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Chapter 25

Kishkindha Kanda - The Empire of Holy Monkeys

VERSE 1

स सुग्रीवम् च ताराम् च स अंगदाम् सह लक्ष्मणः
समान शोकः काकुत्स्थः सांत्वयन् इदम् अब्रवीत्

sa sugrīvam ca tārām ca sa aṃgadām saha lakṣmaṇaḥ
samāna śokaḥ kākutsthaḥ sāṃtvayan idam abravīt

SYNONYMS

saha lakśmaṇaḥ: along with, Lakshmana | samāna śokaḥ: one with similar, disquiet | saḥ kākutsthaḥ: he, that Rama | sugrīvam ca: to Sugreeva, also | sa angadām tārām ca: together with, Angada, to Tara, also | sāntvayan idam abravīt: while palliating, this, said. |

TRANSLATION

While a similar disquiet of Sugreeva is prevailing over Rama and Lakshmana, Rama palliatively said this to Sugreeva, and even to Tara together with Angada. [4-25-1]

VERSE 2

न शोक परितापेन श्रेयसा युज्यते मृतः
यद् अत्र अनंतरम् कार्यम् तत् समाधातुम् अर्हथ

na śoka paritāpena śreyasā yujyate mṛtaḥ
yad atra anaṃtaram kāryam tat samādhātum arhatha

SYNONYMS

śoka paritāpena: by mourning, sorrowfully | mṛtaḥ śreyasā ne yujyate = deceased one, vith bliss, not, be coupled: will not derive | atra: in this matter | yat anantaram kāryam: which, subsequent, work to be done | tat samādhātum arhatha: that, to arrange, appropriate to. |

TRANSLATION

"Deceased will not derive bliss by sorrowful mourning, hence it will be appropriate to arrange for that work which is subsequent in this matter. [4-25-2]

VERSE 3

ओर्

or

SYNONYMS

loka vṛttam anuṣṭheyam: worldly, observance, is to be observed | vaḥ bāṣpa mokṣaṇam kṛtam: your, tears, releasing, is [adequately] done | kālāt uttaram: time, later to, if lapsed | kimcit karma = any, vork: by any remote activity | na upāsitum śakyam: not, to undertake, possible. |

TRANSLATION

"Worldly observances are to be observed, thus your activity of tear-shedding this far is justifiable, but after the lapse of time of any individual, it is impossible to activate that individual by any other remote activity like weeping. "Worldly observances are to be observed, thus your activity of tear-shedding this far is justifiable, it is impossible to undertake any other ritual work if time is lapsed just by weeping. [4-25-3]

PURPORT

A person comes to life after ten months incarceration in mother's womb; lives for a hundred year period, but on death, dead body is to be removed within ten hours. If a dead body is kept unattended for more than ten hours of death, a blemish called paryuSita doSa occurs. Thus, it is said, 'The duties ordained according to their time value are to be attended on time, otherwise if you lapse that particular time by shedding tears alone, there is no merit to the departed soul...' Maheshvara Tiirtha
VERSE 4

नियतिः कारणम् लोके नियतिः कर्म साधनम्
नियतिः सर्व भूतानाम् नियोगेषु इह कारणम्

niyatiḥ kāraṇam loke niyatiḥ karma sādhanam
niyatiḥ sarva bhūtānām niyogeṣu iha kāraṇam

SYNONYMS

loke: in world | niyatiḥ: regularity, Fate, God, Time | kāraṇam: deciding factor. | niyatiḥ karma sādhanam: Fate, for action, instrument of | iha: here, in this world | sarva bhūtānām: for all, beings | niyogeṣu: in motivation |

TRANSLATION

"Fate is the cause of all the worlds, Fate is the instrument for action, Fate is the deciding factor for motivation of all beings in these worlds. [4-25-4]

PURPORT

Here the word niyati has three deflections, svabhaava vaada Nature-theory, niyati vaada Fate-theory, kaala vaada Time-theory, and all these culminate into Theism, for theologises. Atheists hold the above three in each of its own. svabhaava: kaaraNam vinaa eva sarvam bhavati iti svabhaava vaada... 'without any apparent reason everything happens on its own, where the question of merit or sin does not arise...' and the adherents of karmic-cycle say, niyati: puurva janma aarjita dharma adharmau niyati, sa eva sarvasya kaaraNam... 'the merit or sin earned or accrued in last births brings forth the fruits of the present and future births...' kaala Time, the undisputable time factor is the reason for everything, also called 'god'. If the attribute of god to the Time is removed and seen only as time with its watches, Rama is said to have spoken in the perfect tongue of perfect atheists in these four or five verses given below. However, if there is an All-Supervisory-God, these three will culminate in Him and then He becomes the Time, the presiding authority of worlds. For this the shveta ashvatara upanishad : has this hymn at its 1-2: kaalaH svabhaavo niyatiH yadR^icaa bhuutaani yoniH puruSha iti cintyaa | 'time, nature, fate, chance, material, power, intellect... thus all these are [thought to be the cause, but in vain...] Thus the words used as 'Fate' 'Time' are alterable with 'Supreme Being/Person.'
VERSE 5

न कर्ता कस्यचित् कश्चित् नियोगे च अपि न ईश्वरः
स्वभावे वर्तते लोकः तस्य कालः परायणम्

na kartā kasyacit kaścit niyoge ca api na īśvaraḥ
svabhāve vartate lokaḥ tasya kālaḥ parāyaṇam

SYNONYMS

kasyacit: somebody | niyoge: in motivating | kaścit: somebody else | na kartā = not, the doer: instrument | īśvaraḥ api ca na: lord [not a controlling entity of others,] even, also, he is not | lokaḥ sva bhāve vartate: world, in its own, nature, functions | tasya = to it: to that worlds | kālaḥ parāyaṇam: Time, is cardinal. |

TRANSLATION

"None is an instrument in motivating someone else to do something or otherwise, none is also a controlling entity of others, and even the world functions in its own nature, and that Time is cardinal for that world. [4-25-5]

