Yuddha Kanda · Sarga 4 of 128 · 121 verses
The March to the Sea
Rama vows to destroy Lanka quickly. It is noon, the hour of victory, under the star Uttaraphalguni; let them set out at once. Sita, hearing of his march, will take hope, like a dying man given nectar; his right eyelid throbs, foretelling success. He sets the order of march: Nila goes ahead with a hundred thousand monkeys to find a route rich in fruit, roots, cool water and honey and to guard against rakshasas poisoning the way; Gaja, Gavaya and Gavaksha lead the vanguard; Rishabha guards the right flank and Gandhamadana the left; Rama rides in the middle on Hanuman, like Indra on Airavata, and Lakshmana on Angada; Jambavan, Sushena and Vegadarshi guard the rear.
The vast army sets out, leaping, roaring, eating honey and fruit, carrying trees, jostling and shouting “Ravana must die, and all the night-wanderers!” Avoiding towns and villages at Rama’s command, it pours south like the ocean. Lakshmana points out good omens: a gentle wind, birds singing, clear skies and sun, bright stars on the right, Vishakha, the Ikshvakus’ star, shining clear, while Mula, the rakshasas’ star, is afflicted by a comet. The dust of the army hides the sun; rivers seem to flow backward. Crossing the Sahya and Malaya mountains, the monkeys revel among flowering trees and lakes, swim, drink honey and break branches, until the earth looks covered with ripe rice.
Rama climbs Mahendra and sees the ocean. On the shore he says: here is the old problem again; this ocean cannot be crossed without a plan. Let the army camp here, no one leaving his unit, while they take counsel. The army camps along the shore in three divisions, like a second ocean the colour of pale honey, its noise drowning the sea’s roar. The monkeys gaze at the ocean at nightfall: terrible with crocodiles, laughing with foam, dancing with waves, reflecting the rising moon, heaving with serpents and sea monsters, home of the asuras, sky and sea so alike, both studded with stars and gems, that they cannot be told apart; the waves clash and roar like great drums. The monkeys stand amazed.
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श्रुत्वा हनूमतो वाक्यं यथावदनुपूर्वशः । ततोऽब्रवीन्महातेजा रामः सत्यपराक्रमः ॥ १ ॥
Hearing Hanuman’s words, in due order and accurately, Rama of great splendour, of true valour, then said:
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यन्निवेदयसे लङ्कां पुरीं भीमस्य रक्षसः । क्षिप्रमेनां वधिष्यामि सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते ॥ २ ॥
“This city of Lanka of the terrible rakshasa that you describe: I will quickly destroy it. I tell you this truly.
अस्मिन् मुहूर्ते सुग्रीव प्रयाणमभिरोचय । युक्तो मुहूर्ते विजये प्राप्तो मध्यं दिवाकरः ॥ ३ ॥
“At this very hour, Sugriva, choose to set out. The hour is right for victory: the sun has reached the middle of the sky.
सीतां हृत्वा तु तद् यातु क्वासौ यास्यति जीवितः । सीता श्रुत्वाभियानं मे आशामेष्यति जीविते । जीवितान्तेऽमृतं स्पृष्ट्वा पीत्वामृतमिवातुरः ॥ ४ ॥
“Having stolen Sita, let him go; where will he go and live? Sita, hearing of my march, will take hope for her life, like a sick man at the end of life touching and drinking nectar.
उत्तराफाल्गुनी ह्यद्य श्वस्तु हस्तेन योक्ष्यते । अभिप्रयाम सुग्रीव सर्वानीकसमावृताः ॥ ५ ॥
“Today is Uttaraphalguni, and tomorrow the moon will be joined with Hasta. Let us set out, Sugriva, surrounded by all our forces.
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि यानि प्रादुर्भवन्ति वै । निहत्य रावणं सीतामानयिष्यामि जानकीम् ॥ ६ ॥
“And I see the omens that are appearing: I will kill Ravana and bring back Sita, Janaki.
