हनूमत्प्रशंसा–अङ्गुलीयकप्रदानम् (Praise of Hanumān and the Gift of the Signet Ring)
किष्किन्धाकाण्ड
Sarga 44 formalizes Hanumān’s commissioning through layered testimony and a ritualized token. Sugrīva, as vānara sovereign, explicitly certifies Hanumān’s unmatched mobility across domains (earth, sky, water), his resemblance to Māruta in speed and brilliance, and his full competence in strength, intellect, situational judgment (deśa-kāla), and statecraft (naya). Rāma, recognizing the strategic inevitability of Hanumān’s success, internalizes Sugrīva’s confidence and experiences anticipatory relief, as though the objective were already achieved. To secure recognition and trust in a hostile environment, Rāma gives Hanumān a ring inscribed with his name as an abhi-jñāna (authentication device) for Sītā. Rāma’s instruction frames mission success as a convergence of Hanumān’s enterprise and courage with Sugrīva’s assurance. Hanumān receives the ring with reverent protocol—placing it on his forehead, saluting, and prostrating—then departs, described poetically as shining among the vānara host like the moon amid stars, while Rāma entrusts the search for Janaka’s daughter to Hanumān’s extraordinary valor.
Verse 4.44.1
विशेषेण तु सुग्रीवो हनूमत्यर्थमुक्तवान्।स हि तस्मिन्हरिश्रेष्ठे निश्चितार्थोऽर्थसाधने।।4.44.1।।
Sugrīva spoke with special emphasis about Hanumān’s fitness for the mission, for he was firmly convinced that this foremost of the vānara would accomplish the intended goal.
Verse 4.44.2
अब्रवीच्च हनूमन्तं विक्रान्तमनिलात्मजम्।सुग्रीवः परमप्रीतः प्रभु स्सर्ववनौकसाम्।।4.44.2।।
“O exceedingly strong one—O most valiant among the vānaras, famed for great deeds—O son of the Wind, Hanumān: I rely upon your strength. Act in such a way that Janaka’s daughter may be reached and found.”
Verse 4.44.3
न भूमौ नान्तरिक्षे वा नाम्बरे नामरालये।नाप्सु वा गतिसङ्गं ते पश्यामि हरिपुङ्गव।।4.44.3।।
O best of monkeys, I see none who can match your swiftness—neither on earth, nor in the mid-air, nor in the sky, nor in the abode of the immortals, nor even in the waters.
Verse 4.44.4
सासुरास्सहगन्धर्वास्सनागनरदेवताः।विदिता स्सर्वलोकास्ते ससागरधराधराः।।4.44.4।।
Along with the asuras and gandharvas, with nāgas, humans, and gods—indeed, all worlds with their oceans and mountains are known to you.
Verse 4.44.5
गतिर्वेगश्च तेजश्च लाघवं च महाकपे।पितुस्ते सदृशं वीर मारुतस्य महौजसः।।4.44.5।।
O hero, O great monkey—your movement, speed, radiance, and lightness are like those of your father, the mighty Wind-god, Maruta.
Verse 4.44.6
तेजसा वापि ते भूतं न समं भुवि न विद्यते।तद्यथा लभ्यते सीता तत्त्वमेवोपपादय।।4.44.6।।
Even in radiance, no being on earth is equal to you. Therefore, in truth, bring about the means by which Sita may be found—take the lead and make it happen.
Verse 4.44.7
त्वय्येव हनुम न्नस्ति बलं बुद्धिः पराक्रमः।देशकालानुवृत्तिश्च नयश्च नयपण्डित।।4.44.7।।
O Hanuman, learned in wise conduct: in you alone abide strength, intelligence, valor, the ability to act in accord with place and time, and sound judgment in action.
Verse 4.44.8
ततः कार्यसमासङ्गमवगम्य हनूमति।विदित्वा हनुमन्तं च चिन्तयामास राघवः।।4.44.8।।
Then Raghava (Rama), understanding that the burden of accomplishing the task rested with Hanuman—and knowing Hanuman’s capability—began to reflect.
Verse 4.44.9
सर्वथा निश्चितार्थोऽयं हनूमति हरीश्वरः।निश्चितार्थकरश्चापि हनूमान्कार्यसाधने।।4.44.9।।
This lord of the vanaras is wholly confident in Hanuman; and Hanuman too is one who surely brings a resolved purpose to completion in accomplishing a task.
Verse 4.44.10
तदेवं प्रस्थितस्यास्य परिज्ञातस्य कर्मभिः।भर्त्रा परिगृहीतस्य ध्रुवः कार्यफलोदयः।।4.44.10।।
Sugrīva—the lord of all the forest-dwellers—highly pleased, addressed Hanumān, the valiant son of the Wind-god, as he stepped forward.
Verse 4.44.11
तं समीक्ष्य महातेजा व्यवसायोत्तरं हरिम्।कृतार्थ इव संवृत्तः प्रहृष्टेन्द्रियमानसः।।4.44.11।।
Thus, for him who has set out—whose capability is proven by deeds and who is favored by his lord—the rise of success in the undertaking is certain.
Verse 4.44.12
ददौ तस्य ततः प्रीतस्स्वनामाङ्कोपशोभितम्।अङ्गुलीयमभिज्ञानं राजपुत्र्याः परन्तपः।।4.44.12।।
Seeing that monkey of radiant splendor, whose reply was marked by steadfast resolve, the mighty Rāma rejoiced in mind and senses, as though the purpose had already been fulfilled.
Verse 4.44.13
अनेन त्वां हरिश्रेष्ठ चिह्नेन जनकात्मजा।मत्सकाशादनुप्राप्तमनुद्विग्नाऽनुपश्यति।।4.44.13।।
Then, delighted, Rāma—the scorcher of foes—gave him a signet-ring as a token of recognition for the princess, adorned with his own name engraved upon it.
Verse 4.44.14
व्यवसायश्च ते वीर सत्त्वयुक्तश्च विक्रमः।सुग्रीवस्य च सन्देशस्सिद्धिं कथयतीव मे।।4.44.14।।
“O best of monkeys, by this token Janaka’s daughter will recognize you as one who has come from me, and she will look upon you without fear or hesitation.”
Verse 4.44.15
स तद्गृह्य हरिश्रेष्ठः स्थाप्य मूर्ध्नि कृताञ्जलिः।वन्दित्वा चरणौ चैव प्रस्थितः प्लवगोत्तमः।।4.44.15।।
“O hero, your determined effort and your valor joined with steadfast strength—and also Sugrīva’s message—seem to proclaim to me the success of this undertaking.”
Verse 4.44.16
स तत्प्रकर्षन् हरीणां महद्बलंबभूव वीरः पवनात्मजः कपिः।गताम्बुदे व्योम्नि विशुद्धमण्डलःशशीव नक्षत्रगणोपशोभितः।।4.44.16।।
Having received it, that best of monkeys placed it upon his head; with palms joined in añjali, he bowed and paid homage at Rāma’s feet, and then the foremost of leapers set out.
Verse 4.44.17
अतिबल बलमाश्रितस्तवाहंहरिवरविक्रम विक्रमैरनल्पैः।पवनसुत यथाऽभिगम्यते साजनकसुता हनुमं स्तथा कुरुष्व।।4.44.17।।
That heroic monkey, the Wind-god’s son, standing foremost amid the great strength of the vānaras, shone like the moon—its orb pure—in a cloudless sky adorned by hosts of stars.