Summary
Rama appreciates Hanuman and embraces him after hearing his report. Rama was gladdened that Hanuman did something worthy of a noble servant. Then, Rama reflected upon the problem of how to cross the ocean.
Chapter [Sarga] 1 in Detail
shrutvaa hanumato vaakyam yathaavadbhibhaashhitam |
raamah priitisamaayukto vaakyamuttaramabraviit || 6-1-1
Touched with joy to hear the words rightly spoken by Hanuman, Rama replied as follows:-
kritam hanumataa kaaryam sumahadbhuvi durlabham |
manasaapi yadanyena na shakyam dharaniitale || 6-1-2
“A very outstanding work, the most arduous in the world has been done by Hanuman, which could not be carried out even in thought by any other on the surface of this earth.”
na hi tam paripashyaami yastareta mahodadhim |
anyatra gurudaadvaayoranyatra cha hanuumatah || 6-1-3
“Indeed, I cannot perceive as such anyone other than Garuda (chief of the feathered race and vehicle of Lord Vishnu), wind- god and Hanuman, who can cross the mighty ocean.”
devadaanavayakshaanaam gandharvoragarakshasaam |
apradhrishhyaam puriim lankaam raavanena surakshitaam || 6-1-4
pravishhtah sattvamaashritya jiivanko naama nishhkramet |
“Who can return alive, having entered (once) taking refuge only in self- command, the city of Lanka, which is unconquerable by gods demons and Yakshas and even by Gandharvas, Nagas and ogres and well under the custody of Ravana?”
ko vishetsuduraadharshhaam raakshasaishcha surakshitaam || 6-1-5
yo viiryabalasampanno na samah syaaddhanuumatah |
“Who is able to capture that citadel, by assault, that is exceedingly dangerous to be attacked and which is powerfully guarded by ogres, but one whose courage and valor are equal to Hanuman’s?”
bhrityakaaryam hanumataa sugriivasya kritam mahat || 6-1-6
evam vidhaaya svabalam sadrisham vikramasya cha |
“A great act of service has been done by Hanuman to Sugriva thus by exhibiting his strength corresponding to his pace.”
yo hi bhrityo niyuktah san bhartraa karmani dushhkare || 6-1-7
kuryaattadunuraagena tamahuh purushhottamam |
“That servant to whom his master entrusts a difficult task and who performs it with zeal is said to be a superior person.”
yo niyuktah param kaaryam na kuryaannaripateh priyam || 6-1-8
bhrityo yuktah samarthashcha tamaahurmadhyam naram |
“The one who is ready and capable but who yet does no more than his master extracts from him is called a mediocre person.”
niyukto nripateh kaaryam na kuryaadyah samaahitah || 6-1-9
bhrityo yuktah samarthashcha tamaahuh purushhdhamam |
“The one who is well and able and yet does not carry out the instructions of his master as directed is said to be the least of men.”
tanniyoge niyuktena kritam hanuumataa || 6-1-10
na chaatmaa laghataam niitah sugriivashchaapi toshhitah |
“Through the discovery of Sita’s retreat by this faithful messenger, Hanuman has fulfilled the task entrusted to him unfalteringly to the satisfaction of Sugriva and hence there was no diminution to his self.”
aham cha raghavamshashcha lakshmanashcha mahaabalah || 6-1-11
vaidehyaa darshanenaadya dharmatah parirakshitaah |
“By finding out Sita, the Raghu dynasty as well as myself and the valiant Lakshmana too, have been rightly saved today.”
idam tu mama diinasya mano bhuuyah prakarshhati || 6-1-12
yadihaasya priyaakshyaaturna kurmi sadrisham priyam |
“But it squeezes my conscience further, hopeless as I am, to think that I am not able to do a pleasant act befittingly to the bearer of these good tidings.”
eshha sarvasvabhuutastu parishhvango hanumatah || 6-1-13
mayaa kaalamimam praapya dattastasya mahaatmanah |
“Let me at least embrace this magnanimous Hanuman since in the present circumstances, this is all that is easily obtained from me.”
ityuktvaa priitihrishhtaango raamastam parishhsvaje || 6-1-14
hanumantam kritaatmaanam kr6itavaakyamupaagatam |
Thus saying, Rama vibrating with joy, clasped Hanuman in his arms who, master of himself, his mission fulfilled, had returned.
dhyaatvaa punaruvaachedam vachanam raghusattamah || 6-1-15
hariinaamiishvarasyaapi sugriivasyopashrinvatah |
After reflecting a while, Rama the great scion [descendant] of Raghu’s, again spoke as follows, Sugreeva the ruler of monkeys too listening attentively.
sarvathaa sukritam taavatsiitaayaah parimaarganam || 6-1-16
saagaram tu samaasaadya punarnashhtam mano mama |
“The search for Sita has been performed so much well in all ways. But my mind gets dejected once more, when I behold this vast ocean.”
katham naama samudrasya dushhpaarasya mahaambhasah || 6-1-17
harayo dakshinam paaram gamishhyanti samaagataah |
How can these monkeys put together will reach the southern bank of the ocean, which is so difficult to cross and which contains voluminous water?”
yadyapyeshha tu vrittaanto vaidehyaa gadito mama || 6-1-18
samudrapaaragamane hariinaam kimihottaram |
“Having received the tidings of Sita, what can now be done to take the monkeys to the farther side the sea?”
ityuktvaa shokasambhraanto raamah shatrunibarhanah || 6-1-19
hanuumantam mahaabaahustato dhyaanamupaagamat |
Thus speaking to Hanuman, Rama the destroyer of enemies and the mighty armed, was filled with apprehension and then became absorbed in thought.
iti vaalmiiki raamaayane aadi kaavye yuddha kaande prathamah sargah
Thus completes 1st chapter in the Yuddha Kanda of the glorious Ramayana of Valmiki, the work of a sage and the oldest epic.
Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate