|| om tat sat||
ततः स कपिशार्दूलः तेन वाक्येन हर्षितः।
सीतामुवाच तत् श्रुत्वा वाक्यं वाक्य विशारदः॥1||
स॥ ततः तत् वाक्यं श्रुत्वा तेन वाक्येन हर्षिता वाक्य विशारदः कपिशार्दूलः सीतां उवाच॥
The Best among Vanaras, eloquent in speech, having heard those words, was delighted and spoke to Sita.

Sundarakanda
Sarga 38

The best among Vanaras, eloquent in speech, having heard those words elaborating why she cannot fly back on his back was delighted.

He then spoke to Sita. 'Oh Devi, whose appearance is auspicious, what you said is proper and is appropriate for a woman's nature, and the nature of a virtuous woman. Climbing up on my back and cross hundred Yojana wide ocean is not possible for a woman'.

'Oh Janaki imbued with humility, the second reason you told is that other than Rama you cannot touch any other person. Oh Devi, this is appropriate for the wife of the great soul. Other than you, who else can say such words? Oh Devi, whatever you have done or said in front of me will be heard by the scion of Kakutstha'.

'Oh Devi, I have said those words with many reasons and with a mind sprinkled with love, desiring to please Rama. Considering the difficulty of entering Lanka, difficulty of crossing the ocean, and my own capability in overcoming the difficulties made me tell you this. I said those words out of love and devotion for my master, to unite you with the scion of Raghu today itself, and not otherwise. Oh blameless lady, if you do not like to go along with me, then give me a token of remembrance that Raghava knows.'

Being told thus by Hanuman, Sita resembling gods daughters, spoke in a low tone and with words choked with tears. 'This best token of remembrance you may tell my dear one.'

'Earlier in the northeast part of Chitrakuta mountain, there is a Siddhasrama at its foot, not too far from river Mandakini, where we were living in the ascetics hermitages. In those gardens with variety of fragrant flowers after sporting in the waters I was resting in your lap. Then a crow came with a piece of meat, went round and was pecking it with its beak. I took a piece of earth and was warding him off. That crow while pecking waited there only without giving up the flesh, hungry for food being a eater of offerings. Angry with the bird, I was seen by you while I was pulling up my waist string as the cloth was slipping '.

'I was angry at being laughed at. Embarrassed and torn by the voracious bird, I sought you. Exhausted, I sat on your lap again. Being angry, I was happily pacified by you again. Oh Lord angered by the crow, face filled with tears, slowly wiping them I was noticed by you' .

'Due to exhaustion I too slept in the lap of Raghava. In turn the Bharata's elder slept in my lap. Then that crow again came back to that place. That crow came quickly clawed between my breasts as I woke up from Rama's lap. Then the crow flying in again repeatedly clawed at me'.

'Then, the happily sleeping Illustrious scorcher of foes was awakened by the dripping drops of blood. Rama saw me being forcibly tormented by the crow. That Rama of powerful arms, seeing me wounded in the breasts, angered, hissing like a serpent spoke these words'.

"Oh Lady, whose thighs shine like elephant trunk, by whom is your breast wounded ? Who is sporting with five hooded snake"? Then looking around he saw the crow standing with blood stained nails, facing me only. Eminent among birds that crow is said to be the son of Indra, He covered long distance in one movement with speed of wind god'.

'Then the best among the wise, with powerful arms, with eyes rolling in anger, made up his mind about the cruel crow. Then taking out a blade of grass from the Dharbha mat, he invoked the weapon of Brahma. It blazed like the fire at the time of dissolution, glowed towards the bird. He then threw the glowing Dharbha towards the crow. Then that Dharbha followed the crow across the skies'.

'Then the crow being thus followed went to many places. Desiring safety, he went around the whole universe. Having gone around the three worlds, rejected by his father, the sages and all the gods too, he came back to seek your protection. That Kakutstha, the savior who saves those who seek refuge, saved the crow fallen on the ground seeking refuge even through it deserves to be killed'.

'Rama spoke to the one who sought refuge in him, who is pained and despondent. "The weapon of Brahma cannot be in vain. What shall be done, that you tell me". Then the crow said "Your arrow may blind the right eye". Then that crow's right eye was blinded. He gave his right eye and saved his own life. He having paid obeisance to Rama and the king Dasaratha, was permitted to leave. Then he went back to his abode'.

'Oh King ! For my sake, weapon of Brahma was released on the crow. Why are you excusing him who abducted me. Oh bull among men, let him with great love show compassion on me. Oh Lord your dependent appears like an orphan '.

