“Seeing this unusual form and language of mine, Janaki, who was previously frightened by the Rakshasas, will again be fearful.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.20) sā iyam ālokya me rūpam jānakī bhāṣitam tathā || rakṣobhiḥ trāsitā pūrvam bhūyaḥ trāsam… Read More ›
hanuman meets sita
When In Rome
“For the words to be meaningful, it is necessary that I use the language of the human beings, for there is no other way to console this blameless lady.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.19) avaśyam eva vaktavyam mānuṣam vākyam… Read More ›
Skilled In Illusion
“But if I use the language of Sanskrit like the twice-born, Sita will think me to be Ravana and thus become fearful.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.18) yadi vācam pradāsyāmi dvijātiḥ iva sanskṛtām | rāvaṇam manyamānā mām sītā bhītā… Read More ›
A Talking Monkey
“As I am indeed very small, and specifically a monkey, I should now speak in Sanskrit, the language of humans.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.17) aham hi atitanuḥ caiva vanaraḥ ca viśeṣataḥ | vācam ca udāhariṣyāmi mānuṣīm iha sanskṛtām… Read More ›
Slow and Steady
“So I will stay here and wait for a break in the attention of the Rakshasis. Then I will slowly console her, who is in so much distress.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.16) antaram tu aham āsādya rākṣasīnām iha… Read More ›
Ranging In Darkness
“It is not proper to speak with her while visible to the night-rangers. So now how am I supposed to proceed? I am indeed in great difficulty.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.11) niśā carīṇām pratyakṣam akṣamam ca abhibhāṣaṇam |… Read More ›
Multitasking
“And it is proper for me to console the mighty-armed Rama, whose face resembles a full moon, and who is desirous of the vision of Sita.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.10) mayā ca sa mahābāhuḥ pūrṇa candra nibha ānanaḥ… Read More ›
Yashasvini
“By my returning there, this famous princess, Janaki, not seeing any rescue might indeed give up her life.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.9) gate hi mayi tatra iyam rāja putrī yaśasvinī | paritrāṇam avindantī jānakī jīvitam tyajet || Download… Read More ›
Using Common Sense
“Indeed, if I shall go without consoling this lady, whose mind is overpowered by grief, then my setting out becomes offensive.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.8) yadi hi aham imām devīm śoka upahata cetanām | anāśvāsya gamiṣyāmi doṣavat gamanam… Read More ›
Consoling the Moon
“Indeed, I will console this woman, whose face resembles a full moon, for she never before has experienced distress and currently cannot see the end of her distress.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 30.7) aham āśvāsayāmi enām pūrṇa candra nibha… Read More ›