Kishkindha Kanda · Sarga 26 of 67 · 42 verses
Sugriva Crowned
Then the chief ministers of the monkeys surround Sugriva, burning with grief, his clothes still wet, and, going to mighty-armed Rama, tireless in action, all stand with joined palms, like seers before the Grandfather. Then Hanuman, son of the wind, golden as a mountain, his face like the young sun, speaks with joined palms: “By your grace, Kakutstha, this great kingdom of his fathers and grandfathers, of the monkeys with fine fangs, rich in strength, of great souls, very hard to win, has been won, lord. With your leave he will enter the lovely city and arrange all affairs with his host of friends. Having bathed according to rule with perfumes and herbs of many kinds, he will honour you especially with garlands and jewels. Please come to this lovely mountain cave, establish the bond of master, and delight the monkeys.” Spoken to so by Hanuman, Raghava, slayer of enemy heroes, wise and skilled in speech, replies: “For fourteen years, gentle Hanuman, I will not enter a village or a city, keeping my father’s command. Let heroic Sugriva, bull among monkeys, enter the rich, divine cave according to rule and be quickly consecrated in the kingdom.” Having said this to Hanuman, Rama, who knows good conduct, says to Sugriva: “Consecrate this heroic Angada too as heir apparent, rich in good conduct, of noble strength and valour. He is the eldest son of the eldest, equal in valour; this high-souled Angada is worthy of the post of heir apparent. This is the first month of the rains, Shravana, the coming of the waters; the four months called the rainy season have begun, gentle one. This is no time for action. Enter the lovely city; I will live on this mountain with Lakshmana. This mountain cave is lovely, spacious, airy, with plenty of water, gentle one, and plenty of lotuses. When Karttika comes, strive to kill Ravana. This is our agreement, gentle one. Enter your own home, be consecrated in the kingdom, and delight your friends.” Given leave by Rama, Sugriva, bull among monkeys, enters lovely Kishkindha, once guarded by Valin. Thousands of monkeys surround the lord of the leapers and enter with him on every side. Then all the subjects, seeing the lord of the hosts of monkeys, bow their heads and fall to the ground, composed. Mighty Sugriva speaks to all the subjects, raises them up, and enters his brother’s gentle inner apartments. When Sugriva, bull among monkeys, of fearsome valour, has entered, his friends consecrate him as the immortals consecrated the thousand-eyed Indra. They bring a white umbrella adorned with gold, two white yak-tail fans with golden handles that bring glory, all kinds of jewels, all seeds and herbs, shoots and flowers of milky trees, white clothes and white ointment, fragrant garlands of land and water flowers, divine sandal and many kinds of perfume, unhusked grain, gold, priyangu, honey and ghee, curds, a tiger skin and a pair of costly sandals. Sixteen fine maidens come there joyfully with cosmetics, gorocana and red arsenic. Then, to consecrate the best of monkeys according to rule, they satisfy the best of the twice-born with jewels, clothes and food; those who know the mantras pour oblations purified with mantras into the kindled fire on a bed of kusha grass. On a lovely palace roof adorned with many-coloured garlands, on a fine seat with a golden base covered with fine spreads, they seat him facing east according to rule with mantras. Gathering clear water from rivers and streams, from holy places on every side and from all the oceans, the bulls among the monkeys put it in golden pitchers, and with lovely bulls’ horns and golden jars, by the rite seen in the shastras and laid down by the great seers, Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha, Gandhamadana, Mainda, Dvivida, Hanuman and Jambavan consecrate Sugriva with clear, fragrant water, as the Vasus consecrated thousand-eyed Vasava. When Sugriva is consecrated, all the great-souled bulls among the monkeys shout with joy by hundreds of thousands. Doing as Rama said, Sugriva, lord of the monkeys, embraces Angada and consecrates him as heir apparent. When Angada is consecrated, the compassionate, great-souled leapers honour Sugriva, saying “Good, good!” And all of them, pleased, praise great-souled Rama and Lakshmana again and again, as things are going so well. Lovely Kishkindha in its mountain cave, crowded with happy, thriving people, adorned with flags and banners, shines. Having reported the great consecration to great-souled Rama, the mighty lord of the monkey army regains his wife Ruma and obtains the kingdom, as the lord of the thirty gods obtained his.
