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|| om tat sat||

Sundarakanda
Sarga 14

atha caturdaśassargaḥ
(with Sloka meanings and summary along with commentary)

ṭīkātraya gives a brief summary of fourteenth Sarga. Tika Traya says,- "aśōkavanikāprākāram avaplutya prākārastha ēva vanarāmaṇīyakaṁ paśyan vanaṁ praviśyavr̥kṣāt vr̥kṣāntarēṣu avaplutya śākhādhūnanēna puṣaparṇādīni śātayan sītāṁ vicinvānō hanumān madhyēvanaṁ kāṁcana vēdikāṁ madhyavartikāṁcana vr̥kṣaparivr̥taṁ kiṁcit śiṁśupāvr̥kṣaṁ dadarśa| tadupāntāt vahantīṁ saritaṁ dr̥ṣṭvā saṁdhyōpāstyādyartham sītāgamanaṁ bhavēt iti saṁbhāvayan śiṁśupāṁ adhiruhya parṇanibiḍaviṭapēṣu nilīyāvasthitō abhūt|"

This can be summarized as follows.

Hanuman enters Ashoka grove. It is said "suṁdarē suṁdaraṁ vanam". Ashoka grove is that suṁdaraṁ vanaṁ. Ashoka grove is filled with trees of all types of fruits and flowers. Inhabited by intoxicated cuckoos and ever delighting bees. The trees were having abundant flowers and fruits . Ashoka grove was pleasing to the people, with herds of animals and flocks of birds. Flocks of proud peacocks. Flocks of different birds. Vanara saw a delightful mountain resembling a rain cloud with tall peaks. The Vanara saw a river flowing down from that mountain. Nearby he saw a Simsupa tree. Seeing the auspicious waters of the river, thinking that Sita will surely come there for performing the rites of twilight, Hanuma climbed up that tree. He sat there hidden within the leaves of that Simsupa tree, hoping to see Sita.

That summarizes the story of the Sarga 14.

Now the we go through fourteenth Sarga with meanings of Slokas.

||Sloka 14.01||

sa muhūrtamiva dhyātvā manasā cādhigamyatām|
avaplutō mahātējāḥ prākāraṁ tasya vēśmanaḥ||14.01||

sa|| saḥ mahātējaḥ muhūrtamiva dhyātvā manasā tāṁ (sītāṁ) adhigamya tasya vēśmanaḥ prākāraṁ avaplutaḥ||

Rama Tika says- sa hanumān muhūrtaṁ dhyātvā vanikāgamanaprakāraṁ saṁcitya tāṁ sītāṁ manasā adhigamya prāpya tasya rāvaṇasya vēśmanaḥ vēśma prākārāt prākāram aśōkavanikāyām iti śēṣaḥ, avaplutya utplutyā prāptaḥ|

||Sloka meanings||

saḥ mahātējaḥ -
that mighty Hanuman
muhūrtamiva dhyātvā -
meditating for a moment
manasā tāṁ (sītāṁ) adhigamya -
reaching Sita in his mind
tasya vēśmanaḥ prākāraṁ avaplutaḥ -
reached the boundary wall of that palace

||Sloka summary||

"That mighty Hanuman lost in thought, reached Sita in his mind for a moment, (as he) jumped down onto the boundary wall of the palace." ||14.01||

Having prayed "namōstu rāmāya sa lakṣmaṇāya" for divine help in his search, and having reached the boundary wall of that Ashoka grove, Hanuman again meditated for a moment and reached Sita in his thoughts before moving forward.

How is Hanuma's mental make up?

||Sloka 14.02||

sa tu saṁhr̥ṣṭa sarvāṅgaḥ prākārasthō mahākapiḥ|
puṣpitāgrān vasantādau dadarśa vividhān drumān||14.02||

sa||prākārasthaḥ saḥ mahākapiḥ sarvāṅgaḥ saṁhr̥ṣṭaḥ vividhān vasaṁtādau drumān puṣpitāgrān dadarśa||

Govindaraja in his Tika says- saṁhr̥ṣṭha sarvāṅgaḥ pulakita sarvāṅgaḥ| vasantādau |paurṇamāsyāmāsān saṁpādyēti pakṣamanuśrutya phālguna pūrṇamāsīprapūrvādinatvēna vasantādāvityuktama|

||Sloka meanings||

sa tu saṁhr̥ṣṭa sarvāṅgaḥ -
with delight permeating all parts of his body
prākārasthaḥ saḥ mahākapiḥ -
the great Vanara standing on boundary the wall
drumān puṣpitāgrān dadarśa -
saw the trees with blooming flowers
vasaṁtādau -
with the coming of spring

||Sloka summary||

"Hanuman , with delight permeating all parts of his body , standing on the boundary wall saw blossoming trees with the onset of spring." ||14.02||

Describing that Hanuma entering the Ashoka grove, the poet says, "saṁhr̥ṣṭa sarvāṁgaḥ"; "Filled with joy in every limb of his body"; Ramayana Tilaka says"pulakita sarvāṁgaḥ"; Why ? "manasā cādhigamya tām"- "Having reached Sita in his mind"; So, very thought of reaching Sita delighted Hanuma as he enters.

||Sloka 14.03||

sālān aśōkān bhavyāṁśca caṁpakāṁśca supuṣpitān|
uddālakān nāgavr̥kṣāṁ ścūtānkapimukhānapi||14.03||

sa|| sālān aśōkān bhavyāṁśca supuṣpitān caṁpakāśca uddālakān nāgavr̥kṣān kapimukhān ( kapimukhavarṇa) cūtān api (dadarśa)||

||Sloka meanings||

sālān aśōkān bhavyāṁśca -
Salas Ashokas Bhavyaas
supuṣpitān caṁpakāśca -
blossoming Champakas,
uddālakān nāgavr̥kṣān -
Uddalakas Naga trees
kapimukhān cūtān api -
Mangoes with the color of the monkeys snout

||Sloka summary||

"He saw variety of trees Salas Ashokas Bhavyaas, blossoming Champakas, Uddalakas Naaga trees and Mangoes with the color of the monkeys snout! "||14.03||

||Sloka 14.04||

athāmravaṇa saṁccannāṁ latāśatasamāvr̥tām|
jyāmukta iva nārācaḥ pupluvē vr̥kṣavāṭikām||14.04||

sa|| atha (saḥ hanumān) āmravaṇa saṁcchannām latāśata samākulām vr̥kṣavāṭikāṁ jyāmuktaḥ nārācaḥ iva pupluvē||

||Sloka meanings||

atha (saḥ hanumān) -
then Hanuman
āmravaṇa saṁcchannām -
filled with mango groves
latāśata samākulām -
over grown with hundreds of creepers
vr̥kṣavāṭikāṁ - clusters of trees
jyāmuktaḥ nārācaḥ iva pupluvē -
penetrated like an arrow released from a bow

||Sloka summary||

"Then Hanuman penetrated the clusters of trees filled with mango groves and over grown with hundreds of creepers like an arrow released from a bow!"||14.04||

Before jumping across the ocean in search of Sita, Hanuma compares himself with Rama's arrow . We hear the same comparison by the poet here, hinting that the search may be coming to an end.

