|| om tat sat||
Sanskrit Text in Telugu , Kannada, Gujarati, Devanagari, English

Sundarakanda
Sarga 5
अथ पंचम स्सर्गः

Fifth Sarga is about Hanuman's search . As he entered Lanka, moon was rising , spreading his light all over as if to help Hanuman in his search. Hanuma then comes across Lankini and over comes her. Defeated by Hanuma , Lankini gives way to Hanuma. Then we hear that Hanuma entered the palace complex of Ravana at the end of fourth Sarga. Time has been moving and it is now mid night. Fifth Sarga starts with description of Moon at the midpoint of the sky.

Like the soothing rays of Moon, the Slokas of the fifth Sarga have a lilting flow with rhyming lines. This Sarga is the most beautiful Sarga to read and enjoy.

In the following we will be quoting from Tika Traya mentioned before. Tika Traya in Sanskrit elaborates the Sloka again Sanskrit typically adding a word of elaboration in Sanskrit for each word thus removing the ambiguity faced by translators where in a word has many meanings.

॥Sloka 5.01॥

ततस्स मध्यंगत मंशुमन्तम्
ज्योत्स्नावितानं महदुद्वमन्तम्।
ददर्श धीमान्दिवि भानुमन्तम्
गोष्ठे वृषं मत्तमिव भ्रमन्तम्॥5.01||

स॥ ततः सः धीमान् मध्यं गतं अंशुमंतं उद्यमंतं महत् ज्योत्स्नावितानम् दिवि भानुमंतं गोष्ठे भ्रमंतं वृषमिव ददर्श॥

Rama Tilaka says - ततः अन्तःपुर प्रवेशानन्तरंधीमान् सः हनुमान् मध्यं तारागणमन्तः गतं प्राप्तं, भानुमन्तं सूर्यमिव ज्योत्स्नावितानं चन्द्रिका विस्तारं भुवि उद्वमन्तं गोष्ठे भ्रमन्तं वृषमिव अंशुमन्तं चन्द्रमसं ददर्श॥ - The Sloka meanings that follow are in line with the above.

||Sloka meanings||

ततः सः धीमान् -
then that intelligent Hanuman
मध्यं गतं अंशुमंतं -
the Moon risen to the middle of the sky
महत् ज्योत्स्नावितानम् उद्यमंतं-
spreading great canopy of light
दिवि भानुमंतं -
like the Sun in the sky
गोष्ठे भ्रमंतं वृषमिव -
intoxicated bull moving about in a stable
ददर्श - saw

||Sloka summary||

"Then that intelligent Hanuman saw the luminous lord, the Moon, who has risen to the middle of the sky spreading a canopy of light like the Sun in the sky. He( Moon) was looking like an intoxicated mighty bull in the cowshed (amidst a herd of cows)." ||5.01||

॥Sloka 5.02॥

लोकस्य पापानि विनाशयन्तम्
महोदधिं चापि समेधयन्तम्।
भूतानि सर्वाणि विराजयन्तम् ददर्श शीतांशुमथाभियान्तम्॥5.02||

स॥ अथ अभियान्तं लोकस्य पापानि विनाशयन्तं महोदद्धिं समेधयंतं चापि सर्वाणि भूतानि विराजयन्तं शीतांशुं ददर्श॥

॥Sloka meanings||

लोकस्य पापानि विनाशयन्तं -
warding off the evils of the world
महोदद्धिं समेधयंतं-
augmenting the ocean to swell
सर्वाणि भूतानि विराजयन्तं -
illuminating the whole world
अथ अभियान्तं शीतांशुं ददर्श -
saw the Moon moving forward

||Sloka summary||

"Then the Hanuman moving forward saw the Moon spreading his light as if to ward off the world's agony, augmenting the ocean to swell, and illuminating all the creatures". ||5.02||

Govindaraja in his Tika adds that Hanuma entered Lanka at the time of sunset and Moon rise; Now it is midnight as he reaches Ravana's palace.

||Sloka 5.03॥

या भाति लक्ष्मीर्भुविमन्दरस्था
तदा प्रदोषेशु च सागरस्था।
तथैव तोयेषु चपुष्करस्था
रराज सा चारुनिशाकरस्था ||5.03||

स॥ भुवि या मंदरस्था लक्ष्मीः भाति तथा प्रदोषेषु सागरस्था तथा तोयेषु पुष्करस्था सा चारुनिशाकरस्था ददर्श॥

Rama Tilaka says - 'भुवि पृथिव्यां मध्ये या लक्ष्मी मन्दरस्था सती यथा भाति प्रकाशते, प्रदोषेषु च सागरस्था या यथा प्रकाशते, तोयेषु च पुषकरस्था सती या यथा प्रकाशते , सा चारुनिराकरस्था सती तथैव रराज॥ This is simply an elaboration. The word meanings below follow the elaboration.

