Sundar Kand Dohas 1 to 10: The Sea Crossing and Sita Found, with Meaning

Chaupai 1

जामवंत के बचन सुहाए। सुनि हनुमंत हृदय अति भाए ॥
तब लगि मोहि परिखेहु तुम्ह भाई। सहि दुख कंद मूल फल खाई ॥

Jamavant ke bachan suhae, suni hanumant hriday ati bhae
Tab lagi mohi parikhehu tumh bhai, sahi dukh kand mul phal khai

MeaningHanuman was glad to hear Jambavan's good words, and they pleased him deeply. He asked his companions to wait for him, bearing hardship and living on roots and fruit.

Chaupai 2

जब लगि आवौं सीतहि देखी। होइहि काजु मोहि हरष बिसेषी ॥
यह कहि नाइ सबन्हि कहुँ माथा। चलेउ हरषि हियँ धरि रघुनाथा ॥

Jab lagi avaum sitahi dekhi, hoihi kaju mohi harash biseshi
Yah kahi nai sabanhi kahun matha, chaleu harashi hiyan dhari raghunatha

MeaningHe said they should wait until he had seen Sita and returned, and he felt a great joy that the task would succeed. Bowing his head to them all, he set out gladly with Rama in his heart.

Chaupai 3

सिंधु तीर एक भूधर सुंदर। कौतुक कूदि चढ़ेउ ता ऊपर ॥
बार बार रघुबीर सँभारी। तरकेउ पवनतनय बल भारी ॥

Sindhu tir ek bhudhar sundara, kautuk kudi charheu ta upar
Bar bar raghubir sanbhari, tarakeu pavanatanay bal bhari

MeaningThere was a lovely mountain on the sea shore, and Hanuman climbed it in play. Remembering the hero of the Raghus again and again, the son of the Wind sprang up with great force.

Chaupai 4

जेहिं गिरि चरन देइ हनुमंता। चलेउ सो गा पाताल तुरंता ॥
जिमि अमोघ रघुपति कर बाना। एही भाँति चलेउ हनुमाना ॥

Jehim giri charan dei hanumanta, chaleu so ga patal turanta
Jimi amogh raghupati kar bana, ehi bhanti chaleu hanumana

MeaningThe mountain under his feet sank at once into the underworld. Like Rama's unfailing arrow, Hanuman sped along in the same way.

Chaupai 5

जलनिधि रघुपति दूत बिचारी। तैं मैनाक होहि श्रमहारी ॥

Jalanidhi raghupati dut bichari, taim mainak hohi shramahari

MeaningThe ocean, seeing him as Rama's messenger, told the mountain Mainaka to rise up and ease his tiredness.

Doha 1

हनूमान तेहि परसा कर पुनि कीन्ह प्रनाम।
राम काजु कीन्हें बिनु मोहि कहाँ बिश्राम ॥

Hanuman tehi parasa kar puni kinh pranama
Ram kaju kinhem binu mohi kahan bishram

MeaningHanuman touched Mainaka with his hand, then bowed to him and said that there was no rest for him until Rama's work was done.

Chaupai 1

जात पवनसुत देवन्ह देखा। जानैं कहुँ बल बुद्धि बिसेषा ॥
सुरसा नाम अहिन्ह कै माता। पठइन्हि आइ कही तेहिं बाता ॥

Jat pavanasut devanh dekha, janaim kahun bal buddhi bisesha
Surasa nam ahinh kai mata, pathainhi ai kahi tehim bata

MeaningAs the son of the Wind flew on, the gods saw him and wished to test his strength and wisdom. They sent Surasa, mother of the serpents, who came and spoke to him.

Chaupai 2

आजु सुरन्ह मोहि दीन्ह अहारा। सुनत बचन कह पवनकुमारा ॥
राम काजु करि फिरि मैं आवौं। सीता कइ सुधि प्रभुहि सुनावौं ॥

Aju suranh mohi dinh ahara, sunat bachan kah pavanakumara
Ram kaju kari phiri maim avaum, sita kai sudhi prabhuhi sunavaum

MeaningShe said the gods had given him to her as her meal today. Hearing this, Hanuman replied that he would finish Rama's work, return, and give Sita's news to his lord.

