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|| om tat sat||

Sundarakanda
Sarga 53

The word that sticks in mind as we read this Sarga is 'śītō bhava'; which means 'may (he) become cooler' ; Who? 'Hanuma' ; So here it means 'let Hanuma become cooler'. This is Sita's prayer.

It is not a simple prayer.

It is prayer where Sita is using all her ascetic powers.
yadyati pati śuśrūṣā' - 'If I have served my husband well'
'yadyasti caritaṁ tapaḥ' -' If there is power in my penance'
'yadi cāstēkapatnītvaṁ' -'If I have been true to my marriage vows'
'yadi vābhāgyaśēṣō mē' - If I have any fortune left'
'śītō bhava hanumataḥ' - 'Let Hanuma become cool'
It means Sita is staking all her ascetic powers.

Sita is praying to God of Fire that he shall ensure that Hanuma remains cool. That is because Rakshasas set Hanuman's tail on fire.

How Sita has come to that stage is what we hear in this Sarga,

Now we go through Slokas of fifty third Sarga

||Sloka 53.01||

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā daśagrīvō mahābalaḥ|
dēśakālahitaṁ vākyaṁ bhrāturuttaramabravīt||53.01||

sa|| daśagrīvaḥ mahābalaḥ tasya tadvacanaṁ dēśakālahitaṁ vākyaṁ śrutvā bhrāturuḥ uttaraṁ abravīt||

||Sloka meanings||

daśagrīvaḥ mahābalaḥ -
powerful ten-headed one
tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā -
hearing his brother's words
dēśakālahitaṁ vākyaṁ -
which are keeping in line with the time, place and propriety,
bhrāturuḥ uttaraṁ abravīt-
spoke to his brother in reply

||Sloka summary||

"The powerful ten-headed one, Ravana, hearing his brother's words which are keeping in line with the time, place and propriety, spoke in reply."||53.01||

||Sloka 53.02||

samyaguktaṁ hi bhavatā dūtavadhyā vigarhitā|
avaśyaṁ tu vadhā danyaḥ kriyatā masyanigrahaḥ||53.02||

sa|| bhavatā samyak uktaṁ dūta vadhyā vigarhitā| asya nigrahaḥ vadhāt anyaḥ avaśyaṁ kriyatāṁ ||

||Sloka meanings||

bhavatā samyak uktaṁ -
you have spoken well
dūta vadhyā vigarhitā -
killing messenger is censured
asya nigrahaḥ vadhāt -
instead of killing him
anyaḥ avaśyaṁ kriyatāṁ -
other (punishment) can be done

||Sloka summary||

"You have spoken well. Killing messenger is censured. His punishment other than killing can surely be done." ||53.02||

Though he rejected the Vibhishana's words " na dūta vadhyāṁ ", "messengers are not to be killed", Ravana turns around to accept the same. .

||Sloka 53.03||

kapīnāṁ kila lāṁgūlaṁ iṣṭaṁ bhavati bhūṣaṇam|
tadasya dīpyatāṁ śīghraṁ tēna dagdhēna gacchatu||53.03||

sa|| kapīnāṁ bhūṣaṇaṁ lāṁgūlaṁ iṣṭaṁ bhavati | tat asya ( lāṁgūlaṁ) dīpyatāṁ | tēna dagdhēna śīghraṁ gacchatu||

||Sloka meanings||

kapīnāṁ lāṁgūlaṁ bhūṣaṇaṁ -
tail is Vanara's ornament
iṣṭaṁ bhavati - dear to them
tat asya ( lāṁgūlaṁ) dīpyatāṁ -
so his tail may be set on fire
tēna dagdhēna śīghraṁ gacchatu -
once it is burnt he can go quickly

||Sloka summary||

"The tail is Vanara's ornament, and is dear to them. So his tail may be set on fire. Once it is burnt he can go quickly." ||53.03||

||Sloka 53.04||

tataḥ paśyaṁ tvimaṁ dīnaṁ aṁgavairūpyakarśitam|
samitra jñātayaḥ sarvē bāndhavāḥ sasuhr̥t janāḥ||53.04||

sa|| tataḥ imaṁ aṁgavairūpyakarśitaṁ dīnaṁ jñātayaḥ sarvē bāṁdhavāḥ samitra sasuhr̥t paśyaṁ||

||Sloka meanings||

tataḥ imaṁ - then his
aṁgavairūpyakarśitaṁ dīnaṁ -
thus disfigured and pitiable
imaṁ jñātayaḥ sarvē samitra bāṁdhavāḥ sasuhr̥t-
those who know him, all his relatives, close friends
paśyaṁ imaṁ- let him be seen

||Sloka summary||

" Then all his friends relatives and his kinsmen will see him disfigured and deformed".||53.04||

||Sloka 53.05||

ājñāpayat rākṣasēṁdraḥ puraṁ sarvaṁ sa catvaram|
lāṁgūlēna pradīptēna rakṣōbhiḥ pariṇīyatām||53.05||

sa|| rākṣasēṁdraḥ ājñāpayat lāṁgūlēna pradīptēna ( ayaṁ ) rakṣōbhiḥ sarvaṁ puraṁ sa catvaraṁ pariṇīyatāṁ||

||Sloka meanings||

rākṣasēṁdraḥ ājñāpayat -
king of Rakshasas ordered
lāṁgūlēna pradīptēna -
with the tail set on fire
sarvaṁ puraṁ sa catvaraṁ -
all over the city's four corners
rakṣōbhiḥ pariṇīyatāṁ -
taken around by Rakshasas

||Sloka summary||

"The king of Rakshasas ordered that with the tail set on fire, the Rakshasas may take him all over the city's four corners." ||53.05||

