Sundarakanda Sarga 35: Creating Trust (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 35: Creating Trust (Full Text & Meaning)
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Read Sundarakanda Sarga 35 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and English meanings. In this extensive and detailed chapter, Hanumān establishes absolute trust with Sītā Devi. He meticulously describes the physical appearance and divine marks of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, recounts the history of their alliance with Sugrīva, and explains the arduous search mission that led him to Lanka. Witness the transformation of Sītā’s grief into unparalleled joy as she finally accepts Hanumān as the true messenger of her Lord. Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 90 | Primary Characters: Sītā Devi & Hanumān | Key Events: Rāma-Lakṣaṇa-Lakṣaṇam (Description of divine marks), Sugrīva-Sakhya-Kathā (The story of alliance), Sītā-Viśvāsaḥ (Establishing Trust) | Location: Ashoka Vatika, Lanka |
athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe paṁcatriṁśassargaḥ
Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramayana - 35th Sarga
viśvāsōtpādanam Creating Trust
tāṅ tu rāmakathāṅ śrutvā vaidēhī vānararṣabhāt | uvāca vacanaṅ sāntvamidaṅ madhurayā girā || 1
Having heard the story of Rāma from Kapivara, Sītā then spoke this comforting speech with a sweet voice. (1)
kva tē rāmēṇa saṅsargaḥ kathaṅ jānāsi lakṣmaṇam | vānarāṇāṅ narāṇāṅ ca kathamāsītsamāgamaḥ || 2
"How did you come to associate with Rāma? How do you know Lakṣmaṇa? And how did this meeting between the Vānaras and men take place?" (2)
yāni rāmasya liṅgāni lakṣmaṇasya ca vānara | tāni bhūyassamācakṣva na māṅ śōkassamāviśēt || 3
"O VānarOttama, please tell me again the distinguishing marks of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, so that sorrow may not overwhelm me." (3)
kīdṛśaṅ tasya saṅsthānaṅ rūpaṅ rāmasya kīdṛśam | kathamūrū kathaṅ bāhū lakṣmaṇasya ca śaṅsa mē || 4
"What is his form like, and what is Rāma's appearance? Describe to me also the nature of the thighs and arms of Lakṣmaṇa." (4)
ēvamuktastu vaidēhyā hanumānmārutātmajaḥ | tatō rāmaṅ yathātattvamākhyātumupacakramē || 5
Thus addressed by Sītā, Maruti then began to describe Rāma truthfully, exactly as he is. (5)
jānantī bata diṣṭyā māṅ vaidēhi paripṛcchasi | bhartuḥ kamalapattrākṣi saṅsthānaṅ lakṣmaṇasya ca || 6
"O lotus-eyed one (Kamalapattrākṣī), you are asking me to describe the characteristics of your husband (Rāma) and Lakṣmaṇa. O Vaidēhī, it is fortunate that you ask me, even though you know them well!" (6)
yāni rāmasya cihnāni lakṣmaṇasya ca yāni vai | lakṣitāni viśālākṣi vadataśśṛṇu tāni mē || 7
"O wide-eyed one (Viśālākṣī), listen to me as I speak of the distinguishing marks that belong to Rāma and those that belong to Lakṣmaṇa." (7)
rāmaḥ kamalapattrākṣa ssarvasattvamanōharaḥ | rūpadākṣiṇyasampannaḥ prasūtō janakātmajē || 8
O daughter of Janaka, Rāma is lotus-petal-eyed, and captivating to the minds of all beings. He is supremely endowed with beauty and noble grace. (8)
