Sunday, October 27, 2013

Sundara Kandam 10-25

Sundra Kandam  (Contd)

The beautiful book (Contd)

  

10.Seeing of Mandodhari

   (This chapter gives further description of the harem of Ravana, It gives a vivid description of Ravana, his women and his wife Mandodhari.It ends describing the happy Hanuman who mistook Mandodari for Sita)

Hanuman who was searching there, saw a cot, which was fit to be in the land of Devas, which was great, which had special parts made of gold and ivory, which had bed covers inlaid with diamonds, which had extremely costly special seats and which was fully decorated by gems and crystals.                                                                                                                                   10.1-10.2
He also saw a particular very special seat which was decorated all over by gold, which was shining like sun, which was very broad and which had all things which end sorrow   10.3
On one side of the seat he saw a very special umbrella, which glittered like the moon and which was decorated by many very special garlands.                                                                  10.4
On all four sides women were fanning the cot with white fan with soft bristles, it was scented by collection of many perfumes, several incense generating smoke were wafting about it, very precious bed sheets made of wool and hides covered it and all around it was decorated by garlands made of several rare flowers.                                                                      10.5-10.6
That monkey chief Hanuman saw on the shining bed on the cot, the Chief of Rakshasas, who was of the colour of deep black cloud, who was wearing special glittering ear studs, who was having red eyes, who was having very long hands, who was wearing cloths with golden zari, who had applied the highly perfumed paste of red sandal, who wore precious ornaments which was like the streaks of lightning in the red clouded sky of the dusk, who was handsome, who could assume any form that he wished, who was equal to the immobile Mandhara mountain with its several trees and bushes, who wore several pretty ornaments, who was tired after love play during the night, who was the darling of Rakshasa ladies, who created pleasant life to the Rakshasas and who was not showing the effect of alcohol that he has drunk.   10.7-10.11
Nearing Ravana, who was like a hissing serpent, Hanuman, who could even scare very strong people, was scared and confused and stepped back.                                                        10.12
Afterwards that monkey chief Hanuman climbed a stairs  reached another hall and from there carefully examined the  sleeping king of Rakshasas.                                                        10. 13
That costly bed on which the chief of Rakshasas was sleeping  looked like garden in which an elephant was sleeping after trampling over it.                                                                 10.14
He saw the two hands of the Rakshasa king, which was attached to his golden shoulders, which were long, which were like the flags of Indra, which had scars made by the tusks of elephant Iravatha, which were starting from his thick shoulders having the scars made by Vajrayudha, which was having the wounds made by Vishnu’s wheel, which was attached to his equal and thick shoulders, which had good hands and fingers, which had ideally shaped fingers and thumb, which were able and were like iron bars, which were round and resembled the trunk of an elephant, which were lying on the clean bed and which were like five headed serpents.                                                           
                                                                                                                                            10.15-10.18
He looked at his two hands which were well covered with specially cold specially scented sandal wood which was as red as the blood of rabbits, which were decorated, which was applied with mixture of several scents, which was massaged by great ladies, which used to make devas, yakshas, Pannagas, gandarwas and Danavas weep, which were kept on the bed and which resembled pythons sleeping on both his sides.                                                        10.19-10.21
That mountain like Rakshasa with his two hands shined like the perfectly shaped Mandhara Mountain with its two peaks.                                                                                                  10.22
The breath of the sleeping king of rakshasas which was having the sweet smelling scent of mango flower, pongamia flower and Vakula flower, which was having the smell of many food items and which was having the reeking smell of alcoholic drinks spread throughout that area, came out of his very big mouth.                                                                                     10.23-10.24
Hanuman saw in that hall, Ravana who was shining with a slightly out of place crown made of precious gems and pearls, who was having a glittering face because of his ear studs, who was having a fat long and broad chest applied with the paste of red sandal which was shining because of his garlands, who was wearing a white silk upper cloth which was slipping down, who was wearing a very costly yellow silk, who was having red eyes, who appeared as if he was a mountain made of black gram, who was breathing like a serpent, who was like a royal elephant sleeping in the river Ganges amidst huge crowds, who was having  the entire body shining by the light provided by golden lamps, who was like a cloud lit on all four sides by streaks of lightning, who was a great individual and  who was having love towards his wife ,.sleeping along with his wives who slept at  the corners of his feet.                                                                   10.25-10.30
He saw many of them(wives) who were having shining faces like the moon, who were wearing pretty ear studs, and who were wearing flower garlands which never fade.                  10.31
He also saw some experts in dance and music who were seated and wearing the great ornaments worn by Ravana on his shoulders and lap.                                                        10.32
He saw them wearing shoulder bangles of molten gold and ear studs made of diamond and other precious stones.                                                                                                              10. 33
Due to their pretty glittering ear studs and faces like moon, that Vimana was shining like the sky because of a collection of stars.                                                                                             10.34
Those narrow hipped ladies of Ravana were sleeping in various places due to tiresomeness caused by various exercises like lovemaking.                                                                       10.35
One lady was sleeping in the dancing pose with pretty Mudhras(symbols) shown by her hands and with many of her pretty parts exposed.                                                                        10.36
One lady who was sleeping embracing the Veena looked like a boat afloat in a mighty river, which was tied by the tendrils of Lotus plant.                                                                   10.37
A black eyed sleeping beauty with the Madduka (a type of drum) kept in her armpits,
looked like a mother with her darling baby.                                                            10.38
Another lady with very pretty breasts who was also pretty all over was sleeping embracing a drum and looked like a lady embracing her husband whom she has met after a very long separation.                                                                                                                      10.39
Another lotus-eyed beauty was asleep embracing the Veena and appeared as if she had met her boy friend when nobody is around.                                                                           10.40
Another very passionate lady who was a dancer  was sleeping embracing the Vipanchika (a stringed instrument) and appeared as if she was sleeping in tight embrace of her husband.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                            10.41
Another lady with eyes like wine was asleep embracing the drum with her golden coloured soft voluptuous and pretty body.                                                                                        10.42
One flawless pretty lady was holding the drum in  her armpits between her arms and breast  and was sleeping tired because of her passion.                                                               10.43
Another lady was sleeping with the two pieces of  the drum (thabla)  in her tight embrace and appeared as if she was holding her husband and baby in her hands.                          10.44
Another lotus leaf eyed lady was holding with her two stretched hands the giant drum and was sleeping because of exertions of zest.                                                                              10. 45
Another lady who was asleep with the slightly tilted Ghata  (earthen pot musical instrument) looked like a small hill of the multi coloured flower garlands, which were kept fresh by sprinkling of water.                                                                                                                                10. 46
A young girl, who was deep asleep, was hiding her gold pot like breasts with hands and sleeping.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                   10.47
A full moon faced lady with lotus petal like eyes forgot herself in her love zest and was sleeping embracing another lady with a pretty backside.                                                            10.48
Many noble ladies in their great passion were sleeping embracing tightly to their breasts several musical instruments like they would embrace their lover.                                          10. 49
That monkey then saw  another very pretty lady sleeping on a beautiful bed in a place away from these ladies.                                                                                                                10.50
That great hero Hanuman who was the son of wind God saw the sleeping Mandodari[14], who was wearing very prettily crafted ornaments made of pearls and other precious gems, who by her natural luster was an ornament for that great house, who was a dear, who was white in colour, who was chief queen of that harem, who was golden in colour, who was having a pretty appearance and who was well made up, Hanuman mistook her for Sita because she was the epitome of youth and beauty and became extremely pleased and happy.  10.54-10.55 
Exhibiting his monkey qualities he clapped his hands, kissed his own tail, became happy, jumped here and there, sang, ran, climbed on the pillar and jumped from there.          10.55

          Thus ends the  tenth  chapter of Sundara Kanda  which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

 11. Search in the hall for drinking

   ( A full  and detailed description of the hall of drink and Hanuman’s search for Sita there is recounted in this chapter)

Within a quarter of minute he rejected his momentary wish that it was Sita as not right and became clear headed and started thinking, in the right path.                                11. 1
After that Hanuman decided that “There was no chance of Sita who was separated from Sri Rama sleeping, nor eating, nor wearing of ornaments, nor even drinking water nor go near another male even if he were the king of Devas for even among devas there is none as great as Rama and so this lady has to be somebody else.” And he started searching further in the hall of drinking.                                                                                                                             11. 2-11.3
The monkey chief  saw  Ravana who was deep asleep due to being tired by his intense love making and his collection of ladies among whom some were tired because of love making, some because of singing, some because of dancing and  some asleep because of consumption of alcoholic drinks. He saw some ladies leaning on drums of different types and on small seats as well as many sleeping on special beds made for sleep by ladies. He saw thousands of ladies
some decorated by ornaments, some who had the habit of describing their bodily beauty, some who describe the meanings of songs, some who work according to the need of place and time and some who can speak properly to suit an occasion                                                        11.4-11.7
Amongst those ladies, the Rakshasa king of great valor, looked like a bull among cows of high pedigree in a very wide stable.                                                                                                        11.8
Naturally being surrounded by those ladies, the king of Rakshasas shined like an awesome he-elephant among large number of she elephants of the forest.                                              11.9
In the house of  the great chief of rakshasas, the monkey chief saw collection of well stocked drinking places(bars)                                                                                                                   11.10
In that drinking place Hanuman saw meats of deer, pig and raven kept separately.      11.11
He also saw further half eaten peacocks and hen kept in large golden vessels.        11.12
Hanuman saw the meats of eagle,  sheep, porcupine, deer and  peacock  cooked with curd and Masalas , fully cooked doves , half eaten ravens, buffalos and one thorn fishes, well cooked mutton, several type of side dishes, several type of drinks and several type of light eatables.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                            11.13-11.14
Similarly by different types of drinks which were sour, salty and other great tastes made by concentrating the juices of grapes, orange and pomegranate and those chains, armlets and bangles which have been removed and strewn all over and also decorated by flowers and fruits kept in goblets that place was very pretty.                                                                   11.15-11.16
That place of drink appeared to be glistening even without fire by  the very many  tastefully arranged sofas and chairs.                                                                                                          11.17
Garlands and also very many distilled alcoholic  drinks, various alcoholic drinks made with sugar syrup, honey, fruit juices and flower concentrates, several other drinks which were sorted and kept and various types of meat which were properly mixed , cooked  and made by great chefs, with great care in which various spices and condiments which were added in proper proportion  filled that drinking place and added to its luster.                                                          11.18-11.20
That monkey chief saw many specially made drinks filled in silver and golden pots arranged in different place all over.                                                                                                                11. 21
He also saw large number goblets, which were made of gold, silver and many made with several gems.                                                                                                                                                11.22
That place was also filled with serving cups for these drinks, which were made of gold, crystal and gold alloy.                                                                                                                                 11.23
That Hanuman saw in some place half emptied goblets, in some places empty goblets  and in some places goblets filled to the brim.                                                                                     11.24
He wandered here and there seeing various eatables, drinks sorted in different categories, left over food, broken drink pots, spilled water, fruits and prettily made garlands.   11.25-11.26
There were white cushions used by ladies for sleeping and various beauties sleeping tightly embraced.                                                                                                                                     11.27
Not only that in some cases one lady in her sleep was covering herself with the pulled out dress of another and several were in very deep slumber.                                                            11.28
It was wonderful, that the cloths on their body and the garlands that they were wearing did not move by their heavy breath, which was like the slowly wafting wind.                            11.29             
The breeze  carrying with in it  the incense of cool sandal, by the scents of various alcoholic drinks and the various flowers in garlands was wafting here and there, That Puspaka Vimana was also full of scents of various perfumes worn by different ladies, the sandalwood and other incense that were being burnt.                                                                                      11.30-11.31
In that house of Rakshasa some of the ladies were brown, some were black  and some others were  of golden colour.                                                                                                              11.32
Their looks because  of deep sleep and made loose by their passion, appeared like the lotus pond in which the flowers have closed up.                                                                              11. 33
Like this the great soul Hanuman wandered all over Ravana’s harem and searched in all places but in spite of that did not find Janaki (Sita, Janaka’s daughter).                                           11.34
Hanuman became very thoughtful and worried because he thought that in staring at those women he has slipped from Dharma (the standards of right conduct.)                               11.35
He thought that the sight of this crowd of wives of the enemy when they were deep asleep made him a commit a great sin.                                                                                                  11.36
Then he thought that his stare at the wives of somebody else was not done in a worldly manner.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                           11.37
“This sight of other people’s wives has not done by me with passion.”  , he  further thought.                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                         11.38
Then a new doubtless thought  pointing towards the correct decision arose in the mind of  very intelligent Hanuman who was capable of  great thought                                                    11.39
“I saw  all the wives of Ravana who were sleeping without any fear  and with great belief. In spite of that my mind did not waver even a little bit.” He thought.                       11. 40-11.41
“ Mind is the sole cause of all the sense organs doing good or bad and that mind did not waver even a bit in my case”, he thought.                                                                                           11.42
“Always suppose a lady has to be searched it should be in the crowd ladies only and therefore It is impossible to me to search and find out Sita in any other place.” he further thought                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                        11.43
“Search for an animal of a specific type has to be made within the type only and a lost woman cannot be searched among a group of deer.” He thought.                                                 11.44
“And therefore this Harem of Ravana was searched well  by me with a very clean mind and in spite of that I could not find Sita” he thought.                                                                      11. 45
The great Hero Hanuman saw many lasses of Devas, Gandarwas and Nagas but was not able to find Janaki.                                                                                                                                   11. 46
Having seen many great ladies but because he was not able to find Sita, he went outside from that hall at that time and started thinking.                                                                            11. 47
The great soul Hanuman having come out of that hall of drinking, took great pain in starting the search for Sita again.                                                                                                                   11.48

