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 ||
Rāma bersabda: “Wahai Hanumān, engkau telah menyelesaikan suatu tugas yang amat agung, sukar ditemui di dunia—yang tidak mampu dilakukan oleh sesiapa pun di bumi ini, bahkan dalam fikiran sekalipun.”
"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.