The Story of Ashok Vatika (Sarga 14)

Hanuman entered the Ashoka grove, observed its beauty, and remained hidden upon an Ashoka tree while searching for Sita from there.

The radiant Hanuman continued thinking in this manner for some time. Then, meditating inwardly upon Sita, he leapt down from Ravana’s palace and climbed onto the boundary wall of the Ashoka grove. Sitting upon that wall, the mighty Hanuman felt every limb thrill with joy. He saw many kinds of trees there in the early season of spring, their branches heavily laden with flowers. There were blossoming sal, ashoka, neem, and champa trees. Mango trees bearing reddish fruits like the snout of a monkey were also decorated with flowers and blossoms. All those groves were covered with hundreds of creepers.

Hanuman leapt like an arrow released from a bow and entered that garden of trees. The wondrous grove was surrounded on all sides by trees shining like gold and silver. Many kinds of birds were chirping there, causing the entire grove to echo with their sounds. Entering inside, the powerful Hanuman observed everything carefully. The grove was beautified by various birds and herds of deer. It appeared reddish like the newly risen sun and was adorned with many enchanting forests.

The Ashoka grove was filled with many kinds of trees laden with fruits and flowers, and intoxicated cuckoos and bees moved about there constantly. It was such a delightful garden that everyone who entered it felt happiness in their hearts. The deer and birds became joyful and intoxicated. The calls of peacocks echoed continuously, and many kinds of birds lived there.

While searching for the virtuous and noble princess Sita, Hanuman awakened the birds sleeping peacefully in their nests. As the birds flew about, the wind from their wings caused showers of colorful flowers to rain from the trees. Covered with those flowers, Hanuman appeared extremely beautiful, as though a mountain made entirely of flowers stood within the Ashoka grove.

Running in every direction and moving among the trees, Hanuman appeared to all creatures and Rakshasas as if Spring itself had taken the form of a monkey and was wandering there. The ground became covered with fallen flowers of many kinds and looked like a beautifully adorned young woman decorated with floral ornaments.

As the swift Hanuman shook the trees repeatedly, they showered flowers everywhere. Their leaves fell, and their fruits, flowers, and tender shoots scattered about, making the trees appear stripped bare like defeated gamblers who had lost even their clothes and ornaments. The trees shaken by Hanuman instantly gave up their fruits, flowers, and leaves. Deprived of their blossoms and abandoned by birds, they became desolate and untouchable.

The condition of the Ashoka grove resembled that of a young woman whose hair had become disheveled, whose ornaments had fallen away, whose lips had already tasted nectar, and whose body bore marks upon it. Trampled by Hanuman’s hands, feet, and movement, many of its finest trees had broken and fallen, leaving the grove exhausted and disturbed.

Just as stormy winds during the rainy season scatter masses of clouds, Hanuman swiftly tore apart the vast coverings of creepers spread throughout the grove. Wandering there, the heroic monkey saw many beautiful grounds decorated with jewels, silver, and gold.

Throughout the garden he saw many kinds of ponds filled with excellent water and adorned with jewel-studded stairways. Their sands were made of pearls and coral, while the floors beneath the water were made of crystal. Strange and beautiful golden trees decorated their banks.

Forests of blooming lotuses and pairs of chakravaka birds increased their beauty, while the sweet calls of cuckoos, swans, and cranes echoed everywhere. Delightful rivers filled with sweet water like nectar constantly flowed around those ponds, keeping them filled with fresh water. Hundreds of creepers spread along their banks, and blossoming celestial trees surrounded them on all sides. Their waters were partly covered with shrubs, and blooming oleander trees appeared here and there like beautiful windows.

Then Hanuman saw a dark mountain resembling a rain cloud, with lofty peaks and strange summits. Many other mountains surrounded it, adding to its beauty. It contained numerous stone caves and many varieties of trees growing upon it. That mountain appeared extraordinarily beautiful.

Hanuman saw a river descending from that mountain, appearing like a beloved woman leaping away from the embrace of her lover. Trees along the banks bent low until their branches touched the water, making the river appear like a young woman being stopped by her companions as she tried to leave her beloved in anger.

Then Hanuman saw that the river’s flow had turned back after striking against the branches of the trees, appearing as though a pleased beloved had returned once again to her lover.

Not far from that mountain, Hanuman saw many lotus-filled lakes where different kinds of birds were chirping. He also saw an artificial pond filled with cool water, adorned with jeweled stairways and sands made of pearls.

Within the Ashoka grove stood many grand palaces and artificial gardens created by Vishwakarma, all increasing its beauty. Herds of many kinds of deer wandered there. Beautiful forests and gardens decorated the grove from every side. Every tree there bore fruits and flowers and spread dense shade like umbrellas. Beneath them were platforms made of silver and gold.

Then Hanuman saw a golden Shimshapa tree, covered with many creepers and shining leaves. It too was surrounded by golden platforms. He also saw many open grounds, mountain streams, and golden trees glowing like fire. Seeing the brilliance of those trees, Hanuman himself appeared golden from all sides, like Mount Meru.

When the wind blew through those golden trees, they swayed and produced sweet sounds like hundreds of tinkling anklets. Hanuman was greatly astonished upon seeing all this. Beautiful flowers bloomed upon the branches, and fresh shoots and leaves had newly appeared, making the trees even more beautiful.

The mighty Hanuman climbed that green and leafy Shimshapa tree, thinking, “From here I shall surely see Sita, daughter of Videha, who longs for the sight of Shri Rama and wanders here and there in sorrow. This Ashoka grove of the wicked Ravana is extremely beautiful. Sandalwood, champa, and maulsari trees increase its beauty. These lotus-filled ponds filled with birds are also very lovely. Queen Janaki must certainly come here.”

“The beloved queen of Shri Rama, the virtuous Janaki, has always loved wandering in forests. She will surely come here. Or perhaps Sita, who understands the beauty of forests like a gentle doe, will come near this pond today. She has become extremely weak due to grief from separation from Shri Rama, and this beautiful place may bring some relief to her sorrow.”

“The beautiful-eyed Sita must be deeply afflicted by separation from Shri Rama. She always loved the forest during exile, so she will certainly come wandering here. Janaki, the noble wife of Shri Rama, surely loved the creatures of the forest from before, and therefore wandering in the forest is natural for her. There is every possibility of seeing her here.”

“This is the time of the morning twilight. Sita, the eternally youthful and beautiful daughter of King Janaka, who delights in spiritual practice, will surely come to the bank of this sacred river for her prayers. This beautiful Ashoka grove is perfectly suited for the noble and virtuous wife of Shri Rama. If moon-faced Sita is still alive, she will surely come to the bank of this cool river.”

Thinking thus, the great Hanuman remained hidden within that Ashoka tree adorned with beautiful flowers and dense leaves, attentively watching the entire grove while waiting eagerly for an auspicious sight of Queen Sita.

Thus ends the fourteenth chapter of the Sundara Kanda.