पम्पादर्शनम् — Vision of Lake Pampā and the Turn toward Sugrīva
अरण्यकाण्ड
After Śabarī departs to heaven by her own tapas-born radiance, Rāma reflects on the prabhāva (spiritual power) of great sages and addresses Lakṣmaṇa with composed urgency. The brothers leave the hermitage and proceed to the sacred region of Lake Pampā. The sarga is dominated by topographic and ecological mapping: Pampā’s cool waters; its variegated lotus-fields (red, white, blue); crystal-like clarity; soft gleaming sands; pleasure-groves; and a richly enumerated botany (mango, tilaka, aśoka, punnāga, vakula, uddāla, dhava, karavīra, jasmine/kunda, etc.) with a soundscape of peacocks, parrots, and diverse birds. Rāma’s gaze repeatedly returns to Pampā, yet the beauty intensifies his kāma-śoka—grief sharpened by love and separation from Sītā. The narrative then anchors geography to strategy: on Pampā’s bank stands the mineral-adorned, sacred Ṛṣyamūka mountain, residence of Sugrīva (son in the solar line as transmitted here), living in fear of Vāli with four vānaras. Rāma instructs Lakṣmaṇa to approach Sugrīva because the search for Sītā depends on this alliance. The sarga closes with Rāma entering the lotus-lake Pampā, emotionally constrained by sorrow yet moving decisively toward the next political-religious junction of the epic.
Verse 3.75.1
दिवं तु तस्यां यातायां शबर्यां स्वेन तेजसा।लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा चिन्तयामास राघवः।।3.75.1।।
When Śabarī had departed to heaven by the radiance of her own spiritual power, Rāghava (Rāma), together with his brother Lakṣmaṇa, reflected upon the extraordinary potency of ascetics and their dharma.
Verse 3.75.2
स चिन्तयित्वा धर्मात्मा प्रभावं तं महात्मनाम्।हितकारिणमेकाग्रं लक्ष्मणं राघवोऽब्रवीत्।।3.75.2।।
That great forest rang with the calls of these and other birds. Then the two Rāghavas—untroubled and self-possessed—went on, gazing at the woodland and the lake, thronged with birds.
Verse 3.75.3
दृष्टोऽयमाश्रमस्सौम्य बह्वाश्चर्यो महात्मनाम्।विश्वस्तमृगशार्दूलो नानाविहगसेवितः।।3.75.3।।
The inauspicious has passed away, and auspicious signs have arrived. Knowing this to be true, my heart is glad now, O Lakshmana; indeed, O tiger among men, good fortune will soon manifest from within.
Verse 3.75.4
सप्तानां च समुद्राणामेषु तीर्थेषु लक्ष्मण।उपस्पृष्टं च विधिवत्पितरश्चापि तर्पिताः।।3.75.4।।
I hasten to see Sugrīva, the bull among monkeys; for, gentle one, the search for Sītā depends upon him.
Verse 3.75.5
प्रणष्टमशुभं तत्तत्कल्याणं समुपस्थितम्।तेन तत्त्वेन हृष्टं मे मनो लक्ष्मण सम्प्रति।।3.75.5।।हृदये हि नरव्याघ्र शुभमाविर्भविष्यति।
As steadfast Rama spoke thus, Saumitri replied: “Let us go there quickly; my own mind too urges haste.”
Verse 3.75.6
तदागच्छ गमिष्यामि पम्पां तां प्रियदर्शनाम्।।3.75.6।।ऋष्यमूको गिरिर्यत्र नातिदूरे प्रकाशते।यस्मिन्वसति धर्मात्मा सुग्रीवोंऽशुमतस्सुतः।।3.75.7।।नित्यं वालिभयात्त्रस्तश्चतुर्भिस्सह वानरैः।
O Lakṣmaṇa, cast out from my kingdom and brought low, my mind bound to her—how could Sītā live without me?
Verse 3.75.7
तदागच्छ गमिष्यामि पम्पां तां प्रियदर्शनाम्।।3.75.6।।ऋष्यमूको गिरिर्यत्र नातिदूरे प्रकाशते।यस्मिन्वसति धर्मात्मा सुग्रीवोंऽशुमतस्सुतः।।3.75.7।।नित्यं वालिभयात्त्रस्तश्चतुर्भिस्सह वानरैः।
Having spoken thus to Lakṣmaṇa, whose attention did not stray, Rama—the best of the Raghus—oppressed by love and driven by grief and despair, entered Pampa, the lovely lotus-filled lake.
