SUNDARA Kandan chapter 3

TUESDAY

sa lamba shikhare lambe lamba toyada samnibhe |
sattvam aasthaaya medhaavii hanumaan maaruta aatmajaH || 5-3-1
nishi lankaam mahaa sattvaH vivesha kapi kunjaraH |
ramya kaanana toya aaDhyaam puriim raavaNa paalitaam || 5-3-2

That Hanuma, best among monkeys, the intellectual son of Vayu, one with great might, stood on the moutain called Lamba with its high peaks equalling a high cloud, gathered courage and entered at night the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana and filled with beautiful forests and places of water such as lakes.

shaarada ambu dhara prakhyaiH bhavanaiH upashobhitaam |
saagara upama nirghoSaam saagara anila sevitaam || 5-3-3
supuSTa bala samguptaam yathaiva viTapaavatiim |
caaru toraNa niryuuhaam paaNDura dvaara toraNaam|| 5-3-4

The city of Lanka was shone by buildings equalling autumnal clouds. With a sound resembling that of an ocean, it was served by ocean breeze. It was filled with well fed and mighty armies like Vitapati, the capital of Kubera. It had elephants positioned at archways and had white gates and archways.

bhujaga aacaritaam guptaam shubhaam bhogavatiim iva |
taam savidyut ghana aakiirNaam jyotiH maarga niSevitaam || 5-3-5
caNDa maaruta nirhraadaam yathaa indrasya amaraavatiim |
shaatakumbhena mahataa praakaareNa abhisamvR^itaam || 5-3-6
kinkiNii jaala ghoSaabhiH pataakaabhiH alamkR^itaam |
aasaadya sahasaa hR^iSTaH praakaaram abhipedivaan || 5-3-7

TUESDAY

vismaya aaviSTa hR^idayaH puriim aalokya sarvataH |
jaambuunadamayaiH dvaaraiH vaiduurya kR^ita vedikaiH || 5-3-8
maNi sphaTika muktaabhiH maNi kuTTima bhuuSitaiH |
tapta haaTaka niryuuhaiH raajata amala paaNDuraiH || 5-3-9
vaiduurya tala sopaanaiH sphaaTika antara paamsubhiH |
caaru samjavana upetaiH kham iva utpatitaiH shubhaiH || 5-3-10
kraunca barhiNa samghuSTe raaja hamsa niSevitaiH |
tuurya aabharaNa nirghoSaiH sarvataH pratinaaditaam || 5-3-11
vasvokasaaraa pratimaam samiikSya nagariim tataH |
kham iva utpatitaam lankaam jaharSa hanumaan kapiH || 5-3-12

Seeing the city everywhere Hanuma became surprised at heart. Thereafter Hanuma the monkey, became happy seeing the doors which were of golden color, with platforms of cat's eye gems, inlaid with diamonds, crystals and pearls, embellished with floors of gems, graced with elephants made of refined gold, crowned with spotless white silver, stairs studded with cat's eye gems, with inside walls made of crystal free from dust, provided with lovely assembly halls, with sounds of Krauncha birds and peacocks, served by royal swans, looking as though flying toward the sky, with auspicious houses resounding everywhere with the sounds of clarionets and ornaments, equalling the city of Vasvaukasaara, as though flying towards the sky.

taam samiikSya puriim lankaam raakSasa adhipateH shubhaam |
anuttamaam R^iddhi yutaam cintayaam aasa viiryavaan || 5-3-13

Seeing that city of Ravana, which was best among cities, a wealthy city, a beautiful and auspicious city, that powerful Hanuma thought thus.

na iyam anyena nagarii shakyaa dharSayitum balaat |
rakSitaa raavaNa balaiH udyata aayudha dhaaribhiH || 5-3-14

"It is not possible for anyone else to oppose this city, by strength alone, which is being guarded by armies of Ravana with raised weapons."

kumuda angadayoH vaa api suSeNasya mahaa kapeH |
prasiddhaa iyam bhavet bhuumiH mainda dvividayoH api || 5-3-15

This land may be conquerable by Kumuda or Angada, to the great monkey Sushena or to Mainda or Dvivida.

vivasvataH tanuujasya hareH ca kusha parvaNaH |
R^ikSasya ketu maalasya mama caiva gatiH bhavet || 5-3-16

There may be access to this land to the son of Sun God Sugreeva, to the monkey Kusaparvana, to the chief among monkeys Riksha and to me.

samiikSya tu mahaa baahaH raaghavasya paraakramam |
lakSmaNasya ca vikraantam abhavat priitimaan kapiH || 5-3-17

Considering the long armed Sri Rama's strength and Lakshmana's valour, Hanuma became happy.

