Sanskrit Text in Telugu , Kannada, Gujarati, Devanagari, English

|| om tat sat||

Sundarakanda
Sarga 53

The word that sticks in mind as we read this Sarga is 'शीतो भव'; which means 'may (he) become cooler' ; Who? 'Hanuma' ; So here it means 'let Hanuma become cooler'. This is Sita's prayer.

It is not a simple prayer.

It is prayer where Sita is using all her ascetic powers.
यद्यति पति शुश्रूषा' - 'If I have served my husband well'
'यद्यस्ति चरितं तपः' -' If there is power in my penance'
'यदि चास्तेकपत्नीत्वं' -'If I have been true to my marriage vows'
'यदि वाभाग्यशेषो मे' - If I have any fortune left'
'शीतो भव हनुमतः' - 'Let Hanuma become cool'
It means Sita is staking all her ascetic powers.

Sita is praying to God of Fire that he shall ensure that Hanuma remains cool. That is because Rakshasas set Hanuman's tail on fire.

How Sita has come to that stage is what we hear in this Sarga,

Now we go through Slokas of fifty third Sarga

||Sloka 53.01||

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दशग्रीवो महाबलः।
देशकालहितं वाक्यं भ्रातुरुत्तरमब्रवीत्॥53.01||

स॥ दशग्रीवः महाबलः तस्य तद्वचनं देशकालहितं वाक्यं श्रुत्वा भ्रातुरुः उत्तरं अब्रवीत्॥

॥Sloka meanings||

दशग्रीवः महाबलः -
powerful ten-headed one
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा -
hearing his brother's words
देशकालहितं वाक्यं -
which are keeping in line with the time, place and propriety,
भ्रातुरुः उत्तरं अब्रवीत्-
spoke to his brother in reply

||Sloka summary||

"The powerful ten-headed one, Ravana, hearing his brother's words which are keeping in line with the time, place and propriety, spoke in reply."||53.01||

||Sloka 53.02||

सम्यगुक्तं हि भवता दूतवध्या विगर्हिता।
अवश्यं तु वधा दन्यः क्रियता मस्यनिग्रहः॥53.02||

स॥ भवता सम्यक् उक्तं दूत वध्या विगर्हिता। अस्य निग्रहः वधात् अन्यः अवश्यं क्रियतां ||

||Sloka meanings||

भवता सम्यक् उक्तं -
you have spoken well
दूत वध्या विगर्हिता -
killing messenger is censured
अस्य निग्रहः वधात् -
instead of killing him
अन्यः अवश्यं क्रियतां -
other (punishment) can be done

||Sloka summary||

"You have spoken well. Killing messenger is censured. His punishment other than killing can surely be done." ||53.02||

Though he rejected the Vibhishana's words " न दूत वध्यां ", "messengers are not to be killed", Ravana turns around to accept the same. .

||Sloka 53.03||

कपीनां किल लांगूलं इष्टं भवति भूषणम्।
तदस्य दीप्यतां शीघ्रं तेन दग्धेन गच्छतु॥53.03||

स॥ कपीनां भूषणं लांगूलं इष्टं भवति | तत् अस्य ( लांगूलं) दीप्यतां | तेन दग्धेन शीघ्रं गच्छतु॥

॥Sloka meanings||

कपीनां लांगूलं भूषणं -
tail is Vanara's ornament
इष्टं भवति - dear to them
तत् अस्य ( लांगूलं) दीप्यतां -
so his tail may be set on fire
तेन दग्धेन शीघ्रं गच्छतु -
once it is burnt he can go quickly

||Sloka summary||

"The tail is Vanara's ornament, and is dear to them. So his tail may be set on fire. Once it is burnt he can go quickly." ||53.03||

||Sloka 53.04||

ततः पश्यं त्विमं दीनं अंगवैरूप्यकर्शितम्।
समित्र ज्ञातयः सर्वे बान्धवाः ससुहृत् जनाः॥53.04||

स॥ ततः इमं अंगवैरूप्यकर्शितं दीनं ज्ञातयः सर्वे बांधवाः समित्र ससुहृत् पश्यं॥

॥Sloka meanings||

ततः इमं - then his
अंगवैरूप्यकर्शितं दीनं -
thus disfigured and pitiable
इमं ज्ञातयः सर्वे समित्र बांधवाः ससुहृत्-
those who know him, all his relatives, close friends
पश्यं इमं- let him be seen

||Sloka summary||

" Then all his friends relatives and his kinsmen will see him disfigured and deformed".||53.04||

||Sloka 53.05||

आज्ञापयत् राक्षसेंद्रः पुरं सर्वं स चत्वरम्।
लांगूलेन प्रदीप्तेन रक्षोभिः परिणीयताम्॥53.05||

स॥ राक्षसेंद्रः आज्ञापयत् लांगूलेन प्रदीप्तेन ( अयं ) रक्षोभिः सर्वं पुरं स चत्वरं परिणीयतां॥

॥Sloka meanings||

राक्षसेंद्रः आज्ञापयत् -
king of Rakshasas ordered
लांगूलेन प्रदीप्तेन -
with the tail set on fire
सर्वं पुरं स चत्वरं -
all over the city's four corners
रक्षोभिः परिणीयतां -
taken around by Rakshasas

||Sloka summary||

"The king of Rakshasas ordered that with the tail set on fire, the Rakshasas may take him all over the city's four corners." ||53.05||

||Sloka 53.06||

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षसाः कोपकर्षिताः।
वेष्टयन्ति स्म लांगूलं जीर्णैः कार्पासजैः पटैः॥53.06||

