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Sundarkand — सुंदरकांड (Ramcharitmanas)

The fifth kand of Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas — the tale of Hanuman’s leap to Lanka, the finding of Sita and the burning of Lanka. The most beloved pāṭh for courage, success and the removal of obstacles. Read the complete Awadhi text below with meaning; tap any line to hear it.

Dohā Index

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Complete Sundarkand Pāṭh

Dohā 1 →

Chaupāī

जामवंत के बचन सुहाए। सुनि हनुमंत हृदय अति भाए॥ तब लगि मोहि परिखेहु तुम्ह भाई। सहि दुख कंद मूल फल खाई॥ जब लगि आवौं सीतहि देखी। होइहि काजु मोहि हरष बिसेषी॥ यह कहि नाइ सबन्हि कहुँ माथा। चलेउ हरषि हियँ धरि रघुनाथा॥ सिंधु तीर एक भूधर सुंदर। कौतुक कूदि चढ़ेउ ता ऊपर॥ बार बार रघुबीर सँभारी। तरकेउ पवनतनय बल भारी॥ जेहिं गिरि चरन देइ हनुमंता। चलेउ सो गा पाताल तुरंता॥ जिमि अमोघ रघुपति कर बाना। एही भाँति चलेउ हनुमाना॥ जलनिधि रघुपति दूत बिचारी। तैं मैनाक होहि श्रमहारी॥

Dohā

हनूमान तेहि परसा कर पुनि कीन्ह प्रनाम। राम काजु कीन्हें बिनु मोहि कहाँ बिश्राम॥1॥

MeaningDelighted by Jambavan's words, Hanuman said, "Wait for me, brothers, sustaining yourselves on roots, bulbs and fruits, until I return having seen Sita — the task will be done and I shall have great joy." Bowing to all and enshrining Raghunath in his heart, he set off joyfully. By the seashore stood a fair mountain; sportively he leapt and climbed upon it, and again and again invoking Raghuvira the son of the Wind sprang up with mighty force. The hill on which Hanuman pressed his foot sank at once to the nether world, even as the Lord's unfailing arrow speeds. The ocean, thinking him Rama's envoy, bade Mainaka relieve his fatigue; but Hanuman only touched it with his hand and bowed — "Until I have done Rama's work, where is rest for me?"

Dohā 2 →

Chaupāī

जात पवनसुत देवन्ह देखा। जानैं कहुँ बल बुद्धि बिसेषा॥ सुरसा नाम अहिन्ह कै माता। पठइन्हि आइ कही तेहिं बाता॥ आजु सुरन्ह मोहि दीन्ह अहारा। सुनत बचन कह पवनकुमारा॥ राम काजु करि फिरि मैं आवौं। सीता कइ सुधि प्रभुहि सुनावौं॥ तब तव बदन पैठिहउँ आई। सत्य कहउँ मोहि जान दे माई॥ कबनेहुँ जतन देइ नहिं जाना। ग्रससि न मोहि कहेउ हनुमाना॥ जोजन भरि तेहिं बदनु पसारा। कपि तनु कीन्ह दुगुन बिस्तारा॥ सोरह जोजन मुख तेहिं ठयऊ। तुरत पवनसुत बत्तिस भयऊ॥ जस जस सुरसा बदनु बढ़ावा। तासु दून कपि रूप देखावा॥ सत जोजन तेहिं आनन कीन्हा। अति लघु रूप पवनसुत लीन्हा॥ बदन पइठि पुनि बाहेर आवा। मागा बिदा ताहि सिरु नावा॥ मोहि सुरन्ह जेहि लागि पठावा। बुधि बल मरमु तोर मै पावा॥

Dohā

राम काजु सबु करिहहु तुम्ह बल बुद्धि निधान। आसिष देह गई सो हरषि चलेउ हनुमान॥2॥

MeaningThe gods saw the son of the Wind going and, to test his great strength and wit, sent Surasa, the mother of serpents. She came and said, "Today the gods have given me food." Hearing this, Hanuman said, "Let me return after doing Rama's work and giving the Lord news of Sita; then I shall enter your mouth — truly I say, let me go, mother." When by no means she let him pass, he said, "Then devour me." She stretched her mouth a yojana wide; the monkey doubled his body. She made it sixteen yojanas; at once he became thirty-two. As Surasa enlarged her mouth, the monkey showed double; she made it a hundred yojanas, and he took a tiny form, entered her mouth and came out again, and bowing took leave. "The secret of your wit and strength, for which the gods sent me, I have found out. You will accomplish all of Rama's work, for you are a storehouse of strength and wisdom." Giving this blessing she departed, and Hanuman went on joyfully.

