Sundarakanda Sarga 48: Indrajit's Attack & Hanumān's Capture (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 48: Indrajit's Attack & Hanumān's Capture (Full Text & Meaning)
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Read Sundarakanda Sarga 48 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and verbatim English meanings. In this pivotal chapter, Rāvaṇa dispatches his most powerful son, Indrajit, to confront the invincible Hanumān. Witness an epic celestial duel that culminates in Indrajit deploying the Brahmāstra. Hanumān, out of respect for Lord Brahmā and desiring an audience with the Rākṣasa King, chooses to submit to the weapon. The sarga follows Hanumān as he is bound, nullifying the divine weapon's effect, and dragged before the terrifying throne of Rāvaṇa. Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 61 | Primary Characters: Hanumān & Indrajit | Key Events: Brahmāstra-Prayōgaḥ (Deployment of Brahmastra), Hanūmad-Bandhanam (Capture of Hanuman), Rāvaṇa-Sabhā-Prāptiḥ (Arrival at Ravana's court) | Location: Ashoka Vatika to Ravana's Court, Lanka |
athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe aṣṭacatvāriṁśassargaḥ
Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramanaya - 48th Sarga
iṁdrajidabhiyōgaḥ Indrajit's Attack
tatastu rakṣōdhipatirmahātmā hanūmatākṣē nihatē kumārē | manassamādhāya sadēvakalpaṅ samādidēśēndrajitaṅ sarōṣaḥ || 1
Then, the great Lord of the Rākṣasas (Rāvaṇa), upon hearing that Prince Akṣakumāra had been slain by Hanumān, collected his thoughts. Full of rage, he then commanded Indrajit, who was equal in prowess to the gods. (1)
tvamastravicchastravidāṅ variṣṭhaḥ surāsurāṇāmapi śōkadātā | surēṣu sēndrēṣu ca dṛṣṭakarmā pitāmahārādhanasañcitāstraḥ || 2
"You are the best among the knowers of both divine weapons (astra) and conventional weapons (śastra). You have accumulated your divine weapons through the worship of Brahmā." (2)
tavāstrabalamāsādya sasurāḥ samarudgaṇāḥ | na śēkussamarē sthātuṅ surēśvarasamāśritāḥ || 3
"Faced with the sheer power of your divine weapons, neither the gods nor those protected by Indra could stand firm in battle." (3)
na kaścittriṣu lōkēṣu saṅyugēna gataśramaḥ | bhujavīryābhiguptaśca tapasā cābhirakṣitaḥ | dēśakālavibhāgajñastvamēva matisattamaḥ || 4
"O best of the wise, there is no one in the three worlds who can defeat you. You are protected by the might of your arms and shielded by your penance." (4)
na tē.styaśakyaṅ samarēṣu karmaṇā na tē.styakāryaṅ matipūrvamantraṇē | na sō.sti kaścittriṣu saṅgrahēṣu vai na vēda yastē.strabalaṅ balaṅ ca tē || 5
"There is no deed impossible for you in battle, nor any task that cannot be accomplished by your counsel. Everyone in the three worlds knows your power." (5)
mamānurūpaṅ tapasō balaṅ ca tē parākramaścāstrabalaṅ ca saṅyugē | na tvāṅ samāsādya raṇāvamardē manaśśramaṅ gacchati niścitārtham || 6
"Your strength from penance and your valor are worthy of me. Truly, when you enter battle, my mind is never weary." (6)
nihatāḥ kiṅkarāssarvē jambumālī ca rākṣasaḥ | amātyaputrā vīrāśca pañca sēnāgrayāyinaḥ || 7
balāni susamṛddhāni sāśvanāgarathāni ca | sahōdarastē dayitaḥ kumārō.kṣaśca sūditaḥ | na hi tēṣvēva mē sārō yastvayyariniṣūdana || 8
"All the Kiṅkaras, Jambumālī, the minister's sons, and the five commanders were slain. Even your dear brother Prince Akṣa has been killed. Yet, my true strength is not in them, but in you." (7-8)
idaṅ hi dṛṣṭvā matimanmahadbalaṅ kapēḥ prabhāvaṅ ca parākramaṅ ca | tvamātmanaścāpi samīkṣya sāraṅ kuruṣva vēgaṅ svabalānurūpam || 9
