Kishkindha Kanda · Sarga 40 of 67 · 71 verses
The Search Party Sent East
Then King Sugriva, lord of the leapers, his purpose prospering, says to Rama, tiger among men, crusher of enemy armies: “The mighty lords of the monkeys, like great Indra, who live in my realm and take any form at will, have come and settled. These terrible monkeys, like daityas and danavas, have come with very valiant, mighty followers of terrible valour, famous for their deeds and exploits, strong, tireless, famed for valour, excellent in resolve. These monkeys, Rama, moving on land and water, living on many mountains, have arrived in floods of crores, your servants. All obey commands; all are devoted to their master’s good; they will be able to do what you wish, tamer of foes. Say what you think the time requires, tiger among men; you should command your army, which is under your control. Though I truly know their task, you should still command them as is fitting.” As Sugriva speaks so, Rama, son of Dasharatha, embraces him and says: “Let it be found out, gentle one, whether Vaidehi is alive or not, and the country, very wise one, where Ravana lives. Having found Vaidehi and Ravana’s dwelling, I will then do with you what the time requires. I am not master in this task, lord of monkeys, nor is Lakshmana; you are its cause and its master, lord of the leapers. You yourself command, lord, the decision about my work; you know my work, hero, without doubt. You are a second friend, valiant, wise, knowing the particulars of time, devoted to our good, a trusted friend, best of knowers of purpose.”
Spoken to so, Sugriva, in the presence of Rama and wise Lakshmana, says to the troop-leader named Vinata, like a mountain, roaring like a cloud, mighty lord of leapers: “Best of monkeys, joined with knowledge of place, time and policy, wise in deciding tasks, surrounded by a hundred thousand swift monkeys, with monkeys like the moon and sun, go to the eastern direction with its mountains, woods and forests. Search there for Sita Vaidehi and for Ravana’s dwelling in mountain strongholds, forests and rivers.” He names the rivers and lands to be searched: the lovely Bhagirathi, the Sarayu, the Kaushiki, the lovely Kalindi Yamuna and the great Yamuna mountain, the Sarasvati, the Sindhu and the Shona with water like jewels, the Mahi and the Kalamahi adorned with mountains and forests; the Brahmamalas, Videhas, Malavas, Kashis and Kosalas, the great villages of Magadha, the Pundras and Angas, the land of silk-weavers and the land of silver mines. “All that must be searched by you as you look here and there for Rama’s beloved wife Sita, Dasharatha’s daughter-in-law. The mountains and towns sunk in the ocean, and the dwellings on the peak of Mandara; the peoples called Karnapravaranas, Oshthakarnakas, the terrible iron-faced ones, the swift one-footed ones, the strong imperishable ones, the man-eaters, the Kiratas with sharp topknots, golden and handsome, the island-dwelling Kiratas who eat raw fish, the terrible ones who move under water called man-tigers: all their homes must be searched, forest-dwellers, those reached by mountains, by leaping and by boat. Strive to reach Yavadvipa, adorned with seven kingdoms, the gold and silver island adorned with gold mines. Beyond Yavadvipa is the mountain named Shishira, touching heaven with its peak, frequented by gods and danavas. Search together for Rama’s glorious wife in their mountain strongholds, cascades and forests. Then, reaching the swift river called Shona, with red water, and going to the far shore of the ocean, frequented by siddhas and charanas, search for Ravana with Vaidehi at its lovely fords and wonderful forests. The mountain-born rivers with their terrible groves, the mountains with caves, and the forests must be searched. Then you should see the terrible islands of the ocean and the wave-filled, very fierce ocean, roaring, stirred by the wind, where huge asuras, permitted by Brahma, always seize shadows, hungry for a long time. Approaching that great ocean, like a black cloud, frequented by great serpents, loud-roaring, by a ford, then going to the terrible ocean of red water called Lohita, you will see the great kutashalmali tree and the house of Vainateya, adorned with many jewels, like Kailasa, built by Vishvakarman. There terrible rakshasas called Mandehas, like mountains, of many forms, fearsome, hang from the