||Sloka meanings||

भुवि या मंदरस्था लक्ष्मीः भाति -
like the splendor found on the Mandara Mountain on th earth
तथा प्रदोषेषु सागरस्था -
like the splendor found in the ocean at the time of twilight
तथैव तोयेषु चपुष्करस्था-
like the splendor found in the water on the lotus leaf
रराज सा चारुनिशाकरस्था -
moon shone with the same splendor

||Sloka summary||

"The splendor of the Moon was seen like the splendor found on the Mandara mountain , like the splendor found on the ocean at dusk, like the splendor found in the water on the lotus leaves in the lakes."||5.03||

||Sloka 5.04॥

श्लो॥ हंसोयथा राजत पञ्जरस्थः
सिंहो यथा मंदरकंदरस्थः।
वीरो यथा गर्वित कुञ्जरस्थः
चंद्रोऽपि बभ्राज तथांबरस्थः॥5.04||

स॥यथा राजतपंजरस्थाः हंसः यथा मंदरकन्दरस्थः सिंहः यथा गर्वित कुंजरस्थः वीरः तथा अंबरस्थः चंद्रः अपि भभ्राज ||

||Sloka meanings||

यथा राजतपंजरस्थाः हंसः -
like the swan in the silver cage
यथा मंदरकन्दरस्थः सिंहः -
like the Lion in the cave on the mountain Mandara
यथा गर्वित कुंजरस्थः वीरः -
like the proud hero sitting on an elephant.
तथा अंबरस्थः चंद्रः अपि भभ्राज
आकाशमुलो नुन्न चंद्रुडु कूडा विराजिल्लॆनु
the Moon in the sky also shone

||Sloka summary||

"The Moon shone like the swan in the silver cage, like the Lion in the cave on the mountain Mandara, like the proud hero sitting on an elephant." ||5.04||

||Sloka 5.05॥

श्लो॥ स्थितः ककुद्मानिव तीक्ष्ण शृङ्गो
महाचलश्वेत इवोच्छशृङ्गः।
हस्तीव जांबूनद बद्धशृङ्गो
रराज चंद्रः परिपूर्णशृङ्गः॥5.05||

स॥ परिपूर्ण शृंगः चंद्रः तीक्ष्णशृंगः स्थितः ककुद्मानिव, श्वेतः उच्चशृंगः महाचलः (इव) जाम्बूनद बद्धशृंगः हस्ति इव रराज॥

॥Sloka meanings||

तीक्ष्णशृंगः स्थितः ककुद्मानिव -
looking like a bull with sharp horns
श्वेतः उच्चशृंगः महाचलः (इव) -
like the Himalayas with its white peaks
जाम्बूनद बद्धशृंगः हस्ति इव -
like an elephant with its gold-plated tusks.
परिपूर्ण शृंगः चंद्रः रराज -
The full moon with its horn like spot was shining

||Sloka summary||

"The full moon with its horn like spot was looking like a bull with sharp horns, like the Himalayas with its white tall peaks, like an elephant with its gold-plated tusks." ||5.05||

||Sloka 5.06॥

विनष्ट शीतांबुतुषार पङ्को
महाग्रहग्राह विनष्ठ पङ्कः।
प्रकाश लक्ष्म्याश्रयनिर्मलाङ्को
रराज चंद्रो भगवान् शशाङ्कः ||5.06||

स॥विनष्ट शीतांबु तुषारपंकः महाग्रहाग्राह विनष्ट पंकः प्रकाश लक्ष्म्याश्रय निर्मलांकः शशांकः भगवान् चंद्रः रराज॥

विनष्ट शीतांबु तुषारपंकः -
graceful radiance like the shining water drops on the lotus leaf rid of its dew
महाग्रहाग्राह विनष्ट पंकः -
one resplendent with the removal of moral impurities by the great planets.
चंद्रः प्रकाश लक्ष्म्याश्रय निर्मलांकः - the Moon with its stain shone
भगवान् चंद्रः रराज - The Moon with its stain shone

||Sloka summary||

"The Moon with its stain shone with graceful radiance like the shining water drops on the lotus leaf rid of its dew, or the one resplendent with the removal of moral impurities by the great planets."||5.06||

Here Moon has been referred to as, 'भगवान् चन्द्रः'; In the second Sarga we heard that , moon spread his rays spreading light everywhere as if to help Hanuman in his search for Sita. In life whenever a help appears unasked for , it is common to attribute it to the Supreme being. Poet is probably referring to Moon too as Bhagavan in that context.

||Sloka 5.07॥

श्लो॥ शिलातलं प्राप्य यथा मृगेन्द्रो
महारणं प्राप्य यथा गजेन्द्रः।
राज्यं समासाद्य यथा नरेन्द्रः
तथाप्रकाशो विरराज चंद्रः॥5.07||

स॥ शिलातलं प्राप्य यथा मृगेन्द्रः महारणं प्राप्य यथा गजेन्द्रः राज्यं समासाद्य यथा नरेण्द्रः तथा प्रकाशः चंद्रः रराज॥

॥Sloka meanings||

शिलातलं प्राप्य यथा मृगेन्द्रः -
like the king of animals on the top of a rock
महारणं प्राप्य यथा गजेन्द्रः -
like the lord of the elephants in the deep forest
राज्यं समासाद्य यथा नरेन्द्रः -
like the king who regained his kingdom
तथाप्रकाशो विरराज चंद्रः - similarly Moon shone with brilliance.

