Sundarakanda Sarga 53: Fire Turning Cool (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 53: Fire Turning Cool (Full Text & Meaning)
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Read Sundarakanda Sarga 53 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and verbatim English meanings. In this miraculous sarga, Rāvaṇa orders the Rākṣasas to set fire to Hanumān’s tail as a humiliating punishment. Hanumān uses this opportunity to survey Lanka’s defenses while paraded through the city. Upon hearing of Hanumān’s ordeal, Sītā prays to Agni Deva to stay his heat. Due to her devotion and Śrī Rāma’s glory, the fire becomes cool and harmless, allowing Hanumān to break his bonds and prepare for the destruction of Lanka. Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 46 | Primary Characters: Hanumān, Sītā, Rāvaṇa, & Agni | Key Events: Lāṅgūla-Dāhaḥ (Burning of the tail), Sītā-Prārthanā (Sita's prayer), Pāvaka-Śaityam (Fire turning cool), Hanūmad-Vimōkṣaḥ (Hanuman's escape) | Location: Streets of Lanka & City Gate |
athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe tripaṃcāśassargaḥ
Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramanaya - 53rd Sarga
pāvakaśaityam Fire Turning Cool
tasya tadvacanaṅ śrutvā daśagrīvō mahātmanaḥ | dēśakālahitaṅ vākyaṅ bhrāturuttara mabravīt || 1
Hearing those words of the great-souled one (Vibhishana), Ravana spoke a reply to his brother—a speech that was timely and appropriate to the situation. (1)
samyaguktaṅ hi bhavatā dūtavadhyā vigarhitā | avaśyaṅ tu vadhādanyaḥ kriyatāmasya nigrahaḥ || 2
"What you have said is correct: the slaying of a messenger is indeed condemned. However, a punishment other than death must certainly be inflicted upon him (the vanara)." (2)
kapīnāṅ kila lāṅgūlamiṣṭaṅ bhavati bhūṣaṇam | tadasya dīpyatāṅ śīghraṅ tēna dagdhēna gacchatu || 3
"For the vanaras, the tail is indeed a cherished ornament. Therefore, let his tail be quickly set alight, and let him depart with it burnt." (3)
tataḥ paśyantvimaṅ dīnamaṅgavairūpyakarśitam | samitrajñātayassarvē bāndhavāḥ sasuhṛjjanāḥ || 4
"Then let all his friends, relatives, and well-wishers see him (the vanara) distressed and afflicted by disfigurement of his body." (4)
ājñāpayadrākṣasēndraḥ puraṅ sarvaṅ sacatvaram | lāṅgūlēna pradīptēna rakṣōbhiḥ pariṇīyatām || 5
The King of the Rākṣasas (Ravana) commanded that he (the vanara) be led throughout the entire city, including its squares, with his blazing tail by the Rākṣasas. (5)
tasya tadvacanaṅ śrutvā rākṣasāḥ kōpakarśitāḥ | vēṣṭayanti sma lāṅgūlaṅ jīrṇaiḥ kārpāsakaiḥ paṭaiḥ || 6
Hearing that command, the Rākṣasas, fueled by intense anger, began to wrap his tail with old cotton cloths. (6)
saṅvēṣṭyamānē lāṅgūlē vyavardhata mahākapiḥ | śuṣkamindhanamāsādya vanēṣviva hutāśana || 7
While his tail was being wrapped, the great Hanuman began to expand, like a fire gaining strength upon finding dry fuel in the forests. (7)
tailēna pariṣicyātha tē.gniṅ tatrābhyapātayan | lāṅgūlēna pradīptēna rākṣasāṅstānapātayat | rōṣāmarṣaparītātmā bālasūryasamānanaḥ || 8
Then, after soaking it with oil, they set the fire upon it. His spirit filled with rage and indignation, and his countenance shining like the rising sun, he struck down those Rākṣasas with his blazing tail. (8)
lāṅgūlaṅ sampradīptaṅ tu draṣṭuṅ tasya hanūmataḥ | sahastrībālavṛddhāśca jagmuḥ prītā niśācarāḥ || 9
Thousands of Rākṣasas, including women, children, and the elderly, joyfully went out to see Hanuman's blazing tail. (9)
sa bhūyaḥ saṅgataiḥ krūrairrākṣasairharisattamaḥ | nibaddhaḥ kṛtavānvīraḥ tatkālasadṛśīṅ matim || 10
Hanuman, being bound again by the fierce Rākṣasas who had gathered, formed a plan appropriate for that situation. (10)
kāmaṅ khalu na mē śaktā nibaddhasyāpi rākṣasāḥ | chittvā pāśān samutpatya hanyā maha mimān punaḥ || 11
"Indeed, even though I am bound, these Rākṣasas would surely not be able to hold me. I could cut these bonds, leap up, and kill them all again." (11)
