Sundara Kanda, Sarga 48

ततस्तु रक्षोधिपतिर्महात्मा हनूमताक्षे निहते कुमारे। मनस्समाधाय सदेवकल्पं समादिदेशेन्द्रजितं सरोषः।।5.48.1।।

tatastu rakṣodhipatirmahātmā hanūmatākṣe nihate kumāre| manassamādhāya sadevakalpaṃ samādideśendrajitaṃ saroṣaḥ

Thereafter the great demon king, mighty angry at the death of Aksha in the hands of Hanuman, controlled his feeling and ordered Indrajit who was like a godhead.

त्वमस्त्रविच्छस्त्रविदां वरिष्ठस्सुरासुराणामपि शोकदाता। सुरेषु सेन्द्रेषु च दृष्टकर्मा पितामहाराधनसञ्चितास्त्रः।।5.48.2।।

tvamastravicchastravidāṃ variṣṭhassurāsurāṇāmapi śokadātā| sureṣu sendreṣu ca dṛṣṭakarmā pitāmahārādhanasañcitāstraḥ

"You are an expert in wielding astras (missiles) and foremost among the wielders of weapons. You are highly efficient. You have brought grief even to suras and asuras. You are a warrior of proven ability demonstrated in your war against the gods including Indra. By propitiating, (through penance), grandfather Brahma you have acquired many missiles.

तवास्त्रबलमासाद्य ससुराः समरुद्गणाः। न शेकुस्समरे स्थातुं सुरेश्वरसमाश्रिताः।।5.48.3।।

tavāstrabalamāsādya sasurāḥ samarudgaṇāḥ| na śekussamare sthātuṃ sureśvarasamāśritāḥ

"None could face you in war including Indra, Maruts and gods because of your skill and the power of your astras.

न कश्चित्त्रिषु लोकेषु संयुगेन गतश्रमः। भुजवीर्याभिगुप्तश्च तपसा चाभिरक्षितः।।5.48.4।। देशकालविभागज्ञस्त्वमेव मतिसत्तमः।

na kaścittriṣu lokeṣu saṃyugena gataśramaḥ| bhujavīryābhiguptaśca tapasā cābhirakṣitaḥ deśakālavibhāgajñastvameva matisattamaḥ|

"Excepting you there is none who has not experienced fatigue in war in the three worlds. You alone are intelligent in fighting. You are protected by the strength of your arms and power of austerity. You are aware of the proper place and time of action.

न तेऽस्त्यशक्यं समरेषु कर्मणा न तेऽस्त्यकार्यं मतिपूर्वमन्त्रणे। न सोऽस्ति कश्चित्त्रिषु सङ्ग्रहेषु वै न वेद यस्तेऽस्त्रबलं बलं च ते।।5.48.5।।

na te'styaśakyaṃ samareṣu karmaṇā na te'styakāryaṃ matipūrvamantraṇe| na so'sti kaścittriṣu saṅgraheṣu vai na veda yaste'strabalaṃ balaṃ ca te

"Nothing is impossible for you in war. You do not consider with your wise judgment any action unfit for undertaking. There is none in all the three worlds who is unaware of the strength of your weapons and your power to recall through Mantra the weapon you have discharged.

ममानुरूपं तपसो बलं च ते पराक्रमश्चास्त्रबलं च संयुगे। न त्वां समासाद्य रणावमर्दे मनश्श्रमं गच्छति निश्चितार्थम्।।5.48.6।।

mamānurūpaṃ tapaso balaṃ ca te parākramaścāstrabalaṃ ca saṃyuge| na tvāṃ samāsādya raṇāvamarde manaśśramaṃ gacchati niścitārtham

"The power of your penance, your valour and your ability to discharge astras in war is equal only to mine. I am not bothered about the consequences of war you wage because your victory is certain.

निहताः किङ्करास्सर्वे जम्बुमाली च राक्षसः। अमात्यपुत्रा वीराश्च पञ्च सेनाग्रयायिनः।।5.48.7।। बलानि सुसमृद्धानि साश्वनागरथानि च।

nihatāḥ kiṅkarāssarve jambumālī ca rākṣasaḥ| amātyaputrā vīrāśca pañca senāgrayāyinaḥ balāni susamṛddhāni sāśvanāgarathāni ca|

"All the kinkaras , Jambumali, the heroic demons, sons of the ministers and five army generals were slain. Battalions of well-equipped army including horses, elephants and chariots were also destroyed.