Chaupai 3

तब तव बदन पैठिहउँ आई। सत्य कहउँ मोहि जान दे माई ॥
कबनेहुँ जतन देइ नहिं जाना। ग्रससि न मोहि कहेउ हनुमाना ॥

Tab tav badan paithihaun ai, saty kahaun mohi jan de mai
Kabanehun jatan dei nahim jana, grasasi n mohi kaheu hanumana

MeaningHe said, 'I will enter your mouth then, mother, I tell you truly, so let me go.' When she would not let him pass by any means, Hanuman said, 'Then swallow me.'

Chaupai 4

जोजन भरि तेहिं बदनु पसारा। कपि तनु कीन्ह दुगुन बिस्तारा ॥
सोरह जोजन मुख तेहिं ठयऊ। तुरत पवनसुत बत्तिस भयऊ ॥

Jojan bhari tehim badanu pasara, kapi tanu kinh dugun bistara
Sorah jojan mukh tehim thayau, turat pavanasut battis bhayau

MeaningShe opened her mouth a full yojana (about eight miles) wide, and the monkey doubled his size. She made it sixteen yojanas, and at once the son of the Wind grew to thirty-two.

Chaupai 5

जस जस सुरसा बदनु बढ़ावा। तासु दून कपि रूप देखावा ॥
सत जोजन तेहिं आनन कीन्हा। अति लघु रूप पवनसुत लीन्हा ॥

Jas jas surasa badanu barhava, tasu dun kapi rup dekhava
Sat jojan tehim anan kinha, ati laghu rup pavanasut linha

MeaningAs Surasa widened her mouth, Hanuman showed a form twice as large. When she made it a hundred yojanas, he took on a very tiny form.

Chaupai 6

बदन पइठि पुनि बाहेर आवा। मागा बिदा ताहि सिरु नावा ॥
मोहि सुरन्ह जेहि लागि पठावा। बुधि बल मरमु तोर मै पावा ॥

Badan paithi puni baher ava, maga bida tahi siru nava
Mohi suranh jehi lagi pathava, budhi bal maramu tor mai pava

MeaningHe slipped into her mouth, came out again, and bowed his head as he asked leave to go. He said he had learned the measure of her wits and strength, which was why the gods had sent her.

Doha 2

राम काजु सबु करिहहु तुम्ह बल बुद्धि निधान।
आसिष देइ गई सो हरषि चलेउ हनुमान ॥

Ram kaju sabu karihahu tumh bal buddhi nidhana
Asish dei gai so harashi chaleu hanuman

MeaningShe said he would accomplish all of Rama's work, for he was a storehouse of strength and wisdom. Blessing him, she went away, and Hanuman went on gladly.

Chaupai 1

निसिचरि एक सिंधु महुँ रहई। करि माया नभु के खग गहई ॥
जीव जंतु जे गगन उड़ाहीं। जल बिलोकि तिन्ह कै परिछाहीं ॥

Nisichari ek sindhu mahun rahai, kari maya nabhu ke khag gahai
Jiv jantu je gagan uड़ाhim, jal biloki tinh kai parichhahim

MeaningA demoness lived in the sea who used magic to catch birds in the sky. She would watch for any creature flying overhead and see its shadow in the water.

Chaupai 2

गहइ छाहँ सक सो न उड़ाई। एहि बिधि सदा गगनचर खाई ॥
सोइ छल हनूमान कहँ कीन्हा। तासु कपटु कपि तुरतहिं चीन्हा ॥

Gahai chhahan sak so n uड़ाi, ehi bidhi sada gaganachar khai
Soi chhal hanuman kahan kinha, tasu kapatu kapi turatahim chinha

MeaningShe seized the shadow, and so the creature could not fly on, and in this way she always ate those that travel in the air. She played the same trick on Hanuman, but he saw through her deceit at once.

Chaupai 3

ताहि मारि मारुतसुत बीरा। बारिधि पार गयउ मतिधीरा ॥
तहाँ जाइ देखी बन सोभा। गुंजत चंचरीक मधु लोभा ॥

Tahi mari marutasut bira, baridhi par gayau matidhira
Tahan jai dekhi ban sobha, gunjat chancharik madhu lobha

MeaningThe brave son of the Wind killed her and crossed to the far shore with a steady mind. There he saw the beauty of the woods, where bees hummed, greedy for honey.

Chaupai 4

नाना तरु फल फूल सुहाए। खग मृग बृंद देखि मन भाए ॥
सैल बिसाल देखि एक आगें। ता पर धाइ चढेउ भय त्यागें ॥

Nana taru phal phul suhae, khag mrig brind dekhi man bhae
Sail bisal dekhi ek agem, ta par dhai chadheu bhay tyagem

MeaningThere were many trees with fruit and flowers, and herds of birds and deer that pleased the heart. Seeing a large mountain ahead, he ran up it without fear.

Chaupai 5

उमा न कछु कपि कै अधिकाई। प्रभु प्रताप जो कालहि खाई ॥
गिरि पर चढि लंका तेहिं देखी। कहि न जाइ अति दुर्ग बिसेषी ॥

Uma n kachhu kapi kai adhikai, prabhu pratap jo kalahi khai
Giri par chadhi lanka tehim dekhi, kahi n jai ati durg biseshi

MeaningShiva tells Uma that this was no great deed of the monkey's own, since it was the power of the Lord, who consumes even Death. From the mountain he looked at Lanka, a fortress whose strength cannot be told.

Chaupai 6

अति उतंग जलनिधि चहु पासा। कनक कोट कर परम प्रकासा ॥

Ati utang jalanidhi chahu pasa, kanak kot kar param prakasa

MeaningThe city stood very high with the sea on every side, and the golden wall around it shone brilliantly.

Chhand

कनक कोट बिचित्र मनि कृत सुंदरायतना घना।
चउहट्ट हट्ट सुबट्ट बीथीं चारु पुर बहु बिधि बना ॥
गज बाजि खच्चर निकर पदचर रथ बरूथिन्ह को गनै ॥
बहुरूप निसिचर जूथ अतिबल सेन बरनत नहिं बनै ॥

Kanak kot bichitr mani krit sundarayatana ghana
Chauhatt hatt subatt bithim charu pur bahu bidhi bana
Gaj baji khachchar nikar padachar rath baruthinh ko ganai
Bahurup nisichar juth atibal sen baranat nahim banai

MeaningThe city had a golden wall set with wonderful jewels and many fine buildings. It had crossroads, markets and lovely streets, and the crowds of elephants, horses, mules, foot soldiers and chariots were too many to count. Demon bands of every shape and great strength made an army that could not be described.

Chhand

बन बाग उपबन बाटिका सर कूप बापीं सोहहीं।
नर नाग सुर गंधर्ब कन्या रूप मुनि मन मोहहीं ॥
कहुँ माल देह बिसाल सैल समान अतिबल गर्जहीं।
नाना अखारेन्ह भिरहिं बहु बिधि एक एकन्ह तर्जहीं ॥

Ban bag upaban batika sar kup bapim sohahim
Nar nag sur gandharb kanya rup muni man mohahim
Kahun mal deh bisal sail saman atibal garjahim
Nana akharenh bhirahim bahu bidhi ek ekanh tarjahim

MeaningThere were woods, gardens, orchards, lakes, wells and stepped pools. The daughters of men, nagas, gods and gandharvas were so beautiful that they stirred even sages. In places huge wrestlers with mountain-like bodies roared, and in many arenas they fought and threatened one another in countless ways.