"O wise one, having witnessed this hero's great strength, assess your own power and proceed with a force equal to your strength." (9)
balāvamarthastayi sannikṛṣṭē yathā gatē śāmyati śāntaśatrau | tathā samīkṣyātmabalaṅ paraṅ ca samārabhasvāstravidāṅ variṣṭha || 10
"Assess both your might and that of the enemy. Begin your effort so that this destructive turmoil may cease and peace be established." (10)
na vīrasēnā gaṇaśōcyavanti na vajramādāya viśālasāram | na mārutasyāsya gatēḥ pramāṇaṅ na cāgnikalpaḥ karaṇēna hantum || 11
"Conventional armies cannot distress him, nor can the Vajra defeat him. The speed of this Son of the Wind cannot be measured; he is like fire and cannot be destroyed easily." (11)
tamēvamarthaṅ prasamīkṣya samyak svakarmasāmyāddhi samāhitātmā | smaraṅśca divyaṅ dhanuṣō.stravīryaṅ vrajākṣataṅ karma samārabhasva || 12
"Recall the power of your divine weapons. You must use the Brahmāstra to capture him, for that alone can bind the powerful Vānara hero." (12)
na khalviyaṅ matiśśrēṣṭhā yattvāṅ samprēṣayāmyaham | iyaṅ ca rājadharmāṇāṅ kṣatrasya ca matirmatā || 13
nānāśastrēṣu saṅgrāmē vaiśāradyamarindama | avaśyamēva bōddhavyaṅ kāmyaśca vijayō raṇē || 14
"Sending one so young is not my heart's first choice, but it is proper for a King and a warrior. Expertise in various weapons must be mastered for battle." (13-14)
tataḥ pitustadvacanaṅ niśamya pradakṣiṇaṅ dakṣasutaprabhāvaḥ | cakāra bhartāramadīnasattvō raṇāya vīraḥ pratipannabuddhiḥ || 15
Then, having heard his father's command, the hero—whose splendor was like the son of Daksha (Skanda), whose spirit was undaunted, and whose mind was resolved upon battle—reverently circumambulated (pradakṣiṇa) his father Rāvaṇa. (15)
tatastai ssvagaṇairiṣṭairindrajit pratipūjitaḥ | yuddhōddhataḥ kṛtōtsāhassaṅgrāmaṅ pratyapadyata || 16
Then, Indrajit, having been duly honored by his dear followers, was filled with enthusiasm and, eager for battle, proceeded to the fight. (16)
śrīmānpadmapalāśākṣō rākṣasādhipatēssutaḥ | nirjagāma mahātējāssamudra iva parvasu || 17
The glorious son of the Lord of the Rākṣasas (Indrajit), whose eyes were like lotus petals, issued forth with immense splendor, like the ocean swelling on the day of the full or new moon. (17)
sa pakṣirājōpamatulyavēgaiḥ vyāḷaiścaturbhiḥ sitatīkṣaṇdaṅṣṭraiḥ | rathaṅ samāyuktamasahyavēgaṅ samārurōhēndrajidindrakalpaḥ || 18
Indrajit, who was equal in splendor to Indra, mounted his chariot. This chariot was harnessed to four serpents with white, sharp fangs, which moved with a speed equal to Garuda, and whose momentum was irresistible. (18)
sa rathī dhanvināṅ śrēṣṭhaḥ śastrajñōstravidāṅ varaḥ | rathēnābhiyayau kṣipraṅ hanumānyatra sō.bhavat || 19
He, the supreme charioteer—best among all bowmen and foremost among those who master all weapons—swiftly drove his chariot toward the place where Hanumān stood. (19)
sa tasya rathanirghōṣaṅ jyāsvanaṅ kārmukasya ca | niśamya harivīrō.sau saṅprahṛṣṭatarō.bhavat || 20
Hearing the sound of his (Indrajit's) chariot and the twang of his bowstring, Hanumān became even more greatly delighted. (20)
sumahaccāpamādāya śitaśalyāṅśca sāyakān | hanumantamabhiprētya jagāma raṇapaṇḍitaḥ || 21
The expert in battle (Indrajit) took up his immense bow and arrows with razor-sharp points, and then proceeded toward Hanumān, having set his aim upon him. (21)
tasmiṅstataḥ saṅyati jātaharṣē raṇāya nirgacchati cāpapāṇau | diśaśca sarvāḥ kaluṣā babhūvuḥ mṛgāśca raudrā bahudhā vinēduḥ || 22