स॥ तस्य तत् वचनं श्रुत्वा राक्षसाः कोपकर्शिताः तस्य लांगूलं जीर्णैः कार्पासजैः पटैः वेष्टयंति स्म॥

॥Sloka meanings||

तस्य तत् वचनं श्रुत्वा -
hearing those words of the king
राक्षसाः कोपकर्शिताः - angry Rakshasas
तस्य लांगूलं जीर्णैः कार्पासजैः पटैः -
his tail with tatters of cotton
वेष्टयंति स्म - started wrapping

||Sloka summary||

"Hearing those words , the angry Rakshasas started wrapping his tail with tatters of cotton." ||53.06||

||Sloka 53.07||

संवेष्ट्यमाने लांगूले व्यवर्थत महाकपिः।
शुष्क मिन्दनमासाद्य वनेष्विव हुताशनः॥53.07||

स॥लांगूले संवेष्ट्यमाने महाकपिः व्यवर्धत (यथा)वनेषु शुष्कं इंधनं आसाद्य हुताशनः इव ||

||Sloka meanings||

लांगूले संवेष्ट्यमाने -
while the tail was being wrapped
महाकपिः व्यवर्धत -
great Vanara grew in size
(यथा)वनेषु शुष्कं -
dry wood of the forest
इंधनं आसाद्य हुताशनः इव -
like wild fire fed by

||Sloka summary||

"While the tail was being wrapped, the great Vanara grew in size like a wild fire fed by dry wood of the forest. Then they soaked the tail and set fire to the same." ||53.07||

||Sloka 53.08||

तैलेन परिषिच्याथ तेऽग्निं तत्राभ्यपातयन्।
लांगूलेन प्रदीप्तेन राक्षसां स्ता नपातयत्॥53.08||
रोषामर्षा परीतात्मा बालसूर्य समाननः।

स॥अथ ते तैलेन परिषिच्यतत्र अग्निम् अभ्यपातयन् | बालसूर्य समाननः रोषामर्षपरीतात्मा प्रदीप्तेन लांगूलेन तान् राक्षसान् अपातयत्॥

॥Sloka meanings||

अथ ते तैलेन परिषिच्य -
then they having soaked with oil
तत्र अग्निम् अभ्यपातयन् -
lit fire there
बालसूर्य समाननः -
looking like a rising Sun
रोषामर्षपरीतात्मा -
overtaken by indignation and anger
प्रदीप्तेन लांगूलेन -
with burning tail
तान् राक्षसान् अपातयत् -
he struck the Rakshasas

||Sloka summary||

"Then they lit fire there, having soaked with oil. Overtaken by indignation and anger and looking like a rising Sun, he struck the Rakshasas with his tail."||53.08||

||Sloka 53.09||

लांगूलं संप्रदीप्तं तु द्रष्टुं तस्य हनूमतः॥53.09||
सह स्त्री बालवृद्धाश्च जग्मुः प्रीता निशाचराः।

स॥ तस्य हनूमतः लांगूलम् प्रदीप्तं तं द्रष्टुं प्रीताः निशाचराः बालवृद्धाश्च सह स्त्री जग्मुः॥

॥Sloka meanings||

तस्य हनूमतः लांगूलम् प्रदीप्तं -
Hanuman with his tail burning bright
तं द्रष्टुं प्रीताः निशाचराः -
to see him happy Rakshasas
बालवृद्धाश्च सह स्त्री जग्मुः -
children and old people along with women came

||Sloka summary||

"To see the Hanuman with his tail burning bright, happy Rakshasas, children and old people along with women came."||53.09||

||Sloka 53.10||

स भूय संगतैः क्रूरैः राक्षसैः हरिसत्तमः ||53.10||
निबद्धः कृतवान् वीरः तत्कालसदृशीं मतिम्।

स॥ संगतैः क्रूरैः राक्षसैः भूयः निबद्धः सः वीरः हरिसत्तमः तत्काल सदृशीं मतिं कृतवान् ||

||Sloka meanings||

संगतैः क्रूरैः राक्षसैः -
by the cruel Rakshasa who gathered
भूयः निबद्धः सः वीरः -
again bound that hero
तत्काल सदृशीं -
appropriate for the moment.
हरिसत्तमः मतिं कृतवान् -
Vanaras thought about

||Sloka summary||

"When the Rakshasas gathered together and bound Hanuman again, the best of Vanaras thought of what was appropriate for the moment."||53.10||

||Sloka 53.11||

कामं खलु नमे शक्ता निबद्धास्यापि राक्षसाः॥53.11|
छित्वापाशान् समुत्पत्य हन्यामहं इमान्पुनः।

स॥रक्षसाः निबद्धस्यापि मे न शक्ताः कामं खलु | अहं पुनः पाशान् छित्वासमुत्पात्य इमान् हन्याम्॥

॥Sloka meanings||

निबद्धस्यापि रक्षसाः -
although bound by Rakshasas
मे न शक्ताः कामं खलु -
they are surely not capable
अहं पुनः पाशान् छित्वा -
again breaking the bonds
अहं समुत्पात्य इमान् हन्याम्-
I can kill all of them

||Sloka summary||

Although bound by Rakshasa they are not capable. I can again break the bonds and kill them.

