
वानरसेनामोचनम् / Mobilization of the Vanara Hosts
किष्किन्धाकाण्ड
In this chapter, Lakshmana’s stern admonition prompts Sugriva to act at once as king. He issues a formal command to Hanuman, his minister, to hasten and broaden the dispatch of messengers, summoning every vanara—including the complacent and slow—to report without delay. A strict rule is proclaimed: any who fail to arrive within ten days will be punished as violators of royal ordinance. Sugriva then orders a vast, all-direction deployment of lion-like vanaras, portrayed with lofty cosmic imagery—sky-paths linked to Vishnu’s stride—and a sweeping catalogue of mountains, forests, seacoasts, caves, rivers, and hermitages. Hanuman implements the command by sending capable teams to every quarter; driven by fear of the king’s sanction and by duty to Rama’s cause, the vanaras assemble swiftly at Kishkindha. The narrative also pauses to describe Himavat, recalling an ancient yajna of Maheshvara, from whose havis-born fruits, roots, and herbs offerings are gathered. The assembled leaders present these gifts to Sugriva and report complete coverage of all regions; Sugriva accepts with satisfaction, and the sarga closes with the mobilization fully accomplished.
Verse 1
एवमुक्तस्तु सुग्रीवो लक्ष्मणेन महात्मना।हनूमन्तं स्थितं पार्श्वे सचिवन्त्विदमब्रवीत्।।।।
Thus addressed by the great-souled Lakshmana, Sugriva then spoke these words to Hanuman, his minister, who stood at his side.
Verse 2
महेन्द्रहिमवद्विन्ध्यकैलासशिखरेषु च।मन्दरे पाण्डुशिखरे पञ्चशैलेषु ये स्थिताः।।।।तरुणादित्यवर्णेषु भ्राजमानेषु सर्वतः।पर्वतेषु समुद्रान्ते पश्चिमायां च ये दिशि।।।।आदित्यभवने चैव गिरौ सन्ध्याभ्रसन्निभे।पद्मातालवनं भीमं संश्रिता हरिपुङ्गवाः।।।।अञ्जनाम्बुदसङ्काशाः कुञ्जरप्रतिमौजसः।अञ्जने पर्वते चैव ये वसन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः।।।।मनश्शिला गुहावासा वानराः कनकप्रभाः।मेरुपार्श्वगताश्चैव ये धूम्रगिरिं संश्रिताः।।।।तरुणादित्यवर्णाश्च पर्वते ये महारुणे।पिबन्तो मधुमैरेयं भीमवेगाः प्लवङ्गमाः।।।।वनेषु च सुरम्येषु सुगन्धिषु महत्सु च।तापसानां च रम्येषु वनान्तेषु समन्ततः।।।।तांस्तां स्त्वमानय क्षिप्रं पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्।सामदानादिभि: स्सर्वैराशु प्रेषय वानरान्।।।।
Summon at once all the monkeys across the earth—those dwelling on the peaks of Mahendra, Himavat, Vindhya, and Kailāsa; on Mandara and the white peak among the five mountains; those on the shining mountains by the sea and in the western quarter; those on the mountain called Ādityabhavana, resembling twilight clouds; the foremost monkeys in the formidable Padmātāla grove; those living on Mount Añjana, dark as collyrium-clouds and strong as elephants; those of golden radiance dwelling in the caves of Manaḥśilā; those near Meru and those settled on Dhūmragiri; those on Mahāruṇa, red like the rising sun, drinking maireya and swift as terror; and those in vast, fragrant forests and around the pleasant forest-hermitages of ascetics. Bring each group quickly, employing every method such as conciliation and gifts, and dispatch the monkeys without delay.