As Indrajit, bow in hand and filled with the joy of battle, issued forth for the fight, the directions became obscured, and fierce animals roared ominously in many ways. (22)
samāgatāstatra tu nāgayakṣā maharṣayaścakracarāśca siddhāḥ | nabhassamāvṛtya ca pakṣisaṅghā vinēduruccaiḥ paramaprahṛṣṭāḥ || 23
The Nāgas and Yakṣas, great sages, Chakracharas, and Siddhas all assembled there, and hosts of birds, covering the sky, cried out loudly, filled with immense delight. (23)
āyāntaṅ sarathaṅ dṛṣṭvā tūrṇamindrajitaṅ kapiḥ | vinanāda mahānādaṅ vyavardhata ca vēgavān || 24
Seeing Indrajit swiftly approaching with his chariot, Hanumān let out a mighty roar and swiftly expanded his form. (24)
indrajittu rathaṅ divyamāsthitaścitrakārmukaḥ | dhanurviṣphārayāmāsa taṭidūrjitannissvanam || 25
Indrajit, mounted upon his divine chariot and armed with his magnificent bow, twanged his bowstring, producing a sound like the mighty roar of thunder. (25)
tatassamētāvatitīkṣṇavēgau mahābalau tau raṇanirviśaṅkau | kapiśca rakṣōdhipatēstanūjaḥ surāsurēndrāviva baddhavairau || 26
Then, Hanumān and the son of the Rākṣasa lord (Indrajit)—both possessed of exceedingly sharp speed, great strength, and utterly fearless in battle—came together, like Indra and Vritra who are bound by ancient enmity. (26)
sa tasya vīrasya mahārathasya dhanuṣmataḥ saṅyati sammatasya | śarapravēgaṅ vyahanatpravṛddhaḥ cacāra mārgē piturapramēyaḥ || 27
Having expanded his form, the greatly mighty Hanumān swiftly countered the powerful barrage of arrows from the valiant and respected bowman, moving along the boundless path of the wind. (27)
tataśśarānāyatatīkṣṇaśalyān supatriṇaḥ kāñcanacitrapuṅkhān | mumōca vīraḥ paravīrahantā susannatān vajranipātavēgān || 28
Then, the hero, the slayer of enemy heroes, discharged those well-aimed arrows, which were long, sharp-pointed, and flew with the speed of a thunderbolt's strike. (28)
tatastu tatsyandananissvanaṅ ca mṛdaṅgabhērīpaṭahasvanaṅ ca | vikṛṣyamāṇasya ca kārmukasya niśamya ghōṣaṅ punarutpapāta || 29
Then, having heard the sounds of the chariot, the roar of the drums, and the loud twang of the bow being drawn, Hanumān instantly sprang up again. (29)
śarāṇāmantarēṣvāśu vyavartata mahākapiḥ | haristasyābhilakṣyasya mōghayan lakṣyasaṅgraham || 30
The great Hanumān swiftly darted between the arrows, thereby frustrating Indrajit's efforts to fix his aim and find a target. (30)
śarāṇāmagratastasya punaḥ samabhivartata | prasārya hastau hanumān utpapātānilātmajaḥ || 31
The Son of the Wind, Hanumān, once again positioned himself directly in front of Indrajit's arrows. Just as Indrajit released the shaft, Hanumān stretched out his arms and instantly leaped into the air. (31)
tāvubhau vēgasampannau raṇakarmaviśāradau | sarvabhūtamanōgrāhi cakraturyuddhamuttamam || 32
Both of them, endowed with great speed and highly skilled in the act of war, fought a splendid battle that captivated the minds of all beings. (32)
hanumatō vēda na rākṣasō.ntaraṅ na mārutistasya mahātmanō.ntaram | parasparaṅ nirviṣahau babhūvatuḥ samētya tau dēvasamānavikramau || 33
Neither the Rākṣasa (Indrajit) knew the secret or weak spot of the Vānara hero, nor did the Son of the Wind (Hanumān) know the secret of that great soul. (33)
tatastu lakṣyē sa vihanyamānē śarēṣvamōghēṣu ca saṅpatatsu | jagāma cintāṅ mahatīṅ mahātmā samādhisaṅyōgasamāhitātmā || 34
Even though his own arrows were unfailing, the great-souled Indrajit—a master of concentration—was seized by deep anxiety because his aim was continually foiled. (34)
