Summary
As instructed by Ravana, Prahasta his chief minister inquires of Hanuma as to who he was and also his motive in destroying the pleasure-garden as also killing the demons. In reply, Hanuma says that he destroyed the pleasure-garden in order that he might be taken captive and dragged to the presence of Ravana, whom he was eager to see and was forced in self-defense to kill those who stood in his way. Finally, he declares himself to be a messenger of Rama and adds that, though he was incapable of being bound by a missile presided over by Brahma, he surrendered to it only in order to see Ravana in person.
Chapter [Sarga] 50 in Detail
tam udviikshya mahaabaahuh pinga aksham puratah sthitam |
roshena mahataa aavishto raavano loka raavanah || 5-50-1
sa raajaa rosha taamra akshah prahastam mantri sattamam |
That Ravana, the long-armed, who caused people to cry, looking up at that monkey standing in front of him, was affected with violent anger, having his mind seized with suspicion, speculated (as follows) about Hanuma, the jewel among the monkeys, who was invested with splendor.
kimesa bhagavaannandii bhavetsaaksaadihaagatah || 5-50-2
yena shapto.asmi kailaase mayaa samchaalite puraa |
so.ayam vaanaramuurtih syaatkimsvidbaano mahaasurah || 5-50-3
“When Mount Kailasa was moved by me, is it the same Nandi the divine bull (attendant of Siva) which cursed me long ago and came here now in this form or whether he is Bana the great demon (son of Bali) came here in the form of a monkey.”
sa raajaa rosataamraaksah prahastam mantrisattamam |
kaala yuktam uvaaca idam vaco vipulam arthavat || 5-50-4
That king Ravana, becoming enraged with red hot eyes, spoke the following concise and meaningful words relevant to that occasion, to Prahasta, his chief of ministers.
duraatmaa pricchyataam esha kutah kim vaa asya kaaranam |
vana bhange ca ko asya artho raakshasiinaam ca tarjane || 5-50-5
“Ask this wicked monkey from where did he come, for what reason did he come to this place and for what purpose did he frighten the female-demons in destroying our garden.”
matpuriimapradhrisyaam vaagamane kim prayojanam |
aayodhane vaakim kaaryam prichchhyataamesa durmatih ||5-50-6
“Ask this evil-minded monkey as to what really is his purpose in coming over to my invincible City and what pursuit he is doing this battle.”
raavanasya vacah shrutvaa prahasto vaakyam abraviit |
samaashvasihi bhadram te na bhiih kaaryaa tvayaa kape || 5-50-7
Hearing the words of Ravana, Prahasta spoke the following words to Hanuma, “Take courage! Happiness to you! You need not get frightened, O monkey!”
yadi taavat tvam indrena preshito raavana aalayam |
tattvam aakhyaahi maa te bhuut bhayam vaanara mokshyase || 5-50-8
“O monkey! If Indra has sent you to the abode of Ravana, tell me the truth. Do not have fear. You will be released.”
yadi vaishravanasya tvam yamasya varunasya ca |
caaru ruupam idam kritvaa oravusto nah puriimimaam || 5-50-9
vishnunaa preshito vaa api duuto vijaya kaankshinaa |
“Are you, the one who has entered our city, assuming the guise of a spy, sent by Kubera the god of riches or by Yama the god of death or by Varuna the lord of the sea or whether sent by Vishnu the lord of preservation, as a messenger, longing for a victory?”
na hi te vaanaram tejo ruupa maatram tu vaanaram || 5-50-10
tattvatah kathayasva adya tato vaanara mokshyase |
"O monkey! Your form alone is that of a monkey. Your splendor indeed is not that of a monkey. Now, tell me the truth. Thereupon, you will be released."
anritam vadatah ca api durlabham tava jiivitam || 5-50-11
athavaa yan nimittah te pravesho raavana aalaye |
"If you tell a lie, your survival will be difficult. Or else, tell me the purpose of your entry into Ravana's abode."
evam ukto hari varah tadaa raksho gana iishvaram || 5-50-12
abraviin na asmi shakrasya yamasya varunasya vaa |
dhanadena na me sakhyam vishnunaa na asmi coditah || 5-50-13
jaatih eva mama tu eshaa vaanaro aham iha aagatah |
Hearing the words of Prahaste, Hanuma spoke to Ravana the Lord of demons as follows, "I am not I have no friendship with Kubera the god of riches, nor am I instigated by Vishnu. This is just my form of existence, by my very birth. I am a monkey who came here."
darshane raakshasa indrasya durlabhe tat idam mayaa || 5-50-14
vanam raakshasa raajasya darshana arthe vinaashitam |
"The sight of Ravana the King of demons is difficult to be obtained. Intent on that object (of sight of Ravana), the garden was destroyed by me."
tatah te raakshasaah praaptaa balino yuddha kaankshinah || 5-50-15
rakshana artham ca dehasya pratiyuddhaa mayaa rane |
"Then, those strong demons came with a desire to fight with me. Just for protecting my body, I had to attack them in battle."
astra paashaih na shakyo aham baddhum deva asuraih api || 5-50-16
pitaamahaat eva varo mama api esho abhyupaagatah |
"I am incapable of being bound by missiles and nooses even by celestials and demons. This boon came to me also from Brahma only."
raajaanam drashtu kaamena mayaa astram anuvartitam || 5-50-17
vimukto aham astrena raakshasaih tu atipiiditah |
kevachidraajakaaryena sampraapto.asmi tavaantikam || 5-50-18
With a desire to see you the king, I surrendered to the missile. Soon after bound by the demons, I was indeed released from the missile. I came to your presence, prompted by some mission of Rama."
duuto.ahamiti vijjneyo raaghavasyaamitaujasah |
shruuyataam chaapi vachanam mama pathyamidam prabho || 5-50-19
"O, Lord of demons! Know me to be a messenger of Rama who is possessing I am unlimited splendor. I am telling you a beneficial word. Listen to it."
ityaarse shriimadraamaayane aadikaavye sundarakaande panchaashah sargah
Thus completes 50th Chapter of Sundara Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate