Sarga 61

Verse 1

ततो जाम्बवतो वाक्यमगृह्णन्त वनौकसः।अङ्गदप्रमुखा वीरा हनुमांश्च महाकपिः।।।।

Then the forest-dwelling heroes—led by Aṅgada, with Hanumān the great Vānara as well—accepted Jāmbavān’s words.

Verse 2

प्रीतिमन्तस्ततः सर्वे वायुपुत्रपरस्पराः।महेन्द्राद्रिं परित्यज्य पुप्लुवुः प्लवगर्षभाः।।।।मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशा मत्ता इव महागजाः।छादयन्त इवाकाशं महाकाया महाबलाः।।।।सभाज्यमानं भूतैस्तमात्मवन्तं महाबलम्।हनूमन्तं महावेगं वहन्त इव दृष्टिभिः।।।।राघवे चार्थनिर्ववृत्तिं कर्तुं च परमं यशः।समाधाय समृद्धार्थाः सर्वेसिद्धिभिरुन्नता।।।।प्रियाख्यानोन्मुखाः सर्वे सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः।सर्वे रामप्रतीकारे निश्चितार्था मनस्स्विनः।।।।

Then all the bull-like leaping monkeys, delighted and moving together under the leadership of the Son of the Wind, left Mount Mahendra and bounded onward. Huge-bodied and mighty, like rutting elephants and resembling Meru and Mandara, they seemed to cover the sky as they leapt. All beings praised that self-possessed, powerful, swift Hanumān; the monkeys gazed at him unblinking, as though bearing him with their eyes. Resolving to bring Rāghava’s purpose to fulfillment and to win supreme renown, they gathered their focus—some more accomplished than others—uplifted by success. All were eager for pleasant talk, all welcomed battle, and all, firm of mind, were determined to act for Rāma’s cause.

Verse 3

प्रीतिमन्तस्ततः सर्वे वायुपुत्रपरस्पराः।महेन्द्राद्रिं परित्यज्य पुप्लुवुः प्लवगर्षभाः।।5.61.2।।मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशा मत्ता इव महागजाः।छादयन्त इवाकाशं महाकाया महाबलाः।।5.61.3।।सभाज्यमानं भूतैस्तमात्मवन्तं महाबलम्।हनूमन्तं महावेगं वहन्त इव दृष्टिभिः।।5.61.4।।राघवे चार्थनिर्ववृत्तिं कर्तुं च परमं यशः।समाधाय समृद्धार्थाः सर्वेसिद्धिभिरुन्नता।।5.61.5।।प्रियाख्यानोन्मुखाः सर्वे सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः।सर्वे रामप्रतीकारे निश्चितार्था मनस्स्विनः।।5.61.6।।

Then all the bull-like leaping monkeys, delighted and moving together under the leadership of the Son of the Wind, left Mount Mahendra and bounded onward. Huge-bodied and mighty, like rutting elephants and resembling Meru and Mandara, they seemed to cover the sky as they leapt. All beings praised that self-possessed, powerful, swift Hanumān; the monkeys gazed at him unblinking, as though bearing him with their eyes. Resolving to bring Rāghava’s purpose to fulfillment and to win supreme renown, they gathered their focus—some more accomplished than others—uplifted by success. All were eager for pleasant talk, all welcomed battle, and all, firm of mind, were determined to act for Rāma’s cause.

Verse 4

प्रीतिमन्तस्ततः सर्वे वायुपुत्रपरस्पराः।महेन्द्राद्रिं परित्यज्य पुप्लुवुः प्लवगर्षभाः।।5.61.2।।मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशा मत्ता इव महागजाः।छादयन्त इवाकाशं महाकाया महाबलाः।।5.61.3।।सभाज्यमानं भूतैस्तमात्मवन्तं महाबलम्।हनूमन्तं महावेगं वहन्त इव दृष्टिभिः।।5.61.4।।राघवे चार्थनिर्ववृत्तिं कर्तुं च परमं यशः।समाधाय समृद्धार्थाः सर्वेसिद्धिभिरुन्नता।।5.61.5।।प्रियाख्यानोन्मुखाः सर्वे सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः।सर्वे रामप्रतीकारे निश्चितार्था मनस्स्विनः।।5.61.6।।

Then all the bull-like leaping monkeys, delighted and moving together under the leadership of the Son of the Wind, left Mount Mahendra and bounded onward. Huge-bodied and mighty, like rutting elephants and resembling Meru and Mandara, they seemed to cover the sky as they leapt. All beings praised that self-possessed, powerful, swift Hanumān; the monkeys gazed at him unblinking, as though bearing him with their eyes. Resolving to bring Rāghava’s purpose to fulfillment and to win supreme renown, they gathered their focus—some more accomplished than others—uplifted by success. All were eager for pleasant talk, all welcomed battle, and all, firm of mind, were determined to act for Rāma’s cause.