||Sloka 53.06||

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā rākṣasāḥ kōpakarṣitāḥ|
vēṣṭayanti sma lāṁgūlaṁ jīrṇaiḥ kārpāsajaiḥ paṭaiḥ||53.06||

sa|| tasya tat vacanaṁ śrutvā rākṣasāḥ kōpakarśitāḥ tasya lāṁgūlaṁ jīrṇaiḥ kārpāsajaiḥ paṭaiḥ vēṣṭayaṁti sma||

||Sloka meanings||

tasya tat vacanaṁ śrutvā -
hearing those words of the king
rākṣasāḥ kōpakarśitāḥ - angry Rakshasas
tasya lāṁgūlaṁ jīrṇaiḥ kārpāsajaiḥ paṭaiḥ -
his tail with tatters of cotton
vēṣṭayaṁti sma - started wrapping

||Sloka summary||

"Hearing those words , the angry Rakshasas started wrapping his tail with tatters of cotton." ||53.06||

||Sloka 53.07||

saṁvēṣṭyamānē lāṁgūlē vyavarthata mahākapiḥ|
śuṣka mindanamāsādya vanēṣviva hutāśanaḥ||53.07||

sa||lāṁgūlē saṁvēṣṭyamānē mahākapiḥ vyavardhata (yathā)vanēṣu śuṣkaṁ iṁdhanaṁ āsādya hutāśanaḥ iva ||

||Sloka meanings||

lāṁgūlē saṁvēṣṭyamānē -
while the tail was being wrapped
mahākapiḥ vyavardhata -
great Vanara grew in size
(yathā)vanēṣu śuṣkaṁ -
dry wood of the forest
iṁdhanaṁ āsādya hutāśanaḥ iva -
like wild fire fed by

||Sloka summary||

"While the tail was being wrapped, the great Vanara grew in size like a wild fire fed by dry wood of the forest. Then they soaked the tail and set fire to the same." ||53.07||

||Sloka 53.08||

tailēna pariṣicyātha tē'gniṁ tatrābhyapātayan|
lāṁgūlēna pradīptēna rākṣasāṁ stā napātayat||53.08||
rōṣāmarṣā parītātmā bālasūrya samānanaḥ|

sa||atha tē tailēna pariṣicyatatra agnim abhyapātayan | bālasūrya samānanaḥ rōṣāmarṣaparītātmā pradīptēna lāṁgūlēna tān rākṣasān apātayat||

||Sloka meanings||

atha tē tailēna pariṣicya -
then they having soaked with oil
tatra agnim abhyapātayan -
lit fire there
bālasūrya samānanaḥ -
looking like a rising Sun
rōṣāmarṣaparītātmā -
overtaken by indignation and anger
pradīptēna lāṁgūlēna -
with burning tail
tān rākṣasān apātayat -
he struck the Rakshasas

||Sloka summary||

"Then they lit fire there, having soaked with oil. Overtaken by indignation and anger and looking like a rising Sun, he struck the Rakshasas with his tail."||53.08||

||Sloka 53.09||

lāṁgūlaṁ saṁpradīptaṁ tu draṣṭuṁ tasya hanūmataḥ||53.09||
saha strī bālavr̥ddhāśca jagmuḥ prītā niśācarāḥ|

sa|| tasya hanūmataḥ lāṁgūlam pradīptaṁ taṁ draṣṭuṁ prītāḥ niśācarāḥ bālavr̥ddhāśca saha strī jagmuḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

tasya hanūmataḥ lāṁgūlam pradīptaṁ -
Hanuman with his tail burning bright
taṁ draṣṭuṁ prītāḥ niśācarāḥ -
to see him happy Rakshasas
bālavr̥ddhāśca saha strī jagmuḥ -
children and old people along with women came

||Sloka summary||

"To see the Hanuman with his tail burning bright, happy Rakshasas, children and old people along with women came."||53.09||

||Sloka 53.10||

sa bhūya saṁgataiḥ krūraiḥ rākṣasaiḥ harisattamaḥ ||53.10||
nibaddhaḥ kr̥tavān vīraḥ tatkālasadr̥śīṁ matim|

sa|| saṁgataiḥ krūraiḥ rākṣasaiḥ bhūyaḥ nibaddhaḥ saḥ vīraḥ harisattamaḥ tatkāla sadr̥śīṁ matiṁ kr̥tavān ||

||Sloka meanings||

saṁgataiḥ krūraiḥ rākṣasaiḥ -
by the cruel Rakshasa who gathered
bhūyaḥ nibaddhaḥ saḥ vīraḥ -
again bound that hero
tatkāla sadr̥śīṁ -
appropriate for the moment.
harisattamaḥ matiṁ kr̥tavān -
Vanaras thought about

||Sloka summary||

"When the Rakshasas gathered together and bound Hanuman again, the best of Vanaras thought of what was appropriate for the moment."||53.10||

||Sloka 53.11||

kāmaṁ khalu namē śaktā nibaddhāsyāpi rākṣasāḥ||53.11|
chitvāpāśān samutpatya hanyāmahaṁ imānpunaḥ|

sa||rakṣasāḥ nibaddhasyāpi mē na śaktāḥ kāmaṁ khalu | ahaṁ punaḥ pāśān chitvāsamutpātya imān hanyām||

||Sloka meanings||

nibaddhasyāpi rakṣasāḥ -
although bound by Rakshasas
mē na śaktāḥ kāmaṁ khalu -
they are surely not capable
ahaṁ punaḥ pāśān chitvā -
again breaking the bonds
ahaṁ samutpātya imān hanyām-
I can kill all of them

||Sloka summary||

Although bound by Rakshasa they are not capable. I can again break the bonds and kill them.