||Sloka 53.12||

यदि भर्तुर्हितार्थाय चरन्तं भर्तृशासनात् ||53.12||
बध्नन्येते दुरात्मानो न तु मे निष्कृतिः कृता।

स॥भर्तुः हितार्थाय चरंतं एते दुरात्मनः बर्तृशासनात् बध्नंति यदि मे निकृतिः न कृता॥

॥Sloka meanings||

भर्तुः हितार्थाय चरंतं -
moving here for the well-being of my master
यदि मे निकृतिः न कृता -
if I escape I will not be doing my duty
एते दुरात्मनः - these evil ones
भर्तृशासनात् बध्नंति -
bound me on the orders of their master

||Sloka summary||

"While moving here for the well-being of my master , I will not be doing my duty if I escape . These evil ones bound me on the orders of their master. "

||Sloka 53.13, 14||

सर्वेषामेव पर्याप्तो राक्षसाना महं युधि॥53.13||
किंतु रामस्य प्रीत्यर्थं विषहिष्येऽह मीदृशं।
लंका चारयितव्या वै पुनरेव भवदिति॥53.14||

स॥युधि अहं सर्वेषांएव राक्षसानां पर्याप्तः | किंतु रामस्य प्रीत्यर्थं अहं ईदृशम् लंका पुनरेव चारयितव्या भवेत् | इति विषहिष्ये॥

॥Sloka meanings||

युधि अहं - In the battle
सर्वेषां एव राक्षसानां पर्याप्तः -
I am enough for all the Rakshasas
किंतु रामस्य प्रीत्यर्थं -
for the sake of Rama
ईदृशम् लंका - this Lanka
अहं पुनरेव चारयितव्या भवेत् -
I will go around seeing again
इति विषहिष्ये - will bear that

||Sloka summary||

" In the battle I am enough for all the Rakshasas. But for the sake of Rama I will go around Lanka like this. I will bear this."

||Sloka 53.15||

रात्रौन हि सुदृष्टा मे दुर्गकर्म विधानतः।
अवश्यमेव द्रष्टव्या मया लंका निशाक्षये॥53.15||

स॥ लंका दुर्गकर्मविहानतः रात्रौ सुदृष्टा न हि निशाक्षये मया | अवश्यमेव द्रष्टव्या॥

॥Sloka meanings||

लंका दुर्गकर्मविहानतः -
fortifications of Lanka
रात्रौ सुदृष्टा न हि -
not been seen by me clearly in the night
निशाक्षये मया -
before night ends
अवश्यमेव द्रष्टव्या-
I shall surely see

||Sloka summary||

"The fortifications of Lanka have not been seen by me clearly in the late hours of the night. They ought to be seen."

||Sloka 53.16||

कामं बद्धस्य मे भूयः पुच्छस्योद्दीपमनेन च।
पीडां कुर्वन्तु रक्षांसि न मेsस्ति मनसः श्रमः॥53.16||

स॥ भूयः बद्धस्य मे पुच्छस्य उद्दीपनेन रक्षांसि कामं पीडां कुर्वंतु | मे मनसः श्रमः नास्ति॥

॥Sloka meanings||

भूयः बद्धस्य मे -
again by binding me
पुच्छस्य उद्दीपनेन -
burning of the tail
रक्षांसि कामं पीडां कुर्वंतु -
Rakshasa's may torment me
मे मनसः श्रमः नास्ति-
that is not tiresome for me

||Sloka summary||

"Again by binding me and burning of the tail the Rakshasa's may torment me as they wish. That is not tiresome for me".||53.16||

||Sloka 53.17||

ततः ते संवृताकारं सत्त्ववन्तं महाकपिं।
परिगृह्य ययुर्हृष्टा राक्षसाः कपिकुंजरम्॥53.17||

स॥ ततः ते राक्षसाः हृष्टाः संवृताकारं सत्त्ववंतं कपिकुंजरं महाकपिं परिगृह्य ययुः॥

॥Sloka meanings||

ततः ते राक्षसाः हृष्टाः -
then the Rakshasas joyfully
संवृताकारं सत्त्ववंतं -
contracted and powerful
कपिकुंजरं महाकपिं -
hanuman the best of Vanaras
परिगृह्य ययुः -
took him around

||Sloka summary||

"Then the Rakshasas joyfully captured the shrunken Vanara, the elephant among Vanaras, and left." ||53.17||

||Sloka 53.18||

शंख भेरीनिनादैः तं घोषयन्तः स्वकर्मभिः।
राक्षसाः क्रूरकर्माणः चारयन्ति स्म तां पुरीम्॥53.18||

स॥ क्रूरकर्मणः राक्षसाः तं शंखभेरीनिनादैश्च स्वकर्मभिः घोषयंतः तां पुरीं चारयंति स्म॥

॥Sloka meanings||

क्रूरकर्मणः राक्षसाः -
Rakshasas who are known cruel actions
तं - that hanuman
शंखभेरीनिनादैश्च स्वकर्मभिः घोषयंतः -
beating drums and blowing conches , announcing their deeds
तां पुरीं चारयंति स्म-
paraded him around the city

||Sloka summary||

"The Rakshasas who are known cruel actions, beating drums and blowing conches , announcing their deeds, paraded him around the city." ||53.18||

||Sloka 53.19||

अन्वीयमानो रक्षोभि र्ययौ सुखमरिन्दमः।
हनुमांश्चारयामास राक्षसानां महपुरीं॥53.19||