tējasā.ditya saṅkāśaḥ kṣamayā pṛthivīsamaḥ | bṛhaspatisamō buddhyā yaśasā vāsavōpamaḥ || 9
In splendor, he is brilliant like the Sun, and in forbearance, he is equal to the Earth. In wisdom, he is like Bṛhaspati, and in fame, he is comparable to Indra. (9)
rakṣitā jīvalōkasya svajanasyābhirakṣitā | rakṣitā svasya vṛttasya dharmasya ca parantapaḥ || 10
He is the protector of the world of living beings, and the steadfast protector of his own people. He is the vanquisher of enemies, and the guardian of his own conduct and of Dharma. (10)
rāmō bhāmini lōkasya cāturvarṇyasya rakṣitā | maryādānāṅ ca lōkasya kartā kārayitā ca saḥ || 11
O beautiful one, Rāma is the protector of all beings and of the four social orders. He is the one who both establishes and upholds the moral limits for the world. (11)
arciṣmānarcitō.tyarthaṅ brahmacaryavratē sthitaḥ | sādhūnāmupakārajñaḥ pracārajñaśca karmaṇām || 12
He is radiant with glory, highly revered, and steadfast in the vow of celibacy (Brahmacarya). He is skilled in benefiting the virtuous (Sādhus). (12)
rājavidyāvinītaśca brāhmaṇānāmupāsitā | śrutavānśīlasampannō vinītaśca parantapaḥ || 13
Rāma is disciplined in the knowledge of statecraft and is a devotee of the Brāhmaṇas. He is learned, possesses excellent character, is humble, and is a conqueror of his enemies. (13)
yajurvēdavinītaśca vēdavidbhissupūjitaḥ | dhanurvēdē ca vēdēṣu vēdāṅgēṣu ca niṣṭhitaḥ || 14
He is disciplined in the Yajurvēda and is highly revered. Furthermore, he is completely proficient in the Dhanurvēda, the four Vedas, and the Vēdāṅgas. (14)
vipulāṅsō mahābāhuḥ kambugrīvaśśubhānanaḥ | gūḍhajatrussutāmrākṣō rāmō dēvi janai śśrutaḥ || 15
O Dēvī, Rāma is renowned for his broad shoulders and mighty arms. He possesses a neck marked with three lines like a conch shell, a beautiful face, and lovely coppery-red eyes. (15)
dundubhisvananirghōṣa ssnigdhavarṇaḥ pratāpavān | sama ssamavibhaktāṅgō varṇaṅ śyāmaṅ samāśritaḥ || 16
He possesses a voice as deep as a dundubhi drum, has a lustrous complexion, and is symmetrically proportioned in a dark, beautiful shade. (16)
tristhirastripralambaśca trisamastriṣu cōnnataḥ | tritāmrastriṣu ca snigdhō gambhīrastriṣu nityaśaḥ || 17
He is characterized by a body where three parts are firm, three are long, three are perfectly balanced, three elevated, three reddish, three smooth, and three deep. (17)
trivalīvāṅstryavanataḥ caturvyaṅgastriśīrṣavān | catuṣkalaścaturlēkhaḥ catuṣkiṣkuścatu ssamaḥ || 18
Rāma's form is marked by three graceful folds and three hollowed parts. He is majestic in his proportions, possessing four ample parts and four distinct, propitious lines. His height is exactly four cubits. (18)
caturdaśasamadvandvaḥ caturdaṅṣṭraścaturgatiḥ | mahōṣṭhahanunāsaśca pañcasnigdhō.ṣṭavaṅśavān || 19
He possesses fourteen pairs of perfectly symmetrical parts, four fine teeth, and a majestic gait. He has prominent lips, chin, and nose, with five smooth areas and eight robust bodily structures. (19)
daśapadmō daśabṛhattribhirvyāptō dviśuklavān | ṣaḍunnatō navatanustribhirvyāpnōti rāghavaḥ || 20
