Sundarakanda Sarga 39: Hanumān's Departure Message (Full Text & Meaning)
Sundarakanda Sarga 39: Hanumān's Departure Message (Full Text & Meaning)
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RRead Sundarakanda Sarga 39 with full Sanskrit Shlokas and verbatim English meanings. In this final exchange before his departure, Hanumān receives Sītā's parting messages for Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, and Sugrīva. Sītā Devi, still grappling with the logistical impossibility of the great ocean, expresses her fears about the Vānara army’s arrival. Hanumān provides a resounding assurance of the Vānaras' supernatural speed and power, promising that the "lions among men" will soon appear at the gates of Laṅkā to liberate her. Download PDF for convenience or read along online at Kalady.org
| Detail | Total Shlokas: 53 | Primary Characters: Sītā Devi & Hanumān | Key Events: Sītā-Sandēśaḥ (Sita's Message), Samudra-Taraṇa-Śaṅkā (Doubt over crossing the ocean), Hanūmad-Āśvāsanam (Hanuman's Assurance) | Location: Ashoka Vatika, Lanka |
athaḥ śrīmadvalmīki rāmāyaṇe suṃdarakāṃḍe ēkōnacatvāriṁśassargaḥ
Beginning of Sundarakanda from Srimad Valmiki Ramanaya - 39th Sarga
hanūmatsaṁdēśaḥ Hanumān's Message
maṇiṅ dattvā tataḥ sītā hanūmantamathābravīt | abhijñānamabhijñātamētadrāmasya tattvataḥ || 1
Having given the jewel, Sītā then said to Hanumān: "This very token of recognition is to be truly understood by Rāma. (1)
maṇiṅ tu dṛṣṭvā rāmō vai trayāṇāṅ saṅsmariṣyati | vīrō jananyā mama ca rājñō daśarathasya ca || 2
Seeing the jewel, the hero Rāma will indeed recall three things: his mother (Kausalyā), me, and King Daśaratha. (2)
sa bhūyastvaṅ samutsāhē cōditō harisattama | asminkāryasamārambhē pracintaya yaduttaram || 3
Hanumān, being thus inspired with enthusiasm, you should further consider what the next course of action should be in the commencement of this task (of rescue). (3)
tvamasmin kāryaniryōgē pramāṇaṅ harisattama | hanuman yatnamāsthāya duḥkhakṣayakarō bhava || 4
O noblest of heroes, your presence is the guarantee for the successful completion of this mission. O Hanumān, commit yourself completely to this endeavor and be the one who finally ends my deep sorrow. (4)
tasya cintayatō yatnō duḥkhakṣayakarō bhavēt | sa tathēti pratijñāya mārutirbhīmavikramaḥ | śirasā vandhya vaidēhiṅ gamanāyōpacakramē || 5
May the contemplation and effort of him (Rāma) concerning your message be the very thing that brings an end to your suffering. Having pledged, 'So be it,' the immensely powerful Hanumān, the son of the Wind-god, then bowed his head to Sītā (Vaidehī) and began to prepare for his departure. (5)
jñātvā samprasthitaṅ dēvī vānaraṅ mārutātmajam | bāṣpagadgadayā vācā maithilī vākyamabravīt || 6
The Goddess (Sītā), knowing that the son of the Wind-god (Hanumān) was ready to leave, then spoke these words with a voice choked with tears. (6)
hanuman kuśalaṅ brūyāḥ sahitau rāmalakṣmaṇau || 7 sugrīvaṅ ca sahāmātyaṅ vṛddhān sarvāṅśca vānarān | brūyāstvaṅ vānaraśrēṣṭha kuśalaṅ dharmasaṅhitam || 8
O Hanumān, ask after the welfare of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, and of Sugrīva along with his ministers, and all the elderly heroes. Follow the dharma order and ask after their welfare (7-8)
yathā sa ca mahābāhurmāṅ tārayati rāghavaḥ | asmāddhuḥkhāmbusaṅrōdhāttvaṅ samādhātumarhasi || 9
You ought to strive so that that mighty-armed Rāma rescues me from this imprisonment in the waters of sorrow (9)
jīvantīṅ māṅ yathā rāmaḥ sambhāvayati kīrtimān | tattathā hanumanvācyaṅ vācā dharmamavāpnuhi || 10
