MADHWAVIJAYA PRATHAMAHA SARGAHA – SHLOKAS 17, 18, 19

(In these stanzas, the exemplary prowess, devotion and dedication of Hanumantha towards Srirama have been described by employing simple figures of speech. Please read, comment and share. – SDN)

Nibhadya sEtum RaGhuvamshakEtuBhrUBhangasamBhrAtapayODhimaDhyE|

MuShTiprahAram dashakAya SeethAsantarjanAgryOttaramEShakO(a)dAt||17||

SUMMARY: He (Hanumantha) built the bridge across the ocean, which had turned clueless with fear when the flagpost of the dynasty of Raghu, Srirama, raised his eyebrows in rage; he hit Ravana with his fist as a token of response for hurting and troubling Seetha Devi.

JAjwalyamAnOjwalarAGhavAgnau chakrE sa SugreevasuyAyajUkE|

AaDhwaryavam yudhDhamaKhE pratiprasThAtrA SumitrAtanayEna sAkam||18||

SUMMARY: Srirama, who was dazzling and radiant, was like the Fire God; Sugreeva was the good performer (of sacrifice) and with Lakshmana as the Rutwik named PratipratasThAstu, Hanumantha befittingly and effectively donned the role of an Adhwaryu in the sacrifice that was performed in the form of battle of Rama with Ravana.

Additional information: By comparing Hanumantha to an Adhwaryu, the poet has extolled the significant role that Hanumantha played in the sacrifice called battle.

Pratiprasthata is the title given to the priest conducting a sacrifice as per Samaveda. Same priest performing sacrifice under Rig Veda is called Hotru and under Yajur Veda he is called Udgata.

  

RAmArchanE yO nayataha prasUnam dwABhyAm karABhyAmaBhavat prayatnaha|

YEkEna dOShNAnayatO gireendram sanjeevAdyAshrayamasya nABhUt||19||

SUMMARY: Hanumantha did not so much difficulty or pain when he brought the giant mountain Gandhamadan that contained Sanjeevini and other medicinal herbs with a lone hand as he used to experience while fetching fragrant flowers in both palms for Rama to offer routine worship or puja.

Mount Gandhamadana was 100 Yojana high and 100 Yojana broad. It was situated at a distance of about 50,000 Yojanas from the battlefield. Hanumantha brought that huge mountain by one hand. What is more praiseworthy in this Shloka is that the poet has categorically stated that any service dedicated to the Lord is as easy as lifting a flower. Moreover, Hanumantha had brought Mount Gandhamadana on two occasions. Once it was to relieve Lakshmana and other monkeys from the stranglehold of Nagapasha and secondly to revive the life of Lakshmana after he was almost on the verge of death during his war with Ravana.