Bala Kanda · Sarga 17 of 77 · 37 verses
The Birth of the Vanaras
With Vishnu about to be born as Dasharatha’s son, Brahma tells the gods to create powerful helpers for him: brave, wise, swift as the wind, able to take any form, equal to Vishnu in valour. Let them father sons in the form of vanaras on apsarases, gandharva women, yaksha and naga maidens, and on female vanaras and bears. Brahma himself had already produced Jambavan, the king of the bears, who sprang from his mouth as he yawned.
The gods obey. Indra fathers Vali, the Sun fathers Sugriva, Brihaspati the wise Tara, Kubera Gandhamadana, Vishvakarma the builder Nala, Agni the fiery Nila, the Ashvins Mainda and Dvivida, Varuna Sushena, Parjanya Sharabha, and the Wind god his own son Hanuman, with a body hard as a thunderbolt and speed like Garuda’s, wisest and strongest of them all. Hundreds of thousands of vanara, bear and gopuccha (cow-tailed monkey) chiefs are born, able to shake mountains, churn the ocean and seize clouds. They gather around the brothers Vali and Sugriva and fill the earth, waiting, without knowing it, to help Rama.
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पुत्रत्वं तु गते विष्णौ राज्ञस्तस्य महात्मनः । उवाच देवताः सर्वाः स्वयम्भूर्भगवानिदम् ॥ १ ॥
When Vishnu had become the son of that great-souled king, the self-born lord Brahma said to all the gods:
जब विष्णु उन महात्मा राजा के पुत्र बन गए, तब स्वयंभू भगवान ब्रह्मा ने सब देवताओं से कहा:
Commentary on the whole sarga
The Birth of the Vanaras 1 min read.
Read the commentary CommentaryNot scripture Vishnu has entered the queens’ wombs. Now Brahma turns to the next part of the plan. A saviour cannot win alone; he needs allies. This sarga is about the friends Rama will find in the forest, created before he is even born.
Scene 1 of 3 · Brahma asks the gods to father mighty helpers for Vishnu; the wise old bear Jambavan is already born.
सत्यसंधस्य वीरस्य सर्वेषां नो हितैषिणः । विष्णोः सहायान् बलिनः सृजध्वं कामरूपिणः ॥ २ ॥
“For the true and heroic Vishnu, who seeks the good of us all, create mighty helpers who can take any form,
“सत्यनिष्ठ, वीर और हम सबका हित चाहने वाले विष्णु के लिए इच्छा से रूप बदलने वाले बलवान सहायक उत्पन्न करो,
CommentaryNot scripture Rama will need “mighty helpers who can take any form” (kama-rupinah ). The gods themselves will provide them. Heaven prepares Rama’s friends just as it prepared his birth.
Scene 1 of 3 · Brahma asks the gods to father mighty helpers for Vishnu; the wise old bear Jambavan is already born.
मायाविदश्च शूरांश्च वायुवेगसमान् जवे । नयज्ञान् बुद्धिसम्पन्नान् विष्णुतुल्यपराक्रमान् ॥ ३ ॥
“skilled in magic, brave, swift as the wind, versed in policy, wise, equal to Vishnu in valour,
“जो माया में कुशल, वीर, वायु जैसे वेगवान, नीति के जानकार, बुद्धिमान और पराक्रम में विष्णु के समान हों,
CommentaryNot scripture The helpers must be skilled in magic, swift as the wind, wise and well versed in policy, and equal to Vishnu in valour. The vanaras will not be simple animals: they will be counsellors, scouts, builders and warriors.
Scene 1 of 3 · Brahma asks the gods to father mighty helpers for Vishnu; the wise old bear Jambavan is already born.
असंहार्यानुपायज्ञान् दिव्यसंहननान्वितान् । सर्वास्त्रगुणसम्पन्नानमृतप्राशनानिव ॥ ४ ॥
“invincible, knowing the means of success, of divine build, accomplished in every weapon, like those who have drunk the nectar of immortality.
“अजेय, सफलता के उपाय जानने वाले, दिव्य शरीर वाले, सब अस्त्रों में निपुण, अमृत पीने वालों जैसे।
CommentaryNot scripture “Like those who have drunk the nectar of immortality” (amrita-prashana ): strong, tireless, divine in their energy. This is the army that will one day build a bridge across the sea.
Scene 1 of 3 · Brahma asks the gods to father mighty helpers for Vishnu; the wise old bear Jambavan is already born.