Rāma possesses ten parts like a lotus, ten broad parts, two white parts, and six elevated parts. He has a subtle form in nine ways and pervades the world with three great powers. (20)
satyadharmaparaśśrīmān saṅgrahānugrahē rataḥ | dēśakālavibhāgajñassarvalōkapriyaṅvadaḥ || 21
He is dedicated to truth and Dharma, knows the distinction of place and time, and speaks kindly to all people. (21)
bhrātā tasya ca dvaimātraḥ saumitriraparājitaḥ | anurāgēṇa rūpēṇa guṇaiścaiva tathāvidhaḥ || 22
sa suvarṇacchaviḥ śrīmān rāmaśśyāmō mhāyaśāḥ | tāvubhau naraśārdūlau tvaddarśanasamutsukau || 23
His brother Lakṣmaṇa is of a similar kind in devotion and appearance. Lakṣmaṇa possesses a golden complexion while Rāma is dark-complexioned. Both are extremely eager to see you. (22-23)
vicinvantau mahīṅ kṛtsnām asmābhirabhisaṅgatau | tvāmēva mārgamāṇau tau vicarantau vasundharām || 24
Those two, searching the entire earth for you, met up with us. (24)
dadarśaturmṛgapatiṅ pūrvajēnāvarōpitam | ṛśyamūkasya pṛṣṭhē tu bahupādapasaṅkulē | bhrāturbhayārtamāsīnaṅ sugrīvaṅ priyadarśanam || 25
They saw Sugrīva—the lord of the Vānaras, who was banished by his brother—sitting in fear on Mount Ṛśyamūka. (25)
vayaṅ tu harirājaṅ taṅ sugrīvaṅ satyasaṅgaram | paricaryāmahē rājyātpūrvajēnāvarōpitam || 26
"We serve that King Sugrīva, who is true to his promise." (26)
tatastau cīravasanau dhanuḥ pravarapāṇinau || 27
ṛśyamūkasya śailasya ramyaṅ dēśamupāgatau | sa tau dṛṣṭvā naravyāghrau dhanvinau vānararṣabhaḥ || 28
When Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa arrived at Ṛśyamūka, Sugrīva saw those two bow-wielding tigers among men. (27-28)
avaplutō girēstasya śikharaṅ bhayamōhitaḥ | tatassa śikharē tasminvānarēndrō vyavasthitaḥ | tayōssamīpaṅ māmēva prēṣayāmāsa satvaram || 29
In fear, Sugrīva jumped to the mountain peak and quickly dispatched me to approach them. (29)
tāvahaṅ puruṣavyāghrau sugrīvavacanātprabhū || 30 rūpalakṣaṇasampannau kṛtāñjalirupasthitaḥ | tau parijñātatattvārthau mayā prītisamanvitau || 31
pṛṣṭhamārōpya taṅ dēśaṅ prāpitau puruṣarṣabhau | nivēditau ca tattvēna sugrīvāya mahātmanē || 32
By Sugrīva's command, I approached them with joined palms. I carried those two best of men upon my shoulders and introduced them to the great-souled Sugrīva. (30-32)
tayōranyōnyasallāpādbhṛśaṅ prītirajāyata | tatastau prītisampannau harīśvaranarēśvarau | parasparakṛtāśvāsau kathayā pūrvavṛttayā || 33
From their mutual conversation, a great affection sprang forth, and they reassured each other by narrating their past stories. (33)
tatassa sāntvayāmāsa sugrīvaṅ lakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ | strīhētōrvālinā bhrātrā nirastamurutējasā || 34
Rāma comforted Sugrīva, who had been banished by his brother Vāli over a woman. (34)
tatastvannāśajaṅ śōkaṅ rāmasyākliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ | lakṣmaṇō vānarēndrāya sugrīvāya nyavēdayat || 35
Then Lakṣmaṇa conveyed Rāma’s sorrow over your loss to Sugrīva. (35)
sa śrutvā vānarēndrastu lakṣmaṇēnēritaṅ vacaḥ | tadāsīnniṣprabhō.tyarthaṅ grahagrasta ivāṅśumān || 36
Sugrīva became utterly deprived of his radiance, like the Sun during an eclipse. (36)