mountain peaks. Every day at sunrise they fall into the water and, scorched by the sun, hang up again and again; day after day those rakshasas are struck down by the power of the brahmanas. Then, going to the ocean called Kshiroda, like a white cloud, with waves like strings of pearls, you will see in its midst a great white mountain named Rishabha, surrounded by trees in flower with divine fragrance, and a lake named Sudarshana, with blazing silver lotuses with golden filaments, full of royal swans; gods, charanas, yakshas, kinnaras and hosts of apsarases come joyfully to that lotus pool for pleasure. Having crossed the milk ocean, monkeys, you will quickly see the ocean called Jaloda, terrifying to all beings, where the great fire with a horse’s face, made from the splendour of that anger, dwells; they say its great force is food, with all that moves and does not move; there the cry of the helpless creatures of the ocean is heard as they see the mare’s mouth. On the northern shore of the sweet-water ocean, thirteen yojanas off, is a very great golden mountain called Jatarupashila, shining like gold. There, monkeys, you will see the serpent who bears the earth, like the moon, with eyes wide as lotus petals, seated on the top of the mountain, honoured by all the gods: the thousand-headed god Ananta in blue garments. The three-headed golden palm-tree banner of that great soul, set on the mountaintop with its altar, shines. That was made by the lords of the gods as the boundary of the east. Beyond it is the glorious golden mountain of sunrise, Udaya, whose peak touches heaven, a hundred yojanas long, golden, divine, shining with its altar, adorned with golden sala, tala, tamala and flowering karnikara trees, divine, like the sun. There is the golden peak named Saumanasa, a yojana wide and ten yojanas high, unshakable. There Vishnu, best of beings, set his first step long ago in his three strides, and the second on the peak of Meru. When the sun goes round Jambudvipa by the north, that very high peak is most visible. There the great seers called Vaikhanasas and Valakhilyas, ascetics coloured like the sun, are seen shining. This is the island Sudarshana, in front of which shines the splendour and the eye of all living beings. On the ridges, caves and forests of that mountain, search everywhere for Ravana with Vaidehi. Filled with the splendour of the golden mountain and the great-souled sun, the eastern twilight shines red. This was made the first gate of the earth and the world, and the rising place of the sun; so this is called the east. On the ridges, waterfalls and caves of that mountain, search everywhere for Ravana with Vaidehi. Beyond that, the eastern direction, covered by the gods, is impassable, without moon or sun, invisible, wrapped in darkness. In all those mountains, caves and rivers, and in places I have not mentioned, Janaki must be searched for. Only so far can monkeys go, bulls among monkeys; beyond that, sunless and boundless, we do not know. Having found Vaidehi and Ravana’s dwelling, return when the month is full, having reached the mountain of sunrise. You must not stay beyond a month; one who stays will be put to death by me. Return successful, having found Maithili. Having searched skilfully the direction beloved of great Indra, adorned with groves of forest, and found Sita, beloved of the one born in the Raghu line, you will return and be happy.”
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अथ राजा समृद्धार्थः सुग्रीवः प्लवगेश्वरः । उवाच नरशार्दूलं रामं परबलार्दनम् ॥ १ ॥
Then King Sugriva, lord of the leapers, his purpose prospering, spoke to Rama, tiger among men, crusher of enemy forces:
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The Search Party Sent East 1 min read.
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आगता विनिविष्टाश्च बलिनः कामरूपिणः । वानरेन्द्रा महेन्द्राभा ये मद्विषयवासिनः ॥ २ ॥
“The mighty lords of the monkeys, like great Indra, taking forms at will, who dwell in my realm, have come and settled.
त इमे बहुविक्रान्तैर्बलिभिर्भीमविक्रमैः । आगता वानरा घोरा दैत्यदानवसंनिभाः ॥ ३ ॥
“These terrible monkeys, like daityas and danavas, have come with very valiant, mighty ones of terrible valour,
ख्यातकर्मापदानाश्च बलवन्तो जितक्लमाः । पराक्रमेषु विख्याता व्यवसायेषु चोत्तमाः ॥ ४ ॥
“famed for deeds and exploits, strong, conquerors of fatigue, renowned in valour and excellent in resolve.