||Sloka 53.12||

yadi bharturhitārthāya carantaṁ bhartr̥śāsanāt ||53.12||
badhnanyētē durātmānō na tu mē niṣkr̥tiḥ kr̥tā|

sa||bhartuḥ hitārthāya caraṁtaṁ ētē durātmanaḥ bartr̥śāsanāt badhnaṁti yadi mē nikr̥tiḥ na kr̥tā||

||Sloka meanings||

bhartuḥ hitārthāya caraṁtaṁ -
moving here for the well-being of my master
yadi mē nikr̥tiḥ na kr̥tā -
if I escape I will not be doing my duty
ētē durātmanaḥ - these evil ones
bhartr̥śāsanāt badhnaṁti -
bound me on the orders of their master

||Sloka summary||

"While moving here for the well-being of my master , I will not be doing my duty if I escape . These evil ones bound me on the orders of their master. "

||Sloka 53.13, 14||

sarvēṣāmēva paryāptō rākṣasānā mahaṁ yudhi||53.13||
kiṁtu rāmasya prītyarthaṁ viṣahiṣyē'ha mīdr̥śaṁ|
laṁkā cārayitavyā vai punarēva bhavaditi||53.14||

sa||yudhi ahaṁ sarvēṣāṁēva rākṣasānāṁ paryāptaḥ | kiṁtu rāmasya prītyarthaṁ ahaṁ īdr̥śam laṁkā punarēva cārayitavyā bhavēt | iti viṣahiṣyē||

||Sloka meanings||

yudhi ahaṁ - In the battle
sarvēṣāṁ ēva rākṣasānāṁ paryāptaḥ -
I am enough for all the Rakshasas
kiṁtu rāmasya prītyarthaṁ -
for the sake of Rama
īdr̥śam laṁkā - this Lanka
ahaṁ punarēva cārayitavyā bhavēt -
I will go around seeing again
iti viṣahiṣyē - will bear that

||Sloka summary||

" In the battle I am enough for all the Rakshasas. But for the sake of Rama I will go around Lanka like this. I will bear this."

||Sloka 53.15||

rātrauna hi sudr̥ṣṭā mē durgakarma vidhānataḥ|
avaśyamēva draṣṭavyā mayā laṁkā niśākṣayē||53.15||

sa|| laṁkā durgakarmavihānataḥ rātrau sudr̥ṣṭā na hi niśākṣayē mayā | avaśyamēva draṣṭavyā||

||Sloka meanings||

laṁkā durgakarmavihānataḥ -
fortifications of Lanka
rātrau sudr̥ṣṭā na hi -
not been seen by me clearly in the night
niśākṣayē mayā -
before night ends
avaśyamēva draṣṭavyā-
I shall surely see

||Sloka summary||

"The fortifications of Lanka have not been seen by me clearly in the late hours of the night. They ought to be seen."

||Sloka 53.16||

kāmaṁ baddhasya mē bhūyaḥ pucchasyōddīpamanēna ca|
pīḍāṁ kurvantu rakṣāṁsi na mēssti manasaḥ śramaḥ||53.16||

sa|| bhūyaḥ baddhasya mē pucchasya uddīpanēna rakṣāṁsi kāmaṁ pīḍāṁ kurvaṁtu | mē manasaḥ śramaḥ nāsti||

||Sloka meanings||

bhūyaḥ baddhasya mē -
again by binding me
pucchasya uddīpanēna -
burning of the tail
rakṣāṁsi kāmaṁ pīḍāṁ kurvaṁtu -
Rakshasa's may torment me
mē manasaḥ śramaḥ nāsti-
that is not tiresome for me

||Sloka summary||

"Again by binding me and burning of the tail the Rakshasa's may torment me as they wish. That is not tiresome for me".||53.16||

||Sloka 53.17||

tataḥ tē saṁvr̥tākāraṁ sattvavantaṁ mahākapiṁ|
parigr̥hya yayurhr̥ṣṭā rākṣasāḥ kapikuṁjaram||53.17||

sa|| tataḥ tē rākṣasāḥ hr̥ṣṭāḥ saṁvr̥tākāraṁ sattvavaṁtaṁ kapikuṁjaraṁ mahākapiṁ parigr̥hya yayuḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

tataḥ tē rākṣasāḥ hr̥ṣṭāḥ -
then the Rakshasas joyfully
saṁvr̥tākāraṁ sattvavaṁtaṁ -
contracted and powerful
kapikuṁjaraṁ mahākapiṁ -
hanuman the best of Vanaras
parigr̥hya yayuḥ -
took him around

||Sloka summary||

"Then the Rakshasas joyfully captured the shrunken Vanara, the elephant among Vanaras, and left." ||53.17||

||Sloka 53.18||

śaṁkha bhērīninādaiḥ taṁ ghōṣayantaḥ svakarmabhiḥ|
rākṣasāḥ krūrakarmāṇaḥ cārayanti sma tāṁ purīm||53.18||

sa|| krūrakarmaṇaḥ rākṣasāḥ taṁ śaṁkhabhērīninādaiśca svakarmabhiḥ ghōṣayaṁtaḥ tāṁ purīṁ cārayaṁti sma||

||Sloka meanings||

krūrakarmaṇaḥ rākṣasāḥ -
Rakshasas who are known cruel actions
taṁ - that hanuman
śaṁkhabhērīninādaiśca svakarmabhiḥ ghōṣayaṁtaḥ -
beating drums and blowing conches , announcing their deeds
tāṁ purīṁ cārayaṁti sma-
paraded him around the city

