Sita Blesses Hanuman with Immortality, Virtue, and Rama's Abundant Love
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 17
Doha 17 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Sita hears words steeped in devotion, majesty, radiance, and strength, and contentment enters her heart. Knowing Hanuman as beloved of Rama, she blesses him: become a treasury of strength and noble character, ageless, immortal, and a storehouse of every virtue. May Raghunayaka show you abundant affection.
The blessing of the Lord's grace plunges Hanuman into boundless love. Again and again he bows his head at Sita's feet. Her benediction is famed as unfailing, and the servant declares himself fulfilled by receiving it.
Then childlike hunger enters the meeting. The trees are heavy with beautiful fruit. Sita warns that powerful demon warriors guard the grove. Hanuman has no fear of them, if eating will give happiness to her heart. He asks not only permission for fruit, but the inward consent of the mother whose sorrow he came to relieve.
Immortality is spoken over Hanuman, yet he waits for Sita's permission before touching one fruit.
Read the passage from the Manas
मन संतोष सुनत कपि बानी। भगति प्रताप तेज बल सानी।। आसिष दीन्हि रामप्रिय जाना। होहु तात बल सील निधाना।। अजर अमर गुननिधि सुत होहू। करहुँ बहुत रघुनायक छोहू।। करहुँ कृपा प्रभु अस सुनि काना। निर्भर प्रेम मगन हनुमाना।। बार बार नाएसि पद सीसा। बोला बचन जोरि कर कीसा।। अब कृतकृत्य भयउँ मैं माता। आसिष तव अमोघ बिख्याता।। सुनहु मातु मोहि अतिसय भूखा। लागि देखि सुंदर फल रूखा।। सुनु सुत करहिं बिपिन रखवारी। परम सुभट रजनीचर भारी।। तिन्ह कर भय माता मोहि नाहीं। जौं तुम्ह सुख मानहु मन माहीं।।
Hearing the monkey's words, steeped in bhakti, prataap, radiance, and strength, Sita's heart was filled with deep contentment. Recognizing him as dear to Rama, she bestowed her blessing: May you become, dear child, a treasure-house of strength and sheela, noble character. May you be ageless, immortal, a storehouse of every virtue, my son, and may you bring great delight to Raghunayak. Hearing 'May the Lord show his kripa,' Hanuman was plunged into boundless, fearless love. Again and again he bowed his head at her feet, then spoke with palms joined together. Now I am truly fulfilled, O Mother, for your ashish, your blessing, is renowned as unfailing. Listen, Mother, I am very hungry, seeing these beautiful fruits on the trees. Listen, my son: fierce and powerful demons guard this forest, supremely mighty warriors. I have no fear of them, Mother, if your heart grants me its blessing.