thumb|तृतीयः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे सुन्दरकाण्डे तृतीयः सर्गः ॥५-
Let the third chapter be heard.
स लम्बशिखरे लम्बे लम्बतोयदसंनिभे। सत्त्वमास्थाय मेधावी हनुमान् मारुतात्मजः
Hanuman, the wise son of the Wind, took on a subtle form and stood atop a lofty peak, tall as a hanging raincloud.
निशि लंकां महासत्त्वो विवेश कपिकुञ्जरः। रम्यकाननतोयाढ्यां पुरीं रावणपालिताम्
That mighty monkey, Hanuman, entered Lanka at night—a city rich with lovely groves and waters, ruled by Ravana.
सुपुष्टबलसम्पुष्टां यथैव विटपावतीम्। चारुतोरणनिर्यूहां पाण्डुरद्वारतोरणाम्
He saw the city, well-defended and flourishing in strength, adorned with leafy trees, beautiful gateways, and pale-white doors and arches.
भुजगाचरितां गुप्तां शुभां भोगवतीमिव। तां सविद्युद्घनाकीर्णां ज्योतिर्गणनिषेविताम्
Guarded and splendid, like the city of the serpents, filled with the paths of serpents, it was covered with clouds flashing lightning and attended by hosts of stars.
चण्डमारुतनिर्ह्रादां यथा चाप्यमरावतीम्। शातकुम्भेन महता प्राकारेणाभिसंवृताम्
Resounding with the roar of fierce winds, like Amaravati itself, it was encircled by a great wall of shining gold.
किङ्किणीजालघोषाभिः पताकाभिरलंकृताम्। आसाद्य सहसा हृष्टः प्राकारमभिपेदिवान्
Adorned with banners and the jingling of tiny bells, Hanuman, delighted, swiftly approached and leapt over the rampart.
विस्मयाविष्टहृदयः पुरीमालोक्य सर्वतः। जाम्बूनदमयैर्द्वारैर्वैदूर्यकृतवेदिकैः
His heart filled with wonder as he gazed all around at the city, with its golden doors and platforms made of cat's-eye gems.
वज्रस्फटिकमुक्ताभिर्मणिकुट्टिमभूषितैः। तप्तहाटकनिर्यूहै राजतामलपाण्डुरैः
Its floors were decorated with diamonds, crystal, and pearls, with corridors of refined gold and shining, pure silver.
वैदूर्यकृतसोपानैः स्फाटिकान्तरपांसुभिः। चारुसंजवनोपेतैः खमिवोत्पतितैः शुभैः
There were stairways made of cat's-eye gems, with crystal dust between the steps, and beautiful, swift-moving walkways that seemed to rise into the sky.
क्रौञ्चबर्हिणसंघुष्टै राजहंसनिषेवितैः। तूर्याभरणनिर्घोषैः सर्वतः परिनादिताम्
The city echoed everywhere with the calls of cranes and peacocks, graced by royal swans, and filled with the sounds of music and ornaments.
वस्वोकसारप्रतिमां समीक्ष्य नगरीं ततः। खमिवोत्पतितां लंकां जहर्ष हनुमान् कपिः
Seeing that city, rivaling the wealth of the gods, Hanuman the monkey rejoiced, beholding Lanka as if it had risen into the sky.
तां समीक्ष्य पुरीं लंकां राक्षसाधिपतेः शुभाम्। अनुत्तमामृद्धिमतीं चिन्तयामास वीर्यवान्
Observing that splendid city of the king of the rakshasas, Lanka, unrivaled and prosperous, the valiant Hanuman began to reflect.
नेयमन्येन नगरी शक्या धर्षयितुं बलात्। रक्षिता रावणबलैरुद्यतायुधपाणिभिः
No one else could conquer this city by force, guarded as it is by Ravana's troops, all armed and ready.
कुमुदाङ्गदयोर्वापि सुषेणस्य महाकपेः। प्रसिद्धेयं भवेद् भूमिर्मैन्दद्विविदयोरपि
This land could become renowned only for Kumuda, Angada, or the great monkey Sushena, or for the famous Mainda and Dvivida.