PURPORT

Unlike Bhagavad Gita, which says everything in first person, here Rama is saying that he alone is Supreme, but naming Time, Fate etc., instead of using first person and declaring about himself.
VERSE 6

न कालः कालम् अत्येति न कालः परिहीयते
स्वभावम् च समासाद्य न कश्चित् अतिवर्तते

na kālaḥ kālam atyeti na kālaḥ parihīyate
svabhāvam ca samāsādya na kaścit ativartate

SYNONYMS

kālaḥ kālam na atyeti: Time, over Time, will not, transcend | kālaḥ na parihīyate: Time, will not, transgress | kaścit: anything | svabhāvam sam āsādya: nature, on attaining | na ati vartate: will not, over, step. |

TRANSLATION

"Time will not transcend Time, neither Time transgresses itself, and on attaining the nature endowed by Time nothing can overstep its own Fate. [4-25-6]

VERSE 7

न कालस्य अस्ति बंधुत्वम् न हेतुर् न पराक्रमः
न मित्र ज्ञाति संबन्धः कारणम् न आत्मनो वशः

na kālasya asti baṃdhutvam na hetur na parākramaḥ
na mitra jñāti saṃbandhaḥ kāraṇam na ātmano vaśaḥ

SYNONYMS

kālasya bandhutvam na asti: to Time, kinship, not, is there | hetuḥ na: instrumental, no | parāakramaḥ na: who can override it, no | mitra jñāti: friends, relations, sambandhaH na kaaraNam = = such connectivity, is not, the causative factor. |

TRANSLATION

"Time has no kinship, thus it has no partiality, there is nothing instrumental to override Time, hence nothing can override it, and there are no causative factors to Time that connect through friends or relatives, hence all are equal in its viewpoint. [4-25-7]

VERSE 8

किम् तु काल परीणामो द्रष्टव्यः साधु पश्यता
धर्मः च अर्थः च कामः च कालक्रम समाहिताः

kim tu kāla parīṇāmo draṣṭavyaḥ sādhu paśyatā
dharmaḥ ca arthaḥ ca kāmaḥ ca kālakrama samāhitāḥ

SYNONYMS

kim tu: but | sādhu paśyatā: while clearly, on who is perceiving | kāla parīṇāmaḥ draṣṭavyaḥ: Time's, mutation, is observable | dharmaḥ ca arthaḥ ca kāmaḥ ca: virtue, also, wealth, also, pleasures, also | kāla krama samāhitāḥ: in Time's, course, well, cumulated. |

TRANSLATION

"But even the mutations brought forth by Time are observable by a perceiver with a clear vision, and the virtue, wealth, pleasures are to be perceived as cumulated during the course of Time. [4-25-8]

PURPORT

If it is asked that, 'If Time takes care of everything what is it humans have to do, except to live like other animals?' For this the above verse says that 'a gentle perceiver has to perceive the changes brought in by the course of Time and according to them and also taking the help of scriptural dictates, one has to intelligently undergo the course of events, without asserting himself of his own achievements or without blaming himself or that imposing Time, should the results be distasteful. This is the way to attain the humanly-means, puruSa artha -s. And this is the way to live different from animals.
VERSE 9

इतः स्वाम् प्रकृतिम् वाली गतः प्राप्तः क्रिया फलम्
साम दान अर्थ संयोगैः पवित्रम् प्लवग ईश्वर

itaḥ svām prakṛtim vālī gataḥ prāptaḥ kriyā phalam
sāma dāna artha saṃyogaiḥ pavitram plavaga īśvara

SYNONYMS

plavaga īśvaraḥ: fly-jumper's, king | vālī: Vali | itaḥ: from here | svām prakṛtim gataḥ: his own, nature [of subtle-soul, on attaining, departed | sāma dāna artha samyogaiḥ: friendly, courteous, forgiving, connected with | pavitram kriyā phalam prāptaḥ: pious, exploits, fruits [of actions befitting to a king,] obtained. |

TRANSLATION

"That king of fly-jumpers Vali departed from here on attaining his own nature of subtle-soul, and he obtained pious fruits connected with his one time actions befitting to a king like, friendliness, courteousness, and forgivingness required of a king. [4-25-9]

VERSE 10

स्व धर्मस्य च संयोगात् जितः तेन महात्मना
स्वर्गः परिगृहीतः च प्राणान् अपरिरक्षता

sva dharmasya ca saṃyogāt jitaḥ tena mahātmanā
svargaḥ parigṛhītaḥ ca prāṇān aparirakṣatā

SYNONYMS

prāṇān: lives | a pari rakṣatā = vithout, completely, guarding: uncaring for himself | tena mahātmanā: by him, great-souled one | sva dharmasya samyogāt ca = his ovn, rightness, by association of: by virtue of | svargaḥ pari gṛhītaḥ ca: heavens, he acquired. |

TRANSLATION

"That great-souled Vali did not care to safeguard his own lives in combat, and by virtue of his own rightness of a true combatant unworried of his life, he acquired heaven. [4-25-10]

PURPORT

This is to say Vali has attained a higher heaven than the routine heaven ruled by Indra, where the merit and demerit are metered. These higher heavens are impossible abodes for usual seekers of release from karmic cycle, but they chance upon certain blessed souls like Vali, who is sent from here to vaikunTha Vishnu's Milky-Oceanic abode, by no less than Rama himself.
VERSE 11

एषा वै नियतिः श्रेष्ठा याम् गतो हरि यूथपः
तत् अलम् परितापेन प्राप्त कालम् उपास्यताम्

eṣā vai niyatiḥ śreṣṭhā yām gato hari yūthapaḥ
tat alam paritāpena prāpta kālam upāsyatām

SYNONYMS

hari yūthapaḥ: monkey's, commander, Vali | yām gataḥ: which, course [he has taken] | eṣā niyatiḥ śreṣṭhā: this, course of fatality, is the choicest | tat: thereby | paritāpena alam: sorrowing, is enough | prāpta kālam: chanced, time[works incumbent on present time] | upāsyatām vai: be reverently attended to, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

