About the Book:
The present work is a word-by-word translation, from Samskrit into English, of selected chapters of Valmiki's Ramayana, mainly those chapters relating to the exploits of Hanuman. The aim was to present a complete picture of Hanuman's life as described in Valmiki's Ramayana.
The Ramayana is a celebrated old Indian epic. The greater portion of the Ramayana must have been current in India as early as the fifth century B.C. It was Samskrit language. It describes the life of lord Rama and his purpose on earth, the victory of good over evil. The evil is personified by the demon Ravana who kidnapped Rama's wife Sita and finally gets killed by Rama. In these events the great hero of this epic, the powerful monkey leader Hanuman, renders great help. Even nowadays both these important personalities of the Ramayana, lord Rama and Hanuman, are worshipped at home and in temples all over India.
The present work is especially meant for students with a basic knowledge of Samskrit grammar, and for others interested in refreshing their Samskrit knowledge, to help them to read Samskrit texts on their own.
About the Author:
IRMA SCHOTSMAN (1935) from the Netherlands retired early from her job because of health problems. In 1985 she began studying Samskrit in Kathmandu (Nepal). In 1990 she moved to Varanasi (Benares, India) where she continued her studies. Her word-by-word translation of Asvagosa's Buddhacarita was published in 1995. Her translation of Panditaraja Jagannatha's poem Ganga-lahari with its commentary was published in 1999. The present word-by-word translation of selected chapters on Hanuman in Valmiki's Ramayana and the forthcoming word-by-word translation of certain chapters of the Laghuyogavasistha are especially meant for students with a basic knowledge of Samskrit and for others interested in refreshing their Samskrit knowledge, to help them to read Samskrit texts on their own. However, these translations may also be of benefit to those who do not know Samskrit but are interested in the life of Hanuman and, or, the Yogavasistha philosophy, since it is easy to train the eyes to skip the Samskrit words in the translation so that one reads only the Enlgish.
This work is a word—by-word translation, from Samskrit into English, of selected chapters of Valmiki’s Ramayana, mainly those chapters relating to the exploits of Hanuman. The aim was to present a complete picture of Hanuman’s life as described in Valmiki’s Ramayana. The book is especially meant for students with a basic knowledge of Samskrit grammar, and for others interested in refreshing their Samskrit knowledge, to help them to read Samskrit texts on their own. However, this word—by-word translation may also be of benefit to those who do not know Samskrit but are interested in the life of Hanuman, since it is easy to train the eyes to skip the Samskrit words in the translation so that one reads only the English.
The Ramayana is a celebrated Indian epic about the adventures of lord Rama, and especially his search for Sita. No mention is made of Rama in the Vedas. Because of the absence of allusions to Buddhism, the greater portion of the Ramayana must have been current in India as early as the fifth century B.C. It was compiled by Valmiki in the Samskrit language; the reference in the epic to Yavanas (Greeks) and Sakas (Scythians) suggests that it received accretions in the Graeco—Scythian period and it may have acquired its final shape by about 350 A.D. Valmiki was probably a Brahmin closely connected with the court of Ayodhya who collected the legendary tales related to Rama and arranged them into one great continuous poem. The Ramayana describes the life of lord Rama and his purpose on earth, the victory of good over evil. The evil is personified by the demon Ravana who kidnapped Rama’s wife Sita and finally gets killed by Rama. In the genuine books (second to sixth) Rama is represented as a mortal hero, but in the first and last book, parts of which are interpolated afterwards, Rama is spoken of as divine. Centuries later Rama came to be accepted as the seventh avatara of lord Visnu. The other great hero in this epic is the monkey leader Hanuman. The Ramayana is still read daily in India by many people. (It is usually not recited in the Samskrit language, but mostly the popular, more devotional version, written in the Avadhi language by Tulasidasa about 400 years ago, is chanted.) Even nowadays the two important personalities of the Ramayana, lord Rama and Hanuman, are worshipped at home and in temples all over India. Posters depicting Hanuman carrying a Himalayan mountain with the medicinal herbs are for sale everywhere in India. The great respect people feel for Hanuman is even reflected in the treatment of present—day monkeys, which are expert thieves and sometimes a real nuisance, but remain beyond censure.
The Ramayana as compiled in Samskrit by Valmiki contains about 24,000 verses, of which 4,500 slokas are represented in this word—by-word translation. There are 7 volumes called kandas, viz. l.Balakanda, 2.Ayodhyakanda, 3.Aranyakanda, 4.Kiskindhakanda, 5.Sundarakanda, 6.Yuddhakanda, 7.Uttarakanda. Parts of the first and seventh book are thought to be comparatively modern additions. By selecting only those chapters relating to the acts of Hanuman, the continuity of the story may be lost to the reader; therefore a list of the contents of each chapter of the Kiskindha, Sundara and Yuddhakanda books has been added, and the chapters which have not been translated have been marked with an asterix (*). For the present translation the "Critical Edition of the Ramayana" by Prof. G.H.Bhatt was used. This edition is based on many manuscripts, and was published between 1958 and 1975 in seven volumes by Prof. B.J.Sandesara, the Director, Oriental Institute at Baroda, India. This edition was strongly recommended by Professor Srinarayana Misra, Dean and Head of the Samskrit Department at Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi, India), who also helped me with the correction work. In the different versions of the Ramayana the number of slokas in a chapter often do not tally and even the number of chapters in a volume may vary. The Critical Edition adds a concordance with four other Ramayana versions.
From the first book of the Ramayana, the Balakanda, we have here translated the first chapter, because it gives in short the whole Ramayana story: Narada visits Valmiki’s asrama, and Valmiki asks him whether he can think of a single man in this world blessed with all good qualities. Narada answers this question by telling him all about Rama. In the next chapter Valmiki hears the cry of a kraunca bird, which gives him the idea of using the anustubh metre for writing the Ramayana. Summarizing, the Balakanda thereafter describes the childless king Dasaratha, ruler of Ayodhya, performing a big sacrifice, where after his three wives give birth to four sons. Rama is the eldest, entitled to the throne, and marries Sita.
The second and third books have not been used for the present word- by—word translation. In the second book, the Ayodhyakanda, when preparations are being made for Rama’s coronation, the mother of Bharata reminds king Dasaratha of the two boons given to her, and she now demands that her own son Bharata will be appointed heir to the throne and that Rama will be banished to live in the forest for the next fourteen years. Sita and Rama’s step-brother Laksmana insist on accompanying Rama to the forest. Bharata rules the kingdom while out of respect placing Rama’s sandals in front of the throne. The third volume, Aranyakanda, describes the events in the forest. The rsis complain about being harassed by the Raksasas; Rama promises to destroy them. A Raksasi falls in love with Rama; incensed at this, Rama orders Laksmana to cut off her nose and ears. In retaliation a Raksasa army accosts Rama, who single—handedly kills all 14,000 of them in a battle at Janasthana. Hearing about the killing of his relatives, Ravana, the lord of the Raksasas, takes revenge. Sita sees a beautiful deer, which actually is a Raksasa in disguise, and while Rama is trying to catch that deer for her, Ravana appears and abducts Sita to Lanka. Rama and Laksmana now start their search for Sita.
At the beginning of the fourth volume, Kiskindakanda, Rama and Laksmana are spotted by the anxious Sugriva, the lord of the monkeys arid the bears. In the second chapter Sugriva sends Hanuman as a messenger to them. From here onwards Hanuman starts playing his important role in this epic. Rama and Sugriva reach an agreement, first Rama and Laksmana will help Sugriva by killing his brother Vali and re—installing Sugriva as ruler; thereafter Sugriva with his army of monkeys and bears will help Rama and Laksmana in the search for and recovery of Sita. The chapters translated are indicated in the list of contents. (The chapters connected with Vali have been omitted in the present translation since Hanuman does not figure prominently in those stories; also the chapter in which Hanuman consoles Vali’s widow has been omitted.) The monkey Hanuman is considered the only one able to jump the long distance across the ocean to Lanka to search there for Sita.