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ततः शोकाभिसंतप्तं सुग्रीवं क्लिन्नवाससम् । शाखामृगमहामात्राः परिवार्योपतस्थिरे ॥ १ ॥
Then the chief ministers of the branch-deer, surrounding Sugriva, burning with grief, with wet clothes, stood by him.
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अभिगम्य महाबाहुं राममक्लिष्टकारिणम् । स्थिताः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे पितामहमिवर्षयः ॥ २ ॥
Going to mighty-armed Rama, tireless in action, all stood with joined palms, like seers before the Grandfather.
ततः काञ्चनशैलाभस्तरुणार्कनिभाननः । अब्रवीत् प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यं हनूमान् मारुतात्मजः ॥ ३ ॥
Then Hanuman, son of the wind, like a golden mountain, with a face like the young sun, with joined palms, spoke these words:
भवत्प्रसादात् काकुत्स्थ पितृपैतामहं महत् । वानराणां सुदंष्ट्राणां सम्पन्नबलशालिनाम् ॥ ४ ॥
“By your grace, Kakutstha, this great kingdom of fathers and grandfathers, of the monkeys with fine fangs, rich in strength,
महात्मनां सुदुष्प्रापं प्राप्तं राज्यमिदं प्रभो । भवता समनुज्ञातः प्रविश्य नगरं शुभम् ॥ ५ ॥
“of great souls, very hard to win, has been won, lord. Permitted by you, entering the auspicious city,
संविधास्यति कार्याणि सर्वाणि ससुहृद्गणः । स्नातोऽयं विविधैर्गन्धैरौषधैश्च यथाविधि ॥ ६ ॥
“he will arrange all affairs with his host of friends. Bathed according to rule with various perfumes and herbs,
अर्चयिष्यति माल्यैश्च रत्नैश्च त्वां विशेषतः । इमां गिरिगुहां रम्यामभिगन्तुं त्वमर्हसि ॥ ७ ॥
“he will honour you especially with garlands and jewels. You should come to this lovely mountain cave.
कुरुष्व स्वामिसम्बन्धं वानरान् सम्प्रहर्षय । एवमुक्तो हनुमता राघवः परवीरहा ॥ ८ ॥
“Make the bond of master; gladden the monkeys.” Spoken to so by Hanuman, Raghava, slayer of enemy heroes,
प्रत्युवाच हनूमन्तं बुद्धिमान् वाक्यकोविदः । चतुर्दश समाः सौम्य ग्रामं वा यदि वा पुरम् ॥ ९ ॥
wise, skilled in speech, replied to Hanuman: “For fourteen years, gentle one, a village, or if it be a city,
न प्रवेक्ष्यामि हनुमन् पितुर्निर्देशपालकः । सुसमृद्धां गुहां दिव्यां सुग्रीवो वानरर्षभः ॥ १० ॥
“I will not enter, Hanuman, keeping my father’s command. The very rich, divine cave let Sugriva, bull among monkeys,
प्रविष्टो विधिवद् वीरः क्षिप्रं राज्येऽभिषिच्यताम् । एवमुक्त्वा हनूमन्तं रामः सुग्रीवमब्रवीत् ॥ ११ ॥
“the hero, enter according to rule, and let him be quickly consecrated in the kingdom.” Having said this to Hanuman, Rama said to Sugriva:
वृत्तज्ञो वृत्तसम्पन्नमुदारबलविक्रमम् । इममप्यङ्गदं वीरं यौवराज्येऽभिषेचय ॥ १२ ॥
The knower of conduct said: “Consecrate this hero Angada too, rich in conduct, of noble strength and valour, as heir apparent.
ज्येष्ठस्य हि सुतो ज्येष्ठः सदृशो विक्रमेण च । अङ्गदोऽयमदीनात्मा यौवराज्यस्य भाजनम् ॥ १३ ॥
“For he is the eldest son of the eldest, and equal in valour. This Angada, of undaunted spirit, is a vessel for the post of heir apparent.
पूर्वोऽयं वार्षिको मासः श्रावणः सलिलागमः । प्रवृत्ताः सौम्य चत्वारो मासा वार्षिक संज्ञिताः ॥ १४ ॥
“This is the first month of the rains, Shravana, the coming of the waters. The four months called the rainy season have begun, gentle one.
