Hanuman Explains the Broken Garden, Then Asks Ravana to Return Janaki
Sundara Kanda, Chaupai 22
Doha 22 · Movement 1 of 2
Keep this contemplation
Preserve, print, or share
Hanuman says he knows Ravana's greatness, including the battles with Sahasrabahu and Vali. Ravana laughs dismissively. The monkey then gives the simple account of the garden. Hunger led him to the fruit, and monkey nature to the broken trees. Every being's body is supremely dear, so when the guards struck him, he struck back.
Those who hit him were hit in return, and Ravana's son bound him. There is no shame in the bonds because they have brought him where his Lord's work can be spoken. Hanuman folds his hands before the king and asks him to set pride aside.
Remember the nobility of your lineage. Abandon delusion and worship the Lord who removes the fear of devotees. Even Kala, devourer of gods, demons, and all moving and unmoving beings, trembles before him. Do not make enmity with such a one. Accept this counsel and return Janaki.
Hanuman lets the ropes bring him before Ravana so a folded-handed plea can reach the throne.
Read the passage from the Manas
जानउँ मैं तुम्हारि प्रभुताई। सहसबाहु सन परी लराई।। समर बालि सन करि जसु पावा। सुनि कपि बचन बिहसि बिहरावा।। खायउँ फल प्रभु लागी भूँखा। कपि सुभाव तें तोरेउँ रूखा।। सब कें देह परम प्रिय स्वामी। मारहिं मोहि कुमारग गामी।। जिन्ह मोहि मारा ते मैं मारे। तेहि पर बाँधेउ तनयँ तुम्हारे।। मोहि न कछु बाँधे कइ लाजा। कीन्ह चहउँ निज प्रभु कर काजा।। बिनती करउँ जोरि कर रावन। सुनहु मान तजि मोर सिखावन।। देखहु तुम्ह निज कुलहि बिचारी। भ्रम तजि भजहु भगत भय हारी।। जाकें डर अति काल डेराई। जो सुर असुर चराचर खाई।। तासों बयरु कबहुँ नहिं कीजै। मोरे कहें जानकी दीजै।।
"I know well of your prowess. You fought with Sahasrabahu, the thousand-armed. You won glory in battle against Bali." Hearing the monkey's words, Ravana laughed dismissively. "I ate the fruits, my lord, because I was hungry. Being a monkey by nature, I broke the trees. The body is most dear to every living being, O master. Your soldiers struck me because I trespassed. Those who struck me, I struck in return. Even then, your son bound me. I feel no shame at being bound. I wish only to accomplish my Master's purpose. I make this humble plea with folded hands, O Ravana: set aside your pride and heed my counsel. Look carefully at your own noble lineage. Abandon delusion and worship Him who destroys all fear from His devotees' hearts. He before whom even Kala, the devourer of gods, demons, and all creation, trembles with dread. Never make enmity with Him. Heed my words and return Janaki."