Dohā 3 →

Chaupāī

निसिचरि एक सिंधु महुँ रहई। करि माया नभु के खग गहई॥ जीव जंतु जे गगन उड़ाहीं। जल बिलोकि तिन्ह कै परिछाहीं॥ गहइ छाहँ सक सो न उड़ाई। एहि बिधि सदा गगनचर खाई॥ सोइ छल हनूमान कहँ कीन्हा। तासु कपटु कपि तुरतहिं चीन्हा॥ ताहि मारि मारुतसुत बीरा। बारिधि पार गयउ मतिधीरा॥ तहाँ जाइ देखी बन सोभा। गुंजत चंचरीक मधु लोभा॥ नाना तरु फल फूल सुहाए। खग मृग बृंद देखि मन भाए॥ सैल बिसाल देखि एक आगें। ता पर धाइ चढेउ भय त्यागें॥ उमा न कछु कपि कै अधिकाई। प्रभु प्रताप जो कालहि खाई॥ गिरि पर चढि लंका तेहिं देखी। कहि न जाइ अति दुर्ग बिसेषी॥ अति उतंग जलनिधि चहु पासा। कनक कोट कर परम प्रकासा॥

Chhanda

कनक कोट बिचित्र मनि कृत सुंदरायतना घना। चउहट्ट हट्ट सुबट्ट बीथीं चारु पुर बहु बिधि बना॥ गज बाजि खच्चर निकर पदचर रथ बरूथिन्ह को गनै॥ बहुरूप निसिचर जूथ अतिबल सेन बरनत नहिं बनै॥ बन बाग उपबन बाटिका सर कूप बापीं सोहहीं। नर नाग सुर गंधर्ब कन्या रूप मुनि मन मोहहीं॥ कहुँ माल देह बिसाल सैल समान अतिबल गर्जहीं। नाना अखारेन्ह भिरहिं बहु बिधि एक एकन्ह तर्जहीं॥ करि जतन भट कोटिन्ह बिकट तन नगर चहुँ दिसि रच्छहीं। कहुँ महिष मानषु धेनु खर अज खल निसाचर भच्छहीं॥ एहि लागि तुलसीदास इन्ह की कथा कछु एक है कही। रघुबीर सर तीरथ सरीरन्हि त्यागि गति पैहहिं सही॥

Dohā

पुर रखवारे देखि बहु कपि मन कीन्ह बिचार। अति लघु रूप धरौं निसि नगर करौं पइसार॥3॥

MeaningA demoness lived in the ocean who by magic seized the birds of the sky: spying the shadow on the water of creatures flying above, she would catch the shadow so they could not fly, and thus always devoured the sky-farers. She tried the same trick on Hanuman, but the monkey at once recognized her deceit, slew her, and, firm of mind, crossed to the far shore. There he beheld the forest's beauty — bees humming greedy for honey, trees lovely with fruit and flower, flocks of birds and deer delighting the heart. Seeing a great mountain ahead he ran and climbed it, casting off fear. (Says Shiva: Uma, this is no greatness of the monkey, but the glory of the Lord, which devours even Death.) From the hill he saw Lanka — a mighty fortress beyond words, towering, the ocean on all four sides, its golden ramparts of supreme splendour. Those golden ramparts were set with wondrous gems and crowded with fair mansions; markets, bazaars and lovely streets adorned the city in many ways. Hosts of elephants, horses, mules, footmen and chariots beyond counting, and demon legions of many forms and immense might, defied description. Groves, gardens, orchards, ponds, wells and step-wells gleamed; the maidens of men, nagas, gods and gandharvas bewitched even sages' minds. Here, mountain-like wrestlers of huge frame roared and grappled in many arenas, challenging one another; crores of dread warriors guarded the city on every side; and the vile demons devoured buffaloes, men, cows, donkeys and goats. (For this, says Tulsidas, a little of their tale is told — that by Raghuvira's arrows they shall give up their bodies at that holy spot and surely attain salvation.) Seeing the many guards of the city, the monkey resolved: "Let me take a tiny form and enter the city by night."