सहोदरस्ते दयितः कुमारोऽक्षश्च सूदितः।।5.48.8।। न हि तेष्वेव मे सारो यस्त्वय्यरिनिषूदन।

sahodaraste dayitaḥ kumāro'kṣaśca sūditaḥ na hi teṣveva me sāro yastvayyariniṣūdana|

"Your dear young brother Aksha is killed. O scourage of enemies I do not have the faith in them as I have in you.

इदं हि दृष्ट्वा मतिमन्महद्बलं कपेः प्रभावं च पराक्रमं च। त्वमात्मनश्चापि समीक्ष्य सारं कुरुष्व वेगं स्वबलानुरूपम्।।5.48.9।।

idaṃ hi dṛṣṭvā matimanmahadbalaṃ kapeḥ prabhāvaṃ ca parākramaṃ ca| tvamātmanaścāpi samīkṣya sāraṃ kuruṣva vegaṃ svabalānurūpam

"O intelligent warrior measure the strength, power and valour of the monkey and your own strength carefully. Exercise your own strength and speed accordingly.

बलावमर्थस्तयि सन्निकृष्टे यथा गते शाम्यति शान्तशत्रौ। तथा समीक्ष्यात्मबलं परं च समारभस्वास्त्रविदां वरिष्ठ।।5.48.10।।

balāvamarthastayi sannikṛṣṭe yathā gate śāmyati śāntaśatrau| tathā samīkṣyātmabalaṃ paraṃ ca samārabhasvāstravidāṃ variṣṭha

"O warrior of extraordinary merit among the wielders of astras asses your strength approach the enemy in a manner by which he is subdued without causing further destruction to our army. Carefully measure your own strength and your enemy's before you start fighting.

न वीरसेना गणशोच्यवन्ति न वज्रमादाय विशालसारम्। न मारुतस्यास्य गतेः प्रमाणं न चाग्निकल्पः करणेन हन्तुम्।।5.48.11।।

na vīrasenā gaṇaśocyavanti na vajramādāya viśālasāram| na mārutasyāsya gateḥ pramāṇaṃ na cāgnikalpaḥ karaṇena hantum

"O hero take no large army as it is futile with this monkey endowed with extraordinary vigour. Even a thunderbolt can do nothing. He is like the wind and has no match in speed. He is like the sacrificial fire who cannot be destroyed by weapons.

तमेवमर्थं प्रसमीक्ष्य सम्यक् स्वकर्मसाम्याद्धि समाहितात्मा। स्मरंश्च दिव्यं धनुषोऽस्त्रवीर्यं व्रजाक्षतं कर्म समारभस्व।।5.48.12।।

tamevamarthaṃ prasamīkṣya samyak svakarmasāmyāddhi samāhitātmā| smaraṃśca divyaṃ dhanuṣo'stravīryaṃ vrajākṣataṃ karma samārabhasva

"Assess the situation properly. You are a person of sound judgement. You are a master in weaponry. Recollect the strength of your bow and divine astras and march forward with a singleminded attention. Act in a manner that does not bring your doom.

न खल्वियं मतिश्श्रेष्ठा यत्त्वां सम्प्रेषयाम्यहम्। इयं च राजधर्माणां क्षत्रियस्य मतिर्मता।।5.48.13।।

na khalviyaṃ matiśśreṣṭhā yattvāṃ sampreṣayāmyaham| iyaṃ ca rājadharmāṇāṃ kṣatriyasya matirmatā

"I am reluctant to send you to war in the circumstances. But you are the best choice for me. However, certainly this is the duty of a kshatriya who follows the science of polity. Hence I am sending you.

नानाशस्त्रेषु सङ्ग्रामे वैशारद्यमरिन्दम। अवश्यमेव बोद्धव्यं काम्यश्च विजयो रणे।।5.48.14।।

nānāśastreṣu saṅgrāme vaiśāradyamarindama| avaśyameva boddhavyaṃ kāmyaśca vijayo raṇe

"O subduer of enemies you are capable of handling different kinds of weapons. Therefore, understand that I seek only your ultimate triumph in war.

