow, I saw in a corner a Garden which was surrounded by a Golden Corridor. I jumped the boundary wall saw the Ashoka Garden full of trees and in it’s centre a Sishumbha tree , surrounding it I saw a Banana Grove.Near the sishumbha tree I saw a Lady with fair complexion, like a Deer amongst Crowd of Tigers I saw Sita was in the midst of Canibals who eat Human Meat. She is Young ; has the Lotus petal eyes. Due to Hunger, her body gone weak,also with Sorrow with her Hair dirtied, with a single Saree as Garment was sitting there. All the time she was thinking of her husband with hatred for Ravana was being threatened by Rakshasis , like freightened Deer looking here and there with single braided hair was sitting on the ground.Like the Winter season’s Lotus stream with ugly dress she had decided not to Live any more.Thus I had the good fortune of seeing that Famous Lady Wife of Rama and continued to be hiding in the Sishumbha Tree” said Hanuman
Then from Ravana’s palace Golden Belt, Anklets,etc ornaments lilting sound with Profound Hala Hala sound was heard.Hearing that I got a bit scared and shrunk my size, hid my self behind the Leaves of the tree like a Bird.Then to where Sita was came Ravana and his wives. Seeing him Sita closed her Knees together and hid her breasts with her hands. She was wondering what might happen,by looking around to see any one to protect her, with none seen, she was trembling and was confused with anguish.Ravana bowed to her, ‘ Hey Proudful woman with Paragon of Beauty ‘ won’t you accept me as your husband? Due to arrogance if you do not comply, I am giving you 2 months deadline, after that I will drink your blood.’ Said Ravana. Sita replied him “ hey Rakshasaa thorny bush! Why hasn’t your Tongue not melted with Cancer having spoken like this to the Wife of Rama of Unthinkable Tejhas ( shining with dazzling radiance of Aura) ? Have you forgotten I am the DIL(Daughter in Law ) of Emperor Dasaratha of Ikshwaku Dynasty? Scoundrel ! Sinner ! When my Husband was not around, without the knowledge of that great Soul ,You have abducted me , Your Valour has to be torched.Would you ever be equal to Raghava(Rama)? You are not worthy of doing service to him. **( Ravana & his brother were gate keepers of Maha Vishnu and Lakshmi’s (Rama & Sita Currently) Residence in Vaikuntam, Due to thier misconduct with 7 Rishis Saints they were cursed to be born in this world- Sita was reminding him tactfully.)Where is Raghu Clan Warrior who is Sathyavaan (Upholder of truth), one who is celebrated by all, and one has done Yagnyas and Where are You? “ said Sita. Hearing Sita’s words Ravana was enraged like the Fiery embers of Corpse in the cremation ground his Eyes were scorching, rolling his eyes, clinching his right hand fingers came running to kill Sita. Then the On looking Ladies were Kadhara ( Pleading,Yelling, Bellowing,screaming loudly, Exasperation) ‘ ‘Ha ha ‘ and shouted at the plight of the situation. The Royal Queen Mandhodri Consort of Ravana came hugged him and said “ Hey Great King ! You are equal to Indra(Lord of Heaven) in Valiant Prowess what use is of Sita to you? Countless beautiful seniorinas of Various creed such as Devas(Celestials), Dhanav(Demon), Gandharva (Musicians), Pisacha(Ghosts), Uraga (Fortune telling angels)and Pannaga(Serpents clan), Yaksha (Spirits) are at your beck and call and awaiting your glance Come You can enjoy with them” thus she weaned Ravana away. (Dhanyamalaini and Mandhodhri both wives of Ravana stopped him). Ravana’s anger subsided and Lovelorn he returned with them to his Palace.Immediately the Gory Rakshasis surrounded Sita and threatened Sita with cruel words.But their uproar did not work with Sita. She considered their words like Thurumbhu(Piece of Straw). Then they yelled un necessarily , got vexed with her,and went to Ravana to convey Sita’s unstinted resolve.Those who remained with their lost their desire to entice her and gave up their efforts and slept on all sides surrounding Sita. Unable to bear the separation from her husband Sita was going on Lamenting feebly.