||Sloka summary||

"The Rakshasas who are known cruel actions, beating drums and blowing conches , announcing their deeds, paraded him around the city." ||53.18||

||Sloka 53.19||

anvīyamānō rakṣōbhi ryayau sukhamarindamaḥ|
hanumāṁścārayāmāsa rākṣasānāṁ mahapurīṁ||53.19||

sa|| ariṁdamaḥ hanumān rakṣōbhiḥ anvīyamānaḥ sukhaṁ yayau| rākṣasānāṁ mahapurīṁ cārayāmāsa||

||Sloka meanings||

ariṁdamaḥ hanumān -
subduer of enemies , Hanuman
rakṣōbhiḥ anvīyamānaḥ -
being taken around by Rakshasas
sukhaṁ yayau - felt good
rākṣasānāṁ mahapurīṁ cārayāmāsa -
he ranged forth in the city of Rakshasas

||Sloka summary||

"The subduer of enemies , Hanuman being followed by Rakshasas went around happily. He ranged forth in the city of Rakshasas."||53.19||

||Sloka 53.20||

athāpaśyat vimānāni vicitrāṇi mahākapiḥ|
saṁvr̥tān bhūmibhāgāṁśca suvibhaktāṁśca catvarān||53.20||

sa|| atha mahākapiḥ vicitrāṇi vimānāni saṁvr̥tān bhūmibhāgāṁśca suvibhaktān catvārān apaśyat ||

||Sloka meanings||

atha mahākapiḥ -
then the great Vanara
vicitrāṇi vimānāni -
wonderful towering mansions
saṁvr̥tān bhūmibhāgāṁśca -
secure underground places
suvibhaktān catvārān -
well laid out squares and streets.
apaśyat - saw

||Sloka summary||

Then the great Vanara saw wonderful towering mansions secured all over and well laid out squares and streets.||53.20||

||Sloka 53.21||

vīdhīśca gr̥hasaṁbādhāḥ kapiḥ śr̥ṁgāṭakāni ca|
tathā rathyōparathyāśca tathaiva gr̥hakāntarān||53.21||
gr̥hāśca mēghasaṁkāśān dadarśa pavanātmajaḥ|

sa|| pavanātmajaḥ kapiḥ gr̥hasaṁbādhāḥ vīthiḥ śr̥ṁgāṭakāni ca tathā rathyōparathyāśca tathaivaca ca gr̥hakāṁtarān mēghasaṁkāsān gr̥hāṁśca dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||

pavanātmajaḥ kapiḥ -
son of wind god, the Vanara
gr̥hasaṁbādhāḥ vīthiḥ -
streets with houses
śr̥ṁgāṭakāni ca -
beautiful tall mansions
tathā rathyōparathyāśca-
with highways and byways
tathaivaca ca gr̥hakāṁtarān mēghasaṁkāsān gr̥hāṁśca - similarly interiors paths of houses, also houses appearing like clouds
dadarśa- saw

||Sloka summary||

"The son of wind god, the Vanara, saw streets with houses and beautiful tall mansions, highways and byways. Similarly he saw interior routes of houses, also houses appearing like clouds."||53.21||

||Sloka 53.22||

catvarēṣu catuṣkēṣu rājamārgē tathaiva ca||53.22||
ghōṣayanti kapiṁ sarvē cārīka iti rākṣasāḥ|

sa|| sarvē rakṣasāḥ catvarēṣu catuṣkēṣu tathaiva ca rājamārgē kapiṁ cārīkaḥ iti ghōṣayaṁti||

||Sloka meanings||

sarvē rakṣasāḥ -
all the Rakshasas
catvarēṣu catuṣkēṣu -
in the cross roads, the altars with four pillars
tathaiva ca rājamārgē ca -
similarly along the Royal path too
kapiṁ cārīkaḥ iti ghōṣayaṁti-
announcing that Vanara as a thief

||Sloka summary||

"All the Rakshasas went around the cross roads, the altars with four pillars, the royal path announcing the Vanara as a thief."||53.22||

||Sloka 53.23||

strībāla vr̥ddhā nirjagmuḥ tatra tatra kutūhalāt||53.23||
taṁ pradīpitalāṁgūlaṁ hanumantaṁ didr̥kṣavaḥ|

sa|| pradīpitalāṁgūlaṁ taṁ hanūmaṁtaṁ didr̥kṣavaḥ strībālavr̥ddhāḥ tatra tatra kutūhalāt nirjagmuḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

pradīpitalāṁgūlaṁ taṁ -
with glowing tail
hanūmaṁtaṁ didr̥kṣavaḥ -
to see Hanuman
strībālavr̥ddhāḥ tatra tatra -
women, children and old people here and there
kutūhalāt nirjagmuḥ -
gathered with curiosity

||Sloka summary||

"To see Hanuman with glowing tail , women, children and old people gathered with curiosity everywhere."||53.23||

||Sloka 53.24||

dīpyamānē tataḥ tasya lāṁgūlāgrē hanūmataḥ||53.24||
rākṣasya stā virūpākṣyaḥ śaṁsurdēvāvyāstadapriyam|

sa|| tataḥ tatra hanūmataḥ lāṁgūlāgrē dīpyamānē virūpākṣyaḥ tāḥ rākṣasyaḥ dēvyāḥ apriyaṁ tat śaṁsuḥ||

||Sloka meanings||

tataḥ tatra hanūmataḥ -
then there Hanuman's
lāṁgūlāgrē dīpyamānē -
tail was set on fire
virūpākṣyaḥ tāḥ rākṣasyaḥ -
Rakshasis with ugly looking eyes
dēvyāḥ apriyaṁ tat śaṁsuḥ-
informed the unpleasant news to the divine lady