अप्सरस्सु च मुख्यासु गन्धर्वीणां तनूषु च । यक्षपन्नगकन्यासु ऋक्षविद्याधरीषु च ॥ ५ ॥
किन्नरीणां च गात्रेषु वानरीणां तनूषु च । सृजध्वं हरिरूपेण पुत्रांस्तुल्यपराक्रमान् ॥ ६ ॥
“On the foremost apsarases and on the bodies of gandharva women, on the daughters of yakshas and nagas, on she-bears and vidyadhara women, on kinnara women and on female vanaras, create sons in the form of vanaras, equal to you in valour.
“श्रेष्ठ अप्सराओं से और गंधर्व स्त्रियों से, यक्षों और नागों की पुत्रियों से, रीछनियों और विद्याधरियों से, किन्नरियों और वानरियों से अपने ही समान पराक्रमी वानर रूप वाले पुत्र उत्पन्न करो।
CommentaryNot scripture The mothers are heavenly beings of every kind, and the sons will take the form of vanaras . The word is often translated “monkey”, but in the poem the vanaras speak, reason, rule kingdoms and keep vows. Many readers take vanara as “forest people” (vana-nara ). This edition keeps the Sanskrit word.
Scene 1 of 3 · Brahma asks the gods to father mighty helpers for Vishnu; the wise old bear Jambavan is already born.
पूर्वम् एव मया सृष्टो जाम्बवान् ऋक्ष पुङ्गवः । जृम्भमाणस्य सहसा मम वक्त्रात् अजायत ॥ ७ ॥
“Already before this I created Jambavan, the chief of bears: he was born suddenly from my mouth as I yawned.”
“इससे पहले ही मैंने रीछों के राजा जाम्बवान को उत्पन्न किया था: जम्हाई लेते समय वह अचानक मेरे मुख से उत्पन्न हुआ।”
CommentaryNot scripture Jambavan, king of the bears, was already born, “from my mouth as I yawned”. It is a humorous origin for a wise and ancient bear who will be the elder adviser of the search party. Even in heaven, Valmiki allows a touch of comedy.
Scene 1 of 3 · Brahma asks the gods to father mighty helpers for Vishnu; the wise old bear Jambavan is already born.
ते तथोक्ता भगवता तत् प्रतिश्रुत्य शासनम् । जनयामासुरेवं ते पुत्रान् वानररूपिणः ॥ ८ ॥
So addressed by the lord and accepting his command, they fathered sons in the form of vanaras.
प्रभु के ऐसा कहने पर उनकी आज्ञा मानकर उन्होंने वानर रूप वाले पुत्र उत्पन्न किए।
CommentaryNot scripture The gods accept the command. Each god will father a son with his own qualities. The vanaras inherit their fathers’ powers.
Scene 1 of 3 · Brahma asks the gods to father mighty helpers for Vishnu; the wise old bear Jambavan is already born.
ऋषयश्च महात्मानः सिद्धविद्याधरोरगाः । चारणाश्च सुतान् वीरान् ससृजुर्वनचारिणः ॥ ९ ॥
The great-souled sages, the siddhas, vidyadharas, nagas and charanas created heroic sons who roamed the forests.
महात्मा ऋषियों, सिद्धों, विद्याधरों, नागों और चारणों ने वनों में विचरने वाले वीर पुत्र उत्पन्न किए।
CommentaryNot scripture Sages, siddhas, vidyadharas, nagas and charanas all join in. The whole of the heavens contributes to the army that will help Rama.
Scene 1 of 3 · Brahma asks the gods to father mighty helpers for Vishnu; the wise old bear Jambavan is already born.
वानरेन्द्रं महेन्द्राभमिन्द्रो वालिनमात्मजम् । सुग्रीवं जनयामास तपनस्तपतां वरः ॥ १० ॥
Indra fathered his son Vali, lord of the vanaras, like great Indra himself; the Sun, best of all that burn, fathered Sugriva.
इंद्र ने अपने पुत्र, वानरों के राजा वाली को उत्पन्न किया, जो स्वयं महेंद्र जैसा था; और तपने वालों में श्रेष्ठ सूर्य ने सुग्रीव को उत्पन्न किया।
CommentaryNot scripture The two great vanara brothers: Vali, son of Indra, king of the gods; and Sugriva, son of the Sun. Their divine fathers explain their characters: Vali proud and royal like Indra, Sugriva shining and steady like the sun. Their rivalry will shape the Kishkindha Kanda.
