Sundarakanda Sarga 51: Hanumān’s Counsel to Rāvaṇa (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 51: Hanumān’s Counsel to Rāvaṇa (Full Text & Meaning)
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Read Sundarakanda Sarga 51 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and verbatim English meanings. In this intellectually profound sarga, Hanumān shifts from a captive to a counselor, delivering a masterclass in diplomacy and ethics to Rāvaṇa. He narrates the story of Rāma and his alliance with Sugrīva, urging the Rākṣasa King to return Sītā Devi. Hanumān warns that the merit of Rāvaṇa's penance cannot protect him from the consequences of his current evil, famously describing Sītā as a "five-hooded serpent" that will lead to the total destruction of Laṅkā. Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 46 | Primary Characters: Hanumān & Rāvaṇa | Key Events: Hanūmad-Upadēśaḥ (Hanuman's counsel), Rāma-Prabhāva-Varṇanam (Description of Rama's power), Sītā-Svarūpa-Sūcanam (Warning about Sita's true nature) | Location: Ravana's Royal Court, Lanka |
athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe ēkapaṁcāśassargaḥ
Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramanaya - 51st Sarga
hanūmadupadēśaḥ Hanumān's Counsel
taṅ samīkṣya mahāsattvaṅ sattvavānharisattamaḥ | vākyamarthavadavyagraḥ tamuvāca daśānanam || 1
Then, wise and courageous Hanumān, having looked upon that great and mighty being (Rāvaṇa), spoke words that were meaningful and without any agitation to Daśānana. (1)
ahaṅ sugrīvasaṅdēśādiha prāptastavālayam | rākṣasēndra harīśastvāṅ bhrātā kuśalamabravīt || 2
"I have arrived here at your palace with a message from Sugrīva. O Lord of the Rākṣasas, the Lord of the Vānaras, your brother, wishes you well." (2)
bhrātuśśṛṇu samādēśaṅ sugrīvasya mahātmanaḥ | dharmārthōpahitaṅ vākyamiha cāmutra ca kṣamam || 3
"Listen now to the command of your brother, the great-souled Sugrīva. It is a message charged with Dharma and purpose (Artha), which is beneficial both in this world and the next." (3)
rājā daśarathō nāma rathakuñjaravājimān | pitēva bandhurlōkasya surēśvarasamadyutiḥ || 4
"There was a king named Daśaratha, who possessed chariots, elephants, and horses. His splendor was equal to Indra, and he was a friend to the world, like a father." (4)
jyēṣṭhastasya mahābāhuḥ putraḥ priyakaraḥ prabhuḥ | piturnidēśānniṣkrāntaḥ praviṣṭō daṇḍakāvanam || 5
lakṣmaṇēna saha bhrātrā sītayā cāpi bhāryayā | rāmō nāma mahātējā dharmyaṅ panthānamāsthitaḥ || 6
"His eldest son, the mighty-armed and powerful Lord—Rāma by name—followed the path of Dharma. By his father's command, he entered the Daṇḍaka forest along with his brother, Lakṣmaṇa, and his wife, Sītā." (5 - 6)
tasya bhāryā vanē naṣṭā sītā patimanuvratā | vaidēhasya sutā rājñō janakasya mahātmanaḥ || 7
"His wife, Sītā, a woman deeply devoted to her husband and the daughter of the great-souled King Janaka, was lost in the forest." (7)
sa mārgamāṇastāṅ dēvīṅ rājaputraḥ sahānujaḥ | ṛśyamūkamanuprāpta: sugrīvēṇa samāgataḥ || 8
"That Prince (Rāma), along with Lakṣmaṇa, while searching for Sītā Devi, reached Rishyamuka mountain and met with Sugrīva." (8)
tasya tēna pratijñātaṅ sītāyāḥ parimārgaṇam | sugrīvasyāpi rāmēṇa harirājyaṅ nivēditam || 9
"There was a mutual agreement: Sugrīva promised to search for Sītā, and Rāma pledged to restore the Vānara kingdom to Sugrīva." (9)
tatastēna mṛdhē hatvā rājaputrēṇa vālinam | sugrīvaḥ sthāpitō rājyē haryṛkṣāṇāṅ gaṇēśvaraḥ || 10
"Then, that Prince (Rāma), having slain Vāli in battle, established Sugrīva in the kingdom as the lord of the Vānara and Bear hosts." (10)
tvayā vijñātapūrvaśca vālī vānarapuṅgavaḥ | rāmēṇa nihatassaṅkhyē śarēṇaikēna vānaraḥ || 11
