Introduction
Hanuma thinks within himself that he should implement the fourth strategy for success, viz. open assault with the demons, so as to meet Ravana and his ministers for knowing their designs and strengths. Accordingly, he makes up his mind to damage the royal pleasure-garden attached to the gynaecium at Lanka and then proceeds to do that task.
Verse 1
स च वाग्भिः प्रशस्ताभिः गमिष्यन् पूजितः तया |
तस्मात् देशात् अपक्रम्य चिन्तयामास वानरः || ५-४१-१
Seetha honoured Hanuma, who was ready to go, with good words. Hanuma, having gone to a distance from that place, thought within himself (as follows):
1. tayaa = by that Seetha; saH vaanaraH = that Hanuma; gamiSyan = who was ready to go; puujitaH = was treated well; prashastaabhiH vaagbhiH = with commendable words; tasmaat = from that; deshaat = place; apakramya = (Hanuma) having gone to a distance; chintayaamaasa = thought (in this way):
Verse 2
अल्प शेषम् इदम् कार्यम् दृष्टा इयम् असित ईक्षणा |
त्रीन् उपायान् अतिक्रम्य चतुर्थ इह दृश्यते || ५-४१-२
“I have seen this black-eyed Seetha. There is only a little that remains to be done by me. Abandoning the three strategies for success viz. sowing dissension, negotiation and bribery, I have to implement here the fourth strategy viz. open assault.”
2. iyam = this; asitekSaNaa = black-eyed Seetha; dR^iSTaa = has been seen; idam kaaryam alpa sheSam = there is only a little that remains to be done; atikramya = transgressing; triin = the three; upaayaan = strategies viz. sowing dissension; negotiation and bribery; chaturthaH = the fourth strategy viz. open assault; dR^ishyate = is seen; iha = here.
Verse 3
न साम रक्षह्सु गुणाय कल्पते |
न दनम् अर्थ उपचितेषु वर्तते |
न भेद साध्या बल दर्पिता जनाः |
पराक्रमः तु एष मम इह रोचते || ५-४१-३
“In the case of demons, the strategy of negotiation is not practicable. For those persons having abundant wealth, the strategy of bribery is not suitable. For persons who are proud of their strength, the strategy of sowing dissension is not amenable. Prowess alone is agreeable for me here.”
3. rakSassu = in the case of demons; saama guNaaya = the strategy of negotiation; na kalpate = is not practicable; arthopachiteSu = in the case of persons having abundant wealth; daanam = the strategy of bribery; na yujyate = is not appropriate; bala darpitaa = who are proud of their strength; na bheda saadhyaaH = the strategy of sowing dissension is not amenable. mama = to me; iha = here; paraakramastvaiva = prowess alone; rochate = is agreeable.
Verse 4
न च अस्य कार्यस्य पराक्रमात् ऋते |
विनिश्चयः कश्चित् इह उपपद्यते |
हृत प्रवीराः तु रणे हि राक्षसाः |
कथंचित् ईयुः यत् इह अद्य मार्दवम् || ५-४१-४
“Except showing of valour, no strategy in accomplishing this task is adequate in these circumstances, for the demons can adopt a weak attitude in the ensuring combat, if their foremost heroes are somehow killed here and now.”
4. na vinishchayaH = no decision; kashchit = whatsoever; upapadyate = is adequate; asya kaaryasya paraakramaat R^ite = except showing valour; asya kaaryasya = in this task yat = for; raakSasaaH = the demons; hata praviiraaH = being heroes killed; raNe = in combat; iiyuH = may obtain; maardvam = weakness; adya = now; iha = and here; katham chit = somehow or other.
Verse 5
कार्ये कर्मणि निर्दिष्टः यो बहूनि अपि साधयेत् |
पूर्व कार्य विरोधेन स कार्यम् कर्तुम् अर्हति || ५-४१-५
“He alone can accomplish his purpose, who implements many (secondary) tasks even after the initial task has been carried through, without impairing the previous achievement.”
