Canto 9 - Harem at Night
In the midst of Pushpak lay
The Palace Royal of Ravan.
Built it was with gems all rare
Plinth it had of two score miles.
Went in Hanuman in the hope
Therein he would find Seetha.
Having got in he sauntered
In those royal chambers there.
With their knives drawn to the hilt
Found he guards there door to door.
Saw he Ravan’s wives in scores
Maidens that he grabbed by force.
Found he ponds of ocean size
Lived where crocodiles with white whales.
Amidst the riches it sported
God like Ravan lived in there.
With sons ’n siblings there Ravan
Bettered thus lifestyle of all gods.
Entered harem Ravan’s Hanuman
Pushpak’s that was star attraction.
Custom built was that Pushpak
By God’s own architect for Brahma.
In the times of yore Kuber
Sought and got it from Brahma,
Wanting it to serve his needs
Grabbed it Ravan waging war.
Spoils of war as it made
Pictured bullfights on its walls.
Stretched its ceiling to high skies
Cellars its touched depths of earth.
Pushpak’s glitter makes Lanka
Seem as daytime during nights.
Emeralds it had for doorknobs
Windowpanes were crystal class.
Pearls it had all paved for floor
Gave that look of white carpet.
Woodwork of its red sandals
Made the place all smell so sweet.
Shaped so well were secret vaults
Deceive they would the best of spies.
Entered Hanuman its pantry
Feed which could a million mouths.
Aroma of all recipes there
Reached him with a come-hither tag.
Entered he then that portion
Lived where Ravan as the god.
Stairs it had of gems inlaid
Handles of them ivory made.
Pillars it had gold ingots
Glowed they all like candlelights.
None was taken for granted
Flawless was the way it shaped.
With woven Atlas on them bright
Laid were carpets continent size.
Birds on heat were perched on trees
Cooed they in their scores well pecked.
Smoke that scented sticks emitted
Got spread throughout Ravan’s land.
Kept its aura gloom at bay
It’s where Ravan set his shop.
At home Hanuman felt therein
Entered though he enemy’s place.
Felt he was in heaven itself
Fit for gods of every faith.
Finding no scent of Seetha
Seemed he gambler who lost all.
With his person ’n harem
No less Ravan added then
Lustre to that bright Pushpak.
Maidens there were in thousands
Dressed they like for fashion show.
Drunk they were all to the dregs
Bent their eyelids all downward.
Slept one by one all of them
Seemed the place as swan filled pond.
Postures theirs were well composed
Breath their smelled as flowers at dawn.
Petals like lotus their faces
Seemed in sleep all lotus buds.