||Sloka summary||

"Then as the Hanuman's tail was set on fire , the ugly looking Rakshasis informed the unpleasant news to the divine lady Sita." ||53.24||

||Sloka 53.25||

yastvayā kr̥ta saṁvādaḥ sītē tāmramukhaḥ kapiḥ||53.25||
lāṁgūlēna pradīptēna sa ēṣa pariṇīyatē|

sa|| sītē yaḥ tāmramukhaḥ kapiḥ tvayā kr̥tasaṁvādaḥ sa ēṣaḥ pradīptēna lāṁgūlēna pariṇīyatē ||

||Sloka meanings||
sītē yaḥ tāmramukhaḥ kapiḥ -
o Sita, the Vanara with red face
tvayā kr̥tasaṁvādaḥ -
one who spoke to you
sa ēṣaḥ pradīptēna lāṁgūlēna -
he with his tail set on fire
pariṇīyatē - being paraded

||Sloka summary||

"Oh Sita, the Vanara with red face , who spoke to you , he was being paraded in the streets with his tail set on fire". ||53.25||

||Sloka 53.26||

śrutvā tadvacanaṁ krūraṁ ātmāpaharaṇōpamam||53.26||
vaidēhī śōka saṁtaptā hūtāśanamupāgamat|

sa|| vaidēhī ātmāpaharaṇōpamaṁ krūraṁ tat vacanaṁ śrutvā śōkasaṁtaptā hutāśanaṁ upāgamat||

||Sloka meanings||

ātmāpaharaṇōpamaṁ -
that which was equal to her abduction
krūraṁ tat vacanaṁ śrutvā -
hearing those cruel words
vaidēhī śōkasaṁtaptā hutāśanaṁ upāgamat -
Vaidehi burning with grief invoked the god of fire

||Sloka summary||

"Vaidehi hearing that news which was as cruel as her abduction, burning with grief invoked the god of fire." ||53.26||

||Sloka 53.27||

maṁgaḷābhimukhī tasya sā tadā''sīnmahākapēḥ||
upatasthē viśālākṣī prayatā havyavāhanam||53.27||

sa|| tadā sā mahākapēḥ tasya maṁgaḷābhimukhī āsīt| viśālākṣī prayatā havyavāhanam upatasthē||

||Sloka meanings||

tadā sā - then that lady
mahākapēḥ - for the great Vanara
tasya maṁgaḷābhimukhī āsīt -
wishing auspicious happenings for him
viśālākṣī prayatā -
the large eyed one in her mind
havyavāhanam upatasthē-
invoked the god of fire

||Sloka summary||

"Then that lady wishing auspicious happenings for the great Vanara invoked the god of fire in her mind." ||53.27||

||Sloka 53.28||

yadyasti patiśuśrūṣā yadyasti caritaṁ tapaḥ|
yadi cāstyēkapatnītvaṁ śītō bhavatu hanūmataḥ||53.28||

sa|| patiśuśrūṣā asti yadi tapaḥ caritaṁ asti yadi ēkapatnītvaṁ asti ca yadi tvaṁ hanūmataḥ śītaḥ bhava||

||Sloka meanings||

patiśuśrūṣā asti yadi -
if I have served my husband
tapaḥ caritaṁ asti yadi -
if I have practiced austerities,
ēkapatnītvaṁ asti ca yadi-
if I am loyal to my husband
tvaṁ hanūmataḥ śītaḥ bhava -
you be cool for Hanuman.

||Sloka summary||

"If I have served my husband, if I have practiced austerities, if I am loyal to my husband , you be cool for Hanuman." ||53.28||

||Sloka 53.29||

yadikiṁcidanukrōśaḥ tasya mayyasti dhīmataḥ|
yadi vā bhāgyaśēṣō mē śītō bhavatu hanūmataḥ||53.29||

sa|| dhīmataḥ tasya mayi kiṁcit anukrōśaḥ asti yadi mē bhāgya śēṣaḥ yadi vā hanūmataḥ śītaḥ bhava||

||Sloka meanings||

dhīmataḥ tasya - the wise one
mayi kiṁcit anukrōśaḥ asti -
has a little compassion for me
yadi mē bhāgya śēṣaḥ -
if there is any luck with me
yadi vā hanūmataḥ śītaḥ bhava -
let Hanuman become cool

||Sloka summary||

"If the wise one has a little compassion for me , if there is any luck with me, let Hanuman become cool." ||53.29||

||Sloka 53.30||

yadi māṁ vr̥tti saṁpannāṁ tatsamāgama lālasāṁ|
sa vijānāti dharmātmā śītō bhavatu hanūmataḥ||53.30||

sa|| dharmātmā saḥ mām vr̥ttasaṁpannāṁ tatsamāgamalālasāṁ vijānatē yadi hanūmataḥ śītaḥ bhava||

||Sloka meanings||

dharmātmā saḥ - he, the righteous one
mām vr̥ttasaṁpannāṁ -
(believes) me being pure in mind
tatsamāgamalālasāṁ vijānatē yadi-
believes that I am longing to unite with him
hanūmataḥ śītaḥ bhava -
be cool for Hanuman.

||Sloka summary||

"If the righteous one believes I am pure in mind , and that I am longing to unite with him then be cool for Hanuman." ||53.30||

In these four Slokas Sita prays to God of Fire to protect Hanuma. In that prayer she places all her power at stake for the safety of Hanuman. We will review this at the end of the chapter.

