Chapter 9 - Manifestation of Viṣṇu as Rāma (part 5)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:

1. Having heard the words of Sampāti, Hanūmat, Aṅgada, (son of Vālin) and others having seen the ocean said, “Who may cross the ocean and make us live?”

2. For the survival of monkeys and accomplishing the task of Rāma, that Māruti (Hanūmat) crossed the ocean extending to hundred yojanas.

3-5. Having seen the rise of Maināka (mountain), having killed (the demon) Siṃhikā and having seen Laṅkā and searching the houses of the demons and those of the women and the houses of the tenheaded (Rāvaṇa), Kumbha, Kumbhakarṇa, Vibhīṣaṇa, Indrajit, and other demons, he did not find (Sītā) (also) in the place for drinking wine. Becoming anxious and having gone to the Aśoka grove he found Sītā at the foot of the Śiṃśapā tree.

6. Remaining on the Śiṃśapā tree he saw Sītā being guarded by the demonesses, (and) Rāvaṇa asking her to become his wife and Sītā replying him that she could not.

7-9. The monkey (also saw) the demonesses asking Sītā to become the wife of Rāvaṇa, After Rāvaṇa had gone he said, "Daśaratha was a king. His sons Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the two excellent brothers came to the forest. You, Jānakī, the wife of Rāma were forcibly taken away by Rāvaṇa. Rāma became a friend of Sugrīva, sent me to search for you, (and) (you) take this signet ring of identification given by Rāma.”

10-12. Sītā received the ring. Having seen Māruti seated on the tree and again in front of her, (she) asked him, “If (he) lives, how Rāma does not take me away?” The monkey said to her who was doubtful, “O Sītā! Rāma does not know. Knowing now he will take you away after killing Rāvaṇa along with his army. O Devī (queen)! Do not worry. You get me an identity.” Sītā gave the crest jewel to the monkey.

13. (And) said, “You do in such a way that Rāma would. take me away quickly. O dispeller of grief! You retell him the story of the removal of the eye of the crow.”

14-15. Getting the jewel and (listening to) the story, Hanumat said, “The Lord will be taking you away. Otherwise, if you feel some hurry, O auspicious one!’ You get on to my back. I shall show you Sugrīva and Rāghava today.” Sītā said to Hanūmat, “Let Rāghava take me away.”

16-18. Then Hanūmat made a stratagem in order to see Daśagrīva (Rāvaṇa). He destroyed the grove, having killed the guards (of the grove) with his teeth and nails, and all the attendants, the sons of seven ministers, prince Akṣa. Śakrajit (Indrajit) (son of Rāvaṇa) bound him with the Nāgapāśa and. took him to the red-eyed Rāvaṇa.

19. Rāvaṇa asked him, “Who you are”. Māruti (Hanū-mat) said to Rāvaṇa, “I am the messenger ofRāma. You return Sītā to him. Otherwise you will certainly die along with the other demons in Laṅkā being hit by the arrows ofRāma.”

20-25. (Hearing these words) Rāvaṇa was intent on killing (Hanūmat) but was prevented by Vibhīṣaṇa. He (Rāvaṇa) made his (Hanūmat’s) tail set fire to. Having burnt Laṅkā. and the demons with the blazing flames Māruti, met Sītā again and saluted her. He crossed the ocean and informed. Aṅgada and others that he had seen Sītā. Having drunk honey in the honey-garden along with Aṅgada and others, overpowering Dadhimukha and other guards, they met Rāma. and told him that Sītā was seen. Rāma also being happy asked. Māruti, “How Sītā was seen by you? And what (message) did she send for me? Sprinkle me who am tormented by the fire of passion, with the nectar of the story of Sītā. Hanūmat said to Rāma (how) he had come after crossing the ocean and seeing Sītā, burning the city (of Laṅkā) and taking jewel from Sītā. "O Rāma! Do not worry. You will get back Sītā after having killed Rāvaṇa.”

26-28. Receiving that jewel Rāma being grief-stricken wept and said, “Having seen this jewel (I feel) I have seen my Janaki. (Sītā)! (You) take me (there). I cannot live without her.” Being consoled by Sugrīva and others (Rāma) reached the banks of ocean. Vibhīṣaṇa who was forsaken by his wicked brother Rāvaṇa for having advised him to return Sītā to Rāma, came there alone to Rāma.

29-31. Rāma anointed his friend Vibhiṣaṇa as the ruler of Laṅkā. He requested ocean for (making) a way. When he had not come, then he split the (ocean) with an arrow. And the (king of the) ocean who had appeared before Rāma, said, “by building a bridge in the ocean by Nala you reach Laṅkā. I have been made great by you in the past.” Rāma also reached the other banks of the mighty ocean by means of the bridge constructed by Nala with trees and rocks. Along with the monkeys he saw Laṅkā, himself remaining on the Suvela mountain.