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This chapter introduces us to the glorious city of Lanka and Hanuma's first encounter with it. The geography around the island where Lanka is located is described herein. The chapter also depicts the initial reaction of Hanuma on seeing the city and his initial thoughts about the feasibility of the task of overcoming the Rakshasas and Ravana to reunite Sri Rama with mother Seetha. As the book progresses, we shall see how Hanuma overcomes these thoughts and moves toward achieving this task.

स सागरमनाधृष्यमतिक्रम्य महाबलः |
त्रिकूटशिखरे लङ्कां स्थितां स्वस्थो ददर्श ह || ५-२-१
That Hanuma with great strength crossed the insurmountable ocean without becoming tired and viewed the city of Lanka located on the peak of Mount Trikuta.
ततः पादपमुक्तेन पुष्पवर्षेण वीर्यवान् |
अभिवृष्टः स्थितस्तत्र बभौ पुष्पमयो यथा || ५-२-२
After that, the powerful Hanuma standing there shone like one made of flowers being showered by a rain of flowers released by trees.
योजनानां शतं श्रीमांस्तीर्त्वाप्युत्तमविक्रमः |
अनिःस्वसन् कपिस्तत्र न ग्लानिमधिगच्छति || ५-२-३
The glorious Hanuma with the best courage, even though crossing a hundred yojanas, was without a sigh and did not obtain any tiredness.
शतान्यहं योजनानां क्रमेयं सुबहुन्यपि |
किं पुनः सागरस्यान्तं संख्यातं शतयोजनम् || ५-२-४
"I can cross many hundreds of yojanas. What to say about the end of the ocean which had been counted to be hundred yojanas long?"
स तु वीर्यवतां श्रेष्ठः प्लवतामपि चोत्तमः |
जगाम वेगवान् लङ्कां लङ्घयित्वा महोदधिम् || ५-२-५
That Hanuma, the best among powerful ones and the foremost also among those who can fly, reached the city of Lanka by crossing the great ocean with good speed.
शाद्वलानि च नीलानि गन्धवन्ति वनानि च |
गण्डवन्ति च मध्येन जगाम नगवन्ति च || ५-२-६
He passed through forests with dark green hued fragrant lawns and also consisting of great rocks and hills.
शैलांश्च तरुसंचन्नान् वनराजीश्च पुष्पिताः |
अभिचक्राम तेजस्वी हनुमान् प्लवगर्षभः || ५-२-७
Hanuma, the best among Vanaras and the radiant one, tread on mountains covered with trees and on series of trees full of flowers.
स तस्मिन्नचले तिष्ठन्वनान्युपवनानि च |
स नगाग्रे च तां लङ्कां ददर्श पवनात्मजः || ५-२-८
That son of God Vayu stood on a mountain and saw forests and gardens and also the city of Lanka situated on the top of a mountain.
सरळान् कर्णिकारांश्च खर्जूरांश्च सुपुष्पितान् |
प्रियाळान्मुचुळिन्दांश्च कुटजान् केतकानपि || ५-२-९
प्रियङ्गून् गन्धपूर्णांश्च नीपान् सप्तच्छदांस्तथा |
असनान् कोविदारांश्च करवीरांश्च पुष्पितान् || ५-२-१०
पुष्पभारनिबद्धांश्च तथा मुकुळितानपि |
पादपान् विहगाकीर्णान् पवनाधूतमस्तकान् || ५-२-११
हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णान्वापीः पद्मोत्मलायुताः |
आक्रीडान् विविधान् रम्यान्विविधांश्च जलाशयान् || ५-२-१२
संततान् विविधैर्वऋकैः सर्वर्तुफलपुष्पितैः |
उद्यानानि च रम्याणि ददर्श कपिकुञ्जरः || ५-२-१३
Standing on that mountain, the elephant among monkeys, Hanuma, saw pine trees, Karnikaras, date-palms in full blossom, Priyalas, lemon trees, wild jasmine trees, mogra trees, long pepper trees filled with sweet fragrance, Kadamba trees and seven leaved banana trees, Asana trees, Kovidaras, Karaviras in full blossom, trees that were tied by the weight of their flowers and flower buds, that were distressed by birds, with their crests moved by wind, wells and various glorious pleasure-groves filled by various trees that give fruits and flowers in all seasons and beautiful gardens also, surrounded by various ponds consisting of swans and ducks.
