Sundarakanda Sarga 9: Bustling Inner Palace (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 9: Bustling Inner Palace (Full Text & Meaning)
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Read Sundarakanda Sarga 9 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and verbatim English meanings. Hanumān enters the most private quarters of the palace. He observes the vast assembly of sleeping women and the various musical instruments left scattered about, providing a vivid glimpse into the decadent life of the Rākṣasa court. Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 73 | Primary Character: Hanuman (Maruti) | Key Events: Saṁkūlāṁtaḥpura-Darśana (Gazing at the Inner Palace), Strī-Vana-Varṇana (Description of the Sleeping Women), Sītā-Guṇa-Saṅkīrtana (Reflections on Sita's Superior Virtue) | Location: Ravana's Inner Sanctum |
tasyālayavariṣṭhasya madhyē vipulamāyataṅ | dadarśa bhavanaśrēṣṭhaṅ hanumānmārutātmajaḥ || 1
Hanuman, the son of the vayu, located the supreme aerial chariot, the Pushpaka Vimana. It was a vast, long, and magnificent mansion, situated prominently in the very center of Ravana's primary palace structure. (1)
ardhayōjanavistīrṇamāyataṅ yōjanaṅ hi tat | bhavanaṅ rākṣasēndrasya bahuprāsādasaṅkulam|| 2
That mansion of Ravana was half a yojona in width and a full yojana in length. (2)
mārgamāṇastu vaidēhīṅ sītāmāyatalōcanām | sarvataḥ paricakrāma hanūmānarisūdanaḥ|| 3
Hanuman, the destroyer of enemies, continued his search for Vaidehi (Sita, the daughter of King Janaka), the one with beautiful, long eyes. He traversed and scrutinized every part of the city. (3)
uttamaṅ rākṣasāvāsaṅ hanumānavalōkayan | āsasādātha lakṣmīvān rākṣasēndranivēśanam || 4
Hanuman, the glorious one, continued to scrutinize the finest mansions of the Rakshasas throughout the city. Observing these structures, the Hanuman finally reached the main residence, the palace of the lord of the Rakshasas (Ravana). (4)
caturviṣāṇairdviradaistriviṣāṇaistathaiva ca | parikṣiptamasambādhaṅ rakṣyamāṇamudāyudhaiḥ || 5
The mansion was completely and securely enclosed by powerful elephants, some possessing four tusks and others with two or three tusks. It was also fiercely guarded by warriors bearing formidable weapons. (5)
rākṣasībhiśca patnībhī rāvaṇasya nivēśanam | āhṛtābhiśca vikramya rājakanyābhirāvṛtam || 6
That principal palace was not only occupied by his numerous Rakshasi wives of Ravana, but was also crowded with royal maidens and princesses whom he had forcibly abducted through his power and might. (6)
tannakramakarākīrṇaṅ timiṅgilajhaṣākulam | vāyuvēgasamādhūtaṅ pannagairiva sāgaram || 7
Ravana’s palace was like a vast, turbulent ocean with enormous waves, teeming with wild fish, giant whales, and poisonous snakes. (7)
yā hi vaiśravaṇē lakṣmīryā cēndrē harivāhanē | sā rāvaṇagṛhē sarvā nityamēvānapāyinī || 8
yā ca rājñaḥ kubērasya yamasya varuṇasya ca | tādṛśī tadviśiṣṭā vā ṛddhī rakṣōgṛhēṣviha || 9