tatastvadgātraśōbhīni rakṣasā hriyamāṇayā | yānyābharaṇajālāni pātitāni mahītalē || 37
tāni sarvāṇi rāmāya ānīya hariyūthapāḥ | saṅhṛṣṭā darśayāmāsurgatiṅ tu na vidustava || 38
The Vānaras brought all the ornaments you had dropped while being carried away and showed them to Rāma, though they still did not know your location. (37-38)
tāni rāmāya dattāni mayaivōpahṛtāni ca || 39
svanavantyavakīrṇāni tasminvigatacētasi | tānyaṅkē darśanīyāni kṛtvā bahuvidhaṅ tava || 40 tēna dēvaprakāśēna dēvēna paridēvitam | paśyatastāni rudatastāmyataśca punaḥ punaḥ || 41
prādīpayan dāśarathēḥ tāni śōkahutāśanam || 42
The tokens you cast away lay on Rāma's lap. He repeatedly turned them over, weeping as they kindled the fire of his grief. (39-42)
śayitaṅ ca ciraṅ tēna duḥkhārtēna mahātmanā | mayā pi vividhairvākyaiḥ kṛcchrādutthāpitaḥ punaḥ || 43
Overcome with grief, Rāma lay upon the ground. It was only with great difficulty that I was finally able to raise him again. (43)
tāni dṛṣṭvā mahābāhurdarśayitvā muhurmuhuḥ | rāghavassaha saumitrissugrīvē sa nyavēdayat || 44
Rāma solemnly presented those ornaments to the Vānara King, Sugrīva. (44)
sa tavādarśanādāryē rāghavaḥ paritapyatē | mahatā jvalatā nityamagninēvāgniparvataḥ || 45
Lord Rāma is perpetually consumed by the fire of his sorrow. He is like a great volcano scorched from within by internal flames. (45)
tvatkṛtē tamanidrā ca śōkaścintā ca rāghavam | tāpayanti mahātmānam agnyagāramivāgnayaḥ || 46
Sleeplessness and grief mercilessly torment him, burning within him like the sacred fire in a sacrificial hall. (46)
tavādarśanaśōkēna rāghavaḥ pravicālyatē | mahatā bhūmikampēna mahāniva śilōccayaḥ || 47
He is profoundly disturbed, as a great mountain would be by a massive earthquake. (47)
kānanāni suramyāṇi nadīḥ prasravaṇāni ca | caranna ratimāpnōti tvāmapaśyannṛpātmajē || 48
Even in the most beautiful forests and by charming rivers, he finds no pleasure because he cannot look upon you. (48)
sa tvāṅ manujaśārdūlaḥ kṣipraṅ prāpsyati rāghavaḥ | samitrabāndhavaṅ hatvā rāvaṇaṅ janakātmajē || 49
"Rāma will destroy Rāvaṇa along with his entire family and attain you very soon." (49)
sahitau rāmasugrīvāvubhāvakurutāṅ tadā | samayaṅ vālinaṅ hantuṅ tava cānvēṣaṇaṅ tath || 50 tatastābhyāṅ kumārābhyāṅ vīrābhyāṅ sa harīśvaraḥ | kiṣkindhāṅ samupāgamya vālī yuddhē nipātitaḥ || 51
Rāma and Sugrīva entered a compact: Rāma would kill Vāli, and Sugrīva would search for you. Consequently, Vāli was vanquished by Rāma in Kiṣkindhā. (50-51)
tatō nihatya tarasā rāmō vālinamāhavē | sarvarkṣaharisaṅghānāṅ sugrīvamakarōtpatim || 52
Rāma installed Sugrīva as the King of all the Vānara and bear armies. (52)
rāmasugrīvayōraikyaṅ dēvyēvaṅ samajāyata | hanumantaṅ ca māṅ viddhi tayōrdūtamihāgatam || 53
"That is how their alliance was established. I am Hanumān, their messenger." (53)
svarājyaṅ prāpya sugrīvassamānīya harīśvarān | tvadarthaṅ prēṣayāmāsa diśō daśa mahābalān || 54
ādiṣṭā vānarēndrēṇa sugrīvēṇa mahaujasā | adrirājapratīkāśāssarvataḥ prasthitau mahīm || 55
Once his kingdom was secured, Sugrīva dispatched mountain-like heroes in all ten directions to search for you. (54-55)
