Sarga 27

Verse 4.27.1

अभिषिक्ते तु सुग्रीवे प्रविष्टे वानरे गुहाम्।आजगाम सह भ्रात्रा रामः प्रस्रवणं गिरिम्4.27.1।।

When Sugrīva had been consecrated and had entered the cave-city of the Vānara, Rāma, accompanied by his brother, came to Mount Prasravaṇa.

Verse 4.27.2

शार्दूलमृगसङ्घुष्टं सिंहैर्भीमरवैर्वृतम्।नानागुल्मलतागूढं बहुपादपसङ्कुलम्4.27.2।।ऋक्षवानरगोपुच्छैर्मार्जारैश्च निषेवितम्।मेघराशिनिभं शैलं नित्यं शुचिजलाशयम्।।4.27.3।।

In some places it is covered with blue lotuses; in other places it shines with red lotuses; and elsewhere it gleams with divine white kumuda buds.

Verse 4.27.3

शार्दूलमृगसङ्घुष्टं सिंहैर्भीमरवैर्वृतम्।नानागुल्मलतागूढं बहुपादपसङ्कुलम्4.27.2।।ऋक्षवानरगोपुच्छैर्मार्जारैश्च निषेवितम्।मेघराशिनिभं शैलं नित्यं शुचिजलाशयम्।।4.27.3।।

That mountain rang with the calls of tigers and deer, encircled by lions with dreadful roars; it was hidden by many shrubs and creepers and crowded with diverse trees. It was frequented by bears, monkeys, apes, and wildcats; cloud-mass-like in appearance, it always held pools of pure water.

Verse 4.27.4

तस्य शैलस्य शिखरे महतीमायतां गुहाम्।प्रत्यगृह्णत वासार्थं रामस्सौमित्रिणा सह4.27.4।।

The rainy season has arrived; wait for the autumn. Then you shall slay Rāvaṇa, together with his realm and his forces.

Verse 4.27.5

कृत्वा च समयं रामस्सुग्रीवेण सहानघः।कालयुक्तं महद्वाक्यमुवाच रघुनन्दनः4.27.5।।विनीतं भ्रातरं भ्राता लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम्।

Even as you have spoken, O king: before long the Lord of the Vānaras will accomplish all that you desire. Stand steadfast for the subduing of the foe, and—awaiting autumn—endure this season of cascading waters.

Verse 4.27.6

इयं गिरिगुहा रम्या विशाला युक्तमारुता।अस्यां वत्स्याम सौमित्रे वर्षरात्रमरिन्दम4.27.6।।

Restrain your anger and await the coming of autumn. Forgive these four months with me; dwell upon this mountain, frequented by the king of beasts, and nurture your resolve to slay the enemy.

Verse 4.27.7

गिरिशृङ्गमिदं रम्यमुन्नतं पार्थिवात्मज4.27.7।।श्वेताभिः कृष्णताम्राभिश्शिलाभिरुपशोभितम्।नानाधातुसमाकीर्णं दरीनिर्झरशोभितम्4.27.8।।विविधैर्वृक्षषण्डैश्च चारुचित्रलतायुतम्।नानाविहगसङ्घुष्टं मयूररवनादितम्4.27.9।।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च सिन्धुवारैश्शिरीषकैः।कदम्बार्जुनसर्जैश्च पुष्पितैरुपशोभितम्4.27.10।।

O prince, this mountain peak is charming and lofty.

Verse 4.27.8

गिरिशृङ्गमिदं रम्यमुन्नतं पार्थिवात्मज4.27.7।।श्वेताभिः कृष्णताम्राभिश्शिलाभिरुपशोभितम्।नानाधातुसमाकीर्णं दरीनिर्झरशोभितम्4.27.8।।विविधैर्वृक्षषण्डैश्च चारुचित्रलतायुतम्।नानाविहगसङ्घुष्टं मयूररवनादितम्4.27.9।।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च सिन्धुवारैश्शिरीषकैः।कदम्बार्जुनसर्जैश्च पुष्पितैरुपशोभितम्4.27.10।।

It is adorned with white, black, and copper-red stones; strewn with many kinds of minerals, and beautified by caves and cascading streams.