5. karmaNi = (when) a work; nirdiSTe = is directed; kaarye = to be done; yaH = who; saadhayet = implements; bahuunyapi = many tasks; puurva kaaryaa virodhena = which are not inconsistent to the initial task; saH = he; arhati = is worthy; kaaryam = of doing that work.
Verse 6
न हि एकः साधको हेतुः स्वल्पस्य अपि इह कर्मणः |
यो हि अर्थम् बहुधा वेद स समर्थो अर्थ साधने || ५-४१-६
‘There is indeed no single exclusive method to accomplish a purpose however small a task may be. On the other hand, whoever knows to do a task in many ways, he alone is capable of achieving that task.”
6. na hi ekaH = there is indeed no single; hetuH = manner; saadhakaH = to implememtn; svalpasya api karmaNaH = even a small task; yaH = whoever; veda = knows; artham = (to do) a task; bahudhaa = in many ways; saH = he alone; samarthaH = is capable; artha saadhane = of promoting that task.
Verse 7
इह एव तावत् कृत निश्चयो हि अहम् |
यदि व्रजेयम् प्लवग ईश्वर आलयम् |
पर आत्म सम्मर्द विशेष तत्त्ववित् |
ततः कृतम् स्यान् मम भर्तृ शासनम् || ५-४१-७
‘If I go to the abode of Sugreeva the Lord of monkeys, having ascertained the truth as to who will predominate in an encounter between the adversary and ourselves here itself, then will the command of my master have been carried out by me.”
7. aham vrajeyam yadi = If I go; plavageshvaraalayam = to the abode of Sugreeva the Lord of monkeys; kR^ita nishchyaat paraatma samaarda visheSatattvavit = having ascertained the truth as to who will predominate in an encounter between the adversary and ourselves; ihaiva taavat = here itself; tataH = then; mama bhartR^ishaasanam = will the command of my master; kR^itam syaat = be carried out.
Verse 8
कथम् नु खल्व् अद्य भवेत् सुख आगतम् |
प्रसह्य युद्धम् मम राक्षसैः सह |
तथैव खल्व् आत्म बलम् च सारवत् |
समानयेन् माम् च रणे दश आननः || ५-४१-८
“How can my combat with the demons now will prove to be a happy one? And, how will my strength become fruitful? How indeed will that Ravana applaud me in battle?”
8. kathamnu = how can; mama yuddham = my combat; raakSasaiH saha = with the demons; adya = now; prasahya = will very much; sukhaagatam = come to be a happy one?; tathaiva = in the same manner; aatmabalam bhavet = how will my strength become; saaravat = fruitful?; saH dashaananaH = (How) indeed will that Ravana; maanayet = applaud; maam = me; raNe = in battle?
Verse 9
ततः समासाद्य रणे दशाननं |
समन्त्रिवर्गम् सबलप्रयायिनम् |
हृदि स्थितम् तस्य मतम् बलं च वै |
सुखेन मत्त्वाऽहमितः पुनर्व्रजे || ५-४१-९
“Then meeting Ravana with his troop of ministers, his army and his followers in battle as well as knowing his designs and strength, I will go back from here happily.”
9. tataH = then; samaasaadya = meeting; dashaananam = Ravana; samantrigaNam = with his troop of ministers; sabalaprayaayinam = with his army and followers marching; raNe = in battle; mattvaa = knowing; matam = the opinion; sthitam = established; hR^idi = in his heart; balamcha vai = and also about his strength; aham = I; punaH vraje = will go back; itaH = from here; sukhena = happily.
Verse 10
इदम् अस्य नृशंसस्य नन्दन उपमम् उत्तमम् |
वनम् नेत्र मनः कान्तम् नाना द्रुम लता युतम् || ५-४१-१०
“This excellent grove of this cruel Ravana, with its various kinds of trees and creepers, which is pleasing to the eyes and the mind, is looking like Nandana, Indra’s paradise.”
10. idam uttamam = this excellent; vanam = grove; asya nR^ishamsasya = of this cruel Ravana; naanaadrumalataayutam = with various kinds of trees and creepers; netramanaHkaantam = and which is pleasing to the eyes and mind; nandanopamam = is looking like Nandana; Indra’s paradise.
