Ramayana — Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 5
अङ्गदोपदेशः समुद्रदर्शन-विषादश्च
Angada’s Counsel and the Vanaras’ Despondency at the Ocean
सत्त्वैर्महद्भिर्विकृतैः क्रीडद्भिर्विविधैर्जले।व्यात्तास्यैस्सुमहाकायैरूर्मिभिश्च समाकुलम्।।।।प्रसुप्तमिव चान्यत्र क्रीडन्तमिव चान्यतः।क्वचित्पर्वतमात्रैश्च जलराशिभिरावृतम्।।।।सङ्कुलं दानवेन्द्रैश्च पातालतलवासिभिः।रोमहर्षकरं दृष्ट्वा विषेदु: कपिकुञ्जराः।।।।
sattvair mahadbhir vikṛtaiḥ krīḍadbhir vividhair jale |
vyāttāsyaiḥ sumahākāyair ūrmibhiś ca samākulam ||
prasuptam iva cānyatra krīḍantam iva cānyataḥ |
kvacit parvatamātraiś ca jalarāśibhir āvṛtam ||
saṅkulaṃ dānavendraiś ca pātālatala-vāsibhiḥ |
romaharṣakaraṃ dṛṣṭvā viṣeduḥ kapikuñjarāḥ ||
They saw the ocean churning with towering waves and thronged with many kinds of huge, terrifying creatures, mouths agape, sporting in its waters. In one place it looked as though asleep, in another as though at play; and somewhere it rose in mountain-like masses of water. Crowded with mighty demons dwelling in the nether regions, it struck terror—so that the foremost of monkeys grew anxious at the sight.
'None of you at any time have faced any obstruction in doing your deeds. You are efficient in leaping. O bulls among monkeys! now speak out, who among you can fly and how far?ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē kiṣkindhākāṇḍē catuṣṣaṣṭitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the sixtyfourth sarga in Kishkindakanda of the first epic, the Holy Ramayana composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
Dharma is tested by obstacles: righteous duty often meets frightening barriers, and the proper response is not denial but clear-eyed recognition that prepares one for courageous action.
The vānaras assess the ocean’s danger and immensity; the sight unsettles even the strongest among them.
Realism joined to courage—acknowledging fear without surrendering the mission.