WEDNESDAY

taam ratna vasana upetaam koSTha aagaara avatamsakaam |
yantra agaara staniim R^iddhaam pramadaam iva bhuuSitaam || 5-3-18
taam naSTa timiraam diipaiH bhaasvaraiH ca mahaa gR^ihaiH |
nagariim raakSasa indrasya dadarsha sa mahaa kapiH || 5-3-19

That great monkey saw that city of king of rakshasas like a wealthy woman decorated with diamonds for her clothes, with various storage houses as earrings, with amouries for her breasts. Due to the lamps that illuminated the radiant great houses, all darkness was lost.

atha saa harishaarduulam pravishantim mahaabalam |
nagarii svena ruupeNa dadarsha pavanaatmajam || 5-3-20

Thereafter, the guardian of that city, in her own form, saw Hanuma, the best among monkeys and the mighty one, entering.

saa tam harivaram dR^ishhTvaa laN^kaa raavaNapaalitaa |
svayamevotthitaa tatra vikR^itaananadarshanaa || 5-3-21

Seeing that best among monkeys Hanuma there, that Lanka ruled by Ravana, rose up herself with a horrific appearance of face an eyes.

purastatka pivaryasya vaayusuunoratishhThata |
muJNchamaanaa mahaanaadamabraviitpavanaatmajam || 5-3-22

She stood in front of the best among Vanaras Hanuma. She made a great sound and spoke to Hanuma thus.

kastvam kena cha kaaryeNa iha praapto vanaalaya |
kathaya sveha yattattvam yaavatpraaNaa dharanti te || 5-3-23

"O one who lives in gardens! Who are you? For what reason did you come here? As long as your lives are sustained, tell me the truth here before that."

na shakyam khalviyam laN^kaa praveshhTum vaanara tvayaa |
rakshitaa raavaNabalairabhiguptaa samantataH || 5-3-24

"O Vanara! It is indeed not possible for you to enter this city of Lanka which is protected by Ravana's forces and strongly guarded all around."

atha taamabraviidviiro hanumaanagrataH sthitaam |
kathayishhyaami te tattvam yanmam tvam paripR^ichchhasi || 5-3-25

Therafter the mighty Hanuma spoke to Lanka standing in front of Him as follows : "Whatever matter you are asking me, I will tell you that truthfully."

kaa tvam viruupanayanaa puradvaare.avatishhThasi |
kimartham chaapi maam ruddhvaa nirbhartsayasi daaruNaa || 5-3-26

"You are standing at the entrance to the city. O one with ugly eyes! Who are you? O horrible one! Stopping me, for what reason are you threatening me?"

hanumadvachanam shrutvaa laN^kaa saa kaamaruupiNii |
uvaacha vachanam kruddhaa parushhaM pavanaatmajam || 5-3-27

Listening to Hanuma's words, that Lanka, with ability to achieve desired form, became angry and spoke these strong words to Hanuma.

aham raakshasaraajasya raavaNasya mahaatmanaH |
aajJNaapratiikshaa durdharshhaa rakshaami nagariimimaam || 5-3-28

"I protect this city, being invincible. I wait for the orders of the king of demons Ravana, the great one."

na shakyaa maamavajJNaaya praveshhTum nagarii tvayaa |
adya praaNaiH parityaktaH svapsyase nihato mayaa || 5-3-29

"After humilliating me it is not possible for you to enter the city. Being beaten by me, you will leave life and have a permanent sleep."

aham hi nagarii laN^kaa svayameva plavaN^gama |
sarvataH parirakshaami hyetatte kathitam mayaa || 5-3-30

"O Vanara! I am protecting this city of Lanka in all directions. This matter has been already told to you by me."

laN^kaayaa vachanam shrutvaa hanumaan maarutaatmajaH |
yatnavaansa harishreshhThaH sthitashshaila ivaaparaH || 5-3-31

The son of Vayu and best among Vanaras heard Lanka's words and stood up like a second mountain, with a purpose.