Verse 5

प्रीतिमन्तस्ततः सर्वे वायुपुत्रपरस्पराः।महेन्द्राद्रिं परित्यज्य पुप्लुवुः प्लवगर्षभाः।।5.61.2।।मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशा मत्ता इव महागजाः।छादयन्त इवाकाशं महाकाया महाबलाः।।5.61.3।।सभाज्यमानं भूतैस्तमात्मवन्तं महाबलम्।हनूमन्तं महावेगं वहन्त इव दृष्टिभिः।।5.61.4।।राघवे चार्थनिर्ववृत्तिं कर्तुं च परमं यशः।समाधाय समृद्धार्थाः सर्वेसिद्धिभिरुन्नता।।5.61.5।।प्रियाख्यानोन्मुखाः सर्वे सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः।सर्वे रामप्रतीकारे निश्चितार्था मनस्स्विनः।।5.61.6।।

Then all the bull-like leaping monkeys, delighted and moving together under the leadership of the Son of the Wind, left Mount Mahendra and bounded onward. Huge-bodied and mighty, like rutting elephants and resembling Meru and Mandara, they seemed to cover the sky as they leapt. All beings praised that self-possessed, powerful, swift Hanumān; the monkeys gazed at him unblinking, as though bearing him with their eyes. Resolving to bring Rāghava’s purpose to fulfillment and to win supreme renown, they gathered their focus—some more accomplished than others—uplifted by success. All were eager for pleasant talk, all welcomed battle, and all, firm of mind, were determined to act for Rāma’s cause.

Verse 6

प्रीतिमन्तस्ततः सर्वे वायुपुत्रपरस्पराः।महेन्द्राद्रिं परित्यज्य पुप्लुवुः प्लवगर्षभाः।।5.61.2।।मेरुमन्दरसङ्काशा मत्ता इव महागजाः।छादयन्त इवाकाशं महाकाया महाबलाः।।5.61.3।।सभाज्यमानं भूतैस्तमात्मवन्तं महाबलम्।हनूमन्तं महावेगं वहन्त इव दृष्टिभिः।।5.61.4।।राघवे चार्थनिर्ववृत्तिं कर्तुं च परमं यशः।समाधाय समृद्धार्थाः सर्वेसिद्धिभिरुन्नता।।5.61.5।।प्रियाख्यानोन्मुखाः सर्वे सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः।सर्वे रामप्रतीकारे निश्चितार्था मनस्स्विनः।।5.61.6।।

Then all the bull-like leaping monkeys, delighted and moving together under the leadership of the Son of the Wind, left Mount Mahendra and bounded onward. Huge-bodied and mighty, like rutting elephants and resembling Meru and Mandara, they seemed to cover the sky as they leapt. All beings praised that self-possessed, powerful, swift Hanumān; the monkeys gazed at him unblinking, as though bearing him with their eyes. Resolving to bring Rāghava’s purpose to fulfillment and to win supreme renown, they gathered their focus—some more accomplished than others—uplifted by success. All were eager for pleasant talk, all welcomed battle, and all, firm of mind, were determined to act for Rāma’s cause.

Verse 7

प्लवमानाः खमाप्लुत्य ततस्ते काननौकसः।नन्दनोपमयासेदुर्वनं द्रुमलतायुतम्।।।।

Then those forest-dwellers, leaping up through the sky, reached a grove like Indra’s Nandana—thick with trees and climbing vines.

Verse 8

यत्तन्मधुवनं नाम सुग्रीवस्याभिरक्षितम्।अधृष्यं सर्वभूतानां सर्वभूतमनोहरम्।।।।

That grove called Madhuvana—carefully guarded as Sugrīva’s own—was unassailable to all creatures, and delightful to every being.

Verse 9

यद्रक्षति महावीर्य स्सदा दधिमुखः कपिः।मातुलः कपिमुख्यस्य सुग्रीवस्य महात्मनः।।।।

It was always guarded by Dadhimukha, the mighty monkey—maternal uncle of the great-souled Sugrīva, foremost among the vānara chiefs.

Verse 10

ते तद्वनमुपागम्य बभूवुः परमोत्कटाः।वानरा वानरेन्द्रस्य मनः कान्ततमं महत्।।।।

Reaching that grove—the vast and most delightful garden dear to the Vānara-king’s heart—the Vānaras became exceedingly exhilarated.

Verse 11

ततस्ते वानरा हृष्टा दृष्टवा मधुवनं महत्।कुमारमभ्ययाचन्त मधूनि मधुपिङ्गलाः।।।।

Then those honey-hued Vānaras, delighted at the sight of the great Madhuvana, approached the young prince and sought permission to partake of the honey.

