Hanuman Names the Power behind Creation before the Ten-Headed King
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 21
Doha 21 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Ravana demands the monkey's identity, the power behind the broken grove, and the reason his demons were killed. Has the prisoner never heard of Lanka's lord? Does he value his own life so little that he can stand utterly fearless before him?
Hanuman answers by redirecting every question toward Rama. The universe and Maya arise through his power. By that strength Brahma creates, Vishnu sustains, and Shiva dissolves. Thousand-headed Shesha bears earth with all its mountains and forests because the same power holds him.
The protector of the gods assumes many forms and teaches fools like Ravana. He broke Shiva's difficult bow and shattered the pride of gathered kings. Khara, Dushana, Trishira, and Vali, each immeasurably strong, have already fallen. The bound messenger speaks of a sovereignty before which Ravana's court becomes one small chamber.
Ravana asks who gives Hanuman strength, and the captive answers with the power that carries creation itself.
Read the passage from the Manas
कह लंकेस कवन तैं कीसा। केहिं के बल घालेहि बन खीसा।। की धौं श्रवन सुनेहि नहिं मोही। देखउँ अति असंक सठ तोही।। मारे निसिचर केहिं अपराधा। कहु सठ तोहि न प्रान कइ बाधा।। सुन रावन ब्रह्मांड निकाया। पाइ जासु बल बिरचित माया।। जाकें बल बिरंचि हरि ईसा। पालत सृजत हरत दससीसा। जा बल सीस धरत सहसानन। अंडकोस समेत गिरि कानन।। धरइ जो बिबिध देह सुरत्राता। तुम्ह ते सठन्ह सिखावनु दाता। हर कोदंड कठिन जेहि भंजा। तेहि समेत नृप दल मद गंजा।। खर दूषन त्रिसिरा अरु बाली। बधे सकल अतुलित बलसाली।।
The lord of Lanka spoke: "Who are you, monkey? By whose strength have you laid waste to my garden grove?" "Have you never heard of me? I see you are utterly fearless, you fool." "For what offense did you slay the demons? Tell me, fool. Do you have no concern for your own life?" Hanuman replied: "Listen, Ravana. The entire universe and all of maya were fashioned by His power. By whose strength Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva create, sustain, and destroy, O ten-headed one. By whose strength Shesha of a thousand heads bears the earth with all its mountains and forests. He who takes many forms as the protector of the gods; He is the one who teaches fools such as you. He who broke Shiva's mighty Kodanda bow and crushed the pride of kings with all their armies. Khara, Dushana, Trishira, and Bali: all those warriors of matchless strength He has slain."