Passage 1
ब्रह्मोवाच— ततो बलवतां श्रेष्ठो भृत्यो रघुपतेः स्वयम्। हनुमानारुरोहोच्चैस्तीरगं लवणोदधेः॥१॥
Brahmā said: Then Hanumān, himself the foremost of the strong and the servant of Raghupati, climbed high upon a mountain standing at the shore of the salt ocean.
Passage 2
उत्तुङ्गशिखरं शैलं बद्धकच्छारुणाम्बरः। आस्फोटितभुजदण्डस्तलप्रहतशैलभूः॥२॥
His red garment bound firmly at the waist, he ascended the lofty-peaked mountain, slapped his mighty arms, and struck the mountain ground with his palms.
Passage 3
अथ पुच्छं शिरःकृत्य प्रोच्छलद्गुच्छसंनिभम्। तेजोराशिर्ज्वलन् दीप्त्या हेमशैल इव त्विषा॥३॥
Then he raised his tail above his head like an upthrust plume. A mass of splendor, he blazed with radiance like a golden mountain.
Passage 4
उत्प्लुत्य तुङ्गशैलाग्राद्वातचक्रं सृजन् जवात्। हुङ्कारगर्भगम्भीरनिर्घोषभरभीषणः॥४॥
Springing swiftly from the high mountain peak, he generated a whirlwind. The immense, deep roar filled with his battle cry was terrifying.
Passage 5
महाभरोद्भूतिदशयोजनप्रस्खलद्गिरिः। उत्पपाततरां व्योम्ना सजयो मारुतिर्बली॥५॥
Under the upheaval of his tremendous weight the mountain slid for ten yojanas, while mighty, victorious Hanumān sprang far across the sky. The Shadow-Seizing Demoness
Passage 6
तं काचिद्राक्षसी घोरा दंष्ट्राकोटिभयानका। क्रीडन्ती लवणाम्भोधौ योजनायामिभिर्झषैः॥६॥
A terrible rākṣasī, fearsome with masses of fangs, was sporting in the salt ocean among fish whose bodies extended for yojanas. She noticed him.
Passage 7
महानना महाकाया ज्वलत्पावकलोचना। विकीर्णोच्चैः पिशङ्गाभजटापटलभीषणा॥७॥
She had an enormous mouth and body, eyes blazing like fire, and a frightful mass of tawny matted hair flung high and loose.
Passage 8
रुन्धती बाहुभिस्तुङ्गा वीचीर्लवणवारिधेः। तरन्ती चापि गम्भीरे गाधयन्ती मुहुर्जलम्॥८॥
With her arms she obstructed the towering waves of the salt sea. Swimming through its depths, she repeatedly churned the water into shallows.
Passage 9
अहो आः कोऽयमुड्डाति नभसा तेजसो निधिः। नूनमेष कपिः कश्चिदिति निश्चित्य चेतसा॥९॥
“Ah! Who is this treasury of splendor flying through the sky? Surely he is some monkey,” she concluded within her mind.
Passage 10
छायामेवास्य जग्राह प्रतिष्टब्धश्च मारुतिः। विस्मितश्चापि मनसा ज्ञातुकामोऽस्य कारणम्॥१०॥
She seized his very shadow, and Hanumān was brought to a standstill. Astonished, he sought within his mind to discover the cause.
Passage 11
ततः प्रतिष्टम्भसमिद्धमन्युः स वायुपुत्रः प्रबलो हनूमान्। अधो ददर्शाहितलोचनो वै तां राक्षसीं ग्रासविलोलजिह्वाम्॥११॥
Then mighty Hanumān, son of the Wind, his anger kindled by that obstruction, looked fiercely downward and saw the rākṣasī, her tongue restless with desire to devour him.
Passage 12
रोषावेशादथ पवनजो घोरदंष्ट्राकरालां पीडित्वा तां कलितरभसः कोणपीठेस्तुकामाम्। वेगोन्मुक्तः शर इव पपातोच्चकैस्तदुरोऽष्ठे पादन्यासप्रहतवदनो द्वेष उच्चैर्विवृद्धः॥१२॥
Overcome by wrath, the Wind's son violently assailed that dreadful, fang-filled creature as she sought to swallow him. Released with the speed of an arrow, he came down forcefully upon her upper lip; her face struck by the planting of his foot, her fury grew still greater.
Passage 13
अधराहनुमाक्रम्य उत्तराहनुमुद्रत्। ववृधे बलवान् वीरो यथा वक्त्रं व्यदीर्यत॥१३॥
The powerful hero planted himself upon her lower jaw and thrust against the upper one, expanding until her mouth was split apart.
Passage 14
कृत्स्नां विदारयामास राक्षसीं पवनात्मजः। मध्ये लवणपाथोधेर्महाबलपराक्रमः॥१४॥
In the midst of the salt ocean, the Wind's son, whose strength and valor were immense, tore the rākṣasī completely apart.
