Sundara kanda 7 & 8

TUESDAY

Chapter [Sarga] 7

Introduction

Hanuma continues his search for mother Seetha in Ravana's inner city. He sees the aerial plane Pushpaka in Ravana's building.

sa veshma jaalam balavaan dadarsha |
vyaasakta vaiduurya suvarNa jaalam |
yathaa mahat praavRSi megha jaalam |
vidyut pinaddham savihamga jaalam || 5-7-1

That Hanuma, the strong one, saw a group of houses with windows in golden hue, embedded with cat's-eye gems, like a great group of clouds in rainy season with lighting, together with a group of birds.

niveshanaanaam vividhaaH ca shaalaaH |
pradhaana shankha aayudha caapa shaalaaH |
mano haraaH ca api punar vishaalaa |
dadarsha veshma adriSu candra shaalaaH || 5-7-2

Hanuma saw various halls of the houses, important buildings storing conches, bows, and other weapons, and also heartening spacious attics at the top of mountain- like houses.

gR^ihaaNi naanaa vasu raajitaani |
deva asuraiH ca api supuujitaani |
sarvaiH ca doSaiH parivarjitaani |
kapir dadarsha sva bala arjitaani || 5-7-3

Hanuma saw houses glittered by various riches, well worshipped by Devas and Asuras, devoid of all flaws and obtained by the self-might of rakshasas.

taani prayatna abhisamaahitaani |
mayena saakSaad iva nirmitaani |
mahii tale sarva guNa uttaraaNi |
dadarsha lankaa adhipater gRhaaNi || 5-7-4

Hanuma saw those houses of the ruler of Lanka, constructed by great effort as though constructed by Mayaa himself on earth with all best qualities.

tato dadarsha ucchrita megha ruupam |
mano haram kaancana caaru ruupam |
rakSo adhipasya aatma bala anuruupam |
gR^iha uttamam hi apratiruupa ruupam || 5-7-5

Thereafter Hanuma saw the best house of the lord of rakshasas, having the appearance of a cloud, soul-captivating one having a beautiful form made of gold which has no comparison, suitable of Ravana's might

mahii tale svargam iva prakiirNam |
shriyaa jvalantam bahu ratna kiirNam |
naanaa taruuNaam kusuma avakiirNam |
girer iva agram rajasaa avakiirNam || 5-7-6

Hanuma saw Ravana's house like heaven thrown upon earth, effulgent with glory, embedded with variety of diamonds covered by flowers of various trees, like the summit of a mountain covered by pollen.

naarii pravekair iva diipyamaanam |
taDidbhir ambhodavad arcyamaanam |
hamsa pravekair iva vaahyamaanam |
shriyaa yutam khe sukRtaam vimaanam || 5-7-7

Being shone by the best among women like a cloud by lightening, being worshipped, like being carried by the best swans, like an aerial car full of splendor, of good people in sky.

WEDNESDAY

yathaa naga agram bahu dhaatu citram |
yathaa nabhaH ca graha candra citram |
dadarsha yuktii kR^ita megha citram |
vimaana ratnam bahu ratna citram || 5-7-8

Hanuma saw the best house like a beautiful cloud endowed with many hues, like the sky illumined by planets including the moon, decked with numerous precious stones like a mountain peak, looking picturesque with numerous minerals.

mahii kR^itaa parvata raaji puurNaa |
shailaaH kR^itaa vR^ikSa vitaana puurNaaH |
vR^ikSaaH kRtaaH puSpa vitaana puurNaaH |
puSpam kRtam kesara patra puurNam || 5-7-9

The earth was made to be full of mountain ranges. The mountains were made to be abounded of trees. The trees were made to be full of flowers. The flower was made to be full of filaments and petals.

kR^itaani veshmaani ca paaNDuraaNi |
tathaa supuSpaa api puSkariNyaH |
punaH ca padmaani sakesaraaNi |
dhanyaani citraaNi tathaa vanaani || 5-7-10

White mansions were also built in the same way. Lakes also with beautiful flowers and also lotuses together with filaments and forest that were the best and wonderful.

