Sarga 25

Verse 4.25.1

सुग्रीवं चैव तारां च साङ्गदं सहलक्ष्मणः।समानशोकः काकुत्स्थ स्सान्त्वयन्निदमब्रवीत्।।4.25.1।।

Rāma, the Kakutstha prince, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa and sharing the same grief, consoled Sugrīva, Tārā, and Aṅgada, and spoke these words.

Verse 4.25.2

न शोकपरितापेन श्रेयसा युज्यते मृतः।यदत्रानन्तरं कार्यं तत्समाधातुमर्हथ4.25.2।।

Having spoken thus to Sugrīva, Lakṣmaṇa—Sumitrā’s delight and the slayer of enemy heroes—stood close beside his brother Rāma.

Verse 4.25.3

लोकवृत्तमनुष्ठेयं कृतं वो बाष्पमोक्षणम्।न कालादुत्तरं किञ्चित्कर्म शक्यमुपासितुम्4.25.3।।

“Follow what is proper according to the world’s established way; you have shed tears enough. Once the right time has passed, no act—however small—can be carried out as it should.”

Verse 4.25.4

नियतिः कारणं लोके नियतिः कर्मसाधनम्।नियतिस्सर्वभूतानां नियोगेष्विह कारणम्4.25.4।।

In this world, destiny is the root cause; destiny brings actions to fruition. For all beings here, destiny is the reason behind their appointed lots.

Verse 4.25.5

न कर्ता कस्यचित्कश्चिन्नियोगे चापिनेश्वरः।स्वभावे वर्तते लोकस्तस्य कालः परायणम्4.25.5।।

No one is truly the maker of another’s deeds—nor even the Lord, in the sense of imposing control; the world moves according to its own nature, and Time is its final resort and determining power.

Verse 4.25.6

न कालः कालमत्येति न कालः परिहीयते।स्वभावं च समासाद्य न कश्चिदतिवर्तते4.25.6।।

Time does not overstep Time, nor does Time diminish; and having come under one’s own nature, no one can transgress it.

Verse 4.25.7

न कालस्यास्ति बन्धुत्वं न हेतुर्न पराक्रमः।न मित्रज्ञातिसम्बन्धः कारणं नात्मनो वशः4.25.7।।

Time shows no partiality for kinship; neither reasoning nor personal valor can restrain it. Bonds of friends and relatives are not its cause—Time itself operates beyond one’s control.

Verse 4.25.8

किं तु कालपरीणामो द्रष्टव्यस्साधु पश्यता।धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च कालक्रमसमाहिताः4.25.8।।

Yet one who sees rightly should contemplate the transformations brought by Time. Dharma, artha, and kāma unfold according to the sequence ordained by Time.

Verse 4.25.9

इतस्स्वां प्रकृतिं वाली गतःप्राप्तः क्रियाफलम्।धर्मार्थकाम संयोगैः पवित्रं प्लवगेश्वरः4.25.9।।

Vālī has departed from here, returning to his own state; the lord of monkeys has obtained the fruit of his deeds—an outcome shaped by the conjunction of dharma, artha, and kāma.

Verse 4.25.10

स्वधर्मस्य च संयोगाज्जितस्तेन महात्मना।स्वर्गः परिगृहीतश्च प्राणानपरिरक्षता4.25.10।।

By steadfast adherence to his own duty, that great soul won heaven; not clinging to life, he has attained the heavenly state.

Verse 4.25.11

एषा वै नियतिश्शेष्ठा यां गतो हरियूथपः।तदलं परितापेन प्राप्तकालमुपास्यताम्4.25.11।।

This is indeed the noblest course of destiny that the chief of the Vānaras has reached; therefore, grieve no more—attend now to what the time requires.

Verse 4.25.12

वचनान्ते तु रामस्य लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा।अवदत्प्रश्रितं वाक्यं सुग्रीवं गतचेतसम्4.25.12।।

When Rāma had finished speaking, Lakṣmaṇa—slayer of enemy heroes—humbly addressed Sugrīva, who was beside himself with grief.

Verse 4.25.13

कुरु त्वमस्य सुग्रीव प्रेतकार्यमनन्तरम्।ताराङ्गदाभ्यां सहितो वालिनो दहनं प्रति।।4.25.13।।

O Sugrīva, together with Tārā and Aṅgada, perform at once the funerary duties for him—especially the rites leading to Vāli’s cremation.