ततः पितुस्तद्वचनं निशम्य प्रदक्षिणं दक्षसुतप्रभावः। चकार भर्तारमदीनसत्त्वो रणाय वीरः प्रतिपन्नबुद्धिः।।5.48.15।।

tataḥ pitustadvacanaṃ niśamya pradakṣiṇaṃ dakṣasutaprabhāvaḥ| cakāra bhartāramadīnasattvo raṇāya vīraḥ pratipannabuddhiḥ

Hearing the father's words (of exhortation), he, who is never distressed at the prospect of war decided to seek the battle as he was powerful like the son of Daksha, and went round his father with respect.

ततस्तै स्स्वगणैरिष्टैरिन्द्रजित् प्रतिपूजितः। युद्धोद्धतः कृतोत्साहस्सङ्ग्रामं प्रत्यपद्यत।।5.48.16।।

tatastai ssvagaṇairiṣṭairindrajit pratipūjitaḥ| yuddhoddhataḥ kṛtotsāhassaṅgrāmaṃ pratyapadyata

Having been honoured by his own kith and kin who loved him, Indrajit rushed forth for war with martial vigour.

श्रीमान्पद्मपलाशाक्षो राक्षसाधिपतेस्सुतः। निर्जगाम महातेजास्समुद्र इव पर्वसु।।5.48.17।।

śrīmānpadmapalāśākṣo rākṣasādhipatessutaḥ| nirjagāma mahātejāssamudra iva parvasu

When the illustrious son of Ravana, the highly Indrajit resplendent with eyes of lotus petals marched ahead he looked like the turbulent ocean on a fullmoon day.

स पक्षिराजोपमतुल्यवेगैर्व्याळैश्चतुर्भिः सिततीक्षणदंष्ट्रैः। रथं समायुक्तमसहयवेगं समारुरोहेन्द्रजिदिन्द्रकल्पः।।5.48.18।।

sa pakṣirājopamatulyavegairvyāḻaiścaturbhiḥ sitatīkṣaṇadaṃṣṭraiḥ| rathaṃ samāyuktamasahayavegaṃ samārurohendrajidindrakalpaḥ

Like Indra, Indrajit ascended the chariot (which had the standard of Indra as it was seized from him as a token of his having conquered Indra) yoked to four sharptoothed tigers. It moved in swiftness vying with Garuda, the king of birds in speed.

स रथी धन्विनां श्रेष्ठः शस्त्रज्ञोस्त्रविदां वरः। रथेनाभिययौ क्षिप्रं हनुमान्यत्र सोऽभवत्।।5.48.19।।

sa rathī dhanvināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ śastrajñostravidāṃ varaḥ| rathenābhiyayau kṣipraṃ hanumānyatra so'bhavat

Mounted on the chariot, Indrajit, the best in archery and an expert in weaponry went quickly to the place where that great Hanuman was stationed.

स तस्य रथनिर्घोषं ज्यास्वनं कार्मुकस्य च। निशम्य हरिवीरोऽसौ संप्रहृष्टतरोऽभवत्।।5.48.20।।

sa tasya rathanirghoṣaṃ jyāsvanaṃ kārmukasya ca| niśamya harivīro'sau saṃprahṛṣṭataro'bhavat

The leader of the monkey also became happier on hearing the rumbling (of the chariot) and the twang of Indrajit's bowstring.

सुमहच्चापमादाय शितशल्यांश्च सायकान्। हनुमन्तमभिप्रेत्य जगाम रणपण्डितः।।5.48.21।।

sumahaccāpamādāya śitaśalyāṃśca sāyakān| hanumantamabhipretya jagāma raṇapaṇḍitaḥ

Indrajit who was an adept in warfare, picked his highly powerful bow and aimed his sharpedged arrow at Hanuman.

तस्मिंस्ततः संयति जातहर्षे रणाय निर्गच्छति चापपाणौ। दिशश्च सर्वाः कलुषा बभूवु र्मृगाश्च रौद्रा बहुधा विनेदुः।।5.48.22।।

tasmiṃstataḥ saṃyati jātaharṣe raṇāya nirgacchati cāpapāṇau| diśaśca sarvāḥ kaluṣā babhūvu rmṛgāśca raudrā bahudhā vineduḥ

When he sallied forth happily holding a bow full of passion for war, darkness prevailed in all quarters and it became gloomy. Beasts began to howl in various frightful ways.