THURSDAY

sa taam striiruupavikR^itaam dR^ishhTvaa vaanarapuN^gavaH |
aababhaashhe.atha medhaavi sattvaan plavagarshhabhaH || 5-3-32

Thereafter that Hanuma the wise one, with great strength, best among those who can fly and best among Vanaras, saw that city of Lanka in the form of an ugly woman and spoke thus.

drakshyaami nagariim laN^kaam saaTTapraakaaratoraNaam |
ityarthamiha sampraaptaH param kautuuhalam hi me || 5-3-33

"I should like to see the city of Lanka with its palaces, defensive walls and archways. I came here for that reason. I am very curious to see them."

vanaanyupavanaaniiha laN^kaayaaH kaananaani cha |
sarvato gR^ihamukhyaani drashhTumaagamanam hi me || 5-3-34

"My arrival here is indeed to see Lanka's gardens, parks, forests and important houses all over."

tasya tadvachanam shrutvaa laN^kaa saa kaamaruupiNii |
bhuuya eva punarvaakyam babhaashhe parushhaaksharam || 5-3-35

Listening to Hanuma's words, Lanka with the ability to assume desired form, spoke harsh words stronger than before.

maamanirjatya durbaddhe raakshaseshvarapaalitaa |
na shakyamadya te drashhTum puriiyam vanaraadhama || 5-3-36

"O lowly Vanara with an evil mind! It is not possile for you to see this city ruled by king of rakshasas, without first defeating me."

tataH sa kapishaarduulastaamuvaacha nishaachariim |
dR^ishhvaa puriimimaam bhadre punaryaasye yathaagatam || 5-3-37

Then that tiger among Vanaras Hanuma spoke to that demon : "O auspicious one! After seeing this city I will return back again to where I came from."

tataH kR^itvaa mahaanaadam saa vai laN^kaa bhayaavaham |
talena vaanarashreshhTham taaDayaamaasa vegitaa || 5-3-38

Thereafter that Lanka made a great sound causing terror and hit Hanuma, the best among Vanaras, with her palm quickly.

tataH sa kapishaardulo laN^kaayaa taaDito bhR^isham |
nanaada sumahaanaadam viiryavaan pavanaatmajaH || 5-3-39

Then that tiger among Vanaras, the powerful son of Vayu, being hit powerfully by Lanka made a great sound.

FRIDAY

tataH samvartayaamaasa vaamahastasya so.aN^guLiiH |
muShhTinaabhijaghuunainaam hanumaan krodhamuurchitaH || 5-3-40
strii cheti manyamaanena naatikrodhaH svayam kR^itaH |

Thereafter that Hanuma became dizzy with anger and folded his fingers of left hand. He then hit her with His fist. "She is a woman" - thinking thus He did not show much anger by Himself.

saa tu tena prahaareNa vihvalaaN^gii niishaacharii || 5-3-41
papaata sahasaa bhuumau vikR^itaananadarshanaa |

That demon fell on land immediately by that hit with a distressed body and appeared with a horrific face.

tatastu hanumaan praajJNastaam dR^ishhTvaa vinipaatitaam || 5-3-42
kR^ipaam chakaara tejasvii manyamaanaH striyam tu taam |

Thereafter the intellectual and glorious Hanuma saw her fallen down and thinking her to be woman, showed kindness.

tato vai bhR^ishasamvignaa laN^kaa gadgadaaksharam || 5-3-43
uvaachaagarvitam vaakyam hanuumantam plavaN^gamam |

Thereafter that Lanka being very gloomy spoke with a falterting tone without pride these words to Hanuma the Vanara.

prasiida sumahaabaaho traayasva harisattama || 5-3-44
samaye saumya tishhThanti sttvavanto mahaabalaaH |

"O long armed one! O best among Vanaras! Get propitiated and protect me. O gentle one! Those with great strength and courage always stand firm on tradition."

ahaM tu nagarii laN^kaa svayameva plavaN^gama || 5-3-45
nirjitaaham tvayaa viira vikrameNa mahaabala |

