* हरिजन जानि प्रीति अति गाढ़ी। सजल नयन पुलकावलि बाढ़ी॥
बूड़त बिरह जलधि हनुमाना। भयहु तात मो कहुँ जलजाना॥1॥

भावार्थ:-भगवान का जन (सेवक) जानकर अत्यंत गाढ़ी प्रीति हो गई। नेत्रों में (प्रेमाश्रुओं का) जल भर आया और शरीर अत्यंत पुलकित हो गया (सीताजी ने कहा-) हे तात हनुमान्‌! विरहसागर में डूबती हुई मुझको तुम जहाज हुए॥1॥

Recognizing Hanuman ji as a staunch devotee of Shri Ram, Sita ji’s affection for him grew deeper. Tears welled up in Her eyes, and goosebumps appeared all over Her body. She said, “O’ Hanuman, as I was drowning in the vast ocean of sorrow caused by separation from my Lord, you appeared like a rescuing ship, my son…

* अब कहु कुसल जाउँ बलिहारी। अनुज सहित सुख भवन खरारी॥
कोमलचित कृपाल रघुराई। कपि केहि हेतु धरी निठुराई॥2॥

भावार्थ:-मैं बलिहारी जाती हूँ, अब छोटे भाई लक्ष्मणजी सहित खर के शत्रु सुखधाम प्रभु का कुशल-मंगल कहो। श्री रघुनाथजी तो कोमल हृदय और कृपालु हैं। फिर हे हनुमान्‌! उन्होंने किस कारण यह निष्ठुरता धारण कर ली है?॥2॥

…I offer you my all. Now please tell me about the well-being of the younger brother Lakshman, along with my Lord, Shri Ram, the abode of bliss and the destroyer of the demon Khar. Shri Raghuveer is tender-hearted and full of compassion. O’ Hanuman, why has He become so harsh toward me?…

* सहज बानि सेवक सुखदायक। कबहुँक सुरति करत रघुनायक॥
कबहुँ नयन मम सीतल ताता। होइहहिं निरखि स्याम मृदु गाता॥3॥

भावार्थ:-सेवक को सुख देना उनकी स्वाभाविक बान है। वे श्री रघुनाथजी क्या कभी मेरी भी याद करते हैं? हे तात! क्या कभी उनके कोमल साँवले अंगों को देखकर मेरे नेत्र शीतल होंगे?॥3॥

…He has taken a sacred vow to bring joy to His devotees. Does Shri Raghunayak ever remember me? O’ Son, will my eyes ever find comfort again by beholding His tender, bluish-hued form?”

* बचनु न आव नयन भरे बारी। अहह नाथ हौं निपट बिसारी॥
देखि परम बिरहाकुल सीता। बोला कपि मृदु बचन बिनीता॥4॥

भावार्थ:-(मुँह से) वचन नहीं निकलता, नेत्रों में (विरह के आँसुओं का) जल भर आया। (बड़े दुःख से वे बोलीं-) हा नाथ! आपने मुझे बिलकुल ही भुला दिया! सीताजी को विरह से परम व्याकुल देखकर हनुमान्‌जी कोमल और विनीत वचन बोले-॥4॥

Sita ji could hardly speak as tears filled Her eyes. She said, “O’ Beloved Master, You have completely forgotten me.” Seeing Sita ji overwhelmed by the sorrow of separation from Her Lord, Hanuman ji spoke humbly in gentle tones.

* मातु कुसल प्रभु अनुज समेता। तव दुख दुखी सुकृपा निकेता॥
जनि जननी मानह जियँ ऊना। तुम्ह ते प्रेमु राम कें दूना॥5॥

भावार्थ:-हे माता! सुंदर कृपा के धाम प्रभु भाई लक्ष्मणजी के सहित (शरीर से) कुशल हैं, परंतु आपके दुःख से दुःखी हैं। हे माता! मन में ग्लानि न मानिए (मन छोटा करके दुःख न कीजिए)। श्री रामचंद्रजी के हृदय में आपसे दूना प्रेम है॥5॥

Hanuman ji said, “Mother, the Lord and His brother are both well, but He is deeply sorrowful because of Your pain. O’ Mother, please do not lose heart. Lord Ram’s love for You is twice as deep as Your love for Him…

दोहा :
* रघुपति कर संदेसु अब सुनु जननी धरि धीर।
अस कहि कपि गदगद भयउ भरे बिलोचन नीर॥14॥

भावार्थ:-हे माता! अब धीरज धरकर श्री रघुनाथजी का संदेश सुनिए। ऐसा कहकर हनुमान्‌जी प्रेम से गद्गद हो गए। उनके नेत्रों में (प्रेमाश्रुओं का) जल भर आया॥14॥

…Mother, please compose Yourself and listen to Shri Raghupati’s message.” As he uttered these words, Hanuman ji was overwhelmed with love, and tears of devotion welled up in his eyes.