The events experienced by Hanuman in Lanka are described in the Sundarakanda, the fifth volume, of which all chapters have been translated. Hanuman finds Sita and meets Ravana, kills many Raksasas, is caught, sets fire to the city of Lanka, and escapes to report news to Rama and Sugriva.
In the sixth volume, Yuddhakanda, many fights are described whereby the Raksasa leaders, one after another, are eliminated. Several chapters have been translated, as indicated in the list of contents. All those chapters which pertain to Hanuman have been selected, except chapter 29, 60, 62, 76, 78, and 79 in which Hanuman’s name appears only once or twice. A few chapters, most relevant to the main story though not mentioning Hanuman, have been included in this translation, for example the final fighting between Rama and Ravana, the reunion with Sita, the fire ritual, and the arrival at Ayodhya where Rama is offered the throne which was temporarily occupied by his step-brother Bharata.
The seventh and last book, Uttarakanda, describes the history of Rama and Sita after their reunion and installation as king and queen of Ayodhya. Since these chapters are thought to be later additions, only two of them, those which give an account of Hanuman’s birth, childhood, and the explanation how he became so powerful due to boons received from several gods, have been translated. These stories about Hanuman are still very popular in India and told with great love and affection.
I have tried as far as possible to use the translations of words as given in "The practical Sanskrit English Dictionary" by V.S. Apte and "A Sanskrit English Dictionary" by Sir Monier Monier Williams (both reprinted by Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi. India). This word—by-word translation aims at being as literal as possible, using simple English expressions, especially in view of those students for whom not only Samskrit but also English is a foreign language. It is unavoidable that at times literary grace is sacrificed. The compounded Samskrit words are shown in their uncompounded state. The transliteration of Samskrit names into English is always a problem. For example in several translations the stem Hanumat is used, whereas in other places the nominative singular form Hanuman is preferred. I have always spelt Hanuman’s name with a short ‘u’, though in this Samskrit text the name of Hanuman is sometimes written with a long ‘E’, to suit the metre, but much more often with a short ‘u’; both Samskrit words ‘raksas’ and ‘raksasa’ have been translated as Raksasa, plural Raksasas (feminine Raksasi, plural Raksasis); both words ‘apsara' and ‘apsaras’ have been translated as ‘Apsara’, plural ‘Apsaras’. The stories have no headings, because in Samskrit texts the "heading" of a story is always mentioned at the end, not at the beginning; since the name of the book and the number of the chapter is given at the very top of every page this should not cause any problem.
In the summer of 1996 in the Netherlands I started with the translation of the whole Sundarakanda volume, and the next winter in Varanasi, a holy place in India abundant with small and bigger temples in honour of Hanuman, Professor Srinarayana Misra helped me with the correction work. We used the commentaries included in "The Ramayana of Valmiki", edited by Shastri Shrinivasa Katti Modholakara (reprinted by Parimal Publications, Delhi, 1991). Thereafter, because of a special affinity I feel for Hanuman, I decided to translate all other chapters relating to Hanuman from Valmiki’s Ramayana, so that readers may get a more complete picture of Hanuman. The chapters, selected from Balakanda, Kiskindhakanda, Yuddhakanda and Uttarakanda, have been translated in the Netherlands in the summer of 1997, and during the following winter in Varanasi Professor Srinarayana Misra again helped me with the correction work, so that by spring 1998 most of the actual translation work had been completed.
I feel much gratitude to Professor Srinarayana Misra for his generous help, advice and patience during the many hours we set together working on this beautiful text.
In 1961 I visited India for the first time, and at that time, of all representations of gods and goddesses which I saw, Hanuman’s form always appealed to me the most, in whatever form, even if it had become reduced to a red-painted stone without any recognizable physical characteristics. Later on, when I started making Samskrit translations, I felt this obligation to make a book in honour of Hanuman. It took some time before I had collected enough courage to start this big text but it has been a real pleasure for me to work on these Ramayana stories describing Hanuman’s life, and I hope many readers will enjoy Hanuman’s exploits and find this word-by-word translation useful and beneficial.
page | |||
Introduction | I | ||
Balakanda | 1 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; only the first chapter has been translated) |
|||
1: Valmiki and Narada (79). | 2 | ||
Kiskindhakanda | 17 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; those chapters marked within an asterix have not been translated) |
|||
1*: Description of Pampa and Rama's joy at its sight (49). | |||
2: Hanuman, commanded by Sugriva, goes to interview Rama (28). | 18 | ||
3: Hanuman informs Rama of Sugriva's desire for friendship (25). | 24 | ||
4: Hanuman takes Rama and Laksmana to Sugriva (26). | 29 | ||
5: Sugriva and Rama pledge their alliance in the presence of Agni(18). | 34 | ||
6: Sugriva shows Rama the cloak and ornaments dropped by Sita(23). | 38 | ||
7: Sugriva consoles Rama who offers to help him(23). | 43 | ||
8*: Sugriva requests Rama's assistance against his brother Vali (45). | |||
9*: Sugriva tells Rama the real cause of his enmity with Vali(24). | |||
10*: Sugriva further narrates his humiliation at the hands of Vali(29). | |||
11*: Sugriva's narration of the Vali-dundubhi episode(52). | |||
12*: Description of the first combat between Sugriva and Vali(38). | |||
13*: Description of the hermitage of the Saptajanas(27). | |||
14*: Sugriva challenges Vali to fight again(21). | |||
15*: Vali is advised by his wife Tara to reconcile himself with Sugriva(23). | |||
16*: Second combat between Sugriva and Vali(27). | |||
17*: Vali reproaches Rama who struck at him unawares(45). | |||
18*: Rama's justification of his own action(57). | |||
19*: At the sad news of Vali's demise, Tara rushes to see him(28). | |||
20*: Tara laments the death of her husband(25). | |||
21*: Hanuman consoles Tara; her reply bespeaks her devotion and wisdom(16). | |||
22*: Vali's last advice to his son Angada and Sugriva(26). | |||
23*: Tara laments the death of Vali(30). | |||
24*: Description of Vali's funeral rites(44). | |||
25*: Sugriva is enthroned as ruler(38). | |||
26*: Rama resides in a cavern of Prasravana during the rainy season (23). | |||
27*: Rama's description of the rainy season(46). | |||
28: Hanuman reminds Sugriva of his promise to assist Rama(32). | 48 | ||
29*: Rama bids Laksmana to warn Sugriva of the evil consequences of dishonouring his pledge(52). |
|||
30*: Laksmana goes to Kiskindha to convey Rama's ultimatum to Sugriva(43). | |||
31: Hanuman reminds Sugriva of his promise to Rama(22). | 55 | ||
32*: Laksmana's entry into the palace of Sugriva(27). | |||
33*: Laksmana bitterly reproaches Sugriva(19). | |||