||Sloka 53.31||

yadi māṁ tārayēdāryaḥ sugrīvaḥ satyasaṁgaraḥ|
asmāduḥkhāmbusaṁrōdhāt śītō bhava hanūmataḥ||53.31||

sa|| āryaḥ satyasaṁgaraḥ sugrīvaḥ asmāt dūkhāmbu saṁrōdhāt māṁ tārayēt yadi hanūmataḥ śītaḥ bhava||

||Sloka meanings||

āryaḥ satyasaṁgaraḥ sugrīvaḥ -
Sugriva the noble one who is true to his promise
asmāt dūkhāmbu saṁrōdhāt -
from this sea of sorrows
māṁ tārayēt yadi-
if he is going to rescue me
hanūmataḥ śītaḥ bhava -
then be cool for Hanuman

||Sloka summary||

"If Sugriva the noble one who is true to his promise in warfare is going to rescue me from this sea of sorrows then be cool for Hanuman".||53.31||

||Sloka 53.32||

tataḥ tīkṣṇārci ravyagraḥ pradakṣiṇaśikhō nalaḥ|
jajvāla mr̥gaśābākṣyā śśaṁsanniva śivaṁ kapēḥ||53.32||

sa|| tataḥ analaḥ mr̥gaśābākṣyāḥ kapēḥ śivaṁ śaṁsanniva tīkṣṇārciḥ pradakṣiṇaśikhaḥ avyagraḥ jajvāla||

||Sloka meanings||

tataḥ analaḥ -
then the fire god
mr̥gaśābākṣyāḥ -
to the fawn eyed lady
kapēḥ śivaṁ śaṁsanniva -
as if announcing the auspiciousness of the Vanara
tīkṣṇārciḥ pradakṣiṇaśikhaḥ -
intense flame with tips of the flames moving
avyagraḥ jajvāla- steadily glowed

||Sloka summary||

"Then tips of the intense flame glowed steadily as though assuring the fawn eyed lady about being auspicious to the Vanara." ||53.32||

||Sloka 53.33||

hanumajjanakaścāpi pucchānalayutō'nilaḥ|
vavau svāsthyakarō dēvyāḥ prālēyānilaśītalaḥ||53.33||

sa|| hanumat janakaḥ anilaḥ pucchānalayutaḥ dēvyāḥ svāsthyakaraḥ prālēyānilaśītalaḥ vavau||

||Sloka meanings||

hanumat janakaḥ -
hanuman's father too
pucchānalayutaḥ anilaḥ-
(to) the fire god burning the tail
dēvyāḥ svāsthyakaraḥ -
divine lady's prayer for safety
prālēyānilaśītalaḥ vavau-
blew cool wind like wind from cool mountains

||Sloka summary||

"The father of Hanuman the wind god and the fire god burning the tail, blew cool wind , in response to her prayers ." ||53.33||

||Sloka 53.34||

dahyamānē ca lāṁgūlē ciṁtayāmāsa vānaraḥ||53.34||
pradīptōsgnirayaṁ kasmānnamāṁ dahati sarvataḥ|

sa||lāṁgūlē dahyamānē vānaraḥ ciṁtayāmāsa| sarvataḥ pradīptaḥ ayaṁ agniḥ mām kasmāt na dahati ||

||Sloka meanings||

lāṁgūlē dahyamānē -
as the tail continued burning
vānaraḥ ciṁtayāmāsa -
Hanuman started thinking
sarvataḥ pradīptaḥ ayaṁ agniḥ -
the fire which burns everything
mām kasmāt na dahati -
why is it not burning me?

||Sloka summary||

"As the tail continued burning Hanuman started thinking. Why is this the fire which is burning everywhere is not burning me." ||53.34||

||Sloka 53.35||

dr̥śyatē ca mahājvālaḥ karōti na ca mē rujam||53.35||
śiśirasyēvasaṁpātō lāṁgūlāgrēpratiṣṭitaḥ|

sa||mahājvālaḥ dr̥śyatē mē rujaṁ na karōti ca lāṁgūlāgrē śiśirasya saṁghātaḥ pratiṣṭitaḥ iva ||

||Sloka meanings||

mahājvālaḥ dr̥śyatē mē -
great fire is seen
mē rujaṁ na karōti ca -
it is not hurting me
lāṁgūlāgrē śiśirasya saṁghātaḥ -
at the tip of my tail
śiśirasya saṁghātaḥ pratiṣṭitaḥ iva -
cool mass of ice is placed as if

||Sloka summary||

"The great fire is seen, but it is not hurting me. At the end of my tail, it is cool like there is a mass of ice." ||53.35||

||Sloka 53.36||

athavā tadidaṁ vyaktaṁ yadr̥ṣṭaṁ plavatā mayā||53.36||
rāmaprabhāvādāścaryaṁ parvataḥ saritāṁ patau|

sa|| athavā yat plavatā mayā rāmaprabhāvāt parvataḥ saritāṁ patau āścaryaṁ dr̥ṣṭaṁ tat idaṁ vyaktam||

||Sloka meanings||

athavā yat plavatā mayā-
or else when I was flying
rāmaprabhāvāt -
because of Rama's power
parvataḥ saritāṁ patau -
mountain floating up in the ocean
āścaryaṁ dr̥ṣṭaṁ -
surprisingly seen
tat idaṁ vyaktam -
now it is clear.

||Sloka summary||

"Or it may be because of Rama's power. Like the wonderful incident of a mountain floating in the sky seen while I leaped" ||53.36||

||Sloka 53.37||

yadi tāvat samudrasya mainākasya ca dhīmataḥ||53.37||
rāmārthaṁ saṁbhramastādr̥kkimagnirnakariṣyati|

sa||samudrasya dhīmataḥ mainākasya rāmārthaṁ tādr̥k saṁbhramaḥ yadi agniḥ kiṁ na kariṣyati||

||Sloka meanings||

yadi samudrasya dhīmataḥ mainākasya -
if wise Sagara and Mainaka
rāmārthaṁ tādr̥k saṁbhramaḥ yadi -
had such anxiety to serve Rama
agniḥ kiṁ na kariṣyati -
why will not God of fire do ?