puSpa aahvayam naama viraajamaanam |
ratna prabhaabhiH ca vivardhamaanam |
veshma uttamaanaam api ca ucca maanam |
mahaa kapiH tatra mahaa vimaanam || 5-7-11

There the great Hanuma saw a great aerial car, the best among best of aerial cars, shining with the name of Pushpaka with the rays of precious stones, and capable of traveling long distances.

kR^itaaH ca vaiduuryamayaa vihamgaa |
ruupya pravaalaiH ca tathaa vihamgaaH |
citraaH ca naanaa vasubhir bhujamgaa |
jaatyaa anuruupaaH turagaaH shubha angaaH || 5-7-12

Artificial birds made of cat's-eye gems, as well as birds made of silver and coral, wonderful serpants made of various jewels, horses of beautiful limbs suitable by their noble breed were arranged.

pravaala jaambuunada puSpa pakSaaH |
saliilam aavarjita jihma pakSaaH |
kaamasya saakSaad iva bhaanti pakSaaH |
kR^itaa vihamgaaH sumukhaaH supakSaaH || 5-7-13

Birds were made with corals on their wings and together with golden flowers, with good wings, with curved and bent wings in a playful way, shining like helpers of the god of love himself

niyujyamaanaaH ca gajaaH suhastaaH |
sakesaraaH ca utpala patra hastaaH |
babhuuva devii ca kR^itaa suhastaa |
lakSmiiH tathaa padmini padma hastaa || 5-7-14

Images of elephants in a lotus-pool with filaments of lotus on body, with lotus petals held in their trunks, were devoted to the worship of an image of Goddess Lakshmi. And also an image of Goddess Lakshmi with four graceful hands and holding lotus in Her hand was made to exist in Pushpaka.

THURSDAY

iti iva tad gRham abhigamya shobhanam |
savismayo nagam iva caaru shobhanam |
punaH ca tat parama sugandhi sundaram |
hima atyaye nagam iva caaru kandaram || 5-7-15

Thus Hanuma nearing Raavana’s house had seen with great surprise  - which was like a huge mountain that appears  like a shining mountain in spring , which is most beautiful and filled with fragrance.

tataH sa taam kapir abhipatya puujitaam |
caran puriim dasha mukha baahu paalitaam |
adR^ishya taam janaka sutaam supuujitaam |
suduhkhitaam pati guNa vega nirjitaam || 5-7-16

Thereafter that Hanuma nearing that city of Lanka worshipped by Rakshasas, ruled by arms of ten-headed Ravana, moving thereabout became very gloomy on not seeing that Seetha well worshipped by all and greatly conquered by the virtues of Her husband Sri Rama

tataH tadaa bahu vidha bhaavita aatmanaH |
kR^ita aatmano janaka sutaam suvartmanaH |
apashyato abhavad atiduhkhitam manaH |
sucakSuSaH pravicarato mahaatmanaH || 5-7-17

Thereafter then the heart of the great souled Hanuma who contemplated supreme spirit in many ways with a disciplined mind following righteous path, with good observant eyes, moving about in the city of Lanka became greatly sorrowful on not seeing Seetha.

This describes the Atma sthithi (mental status) of a person seeking self realization. External world beauty or situations will not give happiness to persons in spiritual path. That will give sarrow only. Hanuma has been described here as:

1.      bahu vidha bhaavita aatmanaH:  one who thinks only about Soul in many ways

2.      kR^ita aatmano: having the single goal of self realization, and persue only in that path

3.      suvartmanaH:  following righteous path

4.      sucakSuSaH: one who has micro vision to visualize the nature of the soul.