          Thus ends the  eleventh  chapter of Sundara Kanda  which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

12. Hanuman’s worry
       (Hanuman’s final search for Sita in the harem, his fear for having committed a sin because of his entry in to the Harem and his sense of dejection in not being able to find Sita are described)

That Son of God of wind visited separately the garden enclosures, picture galleries and bedrooms in the center of the palace , but he who was interested in seeing the beautiful Sita could not see her.                                                                                                                           12.  1
Because that great monkey was not able to see the darling of the son of Raghu, he thought thus “because Sita who is very upset is not visible to me, it is definite that she is no more alive.”                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                             12.2
“It is possible that the daughter of Janaka who treads by the path of pristine duty, who is devoted to her husband, who has interest in protecting her virtue, might have been killed by the chief of Rakshasas who exhibits many bad qualities.” he thought                                         12.3

“After seeing the ladies of the chief of Rakshasas who are having ugly features, who are ugly, who do not have the luster in their body, and who are having a very cruel vision , Sita who is the daughter of Janaka might have died out of fear”. He thought                                                    12. 4
“Without seeing Sita, without doing my duty  and having spent lot of time with other monkeys , I should not go back to Sugreeva  because the powerful Sugreeva awards great punishments”, he thought.                                                                                                                                                12. 5
“I have searched all over the harem, I have seen all ladies of Ravana but I only could not see the sterling natured Sita and so all my efforts are in vain”, thought he.                                          12.6
“When I go back and meet all the monkeys who have gathered together  they would ask “Hey hero, what did you do there? Please tell us about it. What happened there?” and what will I who has not been able to see her reply to them?”. He thought.                                                       12.7
“If the time is delayed too much for my return definitely they will all commit mass suicide by starvation”, he thought.                                                                                                                    12.8
“When I return after crossing the sea. all those assembled monkeys and also  Angada and the very old Jambhavan would individually find fault with me”. He thought.                             12. 9
“Being not disappointed in one’s intentions leads to greater wealth, very real pleasures and zest in doing things”, he thought.                                                                                                       12.10
“This emotion of not getting dispirited by failure leads to success in man’s actions and so I should put in more effort and do more searching”, he thought.                                    12.11
He decided that he would put in more intense search in all places where search was not done and started searching.                                                                                                              12.12
He searched in drinking halls, he searched in flowerbeds, again he searched in picture galleries and he searched well in sporting arenas.                                                                               12. 13
He also searched in streets in between the gardens, various types of towers, underground cellars, memorial houses and outer halls of the palaces.                                                 12.  14
That great monkey Hanuman traveled to all places and searched by climbing, getting down, stopping once in a while, walking, opening the doors, breaking open closed doors, getting in, getting out, jumping down and  jumping up.                                             12.15-12.16
The places that he has not visited in Ravana’s Harem were not even four fingers broad.                                                      
                                                                                                                                      12.17
That Hanuman searched in the streets between outer walls of buildings,  the platforms associated with memorials, wells, and lakes.                                                             12. 18
In those places Hanuman saw Rakshasis with various forms who were very ugly, whose actions were ugly but he was not able to see the daughter of Janaka.                                 12. 19
Hanuman saw there many Vidhyadara maidens whose beauty was unparalleled in the world but was not able to see only the wife of Rama.                                                                 12.20
Hanuman saw there very beautiful Naga maidens who had faces like the full moon but he was not able to see the  good-natured Sita.                                                                         12.21
Hanuman saw Naga maidens forcibly abducted by Ravana after victory in war  but he was not able to see only the daughter  of Janaka.                                                                     12.22
The son of Wind God who was both intelligent and heroic saw several ladies with good lineage but not Sita and became very sad.                                                                                12.23
His sorrow went on increasing when he thought that the effort put up by monkeys and his crossing of the ocean was fully wasted.                                                                        12.24
The son of wind God got down from the  Pushpaka Vimana with immense sorrow  and became very thoughtful.                                                                                                               12. 25

         Thus ends the  twelfth chapter of Sundara Kanda  which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

                             
 13.Crashing of hopes of Hanuman

    ( The worries of the very disappointed Hanuman are described graphically. At the end he sees a glimmer of hope when he sees the Asoka forest)