Convey such words, O Hanumān, that the renowned Rāma may be convinced I am still alive (and chaste); through this truthful speech, may you attain spiritual merit (Dharma). (10)
nityamutsāhayuktāśca vācaśrutvā tvayēritāḥ | vardhiṣyatē dāśarathēḥ pauruṣaṅ madavāptayē || 11
Having heard the words full of constant courage spoken by you, the heroic determination of Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, to regain me will surely be greatly intensified. (11)
matsandēśayutā vācastvattaśśrutvā ca rāghavaḥ | parākramavidhiṅ vīrō vidhivat saṅvidhāsyati || 12
And having heard from you the words accompanied by my message, the heroic Rāma will correctly plan the method for his great feat of valor. (12)
sītāyā vacanaṅ śrutvā hanumān mārutātmajaḥ | śirasyañjalimādhāya vākyamuttaramabravīt || 13
Having heard the words of Sītā, Hanumān, the son of Vāyu, placed his joined palms on his head and spoke a reply. (13)
kṣipramēṣyati kākutsthō hāryṛkṣapravarairvṛtaḥ | yastē yudhi vijityārīnśōkaṅ vyapanayiṣyati || 14
Rāma, the descendant of Kakutstha, surrounded by the foremost heroes of the Vānaras and bears, will quickly arrive, and having conquered your enemies in battle, he will remove your sorrow. (14)
na hi paśyāmi martyēṣu nāsurēṣu surēṣu vā | yastasya kṣipatō bāṇān sthātumutsahatē.grata || 15
I do not see anyone among men, nor among Asuras (demons), nor among Suras (gods), who is capable of standing before him (Rāma) as he discharges his arrows (15)
apyarkamapi parjanyamapi vaivasvataṅ yamam | sa hi sōḍhuṅ raṇē śaktastava hētōrviśēṣataḥ || 16
He is indeed capable of enduring (challenging) the Sun, the Rain-god (Indra), and Yama, the son of Vivasvān (the God of Death), in battle, especially for your sake. (16)
sa hi sāgaraparyantāṅ mahīṅ śāsitumīhati | tvannimittō hi rāmasya jayō janakanandini || 17
He (Rāma) indeed desires to rule the earth up to the ocean's border. O daughter of Janaka, Rāma's victory is solely for your sake. (17)
tasya tadvacanaṅ śrutvā samyaksatyaṅ subhāṣitam | jānakī bahumēnē.tha vacanaṅ cēdamabravīt || 18
Having heard those appropriate, truthful, and well-spoken words, Sītā (Jānakī) greatly appreciated them and then spoke the following words (18)
tatastaṅ prasthitaṅ sītā vīkṣamāṇā punaḥ punaḥ | bhartṛsnēhānvitaṅ vākyaṅ sauhārdādanumānayat || 19
As he (Hanumān) prepared to depart, Sītā looked upon him again and again, discerning his words, which were filled with affection for her Lord (Rāma) and sincere good-will. (19)
yadi vā manyasē vīra vasaikāhamarindama | kasmiṅścitsaṅvṛtē dēśē viśrāntaḥśvō gamiṣyas || 20
If you deem it fit, O Hanumān, the tormentor of foes, stay for one day in a secluded spot, and after resting, you may depart tomorrow. (20)
mama cēdalpabhāgyāyā sānnidhyāttava vānara | asya śōkasya mahatō muhūrtaṅ mōkṣaṇaṅ bhavēt || 21
By your presence, O Hanumān, there would be momentary release from this great sorrow for me, who is so ill-fated. (21)
gatē hi hariśārdūla punarāgamanāya tu | prāṇānāmapi sandēhō mama syānnātra saṅśayaḥ || 22
For when you are gone, O Kapivara, there will be a doubt about my life remaining until your return; there is no doubt about this (22)
tavādarśanajḥ śōkō bhūyō māṅ paritāpayēt | duḥkhāddhuḥkhaparāmṛṣṭāṅ dīpayanniva vānara || 23
The sorrow caused by your absence, O kapīśvaraḥ, will torment me even more, fueling my distress which is already mixed with pain. (23)
ayaṅ ca vīra sandēhastiṣṭhatīva mamāgrataḥ | sumahāṅstvatsahāyēṣu haryṛkṣēṣu harīśvaraḥ || 24