||Sloka summary||

"The Moon shone bright like the lion, the king of animals on the top of a rock. He shone like the lord of the elephants in the deep forest, and like the king who regained his kingdom." ||5.07||

||Sloka 5.08॥

प्रकाश चन्द्रोदय नष्ठदोषः
प्रवृत्तरक्षः पिसिताशदोषः।
रामाभिरामेरितिचित्तदोषः
स्वर्ग प्रकाशो भगवान् प्रदोषः॥5.08||

स॥ यदा भगवान् प्रदोषः स्वर्गप्रकाशः तदा चंद्रोदय प्रकाशात् (तिमिर) दोषः नष्टः प्रवृत्त रक्षः पिशिताशदोषः रामाभिरामेरिति चित्त दोषः (भवति)||

Govindaraja in his Tika says - प्रकाश चन्द्रस्यौदयेन नष्टः तिमिरं यस्मिन् सः; प्रवृद्धाः रक्षसां पिशिताशानां च दोषः संचाररूपो यस्मिन् सः; तथा रामाभिः अभिरामैः कान्तैश्चईरितः त्यक्तः चित्त दोषः कोपाभिमान रूपः यस्मिन्; स्वर्गप्रकाशः स्वर्गतुल्यः तद्वदानन्दावह इत्यर्थः | This is elaboration on the faults that go away because of the twilight shine as the moon rises.

||Sloka meanings||

चंद्रोदय प्रकाशात् (तिमिर) दोषः नष्टः-
with the rise of Moon darkness was dispelled
प्रवृत्तरक्षः पिसिताशदोषः -
dark deeds of cannibals disappear,
रामाभिरामेरितिचित्तदोषः -
the love instincts of ladies lost in anger of love are incited.
भगवान् प्रदोषः स्वर्गप्रकाशः -
the Moon at dusk spread his brilliance

||Sloka summary||

"As the Moon at dusk spread his brilliance, then the darkness was dispelled , dark deeds of cannibals disappear, and the love instincts of ladies lost in anger of love are incited." ||5.08||

The thoughts, that darkness was dispelled, the dark deeds of demons came to a halt and even the anger of women was dissipated, are sufficient support for calling Moon light of the twilight time as Bhagavan- says Rama Tilaka Tika.

Earlier Valmiki referred to Moon as " Bhagavan Shashanka".
"रराज चन्द्रो भगवान् शशाङ्कः". In this Sloka Valmiki refers to the night as Bhagavan Pradoshaha." "स्वर्गप्रकाशो भगवान् प्रदोषः"

The moon who was spreading his rays brightening everything,
who was thus aiding the search for Sita is indeed a "Bhagavan". Because he was helping the cause. The knowledge that helps in understanding "Self" and the knowledge that helps in realizing "Self" is auspicious. The knowledge that directs you towards the normal pursuits, the knowledge that pushes towards actions in search of fruits, that knowledge is inauspicious.

Here the Moon aiding the search of Sita is "Bhagavan" Similarly the night that comes in aid of the search for Sita is " Bhagavan". That night, as well as that life, that comes in aid of the search for Sita, is indeed a form of Bhagavan"

That night is auspicious. Indeed when one is in pursuit of a task, all those that aid him are like the Supreme being himself who is making it happen. Valmiki by calling Moon and the night "Bhagavan" makes that point abundantly clear.

||Sloka 5.09॥

तंत्रीस्वनाः कर्णसुखाः प्रवृत्ताः
स्वपयंति नार्यः पतिभिः सुवृत्ता।
नक्तांचरा श्चापि तथा प्रवृत्ता
निहर्तु मत्यद्भुतरौद्रवृत्ताः॥5.09||

स॥ तंत्री स्वनाः कर्णसुखाः प्रवृत्ताः | सुवृताः नार्यः पतिभिः स्वपन्ति। नक्तं चराः अत्यत्भुत रौद्रवृत्ताः अपि विहर्तुं प्रवृत्ताः॥

॥Sloka meanings||

तंत्री स्वनाः कर्णसुखाः प्रवृत्ताः-
Sounds of instruments pleasing to the ears are being heard
सुवृताः नार्यः पतिभिः स्वपन्ति -
Chaste ladies are sleeping with their husbands
नक्तं चराः अत्यत्भुत रौद्रवृत्ताः अपि-
The night creatures of very angry nature too
विहर्तुं प्रवृत्ताः - are going about

||Sloka summary||

"Sounds of instruments pleasing to the ears are being heard. Chaste ladies are sleeping with their husbands. The night creatures began to roam about exhibiting their arrogance." ||5.09||

||Sloka 5.10॥

मत्तप्रमत्तानि समाकुलानि
रथाश्वभद्रासन संकुलानि।
वीरश्रियाचापि समाकुलानि
ददर्श धीमान् स कपिः कुलानि॥5.10||

स॥ धीमान् वीरः हनुमान् सः श्रिया समाकुलानि कुलानि मत्तप्रमत्तानि च रथाश्वभद्रासन संकुलानि अपि ददर्श॥