Ravana's palace possessed wealth and splendor that was so great it was equivalent to the combined prosperity of Kubera, the God of Wealth, and Indra, the King of the Gods. This extraordinary opulence was a permanent fixture in his residence and never diminished. The wealth and grandeur present in Ravana's palace were of a scale that was either equal to or even surpassed the combined prosperity of the three great deities: Kubera, Yama, and Varuna. (8 - 9)
tasya harmyasya madhyasthaṅ vēśma cānyatsunirmitaṅ | bahuniryūha saṅkīrṇaṅ dadarśa pavanātmajaḥ || 10
In the very center of that main palace structure, Hanuman, the son of the wind, beheld another exquisitely crafted, inner chamber. This dwelling was lavishly adorned and packed with numerous architectural projections, such as ornate balconies and decorative carvings. (10)
brahmaṇō.rthē kṛtaṅ divyaṅ divi yadviśvakarmaṇā | vimānaṅ puṣpakaṅ nāma sarvaratnavibhūṣitam || 11
That divine aerial chariot, named Pushpaka, was created by the divine architect Vishwakarma in the heavens for the sake of Brahma (or on Brahma's command). It was magnificently adorned with every kind of jewel. (11)
parēṇa tapasā lēbhē yatkubēraḥ pitāmahāt | kubēramōjasā jitvā lēbhē tadrākṣasēśvaraḥ || 12
The celestial chariot was originally obtained by Kubera from Brahma as a reward for his supreme penance and asceticism. However, Ravana subsequently seized that very chariot after defeating Kubera through his own immense might and valor. (12)
īhāmṛgasamāyukttaiḥ kārtasvarahiramaṇmayaiḥ | sukṛtairācitaṅ stambhaiḥ pradīptamiva ca śriyā || 13 mērumandarasaṅkāśaiḥ ullikhadbhirivāmbaraṅ | kūṭāgārai śśubhākāraiḥ ssarvatassamalaṅkṛtam|| 14
The mansion was upheld by numerous beautifully crafted pillars made of pure gold and shining gems, which were also adorned with carvings of mythical animals. The entire structure blazed with splendor and was further ornamented everywhere with magnificent, towering palaces and pinnacles. These peaks were so colossal that they resembled Mount Meru and Mount Mandara, appearing to scrape the sky. (13 - 14)
jvalanārkapratīkāśaṅ sukṛtaṅ viśvakarmaṇā | hēmasōpānasaṅyuktaṅ cārupravaravēdikam || 15
The Pushpaka Vimana was a divine masterpiece, shining with the brilliant intensity of the sun itself, having been expertly crafted by the celestial architect Vishwakarma. It featured staircases made entirely of gold and was set upon a beautiful, magnificent platform. (15)
jālavātāyanairyuktaṅ kāñcanaiḥ ssphāṭikairapi | indranīlamahānīlamaṇipravaravēdikam || 16
The Vimana was equipped with decorative latticework windows, crafted from both pure gold and clear crystal. Its base or magnificent platform was constructed from the finest and most excellent gems, including Indranīla (sapphire) and Mahānīla (great sapphire). (16)
vidrumēṇa vicitrēṇa maṇibhiśca mahāghanaiḥ | nistulābhiśca muktābhistalēnābhiḥ virājitam || 17
The floor of the Pushpaka Vimana was adorned with diverse and colorful coral, and magnificent, massive jewels and gems. It was further set with unequalled, priceless pearls, making the entire floor shine with incredible brilliance. (17)
candanēna ca raktēna tapanīyanibhēna ca | supuṇyagandhinā yuktam ādityataruṇōpamam || 18
The place was characterized by the rich, pure fragrance of red sandalwood and shimmered with a glow resembling blazing gold. It was also endowed with an additional supreme, auspicious fragrance, making its appearance as radiant and brilliant as the afternoon sun. (18)
