Chapter 27
Kishkindha Kanda - The Empire of Holy Monkeys
अभिषिक्ते तु सुग्रीवे प्रविष्टे वानरे गुहाम्
आजगाम सह भ्रात्रा रामः प्रस्रवणम् गिरिम्
abhiṣikte tu sugrīve praviṣṭe vānare guhām
ājagāma saha bhrātrā rāmaḥ prasravaṇam girim
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama along with his brother Lakshmana reached Mt. Prasavana while the enthroned Sugreeva entered the cave-city Kishkindha. [4-27-1]
शार्दूल मृग संघुष्टम् सिंहैः भीम रवैः वृतम्
नाना गुल्म लता गूढम् बहु पादप संकुलम्
śārdūla mṛga saṃghuṣṭam siṃhaiḥ bhīma ravaiḥ vṛtam
nānā gulma latā gūḍham bahu pādapa saṃkulam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Mt. Prasavana is pervaded with noisily growling tigers and beasts, mightily roaring lions, compacted with diverse shrubs and creeper-plants, overspread with many a kind of tree, thus it is adored by bears, monkeys, baboons, and even by wildcats, and that mountain which is always sanctifying and tranquil is like a heap of clouds in its shine. [4-27-2, 3]
PURPORT
तस्य शैलस्य शिखरे महतीम् आयताम् गुहाम्
प्रत्यगृह्णीत वासार्थम् रामः सौमित्रिणा सह
tasya śailasya śikhare mahatīm āyatām guhām
pratyagṛhṇīta vāsārtham rāmaḥ saumitriṇā saha
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama along with Lakshmana has taken up an ample spaced cave as residence on the cliff of that mountain. [4-27-4]
कृत्वा च समयम् रामः सुग्रीवेण सह अनघ
काल युक्तम् महद् वाक्यम् उवाच रघुनन्दन
kṛtvā ca samayam rāmaḥ sugrīveṇa saha anagha
kāla yuktam mahad vākyam uvāca raghunandana
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Rama, the faultless one and the elder brother of Lakshmana, who is the delight of Raghu's dynasty, and who made an accord with Sugreeva regarding cessation of activity during rainy season, spoke these significant and timely words to his humble brother Lakshmana who is the enhancer of prosperity. [4-27-5, 6a]
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This delightful mountain cave is spacious and breezy, hence, oh, enemy destroyer Soumitri, let us stay in this during rainy nights. [4-27-6]
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This admirable peak of mountain is embellished with white, black and coppery rock faces, oh, prince, thus this is fully overspread with diverse ores. Bristling with rivers and frogs, and brimmed with clumps of various trees along with beautiful and amazing creeper-plants it is elaborated. It is highly reverberated with diverse birds and filled with the screeches of best peacocks. And bloomed Maalati and Jasmine bushes, also trees like Sindhuvara, Shirrishika, further the trees like Kadamba, Arjuna, and Sarja in bloom, are brightening it and it is delightful. [4-27-7b, 8, 9, 10]
PURPORT
इयम् च नलिनि रम्या फुल्ल पंकज मण्डितैः
न अति दूरे गुहाया नौ भविष्यति नृपात्मज
iyam ca nalini ramyā phulla paṃkaja maṇḍitaiḥ
na ati dūre guhāyā nau bhaviṣyati nṛpātmaja
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This pleasant lake of lotuses enwreathed with its blossomy lotuses, oh, prince, is available not far away from our cave. [4-27-11]
प्राग् उदक् प्रवणे देशे गुहा साधु भविष्यति
पश्चात् च एव उन्नता सौम्य निवाते अयम् भविष्यति
prāg udak pravaṇe deśe guhā sādhu bhaviṣyati
paścāt ca eva unnatā saumya nivāte ayam bhaviṣyati
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This cave with its north-easterly slope will be homely for us since the inrush of rainwater will be less, oh, gentle one, also thus with its upraised westerly portion this cave will be less of gusts that come from east. [4-27-12]
गुहा द्वारे च सौमित्रे शिला सम तला शिवा
कृष्णा च एव आयता चैव भिन्न अंजन चय उपममा
guhā dvāre ca saumitre śilā sama talā śivā