समासाद्य च लक्ष्मीवन् लङ्कां रावणपालिताम् |
परिखाभिः सपद्माभिः सोत्पलाभिरलंकृताम् || ५-२-१४
सीतापहरणार्थेन रावणेन सुरक्षिताम् |
समन्ताद्विचरद्भिश्च राक्षसैरुग्रधन्विभिः || ५-२-१५
काञ्चनेनावृतां रम्यां प्राकारेण महापुरीम् |
गृहैश्च ग्रहसंकाशैः शारदाम्बुदसन्निभैः || ५-२-१६
पाण्डुराभिः प्रतोळीभिरुच्चाभिरभिसंवृताम् |
अट्टालकशताकीर्णां पताकाध्वजमालिनीम् || ५-२-१७
तोरणैः काञ्चनैर्दिव्यैर्लतापङ्किविचित्रितैः |
ददर्श हनुमान् लङ्कां दिवि देवपुरीं यथा || ५-२-१८
The glorious Hanuma neared the city of Lanka ruled by Ravana, and saw the city which looked like the city of Gods in heaven, decorated by moats filled with lotuses and water-lilies, which was well protected, since the time of Seetha's abduction, by Ravana and by Rakshasas with horrifying voices roaming around, which was surrounded by a golden boundary wall, that beautiful great city consisted of houses equal in height to mountains and which looked like autumnal clouds, with white and elevated main streets, decorated with flags and pennons, with excellent golden hued archways adorned with sculpted rows of vines.
गिरिमूर्ध्नि स्थितां लङ्कां पाण्डुरैर्भवनैः शुभैः |
ददर्श स कपिश्रेष्ठः पुरमाकाशगं यथा || ५-२-१९
That best among monkeys Hanuma saw the city of Lanka with beautiful white buildings situated on the top of a mountain like a city located in the sky.
पालितां राक्षसेन्द्रेण निर्मितां विश्वकर्मणा |
प्लवमानामिवाकाशे ददर्श हनुमान् पुरीम् || ५-२-२०
Hanuma saw that city of Lanka ruled by Ravana the king of Rakshasas, constructed by Visvakarma (architect of Gods), and which looked as though it were floating in the sky.
पप्रप्राकारजघनां विपुलाम्बुनवाम्बराम् |
शतघ्नीशूलकेशान्तामट्टालकवतंसकाम् || ५-२-२१
मन्सेव कृतां लङ्कां निर्मितां विश्वकर्मणा |
द्वारमुत्तरमासाद्य चिन्तयामास वानरः || ५-२-२२
Hanuma saw the city of Lanka with buttress and enclosure wall as her hip and loins, the vast body pf water in the moat as her raiment, Satagnis and Sulas as her locks, the mansions as her earrings, constructed by thought. He reached the northern gate and thought thus.
कैलासशिखरप्रख्यामालिख्स्न्तीमिवाम्बरम् |
डीयमानामिवाकाशमुच्छ्रितैर्भवनोत्तमैः || ५-२-२३
संपूर्णां राक्षसैर्घोरैर्नागैर्भोगवतीमिव |
अचिन्त्यां सुकृतां स्पष्टां कुबेराध्युषितां पुरा || ५-२-२४
दंष्ट्रिभिर्बहुभिः शूरैः शूलपट्टिसपाणिभिः |
रक्षितां राक्षसैर्घोरैर्गुहामाशीविषैरिव || ५-२-२५
तस्याश्च महतीं गुप्तिं सागरं च निरीक्ष्य सः |
रावणं च रिपुं घोरं चिन्तयामास वानरः || ५-२-२६
Hanuma saw the city of Lanka equal to peak of Kailasa as though touching the sky, as though flying to reach the sky, with its best mansions, filled with horrible rakshasas and serpants like the city of Bhogavati (capital of Patala), one which was unfathomable, a well arranged and a clear city governed by Kubera in earlier times, protected by courageous, horrible serpents and Rakshasas with mouths with sharp teeth like a cave, with spikes and Pattisas (spears) in their hands. Hanuma saw that Lanka's great protection and the ocean and Ravana the horrible enemy and thought thus.
आगत्यापीह हरयो भविष्यन्ति निररथकाः |
न हि युद्धेन व लङ्का शक्या जेतुं सुरैरपि || ५-२-२७
"Even if Vanaras were to come here they would not meet with success. It is not possible even for Devas to be victorious against Lanka in war".
इमां तु विषमां दुर्गां लङ्कां रावणपालिताम् |
प्राप्यापि स महाबाहुः किम् करिष्यति राघवः || ५-२-२८
"Even if He reaches this very difficult and impenetrable Lanka ruled by Ravana, what can that Sri Rama with mighty arms do"?
अवकाशो न सान्त्वस्य रक्षसेष्वभिगम्यते |
न दानस्य न भेदस्य नैव युद्धस्य दृश्यते || ५-२-२९
"In the matter of overcoming rakshasas, there seems to be no opportunity for persuasion, gifts, dissension or even war".
