SUNDARAKANDA CHAPTER 1 Shlokas 11 to 28 Increas ing his height like the swelling during great deluge as Hanumantha had firmly decided to do everything at his powers to ensure the prosperity and success of Sri Rama. With the sole intention of crossing the vast sea, Hanumantha stood tall and huge, while preparing to jump from the earth into the horizon. As he got ready to leap into the horizon, Hanumantha quivered the rocks with his legs and hands.2 Disturbed and shaken by the pressure that emanated from the giant physique of Hanumantha as he jumped, it took a long while for the mountain to settle in its original position and stop trembling. As a consequence, flowers in all the trees withered. Covered entirely with those fallen and withered flowers, the mountain appeared like a huge heap of flowers. Tormented by the inexplicable power of Hanumantha, streams came out of several places in that mountain like a mountain, reminiscent of semen oozing out of the masculine organ of a haughty elephant. Virtually littered by the force of the hands and legs of most powerful Hanumantha, with several of its rocks being cracked and shat- tered, the great Mount Mahendra displayed many golden and several black curved lines on its mien. Crushed and blasted thus (by the superhuman force created by Hanumantha), scattered the giant and mammoth rocks and granite blocks from its exterior like an ordinary wild fire ekes out several lines of smoke. Horrified by the shivers of Mount Mahendra, a large number of wild animals that were hiding in the caves came out from all directions and started screaming and whiling with fear and anxiety. The sound created by the crying and frightened animals that had rushed out of their caves reverberated in all the directions and surrounding forests. Big-hooded serpents with all the rare marks, Swastikalakshanas3, clearly visible on their hoods, came out of their caves, wearing grim and pale faces, producing hot and bright flames of venom, because of the shaking of the mountain. The enraged serpents started biting even the rocks with their tooth. Bitten by those highly venomous serpents, the huge rocks on the Mount Mahendra were set ablaze and within moments, they broke into thousands of pieces and fell apart like fireballs. Even the medicinal plants born on that mountain, which were able to nullify the effect of any ven- om, however, failed to save the rocks from being shattered and blasted due to the biting of deadly serpents. The mountain started vibrating disconcertingly, the red and lotus-eyed Vidyadharas, who were wearing garlands of red flowers and necklaces and had applied sandalwood paste liberally, were in a highly ecstatic mood as they were consuming intoxicants. Frightened by the horrible conditions, they discarded the huge gold utensils containing intoxicants, special kettles of gold, different types of edible pastes, delicacies, different types of meat, and skins of cows and swords that had golden handles, and joined the clouds. Looking at the giant size of Hanumantha and his heavy feet with which he was trampling and tormenting the huge mountain, the female Vidyadharas, who were wearing garlands, necklaces, jewels around their arms, bangles in their wrists, stopped in the sky along with their male partners, smiling in appreciation. Thus, the sages and Vidyadharas dis- played their mystic power called Vayusthambha by standing in the sky without any support, and looked at mountain they had deserted. They heard the dialogues of other ascetics, Siddhas and Cha- ranas, who were also standing in the same manner in the sky, without any support. (28)

Disturbed and shaken by the pressure that emanated from the giant physique of Hanumantha as he jumped, it took a long while for the mountain to settle in its original position and stop trembling. As a consequence, flowers in all the trees withered. Covered entirely with those fallen and withered flowers, the mountain appeared like a huge heap of flowers. Tormented by the inexplicable power of Hanumantha, streams came out of several places in that mountain like a mountain, reminiscent of semen oozing out of the masculine organ of a haughty elephant. Virtually littered by the force of the hands and legs of most powerful Hanumantha, with several of its rocks being cracked and shat- tered, the great Mount Mahendra displayed many golden and several black curved lines on its mien. Crushed and blasted thus (by the superhuman force created by Hanumantha), scattered the giant and mammoth rocks and granite blocks from its exterior like an ordinary wild fire ekes out several lines of smoke. Horrified by the shivers of Mount Mahendra, a large number of wild animals that were hiding in the caves came out from all directions and started screaming and whiling with fear and anxiety. The sound created by the crying and frightened animals that had rushed out of their caves reverberated in all the directions and surrounding forests. Big-hooded serpents with all the rare marks, Swastikalakshanas3, clearly visible on their hoods, came out of their caves, wearing grim and pale faces, producing hot and bright flames of venom, because of the shaking of the mountain. The enraged serpents started biting even the rocks with their tooth. Bitten by those highly venomous serpents, the huge rocks on the Mount Mahendra were set ablaze and within moments, they broke into thousands of pieces and fell apart like fireballs. Even the medicinal plants born on that mountain, which were able to nullify the effect of any ven- om, however, failed to save the rocks from being shattered and blasted due to the biting of deadly serpents. The mountain started vibrating disconcertingly, the red and lotus-eyed Vidyadharas, who were wearing garlands of red flowers and necklaces and had applied sandalwood paste liberally, were in a highly ecstatic mood as they were consuming intoxicants. Frightened by the horrible conditions, they discarded the huge gold utensils containing intoxicants, special kettles of gold, different types of edible pastes, delicacies, different types of meat, and skins of cows and swords that had golden handles, and joined the clouds. Looking at the giant size of Hanumantha and his heavy feet with which he was trampling and tormenting the huge mountain, the female Vidyadharas, who were wearing garlands, necklaces, jewels around their arms, bangles in their wrists, stopped in the sky along with their male partners, smiling in appreciation. Thus, the sages and Vidyadharas dis- played their mystic power called Vayusthambha by standing in the sky without any support, and looked at mountain they had deserted. They heard the dialogues of other ascetics, Siddhas and Cha- ranas, who were also standing in the same manner in the sky, without any support.

