सीता देखि दसानन आवा। बहु बिधि भय अरु प्रीति देखावा॥
कह रावन सुनु सुमुखि सयानी। मंदोदरी आदि सब रानी॥
अर्थ:Ravana came to see Sita, alternately showing fear and love in many ways. He said: "Listen, O fair-faced and wise one — Mandodari and all my queens are before you."
तव अनुरूप पुरुष जग माहीं। देखेउँ खोजेउँ कतहुँ नाहीं॥
तुम्ह त्रिभुवन सुंदरि मैं राऊ। समरथ काम रूप बल छाऊ॥
अर्थ:"A man worthy of you I have not found anywhere in all the world. You are the most beautiful woman in the three worlds, and I am the all-powerful king — match in beauty, strength, and glory."
तासु बचन सुनि जानकी देवी। दृग कोना सों लखि मुख सेवी॥
बोली सीय तृन धरि ओटा। अबला बात किए बड़ खोटा॥
अर्थ:Hearing his words, Devi Janaki looked sideways at him with contempt. Placing a blade of grass between herself and him as a barrier, Sita spoke: "It is a great wickedness to trouble a helpless woman thus."
बिनती करउँ जोरि कर रहेऊ। मनु मुस्किल परिहर नहिं तेहू॥
त्राहि त्राहि करि रोवत जाई। राखु राखु हे दीनदयाई॥
अर्थ:"I fold my hands in appeal — yet this trouble does not leave my mind. I cry out 'Save me, save me!' — O protector of the helpless, O Ram, protect me, protect me!"
त्रिजटा एक राछसी। राम चरन रत होई॥
सबन्ह बोलि सुनाइस सपन। सुनहु सखी सब सोई॥
अर्थ:There was one demoness named Trijata who was devoted to the feet of Ram. She called all the other demonesses and shared her dream with them: "Listen, O friends, to what I have dreamed."
सपनें बानर लंका जारी। जानकी मांगी बहु बिधि नारी॥
राम दूत अति बल बिसाला। बंदि छोराइ लंका दहेसि माला॥
अर्थ:In the dream, a monkey burned Lanka; he sought Janaki in many ways. A messenger of Ram, of immense power, freed the captive and burned Lanka's garden.
सो सपन सुनि तजहु अभिमाना। जीवन चाहु त जानकी माना॥
जासु दूत इतना बल राखा। तासु नाम बल लगि का भाषा॥
अर्थ:Hearing this dream, Trijata told them: "Abandon your pride. If you wish to live, honour Janaki. If his messenger holds such power, what words can describe the power in the very name of that Lord?"
पुनि सब निसिचरिन्ह बोलाई। सोवहु सपन देखि मन भाई॥
इहाँ पवनसुत करि बिचारा। राम पक्ष सहित बहु बारा॥
अर्थ:After dismissing all the demonesses to rest, Hanuman reflected carefully on what he had observed. He thought repeatedly of Ram's side and purpose, weighing every step with great wisdom.
राम काज लगि तनु परिहरऊँ। दीन जानि नहिं संकट डरऊँ॥
गिरिजा राखु राम पद नेहू। सदा करबि सोई जो राम कहेहू॥
अर्थ:Hanuman resolved: "For Ram's work I would gladly give up this body. Knowing me a humble servant, I shall not fear any danger." He kept his devotion to Ram's feet ever firm, resolved to do only what Ram would wish.
तब हनुमंत निकट चलि आए। राम काज हेतु सब गाए॥
नानाविधि राम गुन गाई। निज नाम देई सुनाई॥
अर्थ:Then Hanuman came closer and began singing Ram's praises in many ways as a sign of his mission. He sang the virtues of Ram in diverse melodies and then revealed his own name.
सुनि कपि बचन बिनीत तब। कहि न जाइ कछु सीय॥
पुनि पुनि निरखि निरखत रही। मन बहुत सुखी जीय॥
अर्थ:Hearing the humble words of the monkey, Sita was speechless for a moment. She looked at him again and again, and deep within her heart she felt great peace and joy.
राम चरित मानस एहि नाम। सुंदर काण्ड सफल अभिराम॥
कह हनुमान मातु हमरे। राम प्रताप बड़ाई तेरे॥
अर्थ:Hanuman said: "O Mother, this is the glory of Ram's own power. The Ramcharitmanas, the Sundarkand — all of it speaks your magnificence and Ram's glory." He addressed Sita as Mother reverently.
देखि पवनसुत जानकी। बोली बहु सुख पाई॥
मेरो सुधि राम को दीजे। सकल बात समझाई॥
अर्थ:Seeing the son of the Wind, Janaki spoke with great happiness: "Carry my remembrance to Ram; explain to him all that I have endured."
दीन्हि मुद्रिका मेलि कर। लई सीतहिं दीन्हि॥
कह सुनु मातु चिन्ह दिखाऊ। नाथ मुद्रिका चिन्ह पाऊ॥
अर्थ:Hanuman placed Ram's ring into Sita's hands. He said: "O Mother, behold this token — the Lord's ring, a proof of my true mission."
बोली सीता बिकल भइ। सुनु हनुमान बात॥
रोम रोम पुलकित भइउँ। सुनत राम के साथ॥
अर्थ:Sita spoke, moved to her very depths: "Listen, Hanuman — every pore of my body thrills with joy at hearing news of Ram."
दीन्हि सीताँ चूड़ामणि। लेहु नाथ पहिँचानि॥
कहेउ कपि हृदय धरहु धीरा। अब मिलिहैं रघुबीरा॥
अर्थ:Sita gave her crest jewel (chudamani): "Take this, so the Lord may recognise it as mine." Hanuman said: "Keep courage in your heart, O Mother — soon you shall meet Shri Ram."
कह सीता अब कह कह। राम लखन कुसलाई॥
पूछत पूछत बोलत रही। भइ मगन मन माई॥
अर्थ:Sita kept asking again and again: "Tell me more — are Ram and Lakshman well?" She was lost in joy, her mind absorbed in the Lord, as she continued to ask question after question.