समागतास्तत्र तु नागयक्षा महर्षयश्चक्रचराश्च सिद्धाः। नभस्समावृत्य च पक्षिसङ्घा विनेदुरुच्चैः परमप्रहृष्टाः।।5.48.23।।

samāgatāstatra tu nāgayakṣā maharṣayaścakracarāśca siddhāḥ| nabhassamāvṛtya ca pakṣisaṅghā vineduruccaiḥ paramaprahṛṣṭāḥ

(To see the combat) the Nagas, Yakshas, seers and Siddhas who move round the heavenly orbits assembled in the sky. The birds collected in flocks in the sky and screeched loudly and happily.

आयान्तं सरथं दृष्ट्वा तूर्णमिन्द्रजितं कपिः। विननाद महानादं व्यवर्धत च वेगवान्।।5.48.24।।

āyāntaṃ sarathaṃ dṛṣṭvā tūrṇamindrajitaṃ kapiḥ| vinanāda mahānādaṃ vyavardhata ca vegavān

Hanuman of very high speed enlarged his body and roared, perceiving Indrajit's chariot coming swiftly.

इन्द्रजित्तु रथं दिव्यमास्थितश्चित्रकार्मुकः। धनुर्विष्फारयामास तटिदूर्जितन्निस्स्वनम्।।5.48.25।।

indrajittu rathaṃ divyamāsthitaścitrakārmukaḥ| dhanurviṣphārayāmāsa taṭidūrjitannissvanam

Indrajit on his part sat in his divine chariot holding a wonderful bow and in a lightning speed twanged it.

ततस्समेतावतितीक्ष्णवेगौ महाबलौ तौ रणनिर्विशङ्कौ। कपिश्च रक्षोधिपतेस्तनूजः सुरासुरेन्द्राविव बद्धवैरौ।।5.48.26।।

tatassametāvatitīkṣṇavegau mahābalau tau raṇanirviśaṅkau| kapiśca rakṣodhipatestanūjaḥ surāsurendrāviva baddhavairau

Then the son of the demon king and Hanuman, both very fast in speed, mighty and powerful, fearless in war and like sura and asura closed in upon each other.

स तस्य वीरस्य महारथस्य धनुष्मतः संयति सम्मतस्य। शरप्रवेगं व्यहनत्प्रवृद्ध श्चचार मार्गे पितुरप्रमेयः।।5.48.27।।

sa tasya vīrasya mahārathasya dhanuṣmataḥ saṃyati sammatasya| śarapravegaṃ vyahanatpravṛddha ścacāra mārge pituraprameyaḥ

Hanuman of immeasurable strength heaved himself to a huge proprtion and went moving on the path of his father (windgod) rendering useless the extraordinary speed of the arrows of Indrajit, who was great in chariot warfare, and an efficient archer.

ततश्शरानायततीक्ष्णशल्यान् सुपत्रिणः काञ्चनचित्रपुङ्खान्। मुमोच वीरः परवीरहन्ता सुसन्नतान् वज्रनिपातवेगान्।।5.48.28।।

tataśśarānāyatatīkṣṇaśalyān supatriṇaḥ kāñcanacitrapuṅkhān| mumoca vīraḥ paravīrahantā susannatān vajranipātavegān

Then the heroic Indrajit, slayer of enemy warriors, discharged long arrows that were fixed with fine feathers with sharppointed gold tips, bent a little at the tip touching the bow string, as swift as lightning.

ततस्तु तत्स्यन्दननिस्स्वनं च मृदङ्गभेरीपटहस्वनं च। विकृष्यमाणस्य च कार्मुकस्य निशम्य घोषं पुनरुत्पपात।।5.48.29।।

tatastu tatsyandananissvanaṃ ca mṛdaṅgabherīpaṭahasvanaṃ ca| vikṛṣyamāṇasya ca kārmukasya niśamya ghoṣaṃ punarutpapāta

Thereupon, hearing the rumbling of the chariot, the sounds of mrudangas, bheris, and patahas drawing towards him, and percieving the loud twang of the bow (of Indrajit) Hanuman sprang up again.