Scene 2 of 3 · The sons of the gods are born as vanaras: Vali of Indra, Sugriva of the Sun, Hanuman of the Wind.
बृहस्पतिस्त्वजनयत् तारं नाम महाकपिम् । सर्ववानरमुख्यानां बुद्धिमन्तमनुत्तमम् ॥ ११ ॥
Brihaspati fathered the great vanara named Tara, the wisest and finest of all the vanara chiefs.
बृहस्पति ने तार नाम के महान वानर को उत्पन्न किया, जो सब वानर प्रमुखों में सबसे बुद्धिमान और श्रेष्ठ था।
CommentaryNot scripture Tara, son of Brihaspati, the teacher of the gods, is “the wisest of all the vanara chiefs”. Wisdom comes from the god of wisdom. (He is the father of Tara, Vali’s wise queen.)
Scene 2 of 3 · The sons of the gods are born as vanaras: Vali of Indra, Sugriva of the Sun, Hanuman of the Wind.
धनदस्य सुतः श्रीमान् वानरो गन्धमादनः । विश्वकर्मा त्वजनयन्नलं नाम महाकपिम् ॥ १२ ॥
Glorious Gandhamadana was the vanara son of Kubera, the giver of wealth; Vishvakarma fathered the great vanara named Nala.
यशस्वी गंधमादन धन देने वाले कुबेर का वानर पुत्र था; विश्वकर्मा ने नल नाम के महान वानर को उत्पन्न किया।
CommentaryNot scripture Gandhamadana, son of Kubera, the god of wealth; and Nala, son of Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods. Of course the builder’s son will build the bridge to Lanka. Each vanara’s gift fits his task.
Scene 2 of 3 · The sons of the gods are born as vanaras: Vali of Indra, Sugriva of the Sun, Hanuman of the Wind.
पावकस्य सुतः श्रीमान् नीलोऽग्निसदृशप्रभः । तेजसा यशसा वीर्यादत्यरिच्यत वीर्यवान् ॥ १३ ॥
Glorious Nila, radiant as fire, was the son of Agni; the mighty one surpassed others in splendour, fame and valour.
अग्नि जैसा तेजस्वी यशस्वी नील अग्नि का पुत्र था; वह बलवान तेज, यश और पराक्रम में दूसरों से बढ़कर था।
CommentaryNot scripture Nila, son of Agni, the god of fire, is “radiant as fire”. He will be a commander of Rama’s army. His fiery nature makes him a fierce general.
Scene 2 of 3 · The sons of the gods are born as vanaras: Vali of Indra, Sugriva of the Sun, Hanuman of the Wind.
रूपद्रविणसम्पन्नावश्विनौ रूपसम्मतौ । मैन्दं च द्विविदं चैव जनयामासतुः स्वयम् ॥ १४ ॥
The Ashvins, rich in beauty and admired for it, themselves fathered Mainda and Dvivida.
रूप से संपन्न और रूप के लिए सराहे जाने वाले अश्विनीकुमारों ने स्वयं मैंद और द्विविद को उत्पन्न किया।
CommentaryNot scripture Mainda and Dvivida, sons of the Ashvins, the twin gods of healing and beauty. Twin gods father twin heroes. Valmiki enjoys these neat matches.
Scene 2 of 3 · The sons of the gods are born as vanaras: Vali of Indra, Sugriva of the Sun, Hanuman of the Wind.
वरुणो जनयामास सुषेणं नाम वानरम् । शरभं जनयामास पर्जन्यस्तु महाबलः ॥ १५ ॥
Varuna fathered the vanara named Sushena, and the mighty Parjanya fathered Sharabha.
वरुण ने सुषेण नाम के वानर को उत्पन्न किया, और बलवान पर्जन्य ने शरभ को।
CommentaryNot scripture Sushena, son of Varuna, god of the waters; Sharabha, son of Parjanya, god of rain. Sushena will be the army’s physician, a fitting role for a son of the healing waters.
Scene 2 of 3 · The sons of the gods are born as vanaras: Vali of Indra, Sugriva of the Sun, Hanuman of the Wind.
