शान्तं शाश्वतमप्रमेयमनघं निर्वाणशान्तिप्रदं
ब्रह्माशम्भुफणीन्द्रसेव्यमनिशं वेदान्तवेद्यं विभुम्।
रामाख्यं जगदीश्वरं सुरगुरुं मायामनुष्यं हरिं
वन्देऽहं करुणाकरं रघुवरं भूपालचूडामणिम्॥
अर्थ:I bow to the one who is peaceful, eternal, immeasurable, sinless, the bestower of nirvana and peace; who is served without pause by Brahma, Shiva, and the king of serpents; who is known through the Vedanta; who is all-pervading; who is called Rama, the Lord of the universe, the preceptor of the gods, the Supreme Being who has appeared as a human through Maya — I worship that compassionate jewel of the Raghu dynasty.
नान्या स्पृहा रघुपते हृदयेऽस्मदीये
सत्यं वदामि च भवानखिलान्तरात्मा।
भक्तिं प्रयच्छ रघुपुङ्गव निर्भरां मे
कामादिदोषरहितं कुरु मानसं च॥
अर्थ:O Lord of the Raghu clan, I speak truth — my heart desires nothing else. You are the inner soul of all. Grant me unwavering devotion, O foremost of the Raghus, and purify my mind of all defects such as desire and anger.
जामवंत के बचन सुहाए। सुनि हनुमंत हृदय अति भाए॥
तब लगि मोहि परिखेहु तुम्ह भाई। सहि दुख कंद मूल फल खाई॥
अर्थ:Jambavan's sweet and inspiring words were heard by Hanuman and filled his heart with great joy. "Wait for me, brothers," he said, "bear hardships and sustain yourselves on roots and fruits until I return."
जब हनुमंत सुना जग बाता। कपि मन भयउ अतिसय उत्साता॥
सागर तीर कपिन्ह तब राखे। जउ पाँवर तव पाँव परि नाखे॥
अर्थ:When Hanuman heard these words of the world's need, a great surge of enthusiasm arose in his monkey heart. The other monkeys stayed at the ocean shore while Hanuman prepared to take a great leap.
उठि बेगि चलेउ हनुमान। मन कर हर्ष न जाई बखान॥
सिंधु तीर एक भूधर सुंदर। कौतुक कूदि चढ़ेउ ता ऊपर॥
अर्थ:Hanuman rose quickly and set forth; the joy in his heart was beyond description. On the shore of the ocean stood a beautiful mountain; with a playful leap he climbed to its summit.
बार बार रघुबीर सँभारी। तरकेउ पवनतनय बल भारी॥
जेहिं गिरि चरन देइ हनुमंता। चलेउ सो गा पाताल तुरंता॥
अर्थ:Remembering Shri Ram again and again, the mighty son of the Wind god leaped with tremendous force. The very mountain from which Hanuman pushed off was pressed down into the underworld by the power of his spring.
जलनिधि रघुपति दूत बिचारी। तैं मैनाक होहि श्रमहारी॥
हनुमान तेहि परसा कर पुनि। कीन्ह प्रनाम तुरत दुनिआ लुनि॥
अर्थ:The ocean, recognising him as the messenger of Lord Ram, instructed the Mainaka mountain to rise and offer rest to Hanuman. Hanuman lightly touched it with his hand, paid his respects to the mountain, and resumed his journey in a moment.
निसिचरि एक सिंधु महँ रहई। करि माया नभ के खग गहई॥
जीव जंतु जे गगन उड़ाहीं। जल बिलोकि तिन्ह कै परिछाहीं॥
अर्थ:A female demon named Simhika lived in the ocean; using her magic she would seize birds flying in the sky by catching their shadows in the water below.
गहि पाछिल पद अति कपि चपला। उतरि गई जस सुनहु कृपाला॥
स्वल्प जीव बहु खाए तेहिं। तेहि मारि चलेउ हनुमान जेहिं॥
अर्थ:She caught hold of Hanuman's shadow and dragged him downward. But the swift monkey, understanding her technique, shrank his form tiny, entered her mouth, slew her with a blow, and continued his flight.
नाघि सिंधु हाटकपुर पैठा। परम प्रबल घन निसिचर इठा॥
आयसु मागि सुरसा बहु बरना। कहेसि मानुष बेष धरना॥
अर्थ:Crossing the ocean, Hanuman reached the golden city of Lanka, filled with mighty, densely massed demons. Before entering, the goddess Surasa appeared in a terrifying form and declared that whoever passed this way must first enter her mouth.
सुरसा कह सुनु हनुमान भाई। बिधि कृत दिनकर बिचार उपाई॥
जब तव मुख मम मुख सम होई। मम मुख लघु तुम होहु तब कोई॥
अर्थ:Surasa said, "Listen, Hanuman — it is the ordained decree that I must swallow whoever passes here." As she expanded her mouth wide, Hanuman grew even larger; as he made himself tiny, she also shrank — until finally he became as small as a thumb, entered and exited instantly, and bowed to her.
प्रबिसि नगर कीजे सब काजा। हृदयँ राखि कोसलपुर राजा॥
गरल सुधा रिपु करहिं मिताई। गोपद सिंधु अनल सितलाई॥
अर्थ:Enter the city and accomplish every task, keeping the King of Kosala ever in your heart. For one who holds Ram in his heart, poison becomes nectar, enemies become friends, the ocean becomes a cow's footprint, and fire becomes cool.
तुम्ह कहुँ राम काजु करि आएहु। सुमिरि पवनसुत बल अति पाएहु॥
यह सुनि भयउ परम हरषित। चलेउ हरषि मन महुँ प्रभु सुमिरित॥
अर्थ:Surasa (in her true form) blessed him: "You have come to accomplish Ram's work; by remembering him, the son of the Wind, you shall receive immense strength." Hearing this, Hanuman was greatly delighted and flew on, remembering the Lord in his heart.
लंका एक दिसि कनक कोटि। चहुँ दिसि गिरि गंभीर ओटि॥
लंकिनी एक राखति दुआरा। खेलत रहि उस काल पसारा॥
अर्थ:Lanka appeared with its golden ramparts, surrounded by deep mountains on all four sides. A demoness named Lankini stood guarding its gate; she lunged at Hanuman who brushed her aside with one blow.
तब हनुमंत राम गुन गाए। श्री रघुबीर चरन चित लाए॥
सो लघु रूप धरेउ हनुमाना। पैठ नगर सुमिरि भगवाना॥
अर्थ:Then Hanuman sang the praises of Ram and fixed his mind upon the feet of Shri Ram. He assumed a very tiny form and entered the city of Lanka, remembering the Lord.
मसक समान रूप कपि धरी। लंकहि चलेउ सुमिरि नरहरी॥
नाम लेत भव सिंधु सुखाई। करहु बिचार सुनहु मन भाई॥
अर्थ:Taking a form as tiny as a mosquito, Hanuman advanced toward Lanka, remembering the Lord. By merely taking the name of Ram, the ocean of worldly existence is dried up — reflect on this, O brother.
