प्रथमः सर्गः
Rama Praises Hanuman; Anxiety over Crossing the Ocean
कृतं हनुमता कार्यं सुमहद्भुवि दुर्लभम् ।मनसापि यदन्येन न शक्यं धरणीतले ।।।।
kṛtaṃ hanumatā kāryaṃ sumahad bhuvi durlabham |
manasāpi yad anyena na śakyaṃ dharaṇītale ||
શ્રીરામ બોલ્યા: “હનુમાન! તું ધરતી પર દુર્લભ એવું અતિ મહાન કાર્ય કર્યું છે; જે આ ધરણી પર બીજો કોઈ મનમાં પણ કરી શકતો નથી.”
"On Hanuman finding Vaidehi, I and, mighty Lakshmana and the whole of Raghu dynasty are now rightfully protected."
The verse highlights kṛtajñatā—righteous gratitude. Dharma includes recognizing and honoring selfless service; Rāma openly acknowledges Hanumān’s extraordinary duty fulfilled for a just cause.
After Hanumān returns from Laṅkā with news of Sītā, Rāma responds by praising the near-impossible mission Hanumān has completed.
Hanumān’s vīrya (heroic capability) joined with sevā-bhāva (devoted service)—his power is directed toward righteous purpose rather than self-display.