चौपाई :
* कहेउ राम बियोग तव सीता। मो कहुँ सकल भए बिपरीता॥
नव तरु किसलय मनहुँ कृसानू। कालनिसा सम निसि ससि भानू॥1॥

भावार्थ:-(हनुमान्‌जी बोले-) श्री रामचंद्रजी ने कहा है कि हे सीते! तुम्हारे वियोग में मेरे लिए सभी पदार्थ प्रतिकूल हो गए हैं। वृक्षों के नए-नए कोमल पत्ते मानो अग्नि के समान, रात्रि कालरात्रि के समान, चंद्रमा सूर्य के समान॥1॥

Hanuman ji then began to convey Shri Ram’s words of longing, “O’ Sita, since the moment I was separated from You, everything has become unbearable. The tender leaves on the trees appear as flames, the night feels like the dreadful night of final dissolution, and even the Moon burns like the Sun…

*कुबलय बिपिन कुंत बन सरिसा। बारिद तपत तेल जनु बरिसा॥
जे हित रहे करत तेइ पीरा। उरग स्वास सम त्रिबिध समीरा॥2॥

भावार्थ:-और कमलों के वन भालों के वन के समान हो गए हैं। मेघ मानो खौलता हुआ तेल बरसाते हैं। जो हित करने वाले थे, वे ही अब पीड़ा देने लगे हैं। त्रिविध (शीतल, मंद, सुगंध) वायु साँप के श्वास के समान (जहरीली और गरम) हो गई है॥2॥

…The beds of lotuses appear like forests of spears thrust into the ground, and the rain clouds seem to pour down boiling oil. Those who were once friendly now bring me sorrow. The cool, fragrant breezes now feel like hissing serpents, exhaling hot and venomous breath…

* कहेहू तें कछु दुख घटि होई। काहि कहौं यह जान न कोई॥
तत्व प्रेम कर मम अरु तोरा। जानत प्रिया एकु मनु मोरा॥3॥

भावार्थ:-मन का दुःख कह डालने से भी कुछ घट जाता है। पर कहूँ किससे? यह दुःख कोई जानता नहीं। हे प्रिये! मेरे और तेरे प्रेम का तत्त्व (रहस्य) एक मेरा मन ही जानता है॥3॥

…The pain of the heart eases a little when shared with someone, but to whom shall I speak of it? There is no one who can truly understand my sorrow. O’ Beloved, the depth of our bond is known only to my heart…

* सो मनु सदा रहत तोहि पाहीं। जानु प्रीति रसु एतनेहि माहीं॥
प्रभु संदेसु सुनत बैदेही। मगन प्रेम तन सुधि नहिं तेही॥4॥

भावार्थ:-और वह मन सदा तेरे ही पास रहता है। बस, मेरे प्रेम का सार इतने में ही समझ ले। प्रभु का संदेश सुनते ही जानकीजी प्रेम में मग्न हो गईं। उन्हें शरीर की सुध न रही॥4॥

…And that heart forever resides with You. Know the depth of my love through these words.” Hearing the Lord’s message, Videhi ji was overwhelmed with divine love and lost all awareness of Her body.

* कह कपि हृदयँ धीर धरु माता। सुमिरु राम सेवक सुखदाता॥
उर आनहु रघुपति प्रभुताई। सुनि मम बचन तजहु कदराई॥5॥

भावार्थ:-हनुमान्‌जी ने कहा- हे माता! हृदय में धैर्य धारण करो और सेवकों को सुख देने वाले श्री रामजी का स्मरण करो। श्री रघुनाथजी की प्रभुता को हृदय में लाओ और मेरे वचन सुनकर कायरता छोड़ दो॥5॥

Hanuman ji said, “Mother, please steady Your heart and meditate upon Shri Ram, the One who brings joy to His devotees. Keep the glories of Shri Ram enshrined within You, and cast away all fear after hearing my words…

दोहा :
* निसिचर निकर पतंग सम रघुपति बान कृसानु।
जननी हृदयँ धीर धरु जरे निसाचर जानु॥15॥

