Hanuman Brings News to Sita, and Sita Undergoes the Fire Ordeal
Hanuman reaches Sita in the Ashok grove and conveys Rama's welfare and victory. She is then brought with honor, and through the fire ordeal her purity is revealed before the world.
Lanka Kand · Episode 32 / 37
Episode Text
पुनि प्रभु बोलि लियउ हनुमाना। लंका जाहु कहेउ भगवाना॥ समाचार जानकिहि सुनावहु। तासु कुसल लै तुम्ह चलि आवहु॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
puni prabhu boli liyau hanumānā। laṃkā jāhu kaheu bhagavānā॥ samācāra jānakihi sunāvahu। tāsu kusala lai tumha cali āvahu॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
The Lord then called Hanuman again and said, 'Go to Lanka. Deliver news to Janaki, and bring back tidings of her welfare; then return at once.'
तब हनुमंत नगर महुँ आए। सुनि निसिचरी निसाचर धाए॥ बहु प्रकार तिन्ह पूजा कीन्ही। जनकसुता देखाइ पुनि दीन्ही॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
taba hanumanta nagara mahuṃ āe। suni nisicarīṃ nisācara dhāe॥ bahu prakāra tinha pūjā kīn hī। janakasutā dekhāi puni dīnhī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then Hanuman came into the city. Hearing this, the female demons and male demons ran out. They honored Hanuman in many ways and then showed him Janakasuta.
दूरिहि ते प्रनाम कपि कीन्हा। रघुपति दूत जानकी चीन्हा॥ कहहु तात प्रभु कृपानिकेता। कुसल अनुज कपि सेन समेता॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dūrihi te pranāma kapi kīn hā। raghupati dūta jānakī cīnhā॥ kahahu tāta prabhu kṛpāniketā। kusala anuja kapi sena sametā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Hanuman bowed from afar. Janaki recognized that he was the messenger of Raghu's Lord and asked, 'Tell me, dear child, O abode of mercy, are my Lord, my younger brother, and the army of monkeys all well?'
सब बिधि कुसल कोसलाधीसा। मातु समर जीत्यो दससीसा॥ अबिचल राजु बिभीषन पायो। सुनि कपि बचन हरष उर छायो॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saba bidhi kusala kosalādhīsā। mātu samara jītyo dasa sīsā॥ abicala rāju bibhīṣana pāyo। suni kapi bacana haraṣa ura chāyo॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
In every way the Lord of Kosala is well, Mother. In battle he has defeated the ten-headed Ravana, and Vibhishana has obtained an unshakable kingdom. Hearing Hanuman's words, joy filled Sita's heart.
अति हरष मन तन पुलक लोचन सजल कह पुनि पुनि रमा। का देउँ तोहि त्रैलोक महुँ कपि किमपि नहिं बानी समा॥ सुनु मातु मैं पायो अखिल जग राजु आजु न संसयं। रन जीति रिपुदल बंधु जुत पस्यामि राममनामयं॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ati haraṣa mana tana pulaka locana sajala kaha puni puni ramā। kā deuṃ tohi trailoka mahuṃ kapi kimapi nahiṃ bānī samā॥ sunu mātu maiṃ pāyo akhila jaga rāju āju na saṃsayam। rana jīti ripudala bandhu juta pasyāmi rāma-manāmayaṃ॥
Meaning:
Sita's heart overflowed with joy. Her body thrilled with emotion, and her eyes were wet with tears of happiness. She kept saying again and again, 'O Hanuman, what can I give you? In the three worlds there is nothing equal to this news!' [Hanuman said:] 'Listen, Mother. Today I have surely won the kingdom of the whole world, for in battle I have conquered the enemy hosts and behold Rama, along with his brother, safe and sound.'
सुनु सुत सदगुन सकल तव हृदयँ बसहुँ हनुमंत। सानुकूल कोसलपति रहहुँ समेत अनंत॥ १०७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunu suta sadaguna sakala tava hṛdayaṃ basahuṃ hanumanta। sānukūla kosalapati rahahuṃ sameta ananta॥ 107 ॥
Meaning:
Janaki said, 'Son, listen: may all virtues dwell in your heart, O Hanuman; and may the Lord of Kosala, together with Ananta (Shesha), always remain gracious to you.'
अब सोइ जतन करहु तुम्ह ताता। देखौं नयन स्याम मृदु गाता॥ तब हनुमान राम पहिं जाई। जनकसुता कै कुसल सुनाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aba soi jatana karahu tumha tātā। dekhauṃ nayana syāma mṛdu gātā॥ taba hanumāna rāma pahiṃ jāī। janakasutā kai kusala sunāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Now, dear one, devise that very means by which I may behold with these eyes the Lord's soft, dark-hued form. Then Hanuman went to Rama and reported Janakasuta's well-being.
