Shloka 43
वर्षावर्णनम्
The Monsoon Description and Rama’s Counsel on Timing
मत्ता गजेन्द्रा मुदिता गवेन्द्रावनेषु विश्रान्ततरा मृगेन्द्रा।रम्या नगेन्द्रा निभृता नरेन्द्राःप्रक्रीडितो वारिधरैस्सुरेन्द्रः।।
mattā gajendrā muditā gavendrāvaneṣu viśrāntatarā mṛgendrā | ramyā nagendrā nibhṛtā narendrāḥ prakrīḍito vāridharaiḥ surendraḥ ||
In the forests, lordly elephants are in rut and mighty bulls rejoice; the kings of beasts rest at ease. The great mountains look lovely, and human kings remain quiet in repose—while Indra, lord of the gods, seems to sport amid the rain-bearing clouds.
'Intoxicated elephants roam the forest. Mighty bulls rejoice. Kings of beasts (lions) lounge. Mountains look beautiful. Kings relax. While Indra, lord of the gods, sports with clouds.
FAQs
It highlights harmony with ṛtu (seasonal order): beings rest or rejoice according to nature’s rhythm, suggesting dharma as living in alignment with cosmic and social order rather than forcing action at the wrong time.
A monsoon-season tableau in Kishkindha, where the poem pauses to depict how rain changes forests, mountains, and the mood of living beings.
Restraint and timely repose (nibhṛtatā/viśrānti): knowing when to be still is presented as a kind of disciplined order.