||Sloka 14.05||

sapraviśya vicitrāṁ tāṁ vihagairabhināditām|
rājataiḥ kāñcanaiścaiva pādapaiḥ sarvatō vr̥tām||14.05||

sa|| saḥ tāṁ (aśōkavanikāṁ ) praviśya vicitrāṁ vihagaiḥ abhināditāṁ sarvataḥ rājataiḥ kāṁcanaścaiva pādapaiḥ āvr̥tāṁ (aśōkavanikāṁ dadarśa)||

||Sloka meanings||

saḥ tāṁ (aśōkavanikāṁ ) praviśya-
that Hanuman having entered
vicitrāṁ vihagaiḥ abhināditāṁ -
reverberating with sounds made by wonderful birds.
sarvataḥ rājataiḥ kāṁcanaścaiva pādapaiḥ āvr̥tāṁ -
grove surrounded by silvery and golden trees
(aśōkavanikāṁ dadarśa ) - ( saw the Ashoka grove)

||Sloka summary||

"That Hanuman having entered saw the grove surrounded by silvery and golden trees, made wonderful by the sounds of birds." ||14.05||

||Sloka 14.06||

vihagairmr̥gasaṁghaiśca vicitrāṁ citrakānanām|
uditāditya saṁkāśāṁ dadarśa hanumān kapiḥ||14.06||"

sa|| (tatra) hanumān kapiḥ vicitrāṁ vihagaiḥ mr̥ga saṁghaiśca uditāditya saṁkāśaṁ (iva) citrakānanāṁ dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||

vicitrāṁ vihagaiḥ mr̥ga saṁghaiśca -
with wonderful groups of birds , and groups of deer,
uditāditya saṁkāśaṁ (iva) citrakānanāṁ -
the grove shining like the rising Sun
hanumān kapiḥ dadarśa -
The Vanara , Hanuman, saw

||Sloka summary||

"The Vanara , Hanuman, saw the Ashoka grove , shining like the rising Sun, with wonderful birds, groups of deer, and wonderful thickets." ||14.06||"

||Sloka 14.07||

vr̥tāṁ nānāvidhairvr̥kṣaiḥ puṣpōpagaphalōpagaiḥ|
kōkilaiḥ bhr̥ṅgarājaiśca mattairnitya niṣēvitām||14.07||

sa|| puṣpōpagaphalōpagaiḥ nānāvidhaiḥ vr̥kṣaiḥ vr̥tāṁ mattaiḥ kōkilaiḥ bhr̥ṁgarājaiḥ ca nitya sēvitāṁ (aśōkavanikāṁ dadarśa)||

||Sloka meanings||

puṣpōpagaphalōpagaiḥ -
having abundant flowers and fruits
nānāvidhaiḥ vr̥kṣaiḥ vr̥tāṁ -
filled with many types of tress
mattaiḥ kōkilaiḥ bhr̥ṁgarājaiḥ ca nitya sēvitāṁ -
Inhabited by intoxicated cuckoos and ever delighting bees
(aśōkavanikāṁ dadarśa) - ( saw the Ashoka grove)

||Sloka summary||

"(Hanuman saw the grove ) Inhabited by intoxicated cuckoos and ever delighting bees, with trees which were having abundant flowers and fruits ." ||14.07||

||Sloka 14.08||

prahr̥ṣṭa manujē kālē mr̥gapakṣi samākulē|
mattabarhiṇasaṁghuṣṭāṁ nānādvijāgaṇāyutām||14.08||

sa|| prahr̥ṣṭa manujēkālē mr̥ga pakṣi samākulē mattabarhiṇasaṁghuṣṭām nānādvija gaṇāyutāṁ (tāṁ aśōkavanikāṁ dadarśa)||

||Sloka meanings||

prahr̥ṣṭa manujē kālē -
pleasing to the people
mr̥ga pakṣi samākulē -
with herds of animals and flocks of birdsna
mattabarhiṇasaṁghuṣṭām -
flocks of proud peacocks
nānādvija gaṇāyutāṁ -
flocks of different birds.

||Sloka summary||

"Ashoka grove was pleasing to the people , with herds of animals and flocks of birds , flocks of proud peacocks, flocks of different birds." ||14.08||

Tilaka Tika says - prahr̥ṣṭha manujē kālē| vasantē| vasantasya pracuramanmathatvāt prahr̥ṣṭhamanujatvam| It says that it is that time which generates happiness in the heart of men. That is the Spring time.

||Sloka 14.09||

mārgamāṇō varārōhāṁ rājaputrīṁ aniṁditām|
sukhaprasuptān vihagān bōdhayāmāsa vānaraḥ||14.09||

sa|| vānaraḥ varārōhāṁ aniṁditāṁ rājaputrīṁ mārgamāṇaḥ sukhaprasuptān vihagān bōdhayāmāsa||

||Sloka meanings||

rājaputrīṁ mārgamāṇaḥ -
moving in search of the princess ( Sita)
varārōhāṁ aniṁditāṁ -
blameless and born in a noble family
sukhaprasuptān vihagān -
the birds which were sleeping happily
vānaraḥ bōdhayāmāsa -
Vanara awakened

||Sloka summary||

"The Vanara moving in search of Sita, the blameless princess born in a noble family, awakened the birds which were sleeping happily." ||14.09||

||Sloka 14.10||

utpatatbhiḥ dvijagaṇaiḥ pakṣaiḥ sālāḥ samāhatāḥ|
anēka varṇā vividhā mumucuḥ puṣpavr̥ṣṭayaḥ||14.10||

sa|| utpatatbhiḥ dvijagaṇaiḥ pakṣaiḥ samāhataḥ sālāḥ anēkavarṇaḥ vividhāḥ puśpavr̥ṣṭayaḥ mumucuḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

utpatatbhiḥ dvijagaṇaiḥ pakṣaiḥ samāhataḥ -
hit by the wings of the flying flocks of birds
sālāḥ mumucuḥ -
the Sala trees showered
anēkavarṇaḥ vividhāḥ puśpavr̥ṣṭayaḥ -
flowers of many different colors.

||Sloka summary||

"Hit by the wings of the flying flocks of birds the trees showered flowers of many different colors." ||14.10||

||Sloka 14.11||

puṣpāvakīrṇaḥ śuśubhē hanumān mārutātmajaḥ|
aśōkavanikā madhyē yathā puṣpamayō giriḥ||14.11||

sa|| aśōkavanikā madhyē puṣpāvakīrṇaḥ hanumān mārutātmajaḥ puṣpamayō giriḥ yathā śuśubhē||

||Sloka meanings||.

aśōkavanikā madhyē-
in the middle of the Ashoka grove.
puṣpāvakīrṇaḥ hanumān mārutātmajaḥ -
Hanuman the son of wind god covered with variety of flowers
puṣpamayō giriḥ yathā -
like a mountain covered with flowers
śuśubhē - shone

||Sloka summary||

"Hanuman the son of wind god covered with variety of flowers shone like a mountain covered with flowers in the middle of the Ashoka grove." ||14.11||

||Sloka 14.12||

diśaḥ sarvāḥ pradhāvaṁtaṁ vr̥kṣa ṣaṇḍagataṁ kapim|
dr̥ṣṭvā sarvāṇi bhūtāni vasanta iti mēnirē||14.12||

sa|| vr̥kṣa ṣaṇḍagataṁ diśaḥ sarvāḥ pradhāvaṁtaṁ kapiṁ dr̥ṣṭvā sarvāṇi bhūtāni vasaṁta iti mēnirē||

Tilaka Tika says- vasanta iti mēnirē iti anyasya iha vanē aśakyapravēśatvāt vasanta ēva vr̥kṣasaṁcārōcitam kapiṁ āsthāya caratī iti mēnirē ityarthaḥ|

||Sloka meanings||

vr̥kṣa ṣaṇḍagataṁ -
covered with variety of flowers shed by the trees
diśaḥ sarvāḥ pradhāvaṁtaṁ-
running around in all directions
kapiṁ dr̥ṣṭvā-
seeing the Vanara
sarvāṇi bhūtāni vasaṁta iti mēnirē -
all the living beings thought he was spring personified.

||Sloka summary||

"Seeing Hanuman running around covered with variety of flowers shed by the trees , all the living being thought he was spring personified."||14.12||

Rama Tika says that since it is impossible for anyone to enter Ravana's Ashoka grove, all the beings in that grove thought the one running in that Ashoka grove can only be Vasant, the incarnation of Spring time in the physical form of Hanuman.

