स वीक्षमाणस्तत्रस्थो मार्गमाणश्च मैथिलीम्। अवेक्षमाणश्च महीं सर्वां तामन्ववैक्षत॥
Having stationed himself on the tree, casting his looks all around in quest of Sītā and looking down on the carth he surveyed the entire forest of (Asoka).
संतानकलताभिश्च पादपैरुपशोभिताम्। दिव्यगन्धरसोपेतां सर्वतः समलंकृताम्॥
It was beautified with Santdaka creepers and various trees, fragrant with celestial odours and was embellished on all sides.
तां स नन्दनसंकाशां मृगपक्षिभिरावृताम्। हर्म्यप्रासादसम्बाधां कोकिकाकुलनिःस्वनाम्॥ काञ्चनोत्पलपद्माभिर्वापीभिरुपशोभिताम्। बह्वासनकुथोपेतां बहुभूमिगृहायुताम्॥ सर्वर्तुकुसुमै रम्यैः फलवद्भिश्च पादपैः। पुष्पितानामशोकानां श्रिया सूर्योदयप्रभाम्॥
It resembled Nandana or the celestial garden, and was filled with various animals and birds, palaces and mansions; resounded with the notes of Kokilas; adorned with the ponds abounding in silvern water-lilies and lotuses; filled with many seats and coverlets and various houses having spacious courtyards; adorned with beautiful flowers of all seasons and trees bearing fruits. And the beauty of the blossoming Aśokas resembled the effulgence of the Sun.
प्रदीप्तामिव तत्रस्थो मारुतिः समुदैक्षत। निष्पत्रशाखां विहगैः क्रियमाणामिवासकृत्॥
And stationed there Maruti beheld trees as if devoid of leaves on account of the hundreds of birds, adorned with various flowers, resorting there.
विनिष्पतद्भिः शतशश्चित्रैः पुष्पावतंसकैः। समूलपुष्परचितैरशोकैः शोकनाशनैः॥ पुष्पभारातिभारैश्च स्पृशद्भिरिव मेदिनीम्। कर्णिकारैः कुसुमितैः किंशुकैश्च सुपुष्पितैः॥ स देशः प्रभया तेषां प्रदीप्त इव सर्वतः।
He saw there the earth touched by Asoka trees, the removers of grief, having flowers growing from the roots and lowered down with their weight. And the entire quarter was as if ablaze with the beauty of the flowery Karrikaras and Kingsukas.
पुंनागाः सप्तपर्णाश्च चम्पकोद्दालकास्तथा॥ विवृद्धमूला बहवः शोभन्ते स्म सुपुष्पिताः।
There appeared in beauty many-flowery Punnāgas, Saptaparņas, Champakas, and Udalakas having deeply expanded roots.
शाकतुम्भनिभाः केचित् केचिदग्निशिखप्रभाः॥ नीलाञ्जननिभाः केचित् तत्राशोकाः सहस्रशः।
And there was a thousand of Asoka trees, some of whom were like gold, some were like the flame of fire and some were like dark-blue collyrium.
नन्दनं विबुधोद्यानं चित्रं चैत्ररथं यथा॥ अतिवृत्तमिवाचिन्त्यं दिव्यं रम्यश्रिया युतम्।
It was like the garden of Nandana or like that of Kubera or perhaps it surpassed the both in excellence.
द्वितीयमिव चाकाशं पुष्पज्योतिर्गणायुतम्॥ पुष्परत्नशतैश्चित्रं पञ्चमं सागरं यथा।
Enveloped in charming, celestial grace beyond conception and having flowers for stars that forest appeared like a second sky, And covered with hundreds of pearl-like flowers the forest looked like the fifth ocean.