॥Sloka meanings||

सः श्रिया समाकुलानि कुलानि -
in the houses of those who are prosperous
मत्तप्रमत्तानि च - those who are intoxicated
रथाश्वभद्रासन संकुलानि अपि -
those having chariots, horses and elephants with great seats
धीमान् वीरः हनुमान् ददर्श -
intelligent and valiant Hanuman saw

||Sloka summary||

"Intelligent Hanuman saw in those prosperous houses, those intoxicated with wealth, those who have chariots with comfortable seats, horses and elephants." ||5.10||

||Sloka 5.11॥

परस्परं चाधिकमाक्षिपन्ति
भुजांश्च पीनानधिक्षिपन्ति।
मत्त प्रलापानधिविक्षिपन्ति
मत्तानि चान्योन्यमधिक्षिपन्ति॥5.11||

स॥ (ते) परस्परं अधिकं अक्षिपन्ति | पीनान् भुजान् च अधिकं क्षिपन्ति | मत्तप्रलापान् अधि विक्षिपन्ति | मत्तानि अन्योन्यं अधिक्षिपन्ति च॥

॥Sloka meanings||

परस्परं अधिकं अक्षिपन्ति -
they were ridiculing each other very much
पीनान् भुजान् च अधिकं क्षिपन्ति -
boisterously patting each other's shoulders
मत्तप्रलापान् अधि विक्षिपन्ति -
indulging in intoxicated blabbering
मत्तानि अन्योन्यं अधिक्षिपन्ति च-
quarrelling with each other in intoxication

||Sloka summary||

"They (the Rakshasas in those prosperous houses) were ridiculing each other very much, boisterously patting each other's shoulders, they were indulging in intoxicated blabbering. They were even quarrelling with each other in the intoxication." ||5.11||

||Sloka 5.12॥

रक्षांसि वक्षांसि च विक्षिपन्ति
गात्राणि कान्तासु च विक्षिपन्ति |
रूपाणि चित्राणि च विक्षिपन्ति
धृढानि चापानि च विक्षिपन्ति॥5.12||

स॥ (ते) वक्षांसि विक्षिपन्ति कान्तासु गात्राणि विक्षिपन्ति च | रक्षांसि दृढानि चापानि विक्षिपन्ति | चित्राणि रूपाणि विक्षिपन्ति च॥

॥Sloka meanings||

रक्षांसि - Among the Rakshasas ( some)
वक्षांसि विक्षिपन्ति -
expanding their chests
कान्तासु गात्राणि विक्षिपन्ति च -
sportively touching their women
दृढानि चापानि विक्षिपन्ति -
drawing their strong bows
चित्राणि रूपाणि विक्षिपन्ति च -
assuming wonderful forms.

||Sloka summary||

"Among the Rakshasas some were expanding their chests and sportively touching their women. Some were drawing their strong bows, assuming wonderful forms" ||5.12||.

||Sloka 5.13॥

ददर्श कान्ताश्च समालभंत्यः
तथापराः तत्र पुनः स्वपन्त्यः।
सुरूपवक्त्राश्च तथा हसंत्यः
क्रुद्धाः पराश्चापि विनिश्र्वसंत्यः॥5.13||

स॥ समालभंत्यः कान्ताः च तत्र अपराः पुनः स्वपन्त्यः। ते सुरूप वक्त्राः च। तथा हसंत्यः क्रुद्धाः च॥ अपराः विनिः श्वसंत्यः॥

॥Sloka meanings||

समालभंत्यः कान्ताः च -
some women have their limbs smeared with unguents
तत्र अपराः पुनः स्वपन्त्यः - some were sleeping
ते सुरूप वक्त्राः च - some have beautiful countenance
तथा हसंत्यः क्रुद्धाः च - some are angry and some are laughing,
अपराः विनिः श्वसंत्यः - some others are sighing.

||Sloka summary||

"Among women have their limbs smeared with unguents, some were sleeping, some have beautiful countenance, some are angry and some are laughing, some others are sighing." ||5.13||

||Sloka 5.14॥

महागजैश्चापि तथा नदद्भिः
सुपूजितैश्चापि तथा सुसद्भिः।
रराज वीरैश्च विनिश्र्वसद्भिः
ह्रदोभुजङ्गै रिव निश्र्वसद्भिः॥5.14||

स॥ तथा नदद्भिः महगजैः सुपूजितैः च , विनिःश्र्वसद्भिः वीरैः च ह्रदो निःश्व्रसद्भिः भुजंगैरिव रराज॥

॥ Sloka meanings॥

तथा नदद्भिः महगजैः -
there were huge elephants making noise
सुपूजितैश्चापि तथा सुसद्भिः -
well revered people, and great ones
विनिःश्र्वसद्भिः वीरैः -
with warriors breathing deeply
ह्रदो निःश्व्रसद्भिः भुजंगैरिव रराज -
it was like a lake full of hissing serpents

||Sloka summary||

"There were huge respected elephants making sounds. There were warriors also sighing like snakes hissing in a lake." ||5.14||