Verse 3.75.8
अभित्वरे च तं द्रष्टुं सुग्रीवं वानरर्षभम्।।3.75.8।।तदधीनं हि मे सौम्य सीतायाः परिमार्गणम्।
Then, going step by step along a great path that stretched far away, and surveying the forest, he beheld Pampa—encircled by fair woods and filled with flocks of birds of many kinds.
Verse 3.75.9
एवं ब्रुवाणं तं धीरं रामं सौमित्रिरब्रवीत्।।3.75.9।।गच्छावस्त्वरितं तत्र ममापि त्वरते मनः।
To that steadfast Rama, speaking thus, Saumitri (Lakshmana) replied: “Let us go there quickly; my heart too hastens with longing.”
Verse 3.75.10
आश्रमात्तु तत स्तस्मान्निष्क्रम्य स विशाम्पतिः।।3.75.10।।आजगाम ततः पम्पां लक्ष्मणेन सह प्रभुः।
Then that lord of men set out from that hermitage and, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, proceeded to Lake Pampā.
Verse 3.75.11
स ददर्श ततः पुण्यामुदारजनसेविताम्।।3.75.11।।नानाद्रुमलताकीर्णां पम्पां पानीयवाहिनीम्।पद्मैस्सौगन्धिकैस्ताम्रां शुक्लां कुमुदमण्डलैः।।3.75.12।।नीलां कुवलयोद्घाटैर्बहुवर्णां कुथामिव।
Thereafter he beheld the sacred Lake Pampā, frequented by noble folk, rich with many kinds of trees and creepers and filled with flowing waters. In places it gleamed red with fragrant lotuses, elsewhere white with clusters of kumuda-lilies, and elsewhere blue with blossoming water-lilies—like a many-colored woven carpet spread out.
Verse 3.75.12
स ददर्श ततः पुण्यामुदारजनसेविताम्।।3.75.11।।नानाद्रुमलताकीर्णां पम्पां पानीयवाहिनीम्।पद्मैस्सौगन्धिकैस्ताम्रां शुक्लां कुमुदमण्डलैः।।3.75.12।।नीलां कुवलयोद्घाटैर्बहुवर्णां कुथामिव।
Reaching the water-rich lake visible from afar, Rāma entered and bathed in the pond known as Mataṅga-sarasa.
Verse 3.75.13
स तामासाद्य वै रामो दूरादुदकवाहिनीम्।।3.75.13।।मतङ्गसरसं नाम ह्रदं समवगाहत।
They beheld the lake and its woodland, filled with lotuses and water-lilies and permeated with lotus-fragrance; its groves were adorned with flowering mangoes and echoed with the calls of peacocks. It was beautified by tilaka trees, bījapūra (citron) trees, dhava and pale-barked trees, and by flowering karavīra and punnāga; by thickets of mālatī and kunda, by bhāṇḍīra and nicula; by aśoka, saptaparṇa, ketaka, and atimukta, and many other diverse trees—like a woman richly ornamented. As the two Rāghavas looked upon this flower-laden forest with its great trees, resounding with many birds—such as śatapatra and kīraka—they moved on, unagitated and well-composed, observing the lake-side woods filled with birds.
Verse 3.75.14
अरविन्दोत्पलवतीं पद्मसौगन्धिकायुताम्।।3.75.14।।पुष्पिताम्रवणोपेतां बर्हिणोद्घुष्टनादिताम्।तिलकैर्बीजपूरैश्च धवैश्शुक्लद्रुमैस्तथा।।3.75.15।।पुष्पितैः करवीरैश्च पुन्नागैश्च सुपुष्पितैः।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च भाण्डीरैर्निचुलैस्तथा।।3.75.16।।अशोकैस्सप्तपर्णैश्च केतकैरतिमुक्तकैः।अन्यैश्च विविधैर्वृक्षैः प्रमदामिव भूषिताम्।।3.75.17।।समीक्षमाणौ पुषपाढ्यं सर्वतो विपुलद्रुमम्।कोयष्टिकैश्चार्जुनकैश्शतपत्रैश्च कीरकैः।।3.75.18।।एतैश्चान्यैश्च विहगैर्नादितं तु वनं महत्।ततो जग्मतुरव्यग्रौ राघवौ सुसमाहितौ।।3.75.19।।तद्वनं चैव सरसः पश्यन्तै शकुनैर्युतम्।
They beheld a forest and lake-region rich with lotuses and water-lilies, permeated with the fragrance of lotus-blooms, and bordered by mango trees in flower, echoing with the calls of peacocks. It was adorned with tilaka trees, citron, dhava, and pale-barked trees, with karavīra and punnāga in full bloom, with thickets of mālatī and kunda, with bhāṇḍīra and nicula, with aśoka, saptaparṇa, ketaka, and atimuktaka, and with many other varied trees—like a woman ornamented on every side. As the two Rāghavas looked on that flower-laden woodland, vast with great trees, it rang with the sounds of many birds—koyaṣṭika, arjuna-dwellers, śatapatra, parrots, and others. Then, calm and untroubled, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa went on, still watching that forest and the lake, filled with birds.
