Kishkindha Kanda · Sarga 27 of 67 · 48 verses
The Cave on Prasravana
When Sugriva has been consecrated and has entered the cave city, Rama goes with his brother to Mount Prasravana, echoing with tigers and deer, ringed by lions with terrible roars, thick with bushes and creepers of many kinds, crowded with trees, frequented by bears, monkeys, langurs and wildcats, a mountain like a mass of clouds, always purifying and auspicious. On its peak Rama takes a great, long cave to live in with Saumitri. Having made his agreement with Sugriva, sinless Rama, delight of the Raghus, speaks timely words to his disciplined brother Lakshmana, increaser of fortune: “This mountain cave is lovely, spacious and airy. Here we will live through the nights of the rains, Saumitri, tamer of foes. This mountain peak is lovely and excellent, prince, adorned with white, black and copper-coloured rocks, strewn with many minerals, with a river and frogs, with groves of many kinds of trees and lovely many-coloured creepers, echoing with many birds and the cries of fine peacocks, adorned with flowering malati and kunda bushes, sinduvaras, shirishas, kadambas, arjunas and sarjas. And this lovely lotus pond, adorned with blooming lotuses, will be not far from our cave, prince. The cave, on ground sloping to the north-east, will be good; and being high at the back, gentle one, it will be sheltered from the wind. At the mouth of the cave, Saumitri, is a smooth, auspicious rock, black and long, like a heap of crushed collyrium. Look, dear one, at this lovely peak to the north, shaped like a heap of crushed collyrium, like a rising rain-cloud; and in the south, standing like a white cloth, like a peak of Kailasa, shining with many minerals. And see beyond the cave the east-flowing river, quite free of mud, like the Jahnavi on Trikuta, adorned with sandal, tilaka, sala, tamala, atimuktaka, padmaka, sarala and ashoka, with vanira, timida, bakula, ketaka, hintala, tinisha, nipa, vetasa and kritamalaka, shining with trees of many kinds growing on its banks here and there, like a young woman adorned with clothes and ornaments, resounding with the many calls of hundreds of flocks of birds, adorned with chakravakas devoted to each other, with very lovely sandbanks, frequented by swans and cranes; it seems to laugh, full of many jewels. Here it is covered with blue water-lilies, there with red ones, there with white, divine kumuda buds; frequented by hundreds of pariplava birds, echoing with peacocks and curlews, the lovely river is frequented by hosts of sages, gentle one. See the rows of sandal trees, very lovely, and the kakubha trees, seen together as if risen by thought. Ah, this place is very lovely, slayer of enemies; we will surely be happy here, Saumitri; let us live here well. And not far from here, prince, will be Kishkindha with its many-coloured woods, Sugriva’s lovely city. The sound of songs and instruments is heard, best of victors, and of monkeys shouting along with the booming of drums. Having regained his wife and won his kingdom, surrounded by friends, the best of monkeys, Sugriva, surely rejoices, having gained great fortune.” Saying this, Raghava lives there with Lakshmana on Mount Prasravana, with its many sights, caves and bowers.