That mahatma can only see mother sita (Soul).

 iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye sundara kaaNDe saptamaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 7th chapter in Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

FRIDAY

Chapter [Sarga] 8

Introduction

This chapter describes Pushpaka in glorious and amazing detail.

sa tasya madhye bhavanasya samsthitam |
mahadvimaanam maNivajrachitritam |
prataptajaambuunadajaalakR^itrimam |
dadarsha viiraH pavanaatmajaH kapiH || 5-8-1

That Hanuma the courageous one, the son of Lord Vayu, saw the great aerial plane standing in the middle of that building with a surprising hue, due to diamonds, and gems decorated by series of refined gold.

tadaprameyaapratikaarakR^itrimam |
kR^itam svayam saadhviti vishvakarmaNaaH |
divam gatam vaayupathapratishhThitam |
vyaraajataadityapathasya lakshmivat || 5-8-2

That plane shone like symbol for solar path standing in the aerial path obtaining the sky. Manufactured by Vishvakarma himself and praised by him as one without comparison in beauty.

na tatra kimchinna kR^itam prayatnato |
na tatra kimchinna maharharatnavat |
na te visheshhaa niyataaH sureshhvapi |
na tatra kimchinna mahaavisheshhavat || 5-8-3

In that plane there is not even a small thing that is not made with great effort, in that there is nothing without the best diamonds, those characteristics definitely are not in Devas also, in that there is nothing that is not of great significance.

tapahsamaadhaanaparaakramaarjitam |
manaHsamaadhaanavichaarachaariNam |
anekasamsthaanavishheshhanirmitam |
tatastatastulyavisheshhadarshanam || 5-8-4

One that has been obtained by austerities and by prowess, one that moves about by thoughts of concentrated mind, made from various significant parts with an appearance of parts of equal significance, collected from here and there from all over the world.

visheshhamaalambya visheshhasamsthitam |
vichitrakuuTam bahukuuTamaNDitam |
mano.abhiraamam sharadndunirmalam |
vichitrakuuTam shikharam gireryathaa || 5-8-5

Obtaining a special construction as a special object, like a mountain with wonderful peaks adorned by many peaks, attractive to soul, calm like an autumnal moon, like the peak of a mountain with other wonderful small peaks.

vahanti yam kuNDashobhitaananaa |
mahaashanaa vyomacharaa nishaacharaaH |
vivR^ittavidhvastavishaalalochanaa |
mahaajavaa bhuutagaNaaH sahasrashaH || 5-8-6

Hanuma saw that aerial plane which rakshasas who were great eaters, with a face beautified by earnings, who roamed around in the sky and thousands of genii with round eyes, crooked eyes and wide eyes capable of great speed carrying it.

vasantapushhpotkarachaarudarshanam |
vasantamaasadapi kaantadarshanam |
sa pushhpakam tatra vimaanamuttamam |
dadarsha tadvaanaraviirasattamaH || 5-8-7

That Hanuma the best among Vanara warriors saw there a best plane with the name of Pushpaka with a more beautiful appearance than a group of flowers during spring, a more attractive appearance than even the spring season.

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye sundara kaaNDe ashhTamaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 8th chapter in Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

SATURDAY

Chapter [Sarga] 9

Introduction

This chapter further describes the inner buildings of Ravana's house. Hanuma passess through a hall filled with Ravana's wives.

tasya aalaya variSThasya madhye vipulam aayatam |
dadarsha bhavana shreSTham hanuumaan maaruta aatmajaH || 5-9-1

Hanuma, the son of Vayu, saw a best tall building and a wide one in the middle of that best group of houses.

ardha yojana vistiirNam aayatam yojanam hi tat |
bhavanam raakSasa indrasya bahu praasaada samkulam || 5-9-2

That building of Ravana filled with many edifices was half a Yojana long and one Yojana tall.

maargamaaNaH tu vaidehiim siitaam aayata locanaam |
sarvataH paricakraama hanuumaan ari suudanaH || 5-9-3

Hanuma, the destructor of enemies, moved around in all directions searching for Seetha the wide eyed daughter of King of Videha

uttamam raakshasaavaasam hanumaanavalokayan |
aasasaadaatha lakshmiivaan raakshasendraniveshanam || 5-9-4
catur viSaaNair dviradaiH triviSaaNaiH tathaiva ca |
parikSiptam asambaadham rakSyamaaNam udaayudhaiH || 5-9-5

Thereafter, Hanuma the glorious one neared and observed the best residence of Rakshasas and the house of Ravana, containing elephants with four tusks and also those with three tusks, those with two tusks and still not crowded. It was protected by soldiers bearing raised weapons.

raakSasiibhiH ca patniibhii raavaNasya niveshanam |
aahRtaabhiH ca vikramya raaja kanyaabhir aavRtam || 5-9-6
tan nakra makara aakiirNam timimgila jhaSa aakulam |
vaayu vega samaadhuutam pannagair iva saagaram || 5-9-7

That building surrounded by the wives of Ravana, by demonesses, and princesses brought by strength, was like an ocean filled with crocodiles, big fishes, sharks and other fishes, moved by the speed of wind, and together with serpants.