Verse 4.27.9

गिरिशृङ्गमिदं रम्यमुन्नतं पार्थिवात्मज4.27.7।।श्वेताभिः कृष्णताम्राभिश्शिलाभिरुपशोभितम्।नानाधातुसमाकीर्णं दरीनिर्झरशोभितम्4.27.8।।विविधैर्वृक्षषण्डैश्च चारुचित्रलतायुतम्।नानाविहगसङ्घुष्टं मयूररवनादितम्4.27.9।।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च सिन्धुवारैश्शिरीषकैः।कदम्बार्जुनसर्जैश्च पुष्पितैरुपशोभितम्4.27.10।।

It is filled with varied groves of trees and lovely, colorful creepers; it resounds with flocks of many birds, and is enlivened by the calls of peacocks.

Verse 4.27.10

गिरिशृङ्गमिदं रम्यमुन्नतं पार्थिवात्मज4.27.7।।श्वेताभिः कृष्णताम्राभिश्शिलाभिरुपशोभितम्।नानाधातुसमाकीर्णं दरीनिर्झरशोभितम्4.27.8।।विविधैर्वृक्षषण्डैश्च चारुचित्रलतायुतम्।नानाविहगसङ्घुष्टं मयूररवनादितम्4.27.9।।मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च सिन्धुवारैश्शिरीषकैः।कदम्बार्जुनसर्जैश्च पुष्पितैरुपशोभितम्4.27.10।।

O prince, this delightful mountain-peak is lofty, adorned with white, black, and copper-red rocks. It is strewn with many kinds of minerals and beautified by caves and waterfalls. It is graced with diverse groves of trees and charming, variegated creepers; it resounds with many kinds of birds and with the calls of peacocks. It is further embellished by flowering mālatī and kunda shrubs, sindhuvāra plants, śirīṣa trees, and by kadamba, arjuna, and sarja trees in bloom.

Verse 4.27.11

इयं च नलिनी रम्या फ़ुल्लपङ्कजमण्डिता।नातिदूरे गुहायानौ भविष्यति नृपात्मज4.27.11।।

O prince, this lovely lotus-pond, adorned with fully blossomed lotuses, lies not far from the cave and will be convenient for us.

Verse 4.27.12

प्रागुदक्प्रवणे देशे गुहा साधु भविष्यति।पश्चाच्चैवोन्नता सौम्य निवातेयं भविष्यति4.27.12।।

O gentle one, the cave will be well placed on ground that slopes to the east and north; and on the western side it rises higher—thus this spot will be sheltered from fierce winds.

Verse 4.27.13

गुहाद्वारे च सौमित्रे शिला समतला शुभा।श्लक्ष्णा चैवायता चैव भिन्नाञ्जनचयोपमा4.27.13।।

O Saumitri, at the cave’s entrance there is an auspicious rock—level and fair, smooth and broad—like a heap of gleaming añjana (collyrium).

Verse 4.27.14

गिरिशृङ्गमिदं तात पश्य चोत्तरतः शुभम्।भिन्नाञ्जनचयाकारमम्भोधरमिवोत्थितम्4.27.14।।

This mountain resounds with the cries of tigers and deer, and it is ringed by lions with dreadful roars. Hidden beneath many kinds of shrubs and creepers, it is crowded with countless trees. Bears, monkeys, langūrs, and wildcats frequent it; it looks like a piled mass of clouds, and it ever holds pools of pure water.

Verse 4.27.15

दक्षिणस्यामपि दिशि स्थितं श्वेतमिवापरम्।कैलासशिखरप्रख्यं नानाधातुविभूषितम्4.27.15।।

Dear one, look to the north at this auspicious mountain-peak—risen up like a rain-cloud, and shaped as though it were a split heap of añjana (collyrium).

Verse 4.27.16

प्राचीनवाहिनीं चैव नदीं भृशमकर्दमाम्।गुहायाः पूर्वतः पश्य त्रिकूटे जाह्नवीमिव4.27.16।।चन्दनैस्तिलकैस्तालैस्तमालैरतिमुक्तकैः।पद्मकैः सरलैश्चैव अशोकैश्चैव शोभिताम्4.27.17।।

And in the southern quarter stands another, as though white—like the summit of Kailāsa—adorned with many kinds of minerals.