tatastē mārgamāṇā vai sugrīvavacanāturāḥ | caranti vasudhāṅ kṛtsnāṅ vayamanyē ca vānarāḥ || 56
Those Vānaras are searching across the earth. We also came on the same mission to this southern direction. (56)
aṅgadō nāma lakṣmīvān vālisūnurmahābalaḥ | prasthitaḥ kapiśārdūlastribhāgabalasaṅvṛtaḥ || 57
Mighty Angada, the son of Vāli, also departed, accompanied by one-third of the Vānara force. (57)
tēṣāṅ nō vipraṇaṣṭānāṅ vindhyē parvatasattamē | bhṛśaṅ śōkaparītānāmahōrātragaṇā gatāḥ || 58
Stranded on the Vindhya Mountain, we spent countless days and nights overcome with sorrow. (58)
tē vayaṅ kāryanairāśyātkālasyātikramēṇa ca | bhayācca kapirājasya prāṇāṅstyaktuṅ vyavasthitāḥ || 59
Despairing over our failure and exceeding the deadline, we resolved to take our own lives. (59)
vicitya vanadurgāṇi giriprasravaṇāni ca | anāsādya padaṅ dēvyāḥ prāṇāṅstyaktuṅ samudyatāḥ || 60
Failing to find a single trace of you, we were prepared to abandon our lives. (60)
tatastasya girērmūrdhni vayaṁ prāyamupāsmahē | dṛṣṭvā prāyōpaviṣṭāṅśca sarvānvānarapuṅgavān. || 61
bhṛśaṅ śōkārṇavē magnaḥ paryadēvayadaṅgadaḥ | tava nāśaṅ ca vaidēhi vālinaśca vadhaṅ tathā | prāyōpavēśamasmākaṅ maraṇaṅ ca jaṭāyuṣaḥ || 62
On the Vindhya peak, we began a fast unto death. Angada lamented over your loss, the death of Vāli, and the death of Jaṭāyu. (61-62)
tēṣāṅ nasvāmisandēśānnirāśānāṅ mumūrṣatām | kāryahētōrivāyātaśśakunirvīryavānmahān || 63
gṛdhrarājasya sōdaryaḥ sampātirnāma gṛdhrarāṭ | śrutvā bhrātṛvadhaṅ kōpādidaṅ vacanamabravīt || 64
As we sat there, Sampāti, the brother of Jaṭāyu, suddenly appeared like destiny helping our cause. (63-64)
yavīyānkēna mē bhrātā hataḥ kva ca nipātitaḥ | ētadākhyātumicchāmi bhavadbhirvānarōttamāḥ || 65
"By whom was my younger brother killed?" he asked. (65)
aṅgadō.kathayattasya janasthānē mahadvadham | rakṣasā bhīmarūpēṇa tvāmuddiśya yathātatham || 66
Angada narrated the slaughter at Janasthāna carried out by the Rākṣasa on your account. (66)
jaṭāyuṣō vadhaṅ śrutvā duḥkhitassō.ruṇātmajaḥ | tvāṅ śaśaṅsa varārōhē vasantīṅ rāvaṇālayē || 67
Sampāti, being distressed, then revealed your location in Rāvaṇa's abode. (67)
tasya tadvacanaṅ śrutvā sampātēḥ prītivardhanam | aṅgadapramukhāstūrṇaṅ tatassamprasthitā vayam || 68
Encouraged by his words, we quickly set out. (68)
vindhyādutthāya samprāptā ssāgarasyāntamuttaram | tvaddharśanakṛtōtsāhā hṛṣṭāstuṣṭāḥ plavaṅgamāḥ || 69
aṅgadapramukhāssarvē vēlōpāntamupasthitāḥ || 70
We reached the northern shore of the great ocean and assembled at the water's edge. (69-70)
cintāṅ jagmuḥ punarbhītāḥ tvaddarśanasamutsukāḥ | athāhaṅ harisainyasya sāgaraṅ prēkṣya sīdataḥ || 71
vyavadhūya bhayaṅ tīvraṅ yōjanānāṅ śataṅ plutaḥ | laṅkā cāpi mayā rātrau praviṣṭā rākṣasākulā. || 72
Seeing the army's despair, I cast off my fear and leaped a hundred yojanas across the sea to enter Lanka at night. (71-72)
rāvaṇaśca mayā dṛṣṭastvaṅ ca śōkapariplutā | ētattē sarvamākhyātaṅ yathāvṛttamananditē || 73
"I have seen Rāvaṇa, and I have found you utterly consumed by sorrow." (73)
