Sundarakanda Sarga 2 : Awaiting Nightfall (Full Text & Meaning)

A high-definition digital rendering of Valmiki’s Sarga 2, optimized for daily parayana and deep study. 

Section 1: Arrival and Composure (Sarga 2, Shlokas 1–5)

athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe dvītīyassargaḥ

Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramanaya - 2nd Sarga

niśāgamapratīkṣā

Awaiting nightfall

sa sāgaramanādṛṣyam atikramya mahābalaḥ | trikūṭaśikharē laṅkāṅ sthitāṅ svasthō dadarśa ha || 1

Having crossed the insurmountable ocean, the mighty hanumān with composure gazed upon Lanka, situated on trikūṭa mountain. (1)

tataḥ pādapamuktēna puṣpavarṣēṇa vīryavān | abhivṛṣṭaḥ sthitastatra babhau puṣpamayō yathā || 2

As he stood, the trees of trikūṭa mountain showered him with flowers. Completely enveloped in blossoms, his figure seemed to be made entirely of flowers. (2)

yōjanānāṅ śataṅ śrīmāṅ tīrtvāpyuttamavikramaḥ | aniḥśvasan kapistatra na glānimadhigacchati || 3

Even after traversing 100 yōjana, the glorious hanumān felt no fatigue or exhaustion. His resolve was completely unshaken. (3)

śatānyahaṅ yōjanānāṅ kramēyaṅ subahūnyapi | kiṅ punaḥ sāgarasyāntaṅ saṅkhyātaṅ śatayōjanam || 4

He thought to himself: "I can easily cross many hundreds of yojanas. What is a mere 100-yojana measure of this ocean to me?" (4)

sa tu vīryavatāṅ śrēṣṭhaḥ plavatāmapi cōttamaḥ | jagāma vēgavān laṅkāṅ laṅghayitvā mahōdadhim || 5

Being the greatest of the brave and the best of those who can fly, that speedy hanumān leaped over the enormous ocean and reached laṁkā. (5)

Section 3: The Fortress of Ravana (Sarga 2, Shlokas 14–20)

samāsādya ca lakṣmīvān laṅkāṅ rāvaṇapālitām |  parikhābhiḥ sapadmābhiḥ sōtpalābhi ralaṅkṛtām || 14

Upon approaching the city of laṁkā, which was ruled by rāvaṇa, hanumān observed enchanting lotuses and water lilies floating in the surrounding moats. (14)

sītāpaharaṇārthēna rāvaṇēna surakṣitām | samantādvicaradbhiśca rākṣasairugradhanvibhiḥ || 15

Following Sita’s abduction, the city was secured with special protection and guard. Formidable, bow-wielding Rakshasas were patrolling the perimeter.(15)

kāñcanēnāvṛtāṅ ramyāṅ prākārēṇa mahāpurīm | gṛhaiśca grahasaṅkāśaiḥ śāradāmbudasannibhaiḥ || 16

The great city was a beautiful sight, with compound walls made of gold and clean, pleasant houses that soared sky-high, resembling autumn clouds. (16)

pāṇḍurābhiḥ pratōlībhiḥ uccābhirabhisaṅvṛtām | aṭṭālakaśatākīrṇāṅ patākādhvajamālinīm || 17 

tōraṇaiḥ kāñcanairdivyaiḥ latāpaṅtkivicitritaiḥ | dadarśa hanumān laṅkāṅ divi dēvapurīmiva ||18

Lanka boasted clean, wide roads and was brilliant with numerous gleaming pennons and flag posts. Its archways, adorned with gold and a variety of vines, made the city glow like Amaravati, the capital of heaven. hanumān was observing that city. (17 - 18)

girimūrdhni sthitāṅ laṅkāṅ pāṇḍurairbhavanaiḥ śubhaiḥ | dadarśa sa kapiśrēṣṭhaḥ puramākāśagaṅ yathā || 19

That beautiful Lanka was situated on the mountaintop, appearing to hanumān like a city suspended in the sky. (19)

pālitāṅ rākṣasēndrēṇa nirmitāṅ viśvakarmaṇā | plavamānamivākāśē dadarśa hanumān purīm || 20

