Sundarakanda Sarga 38: The Story of the Crow (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 38: The Story of the Crow (Full Text & Meaning)
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Read Sundarakanda Sarga 38 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and verbatim English meanings. In this profoundly significant sarga, Sītā Devi provides Hanumān with the ultimate secret token: the narrative of the crow (Jayanta) at Citrakūṭa. She recounts Rāma's fierce protection of her and his use of the Brahmāstra over a mere scratch, contrasting it with her current plight. Entrusting Hanumān with her divine crest-jewel (Chūḍāmaṇi), she delivers a heart-wrenching message of hope and an ultimatum of survival to her beloved Lord. Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 71 | Primary Characters: Sītā Devi & Hanumān | Key Events: Citrakūṭa-Vṛttāntaḥ (The Narrative of Citrakūṭa), Vāyasa-Śikṣā (Punishment of the Crow), Chūḍāmaṇi-Pradānam (Giving of the Crest-Jewel) | Location: Ashoka Vatika, Lanka |
athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe aṣṭātriṁśassargaḥ
Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramanaya - 38th Sarga
vāyasavṛttāṁtakathanam Story of the Crow
tatassa kapiśārdūlastēna vākyēna tōṣitaḥ | sītāmuvāca tacchṛtvā vākyaṅ vākyaviśāradaḥ || 1
Hanumān, being greatly pleased by those words, and being the expert in speech, spoke the following words in reply to Sītā. (1)
yuktarūpaṅ tvayā dēvi bhāṣitaṅ śubhadarśanē | sadṛśaṅ strīsvabhāvasya sādhvīnāṅ vinayasya ca || 2
"O beautiful Goddess, what you have said is appropriate and befitting the nature, virtue, and modesty of good women." (2)
strītvaṅ na tu samarthaṅ hi sāgaraṅ vyativartitum | māmadhiṣṭhāya vistīrṇaṅ śatayōjanamāyatam || 3
Given your nature as a woman, it is natural to feel concerned about such a vast journey (one hundred yojanas) while riding on my back. (3)
dvitīyaṅ kāraṇaṅ yacca bravīṣi vinayānvitē | rāmādanyasya nārhāmi saṅsparśamiti jānaki || 4
ētattē sadṛśaṅ dēvi patnyāstasya mahātmanaḥ | kā hyanyā tvāmṛtē dēvi brūyādvacanamīdṛśam || 5
śrōṣyatē caiva kākutstha: sarvaṅ niravaśēṣataḥ | cēṣṭitaṅ yattvayā dēvi bhāṣitaṅ mama cāgrata || 6
The second reason you state with such modesty, O Jānakī, is your vow: "I will not touch any man other than Rāma." O Devi, this sentiment is absolutely befitting of you, the wife of that great-souled man. For indeed, what other woman besides you, O Devi, would utter such a principle? Furthermore, Rāma, the descendant of Kakutstha, will hear everything completely and without omission. (4- 6)
kāraṇairbahubhirdēvi rāmapriyacikīrṣayā | snēhapraskannamanasā mayaitatsamudīritam || 7
O māta, I spoke those words (suggesting you ride upon my back) for many reasons, including my devotion to Rāma and my great desire to bring happiness to both you and Śrī Rāma, even if my utterance lacked proper deliberation. (7)
laṅkāyā duṣpravēśatvāddustaratvānmahōdadhēḥ | sāmarthyādātmanaścaiva mayaitat samudīritam || 8