"Which course the commander of monkeys undertook is the choicest course of fatality, and hence, enough is this sorrowing, and let works incumbent on the present time be undertaken reverently..." So said Rama to Sugreeva. [4-25-11]

PURPORT

This is choicest course Vali sought after is to die in the course of fighting. For this it is said in Dharmaakuutam: atra niyati shabdaapara paryaayam janmaantara kR^ita karma kaalam apekShya phalati | kalo api puurva kR^ita karma saapekShya eva | na svatantra | evam kaala karma paraadhiinaH puruSho api na karmaNi svatantraH | 'by the word niyati the results of earlier births come to fruition abiding the Time... Time is bound by the results of earlier births... as such no independency to Time... thus, bound by the Time cycle, an individual is also not independent...'
VERSE 12

वचन अन्ते तु रामस्य लक्ष्मणः पर वीर हा
अवदत् प्रश्रितम् वाक्यम् सुग्रीवम् गत चेतसम्

vacana ante tu rāmasya lakṣmaṇaḥ para vīra hā
avadat praśritam vākyam sugrīvam gata cetasam

SYNONYMS

rāmasya vacana ante tu: of Rama, sentence, at close of, but | para vīra hā: foes, braving ones, eliminator of | gata cetasam: lost, animation [disconcerted] | sugrīvam: to Sugreeva | praśritam vākyam avadat: courteous, sentence, spoke. |

TRANSLATION

At the close of Rama's sentence Lakshmana, the eliminator of braving foes, spoke this courteous sentence to the disconcerted Sugreeva. [4-25-12]

VERSE 13

कुरु त्वम् अस्य सुग्रीव प्रेत कार्यम् अनंतरम्
तारा अंगदाभ्याम् सहितो वालिनो दहनम् प्रति

kuru tvam asya sugrīva preta kāryam anaṃtaram
tārā aṃgadābhyām sahito vālino dahanam prati

SYNONYMS

sugrīva: oh, Sugreeva | tvam: you | tārā angadābhyām sahitaḥ: Tara, Angada, along with | asya: his | anantaram: subsequent works | preta kāryam: funeral, works | kuru = carry out: you attend to | vālinaḥ dahanam prati: Vali's, cremation, [arrange] for. |

TRANSLATION

"Sugreeva, you attend to the funeral rites, to be performed subsequently along with those two, Tara and Angada, and arrange for the cremation of Vali. [4-25-13]

VERSE 14

समाज्ञापय काष्ठानि शुष्काणि च बहूनि च
चन्दनानि च दिव्यानि वालि संस्कार कारणात्

samājñāpaya kāṣṭhāni śuṣkāṇi ca bahūni ca
candanāni ca divyāni vāli saṃskāra kāraṇāt

SYNONYMS

śuṣkāṇi bahūni kāṣṭhāni = dried, many: substantial, for firewood | divyāni candanāni ca: for finest, sandalwood also | vāli samskāra kāraṇāt: Vali's, exequies, for purpose of | sam ājñāpaya: at once, you order. |

TRANSLATION

"Order at once for substantial dry firewood, likewise for finest sandalwood, for the purpose of the exequies of Vali. [4-25-14]

VERSE 15

समाश्वासय दीनम् त्वम् अंगदम् दीन चेतसम्
मा भूः बालिश बुद्धिः त्वम् त्वत् अधीनम् इदम् पुरम्

samāśvāsaya dīnam tvam aṃgadam dīna cetasam
mā bhūḥ bāliśa buddhiḥ tvam tvat adhīnam idam puram

SYNONYMS

tvam: you | dīna cetasam: down, hearted one | dīnam angadam samāśvāsaya: miserable, Angada, you bolster up | tvam bāliśa buddhiḥ: you, boyish [frivolous,] in thinking | mā bhūḥ: do not, become | idam puram tvat adhīnam: this, city, on you, dependent. |

TRANSLATION

"Bolster up that miserable Angada who is heartbroken, you too should not become frivolous in thinking as this city Kishkindha is now dependant on you. [4-25-15]

VERSE 16

अंगदः तु आनयेत् माल्यम् वस्त्राणि विविधानि च
घृतम् तैलम् अथो गन्धान् यत् च अत्र समनंतरम्

aṃgadaḥ tu ānayet mālyam vastrāṇi vividhāni ca
ghṛtam tailam atho gandhān yat ca atra samanaṃtaram

SYNONYMS

angadaḥ tu: Angada, but | mālyam vividhāni vastrāṇi ca: wreaths, different, cloths, also | ghṛtam tailam: ghee [clarified butter,] oils | athatḥ gandhān: further, perfumes | atra yat ca: therein, whatever, also | sam anantaram: consequently [other items useful in funeral.] |

TRANSLATION

"Let Angada bring wreaths, different cloths, ghee, oils, as well perfumes and other items that are consequently useful in funeral. [4-25-16]

VERSE 17

त्वम् तार शिबिकाम् शीघ्रम् आदाय आगच्छ संभ्रमात्
त्वरा गुणवती युक्ता हि अस्मिन् काले विशेषतः

tvam tāra śibikām śīghram ādāya āgaccha saṃbhramāt
tvarā guṇavatī yuktā hi asmin kāle viśeṣataḥ

SYNONYMS

tāra: oh, Lieut. Tara | tvam sambhramāt: you, readily [go] | śibikām: palanquin, [covered litter of the dead, sedan chair] | ādāya śīghram āgaccha: on taking, quickly, you come back | tvarā guṇavatī: despatch [2 performing business, a task, etc., promptly | viśeṣataḥ: especially | asmin kāle yuktā hi: at this, moment, worthwhile, truly. |

TRANSLATION

"And Lt. Tara, you go quickly and come readily fetching a palanquin of the dead, for despatch is a merit, which is truly worthwhile, especially at these times. [4-25-17]

