Sundarakanda Sarga 30: Hanumān's Deliberation (Full Text & Meaning) 

Summary of Sarga 30

| Detail | Total Shlokas: 44 | Primary Character: Hanumān | Key Events: Hanumān-Viciṁtanam (Hanuman's Deliberation), Bhāṣā-Nirṇayaḥ (Decision on Language), Rāma-Kathā-Sakalpam (Decision to Narrate Rama's Story) | Location: Simsupa Tree, Ashoka Vatika | 

Section 1: The Observer’s Reflection (Shlokas 1–7)

hanumānapi vikrāntaḥ sarvaṅ śuśrāva tattvataḥ | sītāyāstrijaṭāyāśca rākṣasīnāṅ ca tarjanam || 1

The valorous Hanumān heard everything truly, including the threats of the Rākṣasīs against Sītā, and the words of Trijatā. (1)

avēkṣamāṇastāṅ dēvīṅ dēvatāmiva nandanē | tatō bahuvidhāṅ cintāṅ cintayāmāsa vānaraḥ || 2

As he looked upon Sītā Devi, who resembled a deity in the Nandana Vana (celestial garden), Hanumān began to ponder a variety of thoughts. (2)

yāṅ kapīnāṅ sahasrāṇi subahūnyayutāni ca | dikṣu sarvāsu mārgantē sēyamāsāditā mayā || 3

"She whom thousands, and many tens of thousands, of Vānaras are searching for across all directions—yet to me, her darshanam (auspicious sight) has been bestowed". (3)

cārēṇa tu suyuktēna śatrōśśaktimavēkṣatā | gūḍhēna caratā tāvadavēkṣitamidaṅ mayā || 4

The well-qualified spy must assess the enemy's power through tactical intelligence. I have fulfilled this task, having secretly moved throughout the realm and completely observed all. (4)

rākṣasānāṅ viśēṣaśca purī cēyamavēkṣitā | rākṣasādhipatērasya prabhāvō rāvaṇasya ca || 5

"I have observed the specific might of the Rākṣasas, and I have thoroughly surveyed this entire city of Laṅkā. Furthermore, I have also observed the power of Rāvaṇa". (5)

yuktaṅ tasyāpramēyasya sarvasattvadayāvataḥ | samāśvāsayituṅ bhāryāṅ patidarśanakāṅkṣiṇīm || 6

It is proper that the wife of Śrī Rāma—the one who is compassionate toward all beings and has immeasurable power—be consoled, as she is anxious to see her husband. (6)

ahamāśvāsayāmyēnāṅ pūrṇacandranibhānanām | adṛṣṭaduḥkhāṅ duḥkhārtāṅ duḥkhasyāntamagacchatīm || 7

"Sītā Devi, whose face shines like the full moon, has never known any sorrow before. Yet now she is immersed in grief. I will console her". (7)

Section 3: The Danger of Discovery (Shlokas 16–25)

antaraṅ tvahamāsādya rākṣasīnāmiha sthitaḥ | śanairāśvāsayiṣyāmi santāpabahuḷāmimām || 16

I will remain hidden here, and I will console her slowly when the Rākṣasīs are not nearby or are off their guard. (16)

ahaṅ tvatitanuścaiva vānaraśca viśēṣataḥ | vācaṅ cōdāhariṣyāmi mānuṣīmiha saṅskṛtām || 17

I am currently in this small form, and I am, moreover, a Vānara. Therefore, I should speak to her in the common human dialect. (17)

yadi vācaṅ pradāsyāmi dvijātiriva saṅskṛtām | rāvaṇaṅ manyamānā māṅ sītā bhītā bhaviṣyati || 18

If I address her using the refined Sanskrit language, like a scholar, Sītā will become frightened, mistaking me for Rāvaṇa. (18)

vānarasya viśēṣēṇa kathaṅ syādabhibhāṣaṇam | avaśyamēva vaktavyaṅ mānuṣaṅ vākyamarthavat || 19

She will reason, 'How can a Vānara speak so?' I must, without fail, utter meaningful words in the common human language. (19)

mayā sāntvayituṅ śakyā nānyathēyamaninditā | sēyamālōkya mē rūpaṅ jānakī bhāṣitaṅ tathā || 20