पृथिव्यम्बुचरा राम नानानगनिवासिनः । कोट्योघाश्च इमे प्राप्ता वानरास्तव किंकराः ॥ ५ ॥
“Moving on land and water, Rama, dwelling on many mountains, these monkeys in floods of crores have arrived, your servants.
निदेशवर्तिनः सर्वे सर्वे गुरुहिते स्थिताः । अभिप्रेतमनुष्ठातुं तव शक्ष्यन्त्यरिंदम ॥ ६ ॥
“All abide by command; all stand in their master’s good. They will be able to perform what you wish, tamer of foes.
त इमे बहुसाहस्रैरनीकैर्भीमविक्रमैः । आगता वानरा घोरा दैत्यदानवसंनिभाः ॥ ७ ॥
“These terrible monkeys, like daityas and danavas, have come with many thousands of armies of terrible valour.
यन्मन्यसे नरव्याघ्र प्राप्तकालं तदुच्यताम् । त्वत्सैन्यं त्वद्वशे युक्तमाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि ॥ ८ ॥
“What you think the time requires, tiger among men, let it be said. You should command your army, joined in your control.
काममेषामिदं कार्यं विदितं मम तत्त्वतः । तथापि तु यथायुक्तमाज्ञापयितुमर्हसि ॥ ९ ॥
“Though this task of theirs is truly known to me, still you should command as is fitting.”
तथा ब्रुवाणं सुग्रीवं रामो दशरथात्मजः । बाहुभ्यां सम्परिष्वज्य इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ १० ॥
To Sugriva speaking so, Rama, son of Dasharatha, embracing him with both arms, spoke these words:
ज्ञायतां सौम्य वैदेही यदि जीवति वा न वा । स च देशो महाप्राज्ञ यस्मिन् वसति रावणः ॥ ११ ॥
“Let it be known, gentle one, whether Vaidehi lives or not, and that country, very wise one, in which Ravana dwells.
अधिगम्य तु वैदेहीं निलयं रावणस्य च । प्राप्तकालं विधास्यामि तस्मिन् काले सह त्वया ॥ १२ ॥
“Having found Vaidehi and Ravana’s dwelling, I will do at that time, with you, what the time requires.
नाहमस्मिन् प्रभुः कार्ये वानरेन्द्र न लक्ष्मणः । त्वमस्य हेतुः कार्यस्य प्रभुश्च प्लवगेश्वर ॥ १३ ॥
“I am not master in this task, lord of monkeys, nor is Lakshmana. You are the cause of this task and its master, lord of the leapers.
त्वमेवाज्ञापय विभो मम कार्यविनिश्चयम् । त्वं हि जानासि मे कार्यं मम वीर न संशयः ॥ १४ ॥
“You yourself command, lord, the decision of my task. For you know my task, hero; there is no doubt.
सुहृद्द्वितीयो विक्रान्तः प्राज्ञः कालविशेषवित् । भवानस्मद्धिते युक्तः सुहृदाप्तोऽर्थवित्तमः ॥ १५ ॥
“A second friend, valiant, wise, knowing the particulars of time, you are joined to our good, a trusted friend, best knower of purpose.”
