Canto 11
Qualms of Celibate
Felt soon Hanuman that Seetha
Forsake would not her Lord Ram.
How could forlorn Seetha then
Would have had that happy look?
Could ever Seetha find a man
Who would out tempt her Rama?
In his search for Rama’s spouse
Went in Hanuman further down.
To his surprise there he found
Many more in wait for Ravan.
After a bout of game of dice
Worn out there lay some on beds.
On their sexiness lasses
Indulged then in innuendos.
Some as cracked crude party jokes
Rest of them had heck of time.
Praised all each other’s wantonness
Bragged they all about ways of flesh.
Felt then Hanuman if at dawn
Should Ravan all lay them true
Makes him raging bull in pen.
Finds as he his mates on heat
Looks he no less king elephant.
Meant to succor their sex urge
Sweets varied were well laid there.
Found he there lay on platter
Meat of deer and boars deep-fried.
‘Use-me’ vessels of solid gold
Brimming there with leftovers.
Beasts assorted were slaughtered
For the sumptuous meal they had.
Recipes all of fish he found
Flesh as well of birds roasted.
Plentiful lay food vegetarian
Fresh that was and spicy too.
Besides silver jars of wine
Desserts were there in gold plates.
On the cots that lined furlongs
Spread were jasmines one foot deep.
Corals those that filled the floors
Seemed they all like burning coals.
Aroma of the food there lay
All the more them made hungry.
Served were juices of fresh fruits
Spirits they raised in there gathered.
Mean it was no that quarter
Than those chambers of Ravan.
Entered storeroom as Hanuman
Found he racks and racks of gold.
Saw he wine in vats of gold
Studded which all with rare gems.
Vats of silver there he found
With half full of wine still left.
Lay there mounds of food so fresh
Feed which could scores hungry souls.
Found be broken goblets there
Stamped by maidens in their haste.
Stepped he out of that quarter
Straight into that banquet hall
Lesbians full in their couplings.
In their pairs they shared blankets
Which in turns they pulled on each.
Breath of some made own pallus
Ripple like reeds in windy climes.
Aroma from their breath then matched
With those dregs of wine they left.
Sea breeze that was so profuse
Scent theirs took to all corners.
In that banquet hall were found
Beauties black ‘n blonds as well.
Worn out as by excess sex
Looked some then like shrunken bees.
Women of allure though they were
None had charms of Rama’s spouse.
Celibate that he was Hanuman
Developed thus he qualms of own
If the sight was right for him!
Doubts came thick and fast to him
Turned if he then peeping Tom.
Blamed he Ravan for his plight
Act whose brought him to that pass.
Single minded that Hanuman
Aside he set his doubts in time.
For he had no covetous look
Women all failed to excite him.
Felt he nice that his own mind
Helped his celibate intent then.
What else could he do to find
Seetha than to scan fair sex.
Would one expect to find her
Amidst a flock of deer on run.
With no stone as left unturned
Alas, Seetha he couldn’t find.
Lovely women all he found there
But not Seetha his Lord’s spouse.
Looked he then back at Pushpak
Searched he which from tip to toe.
Not the one to leave mid-course
Pursued Hanuman Seetha’s search.