Poet too, talking of Hanuma as the incarnation of Spring, telling us that the Hanuma, who was immersed in the sorrow of not finding Sita, has overcome his sorrow, and is now generating excitement of anticipation in his search for Sita.

||Sloka 14.13||

vr̥kṣēbhyaḥ patitai puṣpaiḥ avakīrṇā pr̥thagvidhaiḥ|
rarāja vasudhā tatra pramadēva vibhūṣitā||14.13||

sa|| tatra vr̥kṣēbhyaḥ patitaiḥ puṣpaiḥ avakīrṇā pr̥dhvī vibhūṣitā pramada ēva rarāja||

||Sloka meanings||

avakīrṇā pr̥dhvī -
earth covered
tatra vr̥kṣēbhyaḥ patitaiḥ puṣpaiḥ -
with flowers fallen from the trees
vibhūṣitā pramada ēva rarāja -
shown like a fully bedecked young woman.

||Sloka summary||

"The earth covered with flowers fallen from the trees shown like a fully bedecked young woman." ||14.13||

||Sloka 14.14||

tarasvinā tē taravastarasābhi prakampitāḥ|
kusumāni vicitrāṇi sasr̥juḥ kapinā tadā||14.14||

sa|| tadā tarasvinā kapinā tarasā abhiprakampitāḥ tē taravaḥ vicitrāṇi puṣphāṇi sasr̥juḥ ||

||Sloka meanings||

tadā tarasvinā kapinā-
by the great speed of Hanuman the one moving
tarasā abhiprakampitāḥ -
vigorously shaken with speed
tē taravaḥ vicitrāṇi puṣphāṇi sasr̥juḥ -
those trees shed variety of colorful flowers."

||Sloka summary||

"Shaken by the great speed of Hanuman, the trees shed variety of colorful flowers." ||14.14||

||Sloka 14.15||

nirdūta patraśikharāḥ śīrṇapuṣpaphalādrumāḥ|
nikṣipta vastrābharaṇā dhūrta iva parājitaḥ||14.15||

sa|| nirdhūta patraśikharāḥ śīrṇapuṣpaphalāḥ drumāḥ parājitāḥ nikṣipta vastrābharaṇāḥ dhūrtā iva (dadarśa)||

||Sloka meanings||

nirdhūta patraśikharāḥ -
trees with top branches shorn of
śīrṇapuṣpaphalāḥ drumāḥ -
of flowers and fruits
nikṣipta vastrābharaṇāḥ -
one who lost his clothes and ornaments
parājitāḥ dhūrtā iva -
appeared like a defeated gamblers (dadarśa)

||Sloka summary||

"The trees with top branches shorn of flowers and fruits appeared like gamblers who lost their clothes and ornaments ( in gambling)." ||14.15||

||Sloka 14.16||

hanumatā vēgavatā kampitāstē nagōttamāḥ|
puṣpaparṇa phalānyāsu mumucuḥ puṣpaśālinaḥ||14.16||

sa|| vēgavatā hanumatā kaṁpitāḥ puṣpaśālinaḥ tē nagōttamāḥ puṣpavarṇa phalānyāsuḥ mumucuḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

vēgavatā hanumatā kaṁpitāḥ -
Shaken by the speedy Hanuman
puṣpaśālinaḥ tē nagōttamāḥ -
the best of trees with flowers
puṣpavarṇa phalānyāsuḥ mumucuḥ- shed flowers and fruits.

||Sloka summary||

"Shaken by the speedy Hanuman, the best of trees with flowers and fruits, shed flowers and fruits." ||14.16||

||Sloka 14.17||

vihaṅga saṁghairhīnāstē skandhamātrāśrayā drumāḥ|
babhūvuragamāḥ sarvē mārutēnēva nirthutāḥ||14.17||

sa|| sarvē tē drumāḥ mārutēna vinirghutāḥ agamāḥ iva vihaṁgasaṁghaiḥ vihīnāḥ skandhamātrāśrayāḥ babhūva||

||Sloka meanings||

sarvē tē drumāḥ -
all those trees
mārutēna vinirghutāḥ -
shaken by the Vanara
vihaṁgasaṁghaiḥ vihīnāḥ -
deserted by the flocks of birds
skandhamātrāśrayāḥ -
looking bare as if resting on their trunks
agamāḥ iva - unable to move
babhūva - became

||Sloka summary||

All those trees, shaken by the Vanara, deserted by the flocks of birds, looking bare as if resting on their trunks unable to move ||14.17||

||Sloka 14.18,19||

nirdhūta kēśī yuvati ryathā mr̥dita varṇikā|
niṣpītaśubha dantōṣṭhī nakhairdantaiśca vikṣatā ||14.18||
tathā lāṁṅgūlahastaiśca caraṇābhyāṁca marditā|
babhūvāśōkavanikā prabhagnavarapādapā||14.19||

sa|| lāṁgūla hastaiśca caraṇābhyāṁ ca marditā aśōkavanikā prabhagna vara pādapāḥ nirdhūta kēśī mr̥dita varṇikā niṣpīta śubha daṁtōṣṭī nakhadaṁtaiścha vikṣatā yuvatī yathā babhūva||

||Sloka meanings||

lāṁgūla hastaiśca caraṇābhyāṁ ca marditā -
crushed by Hanuman's tail, hands and feet
aśōkavanikā prabhagna vara pādapāḥ -
Ashoka grove with prominent trees
nirdhūta kēśī -
with disheveled hair
mr̥dita varṇikā -
with her vermillion mark effaced
niṣpīta śubha daṁtōṣṭī -
with bright teeth and lips looking faded being repeatedly kissed
nakhadaṁtaiścha vikṣatā -
wounded with nails and teeth.
yuvatī yathā babhūva -
like a young woman (Ashoka grove) appeared

||Sloka summary||

"The Ashoka grove crushed by Hanuman's tail and hands appeared like a woman with disheveled hair, with her vermillion mark effaced, with bright teeth and lips looking faded being repeatedly kissed and wounded with nails and teeth." ||14.18,19||

||Sloka 14.20||

mahālatānāṁ dāmāni vyathamattarasā kapiḥ|
yathā prāvr̥ṣi vindhyasya mēghajālāni mārutaḥ||14.20||

sa|| kapiḥ mahālatānāṁ dāmāni tarasā vyathamat yathā mārutaḥ prāvr̥ṣī vindhyasya mēghajālāni yathā vyathamat||

||Sloka meanings||

mahālatānāṁ dāmāni -
huge clusters of creepers hanging on the trees
kapiḥ tarasā vyathamat -
Vanara shook them with tremendous winds
yathā mārutaḥ prāvr̥ṣī vindhyasya mēghajālāni -
like the winds scattering the clusters of clouds on the Vindhyas.