सुनि संदेसु भानुकुलभूषन। बोलि लिए जुबराज बिभीषन॥ मारुतसुत के संग सिधावहु। सादर जनकसुतहि लै आवहु॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni saṃdesu bhānukulabhūṣana। boli lie jubarāja bibhīṣana॥ mārutasuta ke saṃga sidhāvahu। sādara janakasutahi lai āvahu॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the message, the jewel of the solar dynasty called for the prince Angada and Vibhishana, and said, 'Go with the son of the Wind-God and bring Janakasuta back respectfully.'
तुरतहिं सकल गए जहँ सीता। सेवहिं सब निसिचरीं बिनीता॥ बेगि बिभीषन तिन्हहि सिखायो। तिन्ह बहु बिधि मज्जन करवायो॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
turatahiṃ sakala gae jahaṃ sītā। sevahiṃ saba nisicarīṃ binītā॥ begi bibhīṣana tinhahi sikhāyo। tinha bahu bidhi majjana karavāyo॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
All of them immediately went to where Sita was. The female demons served her with humility. Vibhishana quickly instructed them, and they bathed her in many ways.
बहु प्रकार भूषन पहिराए। सिबिका रुचिर साजि पुनि ल्याए॥ ता पर हरषि चढ़ी बैदेही। सुमिरि राम सुखधाम सनेही॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bahu prakāra bhūṣana pahirāe। sibikā rucira sāji puni lyāe॥ tā para haraṣi chaṛhī baidehī। sumiri rāma sukhadhāma sanehī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
They adorned her with many kinds of ornaments and then brought a beautiful palanquin, duly prepared. With joy, Baidehi mounted it, remembering Rama, the beloved abode of bliss.
बेतपानि रच्छक चहु पासा। चले सकल मन परम हुलासा॥ देखन भालु कीस सब आए। रच्छक कोपि निवारन धाए॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
betapāni racchaka cahu pāsā। cale sakala mana parama hulāsā॥ dekhana bhālu kīsa saba āe। racchaka kopi nivārana dhāe॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
Guards carrying staffs walked on all four sides, while everyone's mind was filled with great delight. All the bears and monkeys came to see; then the guards angrily rushed to stop them.
कह रघुबीर कहा मम मानहु। सीतहि सखा पयादें आनहु॥ देखहुँ कपि जननी की नाईं। बिहसि कहा रघुनाथ गोसाईं॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kaha raghubīra kahā mama mānahu। sītahi sakhā payādeṃ ānahu॥ dekhahuṃ kapi jananī kī nāīṃ। bihasi kahā raghunātha gosāīṃ॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
Raghubira said, 'Friend, do as I say and bring Sita on foot, so that the monkeys may see her as a mother.' The Gosain, Rama, said this with a smile.
सुनि प्रभु बचन भालु कपि हरषे। नभ ते सुरन्ह सुमन बहु बरषे॥ सीता प्रथम अनल महुँ राखी। प्रगट कीन्हि चह अंतर साखी॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni prabhu bacana bhālu kapi haraṣe। nabha te suranhaṃ sumana bahu baraṣe॥ sītā prathama anala mahuṃ rākhī। pragaṭa kīnhi caha antara sākhī॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing the Lord's words, the bears and monkeys rejoiced, and from the sky the gods showered many flowers. Sita had first been placed in the fire; now the inner witness was to be revealed.
तेहि कारन करुनानिधि कहे कछुक दुर्बाद। सुनत जातुधानीं सब लागीं करै बिषाद॥ १०८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tehi kārana karuṇānidhi kahe kachuka durbāda। sunata jātudhānīṃ saba lāgīṃ karai biṣāda॥ 108 ॥
Meaning:
For this reason, the ocean of compassion, Rama, spoke a few harsh words in sport; hearing them, all the female demons fell into sorrow.
प्रभु के बचन सीस धरि सीता। बोली मन क्रम बचन पुनीता॥ लछिमन होहु धरम के नेगी। पावक प्रगट करहु तुम्ह बेगी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prabhu ke bacana sīsa dhari sītā। bolī mana krama bacana punītā॥ lacchimana hohu dharama ke negī। pāvaka pragaṭa karahu tumha begī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Placing the Lord's words upon her head, Sita, pure in thought, word, and deed, said: "Lakshmana, be the helper of my dharma, and quickly make a fire."
