Canto 31
Rama’s Ballad
For Seetha’s ears then Rama’s tale
Sang in sonorous tone Hanuman.
In lineage old of Ikshvaakus
Known to all for his valour
Dasarath was the reigning king.
Noble as he was the king
Valued was he like a saint
Power he had to rival gods.
Generous was he by nature
Took he care of his subjects
Ruled he like a god on earth.
For his righteous reign Dasarath
Earned he fame the world over.
Esteemed he his eldest son
Known to all as Lord Rama,
Prowess his to target well
Arrows at his enemies awe.
Wavers not he from dharma
Adheres he to human rights
Keeps his word at every turn
Gives no quarter to enemies.
Stepmother of Ram, Kaikeyi
Wanted who crown for her son
Coerced as she Dasarath then
Gave up Ram thus his birthright
So led Seetha with Lakshman
To the thick woods of Dandak.
Demons that ruled roost in Dandak
Menaced they folk lived all there
Killed them all Ram at one go
Restored he thus righteous reign.
At the news of kindred’s death
Thought of settling scores Ravan,
So he summoned Maareecha
Turned who into golden deer
Tempting Seetha to seek him,
Sent then Seetha Ram to fetch
Magic deer that stole her heart,
Arrow when Ram’s hit Maareech
Rent he cries then mimicking him
Made which Seetha fear for Ram,
Goaded Rama’s wife Lakshman
To go in search of his sibling,
With none there to stand by her
Kidnapped Ravan Seetha then.
Set as he on search for spouse
Came Ram in touch with Sugreev
Stole whose wife his own sibling.
To uphold dharma then Rama
Slew he Vali that mighty
Helping Sugreev ascend throne.
In time as per pact he made
Sent Sugreev his vanar force
In search of Seetha thus missing.
It’s my fortune that I came
Place to this in search of her.
Picture have I of Seetha
Painted for me by Rama.
Won’t this lady well tally
Picture with that Ram gave me?
Spake as he with all his warmth
Looked up Rama’s wife in hope.
Found though she no soul in sight
What she heard then made her glad.
Sensing Seetha’s upbeat mood
From hideout then came out Hanuman.
Canto 32
Is it True?
Aura Hanuman’s made Seetha
Think in terms of sun at dawn
Peeping out of branching trees.
Stared then Seetha in wonder
Hanuman sighted in splendour.
Wondered in awe then Seetha
Who that wondrous vanar was.
As she was at loss to know
What to make of that visitor
Prayed she then Ram for guidance.
Stared as Hanuman at her long
In her awe then swooned Seetha.
Seetha at length pulled herself
Wondered whether she had a dream.
Looked then Seetha all over
Waking up though from her sleep.
Finding Hanuman staring her
Lost she consciousness at once.
Regained sense as she in time
Recalled she then that proverb
Portend simians ill in dreams.
Felt then Seetha to start with
Wink with none in lovelorn state
How she could have had a dream!
Since I tend to think of Ram
All the time with never a pause
What I heard that simian sing
Product could be of my mind.
Song as it’s that my heart sings
Seems my ears have probed inside.
But then it’s no illusion
Him I see in flesh and blood.
May god bless that what he said
Would come true to bring me cheer.