Verse 3
महेन्द्रहिमवद्विन्ध्यकैलासशिखरेषु च।मन्दरे पाण्डुशिखरे पञ्चशैलेषु ये स्थिताः।।4.37.2।।तरुणादित्यवर्णेषु भ्राजमानेषु सर्वतः।पर्वतेषु समुद्रान्ते पश्चिमायां च ये दिशि।।4.37.3।।आदित्यभवने चैव गिरौ सन्ध्याभ्रसन्निभे।पद्मातालवनं भीमं संश्रिता हरिपुङ्गवाः।।4.37.4।।अञ्जनाम्बुदसङ्काशाः कुञ्जरप्रतिमौजसः।अञ्जने पर्वते चैव ये वसन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.5।।मनश्शिला गुहावासा वानराः कनकप्रभाः।मेरुपार्श्वगताश्चैव ये धूम्रगिरिं संश्रिताः।।4.37.6।।तरुणादित्यवर्णाश्च पर्वते ये महारुणे।पिबन्तो मधुमैरेयं भीमवेगाः प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.7।।वनेषु च सुरम्येषु सुगन्धिषु महत्सु च।तापसानां च रम्येषु वनान्तेषु समन्ततः।।4.37.8।।तांस्तां स्त्वमानय क्षिप्रं पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्।सामदानादिभि: स्सर्वैराशु प्रेषय वानरान्।।4.37.9।।
Send word to those vānara hosts who dwell upon mountains gleaming on every side with the hue of the young rising sun—those stationed along the sea-coast and those who live in the western quarter as well.
Verse 4
महेन्द्रहिमवद्विन्ध्यकैलासशिखरेषु च।मन्दरे पाण्डुशिखरे पञ्चशैलेषु ये स्थिताः।।4.37.2।।तरुणादित्यवर्णेषु भ्राजमानेषु सर्वतः।पर्वतेषु समुद्रान्ते पश्चिमायां च ये दिशि।।4.37.3।।आदित्यभवने चैव गिरौ सन्ध्याभ्रसन्निभे।पद्मातालवनं भीमं संश्रिता हरिपुङ्गवाः।।4.37.4।।अञ्जनाम्बुदसङ्काशाः कुञ्जरप्रतिमौजसः।अञ्जने पर्वते चैव ये वसन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.5।।मनश्शिला गुहावासा वानराः कनकप्रभाः।मेरुपार्श्वगताश्चैव ये धूम्रगिरिं संश्रिताः।।4.37.6।।तरुणादित्यवर्णाश्च पर्वते ये महारुणे।पिबन्तो मधुमैरेयं भीमवेगाः प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.7।।वनेषु च सुरम्येषु सुगन्धिषु महत्सु च।तापसानां च रम्येषु वनान्तेषु समन्ततः।।4.37.8।।तांस्तां स्त्वमानय क्षिप्रं पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्।सामदानादिभि: स्सर्वैराशु प्रेषय वानरान्।।4.37.9।।
Summon also those foremost of monkeys who dwell on the mountain called Ādityabhavana—cloud-hued like the evening sky—and those who have taken refuge in the formidable Padmātāla grove.
Verse 5
महेन्द्रहिमवद्विन्ध्यकैलासशिखरेषु च।मन्दरे पाण्डुशिखरे पञ्चशैलेषु ये स्थिताः।।4.37.2।।तरुणादित्यवर्णेषु भ्राजमानेषु सर्वतः।पर्वतेषु समुद्रान्ते पश्चिमायां च ये दिशि।।4.37.3।।आदित्यभवने चैव गिरौ सन्ध्याभ्रसन्निभे।पद्मातालवनं भीमं संश्रिता हरिपुङ्गवाः।।4.37.4।।अञ्जनाम्बुदसङ्काशाः कुञ्जरप्रतिमौजसः।अञ्जने पर्वते चैव ये वसन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.5।।मनश्शिला गुहावासा वानराः कनकप्रभाः।मेरुपार्श्वगताश्चैव ये धूम्रगिरिं संश्रिताः।।4.37.6।।तरुणादित्यवर्णाश्च पर्वते ये महारुणे।पिबन्तो मधुमैरेयं भीमवेगाः प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.7।।वनेषु च सुरम्येषु सुगन्धिषु महत्सु च।तापसानां च रम्येषु वनान्तेषु समन्ततः।।4.37.8।।तांस्तां स्त्वमानय क्षिप्रं पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्।सामदानादिभि: स्सर्वैराशु प्रेषय वानरान्।।4.37.9।।
Summon also those monkey-warriors who dwell on Mount Añjana—dark as storm-clouds and possessing strength like that of mighty elephants.