नायमुद्योगसमयः प्रविश त्वं पुरीं शुभाम् । अस्मिन् वत्स्याम्यहं सौम्य पर्वते सहलक्ष्मणः ॥ १५ ॥
“This is not the time for effort. Enter the lovely city. I will live on this mountain, gentle one, with Lakshmana.
इयं गिरिगुहा रम्या विशाला युक्तमारुता । प्रभूतसलिला सौम्य प्रभूतकमलोत्पला ॥ १६ ॥
“This mountain cave is lovely, spacious, airy, with plenty of water, gentle one, with plenty of lotuses and water-lilies.
कार्तिके समनुप्राप्ते त्वं रावणवधे यत । एष नः समयः सौम्य प्रविश त्वं स्वमालयम् ॥ १७ ॥
“When Karttika has come, strive for the killing of Ravana. This is our agreement, gentle one. Enter your own dwelling.
अभिषिञ्चस्व राज्ये च सुहृदः सम्प्रहर्षय । इति रामाभ्यनुज्ञातः सुग्रीवो वानरर्षभः ॥ १८ ॥
“And be consecrated in the kingdom, and gladden your friends.” So permitted by Rama, Sugriva, bull among monkeys,
प्रविवेश पुरीं रम्यां किष्किन्धां वालिपालिताम् । तं वानरसहस्राणि प्रविष्टं वानरेश्वरम् ॥ १९ ॥
entered lovely Kishkindha, guarded by Valin. Thousands of monkeys, that lord of the monkeys having entered,
अभिवार्य प्रविष्टानि सर्वतः प्लवगेश्वरम् । ततः प्रकृतयः सर्वा दृष्ट्वा हरिगणेश्वरम् ॥ २० ॥
surrounding the lord of the leapers, entered on every side. Then all the subjects, seeing the lord of the hosts of monkeys,
प्रणम्य मूर्ध्ना पतिता वसुधायं समाहिताः । सुग्रीवः प्रकृतीः सर्वाः सम्भाष्योत्थाप्य वीर्यवान् ॥ २१ ॥
bowing with their heads, fell on the ground, composed. Mighty Sugriva, having spoken to all the subjects and raised them up,
भ्रातुरन्तःपुरं सौम्यं प्रविवेश महाबलः । प्रविष्टं भीमविक्रान्तं सुग्रीवं वानरर्षभम् ॥ २२ ॥
the very mighty one entered his brother’s gentle inner apartments. When Sugriva, bull among monkeys, of fearsome valour, had entered,
अभ्यषिञ्चन्त सुहृदः सहस्राक्षमिवामराः । तस्य पाण्डुरमाजह्रुश्छत्रं हेमपरिष्कृतम् ॥ २३ ॥
his friends consecrated him, as the immortals the thousand-eyed one. They brought for him a white umbrella adorned with gold,
शुक्ले च वालव्यजने हेमदण्डे यशस्करे । तथा रत्नानि सर्वाणि सर्वबीजौषधानि च ॥ २४ ॥
and two white yak-tail fans with golden handles, bringing glory, and all jewels, and all seeds and herbs,
सक्षीराणां च वृक्षाणां प्ररोहान् कुसुमानि च । शुक्लानि चैव वस्त्राणि श्वेतं चैवानुलेपनम् ॥ २५ ॥
and shoots and flowers of milky trees, and white clothes and white ointment,
सुगन्धीनि च माल्यानि स्थलजान्यम्बुजानि च । चन्दनानि च दिव्यानि गन्धांश्च विविधान् बहून् ॥ २६ ॥
and fragrant garlands, of land and water flowers, and divine sandal, and many kinds of perfumes,
अक्षतं जातरूपं च प्रियङ्गुं मधुसर्पिषी । दधि चर्म च वैयाघ्रं परार्घ्यौ चाप्युपानहौ ॥ २७ ॥
unhusked grain and gold, priyangu, honey and ghee, curds and a tiger skin, and a pair of costly sandals.
समालम्भनमादाय गोरोचनमनःशिलाम् । आजग्मुस्तत्र मुदिता वराः कन्याश्च षोडश ॥ २८ ॥
Taking cosmetics, gorocana and red arsenic, sixteen fine maidens came there, joyful.