स॥ अरिंदमः हनुमान् रक्षोभिः अन्वीयमानः सुखं ययौ। राक्षसानां महपुरीं चारयामास॥

॥Sloka meanings||

अरिंदमः हनुमान् -
subduer of enemies , Hanuman
रक्षोभिः अन्वीयमानः -
being taken around by Rakshasas
सुखं ययौ - felt good
राक्षसानां महपुरीं चारयामास -
he ranged forth in the city of Rakshasas

||Sloka summary||

"The subduer of enemies , Hanuman being followed by Rakshasas went around happily. He ranged forth in the city of Rakshasas."||53.19||

||Sloka 53.20||

अथापश्यत् विमानानि विचित्राणि महाकपिः।
संवृतान् भूमिभागांश्च सुविभक्तांश्च चत्वरान्॥53.20||

स॥ अथ महाकपिः विचित्राणि विमानानि संवृतान् भूमिभागांश्च सुविभक्तान् चत्वारान् अपश्यत् ||

||Sloka meanings||

अथ महाकपिः -
then the great Vanara
विचित्राणि विमानानि -
wonderful towering mansions
संवृतान् भूमिभागांश्च -
secure underground places
सुविभक्तान् चत्वारान् -
well laid out squares and streets.
अपश्यत् - saw

||Sloka summary||

Then the great Vanara saw wonderful towering mansions secured all over and well laid out squares and streets.||53.20||

||Sloka 53.21||

वीधीश्च गृहसंबाधाः कपिः शृंगाटकानि च।
तथा रथ्योपरथ्याश्च तथैव गृहकान्तरान्॥53.21||
गृहाश्च मेघसंकाशान् ददर्श पवनात्मजः।

स॥ पवनात्मजः कपिः गृहसंबाधाः वीथिः शृंगाटकानि च तथा रथ्योपरथ्याश्च तथैवच च गृहकांतरान् मेघसंकासान् गृहांश्च ददर्श॥

॥Sloka meanings||

पवनात्मजः कपिः -
son of wind god, the Vanara
गृहसंबाधाः वीथिः -
streets with houses
शृंगाटकानि च -
beautiful tall mansions
तथा रथ्योपरथ्याश्च-
with highways and byways
तथैवच च गृहकांतरान् मेघसंकासान् गृहांश्च - similarly interiors paths of houses, also houses appearing like clouds
ददर्श- saw

||Sloka summary||

"The son of wind god, the Vanara, saw streets with houses and beautiful tall mansions, highways and byways. Similarly he saw interior routes of houses, also houses appearing like clouds."||53.21||

||Sloka 53.22||

चत्वरेषु चतुष्केषु राजमार्गे तथैव च॥53.22||
घोषयन्ति कपिं सर्वे चारीक इति राक्षसाः।

स॥ सर्वे रक्षसाः चत्वरेषु चतुष्केषु तथैव च राजमार्गे कपिं चारीकः इति घोषयंति॥

॥Sloka meanings||

सर्वे रक्षसाः -
all the Rakshasas
चत्वरेषु चतुष्केषु -
in the cross roads, the altars with four pillars
तथैव च राजमार्गे च -
similarly along the Royal path too
कपिं चारीकः इति घोषयंति-
announcing that Vanara as a thief

||Sloka summary||

"All the Rakshasas went around the cross roads, the altars with four pillars, the royal path announcing the Vanara as a thief."||53.22||

||Sloka 53.23||

स्त्रीबाल वृद्धा निर्जग्मुः तत्र तत्र कुतूहलात्॥53.23||
तं प्रदीपितलांगूलं हनुमन्तं दिदृक्षवः।

स॥ प्रदीपितलांगूलं तं हनूमंतं दिदृक्षवः स्त्रीबालवृद्धाः तत्र तत्र कुतूहलात् निर्जग्मुः॥

॥Sloka meanings||

प्रदीपितलांगूलं तं -
with glowing tail
हनूमंतं दिदृक्षवः -
to see Hanuman
स्त्रीबालवृद्धाः तत्र तत्र -
women, children and old people here and there
कुतूहलात् निर्जग्मुः -
gathered with curiosity

||Sloka summary||

"To see Hanuman with glowing tail , women, children and old people gathered with curiosity everywhere."||53.23||

||Sloka 53.24||

दीप्यमाने ततः तस्य लांगूलाग्रे हनूमतः॥53.24||
राक्षस्य स्ता विरूपाक्ष्यः शंसुर्देवाव्यास्तदप्रियम्।

स॥ ततः तत्र हनूमतः लांगूलाग्रे दीप्यमाने विरूपाक्ष्यः ताः राक्षस्यः देव्याः अप्रियं तत् शंसुः॥

॥Sloka meanings||

ततः तत्र हनूमतः -
then there Hanuman's
लांगूलाग्रे दीप्यमाने -
tail was set on fire
विरूपाक्ष्यः ताः राक्षस्यः -
Rakshasis with ugly looking eyes
देव्याः अप्रियं तत् शंसुः-
informed the unpleasant news to the divine lady

||Sloka summary||

"Then as the Hanuman's tail was set on fire , the ugly looking Rakshasis informed the unpleasant news to the divine lady Sita." ||53.24||

||Sloka 53.25||

यस्त्वया कृत संवादः सीते ताम्रमुखः कपिः॥53.25||
लांगूलेन प्रदीप्तेन स एष परिणीयते।