सर्वर्तुपुष्पैर्निचितं पादपैर्मधुगन्धिभिः॥ नानानिनादैरुद्यानं रम्यं मृगगणद्विजैः। अनेकगन्धप्रवहं पुण्यगन्धं मनोहरम्॥ शैलेन्द्रमिव गन्धाढ्यं द्वितीयं गन्धमादनम्।
And that garden was embellished with flowers of all seasons and honey-smelling trees, and filled with diverse notes and various animals and birds. And that fragrant garden was rendered more charming with various other fragrances. And that foremost of monkeys beheld in that garden of Asoka, a round palace, situated at a distance, fragrantas the Gandhamādana mountain and high as the lord of mountains.
अशोकवनिकायां तु तस्यां वानरपुङ्गवः॥ स ददर्शाविदूरस्थं चैत्यप्रासादमूर्जितम्। मध्ये स्तम्भसहस्रेण स्थितं कैलासपाण्डुरम्॥ प्रवालकृतसोपानं तप्तकाञ्चनवेदिकम्। मुष्णन्तमिव चयूंषि द्योतमानमिव श्रिया॥ निर्मलं प्रांशुभावत्वादुल्लिखन्तमिवाम्बरम्।
(The palace) was white as the Kailāsa hill and built on thousand pillars. All its stairs were made of coral and its pavements made of burning gold. Its beauty was as if burning all along and stealing the vision of the lookers-on. It was spotless and on account of its height touched the welkin.
ततो मलिनसंवीतां राक्षसीभिः समावृताम्॥ उपवासकृशां दीनां निःश्वसन्ती पुनः पुनः। ददर्श शुक्लपक्षादौ चन्द्ररेखामिवामलाम्॥
Thereupon he beheld there (Sītā) wearing a soiled cloth, poorly, greatly reduced by fast, sighing again and again and encircled by a band of Räkşasīs. She was (however) spotless like to the rays of the moon on the first lunar day.
मन्दप्रख्यायमानेन रूपेण रुचिरप्रभाम्। पिनद्धां धूमजालेन शिखामिव विभावसोः॥
Her graceful beauty could with great difficulty be perceived lie to the flame of fire enveloped with smoke.
पीतेनैकेन संवीतां क्लिष्टेनोत्तमवाससा। सपङ्कामनलंकारां विपद्मामिव पद्मिनीम्॥
And wearing a shattered and soiled yellow cloth and divested of all ornaments she appeared like a lotus stalk without lotuses.* *This passage has another meaning-Padmini has two meanings— (i) lotus (ii) Lakşmi or the goddess of wealth. The goddess of wealth is generally described as sitting on a lotus.
पीडितां दुःखसंतप्तां परिक्षीणां तपस्विनीम्। ग्रहेणाङ्गारकेणेव पीडितामिव रोहिणीम्॥
Oppressed, racked with grief, weakened and chaste as she was, she appeared like Rohini possessed by Ketu.
अश्रुपूर्णमुखीं दीनां कृशामनशनेन च। शोकध्यानपरां दीनां नित्यं दुःखपरायणाम्॥
She was greatly reduced by fast, stricken with grief and anxious thoughts, disturbed with sorrow and was poorly and her eyes were always full of tears.
प्रियं जनमपश्यन्तीं पश्यन्तीं राक्षसीगणम्। स्वगणेन मृगी हीनां श्वगणेनावृतामिव ॥
Separated from her kith and kin and not beholding Rāma and Lakşmaņa* but the Rāks asīs, she appeared like a hind surrounded by dogs. *Priyājanam-literally means dear ones—but here it refers to Rāma and Lakşmana.
नीलनागाभया वेण्या जघनं गतयैकया। नीलया नीरदापाये वनराज्या महीमिव ॥
Her braid of long hair resembling a black serpent falling on her back it appeared as if the Earth was filled with dark-blue forests on the disappearance of the rains.
सुखाहीं दुःखसंतप्तां व्यसनानामकोविदाम्। तां विलोक्य विशालाक्षीमधिकं मलिनां कृशाम्॥ तर्कयामास सीतेति कारणैरुपपादिभिः। ह्वियमाणा तदा तेन रक्षसा कामरूपिणा॥ यथारूपा हि दृष्टा सा तथारूपेयमङ्गना।
She was worthy of happiness only and never knew of misery and therefore she was (now) greatly oppressed with sorrow. And beholding that one of expansive eyes rendered pale and feeble, Hanuman, Hanumān, by various conclusive arguments reflected within himself. She must be Sītā for this damsel looks just like her, whom I saw, when she was ravished by Rāvana, assuming shapes at will.