kūṭāgārairvarākārairvividhaissamalaṅkṛtam | vimānaṅ puṣpakaṅ divyamārurōha mahākapiḥ || 19
The great Hanuman ascended the divine Pushpaka Vimana, an aerial chariot that was brilliantly decorated, vast, and complex, and which contained secret halls and hidden spaces in different structural forms. (19)
tatrasthassa tadā gandhaṅ pānabhakṣyānnasambhavam | divyaṅ sammūrchitaṅ jighradrūpavantamivānilam || 20
While staying there (in the Vimana), Hanuman smelled an intense, divine fragrance arising from the various drinks, chewable foods, and other edibles. The pervasive scent was so strong and powerful that Hanuman thought as if the Vayu deva himself had taken on a visible form. (20)
sa gandhastaṅ mahāsattvaṅ bandhurbandhumivōttamam | ita ēhītyuvācēna tatra yatra sa rāvaṇaḥ || 21
The divine, pervasive fragrance acted upon the great being Hanuman like a dear friend calling an esteemed friend. It seemed to beckon him, as if saying "Come here" - to the very spot where Ravana was located. (21)
tatastāṅ prasthitaśśālāṅ dadarśa mahatīṅ śubhām | rāvaṇasya manaḥ kāntāṅ kāntāmiva varastriyam || 22
Then, following the scent, Hanuman saw a great and splendid inner hall (śālā). This hall was very dear to Ravana's heart, and its beauty was such that it was compared to a beloved and noble woman. (22)
maṇisōpānavikṛtāṅ hēmajālavibhūṣitām | sphāṭikairāvṛtatalāṅ dantāntaritarūpikām || 23 muktābhiśca pravālaiśca rūpyacāmīkarai rapi | vibhūṣitāṅ maṇistambhaiḥ subahustambhabhūṣitām || 24
That splendid hall was built with staircases decorated with gems and adorned with latticework of gold. Its floors were covered with clear crystal, and it was further decorated with exquisite figures carved from ivory. The structure was lavishly adorned with pearls, coral, silver, and gold. (23 - 24)
samaiḥ ṛjubhiratyuccaiḥ ssamantāt suvibhūṣitaiḥ | stambhai: pakṣairivātyuccaiḥ divaṅ saṅprasthitāmiva || 25
The hall was beautifully adorned all around with uniform, perfectly straight, and immensely tall pillars. These colossal pillars, which resembled great, outstretched wings, made the entire magnificent structure appear ready to fly up and ascend toward the sky. (25)
mahatyā kuthayāstīrṇāṅ pṛthivīlakṣaṇāṅkayā | pṛthivīmiva vistīrṇāṅ sarāṣṭragṛhamālinīm || 26
The hall was covered with a great, rich carpet (kuthayā) that was marked with the features of the Earth. The hall itself was vast, like the Earth itself, and resembled a garland of kingdoms and houses. (26)
nāditāṅ mattavihagaiḥ divyagandhādhivāsitām | parārdhyāstaraṇōpētāṅ rakṣōdhipaniṣēvitām || 27
The hall was filled with the sweet sounds of joyful, intoxicated birds and permeated with a divine fragrance. It was furnished with exceedingly luxurious and costly carpets and was the constant resort of Ravana. (27)
dhūmrāmagarudhūpēna vimalāṅ haṅsapāṇḍurām | citrāṅ puṣpōpahārēṇa kalmāṣīmiva suprabhām || 28
The hall was pure and dazzlingly white like a swan, cleansed and scented by the rising smoke of fragrant aloe wood incense. It was also beautifully colored with offerings of flowers, and its variegated hues made it shine like Kamadhenu. (28)