चतुर्णामेव हि गतिर्वानराणां महात्मनाम् |
वालिपुत्रस्य नीलस्य मम राज्ञश्च धीमतः || ५-२-३०
"Only four great Vanaras can come here - the son of Vali (Angada), Nila, myself and the wise king Sugriva".
यावज्जानामि वैदेहीं यदि जीवति वा न वा |
तत्रैव चिन्तयिष्यामि दृष्ट्वा तां जनकात्मजाम् || ५-२-३१
"I will first find out if Seetha is alive or not. I will think all this later, after seeing that daughter of Janaka".
ततः स चिन्तयामास मुहूर्तं कपिकुञ्जरः |
गिरिशृङ्गे स्थितस्तस्मिन् रामस्याभ्युदये रतः || ५-२-३२
After that, that elephant among monkeys Hanuma who was interested in the welfare of Sri Rama, stood on that mountain peak and thought for an instant.
अनेन रूपेण मया न शक्या रक्षसां पुरी |
प्रवेष्टुं राक्षसैर्गुप्ता क्रूरैर्बलसमन्वितैः || ५-२-३३
"It is not possible for me to enter the city of ogres protected by cruel and strong rakshasas, with this appearance".
उग्रौजसो महावीर्या बलवन्तश्च राक्षसाः |
वञ्चनीया मया सर्वे जानकीं परिमार्गता || ५-२-३४
"All these mighty ogres with extraordinary energy and great prowess are to be cheated by me while engaged in the search of Seetha".
लक्ष्यालक्ष्येण रूपेण रात्रौ लङ्का पुरी मया |
प्रवेष्टुं प्राप्तकालं मे कृत्यं साधयितुं महत् || ५-२-३५
"To achieve this great deed successfully, entering the city of Lanka in a small form at night is a timely thing to do" .
तां पुरीं तादृशीं दृष्ट्वा दुराधर्शां सुरासुरैः |
हनुमान् चिन्तयामास विनिश्चित्य मुहुर्मुहुः || ५-२-३६
Hanuma saw such that city of Lanka, which was difficult to overcome even for Devas or asuras, and thought thus repeatedly.
केनोपायेन पशेयं मैथिलीं जनकात्मजाम् |
अदृष्टो राक्षसेन्द्रेण रावणेन दुरात्मना || ५-२-३७
"By what idea can I see Seetha the daughter of Janaka, unseen by the wicked Ravana, the king of the ogres.
न विनश्येत्कथं कार्यं रामस्य विदितात्मनः |
एकामेकश्च पश्येयं रहिते जनकात्मजाम् || ५-२-३८
"How can the task of Sri Rama, one who knows self, not be destroyed? How can I alone see Seetha alone in a place devoid of people?."
भूताश्चार्था विपद्यन्ते देशकालविरोधिताः |
विक्लबं दूतमासाद्य तमः सूर्योदये यथा || ५-२-३९
"With a mediator who has an unsteady and gloomy mind working against time and place, tasks that are otherwise ready to succeed get harmed, like the darkness that gets destroyed at dawn".
अर्थानर्थान्तरे बुद्धिर्निश्चितापि न शोभते |
घातयन्ति हि कार्याणि दूताः पण्डितमानिनः || ५-२-४०
"Even a decided mind will not shine when thinking about gain and loss. Mediators who are respected by scholarly people will also harm tasks due to their arrogance."
न विनश्येत्कथं कार्यं वैक्लब्यम् न कथं भवेत् |
लङ्घनं च समुद्रस्य कथं नु न वृथा भवेत् || ५-२-४१
"How will the task at hand be not harmed? How will my mind not get gloominess? How will not the crossing of ocean go waste?."
मयि दृष्टे तु रक्षोभी रामस्य विदितात्मनः |
भवेद्व्यर्थमिदं कार्यं रावणानर्थमिच्छतः || ५-२-४२
"If I were to be seen by rakshasas, this task of Sri Rama, with a famed mind, who desires the slaying of Ravana will become wasteful."
न हि शक्यं क्वचित् स्थातुमविज्ञातेन राक्षसैः |
अपि राक्षसरूपेण किमुतान्येन केनचित् || ५-२-४३
"It is not possible to be in Lanka even in the form of a rakshasa. What to say about being there in any other form?"
वायुरप्यत्र नाज्ञातश्चरेदिति मतिर्मम |
न ह्यस्त्यविदितं किंचिद्राक्षसानां बलीयसाम् || ५-२-४४
"My thought goes thus: Even wind cannot pass here without being known. There is nothing not known to the might rakshasas."
इहाहं यदि तिष्ठामि स्वेन रूपेण संवृतः |
विनाशमुपयास्यामि भर्तुरर्थश्च हीयते || ५-२-४५
"If I stay here with my usual form, I can be destroyed. The task of the Lord will also be harmed."