Govindaraja in his Tika says - विनिःश्वसद्भिः वीरैः - युद्धयोग्यवीर अलाभात् वीरैः | The warriors intent on fighting, not having a chance to fight are sighing. Sounds of their sighs are like the hissing of the snakes in a lake

||Sloka 5.15॥

बुद्धि प्रधानान् रुचिराभिदानान्
संश्रद्धधानान् जगतः प्रधानान्।
नानाविधान् रुचिराभिदानान्
ददर्श तस्यां पुरियातुधानान्॥5.15||

स॥ तस्याम् पुरीम् जगतः प्रधानान् बुद्धिप्रधानान् रुचिराभिदानान् संश्रद्धधानान् नाना विधानान् रुचिराभिधानान् यातुधानान् ददर्श॥

॥Sloka meanings||

बुद्धिप्रधानान् रुचिराभिदानान् -
intellectuals who were sweet in expression
संश्रद्धधानान् नाना विधानान् जगतः प्रधानान् -
those who had faith in religion, who were in many ways preeminent ones in the world,
रुचिराभिधानान् यातुधानान् ददर्श-
those with good practices and lovely names
तस्याम् पुरीम् ददर्श - saw them in that city

||Sloka summary||

"In that city Hanuman saw intellectuals who were sweet in expression, those who had faith in religion, who were preeminent ones in the world, heroes of different kinds, as well those who follow good practices with lovely names."||5.15||

Rama tilaka says- बुद्धिप्रधानान् अतिबुद्धिमतः; रुचिराभिदानान् शोभनवचनान्; संश्रद्धदानान् गुरुवाक्यादौ विश्वासयुक्तान् ; जगतः इतसतो गच्छतः नानाविधान् येषाम् तान् ; रुचिराभिदानान् शोभननाम युक्तान् ; प्रधानान् यातुधानान् तस्यां लंकायां ददर्श॥ This is in line with the translation

||Sloka 5.16॥

ननन्द दृष्ट्वा स च तान् सुरूपान् नानागुणानात्मगुणानुरूपान् |
विद्योतमानान् स तदानुरूपान् ददर्श कांश्चिच्चपुनर्विरूपान्॥5.16||

स॥ सः सुरूपान् नानागुणान् आत्मगुणानुरूपां विद्योतमानान् तान् दृष्ट्वा सः ननंद | तदा कश्चित् विरूपान् अनुरूपान् च ददर्श ||

||Sloka meanings||

सुरूपान् नानागुणान् -
handsome ones with many virtues
आत्मगुणानुरूपां विद्योतमानान्-
whose appearance reflected their virtues
तान् दृष्ट्वा सः ननंद -
Seeing them Hanuman was happy
तदा कश्चित् विरूपान् -
He also saw ugly ones
अनुरूपान् च ददर्श -
whose forms reflected their nature too

||Sloka summary||

"Seeing radiant handsome ones with many virtues, whose appearance reflected their virtues Hanuman was happy. He also saw ugly ones whose form reflected their nature too." ||5.16||

||Sloka 5.17॥

ततो वरार्हाः सुविशुद्धभावाः
तेषां प्रियः तत्र महानुभावाः।
प्रियेषु पानेषु च सक्तभावा
ददर्श तारा इव सुप्रभावाः॥5.17||

स॥ ततः तत्र वरार्हाः विशुद्धभावाः महानुभावाः प्रियेषु पानेषु सक्तभावाः सुप्रभावाः च ददर्श। तेषां तारा इव स्त्रियः ददर्श॥

॥ श्लोकार्थमुलु॥

ततः तत्र वरार्हाः - then there women adorned with choicest clothes
विशुद्धभावाः - women whose minds are pure
महानुभावाः - magnanimous ones
प्रियेषु पानेषु सक्तभावाः च ददर्श-
those who are attached to their lovers, and drinks
तेषां तारा इव स्त्रियः ददर्श-
Among them he saw women like shining like stars

||Sloka summary||

"He saw women adorned with choicest clothes, women whose minds are pure and attached to their lovers, and drinks, women who are magnanimous . He also saw gentle ones among them shining brightly like the stars." ||5.17||

Among women महानुभावाः means - महानुभावाः पातिव्रत्य रूपमहप्रभावाः; it is a reference to highly chaste women.

||Sloka 5.18॥

श्रियाज्वलंती स्त्रपयोप गुढा
यथा विहङ्गाः रमणोपगूढाः |
ददर्श काश्चित्प्रमदोपगूढाः
यथा विहङ्गाः कुसुमोपगूढाः ||5.18||

स॥निशीथकाले उपगूढाः श्रिया ज्वलंतीः त्रपया तथैव रमणोपगूढाः काश्चित् कुसुमोपगूढाः प्रमदोपगूढः विहंगाः यथा (स्त्रियः) ददर्श॥

॥Sloka summary॥

निशीथकाले उपगूढाः -
lover's embrace at night
त्रपया श्रिया ज्वलंतीः -
shining brightly yet shy
तथैव रमणोपगूढाः कुसुमोपगूढाः काश्चित् -
similarly those adorned with flowers and lost in the embrace
प्रमदोपगूढाः विहंगाः यथा ददर्श -
looked like birds filled with joy

||Sloka summary||

"Hanuman saw in the night, ladies embraced by their lovers being shy yet shining brightly. He also saw women adorned with flowers embraced by their beloveds being joyful like free birds". ||5.18||