पूर्णचन्द्राननां सुद्धू चारुवृत्तपयोधराम्॥ कुर्वती प्रभया देवी सर्वा वितिमिरा दिशः। तां नीलकण्ठी बिम्बोष्ठी सुमध्यां सुप्रतिष्ठिताम्॥
Having the countenance of the full-moon, beautiful eye brows, round breast, she is as if dispelling the darkness from all quarters by virtue of her grace. Her throat was yellow, and her lips were like Bimbas.* She was of middle stature and her limbs were all well built. *A circubituceous plant with red fruits.
सीतां पद्मपलाशाक्षी मन्मथस्य रतिं यथा। इष्टां सर्वस्य जगतः पूर्णचन्द्रप्रभामिव ॥ भूमौ सुतनुमासीनां नियतामिव तापसीम्। निःश्वासबहुलां भीरुं भुजगेन्द्रवधूमिव ॥
She had eyes resembling lotus petals and was like the beloved wife of Manmatha-Rati and was adorable to the whole creation like the rays of the full-moon. That one having a graceful person was seated on the earth like a female ascetic having her senses restrained. And she was sighing again and again like the timid daughterin-law of the lord of serpents.* *The epithet has a special significance because through her the destruction of the race of Raksasas was brought about.
शोकजालेन महता विततेन न राजतीम्। संसक्तां धूमजालेन शिखामिव विभावसोः॥
Entangled by a mighty web of grief her grace was greatly lessened and she appeared like the flame of fire enveloped in smoke.
तां स्मृतीमिव च संदिग्धामृद्धिं निपतितामिव। विहतामिव च श्रद्धामाशां प्रतिहतामिव ॥ सोपसर्गां यथा सिद्धिं बुद्धिं सकलुषामिव। अभूतेनापवादेन कीर्तिं निपतितामिव॥
She was like to Smrti of doubtful meanings, fallen wealth, lost respect, hope without any desire for gain, Siddhis of many troubles, sullied understanding and fame soiled with false rumours.
रामोपरोधव्यथितां रक्षोगणनिपीडिताम्। अबलां मृगशावाक्षी वीक्षमाणां ततस्ततः॥
That innocent one was greatly distressed for not being able to attend upon Rāma and she having the eyes of a young hind, being oppressed by the Rākṣasis was casting her looks hither and thither.
वाष्पाम्बुपरिपूर्णेन कृष्णवक्राक्षिपक्ष्मणा। वदनेनाप्रसन्नेन निःश्वसन्तीं पुनः पुनः॥
With a displeased countenance, having darkblue and curling eye lashes, and eyes full of tears, she was sighing again and again.
मलपङ्कधरां दीनां मण्डनार्हाममण्डिताम्। प्रभां नक्षत्रराजस्य कालमेघैरिवावृताम्॥ तस्य संदिदिहे बुद्धिस्तथा सीतां निरीक्ष्य च। आम्नायानामयोगेन विद्यां प्रशिथिलामिव॥
Worthy of Wearing ornaments but now without any, poorly, crusted with execrations, she appeared like the rays of the stars enveloped by dark-blue clouds. And beholding Sītã in that pitiable plight like to learning for want of practice, (Hanumān) was Puzzled with doubts.
दुःखेन बुबुधे सीतां हनुमाननलंकृताम्। संस्कारेण यश हीनां वाजमर्थान्तरं गताम्॥
Seeing her without ornaments he could with great difficulty make her out like to words having different meanings without the knowledge of grammar.