Dohā 4 →

Chaupāī

मसक समान रूप कपि धरी। लंकहि चलेउ सुमिरि नरहरी॥ नाम लंकिनी एक निसिचरी। सो कह चलेसि मोहि निंदरी॥ जानेहि नहीं मरमु सठ मोरा। मोर अहार जहाँ लगि चोरा॥ मुठिका एक महा कपि हनी। रुधिर बमत धरनीं ढनमनी॥ पुनि संभारि उठि सो लंका। जोरि पानि कर बिनय संसका॥ जब रावनहि ब्रह्म बर दीन्हा। चलत बिरंचि कहा मोहि चीन्हा॥ बिकल होसि तैं कपि कें मारे। तब जानेसु निसिचर संघारे॥ तात मोर अति पुन्य बहूता। देखेउँ नयन राम कर दूता॥

Dohā

तात स्वर्ग अपबर्ग सुख धरिअ तुला एक अंग। तूल न ताहि सकल मिलि जो सुख लव सतसंग॥4॥

MeaningTaking a form like a mosquito and remembering Narahari (Rama), the monkey moved toward Lanka. A demoness named Lankini (cried), "Who goes here, slighting me? You do not know my secret, fool — whoever (enters by stealth) is my food." The great monkey dealt her one blow; vomiting blood she rolled upon the ground. Then, recovering, she rose and with folded hands humbly said: "When Brahma granted Ravana his boon, at parting the Creator told me the sign — 'When you are distraught, struck by a monkey, then know the demons are destroyed.' Father, my merit is very great — with my own eyes I have beheld Rama's messenger. Son, were one to place on one pan of the scale (all) the bliss of heaven and of liberation, it would not equal the bliss of a single moment's company of the holy (satsang)."

Dohā 5 →

Chaupāī

प्रबिसि नगर कीजे सब काजा। हृदयँ राखि कौसलपुर राजा॥ गरल सुधा रिपु करहिं मिताई। गोपद सिंधु अनल सितलाई॥ गरुड़ सुमेरु रेनू सम ताही। राम कृपा करि चितवा जाही॥ अति लघु रूप धरेउ हनुमाना। पैठा नगर सुमिरि भगवाना॥ मंदिर मंदिर प्रति करि सोधा। देखे जहँ तहँ अगनित जोधा॥ गयउ दसानन मंदिर माहीं। अति बिचित्र कहि जात सो नाहीं॥ सयन किए देखा कपि तेही। मंदिर महुँ न दीखि बैदेही॥ भवन एक पुनि दीख सुहावा। हरि मंदिर तहँ भिन्न बनावा॥

Dohā

रामायुध अंकित गृह सोभा बरनि न जाइ। नव तुलसिका बृंद तहँ देखि हरषि कपिराइ॥5॥

Meaning(Lankini said:) "Enter the city and accomplish all your work, keeping in your heart the King of Kaushalpur (Rama). For one on whom Rama looks with grace, poison becomes nectar, foes become friends, the ocean a cow's hoof-print and fire cool; Garuda becomes like Mount Sumeru, and Sumeru like a speck of dust." Hanuman took a tiny form and, remembering the Lord, entered the city. He searched mansion after mansion, seeing countless warriors here and there. He went into Ravana's palace — exceedingly wondrous, beyond telling — and saw him asleep; but in the palace he did not see Vaidehi (Sita). Then he saw a lovely abode, where a temple of Hari was built apart — its house marked with Rama's weapons (and emblems), of beauty beyond describing. Seeing there fresh tulsi plants, the monkey-king rejoiced.