Verse 4.25.14

समाज्ञापय काष्ठानि शुष्कानि च बहूनि च।चन्दनादीनि दिव्यानि वालिसंस्कारकारणात्4.25.14।।

Issue orders for many dry logs, and for fine sandalwood and the like, for the sake of Vāli’s funeral preparations.

Verse 4.25.15

समाश्वासय चैनं त्वमङ्गदं दीनचेतसम्।मा भूर्बालिशबुद्धिस्त्वं त्वदधीनमिदं पुरम्4.25.15।।

And you should reassure this despondent Aṅgada; do not let him fall into childish thinking—this city is now under your authority.

Verse 4.25.16

अङ्गदस्त्वानयेन्माल्यं वस्त्राणि विविधानि च।घृतं तैलमथो गन्धान्यच्चात्र समनन्तरम्4.25.16।।

Let Aṅgada bring garlands and various garments, along with ghee, oil, fragrances, and whatever else is needed here without delay.

Verse 4.25.17

त्वं तार शिबिकां शीघ्रमादायागच्छ सम्भ्रमात्।त्वरा गुणवती युक्ता ह्यस्मिन्काले विशेषतः4.25.17।।

Tārā, quickly bring the palanquin at once and come in haste; at this time, swift action—well-directed and properly arranged—is especially fitting.

Verse 4.25.18

सज्जीभवन्तु प्लवगाश्शिबिकावाहनोचिताः।समर्था बलिनश्चैव निर्हरिष्यन्ति वालिनम्।।4.25.18।।

Let the Vānaras fit to carry the palanquin—able and strong—make themselves ready; they will bear Vāli away.

Verse 4.25.19

एवमुक्त्वा तु सुग्रीवं सुमित्रानन्दवर्धनः।तसौ भ्रातृसमीपस्थो लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा4.25.19।।

The dead do not attain well-being through grief and burning sorrow. Therefore, set in order and undertake now whatever duty must be done next.

Verse 4.25.20

लक्ष्मणस्य वचश्श्रुत्वा तारस्सम्भ्रान्तमानसः।प्रविवेश गुहां शीघ्रं शिबिकासक्तमानसः4.25.20।।

Hearing Lakṣmaṇa’s words, Tārā—her mind stirred with urgency—quickly entered the cave, intent on arranging the palanquin.

Verse 4.25.21

आदाय शिबिकां तारस्स तु पर्यापतत्पुनः।वानरैरुह्यमानां तां शूरैरुद्वहनोचितैः4.25.21।।

Having obtained the palanquin, Tārā hurried back to it again, as it was being borne aloft by heroic vānaras fit to carry such a load.

Verse 4.25.22

दिव्यां भद्रासनयुतां शिबिकां स्यन्दनोपमाम्।पक्षिकर्मभिराचित्रां द्रुमकर्मविभूषिताम्4.25.22।।आचितां चित्रपत्तीभि स्सुनिविष्टां समन्ततः।विमानमिव सिद्धानां जालवातायनान्विताम्4.25.23।।सुनियुक्तां विशालां च सुकृतां विश्वकर्मणा।दारुपर्वतकोपेतां चारुकर्मपरिष्कृताम्4.25.24।।वराभरणहारैश्च चित्रमाल्योपशोभिताम्।गुहागहनसञ्छन्नां रक्तचन्दनभूषिताम्4.25.25।।पुष्पौघैस्समभिच्छन्नां पद्ममालाभिरेव च।तरुणादित्यवर्णाभिर्भ्राजमानाभिरावृताम्4.25.26।।

A wondrous palanquin was brought—furnished with an auspicious seat and comparable to a chariot—carved with bird motifs and adorned with designs of trees. Covered all around with colorful panels, it resembled the vimāna of the siddhas, fitted with latticed windows. Broad and well-joined, as though crafted by Viśvakarmā, it was embellished with carvings like wooden mountains and refined ornamentation. It shone with choice jewelry and necklaces and splendid garlands, with grotto-like decorative recesses and thickets, and was anointed with red sandalwood.