Verse 6
महेन्द्रहिमवद्विन्ध्यकैलासशिखरेषु च।मन्दरे पाण्डुशिखरे पञ्चशैलेषु ये स्थिताः।।4.37.2।।तरुणादित्यवर्णेषु भ्राजमानेषु सर्वतः।पर्वतेषु समुद्रान्ते पश्चिमायां च ये दिशि।।4.37.3।।आदित्यभवने चैव गिरौ सन्ध्याभ्रसन्निभे।पद्मातालवनं भीमं संश्रिता हरिपुङ्गवाः।।4.37.4।।अञ्जनाम्बुदसङ्काशाः कुञ्जरप्रतिमौजसः।अञ्जने पर्वते चैव ये वसन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.5।।मनश्शिला गुहावासा वानराः कनकप्रभाः।मेरुपार्श्वगताश्चैव ये धूम्रगिरिं संश्रिताः।।4.37.6।।तरुणादित्यवर्णाश्च पर्वते ये महारुणे।पिबन्तो मधुमैरेयं भीमवेगाः प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.7।।वनेषु च सुरम्येषु सुगन्धिषु महत्सु च।तापसानां च रम्येषु वनान्तेषु समन्ततः।।4.37.8।।तांस्तां स्त्वमानय क्षिप्रं पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्।सामदानादिभि: स्सर्वैराशु प्रेषय वानरान्।।4.37.9।।
Summon the golden-hued monkeys who live in the caves of Manaśśilā, as well as those settled near Mount Meru and those who have taken refuge on Dhūmagiri.
Verse 7
महेन्द्रहिमवद्विन्ध्यकैलासशिखरेषु च।मन्दरे पाण्डुशिखरे पञ्चशैलेषु ये स्थिताः।।4.37.2।।तरुणादित्यवर्णेषु भ्राजमानेषु सर्वतः।पर्वतेषु समुद्रान्ते पश्चिमायां च ये दिशि।।4.37.3।।आदित्यभवने चैव गिरौ सन्ध्याभ्रसन्निभे।पद्मातालवनं भीमं संश्रिता हरिपुङ्गवाः।।4.37.4।।अञ्जनाम्बुदसङ्काशाः कुञ्जरप्रतिमौजसः।अञ्जने पर्वते चैव ये वसन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.5।।मनश्शिला गुहावासा वानराः कनकप्रभाः।मेरुपार्श्वगताश्चैव ये धूम्रगिरिं संश्रिताः।।4.37.6।।तरुणादित्यवर्णाश्च पर्वते ये महारुणे।पिबन्तो मधुमैरेयं भीमवेगाः प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.7।।वनेषु च सुरम्येषु सुगन्धिषु महत्सु च।तापसानां च रम्येषु वनान्तेषु समन्ततः।।4.37.8।।तांस्तां स्त्वमानय क्षिप्रं पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्।सामदानादिभि: स्सर्वैराशु प्रेषय वानरान्।।4.37.9।।
Summon too those swift monkey-warriors on Mount Mahāruṇa, radiant like the rising sun, who drink honeyed maireya-liquor and move with fearsome speed.