kṛṣṇā ca eva āyatā caiva bhinna aṃjana caya upamamā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The black stone available at the doorway of the cave that looks like a spattered mound of mascara is broad, even-surfaced, and will be pleasant for a repose. [4-27-13]
गिरि शृंगम् इदम् तात पश्य च उत्तरतः सुभम्
भिन्न अंजन चय आकारम् अंभोधरम् इव उदितम्
giri śṛṃgam idam tāta paśya ca uttarataḥ subham
bhinna aṃjana caya ākāram aṃbhodharam iva uditam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"See this mountain peak that looks like a scattered mound of mascara, dear boy, which rose up like a black-cloud on the sky, and it is an auspicious one for it is in northern side. [4-27-14]
दक्षिणस्याम् अपि दिश स्थितम् श्वेतम् इव अंबरम्
कैलास शिखर प्रख्यम् नाना धातु विराजितम्
dakṣiṇasyām api diśa sthitam śvetam iva aṃbaram
kailāsa śikhara prakhyam nānā dhātu virājitam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Even see this mountain available in the southerly direction as if a white cloth is spread on sky, which is vying with Mt. Kailash and abounding with many an ore. [4-27-15]
प्राचीन वाहिनीम् चैव नदीम् भृशम् अकर्दमम्
गुहायाः परतः पश्य त्रिकूटे जह्नवीम् इव
prācīna vāhinīm caiva nadīm bhṛśam akardamam
guhāyāḥ parataḥ paśya trikūṭe jahnavīm iva
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Also see this river unusually sludge-less, flowing from the wide of the cave and streaming eastward, spruced up with trees like Sandalwood, Tilaka, Saala, Tamaala, Atimukta, Padmaka, Sarala, and even with Ashoka trees, and it looks as if River Ganga is flowing in Trikuta. [4-27-16, 17]
PURPORT
वानीरैः तिमिदैः चैव वकुलैः केतकैः अपि
हिन्तालैः तिनिशैः नीपैः वेतसैः कृतमालकैः
vānīraiḥ timidaiḥ caiva vakulaiḥ ketakaiḥ api
hintālaiḥ tiniśaiḥ nīpaiḥ vetasaiḥ kṛtamālakaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"With the trees born on the riverbank and available here and there in various shapes, like Vaaniira, Timida, Vakula, Ketaka, and with Hintaala, Tinisha, Niipa, Vetasa, Kritamaala trees, that river is brightened up, and thus that river appears as a dame finely bedecked with raiment and ornaments. [4-27-18, 19]
शतशः पक्षि सन्घैः च नाना नाद विनादिता
एकैकम् अनुरक्तैः च चक्रवाकैः अलंकृता
śataśaḥ pakṣi sanghaiḥ ca nānā nāda vināditā
ekaikam anuraktaiḥ ca cakravākaiḥ alaṃkṛtā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"This river is fairly resonated with the calls of diverse birds in hundreds of flights, beautified with ruddy gees that are doting one upon the other, and admired by the swans and cranes upon her highly appealing sand-isles, thus she appears to be a damsel decorated with jewels with a toothy grin. [4-27-20, 21]
PURPORT
क्वचित् नीलोत्पलैः च्छन्न भाति रक्तोत्पलैः क्वचित्
क्वचित् भाति शुक्लैः च दिव्यैः कुमुद कुड्मलैः
kvacit nīlotpalaiḥ cchanna bhāti raktotpalaiḥ kvacit
kvacit bhāti śuklaiḥ ca divyaiḥ kumuda kuḍmalaiḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Somewhere overspread with blue water-lilies, elsewhere with red water-lilies she is shining forth, and she is also shimmering with the beautiful buds of white water-lilies, somewhere else. [4-27-22]
पारिप्लव शतैः जुष्टा बर्हि क्रौन्च विनादिता
रमणिया नदी सौम्य मुनि संघ निषेविता
pāriplava śataiḥ juṣṭā barhi kraunca vināditā
ramaṇiyā nadī saumya muni saṃgha niṣevitā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"With hundreds of waterfowls cherishing it, screeches of peacocks and cackles of curlews reverberating around, assemblages of sages bustling about, this gracious river is heart-pleasing. [4-27-23]
पश्य चंदन वृक्षाणाम् पंक्ती सुरुचिरा इव
ककुभानम् च दृश्यन्ते मनसा इव उदिताः समम्
paśya caṃdana vṛkṣāṇām paṃktī surucirā iva
