Asan Avahan (Offering the Seat):
The sacred narrative begins. Listen, O courageous Lord Hanuman! Kindly accept this seat with love and bless us with eternal well-being.
Shantam Shashwatamaprameyamangham... (1) I bow to the Lord of the Raghus, the crown jewel of kings, the compassionate One known as Rama. He is peaceful, eternal, beyond measure, sinless, the bestower of absolute peace of liberation, continuously worshipped by Brahma, Shiva, and the King of Serpents, the ultimate subject of Vedanta, all-pervading, the master of the universe, the teacher of the gods, and Hari manifested as a human through His divine illusion.
Nanya Spriha Raghupate Hridayesmadeeye... (2) O Lord of the Raghus! I speak the absolute truth, and You are the indwelling soul of all. There is no other desire left in my heart—grant me unswerving, intense devotion unto Your feet, O best among the Raghus, and cleanse my mind of flaws like lust and attachment.
Atulitabaladhamam Hemashailabhadeham... (3) I bow to the son of the Wind-god, the beloved devotee of Lord Rama, who is the abode of incomparable strength, whose physical form gleams like a golden mountain, who is like a consuming fire to the forest of demons, the foremost among the wise, the storehouse of all virtues, and the supreme master of the vanaras (monkeys).
The Departure: Hearing the encouraging words of Jambavan, Hanuman was delighted. He asked his brothers to wait and sustain themselves on fruits until he returned after locating Mother Sita. Bowing his head to everyone, with Lord Rama residing in his heart, he leaped from a beautiful mountain. The mountain instantly sank into the netherworld under his immense power. He flew like the infallible arrow of Rama.
Meeting Mount Mainak: Discerning him as Rama’s messenger, the Ocean God ordered Mount Mainak to rise and provide a resting spot for Hanuman. Hanuman merely touched the mountain with his hand, paid his respects, and declared: "There can be no rest for me until I fulfill Lord Rama's mission." [Doha 1]
The Test of Wisdom (Surasa): The gods sent Surasa, the mother of serpents, to test Hanuman’s intellect and strength. She obstructed his path, claiming he was her destined food. Hanuman requested her to let him pass to fulfill Rama's task first, promising to enter her mouth upon his return. When she refused, she expanded her jaws. As she expanded her mouth across yojanas, Hanuman doubled his size. When she stretched it to a hundred yojanas, Hanuman instantly assumed a tiny form, entered her mouth, and quickly came out. Pleased with his wit and power, she blessed him. [Doha 2]
Overcoming Simhika: A demoness lived in the ocean who caught flying creatures by grabbing their shadows in the water. She tried the same trick on Hanuman. Recognizing her deceit instantly, the brave son of the Wind-god slayed her and crossed the ocean safely.
Beholding Lanka: Hanuman reached the shore and beheld the immense beauty of Lanka. He climbed a massive mountain to observe the fortified city. The golden city was heavily guarded by fierce demons, filled with grand markets, elephants, horses, and chariots. [Doha 3]
Lankini's Defeat: Hanuman assumed a form as tiny as a mosquito (Masak saman roop) to secretly enter Lanka at night. The demoness Lankini, guardsman of the gates, stopped him arrogantly. Hanuman struck her with a single powerful fist. Vomiting blood, she fell to the ground. Regaining her composure, she remembered Brahma's prophecy: "When you are defeated by a monkey, know that the destruction of the demon clan is near." She recognized Hanuman as Rama’s messenger and welcomed him. [Doha 4]
Searching for Sita: Entering the city with Lord Rama in his heart, Hanuman searched every palace, including Ravana's highly luxurious sleeping chambers, but could not find Mother Sita anywhere. Then, he spotted a distinct house beautifully adorned with the symbols of Rama's weapons (Bow and Arrow) and surrounded by fresh Tulsi plants. [Doha 5]
Dialogue with Vibhishana: Hanuman wondered how a righteous person could survive in Lanka. At that moment, Vibhishana woke up chanting "Ram Ram". Delighted to find a saintly person, Hanuman assumed the form of a Brahmin and approached him. Vibhishana asked if he was a servant of Lord Hari. Hanuman revealed his identity and narrated Rama's story. Both wept with spiritual joy. [Doha 6]