VERSE 18

सज्जी भवन्तु प्लवगाः शिबिक वाहन उचिताः
समर्था बलिनः चैव निर्हरिष्यन्ति वालिनम्

sajjī bhavantu plavagāḥ śibika vāhana ucitāḥ
samarthā balinaḥ caiva nirhariṣyanti vālinam

SYNONYMS

śibika vāhana ucitāḥ: litter of the dead, bearers, suitable ones | samarthā: proficient ones | balinaḥ caiva: sturdy ones, also thus | plavagāḥ = suc fly: jumpers - Vaanaras | sajjī bhavantu: at the ready, be there | vālinam: to Vali | nir hariṣyanti = out, carry off: to cart him away. |

TRANSLATION

"Let suitable, proficient and sturdy Vaanara-s be at the ready as the bearers of the litter of the dead to carry away Vali." Thus said Lakshmana to Sugreeva. [4-25-18]

VERSE 19

एवम् उक्त्वा तु सुग्रीवम् सुमित्र आनन्द वर्धनः
तस्थौ भ्रातृ समीपस्थो लक्ष्मणः पर वीरहा

evam uktvā tu sugrīvam sumitra ānanda vardhanaḥ
tasthau bhrātṛ samīpastho lakṣmaṇaḥ para vīrahā

SYNONYMS

sumitra ānanda vardhanaḥ = ṣumitra's, delight, enhancer: Saumitri | para vīra hā: foes, braving ones, eliminator of | sugrīvam: to Sugreeva | evam uktvā: thus, on saying | bhrātṛ samīpasthaḥ tasthau: at brother's, nearby staying, stepped back- withdrawn. |

TRANSLATION

Speaking thus to Sugreeva that enhancer of his mother Sumitra's delight and the eliminator of braving foes, Lakshmana stepped off and stayed behind his brother Rama. [4-25-19]

VERSE 20

लक्ष्मणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तारः संभ्रान्त मानसः
प्रविवेश गुहाम् शीघ्रम् शिबिका आसक्त मानसः

lakṣmaṇasya vacaḥ śrutvā tāraḥ saṃbhrānta mānasaḥ
praviveśa guhām śīghram śibikā āsakta mānasaḥ

SYNONYMS

tāraḥ: Lieut. Tara | lakṣmaṇasya vacaḥ śrutvā: Lakshmana's, words, on hearing | sambhrānta mānasaḥ: hectic, in mood | śibikā āsakta mānasaḥ: litter of the dead, firmed up, in mood | śīghram guhām praviveśa = flītly, into cave: into Kishkindha, entered. |

TRANSLATION

On hearing the words of Lakshmana Lt. Tara's mood became hectic and he fleetly entered Kishkindha with his mood firmed up to get the litter of the dead. [4-25-20]

VERSE 21

आदाय शिबिकाम् तारः स तु पर्यापयत् पुनः
वानरैः उह्यमानाम् ताम् शूरैः उद्वहन उचितैः

ādāya śibikām tāraḥ sa tu paryāpayat punaḥ
vānaraiḥ uhyamānām tām śūraiḥ udvahana ucitaiḥ

SYNONYMS

saḥ tāraḥ: he, that Lt. Tara | udvahana ucitaiḥ śūraiḥ: to carry, suitable, gritty ones | vānaraiḥ: by vanara-s | uhyamānām tām śibikām: being carried, that litter | ādāya: on fetching | punaḥ: again | paryāpatat [pari ā patat = return, came, falling: rebound that quickly] = came back in a trice. |

TRANSLATION

Lt. Tara came back in a trice fetching that litter of the dead, getting it carried by gritty and suitable Vanara-s. [4-25-21]

VERSE 22

दिव्याम् भद्र आसन युताम् शिबिकाम् स्यंदन उपमम्
पक्षि कर्मभिः आचित्राम् द्रुम कर्म विभूषिताम्

divyām bhadra āsana yutām śibikām syaṃdana upamam
pakṣi karmabhiḥ ācitrām druma karma vibhūṣitām

SYNONYMS

, 23, 24, 25, 26| divyām bhadra āsana yutām: divine, majestic, throne, having | [divyām ] syandana upamam: [divine] chariot, similar to | pakśi karmabhiḥ ācitrām: birds, works [figurines,] adorned with | druma karma vi bhūṣitām: tree, figurines, well, beautified | citra pattībhiḥ acitām: striking [figures,] of foot soldiers, carved with | sam antataḥ: all, over su ni viSTaam = well, in, set, | siddhānām vimānam iva: of gifted-souls, aircraft, as with | jāla vāta āyāna āyutām: grills, air, to enter [with small ventilators,] which has. su niyuktaanaam = we, seamed in [its parts] | viśālām ca: spacious, also | su kṛtām śilpibhiḥ kṛtām: well, crafted, by craftsmen, made | dāru parvataka upetām: wooden, plat-hills, having | cāru karma pariṣkṛtām: with fine, artistry [of polishing,] finishing touches given | vara ābharaṇa hāraiḥ ca: best, ornaments, strings, also | citra mālya upaśobhitām: amazing, flowery-tassels, elaborated with | guhā gahana sam cchannām: cave [cabin,] sky [roof,] well, covered over | rakta candana bhūṣitām: red, sandalwood woodcraft, ornamented with | puṣpa oghaiḥ: with flower, lots of | sam abhi cchannām: well, over, covered | taruṇa āditya varṇābhiḥ: tender, sun, in shade | bhrājamānabhiḥ: shining forth | padma mālābhiḥ eva ca: red-lotus, garlands, even, also | āvṛtām: garlanded with | śibikām [ādāya paryāpatat]: such a palanquin, [Tara brought on his coming.] |