||Sloka summary||

"The Vanara shook the huge clusters of creepers with tremendous winds, like the winds scattering the clusters of clouds on the Vindhyas." ||14.20||

||Sloka 14.21||

sa tatra maṇi bhūmīśca rājatīśca manōramāḥ|
tathākāñcana bhūmīśca dadarśa vicaran kapiḥ||14.21||

sa||tatra vicaran saḥ kapiḥ maṇibhūmiśca rājatīśca tathā manōramāḥ kāṁcanabhūmiśca dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||

tatra vicaran saḥ kapiḥ -
the Vanara moving about the grove,
maṇibhūmiśca rājatīśca-
floors with gems, and silver.
tathā manōramāḥ -
also pleasing to the eyes
kāṁcanabhūmiśca -
floors paved with gold
dadarśa - saw

||Sloka summary||

The Vanara, moving about the grove saw beautiful floors paved with gems, silver, and gold .

||Sloka 14.22||

vāpīśca vividhākārāḥ pūrṇāḥ paramavāriṇā|
mahārhaiḥ maṇisōpānaiḥ upapannāstatastataḥ||14.22||

sa|| paramavāriṇā pūrṇāḥ tataḥ tataḥ mahārhaiḥ maṇisōpānaiḥ upapannāḥ vāpīśca (dadarśa)||

||Sloka meanings||

paramavāriṇā pūrṇāḥ vāpīśca -
tanks filled with pure water
tataḥ tataḥ - here and there
mahārhaiḥ maṇisōpānaiḥ -
steps studded with rich gems

||Sloka summary||

"Here and there he saw fully filled tanks with water, also having steps studded with rich gems." ||14.22||

From here in five Slokas Poet described a pond in Ashok grove and in two more Slokas describes a wonderful mountain. Rama Tika has a wonderful elaboration of the key Sanskrit words in Sanskrit. It is indeed eminently readable.

Ram Tika says- vividhākārāḥ anēkavidhāvayavāḥ, paramavāriṇā pūrṇāḥ mahārhaiḥ praśaṁsanīyaiḥ maṇisōpānaiḥ, upapannāḥ yuktāḥ, muktāpravālānyēva sikatā yāsu sphāṭikāyāḥ sphāṭikamayāḥ, āntara kuṭṭimāḥ abhyantara nibaddhabhūmayaḥ yāsu tarubhirupaśōbhitāḥ buddhāni vikasitāni padmōtpalavanāni yāsu natyūhānāṁ rutēna śabdēna saṁghuṣṭā dīghābhiḥ viśālābhiḥ, amr̥tōpamatōyābhiḥ ata ēva śivadbhiḥ, saridbhiḥ upasaṁskr̥tā nityaṁ pūrṇatvāya prāpitāḥ latāśatairavatatāḥ vyāptāḥ, santāna kusumaiḥ kalpavr̥kṣapuṣpaiḥ āvr̥tāḥ nānāgulmairāvr̥taṁ vanaṁ jalaṁ yāsāṁ karavīraiḥ kr̥tam antaraṁ chidraṁ yāsu tāḥ vāpīḥ dadarśa| tataḥ anantaram ambudharasaṁkāśaṁ mēghasadr̥śaṁ pravr̥ddhāni śikharāṇi yasya taṁ, vicitrāṇi kūṭāni yasya taṁ, kūṭaiḥ anyaparvata śruṅgaiśca sarvataḥ parivāritaṁ, śilāgr̥haiḥ śilāmaya bhavanaiḥ, avatataṁ vyāptaṁ jagati lōkē ramyaṁ manōharaṁ parvataṁ parvabhiḥ anēkagranthibhiḥ tanyatē vardhyatē sa taṁ giriṁ ca dadarśa | saptaṁ ēkānvayi||

||Sloka 14.23||

muktāpravāḷasikatāḥ spāṭikāntara kuṭṭimāḥ |
kāñcanaistarubhiścitraiḥ tīrajairupaśōbhitāḥ||14.23||

sa|| muktapravāḷasikatāḥ sphāṭikāṁtarakuṭṭimāḥ kāṁcanaiḥ citraiḥ tarubhiḥ tīrajaiḥ upaśōbhitā (vāpīśca dadarśa) ||

||Sloka meanings||

muktapravāḷasikatāḥ -
beds of sands of corals and pearls
sphāṭikāṁtarakuṭṭimāḥ -
with platforms paved with bright crystals
kāṁcanaiḥ citraiḥ tarubhiḥ tīrajaiḥ -
with wonderful golden trees grown on the banks
upaśōbhitā - shining

||Sloka summary||

"The tanks were having beds of sands of corals and pearls, with platforms paved with bright crystals, corals and pearls, with wonderful golden trees grown on the banks." ||14.23||

|| ślōkamu 14.24||

pullapadmōtpalavanāḥ cakravākōpakūjitāḥ|
natyūharuta saṁghūṣṭā haṁsasārasanāditāḥ||14.24||

sa|| pullapadmōtpalavanāḥ cakravākōpakūjitāḥ natyūharatasaṁghuṣṭāḥ haṁsa sāranināditāḥ (vāpīśca dadarśa)||

||Sloka meanings||

pullapadmōtpala vanāḥ -
having beds of lotuses in full bloom
cakravākōpakūjitāḥ -
with sounds of Chakravakas
natyūharatasaṁghuṣṭāḥ -
with flocks of Natyuha birds
haṁsa sāranināditāḥ -
sounds of Hamsas and Saras na

||Sloka summary||

"The tanks were having beds of lotuses in full bloom, with flocks of Natyuha birds. it was noisy with sounds of Hamsas and Saras , as well as with sounds of Chakravakas." ||14.24||

||Sloka 14.25||

dīrghābhirdrumayuktābhiḥ saridbhiśca samaṁtataḥ|
amr̥tōpama tōyābhiḥ śivābhirupasaṁskr̥tāḥ||14.25|

sa|| dīrghābhiḥ drumayuktābhiḥ amr̥tōpama tōyabhiḥ śivābhiḥ saradbhiḥ samaṁtataḥ upasaṁskr̥tāḥ ( vāpīśca dadarśa)||

||Sloka meanings||

dīrghābhiḥ drumayuktābhiḥ -
with very tall trees
amr̥tōpama tōyabhiḥ -
nectar like water
śivābhiḥ saradbhiḥ samaṁtataḥ -
auspicious streamlets all over

||Sloka summary||

"The tanks were endowed with tall trees, nectar like water, with auspicious streamlets all over decorated as it were." ||14.25|

||Sloka 14.26||

latāśatairavatatāḥ santānakusumāvr̥tāḥ|
nānāgulmāvr̥taghanāḥ karavīra kr̥tāntarāḥ||14.26||

sa|| latā śataiḥ avatatāḥ saṁtānakuśumāvr̥tāḥ nānā gulma āvr̥ta ghanāḥ karavīra kr̥tāṁtarāḥ vāpīśca dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||

latāśatairavatatāḥ -
spread with hundreds of creepers
santānakusumāvr̥tāḥ -
scattered with of blossoms of Santanaka trees,
nānā gulma āvr̥ta ghanāḥ -
with several thick bushes
karavīra kr̥tāṁtarāḥ -
with Karavira blooms here and there

||Sloka summary||

The tanks were spread with hundreds of creepers, scattered with blossoms of Santanaka trees, with several thick bushes, and with Karavira blooms here and there.||14.26||

||Sloka 14.27,28||

tatō'mbudhara saṁkāśaṁ pravr̥ddha śikharaṁ girim|
vicitrakūṭaṁ kūṭaiśca sarvataḥ parivāritam||14.27||
śilāgr̥hairavatataṁ nānāvr̥kṣaiḥ samāvr̥tam|
dadarśa hariśārdūlō ramyaṁ jagati parvatam||14.28||

sa|| tataḥ hariśārdūlaḥ jagati ramyaṁ parvataṁ aṁbudharasaṁkāśaṁ pravr̥ddha śikharaṁ vicitra kūṭaṁ sarvataḥ kūṭaiḥ parivāritaṁ śilāgr̥haiḥ avatatam nānāvr̥kṣaiḥ samāvr̥taṁ giriṁ dadarśa||