Vibhishana's Hope: Vibhishana lamented that he lived like a tongue among teeth in demon-dominated Lanka. Hanuman reassured him that Lord Rama always showers affection on His servants, regardless of their lineage. [Doha 7]
Discovering Ashok Vatika: Vibhishana guided Hanuman to the Ashok Vatika where Mother Sita was kept captive. Hanuman assumed a tiny form and hid among the leaves of a tree. He saw Mother Sita looking emaciated, her hair tied in a single braid, continuously meditating on the virtues of Rama. Hanuman wept seeing her plight. [Doha 8]
Ravana's Arrogance: Ravana arrived at the orchard surrounded by luxury and queens. He threatened and enticed Sita to accept him. Sita, holding a blade of grass as a shield of modesty, reprimanded him and reminded him of Rama's unmatched arrows. Enraged, Ravana drew his sword Chandrahasa to strike her, but Queen Mandodari stopped him, advising him of righteous behavior. Ravana ordered the demonesses to terrify Sita into submission within a month. [Doha 10]
Trijata's Dream: A wise demoness named Trijata told the others about her vivid dream: "A monkey has burnt Lanka, Ravana's army is slaughtered, and Vibhishana has inherited the throne." Frightened by her dream, all the guards bowed to Sita and dispersed. Sita grieved, wishing for a fire to end her separation from Rama. [Doha 11]
Dropping the Ring: Watching this profound sorrow, Hanuman dropped Lord Rama's signet ring (Mudrika) from the tree. Sita recognized the ring with a mixture of joy and disbelief. [Doha 12]
Consoling Mother Sita: Hanuman spoke sweet words from above, narrating the glorious deeds of Rama from the beginning. Sita asked the narrator to reveal himself. Hanuman descended, introducing himself as Rama’s messenger. He explained how the alliance between humans and vanaras was forged. [Doha 13]
The Message of Separation: Seeing Hanuman, Sita felt as if she had found a life-boat while drowning in an ocean of grief. Hanuman delivered Rama’s emotional message: "Since our separation, everything has turned upside down for me; fresh leaves look like fire, and nights feel like the darkness of cosmic destruction." [Doha 15]
Hanuman's Giant Form: When Sita expressed doubt if tiny monkeys could defeat giant demons, Hanuman manifested his colossal, golden mountain-like warrior form (Kanak bhudharakar sareera). Sita's faith was sealed. [Doha 16]
Uprooting the Orchard: Feeling hungry, Hanuman asked permission to eat the sweet fruits of the orchard. Sita blessed him, and Hanuman entered the orchard. He ate the fruits and began uprooting massive trees. When the guards intervened, he crushed them. Ravana sent his son Akshay Kumar, whom Hanuman slayed with a massive roar. [Doha 18]
The Brahma-Astra Capture: Enraged by his son's death, Ravana sent his eldest son, Meghnaad (Indrajit). After an intense duel, Meghnaad unleashed the ultimate weapon, the Brahma-astra. Out of deep respect for Lord Brahma's weapon, Hanuman willingly chose to let himself be bound by it. [Doha 19]
In Ravana's Court: Bound by the snake-noose, Hanuman was brought into the royal assembly. Ravana's court was grand, with planetary deities bowing before his brows. Hanuman stood completely fearless, like the celestial eagle Garuda among serpents. [Doha 20]
Dialogue with Ravana: Ravana demanded to know who he was and by whose power he destroyed the orchard. Hanuman replied boldly: "I am the messenger of that Supreme Power by whose minimal grace you conquered the universe, who broke Shiva’s heavy bow, and who slayed Khara, Dushana, and Vali." Hanuman advised Ravana to renounce pride and return Sita to Rama to save his lineage. [Doha 22]
Setting the Tail on Fire: Enraged by Hanuman's counsel, Ravana ordered his execution. Vibhishana intervened, stating that it is against political ethics to kill an envoy. Ravana then commanded: "A monkey's pride resides in its tail. Wrap his tail in clothes soaked in oil and set it on fire." [Doha 24]
Lanka Dahan: As they wrapped his tail, Hanuman extended it playfully. The entire stock of cloth and oil in the city was exhausted. They set it on fire and paraded him. Hanuman immediately assumed a microscopic, light form, slipped out of his bonds, climbed the golden towers, and unleashed a massive roar. Aided by the forty-nine cosmic winds, he jumped from mansion to mansion, setting all of Lanka ablaze, sparing only Vibhishana's residence. [Doha 25]