Passage 15
तथैव मकरीं काञ्चिच्छतयोजनविस्तृताम्। छायाग्राहां कृतग्रासां विददार समीरजः॥१५॥
In the same way, the son of the Wind tore apart a certain sea monster extending a hundred yojanas, which seized shadows and had prepared to swallow him.
Passage 16
शतयोजनविस्तीर्णमुल्लङ्घ्य जलधेर्जलम्। लङ्कां जगाम वीरोऽसौ हनुमानात्मनो जवात्॥१६॥
Crossing the ocean's hundred-yojana expanse of water by his own speed, the hero Hanumān reached Laṅkā. Laṅkā's Defenses and Sacred Learning
Passage 17
सोऽदृश्यं रूपमसुरे विधाय कपिपुङ्गवः। रात्रावालोकयामास रक्षोभिर्गोपितां पुरीम्॥१७॥
The foremost monkey assumed an invisible form among the asuras and, by night, surveyed the city guarded by rākṣasas.
Passage 18
विशालहेमप्राकारां परिखाप्राप्तवारिधिम्। प्राकारकूटविषमामग्नियन्त्रसमाकुलाम्॥१८॥
Its vast rampart was made of gold, and the ocean reached its moat. Its wall-top strongholds were difficult to approach, and it was crowded with mechanisms of fire.
Passage 19
स्थाने स्थाने महाघोरै राक्षसैरावृतां पृथक्। विशालकनकाट्टालविन्यस्तध्वजलाञ्छिताम्॥१९॥
At every place it was separately surrounded by exceedingly dreadful rākṣasas. Banners set upon immense golden towers marked the city.
Passage 20
हेमप्रासादबहुलां हट्टापथविराजिताम्। प्रतिहट्टपथं रूढैश्चन्दनद्रुममण्डपैः॥२०॥
It abounded in golden palaces and shone with market streets. Along every market road stood pavilions formed by flourishing sandalwood trees.
Passage 21
शोभितां पारिजातैश्च मन्दारैः कल्पभूरुहैः। हरिचन्दनसुच्छायसमाश्रितपुरीजनाम्॥२१॥
Pārijāta, mandāra, and wish-fulfilling trees adorned it, while the city's people sheltered in the delightful shade of yellow sandalwood trees.
Passage 22
स्वर्गैकामरारण्यशोभितद्गृहदीर्घिकाम्। दशाननगृहोपान्तन्यस्तकैलाससानुनि॥२२॥
Its houses and long reservoirs were adorned like the divine woodland of heaven. Near ten-headed Rāvaṇa's residence appeared the slopes of Kailāsa itself.
Passage 23
शिवस्य भालचन्द्रांशुजातैर्वितिमिरीकृताम्। रक्षोजनै राक्षसीभिर्नानारूपाभिरन्विताम्॥२३॥
It was freed from darkness by rays born from the crescent moon upon Śiva's brow, and was filled with rākṣasa men and rākṣasī women of many forms.
Passage 24
अगस्त्यस्य मुनेः सम्यक् तपस्तेजःप्रकाशिताम्। पठद्भिः साङ्गनिगमान् कुमारैर्यातुधानजैः। सर्वतो योषितां भूयो होमधूमसुगन्धिताम्॥२४॥
It was fully illumined by the ascetic splendor of the sage Agastya. Young sons of rākṣasas recited the Vedas together with their ancillary disciplines, and everywhere it was made fragrant by the smoke of women's sacrificial offerings.
Passage 25
जातरूपमयैर्गेहैर्गृहस्थानां घनालिभिः। सर्वतो दीपितां भूरि चत्वराजिरशोभिताम्॥२५॥
Dense rows of householders' dwellings made of gold illumined it on every side, and its many courtyards and open squares shone beautifully.
Passage 26
नभःस्पृशगृहश्रेणीमुत्तुङ्गानेकगोपुरैः। द्वारपालैः कौणपैश्च विश्वतो भीषणां च ताम्॥२६॥
Rows of houses touched the sky, with many towering gateways. Its gatekeepers and flesh-eating demons made it fearsome on every side. The Splendor and Tumult of the City
Passage 27
रम्योत्फुल्लगृहारामां श्रीखण्डविटपावृताम्। अनेकरचनारम्यां रमणीयतमां त्विषा॥२७॥
Its household gardens blossomed beautifully and were surrounded by sandalwood trees. Charming through countless architectural forms, it was supremely delightful in splendor.
Passage 28
भित्तिभी रत्नजटितविस्फुरज्जालपङ्क्तिभिः। रथ्यापथैश्च बहुलैः सर्वतः सुसमाकुलाम्॥२८॥
Its walls were set with jewels and rows of flashing latticework, and it was thoroughly filled on every side with numerous avenues and roads.
Passage 29
उत्तुङ्गवलभीगेहभवनाग्रविराजिताम्। स्फाटिकैश्चैव भवनैर्नानावर्णमणिप्रभैः॥२९॥
Lofty upper chambers, houses, and palace roofs adorned it, together with crystal buildings radiant with gems of many colors.
