valmiki ramayana – sundara kanda – chapter 10...

“Om Sri Lakshmi Narashimhan Nahama”

Valmiki Ramayana – Sundara Kanda – Chapter 10

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Hanuman Sees Ravana Sleeping

Summary

In this Chapter Hanuma has first glimpse of Ravana in his house. He also observes

various wives of Ravana sleeping in the house. He sees Mandodari and thinks her to be Seetha.

Chapter [Sarga] 10 in Detail

tatra divya upamam mukhyam sphaatikam ratna bhuusitam |

aveksamaano hanumaan dadarsha shayana aasanam || 5-10-1

daantakaajnchanichitraangervaishcha varaasanaih |

mahaarhastaranopetairupapannam mahaadhanaih || 5-10-2

In that house, while observing, Hanuma saw a portion of house with beds and couches,

consisting of best couches equaling those in heaven, made of crystal decorated with diamonds,

with wonderful parts made of ivory and gold, covered with best beds made of cat's eye gems of

great value.

tasya ca ekatame deshe so agrya maalya vibhuusitam |

dadarsha paanduram chatram taaraa adhipati samnibham || 5-10-3

Hanuma saw in a part of that room, an umbrella white in color decorated with best flower

garlands and resembling moon - the lord of stars.



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jaataruupaparikshiptam chitrabhaanusamaprabham |

ashokamaalaavitatam dadarsha paramaasanam || 5-10-4

Hanuma saw an excellent couch made of gold with radiance equaling that of fire, spread

by garlands of Ashoka flowers.

vaala vyajana hastaabhir viijyamaanam samantatah |

gandhaih ca vividhair justam vara dhuupena dhuupitam || 5-10-5

Fanned by women with fans in their hands in all the four directions and obtained by

various fragrances fumigated by the best incense.

parama aastarana aastiirnam aavika ajina samvrtam |

daamabhir vara maalyaanaam samantaad upashobhitam || 5-10-6

Covered by an excellent bed, spread by sheep skin everywhere and shone by rows of

excellent garlands.

tasmin jiimuuta samkaasham pradiipta uttama kundalam |

lohita aksam mahaa baahum mahaa rajata vaasasam || 5-10-7

Hanuma saw Ravana in that house, equaling a cloud, wearing earrings with a brilliant

shine with red eyes and with long arms wearing gold clothes.

lohitena anulipta angam candanena sugandhinaa |

samdhyaa raktam iva aakaashe toyadam satadid gunam || 5-10-8

With his body smeared with red sandal-wood with good fragrance like a cloud in the red

sky at sunset, together with groups of lightening.



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vritam aabharanair divyaih suruupam kaama ruupinam |

savrksa vana gulma aadhyam prasuptam iva mandaram || 5-10-9

Ravana was filled with excellent jewelry, with a good appearance, with an ability to

assume desired form, resembling mount Mandara in sleep, together with groups of trees and

bushes.

kriiditvaa uparatam raatrau vara aabharana bhuusitam |

priyam raaksasa kanyaanaam raaksasaanaam sukha aavaham || 5-10-10

Resting after having pleasure at night, bedecked with the best ornaments, he was a lover

to the Rakshasa girls and causing comfort to rakshasas.

piitvaa api uparatam ca api dadarsha sa mahaa kapih |

bhaaskare shayane viiram prasuptam raaksasa adhipam || 5-10-11

That great Hanuma saw the gallant king of rakshasas in sleep on a shining couch resting

after drinking.

nihshvasantam yathaa naagam raavanam vaanara uttamah |

aasaadya parama udvignah so apaasarpat subhiitavat || 5-10-12

That Hanuma, best among Vanaras neared Ravana, became very gloomy and moved

away with great dread, as though from a hissing serpent.

atha aarohanam aasaadya vedikaa antaram aashritah |

suptam raaksasa shaarduulam preksate sma mahaa kapih || 5-10-13

Thereafter the great Hanuma neared staircase, sought another dais and observed closely

Ravana.