विवस्वतस्तनूजस्य हरेश्च कुशपर्वणः। ऋक्षस्य कपिमुख्यस्य मम चैव गतिर्भवेत्
Or for Vivasvat's son, for Hari's son Kushaparvana, for Riksha, the chief of monkeys, or for myself as a path to glory.
समीक्ष्य च महाबाहो राघवस्य पराक्रमम्। लक्ष्मणस्य च विक्रान्तमभवत् प्रीतिमान् कपिः
And seeing the might of great-armed Rama and the valor of Lakshmana, the monkey was filled with joy.
तां रत्नवसनोपेतां गोष्ठागारावतंसिकाम्। यन्त्रागारस्तनीमृद्धां प्रमदामिव भूषिताम्
He saw her adorned with jeweled garments, crowned with the mark of the cattle-house, her breasts smeared with unguents, embellished like a decorated woman.
तां नष्टतिमिरां दीपैर्भास्वरैश्च महाग्रहैः। नगरीं राक्षसेन्द्रस्य स ददर्श महाकपिः
That great monkey beheld the city of the king of the Rākṣasas, its darkness dispelled by lamps and by the brilliance of great planets.
अथ सा हरिशार्दूलं प्रविशन्तं महाकपिम्। नगरी स्वेन रूपेण ददर्श पवनात्मजम्
Then that city, in its own form, saw the tiger among monkeys, the mighty Hanumān, son of the wind, entering.
सा तं हरिवरं दृष्ट्वा लंका रावणपालिता। स्वयमेवोत्थिता तत्र विकृताननदर्शना
Lankā, ruled by Rāvaṇa, seeing that foremost of monkeys, herself rose up there, displaying a terrifying face.
पुरस्तात् तस्य वीरस्य वायुसूनोरतिष्ठत। मुञ्चमाना महानादमब्रवीत् पवनात्मजम्
She stood before that heroic son of the wind, making a great roar, and spoke to Hanumān.
कस्त्वं केन च कार्येण इह प्राप्तो वनालय। कथयस्वेह यत् तत्त्वं यावत् प्राणा धरन्ति ते
"Who are you, and for what purpose have you come here, O forest-dweller? Speak the truth here while your breath still remains."
न शक्यं खल्वियं लंका प्रवेष्टुं वानर त्वया। रक्षिता रावणबलैरभिगुप्ता समन्ततः
"O monkey, it is not possible for you to enter this Lankā, guarded on all sides and protected by Rāvaṇa's forces."
अथ तामब्रवीद् वीरो हनुमानग्रतः स्थिताम्। कथयिष्यामि तत् तत्त्वं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसे
Then the heroic Hanumān spoke to her, standing before him: "I will tell you the truth about what you ask me."
का त्वं विरूपनयना पुरद्वारेऽवतिष्ठसे। किमर्थं चापि मां क्रोधान्निर्भर्त्सयसि दारुणे
"Who are you, with deformed eyes, standing at the city gate? And why do you, in anger, harshly rebuke me?"
हनुमद्वचनं श्रुत्वा लंका सा कामरूपिणी। उवाच वचनं क्रुद्धा परुषं पवनात्मजम्
Hearing Hanumān's words, Lankā, who could assume any form at will, angrily spoke harsh words to the son of the wind.
अहं राक्षसराजस्य रावणस्य महात्मनः। आज्ञाप्रतीक्षा दुर्धर्षा रक्षामि नगरीमिमाम्
"I am the invincible guardian of this city, awaiting the command of the great Rāvaṇa, king of the Rākṣasas."
न शक्यं मामवज्ञाय प्रवेष्टुं नगरीमिमाम्। अद्य प्राणैः परित्यक्तः स्वप्स्यसे निहतो मया
"It is not possible to enter this city, disregarding me; today, slain by me, you will sleep, your life abandoned."
अहं हि नगरी लंका स्वयमेव प्लवङ्गम। सर्वतः परिरक्षामि अतस्ते कथितं मया
"I myself am the city of Lankā, O monkey; I guard it on all sides—thus I have told you."