Verse 11
इदम् विध्वंसयिष्यामि शुष्कम् वनम् इव अनलः |
अस्मिन् भग्ने ततः कोपम् करिष्यति स रावणः || ५-४१-११
“I will destroy this grove like fire scorching a dried up forest. While this grove gets demolished, Ravana will then be angry.”
11. vidhvamsayiSyaami = I will destroy; idam = this grove; analaH iva = like fire; shuSkam vanam = searching a dried up forest; asmin bhagne = while this grove gets demolished; dashaananaH = Ravana; kariSyati kopam = will get angry; tataH = then.
Verse 12
ततो महत् साश्व महारथ द्विपम् |
बलम् समानेष्व् अपि राक्षस अधिपः |
त्रिशूल काल आयस पट्टिश आयुधम् |
ततो महत् युद्धम् इदम् भविष्यति || ५-४१-१२
“Thereupon Ravana will order for an army consisting of horses, great chariots and elephants and armed with weapons like great tridents and spears made of iron. Then, a great combat will follow.”
12. tataH = then; raakSasaadhipaH = Ravana; samaadeskSyati = will order for; balam = an army; saashvamahaaratha dvipam = consisting of horses; great chariots and elephants; mahat trishuula kaalaayasapaTTisaayudham = and armed with weapons like great tridents and spears made of iron; tataH = and then; idam = this; mahat = great; yuddham = combat; bhaviSyati = will follow.
Verse 13
अहम् तु तैः सम्यति चण्ड विक्रमैः |
समेत्य रक्षोभिः असम्ग विक्रमः |
निहत्य तत् रावण चोदितम् बलम् |
सुखम् गमिष्यामि कपि ईश्वर आलयम् || ५-४१-१३
“Attacking those demons of terrific prowess, I too with my unbearable prowess, will kill that army instigated by Ravana and return to the place of Sugreeva happily.”
13. sametya = attacking; taiH = those; rakSobhiH = demons; chaNDa vikramaiH = of terrific prowess; aham tu = I too; asahya vikramaH = with an unbearable strength; nihatya = killing; tat = that; balam = army; raavaNa choditam = incited by Ravana; gamiSyaami = will return; kapiishvaraalayam = to the place of Sugreeva; sukham = happily.
Verse 14
ततो मारुतवत् क्रुद्धो मारुतिः भीम विक्रमः |
ऊरु वेगेन महता द्रुमान् क्षेप्तुम् अथ आरभत् || ५-४१-१४
Thereafter, Hanuma of terrific prowess, getting angry, started then to throw away trees by a highly violent jerk of his thighs akin to the jerk of a wind.
14. tataH = thereafter; maarutiH = Hanuma; bhiima vikramaH = of terrific prowess; kruddhaH = getting angry; atha = then; aarabhat = started; kSeptum = to throw away; drumaan = trees; mahataa uuruvegena = by a highly violent jerk of his thighs; maarutavat = like a wind.
Verse 15
ततः तद्त् हनुमान् वीरो बभन्ज प्रमदा वनम् |
मत्त द्विज समाघुष्टम् नाना द्रुम लता युतम् || ५-४१-१५
Then, the valiant Hanuma laid waste the royal garden attached to the gynaecium resonant with cries of birds in heat and endowed with various kinds of trees and creepers.
15. tataH = then; viiraH = the valiant; hanumaan = Hanuma; babhaN^ja = laid waste; pramadaavanam = the royal garden attached to the gynaecium; mattadvija samaaghuSTam = resonant with cries of birds in heat; naanaadruma lataayutam = and endowed with various kinds of trees and creepers.
Verse 16
तत् वनम् मथितैः वृक्षैः भिन्नैः च सलिल आशयैः |
चूर्णितैः पर्वत अग्रैः च बभूव अप्रिय दर्शनम् || ५-४१-१६
Hanuma damaged trees in that grove, destroyed the ponds and crushed the tops of pleasure hills to powder. Thus, that grove became nasty at sight.
16. vR^ikSaiH = with trees; mathitaiH = damaged; salilaashayaiH = with ponds; bhinnaiH = destroyed; parvataagraishcha = with tops of pleasure-hills; chuurNitaiH = powdered; tat vanam = that grove; babhuuva = became; apriyadarshanam = nasty at sight.