'Kindness, supreme, righteousness was heard by me from you only. You are heroic, vigorous, boundless, never to be stirred, deep like an ocean, lord of the earth and sea, equal to Vasava'.

'Oh Raghava ! Being the best of users of weapons, truthful and powerful, why are you not using the weapons against the Rakshasas? Neither Nagas, Gandharvas, Suras, Maruts are capable of matching the speed of Rama to hit back in a battle. If the hero of great discipline has even a little anxiety about me then with sharp arrows why not destroy the Rakshasas'.

'For what reason Lakshmana, the powerful warrior and the scorcher of enemies, is not coming to my rescue taking order from his brother. The two tigers among men, resembling fire and wind, unassailable even for gods, why are they disregarding me? Some great sin has been committed by me. There is no doubt. Although capable of scorching enemies, they are not delivering me from my troubles.

Then the powerful son of wind god, Hanuman hearing those piteous words spoken by Sita with tears, spoke in reply. 'Oh Devi, Rama is averse to you being in sorrow. I vouch for the truth. Rama being immersed in sorrow, Lakshmana wails. Now that you have been found, this not time for sorrowing. Oh blameless lady, this moment you are seeing the end of your sorrows. The two tigers among men, powerful are anxious for seeing you. The two princes will reduce the Lanka to ashes. Oh wide eyed lady, Raghava along with his relatives after killing evil Ravana, will take you to his city. Tell me those words for mighty Raghava, the powerful Lakshmana, the brilliant Sugriva and all other Vanaras gathered there'.

Thus asked, Sita who is like a divine lady, immersed in sorrow, spoke to Hanuman the best among fliers. 'For my sake bowing the head, ask the well-being of him, who is the lord of the worlds whom Kausalya bore'.

'Lakshmana, the son of Sumitra who gave up all riches, garlands, his dear wife, the best of women, the vast kingdom which is most difficult to obtain and also prosperity, who having respected his father and mother, was pleased to adopt the ascetic life and accompanied Rama. Great, righteous Lakshmana who had given up his pleasures and followed his brother into the forest in order to be able to serve him, Lakshmana who is lion shouldered, with powerful arms, high souled, handsome, who treats Rama as his father and treats me like his mother. Heroic Lakshmana who did not know when I was being carried away, serves elders, prosperous, energetic reserved in his speech like my father in law, and is dear to Rama'.

'Rama's brother who is always dear to me, the heroic Lakshmana who will discharge whatever task assigned to him, seeing whom for support, Rama does not miss the noble one, for my sake with my words enquire about his welfare'.

'Oh best of Vanaras act in such a manner that Lakshmana who is soft, pure, competent and dear to Rama, can mitigate my suffering. You are a competent in accomplishing this task'.

'By your efforts alone Raghava will try for my release. You tell these words to my husband powerful Rama again and again. "Oh son of Dasaratha, I will live for one more month. Beyond this month I will not live. I am telling you the truth. Oh hero, you can rescue me from the insulting imprisonment by Ravana, like Kausika was rescued from the underworld".

'Then Sita took out the divine Chudamani tied up in her clothes and gave it to Hanuman to be given to Rama. Then the hero Hanuman taking the excellent jewel placed it on his finger as it was not fitting his arm'.

Then the best of Vanaras, taking the jewel bowing to Sita, circumambulating her, stood next to her. Delighted by having seen Sita, he stood there physically, but reached Rama in his heart.

Having received the most precious jewel from the daughter of Janaka, Hanuman prepared to return very much pleased, like a mountain released from the impact of wind.

Thus ends the Sarga thirty eight of Sundarakanda in Ramayana the first ever poem composed in Sanskrit by the first poet sage Valmiki.

|| om tat sat||
मणिवरमुपगृह्य तं महार्हं जनकनृपात्मजया धृतं प्रभावात्।
गिरिरिव पवनावधूतमुक्तः सुखितमनाः प्रतिसंक्रमं प्रपेदे॥74||
स॥ महार्हं जनकनृपात्मजया धृतं तं मणिवरं उपगृह्य प्रभावात् पवनावधूतमुक्तः गिरिरिव सुखितमनाः प्रतिसंक्रमं प्रपेदे॥
Having received the most precious jewel from the daughter of Janaka, Hanuman prepared to return like a mountain released from the impact of wind, very much pleased.
|| om tat sat||

Corrected!041120