शराणामन्तरेष्वाशु व्यवर्तत महाकपिः। हरिस्तस्याभिलक्ष्यस्य मोघयन्लक्ष्यसंग्रहम्।।5.48.30।।

śarāṇāmantareṣvāśu vyavartata mahākapiḥ| haristasyābhilakṣyasya moghayanlakṣyasaṃgraham

The great tawny monkey moved quickly between spaces of arrows that were aimed at him rendering hosts of Indrajit's targets futile.

शराणामग्रतस्तस्य पुनः समभिवर्तत। प्रसार्य हस्तौ हनुमानुत्पपातानिलात्मजः।।5.48.31।।

śarāṇāmagratastasya punaḥ samabhivartata| prasārya hastau hanumānutpapātānilātmajaḥ

Hanuman, son of the Windgod again stood facing the arrows directly stretching his hands and jumped (into the air).

तावुभौ वेगसम्पन्नौ रणकर्मविशारदौ। सर्वभूतमनोग्राहि चक्रतुर्युद्धमुत्तमम्।।5.48.32।।

tāvubhau vegasampannau raṇakarmaviśāradau| sarvabhūtamanogrāhi cakraturyuddhamuttamam

Both the warriors endowed with speed and skill in warfare carried on the fight which captivated the minds of all creatures.

हनुमतो वेद न राक्षसोऽन्तरं न मारुतिस्तस्य महात्मनोऽन्तरम्। परस्परं निर्विषहौ बभूवतुः समेत्य तौ देवसमानविक्रमौ।।5.48.33।।

hanumato veda na rākṣaso'ntaraṃ na mārutistasya mahātmano'ntaram| parasparaṃ nirviṣahau babhūvatuḥ sametya tau devasamānavikramau

The demon did not find a way to hit Hanuman. Maruti also found no opportunity to hit great Indrajit. Both of them being equal to gods in valour became too much to each other in war. (Both of them moved at meteoric speed making it difficult to aim at the enemy.)

ततस्तु लक्ष्ये स विहन्यमाने शरेष्वमोघेषु च संपतत्सु। जगाम चिन्तां महतीं महात्मा समाधिसंयोगसमाहितात्मा।।5.48.34।।

tatastu lakṣye sa vihanyamāne śareṣvamogheṣu ca saṃpatatsu| jagāma cintāṃ mahatīṃ mahātmā samādhisaṃyogasamāhitātmā

Indrajit's infallible arrows missed Hanuman. Then the great warrior became perplexed and started thinking seriously within himself entering into a reflective mood.

ततो मतिं राक्षसराजसूनु श्चकार तस्मिन् हरिवीरमुख्ये। अवध्यतां तस्य कपेस्समीक्ष्य कथं निगच्छेदिति निग्रहार्थम्।।5.48.35।।

tato matiṃ rākṣasarājasūnu ścakāra tasmin harivīramukhye| avadhyatāṃ tasya kapessamīkṣya kathaṃ nigacchediti nigrahārtham

Then Indrajit, son of the demon king, thinking that a vanara should not be killed started considering other means of catching hm.

ततः पैतामहं वीरः सोऽस्त्रमस्त्रविदां वरः। संदधे सुमहत्तेजा: तं हरिप्रवरं प्रति।।5.48.36।।

tataḥ paitāmahaṃ vīraḥ so'stramastravidāṃ varaḥ| saṃdadhe sumahattejā: taṃ haripravaraṃ prati

Then the heroic master of weapons, an excellent and glorious warrior directed the Brahmastram towards the foremost of monkeys.

अवध्योऽयमिति ज्ञात्वा तमस्त्रेणास्त्रतत्त्ववित्। निजग्राह महाबाहुर्मारुतात्मजमिन्द्रजित्।।5.48.37।।

avadhyo'yamiti jñātvā tamastreṇāstratattvavit| nijagrāha mahābāhurmārutātmajamindrajit

Indrajit, the strongarmed hero, who knew the secrets of all missiles, realising that the son of the Windgod cannot be killed caught him by the divine weapon of Brahma (Brahmastram).

तेन बद्धस्ततोऽस्त्रेण राक्षसेन स वानरः। अभवन्निर्विचेष्टश्च पपात स महीतले ।।5.48.38।।

tena baddhastato'streṇa rākṣasena sa vānaraḥ| abhavannirviceṣṭaśca papāta sa mahītale

Then Hanuman bound by the weapon of the demon was unable to move and fell on the ground.