||Sloka summary||

" If the wise Sagara and Mainaka had such anxiety to serve Rama , why will not god of fire do ? " ||53.37||

||Sloka 53.38||

sītāyāścānr̥śaṁ syēna tējasā rāghavasya ca||53.38||
pituśca mama sakhyēna na māṁ dahati pāvakaḥ|

sa|| sītāyāḥ anr̥śaṁsyēna rāghavasya tējasā mamapituḥ sakhyēna pāvakaḥ mām na dahati||

||Sloka meanings||

sītāyāḥ anr̥śaṁsyēna -
because of Sita's steadfast chaste character
rāghavasya tējasā -
Raghava's luster
mamapituḥ sakhyēna -
my father's friendship
pāvakaḥ mām na dahati-
god of fire is not burning me

||Sloka summary||

"Because of Sita's steadfast chaste character, Raghava's luster, and my father's friendship , the god of fire is not burning me." ||53.38||

||Sloka 53.39||

bhūyaḥ sa ciṁtayāmāsa muhūrtaṁ kapikuṁjaraḥ||53.39||
utpapātātha vēgēna nanāda ca mahākapiḥ|

sa|| kapikuṁjaraḥ saḥ mahākapiḥ bhūyaḥ ciṁtayāmāsa | atha vēgēna utpapāda nanāda ca||

||Sloka meanings||

kapikuṁjaraḥ saḥ mahākapiḥ -
Vanara, the best among Vanaras
bhūyaḥ ciṁtayāmāsa -
again started thinking
atha vēgēna utpapāda nanāda ca-
then flew up quickly and roared

||Sloka summary||

"The best among Vanaras again started thinking. Then flew up quickly and roared." ||53.39||

||Sloka 53.40||

puradvāraṁ tataḥ śrīmān śailaśr̥ṁgamivōnnatam||53.40||
vibhaktarakṣassaṁbhādha māsasādānilātmajaḥ|

sa|| tataḥ śrīmān anilātmajaḥ śailaśr̥ṁgamiva unnataṁ vibhaktarakṣaḥ saṁbādhām puradvāraṁ āsasāda||

||Sloka meanings||

tataḥ śrīmān anilātmajaḥ -
then the illustrious son of wind god
vibhaktarakṣaḥ saṁbādhām -
having freed himself from the Rakshasas
śailaśr̥ṁgamiva unnataṁ -
which is like the peak of the mountain
puradvāraṁ āsasāda-
reached the entrance of the city

||Sloka summary||

"Then the illustrious son of wind god reached the entrance of the city which is like the peak of the mountain and having freed himself from the Rakshasas."||53.40||

||Sloka 53.41||

sa bhūtvā śailasaṁkāśaḥ kṣaṇēna punarātmavān ||53.41||
hrasvatāṁ paramāṁ prāptōbandanānyavaśātayat|

sa|| ātmavān saḥ śailasaṁkāśaḥ bhūtvā kṣaṇēna hrasvatāṁ prāptaḥ bandhanāni avaśātayat||

||Sloka meanings||

saḥ śailasaṁkāśaḥ -
he of the form of a mountain
ātmavān bhūtvā-
attaining his own form
kṣaṇēna hrasvatāṁ prāptaḥ -
in a moment became very small
bandhanāni avaśātayat -
became free of all bonds

||Sloka summary||'

"Hanuman making himself appear like a mountain, in a moment making himself small he cast off all the ropes binding him." ||53.41||

||Sloka 53.42||

vimuktāścābhavat śrīmān punaḥ parvatasannibhaḥ||53.42||
vīkṣamāṇāśca dadr̥śē parighaṁ tōraṇāśritam|

sa||śrīmān vimuktaśca punaḥ parvatasannibhaḥ abhavat| vīkṣamāṇaśca tōraṇāśritaṁ parighaṁ dadarśa||

||Sloka meanings||

śrīmān vimuktaśca -
illustrious one having freed himself
punaḥ parvatasannibhaḥ abhavat -
again assumed the form of the size of a mountain
vīkṣamāṇaśca - looking around
tōraṇāśritaṁ parighaṁ dadarśa -
sitting on the archway he saw the iron club

||Sloka summary||

"The illustrious one having freed himself again assumed the form of the size of a mountain. Looking around , sitting on the archway he found the iron club."||53.42||

||Sloka 53.43||

sa taṁ gr̥hya mahābāhuḥ kālāyasa pariṣkr̥tam||53.43||
rakṣiṇastān punaḥ sarvān sūdayāmāsa mārutiḥ|

sa|| mahābāhuḥ saḥ mārutiḥ kālāyasapariṣkr̥taṁ taṁ punaḥ gr̥hya sarvān tān rakṣiṇaḥ sūdayāmāsa||

||Sloka meanings||

mahābāhuḥ saḥ mārutiḥ -
strong armed son of wind god
kālāyasapariṣkr̥taṁ -
that which was made of black iron
taṁ punaḥ gr̥hya - again seizing that one
tān sarvān rakṣiṇaḥ sūdayāmāsa -
killed all the guards

||Sloka summary||

"The strong-armed son of wind god, again seizing the club made of black iron killed all the guards." ||53.43||

||Sloka 53.44||

satān nihatvā raṇacaṇḍavikramaḥ
samīkṣamāṇaḥ punarēva laṁkām||
pradīptalāṁgūlakr̥tārcimālī
prakāśatā''ditya ivārcimālī||53.44||