Because of the difficulty of entering Laṅkā, due to the difficulty of crossing the great ocean, and on account of my own capability, this (proposal to carry you) was said by me. (8)
icchāmi tvāṅ samānētumadyaiva raghubandhunā | gurusnēhēna bhaktyā ca nānyathaitadudāhṛtam || 9
My single desire is to take you to Rāma, the descendant of Raghu, this very day. I assure you I spoke this out of nothing but profound affection and devotion to our Lord. (9)
yadi nōtsahasē yātuṅ mayā sārthamaninditē | abhijñānaṅ prayaccha tvaṅ jānīyādrāghavō hi yat || 10
O Devi, if you are not prepared to journey with me, please entrust me with a sign or token so that Rāma may know with certainty that I have met you. (10)
ēvamuktā hanumatā sītā surasutōpamā | uvāca vacanaṅ mandaṅ bāṣpapragrathitākṣaram || 11
Having been addressed thus by Hanumān, Sītā, who radiates like a celestial being, slowly spoke words that were choked with tears. (11)
idaṅ śrēṣṭhamabhijñānaṅ brūyāstvaṅ tu mama priyam | śailasya citrakūṭasya pādē pūrvōttarē purā || 12
tāpasāśramavāsinyāḥ prājyamūlaphalōdakē | tasminsiddhāśramē dēśē mandākinyā vidūrataḥ || 13
You must convey this supreme token of recognition to my beloved Rāma: "Remember the specific incident that took place at the North-Eastern base of the Citrakūṭa mountain, near the Mandākinī River, where the hermits resided and where we found plentiful roots, fruits, and water." (12 - 13)
tasyōpavanaṣaṇḍēṣu nānāpuṣpasugandhiṣu | vihṛtya salilē klinnā mamāṅkē samupāviśamaḥ || 14
In the groves of that park, fragrant with various flowers, after you finished sporting and were wet from the water, I then sat down upon your lap. (14)
tatō māṅsasamāyuktō vāyasaḥ paryatuṇḍayat | tamahaṅ lōṣṭamudyamya vārayāmisma vāyasam || 15
Just then, a crow, seeking a piece of meat, pecked at my bosom and began to strike my body. To fend it off, I quickly picked up a clod of earth and tried to drive the bird away. (15)
dārayansa ca māṅ kākastattraiva parilīyatē | na cāpyupāramanmāṅsāt bhakṣārthi balibhōjanaḥ || 16
That crow continued to scratch and peck at me, and it lingered right there. It would not stop, as it sought flesh, being a creature that consumes offerings. (16)
utkarṣantyāṅ ca raśanāṅ kruddhāyāṅ mayi pakṣiṇi | srasyamānē ca vasanē tatō dṛṣṭā tvayā hyaham || 17
As I, angered by the crow, was struggling to pull up my waist-chain, and with my garment slipping down, you saw me at that very moment. (17)
tvāyā.pahasitā cāhaṅ kruddhā saṅlajjitā tadā | bhakṣagṛdhnēna kākēna dāritā tvāmupāgatā || 18
Then, you laughed at me, and I was angry and embarrassed. Having been wounded by that flesh-greedy crow, I ran to you. (18)
āsīnasya ca tē śrāntā punarutsaṅgamāviśam | krudhyantī ca prahṛṣṭēna tvayā.haṅ parisāntvitā || 19
Though tired, I again sat down upon your lap, as you were seated. I was angry, but you, delighted, completely comforted me. (19)
bāṣpapūrṇamukhī mandaṅ cakṣuṣī parimārjatī | lakṣitā.haṅ tvayā nātha vāyasēna prakōpitā || 20
With my face full of tears, and slowly wiping my eyes, O Lord, you noticed me as I was agitated by the crow. (20)
pariśramātprasuptā ca rāghavāṅkē.pyahaṅ ciram | paryāyēṇa prasuptaśca mamāṅkē bharatāgrajaḥā || 21
