मार्गमाणस्तु वैदेहीं सीतामायतलोचनाम्। सर्वतः परिचक्राम हनूमानरिसूदनः
Hanumān, the slayer of enemies, searched everywhere for Vaidehī Sītā, she of large eyes, moving all about.
उत्तमं राक्षसावासं हनुमानवलोकयन्। आससादाथ लक्ष्मीवान् राक्षसेन्द्रनिवेशनम्
Observing the finest abode of the Rākṣasas, Hanumān, resplendent in fortune, then approached the residence of the king of the Rākṣasas.
चतुर्विषाणैर्द्विरदैस्त्रिविषाणैस्तथैव च। परिक्षिप्तमसम्बाधं रक्ष्यमाणमुदायुधैः
It was surrounded by four-tusked and three-tusked elephants, unconfined, guarded by warriors bearing mighty weapons.
राक्षसीभिश्च पत्नीभी रावणस्य निवेशनम्। आहृताभिश्च विक्रम्य राजकन्याभिरावृतम्
The residence of Rāvaṇa was filled with his wives, Rākṣasī women, and surrounded by royal maidens brought there by force.
तन्नक्रमकराकीर्णं तिमिंगिलझषाकुलम्। वायुवेगसमाधूतं पन्नगैरिव सागरम्
That place, crowded with crocodiles and makaras, teeming with monstrous fish, stirred by the force of the wind, was like the ocean filled with serpents.
या हि वैश्रवणे लक्ष्मीर्या चन्द्रे हरिवाहने। सा रावणगृहे रम्या नित्यमेवानपायिनी
The fortune that is with Vaiśravaṇa, that which is with the moon, and with Garuḍa, that same unfailing splendor dwelled always, delightfully, in Rāvaṇa’s house.
तस्य हर्म्यस्य मध्यस्थवेश्म चान्यत् सुनिर्मितम्। बहुनिर्यूहसंयुक्तं ददर्श पवनात्मजः
In the center of that palace, the son of the wind saw another well-constructed mansion, furnished with many exits.
ब्रह्मणोऽर्थे कृतं दिव्यं दिवि यद् विश्वकर्मणा। विमानं पुष्पकं नाम सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्
Built by Viśvakarman for Brahmā’s sake, that celestial aerial car named Puṣpaka, adorned with every kind of jewel, was there.
परेण तपसा लेभे यत् कुबेरः पितामहात्। कुबेरमोजसा जित्वा लेभे तद् राक्षसेश्वरः
Through intense austerity, Kubera obtained it from the Grandfather; having conquered Kubera by his own power, the lord of the Rākṣasas gained it.
ईहामृगसमायुक्तैः कार्तस्वरहिरण्मयैः। सुकृतैराचितं स्तम्भैः प्रदीप्तमिव च श्रिया
It was supported by columns of pure gold and silver, skillfully made, adorned with images of deer in various poses, shining as if ablaze with splendor.
मेरुमन्दरसंकाशैरुल्लिखद्भिरिवाम्बरम्। कूटागारैः शुभागारैः सर्वतः समलंकृतम्
Adorned on all sides with splendid pavilions, resembling Mount Meru and Mandara, as if touching the sky.
ज्वलनार्कप्रतीकाशैः सुकृतं विश्वकर्मणा। हेमसोपानयुक्तं च चारुप्रवरवेदिकम्
Made by Viśvakarman, shining like fire and the sun, equipped with golden stairways and beautiful, excellent altars.
जालवातायनैर्युक्तं काञ्चनैः स्फाटिकैरपि। इन्द्रनीलमहानीलमणिप्रवरवेदिकम्
Fitted with latticed windows, made of gold and crystal, with altars of sapphire and great blue gems.
विद्रुमेण विचित्रेण मणिभिश्च महाधनैः। निस्तुलाभिश्च मुक्ताभिस्तलेनाभिविराजितम्
Radiant with wondrous coral, precious jewels of great value, and incomparable pearls, shining everywhere like the palm of a hand.
चन्दनेन च रक्तेन तपनीयनिभेन च। सुपुण्यगन्धिना युक्तमादित्यतरुणोपमम्
Perfumed with red sandalwood and golden-hued incense, fragrant with auspicious scents, it shone like the young sun.
