Summary
Sitting on the branch of a Simshupa tree, Hanuma began to narrate in human language the story of Rama from the time he was born till his sending Hanuma to Lanka in search of Seetha. Hearing the narration of Hanuman, Seetha was overjoyed and finds Hanuma perched on Simshupa tree.
Chapter [Sarga] 31 in Detail
evam bahu vidhaam cintaam cintayitva mahaakapih |
samshrave madhuram vaakyam vaidehyaa vyaajahaara ha || 5-31-1
Thus reflecting on many kinds of thought, Hanuma spoke the following sweet words within the hearing range of Seetha.
raajaa dasharatho naama ratha kunjara vaajinaam |
punya shiilo mahaakiirtih rijuh aasiin mahaayashaah || 5-31-2
“There was a king named Dasaratha who was very glorious among the kings of Ikshvaku dynasty and had a virtuous disposition. He owned chariots, elephants and horses, becoming very famous.
raajarsiinaam gunashresthastapasaa charsibhih samah |
cakra varti kule jaatah puram dara samo bale || 5-31-3
“He was excellent in virtues among royal sages. He was equal to the seven sages in austerity. He was born in the lineage of emperors and was equivalent to Indra in prowess.”
ahimsaa ratih akshudro ghrinii satya paraakramah |
mukhyah ca ikshvaaku vamshasya lakshmiivaaml lakshmi vardhanah || 5-31-4
“He was keen on harmlessness. He was not vulgar. He was compassionate. He was truly mighty. He was an eminent king in Ikshvaku race. He was endowed with prosperity and was causing to increase prosperity.”
paarthiva vyanjanaih yuktah prithu shriih paarthiva rishabhah |
prithivyaam catuh antayaam vishrutah sukhadah sukhii || 5-31-5
“The king Dasaratha was endowed with royal characteristics, highly prosperous, excellent among kings and highly prosperous, excellent among kings and famous on earth with its four borders. He was happy man and gave happiness to others.”
tasya putrah priyo jyeshthah taaraa adhipa nibha aananah |
raamo naama visheshajnah shreshthah sarva dhanushmataam || 5-31-6
“There was an eldest son named Rama to that Dasaratha. Rama was beloved having a moon-like face. He knows the distinctions among humans and others. He was excellent among all the wielders of the bow.”
rakshitaa svasya vrittasya sva janasya api rakshitaa |
rakshitaa jiiva lokasya dharmasya ca param tapah || 5-31-7
“That Rama, who annihilates enemies, is a protector of his own mode of life, a protector of his own people, a protector of every living being and a protector of righteousness.”
tasya satya abhisamdhasya vriddhasya vacanaat pituh |
sabhaaryah saha ca bhraatraa viirah pravrajito vanam || 5-31-8
“By the command of that Dasaratha, his old father and true-speaking man, that Rama a brave man went on exile to a forest along with his wife and brother.”
tena tatra mahaaaranye mrigayaam paridhaavataa |
raaksasaa nihataah shuuraa bahavah kaamaruupinah || 5-31-9
“While hunting in that forest, that Rama killed many demons who were valiant and who could assume any form at will.”
jana sthaana vadham shrutvaa hatau ca khara duushanau |
tatah tu amarsha apahritaa jaanakii raavanena tu || 5-31-10
vajnchayitvaa vane raamam mrigaruupena maayayaa |
“Thereafter, hearing about the killing of demons in Janasthaana, a part of Dandaka forest, in addition to killing of Khara and Duushana the demons, the enraged Ravana took away, Seetha, by deceiving Rama in creating an illusive image of deer in the forest.”
sa maargamaanastaam deviim raamah siitaamannditaam || 5-31-11
aasasaada vane mitram sugriivam naama vaanaram |
“Searching for Seetha the irreproachable lady, that Rama met a monkey called Sugreeva as his friend in the forest.”
tatah sa vaalinam htvaa raamah parapuramjayah || 5-31-12
praayachchhatkapiraajyam tatsugriivaaya mahaabalah |
“Thereafter, Rama the conqueror of enemy’s cities and very strong man, killed Vali and gave away that kingdom of monkeys to Sugreeva.”
sugriivenaapi samdistaa harayah kaamaruupinah || 5-31-13
diksu sarvaasu taam deviim vichinnvanti sahasrashah |
“As commanded and sent by Sugreeva, thousands of monkeys capable of assuming form at their will, are searching for that lady Seetha in all quarters of the earth.”
aham sampaativachanaachchhatayojanamaayatam || 5-31-14
asyaa hetorvishaalaaksyaah saagaram vegavaan plutah |
“By the words of Sampaati, I a swift monkey crossed the ocean having a length of one hundred yojanas for the sake of this broad eyed Seetha.”
yathaa ruupaam yathaa varnaam yathaa lakshmiim vinishcitaam || 5-31-15
ashrausham raaghavasya aham saa iyam aasaaditaa mayaa |
“This Seetha has been found by me according to the same comeliness, complexion and the bodily marks as I had heard from Rama.”
viraraama evam uktvaa asau vaacam vaanara pumgavah || 5-31-16
jaanakii ca api tat shrutvaa vismayam paramam gataa |
Having spoken these words, Hanuma kept quiet. Hearing those words, Seetha too got a great surprise.
tatah saa vakra kesha antaa sukeshii kesha samvritam || 5-31-17
unnamya vadanam bhiiruh shimshapaa vriksham aikshata |
Thereafter, that Seetha whose consciousness was enshrouded by affliction, whose hair-ends were curved and who was of a fearful nature, lifted her face and looked towards Simshupa tree.
nishamya siitaa vachanam kapeshcha |
dishashcha sarvaah pradishashca viiksya |
svayam praharsam paramam jagaama |
sarvaatmanaa raamamanusmarantii || 5-31-18
Hearing Hanuma’s words and looking at all quarters and sub-quarters, Seetha was recollecting Rama in all ways and obtained a great joy.
saa tiryag uurdhvam ca tathaa api adhastaan |
niriikshamaanaa tam acintya buddhim |
dadarsha pinga adhipateh amaatyam |
vaata aatmajam suuryam iva udayastham || 5-31-19
Looking at sides, up and down, that Seetha saw that Hanuman, the sun of wind-god, having an unimaginable intelligence, the minister of Sugreeva and looking like the sun behind an eastern mountain.
ityaarse shriimadraamaayane aadikaavye sundarakaande ekatrimshah sargah
Thus completes 31st Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate