Canto 67
Hanuman’s Replay
Moved no end by Rama’s plight
Spoke with ardour then Hanuman.
Narrate I would verbatim
Tale she told me to tell thee.
Woke up as I ahead of Ram
Slept when we both in open
Pecked my bosom Kakasur.
Bore I pain all in silence
Not to disturb his sleep then.
Taking advantage of that
Went on hurting me that crow
Making fountains of my breasts.
Fell as my blood on his chest
Woke up Ram to find me bleed.
Saw he as me in distress
Hissed my man like king cobra.
Dare who did to lay his hands
On thy breasts that brush my chest!
To his dismay he then found
Kakasur with blood on hands.
Realized Ram that Kakasur
Bird of birds was Indra’s son.
Misdeed that of Indra’s son
Found then my man hard to bear.
Plucked he then a nearby reed
And with power of his mantra
That he turned to Brahmastra.
Let as Ram that Brahmastra
To chase Kakasur to death
Spewed it tongues of fire at him.
So to save his life his dear
Turned that crow to one and all
Including his dad Indra.
None as came forward to help
Came back Kakasur to Ram
Sought he pardon for his foul.
Inclined though Ram to pardon
Yet he couldn’t help hurt his eye
Since none retracts his mantra.
Thanking Ram for his reprieve
Left Kakasur with left eye then.
Said she thus she fails to grasp
How come Rama spares Ravan.
Is there someone in all worlds
Who would stand up to fight Ram?
Concern if hath Lord Rama
For me his spouse ever loyal
May he come ’n slay Ravan.
Am I not like mother to him
What made Lakshman thus stay put?
Oh my man and his sibling
Could kill Ravan on their own,
And if they both feel for me
Why they fail to rescue me?
Seems both of them mistook me
For some reason know not what.
Seeing Seetha doubt herself
Gave I her thus assurance.
It’s his sorrow for thee know
Made that Rama lose his way.
Seeing thy man immobilized
As well Lakshman lost his wits,
Now that I would tell thy tale
Both of them would spring to life.
Enthused by the news I fetch
Land they would soon in Lanka.
That would be the beginning of
The end of Ravan’s reign on earth.
For thy Lord to trust my word
Give me keepsake he gave thee.
Having thought a while Seetha
Gave this diadem now thou hold.
In my hurry to see thee
Bid I adieu to thy spouse.
As I started to gain size
So that I could cross the seas
Spoke then Seetha to me thus.
As she took thy name O Lord
Broke she down then in despair.
Having at length set her tone
Chanted thy name like mantra.
That thou bestow trust in me
Praised my fortune then Seetha.
As a seat for her fly back
Offered then I her my back.
Told I she would be with thee
Before she could spell thy name.
Said she it’s not in her vein
Touch to alien male on own.
Felt I it’s my misfortune
Laid as Ravan hand on me
Kidnapped as he me then thus.
So can’t I make on thy back
Though thou are a friendly soul.
Once thou go back to thy folk
Pay my respects to them all.
Implore upon my Lord Ram
Help me come out clean early.
Mind thee tell all to my Lord
How guards all these distress me.
Men of men O Lord Rama
That’s how Seetha pines for thee.