उपरिष्टाद्धि नयनं स्फुरमाणमिमं मम । विजयं समनुप्राप्तं शंसतीव मनोरथम् ॥ ७ ॥
“This upper eyelid of mine is throbbing, as if announcing that my wish for victory is attained.”
ततो वानरराजेन लक्ष्मणेन सुपूजितः । उवाच रामो धर्मात्मा पुनरप्यर्थकोविदः ॥ ८ ॥
Then, honoured by the king of the monkeys and by Lakshmana, righteous Rama, skilled in affairs, spoke again:
अग्रे यातु बलस्यास्य नीलो मार्गमवेक्षितुम् । वृतः शतसहस्रेण वानराणां तरस्विनाम् ॥ ९ ॥
“Let Nila go at the head of this army to survey the road, surrounded by a hundred thousand swift monkeys.
फलमूलवता नील शीतकाननवारिणा । पथा मधुमता चाशु सेनां सेनापते नय ॥ १० ॥
“Nila, commander, lead the army quickly by a road with fruit and roots, with cool woods and water, and with honey.
दूषयेयुर्दुरात्मानः पथि मूलफलोदकम् । राक्षसाः पथि रक्षेथास्तेभ्यस्त्वं नित्यमुद्यतः ॥ ११ ॥
“Evil-souled rakshasas might spoil the roots, fruit and water on the road; always be ready to guard the road against them.
निम्नेषु वनदुर्गेषु वनेषु च वनौकसः । अभिप्लुत्याभिपश्येयुः परेषां निहितं बलम् ॥ १२ ॥
“Let the forest-dwellers leap into hollows, forest fastnesses and woods and look out for enemy forces hidden there.
यत्तु फल्गु बलं किंचित् तदत्रैवोपपद्यताम् । एतद्धि कृत्यं घोरं नो विक्रमेण प्रयुज्यताम् ॥ १३ ॥
“Whatever part of the army is weak, let it stay right here. This task of ours is terrible; let it be undertaken with valour.
सागरौघनिभं भीममग्रानीकं महाबलाः । कपिसिंहाः प्रकर्षन्तु शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥ १४ ॥
“Let the mighty lion-monkeys, by hundreds and thousands, lead the terrible vanguard, like the flood of the ocean.
गजश्च गिरिसंकाशो गवयश्च महाबलः । गवाक्षश्चाग्रतो यातु गवां दृप्त इवर्षभः ॥ १५ ॥
“Let Gaja, like a mountain, and mighty Gavaya, and Gavaksha go in front, like a proud bull before the cattle.
यातु वानरवाहिन्या वानरः प्लवतां पतिः । पालयन् दक्षिणं पार्श्वमृषभो वानरर्षभः ॥ १६ ॥
“Let Rishabha, lord of leapers, bull among monkeys, go guarding the right flank of the monkey army.
गन्धहस्तीव दुर्धर्षस्तरस्वी गन्धमादनः । यातु वानरवाहिन्याः सव्यं पार्श्वमधिष्ठितः ॥ १७ ॥
“Let swift Gandhamadana, unassailable like a scent-elephant, go stationed on the left flank of the monkey army.
यास्यामि बलमध्येऽहं बलौघमभिहर्षयन् । अधिरुह्य हनूमन्तमैरावतमिवेश्वरः ॥ १८ ॥
“I will go in the middle of the army, gladdening the mass of troops, riding on Hanuman as the lord rides Airavata.
अङ्गदेनैष संयातु लक्ष्मणश्चान्तकोपमः । सार्वभौमेन भूतेशो द्रविणाधिपतिर्यथा ॥ १९ ॥
“Let Lakshmana, like Death, go with Angada, as the lord of wealth, lord of beings, rides Sarvabhauma.
जाम्बवांश्च सुषेणश्च वेगदर्शी च वानरः । ऋक्षराजो महाबाहुः कुक्षिं रक्षन्तु ते त्रयः ॥ २० ॥
“And let Jambavan, Sushena, and the monkey Vegadarshi, the mighty-armed king of the bears, those three, guard the rear.”
राघवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवो वाहिनीपतिः । व्यादिदेश महावीर्यो वानरान् वानरर्षभः ॥ २१ ॥
Hearing Raghava’s words, Sugriva, lord of the army, the mighty bull among monkeys, gave orders to the monkeys.
ते वानरगणाः सर्वे समुत्पत्य महौजसः । गुहाभ्यः शिखरेभ्यश्च आशु पुप्लुविरे तदा ॥ २२ ॥
All those hosts of monkeys of great energy sprang up from caves and peaks and quickly leapt along.
ततो वानरराजेन लक्ष्मणेन च पूजितः । जगाम रामो धर्मात्मा ससैन्यो दक्षिणां दिशम् ॥ २३ ॥
Then, honoured by the king of the monkeys and by Lakshmana, righteous Rama went with the army toward the southern quarter.
शतैः शतसहस्रैश्च कोटिभिश्चायुतैरपि । वारणाभैश्च हरिभिर्ययौ परिवृतस्तदा ॥ २४ ॥
He went surrounded then by hundreds, hundreds of thousands, tens of millions and tens of thousands of monkeys like elephants.
तं यान्तमनुयान्ती सा महती हरिवाहिनी । हृष्टाः प्रमुदिताः सर्वे सुग्रीवेणापि पालिताः ॥ २५ ॥
That great monkey army followed him as he went, all delighted and joyful, protected by Sugriva.
आप्लवन्तः प्लवन्तश्च गर्जन्तश्च प्लवंगमाः । क्ष्वेलन्तो निनदन्तश्च जग्मुर्वै दक्षिणां दिशम् ॥ २६ ॥
Springing, leaping and roaring, shrieking and bellowing, the monkeys went toward the southern quarter,
भक्षयन्तः सुगन्धीनि मधूनि च फलानि च । उद्वहन्तो महावृक्षान् मञ्जरीपुञ्जधारिणः ॥ २७ ॥
eating fragrant honey and fruit, carrying great trees and bearing clusters of blossoms.
अन्योन्यं सहसा दृप्ता निर्वहन्ति क्षिपन्ति च । पतन्तश्चोत्पतन्त्यन्ये पातयन्त्यपरे परान् ॥ २८ ॥
Proud, they suddenly carry one another and throw one another; some fall and spring up again, others knock others down.
रावणो नो निहन्तव्यः सर्वे च रजनीचराः । इति गर्जन्ति हरयो राघवस्य समीपतः ॥ २९ ॥
“Ravana must be killed by us, and all the night-wanderers!” So the monkeys roared near Raghava.
पुरस्तादृषभो नीलो वीरः कुमुद एव च । पन्थानं शोधयन्ति स्म वानरैर्बहुभिः सह ॥ ३० ॥
In front, Rishabha, Nila and the hero Kumuda cleared the road with many monkeys.
मध्ये तु राजा सुग्रीवो रामो लक्ष्मण एव च । बलिभिर्बहुभिर्भीमैर्वृतः शत्रुनिबर्हणः ॥ ३१ ॥
In the middle were King Sugriva, Rama and Lakshmana, the slayer of enemies, surrounded by many mighty, terrible ones.
हरिः शतबलिर्वीरः कोटिभिर्दशभिर्वृतः । सर्वामेको ह्यवष्टभ्य ररक्ष हरिवाहिनीम् ॥ ३२ ॥
The heroic monkey Shatabali, surrounded by ten crores, alone held and protected the whole monkey army.
कोटीशतपरीवारः केसरी पनसो गजः । अर्कश्च बहुभिः पार्श्वमेकं तस्याभिरक्षति ॥ ३३ ॥
Kesari, Panasa, Gaja and Arka, with hundreds of crores around them, with many others, guarded one flank.