TRANSLATION

That palanquin is having a majestic throne and in similarity it is like a divine chariot which is adorned and beautified with figurines of birds and trees in high relief. From all over it is well set in with strikingly carved figures of foot soldiers, and it is like an aircraft of the gifted souls, namely siddha-s, with grills and ventilators. Well seamed-in are its parts and also spacious it is, and well crafted by the crafty craftsmen it has wooden play-hills carved in its walls, and finishing touches with a fine artistry of polishing are given to that palanquin. It is elaborated with best ornaments and strings of pearls, gems, beads and the like, and even with amazing flowery-tassels. Its cabin's roof is covered with an ornamental woodcraft of red-sandalwood. It is well covered over with lots of flowers, and in its shade it is like a tender sun, while garlands of red-lotuses are further brightening it. And Lt. Tara brought such a litter of the dead. [4-25-22, 23, 24, 25, 26]

PURPORT

These few verses describing the royal palanquin are not available in critical edition and even in some ancient mms. The word guhaa gahana is not 'deep cave' as in ordinary sense. It is one among the rare expressions used in Ramayana. guhaa gahana shabdena shibika upari prasaarya maaNaanaam pa~njaram ucyate... 'the roof of the cabin / cage of the palanquin...' is the meaning of the above words. Tilaka. [After Dr. Satya Vrat.].
VERSE 27

ईदृशी शिबिकाम् दृष्ट्वा रमो लक्ष्मणम् अब्रवीत्
क्षिप्रम् विनीयताम् वली प्रेत कार्यम् विधीयताम्

īdṛśī śibikām dṛṣṭvā ramo lakṣmaṇam abravīt
kṣipram vinīyatām valī preta kāryam vidhīyatām

SYNONYMS

īdṛśī śibikām dṛṣṭvā: such sort of, palanquin, on seeing | ramaḥ lakśmaṇam abravīt: Rama, to Lakshmana, said | valī kśipram vinīyatām: Vali be, quickly, taken away | preta kāryam vidhīyatām: corpse, rites [funeral ceremony,] be undertaken. |

TRANSLATION

On seeing such a sort of palanquin Rama said to Lakshmana, "Let Vali be taken away quickly and funeral ceremony be undertaken." [4-25-27]

VERSE 28

ततो वालिनम् उद्यम्य सुग्रीवः शिबिकाम् तदा
आरोपयत विक्रोशन् अंगदेन सह एव तु

tato vālinam udyamya sugrīvaḥ śibikām tadā
āropayata vikrośan aṃgadena saha eva tu

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: afterwards | angadena saha eva tu: Angada, along with [others,] thus, but | sugrīvaḥ vikrośan: Sugreeva, painfully squalling | vālinam udyamya: Vali, on lifting up | tadā: then | śibikām āropayata = into litter, set him in: lodged. |

TRANSLATION

Thereafter Sugreeva along with Angada and others lifted up and then lodged Vali in the litter of the dead squalling woefully. [4-25-28]

VERSE 29

आरोप्य शिबिकाम् चैव वालिनम् गत जीवितम्
अलंकारैः च विविधैः माल्यैः वस्त्रैः च भूषितम्

āropya śibikām caiva vālinam gata jīvitam
alaṃkāraiḥ ca vividhaiḥ mālyaiḥ vastraiḥ ca bhūṣitam

SYNONYMS

, 30| tadā: then | plavaga īśvaraḥ rājā sugrīvaḥ: fly-jumper, the best, king, Sugreeva | vividhaiḥ alankāraiḥ ca: with diverse, decorations, also | mālyaiḥ vastraiḥ ca bhūṣitam: garlands, cloths, also, one who is adorned with, Vali | gata jīvitam: lost, life | vālinam: Vali is | śibikām āropya: into litter, on getting up | ājñāpayat: [Sugreeva] ordered | āryasya: of the noble [brother of mine, Vali's] | aurdhva dehikam: upward, subtle-body-journey rites [funeral ceremony] | anu rūpataḥ = befitting his kingly status: magnificently | kriyatām: shall be undertaken. |

TRANSLATION

Thus setting that deceased Vali who is diversely decorated and adorned with garlands and cloths onto the palanquin, then Sugreeva, the king of best fly-jumpers, has ordered, "let the funeral ceremony of this noble brother of mine be undertaken, befitting to his magnificence... [4-25-29, 30]

VERSE 31

विश्राणयन्तो रत्नानि विविधानि बहूनि च
अग्रतः प्लवगा यान्तु शिबिका तद् अनंतरम्

viśrāṇayanto ratnāni vividhāni bahūni ca
agrataḥ plavagā yāntu śibikā tad anaṃtaram

SYNONYMS

plavagāḥ: fly jumpers | vividhāni bahūni ca: various, plentiful, also | ratnāni viśrāṇayantaḥ: gems, strewing [on pathway] | agrataḥ yāntu: in van, proceed | śibikā tat anantaram: palanquin, that, afterward [let go.] |

TRANSLATION

"Let the vanara-s proceed in van strewing various gems plentifully, and the palanquin afterward... [4-25-31]

VERSE 32

राज्ञाम् ऋद्धि विशेषा हि दृश्यन्ते भुवि यादृशाः
तादृशैः इह कुर्वन्तु वानरा भ्रतृउ सत् क्रियाम्

rājñām ṛddhi viśeṣā hi dṛśyante bhuvi yādṛśāḥ
tādṛśaiḥ iha kurvantu vānarā bhratṛu sat kriyām

SYNONYMS

bhuvi rājñām: on earth, for kings | yādṛśāḥ: which kind of | ṛddhi viśeṣā dṛśyante: opulence, elements of [grandiose,] are conspicuous | tādṛśaiḥ: that kind of | vānarāḥ: vanara-s | bhratṛu: to lord | sat kriyām = gūd, action: honour, immortalisation | iha kurvantu: now, to be performed. |

TRANSLATION

"In which way the grandiose of monarchical opulence will be conspicuous on earth when kings decease, in a similar way the Vanara-s have to immortalise lord Vali now," Sugreeva ordered monkeys in that way. [4-25-32]

VERSE 33

तादृशम् वालिनः क्षिप्रम् प्राकुर्वन् और्ध्वदैहिकम्
अंगदम् परिरभ्य आशु तार प्रभृतयः तथा

tādṛśam vālinaḥ kṣipram prākurvan aurdhvadaihikam
aṃgadam parirabhya āśu tāra prabhṛtayaḥ tathā