Rama Tilaka Tika has the following - रूपादि संपत्या ज्वलन्तीः प्रकाशमानाः; त्रपया लज्जाया उपगूढाः; रमणोपगूढाः पत्यालिंगताः अत एव प्रमदोपगूढाः; These are in line with the translations.

||Sloka 5.19॥

अन्याः पुनर्हत्म्यतलोपविष्टा
स्तत्र प्रियाङ्केषु सुखोपविष्टाः |
भर्तुः प्रिया धर्म परा निविष्टा
ददर्श धीमान्मदनाभि विष्टाः॥5.19||

स॥ धीमान् ( हनुमान्) हर्म्यतलोपविष्टाः प्रियांगेषु सुखोपविष्टाः प्रियाः मदनाभिविष्टाः अन्याः भर्तुः धर्मपराः निविष्टाः ददर्श॥

॥Sloka meanings||

हर्म्यतलोपविष्टाः प्रियांगेषु सुखोपविष्टाः -
women on the terraces of the mansions sitting happily on lover's laps
प्रियाः मदनाभिविष्टाः -
some overwhelmed with pleasure engaged with their lovers,
अन्याः भर्तुः निविष्टाः धर्मपराः -
yet others righteous ones engaged in love with their husbands
ददर्श- saw

||Sloka summary||

"Intelligent Hanuman saw Rakshasa women on the terraces of the mansions sitting happily on lover's laps, some overwhelmed with pleasure engaged with their lovers, yet other righteous ones engaged in love with their husbands." ||5.19||

||Sloka 5.20॥

अपावृताः काञ्चनराजिवर्णाः
काश्चित्परार्थ्याः तपनीयवर्णाः।
पुनश्च काश्चिच्चशलक्ष्मवर्णाः
कांत प्रहीणा रुचिराङ्गवर्णाः॥5.20||

स॥ अपावृताः कांचनराजिवर्णाः काश्चित् परार्थ्याः तपनीयवर्णाः पुनश्च काश्चित् कान्तप्रहीणाः शशलक्ष्मवर्णाः काश्चित् रुचिरांग वर्णाः (ददर्श)||

||Sloka meanings||

अपावृताः कांचनराजिवर्णाः -
some of golden hue without veil
काश्चित् परार्थ्याः तपनीयवर्णाः -
some altruistic shining with polished gold hue,
पुनश्च काश्चित् कान्तप्रहीणाः शशलक्ष्मवर्णाः -
some pale looking separated from their husbands
काश्चित् रुचिरांग वर्णाः -
a few of attractive complexion

||Sloka summary||

"He saw some of golden hue without veil, some altruistic shining with polished gold hue, some pale looking separated from their husbands , and a few of attractive complexion." ||5.20||

Rama tilaka says - अपावृताः कान्तप्रहीणाः पतिरहिताः अतएव कांचनराजिवर्णाः सुवर्ण रेखा सदृशीः; परार्थ्या अत्युत्तमाः तपनीय वर्णाः सुवर्णसदृशवर्णविशिष्ठाः | this is in synch with the translation.

||Sloka 5.21॥

ततः प्रियान्प्राप्य मनोभिरामाः
सुप्रीतियुक्ताः प्रसमीक्ष्य रामाः।
गृहेषु हृष्टाः परमाभिरामाः
हरिप्रवीरः स ददर्श रामाः॥5.21||

स॥ हरिप्रवीरः ततः गृहेषु प्रियान् प्राप्य मनोभिरामाः सुप्रीतियुक्ताः प्रसमीक्ष्यरामाः परमाभिरामाः हृष्टाः सः ददर्श ||

||Sloka meanings||

प्रियान् प्राप्य मनोभिरामाः -
some happy ones having obtained their husbands
सुप्रीतियुक्ताः प्रसमीक्ष्य रामाः -
some delighted ones, some who were beautiful to look
परमाभिरामाः हृष्टाः -
some very happy and ecstatic ones
सः हरिप्रवीरः ततः गृहेषु ददर्श -
that eminent Vanara saw in those houses

||Sloka summary||

"In those houses that best among Vanaras, Hanuman, saw some happy ones having obtained their husbands, also some delighted ones, some who were beautiful to look, some very happy and ecstatic ones." ||5.21||

||Sloka 5.22॥

चन्द्रप्रकाशश्च हि वक्त्रमालाः
वक्राक्षिपक्ष्माश्च सुनेत्रमालाः।
विभूषणानांच ददर्श मालाः
शतह्रदानामिव चारुमालाः॥5.22||