Chhand

करि जतन भट कोटिन्ह बिकट तन नगर चहुँ दिसि रच्छहीं।
कहुँ महिष मानषु धेनु खर अज खल निसाचर भच्छहीं ॥
एहि लागि तुलसीदास इन्ह की कथा कछु एक है कही।
रघुबीर सर तीरथ सरीरन्हि त्यागि गति पैहहिं सही ॥

Kari jatan bhat kotinh bikat tan nagar chahun disi rachchhahim
Kahun mahish manashu dhenu khar aj khal nisachar bhachchhahim
Ehi lagi tulasidas inh ki katha kachhu ek hai kahi
Raghubir sar tirath sariranhi tyagi gati paihahim sahi

MeaningCrores of fearsome warriors guard the city on every side with great care, while elsewhere wicked demons eat buffaloes, men, cows, donkeys and goats. Tulsidas says he tells only a little of their tale, since they will surely reach a good end when they give up their bodies at the sacred ford of Raghubir's arrows.

Doha 3

पुर रखवारे देखि बहु कपि मन कीन्ह बिचार।
अति लघु रूप धरौं निसि नगर करौं पइसार ॥

Pur rakhavare dekhi bahu kapi man kinh bichara
Ati laghu rup dharaum nisi nagar karaum paisar

MeaningSeeing many guards at the gates, the monkey thought it over and decided to take a very small form and enter the city at night.

Chaupai 1

मसक समान रूप कपि धरी। लंकहि चलेउ सुमिरि नरहरी ॥
नाम लंकिनी एक निसिचरी। सो कह चलेसि मोहि निंदरी ॥

Masak saman rup kapi dhari, lankahi chaleu sumiri narahari
Nam lankini ek nisichari, so kah chalesi mohi nindari

MeaningHe took the form of a mosquito and set out for Lanka, remembering Narahari (Vishnu as the man-lion). A demoness named Lankini asked him where he was going, as if he were scorning her.

Chaupai 2

जानेहि नहीं मरमु सठ मोरा। मोर अहार जहाँ लगि चोरा ॥
मुठिका एक महा कपि हनी। रुधिर बमत धरनीं ढनमनी ॥

Janehi nahim maramu sath mora, mor ahar jahan lagi chora
Muthika ek maha kapi hani, rudhir bamat dharanim dhanamani

MeaningShe said, 'Fool, do you not know my secret? Every thief who comes here is my food.' The great monkey struck her once with his fist, and she fell to the ground vomiting blood.

Chaupai 3

पुनि संभारि उठि सो लंका। जोरि पानि कर बिनय संसका ॥
जब रावनहि ब्रह्म बर दीन्हा। चलत बिरंचि कहा मोहि चीन्हा ॥

Puni sambhari uthi so lanka, jori pani kar binay samsaka
Jab ravanahi brahm bar dinha, chalat biranchi kaha mohi chinha

MeaningLankini rose again and recovered herself, and with joined hands she spoke in fear. She said that when Brahma gave Ravana his boon, he told her the sign by which she would know the end of the demons.

Chaupai 4

बिकल होसि तैं कपि कें मारे। तब जानेसु निसिचर संघारे ॥
तात मोर अति पुन्य बहूता। देखेउँ नयन राम कर दूता ॥

Bikal hosi taim kapi kem mare, tab janesu nisichar sanghare
Tat mor ati puny bahuta, dekheun nayan ram kar duta

MeaningHe said that when a monkey's blow made her helpless, she should know the demons were being destroyed. She added that her merit must be great, since she had seen with her own eyes the messenger of Rama.

Doha 4

तात स्वर्ग अपबर्ग सुख धरिअ तुला एक अंग।
तूल न ताहि सकल मिलि जो सुख लव सतसंग ॥

Tat svarg apabarg sukh dharia tula ek anga
Tul n tahi sakal mili jo sukh lav satasang

MeaningIf heaven and liberation were put on one side of a scale, they would not match the joy of even a moment in the company of the good.

Chaupai 1

प्रबिसि नगर कीजे सब काजा। हृदयँ राखि कौसलपुर राजा ॥
गरल सुधा रिपु करहिं मिताई। गोपद सिंधु अनल सितलाई ॥

Prabisi nagar kije sab kaja, hridayan rakhi kausalapur raja
Garal sudha ripu karahim mitai, gopad sindhu anal sitalai

MeaningShe told him to enter the city and do all his work, keeping the king of Kosala in his heart. For one who does so, poison turns to nectar, enemies turn friendly, the sea becomes like a cow's hoofprint and fire turns cool.