Verse 4.25.23

दिव्यां भद्रासनयुतां शिबिकां स्यन्दनोपमाम्।पक्षिकर्मभिराचित्रां द्रुमकर्मविभूषिताम्4.25.22।।आचितां चित्रपत्तीभि स्सुनिविष्टां समन्ततः।विमानमिव सिद्धानां जालवातायनान्विताम्4.25.23।।सुनियुक्तां विशालां च सुकृतां विश्वकर्मणा।दारुपर्वतकोपेतां चारुकर्मपरिष्कृताम्4.25.24।।वराभरणहारैश्च चित्रमाल्योपशोभिताम्।गुहागहनसञ्छन्नां रक्तचन्दनभूषिताम्4.25.25।।पुष्पौघैस्समभिच्छन्नां पद्ममालाभिरेव च।तरुणादित्यवर्णाभिर्भ्राजमानाभिरावृताम्4.25.26।।

Seeing such a palanquin, Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa: “Carry Vāli at once, and duly perform the rites for the departed.”

Verse 4.25.24

दिव्यां भद्रासनयुतां शिबिकां स्यन्दनोपमाम्।पक्षिकर्मभिराचित्रां द्रुमकर्मविभूषिताम्4.25.22।।आचितां चित्रपत्तीभि स्सुनिविष्टां समन्ततः।विमानमिव सिद्धानां जालवातायनान्विताम्4.25.23।।सुनियुक्तां विशालां च सुकृतां विश्वकर्मणा।दारुपर्वतकोपेतां चारुकर्मपरिष्कृताम्4.25.24।।वराभरणहारैश्च चित्रमाल्योपशोभिताम्।गुहागहनसञ्छन्नां रक्तचन्दनभूषिताम्4.25.25।।पुष्पौघैस्समभिच्छन्नां पद्ममालाभिरेव च।तरुणादित्यवर्णाभिर्भ्राजमानाभिरावृताम्4.25.26।।

Then Sugrīva, weeping aloud, lifted Vāli and placed him upon the palanquin, together with Aṅgada.

Verse 4.25.25

दिव्यां भद्रासनयुतां शिबिकां स्यन्दनोपमाम्।पक्षिकर्मभिराचित्रां द्रुमकर्मविभूषिताम्4.25.22।।आचितां चित्रपत्तीभि स्सुनिविष्टां समन्ततः।विमानमिव सिद्धानां जालवातायनान्विताम्4.25.23।।सुनियुक्तां विशालां च सुकृतां विश्वकर्मणा।दारुपर्वतकोपेतां चारुकर्मपरिष्कृताम्4.25.24।।वराभरणहारैश्च चित्रमाल्योपशोभिताम्।गुहागहनसञ्छन्नां रक्तचन्दनभूषिताम्4.25.25।।पुष्पौघैस्समभिच्छन्नां पद्ममालाभिरेव च।तरुणादित्यवर्णाभिर्भ्राजमानाभिरावृताम्4.25.26।।

It was adorned with choice ornaments and necklaces, beautified by splendid garlands, covered over with grotto-like decorative recesses and thickets, and embellished with red sandalwood paste.

Verse 4.25.26

ईदृशीं शिबिकां दृष्ट्वा रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।क्षिप्रं विनीयतां वाली प्रेतकार्यं विधीयताम्4.25.26।।

Seeing such a palanquin, Rama said to Lakshmana: “Quickly carry Vali out, and let the funeral rites be performed.”

Verse 4.25.27

ततो वालिनमुद्यम्य सुग्रीवश्शिबिकां तदा।आरोपयत विक्रोशन्नङ्गदेन सहैव तु4.25.27।।

Then Sugriva, wailing aloud together with Angada, lifted Vali and placed him upon the palanquin.

Verse 4.25.28

आरोप्य शिबिकां चैव वालिनं गतजीवितम्।अलङ्कारैश्च विविधैर्माल्यैर्वस्त्रैश्च भूषितम्4.25.28।।

Vali, now lifeless, was placed upon a palanquin and adorned with varied ornaments, garlands, and garments.

Verse 4.25.29

आज्ञापयत्तदा राजा सुग्रीव प्लवगेश्वरः।और्ध्वदैहिकमार्यस्य क्रियतामनुरूपतः।।4.25.29।।

Then King Sugriva, lord of the monkeys, commanded: “Let the proper funeral rites for the noble one be performed in a manner befitting him.”