ततोऽथ बुद्ध्वा स तदस्त्रबन्धं प्रभोः प्रभावाद्विगतात्मवेगः। पितामहानुग्रहमात्मनश्च विचिन्तयामास हरिप्रवीरः।।5.48.39।।

tato'tha buddhvā sa tadastrabandhaṃ prabhoḥ prabhāvādvigatātmavegaḥ| pitāmahānugrahamātmanaśca vicintayāmāsa haripravīraḥ

The monkey leader realised that his speed was arrested by the power of the lord Brahma, by the strength of the bond of Brahmastram. He then recalled lord Brahma's boon to him.

तत स्स्वायम्बुवैर्मन्त्रैर्ब्रह्मास्त्रमभिमन्त्रितम्। हनुमांश्चिन्तयामास वरदानं पितामहात्।।5.48.40।।

tata ssvāyambuvairmantrairbrahmāstramabhimantritam| hanumāṃścintayāmāsa varadānaṃ pitāmahāt

Hanuman realised that it was by invoking creator Brahma and applying the mantra that he was caught by Brahmastram. On that occasion he started thinking of the boon given to him by Grandsire Brahma :

न मेऽस्त्रबन्धस्य च शक्तिरस्ति विमोक्षणे लोकगुरोः प्रभावात्। इत्येव मत्वा विहितोऽस्त्रबन्धो मयात्मयोनेरनुवर्तितव्यः।।5.48.41।।

na me'strabandhasya ca śaktirasti vimokṣaṇe lokaguroḥ prabhāvāt| ityeva matvā vihito'strabandho mayātmayoneranuvartitavyaḥ

'I deem it an effect of the power of Brahma. It is not possiblle for me to free myself due to the power of the great lord presiding over the universe through the astra. It should be obeyed'.

स वीर्यमस्त्रस्य कपिर्विचार्य पितामहानुग्रहमात्मनश्च। विमोक्षशक्तिं परिचिन्तयित्वा पितामहाज्ञामनुवर्तते स्म।।5.48.42।।

sa vīryamastrasya kapirvicārya pitāmahānugrahamātmanaśca| vimokṣaśaktiṃ paricintayitvā pitāmahājñāmanuvartate sma

Reflecting within himself about the power of the astra, Hanuman recalled Braham's favour to him. He recalled his own power to liberate himself from the Brahmastra and resolved to abide by the order of Brahma.

अस्त्रेणापि हि बद्धस्य भयं मम न जायते। पितामहमहेन्द्राभ्यां रक्षितस्यानिलेन च।।5.48.43।।

astreṇāpi hi baddhasya bhayaṃ mama na jāyate| pitāmahamahendrābhyāṃ rakṣitasyānilena ca

'Even though I am bound by the astra, I have the protection of both Brahma and Indra as well as the Windgod. Hence there is no cause for apprension.

ग्रहणे चापि रक्षोभिर्महन्मे गुणदर्शनम्। राक्षसेन्द्रेण संवादस्तस्माद्गृह्णन्तु मां परे।।5.48.44।।

grahaṇe cāpi rakṣobhirmahanme guṇadarśanam| rākṣasendreṇa saṃvādastasmādgṛhṇantu māṃ pare

'If I am caught by the demon I will have the opportunity to see the demon lord. Therefore, let me be caught by my enemies'.

स निश्चितार्थः परवीरहन्ता समीक्ष्यकारी विनिवृत्तचेष्टः। परैः प्रसह्याभिगतैर्निगृह्य ननाद तैस्त्रै: परिभर्त्स्यमानः।।5.48.45।।

sa niścitārthaḥ paravīrahantā samīkṣyakārī vinivṛttaceṣṭaḥ| paraiḥ prasahyābhigatairnigṛhya nanāda taistrai: paribhartsyamānaḥ

Hanuman, a destroyer of enemies, who assesses before he acts, resolved (to submit to the ordinance of Brahma), to be silent (the power of his movement affected). When the enemy forces came to him slowly and slowly, siezed him forcibly and abused him, he roared.

ततस्तं राक्षसा दृष्ट्वा निर्विचेष्टमरिंदमम्। बबन्धुश्शणवल्कैश्च द्रुमचीरैश्च संहतैः।।5.48.46।।

tatastaṃ rākṣasā dṛṣṭvā nirviceṣṭamariṃdamam| babandhuśśaṇavalkaiśca drumacīraiśca saṃhataiḥ

Then the ogres had Hanuman, the subduer of enemies, who made no effort to move, bound with hemp rope and bark robes.