"O Vanara! I am myself the city of Lanka. O strong one! O courageous one! I am defeated by your strength."

idam tu tathyam shR^iNu vai bruvantya me hariishvara || 5-3-46
svayambhuvaa puraa dattam varadaanam yathaa mama |

"O lord of Vanaras! In earlier times I had been given a boon by Lord Brahma. Hear from me about this matter."

yadaa tvaam vaanaraH kashchidvikramaadvashamaanayet || 5-3-47
tadaa tvayaa hi vijJNeyam rakshasaam bhayaamaagatam |

"Let this be known by you - whenever a Vanara conquers you with his might, then a fear will come for Rakshasas."

sa hi m samayaH saumya praapto.aya tava drshanaat || 5-3-48
svayambhuuvihitaH satyo na tasyaasti vyatikramaH |

"O gentle one! With your appearance now, that time has come for me. Ordinance of Brahma is the truth and is immutable."

siitaanimittaMm raajJNastu raavaNasya duraatmanaH || 5-3-49
vidhatsva sarvakaaryaaNi yaani yaaniha vaaJNchasi |

"The destruction has come for Ravana the evil minded king and to all Rakshasas due to Seetha."

tatpravishya harishreshhTham puriim raavaNapaalitaam || 5-3-50
vidhatsva sarvakaaryaaN yaani yaaniiha vaaJNchasi |

"O best aming Vanaras! For that reason, enter the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana and do here whatever tasks you want to."

pravishya shaapopahataam hariishvara |
shubhaam puriim raakshasaraajapaalitaam |
yadR^ichchhayaa tvam janakaatmajaam satiim |
vimaarga sarvatra gato yathaasukham || 5-3-51

"O lord of Vanaras! Enter the auspicious city of Lanka stuck by the curse, ruled by the king of Rakshasas, roam everywhere and search for the chaste wife Seetha according to your comfort."

SATURDAY

The discussion between Hanuma and Lanka is notable. Our bodily affection hides the fact that the body and soul (Atma) are different. As long as this exists, one cannot get into the path of self-realization. Here, the Lanka stood in front of Hanuma as IAM THE LANKA. That is the demon which protects our body (Lanka). To Indicate this Lanka is AHAM (IAM THE BODY), the answer given by Lanka (IN SLOKAS 28 AND 30) starts with the word AHAM.

Beleiving that this body is Soul is AHAM (Ego). Once we conquer this ego (Aham), we can enter into the Lanka (body) in search of soul. Then only it is possible to win over other evils Rajasik and Tamasik gunas (Ravana and other demons). Then only mother Sita appears (possible to understand the relationship between body and soul).

The enlightened Guru, after conquering their ego, identifies the disciples who are in the path of self-realization and helps to achieve their goal. Even the disciples who are in the path of self realization should conquer the ego first.

Further, Lanka addresses Hanuma as VANALAYA (23^RD SLOKA). Why did you come to this city instead of staying in garden/forest?. The word VANALAYA indicates that Hanuma is enlightened soul.

Vanam= Brahma. Upanishath tells,

BRAHMA VANAM BRAHMA SAVRIKSHA AASEETH  indicating that Brahma is Vanam. Since Hanuma is always in the meditation of such Vanam, he is VANALAYA or one who is enlightened.

Hanuma in turn replies, KAA TWAM? VIROOPA NAYANAA? (26^TH SLOKA)= one with ugly eyes, who are you?. VIROOPA= unnatural or masking the originality. NAYANA= which gives. VIROOPA NAYANA = One which masks the originality and shows differently, that is the PRAKRITHI. This indicates that she is the illusion or ignorance or (The Nature or Prakrithi). The body which is not soul appears like soul because of the maya or illusion. This leads to the bodily affection. That affection is Lanka which do not hesitates to dare even sages like Hanuma. Hence conquering that AHAM (ego) is essential for further progress in self-realization.

Thus, this chapter of conquering Lanka indicates that Hanuma has conquered his ego.

|| iti shriimadraamaayaNe aadikaavye sundarakaanNDe tR^itayaH sargaH ||

Thus completes the third chapter of Sundara Kanda in Valmiki Ramayana, the first poem.