manassaṅhlādajananīṅ varṇasyāpi prasādinīm | tāṅ śōkanāśinīṅ divyāṅ śriyaḥ sañjananīmiva || 29
That divine hall was a source of joy and delight to the mind. Flirtatious gestures seemed to be adding color to color itself. It was a destroyer of all sorrow and appeared like the abode of wealth and prosperity. (29)
indriyāṇīndriyārthaistu pañca pañcabhiruttamaiḥ | tarpayāmāsa mātēva tadā rāvaṇapālitā || 30
The divine hall possessed a perfection that appealed to every sense. With the most beautiful sights, sweetest music, richest fragrances, most luxurious textures, and finest tastes, Ravana's hall lavishly fulfilled all five senses as perfectly as a nurturing mother. (30)
svargō.yaṅ dēvalōkō.yamindrasyēyaṅ purī bhavēt | siddhirvēyaṅ parā hi syādityamanyata mārutiḥ || 31
Hanuman was struck with such profound astonishment that he questioned: "Is this Heaven? Is this the world of the Gods? Could this possibly be the very city of Indra?". (31)
pradhyāyata ivāpaśyat pradīpāṅstatra kāñcanān | dhūrtāniva mahādhūtaiḥ dēvanēna parājitān || 32
Hanuman observed the golden lamps in the hall, which seemed to be in deep, sorrowful contemplation. Their appearance was likened to that of professional gamblers who are utterly defeated and silently cast down by their misfortune. (32)
dīpānāṅ ca prakāśēna tējasā rāvaṇasya ca | arcirbhirbhūṣaṇānāṅ ca pradīptētyabhyamanyata || 33
The immense hall was a blaze of light from a combination of the lamps, the personal majestic brilliance of Ravana himself, and the dazzling radiance reflecting off his jewels. (33)
tatō.paśyatkuthā৷৷sīnaṅ nānāvarāyambarasrajam | sahasraṅ varanārīṇāṅ nānāvēṣavibhūṣitam || 34
Hanuman's gaze fell upon a gathering of a thousand exceptionally beautiful women, all seated on the magnificent carpet, adorned in unique garments and fragrant garlands. (34)
parivṛttē.rdharātrē tu pānanidrāvaśaṅ gatam | krīḍitvōparataṅ rātrau suṣvāpa balavattadā || 35
Those women were tired from the alcohol and nightly entertainment until midnight, sinking into a deep sleep. (35)
tatprasuptaṅ virurucē niśśabdāntarabhūṣanm | niḥśabdahaṅsabhramaraṅ yathā padmavanaṅ mahat || 36
Hanuman saw the women submerged in deep sleep; the great hall, now hushed and still, resembled a vast lotus pond at night. (36)
tāsāṅ saṅvṛtadantāni mīlitākṣīṇi mārutiḥ | apaśyatpadmagandhīni vadanāni suyōṣitām || 37 prabuddhānīva padmāni tāsāṅ bhūtvā kṣapākṣayē | punassaṅvṛtapatrāṇi rātrāviva babhustadā || 38
Hanuman gazed upon the sleeping faces of those beautiful women, their eyes shut in slumber and their mouths gently closed with a serene fragrance. Their faces appeared like lotuses that have closed their petals for the night. (37 - 38)
imāni mukhapadmāni niyataṅ mattaṣaṭpadāḥ | ambujānīva phullāni prārthayanti punaḥ punaḥ || 39 iti cāmanyata śrīmānupapattyā mahākapiḥ | mēnē hi guṇatastāni samāni salilōdbhavaiḥ || 40
The lotus-like faces fooled the intoxicated bees, which mistook them for real flowers. Hanuman concluded that the fragrant faces of the sleeping women were completely equal to actual lotuses. (39 - 40)