एवमुक्तस्तु सुग्रीवो विनतं नाम यूथपम् । अब्रवीद् रामसांनिध्ये लक्ष्मणस्य च धीमतः ॥ १६ ॥
Spoken to so, Sugriva, in the presence of Rama and wise Lakshmana, said to the troop-leader named Vinata,
शैलाभं मेघनिर्घोषमूर्जितं प्लवगेश्वरम् । सोमसूर्यनिभैः सार्धं वानरैर्वानरोत्तम ॥ १७ ॥
like a mountain, roaring like a cloud, mighty lord of leapers: “Best of monkeys, with monkeys like the moon and sun,
देशकालनयैर्युक्तो विज्ञः कार्यविनिश्चये । वृतः शतसहस्रेण वानराणां तरस्विनाम् ॥ १८ ॥
“joined with policy of place and time, wise in deciding tasks, surrounded by a hundred thousand swift monkeys,
अधिगच्छ दिशं पूर्वां सशैलवनकाननाम् । तत्र सीतां च वैदेहीं निलयं रावणस्य च ॥ १९ ॥
“go to the eastern direction with its mountains, woods and forests. There search for Sita Vaidehi and Ravana’s dwelling,
मार्गध्वं गिरिदुर्गेषु वनेषु च नदीषु च । नदीं भागीरथीं रम्यां सरयूं कौशिकीं तथा ॥ २० ॥
“in mountain strongholds, forests and rivers. The lovely river Bhagirathi, the Sarayu and the Kaushiki,
कालिन्दीं यमुनां रम्यां यामुनं च महागिरिम् । सरस्वतीं च सिन्धुं च शोणं मणिनिभोदकम् ॥ २१ ॥
“the lovely Kalindi Yamuna and the great mountain Yamuna, the Sarasvati and the Sindhu, and the Shona with water like jewels,
महीं कालमहीं चापि शैलकाननशोभिताम् । ब्रह्ममालान् विदेहांश्च मालवान् काशिकोसलान् ॥ २२ ॥
“the Mahi and the Kalamahi, adorned with mountains and forests, the Brahmamalas, Videhas, Malavas, Kashis and Kosalas,
मागधांश्च महाग्रामान् पुण्ड्रांस्त्वङ्गांस्तथैव च । भूमिं च कोशकाराणां भूमिं च रजताकराम् ॥ २३ ॥
“the great villages of Magadha, the Pundras and Angas too, the land of the silk-makers, and the land with silver mines:
सर्वं च तद् विचेतव्यं मार्गयद्भिस्ततस्ततः । रामस्य दयितां भार्यां सीतां दशरथस्नुषाम् ॥ २४ ॥
“all that must be searched, seeking here and there for Rama’s beloved wife Sita, Dasharatha’s daughter-in-law.
समुद्रमवगाढांश्च पर्वतान् पत्तनानि च । मन्दरस्य च ये कोटिं संश्रिताः केचिदालयाः ॥ २५ ॥
“And the mountains and towns sunk in the ocean, and whatever dwellings are on the peak of Mandara,
कर्णप्रावरणाश्चैव तथा चाप्योष्ठकर्णकाः । घोरलोहमुखाश्चैव जवनाश्चैकपादकाः ॥ २६ ॥
“and the Karnapravaranas, and the Oshthakarnakas too, and the terrible iron-faced ones, the swift ones and the one-footed ones,
अक्षया बलवन्तश्च तथैव पुरुषादकाः । किरातास्तीक्ष्णचूडाश्च हेमाभाः प्रियदर्शनाः ॥ २७ ॥
“the imperishable, strong ones, and likewise the man-eaters, the Kiratas with sharp topknots, golden, handsome,
आममीनाशनाश्चापि किराता द्वीपवासिनः । अन्तर्जलचरा घोरा नरव्याघ्रा इति स्मृताः ॥ २८ ॥
“and the island-dwelling Kiratas who eat raw fish, the terrible ones moving under water, remembered as man-tigers:
एतेषामाश्रयाः सर्वे विचेयाः काननौकसः । गिरिभिर्ये च गम्यन्ते प्लवनेन प्लवेन च ॥ २९ ॥
“all their dwellings must be searched, forest-dwellers, and those reached by mountains, by leaping and by boat.
यत्नवन्तो यवद्वीपं सप्तराजोपशोभितम् । सुवर्णरूप्यकद्वीपं सुवर्णाकरमण्डितम् ॥ ३० ॥
“Striving, Yavadvipa, adorned with seven kingdoms, the island of gold and silver, adorned with gold mines:
यवद्वीपमतिक्रम्य शिशिरो नाम पर्वतः । दिवं स्पृशति शृङ्गेण देवदानवसेवितः ॥ ३१ ॥
“beyond Yavadvipa is a mountain named Shishira, touching heaven with its peak, frequented by gods and danavas.