Then Thrijhada amongst the Rakshasis suddenly woke up and shouted “ Hey Wicked Women ! Do not touch Sita. If you are so hungry, pluck uproot your Limbs of your own body and eat yourself. Janaka’s Daughter and Dasratha’s Daughter in Law will not be destroyed. Her husband is going to be Victorious and all auspicious blessings are going to befall on him.I saw dream which conveyed this also Ravana and all his Rakshasaas are going to be decimated.To protect us all from the rage of Rama , Sita alone is enough. Let us all pray to her. This seems to be a good opinion. Right now She I suffering severe anguish.but very soon all these are going to vanish and She is going to enjoy long lasting Sukham(Comfort, Luxury, Joy, Fun,Cheer, Love, Affection and fulfilled Desires)” said Thrijhada.hearing this Sita was happy to note her hsuband’s Victory said “ If what you said becomes True, I will protect You”. said Sita.
Sita being such a horrible plight, in order to remove her from such a situation thought in many ways and was unhappy not finidng a tenable option. Having decided how I am going to speak to Sita ,I started describing the Ikshwaku Dynasty . Sita who heard about the Rajarishis(Saintly Kings) with tears welling said “ hey Great amongst Vanaras ! who are you? How did you come here? What task brought you here?How did you and Raghava(Rama) come to know each other?” Sita querried. For that Your husband Ramam has a friend named Sugreeva ,he is very strong,I am his servant; my name is Hanuman.He has sent me to you. In order you have trust in me , he has sent this Ring as an evidence.hence I am ready to fulfill your orders. What should I do? Shall I carry you and Leave you beside Rama and Lakshmana? What is your reply? “ I asked her. On hearing this, Sita realized my original form ‘Let Rama with all his Army come here and destroy Ravana and his Rakshasaas and take me away from here’said Sita. Then the Great Punyavathi Sita I did Namskaram with my head, asked her for an evidence which will make “ Rama happy and make him trust my having come and met you” . Then She took our her Choodamani (Auspicious Hair Bracelet worn in the rear head as an Ornament) and gave It to me “ if you show this to Rama, he will believe that you have met and spoken to me and will Honour you. Anjhaneya! Please convey my position to Rama. It is your duty to bring Sugreeva, Rama Lakshmana to come with Vanara Army . if it Is not so, I will not Live beyond 2 Months. Thereafter Rama cannot see me. I will die like an orphan.”thus Sita gave her final verdict.Hearing those pleas I got enraged . Having realized further actions need to be done, I took a Huge Moutain size Form, with a desire to do battle with Rakshsaas, I destroyed that Ashoka Garden.. With trees bing felled and the Birds and Animals shrieking Rakshasis woke up.Then came and saw me and went informed Ravana soon. “ Lord ! not knowing the Consequences,a Wicked Monkey is destroying Ashoka Garden That wicked intellect Monkey is doing an act which Is not to your liking.Please give coomad to kill him”pleaded the Rakshasis.
Soon Ravana sent the Famed Kinkara Rakshasaas. They conduct themselves as per Ravana’s thoughts; they cannot be easily won over; having taken all their weaponry 80,000 of them came , I killed them all with a an iron Pillar which was available there.Those who ran away scared informed Ravana.
Then I jumped on top of a beautiful Balcony, plucked a pillar, killed the Rakshasaas there, and destroyed that Building which was an ornament for Lanka. Then Ravana sent Prahastha’s son Jhambhumali and many Rakshasaas with him.He was an exponent in Battle I killed him and hisaccomplices with an iron Pillar. Then Ravana sent 7 Ministers sons along with countless foot soldiers. They were sent by me to Yama lok(Place for Dead) with the help of Iron Pillar. Then he brave and capable 5 Generals . I killed them along with their Armies without leaving any trace. Then he sent his strong Aksh with huge Army. The Mandhodri’s son was an ardent exponent in Warfare finally came charging with Sword drawn saw him accelerating towards the Sky , I caught hold of his Legs and swirled hit him hard on the ground and killed him. Then Ravana enraged sent his son Indrajith who was haughty of might and Valour . I killed his entire Army, made his Valour expend became happy. Ravana had complete Faith in sending him with his haughty Army. Indrajith seeing his Strength was subdued and realized he cannot win over me with Arrows and Missiles very quickly sent the Advance weapon System Brahmasthra and tied me up.