And yet, O harīśvaraḥ, this great concern weighs heavily on my mind: how vast and strong is the army of Vānaras and bears who will be accompanying you (24)
athaṅ nu khalu duṣpāraṅ tariṣyanti mahōdadhim | tāni haryṛkṣasainyāni tau vā naravarātmajau || 25 trayāṇāmēva bhūtānāṅ sāgarasyāsya laṅghanē | śaktissyādvainatēyasya tava vā mārutasya vā || 26
How, indeed, will those armies of Vānaras and bears, or those two princes (Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa), be able to cross this great and impassable ocean? Among all creatures, only three possess the power to leap across this sea: Garuḍa (Vainatēya), you (Hanumān), or the Wind-god (Vāyu). (25-26)
tadasminkāryaniryōgē vīraivaṅ duratikramē | kiṅ paśyasi samādhānaṅ tvaṅ hi kāryavidāṅ varaḥ || 27
Therefore, in the execution of this mission, which is so difficult to overcome, what solution do you see? For you are the best among those who know how to accomplish tasks (27)
kāmamasya tvamēvaikaḥ kāryasya parisādhanē | paryāptaḥ paravīraghna yaśasyastē phalōdayaḥ || 28
You alone are fully capable of accomplishing this entire task, O paravīraghna (destroyer of enemy). The result of your effort will surely bring you great glory. (28)
balaissamagrairyadi māṅ rāvaṇaṅ jitya saṅyugē | vijayī svapuraṅ yāyāttattasya sadṛśaṅ bhavēt || 29
It would be worthy of Rāma if he were to conquer Rāvaṇa in battle with his full might and only then return victoriously to his own city with me. (29)
śaraistu saṅkulāṅ kṛtvā laṅkāṅ parabalārdanaḥ | māṅ nayēdyadi kākutsthaḥ tattasya sadṛśaṅ bhavēt || 30
It is only fitting for Rāma, the destroyer of enemy armies, to take me back after he has first overwhelmed and covered all of Laṅkā with his arrows. (30)
tadyathā tasya vikrāntamanurūpaṅ mahātmanaḥ | bhavēdāhavaśūrasya tathā tvamupapādaya || 31
Therefore, you must arrange things (the plan) in such a way that the heroic action of that valiant warrior in battle, becomes befitting of him. (31)
tadarthōpahitaṅ vākyaṅ praśritaṅ hētusaṅhitam | niśamya hanumānśēṣaṅ vākyamuttaramabravīt || 32
Having heard the words that were appropriate, humble, and reasoned with logic, Hanumān spoke the remaining words in reply. (32)
dēvi haryṛkṣasainyānāmīśvaraḥ plavatāṅ varaḥ | sugrīvassattvasampannaḥ tavārthē kṛtaniścayaḥ || 33
O Devi, Sugrīva, the Lord of the heroic and bear armies, the foremost among the leapers, is full of courage and has made a firm resolve for your sake (33)
sa vānarasahasrāṇāṅ kōṭībhirabhisaṅvṛtaḥ | kṣipramēṣyati vaidēhi rākṣasānāṅ nibarhaṇaḥ || 34
Surrounded by crores (tens of millions) of thousands of heroes, he (Sugrīva) will quickly come, O Sītā, to destroy the Rākṣasas (34)
tasya vikramasampannāḥ sattvavantō mahābalāḥ | manassaṅkalpasampātā nidēśē harayaḥ sthitāḥ || 35
His (Sugrīva's) forces are endowed with valor, full of courage, and of great strength. These heroes carry out tasks that are accomplished merely by a thought. (35)
yēṣāṅ nōpari nādhastānna tiryaksajjatē gatiḥ | na ca karmasu sīdanti mahatsvamitatējasaḥ || 36
The movement of these heroes is never obstructed—not in the sky above, on the ground below, nor across the horizon. (36)
asakṛttairmahōtsāhaiḥ sasāgaradharādharā | pradakṣiṇīkṛtā bhūmiḥ vāyumārgānusāribhiḥ || 37
These immensely energetic heroes, who travel as swiftly as the wind, have already circumnavigated the entire earth, along with all its oceans and mountains, countless times (37)
madviśiṣṭāśca tulyāśca santi tatra vanaukasaḥ | mattaḥ pratyavaraḥ kaścinnāsti sugrīvasannidhau || 38
There are other Vānara heroes who are superior to me and others who are equal to me. There is certainly no one in Sugrīva's presence who is inferior to me. (38)
