एवमुक्ता तु सा देवी सीता शशिनिभानना। प्रहर्षेणावरुद्धा सा व्याहर्तुं न शशाक ह
Thus addressed, the Lady Sita, whose face was radiant like the moon, was overwhelmed with joy and could not speak.
ततोऽब्रवीद्धरिवरः सीतामप्रतिजल्पतीम्। किं त्वं चिन्तयसे देवि किं च मां नाभिभाषसे
Then the foremost monkey spoke to Sita, who was silent: 'Why do you ponder, O Lady, and why do you not speak to me?'
एवमुक्ता हनुमता सीता धर्मपथे स्थिता। अब्रवीत् परमप्रीता बाष्पगद्गदया गिरा
Thus addressed by Hanuman, Sita, steadfast in righteousness, spoke with utmost joy, her words choked with tears.
प्रियमेतदुपश्रुत्य भर्तुर्विजयसंश्रितम्। प्रहर्षवशमापन्ना निर्वाक्यास्मि क्षणान्तरम्
Hearing this pleasing news of my husband's victory, I was overcome with delight and became speechless for a moment.
नहि पश्यामि सदृशं चिन्तयन्ती प्लवंगम। आख्यानकस्य भवतो दातुं प्रत्यभिनन्दनम्
I do not see anything suitable, O monkey, to offer you in return for your tale, while I am still reflecting.
न हि पश्यामि तत् सौम्य पृथिव्यामपि वानर। सदृशं यत्प्रियाख्याने तव दत्त्वा भवेत् सुखम्
Nor do I see, gentle one, anything on earth that would be fitting to give you for your pleasing news, that would bring you happiness.
हिरण्यं वा सुवर्णं वा रत्नानि विविधानि च। राज्यं वा त्रिषु लोकेषु एतन्नार्हति भाषितम्
Neither gold nor silver nor various jewels, nor even sovereignty over the three worlds, can equal what you have spoken.
एवमुक्तस्तु वैदेह्या प्रत्युवाच प्लवंगमः। प्रगृहीताञ्जलिर्हर्षात् सीतायाः प्रमुखे स्थितः
Thus addressed by Vaidehi, the monkey replied, standing before Sita with folded hands, filled with joy.
भर्तुः प्रियहिते युक्ते भर्तुर्विजयकांक्षिणि। स्निग्धमेवंविधं वाक्यं त्वमेवार्हस्यनिन्दिते
For one devoted to the husband's welfare, desiring his victory, only such affectionate words as yours, O blameless one, are fitting.
तवैतद् वचनं सौम्ये सारवत् स्निग्धमेव च। रत्नौघाद् विविधाच्चापि देवराज्याद् विशिष्यते
Your words, gentle lady, are full of substance and affection; they surpass heaps of jewels and even the sovereignty of the gods.
अर्थतश्च मया प्राप्ता देवराज्यादयो गुणाः। हतशत्रुं विजयिनं रामं पश्यामि सुस्थितम्
In essence, I have gained virtues greater than the sovereignty of the gods; I see Rama, victorious and steadfast, with his enemies slain.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा मैथिली जनकात्मजा। ततः शुभतरं वाक्यमुवाच पवनात्मजम्
Hearing those words, Maithilī, the daughter of Janaka, then spoke even more auspicious words to the son of the wind.
अतिलक्षणसम्पन्नं माधुर्यगुणभूषणम्। बुद्ध्या ह्यष्टाङ्गया युक्तं त्वमेवार्हसि भाषितुम्
You alone are worthy to speak, being endowed with excellent marks, adorned with the quality of sweetness, and indeed possessed of eightfold wisdom.
श्लाघनीयोऽनिलस्य त्वं सुतः परमधार्मिकः। बलं शौर्यं श्रुतं सत्त्वं विक्रमो दाक्ष्यमुत्तमम्
You are to be praised, the supremely righteous son of the wind; strength, valor, learning, courage, prowess, and utmost skill are yours.
तेजः क्षमा धृतिः स्थैर्यं विनीतत्वं न संशयः। एते चान्ये च बहवो गुणास्त्वय्येव शोभनाः
Radiance, forbearance, resolve, steadfastness, and humility—these and many other noble qualities shine in you without doubt.