34*: Tara pacifies Laksmana(23). | |||
35*: Laksmana is convinced of Sugriva's sincerity(20). | |||
36*: Sugriva issues orders to assemble all his forces(37). | |||
37*: Sugriva with Laksmana calls on Rama(34). | |||
38: Sugriva's generals arrive with their vast armies(37). | |||
39*: Sugriva dispatches Vinata and his party to search for Sita in the East(63). | |||
40: Angada and his party to search in the South(47). | 67 | ||
41*: Susena and his party to search in the West(52). | |||
42*: Satabala and his party to search in the North(62). | |||
43: Rama hands over his signet ring to Hanuman(16). | 76 | ||
44*: The monkey leaders declare their prowess(15). | |||
45*: Sugriva describes his visit to all the parts of the world(17). | |||
46: Three search parties return in vain(14). | 80 | ||
47: The vain search in the Vindhya mountains(22). | 83 | ||
48: Angada's parties searches in the Southern region in vain(22). | 88 | ||
49: The entry of the monkeys into the Rksa cave(32). | 92 | ||
50: Svayamprabha's description of the Kancana forest(19). | 98 | ||
51: Hanuman tells Svayamprabha the mission of their arrival(19). | 102 | ||
52: Unable to keep to schedule, Angada proposes fast into death (33). | 106 | ||
53: Hanuman dissuades Angada from fasting unto death(21). | 113 | ||
54: Angada and his party resolve to fast unto death(20). | 118 | ||
55: Sampati's surprise appearance before the monkeys(21). | 123 | ||
56: Angada acquaints Sampati with his party mission(19). | 127 | ||
57: Sampati informs the monkeys of the whereabouts of Sita(34). | 131 | ||
58: Sampati encourages the monkeys to pursue their search(29). | 138 | ||
59: The story of the sage Nisakara(21). | 144 | ||
60: Sampati acquaints Nisakara with his own life(16). | 148 | ||
61: Nisakara's narration of what he foresaw(15). | 151 | ||
62: Sampati regains wings and vigour(15). | 154 | ||
63: The sight of the ocean makes the monkeys despondent(23). | 157 | ||
64: The monkey leaders estimate their strength severally(35). | 162 | ||
65: Jambavan exhorts Hanuman to leap over the ocean(36). | 169 | ||
66: Hanuman, ready to leap to Lanka, ascends the mountain Mahendra(44). | 176 | ||
Sundarakanda | 185 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; all chapters have been translated) | |||
1: Hanuman starts crossing the ocean(190). | 186 | ||
2: Hanuman arrives in Lanka, Ravana's capital(55). | 221 | ||
3: Hanuman enters the city of Lanka by night(37). | 231 | ||
4: Hanuman observes the city and people without spotting Sita(24). | 238 | ||
5: Hanuman jumps from mansion to mansion and enters Ravana's palace (42). | 244 | ||
6: Hanuman is dazzled at the palace splendour but not seeing Sita(17). | 252 | ||
7: Gold, diamonds and the beauties of Ravana's court hypnotize Hanuman(69). | 256 | ||
8: Ravana's inner apartment; Hanuman mistakes Mandodari for Sita(50). | 269 | ||
9: Hanuman corrects his error; sees dining hall; does not find Sita(44). | 278 | ||
10: Hanuman's despondency at not finding Sita(25). | 287 | ||
11: Hanuman's conjectures about Sita's fate and the rebuke for his failure(69). | 292 | ||
12: Hanuman enters the Asoka garden, hides himself and waits for Sita(51). | 305 | ||
13: Hanumans sees grief-stricken Sita(52). | 314 | ||
14: Sita's sight moves Hanuman to tears(32). | 324 | ||
15: Hanumans is shocked to see Sita surrounded by Raksasis(32). | 331 | ||
16: Hanuman sees Ravana approaching Sita, hides himself(28). | 338 | ||
17: Sita, on seeing Ravana, prays for his destruction(21). | 344 | ||
18: Ravana tries to win over Sita by all means(35). | 349 | ||
19: Sita warns Ravana to desist from his evil intentions and to save Lanka from ruin(30). | 356 | ||
20: Ravana's ultimatum to Sita; her rebuff; his orders to the Raksasis(41). | 362 | ||
21: Some Raksasis threaten Sita, some tell her to obey Ravana(19). | 370 | ||
22: Raksasis extol Ravana's might, scorn at Rama and frighten Sita(42). | 374 | ||
23: Sita laments and thinks of committing suicide(20). | 382 | ||
24: Sita thinks of her ancestral glory, or Rama, prefers death to dishonour(49). | 386 | ||
25:Trijata's dream of invasion and total destruction of Lanka by Rama(38). | 396 | ||
26: Sita bemoans her lot and wishes to end her life(20). | 404 | ||
27:Sita's surprise at unexpected auspicious omens(8). | 409 | ||
28: Hanuman overhears Trijata and plans to reveal himself to Sita(44). | 411 | ||
29: Hanuman praises Rama and Sita to attract her(12). | 419 | ||
30: To Sita Hanuman's sight is a phantasy(8). | 422 | ||
31: Hanuman approaches Sita(27). | 424 | ||
32: To Sita Hanuman's form seems to be Ravana's trickery(39). | 429 | ||
33: Hanuman removes Sita's suspicion(80). | 437 | ||
34: Hanuman gives Rama's ring to Sita(45). | 453 | ||
35: Sita is unwilling to touch Hanuman who offers to fly her(68). | 462 | ||
36: Hanuman asks for a token from Sita to convince Rama; she gives her hair-jewel(56). |
475 | ||
37: Hanuman assures Sita of her speedy release(53). | 486 | ||
38: Sita delighted; but parting with the hair-jewel makes her survival impossible(24). |
496 | ||
39: Hanuman destroys the Asoka garden to tease Ravana (17). | 501 | ||
40: Ravana sends Raksasas to capture Hanuman(36). | 505 | ||
41: Hanuman terrorizes the citizens(18). | 512 | ||
42: Hanuman kills Jambumali(19). | 516 | ||
43: Hanuman kills the brave sons of the ministers(16). | 520 | ||
44: Hanumans kills five army chiefs and reaches the palace(39). | 523 | ||
45: Hanuman kills Aksa, Ravana's most valiant son(39). | 531 | ||
46: Hanuman gets himself captured alive by Indrajit(59). | 540 | ||
47: Hanuman dazed at the sight of Ravana(20). | 552 | ||
48: Ravana asks his minister Prahasta to inquire of Hanuman who he is(16). | 556 | ||
49: Ravana orders Hanuman's execution(36). | 559 | ||
50: Vibhisana's advice to Ravana: no execution of an envoy(17). | 566 | ||
51: Raksasas burn Hanuman's tail and drag him around; unaffected Hanuman kills his guards to free himself(39). |
570 | ||
52: Hanuman with flaming tail sets Lanka on fire(17). | 578 | ||
53: Proclamation of Sita's safety; Hanuman wishes to meet her again(28). | 582 | ||
54: Sita's delight on seeing Hanuman(26). | 588 | ||
55: Hanuman recrosses the ocean and returns to mountain Mahendra(38). | 593 | ||
56: Hanuman recounts all the details of his experiences(140). | 601 | ||
57: Hanuman praises Sita's chastity and appeals to the monkeys for her speedy rescue(17). | 627 | ||
58: Angada explains his project for Sita's rescue; Jambavan's advice(22). | 631 | ||
59: Overjoyed monkeys devastate the honey garden Madhuvana(22). | 636 | ||
60: Fight between Dadhimukha's monkeys and the intruders(37). | 641 | ||
61: Dadhimukha's report to Sugriva of the devastation of the Madhuvana(27). | 648 | ||
62: Dadhimukha returns; Angada's monkeys proceed to Kiskindha(40). | 654 | ||
63: Hanuman explains how and where he found out Sita(26). | 662 | ||
64: Rama sees Sita's jewel; his lamentation(15). | 667 | ||
65: Hanuman's description of his meeting with Sita(36). | 670 | ||
66: Hanuman's repetition of his speech of consolation to Sita(29). | 677 | ||
Yuddhakanda | 683 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; those chapters marked with an asterix have not been translated) |
|||
1: Rama congratulates Hanuman(16). | 684 | ||
2*: Sugriva consoles Rama(21). | |||