ahaṅ tāvadiha prāptaḥ kiṅ punastē mahābalāḥ | na hi prakṛṣṭāḥ prēṣyantē prēṣyantē hītarē janāḥ || 39 tadalaṅ paritāpēna dēvi śōkō vyapaitu tē | ēkōtpātēna tē laṅkāmēṣyanti hariyūthapāḥ || 40
When I myself have managed to reach this place, what then is the difficulty for those other great and powerful heroes? Indeed, the most excellent persons are not dispatched on missions—it is the lesser persons who are sent. Therefore, let your sorrow depart. (39-40)
mama pṛṣṭhagatau tau ca candrasūryāvivōditau | tvatsakāśaṅ mahāsattvau nṛsiṅhāvāgamiṣyataḥ || 41
Those two, the greatly valiant ones (Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa), will come to your presence, seated on my back, like the rising Sun and Moon. (41)
tatō vīrau naravarau sahitau rāmalakṣmaṇau | āgamya nagarīṅ laṅkāṅ sāyakairvidhamiṣyataḥ || 42
Then those two heroes, the foremost of men, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, will come to the city of Laṅkā and destroy it with their arrows (42)
sagaṇaṅ rāvaṇaṅ hattvā rāghavō raghunandanaḥ | tvāmādāya varārōhē svapurīṅ pratiyāsyati || 43
Having slain Rāvaṇa along with his forces, Rāma, the delight of the Raghu dynasty, will take you back to his own city (43)
tadāśvasihi bhadraṅ tē bhava tvaṅ kālakāṅkṣiṇī | nacirāddrakṣyasē rāmaṅ prajvalantamivānalam || 44
Therefore, be comforted, may good fortune be yours, and patiently await that time. You will soon see Rāma, blazing brightly like a fire. (44)
nihatē rākṣasēndrē.sminsaputrāmātyabāndhavē | tvaṅ samēṣvasi rāmēṇa śaśāṅkēnēva rōhiṇī || 45
When the king of the Rākṣasas (Rāvaṇa) is slain, along with his son, ministers, and kinsmen, you will be reunited with Rāma, just as Rohiṇī is reunited with the Moon (45)
kṣipraṅ tvaṅ dēvi śōkasya pāraṅ yāsyasi maithili | rāvaṇaṅ caiva rāmēṇa nihataṅ drakṣyasē.cirāt || 46
Soon, O Goddess, O Maithilī (Sītā), you will reach the shore of your sorrow, and you will soon see Rāvaṇa slain by Rāma. (46)
ēvamāśvāsya vaidēhīṅ hanumānmārutātmajaḥ | gamanāya matiṅ kṛtvā vaidēhīṅ punarabravīt || 47 tamarighnaṅ kṛtātmānaṅ kṣipraṅ drakṣyasi rāghavam | lakṣmaṇaṅ ca dhanuṣpāṇiṅ laṅkādvāramupāgatam || 48
Having comforted Sītā, Hanumān resolved to depart and said: "You will soon see Rāma, the destroyer of foes, and Lakṣmaṇa, bow in hand, arrived at the gate of Laṅkā." (47-48)
nakhadaṅṣṭrāyudhānvīrānsimhaśārdūlavikramān | vānarānvāraṇēndrābhānkṣipraṅ drakṣyasi saṅgatān || 49
You will soon see the Vānara heroes assembled, whose weapons are their claws and teeth, who possess the prowess of lions and tigers. (49)
śailāmbudanikāśānāṅ laṅkāmalayasānuṣu | nardatāṅ kapimukhyānāmāryē yūdhānyanēkaśaḥ || 50
O Sita Devi, you will soon witness countless armies of Vānara leaders—as immense as mountains—roaring loudly on the summits of Laṅkā's Malaya hills (50)
sa tu marmaṇi ghōrēṇa tāḍitō manmathēṣuṇā | na śarma labhatē rāmassiṅhārdita iva dvipaḥ || 51
Rāma finds no moment of peace, for he is deeply wounded by the relentless arrows of the God of Love. (51)
mā rudō dēvi śōkēna mābhūttē manasō.priyam | śacīva patyā śakrēṇa bhartrā nāthavatī hyasi || 52 rāmādviśiṣṭāḥ kō.nyō.sti kaścitsaumitriṇā samaḥ | agnimārutakalpau tau bhrātarau tava saṅśrayau || 53
O Goddess, do not weep from sorrow. You have a protector in your husband, just as Śacī has Indra. Those two brothers, who are like Agni and Vayu, are your sanctuary. (52-53)
ityārśe śrīmadramāyaṇe vālmīkīye ādikāvye suṃdarakaṃde ēkōnacatvāriṁśassargaḥ
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