Passage 30
सायन्तनघनाकारेः सर्वतो गहनां क्वचित्। करालकाहलोद्भूतघोरकोलाहलान्विताम्॥३०॥
In places it was dense on every side like evening clouds, and it resounded with a dreadful tumult rising from fearsome drums.
Passage 31
पर्वसूत्सवकृत्येषु वाद्याढ्यैः पटहैः प्लुताम्। निःसानघोररावैश्च प्रतिशब्दितरोदसीम्॥३१॥
During festivals and ceremonial celebrations it overflowed with richly sounding instruments and kettledrums; the terrible roar of war drums made heaven and earth reverberate.
Passage 32
सुवेलशैलशिखरैस्त्रिकूटाचलसानुभिः। मलयाचलशृङ्गैश्च गृहैरिव समाचिताम्॥३२॥
It seemed covered with houses formed from the peaks of Mount Suvela, the slopes of Trikūṭa, and the summits of Mount Malaya.
Passage 33
मृदङ्गघोषमधुरैर्गृहैः किन्नररक्षसाम्। स्थाने स्थाने भवद्भूरिसुमहामङ्गलस्वराम्॥३३॥
The homes of kinnaras and rākṣasas were sweet with the sound of mṛdaṅgas, while abundant and exceedingly auspicious music arose at place after place.
Passage 34
विवाहादिभवद्भूरिशुभकृत्यनिनादिभिः। गन्धर्वपाणिप्रहतैर्वाद्यैर्नानाविधैरपि॥३४॥
It rang with the many auspicious rites of weddings and other celebrations, and with instruments of numerous kinds struck by gandharvas' hands.
Passage 35
शब्दायितामजस्रं तां हेमजालकमण्डितैः। गवाक्षैः पौरगेहानां स्वतः शोभितां सदा॥३५॥
It sounded without cease, and was always naturally beautified by the townspeople's houses, whose windows were ornamented with golden latticework.
Passage 36
चन्द्रमण्डलवक्त्राभिस्तारामण्डलकान्तिभिः। दीपिकाकारतनुभिर्मायाकल्पितवर्ष्मभिः॥३६॥
Women with faces like the orb of the moon and beauty like constellations of stars moved there, their bodies shaped like lamps and their forms fashioned by sorcery.
Passage 37
सुन्दरीभिर्मनोज्ञाभिर्मृगाक्षीभिर्दिवानिशम्। विषमाभिश्च भीमाभिर्विकटाभिर्जटालिभिः। राक्षसीभिरनेकाभिर्जात्या रूपैश्च विग्रहैः॥३७॥
Day and night it was filled both with captivating, lovely, doe-eyed women and with many misshapen, terrifying, grotesque, matted-haired rākṣasī women, diverse in birth, appearance, and bodily form.
Passage 38
आकुलीक्रियमाणां च राक्षसैरतिभीषणैः। सर्वसम्पत्समुदितां दशकन्धरपालिताम्॥३८॥
Exceedingly fearsome rākṣasas crowded the city. It overflowed with every kind of wealth and was ruled by ten-headed Rāvaṇa.
Passage 39
नानादिग्भ्यः समानीतैः समृद्धिनिवहैर्युताम्। तुङ्गानेकपुरद्वारवाद्यदुन्दुभिघोषिताम्॥३९॥
It possessed masses of riches brought from every direction, and the instruments and war drums at its many lofty city gates resounded.
Passage 40
स्नानपानाशनायासनानाव्यापारतत्परैः। रक्षोभिः सेवितां नित्यं क्रीडद्राक्षसवल्लभाम्॥४०॥
Rākṣasas perpetually occupied with bathing, drinking, eating, traveling, and many other activities frequented it, while the beloved women of the rākṣasas played there.
Passage 41
पुष्पकादिविमानाग्र्यतेजोवृन्दप्रकाशिताम्। प्राकारोपान्तसम्मूर्छत्तुङ्गसागरवीचिकाम्॥४१॥
It was illumined by the gathered radiance of Puṣpaka and other foremost aerial cars, while lofty ocean waves surged and broke beside its ramparts. Vibhīṣaṇa's House and Rāvaṇa's Garden
Passage 42
रात्रीं तां दशकन्धरस्य नगरीं कृत्स्नामसौ पर्यटन् पाश्चात्त्ये प्रहरे विभीषणगृहं दृष्ट्वा स तुष्टाशयः। श्रीरामार्चनपूर्णभक्तितुलसीसौरभ्यरम्योत्तरः सम्प्राप्तो दशकन्धरस्य परमोद्याने धृतान्वेषणः॥४२॥
Roaming throughout ten-headed Rāvaṇa's whole city that night, in the final watch Hanumān saw Vibhīṣaṇa's house and his heart rejoiced. Delighted by the fragrance of tulasī arising from complete devotion in the worship of Śrī Rāma, he entered Rāvaṇa's great pleasure garden, steadfast in his search.