एतेषां गिरिदुर्गेषु प्रपातेषु वनेषु च । मार्गध्वं सहिताः सर्वे रामपत्नीं यशस्विनीम् ॥ ३२ ॥
“In their mountain strongholds, cascades and forests, search together, all of you, for Rama’s glorious wife.
ततो रक्तजलं प्राप्य शोणाख्यं शीघ्रवाहिनम् । गत्वा पारं समुद्रस्य सिद्धचारणसेवितम् ॥ ३३ ॥
“Then, reaching the swift river of red water called Shona, going to the far shore of the ocean, frequented by siddhas and charanas,
तस्य तीर्थेषु रम्येषु विचित्रेषु वनेषु च । रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः ॥ ३४ ॥
“at its lovely fords and wonderful forests, Ravana with Vaidehi is to be searched for here and there.
पर्वतप्रभवा नद्यः सुभीमबहुनिष्कुटाः । मार्गितव्या दरीमन्तः पर्वताश्च वनानि च ॥ ३५ ॥
“The mountain-born rivers, with very terrible groves, are to be searched, and the mountains with caves, and the forests.
ततः समुद्रद्वीपांश्च सुभीमान् द्रष्टुमर्हथ । ऊर्मिमन्तं महारौद्रं क्रोशन्तमनिलोद्धतम् ॥ ३६ ॥
“Then you should see the very terrible islands of the ocean, and the wave-filled, very fierce ocean, roaring, stirred by the wind.
तत्रासुरा महाकायाश्छायां गृह्णन्ति नित्यशः । ब्रह्मणा समनुज्ञाता दीर्घकालं बुभुक्षिताः ॥ ३७ ॥
“There huge asuras always seize shadows, permitted by Brahma, hungry for a long time.
तं कालमेघप्रतिमं महोरगनिषेवितम् । अभिगम्य महानादं तीर्थेनैव महोदधिम् ॥ ३८ ॥
“Approaching that great ocean, like a black cloud, frequented by great serpents, loud-roaring, by a ford,
ततो रक्तजलं भीमं लोहितं नाम सागरम् । गत्वा प्रेक्ष्यथ तां चैव बृहतीं कूटशाल्मलीम् ॥ ३९ ॥
“then going to the terrible ocean of red water named Lohita, you will see that great kutashalmali tree,
गृहं च वैनतेयस्य नानारत्नविभूषितम् । तत्र कैलाससंकाशं विहितं विश्वकर्मणा ॥ ४० ॥
“and the house of Vainateya, adorned with many jewels, like Kailasa, made there by Vishvakarman.
तत्र शैलनिभा भीमा मन्देहा नाम राक्षसाः । शैलशृङ्गेषु लम्बन्ते नानारूपा भयावहाः ॥ ४१ ॥
“There terrible rakshasas named Mandehas, like mountains, hang from the mountain peaks, of many forms, fearsome.
ते पतन्ति जले नित्यं सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति । अभितप्ताः स्म सूर्येण लम्बन्ते स्म पुनः पुनः ॥ ४२ ॥
“They fall always into the water at the rising of the sun; scorched by the sun, they hang again and again.