3: Hanuman describes the might of Lanka(32). | 688 | ||
4*: Rama's army marches southward and reaches the ocean(88). | |||
5*: Rama is afflicted when thinking of Sita(22). | |||
6*: Ravana consults the Raksasas(18). | |||
7*: The Raksasas persuade Ravana to wage a war(16). | |||
8*: The boasting of Ravana's generals(16). | |||
9*: Vibhisana advises Ravana to hand over Sita to Rama(22). | |||
10*: Ravana rebukes Vibhisana who departs(21). | |||
11*: Words of the monkey leaders regarding Vibhisana(59). | |||
12*: As adviced by Sugriva, Rama decides to offer shelter to Vibhisana(22). | |||
13*: Laksmana consecrates Vibhisana as the king of the Raksasas(23). | |||
14: Rama discharges his arrows on the ocean(21). | 694 | ||
15: Nala constructs a bridge over the ocean and the army crosses it (33). | 699 | ||
16*: Ravana sends out Suka and Sarana to spy on the monkeys(29). | |||
17*: Sarana tells Ravana of the principal leaders of the monkeys(40). | |||
18*: Sarana continues his deposition(42). | |||
19*: Suka enumerates the enemies(34). | |||
20*: Ravana sends out fresh spies(24). | |||
21*: Sardula gives an account of his mission to Ravana(35). | |||
22*: Ravana deceives Sita by showing her Rama's head created by magic(43). | |||
23*: Sita's lamentations(42). | |||
24*: Sarama consoles Sita(36). | |||
25*: Sarama spies on Ravana's plans(28). | |||
26*: Malyavan advises Ravana to make peace(33). | |||
27*: Ravana directs Lanka's defences(22). | |||
28*: Rama prepares his plans for the attack(36). | |||
29*: The ascent of mount Suvela(18). | |||
30*: Description of Lanka(26). | |||
31*: Rama's army besieges Lanka; Rama sends Angada to Ravana (86). | |||
32*: The Raksasas flee(32). | |||
33*: The conflict between the monkeys and the Raksasas(46). | |||
34*: The battle continues during the night. Angada's exploit(30). | |||
35*: Rama and Laksmana are struck down by Indrajit(26). | |||
36*: The despair of Sugriva and his army; Vibhisana reassures him(43). | |||
37*: Sita mounted on the vehicle mansion Puspaka sees Rama and Laksmana lying on the battle field(21). |
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38*: Sita's lamentations; Trijata consoles Sita(37). | |||
39*: Rama regains consciousness and weeps over Laksmana(32). | |||
40*: Garuda liberates Rama and Laksmana(64). | |||
41*: Dhumraksa goes out to fight the monkeys(35). | |||
42: Dhumraksa is slain by Hanuman(37). | 706 | ||
43*: Akampana goes out to fight against the monkeys(27). | |||
44: Akampana is slain by Hanuman(38). | 713 | ||
45*: Prahasta goes out to fight(42). | |||
46*: Prahasta is slain by Nila(51). | |||
47*: Ravana's prowess; Rama overcomes him but grants him his life(135). | |||
48*: The Raksasas rouse Kumbhakarna(87). | |||
49*: Vibhisana narrates to Rama the story of Kumbhakarna(37). | |||
50*: Kumbhakarna meets Ravana(19). | |||
51*: Kumbhakarna consoles Ravana(47). | |||
52*: Mahodara's speech(35). | |||
53*: Kumbhakarna enters into combat(50). | |||
54*: Angada reproaches the monkeys for running away from Kumbhakarna(29). | |||
55*: Kumbhakarna's exploits; he is slain by Rama(129). | |||
56*: Ravana weeps for Kumbhakarna(19). | |||
57*: Narantaka is slain by Angada(90). | |||
58: Devantaka, Trisiras, Mahodara and Mahaparsva are killed(54). | 720 | ||
59*: Laksmana slays the Raksasa Atikaya(106). | |||
60*: Indrajit, himself invisible, puts the monkey army out of action(49). | |||
61: On Jambavan's instructions, Hanuman goes to the mountain of medicinal herbs and brings its peak(68). |
730 | ||
62*: Lanka is set on fire by the monkeys(52). | |||
63*: The prowess of Kumbha; Kumbha is slain(53). | |||
64: Nikumbha is slain by Hanuman(24). | 744 | ||
65*: Makaraksa goes out to fight Rama and Laksmana(21). | |||
66*: Makaraksa is struck down by Rama's arrow(38). | |||
67*: Indrajit becomes invisible along with his chariot and strikes Rama and Laksmana with arrows(42). | |||
68: Indrajit's strategem. Sita's appartion(33). | 749 | ||
69: Hanuman rallies his forces. Indrajit's sacrifice(26). | 756 | ||
70: Laksmana's speech(42). | 761 | ||
71*: Vibhisana consoles Rama(22). | |||
72*: Laksmana goes to the Nikumbhila grove to fight with Indrajit(33). | |||
73: Indrajit breaks off his sacrifice to fight with Laksmana(34). | 770 | ||
74*: Indrajit and Vibhisana denounce each other(27). | |||
75*: The fight between Laksmana and Indrajit(33). | |||
76*: Laksmana and Indrajit continue to fight(34). | |||
77*: Indrajit loses his charioteer, chariot and horses(38). | |||
78*: Indrajit is slain by Laksmana(54). | |||
79*: Rama commends Laksmana who is cured of his wounds by Susena(18). | |||
80*: Ravana's grief on hearing of his son's death(57). | |||
81*: Rama's exploits(35). | |||
82*: The lamentations of the Raksasis(39). | |||
83*: Ravana goes out to fight and encounters bad omens(42). | |||
84*: Virupaksa is lain by Sugriva(33). | |||
85*: Mahodara is slain by Sugriva(29). | |||
86*: Mahaparsva is killed by Angada(23). | |||
87*: Rama and Ravana fight with magic weapons(47). | |||
88*: Laksmana is wounded by Ravana's Sakti. Ravana flees from Rama(59). | |||
89*: Laksmana's miraculous recovery(34). | |||
90*: Rama and Ravana renew their fight. Indra sends his chariot for Rama(33). | |||
91: Rama breaks Ravana's Sula with Indra's Sakti and overpowers Ravana(30). | 777 | ||
92*: Rama accuses Ravana and reproaches him for his misdeeds. Ravana's charioteer removes his chariot when Ravana is overpowered(30). |
|||
93*: Ravana reproaches his charioteer(27). | |||
94*: Sinister portents appear(29). | |||
95*: The fluctuations of combat(26). | |||
96*: The duel continues(31). | |||
97: Rama kills Ravana(33). | |||
98*: The lamentations of Ravana's consorts(26). | |||
99*: The lamentations of Mandodari; Ravana's funeral rites(44). | |||
100: Vibhisana is installed as king of Lanka(22). | 790 | ||
101: Hanuman carries Rama's message to Sita(43). | 794 | ||
102: Rama sends for Sita(36). | 802 | ||
103: Rama repudiates Sita(25). | 809 | ||
104: Sita's lamentations; the ritual of fire(27). | 814 | ||
105: Brahma eulogizes Rama(28). | 820 | ||
106: Sita is restored to Rama(20). | 826 | ||
107*: Dasaratha appears before Rama(26). | |||
108: On Rama's request, Indra restores the dead in the army to life(19). | 830 | ||
109*: Vibhisana places the vehicle mansion Puspaka at Rama's disposal(27). | |||
110*: Rama sets out for Ayodhya(23). | |||
111*: Rama tells Sita of the places over which they are passing(31). | |||
112*: Rama's meeting with the sage Bharadvaja(18). | |||
113: Rama sends Hanuman to find out Bharata(43). | 834 | ||
114: Hanuman tells Bharata of all that befell Rama and Sita during their exile(46). |
842 | ||
115: Bharata sets out to meet Rama(51). | 851 | ||
116: Rama's coronation(90). | 861 | ||
Uttarakanda | 878 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; only two chapters have been translated) |
|||
35: Hanuman's exploits in childhood; being struck by Indra's thunderbolt, the Wind god is displeased and deserts all beings(65). |
879 | ||
36: The gods bestow boons on Hanuman(46). | 892 |
About the Book:
The present work is a word-by-word translation, from Samskrit into English, of selected chapters of Valmiki's Ramayana, mainly those chapters relating to the exploits of Hanuman. The aim was to present a complete picture of Hanuman's life as described in Valmiki's Ramayana.