sā tasya śuśubhē śālā tābhistrībhirvirājitā | śāradīva prasannā dyaustārābhirabhiśōbhitā || 41 sa ca tābhiḥ parivṛtaḥ śuśubhē rākṣasādhipaḥ | yathā hyuḍupati śśrīmāṅ tārābhirabhisaṅvṛtaḥ || 42
That magnificent hall shone with a serene splendor, appearing as beautiful as the star-studded sky on an autumn night. Ravana, surrounded by those women, shone like the moon surrounded by the stars. (41 - 42)
yāścyavantē.mbarāttārāḥ puṇyaśēṣasamāvṛtāḥ | imāstāssaṅgatāḥ kṛtsnā iti mēnē haristadā || 43 tārāṇāmiva suvyaktaṅ mahatīnāṅ śubhārciṣām | prabhāvarṇaprasādāśca virējustatra yōṣitām || 44
Hanuman concluded these women were all the stars that had fallen from the heavens after their celestial merit was met. Their radiance distinctly shone forth like the light of the great stars. (43 - 44)
vyāvṛttagurupīnasrakprakīrṇa varabhūṣaṇāḥ | pānavyāyāma kālēṣu nidrāpahṛtacētasaḥ || 45 vyāvṛttatilakāḥ kāścit kāścidudbhrantanūpurāḥ | pārśvē galitahārāśca kāścit paramayōṣitaḥ || 46
During their revelry, their heavy garlands and ornaments became mixed up; they succumbed to deep sleep. Adornments were in disarray: smeared tilakams, scattered anklets, and slipped necklaces. (45 - 46)
muktāhārā.vṛtāścānyāḥ kāścidvisrastavāsasaḥ | vyāviddharaśanādāmāḥ kiśōrya iva vāhitāḥ || 47 sukuṇḍaladharāścānyā vicchinnamṛditasrajaḥ | gajēndramṛditāḥ phullā latā iva mahāvanē || 48
Broken pearl necklaces were scattered; clothes and waistbands were loosened, resembling young mares rolling on the ground. Others with broken garlands resembled flowered creepers crushed by a majestic elephant. (47 - 48)
candrāṅśukiraṇābhāśca hārāḥ kāsāṅcidutkaṭāḥ | haṅsā iva babhussuptāḥ stanamadhyēṣu yōṣitām || 49 aparāsāṅ ca vaiḍūryāḥ kādambā iva pakṣiṇaḥ | hēmasūtrāṇi cānyāsāṅ cakravākā ivābhavan || 50
Necklaces shining like moonbeams resembled sleeping swans. Diamond necklaces looked like blue swans, and golden chains resembled Chakravaka birds. (49 - 50)
haṅsakāraṇḍavākīrṇāścakravākōpaśōbhitāḥ | āpagā iva tā rējuḥ jaghanaiḥ pulinairiva || 51 kiṅkiṇījāla saṅkōśāstā haimavipulāmbujāḥ | bhāvagrāhā yaśastīrāḥ suptā nadya ivā babhuḥ || 52
The women resembled tranquil slumbering rivers with hips like sandbanks. Their ornaments were hushed like constricted nets of bells, and their emotions were contained like alligators resting quietly. (51 - 52)
mṛduṣvaṅgēṣu kāsāñcit kucāgrēṣu ca saṅsthitāḥ | varbhūṣaṇānīva śubhā bhūṣaṇarājayaḥ || 53 aṅśukāntāśca kāsāñcit mukhamārutakampitāḥ | uparyupari vaktrāṇāṅ vyādhūyantē punaḥ punaḥ || 54
Scattered ornaments rested on soft limbs. The ends of upper garments fluttered above their faces as they gently breathed. (53 - 54)
tāḥ patākā ivōddhūtāḥ patnīnāṅ ruciraprabhāḥ | nānāvarṇa suvarṇānāṅ vaktramūlēṣu rējirē || 55 vavalguścātra kāsāṅcitkuṇḍalāni śubhārciṣām | mukhamāruta saṅsargānmandaṅ mandaṅ suyōṣitām || 56
Bright garments resembled fluttering flags near their faces. Earrings swayed slowly due to the stirring air from their breath. (55 - 56)
śarkarā.sava gandhaiśca prakṛtyā surabhiḥ sukhaḥ | tāsāṅ vadananiśvāsaḥ siṣēvē rāvaṇaṅ tadā || 57 rāvaṇānanaśaṅkāśca kāścidrāvaṇayōṣitaḥ | mukhāni sma sapatnīnāmupājighranpunaḥ punaḥ || 58