Dohā 6 →

Chaupāī

लंका निसिचर निकर निवासा। इहाँ कहाँ सज्जन कर बासा॥ मन महुँ तरक करै कपि लागा। तेहीं समय बिभीषनु जागा॥ राम राम तेहिं सुमिरन कीन्हा। हृदयँ हरष कपि सज्जन चीन्हा॥ एहि सन हठि करिहउँ पहिचानी। साधु ते होइ न कारज हानी॥ बिप्र रुप धरि बचन सुनाए। सुनत बिभीषण उठि तहँ आए॥ करि प्रनाम पूँछी कुसलाई। बिप्र कहहु निज कथा बुझाई॥ की तुम्ह हरि दासन्ह महँ कोई। मोरें हृदय प्रीति अति होई॥ की तुम्ह रामु दीन अनुरागी। आयहु मोहि करन बड़भागी॥

Dohā

तब हनुमंत कही सब राम कथा निज नाम। सुनत जुगल तन पुलक मन मगन सुमिरि गुन ग्राम॥6॥

Meaning"Lanka is the dwelling of hordes of demons — how could a holy man have his abode here?" As the monkey reasoned thus, at that very moment Vibhishana awoke and uttered "Rama, Rama." The monkey rejoiced, recognizing a saint: "I will make his acquaintance, for from a sadhu no purpose suffers loss." Taking a brahmin's form he spoke (Rama's name); hearing it, Vibhishana rose and came, and bowing asked after his welfare: "Brahmin, tell me plainly your own tale. Are you one of Hari's servants? — for great love arises in my heart. Or are you Rama himself, lover of the humble, come to make me blessed?" Then Hanuman told all of Rama's story and his own name; hearing it, the bodies of both thrilled with rapture, their minds absorbed, remembering the host of (the Lord's) virtues.

Dohā 7 →

Chaupāī

सुनहु पवनसुत रहनि हमारी। जिमि दसनन्हि महुँ जीभ बिचारी॥ तात कबहुँ मोहि जानि अनाथा। करिहहिं कृपा भानुकुल नाथा॥ तामस तनु कछु साधन नाहीं। प्रीति न पद सरोज मन माहीं॥ अब मोहि भा भरोस हनुमंता। बिनु हरिकृपा मिलहिं नहिं संता॥ जौ रघुबीर अनुग्रह कीन्हा। तौ तुम्ह मोहि दरसु हठि दीन्हा॥ सुनहु बिभीषन प्रभु कै रीती। करहिं सदा सेवक पर प्रीती॥ कहहु कवन मैं परम कुलीना। कपि चंचल सबहीं बिधि हीना॥ प्रात लेइ जो नाम हमारा। तेहि दिन ताहि न मिलै अहारा॥

Dohā

अस मैं अधम सखा सुनु मोहू पर रघुबीर। कीन्ही कृपा सुमिरि गुन भरे बिलोचन नीर॥7॥

Meaning(Vibhishana said:) "Hear my way of life, son of the Wind — like the poor tongue amid the teeth. Some day, knowing me forlorn, the Lord of the Sun-race will show grace. This tamasic body has no means (of sadhana); there is no love for his lotus-feet in my heart. Now I have hope, Hanuman — without Hari's grace one does not meet the saints. If Raghuvira has shown me favour, then you have insistently granted me your sight." "Hear, Vibhishana, the Lord's way: he ever loves his servants. Tell me — what high birth have I? — a fickle monkey, base in every way; one who at dawn takes our name gets no food that day. Such a wretch am I, friend; yet even on me Raghuvira has shown grace." Remembering (the Lord's) virtues, his eyes filled with tears.

Dohā 8 →

Chaupāī

जानतहूँ अस स्वामि बिसारी। फिरहिं ते काहे न होहिं दुखारी॥ एहि बिधि कहत राम गुन ग्रामा। पावा अनिर्बाच्य बिश्रामा॥ पुनि सब कथा बिभीषन कही। जेहि बिधि जनकसुता तहँ रही॥ तब हनुमंत कहा सुनु भ्राता। देखी चहउँ जानकी माता॥ जुगुति बिभीषन सकल सुनाई। चलेउ पवनसुत बिदा कराई॥ करि सोइ रूप गयउ पुनि तहवाँ। बन असोक सीता रह जहवाँ॥ देखि मनहि महुँ कीन्ह प्रनामा। बैठेहिं बीति जात निसि जामा॥ कृस तन सीस जटा एक बेनी। जपति हृदयँ रघुपति गुन श्रेनी॥