मारुतस्यौरसः श्रीमान् हनुमान् नाम वानरः । वज्रसंहननोपेतो वैनतेयसमो जवे ॥ १६ ॥
सर्ववानरमुख्येषु बुद्धिमान् बलवानपि । ते सृष्टा बहुसाहस्रा दशग्रीववधोद्यताः ॥ १७ ॥
The Wind’s own son was the glorious vanara named Hanuman, with a body hard as the thunderbolt and equal to Vainateya in speed, intelligent and strong among all the vanara chiefs. Many thousands were created, ready for the killing of the ten-necked one,
वायु का अपना पुत्र हनुमान नाम का यशस्वी वानर था, जिसका शरीर वज्र जैसा कठोर था और जो वेग में वैनतेय (गरुड़) के समान था, सब वानर प्रमुखों में बुद्धिमान और बलवान। दस कंधों वाले (रावण) के वध के लिए तैयार कई हज़ार उत्पन्न हुए,
CommentaryNot scripture Hanuman, son of the Wind (Vayu ): his body is hard as the thunderbolt and he is swift as Garuda. The wind’s son will cross the ocean in one leap. He is “intelligent and strong”, and in this tradition intelligence always comes first in his praise.
Scene 2 of 3 · The sons of the gods are born as vanaras: Vali of Indra, Sugriva of the Sun, Hanuman of the Wind.
अप्रमेयबला वीरा विक्रान्ताः कामरूपिणः । ते गजाचलसंकाशा वपुष्मन्तो महाबलाः ॥ १८ ॥
ऋक्षवानरगोपुच्छाः क्षिप्रमेवाभिजज्ञिरे । यस्य देवस्य यद्रूपं वेषो यश्च पराक्रमः ॥ १९ ॥
heroes of boundless strength, valiant, able to take any form; like elephants and mountains, of great bodies and great strength, bears, vanaras and gopucchas were born swiftly. Whatever form, dress and valour each god had,
असीम बल वाले, पराक्रमी, इच्छा से रूप बदलने वाले वीर; हाथियों और पर्वतों जैसे, विशाल शरीर और महान बल वाले रीछ, वानर और गोपुच्छ (लंगूर) जल्दी ही उत्पन्न हुए। जिस देवता का जैसा रूप, वेश और पराक्रम था,
CommentaryNot scripture Thousands upon thousands are born: bears, vanaras and gopucchas (“cow-tailed” ones, often taken as langurs). Like elephants and mountains, they are huge and strong. All are born for one purpose: to help defeat the ten-necked Ravana.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
अजायत समं तेन तस्य तस्य पृथक् पृथक् । गोलाङ्गूलीषु चोत्पन्नाः किंचिदुन्नतविक्रमाः ॥ २० ॥
ऋक्षीषु च तथा जाता वानराः किन्नरीषु च । देवा महर्षिगन्धर्वास्तार्क्ष्ययक्षा यशस्विनः ॥ २१ ॥
with that same, separately, each son was born. Those born of female gopucchas were of somewhat greater valour. And so vanaras were born of she-bears and of kinnara women. Gods, great sages, gandharvas, Tarkshya, glorious yakshas,
उसी से, अलग-अलग, उसका पुत्र उत्पन्न हुआ। गोपुच्छ माताओं से उत्पन्न कुछ अधिक पराक्रमी थे। और इसी तरह रीछनियों और किन्नरियों से भी वानर उत्पन्न हुए। देवताओं, महर्षियों, गंधर्वों, तार्क्ष्य (गरुड़), यशस्वी यक्षों,
CommentaryNot scripture Each son takes the form, dress and valour of his father. The variety is intended. Rama’s army will be a gathering of many kinds of beings, each with its own gifts.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
नागाः किम्पुरुषाश्चैव सिद्धविद्याधरोरगाः । बहवो जनयामासुर्हृष्टास्तत्र सहस्रशः ॥ २२ ॥
चारणाश्च सुतान् वीरान् ससृजुर्वनचारिणः । वानरान् सुमहाकायान् सर्वान् वै वनचारिणः ॥ २३ ॥
nagas, kimpurushas, siddhas, vidyadharas and serpents, joyful, fathered them there by thousands, and the charanas created heroic sons, forest-dwellers: vanaras of huge bodies, all of them roaming the forests,
नागों, किंपुरुषों, सिद्धों, विद्याधरों और सर्पों ने प्रसन्न होकर वहाँ हज़ारों की संख्या में उन्हें उत्पन्न किया, और चारणों ने वनों में रहने वाले वीर पुत्र उत्पन्न किए: विशाल शरीर वाले वानर, सब वनों में विचरने वाले,
CommentaryNot scripture Gods, sages, gandharvas, Garuda, yakshas, nagas, siddhas: the list is long and joyful. All of heaven seems to rush to help. The vanaras are, in a sense, the gods themselves in forest form.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
अप्सरस्सु च मुख्यासु तथा विद्याधरीषु च । नागकन्यासु च तदा गन्धर्वीणां तनूषु च । कामरूपबलोपेता यथाकामविचारिणः ॥ २४ ॥
on the foremost apsarases and on vidyadhara women, on naga maidens and on the bodies of gandharva women: they had the power to take any form and went wherever they wished.
श्रेष्ठ अप्सराओं से और विद्याधरियों से, नाग कन्याओं से और गंधर्व स्त्रियों से: वे इच्छा से रूप बदल सकते थे और जहाँ चाहें जा सकते थे।
CommentaryNot scripture They can take any form and go wherever they wish. This power will matter: Hanuman will shrink to enter Lanka and grow huge to cross the sea.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
सिंहशार्दूलसदृशा दर्पेण च बलेन च । शिलाप्रहरणाः सर्वे सर्वे पादपयोधिनः ॥ २५ ॥
Like lions and tigers in pride and strength, they all fought with rocks and all fought with trees.
घमंड और बल में सिंहों और बाघों जैसे वे सब पत्थरों से और वृक्षों से लड़ते थे।
CommentaryNot scripture They fight with rocks and trees, not swords. The forest is their arsenal. In the great battle of the Yuddha Kanda, uprooted trees and boulders will fly against the rakshasa army.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
नखदंष्ट्रायुधाः सर्वे सर्वे सर्वास्त्रकोविदाः । विचालयेयुः शैलेन्द्रान् भेदयेयुः स्थिरान् द्रुमान् ॥ २६ ॥
All had nails and teeth for weapons, all were skilled in every weapon; they could shake great mountains and split firm trees,
सबके नाखून और दाँत ही हथियार थे, सब हर शस्त्र में कुशल थे; वे बड़े पर्वतों को हिला सकते थे और मज़बूत वृक्षों को चीर सकते थे,
CommentaryNot scripture Nails and teeth as weapons, yet skilled in every weapon. They can shake mountains and split trees. Valmiki is building a picture of tremendous natural power.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
क्षोभयेयुश्च वेगेन समुद्रं सरितां पतिम् । दारयेयुः क्षितिं पद्भ्यामाप्लवेयुर्महार्णवान् ॥ २७ ॥
churn by their speed the ocean, lord of rivers, crack the earth with their feet and leap across great seas,
अपने वेग से नदियों के स्वामी समुद्र को मथ सकते थे, पैरों से धरती को फाड़ सकते थे और बड़े समुद्रों को लाँघ सकते थे,
CommentaryNot scripture They can churn the ocean with their speed, crack the earth with their feet, and leap across seas. The verse looks ahead to Hanuman’s leap and the crossing to Lanka.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
नभस्तलं विशेयुश्च गृह्णीयुरपि तोयदान् । गृह्णीयुरपि मातङ्गान् मत्तान् प्रव्रजतो वने ॥ २८ ॥
enter the sky and even seize the clouds, and seize rutting elephants as they went through the forest,
आकाश में जाकर बादलों को भी पकड़ सकते थे, और वन में चलते हुए मदमस्त हाथियों को पकड़ सकते थे,
CommentaryNot scripture They can enter the sky and seize the clouds. The images grow bigger and bigger: Valmiki is clearly enjoying himself.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
नर्दमानांश्च नादेन पातयेयुर्विहङ्गमान् । ईदृशानां प्रसूतानि हरीणां कामरूपिणाम् ॥ २९ ॥
शतं शतसहस्राणि यूथपानां महात्मनाम् । ते प्रधानेषु यूथेषु हरीणां हरियूथपाः ॥ ३० ॥
and with their roaring bring down birds in flight. Of such vanaras, able to take any form, were born a hundred hundred thousand great-souled leaders of troops. These vanara leaders became chiefs over the principal troops of vanaras,
और अपनी गर्जना से उड़ते पक्षियों को गिरा सकते थे। इच्छा से रूप बदलने वाले ऐसे वानरों में सौ-सौ हज़ार महात्मा यूथपति उत्पन्न हुए। ये वानर यूथपति वानरों के प्रमुख दलों के स्वामी बने,
CommentaryNot scripture Their roar brings down birds in flight. Then the numbers: a hundred hundred thousand leaders of troops. The vanaras are organised into troops (yutha ), each with its leader (yuthapa ). They are an army even before there is a war.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
बभूवुर्यूथपश्रेष्ठान् वीरांश्चाजनयन् हरीन् । अन्ये ऋक्षवतः प्रस्थानुपतस्थुः सहस्रशः ॥ ३१ ॥
अन्ये नानाविधाञ्छैलान् काननानि च भेजिरे । सूर्यपुत्रं च सुग्रीवं शक्रपुत्रं च वालिनम् ॥ ३२ ॥