Later, the destroyer of enemies, Hanumantha, recalls his inherent prowess and decides to travel by sky, the route meant to be used only by Charanas, to search for Seetha, who had been abducted by Ravana. Hanumantha made up his mind to accomplish an arduous task that none could dream of undertaking or accomplishing. He had none to assist in his efforts. He had decided to complete it all alone. When he stood erect, straightening the neck and raising his head, he was shining like a bull. (1 and 2) That brave and strong Hanumantha was walking up and down whimsically on the green lawn that had spread there like sea water and sparkling like diamond. He drove away the birds by frightening them with his movement. He pushed the trees with his chest and felled them to the ground. Killing a few animals that came in his way, he breathed heavily like a lion. Birds were fleeing in fear as he swiftly travelled past them. Several trees that crashed against his strong bulging chest fell on earth, broken and shattered. Several animals died owing to the force and friction of his legs. In that posture, he was looking like a lion of iron. (3 and 4) The mountain that Hanumantha was climbing was adorned with natural black, red, green, oil-red, white and black streams and waterfalls. (5) Yakshas, Gandharwas and Kinnaras, who could as sume any form at will and the godly Pannagas and their families were roaming about joyously on that mountain. The super monkey, Anjaneya, appeared like a giant tusker standing in a pond. (6 and 7) Hanumantha decided to first join both his palms together and salute Sun, Mahendra, Vayu, Brahma and other Bhutaganas before launching his journey across the ocean1. Hanumantha, who was capable of accom plishing any task with ease, stood facing the east, saluted his father Lord Vayu and began enhancing his physique.(8 and 9). While all the fellow ape-men were looking at him in bewilderment, Hanumantha, who had firmly decided to accomplish the task his master had assigned, went on expanding and swelling his body like the sea swells on the eves of full moon and no moon days. (10).

This is Sundarakanda in Sri Valmeeki Ramayana translated by me. Entire Sundara Kanda will be posted from now on. Sri Rama starts lamenting again after seeing the lily and lotus-laden Pampasarovar and its en- chanting environs. Immediately after seeing the enthralling scenic beauty of Pampasarovar and its surroundings, the psyche and physique of Rama get sensuously charged. Caught in the grip of the mystic power of Manmatha1, the lord of romance and love, Sri Rama tells Lakshmana: ―Lakshmana, with the entire water surface of serene rays glowing like diamond, covered with pink, red, blue and white lilies and lotus flowers, surrounded by dense forest of captivating charm, this Pampasarovar is really looking very attractive. Look at the forest that has covered the lake. Brother, the trees in this forest are very tall and each of them looks like a mountain because of their large, long and sprawling branches. Alas! This spring season has started arousing my hidden passions, even as I am already suffering from the separation of Bharata and the abduction of Vaidehi2. Lakshmana, This Pampasarovar, which issurrounded by bewildering, dark and deep forestand sparkling like a precious stone, is fascinating even me, notwithstanding the fact that I am already distress-stricken. This lake is covered by a variety of entrancing flowers. Filled with cool water, it is sanctifying. A host of lotus flowers has occupied its entire surface. This lake is really looking very attractive. Indeed this Pampa woods is dense with serpents and venomous creatures and it has shel- tered a large number of animals and birds. A variety of trees wearing colorful, gleaming and fra- grant flowers can be seen everywhere in this forest. The blue and green meadows that dot the forest region, are making it look like an artistically embroidered woolen blanket. The tips of trees appear to be swinging due to the weight of flowers. Creepers with young buds and blossoming flowers have embraced all parts of all trees that have also borne flowers of inexplicable charm. Lakshmana, a pleasant breeze is also blowing slowly. Trees are full of flowers and fruits. This fragrant spring season is intensifying the onslaught of Manmatha, the lord of love and pas- sion, on the psyche. Lakshmana, you can perceive the enthralling beauty of this forest with all trees sprinkling flowers that appear like dark clouds bursting out. A variety of trees that have grown be- tween the gorgeous rocks and swinging owing to the continuously blowing winds are covering the sparse plain lands with their fragrant flowers. Look at the bewildering scenic beauty here as it looks as though lord of wind is playing gleefully with some flowers that have already fallen, some still falling and others that adore the trees. Brother, the lord of air is briskly shaking all the branches of trees with his great speed and power. As a result, the bees that were sucking the nectar from flowers on treetops and branches are fluttering out with anxiety and producing a hissing sound. It looks as though lord of air is also singing along with the honeybees. The air blowing out of the caves in the midst of this mountain range has made it look like he is also singing melodiously like a born mu- sician, along with the wind that is whistling. A comprehensive look at this seen will make us fell that Lord Wind is directing the dancing peacocks along with the trees that producing enchanting music. The air is blowing vigorously from all the four directions and trembling the trees. As a result, the branches of trees have intertwined with one another and appear like a garland of trees. Like the sandal paste, the pleasantly smelling air, which can eradicate all fatigue and replace it with de- light and mirth by its mere touch, is blowing slowly in this region, filled with enchanting odor. In the forests that are filled with deliciously scented air, the briskly swinging trees appear as if they are also producing enthralling sound with bees and beetles. The tips of various mountains are spar- kling because of the flowers that the giant trees are wearing.