“Beholding Lanka, which was unimaginable and had an amazing appearance, that great monkey [maha-kapi] became morose and also delighted, as he was very much anxious to see Vaidehi.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.55) acintyāmadbhutākārāṃ dṛṣṭvā laṅkāṃ mahākapiḥ | āsīdviṣṇḍo hṛṣṭaśca… Read More ›
“And wonderful golden archways belonging to the Rakshasas everywhere illuminated the well-decorated city of Lanka.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.54) kāñcanāni ca citrāṇi toraṇāni ca rakśasām | laṅkāmuddyotayāmāsuḥ sarvataḥ samalaṃkṛtām It’s ironic that the entryway into a city filled with… Read More ›
“He [Hanuman] saw in that great city seven and eight story buildings inlaid with crystal and decorated with gold. Those houses of the Rakshasas shone brightly with their surfaces studded with vaidurya gems and decorated with strings of pearls.” (Valmiki… Read More ›
“Having made up his mind thus, that heroic monkey, Hanuman, eager to see Vaidehi, wished for the sun to set.” (Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.48) iti saṃcintya hanumān sūryasyāstamayaṃ kapiḥ | ācakāṃkśe tato vīro vaidehyā draśanotusakaḥ One who knows the… Read More ›
“Entering at night the city ruled by Ravana, which is very difficult to approach, and searching inside every palace, I shall find the daughter of Janaka.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.47) rāvaṇasya purīṃ rātrau praviśya sudurāsadām | vicinvan bhavanaṃ… Read More ›
“It is my thinking that not even the wind can pass through here unnoticed. Certainly there is nothing here that is unknown to the mighty Rakshasas.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.44) vāyurapyatra nājñātaścarediti matirmama | na hyastyaviditaṃ kiṃcidrākśasānāṃ balīyasām… Read More ›
“If I am seen by the Rakshasas, then this work performed on behalf of Rama, who is self-realized and desires the destruction of Ravana, would go for naught.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.42) mayi dṛṣṭe tu rakśobhī rāmasya viditātmanaḥ… Read More ›
“How can I ensure that the purpose of my task does not get destroyed? How shall I avoid mental disparity, and how do I ensure that my crossing of the ocean does not go for naught?” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara… Read More ›
“By what means shall I be able to see Maithili, the daughter of King Janaka, without being recognized by Ravana, the evil king of the Rakshasas?” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 2.37) kenopāyena paśeyaṃ maithilīṃ janakātmajām | adṛṣṭo rākśasendreṇa rāvaṇena… Read More ›
“Since Krishna is the cause of all causes, He is worshiped by all kinds of sages and saints by observance of the regulative principles. When there is a necessity for meditation, great personalities meditate on the transcendental form of Krishna… Read More ›