Verse 3.75.15
अरविन्दोत्पलवतीं पद्मसौगन्धिकायुताम्।।3.75.14।।पुष्पिताम्रवणोपेतां बर्हिणोद्घुष्टनादिताम्।तिलकैर्बीजपूरैश्च धवैश्शुक्लद्रुमैस्तथा।।3.75.15।।पुष्पितैः करवीरैश्च पुन्नागैश्च सुपुष्पितैः।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च भाण्डीरैर्निचुलैस्तथा।।3.75.16।।अशोकैस्सप्तपर्णैश्च केतकैरतिमुक्तकैः।अन्यैश्च विविधैर्वृक्षैः प्रमदामिव भूषिताम्।।3.75.17।।समीक्षमाणौ पुषपाढ्यं सर्वतो विपुलद्रुमम्।कोयष्टिकैश्चार्जुनकैश्शतपत्रैश्च कीरकैः।।3.75.18।।एतैश्चान्यैश्च विहगैर्नादितं तु वनं महत्।ततो जग्मतुरव्यग्रौ राघवौ सुसमाहितौ।।3.75.19।।तद्वनं चैव सरसः पश्यन्तै शकुनैर्युतम्।
It was adorned with tilaka trees, bījapūra (citron) trees, dhava trees, and likewise with pale-barked trees as well.
Verse 3.75.16
अरविन्दोत्पलवतीं पद्मसौगन्धिकायुताम्।।3.75.14।।पुष्पिताम्रवणोपेतां बर्हिणोद्घुष्टनादिताम्।तिलकैर्बीजपूरैश्च धवैश्शुक्लद्रुमैस्तथा।।3.75.15।।पुष्पितैः करवीरैश्च पुन्नागैश्च सुपुष्पितैः।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च भाण्डीरैर्निचुलैस्तथा।।3.75.16।।अशोकैस्सप्तपर्णैश्च केतकैरतिमुक्तकैः।अन्यैश्च विविधैर्वृक्षैः प्रमदामिव भूषिताम्।।3.75.17।।समीक्षमाणौ पुषपाढ्यं सर्वतो विपुलद्रुमम्।कोयष्टिकैश्चार्जुनकैश्शतपत्रैश्च कीरकैः।।3.75.18।।एतैश्चान्यैश्च विहगैर्नादितं तु वनं महत्।ततो जग्मतुरव्यग्रौ राघवौ सुसमाहितौ।।3.75.19।।तद्वनं चैव सरसः पश्यन्तै शकुनैर्युतम्।
That woodland was further adorned with karavīra shrubs in bloom, with punnāga trees heavy with blossoms, with thickets of mālatī and kunda jasmine, and also with bhāṇḍīra and nicula trees—everywhere rich with flowers and fragrance as the two Rāghavas moved on in composed restraint.