Govindaraja says - jagati lōkē ramyaṁ ētat sadr̥śam ramyaṁ kiṁcit nāsti ityarthaḥ| tilaka ṭīkā lō - jagati lōkē ramyaṁ suṁdaravastubhyō'pi parama suṁdarama|

||Sloka meanings||

tataḥ hariśārdūlaḥ -
the tiger among Vanaras
jagati ramyaṁ aṁbudharasaṁkāśaṁ parvataṁ -
a delightful mountain resembling a rain cloud with tall peaks.
vicitra kūṭaṁ sarvataḥ kūṭaiḥ parivāritaṁ -
wonderful peaks spread all over the mountain
śilāgr̥haiḥ avatatam -
with caves extending all over
nānāvr̥kṣaiḥ samāvr̥taṁ giriṁ -
surrounded by many different kinds of trees
pravr̥ddha śikharaṁ - with tall peaks

||Sloka summary||

Then the tiger among Vanaras saw a delightful mountain resembling a rain cloud with tall peaks. It had wonderful peaks spread all over with caves , and is surrounded by variety of trees. ||14.27,28||

Hanuman sees a mountain. That mountain is very beautiful. The added emphasis is that is more beautiful than the most beautiful. There is a sense of delight even in the description of the mountain. Delight is permeating everything.

||Sloka 14.29||

dadarśa ca nagāttasmān nadīṁ nipatitāṁ kapiḥ|
aṅkādiva samutsatya priyasya patitāṁ priyām||14.29||

sa|| kapiḥ tasmāt nagāt nipatitāṁ nadīṁ priyasya aṁkāt patita samutpatya priyāṁ iva dadarśa||

Rama Tika says- priyasya aṅkāt samutpatya patitāṁ priyamiva tasmāt nagāt nipatitāṁ nadīm dadarśa|

||Sloka meanings||

tasmāt nagāt nipatitāṁ nadīṁ-
a river flowing down from that mountain
priyasya aṁkāt patita samutpatya priyāṁ iva -
palike a beloved falling and rising from the arms of the lover

||Sloka summary||

"The Vanara saw a river flowing down from that mountain appearing like a beloved falling and rising from the arms of the lover." ||14.29||

In the next three Slokas poet describes the river waters flowing through the mountain comparing with beloved, the descriptions are again like an invitation for delight.

||Sloka 14.30||

jalē nipatitāgraiśca pādapairupaśōbhitām|
vāryamāṇāmiva kruddhāṁ pramadāṁ priya bandhubhiḥ||14.30||

sa|| jalē nipatitāgraiḥ pādapaiḥ upaśōbhitāṁ priyabaṁdhubhiḥ vāryamāṇāṁ kr̥ddhaṁ pramādāṁ iva (nadīṁ dadarśa)|

Rama Tika says - priyabandhubhiḥ vāryamāṇām anyatra gamana nirōdhāya pārthyamānāṁ kr̥ddhāṁ pramadām iva | jalē nipātitāgraiḥ pādapaḥ tarubhirupaśōbhitāṁ kāntasyōpari prasannām ata ēva punaḥ upasthitām prāptāṁ kāntāmiva punarāvr̥tta tōyāṁ punarāvr̥tta jalāṁ dadarśa|

||Sloka meanings||

jalē nipatitāgraiḥ pādapaiḥ upaśōbhitāṁ -
shining with trees having branches dipping into water
kr̥ddhaṁ pramādāṁ iva -
like an angry young woman
priyabaṁdhubhiḥ vāryamāṇāṁ -

restrained by her relatives

||Sloka summary||

With waters swirling around the branches dipping into the river, the waters looked like a young woman wanting to leave but detained by her relatives ||14.30||

||Sloka 14.31||

punarāvr̥ttatōyāṁ ca dadarśa sa mahākapiḥ|
prapannāmiva kāntasya kāntāṁ punurupasthitām||14.31||

āvr̥ttatōyāṁ kāṁtasya prasannāṁ punaḥ upasthitāṁ kāṁtāmiva saḥ mahākapiḥ dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||

āvr̥ttatōyāṁ -
waters running backward in circles
kāṁtasya prasannāṁ -
pleased with beloved
punaḥ upasthitāṁ kāṁtāmiva - l
like one returning to her lover.
saḥ mahākapiḥ dadarśa -
that great Vanara saw

||Sloka summary||

"The waters running backward in circles appeared as if the one pleased with beloved has returned to her lover."||14.31||

||Sloka 14.32||

tasyā'dūrāt sapadminyō nānādvijagaṇāyutāḥ|
dadarśa hariśārdūlō hanumān mārutātmajaḥ||14.32||

sa|| hariśārdūlaḥ mārutātmajaḥ saḥ hanumān tasya adūrāt nānādvijagaṇāyutāḥ padminyāḥ dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||

hariśārdūlaḥ mārutātmajaḥ saḥ -
tiger among Vanaras and son of wind god , Hanuman
tasya adūrāt -
not far from there
padminyāḥ dadarśa -
saw a pond
nānādvijagaṇāyutāḥ -
with many kinds of birds.

||Sloka summary||

"Not far from there, the tiger among Vanaras saw a lotus pond filled with different kinds of birds." ||14.32||

||Sloka 14.33,34||

kr̥trimāṁ dīrghikāṁ cāpi pūrṇāṁ śītēna vāriṇā|
maṇipravara sōpānāṁ muktāsikataśōbhitām||14.33||
vividhairmr̥gasaṁghaiśca vicitrāṁ citrakānanām|
prāsādaiḥ sumahadbhiśca nirmitairviśvakarmaṇā||14.34||
kānanaiḥ kr̥timaiścāpi parvata samalaṁkr̥tām|

sa|| sītēna vāriṇā pūrṇāṁ maṇipravarasōpānāṁ muktāśikataśōbhitāṁ vividhaiḥ mr̥gasaṁghaiśca vicitrāṁ citrakānanāṁ viśvakarmaṇā nirmitaiḥ sumahadbhiḥ prāsādaiḥ kr̥trimaiḥ kānanaiścāpi sarvataḥ samalaṁkr̥taṁ dīrghikāṁ cāpi dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||

sītēna vāriṇā pūrṇāṁ -
filled with cool water
maṇipravarasōpānāṁ -
having steps studded with gems
muktāśikataśōbhitāṁ -
spread over with pearl dust as sand
vividhaiḥ mr̥gasaṁghaiśca -
with many kinds of herds of animals
vicitrāṁ citrakānanāṁ -
with wonderful colorful trees
viśvakarmaṇā nirmitaiḥ -
built by Vishwakarma
sumahadbhiḥ prāsādaiḥ -
with great palaces
sarvataḥ samalaṁkr̥taṁ kr̥trimaiḥ kānanaiścāpi -
with artificial woodlands decorated all over.
(padminyāḥ) dadarśa - saw the pond

||Sloka summary||

Filled with cool water , having steps studded with gems, spread over with pearl dust as sand, with many kinds of herds of animals, with wonderful colorful trees, with large mansions , it looked like it was built by Vishwakarma with great palace and artificial woodlands decorated all over.