Dohā

निज पद नयन दिएँ मन राम पद कमल लीन। परम दुखी भा पवनसुत देखि जानकी दीन॥8॥

Meaning(Vibhishana:) "Though knowing this, forsaking such a Master they wander (in the world) — why should they not be miserable?" Speaking thus of Rama's virtues, he attained ineffable peace. Then Vibhishana told the whole tale — how Janaki dwelt there. Hanuman said, "Listen, brother — I wish to behold Mother Janaki." Vibhishana explained all the means; taking leave, the son of the Wind set off. Taking that same form he went where Sita dwelt in the Ashok grove, and beheld her, bowing in his mind. The watches of the night were passing as she sat — her body wasted, on her head a single matted braid, repeating in her heart the rows of Raghupati's virtues, her eyes fixed on her own feet, her mind absorbed in Rama's lotus-feet. Seeing Janaki so wretched, the son of the Wind became deeply grieved.

Dohā 9 →

Chaupāī

तरु पल्लव महुँ रहा लुकाई। करइ बिचार करौं का भाई॥ तेहि अवसर रावनु तहँ आवा। संग नारि बहु किएँ बनावा॥ बहु बिधि खल सीतहि समुझावा। साम दान भय भेद देखावा॥ कह रावनु सुनु सुमुखि सयानी। मंदोदरी आदि सब रानी॥ तव अनुचरीं करउँ पन मोरा। एक बार बिलोकु मम ओरा॥ तृन धरि ओट कहति बैदेही। सुमिरि अवधपति परम सनेही॥ सुनु दसमुख खद्योत प्रकासा। कबहुँ कि नलिनी करइ बिकासा॥ अस मन समुझु कहति जानकी। खल सुधि नहिं रघुबीर बान की॥ सठ सूने हरि आनेहि मोहि। अधम निलज्ज लाज नहिं तोही॥

Dohā

आपुहि सुनि खद्योत सम रामहि भानु समान। परुष बचन सुनि काढ़ि असि बोला अति खिसिआन॥9॥

MeaningHe stayed hidden among the leaves of a tree, thinking, "What shall I do, brother?" At that time Ravana came there with many women in great finery and admonished Sita in many ways, showing conciliation, bribery, fear and division. Ravana said, "Listen, fair and wise lady; I will make Mandodari and all the queens your handmaids — this is my vow; just once look toward me." Holding a blade of grass as a screen, Vaidehi spoke, remembering the most beloved Lord of Avadh: "Listen, Ten-faced one — can the glow-worm's light ever make the lotus bloom? Think this in your mind," says Janaki. "O wretch, you have no knowledge of Raghuvira's arrow. Fool, you have carried me off by stealth to a lonely place; base and shameless, have you no shame?" Hearing himself (likened) to a glow-worm and Rama to the sun, and these harsh words, he drew his sword and spoke, greatly enraged.

Dohā 10 →

Chaupāī

सीता तैं मम कृत अपमाना। कटिहउँ तव सिर कठिन कृपाना॥ नाहिं त सपदि मानु मम बानी। सुमुखि होति न त जीवन हानी॥ स्याम सरोज दाम सम सुंदर। प्रभु भुज करि कर सम दसकंधर॥ सो भुज कंठ कि तव असि घोरा। सुनु सठ अस प्रवान पन मोरा॥ चंद्रहास हरु मम परितापं। रघुपति बिरह अनल संजातं॥ सीतल निसित बहसि बर धारा। कह सीता हरु मम दुख भारा॥ सुनत बचन पुनि मारन धावा। मयतनयाँ कहि नीति बुझावा॥ कहेसि सकल निसिचरिन्ह बोलाई। सीतहि बहु बिधि त्रासहु जाई॥ मास दिवस महुँ कहा न माना। तौ मैं मारबि काढ़ि कृपाना॥