And then, from exhaustion, I myself slept for a long time on Rāma's lap, and in turn, Rāma, the elder brother of Bharata, slept on my lap. (21)
sa tatra punarēvātha vāyasassamupāgamat | tatassuptaprabuddhāṅ māṅ rāmasysāṅkāt samutthitām | vāyasassahasāgamya vidadāra stanāntarēā || 22
The crow soon reappeared at that location. Once I awoke from my sleep, it immediately struck my bosom again with its beak. (22)
punaḥ punarathōtpatya vidadāra sa māṅ bhṛśam | tatassamukṣitō rāmō muktaiśśōṇitabindubhiḥā || 23
Then, repeatedly flying up, it tore at me violently. Rāma, awakened by the drops of blood that flowed, was fully roused. (23)
vāyasēna tatastēna balavatkliśyamānayā | sa mayā bōdhitaśśrīmān sukhasuptaḥ parantapaḥā || 24
Being strongly afflicted and distressed by that very crow, I myself awoke the glorious Rāma, the destroyer of foes, who was comfortably asleep. (24)
sa māṅ dṛṣṭvā mahābāhurvitunnāṅ stanayōstadā | āśīviṣa iva kruddhaśvasanvākyamabhāṣataā || 25
He, the mighty-armed, seeing me wounded in the region of the breasts at that time, spoke these words, breathing heavily like a furious venomous snake. (25)
kēna tē nāganāsōru vikṣataṅ vai stanāntaram | kaḥ krīḍati sarōṣēṇa pañcavaktrēṇa bhōgināā || 26
"Who has wounded the space between your breasts, who is this person that dares to play with a venomous, furious, five-headed serpent?" (26)
vīkṣamāṇastatastaṅ vai vāyasaṅ samudaikṣata | nakhai sarudhirai stīkṣṇaiḥ māmēvābhimukhaṅ sthitamā || 27
He, looking around, then saw that crow, which was standing directly in front of me with sharp, blood-stained claws. (27)
puttraḥ kila sa śakrasya vāyasaḥ patatāṅ varaḥ | dharāntaragataśśīghraṅ pavanasya gatau samaḥā || 28
That crow was none other than the son of Śakra (Indra), the foremost of birds, who had swiftly come down to earth, and whose speed was equal to that of the wind. (28)
tatastasmin mahābāhuḥ kōpasaṅvartitēkṣaṇaḥ | vāyasē kṛtavānkrūrāṅ matiṅ matimatāṅ varaḥā || 29
At this, the mighty-armed Rāma, the wisest of all, rolled his eyes in fierce anger and immediately resolved upon a cruel punishment for that crow. (29)
sa darbhaṅ saṅstarādgṛhya brāhmēṇāstrēṇa yōjayat | sa dīpta iva kālāgniḥ jajvālābhimukhō dvijamā || 30
He (Rāma) then took a blade of darbha grass from the mat, and joining it with the Brahmāstra mantra, it blazed like the fire of destruction, facing the bird (the crow). (30)
sa taṅ pradīptaṅ cikṣēpa darbhaṅ taṅ vāyasaṅ prat | tatastaṅ vāyasaṅ darbhassōmbarē.nujagāma ha || 31
He (Rāma) then threw that blazing darbha grass at the crow. The darbha grass (Brahmāstra) then pursued that crow into the sky. (31)
anusṛṣṭastadā kākō jagāma vividhāṅ gatim | lōkakāma imaṅ lōkaṅ sarvaṅ vai vicacāra ha || 32 sa pitrā ca parityaktassuraiśca samaharṣibhiḥ | trīn lōkān samparikṣipya tamēva śaraṇaṅ gataḥ || 33
That crow, being pursued, then fled in various directions. Wishing to live, he flew across all the worlds. Having found no peace in all the worlds, he resorted to Rāma alone for refuge. (32-33)