||Sloka 14.35||

yē kēcit pādapā statra puṣpōpagapalōpamāḥ||14.35||
saccatrāḥ savitardīkāḥ sarvē sauvarṇavēdikāḥ|

sa||tatra yē kēcit pādapāḥ puṣpagaphalōphagāḥ sarvē sacchatrāḥ savitardikāḥ sauvarṇa vēdikāḥ ||

||Sloka meanings||

tatra yē kēcit pādapāḥ -
some of the trees
sarvē puṣpagaphalōphagāḥ -
full of flowers and fruits.
sacchatrāḥ savitardikāḥ -
with parasols and raised benches
sauvarṇa vēdikāḥ -
with golden platforms.

||Sloka summary||

"Some of the trees were full of flowers and fruits. Some trees were full of leaves and branches spread over. Some had golden platforms." ||14.35||

||Sloka 14.36,37||

latāpratānairbahubhiḥ parṇaiśca bahubhirvr̥tām||14.36||
kāñcanīṁ śiṁśupāmēkām dadarśa hariyūdhapaḥ|
vr̥tāṁ hēmamayībhistu vēdikābhiḥ samaṁtataḥ||14.37||

sa||hariyūthapaḥ bahubhiḥ latāpratānaiḥ bahubhiḥ parṇaiśca samaṁtataḥ vr̥tām hēmamayībhiḥ vēdikābhiḥ vr̥tām kāṁcanīṁ ēkāṁ śiṁśupāṁ dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||.

hariyūthapaḥ -
the best of Vanaras
bahubhiḥ latāpratānaiḥ -
with many creepers
bahubhiḥ parṇaiśca samaṁtataḥ -
with many leaves
hēmamayībhiḥ vēdikābhiḥ vr̥tām -
surrounded by a golden platform.
ēkāṁ śiṁśupāṁ dadarśa -
saw a Simsupa tree.

||Sloka summary||

The best of Vanaras saw a Simsupa tree covered with many creepers and leaves surrounded by a golden platform.

||Sloka 14.38||

sō'paśyat bhūmibhāgāṁśca gartaprasravaṇāni ca|
suvarṇavr̥kṣān aparān dadarśa śikhisannibhān ||14.38 ||

sa|| saḥ bhūmibhāgāṁśca gartaprasravaṇāni ca aparān śikhisannibhān suvarṇavr̥kṣān apaśyat ||

||Sloka meanings||

saḥ bhūmibhāgāṁśca -
several pieces of land
gartaprasravaṇāni ca -
with streams flowing out of springs
aparān suvarṇavr̥kṣān śikhisannibhān -
other golden trees resembling fire
apaśyat - saw

||Sloka summary||

"He saw several pieces of land with streams flowing out of springs and other golden trees resembling fire." ||14.38 ||

||Sloka 14.39||

tēṣāṁ drumāṇāṁ prabhayā mērō riva divākaraḥ|
amanyata tadā vīraḥ kāñcanō'smīti vānaraḥ||14.39||

sa|| tadā vīraḥ vānaraḥ mērōḥ prabhayā divākara iva tēṣāṁ drumāṇāṁ prabhayā kāṁcanaḥ asmi iti manyata||

tilaka ṭīkālō - mērōḥ prabhayā divākara iva tēṣāṁ dr̥māṇāṁ kāṁcanō'smi iti amanyata|

||Sloka meanings||

tadā vīraḥ vānaraḥ -
then the heroic Vanara
mērōḥ prabhayā divākara iva -
the sun getting the radiance of Meru
tēṣāṁ drumāṇāṁ prabhayā kāṁcanaḥ asmi -
in the radiance of those trees he became golden hued
iti manyata - thus he thought

||Sloka summary||

"Then the heroic Vanara thought in the radiance of those trees he became golden hued, like the sun getting the golden hue because of the radiance of Meru " ||14.39||

In the thirteenth Sarga we see Hanuma, stretched in the sheath of mind, struggling to overcome his sorrow of not finding Sita and his sorrow of the likely consequences. Hanuma, having successfully overcome those thoughts, which is like the sheath of mind as it were, realizes the need for blessings of the almighty and starts his new search with prayers to Rama & Sita. This realization of the need for the blessings of the almighty is dawn of wisdom in the sheath of Jnyana or knowledge. After that step on the boundary wall of Ashoka grove, there is an immense sense of delight as though in anticipation of something bigger. Now seeing Hanuma admiring his own golden color in the reflected radiance of the golden trees in Ashoka grove, looks like Hanuma is in the sheath of delight, the final sheath before discovering Self. .

||Sloka 14.40||

tāṁ kāñcanaistarugaṇaiḥ mārutēna ca vījitām|
kiṁkiṇī śatanirghōṣām dr̥ṣṭvā vismaya māgamat||14.40||

sa|| ( saḥ hanumān ) kāṁcanaiḥ tarugaṇaiḥ mārutēna vījitām kiṁkiṇī śatanirghōṣāṁ dr̥ṣṭvā vismayaṁ āgamat||

||Sloka meanings||

kāṁcanaiḥ tarugaṇaiḥ mārutēna vījitām -
golden trees swayed by the wind
kiṁkiṇī śatanirghōṣāṁ -
producing the tinkling sound of hundred anklets
tāṁ dr̥ṣṭvā -
seeing that
vismaya māgamat -
Hanuma was wonder struck

||Sloka summary||

"Then Hanuman was wonder struck seeing golden trees swayed by the wind producing the tinkling sound of hundred anklets."||14.40||

||Sloka 14.41,42||

sa puṣpitāgrāṁ rucirāṁ taruṇāṅkura pallavām|
tā māruhya mahābāhuḥ śiṁśupāṁ parṇasaṁvr̥tām||14.41||
itō drakṣyāmi vaidēhīṁ rāmadarśanalālasām|
itaścētaśca duḥkhārtāṁ saṁpatantīṁ yadr̥chchayā||14.42||

sa|| mahābāhuḥ saḥ puṣpitāgrāṁ rucirāṁ taruṇāṁkurapallavām parṇasaṁvr̥tāṁ tāṁ āruhya ' rāmadarśanalālasām vaidēhīṁ itaḥ drakṣyāmi (iti manyata) | duḥkhārtāṁ yadr̥cchayā itaśca itaśca saṁpatantīṁ (tāṁ drakṣyāmi)|

||Sloka meanings||

mahābāhuḥ saḥ -
the heroic Vanara with powerful arms
puṣpitāgrāṁ rucirāṁ -
full of leaves with flowers blooming on the top
taruṇāṁkurapallavām parṇasaṁvr̥tāṁ -
with tender sprouts and full of leaves
tāṁ āruhya -
climbing that tree
rāmadarśanalālasām -
the one anxious to see Rama
duḥkhārtāṁ itaśca itaśca saṁpatantīṁ-
full of sorrow moving about here and there
vaidēhīṁ yadr̥cchayā itaḥ drakṣyāmi - I will see Vaidehi here by chance