After jumping from the Vimana on to the  wall he was restless like the streaks of lightning among the clouds.                                                                                                                       13.1
The monkey Hanuman after not being able to find the daughter of Janaka in Ravana’s palace  in spite of vigorous and complete search told to himself as follows:-                                    13.2
“I with a desire to do good to Lord Rama have searched this city completely and in spite of that was not able to find the very pretty Sita who is the daughter of Janaka.”                        13.3
“I have definitely searched fully in small ponds, big ponds, ;lakes , streams, rivers, bushes in the deltas, forts, mountains  and plains and am not able to find the daughter of Janaka anywhere.”                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                         13.4
“The eagle king Sampathi told me about the presence of Sita in Ravana’s palace and still I am not able to find her.”                                                                                                                           13.5
“That Sita who was not born out of a womb, who was brought up in the kingdom of  king Videha, who was well brought up with culture by the king of Mithila, who is the foster daughter of the sage-king Janaka will never reach the arms of Ravana who is uncultured., Is it not?”                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                         13.6
“I think that when Ravana who was afraid of the arrows of Rama  abducted her  and was flying at a great height, Sita must have slipped from his hands and fallen to earth and died.”                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                           13.7
“I feel that , it is a possibility that the heart of the well pedigreed Sita who was being abducted and was traveling in the paths of the sky used by sages   must have stopped on seeing the sea . “                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                            13.8
“I feel by the power of  Ravana’s  thigh and being trampled in his tight hands must have made her to give up her life.”                                                                                                                  13.9
“Another possibility is that traveling far above the sky that daughter of Janaka must have tried to escape and fallen in the sea and must have died.”                                                            13. 10
“Alas, it is a possibility that the Sita who was far away from her relations, who was doing great penance and  who was bent upon preserving her purity must have been eaten by the horrible Ravana.”                                                                                                                                           13.11  
“Or it is possible that the cruel wives of the Rakshasa king must have eaten Sita who is pure and had black eyes.”                                                                                                                             13.12
“It is also possible that always thinking about  the full moon face of Rama who had eyes like the petals of lotus flower, and seeing there was no other alternative she must have simply died.”                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                          13.13
“It is also probable that Sita who was born  in the Kingdom of Mithila   must have cried aloud “Hey Rama”, “Hey Lakshmana”, and “Hey Ayodhya”, and also crying many other things must have forsaken her body.”                                                                                                              13.14
“: I also think that some times she must have been hidden in some dark underground vaults and like a bird put in a cage  and must be crying even now.”                                                       13.15    
“How can Sita who is the wife of Rama, who has eyes like lotus petals, who is famous and who has brought up in the house of Janaka  submit herself to Ravana?”                                       13. 16
“Whether she has been well hidden or has been killed or is no more because of her deep sorrow , this should not be informed to Sri Rama who is very deeply attached to her?”                 13.17
“If I do  inform him the truth danger will result and if I do not inform ,then also it would have a worse result and in this circumstance I am not able to decide either way.”               13. 18-13.19
Hanuman then again reexamined his thought process to conclude as to what would be timely, yield good result and would be accepted as right by everybody.                                             13.20
“If I do return to the kingdom of the monkeys without seeing Sita, what great thing would I get?”, he thought                                                                                                                             13.21
“My crossing of the ocean, entry in to the city of Lanka and seeing of Rakshasas would go waste.”, he thought.                                                                                                                       13.22
“What will Sugreeva and the monkeys who have accompanied me and those two sons of Dasaratha who have reached Kishkinda tell me?”, he thought.                                           13. 23
“As soon as I reach ,If I  inform the bad news to Sri Rama that I have not been able to find Sita, because of that he will die.”, he thought.                                                                                13. 24
“He would not stay alive if he hears the very cruel, hard hearted ,terrible  and hard words which are without mercy and which cannot be borne by sense organs .”he thought                   13. 25
“The intelligent Lakshmana full of love to him  seeing that Rama is bent on death will not also continue to live”, he thought.                                                                                                       13.26
“Once Bharatha hears that his two brothers are no more , he will also die .Once Shatrugna knows that Bharatha is dead he will also die. “ he thought.                                                 13.27
“Once they know that their sons are all dead, the mothers Kausalya, Sumithra and Kaikeyi would also not live.” , he thought.                                                                                                        13.28
“When he sees Sri Rama in this state, the grateful and truthful king of monkeys Sugreeva  would also forsake his life”. He thought.                                                                                              13.29
“The miserable Ruma (Wife of Sugreeva) would be afflicted by the loss of her husband and be unhappy, sad and suffering pain  and would leave her life.”, he thought.                         13.30
“Once Sugreeva is no more, Tara who is already miserable by the loss of Vali and also gone down in health by that sorrow would also die.”, he thought.                                               13.31
“How will the lad Angadha continue to live in spite of the sorrow of loosing both his parents and also Sugreeva.”, he thought.                                                                                                       13.32
“It is certain that afflicted by the sorrow of the loss of their kings, the monkeys would beat their head by their hands and fists and break their head.”, he thought.                                    13.33
“All the monkey heroes  who were respected and loved  by good words  and gifts  by the famous monkey king would  sacrifice their lives “, he thought.                                                      13. 34
“After that the monkeys would not go to play in places where there are lot of houses or in forests or in mountains.”, he thought.                                                                                    13.35
“Those who live with families and with wives and children , would be affected by the sorrow of their king and would roll in to rough terrain from the top of the mountains and die”, he thought..                                                                                                                                       13.36
“Otherwise they will all die by consuming poison or hanging themselves or by starvation or by entering in to the fire or falling on weapons.,” he thought.                                             13. 37
“I think that by my return ,the Ikshuvaku clan and the monkeys would all be destroyed and consequently there would be  intolerably great wailing”, he thought.                         13. 38
“So I would not return to the city of Kishkinda for it would not be possible for me to see Sugreeva without seeing Sita.”. he thought.                                                                  13.39
“If  without returning I stay  here ,then those  two great heroes who are also great souls, with a hope that the work will be done eventually would keep their souls  and so the monkeys also would live boldly.”, he thought.                                                                                                 13.40
“If I am not able to see the daughter of Janaka, I can live in the shadow of the trees here with whatever good food that I get or with whatever food that comes my way , controlling my five senses and live a life of a recluse,”, he thought.                                                                      13.41
“Otherwise I can raise a raging fire in these fertile areas  with fruits and roots , near the sea  and die by entering It.”, he thought.                                                                                                   13.42
“The other alternative is to die of starvation so that the crows and other flesh eaters would eat away my body.”, he thought.                                                                                                        13.43                      
“I know that this method of leaving ones life is permitted by great sages”, he thought. 13.44
“If I am not able to find Janaki then with grace I can fall in to the water”, he thought.    13.45
“This beautiful long  night which began very well for me in which benefits were received one after another which lead to my fame became a waste to me because I am not able to see Sita.”, he thought.                                                                                                                                      13.46
“At least I can become a  sage who controls all his senses and live below a tree.”, he thought.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                            13.47
“Without seeing that black eyed beauty I will not return from here”, he thought.            13.48
“If I return from here without finding Sita , Angada will die with all his monkeys.”, he thought.                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                          13.49
“There are many bad results because of death and the one who lives ultimately gets the good and he one who lives definitely  gets pleasures , and so I will keep my life.”, he thought.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                          13.50
That monkey chief in spite of again and again analyzing  his sorrow did still not reach the end of his sorrow.                                                                                                                                      13.51
He then thought, “Let the abducted wife of Rama be any where but  let me kill the very strong ten headed Ravana  for by doing that base act and  at least I would have  taken revenge.”                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                               13.52-13.53
“Otherwise I will take him like a sacrificial cow being taken  to the fire over the sea and put him at the feet of Rama”, he thought.                                                                                              13.54
Not knowing anything about that Sita, being very thoughtful, worried and sad the monkey thought thus.                                                                                                                                13. 55
“Till I am able to see the famous Sita who is the wife of Rama, I would keep on searching the city of Lanka again and again.”                                                                                                         13.56
“Had I brought Rama with me fully believing the words of Sampathi, not being able to see his wife, Rama would have burnt all the monkeys.”                                                                   13. 57
“I would live here reducing my food and controlling my organs for because of that those men and monkeys  will not all die because of me.”                                                                       13.58
“I am able to see an Asoka forest with very big trees and this is the only one place I have not searched yet.”                                                                                                                             13.59
“I would salute the eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, eleven Suns two Aswini devas, and seven Maruths  and become some one who will increase the sorrow of these Rakshasas”    13. 60
‘I am going to somehow win over all the rakshasas and present Sita belonging to the Ikshuvaku clan to Sri Rama like giving the end result to the one who is doing fire sacrifice.”       13.61
The resplendent Hanuman who was the Son of God of wind, meditated like this for some time  and ended up with the senses devoid of the tie of sadness.                                          13. 62
“My salutations to Sri Rama along with his brother Lakshmana, My salutations to Sita who is the daughter of Janaka, My salutations to Rudra, Indra, Yama the god of death, Vayu the god of wind, moon, sun and The people of Maruth”, he saluted                                                         13. 63
After saluting thus and also saluting Sugreeva Hanuman thoughtfully examined all the ways to the Asoka forest. He considered Asoka forest as the first place for success and thought about his future steps.                                                                                                                              13.64-13.65
“This Asoka forest , with all sort of decorations, with densely populated trees and which is full of Rakshasas should be searched immediately he thought.”                                                         13. 66
“Here sentries have been posted  here and there and are protecting the trees  and the wind is also blowing strong”, he observed.                                                                                                  13.67
“Let the sages and Devas bless me to give me result in this attempt by making me small and not visible to Ravana and also for the sake of Rama.”, he prayed                                                   13.68
“Let the ever existing Lord Brahma , other Devas, God of Fire, God of wind and Indra with his weapon of diamond grant me success.”, he further prayed.                                                   13.69
“Let Varuna(god of rain) with the rope in his hand, sun, moon, the great Aswini devas, Maruths, Parameshwara, that God who is the chief of all beings, all the beings and several  other invisible gods who are on my way grant me victory in my attempt”, he prayed.                       13.70-13.71
“When will I be able to see  the noble Sita’s face, which has a prominent nose. which has clean teeth, which is without blemishes, which has eyes like the petals of lotus flower and which glitters like the moon without blemishes ?”, he wailed.                                                            13.72
“How is she   who is without support, who is forever meditating, who has been abducted  by the cruel sinner Ravana who wore a good form over his terrible  aspect, going to become visible in front of my eye?”, he thought.                                                                                                      13.73

Thus ends the  thirteenth  chapter of Sundara Kanda  which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

 14.Searching inside the Asoka forest

         (Graphic description of the Asoka forest as seen by Hanuman is given. Seeing the forest Hanuman decides that Sita should definitely visit there because she likes the forest and also needs to do her morning ablations)

The very powerful Hanuman  after thinking for some more time and after meditating on Sita, Jumped immediately on to the wall of that  palace of Ravana.                                                 14.1
Enthused all over his body by his self confidence  that monkey climbed that boundary wall and saw many trees with flowers symbolic of spring season, several Sala trees, several pretty Asoka trees, Several champaka trees in full bloom, several karnikara trees, several Naaka trees, several mango trees and several Kapimuka(monkey face) trees.                                                     14.2-14.3
In that orchard with many mango trees, which is surrounded by pretty climbing plants he rushed in side, like an arrow rushing to its aim from the string of the bow.                                          14.4
That Hanuman  entered that garden  which was full of sound made by birds, which was like a rising sun, which was made strange by silver and gold like trees, which was full of birds and deer on all sides, which had several small strange and pretty gardens, which was full of several trees with flowers and fruits, which was always full of nightingales and bees, which was full of sounds made by peacocks, which had a rich varieties of birds, which had people who are happy and in which birds and animals were playing.                                                                                14. 5-14.8
Hanuman who was searching for the very pretty lady Sita who was blemish less, woke up several birds which were sound asleep.                                                                                                     14.9
The trees which were shaken violently by the birds which were flying above them, caused a multi coloured rain of flowers.                                                                                                  14. 10
Hanuman the son of the God of wind, covered completely by the shedding flowers looked like a mountain of flowers in the middle of that Asoka Forest.                                                     14.11   
All animals seeing the monkey rushing in all directions  thought that he was the spring season itself.                                                                                                                                              14.12       
The ground covered by the shedding flowers from the trees looked like a lady wearing ornaments.                                                                                                                                  14.13
The trees shaken vigorously by the strong monkey shed various types of flowers.      14.14        
The trees having shed their leaves, branches , flowers and fruits  looked like a loosing gambler who has already pledged his cloths  and ornaments.                                                        14. 15
Those bare stems of the trees looked like they have  been destroyed by cyclone  and consequently deserted by all birds and appeared as if they are  of no use.                  14.16
That Asoka forest  beat by the hands and tail of the monkey was bereft of any noble trees and resembled a lady with disheveled hair, with erased Sindhoora (dots in the forehead) . with ashen lips drunk by a tenacious lover and with marks all over the body made by  his nails and teeth.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                            14.17-14.18
The monkey cut and fell the  groups of twining climbers all over in the garden, which was similar to the scattering of clouds over Vindhya Mountain by the Wind God.                            14.19
 Traveling through the garden,  that monkey chief saw places which  were inlaid with precious stones , which were made of silver, which were made of gold ;streams (fountains) of various shapes, which were filled with very pure water, which had steps made of the nine types of precious stones here and there, which had pearls and corals as sand, which had the middle portion made of crystals, which glittered prettily  by the very special type of golden trees, which was full of Lotus and Neelothphala flowers, which was filled with the cooing sound of Chakravaka birds, which was having the sound created by crabs,  which had the sound created by the beaks of swans, which was filled with nectar like water, which was arranged in such a way that it was surrounded by small rivulets on all sides ; gardens filled with several type of climbing plants, which had several wish giving trees, which had several Karaveera plants; and which had orchards filled with dense ornamental shrubs.                                                                14.20-14.25
Here the monkey chief saw many mountains  with cloud like tall peaks,  which had several very pretty sharp peaks, which was surrounded on all four sides by sentry stations, which was filled with houses made by granite stones, which was surrounded by different varieties of trees, which was the prettiest in the world, and which had several pretty terraces.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      14.26-14.27
He saw streams flowing from those mountains, which looked like the pretty loving ladies raising from the lap of their lovers and slowly going forward.                                                                14.28     
Not only that but the monkey chief thought that the pretty streams which were flowing back because of huge trees with a large sinking crowns were stopping them, were like the angry sweetheart  who is stopped by her relatives and coming back after giving up her anger and going near her darling                                                                                                                        14.29-14.30
The monkey chief Hanuman who was the son of wind God, saw near the river a lotus pond full of different varieties of birds and a lake which was filled with cold water, which had several steps inlaid with precious gems, which had sand strewn with pearls, which had several flocks of deer roaming here and there, which had very pretty  and specialized orchards, which was constructed by Viswakarma (the architect of Devas), which was surrounded by several flower beds and which was decorated by several well crafted towers.                               14.31-14.34     
The trees in the garden were bearing fruits and flowers and were decorated .They also had platforms constructed all round which had golden steps.                                                   14.35
Hanuman the monkey  saw a golden Simshuba tree ( caller “Irumul “in Malayalam) with various  climbers and leaves encircling it and which had a golden platform beneath it.            14.36
He saw springs in very low lying areas and also dry places and several mountain like golden tress.                                                                                                                                 14.37-14.38
That great monkey chief thought for a moment that he too is golden seeing the glitter similar to the Meru Mountain of those trees.                                                                                       14.39
He was wonderstruck on seeing the golden Simshuba tree with its seedlings around it, and also with numerous bell like sound created by the pleasantly wafting wind.                      14.40
Hanuman who was very swift climbed another Simshuba tree which had flowery tips, which had young leaf and flower buds and which had very dense leaves and thought, “ I would be able to see from here Vaidehi (daughter of Videha) who is sad because of  her sorrow, who always fervently wishes for seeing Rama, and who may  have accidentally come over here.”                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                          14. 41-14.42
“This Asoka forest belonging to the bad soul  Ravana is very pretty  and is decorated with Sandalwood trees, Champaka trees and Bakula trees.”                                            14.43
“The royal lady who is the  daughter of Janaka would certainly come over to this very pretty  lotus pond which is full of birds.”                                                                                 14.44
“That Janaki (Sita) who is the queen. Who has experience in living in forests, who is very talented  and who is the very innocent darling of  Raghava (Sri Rama who is the descendent of King Raghu) would definitely come here.”                                                                 14.45
“ Perhaps that daughter of Janaka  who has doe like eyes, who has become thin by constant thought of Sri Rama and  who has lot of experience in living in forests would certainly come over here.”                                                                                                                                14.46
“That lady who has wilted due to parting with Rama, who has lotus like eyes and who is a traveler in the forest is likely to come daily here  as she is interested in seeing the forest.”                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                          14.47
“That Janaki who is the very innocent wife of Sri Rama, who is the daughter of Janaka, who is of good colour, who is in the middle of youth, and who is great is always interested in people who travel in the forest  and also  taking in to account that the dawn is  coming  near she would be coming to this river with clean waters to offer her Ablations of the dawn.”         14.48-14.49
“This holy Asoka forest is very suitable to the intelligent wife of Rama who is the daughter in law of the great King.”                                                                                                                       14.50
“If that moon faced lady is alive  she would definitely come to this river with crystal clear water.”                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                        14.51
At that time , thinking thus, the great Hanuman hid himself  among leaves of a profusely flowering tree expecting to see wife of the king of men and was staring down the tree and was watching everything.                                                                                               14.52