Verse 4.27.17

प्राचीनवाहिनीं चैव नदीं भृशमकर्दमाम्।गुहायाः पूर्वतः पश्य त्रिकूटे जाह्नवीमिव4.27.16।।चन्दनैस्तिलकैस्तालैस्तमालैरतिमुक्तकैः।पद्मकैः सरलैश्चैव अशोकैश्चैव शोभिताम्4.27.17।।

See also this river flowing eastward, wondrously clear and free of mire, lying to the east of the cave like the sacred Jāhnavī upon Trikūṭa. It is made lovely by sandalwood, tilaka trees, palms, tamālas, atimuktaka creepers, padmaka, sarala, and aśoka trees.

Verse 4.27.18

वानीरैस्तिमिशैश्चैव वकुलैः केतकैर्धवैः।हिन्तालैस्तिनिशैर्नीपैर्वेत्रकैः कृतमालकैः4.27.18।।तीरजैश्शोभिता भाति नानारूपै स्ततस्ततः।वसनाभरणोपेता प्रमदेवाभ्यलङ्कृता4.27.19।।

Adorned along its banks by many forms of riverside growth—vānīra reeds, timiśa, vakula, ketaka, dhava, hintāla, tiniśa, nīpa, vetraka, and kṛtamālaka—this river shines here and there, like a lovely woman dressed and ornamented.

Verse 4.27.19

वानीरैस्तिमिशैश्चैव वकुलैः केतकैर्धवैः।हिन्तालैस्तिनिशैर्नीपैर्वेत्रकैः कृतमालकैः4.27.18।।तीरजैश्शोभिता भाति नानारूपै स्ततस्ततः।वसनाभरणोपेता प्रमदेवाभ्यलङ्कृता4.27.19।।

Resounding with many melodies from hundreds of flocks of birds, and beautified by cakravāka pairs devoted to one another; with exceedingly lovely sandbanks frequented by swans and sārasa cranes—this river gleams as though it were a fully adorned woman laughing.

Verse 4.27.20

शतशः पक्षिसङ्घैश्च नानानादैर्विनादिता।एकैकमनुरक्तैश्च चक्रवाकैरलङ्कृता।।4.27.20।।पुलिनैरतिरम्यैश्च हंससारससेवितैः।प्रहसन्तीवभात्येषा नारी सर्वविभूषिता।।4.27.21।।

Resounding with manifold calls from flocks of birds in their hundreds, the river is adorned by cakravāka birds—each one devotedly paired with its mate. With exceedingly lovely sandy banks, frequented by swans and sārasa cranes, she shines as though a fully ornamented young woman, laughing softly.

Verse 4.27.21

शतशः पक्षिसङ्घैश्च नानानादैर्विनादिता।एकैकमनुरक्तैश्च चक्रवाकैरलङ्कृता।।4.27.20।।पुलिनैरतिरम्यैश्च हंससारससेवितैः।प्रहसन्तीवभात्येषा नारी सर्वविभूषिता।।4.27.21।।

With exceedingly charming sandy banks, frequented by swans and sārasas, this river shines as though it were a woman adorned in every way, smiling with delight.

Verse 4.27.22

क्वचिन्नीलोत्पलैश्छन्ना भाति रक्तोत्पलैः क्वचित्।क्वचिदाभाति शुक्लैश्च दिव्यैः कुमुदकुट्मलैः4.27.22।।

In some places it is covered with blue lotuses; in others it shines with red lotuses; and elsewhere it appears radiant with divine white water-lily buds.

Verse 4.27.23

पारिप्लवशतैर्जुष्टा बर्हिक्रौञ्चविनादिता।रमणीया नदी सौम्य मुनिसङ्घैर्निषेविता4.27.23।।

O gentle one, this lovely river is a favored haunt of hundreds of waterbirds, resonant with peacocks and krauñca-cranes, and frequented by groups of sages.

Verse 4.27.24

पश्य चन्दनवृक्षाणां पङ्क्तीस्सुरचिता इव।ककुभानां च दृश्यन्ते मनसेवोदितास्समम्4.27.24।।

Look—rows of sandalwood trees appear as though artfully arranged; even the quarters seem evenly set out, as if shaped by the mind itself.

Verse 4.27.25

अहो सुरमणीयोऽयं देशश्शत्रुनिषूदन।दृढं रंस्याव सौमित्रे साध्वत्र निवसावहै4.27.25।।

Ah, this land is exceedingly delightful, O destroyer of foes! Surely, O Saumitri, we shall enjoy ourselves here—let us stay in this place.