स॥ सीते यः ताम्रमुखः कपिः त्वया कृतसंवादः स एषः प्रदीप्तेन लांगूलेन परिणीयते ||

||Sloka meanings||
सीते यः ताम्रमुखः कपिः -
o Sita, the Vanara with red face
त्वया कृतसंवादः -
one who spoke to you
स एषः प्रदीप्तेन लांगूलेन -
he with his tail set on fire
परिणीयते - being paraded

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Sita, the Vanara with red face , who spoke to you , he was being paraded in the streets with his tail set on fire". ||53.25||

||Sloka 53.26||

श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं क्रूरं आत्मापहरणोपमम्॥53.26||
वैदेही शोक संतप्ता हूताशनमुपागमत्।

स॥ वैदेही आत्मापहरणोपमं क्रूरं तत् वचनं श्रुत्वा शोकसंतप्ता हुताशनं उपागमत्॥

॥Sloka meanings||

आत्मापहरणोपमं -
that which was equal to her abduction
क्रूरं तत् वचनं श्रुत्वा -
hearing those cruel words
वैदेही शोकसंतप्ता हुताशनं उपागमत् -
Vaidehi burning with grief invoked the god of fire

||Sloka summary||

"Vaidehi hearing that news which was as cruel as her abduction, burning with grief invoked the god of fire." ||53.26||

||Sloka 53.27||

मंगळाभिमुखी तस्य सा तदाऽऽसीन्महाकपेः॥
उपतस्थे विशालाक्षी प्रयता हव्यवाहनम्॥53.27||

स॥ तदा सा महाकपेः तस्य मंगळाभिमुखी आसीत्। विशालाक्षी प्रयता हव्यवाहनम् उपतस्थे॥

॥Sloka meanings||

तदा सा - then that lady
महाकपेः - for the great Vanara
तस्य मंगळाभिमुखी आसीत् -
wishing auspicious happenings for him
विशालाक्षी प्रयता -
the large eyed one in her mind
हव्यवाहनम् उपतस्थे-
invoked the god of fire

||Sloka summary||

"Then that lady wishing auspicious happenings for the great Vanara invoked the god of fire in her mind." ||53.27||

||Sloka 53.28||

यद्यस्ति पतिशुश्रूषा यद्यस्ति चरितं तपः।
यदि चास्त्येकपत्नीत्वं शीतो भवतु हनूमतः॥53.28||

स॥ पतिशुश्रूषा अस्ति यदि तपः चरितं अस्ति यदि एकपत्नीत्वं अस्ति च यदि त्वं हनूमतः शीतः भव॥

॥Sloka meanings||

पतिशुश्रूषा अस्ति यदि -
if I have served my husband
तपः चरितं अस्ति यदि -
if I have practiced austerities,
एकपत्नीत्वं अस्ति च यदि-
if I am loyal to my husband
त्वं हनूमतः शीतः भव -
you be cool for Hanuman.

||Sloka summary||

"If I have served my husband, if I have practiced austerities, if I am loyal to my husband , you be cool for Hanuman." ||53.28||

||Sloka 53.29||

यदिकिंचिदनुक्रोशः तस्य मय्यस्ति धीमतः।
यदि वा भाग्यशेषो मे शीतो भवतु हनूमतः॥53.29||

स॥ धीमतः तस्य मयि किंचित् अनुक्रोशः अस्ति यदि मे भाग्य शेषः यदि वा हनूमतः शीतः भव॥

॥Sloka meanings||

धीमतः तस्य - the wise one
मयि किंचित् अनुक्रोशः अस्ति -
has a little compassion for me
यदि मे भाग्य शेषः -
if there is any luck with me
यदि वा हनूमतः शीतः भव -
let Hanuman become cool

||Sloka summary||

"If the wise one has a little compassion for me , if there is any luck with me, let Hanuman become cool." ||53.29||

||Sloka 53.30||

यदि मां वृत्ति संपन्नां तत्समागम लालसां।
स विजानाति धर्मात्मा शीतो भवतु हनूमतः॥53.30||

स॥ धर्मात्मा सः माम् वृत्तसंपन्नां तत्समागमलालसां विजानते यदि हनूमतः शीतः भव॥

॥Sloka meanings||

धर्मात्मा सः - he, the righteous one
माम् वृत्तसंपन्नां -
(believes) me being pure in mind
तत्समागमलालसां विजानते यदि-
believes that I am longing to unite with him
हनूमतः शीतः भव -
be cool for Hanuman.

||Sloka summary||

"If the righteous one believes I am pure in mind , and that I am longing to unite with him then be cool for Hanuman." ||53.30||

In these four Slokas Sita prays to God of Fire to protect Hanuma. In that prayer she places all her power at stake for the safety of Hanuman. We will review this at the end of the chapter.

||Sloka 53.31||

यदि मां तारयेदार्यः सुग्रीवः सत्यसंगरः।
अस्मादुःखाम्बुसंरोधात् शीतो भव हनूमतः॥53.31||

स॥ आर्यः सत्यसंगरः सुग्रीवः अस्मात् दूखाम्बु संरोधात् मां तारयेत् यदि हनूमतः शीतः भव॥