tatō matiṅ rākṣasarājasūnuḥ cakāra tasmin harivīramukhyē | avadhyatāṅ tasya kapēssamīkṣya kathaṅ nigacchēditi nigrahārtham || 35
Then, the son of the Rākṣasa king made a firm resolve. Having perceived that Hanumān was invulnerable to arrows, he considered how he might be captured for the purpose of restraint. (35)
tataḥ paitāmahaṅ vīraḥ sō.stramastravidāṅ varaḥ | saṅdadhē sumahattējā: taṅ haripravaraṅ prati || 36
Then, that great hero, best among the knowers of divine weapons, fixed the Brahmāstra against the foremost Vānara hero. (36)
avadhyō.yamiti jñātvā tamastrēṇāstratattvavit | nijagrāha mahābāhuḥ mārutātmajamindrajit || 37
Knowing that Hanumān was invulnerable, the great-armed Indrajit, master of divine weapons, captured Maruti with the Brahmāstra. (37)
tēna baddhastatō.strēṇa rākṣasēna sa vānaraḥ | abhavannirvicēṣṭaśca papāta sa mahītalē || 38
Bound then by that divine weapon by Indrajit, Hanumān became utterly motionless and fell down onto the ground. (38)
tatō.tha buddhvā sa tadastrabandhaṅ prabhōḥ prabhāvādvigatātmavēgaḥ | pitāmahānugrahamātmanaśca vicintayāmāsa haripravīraḥ || 39
The hero Hanumān understood his speed was restrained by the weapon. He then began to contemplate the great blessing he had received from the Grandfather (Brahmā). (39)
tata ssvāyambuvairmantrairbrahmāstramabhimantritam | hanumāṅścintayāmāsa varadānaṅ pitāmahāt || 40
The Brahmāstra was consecrated with powerful mantras. The Vānara hero, however, began to contemplate the specific boon he had received from Brahmā. (40)
na mē.strabandhasya ca śaktirasti vimōkṣaṇē lōkagurōḥ prabhāvāt | ityēva matvā vihitō.strabandhō mayātmayōnēranuvartitavyaḥ || 41
"I must not break the bondage of this divine weapon, out of respect for the power of Brahmā. To honor the weapon instituted by Him, I must submit and appear bound." (41)
sa vīryamastrasya kapirvicārya pitāmahānugrahamātmanaśca | vimōkṣaśaktiṅ paricintayitvā pitāmahājñāmanuvartatē sma || 42
Hanumān considered his ability to become unbound, but ultimately chose to submit to the Brahmāstra, thereby honoring the decree of the Grandfather (Brahmā). (42)
astrēṇāpi hi baddhasya bhayaṅ mama na jāyatē | pitāmahamahēndrābhyāṅ rakṣitasyānilēna ca || 43
"Even though I am bound by the divine weapon, fear does not arise in me, for I am protected by Brahmā, Indra, and the Wind God." (43)
grahaṇē cāpi rakṣōbhirmahanmē guṇadarśanam | rākṣasēndrēṇa saṅvādastasmādgṛhṇantu māṅ parē || 44
"My capture by the Rākṣasas will lead to a conversation with Rāvaṇa. Therefore, let the enemies seize me." (44)
sa niścitārthaḥ paravīrahantā samīkṣyakārī vinivṛttacēṣṭaḥ | paraiḥ prasahyābhigatairnigṛhya nanāda taistrai: paribhartsyamānaḥ || 45
The slayer of enemy heroes, having formed his resolve, ceased all efforts. When he was forcibly seized and harshly rebuked, he let out a great roar. (45)
tatastaṅ rākṣasā dṛṣṭvā nirvicēṣṭamariṅdamam | babandhuśśaṇavalkaiśca drumacīraiśca saṅhataiḥ || 46
Then, the Rākṣasas, seeing the hero motionless, bound him with strong ropes made of hemp and woven strips of tree bark. (46)
sa rōcayāmāsa paraiśca bandhanaṅ prasahya vīrairabhinigrahaṅ ca | kautūhalānmāṅ yadi rākṣasēndrō draṣṭuṅ vyavasyēditi niścitārthaḥ || 47
He consented to the capture and forceful restraint so that Rāvaṇa might, out of curiosity, decide to see him. (47)
sa baddhastēna valkēna vimuktō.strēṇa vīryavān | astrabandhaḥ sa cānyaṅ hi na bandhamanuvartatē || 48