Verse 3.75.17
अरविन्दोत्पलवतीं पद्मसौगन्धिकायुताम्।।3.75.14।।पुष्पिताम्रवणोपेतां बर्हिणोद्घुष्टनादिताम्।तिलकैर्बीजपूरैश्च धवैश्शुक्लद्रुमैस्तथा।।3.75.15।।पुष्पितैः करवीरैश्च पुन्नागैश्च सुपुष्पितैः।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च भाण्डीरैर्निचुलैस्तथा।।3.75.16।।अशोकैस्सप्तपर्णैश्च केतकैरतिमुक्तकैः।अन्यैश्च विविधैर्वृक्षैः प्रमदामिव भूषिताम्।।3.75.17।।समीक्षमाणौ पुषपाढ्यं सर्वतो विपुलद्रुमम्।कोयष्टिकैश्चार्जुनकैश्शतपत्रैश्च कीरकैः।।3.75.18।।एतैश्चान्यैश्च विहगैर्नादितं तु वनं महत्।ततो जग्मतुरव्यग्रौ राघवौ सुसमाहितौ।।3.75.19।।तद्वनं चैव सरसः पश्यन्तै शकुनैर्युतम्।
It was adorned with aśoka and saptaparṇa trees, with ketaka plants and atimuktaka creepers, and with many other varied trees—beautified on every side like a woman richly arrayed.
Verse 3.75.18
अरविन्दोत्पलवतीं पद्मसौगन्धिकायुताम्।।3.75.14।।पुष्पिताम्रवणोपेतां बर्हिणोद्घुष्टनादिताम्।तिलकैर्बीजपूरैश्च धवैश्शुक्लद्रुमैस्तथा।।3.75.15।।पुष्पितैः करवीरैश्च पुन्नागैश्च सुपुष्पितैः।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च भाण्डीरैर्निचुलैस्तथा।।3.75.16।।अशोकैस्सप्तपर्णैश्च केतकैरतिमुक्तकैः।अन्यैश्च विविधैर्वृक्षैः प्रमदामिव भूषिताम्।।3.75.17।।समीक्षमाणौ पुषपाढ्यं सर्वतो विपुलद्रुमम्।कोयष्टिकैश्चार्जुनकैश्शतपत्रैश्च कीरकैः।।3.75.18।।एतैश्चान्यैश्च विहगैर्नादितं तु वनं महत्।ततो जग्मतुरव्यग्रौ राघवौ सुसमाहितौ।।3.75.19।।तद्वनं चैव सरसः पश्यन्तै शकुनैर्युतम्।
As they looked on, the vast forest—everywhere rich with blossoms and great trees—rang with the calls of koyāṣṭika birds, arjuna-dwelling birds, śatapatra birds, and parrots.
Verse 3.75.19
अरविन्दोत्पलवतीं पद्मसौगन्धिकायुताम्।।3.75.14।।पुष्पिताम्रवणोपेतां बर्हिणोद्घुष्टनादिताम्।तिलकैर्बीजपूरैश्च धवैश्शुक्लद्रुमैस्तथा।।3.75.15।।पुष्पितैः करवीरैश्च पुन्नागैश्च सुपुष्पितैः।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च भाण्डीरैर्निचुलैस्तथा।।3.75.16।।अशोकैस्सप्तपर्णैश्च केतकैरतिमुक्तकैः।अन्यैश्च विविधैर्वृक्षैः प्रमदामिव भूषिताम्।।3.75.17।।समीक्षमाणौ पुषपाढ्यं सर्वतो विपुलद्रुमम्।कोयष्टिकैश्चार्जुनकैश्शतपत्रैश्च कीरकैः।।3.75.18।।एतैश्चान्यैश्च विहगैर्नादितं तु वनं महत्।ततो जग्मतुरव्यग्रौ राघवौ सुसमाहितौ।।3.75.19।।तद्वनं चैव सरसः पश्यन्तै शकुनैर्युतम्।
Having reflected on the spiritual power of the great ṛṣis, righteous Rāma spoke to Lakṣmaṇa—his devoted well-wisher, intent and single-minded.
Verse 3.75.20
स ददर्श ततः पम्पां शीतवारिनिधिं शुभाम्।।3.75.20।।तिलकाशोकपुन्नागवकुलोद्दालकाशिनीम्।
Then he beheld auspicious Pampā, a reservoir of cool waters, made radiant by groves of tilaka, aśoka, punnāga, vakula, and uddāla trees.
Verse 3.75.21
स रामो विविधान्वृक्षान्सरांसि विविधानि च।।3.75.21।।पश्यन्कामाभिसन्तप्तो जगाम परमं ह्रदम्।
Beholding the many kinds of trees and the various lakes, Rāma—burning with longing—went on to that excellent lake.