Dohā

भवन गयउ दसकंधर इहाँ पिसाचिनि बृंद। सीतहि त्रास देखावहि धरहिं रूप बहु मंद॥10॥

Meaning"Sita, you have insulted me; I will cut off your head with this cruel sword. If not, then quickly heed my words, fair one — else your life is forfeit." (Sita said:) "The Lord's arm — lovely as a wreath of dark-blue lotuses, like an elephant's trunk — (alone befits) my neck; (can) your dreadful sword (compare)? Listen, fool, such is my firm resolve." (To the sword she said:) "O Chandrahasa, remove my torment, born of the fire of separation from Raghupati; you flow a cool, sharp, excellent stream — take away my heavy sorrow." Hearing this he ran again to kill her; Maya's daughter (Mandodari) restrained him with counsel. He summoned all the demonesses and said, "Go, terrify Sita in every way; if within a month she does not heed my word, I will draw my sword and slay her." The Ten-headed one went to his palace; here the hordes of she-demons, taking many vile forms, showed Sita terror.

Dohā 11 →

Chaupāī

त्रिजटा नाम राच्छसी एका। राम चरन रति निपुन बिबेका॥ सबन्हौ बोलि सुनाएसि सपना। सीतहि सेइ करहु हित अपना॥ सपनें बानर लंका जारी। जातुधान सेना सब मारी॥ खर आरूढ़ नगन दससीसा। मुंडित सिर खंडित भुज बीसा॥ एहि बिधि सो दच्छिन दिसि जाई। लंका मनहुँ बिभीषन पाई॥ नगर फिरी रघुबीर दोहाई। तब प्रभु सीता बोलि पठाई॥ यह सपना में कहउँ पुकारी। होइहि सत्य गएँ दिन चारी॥ तासु बचन सुनि ते सब डरीं। जनकसुता के चरनन्हि परीं॥

Dohā

जहँ तहँ गईं सकल तब सीता कर मन सोच। मास दिवस बीतें मोहि मारिहि निसिचर पोच॥11॥

MeaningThere was a demoness named Trijata, skilled in wisdom and devoted to Rama's feet. She called all (the demonesses) and told them a dream: "Serve Sita and do your own good. In my dream a monkey burned Lanka and slew all the demon army; the Ten-headed one rode a donkey, naked, his head shaved, his twenty arms cut off; thus he went toward the south, as though Vibhishana had won Lanka. Round the city (Vibhishana) proclaimed Raghuvira's triumph; then the Lord sent for Sita. This dream I declare aloud — it will come true after four days." Hearing her words they were all frightened and fell at Janaki's feet. When all had gone here and there, Sita's mind grieved: "After a month has passed, the vile demon will slay me."

Dohā 12 →

Chaupāī

त्रिजटा सन बोली कर जोरी। मातु बिपति संगिनि तैं मोरी॥ तजौं देह करु बेगि उपाई। दुसहु बिरहु अब नहिं सहि जाई॥ आनि काठ रचु चिता बनाई। मातु अनल पुनि देहि लगाई॥ सत्य करहि मम प्रीति सयानी। सुनै को श्रवन सूल सम बानी॥ सुनत बचन पद गहि समुझाएसि। प्रभु प्रताप बल सुजसु सुनाएसि॥ निसि न अनल मिल सुनु सुकुमारी। अस कहि सो निज भवन सिधारी॥ कह सीता बिधि भा प्रतिकूला। मिलहि न पावक मिटिहि न सूला॥ देखिअत प्रगट गगन अंगारा। अवनि न आवत एकउ तारा॥ पावकमय ससि स्त्रवत न आगी। मानहुँ मोहि जानि हतभागी॥ सुनहि बिनय मम बिटप असोका। सत्य नाम करु हरु मम सोका॥ नूतन किसलय अनल समाना। देहि अगिनि जनि करहि निदाना॥ देखि परम बिरहाकुल सीता। सो छन कपिहि कलप सम बीता॥

Dohā

कपि करि हृदयँ बिचार दीन्हि मुद्रिका डारी तब। जनु असोक अंगार दीन्हि हरषि उठि कर गहेउ॥12॥

MeaningWith folded hands she said to Trijata, "Mother, you are the companion of my misfortune. Quickly devise some means that I may give up this body; the unbearable separation can no longer be borne. Bring wood, build a pyre, and set it alight, mother; make true my love, O wise one — who can hear words that pierce the ear like a thorn?" Hearing this, (Trijata) clasped her feet, consoled her, and told of the Lord's glory and might: "At night fire is not to be had, listen, tender one," and so saying went home. Sita said, "Fate has turned against me — neither will fire be found nor my anguish end. Embers appear plainly in the sky, yet not one star falls to earth; the moon is full of fire, yet sheds no flame, as though it knows me ill-fated. Hear my prayer, O Ashoka tree — make your name true and take away my sorrow; your fresh sprouts are like fire — give me fire, and do not (prolong my) agony." Seeing Sita so distraught with separation, that moment passed for the monkey like an age. Reflecting in his heart, the monkey then dropped down the signet-ring; as though Ashoka had given her an ember, she rose rejoicing and took it in her hand.