SYNONYMS

, 34a| vālinaḥ tādṛśam: to Vali, that kind of | aurdhva daihikam = funeral, rites: service to the dead | kśipram prā kurvan: immediately, on doing | tathā: then | hata bāndhavāḥ: is dead, those whose relative is | tāra prabhṛtayaḥ: monkey chief Tara, and others | sarve vānarāḥ: all, vanara-s | angadam parirabhya: Angada, hemming round | krośantaḥ: while weeping | āśu prayayuḥ: promptly, started out. |

TRANSLATION

On performing services to the dead in the same way as ordered by Sugreeva, then all of those vanara-s like Lt. Tara and others, have promptly started out hemming round Angada, keening over their dead relative Vali. [4-25-33, 34a]

VERSE 34

ततः प्रणिहिताः सर्वा वानर्यो अस्य वशानुगाः

tataḥ praṇihitāḥ sarvā vānaryo asya vaśānugāḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 35a| tataḥ: then | asya vaśa anu gāḥ = his [Vali's,] under control, in tov, going: adherents | sarvā vānaryāḥ praṇihitāḥ: all vanara females, coming together | vīra vīra iti: oh, brave one, oh, brave one, thus as | cukruśuḥ: wept | tāḥ priyam bhūyaḥ krośantī: they, for their beloved, repeatedly, wept. |

TRANSLATION

Then all the female adherents of Vali came together and wept saying, 'oh, brave one, oh, brave one...' and they repeatedly wept thus for their departed dear. [4-25-34b, 35a]

VERSE 35

तारा प्रभृतयः सर्वा वानर्यो हत बान्धव

tārā prabhṛtayaḥ sarvā vānaryo hata bāndhava

SYNONYMS

b, 36a| hata bāndhava = those that have a killed, relative: husband | tārā prabhṛtayaḥ: lady Tara, and others | sarvā: all | vānaryāḥ: female vanara-s | karuṇa svanāḥ krośantyaḥ: in pathetic, tone, wailing | bhartāram anujagmuḥ ca: their husband, followed, also. |

TRANSLATION

Lady Tara and all other female Vanara-s, whose husband is dead, followed the funeral procession wailing in a pathetic tone. [4-25-35b, 36a]

VERSE 36

तासाम् रुदित शब्देन वानरीणाम् वन अंतरे

tāsām rudita śabdena vānarīṇām vana aṃtare

SYNONYMS

b, 37a| vana antare: forest, in the interior of | tāsām vānarīṇām rudita śabdena: their, of female vanara-s, wailing, by the din of | sarvataḥ vanāni: everywhere, forests | girayaḥ caiva: hillocks, also thus | vikrośanti iva = is muc: noisily wailing, as though [it appeared.] |

TRANSLATION

With the din of wailing of those Vanara females in the interiors of the forest, that forest along with its hillocks appeared to be wailing noisily. [4-25-36b, 37a]

VERSE 37

पुलिने गिरि नद्याः तु विविक्ते जल संवृते

puline giri nadyāḥ tu vivikte jala saṃvṛte

SYNONYMS

b, 38a| vana cāriṇaḥ: forest, movers in | su bahavaḥvānarāḥ: very, many, vanara-s | giri nadyāḥ tu: from hill, cascading river's, but | jala samvṛte: water, encircled | vi vikte: un, populated | puline: on isle of sand | citām cakruḥ: funeral pile, arranged. |

TRANSLATION

Many Vanara-s have arranged a funeral pile on an unpopulated sandy isle, around which brooks from the cascades of hills are encircling. [4-25-37b, 38a]

VERSE 38

अवरोप्य ततः स्कंधात् शिबिकाम् वानरोत्तमाः

avaropya tataḥ skaṃdhāt śibikām vānarottamāḥ

SYNONYMS

b, 39a| tataḥ: then | sarve vānara uttamāḥ: all, vanara-s, the best | skandhāt śibikām avaropya: from shoulders, palanquin, on lifting down | śoka parāyaṇāḥ: in melancholy, weltered in | ekāntam āśritya tasthuḥ: lonely [aside,] stood aside. |

TRANSLATION

All of those best vanara-s then lifted down that palanquin from their shoulders and stood aside weltered in melancholy. [4-25-38b, 39a]

VERSE 39

ततः तारा पतिम् दृष्ट्वा शिबिका तल शायिनम्

tataḥ tārā patim dṛṣṭvā śibikā tala śāyinam

SYNONYMS

b, 40a| tataḥ tārā: then, Tara | śibikā tala śāyinam: litter's, on plane [on bier,] recumbent | patim dṛṣṭvā: at husband, on seeing | su duḥkhitā: much, anguishing | tasya śiraḥ anke āropya: his, head, in lap, on bringing up | vi lalāpa: verily, wailed. |

TRANSLATION

Lady Tara on seeing at her husband Vali recumbent on the bier of the litter of the dead, she then brought his head onto her lap, and wailed painfully. [4-25-39b, 40a]

VERSE 40

हा वानर महाराज हा नाथ माम् वत्सल

hā vānara mahārāja hā nātha mām vatsala

SYNONYMS

b, 41| hā vānara mahārāja: ha, monkey's, great king | hā mām nātha: ha, my, husband | hā mahā arhaḥ = ha, highly deserving: meritorious king | mahā bāhuḥ = greatly, skilful: mighty one | hā mama priya: ha, my, dear | mām paśya: me, you see | tvam: you | śoka abhi pīḍitam: by grief, much, harassed ones | imam janam: at this, creature [that is me] | kasmāt na paśyasi: why for, not, you see. |

TRANSLATION

"O, great king of monkeys... o, my consort... my dear... o, meritorious one, o, mighty one, o, my dear... see me... why do not you see this grief-stricken creature, that is me... [4-25-40b, 41]