Verse 3.75.22
पुष्पितोपवनोपेतां सालचम्पकशोभिताम्।।3.75.22।।षट्पदौघसमाविष्टां श्रीमतीमतुलप्रभाम्।स्फटिकोपमतोयाढ्यां श्लक्ष्णवालुकसन्तताम्।।3.75.23।।स तां दृष्ट्वा पुनः पम्पां पद्मसौगन्घिकैर्युताम्।इत्युवाच तदा वाक्यं लक्ष्मणं सत्यविक्रमः।।3.75.24।।
Pampā was bordered by pleasure-groves in bloom, beautified by sāla and campaka; swarming with hosts of bees, splendid and of incomparable radiance; rich in crystal-clear waters, and lined with stretches of smooth, shining sand. Seeing that Pampā again—fragrant with lotuses—Rāma, whose prowess is bound to truth, then spoke these words to Lakṣmaṇa.
Verse 3.75.23
पुष्पितोपवनोपेतां सालचम्पकशोभिताम्।।3.75.22।।षट्पदौघसमाविष्टां श्रीमतीमतुलप्रभाम्।स्फटिकोपमतोयाढ्यां श्लक्ष्णवालुकसन्तताम्।।3.75.23।।स तां दृष्ट्वा पुनः पम्पां पद्मसौगन्घिकैर्युताम्।इत्युवाच तदा वाक्यं लक्ष्मणं सत्यविक्रमः।।3.75.24।।
On this lake’s bank stands the mountain mentioned earlier—adorned with minerals—famed as Ṛṣyamūka, sacred and covered with trees in bloom.
Verse 3.75.24
पुष्पितोपवनोपेतां सालचम्पकशोभिताम्।।3.75.22।।षट्पदौघसमाविष्टां श्रीमतीमतुलप्रभाम्।स्फटिकोपमतोयाढ्यां श्लक्ष्णवालुकसन्तताम्।।3.75.23।।स तां दृष्ट्वा पुनः पम्पां पद्मसौगन्घिकैर्युताम्।इत्युवाच तदा वाक्यं लक्ष्मणं सत्यविक्रमः।।3.75.24।।
There dwells the famed Sugrīva, of great valor—son of the Sun, and of that great-souled Ṛkṣarāja.
Verse 3.75.25
अस्यास्तीरे तु पूर्वोक्तः पर्वतो धातुमण्डितः।ऋष्यमूक इति ख्यातः पुण्यः पुष्पितपादपः।।3.75.25।।
“Go and approach Sugrīva, the lord of the monkeys, O best of men.” Thus Rāma spoke again to Lakṣmaṇa—whose valor is grounded in truth.
Verse 3.75.26
हरेः ऋक्षरजोनाम्नः पुत्रस्तस्य महात्मनः।अध्यास्ते तं महावीर्यस्सुग्रीव इति विश्रुतः।।3.75.26।।
There dwells Sugriva, famed far and wide, the mighty son of the great-souled one named Riksharajas.
Verse 3.75.27
सुग्रीवमभिगच्छ त्वं वानरेन्द्रं नरर्षभ।इत्युवाच पुनर्वाक्यं लक्ष्मणं सत्यविक्रमम्।।3.75.27।।
“O best of men, go and approach Sugriva, lord of the vanaras.” Thus Rama spoke these words again to Lakshmana, whose valor is grounded in truth.
Verse 3.75.28
राज्यभ्रष्टेन दीनेन तस्यामासक्तचेतसा।कथं मया विना शक्यं सीतां लक्ष्मण जीवितुम्।।3.75.28।।
O gentle one, we have seen this hermitage of the great sages—truly wondrous—where deer and tigers dwell together in trust, and where birds of many kinds abound.
Verse 3.75.29
इत्येवमुक्त्वा मदनाभिपीडितः स लक्ष्मणं वाक्यमनन्यचेतसम्।विवेश पम्पां नलिनीं मनोरमां रघूत्तमश्शोकविषादयन्त्रितः।।3.75.29।।
O Lakshmana, by bathing in these sacred waters—as though at the holy fords of the seven seas—we have duly performed the rite, and the ancestors too have been satisfied with offerings according to tradition.
Verse 3.75.30
ततो महद्वर्त्म सुदूरसङ्क्रमं क्रमेण गत्वा प्रविलोकयन्वनम्।ददर्श पम्पां शुभदर्शकाननामनेकनानाविधपक्षिजालकाम्।।3.75.30।।
Come—let us go to lovely Pampa. Not far from here shines Mount Ṛṣyamūka, where righteous Sugrīva, son of the Sun, dwells—ever afraid of Vālī—together with four monkeys.