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shushubhe raaksasa indrasya svapatah shayana uttamam |

gandha hastini samviste yathaa prasravanam mahat || 5-10-14

The excellent couch of the sleeping Ravana shone like a great lake when a scented

elephant resides in it.

kaancana angada naddhau ca dadarsha sa mahaatmanah |

viksiptau raaksasa indrasya bhujaav indra dhvaja upamau || 5-10-15

That Hanuma also saw the wealthy Ravana's arms tied with golden armlets thrown apart,

resembling flag staffs raised in honor of Indra.

airaavata visaana agrair aapiidita krta vranau |

vajra ullikhita piina amsau visnu cakra pariksitau || 5-10-16

Those arms had wounds made by stabbing from the pointed edges of tusks of Airavata

and fleshy shoulders smeared with diamond and hit by Vishnu chakra.

piinau samasujaata amsau samgatau bala samyutau |

sulaksana nakha angusthau svangulii tala laksitau || 5-10-17

These arms of Ravana were corpulent with well grown and equal strong shoulders

proportionate to body, with knees and thumbs of good characteristics, with good fingers and

palms.

samhatau parigha aakaarau vrttau kari kara upamau |

viksiptau shayane shubhre panca shiirsaav iva uragau || 5-10-18

With strong joints in the shape of club, round in shape resembling the trunks of an

elephant, like five headed snakes thrown on clean couch.



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shasha ksataja kalpena sushiitena sugandhinaa |

candanena para ardhyena svanuliptau svalamkrtau || 5-10-19

uttama strii vimrditau gandha uttama nisevitau |

yaksa pannaga gandharva deva daanava raavinau || 5-10-20

Shoulders well smeared by best sandal with good smell and very cool resembling in color

to a hare's blood, well decorated, massaged by the best women, served by the best sandal and

which made Yakshas, Nagas, Gandharvas, Devas and Daanavaas scream.

dadarsha sa kapih tasya baahuu shayana samsthitau |

mandarasya antare suptau mahaa arhii rusitaav iva || 5-10-21

That Hanuma saw there arms on the couch like great serpents in anger sleeping in the

middle of mount Mandara.

taabhyaam sa paripuurnaabhyaam bhujaabhyaam raaksasa adhipah |

shushubhe acala samkaashah shrngaabhyaam iva mandarah || 5-10-22

That king of Rakshasas equaling a mountain with those shoulders, which were well built

and shone like Mount Mandara with twin peaks.

cuuta pumnaaga surabhir bakula uttama samyutah |

mrista anna rasa samyuktah paana gandha purah sarah || 5-10-23

tasya raaksasa simhasya nishcakraama mukhaan mahaan |

shayaanasya vinihshvaasah puurayann iva tad grham || 5-10-24

From the great face of that king of Rakshasas who was sleeping, came out breath with

fragrance like that of flowers of Chuuta and Punnaaga, consisting of the best fragrance of Vakula

flowers, together with the flavor of best cooked rice, with the smell of liquor as though filling that

house.



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muktaa mani vicitrena kaancanena viraajataa |

mukutena apavrttena kundala ujjvalita aananam || 5-10-25

rakta candana digdhena tathaa haarena shobhitaa |

piina aayata vishaalena vaksasaa abhiviraajitam || 5-10-26

paandurena apaviddhena ksaumena ksataja iiksanam |

mahaa arhena susamviitam piitena uttama vaasasaa || 5-10-27

maasa raashi pratiikaasham nihshvasantam bhujangavat |

gaange mahati toya ante prasutamiva kunjaram || 5-10-28

caturbhih kaancanair diipair diipyamaanaih catur disham |

prakaashii krta sarva angam megham vidyud ganair iva || 5-10-29

paada muula gataah ca api dadarsha sumahaatmanah |

patniih sa priya bhaaryasya tasya raksah pater grhe || 5-10-30

That Hanuma saw in the house of that king of Rakshasas, wives at the feet, Ravana

being a gigantic one with loving wives, shone with crown tilted to the side, having strange hue

with pearls and diamonds and of golden color, with a face made brilliant by earrings, shone with

the chest region smeared with red sandal, shining with a necklace wide, high and corpulent with a

silk cloth of white color falling on him, with eyes reddish like blood, well tied by a best cloth of

yellow color and of very best quality, resembling a heap of black beans, snoring like a hiss of a

snake, like an elephant sleeping in the middle of water belonging to the great river Ganga with all

the four directions shone by the four lamps of golden color, resembling a cloud with all the parts

being shone by groups of lighting.