Chaupai 2

गरुड़ सुमेरु रेनू सम ताही। राम कृपा करि चितवा जाही ॥
अति लघु रूप धरेउ हनुमाना। पैठा नगर सुमिरि भगवाना ॥

Garuड़ sumeru renu sam tahi, ram kripa kari chitava jahi
Ati laghu rup dhareu hanumana, paitha nagar sumiri bhagavana

MeaningMount Sumeru becomes light as dust for the one on whom Rama has cast a kind look. Hanuman took a very small form, remembered the Lord, and went into the city.

Chaupai 3

मंदिर मंदिर प्रति करि सोधा। देखे जहँ तहँ अगनित जोधा ॥
गयउ दसानन मंदिर माहीं। अति बिचित्र कहि जात सो नाहीं ॥

Mandir mandir prati kari sodha, dekhe jahan tahan aganit jodha
Gayau dasanan mandir mahim, ati bichitr kahi jat so nahim

MeaningHe searched house after house and saw countless warriors here and there. He then came to Ravana's palace, which was so wonderful that it cannot be told.

Chaupai 4

सयन किए देखा कपि तेही। मंदिर महुँ न दीखि बैदेही ॥
भवन एक पुनि दीख सुहावा। हरि मंदिर तहँ भिन्न बनावा ॥

Sayan kie dekha kapi tehi, mandir mahun n dikhi baidehi
Bhavan ek puni dikh suhava, hari mandir tahan bhinn banava

MeaningHe saw Ravana asleep, but he did not see Vaidehi (Sita) in that palace. Then he saw another pleasing house, where a separate temple of Hari had been built.

Doha 5

रामायुध अंकित गृह सोभा बरनि न जाइ।
नव तुलसिका बृंद तहँ देखि हरषि कपिराइ ॥

Ramayudh ankit grih sobha barani n jai
Nav tulasika brind tahan dekhi harashi kapirai

MeaningThe house was marked with Rama's weapons, and its beauty cannot be told. The lord of the monkeys was glad to see a clump of fresh tulsi plants there.

Chaupai 1

लंका निसिचर निकर निवासा। इहाँ कहाँ सज्जन कर बासा ॥
मन महुँ तरक करै कपि लागा। तेहीं समय बिभीषनु जागा ॥

Lanka nisichar nikar nivasa, ihan kahan sajjan kar basa
Man mahun tarak karai kapi laga, tehim samay bibhishanu jaga

MeaningHe thought that Lanka was a place of demon crowds, so how could a good person live here. As the monkey argued within his mind, Vibhishana woke up at that moment.

Chaupai 2

राम राम तेहिं सुमिरन कीन्हा। हृदयँ हरष कपि सज्जन चीन्हा ॥
एहि सन हठि करिहउँ पहिचानी। साधु ते होइ न कारज हानी ॥

Ram ram tehim sumiran kinha, hridayan harash kapi sajjan chinha
Ehi san hathi karihaun pahichani, sadhu te hoi n karaj hani

MeaningVibhishana remembered Rama's name, and Hanuman was glad at heart to know him as a good man. He decided to speak to him on his own account, for dealing with a good person does no harm to the work.

Chaupai 3

बिप्र रुप धरि बचन सुनाए। सुनत बिभीषण उठि तहँ आए ॥
करि प्रनाम पूँछी कुसलाई। बिप्र कहहु निज कथा बुझाई ॥

Bipr rup dhari bachan sunae, sunat bibhishan uthi tahan ae
Kari pranam punchhi kusalai, bipr kahahu nij katha bujhai

MeaningTaking the form of a brahmin, he spoke to him, and Vibhishana got up and came over on hearing it. He bowed, asked how he was, and said, 'Brahmin, tell me your story plainly.'