      Thus ends the  fourteenth  chapter of Sundara Kanda  which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

    15.Seeing of Sita
   (This chapter initially gives a description of Asoka vana and  its one occupant whom Hanuman suspects as Sita. In the end using pure logic Hanuman concludes that she definitely is Sita)

Sitting on the Simshuba tree Hanuman examined all areas down  below , in  the garden in search of Mythili (princess of Mithila) and saw everything which was there in the Asoka forest.  15.1                                                                                                                            
Sitting there he saw well the entire garden, which was full of shining climbers and trees, which was sweetly scented, which was decorated all over, which was similar to the ornamental parks, which was full of animals and birds, which had lot of great mansions, which was resounding with the sweet song of Koels, which had golden fruits and flowers, which had many ponds, which had several sofas and carpets, which had several underground chambers, which had trees which fruit and flower in all seasons, which had several Asoka trees  full of flowers from bottom to top  and  were touching the floor because of the heavy load of flowers , which had several Karnikara trees, which had several fully flowering Palasa trees, which was shining like a sun due to the dense flowers  and glitter of Asoka trees, which appeared to shine because of various ornament like flowers and which had bare leaved trees so made by the very many birds which were often flying as  a flock .                                                                                                                   15.2-15.8
Because of their luster that entire area appeared to be shining and the garden also shined with multi crowned pongamia trees, the seven leafed trees, Champaka trees and Udhalaka trees.                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                         15.9
There were thousands of  Asoka trees in the garden some of which were golden, some like the flame of fire and some very jet black.                                                                                 15.10
That forest with several parks and was as pretty as Indra’s celebrated Nandana vana and Kubera’s famous Chithra vana  and was pretty , holy , greatly attractive, with holy splendor, which cannot be compared to any other  garden and which was much above the rest.                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                   15.11
It was like a second sky full of  star collections which resembled  flowers and with its flowers resembling the nine precious gems it was like the fifth sea.                                        15.12
That pretty garden  filled with very desirable scents resembled the great Gandhamadana mountain and was full of honey smelling trees which flower in all seasons and with  various types of deer and birds which make different types of noises and was stealer of mind with wafting perfumes all around.                                                                      15.13-15.14
That monkey chief  also saw a temple which was near the Asoka forest, which was tall, which was supported by thousand pillars in the middle. Which was as white as Kailasa, which had steps made of coral. Which had floor made of molten gold, which had the glitter attracting the eyes, which was holy and which appeared to touch the sky in height. 15.15-15.17
He saw in the garden a lady who was  wearing dirty cloths, who was surrounded by several Rakshasis, who was thin because of starvation, who was again and again breathing hard and  who was shining  like the crescent of moon in the early waning period. After staring and seeing her with care he saw that broad eyed lady who was with glittering mien, who was like a flame of fire darkened by smoke, who was dressed in a single disheveled great yellow cloth, who was laden with dust, who was not made up, who was like a pond without lotus, who was ashamed, who looked wilted due to sorrow, who was like a lady saint, who was like the star Rohini affected by planet Mars, who was with face made wet by tears, who was dejected, who was thin because she was not taking food, who was full of sad thoughts and sorrow, who was full of fear, who was not seeing any of her dear relatives near by, who was like a deer separated from her flock and surrounded by dogs, who was having singly made hair which was hanging like a cobra behind her, who was like a black forest covered earth in the autumn, who needed good life, who was wilted by sorrow, who never knew the troubles caused by sorrow, who was very thin and who was covered with dirt.                                                                  15.18-15.25
He concluded that she was that lady who was abducted by Ravana the Rakshasa who could assume any desired form and that she was having the same appearance as she had when abducted.                                                                                                                            15.26
Even after Seeing Sita, who had a face like full moon, who had pretty eyebrows, . Who had very pretty round breasts, who by her luster was removing darkness from all directions, who had very black hair, who had lips like the red guava fruit, who had very beautiful hips, who had eyes like petals of lotus, who is born in a great family, who was born in the channel created by plough, who is darling of all the world like Rati (wife of God of love)who had the shine of the full moon, who had extremely pretty body, who was sitting on the floor as if meditating with full control over all her organs, who was like the serpent maiden hissing with fear , who was not shining because of the hard and long sorrow, who was like the flame of fire hidden by the smoke, who was like the poem which praises but which was not clear, who was like the assets which had vanished, who was like the hope which is reduced, who was like the desire which is stopped, who was like the fulfillment  of desires which were dangerous, who was like the confused wisdom, who was like the fame darkened by gossips which were not true, who was sad because she was not able to attain Rama, who had grown thin because she was abducted by Rakshasas , who was having eyes like a doe, who was seeing here and there with fear because of her weakness, who was  breathing heavily again and again  with a lusterless face with black curved eyes and eye  brows. , who was coated with dust and dirt, who should wear make up but who did not wear it, who should be pitied, who was like the moon light hidden by black clouds and who was like the corrupted Vedic knowledge which was not repeated  and practiced, Hanuman’s brain  was full of suspicions..                                                                       15.27-15.36
Hanuman recognized Sita with great difficulty which was similar to understanding of an ungrammatical sentence without any figure of speech  and which indicated a wrong meaning.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                         15.37
He understood her as Sita who was a princess, who was blameless and who had wide eyes after looking at her carefully due to the following reasons.                                                       15. 38
“He saw those ornaments (which could be easily removed and are not a symbol of a married woman)  which were pointed out to be worn by her by  Sri Rama as an identification hanging and shining on a nearby branch of a tree. “                                                                          15.39
“He thought that some of those ornaments which were worn by her permanently were fixed strongly and were coated with dirt and were definitely those pointed by Sri Rama as identification like those ornaments made of coral and other jewels being worn on her fingers and hands, like the well crafted ear drops, and like the well tied ear ornament called Swadamshtram”.                                                                                          15.40-15.41
“He did not see on her those ornaments which were thrown by her from the Pushpaka Vimana on Rishya Mookha Mountains and all those which she was having were those listed but not thrown out. “                                                                                                 15.42-15.43
“At that time the monkey chief  saw her golden yellow pretty upper cloth  had fallen down and was hanging on the tree. “                                                                                               15. 44
“Whatever ornaments she has thrown away were definitely the one seen by the monkeys”, He thought .                                                                                                                                 15. 45
“Though whatever cloth she was wearing was crumpled and dirty because  they  were worn for a long time, they were definitely having the luster and colour of  the  cloth befitting her status, without doubt” , he thought.                                                                                            15. 46
“Though this golden darling of Sri Rama was now in the custody of some one else, She who is  faultless was definitely in his mind and this is definitely her”. He thought.               15.47
“This is the one for whom Sri Rama  was sad,  due to mercy, affection, sorrow and love; mercy because a helpless one has fallen in others hands, affection because he had the responsibility of protecting the one who has come to him for protection, sorrow because his wife was missing and love because she was the wife who was acting according to his wishes.”                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                15.48-15.49
“The beauty of each part of her body and its shape were similar to that of the beauty of Sri Rama and the personality of his was also  similar to  hers, and so this black eyed beauty must be her”. He thought.                                                                                                                         15.50
“This ladies mind lives within his and his mind lives within her and that must be the reason why she and he are staying alive at least for this  short time”. He thought.                     15.51-15.52
 “Sri Rama in spite of parting from this lady is still keeping his body in tact and his body is not breaking to pieces and so it is clear that Lord Sri Rama is doing things which were impossible to others”. He thought.                                                                                                                      15.53
“By living away from this wonderful beauty Sita at least for some time, the great Sri Rama was doing some thing which is impossible for others”, he again thought.                                15.54
Like this becoming happy on seeing Sita, he thought in his mind of Sri Rama and thought of him as his Lord.                                                                                                                                      15.55
                        
         Thus ends the fifteenth chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

16.Lamenting about Sita  

    (Seeing Sita Hanuman is upset and thinks about her in various ways and pities her. He again decides that the lady whom he has found is Sita herself)

After thinking highly of Sita who is fit to be praised and Rama who has a beautiful character, that monkey chief again became thoughtful.                                                                                       16.1
That glittering Hanuman meditated thus for some time about Sita, and with tearful eyes cried. alas!                                                                                                                                                      16.2
“If  the great man’s wife Sita ,who is fit to be worshipped by Lakshmana who always  behaves with humility towards elders, is troubled by sorrow , then the dictates of time are impassable. “                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                               16.3
“This great one who knows the inner mind of Rama and Lakshmana does not get much stormy like the river Ganges in rainy season.”, he thought                                                                      16.4
“Endowed with similar characters ,  age. and  conduct and belonging to  similar families and possessing similar characteristics, Sri Rama deserves Sita and this black eyed beauty deserves Sri Rama”, he thought.                                                                                                                              16.5
Having seen her who  is with colour of molten gold, who is the prettiest in the world and who is like Lakshmi(Consort of Lord Vishnu) and having also  thought of Sri Rama., he told  himself the following:-                                                                                                                                             16.6
“For the sake of this broad eyed damsel, the very strong King Bali was killed, and also Kabandha who was equal to Ravana was killed”.                                                                                              16.7
“The Rakshasa Viradha who was having extremely great valor  was killed in the war in the forest similar  Indra killing  Sambarasura., again for the sake of this damsel”                                     16.8
“Fourteen thousand Rakshasas who were doing terrible deeds were also killed in Janasthana by using arrows which are like flame of fire for her sake. “                                                              16.9
“ The all knowing Rama killed in war the greatly powerful Khara, Trisiras and similarly Dhooshana.”                                                                                                                                      16.10
“It is  for  this broad eyed damsel’s sake  that the kingdom, which was ruled by Bali, which was considered as great by the world and which was difficult to obtain for monkeys was got by Sugreeva.”                                                                                                                                         16.11
“It is for her sake that that I crossed the ocean which is the lord of streams and rivers and for her sake that I searched this city well.”                                                                                                 16.12
“I feel that for her sake if Lord Rama turns upside down the earth surrounded by oceans and even the universe, it would be most apt.”.                                                                                  16.13
“Suppose in the three worlds, a choice is given between Sita who is the daughter of Janaka and the kingship of the world, the kingship will not be even equal to a tiny part of Sita.”         16.14
“This Sita who is eternally devoted to her husband came out breaking apart the earth coated with field dust similar to the pollen of lotus ,when the great Janaka  who was the king of Mithila ploughed the field and  became his very famous daughter.”                                       16.15-16.16
“She is the eldest daughter in law of King Dasaratha who was very good, who never came back defeated in war and who was having great valor.”                                                                  16.17
“This lady who is the darling wife ,of just and philosophic Rama who does unblemished actions and is like  the lord of wealth ,has fallen in to the hands of these Rakshasis.”                 16.18
“She , without bothering about sorrow and sacrificing  all  pleasures, accompanied her husband  to the solitary forest for the sake of  love from him ,  gave it the  utmost importance  and lived with happiness by eating fruits and roots of the forest thinking it similar to her life in the palace  and was engaged in service to her husband.”                                                                 16.19-16.20
“She who is having  all the above qualities, who was having a body of the colour of gold, who was always adorned with a smile, who always used to talk of only good things and who never had experienced sorrow in her life , now tolerates extreme sorrow.”                                16. 21
‘”Even though troubled by Ravana similar to a  thirsty man  attacking the water house, she has remained virtuous and Sri Rama deserves to see her.”                                                           16.22
“If Rama gets her back again he would attain the happiness of a king who lost his kingdom and got it again.”                                                                                                                                    16.23   
“Even though forsaken by love and passion, even though taken away from her relatives and friends, she is keeping her body pure for the sake of union to him”.                                  16.24 
“Even now she is not seeing the Rakshasis and does not give any attention to these flower and fruit filled trees but  with absolute concentration is meditating on Rama.”               16.25
“Husband is the ornament which is better than all ornaments to a lady and she who deserves such an ornament does not shine without one.”                                                           16.26
“The Lord Sri Rama is keeping his body intact in spite of parting with her and does not disintegrate and is doing some action which no one can perform.”                                16.27
“Seeing her who is having a pitch black hair, who is having eyes of the shape of lotus and who is fit only to enjoy, suffering my mind is in turmoil.”                                                         16.28
“She who is having the patience of earth, who has eyes like lotus and who should have been protected by Rama and Lakshmana, is now being guarded by the ugly Rakshasis below a tree.”                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                               16.29
“This daughter of Janaka, who is lifeless like the lotus flower touched by snow, who is suffering by sorrow again and again, has attained the tragic state of Chakravaka bird who ha lost the company of its beloved.”                                                                                                  16.30
“These Asoka trees bent low because of the large number of flowers produced after the autumn season, and this moon with its thousand rays, produces lot of sorrow to her.”     16.31