Only through this can I console this faultless Lady. When Jānakī sees my Vānara form and hears my voice, she will be terrified. (20)

rakṣōbhistrāsitā pūrvaṅ bhūyastrāsaṅ gamiṣyati | tatō jātaparitrāsā śabdaṅ kuryānmanasvinī || 21

Having been traumatized by the Rākṣasīs already, she will undoubtedly feel great fear again. Then, struck with terror, the high-minded Lady will cry out. (21)

jānamānā viśālākṣī rāvaṇaṅ kāmarūpiṇam | sītayā ca kṛtē śabdē sahasā rākṣasīgaṇāḥ || 22

The wide-eyed Sītā will assume I am Rāvaṇa, who changes form at will. If she cries out, the fierce bands of Rākṣasīs will instantly gather. (22)

nānāpraharaṇō ghōraḥ samēyādantakōpamaḥ | tatō māṅ samparikṣipya sarvatō vikṛtānanāḥ || 23

Armed with various weapons, the hideous Rākṣasīs, appearing like Death itself, would surround me on all sides. (23)

vadhē ca grahaṇē caiva kuryuryatnaṅ yathābalam | gṛhya śākhāḥ praśākhāśca skandhāṅścōttamaśākhinām || 24

They will exert all their strength to capture or kill me. As I seize the branches and trunks of these fine trees to defend myself, chaos will ensue. (24)

dṛṣṭvā viparidhāvantaṅ bhavēyurbhayaśaṅkitāḥ | mama rūpaṅ ca samprēkṣya vanē vicaratō mahat || 25

Seeing me rushing about, and observing my enormous form moving through the garden, the distorted-faced Rākṣasīs will be terrified. (25)

Section 5: The Strategy of Praise (Shlokas 36–44)

prāṇatyāgaśca vaidēhyā bhavēdanabhibhāṣaṇē | ēṣa dōṣō mahānhi syānmama sītābhibhāṣaṇē || 36

If I do not speak, Vaidehī will die; yet speaking to her also carries great danger. (36)

bhūtāścārthā vinaśyanti dēśakālavirōdhitāḥ | viklabaṅ dūtamāsādya tamaḥ sūryōdayē yathā || 37

Missions are ruined by poor timing or an unwise messenger, just as darkness is vanquished by the sunrise. (37)

arthānarthānterē buddhiniścitāpi na śōbhetē | ghātayanti hi kāryāṇi dūtāḥ paṇḍitamāninaḥ || 38

Decisions are worthless if they fail to distinguish success from failure. Missions are destroyed by messengers who only think they are wise. (38)

na vinaśyētkathaṅ kāryaṅ vaiklabyaṅ na kathaṅ bhavēt | laṅghanaṅ ca samudrasya kathaṅ nu na vṛthā bhavēt || 39

How can I ensure the mission is not ruined? How can I prevent my leap across the ocean from being in vain? (39)

kathaṅ nu khalu vākyaṅ mē śṛṇuyānnōdvijēta vā | iti sañcintya hanumāṅścakāra matimānmatim || 40

How shall I speak so she listens without being terrified? Having thought thus, the wise Hanumān made his decision. (40)

rāmamakliṣṭakarmāṇaṅ subandhumanukīrtayan | naināmudvējayiṣyāmi tadbandhugatamānasām || 41

By praising Śrī Rāma, who performs all tasks effortlessly, I will reach her heart without causing her anxiety. (41)

ikṣvākūṇāṅ variṣṭhasya rāmasya viditātmanaḥ | śubhāni dharmayuktāni vacanāni samarpayan || 42

I will speak righteous and auspicious words about Rāma, the most excellent of the Ikshvākus. (42)

śrāvayiṣyāmi sarvāṇi madhurāṅ prabruvan giram | śraddhāsyati yathāhīyaṅ tathā sarvaṅ samādadhē || 43

I will speak in a sweet voice so that she believes me. I will arrange everything perfectly. (43)

iti sa bahuvidhaṅ mahānubhāvō jagatipatēḥ pramadāmavēkṣamāṇaḥ | madhuramavitathaṅ jagāda vākyaṅ drumaviṭapāntaramāsthitō hanūmān || 44

Having considered these options, Hanumān, hidden among the branches, began to speak to the wife of the Lord of the Worlds, uttering words both sweet and true. (44)

ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde triṁśassargaḥ