तदहं स्वेन रूपेण रजन्यां ह्रस्वतां गतः |
लङ्कामभिपतिष्यामि राघवस्यार्थसिद्धये || ५-२-४६
"For that reason, I will become small in my appearance and will enter Lanka at night for the success of the task of Sri Rama."
रावणस्य पुरीं रात्रौ प्रविश्य सुदुरासदाम् |
विचिन्वन् भवनं स्र्वं द्रक्ष्यामि जनकात्मजाम् || ५-२-४७
"Entering the unapproachable city of Lanka at night and searching all the mansion of Ravana, I can see Seetha."
इति संचिन्त्य हनुमान् सूर्यस्यास्तमयं कपिः |
आचकांक्षे ततो वीरो वैदेह्या द्रशनोतुसकः || ५-२-४८
The courageous Hanuma thus thinking and being interested in discovering Seetha, then desired the sun to set.
सूर्ये चास्तं गते रात्रौ देहं संक्षिप्य मारुतिः |
वृषदंशकमात्रः सन् बभूवाद्भुतदर्शनः || ५-२-४९
After the sun had set, Hanuma reduced His body at night with a size equal to that of a cat and became a wonderful sight to behold.
प्रदोषकाले हनुमांस्तूर्णमुत्प्लुत्य वीर्यवान् |
प्रविवेश पुरीं रम्यां सुविभक्तमहापथाम् || ५-२-५०
The courageous Hanuma quickly flew during evening time and entered the beautiful city with well divided main pathways.
प्रासादमालाविततां स्तम्भैः काञ्चनराजतैः |
शातकुम्भमयैर्जालैर्गन्धर्वनगरोपमाम् || ५-२-५१
सप्तभौमाष्टभौमैश्च स ददर्श महापुरीम् |
तलैः स्फतिकसंकीर्णैः कार्तस्वरविभूषितैः || ५-२-५२
Hanuma saw that great city filled with series of mansions, golden hued pillars and window lattices, which was equal to the city of Gandharvas, consisting of seven and eight storied buildings with their top portions studded with crystals and pearls and decorated with gold.
वैडूर्यमणिचित्रैश्च मुक्ताजालविभूषितैः |
तलैः शुशुभिरे तानि भवनान्यत्र रक्षसाम् || ५-२-५३
There in that city of Lanka, the houses of rakshasas shone with top portions painted by cats-eyes and emeralds and decorated by groups of pearls.
काञ्चनानि च चित्राणि तोरणानि च रक्षसाम् |
लङ्कामुद्द्योतयामासुः सर्वतः समलंकृताम् || ५-२-५४
Golden archways with strange hues illuminated the well decorated city of Lanka in all directions.
अचिन्त्यामद्भुताकारां दृष्ट्वा लङ्कां महाकपिः |
आसीद्विष्ण्डो हृष्टश्च वैदेह्या दर्शनोत्सुकः || ५-२-५५
Hanuma on seeing the unimaginable city of Lanka with a wonderful appearance became sad thinking about the prospect of capturing Lanka and also happy being eager to see Seetha.
स पाण्डुराविद्धविमानमालिनीं |
महार्हजाम्बूनदजालतोरणाम् |
यशस्विनीं रावणबाहुपालितां |
क्षपाचरैर्भिमबलैः समावृताम् || ५-२-५६
Hanuma saw that city of Lanka of great fame, with white, closely built buildings having golden windows and doorways of great value, consisting of ogres of great strength and ruled by the hands of Ravana.
चन्द्रोऽपि साचिव्यमिवास्य कुर्वं |
स्तारागणैर्मध्यगतो विराजन् |
ज्योत्स्नावितानेन वितत्य लोक |
मुत्तिष्ठते नैकसहस्ररश्मिः || ५-२-५७
The shining moon too rose up with its many thousands of rays, as though performing help to Hanuma, being at the middle of its retinue of stars and covering the earth with a canopy of light. That Hanuma saw the moon rising up with a glow of a conch shell, shining with a milky white hue of a lotus-fiber, like a swan swimming in a lake.
शङ्खप्रभं क्षीरमृणालवर्ण |
मुद्गच्छमानं व्यवभासमानम् |
ददर्श चन्द्रं स हरिप्रवीरः |
प्लोप्लूयमानं सरसीव हंसम् || ५-२-५८
That Hanuma saw the moon, who was rising up in the sky with the splendour of a couch-shell, shining in white colour as milk or lotus-fibre, and looking like a swan swimming in a lake.
इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये सुन्दरकाण्डे द्वितीयः सर्गः
 
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