The strong and wise chief of monkey thought about the matter as described above and decided that “She is definitely Sita” and stayed hidden in the Simshuba tree.                             16.32

      Thus ends the Sixteenth chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

 17.Seeing of Rakshasis
 (Graphic description of the Rakshasis surrounding Sita is given in this chapter. It also describes the sorry state of Sita and ends with the mention of happiness of Hanuman on seeing Sita)

Then in the clear sky the cream coloured moon , which is normally clear, rose like a swan appearing in blue water.                                                                                                     17.1
Shining with clarity that moon appeared to help by its light and by its cool moonlight served the son of wind God.                                                                                                                     17.2
Because of that He saw the full moon faced Sita similar to the ship in ocean weighed down and about to sink by her sorrow.                                                                                               17. 3
Trying to see Sita (daughter of Videha) clearly ,that son of wind god saw near her ugly and terrible looking Rakshasis among whom some were one eyed, someone eared, some with closed ears, some without ears, some with stick like ears, some breathing through the nose in the head, some with very large head and body, some thin with elongated neck, some with brush like hair, some with no hair at all, some wearing her hairs  like a woolen rug, some with hanging ears and forehead, some with hanging breasts and belly, some with hanging lips, some with chin itself as lips, some with hanging faces, some with hanging knees, some hunch backed, some obese, similarly some who were dwarf, some handicapped, some with slanted mouth and some with yellow eyes.                                                                                                                          17.4-17.9
He also saw other Rakshasis, among whom some were very ugly, some yellow coloured, some with jet black colour, some who were very angry, some who were interested in fighting, some who were armed with big spear, swords and rods, some with faces of pig, deer, tiger, bison, sheep and fox, some with legs of elephant, camel and horse, some with heads fixed just over the body, some with one hand and one leg, some with ears of a donkey, some with ears of a dog, some with ears of a cow, some with ears of an elephant, some with ears of a lion, similarly some without nose, some with very big nose, some with nose like an elephant, some with ears on their forehead, some with legs of an elephant, some with very big legs, some with legs of a cow, some with profuse hairs on the legs, some with big neck and heads, some with big breasts and belly, some with big mouth and eye, some with long nails and tongue, some with face of a sheep, some with face of an elephant, some with face of a cow, some with face of a pig, some with faces of horse, camel and donkey, some holding spears and thorn sticks, some with ire, some interested in fighting, some with projected teeth., some with blond hairs, some with terrible looking mien, some always interested in alcohol and meat, some drinking spirits often, some with ugly faces, some who had rubbed meat and blood all over their body, some whose food was only meat and blood, some  who had a terrible stare which would make hairs stand upright, and all of them surrounding on all four sides  a huge forest tree with umpteen branches.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                  17.10-17.18
That Hanuman blessed by Goddess Lakshmi saw below that tree which was in the center of Asoka forest, that Lady Sita, who was a princess, who was innocent, who was the daughter of Janaka, who had lost her glitter, who had  faded because of her sorrow, who was having flying dirty hair, who was like a star pushed down to earth when its good deeds are over[15], who was great because of her virtue, who was not knowing ways to see her husband, who was not wearing costly ornaments, who was wearing the ornament of her devotion to her husband, who was abducted by the king of rakshasas, who was separated from her relatives, who was like the she elephant who was in the custody of a lion after loosing her way, who was like the autumn crescent hidden by the clouds of the late rainy season, who was dirty looking because she had not washed herself, who was like a veena without strings, who was sunk in the sea of sorrow, who was earlier in the custody of her husband and who did not like  to be in the custody of Rakshasis.                                                                                                                           17.19-17.24
‘Seeing the lady who was like a tender plant in flowering, surrounded by the Rakshasis, he felt that she was like the Rohini star surrounded by the nine planets.                                      17.25
“Though by her natural beauty itself she was well made up, due to the dirt that she was having on her faded body , she was like the slush coated lotus plant which was shining as well as not shining”, he thought.                                                                                                                   17.26
The monkey chief Hanuman  saw Sita who was only wearing a  dirty and ruffled single cloth, who was having an eye similar to the young deer, who was not wilting away because she was remembering the greatness of her husband, who was being protected by her virtue, who was having black eyes and who was blessed by her youth.                                                17.27-17.28
Understanding her as Sita, that son of wind god ,looking at  the princess of Mithila who was having eyes similar to an young deer, who was seeing in all directions like a fear struck deer, who was breathing heavily as if her breath will burn the well grown tress surrounding her, who was like a tidal wave of sorrow which always comes as a group, who was shining without any ornaments, who was having very perfect limbs and who was having great patience, attained limitless happiness for having completed his task.                                                     17.29-17.31
Hanuman shed tears of happiness seeing her who was having eyes like wine and immediately Saluted Sri Rama. .                                                                                                                      17. 32
That heroic Hanuman becoming happy because he saw Sita, saluted both Sri Rama and Lakshmana and continued to he in hiding.                                                                             17.33                                                            

      Thus ends the Seventeenth chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written by Valmiki.

 18. Arrival of Ravana

(Here the description of the passionate Ravana who woke up and came to Asoka forest along with his wives to see Sita ,is given. Ravana is described as valorous but spoiled by his passion and his women are described as virtuous, good and devoted to him)

When he was examining with care the forest, which was in full flower and also searching for the daughter of Videha, the night was about to come to an end and the dawn was in making.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                              18.1
In the end of night he heard the recitation of Vedas by the Brahma Rakshasas who were well versed in all the six parts of Vedas and who had done great fire sacrifices.                          18.2
At that time the very strong and great Hero , the ten headed one (Ravana) was woken up with the good luck , by singing songs which were sweet to hear and also verses praising him.                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                             18.3
That famous king of Rakshasas having woken up at the correct time wearing displaced cloths and garlands thought of the daughter of Videha.                                                                   18. 4
That egoist Rakshasa because the God of love affected him, was not able to keep his passion to Sita under control.                                                                                                                         18. 5
He , carrying with him his unparalleled  fame ,wearing all ornaments entered  Asoka forest., which was having hangings made of gold in which gems were inlaid, which had fallen fully ripe fruits, which was dense with trees, which was giving happiness to the mind and eyes ,  which was having statues of  deer , which was full of different varieties of trees, which was having several wonderful birds full of zest, which was filled with lotus ponds and which was shining with various types of flowers and saw it round.                                                              18. 6-18.9
That Ravana was followed by a very big group of ladies similar to Indra being followed by deva and Gandharwa maidens.                                                                                                           18.10
Some of those ladies were carrying in their hand white threaded fan, some had golden lamps hanging on a chain and some had round ornamental discs.                                                18.11
Some with water in golden vessels preceded him and some with back turned swords and carpets followed him.                                                                                                                               18.12
At that time one intelligent lady took a gem studded pot with water in her right hand and walked with him.                                                                                                                        18.13
Another walked behind him with an umbrella, which was having a golden handle, which was white, like a swan and which was shining like a full moon.                                              18.14
With eyes made red by lack of sleep and wine, those great wives of Ravana followed their heroic husband like the streaks of lightning following the clouds.                                             18.15
Those darling wives of Ravana who were wearing mixed up garlands and bangles, who were having a disheveled looks, whose hair has been unloosened, whose face was full of droplets of sweat, whose body was made wet by sweat, whose hair was adorned by flowers, who were tottering because of loss of sleep and due to effects of wine, who were having pretty faces, who were having eyes causing passion and who were great ladies followed the Rakshasa king because of  their respect and passion towards him.                                                18.16-18.18
This very strong Ravana who was the husband of those ladies had come under the control of passion became a bad individual and  because he had lost his heart to Sita and  was following a path of utter selfishness .,                                                                                                        18.19
Hanuman the son of Wind god heard  the jingling sound  of the anklets and waist belts of those great ladies.                                                                                                                               18.20
Hanuman saw Ravana who was capable of very great deeds, who had unimaginable strength and masculinity, who shined on all the four directions by the light of many lamps held in the front which were fed by perfumed oils, who was full of passion, egoism and bad conduct, who was having long red eyes, who was a personification of the god of love without his rope and who was wearing well washed white cloths with a colour of foam of milk hanging from his shoulders but pushed to one side, entered the garden.                                                            18.21-18.24   
Hiding in branch with profuse leaves and hidden by leaves and flowers, Hanuman started examining Ravana with care..                                                                                          18.25
When the chief of monkeys was examining Ravana thus he saw the youthful pretty great wives of  Ravana.                                                                                                                             18.26
That famous king surrounded by that bevy of beauties entered the garden of the harem, which was full of animals and birds.                                                                                           18. 27
That Hanuman saw the very strong king of Rakshasa who was the son of sage Visravas, who was holding his two ears upright like spears, who was well ornamented, who was visibly drunk by passion, and who was surrounded by his ladies like the stars surrounding the moon.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                    18.28-18.29
That monkey chief who was endowed with great power  saw Ravana  who was glittering by the rays of his power.                                                                                                                              18.30
That greatly resplendent monkey chief who was the Son of God of wind decided without any doubt that” This individual was earlier seen by me in the center of the city, in a great palace asleep and so this must be the great hero Ravana.”,  and he jumped and ran away             
                                                                                                                                                             18.31
That monkey chief was greatly resplendent  but being disturbed by the great power of Ravana , he further withdrew deep in to hiding.                                                                                          18.32
That Ravana with a great desire to see Sita who had jet-black hair, jet black eyes, passionately attractive wide waist, and very dense breasts neared her.                                                       18.33