But though he lives on that very pleasant mountain, rich in many things, Rama finds no joy at all, remembering his wife, carried off, dearer than his life. Especially when he sees the moon risen over the eastern mountain, sleep does not come to him at night when he goes to bed, his mind overcome by tears from the grief that rises. Seeing Kakutstha always grieving, given over to grief, his brother Lakshmana, sharing his sorrow, speaks persuasive words: “Enough, hero, of giving way to pain; you should not grieve. All purposes sink for one who grieves; you know this. You are devoted to action in the world, Raghava, devoted to the gods, a believer, righteous in conduct, and resolute. Without resolve you cannot kill your enemy in battle, especially that rakshasa, crooked in his valour. Uproot your grief and make your resolve firm; then you will be able to kill that rakshasa with his followers. You could turn over the earth itself, Kakutstha, with its oceans, forests and mountains; how much more that Ravana. Wait for the autumn; the rainy season has come. Then you will kill Ravana with his kingdom and his host. I am only waking your sleeping valour, as one wakes a fire covered in ash with blazing oblations in season.” Honouring Lakshmana’s good, auspicious words, Raghava says to his loving friend: “What should be said by one devoted, loving, wishing good, joined with true valour, that you have said, Lakshmana. Here, I have given up this grief that ruins all undertakings; I rouse my splendour, unchecked in valour. I will wait for the autumn; I stand by your words, waiting for Sugriva’s favour and for the rivers to clear. A hero who is helped is bound to repay the help; one who is ungrateful and does not repay wounds the hearts of the strong.” Considering that right, Lakshmana, with joined palms, honouring those words, speaks to Rama, lovely to look at, showing his own good judgment: “All that you have said and wish for, lord of men, the monkey will soon do. Waiting for autumn, bear this downpour of rain, resolved on subduing the enemy. Restraining your anger, let the autumn be awaited; bear these four months with me. Live on this mountain frequented by lions, able as you are to bring about the enemy’s death.”
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अभिषिक्ते तु सुग्रीवे प्रविष्टे वानरे गुहाम् । आजगाम सह भ्रात्रा रामः प्रस्रवणं गिरिम् ॥ १ ॥
When Sugriva had been consecrated and the monkey had entered the cave, Rama came with his brother to Mount Prasravana,
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शार्दूलमृगसंघुष्टं सिंहैर्भीमरवैर्वृतम् । नानागुल्मलतागूढं बहुपादपसंकुलम् ॥ २ ॥
resounding with tigers and deer, surrounded by lions with terrible roars, hidden with many kinds of bushes and creepers, crowded with many trees,
ऋक्षवानरगोपुच्छैर्मार्जारैश्च निषेवितम् । मेघराशिनिभं शैलं नित्यं शुचिकरं शिवम् ॥ ३ ॥
frequented by bears, monkeys, langurs and wildcats, a mountain like a mass of clouds, always purifying, auspicious.
तस्य शैलस्य शिखरे महतीमायतां गुहाम् । प्रत्यगृह्णीत वासार्थं रामः सौमित्रिणा सह ॥ ४ ॥
On the peak of that mountain, Rama with Saumitri took a great, long cave for the purpose of dwelling.
कृत्वा च समयं रामः सुग्रीवेण सहानघः । कालयुक्तं महद्वाक्यमुवाच रघुनन्दनः ॥ ५ ॥
And having made the agreement with Sugriva, sinless Rama, delight of the Raghus, spoke great, timely words
विनीतं भ्रातरं भ्राता लक्ष्मणं लक्ष्मिवर्धनम् । इयं गिरिगुहा रम्या विशाला युक्तमारुता ॥ ६ ॥
to his disciplined brother Lakshmana, increaser of fortune: “This mountain cave is lovely, spacious, airy.
अस्यां वत्स्याम सौमित्रे वर्षरात्रमरिंदम । गिरिशृङ्गमिदं रम्यमुत्तमं पार्थिवात्मज ॥ ७ ॥
“In it we will live, Saumitri, the nights of the rains, tamer of foes. This mountain peak is lovely and excellent, prince,
श्वेताभिः कृष्णताम्राभिः शिलाभिरुपशोभितम् । नानाधातुसमाकीर्णं नदीदर्दुरसंयुतम् ॥ ८ ॥
“adorned with white, black and copper rocks, strewn with many minerals, joined with a river and frogs,
विविधैर्वृक्षषण्डैश्च चारुचित्रलतायुतम् । नानाविहगसंघुष्टं मयूरवरनादितम् ॥ ९ ॥
“with groves of many kinds of trees, joined with lovely, many-coloured creepers, echoing with many kinds of birds, resounding with fine peacocks,
मालतीकुन्दगुल्मैश्च सिन्दुवारैः शिरीषकैः । कदम्बार्जुनसर्जैश्च पुष्पितैरुपशोभितम् ॥ १० ॥
“adorned with malati and kunda bushes, sinduvaras and shirishas, kadambas, arjunas and sarjas in flower.
