Hanuman Becomes a Golden Mountain before Sita, Then Returns to Smallness
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 16
Doha 16 · Movement 1 of 2
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If Raghubira knew where Sita was, no delay would remain. Rama's arrows would rise like the sun and the demon host would vanish like night. Hanuman could carry her away this very moment, but his Lord has given no such command. He swears by Rama and asks Mother Janaki to endure for a few more days.
Raghuvira will come with the monkey army, kill the demons, and take her home while Narada and others sing his glory through the three worlds. Yet Sita sees the small messenger before her and wonders. Are all the monkeys like this child, while Lanka is filled with warriors of terrible strength?
Hearing the doubt, Hanuman reveals his body. It rises like a mountain of gold, immeasurably strong and fearsome in battle. Confidence enters Sita's heart. Then the vast form folds inward again, and the son of the wind becomes small before his mother. Power has shown itself only long enough to steady her.
For one moment Hanuman fills the grove like a golden mountain, then kneels again within the smallness of service.
Read the passage from the Manas
जौं रघुबीर होति सुधि पाई। करते नहिं बिलंबु रघुराई।। रामबान रबि उएँ जानकी। तम बरूथ कहँ जातुधान की।। अबहिं मातु मैं जाउँ लवाई। प्रभु आयसु नहिं राम दोहाई।। कछुक दिवस जननी धरु धीरा। कपिन्ह सहित अइहहिं रघुबीरा।। निसिचर मारि तोहि लै जैहहिं। तिहुँ पुर नारदादि जसु गैहहिं।। हैं सुत कपि सब तुम्हहि समाना। जातुधान अति भट बलवाना।। मोरें हृदय परम संदेहा। सुनि कपि प्रगट कीन्ह निज देहा।। कनक भूधराकार सरीरा। समर भयंकर अतिबल बीरा।। सीता मन भरोस तब भयऊ। पुनि लघु रूप पवनसुत लयऊ।।
If Raghuvira receives word of you, the Lord of the Raghus would not delay for even a moment. Rama's arrows are the rising sun for Janaki; the demon army is mere darkness before that dawn. Mother, I could carry you away right now, but I have no command from my Lord. I swear it by Rama. Hold patience for a few more days, Mother. Raghuvira will come with the monkey host. He will slay the demons and take you home, and Narada and the gods will sing his glory through all three worlds. My son, all the monkeys are small like you, but the demons are exceedingly mighty warriors. Deep doubt arose in my heart. Hearing this, the monkey revealed his true form. His body grew like a golden mountain, a warrior fearsome in battle, of immeasurable strength. Then Sita's heart was filled with confidence, and the son of Pavana, the Wind-god, assumed his small form once more.