SUNDAY

aasasaadaatha lakshmiivaan raakshasendraniveshanam  

Till now above stanza was used three times - (6-2, 6-28, and 9-4)

After crossing seven building lines,

HANUMAN PRAVIVESHA MAHAGRIHAAM – and continues to describe the Ravaana’s house.

SATYASYA MADHYE BHAVANASYA SAMSTHITHAM (8-1) – thus describes the Pushpaka flight which is located in the centre of Ravanaa’s house.

TASYAALAYA VARISHTASYA MADHYE VIPULA MAAYATHAM

DADARSHA BHVANA SHRESTAM HANUMAAN MAARUTHAATHMAJAH (9-1) –  and continues to describe the Ravaana’s wives, building etc. In these three places Sita is not located. Hence these three describes the three stages before reaching the self realization. They  are ANNAMAYA, PRANAMAYA & MANOMAYA  KOSHAS (Sub conscious, conscious and unconscious stages).

In the third stage, Hanuma sees the Raavana in a sleeping stage ( that is the status of unrealized soul).

DIVANGATHAM  VAAYU PATHA PRATHISTITHAM (8-2) – these three words seems to indicate conscious stage (Praanamaya kosha).

Hanuma is described as LAKSHMIVAAN at all these three stages.

 MONDAY

yaa hi vaishvaraNe lakSmiir yaa ca indre hari vaahane |
saa raavaNa gRhe sarvaa nityam eva anapaayinii || 5-9-8

Whatever wealth is at Kubera, whatever riches at Indra with green horses, all that affluence was at Ravana's house. That wealth was always without reduction.

yaa ca raaj~naH kuberasya yamasya varuNasya ca |
taadRshii tad vishiSTaa vaa Rddhii rakSo gRheSv iha || 5-9-9

Whatever was the fortune of Kubera the King of Yakshas, of Yama and of Varuna, the same fortune or even greater treasure was at this house of Ravana.

tasya harmyasya madhyastham veshma ca anyat sunirmitam |
bahuniryuuha samkiirNam dadarsha pavana aatmajaH || 5-9-10

Hanuma saw another house in the middle of that house, a well built one consisting of many elephants in rut.

brahmaNo arthe kRtam divyam divi yad vishva karmaNaa |
vimaanam puSpakam naama sarva ratna vibhuuSitam ||5-9-11
pareNa tapasaa lebhe yat kuberaH pitaamahaat |
kuberam ojasaa jitvaa lebhe tad raakSasa iishvaraH || 5-9-12

Whatever wonderful aeroplane by the name of Pushpaka, decorated with all kinds of precious stones, made by Visvakarma in heaven for lord Brahma, whatever plane Kubera obtained by great austerity from Lord Brahma, Ravana obtained that plane by prowess defeating Kubera.

iihaa mRga samaayuktaiH kaarya svara hiraNmayaiH |
sukRtair aacitam stambhaiH pradiiptam iva ca shriyaa || 5-9-13
meru mandara samkaashair ullikhadbhir iva ambaram |
kuuTa agaaraiH shubha aakaaraiH sarvataH samalamkRtam || 5-9-14

Supported by pillars decorated with images of wolves, with silver and golden hue and which were well made, radiant with splendour, decorated all around with rooms equalling Mount Meru and Mount Mandara, as though touching the sky with an auspicious shape.

jvalana arka pratiikaasham sukRtam vishva karmaNaa |
hema sopaana samyuktam caaru pravara vedikam || 5-9-15

Well made by Visvakarma and resembling Fire and Sun in splendour, with stairways made of gold and with beautiful and best platforms;