Verse 4.27.26

इतश्च नातिदूरे सा किष्किन्धा चित्रकानना।सुग्रीवस्य पुरी रम्या भविष्यति नृपात्मज4.27.26।।

And not far from here lies Kiṣkindhā, set amid a wondrous forest—the delightful city of Sugrīva, O prince.

Verse 4.27.27

गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषश्श्रूयते जयतां वर।नर्दतां वानराणां च मृदङ्गाडम्बरै स्सह4.27.27।।

O best among the victorious, the clamour of song and instruments is heard—along with the cries of monkeys and the booming flourish of mṛdaṅga drums.

Verse 4.27.28

लब्ध्वा भार्यां कपिवरः प्राप्य राज्यं सुहृद्वृतः।ध्रुवं नन्दति सुग्रीवस्सम्प्राप्य महतीं श्रियम्4.27.28।।

Having regained his wife and attained his kingdom, surrounded by friends, Sugrīva—the chief among monkeys—surely rejoices, having come into great prosperity.

Verse 4.27.29

इत्युक्त्वा न्यवसत्तत्र राघवस्सहलक्ष्मणः।बहुदृश्यदरीकुञ्जे तस्मिन्प्रस्रवणे गिरौ4.27.29।।

Having spoken thus, Rāghava stayed there with Lakṣmaṇa—on that Prasravaṇa mountain, in a lovely spot of many visible caves and thickets.

Verse 4.27.30

सुसुखेऽपि बहुद्रव्ये तस्मिन्हि धरणीधरे।वसतस्तस्य रामस्य रतिरल्पापिना भवेत्4.27.30।।

Though that mountain was pleasant and rich in many comforts, Rāma, dwelling there, found not even the slightest joy.

Verse 4.27.31

हृतां हि भार्यां स्मरतः प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसीम्।उदयाभ्युदितं दृष्ट्वा शशाङ्कं च विशेषतः4.27.31।।

For as he remembered his abducted wife—dearer to him than life itself—his longing grew, especially when he beheld the moon rising in the east.

Verse 4.27.32

आविवेश न तं निद्रा निशासु शयनं गतम्।तत्समुत्थेन शोकेन बाष्पोपहतचेतसम्4.27.32।।

On the summit of that mountain, Rāma, together with Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), chose as their dwelling a great and spacious cave.

Verse 4.27.33

तं शोचमानं काकुत्स्थं नित्यं शोकपरायणम्।तुल्यदुःखोऽब्रवीद्भ्राता लक्ष्मणोऽनुनयन्वचः4.27.33।।

When he lay down at night, sleep did not come to him; his mind, clouded by tears, was again seized by the sorrow rising within.

Verse 4.27.34

अलं वीर व्यथां गत्वा न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि।शोचतो व्यवसीदन्ति सर्वार्था विदितं हि ते4.27.34।।

Seeing Kakutstha (Rāma) grieving continually, wholly given over to sorrow, his brother Lakṣmaṇa—equally pained—spoke words to console and steady him.

Verse 4.27.35

भवान्क्रियापरो लोके भवान् देवपरायणः।आस्तिको धर्मशीलश्च व्यवसायी च राघव4.27.35।।न ह्यव्यवसितश्शत्रुं राक्षसं तं विशेषतः।समर्थस्त्वं रणे हन्तुं विक्रमैर्जिह्मकारिणम्4.27.36।।

Enough, O hero—cast aside this anguish; it does not befit you to brood. For when one grieves, all aims sink down and fail—and you know this well.

Verse 4.27.36

भवान्क्रियापरो लोके भवान् देवपरायणः।आस्तिको धर्मशीलश्च व्यवसायी च राघव4.27.35।।न ह्यव्यवसितश्शत्रुं राक्षसं तं विशेषतः।समर्थस्त्वं रणे हन्तुं विक्रमैर्जिह्मकारिणम्4.27.36।।

O Rāghava, you are known in the world as one devoted to action; you are devoted to the gods—faithful, righteous in conduct, and steadfast in enterprise.

Verse 4.27.37

समुन्मूलय शोकं त्वं व्यवसायं स्थिरं कुरु।ततस्सपरिवारं तं निर्मूलं कुरु राक्षसम्।।4.27.37।।

For without firm resolve, you will not be able to slay that enemy in battle—especially that rākṣasa—who acts with crooked stratagems, even with all your valor.

