Shloka 2
अशोकवनिकायां सीतादर्शनम्
Sita Seen in the Ashoka Grove
सन्तानकलताभिश्च पादपैरुपशोभिताम्।दिव्यगन्धरसोपेतां सर्वतस्समलङ्कृताम्।।।।तां स नन्दनसङ्काशां मृगपक्षिभिरावृताम्।हर्म्यप्रासादसम्बाधां कोकिलाकुलनिस्स्वनाम्।।।।काञ्चनोत्पलपद्माभिर्वापीभिरुपशोभिताम्।बह्वासनकुथोपेतां बहुभूमिगृहायुताम्।।।।सर्वर्तुकुसुमै रम्यां फलवद्भिश्च पादपैः।पुष्पितानामशोकानां श्रिया सूर्योदयप्रभाम्।।।।प्रदीप्तामिव तत्रस्थो मारुतिस्समुदैक्षत।निष्पत्रशाखां विहगैः क्रियमाणामिवासकृत्।।।।विनिष्पतद्भिः शतशश्चित्रैः पुष्पावतंसकैः।आमूलपुष्पनिचितैरशोकैश्शोकनाशनैः।।।।पुष्पभारातिभारैश्च स्पृशद्भिरिव मेदिनीम्।कर्णिकारैः कुसुमितैः किंशुकैश्च सुपुष्पितैः।।।।
santāna-kalatābhiś ca pādapair upaśobhitām |
divya-gandha-rasopetāṃ sarvataḥ samalaṅkṛtām ||
tāṃ sa nandana-saṅkāśāṃ mṛga-pakṣibhir āvṛtām |
harmya-prāsāda-sambādhāṃ kokilākula-nissvanām ||
kāñcanotpalapadmābhir vāpībhir upaśobhitām |
bahv-āsana-kuthopetāṃ bahu-bhūmi-gṛhāyutām ||
sarvartu-kusumai ramyāṃ phalavadbhiś ca pādapaiḥ |
puṣpitānām aśokānāṃ śriyā sūryodaya-prabhām ||
pradīptām iva tatra-stho mārutiḥ samudaikṣata |
niṣpatra-śākhāṃ vihagaiḥ kriyamāṇām ivāsakṛt ||
viniṣpatadbhiḥ śataśaś citraiḥ puṣpāvataṃsakaiḥ |
āmūla-puṣpa-nicitair aśokaiḥ śoka-nāśanaiḥ ||
puṣpa-bhārāti-bhāraiś ca spṛśadbhir iva medinīm |
karṇikāraiḥ kusumitaiḥ kiṃśukaiś ca supuṣpitaiḥ ||
Mula sa kinatatayuan niya, minasdan ni Māruti (Hanumān) ang gubat ng Aśoka—pinapaganda ng mga baging at punò, nilulukuban ng banal na halimuyak at katas, at pinalamutian sa lahat ng dako. Mistulang Nandana ni Indra: napupuno ng usa at mga ibon, umaalingawngaw sa huni ng mga kokila, at siksik sa mga mansiyon at matatayog na palasyo, pati na sa maraming silid na nasa ilalim ng lupa. Kumikinang ang mga lawa sa ginintuang lotus at liryo; may maraming upuan at mariringal na sapin; at kaaya-aya sa mga punòng namumunga at namumulaklak sa bawat panahon. Ang namumukadkad na mga Aśoka, maningning na gaya ng liwanag ng pagsikat ng araw, ay wari’y nagpapaliyab sa buong pook. Paulit-ulit na wari’y nalalagas ang mga dahon—sapagkat daan-daang ibon ang gumagawa sa mga sanga na tila makukulay na palamuting bulaklak—ngunit ang mga Aśoka ay natatambakan ng bulaklak hanggang sa ugat, na para bang nilikha upang pawiin ang dalamhati. Sa bigat ng bulaklak ay tila sumasayad sa lupa; at lalo pang lumiwanag ang halamanan sa namumulaklak na karṇikāra at sa ganap na pamumulaklak na kiṃśuka.
Hanuman surveyed from the Simsupa tree the Ashoka grove of trees full of fine fragrance. It looked well-decorated like the Nandana garden of Indra. It teemed with animals and birds. It was filled with the voices of the cuckoos. It had tall mansions and underground chamber. There were golden lilies and lotuses in the lakes, enchanting couches with rich coverings and trees full of blossoms of all seasons and fruits in abundance With the Ashoka tree shedding showers of flowers from time to time the place shone with the splendour of Sunrise. It glittered like inflamed fire. The Ashoka tree had hundreds of colourful birds on the branches. It appeared as if it had branches without leaves which made them look like ear-ornaments (of the grove). Ashoka flowers in bloom hung down to the base of the tree as if to take away the grief of the onlookers. The blossoms of the Karnikara and kimsuka brightened the wholegrove.
FAQs
Hanumān’s careful, truthful observation (satya) and disciplined focus on his mission reflect dharma: he does not get distracted by beauty or luxury, but surveys the grove as part of his righteous duty to find Sītā.
The comparison highlights extraordinary splendor—divine fragrance, abundant blossoms, birdsong, and rich architecture—underscoring the seductive power of Laṅkā’s opulence, which a dharmic messenger like Hanumān must see clearly without being ensnared.