Chaupai 4

की तुम्ह हरि दासन्ह महँ कोई। मोरें हृदय प्रीति अति होई ॥
की तुम्ह रामु दीन अनुरागी। आयहु मोहि करन बड़भागी ॥

Ki tumh hari dasanh mahan koi, morem hriday priti ati hoi
Ki tumh ramu din anuragi, ayahu mohi karan baड़bhagi

MeaningHe asked whether he was one of the servants of Hari, since his heart felt great love for him. Or was he Rama himself, who loves the poor, come to bless him?

Doha 6

तब हनुमंत कही सब राम कथा निज नाम।
सुनत जुगल तन पुलक मन मगन सुमिरि गुन ग्राम ॥

Tab hanumant kahi sab ram katha nij nama
Sunat jugal tan pulak man magan sumiri gun gram

MeaningThen Hanuman told him the whole story of Rama and gave his own name. Hearing it, both bodies thrilled, and their minds were lost in remembering Rama's qualities.

Chaupai 1

सुनहु पवनसुत रहनि हमारी। जिमि दसनन्हि महुँ जीभ बिचारी ॥
तात कबहुँ मोहि जानि अनाथा। करिहहिं कृपा भानुकुल नाथा ॥

Sunahu pavanasut rahani hamari, jimi dasananhi mahun jibh bichari
Tat kabahun mohi jani anatha, karihahim kripa bhanukul natha

MeaningVibhishana said, 'Listen, son of the Wind, how I live, like a tongue among the teeth. Dear one, will the lord of the Sun's line ever think of me as without protector and be kind to me?'

Chaupai 2

तामस तनु कछु साधन नाहीं। प्रीति न पद सरोज मन माहीं ॥
अब मोहि भा भरोस हनुमंता। बिनु हरिकृपा मिलहिं नहिं संता ॥

Tamas tanu kachhu sadhan nahim, priti n pad saroj man mahim
Ab mohi bha bharos hanumanta, binu harikripa milahim nahim santa

MeaningHe said his body was of dull nature and he had no practice of devotion, and no love for Rama's lotus feet in his mind. But now he felt confident, since holy ones are met only by the grace of Hari.

Chaupai 3

जौ रघुबीर अनुग्रह कीन्हा। तौ तुम्ह मोहि दरसु हठि दीन्हा ॥
सुनहु बिभीषन प्रभु कै रीती। करहिं सदा सेवक पर प्रीती ॥

Jau raghubir anugrah kinha, tau tumh mohi darasu hathi dinha
Sunahu bibhishan prabhu kai riti, karahim sada sevak par priti

MeaningVibhishana went on: if Raghubir has shown him favour, then Hanuman has insisted on giving him this sight of himself. Hanuman answered, 'Hear, Vibhishana, the way of my lord, who always loves those who serve him.'

Chaupai 4

कहहु कवन मैं परम कुलीना। कपि चंचल सबहीं बिधि हीना ॥
प्रात लेइ जो नाम हमारा। तेहि दिन ताहि न मिलै अहारा ॥

Kahahu kavan maim param kulina, kapi chanchal sabahim bidhi hina
Prat lei jo nam hamara, tehi din tahi n milai ahara

MeaningHe added, 'Tell me, how noble am I? I am a restless monkey and lacking in every way. Whoever says our name in the morning does not find food that day.'

Doha 7

अस मैं अधम सखा सुनु मोहू पर रघुबीर।
कीन्ही कृपा सुमिरि गुन भरे बिलोचन नीर ॥

As maim adham sakha sunu mohu par raghubira
Kinhi kripa sumiri gun bhare bilochan nir

MeaningHanuman said, 'Friend, listen, I am just so low, and yet Raghubir has shown kindness even to me.' Remembering the Lord's qualities, his eyes filled with tears.

Chaupai 1

जानतहूँ अस स्वामि बिसारी। फिरहिं ते काहे न होहिं दुखारी ॥
एहि बिधि कहत राम गुन ग्रामा। पावा अनिर्बाच्य बिश्रामा ॥

Janatahun as svami bisari, phirahim te kahe n hohim dukhari
Ehi bidhi kahat ram gun grama, pava anirbachy bishrama

MeaningHe said that those who know all this and still forget such a master, how could they not be unhappy. Speaking of Rama's qualities in this way, the two found a peace that no words can describe.