Verse 17 & 18
नानाशकुन्तविरुतैः प्रभिन्नैः सलिलाशयैः |
ताम्रैः किलसयैः क्लान्तैः क्लान्तद्रुमलतायितम् || ५-४१-१७
न बभौ तद्वनम् तत्र दावानलहतम् यथा |
व्याकुलावरणा रेजुर्विह्वला इव ता लताः || ५-४१-१८
With its trees and creepers dried up, with the howls of various birds, with its ponds destroyed, with its copper-coloured sprouts dried up there, that grove did not look bright, as though it had been destroyed by a wild fire. Those creepers with their bars of support displaced, fell down like distressed woman.
17; 18. klaanta druma lataayutam = with its trees and creepers dried up; naanaa shakuntavirtaiH = with the howls of various birds; salilaashayaiH = with its ponds; prabhinnaiH = destroyed; taamraiH kisalayaiH = with its copper-coloured sprouts; klaantaiH = dried up; tatra = there; tat vanam = that grove; na babhau = did not look bright; daavaanalahatam yathaa = as if it had been destroyed by a wild fire; taaH lataaH = those; creepers; vyaakulaavaraNaaH = with their bars of support displaced; rejuH vihvalaaH iva = fell like distressed women.
Verse 19
लता गृहैः चित्र गृहैः च नाशितैः |
महाउरगैः व्याल मृगैः च निर्धुतैः |
शिला गृहैः उन्मथितैः तथा गृहैः |
प्रनष्ट रूपम् तत् अभून् महत् वनम् || ५-४१-१९
“With its arbours and picture-galleries destroyed, its great serpents and wild animals emitting cries of distress, its grottos and other structures demolished, that grove became defaced.
19. lataagR^haiH = with its arbours; chitragR^ihaiH = and picture-galleries; naashitaiH = destroyed; mahoragaiH = its great serpents; vychaLamR^igaishcha = and wild animals; niruddhaiH = emitting cries of distress; shilaagR^ihaiH = its grottos; gR^ihaiH = (and other) structures unmathitaiH = demolished; tat mahat vanam = that extensive grove; abhuut = became; praNaSTaruupam = defaced.
Verse 20
साविह्वलाऽशोकलताप्रताना |
वनस्थली शोकलताप्रताना |
जाता दशास्यप्रमदावनस्य |
कपेर्बलाद्धि प्रमदावनस्य || ५-४१-२०
“That woody land of that pleasure-garden which afforded shelter to the women-folk of Ravana and which has clusters of Ashoka creepers became a jumble of creepers of sorrow for the distressed women; by the violence of Hanuma.”
20. saa vanasthalii = that woody land; pramadaa vanasya = of that pleasure-garden; dashaasya pramadaa avamasya = which afforded shelter to the women-folk of Ravana; ashoka lataa prataanaa = which has clusters of Ashoka creapers; jaataa = became; shokalataaprataanaa = a jumple of creepers of sorrow; vihvalaa = for the distressed women; kapeH = by Hanuma’s; balaat = strength.
Verse 21
स तस्य कृत्वा जगतीपतेर्महा |
न्महत् व्यलीकम् मनसो महात्मनः |
युयुत्सुः एको बहुभिः महाबलैः |
श्रिया ज्वलन् तोरणम् आश्रितः कपिः || ५-४१-२१
Creating a great displeasure to the mind of that high-souled Ravana, the Lord of the land of Lanka; that Hanuma decided to fight alone against many mighty demons and stayed
21. kR^itvaa = doing; mahat = a great; vyaliikam = displeasure; manasaH = to the mind; tasya = of that; mahaatmanaH = high-souled; jagatiipate = Ravana; Lord of the land of Lanka; mahaakapiH = that Hanuma; yuyutsaH = decided to combat; ekaH = alone; bahubhiH = with many; mahaabalaiH = mighty demons; aasthitaH = and stayed; jvalam shriyaa = with a blazing splendour; toraNam = at the entrance (of the grove).