yadi bharturhitārthāya carantaṅ bhartṛśāsanāt | badhnantyētē durātmanō na tu mē niṣkṛtiḥ kṛtā || 12
"These wicked beings bind me, even though I am only executing Sri Rama’s command for his welfare, yet by this action, they have accomplished no real defeat against me." (12)
sarvēṣāmēva paryāptō rākṣasānāmahaṅ yudhi || 13 kiṅtu rāmasya prītyarthaṅ viṣahiṣyē.hamīdṛśam | laṅkā cārayitavyā vai punarēva bhavēditi || 14
"I am fully capable of dealing with all the Rākṣasas in battle, but for the sake of Lord Rama's mission, I shall endure this. Indeed, Lanka must be completely surveyed once more." (13 - 14)
rātrau na hi sudṛṣṭā mē durgakarmavidhānataḥ | avaśyamēva draṣṭavyā mayā laṅkā niśākṣayē || 15
"I was unable to fully survey the city's defenses at night due to the nature of the fortifications. Therefore, I must certainly see Lanka again at the break of dawn." (15)
kāmaṅ baddhasya mē bhūyaḥ pucchasyōddīpanēna ca | pīḍāṅ kurvantu rakṣāṅsi na mē.stya mansaśśramaḥ || 16
"Let the Rākṣasas inflict suffering upon me by binding me and by setting my tail ablaze; I feel no mental distress." (16)
tatastē saṅvṛtākāraṅ sattvavantaṅ mahākapim | parigṛhya yayurhṛṣṭā rākṣasāḥ kapikuñjaram || 17
Then, those Rākṣasas, overjoyed, seized and led away the great and powerful Hanuman—the foremost among vanaras—whose formidable form was now restrained. (17)
śaṅkhabhērīninādaistaṅ ghōṣayantaḥ svakarmabhiḥ | rākṣasāḥ krūrakarmāṇaḥ cārayanti sma tāṅ purīm || 18
The Rākṣasas, who were cruel in their deeds, paraded him around that city, announcing him with the sounds of conch shells and kettle-drums as they carried out their task. (18)
anvīyamānō rakṣōbhiryayau sukhamarindamaḥ | hanumāṅścārayāmāsa rākṣasānāṅ mahāpurīm || 19
Being followed by the Rākṣasas, the destroyer of enemies (Hanuman) proceeded easily, personally surveying the great city of Lanka. (19)
athāpaśyadvimānāni vicitrāṇi mahākapiḥ | saṅvṛtān bhūmibhāgāṅśca suvibhaktāṅśca catvarān || 20
The great vanara then saw royal mansions, secret underground chambers, and well-arranged public squares. (20)
vīthīśca gṛhasambādhāḥ kapiśśṛṅgāṭakāni ca | tathā rathyōparathyāśca tathaiva gṛhakāntarān | gṛhāṅśca mēghasaṅkāśān dadarśa pavanātmajaḥ || 21
The son of the wind (Hanuman) saw the streets crowded with houses, the public squares, the main and side roads, the secret spaces between the houses, and mansions as immense as clouds. (21)
catvarēṣu catuṣkēṣu rājamārgē tathaiva ca | ghōṣayanti kapiṅ sarvē cārīka iti rākṣasāḥ || 22
The Rākṣasas paraded the vanara through the squares, crossroads, and main roads, shouting: "He is a spy!" (22)
strībālavṛddhāḥ nirjagmustatra tatra kutūhalāt | taṅ pradīpitalāṅgūlaṅ hanumantaṅ didṛkṣavaḥ || 23
Women, children, and the elderly came out everywhere, out of curiosity, wanting to see Hanuman whose tail was set ablaze. (23)
dīpyamānē tatastatra lāṅgūlāgrē hanūmataḥ | rākṣasyastā virūpākṣyaḥ śaṅsurdēvyāstadapriyam || 24
While the tip of Hanuman's tail was blazing there, those hideous-eyed female Rākṣasas informed Sita Devi of that unpleasant event. (24)
yastvayā kṛtasaṅvāda ssītē tāmramukhaḥ kapiḥ | lāṅgūlēna pradīptēna sa ēṣa pariṇīyatē || 25
"O Sita, that red-faced vanara who spoke with you, that is he—being paraded around with his tail set ablaze." (25)
śrutvā tadvacanaṅ krūramātmāpaharaṇōpamam | vaidēhī śōkasantaptā hutāśanamupāgamat || 26
Hearing those cruel words, which were like the stealing of her own soul, Vaidehi, tormented by sorrow, mentally meditated on Agni Deva. (26)
maṅgalābhimukhī tasya sā tadā.sīnmahākapēḥ | upatasthē viśālākṣī prayatā havyavāhanam || 27
That wide-eyed Sita Devi, with a pure heart, focused on the great vanara's well-being and mentally prayed to the Fire God (Agni). (27)
yadyasti patiśuśrūṣā yadyasti caritaṅ tapaḥ | yadi cāstyēkapatnītvaṅ śītō bhava hanūmataḥ || 28
"If there is any truth in my devoted service to my husband, if any penance has been performed by me, and if my exclusive devotion to my husband is real, then become cool for Hanuman." (28)