॥Sloka meanings||

आर्यः सत्यसंगरः सुग्रीवः -
Sugriva the noble one who is true to his promise
अस्मात् दूखाम्बु संरोधात् -
from this sea of sorrows
मां तारयेत् यदि-
if he is going to rescue me
हनूमतः शीतः भव -
then be cool for Hanuman

||Sloka summary||

"If Sugriva the noble one who is true to his promise in warfare is going to rescue me from this sea of sorrows then be cool for Hanuman".||53.31||

||Sloka 53.32||

ततः तीक्ष्णार्चि रव्यग्रः प्रदक्षिणशिखो नलः।
जज्वाल मृगशाबाक्ष्या श्शंसन्निव शिवं कपेः॥53.32||

स॥ ततः अनलः मृगशाबाक्ष्याः कपेः शिवं शंसन्निव तीक्ष्णार्चिः प्रदक्षिणशिखः अव्यग्रः जज्वाल॥

॥Sloka meanings||

ततः अनलः -
then the fire god
मृगशाबाक्ष्याः -
to the fawn eyed lady
कपेः शिवं शंसन्निव -
as if announcing the auspiciousness of the Vanara
तीक्ष्णार्चिः प्रदक्षिणशिखः -
intense flame with tips of the flames moving
अव्यग्रः जज्वाल- steadily glowed

||Sloka summary||

"Then tips of the intense flame glowed steadily as though assuring the fawn eyed lady about being auspicious to the Vanara." ||53.32||

||Sloka 53.33||

हनुमज्जनकश्चापि पुच्छानलयुतोऽनिलः।
ववौ स्वास्थ्यकरो देव्याः प्रालेयानिलशीतलः॥53.33||

स॥ हनुमत् जनकः अनिलः पुच्छानलयुतः देव्याः स्वास्थ्यकरः प्रालेयानिलशीतलः ववौ॥

॥Sloka meanings||

हनुमत् जनकः -
hanuman's father too
पुच्छानलयुतः अनिलः-
(to) the fire god burning the tail
देव्याः स्वास्थ्यकरः -
divine lady's prayer for safety
प्रालेयानिलशीतलः ववौ-
blew cool wind like wind from cool mountains

||Sloka summary||

"The father of Hanuman the wind god and the fire god burning the tail, blew cool wind , in response to her prayers ." ||53.33||

||Sloka 53.34||

दह्यमाने च लांगूले चिंतयामास वानरः॥53.34||
प्रदीप्तोsग्निरयं कस्मान्नमां दहति सर्वतः।

स॥लांगूले दह्यमाने वानरः चिंतयामास। सर्वतः प्रदीप्तः अयं अग्निः माम् कस्मात् न दहति ||

||Sloka meanings||

लांगूले दह्यमाने -
as the tail continued burning
वानरः चिंतयामास -
Hanuman started thinking
सर्वतः प्रदीप्तः अयं अग्निः -
the fire which burns everything
माम् कस्मात् न दहति -
why is it not burning me?

||Sloka summary||

"As the tail continued burning Hanuman started thinking. Why is this the fire which is burning everywhere is not burning me." ||53.34||

||Sloka 53.35||

दृश्यते च महाज्वालः करोति न च मे रुजम्॥53.35||
शिशिरस्येवसंपातो लांगूलाग्रेप्रतिष्टितः।

स॥महाज्वालः दृश्यते मे रुजं न करोति च लांगूलाग्रे शिशिरस्य संघातः प्रतिष्टितः इव ||

||Sloka meanings||

महाज्वालः दृश्यते मे -
great fire is seen
मे रुजं न करोति च -
it is not hurting me
लांगूलाग्रे शिशिरस्य संघातः -
at the tip of my tail
शिशिरस्य संघातः प्रतिष्टितः इव -
cool mass of ice is placed as if

||Sloka summary||

"The great fire is seen, but it is not hurting me. At the end of my tail, it is cool like there is a mass of ice." ||53.35||

||Sloka 53.36||

अथवा तदिदं व्यक्तं यदृष्टं प्लवता मया॥53.36||
रामप्रभावादाश्चर्यं पर्वतः सरितां पतौ।

स॥ अथवा यत् प्लवता मया रामप्रभावात् पर्वतः सरितां पतौ आश्चर्यं दृष्टं तत् इदं व्यक्तम्॥

॥Sloka meanings||

अथवा यत् प्लवता मया-
or else when I was flying
रामप्रभावात् -
because of Rama's power
पर्वतः सरितां पतौ -
mountain floating up in the ocean
आश्चर्यं दृष्टं -
surprisingly seen
तत् इदं व्यक्तम् -
now it is clear.

||Sloka summary||

"Or it may be because of Rama's power. Like the wonderful incident of a mountain floating in the sky seen while I leaped" ||53.36||

||Sloka 53.37||

यदि तावत् समुद्रस्य मैनाकस्य च धीमतः॥53.37||
रामार्थं संभ्रमस्तादृक्किमग्निर्नकरिष्यति।

स॥समुद्रस्य धीमतः मैनाकस्य रामार्थं तादृक् संभ्रमः यदि अग्निः किं न करिष्यति॥

॥Sloka meanings||

यदि समुद्रस्य धीमतः मैनाकस्य -
if wise Sagara and Mainaka
रामार्थं तादृक् संभ्रमः यदि -
had such anxiety to serve Rama
अग्निः किं न करिष्यति -
why will not God of fire do ?