      Thus ends the Eighteenth chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

   19. Description of the sage  like Sita

      (This chapter gives a very detailed and graphic description of the state of Sita)

The innocent princess Vaidehi who was a noble soul, seeing Ravana  the youthful , pretty king of Rakshasas from the place  she was sitting ,shook like a banana plant caught in a cyclone                                                                                                                        19.1-19.2
That ten headed one saw Sita who was having a pretty body, who had broad eyes, who was hiding her belly by her thighs and breasts by her hands, who was being guarded by the crowd of Rakshasis, who had wilted because of her sorrow, who was crying, who was like a sinking ship, who was like a branch of a tree which had fallen on earth, who was sitting on bare earth , who was doing great penance, who was suitable for a make up but was not made up, who was wearing dirt as an ornament and who was the princess of Videha. In that state she who was like a stem of lotus, which was shining and also not shining.                                                    19.3-19.6
Ravana because his death was nearby, passionately loved Sita, who was like one traveling in the chariot of mind pulled by horses called “strong decision” taking her near to the all knowing great prince Sri Rama, who had faded, who was alone, who was crying, who was all the time thinking and crying, whose only aim was Sri Rama, who was virtuous, who had still not seen the end of sorrow, who was like the shivering Naga maiden tied by magic chants, who was like the star Rohini affected by the comets, who was born in a pedigreed family which was orthodox, which was just and which was having good character and good conduct , who was given in religious marriage to another great family, who appeared as if she was brought up in a bad family, who was like the fame tainted by non existing gossip, who was like the knowledge which was not memorized by constant repetition, who was like the fame which had disappeared, who was like the attention which was dishonored, who was like the knowledge which has diminished, who was like the desire which was disappointed, who was like a demolished home, who was like the commands which were not obeyed, who was like the residences which were burnt, who was like the worship which was prevented in the right time, who was like the destroyed lotus pond, who was like the army without its commander, who was like the darkened glitter, who was like the dried up river, who was like the sacrificial arena made dirty, who was like the receding fire about to die, who was like the night of full moon when eclipse is caused by Rahu and Kethu, who was like the turbid lotus pond which was disturbed by the trunk of the elephant and from which all leaves and flowers were removed and from which the birds have flown away, who had wilted because of  her husband was not with her, who was like the river from which water has been removed by canals, who was like the night of waxing moon because she had not taken her bath, who was great, who was very pretty, who was fit to live in a palace made of gems, who was wilting due to harsh sun light, who was like a lotus stem picked some time before, who was like a she elephant which was removed away from the he elephant and tied to a pillar, which was tired because of extreme sorrow and which was taking long breaths, who was shining with a single made hair without any ornaments, who was like the black corner of the forest at the end of the rainy season,  who was famished because of her fast, who had become thin because of her sorrow, who was pitiable because of worries and fear, who was not taking any food, who was wilted because of sorrow, who appeared as if she was praying  with folded hands to Sri Rama mentally as if  she was praying God  for the death of the ten headed one giving great importance to her virtue , who was having white  long eyes with pretty eyelids, who was crying, who was seeing all round out of fear, who was firmly believing only on Sri Rama and who was  not suitable to be found fault of..                                                                                  19. 7-19.22

      Thus ends the nineteenth chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

 20.Ravana’s prayer of love
  (This chapter is the prayer of love of Ravana to Sita. He praises her, points out his greatness and tells her how she can enjoy life if she accepts his proposal)

That Ravana with an  aim to intimately talk to Sita who is sad, who meditates like a sage, who was caught in the web of fear and who is virtuous and devoted to her husband, sweetly explained to her:-                                                                                                                          20.1
“Oh lady who has thighs like the elephants trunk, you seem to wish to make your body invisible to me by hiding your breasts and belly.”                                                                                  20.2
“Hey broad eyed one, hey my dear, hey lady who has a very beautiful body, I am passionately in love with you ,who is the prettiest lady of the world and  so please respect me.”                 20.3
“Hey Sita, there are neither Rakshasas or men who are personification of passion here, and so let the fear for me inside you be completely erased.”                                                                 20. 4
“Hey Coward, abducting other women and raping them are permissible by the clan rules of Rakshasas, no doubt.”                                                                                                                        20.5
“Whatever it may be , let the God of love play to any extent on my body, but I will definitely not even touch you without your permission.”                                                                                 20. 6
“ Hey  Lady, please do not fear that any mishap will occur in this case . Hey  pretty one , have belief in me and  love me with all your soul, and do not spend time like this by nurturing your sorrow..”                                                                                                                                           20. 7
“With matted singly made hair, sleeping on the floor, wearing dirty cloths, worrying and starving  are not suitable to you , my lady.”                                                                                              20. 8
“Hey daughter of Mithila, please accept my love and receive rare garlands, smoke from incense, several good cloths, divine ornaments, very costly drinks, beds. Seats, song, dance and other instrumental music.”                                                                                                             20.9-20.10
“Hey pretty one, you are a jewel among ladies and why is it that you are not fit to receive praises ? Don’t be like this, accept me and wear ornaments on your body.”                  20.11
“This pretty youthful looks of yours  is fading very fast and the youthfulness  that is past would not return back similar to the flowing water.”                                                                      20.12

“Hey Good looking lady, there is no one else as pretty as you and I think that the creator Brahma has stopped his work after creating you. “                                                                                     20.13
“Hey daughter of Videha, which male including the God Brahma can leave you after personally seeing you glittering in your beauty and youth?”                                                                        20.14
“Hey lady who has a face like cool full moon,  Hey lady who has big wide waists, whichever part of the body I see, my eyes are tied up by that part.”                                                                 20.15
“Hey princess of Mithila, forsake this sorrow, become my wife and become the chief among my several great ladies.”                                                                                                                       20.16
“Hey coward, whatever jewels I have brought by force from any corner of the world would belong to you and for that matter me and my kingdom will be yours.”                               20.17
“Hey lady who attracts, I would conquer all countries with several cities in the world and for your sake give them to Janaka, your father.”                                                                            20.18
“I do not know any one else in this world who has same strength as me , and so think of my great valor which is unbeatable in war.”                                                                                   20.19
“All devas and Asuras were unable to stand before me along with their armies and have been driven out by me several times after breaking their flags.”                                                    20.20
“Please accept me, let you be ornamented and made up just now.”                                   20.21
“Let you , wear glittering ornaments all over your body and  let me  with pleasure  see you  pretty. after wearing those ornaments.”                                                                                   20.22
“Hey pretty faced one, Hey coward, after being well made up, with pleasure ,enjoy all passions, be happy  and get satisfied in your want of passion.”                                                           20.23
“You can give as presents  land and  wealth to whomsoever are dear to you. Please be happy believing in me and order with courage. Please enjoy all pleasures and let all your relations live happily because of my power.”                                                                                                20.24
“Hey lady, be pleased to see my greatness, my wealth and my fame. Hey lucky one, what are you going to do with Rama who wears cloths made of barks of trees?”                         20.25
“Rama has lost his victory, he has lost his wealth, he wanders in the forest, he does penance, he sleeps on bare earth, and not only that I am doubting whether he is still alive or not?”                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                         20.26
“Hey princess of Videha, like the moon with a stork filled front which is hidden by dark clouds , he will not be even able to see you.”                                                                                        20. 27
“Not only that Rama will not be able to take you away from my hands like  Hiranya Kasipu  was not able to  take back his wife Keerthi from the hands of  Indra..”                                  20.28
“Hey coward, hey lady with heart warming smile, hey lady with pretty teeth, hey lady with pretty eyes, Hey handsome lady who attracts others, you have stolen my mind like the Garuda has taken away the serpent.”                                                                                                  20.29
“In spite of your wearing dirty silk cloth, in spite of not been made up, in spite of your having a famished look, after seeing you , I am not able to love m other dear wives.”              20.30 
“There are very many ladies with all good qualities in my harem and be pleased to become their queen.”                                                                                                                                      20. 31
“Hey black haired one, my wives are the best in all the three worlds and they would serve you like the divine maidens serve Goddess Lakshmi.”                                                              20. 32
“Hey lady with pretty eyelids, Hey lady with pretty waist , you can get all the wealth and gems that Lord Kubhera has and also all the worlds and me if you so please.”                       20.33
“Lady, Rama cannot be equal to me by innate power, fame and wealth and also never be equal to me by penance, strength and masculinity.”                                                                     20.34
“ Hey Lady with shifting glances, I would dedicate sufficient wealth and land for your sake, you can then enjoy all the pleasures and become happy, You can live with me as you please, be a dear to me, engage in love play with me and along with you  let your relatives also become happy.”                                                                                                                                               20. 35     
“Hey coward, Hey lady,  you can wear golden garlands with clear pearls and travel and enjoy with me  to the fully flowered dense forests full of bees and also the beaches.”               20.36

      Thus ends the twentieth chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.


 21.Denial of Ravana’s proposal

(This chapter contains the reply of Sita .She tells him that he should give  her back to
    Sri Rama and seek his protection if he wants to live further)
    