Verse 4.27.38

पृथिवीमपि काकुत्स्थ ससागरवनाचलाम्।परिवर्तयितुं शक्तः किमङ्गपुन रावणम्4.27.38।।

Uproot your sorrow; make your resolve firm. Then annihilate that rākṣasa, together with his whole following.

Verse 4.27.39

शरत्कालं प्रतीक्षस्व प्रावृट्कालोऽयमागतः।ततस्सराष्ट्रं सगणं रावणं त्वं वधिष्यसि4.27.39।।

O Kakutstha, you are able even to overturn the earth with its oceans, forests, and mountains—what then of Rāvaṇa?

Verse 4.27.40

अहं तु खलु ते वीर्यं प्रसुप्तं प्रतिबोधये।दीप्सैराहुतिभिः काले भस्मच्छन्नमिवानलम्4.27.40।।

I, for my part, shall awaken your slumbering valor—like a fire hidden beneath ashes, kindled in due time by offerings placed upon it.

Verse 4.27.41

लक्ष्मणस्य तु तद्वाक्यं प्रतिपूज्य हितं शुभम्।राघवस्सुहृदं स्निग्धमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।4.27.41।।

Having made an agreement with Sugrīva, sinless Rāma—the delight of the Raghu line—spoke weighty words, timely and apt, to his obedient brother Lakṣmaṇa, the enhancer of his glory.

Verse 4.27.42

वाच्यं यदनुरक्तेन स्निग्धेन च हितेन च।सत्यविक्रमयुक्तेन तदुक्तं लक्ष्मण त्वया4.27.42।।

“O Saumitri, subduer of foes—this mountain cave is lovely, spacious, and well-aired. Here we shall dwell through the nights of the rainy season.”

Verse 4.27.43

एष शोकः परित्यक्तस्सर्वकार्यावसादकः।विक्रमेष्वप्रतिहतं तेजः प्रोत्साहयाम्यहम्।।4.27.43।।

Honoring Lakṣmaṇa’s auspicious and beneficial counsel, Rāghava spoke these affectionate words, warm with friendship.

Verse 4.27.44

शरत्कालं प्रतीक्षिष्ये स्थितोऽस्मि वचने तव।सुग्रीवस्य नदीनां च प्रसादमनुपालयन्4.27.44।।

Lakṣmaṇa, what you have spoken is exactly what ought to be spoken—words of one devoted and affectionate, a true well-wisher, and endowed with valour steadfast in truth.

Verse 4.27.45

उपकारेण वीरस्तु प्रतीकारेण युज्यते।अकृतज्ञोऽप्रतिकृतो हन्ति सत्त्ववतां मनः4.27.45।।

This grief—so ruinous that it weakens every undertaking—I now cast aside. In deeds of valour I will rouse within myself an energy that cannot be checked.

Verse 4.27.46

अथैव मुक्तःप्रणिधाय लक्ष्मणःकृताञ्जलिस्तत्प्रतिपूज्य भाषितम्।उवाच रामं स्वभिरामदर्शनंप्रदर्शयन्दर्शनमात्मनश्शुभम्4.27.46।।

I shall wait for the season of autumn, steadfast in your counsel—while awaiting Sugrīva’s readiness and the rivers’ calm when their waters subside.

Verse 4.27.47

यथोक्तमेतत्तव सर्वमीप्सितंनरेन्द्र कर्ता न चिराद्धरीश्वरः।शरत्प्रतीक्षः क्षमतामिमं भवान्जलप्रपातं रिपुनिग्रहे धृतः4.27.47।।

A hero repays a kindness with a fitting return. But an ungrateful man, who does not requite what was done for him, breaks the hearts of the noble-spirited.

Verse 4.27.48

नियम्य कोपं प्रतिपाल्यतां शरत्क्षमस्व मासां श्चतुरो मया सह।वसाचलेऽस्मिन्मृगराजसेवितेसंवर्धयन् शत्रुवधे समुद्यमम्4.27.48।।

Thereupon Lakṣmaṇa, having reflected and honoured what was spoken, with folded hands addressed Rāma—whose appearance is ever pleasing—setting forth his own auspicious view.