||Sloka summary||

" If the wise Sagara and Mainaka had such anxiety to serve Rama , why will not god of fire do ? " ||53.37||

||Sloka 53.38||

सीतायाश्चानृशं स्येन तेजसा राघवस्य च॥53.38||
पितुश्च मम सख्येन न मां दहति पावकः।

स॥ सीतायाः अनृशंस्येन राघवस्य तेजसा ममपितुः सख्येन पावकः माम् न दहति॥

॥Sloka meanings||

सीतायाः अनृशंस्येन -
because of Sita's steadfast chaste character
राघवस्य तेजसा -
Raghava's luster
ममपितुः सख्येन -
my father's friendship
पावकः माम् न दहति-
god of fire is not burning me

||Sloka summary||

"Because of Sita's steadfast chaste character, Raghava's luster, and my father's friendship , the god of fire is not burning me." ||53.38||

||Sloka 53.39||

भूयः स चिंतयामास मुहूर्तं कपिकुंजरः॥53.39||
उत्पपाताथ वेगेन ननाद च महाकपिः।

स॥ कपिकुंजरः सः महाकपिः भूयः चिंतयामास | अथ वेगेन उत्पपाद ननाद च॥

॥Sloka meanings||

कपिकुंजरः सः महाकपिः -
Vanara, the best among Vanaras
भूयः चिंतयामास -
again started thinking
अथ वेगेन उत्पपाद ननाद च-
then flew up quickly and roared

||Sloka summary||

"The best among Vanaras again started thinking. Then flew up quickly and roared." ||53.39||

||Sloka 53.40||

पुरद्वारं ततः श्रीमान् शैलशृंगमिवोन्नतम्॥53.40||
विभक्तरक्षस्संभाध माससादानिलात्मजः।

स॥ ततः श्रीमान् अनिलात्मजः शैलशृंगमिव उन्नतं विभक्तरक्षः संबाधाम् पुरद्वारं आससाद॥

॥Sloka meanings||

ततः श्रीमान् अनिलात्मजः -
then the illustrious son of wind god
विभक्तरक्षः संबाधाम् -
having freed himself from the Rakshasas
शैलशृंगमिव उन्नतं -
which is like the peak of the mountain
पुरद्वारं आससाद-
reached the entrance of the city

||Sloka summary||

"Then the illustrious son of wind god reached the entrance of the city which is like the peak of the mountain and having freed himself from the Rakshasas."||53.40||

||Sloka 53.41||

स भूत्वा शैलसंकाशः क्षणेन पुनरात्मवान् ||53.41||
ह्रस्वतां परमां प्राप्तोबन्दनान्यवशातयत्।

स॥ आत्मवान् सः शैलसंकाशः भूत्वा क्षणेन ह्रस्वतां प्राप्तः बन्धनानि अवशातयत्॥

॥Sloka meanings||

सः शैलसंकाशः -
he of the form of a mountain
आत्मवान् भूत्वा-
attaining his own form
क्षणेन ह्रस्वतां प्राप्तः -
in a moment became very small
बन्धनानि अवशातयत् -
became free of all bonds

||Sloka summary||'

"Hanuman making himself appear like a mountain, in a moment making himself small he cast off all the ropes binding him." ||53.41||

||Sloka 53.42||

विमुक्ताश्चाभवत् श्रीमान् पुनः पर्वतसन्निभः॥53.42||
वीक्षमाणाश्च ददृशे परिघं तोरणाश्रितम्।

स॥श्रीमान् विमुक्तश्च पुनः पर्वतसन्निभः अभवत्। वीक्षमाणश्च तोरणाश्रितं परिघं ददर्श॥

॥Sloka meanings||

श्रीमान् विमुक्तश्च -
illustrious one having freed himself
पुनः पर्वतसन्निभः अभवत् -
again assumed the form of the size of a mountain
वीक्षमाणश्च - looking around
तोरणाश्रितं परिघं ददर्श -
sitting on the archway he saw the iron club

||Sloka summary||

"The illustrious one having freed himself again assumed the form of the size of a mountain. Looking around , sitting on the archway he found the iron club."||53.42||

||Sloka 53.43||

स तं गृह्य महाबाहुः कालायस परिष्कृतम्॥53.43||
रक्षिणस्तान् पुनः सर्वान् सूदयामास मारुतिः।

स॥ महाबाहुः सः मारुतिः कालायसपरिष्कृतं तं पुनः गृह्य सर्वान् तान् रक्षिणः सूदयामास॥

॥Sloka meanings||

महाबाहुः सः मारुतिः -
strong armed son of wind god
कालायसपरिष्कृतं -
that which was made of black iron
तं पुनः गृह्य - again seizing that one
तान् सर्वान् रक्षिणः सूदयामास -
killed all the guards

||Sloka summary||

"The strong-armed son of wind god, again seizing the club made of black iron killed all the guards." ||53.43||

||Sloka 53.44||

सतान् निहत्वा रणचण्डविक्रमः
समीक्षमाणः पुनरेव लंकाम्॥
प्रदीप्तलांगूलकृतार्चिमाली
प्रकाशताऽऽदित्य इवार्चिमाली॥53.44||

स॥ रणचंडविक्रमः सः तान् निहत्वा पुनरेव लंकां समीक्षमानः प्रदीप्तलांगूलकृतार्चिमाली अर्चिमाली अदित्य इव प्रकाशत॥

॥Sloka meanings||

रणचंडविक्रमः -
one who is of fearsome valor in war
सः तान् निहत्वा -
he having killed them
पुनरेव लंकां समीक्षमानः -
gazing at Lanka once again
प्रदीप्तलांगूलकृतार्चिमाली -
garlanded by the flames of his tail around
अर्चिमाली अदित्य इव प्रकाशत -
shone like the Sun covered with garland of rays

||Sloka summary||

"Hanuman who was of fearsome valor in war with the Rakshasas, having killed them gazed at Lanka once again. Garlanded by the flames of his tail around, he shone like the Sun covered with garland of rays." ||53.44||
The unquestionable highlight of the Sarga is Sita's prayers.