Built by Vishvakarma (architect for gods) and currently ruled by rāvaṇa, the king of the Rakshasas, the city appeared to hanumān as if it were floating in the sky. (20)

Section 5: Strategy and Reflection (Sarga 2, Shlokas 26–31)

tasyāśca mahatīṅ guptiṅ sāgaraṅ ca nirīkṣya saḥ | rāvaṇaṅ ca ripuṅ ghōraṅ cintayāmāsa vānaraḥ || 26 

āgatyāpīha harayō bhaviṣyanti nirarthakāḥ | na hi yuddēna vai laṅkā śakyā jētuṅ surairapi || 27 

imāṅ tu viṣamāṅ durgāṅ laṅkāṅ rāvaṇapālitām | prāpyāpi sa mahābāhuḥ kiṅ kariṣyati rāghavaḥ || 28

Considering Lanka’s formidable defenses and the vast ocean encircling it, Hanuman regarded Ravana as an invincible adversary and concluded: "Even if all the Vānaras arrive here, it will be useless. Not even the Devatas can conquer Lanka in war. Others dare not even look at this city due to Ravana’s security. What, then, can the mighty Rāghava (Śrī Rāma) achieve by coming here?" (26 - 28)

avakāśō nasāntvasya rākṣasēṣvabhigamyatē | na dānasya na bhēdasya naiva yuddhasya dṛśyatē || 29

Hanuman thought that the four methods of statecraft—conciliation (making peace), offering material gifts, creating division, or war—were all ineffective against the Rakshasas. Their demonic tendencies make them unresponsive to conciliation. Their immense wealth means they cannot be lured with gifts. Their ego and power prevent any division. And finally, they appear unconquerable in battle. (29)

caturṇāmēva hi gati vānarāṇāṅ mahātmanām | vāliputrasya nīlasya mama rājñaśca dhīmataḥ || 30

Among the Vānaras, only four possess the ability to enter Lanka: Angada, Neela, myself, and my great king, Sugreeva (30)

yāvajjānāmi vaidēhīṅ yadi jīvati vā na vā | tatraiva cintayiṣyāmi dṛṣṭvā tāṅ janakātmajām || 31

My most important task is to ascertain if Sita is still alive or not. All other worries will be considered once I have seen the daughter of Janaka. (31)

Section 7: Diminishing the Form (Sarga 2, Shlokas 41–49)

na vinaśyētkathaṅ kāryaṅ vaiklabyaṅ na kathaṅ bhavēt | laṅghanaṅ ca samudrasya kathaṅ nu na vṛthā bhavēt || 41

How must I ensure that Rama’s mission is not ruined and that I do not become confused? And how my crossing of the ocean not go in vain? (41)

mayi dṛṣṭē tu rakṣōbhī rāmasya viditātmanaḥ | bhavēdvyarthamidaṅ kāryaṅ rāvaṇānarthamicchataḥ || 42 

na hi śakyaṅ kvacit sthātum avijñātēna rākṣasaiḥ | api rākṣasarūpēṇa kimutānyēna kēnacit || 43

If the Rakshasas see me, Rāma's mission to bring about Ravana's destruction will be in vain. It is nearly impossible to remain undetected by the Rakshasas anywhere, even in a Rakshasa guise. What could be said about any other form? (42 - 43)

vāyurapyatra nājñātaścarēditi matirmama | na hya styaviditaṅ kiñcidrākṣasānāṅ balīyasām || 44

I believe that not even the wind can pass through this place undetected, for there is nothing hidden from these mighty Rakshasas. (44)

ihāhaṅ yadi tiṣṭhāmi svēna rūpēṇa saṅvṛtaḥ | vināśamupayāsyāmi bharturarthaśca hīyatē || 45

If I remain here, confined to my own (large) form, I shall certainly be destroyed, and the objective of my lord Shri Rama will be jeopardized (45)

tadahaṅ svēna rūpēṇa rajanyāṅ hrasvatāṅ gataḥ | laṅkāmabhipatiṣyāmi rāghavasyārthasiddhayē || 46

I will diminish my natural size and enter Lanka in a minute form, all for the successful fulfillment of Rāghava's mission. (46)

rāvaṇasya purīṅ rātrau praviśya sudurāsadām | vicinvan bhavanaṅ sarvaṅ drakṣyāmi janakātmajām || 47