इयं च नलिनी रम्या फुल्लपङ्कजमण्डिता । नातिदूरे गुहाया नौ भविष्यति नृपात्मज ॥ ११ ॥
“And this lovely lotus pond, adorned with blooming lotuses, will be not far from our cave, prince.
प्रागुदक्प्रवणे देशे गुहा साधु भविष्यति । पश्चाच्चैवोन्नता सौम्य निवातेयं भविष्यति ॥ १२ ॥
“On ground sloping north-east the cave will be good; and being raised at the back, gentle one, it will be sheltered from wind.
गुहाद्वारे च सौमित्रे शिला समतला शिवा । कृष्णा चैवायता चैव भिन्नाञ्जनचयोपमा ॥ १३ ॥
“And at the door of the cave, Saumitri, is a rock, smooth-surfaced, auspicious, black and long, like a heap of crushed collyrium.
गिरिशृङ्गमिदं तात पश्य चोत्तरतः शुभम् । भिन्नाञ्जनचयाकारमम्भोधरमिवोदितम् ॥ १४ ॥
“And see, dear one, this auspicious mountain peak to the north, shaped like a heap of crushed collyrium, like a rising rain-cloud.
दक्षिणस्यामपि दिशि स्थितं श्वेतमिवाम्बरम् । कैलासशिखरप्रख्यं नानाधातुविराजितम् ॥ १५ ॥
“And in the southern direction too, standing like a white cloth, like the peak of Kailasa, shining with many minerals.
प्राचीनवाहिनीं चैव नदीं भृशमकर्दमाम् । गुहायाः परतः पश्य त्रिकूटे जाह्नवीमिव ॥ १६ ॥
“And see beyond the cave the river flowing east, very free of mud, like the Jahnavi on Trikuta,
चन्दनैस्तिलकैः सालैस्तमालैरतिमुक्तकैः । पद्मकैः सरलैश्चैव अशोकैश्चैव शोभिताम् ॥ १७ ॥
“adorned with sandal, tilakas, salas, tamalas, atimuktakas, padmakas, saralas and ashokas,
वानीरैस्तिमिदैश्चैव बकुलैः केतकैरपि । हिन्तालैस्तिनिशैर्नीपैर्वेतसैः कृतमालकैः ॥ १८ ॥
“with vaniras and timidas, bakulas and ketakas too, hintalas, tinishas, nipas, vetasas and kritamalakas:
तीरजैः शोभिता भाति नानारूपैस्ततस्ततः । वसनाभरणोपेता प्रमदेवाभ्यलंकृता ॥ १९ ॥
“adorned with trees of many forms growing on its banks here and there, it shines like a young woman adorned, wearing clothes and ornaments,
शतशः पक्षिसङ्घैश्च नानानादविनादिता । एकैकमनुरक्तैश्च चक्रवाकैरलंकृता ॥ २० ॥
“resounding with the many calls of hundreds of flocks of birds, adorned with chakravakas devoted to one another,
पुलिनैरतिरम्यैश्च हंससारससेविता । प्रहसन्त्येव भात्येषा नानारत्नसमन्विता ॥ २१ ॥
“with very lovely sandbanks, frequented by swans and cranes; it shines as if laughing, endowed with many jewels.
क्वचिन्नीलोत्पलैश्छन्ना भातिरक्तोत्पलैः क्वचित् । क्वचिदाभाति शुक्लैश्च दिव्यैः कुमुदकुड्मलैः ॥ २२ ॥
“In places covered with blue water-lilies, in places it shines with red water-lilies, in places it shines with white, divine kumuda buds,
पारिप्लवशतैर्जुष्टा बर्हिक्रौञ्चविनादिता । रमणीया नदी सौम्य मुनिसङ्घनिषेविता ॥ २३ ॥
“frequented by hundreds of pariplavas, resounding with peacocks and curlews: the lovely river, gentle one, is frequented by hosts of sages.
