Sundara kaandam

Sarga 57

Today, we read Sarga 57. This is the sarga that describes Hanuman's journey back from Lanka. The following points come to mind regarding this sarga.

Comparison of the sky with the ocean

It is normally said, the sky can be compared only with the sky. There is no simile possible for the sky. Similarly, it is said, the ocean is like the ocean. There is no comparison possible. We are familiar with that verse called "gaganam gaganaakaaram" etc.

Strangely, the first few verses of this sarga compare the sky with the ocean. As Hanuman flies through the sky, on his way, back from Lanka, these verses appear. Every element of the sky is compared with some element of the ocean. The sun, the moon, the stars, the constellations, the wind, the planet Mars, the clouds, each element is compared with some element in the ocean!

This is a particular style- like the "rana nadi" comparison in the Geeta Dhyana shlokas.

Hanuman flying through the sky

There are a few verses, very similar to the verses in Sarga 1 to describe Hanuman's flight. He goes in and out of clouds, much like the moon! He is described as being in touching distance with the moon, and within scratching distance of the stars! The clouds are described in various colours. Perhaps, it is evening time, give the fact that constellations are also mentioned! 

Nearing Mahendragiri

As Hanuman nears the Northern shore where Mahendragiri sits, we see a lot of action. Hanuman lets out a cry to announce his arrival. The 10 directions resound with this noise, like a clap of thunder! The vanaras are all waiting, and cannot contain their excitement that Hanuman is back!

The reactions

Jambavan is the first to discern that Hanuman must have surely met with success. Otherwise, Hanuman will not show so much reaction, he surmises. The Vanaras are very happy and cannot contain their reaction. They jump up and down trees, climb up and down the mountain and swish their tails!

Drishtaa Seeta

Once Hanuman alights beside a water body on Mahendragiri, the first thing he says is "drsishtaa Seeta"- I saw Seeta. We are reminded of Arjuna's nashto mohah! In these cases, the order of the words is such that there is no ambiguity. If Hanuman had said, Seeta-drishtaa, it can even mean "seeta adrishta" which would have the opposite meaning! 

 Hanuman gives a brief account of Seeta. He describes Seeta as "eka veni dharaa"- with a single braid, waiting for Lord Rama, thin and wearing soiled clothes. 

Angada is also very happy. He is effusive in praise, as he exclaims, "What strength! What courage! What accomplishment!" Aho dhairyam etc. The Vanaras are described, as though waiting on Hanuman's lips, they cannot wait to hear, what all happened! That is brought out very vividly.

The sarga ends, with the camera as though panning a long-shot....On Mahendragiri...such a scene unfolded! The sarga closes on that note!

Sarga 58:

In this sarga, we get a detailed description of all that Hanuman did- flying to Lanka, the obstacles he faced, how he searched for Seeta, the initial dejection, how he eventually found her, her meeting with Ravana, Trijata's swapna, how he narrates the story of Rama to Seeta and wins her confidence, giving of the signet ring to Seeta, Seeta's return memento,  Ashoka vana bhanga, destruction of all the rakshasa sent by Ravana- 80,000 kinkaras, Jambumali, 7 sons of the ministers, 5 senapatis, Akshapura, eventual capture by Indrajit, brought to Ravana, how he ordered Hanuman's vadham, Vibhishana's interjection, Hanuman's tail set on fire, how Hanuman torches entire Lanka, how he fears Seeta may have also been caught in the fire, how his fears are assuaged, his return flight to Mahendragiri. 

Hanuman summarizes every incident. There are few embellishments. 

In the original story, we do not hear that Ravana tries to hit Seeta. Here, Hanuman says so- Ravana is about to hit Seeta with his right fist and is stopped by Mandodari. 

Mandodari is not mentioned in that meeting of Ravana and Seeta. But in Hanuman's narration, we see that. 

Similarly, though Trijata's swapna is mentioned in the original, we do not know if Seeta heard Trijata's narration or not. But in Hanuman's version, we see that Seeta did hear. She even says, that if the story is true, and she is free, she will give protection to the rakshasis.

Hanuman does not narrate a few things- Seeta narrated the kaakaasura story to Hanuman. That was more important for her than even chudamani pradaanam. Hanuman skips that. Seeta mentions that "tilaka" incident briefly. Hanuman skips that too. May be, he felt, they should be revealed only to Rama. And Hanuman does so, in sarga 65 (to Rama)- he mentions both- the crow incident and the tilaka incident!

Similarly, he leaves the point where he gives Seeta a suggestion- that he can take her back to Rama immediately. But Seeta does not agree. She needs Rama to come, defeat Ravana and take her back. Hanuman skips this point also, in his narration to the vanaras.

Seeta's description as "eka veni dharaa" (one braid of hair) continues in Hanuman's narration too. Ravana says "eka veni dharaa" in sarga 20 (asking Seeta, why she is like this!) and here also....(sarga 57 and 58), we find the same mention. In sarga 65 also, the same phrase occurs, when Hanuman narrates to Rama- "eka veni dharaa"! 

May be, that common-place hair-style was not what a princess/queen would have sported, hence, it seems to be repeated! 

Sarga 59:

There are a few interesting points in this sarga:

Ravana must have done a lot of tapas. Otherwise, Seeta's inherent tapas would have destroyed him.

Seeta is capable to destroy Rama on her own. However, she chose not to, so that, that glory can go to Rama. Looks like this is the sarga that inspired Tyagaraja to compose "maa jaanaki" in Kambhoji raga!

Hanuman attributes his success to 3 people: To Rama, to Sugreeva and to Seeta. He says, his mission was successful because of the grace from these three.

The next part of this sarga is devoted to an idea from Hanuman. He feels, they should go back to Rama after conquering Ravana on their own, and taking Seeta with them.

Hence, a major part of this sarga is devoted to how the vanaras are capable of destroying Lanka on their own.

Finally, towards the end of the sarga, we get the reasoning. Hanuman feels that Seeta was on the verge of committing suicide and he just about managed to assure her. Hence, he does not want to drag this anymore. That is Hanuman's intent, on why he wants the vanaras to take up this venture, on their own.