स॥ चंद्रप्रकाशाः वक्त्रमालाश्छ वक्राक्षिपक्ष्माश्चसुनेत्रमालाः शतह्रदानाम् चारुमालाः विभूषणानाम् मालाः च ||

||Sloka meanings||

चन्द्रप्रकाशश्च हि वक्त्रमालाः -
rows of faces radiating like Moon
वक्राक्षिपक्ष्माश्च सुनेत्रमालाः -
rows of eyes with sidelong glances and graceful lashes
विभूषणानां च चारुमालाः -
rows of lovely ornaments
शतह्रदानां माला इव -
resembling a garland of flashes of lightning.
ददर्श - saw

||Sloka summary||

"He saw rows of faces radiating like Moon, rows of eyes with sidelong glances and graceful lashes, rows of lovely ornaments resembling a garland of flashes of lightning." ||5.22||

||Sloka 5.23॥

श्लो॥ नत्वेव सीतां परमाभिजाताम्
पथिस्थिते राजकुले प्रजाताम्।
लतां प्रपुल्लामिव साधुजाताम्
ददर्श तन्वीं मनसाभिजाताम्॥5.23||

स॥ (परंतु) राजकुले प्रजाताम् परमाभिजाताम् साधु जातां मनसाभिजाताम् प्रफुल्लां लतां इव तन्वीं पथि स्थिते सीतां न ददर्श॥

॥Sloka meanings||

पथि स्थिते राजकुले प्रजाताम् -
following righteous path born in a royal family
परमाभिजाताम् -
exceedingly beautiful
साधु जातां -
of beautiful form
मनसाभिजाताम् -
born of her own wish
प्रफुल्लां लतां इव तन्वीं -
lady like blossoming creeper
सीतां न ददर्श -
that Sita was not seen

||Sloka summary||

"(But) He could not see Sita following the righteous path, born in a noble royal family, exceedingly beautiful , and of wonderful form, the one who was born of her own wish, the delicate one who was like a creeper." ||5.23||

Govindaraja says - परमाभिजाताम् अत्यन्ताभिरामम् ; साधुजातां सुरूपाम्; मनसाभिजाताम् अयोनिजां इत्यर्थः -

Rama Tilaka says - मनसा परमात्म संकल्प मात्रेण; पथि सनातन धर्म मार्गे स्थिते; Both are in accordance with our translation.

||Sloka 5.24॥

सनातने वर्त्मनि सन्निविष्टाम्
रामेक्षणां तां मदनाभिविष्टाम्।
भर्तुर्मनः श्रीमदनुप्रविष्टाम्
स्त्रीभ्यो वराभ्यश्च सदा विशिष्टाम्॥5.24||

स॥ सनातने वर्त्मनि सन्निविष्टां रामेक्षणां श्रीमत् भर्तुः मनः मदनाभिविष्टां वराभ्यः स्त्रीभ्यश्च अनुप्रविष्टां विशिष्टां तां न ददर्श॥

॥Sloka meanings||

सनातने वर्त्मनि सन्निविष्टां -
lady who followed the eternal good path,
रामेक्षणां -
with mind fixed in her husband
श्रीमत् भर्तुः मनः अनुप्रविष्टां -
lady who is firmly placed herself in her husband's mind
वराभ्यः स्त्रीभ्यश्च विशिष्टां -
a lady best among all women
मदनाभिविष्टां -
lady who is sad in separation from her husband.
तां न ददर्श - he did not see her

||Sloka summary||

"He did not see there the lady who followed the eternal good path, lady with mind fixed in her husband, lady who is firmly placed herself in her husband's mind, lady who is sad in separation from her husband, a lady who is best among all women." ||5.24||

Rama Tilaka says - मदनाभिविष्टां - मदन वियोगे प्राप्त दैन्ये अभिविष्टां; lady who is sad in separation from her husband.

||Sloka 5.25॥

उष्णार्दितां सानुसृतास्रकंठीं
पुरा वरार्होत्तम निष्ककंठीम्।
सुजातपक्ष्मामभिरक्तकंठीम्
वने प्रवृत्तामिव नीलकंठीम्॥5.25||

स॥ उष्णार्दितां सानुसृतास्रकंठीं पुरा वरार्होत्तम निष्ककंठीं सुजात पक्ष्मां अभिरक्त कंठीं वने अप्रवृत्तां नीलकंठीं इव तन्वीं (तां न ददर्श)

उष्णार्दितां सानुसृतास्रकंठीं -
lady whose throat is choked with tears shed because of separation from her husband
पुरा वरार्होत्तम निष्ककंठीं -
lady whose neck was earlier wearing costly ornaments,
सुजात पक्ष्मां अभिरक्त कंठीं -
who has beautiful eyelashes, who has sweet loving voice,
वने अप्रवृत्तां नीलकंठीं इव -
lady who was like peahen earlier wandering in the forests

||Sloka summary||

"He did not see the lady shedding hot tears, whose throat is choked with incessant tears, whose neck was earlier wearing costly ornaments , who has beautiful eyelashes, who has sweet loving voice, lady who was like a peahen who was earlier wandering in the forests." ||5.25||

Ram Tilaka says - उष्णार्दितां वियोग जनित ताप पीडिताम्; sad because of separation from her husband

||Sloka 5.26॥

अव्यक्त रेखामिव चंद्र रेखाम्
पांसुप्रदिग्धा मिव हेमरेखाम्।
क्षतप्ररूढा मिव बाणरेखाम्
वायुप्रभिन्नामिव मेघ रेखाम्॥5.26||