Chaupai 2

पुनि सब कथा बिभीषन कही। जेहि बिधि जनकसुता तहँ रही ॥
तब हनुमंत कहा सुनु भ्राता। देखी चहउँ जानकी माता ॥

Puni sab katha bibhishan kahi, jehi bidhi janakasuta tahan rahi
Tab hanumant kaha sunu bhrata, dekhi chahaun janaki mata

MeaningVibhishana then told all about how Sita was kept there. Hanuman said, 'Listen, brother, I wish to see Mother Janaki.'

Chaupai 3

जुगुति बिभीषन सकल सुनाई। चलेउ पवनसुत बिदा कराई ॥
करि सोइ रूप गयउ पुनि तहवाँ। बन असोक सीता रह जहवाँ ॥

Juguti bibhishan sakal sunai, chaleu pavanasut bida karai
Kari soi rup gayau puni tahavan, ban asok sita rah jahavan

MeaningVibhishana told him the plan in full, and Hanuman took his leave and went. He took the same small form and reached the Ashoka grove where Sita was.

Chaupai 4

देखि मनहि महुँ कीन्ह प्रनामा। बैठेहिं बीति जात निसि जामा ॥
कृस तन सीस जटा एक बेनी। जपति हृदयँ रघुपति गुन श्रेनी ॥

Dekhi manahi mahun kinh pranama, baithehim biti jat nisi jama
Kris tan sis jata ek beni, japati hridayan raghupati gun shreni

MeaningSeeing her, he bowed to her in his mind, while she sat as the hours of the night were passing. Her body was thin, her hair was bound in a single braid, and she was repeating in her heart the many qualities of Rama.

Doha 8

निज पद नयन दिएँ मन राम पद कमल लीन।
परम दुखी भा पवनसुत देखि जानकी दीन ॥

Nij pad nayan dien man ram pad kamal lina
Param dukhi bha pavanasut dekhi janaki din

MeaningShe kept her eyes on her own feet and her mind absorbed in the lotus feet of Rama. Seeing Janaki so wretched, the son of the Wind was greatly pained.

Chaupai 1

तरु पल्लव महुँ रहा लुकाई। करइ बिचार करौं का भाई ॥
तेहि अवसर रावनु तहँ आवा। संग नारि बहु किएँ बनावा ॥

Taru pallav mahun raha lukai, karai bichar karaum ka bhai
Tehi avasar ravanu tahan ava, sang nari bahu kien banava

MeaningHe hid among the leaves of the tree and thought, 'What should I do, brother?' Just then Ravana came there, with many women beside him, richly adorned.

Chaupai 2

बहु बिधि खल सीतहि समुझावा। साम दान भय भेद देखावा ॥
कह रावनु सुनु सुमुखि सयानी। मंदोदरी आदि सब रानी ॥

Bahu bidhi khal sitahi samujhava, sam dan bhay bhed dekhava
Kah ravanu sunu sumukhi sayani, mandodari adi sab rani

MeaningThe wicked one tried to persuade Sita in many ways, using gentle words, gifts, fear and division. Ravana said, 'Listen, wise and fair-faced one, all my queens, Mandodari and the rest,

Chaupai 3

तव अनुचरीं करउँ पन मोरा। एक बार बिलोकु मम ओरा ॥
तृन धरि ओट कहति बैदेही। सुमिरि अवधपति परम सनेही ॥

Tav anucharim karaun pan mora, ek bar biloku mam ora
Trin dhari ot kahati baidehi, sumiri avadhapati param sanehi

Meaningwill become your servants, this is my vow. Look at me just once.' Placing a blade of grass between them as a screen, Vaidehi answered, thinking of her most loving lord of Awadh.

