Canto 33
Genesis of Exile
Seeing Seetha’s demeanour change
Gladdened Hanuman’s heart no end.
Folding his hands in reverence
Approached he then Rama’s wife.
Find thee grieving for some time
What doth make thee feel so sad?
Thy eyes that are all welled up
Make they clear that thou are hurt.
From thy bearing one can see
Come that thou from noble stock.
Tend I think that thou are none
But an angel strayed to earth.
Wonder thou could be North Star
Came down here from those high skies.
Pray thee tell me who art thou
Have thee left thy man in huff?
Seen thee grieving for some time
Have thee lost some dear soul then?
The more I see thee lovely one
All the more I hold thee high.
O thy bearing ’n demeanour
No less empress make thee look.
Are thee hapless Seetha then
Snared by Ravan from thy man?
Making two plus two as four
Take I thee for Rama’s wife.
Spoke as Hanuman to her thus
Seetha thought it fit to speak.
Dasarath was the king of kings
Daughter in-law am his near
Treated me he daughter like.
Seetha am king Janaka’s dear
Given in marriage to Rama
Son of Kausalya the Queen.
In that palace of Koshal
What a life I led with Ram
For the best of twelve summers.
Heavenly rule to bring on earth
Came then time to crown Rama.
Thought it fit then Kaikeyi
Dasarath’s favoured number three
To see her son then ascend throne.
Made she clear then to Dasarath
Surely she would starve to death
Were he to crown Ram instead.
Pressed as she her suit to hilt
Cited she then that caveat
Cater would the king to her
Wishes three all when expressed.
Pulled as by his love for Ram
Stressed as Dasarath to the core
Wanted she that Ram may spend
From then fourteen years in woods.
Bound as Dasarath to his word
Sounded he then his first-born.
Gladly my man gave up then
Birthright his to rule his land.
Ordained thus by Kaikeyi
Set to Dandak woods then Ram.
Wanting hassles none for me
Wanted Ram that I stayed back.
What was there for me to cling
On to Dasarath’s palace then
When my man was not at home?
Not the one to forego Ram
Lakshman too then joined us.
That’s how three of us entered
Those thick jungles of Dandak.
Neared as end of our exile
Snared me Ravan from my man.
Intends Ravan to kill me
Were I to fail to take his hand
No more than in two more months,
Who is there to tell my man
Made up my mind to die now
For none I would have of Ravan.
Canto 34
Swings in Mood
Moved as Hanuman to the core
Made he move to soothe Seetha.
Know am Hanuman Rama’s man
Came in search of thee his spouse.
Rama is so scholarly
Well versed he with four Vedas
Possesses as well Brahmastra
Spares that none in combat zone.
Know Lakshman is no less sad
That he made thee hapless then.
Having heard all what he said
Joyous turned then Rama’s wife.
Hoping for the best in life
How well said that one should live.
Felt all at ease then Seetha
With the simian her man sent.
Seeing change in Seetha thus
Moved he then to reach her close.
What if Ravan came disguised
Developed Seetha thus second thought.
Opened my mind to Ravan
What a fool I made myself!
Taking Hanuman for Ravan
Sank in sorrow then Seetha.
Saddened as her change of stance
Bent then Hanuman in reverence.
Sighed then Seetha at her fate
She at length thus addressed him.
In thy disguise as vanar
Won’t I know thee vile Ravan?
How come thou think I forgot
Saintly garb donned by thee then?
What a shame on thee Ravan
Stalk thou dame so unwilling?
Sensing Hanuman in distress
Looked she into his eyes then,
Feelings what she saw in him
Made her sing a different tune:
Make as thou me feel easy
And that Ravan puts me off
Think my fears are but liars
Seems thou art but Rama’s man.
If thou are by Rama sent
Won’t thee tell me his welfare?
Flood waters as wear river-banks
Rama’s name so weans sorrows.
Is it true and not a dream
That Rama’s Hanuman is with me?
Making nights for me wink-less
That Ram can’t sooth me in dreams
Seems dream-god is jealous of me!
Sights as ’n when man vanar
Said to bring all good tidings,
Came I face-to-face with thee
Won’t it then all portend well?
How come at the drop of hat
Changing am I my thinking?
Time I kept my doubts at bay
Lest Ravan should gain leeway.
In spite of her averments thus
Failed Seetha to trust Hanuman.
Having into shell withdrawn
Kept she then her own counsel.
Having gauged her state of mind
Addressed Hanuman her sweetly.
It’s but sun-like shines thy Ram
Nears him when moon turns all pale.
Him none equals in learning
Rivals gods in kindness Ram.
Sight at his all vile turn pale
Next to him looks Cupid but plain.
Using his man Maareecha
Turned who into golden deer
Contrived Ravan to make Ram
Chase it leaving thee his spouse.
Ram in time would let Ravan
Pay the price for snaring thee.
To make thee privy his intent
Sent I was by thine own Lord.
Lovelorn Ram is crestfallen
Lakshman too is ever eager
To set thee free from evil Ravan.
Pledged his force all Lord Sugreev
That Lord Ram could fight Ravan.
Back home all but think of thee
Know they sent me to trace thee.
Take it won’t thee long to meet
Ram and Lakshman in this spot.
Treats me equal as Sugreev
Servant like I serve thy Ram.
Crossed I know the sea this vast
Bade by Ram to reach thee now.
Know it none of Ravan’s tricks
But am Hanuman Rama’s man.