Dohā 13 →

Chaupāī

तब देखी मुद्रिका मनोहर। राम नाम अंकित अति सुंदर॥ चकित चितव मुदरी पहिचानी। हरष बिषाद हृदयँ अकुलानी॥ जीति को सकइ अजय रघुराई। माया तें असि रचि नहिं जाई॥ सीता मन बिचार कर नाना। मधुर बचन बोलेउ हनुमाना॥ रामचंद्र गुन बरनैं लागा। सुनतहिं सीता कर दुख भागा॥ लागीं सुनैं श्रवन मन लाई। आदिहु तें सब कथा सुनाई॥ श्रवनामृत जेहिं कथा सुहाई। कहि सो प्रगट होति किन भाई॥ तब हनुमंत निकट चलि गयऊ। फिरि बैंठीं मन बिसमय भयऊ॥ राम दूत मैं मातु जानकी। सत्य सपथ करुनानिधान की॥ यह मुद्रिका मातु मैं आनी। दीन्हि राम तुम्ह कहँ सहिदानी॥ नर बानरहि संग कहु कैसें। कहि कथा भइ संगति जैसें॥

Dohā

कपि के बचन सप्रेम सुनि उपजा मन बिस्वास॥ जाना मन क्रम बचन यह कृपासिंधु कर दास॥13॥

MeaningThen she saw the lovely ring, marked with Rama's name, exceedingly beautiful. Astonished, she gazed and, recognizing it, joy and sorrow troubled her heart: "Who can conquer the unconquerable Raghuraja? Such a thing cannot be fashioned by maya." As Sita pondered, Hanuman spoke sweet words and began to recount Ramachandra's virtues; as she listened, Sita's grief fled. She listened with mind and ears intent as he told the whole tale from the beginning. "He whose lovely story is nectar to the ears — why does he not appear, brother?" Then Hanuman drew near; she turned and sat down, her mind filled with wonder. "I am Rama's messenger, Mother Janaki — true by the oath of the Ocean of Mercy. This ring I have brought, Mother; Rama gave it to you as a token. How (came about) the company of a man and a monkey? — I will tell." He told how the alliance came to be. Hearing the monkey's loving words, trust arose in her mind; she knew in thought, word and deed that he was the servant of the Ocean of Mercy.

Dohā 14 →

Chaupāī

हरिजन जानि प्रीति अति गाढ़ी। सजल नयन पुलकावलि बाढ़ी॥ बूड़त बिरह जलधि हनुमाना। भयउ तात मों कहुँ जलजाना॥ अब कहु कुसल जाउँ बलिहारी। अनुज सहित सुख भवन खरारी॥ कोमलचित कृपाल रघुराई। कपि केहि हेतु धरी निठुराई॥ सहज बानि सेवक सुख दायक। कबहुँक सुरति करत रघुनायक॥ कबहुँ नयन मम सीतल ताता। होइहहि निरखि स्याम मृदु गाता॥ बचनु न आव नयन भरे बारी। अहह नाथ हौं निपट बिसारी॥ देखि परम बिरहाकुल सीता। बोला कपि मृदु बचन बिनीता॥ मातु कुसल प्रभु अनुज समेता। तव दुख दुखी सुकृपा निकेता॥ जनि जननी मानहु जियँ ऊना। तुम्ह ते प्रेमु राम कें दूना॥

