“If you have arrived as Rama’s messenger, then may there be all good fortune to you. O best of the monkeys, I am asking you to please speak of Rama, for that is very pleasing to me.” (Sita Devi speaking… Read More ›
hanuman
Parivrajakacharya
“You are indeed the Ravana I saw in Janasthana, who gave up his real form and took the form of a wandering religious mendicant.” (Sita Devi speaking to Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 34.15) svam parityajya rūpam yaḥ parivrājaka rūpadhṛt… Read More ›
The Swan-like Messenger
“The son of Dasharatha, Rama, who is the best among knowers of the Vedas, who knows the Vedas and the brahmastra, has inquired about your welfare, O Devi.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 34.3) yo brāhmam astram vedān ca veda… Read More ›
Two Sides To The Message
“O Devi, I have arrived here as a messenger for you, being ordered by Rama. Vaidehi, all is well with Rama, and He has asked about your welfare.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 34.2) aham rāmasya saṃdeśāt devi dūtaḥ tava… Read More ›
Grief Upon Grief
“After hearing those words of Sita, who was overwhelmed with sadness upon sadness, Hanuman, the leader of the monkeys, gave the following comforting reply.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 34.1) tasyāḥ tat vacanam śrutvā hanūmān hari yūthapaḥ | duhkhāt duhkha abhibhūtāyāḥ… 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 ›