kakubhānam ca dṛśyante manasā iva uditāḥ samam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"As if seeded by the wish of some divine creativity the rows of sandalwood trees that are virtually captivating have sprang forth uniformly, so also, the rows of Arjuna trees too appear in a similar pattern. [4-27-24]
अहो सुरमणीयो अयम् देशः शत्रु निषूदन
दृढम् रंस्याव सौमित्रे साधु अत्र निवसावहे
aho suramaṇīyo ayam deśaḥ śatru niṣūdana
dṛḍham raṃsyāva saumitre sādhu atra nivasāvahe
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Aha! Soumitri, very exhilarating is this locale and we can happily reside here, oh, enemy-eliminator, we can certainly take delight in this environ. [4-27-25]
इतः च न अति दूरे सा किष्किंधा चित्र कानना
सुग्रीवस्य पुरी रम्या भविष्यति नृपात्मज
itaḥ ca na ati dūre sā kiṣkiṃdhā citra kānanā
sugrīvasya purī ramyā bhaviṣyati nṛpātmaja
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Further, oh, prince, hedged in charming groves that exquisite Kishkindha, the city of Sugreeva, will not be very far off from here. [4-27-26]
गीत वादित्र निर्घोषः श्रूयते जयताम् वर
नदताम् वानराणाम् च मृदंग आडंबरैः सह
gīta vāditra nirghoṣaḥ śrūyate jayatām vara
nadatām vānarāṇām ca mṛdaṃga āḍaṃbaraiḥ saha
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"The melodies of singing and the tunes of musical instruments played and sung in Kishkindha are heard from here, oh, the best-triumphant Lakshmana, and even the blares of vanara-s together with their snobbish drumming is heard, hence it is not far away. [4-27-27]
लब्ध्वा भार्याम् कपिवरः प्राप्य राज्यम् सुहृत् वृतः
ध्रुवम् नंदति सुग्रीवः संप्राप्य महतीम् श्रियम्
labdhvā bhāryām kapivaraḥ prāpya rājyam suhṛt vṛtaḥ
dhruvam naṃdati sugrīvaḥ saṃprāpya mahatīm śriyam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"It is definite that the best monkey Sugreeva must be surrounded by his friends, thus he must be exuberant, as he won an utmost prosperity in winning back his wife and winning the kingdom." Rama thus spoke to Lakshmana. [4-27-28]
इति उक्त्वा न्यवसत् तत्र राघवः सह लक्ष्मणः
बहु दृश्य दरी कुंजे तस्मिन् प्रस्रवणे गिरौ
iti uktvā nyavasat tatra rāghavaḥ saha lakṣmaṇaḥ
bahu dṛśya darī kuṃje tasmin prasravaṇe girau
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Raghava having said thus resided on that Mt. Prasavana along with Lakshmana, whereat many sightly caves and arbours are there. [4-27-29]
सुसुखे हि बहु द्रव्ये तस्मिन् हि धरणी धरे
वसतः तस्य रामस्य रतिः अल्पा अपि न अभवत्
susukhe hi bahu dravye tasmin hi dharaṇī dhare
vasataḥ tasya rāmasya ratiḥ alpā api na abhavat
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Though that mountain is indeed very comfortable, though it possess many objects of nature like flowers, fruits and waters, indeed, there is no slightest bliss to Rama while he resided there. [4-27-30]
हृताम् हि भार्याम् स्मरतः प्राणेभ्यो अपि गरीयसीम्
उदय अभ्युदितम् दृष्ट्वा शशांकम् च विशेषतः
hṛtām hi bhāryām smarataḥ prāṇebhyo api garīyasīm
udaya abhyuditam dṛṣṭvā śaśāṃkam ca viśeṣataḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
He felt despondent in reminiscing about his wife who is loftier that his lives, but who is kidnapped, especially on seeing the moon just risen on the eastern mountain. [4-27-31]
आविवेश न तम् निद्रा निशासु शयनम् गतम्
तत् समुत्थेन शोकेन बाष्प उपहत चेतसम्
āviveśa na tam nidrā niśāsu śayanam gatam
tat samutthena śokena bāṣpa upahata cetasam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
That anguish which is surging high in him has rendered him with a bosom marred with tears, thereby sleep has no effect on him even if he has gone to bed in nights. [4-27-32]
तम् शोचमानम् काकुत्स्थम् नित्यम् शोक परायणम्
तुल्य दुःखो अब्रवीद् भ्राता लक्ष्मणो अनुनयम् वचः