sa śarma labdvā lōkēṣu tamēva śaraṇaṁ gataḥ | sa taṅ nipatitaṅ bhūmau śaraṇyaśśaraṇāgatam | vadhārhamapi kākutstha: kṛpayā paryapālayat || 34
Rāma, the protector of the surrendered, saw him fallen on the ground and, though he deserved death, mercifully protected (spared) him. (34)
paridyūnaṅ viṣaṇṇaṅ ca sa tamāyāntamabravīt | mōghaṅ kartuṅ na śakyaṅ tu brāhmamastraṅ taducyatām | hinastu dakṣiṇākṣi tvacchara ityatha sō.bravīt || 35
Seeing him approach, exhausted and dejected, he (Rāma) spoke to him: 'The Brahmāstra cannot be made to fail. Therefore, let the power of the weapon take its effect. Let the arrow destroy your right eye,' and thus he (Rāma) spoke. (35)
tatastasyākṣi kākasya hinasti sma sa dakṣiṇam | dattvā sa dakṣiṇaṅ nētraṅ prāṇēbhyaḥ parirakṣitaḥ || 36
Then, the Brahmāstra destroyed the right eye of that crow. Having sacrificed his right eye, he was saved with his life. (36)
sa rāmāya namaskṛtya rājñē daśarathāya ca | visṛṣṭastēna vīrēṇa pratipēdē svamālayam || 37
He (the crow, Jayanta) offered salutations to Rāma and to King Daśaratha. Dismissed by that hero (Rāma), he returned to his own abode. (37)
matkṛtē kākamātrē tu brahmāstraṅ samudīritam | kasmādyō māṅ harēttvattaḥ kṣamasē taṅ mahīpatē || 38
"For my sake, you released the Brahmāstra even upon a mere crow. Why then, O King (Rāma), do you forgive him (Rāvaṇa) who has carried me away from you?" (38)
sa kuruṣva mahōtsāhaḥ kṛpāṅ mayi nararṣabha | tvayā nāthavatī nātha hyanāthā iva dṛśyatē || 39
Therefore, O best among men, O Lord of great energy, please show me mercy. For though I have you as my protector, O Lord, I truly appear as one without a protector. (39)
anṛśaṅsyaṅ parō dharmastavattta aiva mayā śrutaḥ | jānāmi tvāṅ mahāvīryaṅ mahōtsāhaṅ mahābalam || 40
From you alone have I heard that showing mercy on the helpless is the supreme virtue (Dharma). I know you to be one of great valor, great energy, and great strength. (40)
apārapāramakṣōbhyaṅ gāmbhīryāt sāgarōpamam | bhartāraṅ sasamudrāyā dharaṇyā vāsavōpamam || 41
I know you as the unshakeable and boundless Lord of the entire earth with its oceans, comparable to the sea in profound depth and majesty, and equal to Indra (in glory). (41)
ēvamastravidāṅ śrēṣṭhassatyavānbalavānapi | kimarthamastraṅ rakṣassu na yōjayasi rāghava || 42
You are the best among those who know the use of weapons, you are truthful, and you are powerful; why then, O Rāghava, do you not employ a weapon against the Rākṣasas (demons)? (42)
na nāgā nā.pi gandharvā nāsurā na marudgaṇāḥ | rāmasya samarē vēgaṅ śaktāḥ pratisamādhituṅ || 43
Neither the nāgās, nor the Gandharvas, nor the Asuras, nor the hosts of wind gods (marudgaṇāḥ) are capable of checking Rāma's speed/impetus in battle. (43)
tasya vīryavataḥ kaścidyadyasti mayi sambhramaḥ | kimarthaṅ na śaraistīkṣṇai: kṣayaṅ nayati rākṣasān || 44
"If that valiant one (Rāma) has any concern for me, why does he not destroy the Rākṣasas with his sharp arrows?" (44)
bhrāturādēśamādāya lakṣmaṇō vā parantapaḥ | kasya hētōrna māṅ vīraḥ paritrāti mahābalaḥ || 45
Or why does Lakṣmaṇa, the tormentor of foes, taking his brother's command, the valiant and mighty hero, not rescue me? (45)