Hearing the words of the cruel Rakshasa , Sita became sad and started trembling and toungue tied and told the following words as  reply ,one by one in low tones.                                     21.1
Sita who was pretty, who has done penance, who is virtuous, and who always meditates on her husband became extremely sad, started crying and trembling and put a thin grass in between them and replied him with a smile which showed her greatness.                                            21.2
“Take back your mind from me  and take your mind to your own people ,for you are not fit to pray  to me like the sinner praying for redemption.”                                                                21. 3
“I who was born in a great family and got married in to a equally holy honoured family cannot do a great sin which is cursed by virtuous women with one husband.”                                21. 4
That famous daughter of Videha without bothering about Ravana the Rakshasa told this turning her back to him and started to tell the same thing in more detail.                                         21.5
“ I who am innocent and a wife of another  man ,  am not fit to become your wife in the proper course, so protect the just method of action and obey the tenets of good conduct properly.”                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                           21.6
“Hey night traveler, like your wives, the wives of other people also should be properly protected and so keep yourself as  a simile  and try to find satisfaction in your own wives.”                21.7
“He who cannot find satisfaction in his own wives is one who cannot control his senses and that unstable man is lead to his own destruction by other ladies.”                                                 21. 8
“It appears that here,  there are no great ones who tell you about the right path or it appears that you are not obeying them for your brain is doing just opposite to the right conduct.” 21.9
“You who seem to concentrate your mind on bad conduct possibly are not obeying the  advice of those great analysts  and their words , which would give you to good future because you are leading  the Rakshasas to destruction .”                                                                                       21.10
“Prosperous countries and cities race to their complete destruction if they get a foolish king who engages himself in unjust activities.”                                                                                            21.11
“Like that , this gem studded city of Lanka having got you as a king is soon going to be destroyed because of your sinful activities.”                                                                                                 21.12
“Hey Ravana, all animals are thankful for the destruction of a sinner who gets destroyed by thoughtless activities done by himself.”                                                                                      21.13
“Like this your own people who are ignored t by a sinner such as you would become happy and curse you saying” That angry one attained this destruction because of God.””                 21.14
“I am not the one who will be  tempted by wealth or  the position of a queen  and stray from just activities  as  I am one with Lord Rama like the Sun’s rays are with Sun.”                   21.15
“Having made the Lord of the world’s hands as a source of protection (pillow). How can I allow any one else’s hands near me.”                                                                                                     21.16
“Like the ultimate knowledge is fit for one who does penances completely and gained knowledge of the  soul, I am suitable  to be wife only to him  who is the king.”                   21.17
“Hey Ravana, It would be good for you if you return me to  Rama similar to the imprisoned she elephant be joined to its He elephant in the forest.”                                                                21.18
“That Sri Rama is the greatest among men, he knows what is just and he is famous for behaving with affection towards any one seeking his protection and if you are desirous of living, you should build up friendly relationship with him .You please do everything that will please that Lord, who loves those who seeks his protection. That is the only one way for you,  who is desirous of a deathless state and  want to prevent your own death you have to decide to control your senses and decide to pray-fully offer me  back at this moment.”                          21.19-21.22
“Only by offering me back to Rama would you lead a comfortable life and if you do otherwise you would reach your death.”                                                                                                         21.23
“The Vajrayudha (weapon of diamond) may leave you and even God of death can postpone his action for a long time but if Rama, the Lord of the world ,becomes angry, you will not be left out.”                                                                                                                                                   21.24
“You would hear the fearful echoing sound of Kodanda[16] , the bow of Rama , which would be similar to the sound made by Vajrayudha.”                                                                               21.25
“ Well made, poison spewing arrows of Rama and Lakshmana are going to fall here like serpents soon. “                                                                                                                                               21.26
“Those arrows with hawk feather which are going to fall here are soon going to kill all Rakshasas and would leave no space in this city.”                                                                                      21.27
“That great eagle ,Sri Rama is going to soon destroy the snake like king of Rakshasa like a eagle destroys the snakes.”                                                                                                                    21.28
“Like Lord Mahavishnu took away the entire wealth of Rakshasa by his three steps, my Lord and destroyer of his enemies Sri Rama would free me from your clutches soon.”                   21.29
“Hey Rakshasa , having been made without a army camp  by the extermination of the army of Rakshasas in Janasthana and having no other  alternative you did this bad deed.”          21.30
“Hey base one, did you not enter my ashram and abduct me when the lion like brothers went little far away.”                                                                                                                               21.31
“Like a fox which is not safe when two hunter dogs are smelling for him, you would not be able to even stand before Rama and Lakshmana.”                                                                          21.32
“Similarly in the war with them you would attain destruction like the Vrithrasura who had  one hand left was destroyed by the two handed Indra and there is no possibility of victory.” 21.33
“My Lord Sri Rama with Lakshmana would take your soul away by their arrows like the hot sun dries away a small pool of water.”                                                                                                21.34
“Even if you hide in the mountain of Khubera or hide in the residence of Varuna or in the hall of Indra , definitely you cannot save yourselves from the son of Dasaratha like a lifeless huge tree cannot save itself from lightning.”                                                                                                21.35

      Thus ends the twenty first chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written by Valmiki.

    22.  Ravana setting limit for Sita
(Ravana terrorizes Sita and tells her that within another two months she should sleep with him. Otherwise she would be killed. Sita rejects the threat with contempt it deserves and the passionate Ravana treats her cruelly. He is dissuaded by one Dhanyamala and returns to his palace , after ordering the Rakshasis surrounding Sita to make her obey to his wishes by fair or foul means.)
After this Ravana , hearing the  firm reply of Sita, gave the following dangerous reply to her well intentioned words:-                                                                                                                           22.1
“To the extent a man tries to console a lady, he gets caught in her web to that extent, to the extent he praises her, he is given negative replies to that extent.”                                        22.2
“The passion towards you within me is controlling my anger towards you like an experienced driver controls a straying horse.”                                                                                                  22.3
“Passion of a man is beautiful, because to whomsoever that passion is addressed , he gets love and mercy towards her.”                                                                                                             22.4
“Because of this I am not killing you, who has love towards an imposter sage  and  who should be insulted and killed.”                                                                                                              22.5
“Hey princess of Mithila, for every harsh word that you told me you deserve terrible punishment of death.”                                                                                                                                     22.6
After telling the daughter of Videha these words, he became very angry and further told her the following:-                                                                                                                                     22.7
“Hey pretty one, who cannot be adequately described, the remaining period of safety that I have set to you are only two months and so you better climb in my bed to sleep with me.”                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                        22.8
“If you do not accept me as your husband after two months, my cooks will cut you in to pieces for my breakfast.”                                                                                                                      22.9
The deva and Gandharwa ladies present there with pain laden eyes pitied the daughter of Janaka who was threatened by the king of Rakshasas.                                                       22.10
Some ladies by the movement of their lips and some others by their eyes and faces tried to console Sita who was terrorized by the Rakshasa.                                                   22.11
Consoled by them Sita, addressing Ravana the king of Rakshasas told him the following words which reflected the greatness in her due to her virtue and which were good to the soul:-                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                              22.12
“There appears to be none interested in your welfare and that is why nobody is preventing you from this base act of yours.”                                                                                   22. 13-22.14
“In all the three worlds none except you would wish me to be their wives, for I am the wife of that just soul like Sachi Devi is the wife of Indra.”                                                          22.15
“Hey, base Rakshasa, where and how are you going to run and save yourself after uttering these sinful words addressed to the wife of the all powerful Sri Rama.(could be also interpreted as from that sin instead of Rama)”                                                                                       22.16
“ You two are like the very angry upset elephant and a poor rabbit in the forest, you being the rabbit and Sri Rama the elephant.”                                                                                22.17
“You , who are like that are without shame insulting him  from the beginning  and never became  visible to his eye and kept yourself  in hiding.”                                                           22.18
“Hey cruel one, why are those two cruel ugly an yellowish black eyes of yours which are staring me not falling down on earth.”                                                                                      22. 19
“Hey sinner, why does not your toungue which talks to me who am Rama’s  wife and daughter in law of Dasaratha not getting detached?”                                                              22.20
“Hey ten headed one,  who deserves to become ash, I am not turning you in to ash by the power of my virtue  because I do not have the  consent from Rama and since I have to follow my own dictates of just action(dharma).”                                                                                                22.21
“It is not possible for me ,who belongs to Rama, to be abducted and I do not have any doubt that God has fated this ,for causing your destruction.”                                                         22.22
“After doing some trick to get Sri Rama away from me , you are supposed to be a great hero , who is the brother of Khubera and who has an army , had only done  the theft of a wife “                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                         22.23
Hearing these insulting words, Ravana rolled his very cruel eyes and stared at the daughter of Janaka.                                                                                                                                             22.24
That king of Rakshasas who was like a bluish cloud, who had very thick neck and arms, who had the strength and gait of a lion, who was a gentleman, who had sharp  toungue and eyes like the flame of fire, who wore the crown with moving tips, who wore several pretty garlands and other marks, who wore red cloths and garland, who wore golden armlets, who had a pretty waist belt adorned with blue gem stones, who was like the Mandhara mountain used to churn out nectar from the sea with the great serpent Vasuki encircling it   and  who was equal to a mountain, shined with his two long , round and thick hands like the two peaks of Mandhara mountain.                                         
                                                                                                                                                22.25-22.28
That Ravana, who wore two ear globes having the glitter of the young sun, who was like a mountain having two Asoka trees with red young leaves and flowers, who was similar to the wish giving tree (Kalpaka[17]) , who looked like the personification of spring season, who was like the dreaded body platform in the cremation ground, who though ornamented well was looking terrible and who was having deep red eyes due to anger, hissed like a serpent addressed Sita the daughter of King of Videha and told thus:-                                                                  22.29-22.31
“Hey lady , who has believed with hope that unjust Rama who is poor, I am going to kill you by my strength  just now like the Sun eats away the dawn.”                                                     22.32
Having told her like this Ravana who was the king who made his enemies cry, addressing the Rakshasis with terrible miens,  some of whom were one eyed, some who were one  eared, some who were shut eared, some who were having cow like ears, some who were having elephant like ears, some whose ears were hanging, some who did not have ear at all, some who were elephant legged, some who were horse legged, some who were cow legged, some who were having very long hairs on the leg, some who were having both eyes on one side, some who were having only one leg, some who were having giant legs, some who did not have leg at all, some who were having big heads and legs, some who were having big breasts and bellies, some who were having big mouth and eye, some who were having very long toungue, some who did not have toungue at all, some who were not having nose, some who were having the face of a lion, some who were having face of a cow and  some who were having the face of a pig , ordered  them , “ Hey Rakshasis, You take that action which would make Sita the daughter of Janaka obey my intents soon and all of you do it together. Not only that, bring her under control, using techniques favouring and not favouring her and tricks like Sama(soft), Bhedha(creating confusion) and Dhana(using rough tactics)” and after ordering like this  forgetting himself by passion and anger he terrorized the daughter of Janaka showing her his face.”         22. 33-22.39    
Then a Rakshasi called Dhanya Malini hurriedly came near him and embracing the ten headed one told him thus:-                                                                                    40 
“Hey king, who is the chief of Rakshasas, what is the use  this foolish Sita who belongs to the base caste of man   to you, come on, make love with me.”                                  22.41
“Hey King, I feel that the God Brahma has not fated her to enjoy the greatly enjoyable things that you have earned by your strength.”                                                                  22.42
“The body of him who is in passionate love with someone who does love him becomes frail day by day and full contentment can be had only when you love someone who desires you. “                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                           22.43
That very strong cloud like Rakshasa, thus pulled back by that Rakshasi went back from there with a smile.                                                                                                                  22. 44
Starting from there, the ten headed one traveled to his palace with the glitter of the sun, making the earth tremble under his feet.                                                                            22. 45
Along with the ten headed one, the Deva ladies, Gandharwa ladies and the Naga ladies surrounded him on all four sides and entered the palace.                                      22.46    
Tempted by the God of love that Ravana terrorizing  Sita who was stable, who always stood by just action and who was trembling   leaving her there reached his glittering palace.         22.47            


      Thus ends the twenty second chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.