Verse 12

ततः कुमारस्तान् वृद्धान् जाम्बवत्प्रमुखान् कपीन्।अनुमान्य ददौ तेषां विसर्गं मधुभिक्षणे।।।।

Then the young prince, after taking into account the elders among the Vānaras—foremost Jāmbavān—granted them leave to consume the honey.

Verse 13

ततश्चानुमता स्सर्वे सम्प्रहृष्टा वनौकसः।मुदिताः प्रेरिताश्चापि प्रनृत्यन्तोऽभवंस्तदा।।।।

Then, having received permission, all those forest-dwellers became greatly delighted; exhilarated and stirred on, they began to dance.

Verse 14

गायन्ति केचित्प्रणमन्ति केचिन्नृत्यन्ति केचित्प्रहसन्ति केचित्।पतन्ति केचिद्विचरन्ति केचित्ल्पवन्ति केचित्प्रलपन्ति केचित्।।।।

Some sang; some bowed down; some danced; some laughed. Some tumbled about; some wandered here and there; some leapt; and some babbled in their merriment.

Verse 15

परस्परं केचिदुपाश्रयन्ते परस्परं केचिदुपाक्रमन्ते।परस्परं केचिदुपब्रुवन्ते परस्परं केचिदुपारमन्ते।।।।

Some leaned upon one another; some embraced or held one another; some spoke closely to one another; and some amused and delighted one another.

Verse 16

द्रुमाद्द्रुमं केचिदभिद्रवन्ते क्षितौ नगाग्रान्निपतन्ति केचित्।महीतलात्केचिदुदीर्णवेगा महाद्रुमाग्राण्यभिसम्पतन्ति।।।।

Some darted from tree to tree; some dropped down to the ground from lofty heights. Some, gathering great speed from the earth below, sprang up again to the tops of the mighty trees.

Verse 17

गायन्तमन्यः प्रहसन्नुपैति हसन्तमन्यः प्ररुदन्नुपैति।रुदन्तमन्यः प्रणुदन्नुपैति नुदन्तमन्यः प्रणदन्नुपैति।।।।

One approached a singer, laughing loudly; another rushed upon one who was laughing, crying out. Another charged at one who was wailing, pushing him; and yet another fell upon one who was being egged on, shouting and clamoring.

Verse 18

समाकुलं तत्कपिसैन्यमासीन्मधुप्रसानोत्कटसत्त्वचेष्टम्।न चात्र कश्चिन्न बभूव मत्तो न चात्र कश्चिन्न बभूव तृप्तः।।।।

That monkey-host became a tumultuous crowd, their fierce impulses stirred by honey-drink. There was not a single one there who was not intoxicated—and not a single one who felt satisfied.

Verse 19

ततो वनं तत्परिभक्ष्यमाणं द्रुमांश्च विध्वंसितपत्रपुष्पान्।समीक्ष्य कोपाद्धधिवक्रनामा निवारयामास कपिः कपींस्तान्।।।।

Then, seeing that grove being ravaged and the trees stripped of leaves and blossoms, the monkey named Dadhivakra (Dadhimukha) restrained those monkeys in anger and tried to stop them.

Verse 20

स तैः प्रवृद्धैः परिभर्त्स्यमानो वनस्य गोप्ता हरिवीरवृद्धः।चकार भूयो मतिमुग्रतेजा वनस्य रक्षां प्रति वानरेभ्यः।।।।

Reprimanded by those elders, that aged leader among the monkey-heroes—the fierce protector of the grove—once again turned his mind to how the garden might be defended against the vānaras.

Verse 21

उवाच कांश्चित्परुषाणि धृष्टमसक्तमन्यांश्च तलैर्जघान।समेत्य कैश्चित्कलहं चकार तथैव साम्नोपजगाम कांश्चित्।।।।

To some he spoke harsh words; others he checked and silenced; some he struck with his palm. With some he confronted them directly and quarreled, and with others he approached in a conciliatory way.

Verse 22

स तैर्मदात्संपरिवार्य वाक्यैर्भलाच्छ तेन प्रतिवार्यमाणैः।प्रधर्षितस्त्यक्तभयै स्समेत्य प्रकृष्यते चाप्यनवेक्ष्य दोषम्।।।।

Surrounded by them, assailed with drunken and abusive speech, and resisted by them with sheer force, he was overpowered by those fearless ones; gathering together, they seized and dragged him—heedless of their own fault.

Verse 23

नखैस्तुदन्तो दशनैर्दशन्त स्तलैश्च पादैश्च समापयन्तः।मदात्कपिं तं कपय स्समग्रा महावनं निर्विषयं च चक्रुः।।।।

In their drunkenness, the monkeys together tormented that monkey with nails and teeth—scratching and biting—striking with palms and kicking with feet; and they made the great grove utterly stripped of its enjoyment, completely plundered.