"And the Vānara hero Vāli, who was previously known to you, was slain in battle by Rāma with a single arrow." (11)
sa sītāmārgaṇē vyagrassugrīvaḥ satyasaṅgaraḥ | harīn samprēṣayāmāsa diśassarvā harīśvaraḥ || 12
tāṅ harīṇāṅ sahasrāṇi śatāni niyutāni ca | dikṣu sarvāsu mārgantē hyadhaścōpari cāmbarē || 13
"Sugrīva sent thousands and tens of thousands of Vānaras searching for Sītā in all directions—below, above, and in the sky." (12 - 13)
vainatēyasamāḥ kēcitkēcit tatrānilōpamāḥ | asaṅgagatayaśaśīghrā harivīrā mahābalāḥ || 14
"Among them are mighty heroes with unimpeded movement, some equal in speed to Garuda and others to the wind-god." (14)
ahaṅ tu hanumānnāma mārutasyaurasassutaḥ | sītāyāstu kṛtē tūrṇaṅ śatayōjanamāyatam || 15
samudraṅ laṅghayitvaiva tāṅ didṛkṣurihāgataḥ | bhramatā ca mayā dṛṣṭā gṛhē tē janakātmajā || 16
"I am Hanumān, the son of the Wind God. For Sītā's sake, I leapt across the hundred-yojana ocean, and I have indeed seen her in your palace." (15 - 16)
tadbhavān dṛṣṭadharmārthaḥ tapaḥkṛtaparigrahaḥ | paradārān mahāprājña nōparōddhuṅ tvamarhasi || 17
"Therefore, O highly wise one, you who have acquired merit through penance, you ought not to hold another's wife captive." (17)
na hi dharmaviruddhēṣu bahvapāyēṣu karmasu | mūlaghātiṣu sajjantē buddhimantō bhavadvidhāḥ || 18
"Wise persons do not involve themselves in actions contrary to righteousness that lead to utter self-destruction." (18)
kaśca lakṣmaṇamuktānāṅ rāmakōpānuvartinām | śarāṇāmagrataḥ sthātuṅ śaktō dēvāsurēṣvapi || 19
"Who among the gods or demons is capable of standing in the path of the arrows released by Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa?" (19)
na cāpi triṣu lōkēṣu rājanvidyēta kaścana | rāghavasya vyalīkaṅ yaḥ kṛtvā sukhamavāpnuyāt || 20
"O King, there is no one in the three worlds who can attain happiness after committing an offense against Rāma." (20)
tat trikālahitaṅ vākyaṅ dharmyamarthānubandhi ca | manyasva naradēvāya jānakī pratidīyatām || 21
"Therefore, heed this message beneficial for all time: return the daughter of Janaka to Rāma." (21)
dṛṣṭā hīyaṅ mayā dēvī labdhaṅ yadiha durlabham | uttaraṅ karma yacchēṣaṅ nimittaṅ tatra rāghavaḥ || 22
"The Goddess (Sītā) has been seen; that which was difficult has been achieved. For the subsequent action, Rāma himself is the decisive factor." (22)
lakṣitēyaṅ mayā sītā tathā śōkaparāyaṇā | gṛhya yāṅ nābhijānāsi pañcāsyāmiva pannagīm || 23
"I have found Sītā. You do not recognize the peril; she is like a five-hooded female serpent you have taken into your home." (23)
nēyaṅ jarayituṅ śakyā sāsurairamarairapi | viṣasaṅsṛṣṭamatyarthaṅ bhuktamannamivaujasā || 24
"She cannot be endured even by gods and demons; she is like food mixed with potent poison which cannot be survived." (24)
tapassantāpalabdhastē yō.yaṅ dharmaparigrahaḥ | na sa nāśayituṅ nyāyya ātmaprāṇaparigrahaḥ || 25
"The merit you acquired through penance should not be destroyed, for it is the very preservation of your own life." (25)
avadhyatāṅ tapōbhiryāṅ bhavān samanupaśyati | ātmanaḥ sāsurairdēvaiḥ hētustatrāpyayaṅ mahān || 26
"That state of being unslayable you believe you secured is now imperiled, for this act of adharma is a cause for the destruction of that protection." (26)
sugrīvō na hi dēvō.yaṅ nāsurō na ca rākṣasaḥ | na dānavō na gandharvō na yakṣō na ca pannagaḥ || 27
mānuṣō rāghavō rājan susgīvaśc harīśvaraḥ | tasmātprāṇaparitrāṇaṅ kathaṅ rājankariṣyasi || 28
"Rāma is a man and Sugrīva is the Lord of the Vānaras. O King, how will you protect your life from them?" (27 - 28)
na tu dharmōpasaṅhāram adharmaphalasaṅhitam | tadēva phalamanvēti dharmaścādharmanāśanaḥ || 29
"The calamitous fruit of your unrighteousness will inevitably come to you. Your past good deeds will not negate the sure consequences of your present evil." (29)