भावार्थ:-राक्षसों के समूह पतंगों के समान और श्री रघुनाथजी के बाण अग्नि के समान हैं। हे माता! हृदय में धैर्य धारण करो और राक्षसों को जला ही समझो॥15॥

…The demon armies are like moths, and the arrows of Shri Raghupati are like blazing fire. O’ Mother, keep faith in Your heart and consider the demons as already reduced to ashes…

चौपाई :
* जौं रघुबीर होति सुधि पाई। करते नहिं बिलंबु रघुराई॥
राम बान रबि उएँ जानकी। तम बरुथ कहँ जातुधान की॥1॥

भावार्थ:-श्री रामचंद्रजी ने यदि खबर पाई होती तो वे बिलंब न करते। हे जानकीजी! रामबाण रूपी सूर्य के उदय होने पर राक्षसों की सेना रूपी अंधकार कहाँ रह सकता है?॥1॥

…If Raghupati knew of Your whereabouts, Shri Raghuveer would not have delayed even for a single moment in coming to rescue You. O’ Mother Janaki, can the night of demons ever endure when the arrows of Lord Ram rise like the radiant Sun?…

* अबहिं मातु मैं जाउँ लवाई। प्रभु आयुस नहिं राम दोहाई॥
कछुक दिवस जननी धरु धीरा। कपिन्ह सहित अइहहिं रघुबीरा॥2॥

भावार्थ:-हे माता! मैं आपको अभी यहाँ से लिवा जाऊँ, पर श्री रामचंद्रजी की शपथ है, मुझे प्रभु (उन) की आज्ञा नहीं है। (अतः) हे माता! कुछ दिन और धीरज धरो। श्री रामचंद्रजी वानरों सहित यहाँ आएँगे॥2॥

…Mother, I would have taken You back this very moment, but I swear by Shri Ram, I do not have His command to do so. Please wait patiently for just a few more days, for the Lord Himself will come here with the army of monkeys…

*निसिचर मारि तोहि लै जैहहिं। तिहुँ पुर नारदादि जसु गैहहिं॥
हैं सुत कपि सब तुम्हहि समाना। जातुधान अति भट बलवाना॥3॥

भावार्थ:-और राक्षसों को मारकर आपको ले जाएँगे। नारद आदि (ऋषि-मुनि) तीनों लोकों में उनका यश गाएँगे। (सीताजी ने कहा-) हे पुत्र! सब वानर तुम्हारे ही समान (नन्हें-नन्हें से) होंगे, राक्षस तो बड़े बलवान, योद्धा हैं॥3॥

…After destroying all the demons, He will take You back, and Narad ji along with other Sages will sing His glories throughout the three worlds.” Sita ji then asked, “O’ Son, are all the monkeys as small as you? The demons are mighty warriors and exceedingly brave…

* मोरें हृदय परम संदेहा। सुनि कपि प्रगट कीन्हि निज देहा॥
कनक भूधराकार सरीरा। समर भयंकर अतिबल बीरा॥4॥

भावार्थ:-अतः मेरे हृदय में बड़ा भारी संदेह होता है (कि तुम जैसे बंदर राक्षसों को कैसे जीतेंगे!)। यह सुनकर हनुमान्‌जी ने अपना शरीर प्रकट किया। सोने के पर्वत (सुमेरु) के आकार का (अत्यंत विशाल) शरीर था, जो युद्ध में शत्रुओं के हृदय में भय उत्पन्न करने वाला, अत्यंत बलवान्‌ और वीर था॥4॥

…My heart is filled with doubt as to how the monkeys can face such mighty demons.” Hearing Sita ji’s words, Hanuman ji assumed his true divine form, towering and radiant like the golden mountain Sumeru. His presence was awe-inspiring, his expression fierce enough to strike terror into vast armies. He stood there, the embodiment of immense strength and valour.

* सीता मन भरोस तब भयऊ। पुनि लघु रूप पवनसुत लयऊ॥5॥

भावार्थ:-तब (उसे देखकर) सीताजी के मन में विश्वास हुआ। हनुमान्‌जी ने फिर छोटा रूप धारण कर लिया॥5॥

Seeing him, Sita ji’s heart filled with renewed confidence, and Hanuman ji then resumed his small, humble form.

This is one of the most beautiful Sītā–Hanumān conversations in the Sundara Kāṇḍa, and the sequence has a remarkable emotional architecture.