Dohā

रघुपति कर संदेसु अब सुनु जननी धरि धीर। अस कहि कपि गद गद भयउ भरे बिलोचन नीर॥14॥

MeaningKnowing him a servant of Hari, her love grew very deep; her eyes brimmed and a thrill of rapture rose. "Hanuman, you have become a ship for me, drowning in the ocean of separation. Now tell me — I am a sacrifice to you — is the foe of Khara (Rama) well, with his brother, the abode of bliss? The tender, merciful Raghuraja — for what reason, monkey, has he assumed such hardness? By nature the giver of joy to his servants — does the Lord of Raghus ever remember (me)? Will my eyes ever be cooled, son, beholding his dark, soft limbs?" No word would come; her eyes filled with water — "Alas, Lord, you have utterly forgotten me." Seeing Sita so distraught, the monkey spoke gentle, humble words: "Mother, the Lord is well, with his brother — grieved by your grief, the abode of compassion. Do not feel diminished in your heart, Mother; Rama's love for you is twice your love for him. Now hear Raghupati's message, Mother, taking courage." So saying, the monkey was choked with emotion, his eyes filled with tears.

Dohā 15 →

Chaupāī

कहेउ राम बियोग तव सीता। मो कहुँ सकल भए बिपरीता॥ नव तरु किसलय मनहुँ कृसानू। कालनिसा सम निसि ससि भानू॥ कुबलय बिपिन कुंत बन सरिसा। बारिद तपत तेल जनु बरिसा॥ जे हित रहे करत तेइ पीरा। उरग स्वास सम त्रिबिध समीरा॥ कहेहू तें कछु दुख घटि होई। काहि कहौं यह जान न कोई॥ तत्व प्रेम कर मम अरु तोरा। जानत प्रिया एकु मनु मोरा॥ सो मनु सदा रहत तोहि पाहीं। जानु प्रीति रसु एतेनहि माहीं॥ प्रभु संदेसु सुनत बैदेही। मगन प्रेम तन सुधि नहिं तेही॥ कह कपि हृदयँ धीर धरु माता। सुमिरु राम सेवक सुखदाता॥ उर आनहु रघुपति प्रभुताई। सुनि मम बचन तजहु कदराई॥

Dohā

निसिचर निकर पतंग सम रघुपति बान कृसानु। जननी हृदयँ धीर धरु जरे निसाचर जानु॥15॥

Meaning"Rama said: 'O Sita, in your separation all things have turned contrary to me — the fresh sprouts of trees are like fire, the moonlit night like the night of doom, the moon like the sun; the bed of blue lotuses like a forest of spears, the cloud raining as if hot oil; those who were friendly now give pain, the gentle threefold breeze like a serpent's breath. Even by telling the grief might be a little eased — but to whom shall I tell it? No one knows it. The truth of the love between me and you, my dear — only my mind knows it, and that mind ever stays with you; know the essence of (our) love to be just this.'" Hearing the Lord's message, Vaidehi was so absorbed in love she lost awareness of her body. The monkey said, "Take courage in your heart, Mother; remember Rama, the giver of joy to his servants. Bring Raghupati's might to mind, and hearing my words cast off faintheartedness. The hordes of demons are like moths, Raghupati's arrows the fire; take courage in your heart, Mother — count the demons (already) burnt."

More dohās are being added.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sundarkand?▼

The Sundarkand (Sundar Kand) is the fifth book (kand) of Goswami Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas, composed in Awadhi. It narrates Hanuman’s leap across the ocean to Lanka, his finding of Sita in the Ashok Vatika, the burning of Lanka, and his return with news of her — the one kand in which the hero is the devotee Hanuman. It is the most widely recited portion of the Ramcharitmanas, traditionally read as a parayan for courage, success and the removal of obstacles.

Why is the Sundarkand recited for success and obstacles?▼

Because it is the kand of accomplishment: Hanuman, the embodiment of devotion and strength, achieves the seemingly impossible — crossing the ocean, finding Sita and returning safe. Devotees recite it (especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and during Hanuman worship) to invoke that same courage and success, and to clear difficulties from their own lives.

How should the Sundarkand be recited?▼

A traditional parayan opens with the three Sanskrit invocation verses (“Shantam shashvatam…”), then proceeds through the chaupais and dohas in order, and closes with the aarti of Lord Ram or Hanuman. Many devotees complete the whole Sundarkand in one sitting; reading it with its meaning deepens the devotion (bhava).