स॥ अव्यक्त रेखां चंद्ररेखामिव पांसुप्रदिग्धां हेम रेखां इव क्षतप्ररूढां बाणरेखामिव वायुप्रभिन्नां मेघरेखामिव (स राम पत्नीं न ददर्श)

अव्यक्त रेखां चंद्ररेखामिव -
an invisible ray like the rays of the moon
पांसुप्रदिग्धा मिव हेमरेखाम् -
like a streak of gold invisible being covered with dust
क्षतप्ररूढां बाणरेखामिव -
like the scar of a superficially covered wound caused by an arrow
वायुप्रभिन्नां मेघरेखामिव -
like a flake of cloud swept away bय् the wind

||Sloka summary||

"She would be like an invisible ray like the rays of the moon, like a streak of gold invisible being covered with dust, like the scar of a superficially covered wound caused by an arrow, like a flake of cloud swept away by the wind." ||5.26||

||Sloka 5.27॥

सीतामपश्यन् मनुजेश्वरस्य
रामस्य पत्नीं वदतां वरस्य।
बभूव दुःखाभिहतः शिरस्य
प्लवङ्गमो मंद इवा चिरस्य ||5.27||

स॥ वदतां वरस्य मनुजेश्वरस्य रामस्य पत्नीं अचिरस्य अपश्यन् प्लवंगमः दुःखाभिहितः चिरस्य मंद इव बभूव॥

वदतां वरस्य -
who is the best one among those who are good at speech
मनुजेश्वरस्य -
king of all men
रामस्य पत्नीं अचिरस्य अपश्यन् -
unable to see the wife of Rama
प्लवंगमः दुःखाभिहितः -
Hanuman in deep sorrow
चिरस्य मंद इव बभूव -
became slow for a while

||Sloka summary|

"Not being able to see the wife of Lord Rama, king of all men, who is the best one among those who are good at speech, Hanuman hit by grief became slow for a while ." ||5.27||

Thus the Sarga ends with that note on the grief-stricken Hanuman, who could not find Sita thus far.

Sundarakanda started with the line,-
"ततो रावण नीतायाः सीतायाः शतृकर्षणः".
Hanuman's search is for Sita separated from Rama. As already noted in the very beginning, the deeper inner meaning of this search, is the search for "Self or Jivatma". That "Self" to be united for with "Paramatman". That is the continuing story of Sundarakanda in play.

Continuing with the view of searching for "Self", there are a few points to be noted about the movement of the story in Sundarakanda.

Sundarakanda has three parts namely
- Search
- Darshana
- Destroying the enemies

Hanuma searches for Sita, has her Darshan, and destroys the Rakshasas tormenting her and returns. Let us continue the analogy of the search, The Jiva also searches for Atman. Realizes Atman. And destroys the sins that block the path for realization of Atman.

Upanishads say in one word,-" सो अन्वेष्टव्यः" -meaning "सः अन्वेष्टव्यः" -
meaning that " he is fit for enquiry".

Who is fit for enquiry?
That Bhagavan is a fit subject for enquiry It means that search for the Supreme being is indeed an eminent subject. So is the case for search of "Atman".

In this search for Sita, Valmiki describes Hanuman as looking at Rakshasa women. Hanuma was looking at their faces , their eyes and the jewels they are wearing so on. Searching for Sita he has no option but look at the ladies. Poet seems intent on making us ask what is in a face?

Those who are bound for self-realization or bound for realization of the God will have peace reigning on their faces and in their eyes. When that peace is reigning in their faces, then their grasping power increases. When that grasping power increases the realization of Self is on the horizon. When one truly seeks Bhagavan, there is a spark in the eyes like a blooming flower.

The spark in the eye is an indicator of knowledge. When the knowledge is that of Supreme being, the eye adds undefinable piece of beauty to the face. The two attributes namely equanimity and restraint are like jewels to the body. The Seeker should have the three attributes. Peace reigning in their faces. The knowledge of Bhagavan reflected in their eyes, The attributes of equanimity and restraint. One with these three attributes is accepted by the gurus as a seeker.

One more thing.

In the last line of the Sarga we hear -"बभूव दुःखाभिहतश्चिरस्य"; that Hanuman is hit by grief and was for a moment slowed down in his search of Sita. Hanuma saw many beautiful ones. His mind was enamored. But realizing that he is unable to Sita made him feel dejected.

In the search for "Self" too one would have many wonderful experiences. But the one in search of self-realization is never stopped or diverted by such wonderful experiences. They continue their search for "Self" Instead of delighting at the sight of other women or other wonderful sights , one would become more sorry that they did not succeed in their search for "Self" and would be dejected.

Hanuman's dejection is a similar one.

Thus ends Sarga 5 of Sundarakanda

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये वाल्मीकीये
चतुर्विंशत् सहस्रिकायां संहितायाम्
श्रीमत्सुंदरकांडे पंचमस्सर्गः ||
||ओम् तत् सत्॥
|| om tat sat||