prāptaṅ dharmaphalaṅ tāvadbhavatā nātra saṅśayaḥ | phalamasyāpyadharmasya kṣipramēva prapatsyasē || 30
"The full fruit of your dharma has been attained, but you will very quickly receive the terrible consequence of this adharma." (30)
janasthānavadhaṅ buddhvā buddhvā vālivadhaṅ tathā | rāmasugrīvasakhyaṅ ca budhyasva hitamātmanaḥ || 31
"Reflecting upon the destruction in Janasthāna, the slaying of Vāli, and the alliance between Rāma and Sugrīva, understand what is beneficial for yourself." (31)
kāmaṅ khalvahamapyēkaḥ savājirathakuñjarām | laṅkāṅ nāśayituṅ śaktastasyaiṣa tu na niścayaḥ || 32
"Indeed, I alone have the power to destroy Lankā, but I do not have permission from Rāma for that." (32)
rāmēṇa hi pratijñātaṅ haryṛkṣagaṇasannidhau | utsādanamamitrāṇāṅ sītā yaistu pradharṣitā || 33
"Rāma has vowed the utter destruction of those enemies by whom Sītā has been insulted." (33)
apakurvan hi rāmasya sākṣādapi purandaraḥ | na sukhaṅ prāpnuyādanyaḥ kiṅ punastvadvidhō janaḥ || 34
"Even Indra would not attain happiness by offending Rāma; what, then, is the fate of a person like you?" (34)
yāṅ sītētyabhijānāsi yēyaṅ tiṣṭhati tē vaśē | kālarātrīti tāṅ viddhi sarvalaṅkāvināśinīm || 35
"The one you know as Sītā, know her to be the Night of Destruction (Kālarātrī) who will utterly destroy all of Lankā." (35)
tadalaṅ kālapāśēna sītāvigraharūpiṇā | svayaṅ skandhāvasaktēna kṣēmamātmani cintyatām || 36
"Sītā is the very noose of Death that you have willingly placed upon your own shoulder. Let go of her." (36)
sītāyāstējasā dagdhāṅ rāmakōpaprapīḍitām | dahyamānāmimāṅ paśya purīṅ sāṭṭapratōlikām || 37
"Behold this city being scorched by the power of Sītā and afflicted by the intense wrath of Rāma." (37)
svāni mitrāṇi mantrīṅśca jñātīn bhrātrūn sutān hitān | bhōgāndārāṅśca laṅkāṅ ca mā vināśamupānaya || 38
"Do not bring utter destruction upon your own friends, family, and even the city of Lankā itself." (38)
satyaṅ rākṣasarājēndra śṛṇuṣva vacanaṅ mama | rāmadāsasya dūtasya vānarasya viśēṣataḥ || 39
"O Supreme Lord of the Rākṣasas, listen now to my true words as Rāma's envoy." (39)
sarvān lōkān susaṅhṛtya sabhūtān sacarācarān | punarēva tathā sraṣṭuṅ śaktō rāmō mahāyaśāḥ || 40
"Supremely glorious Rāma is capable of utterly destroying all worlds and then creating them anew." (40)
dēvāsuranarēndrēṣu yakṣarakṣōgaṇēṣu ca | vidyādharēṣu sarvēṣu gandharvēṣūragēṣu ca || 41
siddhēṣu kinnarēndrēṣu patatriṣu ca sarvataḥ | sarvabhūtēṣu sarvatra sarvakālēṣu nāsti saḥ | yō rāmaṅ pratiyudhyēta viṣṇutulyaparākramam || 42
"There is no creature anywhere, at any time, that can stand in fight against Rāma, whose valor is equal to Viṣṇu." (41 - 42)
sarvalōkēśvarasyaivaṅ kṛtvā vipriyamuttamam | rāmasya rājasiṅhasya durlabhaṅ tava jīvitam || 43
"Having committed a great offense against Rāma, your life will be difficult to save." (43)
dēvāśca daityāśca niśācarēndra gandharvavidyādharanāgayakṣāḥ | rāmasya lōkatrayanāyakasya sthātuṅ na śaktāssamarēṣu sarvē || 44
"Gods, demons, Gandharvas, and all others are incapable of standing in battle against Rāma, the Lord of the three worlds." (44)
brahmā svayambhūścaturānanō vā rudrastriṇētrastripurāntakō vā | indrō mahēndrassuranāyakō vā trātuṅ na śaktā yudhi rāmavadhyam || 45
"Neither Brahmā, nor Śiva, nor Indra would be able to protect one destined to be slain by Rāma in battle." (45)
sa sauṣṭhavōpētamadīnavādinaḥ kapērniśamyāpratimō.priyaṅ vacaḥ | daśānanaḥ kōpavivṛttalōcanaḥ samādiśattasya vadhaṅ mahākapēḥ || 46
The unparalleled Rāvaṇa, hearing the undaunted words of Hanumān, commanded the slaying of the Vānara hero, his eyes rolling from rage. (46)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde ēkapaṃcāśassargaḥ
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