The Ramayana is a celebrated old Indian epic. The greater portion of the Ramayana must have been current in India as early as the fifth century B.C. It was Samskrit language. It describes the life of lord Rama and his purpose on earth, the victory of good over evil. The evil is personified by the demon Ravana who kidnapped Rama's wife Sita and finally gets killed by Rama. In these events the great hero of this epic, the powerful monkey leader Hanuman, renders great help. Even nowadays both these important personalities of the Ramayana, lord Rama and Hanuman, are worshipped at home and in temples all over India.
The present work is especially meant for students with a basic knowledge of Samskrit grammar, and for others interested in refreshing their Samskrit knowledge, to help them to read Samskrit texts on their own.
About the Author:
IRMA SCHOTSMAN (1935) from the Netherlands retired early from her job because of health problems. In 1985 she began studying Samskrit in Kathmandu (Nepal). In 1990 she moved to Varanasi (Benares, India) where she continued her studies. Her word-by-word translation of Asvagosa's Buddhacarita was published in 1995. Her translation of Panditaraja Jagannatha's poem Ganga-lahari with its commentary was published in 1999. The present word-by-word translation of selected chapters on Hanuman in Valmiki's Ramayana and the forthcoming word-by-word translation of certain chapters of the Laghuyogavasistha are especially meant for students with a basic knowledge of Samskrit and for others interested in refreshing their Samskrit knowledge, to help them to read Samskrit texts on their own. However, these translations may also be of benefit to those who do not know Samskrit but are interested in the life of Hanuman and, or, the Yogavasistha philosophy, since it is easy to train the eyes to skip the Samskrit words in the translation so that one reads only the Enlgish.
This work is a word—by-word translation, from Samskrit into English, of selected chapters of Valmiki’s Ramayana, mainly those chapters relating to the exploits of Hanuman. The aim was to present a complete picture of Hanuman’s life as described in Valmiki’s Ramayana. The book is especially meant for students with a basic knowledge of Samskrit grammar, and for others interested in refreshing their Samskrit knowledge, to help them to read Samskrit texts on their own. However, this word—by-word translation may also be of benefit to those who do not know Samskrit but are interested in the life of Hanuman, since it is easy to train the eyes to skip the Samskrit words in the translation so that one reads only the English.
The Ramayana is a celebrated Indian epic about the adventures of lord Rama, and especially his search for Sita. No mention is made of Rama in the Vedas. Because of the absence of allusions to Buddhism, the greater portion of the Ramayana must have been current in India as early as the fifth century B.C. It was compiled by Valmiki in the Samskrit language; the reference in the epic to Yavanas (Greeks) and Sakas (Scythians) suggests that it received accretions in the Graeco—Scythian period and it may have acquired its final shape by about 350 A.D. Valmiki was probably a Brahmin closely connected with the court of Ayodhya who collected the legendary tales related to Rama and arranged them into one great continuous poem. The Ramayana describes the life of lord Rama and his purpose on earth, the victory of good over evil. The evil is personified by the demon Ravana who kidnapped Rama’s wife Sita and finally gets killed by Rama. In the genuine books (second to sixth) Rama is represented as a mortal hero, but in the first and last book, parts of which are interpolated afterwards, Rama is spoken of as divine. Centuries later Rama came to be accepted as the seventh avatara of lord Visnu. The other great hero in this epic is the monkey leader Hanuman. The Ramayana is still read daily in India by many people. (It is usually not recited in the Samskrit language, but mostly the popular, more devotional version, written in the Avadhi language by Tulasidasa about 400 years ago, is chanted.) Even nowadays the two important personalities of the Ramayana, lord Rama and Hanuman, are worshipped at home and in temples all over India. Posters depicting Hanuman carrying a Himalayan mountain with the medicinal herbs are for sale everywhere in India. The great respect people feel for Hanuman is even reflected in the treatment of present—day monkeys, which are expert thieves and sometimes a real nuisance, but remain beyond censure.
The Ramayana as compiled in Samskrit by Valmiki contains about 24,000 verses, of which 4,500 slokas are represented in this word—by-word translation. There are 7 volumes called kandas, viz. l.Balakanda, 2.Ayodhyakanda, 3.Aranyakanda, 4.Kiskindhakanda, 5.Sundarakanda, 6.Yuddhakanda, 7.Uttarakanda. Parts of the first and seventh book are thought to be comparatively modern additions. By selecting only those chapters relating to the acts of Hanuman, the continuity of the story may be lost to the reader; therefore a list of the contents of each chapter of the Kiskindha, Sundara and Yuddhakanda books has been added, and the chapters which have not been translated have been marked with an asterix (*). For the present translation the "Critical Edition of the Ramayana" by Prof. G.H.Bhatt was used. This edition is based on many manuscripts, and was published between 1958 and 1975 in seven volumes by Prof. B.J.Sandesara, the Director, Oriental Institute at Baroda, India. This edition was strongly recommended by Professor Srinarayana Misra, Dean and Head of the Samskrit Department at Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi, India), who also helped me with the correction work. In the different versions of the Ramayana the number of slokas in a chapter often do not tally and even the number of chapters in a volume may vary. The Critical Edition adds a concordance with four other Ramayana versions.
From the first book of the Ramayana, the Balakanda, we have here translated the first chapter, because it gives in short the whole Ramayana story: Narada visits Valmiki’s asrama, and Valmiki asks him whether he can think of a single man in this world blessed with all good qualities. Narada answers this question by telling him all about Rama. In the next chapter Valmiki hears the cry of a kraunca bird, which gives him the idea of using the anustubh metre for writing the Ramayana. Summarizing, the Balakanda thereafter describes the childless king Dasaratha, ruler of Ayodhya, performing a big sacrifice, where after his three wives give birth to four sons. Rama is the eldest, entitled to the throne, and marries Sita.
The second and third books have not been used for the present word- by—word translation. In the second book, the Ayodhyakanda, when preparations are being made for Rama’s coronation, the mother of Bharata reminds king Dasaratha of the two boons given to her, and she now demands that her own son Bharata will be appointed heir to the throne and that Rama will be banished to live in the forest for the next fourteen years. Sita and Rama’s step-brother Laksmana insist on accompanying Rama to the forest. Bharata rules the kingdom while out of respect placing Rama’s sandals in front of the throne. The third volume, Aranyakanda, describes the events in the forest. The rsis complain about being harassed by the Raksasas; Rama promises to destroy them. A Raksasi falls in love with Rama; incensed at this, Rama orders Laksmana to cut off her nose and ears. In retaliation a Raksasa army accosts Rama, who single—handedly kills all 14,000 of them in a battle at Janasthana. Hearing about the killing of his relatives, Ravana, the lord of the Raksasas, takes revenge. Sita sees a beautiful deer, which actually is a Raksasa in disguise, and while Rama is trying to catch that deer for her, Ravana appears and abducts Sita to Lanka. Rama and Laksmana now start their search for Sita.
At the beginning of the fourth volume, Kiskindakanda, Rama and Laksmana are spotted by the anxious Sugriva, the lord of the monkeys arid the bears. In the second chapter Sugriva sends Hanuman as a messenger to them. From here onwards Hanuman starts playing his important role in this epic. Rama and Sugriva reach an agreement, first Rama and Laksmana will help Sugriva by killing his brother Vali and re—installing Sugriva as ruler; thereafter Sugriva with his army of monkeys and bears will help Rama and Laksmana in the search for and recovery of Sita. The chapters translated are indicated in the list of contents. (The chapters connected with Vali have been omitted in the present translation since Hanuman does not figure prominently in those stories; also the chapter in which Hanuman consoles Vali’s widow has been omitted.) The monkey Hanuman is considered the only one able to jump the long distance across the ocean to Lanka to search there for Sita.