सुनि लछिमन सीता कै बानी। बिरह बिबेक धरम निति सानी॥ लोचन सजल जोरि कर दोऊ। प्रभु सन कछु कहि सकत न ओऊ॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni lacchimana sītā kai bānī। biraha bibeka dharama niti sānī॥ locana sajala jori kara dou। prabhu sana kachu kahi sakata na ou॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Sita's words, steeped in separation, wisdom, dharma, and policy, Lakshmana's eyes filled with tears of sorrow. He stood with both hands joined. He too could say nothing to the Lord.
देखि राम रुख लछिमन धाए। पावक प्रगटि काठ बहु लाए॥ पावक प्रबल देखि बैदेही। हृदयँ हरष नहिं भय कछु तेही॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dekhi rāma rukha lacchimana dhāe। pāvaka pragaṭi kāṭha bahu lāe॥ pāvaka prabala dekhi baidehī। hṛdayaṃ haraṣa nahiṃ bhaya kachu tehī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Then, seeing Rama's look, Lakshmana rushed off, kindled the fire, and brought much wood. Seeing the fire blazing strongly, Vaidehi felt joy in her heart. She felt no fear at all.
जौं मन बच क्रम मम उर माहीं। तजि रघुबीर आन गति नाहीं॥ तौ कृसानु सब कै गति जाना। मो कहुँ होउ श्रीखंड समाना॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jauṃ mana baca krama mama ura māhīṃ। taji raghubīra āna gati nāhīṃ॥ tau kṛsānu saba kai gati jānā। mo kahuṃ hou śrīkhaṇḍa samānā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
[Sita said playfully:] If, in mind, word, and deed, there is for me in my heart no other refuge than Shri Raghubir, then may the fire-god, who knows the inward movement of all hearts, know mine too and become cool to me like sandalwood.
श्रीखंड सम पावक प्रबेस कियो सुमिरि प्रभु मैथिली। जय कोसलेस महेस बंदित चरन रति अति निर्मली॥ प्रतिबिंब अरु लौकिक कलंक प्रचंड पावक महुँ जरे। प्रभु चरित काहुँन लखे नभ सुर सिद्ध मुनि देखहिं खरे॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
śrīkhaṇḍa sama pāvaka prabesa kiyo sumiri prabhu maithilī। jaya kosalesa mahesa bandita carana rati ati nirmalī॥ pratibiṃba aru laukika kalaṃka pracaṇḍa pāvaka mahuṃ jare। prabhu carita kāhuṃna lākhe nabha sura siddha muni dekhahiṃ khare॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Remembering Lord Rama, and acclaiming the Lord of Kosala, whose feet are worshipped by Shiva and in whom Sita's love was supremely pure, Janaki entered the fire, which had become cool like sandalwood. The reflection image of Sita and her worldly blemish were burned in the blazing fire. No one could fathom the Lord's deeds. The gods, siddhas, and sages stand in the sky and watch.
धरि रूप पावक पानि गहि श्री सत्य श्रुति जग बिदित जो। जिमि छीरसागर इंदिरा रामहि समर्पी आनि सो॥ सो राम बाम बिभाग राजति रुचिर अति सोभा भली। नव नील नीरज निकट मानहुँ कनक पंकज की कली॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhari rūpa pāvaka pāni gahi śrī satya śruti jaga bidita jo। jimi chīrasāgara iṃdirā rāmahiṃ samarpī āni so॥ so rāma bāma vibhāga rājati rucira ati sobhā bhalī। nava nīla nīraja nikaṭa mānahuṃ kanaka paṅkaja kī kalī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Then Fire, taking on a form, and holding the hand of the true Shri, renowned in the Vedas and in the world, presented her to Shri Rama just as the milk-ocean presented Lakshmi to Vishnu. That Sita shone at Rama's left side, and her beauty was exceedingly lovely. It was as though a bud of gold lotus was blooming beside a newly opened blue lotus.
बरषहिं सुमन हरषि सुर बाजहिं गगन निसान। गावहिं किंनर सुरबधू नाचहिं चढ़ीं बिमान॥ १०९ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
baraṣahiṃ sumana harṣi sura bājahiṃ gagana nisāna। gāvahiṃ kinnara surabadhū nācahiṃ chaṛhīṃ bimāna॥ 109 (a) ॥
Meaning:
The gods, filled with joy, showered flowers. Drums sounded in the sky. The Kinnaras sang, and celestial women, seated in their aerial chariots, danced.
जनकसुता समेत प्रभु सोभा अमित अपार। देखि भालुकपि हरषे जय रघुपति सुख सार॥ १०९ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
janakasutā sameta prabhu sobhā amita apāra। dekhi bhālukapi harṣe jaya raghupati sukha sāra॥ 109 (b) ॥
Meaning:
Seeing the limitless, boundless splendor of Lord Rama together with Janaki, the bears and monkeys were delighted and began to sing victory to Raghupati, the very essence of bliss.