निहता ब्रह्मतेजोभिरहन्यहनि राक्षसाः । ततः पाण्डुरमेघाभं क्षीरोदं नाम सागरम् ॥ ४३ ॥
“The rakshasas are struck down day after day by the splendours of the brahmanas. Then, the ocean named Kshiroda, like a white cloud,
गत्वा द्रक्ष्यथ दुर्धर्षा मुक्ताहारमिवोर्मिभिः । तस्य मध्ये महान् श्वेतो ऋषभो नाम पर्वतः ॥ ४४ ॥
“going there you will see, unassailable ones, with waves like a pearl necklace. In its middle is a great white mountain named Rishabha,
दिव्यगन्धैः कुसुमितैराचितैश्च नगैर्वृतः । सरश्च राजतैः पद्मैर्ज्वलितैर्हेमकेसरैः ॥ ४५ ॥
“surrounded by flowering, close-set trees of divine fragrance, and a lake with blazing silver lotuses with golden filaments,
नाम्ना सुदर्शनं नाम राजहंसैः समाकुलम् । विबुधाश्चारणा यक्षाः किंनराश्चाप्सरोगणाः ॥ ४६ ॥
“named Sudarshana, crowded with royal swans. Gods, charanas, yakshas, kinnaras and hosts of apsarases
हृष्टाः समधिगच्छन्ति नलिनीं तां रिरंसवः । क्षीरोदं समतिक्रम्य तदा द्रक्ष्यथ वानराः ॥ ४७ ॥
“come joyfully to that lotus pool, wishing to sport. Having crossed the milk ocean, then you will see, monkeys,
जलोदं सागरं शीघ्रं सर्वभूतभयावहम् । तत्र तत्कोपजं तेजः कृतं हयमुखं महत् ॥ ४८ ॥
“quickly the ocean Jaloda, terrifying to all beings. There, made from that anger, is the great splendour with a horse’s face.
अस्याहुस्तन्महावेगमोदनं सचराचरम् । तत्र विक्रोशतां नादो भूतानां सागरौकसाम् । श्रूयते चासमर्थानां दृष्ट्वाभूद् वडवामुखम् ॥ ४९ ॥
“They say its food is that great force, with all that moves and does not move. There the cry of the helpless creatures dwelling in the ocean is heard, crying out, having seen the mare’s mouth.
स्वादूदस्योत्तरे तीरे योजनानि त्रयोदश । जातरूपशिलो नाम सुमहान् कनकप्रभः ॥ ५० ॥
“On the northern shore of the sweet-water ocean, thirteen yojanas off, is a very great one named Jatarupashila, shining like gold.
तत्र चन्द्रप्रतीकाशं पन्नगं धरणीधरम् । पद्मपत्रविशालाक्षं ततो द्रक्ष्यथ वानराः ॥ ५१ ॥
“There, then, you will see, monkeys, the serpent who bears the earth, like the moon, with eyes wide as lotus petals,
आसीनं पर्वतस्याग्रे सर्वदेवनमस्कृतम् । सहस्रशिरसं देवमनन्तं नीलवाससम् ॥ ५२ ॥
“seated on the top of the mountain, honoured by all the gods, the thousand-headed god Ananta, wearing blue.
त्रिशिराः काञ्चनः केतुस्तालस्तस्य महात्मनः । स्थापितः पर्वतस्याग्रे विराजति सवेदिकः ॥ ५३ ॥
“Three-headed, golden, the palm-tree banner of that great soul, set on the top of the mountain, shines with its altar.
पूर्वस्यां दिशि निर्माणं कृतं तत् त्रिदशेश्वरैः । ततः परं हेममयः श्रीमानुदयपर्वतः ॥ ५४ ॥
“That boundary in the eastern direction was made by the lords of the thirty gods. Beyond that is the glorious golden mountain of sunrise.
तस्य कोटिर्दिवं स्पृष्ट्वा शतयोजनमायता । जातरूपमयी दिव्या विराजति सवेदिका ॥ ५५ ॥
“Its peak, touching heaven, a hundred yojanas long, golden, divine, shines with its altar.
सालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च कर्णिकारैश्च पुष्पितैः । जातरूपमयैर्दिव्यैः शोभते सूर्यसंनिभैः ॥ ५६ ॥
“It is adorned with golden, divine salas, talas, tamalas and flowering karnikaras, like the sun.
तत्र योजनविस्तारमुच्छ्रितं दशयोजनम् । शृङ्गं सौमनसं नाम जातरूपमयं ध्रुवम् ॥ ५७ ॥
“There is a peak named Saumanasa, a yojana wide and ten yojanas high, golden, firm.
