Shloka 18

किष्किन्धाप्रवेशः—लक्ष्मणस्य कोपः, तारासान्त्वम्, सुग्रीवदर्शनम्

Lakshmana Enters Kishkindha: Anger, Tara’s Mediation, and Sugriva Encountered

Devanagari script

पाण्डुरेण तु सालेन परिक्षिप्तं दुरासदम्।वानरेन्द्रगृहं रम्यं महेन्द्रसदनोपमम्।।4.33.14।।शुक्लैः प्रासादशिखरैः कैलासशिखरोपमैः।सर्वकामफलैर्वृक्षैः पुष्पितैरुपशोभितम्।।4.33.15।।महेन्द्रदत्तैश्श्रीमद्भिर्नीलजीमूतसन्निभैः।दिव्यपुष्पफलैर्वृक्षैशीतच्छायैर्मनोरमैः।।4.33.16।।हरिभिस्संवृतद्वारं बलिभिश्शस्त्रपाणिभिः।दिव्यमाल्यावृतं शुभ्रं तप्तकाञ्चनतोरणम्।।4.33.17।।सुग्रीवस्य गृहं रम्यं प्रविवेश महाबलः।अवार्यमाणस्सौमित्रिर्महाभ्रमिव भास्करः।।4.33.18।।

Transliteration

pāṇḍureṇa tu sālenā parikṣiptaṃ durāsadam |

vānarendragṛhaṃ ramyaṃ mahendrasadanopamam || 4.33.14 ||

śuklaiḥ prāsādaśikharaiḥ kailāsaśikharopamaiḥ |

sarvakāmaphalair vṛkṣaiḥ puṣpitair upaśobhitam || 4.33.15 ||

mahendradattaiḥ śrīmadbhir nīlajīmūtasannibhaiḥ |

divyapuṣpaphalair vṛkṣaiḥ śītacchāyair manoramaiḥ || 4.33.16 ||

haribhis saṃvṛtadvāraṃ balibhiḥ śastrapāṇibhiḥ |

divyamālyāvṛtaṃ śubhraṃ taptakāñcanatoraṇam || 4.33.17 ||

sugrīvasya gṛhaṃ ramyaṃ praviveśa mahābalaḥ |

avāryamāṇaḥ saumitrir mahābhram iva bhāskaraḥ || 4.33.18 ||

Translation

Được bao quanh bởi tường thành nhạt màu, khó bề công phá, cung điện mỹ lệ của chúa loài vượn tựa như nơi cư ngụ của Mahendra (Đế Thích). Những đỉnh lầu trắng như chóp Kailāsa, lại được tô điểm bởi cây cối nở hoa, kết trái đủ mọi điều ước. Những cây quý ấy—tương truyền do Mahendra ban tặng—lớn như mây mưa sẫm, bóng mát mát lành, hoa quả thần diệu, khiến lòng người say mê. Cổng thành dày đặc các vượn hầu dũng mãnh, tay cầm binh khí; trắng sáng, phủ vòng hoa cõi trời, và có vòm cổng vàng ròng rực rỡ. Vào ngôi nhà đẹp của Sugrīva, Saumitri đầy đại lực bước vào không ai ngăn trở—như mặt trời đi vào giữa một khối mây lớn.

Word by Word

पाण्डुरेणwith/ by the pale (white)

तुbut/indeed

सालेनby/with a sāla (rampart/palisade; lit. sāla)

परिक्षिप्तम्encircled/surrounded

दुरासदम्unapproachable

वानरेन्द्रगृहम्the dwelling of the lord of monkeys

रम्यम्charming

महेन्द्रसदनोपमम्like the abode of Mahendra (Indra)

Context

The abode of Sugriva was encircled by a white rampart and unapproachable.It was enchanting like the abode of Indra. The mansion tops were like the white peaks of Kailas mountain filled with blossoming trees which could yield all kinds of fruits to suit one's taste. The trees were huge like dark clouds, cool and shady with wonderful flowers in full bloom, the riches gifted by Indra, were delightful. The entrance was guarded by mighty monkeys holding weapons in hand. It had a golden archway at the entrance decorated with wonderful garlands and strings of golden flowers. Saumitri of great prowess entered the rich abode of Sugriva just as the Sun enters huge clouds unobstructed.

Characters & Entities

Sugrīva

Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa)

Mahendra (Indra)

Kailāsa

Vānara (monkeys)

mālya (garlands)

FAQs

What dharmic principle is reflected when Saumitri enters Sugrīva’s house “unobstructed”?

It signals rightful, duty-bound action: Lakṣmaṇa approaches on Rāma’s mission to secure Sugrīva’s promised help, so the path is not blocked—power is shown as aligned with obligation and alliance-dharma rather than coercion.

How does this passage connect to Satya (truthfulness) in the Kishkindhā narrative?

The splendid, well-guarded residence frames the seriousness of Sugrīva’s kingship and the expectation of keeping one’s word; the scene sets the stage for reminding Sugrīva to honor the true promise made to Rāma—Satya as fidelity to pledged commitment.