पश्य चन्दनवृक्षाणां पङ्क्तिः सुरुचिरा इव । ककुभानां च दृश्यन्ते मनसैवोदिताः समम् ॥ २४ ॥
“See the row of sandal trees, very lovely, and of kakubhas, seen together as if risen by thought alone.
अहो सुरमणीयोऽयं देशः शत्रुनिषूदन । दृढं रंस्याव सौमित्रे साध्वत्र निवसावहे ॥ २५ ॥
“Ah, this place is very lovely, slayer of enemies. We will surely be happy, Saumitri; let us dwell here well.
इतश्च नातिदूरे सा किष्किन्धा चित्रकानना । सुग्रीवस्य पुरी रम्या भविष्यति नृपात्मज ॥ २६ ॥
“And not far from here will be that Kishkindha with its many-coloured woods, Sugriva’s lovely city, prince.
गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषः श्रूयते जयतां वर । नदतां वानराणां च मृदङ्गाडम्बरैः सह ॥ २७ ॥
“The sound of songs and instruments is heard, best of victors, and of monkeys shouting, with the booming of drums.
लब्ध्वा भार्यां कपिवरः प्राप्य राज्यं सुहृद्वृतः । ध्रुवं नन्दति सुग्रीवः सम्प्राप्य महतीं श्रियम् ॥ २८ ॥
“Having gained his wife, having won the kingdom, surrounded by friends, the best of monkeys, Sugriva, surely rejoices, having obtained great fortune.”
इत्युक्त्वा न्यवसत् तत्र राघवः सहलक्ष्मणः । बहुदृश्यदरीकुञ्जे तस्मिन् प्रस्रवणे गिरौ ॥ २९ ॥
Having said this, Raghava with Lakshmana dwelt there, on that Mount Prasravana, with many sights, caves and bowers.
सुसुखे हि बहुद्रव्ये तस्मिन् हि धरणीधरे । वसतस्तस्य रामस्य रतिरल्पापि नाभवत् ॥ ३० ॥
But on that very pleasant mountain, rich in many things, as Rama dwelt, not even a little delight came to him,
हृतां हि भार्यां स्मरतः प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसीम् । उदयाभ्युदितं दृष्ट्वा शशाङ्कं च विशेषतः ॥ ३१ ॥
remembering his wife carried off, weightier than his life; and especially seeing the moon risen over the eastern mountain,
आविवेश न तं निद्रा निशासु शयनं गतम् । तत्समुत्थेन शोकेन बाष्पोपहतचेतनम् ॥ ३२ ॥
sleep did not enter him at night when he had gone to bed, his mind struck by tears from the grief arising from that.
तं शोचमानं काकुत्स्थं नित्यं शोकपरायणम् । तुल्यदुःखोऽब्रवीद्भ्राता लक्ष्मणोऽनुनयं वचः ॥ ३३ ॥
To that Kakutstha, grieving, always given over to grief, his brother Lakshmana, of equal sorrow, spoke persuasive words:
अलं वीर व्यथां गत्वा न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि । शोचतो ह्यवसीदन्ति सर्वार्था विदितं हि ते ॥ ३४ ॥
“Enough, hero, of having gone to pain; you should not grieve. For all purposes sink for one who grieves; this is known to you.
भवान् क्रियापरो लोके भवान् देवपरायणः । आस्तिको धर्मशीलश्च व्यवसायी च राघव ॥ ३५ ॥
“You are devoted to action in the world; you are devoted to the gods, a believer, righteous in conduct and resolute, Raghava.
न ह्यव्यवसितः शत्रुं राक्षसं तं विशेषतः । समर्थस्त्वं रणे हन्तुं विक्रमे जिह्मकारिणम् ॥ ३६ ॥
“For without resolve you cannot kill the enemy in battle, especially that rakshasa, crooked in valour.
