Hanuman Carries Victory Into Ashoka Vatika
Lanka Kanda, Chaupai 106
Doha 107 · Movement 1 of 3
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Rama calls Hanuman and sends him into Lanka with two tasks: tell Janaki what has happened and return with news of her welfare. Victory is not complete for Rama until consolation reaches the one for whom the war was fought.
Demons and demonesses run to receive Hanuman and honor him before leading him to Sita. He bows from a distance. Janaki recognizes Raghupati's messenger and first asks whether the abode of mercy, his younger brother, and the whole vanara army are well.
All are well, Mother, Hanuman says. The Lord of Kosala has conquered the ten headed king, and Vibhishana now possesses an unshakable throne. Joy floods Sita's heart. The grove that heard threats, lament, and the first secret message from Rama's ring now receives the final news through the same servant, whose distant bow joins the two moments across the whole war.
Hanuman returns to the captive grove carrying the sunrise for which Sita has kept vigil through every night.
Read the passage from the Manas
पुनि प्रभु बोलि लियउ हनुमाना। लंका जाहु कहेउ भगवाना।। समाचार जानकिहि सुनावहु। तासु कुसल लै तुम्ह चलि आवहु।। तब हनुमंत नगर महुँ आए। सुनि निसिचरी निसाचर धाए।। बहु प्रकार तिन्ह पूजा कीन्ही। जनकसुता देखाइ पुनि दीन्ही।। दूरहि ते प्रनाम कपि कीन्हा। रघुपति दूत जानकीं चीन्हा।। कहहु तात प्रभु कृपानिकेता। कुसल अनुज कपि सेन समेता।। सब बिधि कुसल कोसलाधीसा। मातु समर जीत्यो दससीसा।। अबिचल राजु बिभीषन पायो। सुनि कपि बचन हरष उर छायो।।
Then the Lord called Hanuman to Him. The divine Lord told him to go to Lanka. Give the news to Janaki and inquire about her welfare, then return. Then Hanuman came into the city. Hearing this, the demonesses and demons came running. They worshipped him in many ways, then showed him Janaki. The monkey bowed from a distance. Janaki recognized him as Raghupati's messenger. She said, 'Tell me, dear one, is the Lord who is the abode of mercy well, along with His younger brother and the monkey army?' The Lord of Kosala is well in every way, O Mother. He has conquered the ten-headed one in battle. Vibhishana has received the unshakable kingdom. Hearing the monkey's words, joy filled her heart.