Verse 8
महेन्द्रहिमवद्विन्ध्यकैलासशिखरेषु च।मन्दरे पाण्डुशिखरे पञ्चशैलेषु ये स्थिताः।।4.37.2।।तरुणादित्यवर्णेषु भ्राजमानेषु सर्वतः।पर्वतेषु समुद्रान्ते पश्चिमायां च ये दिशि।।4.37.3।।आदित्यभवने चैव गिरौ सन्ध्याभ्रसन्निभे।पद्मातालवनं भीमं संश्रिता हरिपुङ्गवाः।।4.37.4।।अञ्जनाम्बुदसङ्काशाः कुञ्जरप्रतिमौजसः।अञ्जने पर्वते चैव ये वसन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.5।।मनश्शिला गुहावासा वानराः कनकप्रभाः।मेरुपार्श्वगताश्चैव ये धूम्रगिरिं संश्रिताः।।4.37.6।।तरुणादित्यवर्णाश्च पर्वते ये महारुणे।पिबन्तो मधुमैरेयं भीमवेगाः प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.7।।वनेषु च सुरम्येषु सुगन्धिषु महत्सु च।तापसानां च रम्येषु वनान्तेषु समन्ततः।।4.37.8।।तांस्तां स्त्वमानय क्षिप्रं पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्।सामदानादिभि: स्सर्वैराशु प्रेषय वानरान्।।4.37.9।।
Summon the monkeys dwelling in vast, beautiful, fragrant forests, and those all around the forest borderlands near the pleasant hermitages of ascetics.
Verse 9
महेन्द्रहिमवद्विन्ध्यकैलासशिखरेषु च।मन्दरे पाण्डुशिखरे पञ्चशैलेषु ये स्थिताः।।4.37.2।।तरुणादित्यवर्णेषु भ्राजमानेषु सर्वतः।पर्वतेषु समुद्रान्ते पश्चिमायां च ये दिशि।।4.37.3।।आदित्यभवने चैव गिरौ सन्ध्याभ्रसन्निभे।पद्मातालवनं भीमं संश्रिता हरिपुङ्गवाः।।4.37.4।।अञ्जनाम्बुदसङ्काशाः कुञ्जरप्रतिमौजसः।अञ्जने पर्वते चैव ये वसन्ति प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.5।।मनश्शिला गुहावासा वानराः कनकप्रभाः।मेरुपार्श्वगताश्चैव ये धूम्रगिरिं संश्रिताः।।4.37.6।।तरुणादित्यवर्णाश्च पर्वते ये महारुणे।पिबन्तो मधुमैरेयं भीमवेगाः प्लवङ्गमाः।।4.37.7।।वनेषु च सुरम्येषु सुगन्धिषु महत्सु च।तापसानां च रम्येषु वनान्तेषु समन्ततः।।4.37.8।।तांस्तां स्त्वमानय क्षिप्रं पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्।सामदानादिभि: स्सर्वैराशु प्रेषय वानरान्।।4.37.9।।
Bring them all—each and every one—swiftly: all the monkeys across the earth. Send out messengers at once, using every method such as conciliation and gifts.
Verse 10
प्रेषिताः प्रथमं ये च मयादूता महाजवाः।त्वरणार्थं तु भूयस्त्वं हरीन् सम्प्रेषयापरान्।।।।
The swift messengers whom I first dispatched are already gone; yet, to hasten matters, you should again send other Vānara forces as well.
Verse 11
ये प्रसक्ताश्च कामेषु दीर्घसूत्राश्च वानराः।इहाऽनयस्व तान् सर्वान् शीघ्रं तु मम शासनात्।।।।
Bring here at once, by my command, all the monkeys—both those absorbed in sensual pleasures and those who are habitually slow and procrastinating.
Verse 12
अहोभिर्दशभिर्ये च नागच्छन्ति ममाज्ञया।हन्तव्यास्ते दुरात्मानो राजशासनदूषकाः।।।।
And those who do not come within ten days in obedience to my order—those evil-minded corrupters of royal command—are to be put to death.
Verse 13
शतान्यथ सहस्राणां कोट्यश्च मम शासनात्।प्रयान्तु कपिसिंहानां दिशो मम मते स्थिताः।।।।
At my command, let the lion-like monkeys—obedient to my will—go forth in hundreds, thousands, and crores, fanning out in every direction.
Verse 14
मेघपर्वतसङ्काशाश्छादयन्त इवाम्बरम्।घोररूपाः कपिश्रेष्ठा यान्तु मच्छासनादितः।।।।
Let the foremost monkeys—fierce in form, like clouds and mountains—depart from here by my command, as though they were covering the sky.