Fragrant exhalations carrying the aroma of wine refreshed Ravana. Some wives, suspecting a rival might be Ravana, repeatedly kissed the faces of fellow consorts. (57 - 58)
atyarthaṅ saktamanasō rāvaṇē tā varastriyaḥ | asvatantrāḥ sapatnīnāṅ priyamēvā.caraṅstadā || 59 bāhūnupanidhāyānyāḥ pārihāryavibhūṣitān | aṅśukāni ca ramyāṇi pramadāstatra śiśyirē || 60
Utterly devoted to Ravana, they performed affectionate acts toward co-wives in their uninhibited state. Others slept resting on arms adorned with bracelets or using fine garments as pillows. (59 - 60)
anyā vakṣasi cānyasyāstasyāḥ kācitpunarbhujam | aparā tvaṅkamanyasyāstasyāścāpyaparā bhujau || 61 ūrupārśva kaṭīpṛṣṭha manyōnyasya samāśritāḥ | parasparaniviṣṭāṅgyō madasnēhavaśānugāḥ || 62
The women were nestled together; one resting on a breast, another head in a lap. Driven by stupor and affection, they lay with bodies intimately intertwined. (61 - 62)
anyōnyabhujasūtrēṇa strīmālā grathitā hi sā | mālēva grathitā sūtrē śuśubhē mattaṣaṭpadā || 63 latānāṅ mādhavē māsi phullānāṅ vāyusēvanāt | anyōnya mālāgrathitaṅ saṅsaktakusumōccayam || 64 vyativēṣṭita suskandham anyōnyabhramarākulam | āsīdvanamivōddhūtaṅ strīvanaṅ rāvaṇasya tat || 65
They formed a "garland of women" strung together by their arms. They resembled fully bloomed creepers in spring, a private "garden of women" (Strīvana). (63 - 65)
ucitēṣvapi suvyaktaṅ na tāsāṅ yōṣitāṅ tadā | vivēkaḥ śakya ādhātuṅ bhūṣaṇāṅgāmbarasrajām || 66
Adornments and limbs were so mixed up it was impossible to tell which belonged to whom. (66)
rāvaṇē sukhasaṅviṣṭē tāḥ striyō vividhaprabhāḥ | jvalantaḥ kāñcanā dīpāḥ praikṣantānimiṣā iva || 67
While Ravana slept, the gleaming golden lamps appeared to be gazing at him with unblinking eyes. (67)
rājarṣi pitṛdaityānāṅ gandharvāṇāṅ ca yōṣitaḥ | rākṣasānāṅ ca yāḥ kanyāḥ tasya kāmavaśaṅ gatāḥ || 68 yuddhakāmēna tāḥ sarvāḥ rāvaṇēna hṛtāḥ striyaḥ | samadā madanēnaiva mōhitāḥ kāścidāgatāḥ || 69
The wives of sages and gods, along with Rakshasa maidens, had come to him willingly or were taken by him in conflict. (68 - 69)
na tatra kācitpramadā prasahya vīryōpapannēna guṇēna labdhā | na cānyakāmāpi na cānypūrvā vinā varārhāṅ janakātmajāṅ tām || 70
No woman there was obtained by force based on valor alone, nor was any desirous of another man, except for Janaka's daughter, Sita. (70)
na cākulīnā na ca hīnarūpā nādakṣiṇā nānupacārayuktā | bhāryābhavattasya na hīnasattvā na cāpi kāntasya na kāmanīyā || 71
His wives were of high lineage, capable, and desirable. (71)
babhūva buddhistu harīśvarasya yadīdṛśī rāghavadharmapatnī | imā yathā rākṣasarājabhāryāḥ sujātamasyēti hi sādhubuddhēḥ || 72
Hanuman wished that Sita could be with her husband, Rama, finding a similar peace. (72)
punaśca sō.cintayā dāttarūpō dhruvaṅ viśiṣṭā guṇatō hi sītā | athāyamasyāṅ kṛtavān mahātmā laṅkēśvaraḥ kaṣṭa manāryakarma || 73
Hanuman affirmed his conviction that Sita is superior in virtue and felt a deep sense of pity for Ravana, who committed a disgraceful act against her despite his own noble character. (73)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde navamassargaḥ
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