What makes this passage especially moving is the way the relationship changes and deepens:
1. Sītā first sees Hanumān as Rāma’s servant
हरिजन जानि प्रीति अति गाढ़ी।
Harijan jāni prīti ati gāḍhī.
The crucial word is Hari-jan — one who belongs to Hari, a servant/devotee of the Lord.
Sītā's affection for Hanumān is not merely gratitude because he has found her. She recognizes his identity through his relationship with Rāma. That immediately creates a profound bond.
And then:
बूड़त बिरह जलधि हनुमाना।
भयहु तात मो कहुँ जलजाना॥
“You became the boat for me while I was drowning in the ocean of separation.”
It is a wonderful image: Hanumān does not merely bring news; he becomes the means by which Sītā survives hope itself.
2. Her first question is about Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa
She doesn't ask first about herself.
अब कहु कुसल जाउँ बलिहारी।
अनुज सहित सुख भवन खरारी॥
“How are Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa?”
And then comes the aching question:
कपि केहि हेतु धरी निठुराई॥
“Why has He become so seemingly harsh toward me?”
This is not accusation in the ordinary sense. It is the cry of someone who cannot reconcile Rāma's compassion with the continued separation.
3. Hanumān gives her the answer that only a true messenger could give
तव दुख दुखी सुकृपा निकेता।
तुम्ह ते प्रेमु राम कें दूना॥
“Rāma is Himself sorrowful because of your sorrow. His love for you is twice your love for Him.”
This is the emotional turning point.
Sītā thinks:
“Perhaps Rāma has forgotten me.”
Hanumān answers:
“He has not forgotten you. He is suffering because of you.”
And then Tulsidas gives us one of the most extraordinary descriptions of separation in devotional poetry.
4. Rāma's world has become inverted
नव तरु किसलय मनहुँ कृसानू।
कालनिसा सम निसि ससि भानू॥
Fresh leaves look like fire.
Night becomes like the night of destruction.
The moon becomes like the sun.
Everything that should give pleasure now causes pain.
Lotuses become spears.
Clouds seem to pour boiling oil.
The gentle breeze becomes like the breath of a serpent.
This is viraha — separation transforming the entire perception of the world.
The important point is that Rāma isn't merely saying “I miss you.”
He is saying, in effect:
“The entire world has lost its sweetness because you are absent.”
5. And then comes the extraordinary line
तत्व प्रेम कर मम अरु तोरा।
जानत प्रिया एकु मनु मोरा॥
“The essence of the love between you and me is known only to my heart.”
And immediately:
सो मनु सदा रहत तोहि पाहीं।
“That heart of mine always remains with you.”
This is the real message.
Rāma's physical body is elsewhere.
But His mind is with Sītā.
Therefore Sītā has not been abandoned at all.
Indeed, in the poetic logic of the passage, the separated lovers are never truly separated, because the mind of one dwells permanently with the other.
6. Hanumān becomes more than messenger
Notice how Hanumān addresses her:
मातु... जननी...
“Mother.”
And Sītā calls him:
तात... पुत्र...
“Dear son.”
So the relationship becomes extraordinarily intimate without ever losing its devotional hierarchy.
Hanumān is:
Rāma's servant → Sītā's messenger → Sītā's son → her source of courage.
And this is why his words have such power.
7. Then comes the magnificent transformation
Sītā doubts:
How can these monkeys possibly defeat these gigantic demons?
Hanumān doesn't argue.
He simply reveals his true form:
कनक भूधराकार सरीरा।
समर भयंकर अतिबल बीरा॥
A body like a golden mountain.
Suddenly the tiny messenger whom Sītā had been speaking to becomes a colossal warrior.
And then, beautifully:
सीता मन भरोस तब भयऊ।
पुनि लघु रूप पवनसुत लयऊ॥
Once Sītā's doubt is removed, Hanumān becomes small again.
That detail is profound.
His greatness does not lie in remaining gigantic.
He becomes enormous when Sītā needs assurance of his strength—and immediately becomes small again when that purpose is fulfilled.
That is Hanumān's greatness: immense power completely governed by service.
The whole passage could almost be seen as a journey
Sītā's despair → recognition of Hanumān → hope → Rāma's message → assurance of Rāma's love → renewed courage → revelation of Hanumān's power → complete confidence.
And there is a beautiful symmetry:
Sītā tells Hanumān:
“You became my boat when I was drowning in separation.”
Hanumān tells Sītā:
“Rāma's heart is always with you.”
So the messenger doesn't merely carry a message from Rāma to Sītā.
He carries hope from Rāma to Sītā, and then carries Sītā's renewed hope back into the story of Rāma.
That is why this is much more than a conversation between two characters. It is one of the great scenes of bhakti, service, love and hope in the Rāmāyaṇa tradition.