||Sloka summary||

"The heroic Vanara with powerful arms climbed up the Simsupa tree, full of leaves with flowers blooming on the top, with tender sprouts and full of leaves (and said to himself). 'I will see Vaidehi who is anxious for seeing Rama, who is full of sorrow moving about here and there by chance'. ||14.41,42||

||Sloka 14.43||

aśōkavanikā cēyaṁ dr̥ḍhaṁ ramyā durātmanaḥ|
campakaiḥ canda naiścāpi vakuḷaiśca vibhūṣitā||14.43||

sa|| durātmanaḥ iyaṁ aśōkavanikā dr̥ḍhaṁ caṁpakaiḥ candanaiśca vakuḷaiścāpi vibhūṣitā ramyā ||

||Sloka meanings||

durātmanaḥ -
the evil minded Ravana's,
iyaṁ aśōkavanikā dr̥ḍhaṁ -
this Asoka grove with strong
caṁpakaiḥ candanaiśca vakuḷaiścāpi vibhūṣitā -
Champaka Chandana and Vakula trees
vibhūṣitā ramyā -
decorated and beautiful

||Sloka summary||

"The evil minded Ravana's, this Asoka grove with decorated with strong Champaka Chandana and Vakula trees looks beautiful."||14.43||

||Sloka 14.44||

iyaṁ ca naḷīnī ramyā dvijasaṁghaniṣēvitā|
imāṁ sā rāmamahiṣī nūnamēṣyati jānakī||14.44||

sa|| dvijasaṁghaniṣēvitā iyaṁ naḷīnī ca ramyā | sā rāmamahiṣī jānakī nūnaṁ imām ēṣyati||

||Sloka meanings||

dvijasaṁghaniṣēvitā -
frequented by flocks of birds
iyaṁ naḷīnī ca ramyā-
this lotus pond is beautiful
sā rāmamahiṣī jānakī -
the queen of Rama, Janaki
nūnaṁ imām ēṣyati -
surely will visit this place

||Sloka summary||

"Frequented by flocks of birds, this lotus pond is beautiful. Janaki, the queen of Rama surely will visit this place." ||14.44||

||Sloka 14.45||

sā rāmā rāmamahiṣī rāghavasya priyā satī|
vanasaṁcāra kuśalā nūnamēṣyati jānakī||14.45||

sa|| sā rāmā rāmamahiṣī rāghavasya priyā vanasaṁcāra kuśalā jānakī nūnaṁ ēṣyati ||

||Sloka meanings||

sā rāmā rāmamahiṣī -
the beautiful queen of Rama
rāghavasya priyā -
dear to Rama,
vanasaṁcāra kuśalā -
loves to wander in the forest
jānakī nūnaṁ ēṣyati -
Janaki will surely visit this place

||Sloka summary||

"The beautiful queen of Rama , dear to Rama, who loves to wander in the forest will surely visit this place." ||14.45||

||Sloka 14.46||

athavā mr̥gaśābākṣī vanasyāsya vicakṣaṇā|
vanamēṣyati sāryēha rāmacintānukarśitā||14.46||

sa|| athavā mr̥gaśābhākṣī asya vanasya vicakṣaṇā rāmaciṁtānukarśitā sā āryā iha vanaṁ ēṣyati ||

||Sloka meanings||

athavā mr̥gaśābhākṣī -
may be the doe eyed lady
asya vanasya vicakṣaṇā -
being familiar with this grove
rāmaciṁtānukarśitā -
brooding over Rama
sā āryā iha vanaṁ ēṣyati -
that noble woman will come to this grove

||Sloka summary||

" May be the noble woman, the doe eyed lady, being familiar with this grove brooding over Rama will come to this place".||14.46||

||Sloka 14.47||

rāmaśōkābhi saṁtaptā sā dēvī vāmalōcanā|
vanavāsē ratā nityam ēṣyatē vanacāriṇī||14.47||

sa|| rāmaśōkābhisaṁtaptā vāmalōcanā nityaṁ vanavāsē ratā sā dēvī vanacāriṇī ēṣyatē||

||Sloka meanings||

rāmaśōkābhisaṁtaptā -
consumed with grief for Rama in separation
vāmalōcanā - lovely eyed one
nityaṁ vanavāsē ratā vanacāriṇī -
forest dweller who loves living in forest
sā dēvī ēṣyatē -
that lady will visit this place.

||Sloka summary||

"The forest dweller, lovely eyed one consumed with grief for Rama in separation forest dweller who loves living in forest, that lady ( Sita) will visit this place." ||14.47||

||Sloka 14.48||

vanē carāṇāṁ satataṁ nūnaṁ spr̥hayatē purā|
rāmasya dayitā bhāryā janakasya sutā satī||14.48||

sa|| rāmasya dayitā bhāryā janakasya sutā satī purā vanē carāṇāṁ spr̥hyatē nūnam||

||Sloka meanings||

rāmasya dayitā bhāryā -
Rama's dear wife
janakasya sutā satī -
Janaka's daughter, a chaste lady
purā vanē carāṇāṁ spr̥hyatē nūnam -
earlier surely loved all the creatures wandering in the forest.

||Sloka summary||

"Rama's dear wife, Janaka's daughter, a chaste lady, earlier surely loved all the creatures wandering in the forest."||14.48||

||Sloka 14.49||

sandhyākālamanāḥ śyāmā dhruva mēṣyati jānakī|
nadīṁ cēmāṁ śivajalāṁ sandhyārthē varavarṇinī||14.49||

sa|| śyāmā varavarṇinī jānakī saṁdhyākālamanāḥ śubhajalām imāṁ nadīṁ saṁdhyārthē dhr̥vaṁ ēṣyati||

Tilaka Tika says- sandhyākālamanāḥ saṁdhyā dina rātrayōḥ saṁdhirūpānuṣṭhānakālō yasya karmaṇaḥ tatra manaḥ yasyāḥ sā, tathā saṁdhyārthē saṁdhyākāla kriyamāṇa snānādyarthē| rātri śēṣē hanumataḥ asya vacasaḥ pravr̥ttēḥ saṁdhyā śabdēna atra prātaḥ kālō vivakṣitaḥ| tatra kartavya snānādau cāstyēva strīṇāṁ api adhikāra iti kathaṁ saṁdhyāvandanaṁ iti parāstaṁ vēditavyam, kiṁ ca samyak bhagavat dhyānasyaiva saṁdhyāpadārthatvēnāstyēva tatra striyā adhikāraḥ| gāyatrī mantrṇa tadartha smaraṇapūrvaka dhyānē tu dvjijasyaiva adhikāraḥ iti anyat |

||Sloka meanings||

śyāmā varavarṇinī jānakī -
Janaki beautiful lady of beautiful complexion
saṁdhyākālamanāḥ -
interested in performing the rites of twilight
śubhajalām imāṁ nadīṁ -
to this river of auspicious waters
saṁdhyārthē dhr̥vaṁ ēṣyati -
will surely come here to perform the rites of twilight

||Sloka summary||

"Janaki, beautiful lady of beautiful complexion, interested in performing the rites of twilight, will surely come here for performing the rites of twilight to this river of auspicious waters." ||14.49||

The matter of fact mention of Janaki coming in that direction to perform twilight , is indication that women had the official sanction to perform the twilight prayers in those times.