Verse 4.25.30

विश्राणयन्तो रत्नानि विविधानि बहून्यपि।अग्रतः प्लवगा यान्तु शिबिका समनन्तरम्4.25.30।।

“Let the monkeys go in front, scattering in abundance many kinds of gems, and let the palanquin follow close behind.”

Verse 4.25.31

राज्ञामृद्दिविशेषा हि दृश्यन्ते भुवि यादृशाः।तादृशैरिह कुर्वन्तु वानरा भर्तृसत्क्रियाम्4.25.31।।

“As special royal honors are seen on earth for kings, so by such means let the monkeys here render due honor to their lord.”

Verse 4.25.32

तादृशं वालिनः क्षिप्रं प्राकुर्वन्नौर्ध्वदैहिकम्।अङ्गदं परिगृह्याऽशु तारप्रभृतयस्तदा4.25.32।।क्रोशन्तः प्रययुस्सर्वे वानरा हतबान्धवाः।

Thus, in a fitting manner, Vāli’s funeral rites were promptly set in motion. Then Tārā and the others quickly took Aṅgada with them, and all the monkeys—bereft of their kinsman—went onward, crying aloud.

Verse 4.25.33

ततः प्रणिहिताः सर्वा वानर्योस्य वशानुगाः4.25.33।।चुक्रुशु र्वीर वीरेति भूयः क्रोशन्ति ताः स्त्रीयः।

Then all the female monkeys who had lived under his protection cried out; again and again those women wailed, “O hero, O hero!”

Verse 4.25.34

ताराप्रभृतयस्सर्वा वानर्यो हरियूथपाः।अनुजग्मुर्हि भर्तारं क्रोशन्त्यः करुणस्वनाः4.25.34।।

Tārā and all the other female monkeys, wives of the monkey-chiefs, followed their lord, wailing with voices heavy with sorrow.

Verse 4.25.35

तासां रुदितशब्देन वानरीणां वनान्तरे।वनानि गिरयश्चैव विक्रोशन्तीव सर्वतः4.25.35।।

At the sound of the female monkeys’ weeping in the forest depths, the woods and even the mountains on every side seemed to cry out as though they too lamented.

Verse 4.25.36

पुलिने गिरिनद्यास्तु विविक्ते जलसंवृते4.25.36।।चितां चक्रुस्सुबहवो वानराश्शोककर्शिता:।

On a sandbank of a mountain stream, in a secluded spot encircled by flowing waters, many monkeys, worn down by grief, prepared a funeral pyre.

Verse 4.25.37

अवरोप्य ततस्स्कन्धाच्छिबिकां वाहनोचिताः।तस्थुरेकान्तमाश्रित्य सर्वे शोकसमन्विता:4.25.37।।

Then the bearers, fit to carry the palanquin, set it down from their shoulders; withdrawing to a secluded spot, they all stood there, overcome with grief.

Verse 4.25.38

ततस्तारा पतिं दृष्ट्वा शिबिकातलशायिनम्4.25.38।।आरोप्याङ्के शिरस्तस्य विललाप सुदुःखिता।

Then Tārā, seeing her husband lying upon the palanquin, placed his head upon her lap and, overwhelmed with sorrow, began to lament.

Verse 4.25.39

हा वानर महाराज हा नाथ मम वत्सल4.25.39।।हा महार्ह महाबाहो हा मम प्रिय पश्य माम्।जनं न पश्यसीमं त्वं कस्माच्छोकाभिपीडितम्।4.25.40।।

“Alas, O great king of the monkeys! Alas, my lord, my beloved! Alas, noble one, mighty-armed, my dear—look upon me! Why do you not see me here, crushed beneath grief?”

Verse 4.25.40

हा वानर महाराज हा नाथ मम वत्सल4.25.39।।हा महार्ह महाबाहो हा मम प्रिय पश्य माम्।जनं न पश्यसीमं त्वं कस्माच्छोकाभिपीडितम्।4.25.40।।

O giver of honor, though life has departed, your face appears cheerful. It shines with the hue of the setting sun, just as it did when you were alive.