I will enter Ravana's unassailable city during the night, and by searching every part of the palace, I will find Janaka's daughter. (47)

iti sañcintya hanumān sūryasyāstamayaṅ kapiḥ | ācakāṅkṣē tadā vīrō vaidēhyā darśanōtsukaḥ ||48

Having thus thought (or resolved), Veera Hanumān,who was eager to see Vaidehi (Sita), eagerly waited for the sun to set. (48)

sūryē cāstaṅgatē rātrau dēhaṅ saṅkṣipya mārutiḥ | pṛṣadaṅśakamātraḥ san babhūvādbhutadarśanaḥ ||49

As twilight descended, Maruti contracted his body to the size of a tiny kitten. It was a marvelous sight to behold. (49)

Section 8: Night Entry and The Moon (Sarga 2, Shlokas 50–58)

pradōṣakālē hanumāṅstūrṇamutplutya vīryavān | pravivēśa purīṅ ramyāṅ suvibhaktamahāpathām || 50

In the evening twilight, the mighty Hanumān quickly leaped up and entered the beautiful city, which had wide, well-divided streets. (50)

prāsādamālāvitatāṅ stambhaiḥ kāñcanarājataiḥ | śātakumbhamayairjālairgantharvanagarōpamām || 51

The city was adorned with endless rows of magnificent palaces, featuring pillars made of gold and silver, and windows of pure gold, giving it the appearance of a Gandharva city. (51)

saptabhaumāṣṭabhaumaiśca sa dadarśa mahāpurīm | talaiḥ sphāṭikasaṅkīrṇaiḥ kārtasvaravibhūṣitaiḥ || 52

He saw that great city filled with seven- and eight-storied buildings, whose floors were inlaid with clear quartz crystal and adorned with gold. (52)

vaiḍūryamaṇicitraiśca muktājālavibhūṣitaiḥ | talaiḥ śuśubhirē tāni bhavanānyatra rakṣasām || 53

The mansions of the Rakshasas gleamed brightly, as their floors were inlaid with vibrant cat's eye gems and embellished with elaborate nets of pearls. (53)

kāñcanāni ca citrāṇi tōraṇāni ca rakṣasām | laṅkāmudyōtayāmāsuḥ sarvataḥ samalaṅkṛtām || 54

The golden and ornate archways of the Rakshasas illuminated the entire city of Lanka, which was beautifully adorned everywhere. (54)

acintyāmadbhutākārāṅ dṛṣṭavā laṅkāṅ mahākapiḥ | āsīdviṣaṇṇō hṛṣṭaśca vaidēhyā darśanōtsukaḥ || 55

Having seen the unimaginable city of Lanka, Hanuman was struck by simultaneous sadness (at the prospect of conquering it) and joy (fueled by his eagerness to see Vaidehi). (55)

sa pāṇḍurāviddhavimānamālinīṅ mahārhajāmbūnadajālatōraṇām | **yaśasvinīṅ rāvaṇabāhupālitāṅ ** kṣapācaraiḥ bhīmabalaiḥ samāvṛtām || 56

Hanuman saw the glorious city of Lanka, adorned with magnificent clear palaces and archways of expensive gold lattice, protected by Ravana's formidable power, and encircled by Rakshasas of dreadful strength. (56)

candrō.pi sācivyamivāsya kurvan tārāgaṇai rmadhyagatō virājan | jyōtsnāvitānēna vitatya lōkam uttiṣṭhatē naikasahasraraśmiḥ || 57

As if offering its aid to Hanuman, the Moon, surrounded by stars, rose with its thousands of rays, casting a wide, bright canopy of moonlight over the earth (57)

śaṅkhaprabhaṅ kṣīramṛṇālavarṇam udgacchamānaṅ vyavabhāsamānam | **dadarśa candraṅ sa haripravīraḥ ** pōplūyamānaṅ sarasīva haṅsam || 58

That Veera Hanuman saw the rising Moon, which shone brightly with the color of a conch shell and a lotus stalk, appearing like a swan gracefully floating in a lake. (58)

ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde dvītīya sargaḥ

Thus ends the second sarga of the Sundarakanda, which is a part of Srimad Ramayana, the epic poem (Adikavya) authored by sage Valmiki.