Thus, once bound by those ordinary ropes, he was instantly freed from the divine weapon, for the Brahmāstra does not endure any subsequent, ordinary bondage. (48)
athēndrajittu drumacīrabaddhaṅ vicārya vīḥ kapisattamaṅ tam | vimuktamastrēṇa jagāma cintāṅ nānyēna baddhō hyanuvartatē.stram || 49
Indrajit, observing Hanumān now bound by strips of bark, realized the Vānara was freed from the divine weapon and fell into deep anxiety. (49)
ahō mahatkarma kṛtaṅ nirarthakaṅ na rākṣasairmantragatirvimṛṣṭā | punaśca mantrē vihatē.stramanyat pravartatē saṅśayitā ssmasarvē || 50
"Alas, this great deed is rendered useless! These Rākṣasas did not understand the law of the mantra. Now that the weapon is nullified, will another work? Doubt pervades us all." (50)
astrēṇa hanumānmuktō nātmānamavabudhyata | kṛṣyamāṇastu rakṣōbhi stauśca bandhairnipīḍitaḥ || 51
Hanumān, though freed from the astra, did not show he was aware of it. He allowed himself to be dragged, enduring the tight ropes and beating. (51)
hanyamānastataḥ krūrai rākṣasaiḥ kāṣṭhamuṣṭibhiḥ | samīpaṅ rākṣasēndrasya prākṛṣyata sa vānaraḥ || 52
Beaten by the cruel Rākṣasas with sticks and fists, the vānara was pulled towards the presence of the Lord of the Rākṣasas (Rāvaṇa). (52)
athēndrajittaṅ prasamīkṣya muktam astrēṇa baddhaṅ drumacīrasūtraiḥ | nyadarśayattatra mahābalaṅ taṅ haripravīraṅ sagaṇāya rājñē || 53
Indrajit, seeing him freed from the astra yet still bound by bark ropes, presented the mighty hero to the King and his followers. (53)
taṅ mattamiva mātaṅgaṅ baddhaṅ kapivarōttamam | rākṣasā rākṣasēndrāya rāvaṇāya nyavēdayan || 54
The Rākṣasas presented Maruti, who was bound like an intoxicated elephant, to Rāvaṇa, the Lord of the Rākṣasas. (54)
kō.yaṅ kasya kutōvātra kiṅ kāryaṅ kō vyapāśrayaḥ | iti rākṣasavīrāṇāṅ tatra sañjajñirē kathāḥ || 55
"Who is this? Whose servant? Where from? What purpose? Who is his master?" These questions became the subject of excited conversation among the assembled Rākṣasas. (55)
hanyatāṅ dahyatāṅ vāpi bhakṣyatāmiti cāparē | rākṣasāstatra saṅkruddhāḥ parasparamathābruvan || 56
"Let him be killed, or burnt, or even eaten," said the angry Rākṣasas among themselves. (56)
atītya mārgaṅ sahasā mahātmā sa tatra rakṣōdhipapādamūlē | dadarśa rājñaḥ paricāravṛddhān gṛhaṅ mahāratnavibhūṣitaṅ ca || 57
The great-souled hero swiftly arrived near the feet of the Rākṣasa lord. He saw the aged ministers and the palace adorned with great gems. (57)
sa dadarśa mahātējā rāvaṇaḥ kapisattamam | rakṣōbhirvikṛtākāraiḥ kṛṣyamāṇamitastataḥ || 58
The supremely powerful Rāvaṇa saw the great Vānara hero being dragged here and there by the fearsome-looking Rākṣasas. (58)
rākṣasādhipatiṅ cāpi dadarśa kapisattamaḥ | tējōbalasamāyuktaṅ tapantamiva bhāskaram || 59
The Kapivara beheld the Lord of the Rākṣasas (Rāvaṇa), who was endowed with great glory and might, blazing forth like the sun. (59)
sarōṣasamvartitatāmradṛṣṭiḥ daśānanastaṅ kapimanvavēkṣya | athōpaviṣṭān kulaśīlavṛddhān samādiśattaṅ prati mantrimukhyān || 60
Rāvaṇa, his eyes rolling with great fury, looked upon the Vānara. He then commanded his chief ministers to inquire about Hanumān and his purpose. (60)
yathākramaṅ taissa kapirvipṛṣṭhaḥ kāryārthamardhasya ca mūlamādau | nivēdayāmāsa harīśvarasya dūtaḥ sakāśādahamāgatō.smi || 61
Hanumān, questioned by the ministers, declared: "I have come as a messenger from Sugrīva, the Lord of the Vānaras." (61)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde aṣṭacatvāriṁśassargaḥ
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