yady kiñcidanukrōśastasya mayyasti dhīmataḥ | yadi vā bhāgyaśēṣō mē śītō bhava hanūmataḥ || 29
"If I am deserving of compassion from that wise one (Rama), or if any good fortune remains for me, then become cool for Hanuman." (29)
yadi māṅ vṛttasampannāṅ tatsamāgamalālasām | sa vijānāti dharmātmā śītō bhava hanūmataḥ || 30
"If that righteous soul (Rama) knows me to be possessed of good character and if I am truly longing for reunion with him, then become cool for Hanuman." (30)
yadi māṅ tārayēdāryassugrīvaḥ satyasaṅgaraḥ | asmāddhuḥkhāmbusaṅrōdhāt śītō bhava hanūmataḥ || 31
"If the noble Sugriva, who is firm in his vow, is destined to rescue me from this confinement of sorrow, then become cool for Hanuman." (31)
tatastīkṣṇārciravyagraḥ pradakṣiṇaśikhō.nalaḥ | jajvāla mṛgaśābākṣyā śśaṅsanniva śivaṅ kapēḥ || 32
The Fire God (Agni) then blazed up with flames that curled auspiciously to the right, appearing to promise the fawn-eyed Sita Hanuman's safety. (32)
hanumajjanakaścāpi pucchānalayutō.nilaḥ | vavau svāsthyakarō dēvyāḥ prālēyānilaśītalaḥ || 33
The Wind God (Vāyu), Hanuman's father, blew with a coolness like a frosty breeze, ensuring the comfort of Sita Devi. (33)
dahyamānē ca lāṅgūlē cintayāmāsa vānaraḥ || 34 pradīptō.gnirayaṅ kasmānna māṅ dahati sarvataḥ | dṛśyatē ca mahājvālaḥ karōti na ca mē rujam || 35
And while his tail was burning, Hanuman thought: "Why is this blazing fire not burning me at all? A great flame is visible, yet it causes me no pain." (34-35)
śiśirasyēva saṅghātō lāṅgūlāgrē pratiṣṭhitaḥ | athavā tadidaṅ vyaktaṅ yaddṛṣṭaṅ plavatā mayā || 36
"The sensation on the tip of my tail is strangely cool, as though ice has settled there. Or, this is clearly the very marvel I witnessed while leaping over the ocean." (36)
rāmaprabhāvādāścaryaṅ parvata ssaritāṅ patau | yadi tāvatsamudrasya mainākasya ca dhīmataḥ | rāmārthaṅ sambhramastādṛkkimagnirna kariṣyati || 37
"If the Samudra and the Mainaka mountain showed such deference for Rama's cause, what is there that the Fire God will not do?" (37)
sītāyāścānṛśaṅsyēna tējasā rāghavasya ca | pituśca mama sakhyēna na māṅ dahati pāvakaḥ || 38
"Due to the kindness of Sita, the glory of Raghava, and the friendship of my father Vayu, Agni Deva does not burn me." (38)
bhūyassa cintayāmāsa muhūrtaṅ kapikuñjaraḥ || 39 kathamasmadvidhasyēha baṁdhanaṁ rākṣasādhamaiḥ | pratikriyāsya yuktāsyāt sati mahyaṁ parākramē || 40
Hanuman reflected: "Given my immense power, how is it possible that vile Rākṣasas have bound me? What fitting counter-action should I take now?" (39-40)
tataśchitvā ca tān pāśān vēgavān vai mahākapiḥ | utpapātātha vēgēna nanāda ca mahākapiḥ || 41
Then, having cut those bonds, the mighty and swift Hanuman quickly leaped up and let out a great roar. (41)
puradvāraṅ tataśśrīmān śailaśṛṅgamivōnnatam | vibhaktarakṣassambādham āsasādānilātmajaḥ || 42
The glorious Hanuman then reached the city gate, which was as towering as a mountain peak and where the Rākṣasa guards had been scattered. (42)
sa bhūtvā śailsaṅkāśaḥ kṣaṇēna punarātmavān | hrasvatāṅ paramāṅ prāptō bandhanānyavaśātayat || 43
Hanuman became like a mountain, but immediately, attaining extreme smallness, he broke his bonds. (43)
vimuktaścābhavachracīmān punaḥ parvatasannibhaḥ | vīkṣamāṇaśca dadṛśē parighaṅ tōraṇāśritam || 44
Being released, Hanuman resumed his mountain-like form and caught sight of an iron bar resting against the main gate. (44)
sa taṅ gṛhya mahābāhuḥ kālāyasapariṣkṛtam | rakṣiṇastān punassarvānsūdayāmāsa mārutiḥ || 45
The mighty-armed son of the wind, seizing that iron bar, once again struck down all those guards. (45)
sa tānnihattvā raṇacaṇḍavikramaḥ samīkṣamāṇaḥ punarēva laṅkām | pradīptalāṅgūlakṛtārcimālī prakāśatāditya ivārcimālī || 46
Having slain them, the one whose valor was fierce looked over Lanka once more. With a blazing tail, he shone like the glorious sun. (46)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde tripaṃcāśassargaḥ
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