स रोचयामास परैश्च बन्धनं प्रसह्य वीरैरभिनिग्रहं च। कौतूहलान्मां यदि राक्षसेन्द्रो द्रष्टुं व्यवस्येदिति निश्चितार्थः।।5.48.47।।

sa rocayāmāsa paraiśca bandhanaṃ prasahya vīrairabhinigrahaṃ ca| kautūhalānmāṃ yadi rākṣasendro draṣṭuṃ vyavasyediti niścitārthaḥ

Bound by the enemy warriors, Hanuman, decided to bear all humiliations, thinking, 'May be the demon king might come to see me out of curiosity if he is so disposed'.

स बद्धस्तेन वल्केन विमुक्तोऽस्त्रेण वीर्यवान्। अस्त्रबन्धः स चान्यं हि न बन्धमनुवर्तते।।5.48.48।।

sa baddhastena valkena vimukto'streṇa vīryavān| astrabandhaḥ sa cānyaṃ hi na bandhamanuvartate

On being bound by bark ropes Hanuman was set free from the bond of Brahmastra, since the bondage of Brahmastra does not tolerate another ordinary bondage.

अथेन्द्रजित्तु द्रुमचीरबद्धं विचार्य वीरः कपिसत्तमं तम्। विमुक्तमस्त्रेण जगाम चिन्तां नान्येन बद्धो ह्यनुवर्ततेऽस्त्रम्।।5.48.49।।

athendrajittu drumacīrabaddhaṃ vicārya vīraḥ kapisattamaṃ tam| vimuktamastreṇa jagāma cintāṃ nānyena baddho hyanuvartate'stram

Then the heroic Indrajit coming to know that the foremost of the monkeys bound by bark ropes was released from the bondage of Brahmastra, thought, 'indeed the divine weapon does not tolerate other bonds, so the vanara is released'.

अहो महत्कर्म कृतं निरर्थकम्कं न राक्षसैर्मन्त्रगतिर्विमृष्टा। पुनश्च मन्त्रे विहतेऽस्त्रमन्यत्प्रवर्तते संशयिता स्स्मसर्वे।।5.48.50।।

aho mahatkarma kṛtaṃ nirarthakamkaṃ na rākṣasairmantragatirvimṛṣṭā| punaśca mantre vihate'stramanyatpravartate saṃśayitā ssmasarve

'Alas! my achievement has been wasted. The ogres had not considered the impact of the mantra of astra . Once the Brahmastra is ineffective another astra cannot be operative again. We are all running a risk.'

अस्त्रेण हनुमान्मुक्तो नात्मानमवबुध्यत। कृष्यमाणस्तु रक्षोभि स्तौश्च बन्धैर्निपीडितः।।5.48.51।।

astreṇa hanumānmukto nātmānamavabudhyata| kṛṣyamāṇastu rakṣobhi stauśca bandhairnipīḍitaḥ

Though binding and dragging by the ogres had hurt Hanuman, he on his part did not know that he had been released from Brahmastra.

हन्यमानस्ततः क्रूरै राक्षसैः काष्ठमुष्टिभिः। समीपं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य प्राकृष्यत स वानरः।।5.48.52।।

hanyamānastataḥ krūrai rākṣasaiḥ kāṣṭhamuṣṭibhiḥ| samīpaṃ rākṣasendrasya prākṛṣyata sa vānaraḥ

The cruel ogres hit Hanuman with sticks and fists and dragged him to the presence of the demon lord.

अथेन्द्रजित्तं प्रसमीक्ष्य मुक्तमस्त्रेण बद्धं द्रुमचीरसूत्रैः। न्यदर्शयत्तत्र महाबलं तं हरिप्रवीरं सगणाय राज्ञे।।5.48.53।।

athendrajittaṃ prasamīkṣya muktamastreṇa baddhaṃ drumacīrasūtraiḥ| nyadarśayattatra mahābalaṃ taṃ haripravīraṃ sagaṇāya rājñe

Then Indarjit, seeing the powerful Hanuman, the foremost of monkeys who was released from the Brahmastra, still bound by bark ropes, presented him to the ogres and their master in the royal assembly.