tam śocamānam kākutstham nityam śoka parāyaṇam
tulya duḥkho abravīd bhrātā lakṣmaṇo anunayam vacaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
While pacifying Rama who is pensive and who is always subjected to grief, his brother Lakshmana who is similarly sad for his brother's sadness spoke these words. [4-27-33]
अलम् वीर व्यथाम् गत्वा न त्वम् शोचितुम् अर्हसि
शोचतो हि अवसीदन्ति सर्व अर्था विदितम् हि ते
alam vīra vyathām gatvā na tvam śocitum arhasi
śocato hi avasīdanti sarva arthā viditam hi te
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, brave one, enough is this anguishing of yours, and it will be inapt of you to dishearten. All objectives will backslide for them who will be ceaselessly anguishing. That you know clearly. [4-27-34]
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, Raghava, in the world you are a result-oriented person, and a devotee of gods for achieving those desired results, you are the theist, moralist, and also the mobilizer. "You are the only master in all the worlds to undertake certain tasks, and for achieving results of those humanly actions of yours you worship god, leaving the fruits of your action in god... you will do your duty as ordained... you are a theist, for you alone are tat 'that' 'Supreme Person...' thus you cannot self-contradict yourself to behave only in a humanly attitude... and then you are bound to be a moralist for you have all the preceding attributes... you alone are the mobilizer, for none other can accomplish certain tasks for which you are mobilised by all the divinities and you have also come this far... [4-27-35]
न हि अव्यवसितः शत्रुम् राक्षसम् तम् विशेषतः
समर्थः त्वम् रणे हन्तुम् विक्रमैः जिह्म कारिणम्
na hi avyavasitaḥ śatrum rākṣasam tam viśeṣataḥ
samarthaḥ tvam raṇe hantum vikramaiḥ jihma kāriṇam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"If you are much too lackadaisical, indeed, you will not be capable to eliminate the enemy in war, specially a demon, especially a trickster, let alone all of your daring enterprises. [4-27-36]
समुन्मूलय शोकम् त्वम् व्यवसायम् स्थिरी कुरु
ततः सपरिवारम् तम् राक्षसम् हन्तुम् अर्हसि
samunmūlaya śokam tvam vyavasāyam sthirī kuru
tataḥ saparivāram tam rākṣasam hantum arhasi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"On completely rooting out that agony then you stabilise your endeavour, and then you will be able to eliminate that demon Ravana along with his followers. [4-27-37]
पृथिवीम् अपि काकुत्स्थ ससागर वन अचलाम्
परिवर्तयितुम् शक्तः किम् पुनः तम् हि रावणम्
pṛthivīm api kākutstha sasāgara vana acalām
parivartayitum śaktaḥ kim punaḥ tam hi rāvaṇam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, Kakutstha, you are capable to inverse the order of earth along with all of its oceans, forests, and mountains, then what to speak of that Ravana, all the more. [4-27-38]
शरत् कालम् प्रतीक्षस्व प्रावृट् कालो अयम् आगतः
ततः स राष्ट्रम् स गणाम् रावणम् तम् वधिष्यसि
śarat kālam pratīkṣasva prāvṛṭ kālo ayam āgataḥ
tataḥ sa rāṣṭram sa gaṇām rāvaṇam tam vadhiṣyasi
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Look forward to the autumnal season, as this season that has come is of heavy rains, and thereafter, you will eradicate that Ravana along with his city-state and his followers. [4-27-39]
अहम् तु खलु ते वीर्यम् प्रसुप्तम् प्रतिबोधये
दीप्तैः आहुतिभिः काले भस्म चन्नम् इव अनलम्
aham tu khalu te vīryam prasuptam pratibodhaye
dīptaiḥ āhutibhiḥ kāle bhasma cannam iva analam
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"I am just awakening the fast sleeping vitality of yours, no more than rekindling fire concealed under embers with the timely offerings of flammable fire-oblations." Thus said Lakshmana to Rama. [4-27-40]