Verse 15
ते गतिज्ञा गतिं ज्ञात्वा पृथिव्यां सर्ववानराः।आनयन्तु हरीन् सर्वांस्त्वरिता शसनान्मम।।4.37.15।।
Let all the monkeys who know the routes and movements swiftly bring in all the troops throughout the earth, acting under my command.
Verse 16
तस्य वानर राजस्य श्रुत्वा वायुसुतो वचः।दिक्षु सर्वासु विक्रान्तान्प्रेषयामास वानरान्।।।।
Hearing the words of that king of monkeys, Hanumān—the son of the Wind—dispatched valiant monkeys in all directions.
Verse 17
ते पदं विष्णुविक्रान्तं पतत्रिज्योतिरध्वगाः।प्रयाताः प्रहिता राज्ञा हरयस्तत्क्षणेन वै।।।।
Sent by the king, the monkeys set out that very moment, moving along the track of birds and heavenly lights—along the ‘Vishnu-stridden’ path (the sky).
Verse 18
ते समुद्रेषु गिरिषु वनेषु च सरस्सु च।वानरा वानरान्सर्वान्रामहेतोरचोदयन्।।।।
Across seashores, mountains, forests, and lakes, those monkeys urged on all other monkeys everywhere—for the sake of Rāma’s cause.
Verse 19
मृत्युकालोपमस्याऽज्ञां राजराजस्य वानराः।सुग्रीवस्याययु श्श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवभयदर्शिनः।।।।
Hearing the command of Sugrīva—the king of kings, like Death-Time itself—the monkeys came at once, foreseeing the dread of Sugrīva’s displeasure.
Verse 20
ततस्तेऽञ्जनसङ्काशा गिरेस्तस्मान्महाजवाः।तिस्रः कोट्यः प्लवङ्गानां निर्ययुर्यत्र राघवः।।।।
Then three crores of swift-moving monkeys, dark as collyrium, rushed out from that mountain to the place where Rāghava (Rāma) was.
Verse 21
अस्तं गच्छति यत्रार्कस्तस्मिन्गिरिवरे स्थिताः।सन्तप्त हेममहाभासस्तस्मात्कोट्यो दश च्युताः।।।।
From that excellent mountain in the region where the sun sets, ten crores of monkeys—radiant like molten gold—moved out.
Verse 22
कैलासशिखरेभ्यश्च सिंहकेसरवर्चसाम्।ततः कोटिसहस्राणि वानराणामुपागमन्।।।।
Then, from the peaks of Kailāsa, hosts of monkeys—gleaming like a lion’s mane—came forth in tens of millions upon tens of millions.
Verse 23
फलमूलेन जीवन्तो हिमवन्तमुपाश्रिताः।तेषां कोटिसहस्राणां सहस्रं समवर्तत।।।।
Living on fruits and roots and having taken refuge in sacred Himavat, among their thousands of crores yet another thousand of those vast hosts stood ready.
Verse 24
अङ्गारकसमानानां भीमानां भीमकर्मणाम्।विन्ध्याद्वानरकोटीनां सहस्राण्यपतन्द्रुतम्।।।।
From the Vindhya, thousands of crores of monkeys—terrible in form and terrible in deed, blazing like firebrands—swiftly came down.
Verse 25
क्षीरोदवेलानिलयास्तमालवनवासिनः।नारिकेलाशनाश्चैव तेषां सङ्ख्या न विद्यते।।।।
Those dwelling on the shores of the Milk Ocean, abiding in tamāla forests and feeding on coconuts—of them no number could be known.
Verse 26
वनेभ्यो गह्वरेभ्यश्च सरिद्भ्यश्च महाजवा।आगच्छद्वानरी सेना पिबन्तीव दिवाकरम्।।।।
From forests, caves, and river-banks the swift monkey-army came—so vast it seemed as though it were swallowing the Sun.
Verse 27
ये तु त्वरयितुं याता वानरास्सर्ववानरान्।ते वीरा हिमवच्छैलं ददृशुस्तं महाद्रुमम्।।।।
But the heroes among the monkeys, who had gone to hasten all the other bands, beheld Himavat—the great mountain—looming like a mighty tree.