VERSE 42

प्रहृष्टम् इह ते वक्त्रम् गत असोः अपि मानद
अस्त अर्क सम वर्णम् च दृश्यते जीवतो यथा

prahṛṣṭam iha te vaktram gata asoḥ api mānada
asta arka sama varṇam ca dṛśyate jīvato yathā

SYNONYMS

mānada: oh, dignity-awarder | gata asoḥ api: gone, lives, even if | te: your | asta arka sama varṇam ca: at dusking mountain, sun, similar, shade [dazzle of sun] | vaktram: face | jīvataḥ yathā: [face of] one who is living, as with | iha pra hṛṣṭam dṛśyate: now, highly, enchanting, is appearing. |

TRANSLATION

"Though your lives have gone your face is appearing to be highly enchanting as if it has a similar dazzle of the sun on dusking mountain, as it had when you were alive. [4-25-42]

VERSE 43

एष त्वाम् राम रूपेण कालः कर्षति वानर
येन स्म विधवाः सर्वाः कृता एक इषुणा रणे

eṣa tvām rāma rūpeṇa kālaḥ karṣati vānara
yena sma vidhavāḥ sarvāḥ kṛtā eka iṣuṇā raṇe

SYNONYMS

vānara: oh, vanara | kālaḥ: Time-god | eṣaḥ rāma rūpeṇa: this, in Rama's, mien | tvām karṣati: you, he is dragging away | yena: by which Rama's | raṇe eka iṣuṇā: in fight, with one, arrow | sarvāḥ vidhavāḥ kṛtā sma: all are, as widows, rendered, we are. |

TRANSLATION

"Time-god in the mien of this Rama is hauling you away, oh, vanara, on rendering all of us as widows by flinging a single arrow in the fight. [4-25-43]

VERSE 44

इमाः ताः तव राजेन्द्र वानर्यो अप्लवगाः तव
पादैः विकृष्टम् अध्वानम् आगताः किम् न बुध्यसे

imāḥ tāḥ tava rājendra vānaryo aplavagāḥ tava
pādaiḥ vikṛṣṭam adhvānam āgatāḥ kim na budhyase

SYNONYMS

, 45a| rājendra: oh, best king | tava: your | tāḥ: those | imāḥ: these | vānaryāḥ: female-vanara-s | a plavagāḥ: not, by leaping and jumping | pādaiḥ: by feet | vikṛṣṭam = muc dragged: lengthy | adhvānam āgatāḥ: on pathway, they came | kim na budhyase: why, not, mind them | candra nibha ānanāḥ bhāryāḥ: moon, shine, faced, wives | tava iṣṭā nanu: to you, dearest ones, isn't it. |

TRANSLATION

"These are those female vanara-s of yours, oh, best king, unable to come by leaping and jumping as they are wont to, they have come treading a much lengthy way of yours, why do not you mind them? They with their faces like moonshine are your cherished wives, isn't it! [4-25-44]

VERSE 45

इदानीम् न ईक्षसे कस्मात् सुग्रीवम् प्लवग ईश्वरम्

idānīm na īkṣase kasmāt sugrīvam plavaga īśvaram

SYNONYMS

b, 46| idānīm: now | plavaga īśvaram sugrīvam: fly-jumper, lord of, at Sugreeva | kasmāt na īkṣase: what for, not, you are seeing | rājan: oh, king | tāra prabhṛtayaḥ: Lt. Tara, and others | ete tava sacivā: these all, your, ministers [are lamenting] | ayam pura vāsi janaḥ ca: this, city, dwelling, people, also | parivārya vi ṣīdati: gathering round, very much, sinking down | [kim na budhyase: why, not, mind them.] |

TRANSLATION

"What for you are not seeing the lord of fly-jumpers Sugreeva, and these Lt. Tara and others are all your ministers, oh, king, and even the people dwelling in Kishkindha city have gathered around you and sinking down, why do not you mind them? [4-25-45b, 46]

VERSE 47

विसर्जय एनान् सचिवान् यथा उचितम् अरिन्दम
ततः क्रीडामहे सर्वा वनेषु मदनोत्कटाः

visarjaya enān sacivān yathā ucitam arindama
tataḥ krīḍāmahe sarvā vaneṣu madanotkaṭāḥ

SYNONYMS

arindama: enemy, subjugator of | enān: them | sacivān: ministers | yathā ucitam = as, apropos: as usual | [in other mms: yathaa puram = as earlier - where puram is a rare word] | visarjaya = leave off: bid adieu | tataḥ: then | madana utkaṭāḥ: Love-god, with ecstasy of [voluptuously] | sarvā: we all | vaneṣu krīḍāmahe: in woods, we sport with [you.] |

TRANSLATION

"Bid adieu to these ministers as usual, oh, enemy subjugator, then we all can sportfully wander in the woods in voluptuousness." Thus Tara mourned for Vali. [4-25-47]

VERSE 48

एवम् विलपतीम् ताराम् पति शोक परीवृताम्
उत्थापयन्ति स्म तदा वानर्यः शोक कर्शिताः

evam vilapatīm tārām pati śoka parīvṛtām
utthāpayanti sma tadā vānaryaḥ śoka karśitāḥ

SYNONYMS

evam vilapatīm: that way, who is wailing | pati śoka parīvṛtām: for husband, by grief, enwrapped | tārām tadā: Tara is, then | śoka karśitāḥ vānaryaḥ: by grief, haggard, vanara females | utthāpayanti sma: started to lift up, they have [taken her away.] |

TRANSLATION

While Tara is enwrapped in the grief for her husband and wailing that way, then other female Vanara-s, who are equally haggard by grief have lifted her up and took her away from the body of Vali. [4-25-48]

VERSE 49

सुग्रीवेण ततः सार्धम् अंगदः पितरम् रुदन्
चिताम् आरोपयामास शोकेन अभिप्लुत इन्द्रियः

sugrīveṇa tataḥ sārdham aṃgadaḥ pitaram rudan
citām āropayāmāsa śokena abhipluta indriyaḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | saḥ angadaḥ: that, Angada, along with | sugrīveṇa sārdham: with Sugreeva, along with | rudan: while weeping | śokena abhi pluta indriyaḥ: by grief, fully, deluged, senses | pitaram citām āropayāmāsa: father, onto pyre, started to mount. |