The events experienced by Hanuman in Lanka are described in the Sundarakanda, the fifth volume, of which all chapters have been translated. Hanuman finds Sita and meets Ravana, kills many Raksasas, is caught, sets fire to the city of Lanka, and escapes to report news to Rama and Sugriva.
In the sixth volume, Yuddhakanda, many fights are described whereby the Raksasa leaders, one after another, are eliminated. Several chapters have been translated, as indicated in the list of contents. All those chapters which pertain to Hanuman have been selected, except chapter 29, 60, 62, 76, 78, and 79 in which Hanuman’s name appears only once or twice. A few chapters, most relevant to the main story though not mentioning Hanuman, have been included in this translation, for example the final fighting between Rama and Ravana, the reunion with Sita, the fire ritual, and the arrival at Ayodhya where Rama is offered the throne which was temporarily occupied by his step-brother Bharata.
The seventh and last book, Uttarakanda, describes the history of Rama and Sita after their reunion and installation as king and queen of Ayodhya. Since these chapters are thought to be later additions, only two of them, those which give an account of Hanuman’s birth, childhood, and the explanation how he became so powerful due to boons received from several gods, have been translated. These stories about Hanuman are still very popular in India and told with great love and affection.
I have tried as far as possible to use the translations of words as given in "The practical Sanskrit English Dictionary" by V.S. Apte and "A Sanskrit English Dictionary" by Sir Monier Monier Williams (both reprinted by Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi. India). This word—by-word translation aims at being as literal as possible, using simple English expressions, especially in view of those students for whom not only Samskrit but also English is a foreign language. It is unavoidable that at times literary grace is sacrificed. The compounded Samskrit words are shown in their uncompounded state. The transliteration of Samskrit names into English is always a problem. For example in several translations the stem Hanumat is used, whereas in other places the nominative singular form Hanuman is preferred. I have always spelt Hanuman’s name with a short ‘u’, though in this Samskrit text the name of Hanuman is sometimes written with a long ‘E’, to suit the metre, but much more often with a short ‘u’; both Samskrit words ‘raksas’ and ‘raksasa’ have been translated as Raksasa, plural Raksasas (feminine Raksasi, plural Raksasis); both words ‘apsara' and ‘apsaras’ have been translated as ‘Apsara’, plural ‘Apsaras’. The stories have no headings, because in Samskrit texts the "heading" of a story is always mentioned at the end, not at the beginning; since the name of the book and the number of the chapter is given at the very top of every page this should not cause any problem.
In the summer of 1996 in the Netherlands I started with the translation of the whole Sundarakanda volume, and the next winter in Varanasi, a holy place in India abundant with small and bigger temples in honour of Hanuman, Professor Srinarayana Misra helped me with the correction work. We used the commentaries included in "The Ramayana of Valmiki", edited by Shastri Shrinivasa Katti Modholakara (reprinted by Parimal Publications, Delhi, 1991). Thereafter, because of a special affinity I feel for Hanuman, I decided to translate all other chapters relating to Hanuman from Valmiki’s Ramayana, so that readers may get a more complete picture of Hanuman. The chapters, selected from Balakanda, Kiskindhakanda, Yuddhakanda and Uttarakanda, have been translated in the Netherlands in the summer of 1997, and during the following winter in Varanasi Professor Srinarayana Misra again helped me with the correction work, so that by spring 1998 most of the actual translation work had been completed.
I feel much gratitude to Professor Srinarayana Misra for his generous help, advice and patience during the many hours we set together working on this beautiful text.
In 1961 I visited India for the first time, and at that time, of all representations of gods and goddesses which I saw, Hanuman’s form always appealed to me the most, in whatever form, even if it had become reduced to a red-painted stone without any recognizable physical characteristics. Later on, when I started making Samskrit translations, I felt this obligation to make a book in honour of Hanuman. It took some time before I had collected enough courage to start this big text but it has been a real pleasure for me to work on these Ramayana stories describing Hanuman’s life, and I hope many readers will enjoy Hanuman’s exploits and find this word-by-word translation useful and beneficial.
page | |||
Introduction | I | ||
Balakanda | 1 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; only the first chapter has been translated) |
|||
1: Valmiki and Narada (79). | 2 | ||
Kiskindhakanda | 17 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; those chapters marked within an asterix have not been translated) |
|||
1*: Description of Pampa and Rama's joy at its sight (49). | |||
2: Hanuman, commanded by Sugriva, goes to interview Rama (28). | 18 | ||
3: Hanuman informs Rama of Sugriva's desire for friendship (25). | 24 | ||
4: Hanuman takes Rama and Laksmana to Sugriva (26). | 29 | ||
5: Sugriva and Rama pledge their alliance in the presence of Agni(18). | 34 | ||
6: Sugriva shows Rama the cloak and ornaments dropped by Sita(23). | 38 | ||
7: Sugriva consoles Rama who offers to help him(23). | 43 | ||
8*: Sugriva requests Rama's assistance against his brother Vali (45). | |||
9*: Sugriva tells Rama the real cause of his enmity with Vali(24). | |||
10*: Sugriva further narrates his humiliation at the hands of Vali(29). | |||
11*: Sugriva's narration of the Vali-dundubhi episode(52). | |||
12*: Description of the first combat between Sugriva and Vali(38). | |||
13*: Description of the hermitage of the Saptajanas(27). | |||
14*: Sugriva challenges Vali to fight again(21). | |||
15*: Vali is advised by his wife Tara to reconcile himself with Sugriva(23). | |||
16*: Second combat between Sugriva and Vali(27). | |||
17*: Vali reproaches Rama who struck at him unawares(45). | |||
18*: Rama's justification of his own action(57). | |||
19*: At the sad news of Vali's demise, Tara rushes to see him(28). | |||
20*: Tara laments the death of her husband(25). | |||
21*: Hanuman consoles Tara; her reply bespeaks her devotion and wisdom(16). | |||
22*: Vali's last advice to his son Angada and Sugriva(26). | |||
23*: Tara laments the death of Vali(30). | |||
24*: Description of Vali's funeral rites(44). | |||
25*: Sugriva is enthroned as ruler(38). | |||
26*: Rama resides in a cavern of Prasravana during the rainy season (23). | |||
27*: Rama's description of the rainy season(46). | |||
28: Hanuman reminds Sugriva of his promise to assist Rama(32). | 48 | ||
29*: Rama bids Laksmana to warn Sugriva of the evil consequences of dishonouring his pledge(52). |
|||
30*: Laksmana goes to Kiskindha to convey Rama's ultimatum to Sugriva(43). | |||
31: Hanuman reminds Sugriva of his promise to Rama(22). | 55 | ||