तं मत्तमिव मातङ्गं बद्धं कपिवरोत्तमम्। राक्षसा राक्षसेन्द्राय रावणाय न्यवेदयन्।।5.48.54।।

taṃ mattamiva mātaṅgaṃ baddhaṃ kapivarottamam| rākṣasā rākṣasendrāya rāvaṇāya nyavedayan

The ogres presented the best of monkeys, Hanuman looking like an elephant in rut to Ravana, the demon king.

कोऽयं कस्य कुतोवात्र किं कार्यं को व्यपाश्रयः। इति राक्षसवीराणां तत्र सञ्जज्ञिरे कथाः।।5.48.55।।

ko'yaṃ kasya kutovātra kiṃ kāryaṃ ko vyapāśrayaḥ| iti rākṣasavīrāṇāṃ tatra sañjajñire kathāḥ

"Who is he? Whose son is he? Why has he come here? Where has he come from? What business does he have here?" Thus the heroic demons talked among themselves.

हन्यतां दह्यतां वापि भक्ष्यतामिति चापरे। राक्षसास्तत्र सङ्क्रुद्धा: परस्परमथाब्रुवन्।।5.48.56।।

hanyatāṃ dahyatāṃ vāpi bhakṣyatāmiti cāpare| rākṣasāstatra saṅkruddhā: parasparamathābruvan

Thereafter other ogres angrily said 'Let us kill him, burn him or otherwise devour him,' thus they spoke to one another.

अतीत्य मार्गं सहसा महात्मा स तत्र रक्षोधिपपादमूले। ददर्श राज्ञः परिचारवृद्धान् गृहं महारत्नविभूषितं च।।5.48.57।।

atītya mārgaṃ sahasā mahātmā sa tatra rakṣodhipapādamūle| dadarśa rājñaḥ paricāravṛddhān gṛhaṃ mahāratnavibhūṣitaṃ ca

The great Hanuman moving quickly and crossing the path came near the feet of the king. He saw the aged and experienced ministers of the king and the palace of the king adorned with precious gems.

स ददर्श महातेजा रावणः कपिसत्तमम्। रक्षोभिर्विकृताकारैः कृष्यमाणमितस्ततः।।5.48.58।।

sa dadarśa mahātejā rāvaṇaḥ kapisattamam| rakṣobhirvikṛtākāraiḥ kṛṣyamāṇamitastataḥ

Resplendent Ravana saw the ogres of ugly appearance dragging the foremost of the monkeys here and there.

राक्षसाधिपतिं चापि ददर्श कपिसत्तमः। तेजोबलसमायुक्तं तपन्तमिव भास्करम्।।5.48.59।।

rākṣasādhipatiṃ cāpi dadarśa kapisattamaḥ| tejobalasamāyuktaṃ tapantamiva bhāskaram

Hanuman the best of monkeys also saw the demon king who had both splendour and strength, radiating brilliance like the Sun.

सरोषसम्वर्तितताम्रदृष्टिर्दशाननस्तं कपिमन्ववेक्ष्य। अथोपविष्टान् कुलशीलवृद्धान् समादिशत्तं प्रति मन्त्रिमुख्यान्।।5.48.60।।

saroṣasamvartitatāmradṛṣṭirdaśānanastaṃ kapimanvavekṣya| athopaviṣṭān kulaśīlavṛddhān samādiśattaṃ prati mantrimukhyān

That tenheaded rakshasa king, rolling his red eyes rapidly in rage and observing the monkey unwinkingly ordered the noble and aged ministers of his clan to interrogate Hanuman.

यथाक्रमं तैस्स कपिर्विपृष्टः कार्यार्थमर्धस्य च मूलमादौ। निवेदयामास हरीश्वरस्य दूतः सकाशादहमागतोऽस्मि।।5.48.61।।

yathākramaṃ taissa kapirvipṛṣṭaḥ kāryārthamardhasya ca mūlamādau| nivedayāmāsa harīśvarasya dūtaḥ sakāśādahamāgato'smi

At the very outset they questioned Hanuman manner in the usual about the place he came from and the purpose. Hanuman reported, 'I am Hanuman. I came as a messenger by the order of the king of monkeys'. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये सुन्दरकाण्डे अष्टचत्वारिंशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the fortyeigth sarga of Sundarakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.