abhibhāṣasva māṅ dēvi dūtō dāśarathēraham | taṅ māṅ rāmakṛtōdyōgaṅ tvannimittamihāgatam || 74
"O Devi, I implore you, speak to me! I am the loyal messenger of Rāma." (74)
sugrīvasacivaṅ dēvi buddhyasva pavanātmajam | kuśalī tava kākutsthaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṅ varaḥ || 75
I am the son of Vāyu and a trusted minister to Sugrīva. I assure you that Rāma remains safe and in good health. (75)
gurōrārādhanē yuktō lakṣmaṇaśca sulakṣaṇaḥ | tasya vīryavatō dēvi bhartustava hitē rataḥ || 76
The auspicious Lakṣmaṇa is tirelessly devoted to the welfare of your husband. (76)
ahamēkastu samprāpta ssugrīvavacanādiha | mayēyamasahāyēna caratā kāmarūpiṇā | dakṣiṇā diganukrāntā tvanmārgavicayaiṣiṇā || 77
I alone have arrived here, a Vānara who can assume any form at will, searching for your whereabouts. (77)
diṣṭyāhaṅ harisainyānāṅ tvannāśamanuśōcatām || 78
apanēṣyāmi santāpaṅ tavābhigamaśaṅsanāt | diṣṭyā hi mama na vyarthaṅ dēvi sāgaralaṅghanam || 79
I rejoice to know that my leap was not in vain! I shall finally end the sorrow of the Vānara hosts with these tidings. (78-79)
prāpsyāmyahamidaṅ diṣṭyā tvaddarśanakṛtaṅ yaśaḥ | rāghavaśca mahāvīryaḥ kṣipraṅ tvāmabhipatsyatē | samitrabāndhavaṅ hatvā rāvaṇaṅ rākṣasādhipam || 80
Mighty Rāma will come very quickly after completely slaying Rāvaṇa. (80)
mālyavānnāma vaidēhi girīṇāmuttamō giriḥ | tatō gacchati gōkarṇaṅ parvataṅ kēsarī hariḥ || 81
sa ca dēvarṣibhirdiṣṭaḥ pitā mama mahākapiḥ | tīrthē nadīpatēḥ puṇyē śambasādanamuddharat || 82
tasyāhaṅ hariṇaḥ kṣētrē jātō vātēna maithili | hanumāniti vikhyātō lōkē svēnaiva karmaṇā৷ || 83
I am the son of Kēsarī and was born through the grace of Vāyu, renowned throughout the world as Hanumān. (81-83)
viśvāsārthaṅ tu vaidēhi bharturuktā mayā guṇāḥ | acirādrāghavō dēvi tvāmitō nayitā.naghē || 84
"For the sake of generating trust, I have recounted the virtues of your husband." (84)
ēvaṅ viśvāsitā sītā hētubhiśśōkakarśitā | upapannairabhijñānairdūtaṅ tamavagacchati || 85
Thus, convinced by truthful arguments, Sītā finally accepted him as Rāma’s messenger. (85)
atulaṅ ca gatā harṣaṅ praharṣēṇa ca jānakī | nētrābhyāṅ vakrapakṣmābhyāṅ mumōcānandajaṅ jalam || 86
Sītā was overwhelmed with immeasurable joy, and tears of happiness flowed freely. (86)
cāru tadvadanaṅ tasyāstāmraśuklāyatēkṣaṇam | aśōbhata viśālākṣyā rāhumukta ivōḍurāṭ || 87
Her lovely face shone as brightly as the Moon emerging from an eclipse. (87)
hanumantaṅ kapiṅ vyaktaṅ manyatē nānyathēti sā | athōvāca hanūmāṅstām uttaraṅ priyadarśanām || 88
Sītā now clearly recognized Hanumān as the true messenger. (88)
ētattē sarvamākhyātaṅ samāśvasihi maithili | kiṅ karōmi kathaṅ vā tē rōcatē pratiyāmyaham || 89
"Please be completely consoled. Tell me what I might do to make you happy before I depart." (89)
**hatē.surē saṅyati śambasādanē ** kapipravīrēṇa maharṣicōdanāt | tatō.smi vāyuprabhavō hi maithili prabhāvatastatpratimaśca vānaraḥ || 90
"I am a Vānara, and my power is comparable to that of Vāyu himself." (90)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde paṁcatriṁśassargaḥ
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