समुन्मूलय शोकं त्वं व्यवसायं स्थिरीकुरु । ततः सपरिवारं तं राक्षसं हन्तुमर्हसि ॥ ३७ ॥
“Uproot your grief; make your resolve firm. Then you will be able to kill that rakshasa with his followers.
पृथिवीमपि काकुत्स्थ ससागरवनाचलाम् । परिवर्तयितुं शक्तः किं पुनस्तं हि रावणम् ॥ ३८ ॥
“You are able to turn over even the earth, Kakutstha, with oceans, forests and mountains; how much more that Ravana.
शरत्कालं प्रतीक्षस्व प्रावृट्कालोऽयमागतः । ततः सराष्ट्रं सगणं रावणं तं वधिष्यसि ॥ ३९ ॥
“Wait for the autumn season; this rainy season has come. Then you will kill that Ravana with his kingdom and his host.
अहं तु खलु ते वीर्यं प्रसुप्तं प्रतिबोधये । दीप्तैराहुतिभिः काले भस्मच्छन्नमिवानलम् ॥ ४० ॥
“But I only awaken your sleeping valour, like a fire covered with ash, with blazing oblations in season.”
लक्ष्मणस्य हि तद् वाक्यं प्रतिपूज्य हितं शुभम् । राघवः सुहृदं स्निग्धमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ४१ ॥
Honouring that good, auspicious speech of Lakshmana, Raghava said these words to his loving friend:
वाच्यं यदनुरक्तेन स्निग्धेन च हितेन च । सत्यविक्रमयुक्तेन तदुक्तं लक्ष्मण त्वया ॥ ४२ ॥
“What should be said by one devoted, loving and wishing good, joined with true valour, that has been said by you, Lakshmana.
एष शोकः परित्यक्तः सर्वकार्यावसादकः । विक्रमेष्वप्रतिहतं तेजः प्रोत्साहयाम्यहम् ॥ ४३ ॥
“Here, this grief, the ruin of all undertakings, is given up. I rouse my splendour, unchecked in valour.
शरत्कालं प्रतीक्षिष्ये स्थितोऽस्मि वचने तव । सुग्रीवस्य नदीनां च प्रसादमनुपालयन् ॥ ४४ ॥
“I will wait for the autumn season; I stand by your word, awaiting the favour of Sugriva and of the rivers.
उपकारेण वीरस्तु प्रतिकारेण युज्यते । अकृतज्ञोऽप्रतिकृतो हन्ति सत्त्ववतां मनः ॥ ४५ ॥
“A hero who has been helped is joined with repaying; the ungrateful one who does not repay wounds the minds of the strong.”
तदेव युक्तं प्रणिधाय लक्ष्मणः कृताञ्जलिस्तत् प्रतिपूज्य भाषितम् । उवाच रामं स्वभिरामदर्शनं प्रदर्शयन् दर्शनमात्मनः शुभम् ॥ ४६ ॥
Considering that right, Lakshmana, with joined palms, honouring that speech, spoke to Rama, lovely to look on, showing his own good judgment:
यथोक्तमेतत् तव सर्वमीप्सितं नरेन्द्र कर्ता नचिरात् तु वानरः । शरत्प्रतीक्षः क्षमतामिमं भवान् जलप्रपातं रिपुनिग्रहे धृतः ॥ ४७ ॥
“All this that you have said and wish for, lord of men, the monkey will do before long. Waiting for autumn, bear this downpour of water, resolved on subduing the enemy.
नियम्य कोपं परिपाल्यतां शरत् क्षमस्व मासांश्चतुरो मया सह । वसाचलेऽस्मिन् मृगराजसेविते संवर्तयन् शत्रुवधे समर्थः ॥ ४८ ॥
“Restraining anger, let the autumn be awaited; bear the four months with me. Dwell on this mountain frequented by the king of beasts, able as you are, bringing about the enemy’s killing.”