32*: Laksmana's entry into the palace of Sugriva(27). | |||
33*: Laksmana bitterly reproaches Sugriva(19). | |||
34*: Tara pacifies Laksmana(23). | |||
35*: Laksmana is convinced of Sugriva's sincerity(20). | |||
36*: Sugriva issues orders to assemble all his forces(37). | |||
37*: Sugriva with Laksmana calls on Rama(34). | |||
38: Sugriva's generals arrive with their vast armies(37). | |||
39*: Sugriva dispatches Vinata and his party to search for Sita in the East(63). | |||
40: Angada and his party to search in the South(47). | 67 | ||
41*: Susena and his party to search in the West(52). | |||
42*: Satabala and his party to search in the North(62). | |||
43: Rama hands over his signet ring to Hanuman(16). | 76 | ||
44*: The monkey leaders declare their prowess(15). | |||
45*: Sugriva describes his visit to all the parts of the world(17). | |||
46: Three search parties return in vain(14). | 80 | ||
47: The vain search in the Vindhya mountains(22). | 83 | ||
48: Angada's parties searches in the Southern region in vain(22). | 88 | ||
49: The entry of the monkeys into the Rksa cave(32). | 92 | ||
50: Svayamprabha's description of the Kancana forest(19). | 98 | ||
51: Hanuman tells Svayamprabha the mission of their arrival(19). | 102 | ||
52: Unable to keep to schedule, Angada proposes fast into death (33). | 106 | ||
53: Hanuman dissuades Angada from fasting unto death(21). | 113 | ||
54: Angada and his party resolve to fast unto death(20). | 118 | ||
55: Sampati's surprise appearance before the monkeys(21). | 123 | ||
56: Angada acquaints Sampati with his party mission(19). | 127 | ||
57: Sampati informs the monkeys of the whereabouts of Sita(34). | 131 | ||
58: Sampati encourages the monkeys to pursue their search(29). | 138 | ||
59: The story of the sage Nisakara(21). | 144 | ||
60: Sampati acquaints Nisakara with his own life(16). | 148 | ||
61: Nisakara's narration of what he foresaw(15). | 151 | ||
62: Sampati regains wings and vigour(15). | 154 | ||
63: The sight of the ocean makes the monkeys despondent(23). | 157 | ||
64: The monkey leaders estimate their strength severally(35). | 162 | ||
65: Jambavan exhorts Hanuman to leap over the ocean(36). | 169 | ||
66: Hanuman, ready to leap to Lanka, ascends the mountain Mahendra(44). | 176 | ||
Sundarakanda | 185 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; all chapters have been translated) | |||
1: Hanuman starts crossing the ocean(190). | 186 | ||
2: Hanuman arrives in Lanka, Ravana's capital(55). | 221 | ||
3: Hanuman enters the city of Lanka by night(37). | 231 | ||
4: Hanuman observes the city and people without spotting Sita(24). | 238 | ||
5: Hanuman jumps from mansion to mansion and enters Ravana's palace (42). | 244 | ||
6: Hanuman is dazzled at the palace splendour but not seeing Sita(17). | 252 | ||
7: Gold, diamonds and the beauties of Ravana's court hypnotize Hanuman(69). | 256 | ||
8: Ravana's inner apartment; Hanuman mistakes Mandodari for Sita(50). | 269 | ||
9: Hanuman corrects his error; sees dining hall; does not find Sita(44). | 278 | ||
10: Hanuman's despondency at not finding Sita(25). | 287 | ||
11: Hanuman's conjectures about Sita's fate and the rebuke for his failure(69). | 292 | ||
12: Hanuman enters the Asoka garden, hides himself and waits for Sita(51). | 305 | ||
13: Hanumans sees grief-stricken Sita(52). | 314 | ||
14: Sita's sight moves Hanuman to tears(32). | 324 | ||
15: Hanumans is shocked to see Sita surrounded by Raksasis(32). | 331 | ||
16: Hanuman sees Ravana approaching Sita, hides himself(28). | 338 | ||
17: Sita, on seeing Ravana, prays for his destruction(21). | 344 | ||
18: Ravana tries to win over Sita by all means(35). | 349 | ||
19: Sita warns Ravana to desist from his evil intentions and to save Lanka from ruin(30). | 356 | ||
20: Ravana's ultimatum to Sita; her rebuff; his orders to the Raksasis(41). | 362 | ||
21: Some Raksasis threaten Sita, some tell her to obey Ravana(19). | 370 | ||
22: Raksasis extol Ravana's might, scorn at Rama and frighten Sita(42). | 374 | ||
23: Sita laments and thinks of committing suicide(20). | 382 | ||
24: Sita thinks of her ancestral glory, or Rama, prefers death to dishonour(49). | 386 | ||
25:Trijata's dream of invasion and total destruction of Lanka by Rama(38). | 396 | ||
26: Sita bemoans her lot and wishes to end her life(20). | 404 | ||
27:Sita's surprise at unexpected auspicious omens(8). | 409 | ||
28: Hanuman overhears Trijata and plans to reveal himself to Sita(44). | 411 | ||
29: Hanuman praises Rama and Sita to attract her(12). | 419 | ||
30: To Sita Hanuman's sight is a phantasy(8). | 422 | ||
31: Hanuman approaches Sita(27). | 424 | ||
32: To Sita Hanuman's form seems to be Ravana's trickery(39). | 429 | ||
33: Hanuman removes Sita's suspicion(80). | 437 | ||
34: Hanuman gives Rama's ring to Sita(45). | 453 | ||
35: Sita is unwilling to touch Hanuman who offers to fly her(68). | 462 | ||
36: Hanuman asks for a token from Sita to convince Rama; she gives her hair-jewel(56). |
475 | ||
37: Hanuman assures Sita of her speedy release(53). | 486 | ||
38: Sita delighted; but parting with the hair-jewel makes her survival impossible(24). |
496 | ||
39: Hanuman destroys the Asoka garden to tease Ravana (17). | 501 | ||
40: Ravana sends Raksasas to capture Hanuman(36). | 505 | ||
41: Hanuman terrorizes the citizens(18). | 512 | ||
42: Hanuman kills Jambumali(19). | 516 | ||
43: Hanuman kills the brave sons of the ministers(16). | 520 | ||
44: Hanumans kills five army chiefs and reaches the palace(39). | 523 | ||
45: Hanuman kills Aksa, Ravana's most valiant son(39). | 531 | ||
46: Hanuman gets himself captured alive by Indrajit(59). | 540 | ||
47: Hanuman dazed at the sight of Ravana(20). | 552 | ||
48: Ravana asks his minister Prahasta to inquire of Hanuman who he is(16). | 556 | ||
49: Ravana orders Hanuman's execution(36). | 559 | ||
50: Vibhisana's advice to Ravana: no execution of an envoy(17). | 566 | ||
51: Raksasas burn Hanuman's tail and drag him around; unaffected Hanuman kills his guards to free himself(39). |
570 | ||
52: Hanuman with flaming tail sets Lanka on fire(17). | 578 | ||
53: Proclamation of Sita's safety; Hanuman wishes to meet her again(28). | 582 | ||
54: Sita's delight on seeing Hanuman(26). | 588 | ||
55: Hanuman recrosses the ocean and returns to mountain Mahendra(38). | 593 | ||
56: Hanuman recounts all the details of his experiences(140). | 601 | ||
57: Hanuman praises Sita's chastity and appeals to the monkeys for her speedy rescue(17). | 627 | ||
58: Angada explains his project for Sita's rescue; Jambavan's advice(22). | 631 | ||
59: Overjoyed monkeys devastate the honey garden Madhuvana(22). | 636 | ||
60: Fight between Dadhimukha's monkeys and the intruders(37). | 641 | ||
61: Dadhimukha's report to Sugriva of the devastation of the Madhuvana(27). | 648 | ||
62: Dadhimukha returns; Angada's monkeys proceed to Kiskindha(40). | 654 | ||
63: Hanuman explains how and where he found out Sita(26). | 662 | ||
64: Rama sees Sita's jewel; his lamentation(15). | 667 | ||
65: Hanuman's description of his meeting with Sita(36). | 670 | ||
66: Hanuman's repetition of his speech of consolation to Sita(29). | 677 | ||
Yuddhakanda | 683 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; those chapters marked with an asterix have not been translated) |