Then Rakshasaas tied me with rope and took me to Ravana.He on seeing me asked what was the purpose of my coming to Lanka and the reasons for killing Rakshasaas. “For Sita’s sake I did this” I conveyed to him. ‘ I am Vayu’s son.; My name is Hanuman. Iam a Vanara; Sugreeva’s Minister;I am an Emissary sent by Rama; I have come to you. Great Thejhasvi(exuding Aura) Sugreevas sends his greetings to you and has conveyed the following message in conformity to Purusharthas {(1)Dharma-Righteous conduct- Duty- Pious- humble-Charity -being Noble (2)Material-money,( 3)Desire-ambition-Children,(4)Moksha-Attain God’s feet}. “ in Rishya Mukha Mountain when I was Living the great Warrior Rama became my friend and sought ‘ My wife was taken away by a Rakshasaaa. You should help me in retrieving her “. In which case you should help me in killing my Enemy Valli.’Then Rama Lakshmana in presence of Agni(Fire) made Friendhip treaty with me. Rama killed Valli in battle killed him in 1 Arrow.He coronated me as King for Vanaras. Hence I have to help him in allways.So I have sent my Emissary to you. Immediately please come and return Sita. Or else Vanara warriors will decimate your Army.Devas(Celestails) who seek often Vanara warriors help, Who do not know their Glory ? ‘ thus great king Sugreeva has asked me to convey to you. Hearing this Ravana was enraged uncontrollably looked at me as though he will burn me. That wicked fellow did not know my prowess and my Mahimai(Greatness, Glory, Honour, Achievements, Prowess). Ignorant he ordered ‘ Kill Him’.Then his Younger brother Vibheeshana who is great in intelligence spoke to Ravana ‘Anna! This is not justified; we should not do like this; This is treachery on Raja Neethi(Diplomacy and Strategic studies of international, National relations-Precepts on ethics of Governance for Kingdom, Constituional Law and Justice).Sashtras (Veda Dcotrines/ Testaments) enshrined thus.Isn’t I the duty of an Emissary to convey the message of his Master? Even if he done special Aparadh (Unpardonable acts such as sin, misdemanour, delinquency, infraction, violation, crime, offence, guilt, lawbreaker, crime, outlaw, felony), we should mutilate him and not kill him, so say Neethi Sashtras(Rules of Justice)” prayed Vibheeshana. Ravana heard and accepted the words of Vibheeshana who pleaded on my behalf and “Set Fire to this Monkey’s Tail” ordered Ravana.
Immediately all those Cruel Rakshasaas beat me with Sticks and punched me with their clentched Fists. In my Tail they wound coir ropes of made of coconut shell and old Cloth immersed it in Oil and set Fire to it and took me around the Kingly Boulevards and other main streets of Lanka with Victorious Ovation. I shrunk my huge size thus got rid of the knots tieing me with old Giant form killed them with Iron Pillar avalaible in the Fort entrance. Then I went to the entrance of the City, like the Fire of Deluge destroys all the Living beings with the Fire in my Tail is set Fire serially one after another to entire Lanka. Not a single place was left and it turned into Ashes. Soon’ Without thougth like a Fool , I have set fire to Lanka and also burnt Sita and thus have spoilt the important task of Raghava(Rama) while I was undergoing this unspeakable remorse I heard Saranas “ Not a single place is Left and burnt and baked in Lanka, what a surprise Sita is untouched?” speak amongst themselves.Further the Fire burning in Tail was very cold.; so there was no greif in my ehart.Wind was blowing like a breeze pleasant and soft. . My eyes twitched in good omen. Knowing the words of Sages will not go waste, ‘Sita has no Danger’ thus I was happy, again I went and met her, took her permission, I got on top of the Moutain Arishta and with a desire to meet you all I started for the Sky.**( Easiest and fastet way to reach Distance Like ICBM Nuclear war heads go up in the Sky and Plunge). Vayu, Sun, Moon, Sidha Gandharva Entrouges (Ganas) traverse in that Sky Lane path I have come and see you all.Due to Rama’s Mahimai(Greatness, Glory, Fame) and your undescribable effervescence the Orders given by Sugreeva were ful filled to the best of my ability. What further has to be done, has to be decided and implemented by all of You.(Slokas 159)
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