ततस्ते वानरश्रेष्ठमभिषेक्तुं यथाविधि । रत्नैर्वस्त्रैश्च भक्ष्यैश्च तोषयित्वा द्विजर्षभान् ॥ २९ ॥
Then they, to consecrate the best of monkeys according to rule, having satisfied the bulls among the twice-born with jewels, clothes and food,
ततः कुशपरिस्तीर्णं समिद्धं जातवेदसम् । मन्त्रपूतेन हविषा हुत्वा मन्त्रविदो जनाः ॥ ३० ॥
then the people who knew mantras, having offered an oblation purified by mantras into the kindled fire spread with kusha grass,
ततो हेमप्रतिष्ठाने वरास्तरणसंवृते । प्रासादशिखरे रम्ये चित्रमाल्योपशोभिते ॥ ३१ ॥
then on a lovely palace top, adorned with many-coloured garlands, on a golden base covered with fine spreads,
प्राङ्मुखं विधिवन्मन्त्रैः स्थापयित्वा वरासने । नदीनदेभ्यः संहृत्य तीर्थेभ्यश्च समन्ततः ॥ ३२ ॥
having seated him facing east on the fine seat according to rule with mantras, gathering from rivers and streams and from holy places on every side,
आहृत्य च समुद्रेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यो वानरर्षभाः । अपः कनककुम्भेषु निधाय विमलं जलम् ॥ ३३ ॥
and bringing from all the oceans, the bulls among the monkeys, putting the water in golden pitchers, clear water,
शुभैर्ऋषभशृङ्गैश्च कलशैश्चैव काञ्चनैः । शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना महर्षिविहितेन च ॥ ३४ ॥
with lovely bulls’ horns and golden jars, by the rite seen in the shastras and laid down by the great seers,
गजो गवाक्षो गवयः शरभो गन्धमादनः । मैन्दश्च द्विविदश्चैव हनूमाञ्जाम्बवांस्तथा ॥ ३५ ॥
Gaja, Gavaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha, Gandhamadana, Mainda and Dvivida, Hanuman and Jambavan,
अभ्यषिञ्चत सुग्रीवं प्रसन्नेन सुगन्धिना । सलिलेन सहस्राक्षं वसवो वासवं यथा ॥ ३६ ॥
consecrated Sugriva with clear, fragrant water, as the Vasus did Vasava, the thousand-eyed.
अभिषिक्ते तु सुग्रीवे सर्वे वानरपुङ्गवाः । प्रचुक्रुशुर्महात्मानो हृष्टाः शतसहस्रशः ॥ ३७ ॥
When Sugriva was consecrated, all the bulls among the monkeys, great-souled, shouted out, delighted, by hundreds of thousands.
रामस्य तु वचः कुर्वन् सुग्रीवो वानरेश्वरः । अङ्गदं सम्परिष्वज्य यौवराज्येऽभ्यषेचयत् ॥ ३८ ॥
Doing Rama’s word, Sugriva, lord of the monkeys, embracing Angada, consecrated him as heir apparent.
अङ्गदे चाभिषिक्ते तु सानुक्रोशाः प्लवंगमाः । साधु साध्विति सुग्रीवं महात्मानो ह्यपूजयन् ॥ ३९ ॥
And when Angada was consecrated, the compassionate, great-souled leapers honoured Sugriva, saying, “Good, good!”
रामं चैव महात्मानं लक्ष्मणं च पुनः पुनः । प्रीताश्च तुष्टुवुः सर्वे तादृशे तत्र वर्तिनि ॥ ४० ॥
And they all, pleased, praised great-souled Rama and Lakshmana again and again, things going so there.
हृष्टपुष्टजनाकीर्णा पताकाध्वजशोभिता । बभूव नगरी रम्या किष्किन्धा गिरिगह्वरे ॥ ४१ ॥
Crowded with happy, thriving people, adorned with flags and banners, the lovely city Kishkindha in the mountain cave was resplendent.
निवेद्य रामाय तदा महात्मने महाभिषेकं कपिवाहिनीपतिः । रुमां च भार्यामुपलभ्य वीर्यवा- नवाप राज्यं त्रिदशाधिपो यथा ॥ ४२ ॥
Having reported the great consecration to great-souled Rama then, the lord of the monkey army, mighty, having regained his wife Ruma, obtained the kingdom, like the lord of the thirty gods.