23.Rakshasis trying to persuade Sita
(After the departure of Ravana, the Rakshasis started advising Sita about the desirability of her, acceding to the request of Ravana. They point out the positive aspects and also tell her about her being killed, if she does not obey Ravana)
                                                                          
       The King Ravana who made his enemies cry went back from there,  telling like this to the princess of Mithila and ordering all Rakshasis.                                                        23.1
  After the king of Rakshasas started and went back to his harem ,those terrible looking Rakshasis surrounded  Sita.                                                                                            23.2
 Afterwards the Rakshasis forgetting themselves in anger, came near Sita and faced the daughter of Videha told her these fearsome words:-                                              23.3
“Hey Sita, how is it that you do not consider being wife of Ravana who has ten heads, who was born in the family of Pulasthya and  who is great as big?”                               23. 4
After this One Rakshasi called Eka Jata(single haired one) with blood red eyes due to her anger called Sita who had a belly as soft as the palm  and told her thus about this aspect:-  23. 5
“The famous Pulasthya is the spiritual son of Brahma and among the Prajapathis (leader of men) and fourth in rank.”                                                                                                                  23.6
“This Pulasthya who had the spiritual son who is a very  great sage with famed penance  and is called by the name of Vishrawas and had the same luster as Lord Brahma himself.”   23. 7
“Hey Broad eyed one, Ravana who is the chief of Rakshasas  is his son and you better like to become  his wife. Hey lady who is all over pretty, are you going to obey, what I advice you or not?”                                                                                                                                            23.8
Then a Rakshasi called Harijata(green haired one)  rolled her two  very angry eyes and showing her cat like eyes uttered these words:-.                                                                            23. 9
“You better like to become wife of  that chief of Rakshasas who has won over the thirty three deva chieftains  as well as their king Indra.”                                                         23.10

At that time a Rakshasi called Praghasa bullying her forgetting herself in anger and told the following hard words, “ Are you going to accept the role of wife of the strong one who is ebbing with heroism, who has never retreated in a battle and who is very strong. That very strong king Ravana would leave his queen ,who  needs to be respected and would consider you as the most lucky one among all. Ravana would desert his harem which is filled by thousands of ladies and which is decorated by gems and come near you.”                                                       23.11-23.14
Another Rakshasi called Vikata asked her thus, “ That great one who has won Nagas, Gandharwas and Dhanavas in fights and war, is coming in front of you and begging you. Hey lady who is depressed, are you going to agree  now itself to become the wife of Ravana who is a great one with all riches and who is the king of Rakshasas ?”                                 23.15-23.17
After that a Rakshasi called Durmukhi(bad faced one) told her the following words,”
Hey lady with long eyes, are you not going to come under the control of him, for whose sake the Sun  is afraid to emit heat and  wind is afraid to blow harshly? Hey pretty one , who has beautiful eye brows, are you going to give your strong consent to be the wife of Ravana, for whose sake trees shower flowers always and the black clouds pour out rain whenever he chooses? Hey bewitching lady who has a very attractive divine smile, you better be clever and obey this good advice given to you, otherwise you will not be definitely alive.”                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                            23.18-23.22

     Thus ends the twenty third chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.

 

    24.Bullying by the Rakshasis

(This chapter describes the various ways ,the Rakshasis tried to bully Sita)

After this the ugly looking hard hearted Rakshasa ladies came near Sita and told the following harsh and undesirable words:-                                                                                                        24.1
 “Hey Sita, why are you not consenting to the life in Harem which is liked by all beings and which has very special beds? “                                                                                                                   24.2
“You think a human lady should only be the wife of another human being but that is not going to happen to you and so drag away your mind from Sri Rama.”                                                  24.3
“Accept being the wife of Ravana who enjoys the greatest pleasures in all the three worlds  and engage in pleasant love play.”                                                                                                     24. 4
“It is strange for you who is  a lucky human being without any defects, wanting  to rejoin Rama who has been driven away from his kingdom, who is dejected and who is suffering because of sorrow.”                                                                                                                                           24.5
Sita who had eyes similar to the lotus , after hearing the words of Rakshasis . with tear- filled eyes, told the following words:-                                                                                                 24.6
“All the words told by you jointly are against the percepts of the world and are sinful and is not acceptable to me.”                                                                                                                       24.7
“A human lady should not become the wife of a Rakshasa, Even if all of you are going to eat me away, I am not going to listen to your words.”                                                                       24.8
“Though my husband has been driven away from his kingdom and though he is  in dire straits, he is always one who is respected by me and like the Lady Suvarchala  is always with the Sun God, I will  always be with him.”                                                                                                 24. 9
“I would never part from my husband Rama  who is the prince of Ikshuvaku clan ,  like the very lucky Lady Sachi devi  from Indra, like Arundathi from Vasishta, Rohini from the  moon god, Lopamudhra from Sage Agasthya, Sukanya from Sage Chyavana, Savithri from Prince Sathyavan, Madayanthi from Soudasa, Kesini from Sagara and the great Bhima princess Damayanthi  from the great King Nala.”                                                                                                     24. 10-24.12
Those Rakshasis appointed by Ravana, hearing the words of Sita, became livid with anger and uttered the following harsh words and bullied her.                                                           24.13
Hanuman the monkey who was silently hiding atop the Simshuba tree carefully watched Sita and those Rakshasis.                                                                                                                24.14
Those angry women surrounded her who was trembling by fear on all the four sides licked and bit their dry and elongated lips.                                                                                             24.15
They who were very angry took the white axe in their hands and told, “ This lady does not deserve to be  the wife of Ravana who is the king of Rakshasas.”                       24.16
Terrorized by the   hateful Rakshasis, she who had a pleasant face wiped away her tears and reached the Simshuba tree.                                                                                   24.17
Surrounded by the Rakshasis that broad eyed Sita drowned in her sorrow  reached the Simshuba tree and stood there.                                                                                              24. 18
Those Rakshasis surrounded on all sides Sita who was thin, who had a faded face and who wore dirty cloths and started bullying her.                                                                  24.19
Then a Rakshasi called Vinatha who was having all signs of being angry, who was having a hateful look, who was having a pot belly and who was ugly to look at addressing Sita told: -                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                      24.20
“ Madam Sita, you have till now shown that you love  your husband sufficiently and doing anything more than this necessary leads to sorrow.”                                    24.21
“Hey princess of Mithila, I am very much satisfied by your proper observation of the duty of human beings   and let all  good come to you . Be pleased to obey me who is telling you what is good for  you.”                                                                                                    24.22-24.23
“You please accept Ravana who is the king of all Rakshasas, who is handsome, who is valorous, who is like Indra, the king of devas, who is powerful, who has the sense of sacrifice and who tells sweet things to everyone as your husband.”                                                          24.24
“Hey pretty lady who is the daughter of Videha, leave  the poor unstable Rama and accept Ravana as husband  and from today wear very costly make up and ornaments and become a queen of  the three worlds. You would be then like Sachi Devi to Indra and Swaha Devi for the God of fire.”                                                                                                         24.25-24.26
“Hey daughter of Videha, what is the use of your having the mortal Rama who does not have any support whatsoever? If you are not going to obey these words of mine to   you, immediately all of us would eat you completely .”                                                                        24.27
Then A Rakshasi called Vikata  who was having stooping breasts  became very  angry and with fists held up  roared and told the following words to Sita.                                   24.28
“Hey very ignorant princess of Mithila,  We have been tolerating several of your illogical words due to mercy towards  and because of our peaceful nature.”                                24.29
“You are not obeying our words which are the only suitable ones  to the present circumstances.”                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                         24.30

“Hey princess of Mithila you have been brought to the other shore of the ocean which cannot be crossed by any one and you have also come in to the horror filled harem of Ravana.”                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                          24.31
“Stop those tears and give away your sorrow which is going to cause problems to you.”   24.32
“Leave out this permanent bad feeling and  take as your share  yourself happiness and love.”                                             
                                                                                                                                                            24.33
“Hey Sita, enjoy yourselves by   passionate love with the king of Rakshasas. “   24.34
“Hey, coward, you seem not to know that the youth in ladies is not a permanent  and so it is necessary to enjoy all pleasures till youth is there with you.”                                  24. 35
“Hey, lady with a pretty eye, along with the king of Rakshasa  see many flower gardens  and mountain parks.”                                                                                                      24.36
“Hey pretty one, under your control there would be seven thousand ladies to obey you.”          
                                                                                                                                         24.37
“Hey princess of Mithila, if you do not act according to my words, I would definitely tear open your heart and eat it.”                                                                                               24.38
After that a Rakshasi called Chandodhari with cruel looks and rotating a huge spear, told  her the following words:-                                                                                                       24.39
“Seeing this lady who was abducted by Ravana, who is having with shaking breasts due to fear and who has doe like eyes, I am getting a great desire.”                                      24.40
“ It is my wish to bite away and eat her liver. Pancreas, the fleshy part above that, her fleshy bones, heart , intestines, and head.”                                                                        24.41
Alas, after that a Rakshasi called Praghasa told, “Why are we keeping quiet? Let us strangle this bad lady’s neck and tell our king that that human lady is no more. Then he will tell us” You can eat her” and “I do not have any doubt about his telling like this..”                 24. 42-24.43
Then another Rakshasi called Ajaamukhi(sheep headed one) told “Let us cut her in to small pieces and divide them equally among us and let us all take part in that. I do not like to go on arguing with her without doing this. Go and swiftly bring several type of drinks and several chutneys.”                                                                                                                  24.44-24.45
Then a Rakshasi called Surpanaka (lady having very broad nails) told, “ I am in agreement with what Ajamukhi has told us .Go bring wine which makes us forget all sorrows. Let us eat the human flesh and dance in the grounds of Nikumbila.”                                    24.46-24.47
Terribly bullied thus by all the Rakshasis, Sita who is like a divine lady lost her courage and started crying.                                                                                                                    24.48


     Thus ends the twenty fourth chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written by Valmiki.

 25.The sorrow of Sita  

(The terrible picture of the sorrowing Sita and the very sad thoughts that ran through her mind are given in this chapter)
  
When those disturbed Rakshasis were talking to her with anger and hate, the daughter of Janaka wept and cried a lot.                                                                                       25. 1
She making wet  her broad breasts with the copious tears, was immersed in thought l and still did not reach the end of her sorrow.                                                                      25. 2   
She with a very disturbed face was trembling because of the bullying of the Rakshasis , and fell like a banana plant caught in the storm.                                                                              25.3     
Her long broad hair, which was moving hither and thither, moved along with Sita who was trembling because  of fear and appeared as if it was a serpent, which moved here and there.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                      25.4
That daughter of Videha, who was terrorized by the Rakshasis, who was very much full of fear and who had firm conviction of virtue towards her husband told the following words with eye full of tears:-                                                                                                                               25.5
“ A human lady is not entitled to become the wife of a Rakshasa and since I am not going to obey your words, you can eat me all together.”                                                                 25.6
Alas, that princess of Mithila having been drowned in sorrow, exceeded the limits of sadness and was heartbroken and with heavy breath  and  cried aloud accompanied by tears. 25.7 
“The proverb that “Death is difficult to attain  except in the fated time to males or females” told by learned people is very true , because in spite of the fact that  I am mentally wounded and sad because of cruel Rakshasis and  also because I am not with Rama,  I continue to be  alive ,at this moment.”                                                                                                                              25.8-25.9
The sorrowing Sita who was like a deva maiden and who was cruelly treated by Ravana, did not find any other alternative.                                                                                                      25. 10
Sita like the strayed deer attacked by wolf, started  shivering uncontrollably like her soul was piercing deep inside her body.                                                                                               25. 11
During that time,  becoming depressed by sorrow, she caught hold of a flowering branch of an Asoka tree and started thinking of her husband.                                                                25.12
That great lady cried “Hey Rama”, “Hey Lakshmana”. “Hey mother in  law Kausalya”, “Hey Sumithra”:, being luck less, and being ignorant of my duties. “I ,  like a fully loaded ship shaken by cyclone in the middle of the sea am going to die like an orphan.. I am melting down by my sorrow similar to the eroding shore by the speedy tide of water,because I am not able to see Him who is my husband and am in the custody of these Rakshasis, All  lucky (blessed) people are able to see him ,who has eyes like the fully open lotus flower, who has the majestic gait of a lion, who is thankful ,  who utters only sweet words and who alone is my master”.    25. 13-25.16
“My life without Rama is terrible similar to  the one who has consumed very potent poison. I do not know what great sin , I have committed to merit this terrible sorrow that is eroding me. I being in the custody of  Rakshasis am not able to see Lord Rama. Since I am suffering this extreme sorrow, I wish to give up this life. Human life is not all good, especially one under the custody of others for one does not have independence to end even one’s life.” Such thoughts made her further sad.                                       25.17-25.20  

     Thus ends the twenty fifth chapter of Sundara Kanda which
     is in the Ramayana which is the first epic written  by Valmiki.















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