yadi tau puruṣavyāghrau vāyvagnisamatējasau | surāṇāmapi durdharṣau kimarthaṅ māmupēkṣataḥ || 46
mamaiva duṣkṛtaṅ kiñcinmahadasti na saṅśayaḥ | samarthāvapi tau yanmāṅ nāvēkṣētē parantapau || 47
If those two foremost of men are splendid like the Wind-god and the Fire-god, why then do they abandon me? Without a doubt, some great wrong I have done exists. Since those two tormentors of foes are capable, why do they not look upon (rescue) me? (46 - 47)
vaidēhyā vacanaṅ śrutvā karuṇaṅ sāśrubhāṣitam | athābravīnmahātējā hanumānmārutātmajaḥ || 48
Having heard the pitiable words, spoken with tears, of Vaidehi (Sītā), the highly effulgent Hanumān, the son vAyu, then spoke. (48)
tvacchōkavimukhō rāmō dēvi satyēna tē śapē | rāmē duḥkhābhipannē ca lakṣmaṇaḥ paritapyatē || 49
"O Devi, I swear to you by the truth, Rāma is turned away from happiness due to your sorrow. And when Rāma is overcome with grief, Lakṣmaṇa suffers deeply." (49)
kathañcidbhavatī dṛṣṭā na kālaḥ paridēvitum | imaṅ muhūrtaṅ duḥkhānāṅ drakṣyasyantamaninditē || 50
Since you have somehow been found, this is not the time for lamentation. O blameless one, in this very moment, you will see the end of your sorrows. (50)
tāvubhau puruṣavyāghrau rājaputrau mahābalau | tvaddarśanakṛtōtsāhau laṅkāṅ bhasmīkariṣyataḥ || 51
Those two foremost of men, the mighty princes (Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa), energized by the sight of you, will reduce Laṅkā to ashes. (51)
hattvā ca samarē krūraṅ rāvaṇaṅ sahabāndhavam | rāghavastvāṅ viśālākṣi nēṣyati svāṅ purīṅ prati || 52
And having slain the cruel Rāvaṇa along with his kinsmen in battle, Rāma will take you back to his own city. (52)
brūhi yadrāghavō vācyō lakṣmaṇaśca mahābalaḥ | sugrīvō vāpi tējasvī harayō.pi samāgatāḥ || 53
Tell me what message should be conveyed to Rāma, and to the mighty Lakṣmaṇa, or to the glorious Sugrīva, or even to the assembled hosts of vānara. (53)
ityuktavati tasmiṅstu sītā surasutōpamā | uvāca śōkasantaptā hanumantaṅ plavaṅgamam || 54
When Hanumān had spoken thus, Sītā, who resembled a celestial being, overcome with sorrow, spoke to Hanumān. (54)
kausalyā lōkabhartāraṅ suṣuvē yaṅ manasvinī | taṅ mamārthē sukhaṅ pṛccha śirasā cābhivādaya || 55
Ask after the well-being of that one (Rāma) whom the wise Kausalyā bore, who is the protector of the worlds, and for my sake, convey my pranamas to him. (55)
visr̥jya sarvaratnāni priyā yāśca varāṅganāḥ | aiśvaryaṅ ca viśālāyāṅ pṛthivyāmapi durlabham | pitaraṅ mātaraṅ caiva sammānyābhiprasādya ca || 56
anupravrajitō rāmaṅ sumitrā yēna suprajā | ānukūlyēna dharmātmā tyaktvā sukhamanuttamam || 57
The righteous Lakṣmaṇa abandoned all gems, his beloved wife, and sovereignty. He honored his father and mother and followed after Rāma. In this manner, he gave up the highest bliss and comfort. (56 - 57)
anugacchati kākutsthaṅ bhrātaraṅ pālayanvanē | siṅhaskandhō mahābāhurmanasvī priyadarśinaḥ || 58
pitṛvadvartatē rāmē mātṛvanmāṅ samācaran | hriyamāṇāṅ tadā vīrō na tu māṅ vēda lakṣmaṇaḥ || 59
