Hanuman Launches from the Mountain like Rama's Unfailing Arrow
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 1
Doha 1 · Movement 1 of 2
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Jambavan's beautiful words awaken joy in Hanuman's heart. He asks the brothers to wait there, sustaining themselves through hardship upon roots, tubers, and fruits. He will return only after seeing Sita. Then the work will be accomplished, and the joy of completion will answer the despair that gathered beside the sea.
Hanuman bows his head to everyone and departs with Raghunatha held in his heart. A beautiful mountain rises beside the ocean. He springs playfully to its summit, remembers Raghuvira again and again, gathers immeasurable force, and hurls himself into the sky. The mountain struck by his feet plunges instantly toward Patala.
The son of the wind flies like an unfailing arrow released by Raghupati. The ocean recognizes the messenger crossing above its depths and raises Mainaka from the water. A golden refuge rises into Hanuman's path, offered to remove the weariness of Rama's servant before the far shore is reached.
Rama is held within Hanuman's heart, and the wind-born servant becomes the Lord's arrow over the sea.
Read the passage from the Manas
जामवंत के बचन सुहाए। सुनि हनुमंत हृदय अति भाए।। तब लगि मोहि परिखेहु तुम्ह भाई। सहि दुख कंद मूल फल खाई।। जब लगि आवौं सीतहि देखी। होइहि काजु मोहि हरष बिसेषी।। यह कहि नाइ सबन्हि कहुँ माथा। चलेउ हरषि हियँ धरि रघुनाथा।। सिंधु तीर एक भूधर सुंदर। कौतुक कूदि चढ़ेउ ता ऊपर।। बार बार रघुबीर सँभारी। तरकेउ पवनतनय बल भारी।। जेहिं गिरि चरन देइ हनुमंता। चलेउ सो गा पाताल तुरंता।। जिमि अमोघ रघुपति कर बाना। एही भाँति चलेउ हनुमाना।। जलनिधि रघुपति दूत बिचारी। तैं मैनाक होहि श्रमहारी।।
Hearing Jambavan's sweet and encouraging words, Hanuman's heart was greatly pleased and filled with joy. He said to his companions, "Wait for me here, brothers, sustaining yourselves on roots and fruits despite hardships. When I return after seeing Sita, our mission will be accomplished and I shall have great joy." Saying this, Hanuman bowed his head to all and departed joyfully, holding Raghunath in his heart. On the seashore stood a beautiful mountain. Hanuman playfully leaped and climbed upon it. Remembering Raghuvir again and again, he launched himself with tremendous force, like an arrow from a bow. The mountain on which Hanuman placed his feet immediately sank down to Patala under his power. Just as Raghupati's arrow never fails its mark, in the same way Hanuman set forth on his journey. The ocean, recognizing Raghupati's messenger, raised Mainaka mountain to offer him a place of rest.