||om tat sat||
तथा विप्रेक्षमानस्य वनं पुष्पित पादपं।
विचिन्वतश्च वैदेहीं किंचिच्चेषा निशाsभवत्॥1||
स॥ पुष्पित पादपं विप्रेक्षमानस्य वैदेहीं विचिन्वतः च तथा निशा किंचित् शेषा अभवत् ।
While seeing those trees with flowers and searching for Sita very little of the night was left.

Sundarakanda
Sarga 18

While Hanuman going through that Ashoka grove full of trees with flowers and searching for Sita very little of the night was left. At the end of the night and the early morning hours of the day Hanuman heard sound of Vedas from those Brahmins among Rakshasas who are experts in the Vedas and the six auxiliary parts thereof . Those Brahma Rakshasas are also experts on performing sacrificial ceremonies.

Then Ravana the powerful ten headed one with powerful arms was awakened by the delightful sounds of auspicious musical instruments.
The valorous king of Rakshasas waking up as per time with disarranged garlands and garments thought about Vaidehi. Gripped by his exceedingly high passion for Vaidehi and overwhelmed with that passion the Rakshasa could not hide his passion within himself. Adorned with all excellent ornaments glowing with splendor, he went to that Ashoka grove full of trees filled with all kinds of flowers and fruits. The grove was full of ponds shining with variety of flowers as also with colorful birds which are excited and looked wonderful. He entered the Ashoka grove observing path ways, gateways ornamented with gold and gems, as well as the pleasant to look at the grove filled with trees. The grove was occupied by several wolves, filled with variety of herds of animals. Fruits fallen from the trees can be seen everywhere.

That wandering son of Pulastya was followed by hundred women like Indra was followed by Deva Gandharva women. There some women carried golden lamps. Others carried palm leaf fans. Some others held fans made of hair from Yak's tail. Some carried water in golden pitchers in the front. Others in the back carried circular seats as they moved. One courteous woman carried a gem studded jar filled with wine in her right hand only. Another carried a umbrella with golden handle resembling a royal swan and bright like a full moon.

With eyes dizzy with intoxication and sleep Ravana's wives followed the heroic husband like lightning followed the dark clouds. With disarrayed necklaces , and smudged sandal paste and other unguents on the body, loosened hair, also with sweat on their faces his wives followed him.
The wives of Ravana adorned with beautiful flowers in their hair, with garlands of wilted flowers due to sweat from their limbs, moving unsteadily, being dizzy with leftover intoxication as well as sleep followed him. The drunken eyed dear wives, and other ladies followed the king of Rakshasas due to high regards and due to passion.

Their husband, the powerful and dull Ravana who is under the control of passion, with a mind full of thoughts on Sita walked slowly.

Then the son of wind god that Vanara heard the sounds of golden girdles and small bells of their anklets.

The Vanara Hanuman , who performs incomparable deeds saw the hero unimaginable strength and valor at the entrance. Ravana was shining with fragrant oil lamps held in the front by many everywhere. Endowed with lust pride and intoxication, possessed of long hot red eyes with his quiver and arrows set aside, he looked like Manmatha himself. Without any dust, looking like foam of the churned nectar, the upper cloth which was stuck in his armlet was sportively dragged.

Hidden in the leaves on the branch covered with leaves and flowers Hanuman scanned the identity of the one coming nearer. Then the best of Vanaras looking carefully saw the Ravana's chief women who are young and beautiful. The famous king surrounded by beautiful charming women entered the grove meant for women which echoed with sounds of beasts and birds. The very powerful son of Visravasa, the king of Rakshasa excited by drinking, wearing wonderful ornaments, with long tapering ears, was seen by him. Surrounded by best of women, looking like the Moon surrounded by stars, the brilliant Hanuman saw that splendid king of Rakshasas.

The powerful Hanuman, the son of wind god, thinking that "this one of strong arms is Ravana" came down. Possessed of extraordinary strength Hanuman was taken aback by the might of Ravana concealed deep in the leaves remained there.

To look at the dark haired lady, with beautiful hips, plump breasts and dark side glances that Ravana returned to the Ashoka grove.

Thus ends Sarga eighteen of Sundarakanda in Ramayana the first poem composed by the first poet sage Valmiki

||om tat sat||
स तां असितकेशांतां सुश्रोणीं संहतस्तनीम्।
दिदृक्षु रसितापांगां उपावर्तत रावणः॥32||
स॥ तं असितकेशांतं सुश्रोणिं संहतरत्नीं असितपांगां दिद्रुक्षुः सः रावणः उपावर्तत॥
To look at the dark haired lady , with beautiful hips, plump breasts and dark side glances that Ravana returned to the Ashoka grove.
||om tat sat||

 

 

 

 

 

 

||om tat sat||