Verse 28
तस्मिन्गिरिवरे रम्ये यज्ञो माहेश्वरः पुरा।सर्वदेवमनस्तोषो बभौ दिव्यो मनोहरः।।।।
On that lovely and excellent mountain, in former times a divine and enchanting yajña was performed in honor of Maheśvara (Śiva), bringing delight to the minds of all the gods.
Verse 29
अन्ननिष्यन्दजातानि मूलानि च फलानि च।अमृतास्वादकल्पानि ददृशुस्तत्र वानराः।।।।
There the vānara beheld roots and fruits born from the outflow of the sacrificial food, tasting as sweet as amṛta—nectar.
Verse 30
तदन्नसम्भवं दिव्यं फलमूलं मनोहरम्।यः कश्चित्सकृदश्नाति मासं भवति तर्पितः।।।।
Whoever eats even once of those wondrous, delightful roots and fruits that arise from that sacred offering becomes satisfied for a whole month.
Verse 31
तानि मूलानि दिव्यानि फलानि च फलाशनाः।औषधानि च दिव्यानि जगृहुर्हरियूथपाः।।।।
The vānara leaders, accustomed to living on fruits, gathered those heavenly roots and fruits, and also divine medicinal herbs.
Verse 32
तस्माच्च यज्ञायतनात्पुष्पाणि सुरभीणि च।आनिन्युर्वानरा गत्वा सुग्रीवप्रियकारणात्।।।।
Therefore the vānara went from the sacrificial ground and brought fragrant flowers as well, intending to delight Sugrīva.
Verse 33
ते तु सर्वे हरिवराः पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान्।सञ्चोदयित्वा त्वरिता यूथानां जग्मुरग्रतः।।।।
Then all those excellent vānara leaders, having roused and organized the monkeys across the earth, hurried on at the head of their troops.
Verse 34
ते तु तेन मुहूर्तेन यूथपाश्शीघ्रगामिनः।किष्किन्धां त्वरया प्राप्ता स्सुग्रीवो यत्र वानरः।।।।
In that very short time, the swift-moving troop-leaders reached Kiṣkindhā in haste—where Sugrīva, lord of the vānara, was.
Verse 35
ते गृहीत्वौषधीस्सर्वाः फलमूलं च वानराः।तं प्रतिग्राहयामासुर्वचनं चेदमब्रुवन्।।।।
Having gathered every kind of medicinal herb, along with fruits and roots, the vānara presented them to him and spoke these words.
Verse 36
सर्वे परिगताश्शैलास्समुद्राश्च वनानि च।पृथिव्यां वानरास्सर्वे शासनादुपयान्ति ते।।4.37.36।।
“All the mountains, oceans, and forests have been covered; and all the vānara upon the earth are now coming, driven by your command.”
Verse 37
एवं श्रुत्वा ततो हृष्ट स्सुग्रीवः प्लवगाधिपः।प्रतिजग्राह तत्प्रतीतस्तेषां सर्वमुपायनम्।।।।
Hearing this, Sugriva—the lord of the monkeys—rejoiced; pleased by their report, he accepted in full all the gifts they had brought.
The pivotal action is Sugriva’s transition from delayed obligation to enforceable rajadharma: he mandates universal attendance, explicitly includes negligent groups, and prescribes punitive measures for disobedience—framing mission duty as a binding ethical-legal order.
The chapter teaches that righteous objectives require disciplined execution: dharma is not only intention but also timely action, organizational clarity, and accountability—implemented through measured means (sama–dana) and, where necessary, sanction.
A wide ‘digital map’ of vanara habitats is enumerated—Mahendra, Himavan, Vindhya, Kailasa, Mandara, Meru, Dhumragiri, Maharuna, Padmatala, Anjana, Manashila caves—along with cultural memory of a Maheshvara-yajna on Himavat and the cosmological marker of Vishnupada (the sky-path).