TRANSLATION

Angada wailing along with Sugreeva, started to mount his father's body onto pyre in an involuntary way, as his senses are deluged under grief. [4-25-49]

VERSE 50

ततो अग्निम् विधिवत् दत्त्वा सो अपसव्यम् चकार ह
पितरम् दीर्घम् अध्वानम् प्रस्थितम् व्याकुल इन्द्रियः

tato agnim vidhivat dattvā so apasavyam cakāra ha
pitaram dīrgham adhvānam prasthitam vyākula indriyaḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | saḥ: he, Angada | vyākula indriyaḥ: with dismayed, senses | vidhivat agnim dattvā: procedurally, fire, on giving | dīrgham adhvānam prasthitam: on a remote, avenue, voyaging | pitaram: to father | apa savyam: anti, circumambulations, [moving around in anticlockwise direction] | cakāra ha: made, indeed. |

TRANSLATION

On giving fire to the pyre procedurally, then Angada with dismayed senses performed circumambulations in an anticlockwise direction to his father, who is voyaging on a remote avenue. [4-25-50]

PURPORT

The word apa savya means another way, 'to keep the sacred thread on the right shoulder...' which will be observed only in funeral ceremonies. Usually this sacred thread of Hindus is sling on the left shoulder, which is called savyam . In funeral rites it is occasionally changed onto right shoulder. In temples when circumambulations are performed, the devotee faces the idol, keeping his right to left of the idol and moves on his left, around sanctum sanctorum. This is called savya pradakshiNa and in funerals it is other way round, called apa savya pradakshiNa .
VERSE 51

संस्कृत्य वालिनम् तम् तु विधिवत् प्लवगर्षभाः
आजग्मुः उदकम् कर्तुम् नदीम् शुभ जलाम् शिवाम्

saṃskṛtya vālinam tam tu vidhivat plavagarṣabhāḥ
ājagmuḥ udakam kartum nadīm śubha jalām śivām

SYNONYMS

plavagarṣabhāḥ: fly-jumpers, the best | tam vālinam: to him to Vali | vidhivat samskṛtya: procedurally, on cremating | udakam kartum = vater, to make: to offer water oblations | śubha jalām: one with auspicious, waters | śivām: propitious | nadīm: to river | ājagmuḥ: arrived. |

TRANSLATION

On cremating Vali procedurally those best fly-jumpers arrived at the propitious river with auspicious waters to offer water oblations to the departed soul. [4-25-51]

VERSE 52

ततः ते सहिताः तत्र हि सः अंगदम् स्थाप्य च अग्रतः
सुग्रीव तारा सहिताः सिषिचुः वानरा जलम्

tataḥ te sahitāḥ tatra hi saḥ aṃgadam sthāpya ca agrataḥ
sugrīva tārā sahitāḥ siṣicuḥ vānarā jalam

SYNONYMS

tataḥ: then | sugrīva tārā sahitāḥ: Sugreeva, Lady Tara, along with | te vānarāḥ: those, vanara-s | tatra sahitāḥ: there, gathering together | angadam agrataḥ sthāpya ca: Angada, in front, locating, also | jalam siṣicuḥ = vater, drenced: offered waters. |

TRANSLATION

Those vanara-s on coming together along with Sugreeva and Lady Tara, and then locating Angada in their front, they have offered water oblations to the soul of Vali. [4-25-52]

VERSE 53

सुग्रीवेण एव दीनेन दीनो भूत्वा महाबलः
समान शोकः काकुत्स्थः प्रेत कार्याणि अकारयत्

sugrīveṇa eva dīnena dīno bhūtvā mahābalaḥ
samāna śokaḥ kākutsthaḥ preta kāryāṇi akārayat

SYNONYMS

mahābalaḥ kākutsthaḥ: great mighty, Rama | dīnena sugrīveṇa eva: with hapless one, with Sugreeva, thus | samāna śokaḥ = even up, in sadness: on becoming | dīnaḥ bhūtvā: hapless, on becoming | preta kāryāṇi akārayat: funeral, rites, effectuated. |

TRANSLATION

He whose sadness evened up with that of Sugreeva, and who became one with Sugreeva in haplessness, that great mighty Rama effectuated the funeral rites of Vali. [4-25-53]

VERSE 54

इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये किष्किन्ध काण्डे पंच विंशः सर्गः

iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye kiṣkindha kāṇḍe paṃca viṃśaḥ sargaḥ

SYNONYMS

tataḥ tu: then, but | agrya pauruṣam: one with lofty, aplomb | prakāśam: of manifest-renown | ikśvāku vara iṣuṇā hatam: Ikshvaku-s, best one from, by arrow, eliminated | agni sama ojasam: fire, equalling, by his flare | tam vālinam: him that Vali is | pra dīpya: well, inflaming [cremating Vali on pyre] | tadā: then | sa lakśmaṇam: with, Lakshmana | dīpta: flaming | [ellipt: agni sama ojasam: = fire, equalling, by his flare | ] rāmam hariḥ upeyavān: to Rama, monkey [Sugreeva] |

TRANSLATION

On cremating Vali of lofty aplomb and manifest-renown and whom the arrow of that Rama, the best of Ikshvaku dynasty has eliminated, Sugreeva then approached that Rama, who is with Lakshmana at his side, and whose flair equals a flaming fire. [4-25-54]

PURPORT

In fact Sugreeva is fully wet with river waters and effusing is water from his clothing and body, yet he is compared with flaming blaze, only to say that Sugreeva has washed off the sin called Vali and bathed in the pious waters called Rama's mercy, thus his resplendence is pure and fire-like. Govindaraja. By these observances of funeral rites, water oblations etc., the Vanara- may not be regarded as monkeys or as other mammals, but this race is to be regarded a divine race adherent to Vedic practises. They took birth at the hest of Brahma.