Chaupai 4

सुनु दसमुख खद्योत प्रकासा। कबहुँ कि नलिनी करइ बिकासा ॥
अस मन समुझु कहति जानकी। खल सुधि नहिं रघुबीर बान की ॥

Sunu dasamukh khadyot prakasa, kabahun ki nalini karai bikasa
As man samujhu kahati janaki, khal sudhi nahim raghubir ban ki

MeaningShe said, 'Listen, ten-headed one, can a glow-worm's light ever make the lotus bloom?' Janaki added that he should understand this, and said the wicked one did not know the force of Raghubir's arrow.

Chaupai 5

सठ सूने हरि आनेहि मोहि। अधम निलज्ज लाज नहिं तोही ॥

Sath sune hari anehi mohi, adham nilajj laj nahim tohi

MeaningSita said, 'Fool, you carried me off while Hari was away, you low and shameless man. Have you no shame?'

Doha 9

आपुहि सुनि खद्योत सम रामहि भानु समान।
परुष बचन सुनि काढ़ि असि बोला अति खिसिआन ॥

Apuhi suni khadyot sam ramahi bhanu samana
Parush bachan suni karhi asi bola ati khisian

MeaningHearing Sita liken him to a glow-worm and Rama to the sun, and hearing her hard words, Ravana drew his sword and spoke in great rage.

Chaupai 1

सीता तैं मम कृत अपमाना। कटिहउँ तव सिर कठिन कृपाना ॥
नाहिं त सपदि मानु मम बानी। सुमुखि होति न त जीवन हानी ॥

Sita taim mam krit apamana, katihaun tav sir kathin kripana
Nahim t sapadi manu mam bani, sumukhi hoti n t jivan hani

MeaningRavana said, 'Sita, you have insulted me, and I will cut off your head with this hard sword. Otherwise accept my word at once, fair one, or you lose your life.'

Chaupai 2

स्याम सरोज दाम सम सुंदर। प्रभु भुज करि कर सम दसकंधर ॥
सो भुज कंठ कि तव असि घोरा। सुनु सठ अस प्रवान पन मोरा ॥

Syam saroj dam sam sundara, prabhu bhuj kari kar sam dasakandhar
So bhuj kanth ki tav asi ghora, sunu sath as pravan pan mora

MeaningSita said that her lord's arms are lovely like a garland of dark blue lotuses or like an elephant's trunk. Either that arm would rest on her neck, she said, or Ravana's terrible sword would. 'Listen, fool, this is my firm vow.'

Chaupai 3

चंद्रहास हरु मम परितापं। रघुपति बिरह अनल संजातं ॥
सीतल निसित बहसि बर धारा। कह सीता हरु मम दुख भारा ॥

Chandrahas haru mam paritapam, raghupati birah anal sanjatam
Sital nisit bahasi bar dhara, kah sita haru mam dukh bhara

MeaningShe said, 'Moon-bright sword, take away my burning pain, the fire born from parting from Raghupati.' She asked its cool, sharp and splendid edge to carry away her heavy sorrow.

Chaupai 4

सुनत बचन पुनि मारन धावा। मयतनयाँ कहि नीति बुझावा ॥
कहेसि सकल निसिचरिन्ह बोलाई। सीतहि बहु बिधि त्रासहु जाई ॥

Sunat bachan puni maran dhava, mayatanayan kahi niti bujhava
Kahesi sakal nisicharinh bolai, sitahi bahu bidhi trasahu jai

MeaningHearing this, he ran at her again to kill her, but Mandodari (Maya's daughter) calmed him with good counsel. Then he called all the demonesses and told them to frighten Sita in many ways.

Chaupai 5

मास दिवस महुँ कहा न माना। तौ मैं मारबि काढ़ि कृपाना ॥

Mas divas mahun kaha n mana, tau maim marabi karhi kripana

MeaningHe said that if she did not obey within a month, he would draw his sword and kill her.

Doha 10

भवन गयउ दसकंधर इहाँ पिसाचिनि बृंद।
सीतहि त्रास देखावहि धरहिं रूप बहु मंद ॥

Bhavan gayau dasakandhar ihan pisachini brinda
Sitahi tras dekhavahi dharahim rup bahu mand

MeaningRavana went back to his palace, and here the host of demonesses took many ugly forms and tried to frighten Sita.