sa|| raṇacaṁḍavikramaḥ saḥ tān nihatvā punarēva laṁkāṁ samīkṣamānaḥ pradīptalāṁgūlakr̥tārcimālī arcimālī aditya iva prakāśata||

||Sloka meanings||

raṇacaṁḍavikramaḥ -
one who is of fearsome valor in war
saḥ tān nihatvā -
he having killed them
punarēva laṁkāṁ samīkṣamānaḥ -
gazing at Lanka once again
pradīptalāṁgūlakr̥tārcimālī -
garlanded by the flames of his tail around
arcimālī aditya iva prakāśata -
shone like the Sun covered with garland of rays

||Sloka summary||

"Hanuman who was of fearsome valor in war with the Rakshasas, having killed them gazed at Lanka once again. Garlanded by the flames of his tail around, he shone like the Sun covered with garland of rays." ||53.44||
The unquestionable highlight of the Sarga is Sita's prayers.

We heard of Hanuma, as the Acharya or the teacher,
who set out in search of the Jiva who strayed away from Paramatman?
Acting as a teacher, he sets out in search of the Jiva.

Having found the Jiva,
having observed Jiva to confirm that he has the necessary characteristics of a Seeker,
he, the teacher, owns the Jiva as a seeker.
Having created the confidence in him as the teacher,
then the teacher becomes the agent for the unification of the Seeker or Jivatma and Paramatma.

In this narration Hanuma is the teacher.
Sita is the Seeker.

The two benefactors or protectors of the Jiva are the teacher and the Supreme being.
The Seeker who goes astray loses both the protectors.

The teacher must be seen in relation to Supreme being
The Seeker is to be seen in relation to the teacher.
For the Seeker the teacher is the guide
Now we see Hanuma and Sita's actions.

While the tail was on fire
Hanuma decides to bear the pain in the interest of his duty. 'rāmakāryārtham'.

But Sita could not bear the thought of Hanuma bearing that pain,
She prays to the God of Fire to keep Hanuma cool.

In the relationship between the disciple and the teacher,
how each should act is illustrated by this event

The teacher is responsible for the protection of the disciple.
The disciple under the charge of Guru need not worry about his own protection.
After having obtained a teacher, the Seeker shall be at peace,
knowing that teacher, by extension the Supreme being, is there to show the path.

Similarly, Sita depending on Rama as the Supreme being,
did not use her powers to protect herself.
She has the ascetic powers of a virtuous wife.
She did not use those powers.
She was sure Rama will come and protect here.
But she did use her powers to protect Hanuma.

A disciple under a teacher is also under the protection of the teacher.
The teacher protects the disciple from all sorts of impediments
The disciple under a teacher too has a similar responsibility.
He shall always take charge of physical protection of the Teacher.
Here Sita uses her power for the protection of Hanuma, the teacher.

The teacher who had the grace of the Supreme being,
who continues to serve under the orders of the Supreme?
shall be ready to bear the burdens in serving the Supreme.
He is sure the Supreme being will come to his aid if necessary.

That is what we see in Hanuma
Hanuma, though being tormented by Rakshasa, decides to bear it.
Bears it in the interest of his task for Rama.
Hanuma went around the city as the captive of Rakshasas.
Thus, the roles of the disciple and the teacher is illustrated through this event,

Here the four Slokas of Sita's prayer are important.

yadyasi patiśuśrūṣā yadyasti caritaṁ tapaḥ|
yadi cāstyēkapatnītvaṁ śītō bhavatu hanūmataḥ||28||
yadikiṁcidanukrōśaḥ tasya mayyasti dhīmataḥ|
yadi vā bhāgyaśēṣō mē śītō bhavatu hanūmataḥ||29||
yadi māṁ vr̥tti saṁpannāṁ tatsamāgama lālasāṁ|
sa vijānāti dharmātmā śītō bhavatu hanūmataḥ||30||
yadi māṁ tārayēdāryaḥ sugrīvaḥ satyasaṁgaraḥ|
asmāduḥkhāmbusaṁrōdhāt śītō bhava hanūmataḥ||31||

These four Slokas render peace to a burning heart.

one more thing.

Hanuma is Rama's messenger.
Hanuma is captured and brought before Ravana.
We know how Ravana reacted to the same.

There is a similar event in Yuddhakanda.

Rama reaches Lanka with the Vanara Army.
To know more about the Vanara army
Ravana sends two Rakshasas Suka and Sarana to spy on the enemy camp.
Vibhishana finds these two spies moving about in the Vanara camp.
He brings them to Rama.
Rama's statement at that time is indeed a lesson.

"nyasta śastrau gr̥hītau vā
na dūtau vadhaṁ arhataḥ"
The spies who discard weapons or who are caught shall not be killed.

Having told this to Vibhishana,
Rama asks the spies whether they got the information they desired.
Rama tells Vibhishana to show whatever is wanted by the spies and let them go.

That is Rama's order.
We can see the contrast of Rama and Ravana's orders.

Ravana is known as a well read one.
But we know from these orders the difference.
Rama combines strength and knowledge with compassion.
Ravana lacks the knowledge and compassion.

Thus, ends Sarga fifty-three of Sundarakanda.

ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē ādikāvyē vālmīkīyē
caturviṁśat sahasrikāyāṁ saṁhitāyām
śrīmatsuṁdarakāṁḍē tripaṁcāśassargaḥ ||

Thus ends Sarga fifty-three of Sundarakanda of Ramayana , the first poem composed in Sanskrit by the first poet sage Valmiki .

|| om tat sat||