तत्र पूर्वं पदं कृत्वा पुरा विष्णुस्त्रिविक्रमे । द्वितीयं शिखरे मेरोश्चकार पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ ५८ ॥
“There long ago Vishnu, best of beings, set his first step in the three strides, and made the second on the peak of Meru.
उत्तरेण परिक्रम्य जम्बूद्वीपं दिवाकरः । दृश्यो भवति भूयिष्ठं शिखरं तन्महोच्छ्रयम् ॥ ५९ ॥
“When the sun goes round Jambudvipa by the north, that very lofty peak becomes most visible.
तत्र वैखानसा नाम वालखिल्या महर्षयः । प्रकाशमाना दृश्यन्ते सूर्यवर्णास्तपस्विनः ॥ ६० ॥
“There great seers named Vaikhanasas and Valakhilyas, ascetics coloured like the sun, are seen shining.
अयं सुदर्शनो द्वीपः पुरो यस्य प्रकाशते । तस्मिंस्तेजश्च चक्षुश्च सर्वप्राणभृतामपि ॥ ६१ ॥
“This is the island Sudarshana, in front of which shines the splendour and the eye of all living beings.
शैलस्य तस्य पृष्ठेषु कन्दरेषु वनेषु च । रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः ॥ ६२ ॥
“On the ridges of that mountain, in its caves and forests, Ravana with Vaidehi is to be searched for here and there.
काञ्चनस्य च शैलस्य सूर्यस्य च महात्मनः । आविष्टा तेजसा संध्या पूर्वा रक्ता प्रकाशते ॥ ६३ ॥
“Filled with the splendour of the golden mountain and of the great-souled sun, the eastern twilight shines red.
पूर्वमेतत् कृतं द्वारं पृथिव्या भुवनस्य च । सूर्यस्योदयनं चैव पूर्वा ह्येषा दिगुच्यते ॥ ६४ ॥
“This was made the first gate of the earth and the world, and the rising of the sun; so this is called the east.
तस्य शैलस्य पृष्ठेषु निर्झरेषु गुहासु च । रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः ॥ ६५ ॥
“On the ridges of that mountain, in its waterfalls and caves, Ravana with Vaidehi is to be searched for here and there.
ततः परमगम्या स्याद् दिक्पूर्वा त्रिदशावृता । रहिता चन्द्रसूर्याभ्यामदृश्या तमसावृता ॥ ६६ ॥
“Beyond that, the eastern direction, covered by the thirty gods, would be impassable, without moon and sun, invisible, covered with darkness.
शैलेषु तेषु सर्वेषु कन्दरेषु नदीषु च । ये च नोक्ता मयोद्देशा विचेया तेषु जानकी ॥ ६७ ॥
“In all those mountains, caves and rivers, and in whatever places were not mentioned by me, Janaki is to be searched for.
एतावद् वानरैः शक्यं गन्तुं वानरपुङ्गवाः । अभास्करममर्यादं न जानीमस्ततः परम् ॥ ६८ ॥
“So far, bulls among monkeys, can monkeys go. Beyond that, sunless and boundless, we do not know.
अभिगम्य तु वैदेहीं निलयं रावणस्य च । मासे पूर्णे निवर्तध्वमुदयं प्राप्य पर्वतम् ॥ ६९ ॥
“Having found Vaidehi and Ravana’s dwelling, return when the month is full, having reached the mountain of sunrise.
ऊर्ध्वं मासान्न वस्तव्यं वसन् वध्यो भवेन्मम । सिद्धार्थाः संनिवर्तध्वमधिगम्य च मैथिलीम् ॥ ७० ॥
“Beyond a month you must not stay; one who stays would be put to death by me. Return successful, having found Maithili.
महेन्द्रकान्तां वनषण्डमण्डितां दिशं चरित्वा निपुणेन वानराः । अवाप्य सीतां रघुवंशजप्रियां ततो निवृत्ताः सुखिनो भविष्यथ ॥ ७१ ॥
“Having searched skilfully the direction beloved of great Indra, adorned with forest groves, monkeys, and having found Sita, beloved of the one born in the Raghu line, then, returned, you will be happy.”