The Chudamani Token: After burning Lanka, Hanuman extinguished his tail in the ocean, assumed his tiny form, and appeared before Mother Sita. He requested a token of identification. Sita gave him her divine hair ornament (Chudamani) and warned: "If Shri Rama does not arrive within a month, he will not find me alive." [Doha 27]
The Return Journey: With a thunderous roar that caused the wives of demons to miscarry, Hanuman leaped across the ocean and rejoined his vanara brothers. Seeing his radiant face, they knew the mission was a grand success. They feasted on fruits in the Madhuban orchard and marched back joyfully to Lord Rama. [Doha 28]
Rama's Embrace: The vanaras bowed at the lotus feet of Lord Rama. Jambavan declared that Hanuman saved the lives of the entire vanara army by fulfilling the impossible task. Lord Rama affectionately drew Hanuman close and embraced him. [Doha 29]
Describing Sita's Faith: Rama asked how Sita was surviving. Hanuman replied: "Your holy Name is the sentinel guarding her day and night, Your constant meditation is the locked door, and her eyes are fixed on her feet; through which path could her life escape?" Hanuman handed over the Chudamani. Rama wept, holding it against his heart. [Doha 30]
The March Begins: Hearing of Sita's intense suffering, tears filled the lotus eyes of Rama. Hanuman declared that all miseries vanish when one chants Rama's name. Rama declared himself eternally indebted to Hanuman. Instantly, Rama ordered Sugriva to prepare the colossal army of monkeys and bears to march toward the southern ocean. [Doha 34]
Mandodari's Warnings: In Lanka, fear gripped the citizens. Queen Mandodari fell at Ravana's feet, pleading with him to return Sita, warning him that Rama's arrows are like lethal serpents. Ravana laughed off her fears arrogantly. [Doha 36]
Vibhishana's Exile: Vibhishana entered the court and gave righteous advice, quoting ancient scriptures: "Where there is good counsel (Sumati), prosperity resides; where there is evil counsel (Kumati), absolute ruin follows." Furious at his brother's insolence, Ravana kicked Vibhishana out of the court. Vibhishana stated: "You are like a father to me, yet my welfare lies in chanting Rama's name." He left Lanka with his ministers. [Doha 41]
Seeking Rama's Protection: Vibhishana flew across the ocean and arrived at Rama's camp. Sugriva suspected him to be a demon spy and suggested keeping him bound. Lord Rama delivered his eternal promise (Sharanagat Vatsal Vrat): "Even if a person carries the sin of killing millions of Brahmins, I will never turn them away if they seek my refuge with a pure heart." [Doha 43]
The Consecration: Vibhishana fell flat at the lotus feet of Rama. Rama embraced him, washed his tired feet with holy water, and declared him the eternal King of Lanka, applying a royal tilak on his forehead. [Doha 49]
Three Days of Prayer: Rama asked how they could cross the deep, raging ocean filled with sea monsters. Vibhishana advised praying to the Ocean God, who was an ancestor of Rama's lineage. Rama sat on the shore on a bed of sacred grass (Darbha) and prayed for three consecutive days, but the Ocean God did not manifest. [Doha 51]
Rama's Wrath: Angered by the Ocean's silence, Rama declared: "Without fear, there can be no true love or respect." He commanded Lakshmana to bring his bow and set an arrow of cosmic fire (Bisikh Krisanu) to dry up the entire ocean. As the arrow was strung, the ocean's heart burned, and sea creatures panicked. [Doha 57]
The Solution: The Ocean God manifested in the form of a Brahmin, carrying a golden platter filled with gems. He fell at Rama's feet, apologizing: "O Lord, the five elements are rigid by nature as created by Your cosmic illusion. You have rightly taught me a lesson. But your scriptures state the boundaries of nature must be preserved." He then revealed a divine secret: "The two vanara brothers in your army, Nal and Nila, received a childhood blessing from a sage. Whatever stones or mountains they touch and throw into the water will float instantly by Your divine glory." [Doha 59]
The Epilogue: The Ocean God bowed and returned to his abode. This glorious narrative of the Raghunath, which cleanses the sins of Kali-yuga, was sung by Saint Tulsidas.
Final Doha (60):
The singing of the virtues of the Lord of Raghus is the bestower of all auspicious blessings. Those who listen to it with absolute devotion cross the formidable ocean of worldly existence safely, without needing a physical boat.