||Sloka 14.50||

tasyāścānurūpēyaṁ aśōkavanikā śubhā|
śubhā yā pārivēndrasya patnī rāmasya sammatā||14.50||

sa|| yā pārthivēndrasya rāmasya sammatā śubhā patnī tasyāḥ śubhā iyaṁ aśōkavanikā anurūpamapi ca||

||Sloka meanings||

pārthivēndrasya rāmasya sammatā -
beloved of the Lord Rama
śubhā patnī -
auspicious lady chaste wife
tasyāḥ iyaṁ aśōkavanikā anurūpamapi ca -
for her this Ashoka grove is suitable

||Sloka summary||

"She is beloved of the Lord Rama, chaste wife, auspicious lady. For her this Ashoka grove is suitable." ||14.50||

||Sloka 14.51||

yadijīvati sā dēvī tārādhipanibhānanā|
āgamiṣyati sā'vaśya mimāṁ śivajalāṁ nadīm||14.51||

sa|| tārādhipanibhānanā sā dēvī jīvati yadi sā avaśyam imām śiva jalaṁ nadīṁ āgamiṣyati||

||Sloka meanings||

tārādhipanibhānanā sā dēvī -
lady with the face of the Lord of all stars
jīvati yadi - if she is living
sā avaśyam - she will surely
imām śiva jalaṁ nadīṁ āgamiṣyati -
come to this river of auspicious waters

||Sloka summary||

"The lady, with the face of the Lord of all stars, if she is living, will surely come to this stream of auspicious waters." ||14.51||

||Sloka 14.52||

ēvaṁ tu matvā hanumān mahātmā
pratīkṣamāṇō manujēndrasya patnīm|
avēkṣamāṇāśca dadarśa sarvam
supuṣpitē parṇaghanē nilīnaḥ||14.52||

sa|| mahātmā hanumān ēvaṁ matvā manujēṁdrapatnīṁ pratīkṣamāṇaḥ supuṣpitē parṇaghanē nilīnaḥ avēkṣamāṇaśca sarvaṁ dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||

mahātmā hanumān ēvaṁ matvā -
thinking thus, the venerable Hanuman
manujēṁdrapatnīṁ pratīkṣamāṇaḥ -
eagerly for the wife of king of men
supuṣpitē parṇaghanē nilīnaḥ -
concealed on the tree full of leaves
avēkṣamāṇaśca sarvaṁ dadarśa -
looked around .

||Sloka summary||

"Thus thinking the venerable Hanuman concealed on the tree full of leaves looked around eagerly for the wife of king of men." ||14.52||

With this Sloka and this thought of Hanuman, the fourteenth Sarga come to an end.

Most prominent in the Sarga are the poets flowing descriptions, which provide a mood uplift. We see seeds for a sense of delight moving away from the unsettling thoughts of Sarga thirteen, in the context of Hanuma's travails in not finding Sita. There are moments of actual delight in Hanuma's words.

The first Sloka starts with "sa muhūrtamiva dhyātvā",reminding us of all the prayers of Hanuma, before he jumped into the grove.

Describing that Hanuma the poet says, "saṁhr̥ṣṭa sarvāṁgaḥ"; "Filled with joy in every limb of his body"; Ramayana Tilaka says"pulakita sarvāṁgaḥ"; Why ? "manasā cādhigamya tām"-
"Having reached Sita in his mind"; Very thought of reaching Sita delighted Hanuma as he enters.

How does he enter? "jyāmukta iva nārācaḥ" - Like the arrow that left the bow. This again reminds of Hanuma's words at the start of this journey. At that time Hanuma thinks of himself as an instrument of Rama. He pledged to achieve the task much like Rama's arrow, which always reaches the target. Now the reminder of that seems to drop a hint that the search may be reaching its goal.

The grove is filled with trees of all types of fruits and flowers. Inhabited by intoxicated cuckoos, ever delighting bees and birds. How are those birds ? "sukhaprasuptān vihagān". The birds were sleeping happily. How are the trees ? "mumucuḥ puṣpa vr̥ṣṭayaḥ". Those trees rained flowers on Hanuma, as he moved in like an arrow into that grove. How is Hanuma ? "puṣpāvakīrṇaḥ śuśubhē hanumān mārutātmajaḥ" Covered with Flowers rained by the trees, he was shining like a mountain of flowers.

Looking at Hanuma covered with flowers,"sarvāṇi bhūtāni", all the creatures were wonder struck. They thought of him as the incarnation of Vasanta running around. "vasaṁta iti mēnirē"| . There by implying that those creatures too were delighted.

Even the land around that was shining , "rarāja vasudhā tatra"|

The poet says that the Ashoka grove crushed by Hanuman's tail and hands, appeared like a woman with disheveled hair, with her vermillion mark effaced , with her bright teeth and lips looking faded. Being kissed and wounded with nails and bitten with teeth, she was in a state of delight "Ananda".

That grove was generating delight all round.

There Hanuman saw a beautiful mountain. "dadarśa hariśārdūlō ramyaṁ jagati parvatam"; Elaborating on jagati parvatam Ramayana Tilaka says: jagati lōkē ramyaṁ, sundaravastubhyō'pi parama sundaram| tīrthastu- jagati parvatam ! jagati lōkē ramyaṁ | ētat sadr̥śam ramyaṁ kiṁcinnāsti ityarthaḥ|

That parvatam is parama sundaram ; There is nothing as beautiful as that. There Hanuma saw a tree with golden hues , Simsupa tree."kāṁcanīṁ śiṁśupāmēkāṁ dadarśa hanumān kapiḥ".

The trees with golden hues had a glow. The poet describes the effect of the glow on Hanuma. amanyata mahāvīraḥ kāñcanōsmi iti vānaraḥ| Hanuman thought he attained golden hue.

Ramayana Tilaka says: mērōriva drumāṇāṁ prabhayōpalakṣitō mahākapiḥ ahaṁ kāñcanōsmi iti amanyata| ; The description is such that it is as though Hanuma was pleased. Then Hanuman was wonder struck seeing and hearing the tinkling sound of hundreds of anklets produced by the golden tree swaying in the wind.

Then Hanuma climbs the tree in anticipation of seeing Sita.

The Sarga is full of such enchanting descriptions. Every one of them have an element of joy seeping through them. There is an element of joy in everything about Ashoka grove. The happily sleeping birds waking up. The trees shedding flowers. Covered with all flowers Hanuman was looking beautiful. That mountain described as parama sundaram, very beautiful; Grove itself looking like a woman in delight, Ananda.

This is the Aanandmaya Kosa. The sheath of joy.

There is an element of joy in all actions of Hanuma. Hanuma is filled with joy in every limb of his body as he enters. Hanuma looking beautiful covered with all flowers moving through Ashokvan. Hanuma thinking that he attained Golden hue. Hanuma wonderstruck at the scenery and sounds all around. Hanuma's anticipation as he awaits possible darshan of Sita.

This is the story of Sundara in suṁdaraṁ vanaṁ.;
This is the story of Hanuma in the ānaṁdamayakōśa .

ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē ādikāvyē vālmīkīyē
caturviṁśat sahasrikāyāṁ saṁhitāyām
śrīmatsuṁdarakāṁḍē caturdaśassargaḥ||

Thus ends the fourteenth Sarga of Ramayana the first ever poem written by venerable poet Valmiki.

||om tat sat||

updated 23/10/2022 0555