The Ramayana · 382 of 493

Sundara Kānda (The Beautiful Book): Canto 50 — Prahasta’s Questions

Then fierce the giant’s fury blazed As on Hanúmán’s form he gazed, And shaken by each wild surmise He spake aloud with flashing eyes: “Can this be Nandi(882) standing here, The mighty one whom all revere? Who once on high Kailása’s hill Pronounced the curse that haunts me still? Or is the woodland creature one Of Asur race, or Bali’s(883) son? The wretch with searching question try: Learn who he is, and whence; and why He marred the glory of the grove, And with my captains fiercely strove.” Prahasta heard his lord’s behest, And thus the Vánar chief addressed: “O monkey stranger be consoled: Fear not, and let thy heart be bold. If thou by Indra’s mandate sent Thy steps to Lanká’s isle hast bent, With fearless words the cause explain, And freedom thou shalt soon regain. Or if thou comest as a spy Despatched by Vishṇu in the sky, Or sent by Yáma, or the Lord Of Riches, hast our town explored; Proved by the prowess thou hast shown No monkey save in form alone; Speak boldly all the truth, and be Released from bonds, unharmed and free. But falsehood spoken to our king Swift punishment of death will bring.”

He ceased: the Vánar made reply; “Not Indra’s messenger am I, Nor came I hither to fulfil Kuvera’s hest or Vishṇu’s will. I stand before the giants here A Vánar e’en as I appear. I longed to see the king: ’twas hard To win my way through gate and guard. And so to gain my wish I laid In ruin that delightful shade. No fiend, no God of heavenly kind With bond or chain these limbs may bind. The Eternal Sire himself of old Vouchsafed the boon that makes me bold, From Brahmá’s magic shaft released(884) I knew the captor’s power had ceased, The fancied bonds I freely brooked, And thus upon the king have looked. My way to Lanká have I won, A messenger from Raghu’s son.”