Rāmāyana | Sundara Kaṇḍa | Chapter 7

Chapter: 7 Pushpaka Vimāna Seeing

[Hanuman, when he searched the city, further saw the Pushpaka Vimāna and though he was terribly attracted by it. He felt sad because he had not made any progress in search of Sītā.]

That strong Hanuman saw a row of houses, which glittered during rainy season, which were having a flock of birds, which were like a whiff of cloud and which had golden windows inlaid with diamonds. 1

In those houses he saw avenues full of precious conch, arms and bow and further he saw in those mountain like houses broad moon lit paths. 2

He also saw houses, which were won by their own strength, which were free of all blemishes, which were being worshipped by asuras and devas and which were glittering by the several riches in them. 3

He saw the house of the King of Lanka, which was made as a result of great effort, which looked as if it was constructed by Maya (famous Rākṣasa architect) and which was full of all luxuries in the world. 4

(This house was constructed by Viśvakarma, the architect of Gods but looked like one constructed by Maya.)

He saw the very great house, which stood out, like clouds, which had the glitter of the prettiest gold, which was fit to the strength of the King of Rākṣasas and which was definitely pretty. 5

He saw the Pushpaka Vimāna (literally flower like plane) which was like heaven descended to the earth, which was shining because of its wealth, which was full of flowers of several trees, which was covered by pollen, which looked like the tip of the mountain, which was fit to be worshipped, which was made greatly shining similar to the streak of lightning in the clouds by presence of great ladies, which was like the planes of people of good deeds floating in the sky, which was being carried by great swans, which was similar to the tip of the mountain painted using several colours, which was similar to the sky decorated by the moon and the planets, which had many joined big pictures resembling the clouds and which had many paintings decorated by jewels. 6-8

In that Vimāna, there was painting of the earth with its mountains, painting of forests full of trees and the painting of lotus flowers with its petals and sepals. 9

Not only that, pictures of white mansions were painted on it, besides paintings of pretty flower filled lakes, lotus flowers with its tendrils and luxuriously growing forests. 10

That great plane, which was glittering by the shine of precious stones and which was the greatest among the palaces, was called Pushpaka. In it were made several birds flying in the sky, which was made of diamond, silver and corals. Not only that horses of noble lineage, which indicated prosperity and snakes, were also made in it using several types of precious jewels. 11-12

Hanuman again went near that plane and with wonder examined it. The birds made of coral and gold with flower like wings were hung on it. These were with good, bent drooping wings and had very pretty faces. They appeared as if they were the real helpers of the God of love Manmathā. Also elephants with pretty captivating trunks, which were playing in the lotus pond and were catching the

lotus flowers were also found there. Like that the figure of Goddess Lakshmi, whose good event making hands were catching the lotus flowers, was also there. Like this, the very pleasant plane was shining with light, like the end of winter, which had very pleasing perfume and which was like a tree and also like a mountain with many beautiful caves. 13-15

Then the monkey became very thoughtful, because he could not find Sītā, who was only attracted by the good qualities of her husband, who was being worshipped by all good people and who was the daughter of King Janaka, in spite wandering and jumping about all over the worshipful city, which was maintained by the prowess of the ten headed Rākṣasa. 16

The mind of that holy one, who was very intelligent, who did only right actions and who was having several confusing thoughts because he was not able to see the daughter of King Janaka was filled with sorrow. 17

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