Verse 4.25.41

प्रहृष्टमिव ते वक्त्रं गतासोरपि मानदआस्तार्कसमवर्णं च लक्ष्यते जीवतो यथा4.25.41।।

O Vanara, it is Time itself, in the form of Rama, that drags you away—he who, with a single arrow in the forest, has made widows of us all.

Verse 4.25.42

एष त्वां रामरूपेण कालः कर्षति वानर।येन स्म विधवास्सर्वाः कृता एकेषुणा वने4.25.42।।

O King of Kings, these she-monkeys, ever dear to you, have arrived having walked the path on foot. Why do you not awaken to greet them?

Verse 4.25.43

इमास्तास्तव राजेन्द्र वानर्योवल्लभास्सदा।पादैर्विकृष्ट मध्वानमागताः किं न बुध्यसे4.25.43।।

Indeed, these moon-faced wives were once your beloveds. Why do you not look at them now? Why do you not look upon Sugriva, the lord of monkeys?

Verse 4.25.44

तवेष्टा ननु नामैता भार्याश्चन्द्रनिभाननाः।इदानीं नेक्षसे कस्तात्सुग्रीवं प्लवगेश्वरम्4.25.44।।

O king, these are your ministers—Tārā and the others—and these citizens of the city sit here surrounding you, O blameless one.

Verse 4.25.45

एते हि सचिवा राजं स्तारप्रभृतयस्तव।पुरवासी जनश्चायं परिवार्यासतेऽनघ4.25.45।।

O King, O sinless one! These ministers of yours led by Tārā, along with the inhabitants of the city, are sitting here surrounding you.

Verse 4.25.46

विसर्जयैतान् प्लवगान्यथोचितमरिन्दम।ततः क्रीडामहे सर्वा वनेषु मदनोत्कटाः4.25.46।।

O subduer of enemies, dismiss these monkeys after granting them what is proper according to their rank; then, inflamed by desire, we shall all sport in the forests.

Verse 4.25.47

एवं विलपतीं तारां पतिशोकपरिप्लुताम्।उत्थापयन्ति स्म तदा वानर्यश्शोककर्शिताः4.25.47।।

Thus, while Tārā lamented—overwhelmed by sorrow for her husband—the grief-worn female monkeys then helped her to rise.

Verse 4.25.48

सुग्रीवेण ततस्सार्धंमङ्गदः पितरं रुदन्।चितामारोपयामास शोकेनाभिहतेन्द्रियः4.25.48।।

Then Aṅgada, weeping, together with Sugrīva, placed his father upon the funeral pyre, his senses numbed by grief.

Verse 4.25.49

ततोऽग्निं विधिवद्दत्त्वा सोऽपसव्यं चकार ह।पितरं दीर्घमध्वानं प्रस्थितं व्याकुलेन्द्रियः4.25.49।।

Then, having offered to the fire in the prescribed manner, he circumambulated the pyre keeping it to his left; his senses were distressed, as though for a father who had set forth on a long journey.

Verse 4.25.50

संस्कृत्य वालिनं ते तु विधिपूर्वं प्लवङ्गमाः।आजग्मुरुदकं कर्तुं नदीं शुभजलां शिवाम्4.25.50।।

After duly completing the rites for Vāli in accordance with tradition, the monkeys went to an auspicious river of pure, благотворные waters to make the water-offering.

Verse 4.25.51

ततस्ते सहितास्तत्र ह्यङ्गदं स्थाप्य चाग्रतः।सुग्रीवतारासहितास्सिषिचुर्वालिने जलम्4.25.51।।

Then, gathered there and placing Aṅgada at the forefront, the monkeys—together with Sugrīva and Tārā—poured out the water as an offering for Vāli.

Verse 4.25.52

सुग्रीवेणेव दीनेन दीनो भूत्वा महाबलः।समानशोकः काकुत्स्थ: प्रेतकार्याण्यकारयत्4.25.52।।

Mighty Rāma, the Kakutstha, becoming as downcast as the sorrowful Sugrīva and sharing the same grief, had the funeral rites duly carried out.

Verse 4.25.53

When Vāli—the foremost of monkeys, radiant like heated gold—had been struck down in full view by Rāghava’s great arrow, Sugrīva went up to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa.