Rāmāyana | Sundara Kaṇḍa | Chapter 68

Chapter: 68
Hanuman’s Further Narration

[Hanuman further relates about doubts in Sītā's mind and how he gave a pep talk and encouraged her.]

"Hey lion among men, I, who was in a haste to return because of the love and nearness that I had with you, was praised by the holy lady and ordered thus about the future steps to be taken." 1

"You have to tell Rāma in several ways so that Rāma, the son of Dasaratha would kill Rāvaṇa in war and speedily get me back." 2

"Hey warrior, who is the killer of his enemies, possibly, if you like, take rest in a solitary place for one day and start back tomorrow." 3

"Hey warrior, if you are near me, the present time would be a time of solace, from the sorrow caused by sin to this unlucky me." 4

"Though you, who are heroic and is going back to come again, during that time definitely danger would happen to my soul." 5

"For me who is unlucky, who is undergoing sorrow upon sorrow and drowned in sorrow, the sorrow caused by not seeing you, would further increase my already existing sorrow." 6

"Hey monkey chief, hey hero, there is one matter which is very important and which has to be first solved, which is causing doubt in me regarding your helpers, who are all monkeys and bears." 7

"How would that army of monkeys and bears cross the ocean which cannot be crossed? How would those two sons of the emperor do it?" 8

"The strength to cross this ocean exists only to three of you, who are equals, i.e., you, Wind God and Garuda." 9

"Hey hero, who is greatest among those who achieve, what methods are you going to find out to solve this aspect which is very difficult to solve? " 10

"Hey killer of enemies, you are the only one who can find solution to this problem and you would definitely get fame for doing that." 11

"If Rāma kills Rāvaṇa in war and victoriously takes me along to his city, that only would be proper." 12

"I was abducted by the Rākṣasa, because of the fear that he had for Rāma by using deceit. Suppose Rāghava also does a similar thing, it would not be proper to that great warrior." 13

"That Kākutstha, who can win the enemy, should destroy Lanka along with its army and take me along with him. This only would be suitable to him." 14

"So you please do the needful and do that in a fashion which is suitable to prowess of the great soul and great warrior." 15

Hearing the words, full of meaning, which were according to the tenets of Dharma (just action) and which were logical, I told whatever was remaining to be told. 16

"Hey holy lady, Sugrīva the lord of the army of monkeys and bears, who is the greatest among monkeys and who has a very stable mind has taken an oath to help in your case." 17

"The monkeys under him are very heroic, stable minded, very strong and are capable of carrying out their intentions." 18

"There is no question of their path being stopped either down or up or at an angle. Those very strong valorous ones will not fade in the toughest assignments." 19

"Those monkeys who travel in the path of the wind, who are proud of their strength and who are really great have travelled round the world several times." 20

"In the court of Sugrīva, there are many who are equal or above me, but there are none who are lower than me." 21

"Ordinary people are sent as emissaries and the very best are never sent as emissaries. If even I have reached here, is it necessary to tell about others who are greater than me." 22

"Holy lady do not be sad. Let your sorrow move away. The monkey chieftains will reach here in one jump." 23

"Hey very lucky lady, those two who are like the sun and the moon will reach here climbing on my back." 24

"You are going to see soon Rāghava, who is the killer of enemies and who is similar to a lion, along with his Kodanda at the gate of the city of Lanka along with Lakṣmaṇa." 25

"You would soon see crowd of monkey heroes, who use their nails and teeth as arms and who have valour similar to lions and tigers." 26

"You are going to soon hear the war cry of the war chieftains of monkeys, who are similar to mountains and clouds in the mountains and valleys of Lanka." 27

"You are going to soon see that Rāghava, who kills all his enemies, completes his stay in forest and along with you celebrate the crowning ceremony in Ayodhyā." 28

That princess of Mithilā, who was suffering due to the sorrow for you, hearing my words which were definitely believable and which were, that time about the future welfare, was consoled by me, who was talking seriously and became little peaceful. 29

Thus ends the sixty eighth chapter of Sundara Kanda in the Rāmāyaṇa which is the first epic written by Vālmīki.