Hari Om.
Let us begin the sixty sixth sarga of the sundara kAnDam by offering our prostrations at the lotus feet of SrIrAma and our sathguru.
The vAnara king sugrIva understood why the vAnaras led by angada were on a rampaging revelry in the grove protected by dadhimukha and keeping his cool, he summoned the warriors who were led by the prince. The significance of the occasion was not lost on dadhimukha as he went and conveyed it to the vAnaras. They at once reported to where sugrIva was and with broke the good news of having found dEvI sItA’s whereabouts to rAma, lakshmaNa and sugrIva, exactly on the lines of what sugrIva had guessed. As hanumAn briefly stated the success of the mission, the enthusiastic vAnaras began filling in the details of the quest! After a long time rAma found joy and so did lakshmaNa. He wanted to know more details of sItA’s captivity and how she was disposed towards him. The very diligent hanumAn bowed to the southern direction to indicate that sItA who was in that direction was worship worthy and her conduct is commendable, he narrated how the hope of reunion with rAma is the only thing keeping her alive. He then presented the crown jewel to rAma which was the identification mark given by sItA. Onwards…
rAma, listening to the narration of hanumAn, took the crown jewel of sItA, pressed it to his heart and along with lakshmaNa wailed piteously. With his eyes full of tears, beholding the great jewel (of sItA), rAma said to sugrIva –
“Just like the cow out of its affection for the calf is moved to shedding tears, similarly I am also moved by the sight of this jewel.
यथैव धेनु स्स्रवति स्नेहाद्वत्सस्य वत्सला।
तथा ममापि हृदयं मणिरत्नस्य दर्शनात्।।5.66.3।।
This jewel has originated from the waters and was with indra. During a grand yajna which was performed by my father-in-law janaka, this was presented to him by lord indra. My father-in-law presented this to vaidEhI during our wedding and the sight was indeed spectacular and charming when she wore it.
इमं दृष्ट्वा मणिश्रेष्ठं यथा तातस्य दर्शनम्।
अद्यास्म्यवगतस्सौम्य वैदेहस्य तथा विभोः।।5.66.6।।
Beholding this best of the jewels, I am reminded of my father and of my father-in-law. This jewel looks great on the crown of my beloved. Today when I look at this, I feel as if I have obtained sItA herself.
अयं हि शोभते तस्याः प्रियाया मूर्ध्नि मे मणिः।
अस्याद्य दर्शनेनाहं प्राप्तां तामिव चिन्तये।।5.66.7।।
O gentle vAnara, tell me again and again what did sItA convey. Comfort me with her words, just like sprinkling water comforts the thirsty one. O saumitri, tell me what can be more devastating than beholding this jewel without sItA in front of me. If vaidEhI has decided to hold onto her life for a month, which is pretty long, I can’t survive even for a moment without her. Now that we know where she is, (hanumAn) please take me to where she is. How does my very timid beauty survive in the middle of the terrible demons? Like the autumnal moon whose light is dimmed by the clouds, her face has lost its lustre.
O hanumAn, tell me what message did sItA convey. Like the afflicted survives by medicine, I shall live by her words.
मधुरा मधुरालापा किमाह मम भामिनी।
मद्विहीना वरारोहा हनुमन् कथयस्व मे।।5.66.15।।
What did the charming woman who speaks sweetly and is without me say, please tell me all about it, O hanumAn.
Here we conclude the sixty sixth sarga of the sundara kAnDam of SrImath vAlmiKi rAmAyaNam and humbly offer it at the lotus feet of SrIrAma. Hari: Om!
jAi SrIrAma.
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Next: 5.67. Articulate to elevate the spirit!
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rAmabhaktisAmrAjyam 