अथोवाच पुनः सीतामसम्भ्रान्तो विनीतवत्। प्रगृहीताञ्जलिर्हर्षात् सीतायाः प्रमुखे स्थितः
Then Hanuman, unperturbed and humble, with joined palms, standing before Sītā out of joy, spoke again to her.
इमास्तु खलु राक्षस्यो यदि त्वमनुमन्यसे। हन्तुमिच्छामि ताः सर्वा याभिस्त्वं तर्जिता पुरा
If you permit, I wish to kill all these Rākṣasī women who once threatened you.
क्लिश्यन्तीं पतिदेवां त्वामशोकवनिकां गताम्। घोररूपसमाचाराः क्रूराः क्रूरतरेक्षणाः
Those cruel ones, with terrifying forms and even more dreadful eyes, tormented you, the devoted wife, who had entered the Aśoka grove.
इह श्रुता मया देवि राक्षस्यो विकृताननाः। असकृत्परुषैर्वाक्यैर्वदन्त्यो रावणाज्ञया
Here, O Lady, I have heard that these Rākṣasīs with deformed faces, by Rāvaṇa’s command, repeatedly spoke harsh words.
विकृता विकृताकाराः क्रूराः क्रूरकचेक्षणाः। इच्छामि विविधैर्घातैर्हन्तुमेताः सुदारुणाः
Deformed, monstrous in appearance, cruel, with fierce eyes—I wish to slay these exceedingly terrible ones by various means.
राक्षस्यो दारुणकथा वरमेतत् प्रयच्छ मे। मुष्टिभिः पार्ष्णिघातैश्च विशालैश्चैव बाहुभिः
Grant me this favor, to destroy these Rākṣasīs of dreadful speech, with fists, kicks, and mighty arms.
जङ्घाजानुप्रहारैश्च दन्तानां चैव पीडनैः। कर्तनैः कर्णनासानां केशानां लुञ्चनैस्तथा
With blows from thighs and knees, with the crushing of their teeth, with the cutting of ears and noses, and also by tearing out their hair.
निपात्य हन्तुमिच्छामि तव विप्रियकारिणीः। एवं प्रहारैर्बहुभिः सम्प्रहार्य यशस्विनि
Having struck them down, I wish to kill those who have done you harm, O illustrious one, with many such blows.
घातये तीव्ररूपाभिर्याभिस्त्वं तर्जिता पुरा। इत्युक्ता सा हनुमता कृपणा दीनवत्सला
I will destroy those fierce ones by severe punishments, those who once threatened you; thus spoke Hanuman to her, who was compassionate and fond of the afflicted.
हनूमन्तमुवाचेदं चिन्तयित्वा विमृश्य च। राजसंश्रयवश्यानां कुर्वतीनां पराज्ञया
Having considered and reflected, Sītā spoke these words to Hanuman, regarding those who, under royal command, acted by another’s order.
विधेयानां च दासीनां कः कुप्येद् वानरोत्तम। भाग्यवैषम्यदोषेण पुरस्ताद्दुष्कृतेन च
Who would be angry, O best of monkeys, with servants and maids who are obedient, compelled by the fault of fate and past misdeeds?
मयैतत् प्राप्यते सर्वं स्वकृतं ह्युपभुज्यते। मैवं वद महाबाहो दैवी ह्येषा परा गतिः
All this has come to me as a result of my own actions, for everyone enjoys the fruit of their deeds; do not speak thus, mighty-armed one, for this is the supreme course of destiny.
प्राप्तव्यं तु दशायोगान्मयैतदिति निश्चितम्। दासीनां रावणस्याहं मर्षयामीह दुर्बला
It is certain that this condition was destined for me; being a slave of Rāvaṇa, I, weak as I am, endure it here.
आज्ञप्ता राक्षसेनेह राक्षस्यस्तर्जयन्ति माम्। हते तस्मिन् न कुर्वन्ति तर्जनं मारुतात्मज
The Rākṣasīs here threaten me at Rāvaṇa’s command; when he is slain, O son of the wind, they will not threaten me.
अयं व्याघ्रसमीपे तु पुराणो धर्मसंहितः। ऋक्षेण गीतः श्लोकोऽस्ति तं निबोध प्लवंगम
Near the tiger, there is an ancient verse, filled with righteousness, sung by a bear—listen to that, O monkey.