and fathered heroic vanaras, the best of troop leaders. Others, by thousands, went to the slopes of Rikshavat; others went to mountains and forests of many kinds. All the vanara troop leaders attended the two brothers, Sugriva, son of the Sun, and Vali, son of Shakra,
और उन्होंने वीर वानरों को, श्रेष्ठ यूथपतियों को उत्पन्न किया। दूसरे हज़ारों ऋक्षवान पर्वत की ढलानों पर गए; दूसरे अनेक प्रकार के पर्वतों और वनों में गए। सब वानर यूथपति दो भाइयों, सूर्यपुत्र सुग्रीव और इंद्रपुत्र वाली की सेवा में रहे,
CommentaryNot scripture Some go to the slopes of the Rikshavat mountain, some to other mountains and forests. All the troop leaders attend the two brothers, Sugriva and Vali. The stage for the Kishkindha Kanda is being set.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
भ्रातरावुपतस्थुस्ते सर्वे च हरियूथपाः । नलं नीलं हनूमन्तमन्यांश्च हरियूथपान् ॥ ३३ ॥
and Nala, Nila, Hanuman and the other vanara leaders.
और नल, नील, हनुमान तथा दूसरे वानर प्रमुखों की भी।
CommentaryNot scripture Nala, Nila and Hanuman are named among the leaders. These are the names a listener will remember, and they will each have their great moment.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
ते तार्क्ष्यबलसम्पन्नाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः । विचरन्तोऽर्दयन् सर्वान् सिंहव्याघ्रमहोरगान् ॥ ३४ ॥
All of them, strong as Tarkshya and skilled in war, roamed about and harried every lion, tiger and great serpent.
गरुड़ जैसे बलवान और युद्ध में कुशल वे सब घूमते-फिरते हर सिंह, बाघ और बड़े सर्प को खदेड़ते थे।
CommentaryNot scripture Strong as Tarkshya (Garuda), skilled in war, they roam the forests and drive off lions, tigers and great serpents. The forest has new masters.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
महाबलो महाबाहुर्वाली विपुलविक्रमः । जुगोप भुजवीर्येण ऋक्षगोपुच्छवानरान् ॥ ३५ ॥
The mighty, long-armed Vali, of vast valour, protected the bears, gopucchas and vanaras with the strength of his arms.
बलवान, लंबी भुजाओं वाले, अपार पराक्रमी वाली अपनी भुजाओं के बल से रीछों, गोपुच्छों और वानरों की रक्षा करते थे।
CommentaryNot scripture Vali, long-armed and immensely strong, protects all the forest peoples with his own arms. Before his fall, he is a great protector. Valmiki gives him his due.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
तैरियं पृथिवी शूरैः सपर्वतवनार्णवा । कीर्णा विविधसंस्थानैर्नानाव्यञ्जनलक्षणैः ॥ ३६ ॥
This earth, with its mountains, forests and seas, was filled with those heroes of many shapes, with varied features and marks.
पर्वतों, वनों और समुद्रों सहित यह पृथ्वी अनेक रूपों वाले, विविध आकृतियों और लक्षणों वाले उन वीरों से भर गई।
CommentaryNot scripture The whole earth, mountains, forests and seas, fills with these heroes of every shape and look. The world is quietly being prepared for Rama.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
तैर्मेघवृन्दाचलकूटसंनिभैर्महाबलैर्वानरयूथपाधिपैः । बभूव भूर्भीमशरीररूपैः समावृता रामसहायहेतोः ॥ ३७ ॥
With those mighty lords of vanara troops, like masses of cloud and mountain peaks, of fearsome bodies, the earth was covered, for the sake of helping Rama.
बादलों के समूह और पर्वत की चोटियों जैसे, भयानक शरीर वाले उन बलवान वानर यूथपतियों से राम की सहायता के लिए पृथ्वी ढक गई।
CommentaryNot scripture The final image: the vanara chiefs, huge as clouds and mountain peaks, covering the earth, all “for the sake of helping Rama” (rama-sahayya-karanat ). Rama is not yet born, and his friends are already waiting.
Scene 3 of 3 · Vanara troops huge as clouds fill the mountains and forests, waiting to help Rama.