shashi prakaasha vadanaa vara kundala bhuusitaah |

ambaala maalya aabharanaa dadarsha hari yuuthapah || 5-10-31

The leader of Vanaras saw those wives of Ravana with faces with radiance of moon,

adorned with beautiful earrings, wearing jewelry and flower garlands which were not worn out.



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nritta vaaditra kushalaa raaksasa indra bhuja ankagaah |

vara aabharana dhaarinyo nisannaa dadrshe kapih || 5-10-32

Hanuma saw wives of Ravana with skill in dance and musical instruments, who obtained

the shoulders of Ravana wearing the best jewelry and being in sleep.

vajra vaiduurya garbhaani shravana antesu yositaam |

dadarsha taapaniiyaani kundalaani angadaani ca || 5-10-33

He saw earrings of those women at the end of ears with embedded diamonds and cats

eye gems and having golden color.

taasaam candra upamair vaktraih shubhair lalita kundalaih |

viraraaja vimaanam tan nabhah taaraa ganair iva || 5-10-34

With the faces of those women with delicate earrings which were equal to moon and

auspicious that house shone like the sky with clusters of stars.

mada vyaayaama khinnaah taah raaksasa indrasya yositah |

tesu tesv avakaashesu prasuptaah tanu madhyamaah || 5-10-35

Women of that Ravana being tired from lustful passion and exertion and having lean

waists slept at first opportunity.

angahaaraistathaivaanyaa kovalairnrittashaalinii |

vinyastashubhasarvaangii prasuptaa varavarninii || 5-10-36

Another woman with skill in dancing consisting of delicate body postures slept in the

same way with all her body parts making the same dance postures.



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kaacid viinaam parisvajya prasuptaa samprakaashate |

mahaa nadii prakiirnaa iva nalinii potam aashritaa || 5-10-37

One woman hugging Veena and sleeping was shining like a lotus plant thrown away by

the flow of a great river and resorting a boat.

anyaa kaksa gatena eva maddukena asita iiksanaa |

prasuptaa bhaaminii bhaati baala putraa iva vatsalaa || 5-10-38

Another woman with black eyes sleeping with an instrument called madduka under arm

pit shone like a woman carrying an infant boy with love.

pataham caaru sarva angii piidya shete shubha stanii |

cirasya ramanam labdhvaa parisvajya iva kaaminii || 5-10-39

A woman with beautiful body features and with beautiful breasts slept tightly and hugged

instrument called pataha as though hugging a lover, getting him after a long time.

kaacid amsham parisvajya suptaa kamala locanaa |

rahah priyatamam grihya sakaameva cha kaaminii || 5-10-40

Another woman with lotus like eyes hugging a flute slept like a woman with lust holding

her lover in secret.

vipajnchaiim parigrihyaanyaa niyataa nrittashaalinii |

nidraa vasham anupraaptaa saha kaantaa iva bhaaminii || 5-10-41

Another woman skilled in dance obtained sleep getting an instrument like Veena and

being in tune with it like a woman together with her lover.



