Sundara Kãnda: Hanuman's Odyssey

Canto 58 - Odyssey in a Nutshell

Where to start and what to tell
Felt like Buridan's ass Hanuman.

For their part then all his folk
Sat there tight to catch his words.

As though to help him in script
Addressed Jambavan Hanuman thus:

Tell O Hanuman where and how
Found thee Seetha Rama's spouse.

Tell us how thou zeroed on
Rama's spouse in wilderness.

Brief us now of odyssey thine
So that we can plan ourselves.

At the request of his peer
Spoke then Hanuman in loud tone.

Of course thee all bear witness
That I flew off from these shores.

Came across I in mid-seas
Mountain that was made of gold.

Sky high grew it in no time
Blocked it my way all the way.

To the errand on my hand
Saw it as I then hindrance.

Lashed it as I with my tail
Went it crashing down on knees.

Assumed form it then human
And in warmth thus spoke to me:
For my friendship with thy dad
Thou should take me as thy kin.

Am king of mountains Mainaka
Dwell in seas these underneath.

Mountains all in times of yore
Had we wings to circle worlds
Afraid of our crash landing
Complained all to Lord Indra.

Chose as Indra toclip wings
Of the mountains there are all
It's thy father but who saved
Wings of mine from being clipped.

Bound am I to extend help
To thee now on this errand
With the intent to serve Ram
That he reclaims his lost spouse. 

Offered though he me to take
Rest on golden peak of his
Wanting not to waste my time
Wished I none of that for me.

Having grasped my urgency
Pressed he none more Mainaka.

Bid as I him adieu then
Slipped he back then to sea bed.

Resumed then I unhindered
Journey mine that seemed so long.

Came across I then Surasa
Mother of serpents of all seas.

Oh how she made clear her intent
That she would make meal of me!

Not to rub on her wrong side
Pleaded my case with her thus:

Lived with Seetha 'n Lakshman
For long Ram in Dandak woods.

Snared as Ravan fair Seetha
Sent me her man to find out.

For thy being his subject
Dharma it's thine aid his cause.

As and when I find Seetha
Convey I would to that Ram
And come back to thee forthwith
So that thou me have for meal.

But she would have none of it
And said none can escape her.

Mouth as she herswide open
Gained I size to thwart her move.

Pulled as she jaws her so wide
To thwart her then I turned tiny.

So to beat the boon she got
That none can ever detour her
Went in and I came out swift
Brought as she her jaws to close. 

 In spite of the fact I tricked
Yet she wished me all the best.

Bade as she me then adieu
So all creatures of the seas.

Hardly had I flew a league
Felt as if was slowing down.

Surveyed as I all over
Found no hindrance in my route.