लक्ष्मणस्य हि तद् वाक्यम् प्रतिपूज्य हितम् शुभम्
राघवः सुहृदम् स्निग्धम् इदम् वचनम् अब्रवीत्
lakṣmaṇasya hi tad vākyam pratipūjya hitam śubham
rāghavaḥ suhṛdam snigdham idam vacanam abravīt
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Honouring that expedient and propitious advise of Lakshmana, Raghava spoke this sentence to that good-hearted and good-natured Lakshmana. [4-27-41]
वाच्यम् यद् अनुरक्तेन स्निग्धेन च हितेन च
सत्य विक्रम युक्तेन तद् उक्तम् लक्ष्मण त्वया
vācyam yad anuraktena snigdhena ca hitena ca
satya vikrama yuktena tad uktam lakṣmaṇa tvayā
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"What is to be said by an affectionate, amiable and cordial person, also whose courage is truth itself, that you have said it, Lakshmana. [4-27-42]
एष शोकः परित्यक्तः सर्व कार्य अवसादकः
विक्रमेषु अप्रतिहतम् तेजः प्रोत्साहयामि अहम्
eṣa śokaḥ parityaktaḥ sarva kārya avasādakaḥ
vikrameṣu apratihatam tejaḥ protsāhayāmi aham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Yes! Distress is retrogressive to all the functions. I am casting-off this distress completely. As an undefeatable one in my triumphs I am invigorating my ebullience. [4-27-43]
शरत् कालम् प्रतीक्षिष्ये स्थितो अस्मि वचने तव
सुग्रीवस्य नदीनाम् च प्रसादम् अनुपालयन्
śarat kālam pratīkṣiṣye sthito asmi vacane tava
sugrīvasya nadīnām ca prasādam anupālayan
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Awaiting for the kind-heartedness of Sugreeva, and for the kindness of the rivers in their abatement, I look forward for the autumn remaining true to your words. [4-27-44]
उपकारेण विरः तु प्रतिकारेण युज्यते
अकृतज्ञो अप्रतिकृतो हन्ति सत्ववताम् मनः
upakāreṇa viraḥ tu pratikāreṇa yujyate
akṛtajño apratikṛto hanti satvavatām manaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"A valiant one who is succoured will be indebted with some requital on his part, but besides being unfaithful, if one who does not make requital for all the favours done in his interest, he will be wounding the hearts of soft-hearted people." Rama said so to Lakshmana, keeping Sugreeva in view. [4-27-45]
तत् एव युक्तम् प्रणिधाय लक्ष्मणः
कृत अंजलि तत् प्रतिपूजय भाषितम्
उवाच रामम् स्वभिराम दर्शनम्
प्रदर्शयन् दर्शनम् आत्मनः शुभम्
tat eva yuktam praṇidhāya lakṣmaṇaḥ
kṛta aṃjali tat pratipūjaya bhāṣitam
uvāca rāmam svabhirāma darśanam
pradarśayan darśanam ātmanaḥ śubham
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
Visualising what Rama said about their waiting for pre-winter season to be candid, and praisefully making palm-fold at that determination of Rama, and even to clarify his own opportune viewpoint, Lakshmana spoke to Rama who by his own aspect is a delightful one for a ken. [4-27-46]
यथोक्तम् एतत् तव सर्वम् ईप्सितम्
नरेन्द्र कर्ता न चिरात् तु वानर
शरत् प्रतीक्षः क्षमताम् इमम् भवान्
जल प्रपातम् रिपु निग्रहे धृतः
yathoktam etat tava sarvam īpsitam
narendra kartā na cirāt tu vānara
śarat pratīkṣaḥ kṣamatām imam bhavān
jala prapātam ripu nigrahe dhṛtaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Oh, lord of people, Sugreeva will be effectuating everything you have desired and said, not later but soon, hence awaiting autumn you may please bear up these heavy rainfalls, besides bearing with the idea of disciplining the enemy. [4-27-47]
इति वाल्मीकि रामायणे आदि काव्ये किष्किन्ध काण्डे सप्त विंशः सर्गः
iti vālmīki rāmāyaṇe ādi kāvye kiṣkindha kāṇḍe sapta viṃśaḥ sargaḥ
SYNONYMS
TRANSLATION
"Let autumn be awaited while containing your anger, and along with me you may stay on this mountain which is adored by lions, and spend these four rainy months here like a monsoon lion, although you are capable to eliminate the enemy at any moment like a lion. [4-27-48]