तां समीक्ष्य विशालाक्षी राजपुत्रीमनिन्दिताम्। तर्कयामास सीतेति कारणैरुपपादयन्॥।
And beholding that blameless daughter of the king, having expansive eyes, Hanumān, by various reasonings, reflected-“Forsooth she must be Sītā."
वैदेह्या यानि चाङ्गेषु तदा रामोऽन्वकीर्तयत्। तान्याभरणजालानि गात्रशोभीन्यलक्षयत्॥
I see at her person all these ornaments, of which Rāma mentioned to me at the time of my departure.
सुकृतौ कर्णवेष्टौ च श्वदंष्ट्रौ च सुसंस्थितौ। मणिविदुमचित्राणि हस्तेष्वाभरणानि च।॥
I behold on her ears excellent ear-rings and nicely placed Svadangstras and on her arms jewelled ornaments rendered dark-blue by dirt for constant use.
श्यामानि चिरयुक्तत्वात् तथा संस्थानवन्ति च। तान्येवैतानि मन्येऽहं यानि रामोऽन्वकीर्तयत्॥ तत्र यान्यवहीनानि तान्यहं नोपलक्षये। यान्यस्या नावहीनानि तानीमानि न संशयः॥
Verily these are the ornaments Rāma mentioned to me. I do not perceive them which had been cast off by her. But these are the rest there is not the least doubt about it.
पीतं कनकपट्टाभं स्रस्तं तद्वसनं शुभम्। उत्तरीयं नगासक्तं तदा दृष्टं प्लवङ्गमैः॥ भूषणानि च मुख्यानि दृष्टानि धरणीतले। अनयैवापविद्धानि स्वनवन्ति महान्ति च॥
The monkeys had seen, her excellent yellow cloth made of golden fibres, on the hill. They had seen also her excellent ornaments, which cast off by her, fell on the earth with a sound.
इदं चिरगृहीतत्वाद्वसनं क्लिष्टवत्तरम्। तथाप्यनूनं तद्वर्णं तथा श्रीमद्यथेतरत्॥
Her cloth has been shattered by constant use but her grace has not been rendered worse than its colour.
इयं कनकवर्णाङ्गी रामस्य महिषी प्रिया। प्रणष्टापि सती यस्य मनसो न प्रणश्यति॥
This one having a golden countenance must be the beloved queen of Rāma who, albeit separated from him, has not disappeared from his mind.
इयं सा यत्कृते रामश्चतुर्भिरिह तप्यते। कारुण्येनानृशंस्येन शोकेन मदनेन च॥ स्त्री प्रणष्टेति कारुण्यादाश्रितेत्यानृशंस्यतः। पत्नी नष्टेति शोकेन प्रियेति मदनेन च ॥
This is that damsel on whose account Rāma being simultaneously burnt by affection, pity, grief and amour, affection in consequence of his beloved spouse being ravished, pity for his inability to protect one dependent on him, grief for the loss of his beloved wife and amour for his dear one.
तस्या देव्या यथारूपमङ्गप्रत्यङ्गसौष्ठवम्। रामस्य च यथारूपं तस्येयमसितेक्षणा॥
Verily it appear from the grace of her person, from her well developed limbs and from Rāma's beauty that this worshipful damsel having darkblue eyes must be his spouse.
अस्या देव्या मनस्तस्मिंस्तस्य चास्यां प्रतिष्ठितम्। तेनेयं स च धर्मात्मा मुहूर्तमपि जीवति ॥
She has her mind fixed in him, and he in her and it is for this that she and the virtuous-souled (Rāma) have been still maintaining their being.
दुष्करं कृतवान् रामो हीनो यदनया प्रभुः। धारयत्यात्मनो देहं न शोकेनावसीदति ॥
Indeed my master Rāma has performed a mighty task for breathes he still in her separation, without consuming himself in grief.”
एवं सीतां तथा दृष्ट्वा हृष्टः पवनसम्भवः। जगाम मनसा रामं प्रशशंस च तं प्रभुम्॥
Having beheld Sītā in this plight, that son of the wind-god approached Rāma in mind and showered praises on his master.