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anyaa kanaka samkaashair mrdu piinair mano ramaih |

mridangam paripiidya angaih prasuptaa matta locanaa || 5-10-42

Another woman with lusty eyes slept hugging a percussion instrument called mridanga

with her body parts which were pleasant which resembled gold and which were smooth and

fleshy.

bhuja paarshva antarasthena kaksagena krsha udarii |

panavena saha anindyaa suptaa mada krta shramaa || 5-10-43

Another woman with thin stomach, who was not to be blamed, slept due to tiresomeness

from lust together with an instrument called Padama between her shoulders and reaching arm

pits.

dindimam parigrhya anyaa tathaiva aasakta dindimaa |

prasuptaa tarunam vatsam upaguuhya iva bhaaminii || 5-10-44

Another woman with an instrument called Dindima near her slept in the same way as a

woman hugging her husband and also her child.

kaacid aadambaram naarii bhuja sambhoga piiditam |

kritvaa kamala patra aksii prasuptaa mada mohitaa || 5-10-45

Another woman with eyes like lotus petals slept making the instrument called adambara

pressing it by her shoulders being desired by lust.

kalashiim apaviddhya anyaa prasuptaa bhaati bhaaminii |

vasante puspa shabalaa maalaa iva parimaarjitaa || 5-10-46

Another woman sleeping, felling down a small pot, shone like a flower garland with the

flowers of strange hue made auspicious in spring.



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paanibhyaam ca kucau kaacit suvarna kalasha upamau |

upaguuhya abalaa suptaa nidraa bala paraajitaa || 5-10-47

Another woman slept hugging her breasts resembling golden pots by her hands,

overcome with sleep.

anyaa kamala patra aksii puurna indu sadrsha aananaa |

anyaam aalingya sushronii prasuptaa mada vihvalaa || 5-10-48

Another woman with eyes like lotus petals, with her face resembling full moon, overcome

with lust slept hugging another woman with a beautiful hip region.

aatodyaani vicitraani parisvajya vara striyah |

nipiidya ca kucaih suptaah kaaminyah kaamukaan iva || 5-10-49

Some excellent women slept hugging strange instruments and pressing them with

breasts as though lustful woman with lusty men.

taasaam eka anta vinyaste shayaanaam shayane shubhe |

dadarsha ruupa sampannaam aparaam sa kapih striyam || 5-10-50

That Hanuma saw among those women a very beautiful woman sleeping on an

auspicious couch arranged alone at a side.

muktaa mani samaayuktair bhuusanaih suvibhuusitaam |

vibhuusayantiim iva ca sva shriyaa bhavana uttamam || 5-10-51

gauriim kanaka varna aabhaam istaam antah pura iishvariim |

kapir manda udariim tatra shayaanaam caaru ruupiniim || 5-10-52

Hanuma saw Mandodari with a beautiful form together with diamonds and pearls, well

decorated by jewelry and with her self radiance as though decorating that great building with a

fair complexion and with a radiance like golden color, who was dear to her husband the lady of

women in that gynaeceum sleeping there.



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sa taam dristvaa mahaa baahur bhuusitaam maaruta aatmajah |

tarkayaam aasa siitaa iti ruupa yauvana sampadaa || 5-10-53

harsena mahataa yukto nananda hari yuuthapah |

That Hanuma with great arms seeing the woman well decorated, out of logic thought

thus: "This is Seetha by the wealth of her appearance and her youth". That warrior of Vanaras

was delighted together with great pleasure.

aashpotayaam aasa cucumba puccham |

nananda cikriida jagau jagaama|

stambhaan arohan nipapaata bhuumau |

nidarshayan svaam prakrtim kapiinaam || 5-10-54

He clasped his arms, kissed his tail he was delighted, he was playful, sang, paced

showing his simian nature, climbed pillars and fell down on land.

iti vaalmiiki raamayane aadi kaavye sundara kaande dashamah sargah

Thus, this is the 10th chapter in Sundara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic

poem of India.

Sriman Moola Rama Vijayate

References

Durga, Kishore Kopalle, and K. M. K. Murthy. (2001). Sundara Kanda - Book Of Beauty.

Merriam-Webster. (2007). At http://www.m-w.com.

Reference.com. (2007). At http://www.reference.com.

valmiki ramayana – sundara kanda – chapter 10...

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