कूटागारैर्वराकारैर्विविधैः समलंकृतम्। विमानं पुष्पकं दिव्यमारुरोह महाकपिः। तत्रस्थः सर्वतो गन्धं पानभक्ष्यान्नसम्भवम्
Adorned with various splendid pavilions of excellent form, the great monkey ascended the celestial Puṣpaka chariot; standing there, he perceived everywhere the fragrance arising from drink, food, and offerings.
दिव्यं सम्मूर्च्छितं जिघ्रन् रूपवन्तमिवानिलम्। स गन्धस्तं महासत्त्वं बन्धुर्बन्धुमिवोत्तमम्
He inhaled that divine, blended fragrance, like a beautiful breeze; that scent, possessing great power, was like a dear friend meeting another.
इत एहीत्युवाचेव तत्र यत्र स रावणः। ततस्तां प्रस्थितः शालां ददर्श महतीं शिवाम्
He said, 'Come this way,' and went to the place where Rāvaṇa was; then, setting out, he saw a great and auspicious hall.
रावणस्य महाकान्तां कान्तामिव वरस्त्रियम्। मणिसोपानविकृतां हेमजालविराजिताम्
It belonged to Rāvaṇa and was as splendid as a beloved woman; adorned with steps of jewels and shining with lattices of gold.
स्फाटिकैरावृततलां दन्तान्तरितरूपिकाम्। मुक्तावज्रप्रवालैश्च रूप्यचामीकरैरपि
Its floor was covered with crystal, resembling the spaces between teeth; decorated with pearls, diamonds, coral, silver, and gold.
विभूषितां मणिस्तम्भैः सुबहुस्तम्भभूषिताम्। समैर्ऋजुभिरत्युच्चैः समन्तात् सुविभूषितैः
It was embellished with many jewel pillars, richly adorned with numerous columns, all equal, straight, and very tall, beautifully decorated all around.
स्तम्भैः पक्षैरिवात्युच्चैर्दिवं सम्प्रस्थितामिव। महत्या कुथयाऽऽस्तीर्णां पृथिवीलक्षणाङ्कया
With pillars rising high like wings, as if ascending to the heavens; spread with a great carpet, marked with the signs of the earth.
पृथिवीमिव विस्तीर्णां सराष्ट्रगृहशालिनीम्। नादितां मत्तविहगैर्दिव्यगन्धाधिवासिताम्
Expansive like the earth itself, filled with houses and districts; resounding with intoxicated birds, perfumed with divine fragrances.
परर्घ्यास्तरणोपेतां रक्षोऽधिपनिषेविताम्। धूम्रामगुरुधूपेन विमलां हंसपाण्डुराम्
Furnished with costly coverings, served by the lord of the rākṣasas; pure and white as a swan, scented with smoky agarwood incense.
पत्रपुष्पोपहारेण कल्माषीमिव सुप्रभाम्। मनसो मोदजननीं वर्णस्यापि प्रसाधिनीम्
With offerings of leaves and flowers, radiant yet mottled; delighting the mind and pleasing the senses with its colors.
तां शोकनाशिनीं दिव्यां श्रियः संजननीमिव। इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थैस्तु पञ्च पञ्चभिरुत्तमैः
That divine hall, dispelling sorrow and generating prosperity, satisfied the five senses with their five highest objects.
तर्पयामास मातेव तदा रावणपालिता। स्वर्गोऽयं देवलोकोऽयमिन्द्रस्यापि पुरी भवेत्। सिद्धिर्वेयं परा हि स्यादित्यमन्यत मारुतिः
Then, protected by Rāvaṇa, it nourished them like a mother; 'This is heaven, the world of the gods, perhaps even Indra's city, or the highest attainment,' thought Hanumān.
प्रध्यायत इवापश्यत् प्रदीपांस्तत्र काञ्चनान्। धूर्तानिव महाधूर्तैर्देवनेन पराजितान्
He looked as if pondering, and saw golden lamps there; like tricksters defeated by greater tricksters in a game.
दीपानां च प्रकाशेन तेजसा रावणस्य च। अर्चिर्भिर्भूषणानां च प्रदीप्तेत्यभ्यमन्यत
By the brilliance of the lamps, the radiance of Rāvaṇa, and the gleaming ornaments, he thought the hall was ablaze.
ततोऽपश्यत् कुथासीनं नानावर्णाम्बरस्रजम्। सहस्रं वरनारीणां नानावेषबिभूषितम्
Then he saw, seated on carpets, a thousand noble women, adorned with various colored garments and garlands, decorated in diverse attire.