|||
1: Rama congratulates Hanuman(16). | 684 | ||
2*: Sugriva consoles Rama(21). | |||
3: Hanuman describes the might of Lanka(32). | 688 | ||
4*: Rama's army marches southward and reaches the ocean(88). | |||
5*: Rama is afflicted when thinking of Sita(22). | |||
6*: Ravana consults the Raksasas(18). | |||
7*: The Raksasas persuade Ravana to wage a war(16). | |||
8*: The boasting of Ravana's generals(16). | |||
9*: Vibhisana advises Ravana to hand over Sita to Rama(22). | |||
10*: Ravana rebukes Vibhisana who departs(21). | |||
11*: Words of the monkey leaders regarding Vibhisana(59). | |||
12*: As adviced by Sugriva, Rama decides to offer shelter to Vibhisana(22). | |||
13*: Laksmana consecrates Vibhisana as the king of the Raksasas(23). | |||
14: Rama discharges his arrows on the ocean(21). | 694 | ||
15: Nala constructs a bridge over the ocean and the army crosses it (33). | 699 | ||
16*: Ravana sends out Suka and Sarana to spy on the monkeys(29). | |||
17*: Sarana tells Ravana of the principal leaders of the monkeys(40). | |||
18*: Sarana continues his deposition(42). | |||
19*: Suka enumerates the enemies(34). | |||
20*: Ravana sends out fresh spies(24). | |||
21*: Sardula gives an account of his mission to Ravana(35). | |||
22*: Ravana deceives Sita by showing her Rama's head created by magic(43). | |||
23*: Sita's lamentations(42). | |||
24*: Sarama consoles Sita(36). | |||
25*: Sarama spies on Ravana's plans(28). | |||
26*: Malyavan advises Ravana to make peace(33). | |||
27*: Ravana directs Lanka's defences(22). | |||
28*: Rama prepares his plans for the attack(36). | |||
29*: The ascent of mount Suvela(18). | |||
30*: Description of Lanka(26). | |||
31*: Rama's army besieges Lanka; Rama sends Angada to Ravana (86). | |||
32*: The Raksasas flee(32). | |||
33*: The conflict between the monkeys and the Raksasas(46). | |||
34*: The battle continues during the night. Angada's exploit(30). | |||
35*: Rama and Laksmana are struck down by Indrajit(26). | |||
36*: The despair of Sugriva and his army; Vibhisana reassures him(43). | |||
37*: Sita mounted on the vehicle mansion Puspaka sees Rama and Laksmana lying on the battle field(21). |
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38*: Sita's lamentations; Trijata consoles Sita(37). | |||
39*: Rama regains consciousness and weeps over Laksmana(32). | |||
40*: Garuda liberates Rama and Laksmana(64). | |||
41*: Dhumraksa goes out to fight the monkeys(35). | |||
42: Dhumraksa is slain by Hanuman(37). | 706 | ||
43*: Akampana goes out to fight against the monkeys(27). | |||
44: Akampana is slain by Hanuman(38). | 713 | ||
45*: Prahasta goes out to fight(42). | |||
46*: Prahasta is slain by Nila(51). | |||
47*: Ravana's prowess; Rama overcomes him but grants him his life(135). | |||
48*: The Raksasas rouse Kumbhakarna(87). | |||
49*: Vibhisana narrates to Rama the story of Kumbhakarna(37). | |||
50*: Kumbhakarna meets Ravana(19). | |||
51*: Kumbhakarna consoles Ravana(47). | |||
52*: Mahodara's speech(35). | |||
53*: Kumbhakarna enters into combat(50). | |||
54*: Angada reproaches the monkeys for running away from Kumbhakarna(29). | |||
55*: Kumbhakarna's exploits; he is slain by Rama(129). | |||
56*: Ravana weeps for Kumbhakarna(19). | |||
57*: Narantaka is slain by Angada(90). | |||
58: Devantaka, Trisiras, Mahodara and Mahaparsva are killed(54). | 720 | ||
59*: Laksmana slays the Raksasa Atikaya(106). | |||
60*: Indrajit, himself invisible, puts the monkey army out of action(49). | |||
61: On Jambavan's instructions, Hanuman goes to the mountain of medicinal herbs and brings its peak(68). |
730 | ||
62*: Lanka is set on fire by the monkeys(52). | |||
63*: The prowess of Kumbha; Kumbha is slain(53). | |||
64: Nikumbha is slain by Hanuman(24). | 744 | ||
65*: Makaraksa goes out to fight Rama and Laksmana(21). | |||
66*: Makaraksa is struck down by Rama's arrow(38). | |||
67*: Indrajit becomes invisible along with his chariot and strikes Rama and Laksmana with arrows(42). | |||
68: Indrajit's strategem. Sita's appartion(33). | 749 | ||
69: Hanuman rallies his forces. Indrajit's sacrifice(26). | 756 | ||
70: Laksmana's speech(42). | 761 | ||
71*: Vibhisana consoles Rama(22). | |||
72*: Laksmana goes to the Nikumbhila grove to fight with Indrajit(33). | |||
73: Indrajit breaks off his sacrifice to fight with Laksmana(34). | 770 | ||
74*: Indrajit and Vibhisana denounce each other(27). | |||
75*: The fight between Laksmana and Indrajit(33). | |||
76*: Laksmana and Indrajit continue to fight(34). | |||
77*: Indrajit loses his charioteer, chariot and horses(38). | |||
78*: Indrajit is slain by Laksmana(54). | |||
79*: Rama commends Laksmana who is cured of his wounds by Susena(18). | |||
80*: Ravana's grief on hearing of his son's death(57). | |||
81*: Rama's exploits(35). | |||
82*: The lamentations of the Raksasis(39). | |||
83*: Ravana goes out to fight and encounters bad omens(42). | |||
84*: Virupaksa is lain by Sugriva(33). | |||
85*: Mahodara is slain by Sugriva(29). | |||
86*: Mahaparsva is killed by Angada(23). | |||
87*: Rama and Ravana fight with magic weapons(47). | |||
88*: Laksmana is wounded by Ravana's Sakti. Ravana flees from Rama(59). | |||
89*: Laksmana's miraculous recovery(34). | |||
90*: Rama and Ravana renew their fight. Indra sends his chariot for Rama(33). | |||
91: Rama breaks Ravana's Sula with Indra's Sakti and overpowers Ravana(30). | 777 | ||
92*: Rama accuses Ravana and reproaches him for his misdeeds. Ravana's charioteer removes his chariot when Ravana is overpowered(30). |
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93*: Ravana reproaches his charioteer(27). | |||
94*: Sinister portents appear(29). | |||
95*: The fluctuations of combat(26). | |||
96*: The duel continues(31). | |||
97: Rama kills Ravana(33). | |||
98*: The lamentations of Ravana's consorts(26). | |||
99*: The lamentations of Mandodari; Ravana's funeral rites(44). | |||
100: Vibhisana is installed as king of Lanka(22). | 790 | ||
101: Hanuman carries Rama's message to Sita(43). | 794 | ||
102: Rama sends for Sita(36). | 802 | ||
103: Rama repudiates Sita(25). | 809 | ||
104: Sita's lamentations; the ritual of fire(27). | 814 | ||
105: Brahma eulogizes Rama(28). | 820 | ||
106: Sita is restored to Rama(20). | 826 | ||
107*: Dasaratha appears before Rama(26). | |||
108: On Rama's request, Indra restores the dead in the army to life(19). | 830 | ||
109*: Vibhisana places the vehicle mansion Puspaka at Rama's disposal(27). | |||
110*: Rama sets out for Ayodhya(23). | |||
111*: Rama tells Sita of the places over which they are passing(31). | |||
112*: Rama's meeting with the sage Bharadvaja(18). | |||
113: Rama sends Hanuman to find out Bharata(43). | 834 | ||
114: Hanuman tells Bharata of all that befell Rama and Sita during their exile(46). |
842 | ||
115: Bharata sets out to meet Rama(51). | 851 | ||
116: Rama's coronation(90). | 861 | ||
Uttarakanda | 878 | ||
chapter (number of slokas within brackets; only two chapters have been translated) |
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35: Hanuman's exploits in childhood; being struck by Indra's thunderbolt, the Wind god is displeased and deserts all beings(65). |
879 | ||
36: The gods bestow boons on Hanuman(46). | 892 |