vṛddhōpasēvī lakṣmīvān śaktō na bahubhāṣitā | rājaputraḥ priyaḥ śrēṣṭhaḥ sadṛśaḥ śvaśurasya mē || 60
He (Lakṣmaṇa) follows Rāma, protecting his brother in the forest. He behaves towards Rāma as a son towards a father, and towards me as a son towards a mother. He is glorious, capable, and equal to my father-in-law in our protection. (58 - 60)
mamaḥ priyatarō nityaṅ bhrātā rāmasya lakṣmaṇaḥ | niyuktō dhuri yasyāṅ tu tāmudvahati vīryavān || 61
yaṅ dṛṣṭvā rāghavō naiva vṛttamāryamanusmarēt | sa mamārthāya kuśalaṅ vaktavyō vacanānmama || 62
Lakṣmaṇa, Rāma's brother, is ever dear to me. That valiant one expertly fulfills any duty assigned to him. Rāma looks at him and is so comforted that he even forgets the grief over his father. Please convey my inquiry regarding his well-being. (61 - 62)
mṛdurnityaṅ śucirdakṣaḥ priyō rāmasya lakṣmaṇaḥ | yathā hi vānaraśrēṣṭha duḥkhakṣayakarō bhavēt || 63
Lakṣmaṇa is gentle, always pure, skillful, and dear to Rāma. O great hero, may he be the one who brings an end to my sorrow. (63)
tvamasmin kāryaniryōgē pramāṇaṅ harisattamaḥ | rāghavaḥ tvatsamārambhāt mayi yatnaparō bhavēt || 64
"O noblest hero, you are the sole standard and credible witness for the completion of this mission." (64)
idaṅ brūyāśca mē nāthaṅ śūraṅ rāmaṅ punaḥ punaḥ | jīvitaṅ dhārayiṣyāmi māsaṅ daśarathātmaja | ūrdhvaṅ māsānna jīvēyaṅ satyēnāhaṅ bravīmi tē || 65
"Please convey this urgent message: 'O son of Daśaratha, I can sustain my life for only one month. I swear to you, I will not live beyond that time.'" (65)
rāvaṇēnōparuddhāṅ māṅ nikṛtya pāpakarmaṇā | trātumarhasi vīra tvaṅ pātālādiva kauśikīm || 66
"You, O hero, ought to rescue me, who has been confined by the evil-doer Rāvaṇa, just as Viṣṇu rescued Indra’s wealth from the Pātāla." (66)
tatō vastragataṅ muktvā divyaṅ cūḍāmaṇiṅ śubham | pradēyō rāghavāyēti sītā hanumatē dadau || 67
Then, untying the auspicious and divine crest-jewel (Chūḍāmaṇi) which was tied in her garment, Sītā gave it to Hanumān with the words, "This is to be given to Rāma." (67)
pratigṛhya tatō vīrō maṇiratnamanuttamam | aṅgulyā yōjayāmāsa na hyasya prābhavadbhujaḥ || 68
maṇiratnaṅ kapivaraḥ pratigṛhyābhivādya ca | sītāṅ pradakṣiṇaṅ kṛtvā praṇataḥ pārvśataḥ sthitaḥ || 69
Hanumān realized the jewel was too small for his arm. Having received it within his fingers and offered his namaskaram, he circumambulated Sītā and stood humbly beside her. (68 - 69)
harṣēṇa mahatā yuktaḥ sītādarśanajēna saḥ | hṛdayēna gatō rāmaṅ śarīrēṇa tu viṣṭhitaḥ || 70
Hanumān was filled with great joy. Though his body remained standing there, his heart had already flown to Rāma. (70)
maṇivaramupagṛhya taṅ mahārhaṅ janakanṛpātmajayā dhṛtaṅ prabhāvāt | giririva pavanāvadhūtamuktaḥ sukhitamanāḥ pratisaṅkramaṅ prapēdē || 71
Having received that supreme and precious jewel (Chūḍāmaṇi), he (Hanumān) felt his mind relieved of all sorrow. He was now like a mountain freed from the wind and prepared for his return journey. (71)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde aṣṭātriṁśassargaḥ
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