We heard of Hanuma, as the Acharya or the teacher,
who set out in search of the Jiva who strayed away from Paramatman?
Acting as a teacher, he sets out in search of the Jiva.

Having found the Jiva,
having observed Jiva to confirm that he has the necessary characteristics of a Seeker,
he, the teacher, owns the Jiva as a seeker.
Having created the confidence in him as the teacher,
then the teacher becomes the agent for the unification of the Seeker or Jivatma and Paramatma.

In this narration Hanuma is the teacher.
Sita is the Seeker.

The two benefactors or protectors of the Jiva are the teacher and the Supreme being.
The Seeker who goes astray loses both the protectors.

The teacher must be seen in relation to Supreme being
The Seeker is to be seen in relation to the teacher.
For the Seeker the teacher is the guide
Now we see Hanuma and Sita's actions.

While the tail was on fire
Hanuma decides to bear the pain in the interest of his duty. 'रामकार्यार्थम्'.

But Sita could not bear the thought of Hanuma bearing that pain,
She prays to the God of Fire to keep Hanuma cool.

In the relationship between the disciple and the teacher,
how each should act is illustrated by this event

The teacher is responsible for the protection of the disciple.
The disciple under the charge of Guru need not worry about his own protection.
After having obtained a teacher, the Seeker shall be at peace,
knowing that teacher, by extension the Supreme being, is there to show the path.

Similarly, Sita depending on Rama as the Supreme being,
did not use her powers to protect herself.
She has the ascetic powers of a virtuous wife.
She did not use those powers.
She was sure Rama will come and protect here.
But she did use her powers to protect Hanuma.

A disciple under a teacher is also under the protection of the teacher.
The teacher protects the disciple from all sorts of impediments
The disciple under a teacher too has a similar responsibility.
He shall always take charge of physical protection of the Teacher.
Here Sita uses her power for the protection of Hanuma, the teacher.

The teacher who had the grace of the Supreme being,
who continues to serve under the orders of the Supreme?
shall be ready to bear the burdens in serving the Supreme.
He is sure the Supreme being will come to his aid if necessary.

That is what we see in Hanuma
Hanuma, though being tormented by Rakshasa, decides to bear it.
Bears it in the interest of his task for Rama.
Hanuma went around the city as the captive of Rakshasas.
Thus, the roles of the disciple and the teacher is illustrated through this event,

Here the four Slokas of Sita's prayer are important.

यद्यसि पतिशुश्रूषा यद्यस्ति चरितं तपः।
यदि चास्त्येकपत्नीत्वं शीतो भवतु हनूमतः॥28||
यदिकिंचिदनुक्रोशः तस्य मय्यस्ति धीमतः।
यदि वा भाग्यशेषो मे शीतो भवतु हनूमतः॥29||
यदि मां वृत्ति संपन्नां तत्समागम लालसां।
स विजानाति धर्मात्मा शीतो भवतु हनूमतः॥30||
यदि मां तारयेदार्यः सुग्रीवः सत्यसंगरः।
अस्मादुःखाम्बुसंरोधात् शीतो भव हनूमतः॥31||

These four Slokas render peace to a burning heart.

one more thing.

Hanuma is Rama's messenger.
Hanuma is captured and brought before Ravana.
We know how Ravana reacted to the same.

There is a similar event in Yuddhakanda.

Rama reaches Lanka with the Vanara Army.
To know more about the Vanara army
Ravana sends two Rakshasas Suka and Sarana to spy on the enemy camp.
Vibhishana finds these two spies moving about in the Vanara camp.
He brings them to Rama.
Rama's statement at that time is indeed a lesson.

"न्यस्त शस्त्रौ गृहीतौ वा
न दूतौ वधं अर्हतः"
The spies who discard weapons or who are caught shall not be killed.

Having told this to Vibhishana,
Rama asks the spies whether they got the information they desired.
Rama tells Vibhishana to show whatever is wanted by the spies and let them go.

That is Rama's order.
We can see the contrast of Rama and Ravana's orders.

Ravana is known as a well read one.
But we know from these orders the difference.
Rama combines strength and knowledge with compassion.
Ravana lacks the knowledge and compassion.

Thus, ends Sarga fifty-three of Sundarakanda.

इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे आदिकाव्ये वाल्मीकीये
चतुर्विंशत् सहस्रिकायां संहितायाम्
श्रीमत्सुंदरकांडे त्रिपंचाशस्सर्गः ||

Thus ends Sarga fifty-three of Sundarakanda of Ramayana , the first poem composed in Sanskrit by the first poet sage Valmiki .

|| om tat sat||