Canto 35 - Winning the Trust
Spoke as Hanuman in that vein
Developed Seetha trust in him.
She then said in sonorous tone –
How come Rama came in touch
With thee and thy Lord Sugreev?
How can thou be so certain
Ram ’n Lakshman that thou met?
Tell O Hanuman for my sake
Facial features of those two.
Gladdened as she opened up
Spoke thus Hanuman to Seetha:
Talking no end of thy man
It’s a pleasure of its own kind.
Recall as I his features
Solace it would thy sad heart.
Whether it’s godly frame of his
Or his kindly heart therein
None can ever know which scores more.
While frame his is mid-sun like
Hath he patience of mother earth.
Gives he shelter who might seek
Blemish he hath none in conduct.
Lays he store on noble thoughts
Goads his folk to think likewise.
Leads he life of celibate now
Fate as thee thus weaned from him.
None he slights as come to seek
Given not Ram to spare who dare.
Hath he Vedas all by heart
Excels he ever in warfare.
Second to none he in valour
None there equals him in grace.
Whoso submit tone his soothes
Terse it turns to those oppose.
While at ease he seems vigorous
Looks he strong from head to foot.
Frame his seven-foot is well built
Face his oblong ever looks good.
Lips his rosy slip like glove
Rows teeth over of snow white.
Eyes his wide both compelling
Strike so dark and deep as well.
Manner as well demeanour his
Holds good adage of old thus
Handsome is as handsome doth.
Worthy no less than thy man
Lakshman the brother-in-law thine.
If thy Ram is blue diamond
Lakshman is all golden-hued.
It’s the search for thee Seetha
Brought them both to Kishkindha.
Banished as by his sibling
Met them Sugreev in hiding.
Sugreev as was good to us
Followed we his loyal band.
It was thus we came to meet
Ram ’n Lakshman dressed all coarse.
But Ram had that bow on him
Make which would all bow to him.
Sighted as he them in arms
Shivered but Sugreev in his pants.
Sent me my Lord on errand
So that I could befriend them.
Made I thus thy man privy
Plight of our own Lord so good.
Having heard that story Ram
Thought it fit to meet Sugreev.
Realized as they both of them
Sail they thus in same boat then
Lords those both came ever so close.
Consoled Rama vanar Lord
Lost who wife to his sibling.
Said then Lakshman to Sugreev
Seems Ram’s spouse was snared by some.
That Ram had to lose his wife
Made Sugreev grieve all the more.
Flew as Ravan thee by force