सुषेणो जाम्बवांश्चैव ऋक्षैर्बहुभिरावृतौ । सुग्रीवं पुरतः कृत्वा जघनं संररक्षतुः ॥ ३४ ॥
Sushena and Jambavan, surrounded by many bears, putting Sugriva in front, guarded the rear.
तेषां सेनापतिर्वीरो नीलो वानरपुंगवः । सम्पतन् प्लवतां श्रेष्ठस्तद् बलं पर्यवारयत् ॥ ३५ ॥
Their commander, the heroic Nila, bull among monkeys, best of leapers, ranging about, kept that army together.
दरीमुखः प्रजङ्घश्च जम्भोऽथ रभसः कपिः । सर्वतश्च ययुर्वीरास्त्वरयन्तः प्लवंगमान् ॥ ३६ ॥
Darimukha, Prajangha, Jambha and the monkey Rabhasa went on all sides, the heroes, urging the leapers on.
एवं ते हरिशार्दूला गच्छन्ति बलदर्पिताः । अपश्यन्त गिरिश्रेष्ठं सह्यं गिरिशतायुतम् ॥ ३७ ॥
So those tigers among monkeys went on, proud of their strength, and saw the best of mountains, Sahya, with its hundreds of thousands of peaks,
सरांसि च सुफुल्लानि तटाकानि वराणि च । रामस्य शासनं ज्ञात्वा भीमकोपस्य भीतवत् ॥ ३८ ॥
and lakes in full flower and fine ponds. Knowing the command of Rama, of terrible anger, as if in fear,
वर्जयन् नागराभ्याशांस्तथा जनपदानपि । सागरौघनिभं भीमं तद् वानरबलं महत् ॥ ३९ ॥
that great monkey army, terrible, like the flood of the ocean, avoided the neighbourhoods of towns and the countryside too.
निःससर्प महाघोरं भीमघोषमिवार्णवम् । तस्य दाशरथेः पार्श्वे शूरास्ते कपिकुञ्जराः ॥ ४० ॥
It moved on, very terrible, like the ocean with its terrible roar. Those heroic elephants among monkeys at the side of Dasharatha’s son
तूर्णमापुप्लुवुः सर्वे सदश्वा इव चोदिताः । कपिभ्यामुह्यमानौ तौ शुशुभाते नरर्षभौ ॥ ४१ ॥
all quickly leapt along like good horses urged on. Carried by two monkeys, those two bulls among men shone
महद्भ्यामिव संस्पृष्टौ ग्रहाभ्यां चन्द्रभास्करौ । ततो वानरराजेन लक्ष्मणेन सुपूजितः ॥ ४२ ॥
like the moon and the sun touched by two great planets. Then, honoured by the king of the monkeys and by Lakshmana,
जगाम रामो धर्मात्मा ससैन्यो दक्षिणां दिशम् । तमङ्गदगतो रामं लक्ष्मणः शुभया गिरा ॥ ४३ ॥
righteous Rama went with the army toward the southern quarter. Lakshmana, riding on Angada, spoke to Rama in auspicious words,
उवाच परिपूर्णार्थं पूर्णार्थप्रतिभानवान् । हृतामवाप्य वैदेहीं क्षिप्रं हत्वा च रावणम् ॥ ४४ ॥
the one quick to see the fulfilment of purposes, to him whose purpose was about to be fulfilled: “Having won back Vaidehi, who was stolen, and quickly killed Ravana,
समृद्धार्थः समृद्धार्थामयोध्यां प्रतियास्यसि । महान्ति च निमित्तानि दिवि भूमौ च राघव ॥ ४५ ॥
“your purpose fulfilled, you will return to prosperous Ayodhya. Great omens in the sky and on earth, Raghava,
शुभानि तव पश्यामि सर्वाण्येवार्थसिद्धये । अनुवाति शिवो वायुः सेनां मृदुहितः सुखः ॥ ४६ ॥
“auspicious ones, I see for you, all for the success of your purpose. A kind wind blows after the army, gentle, beneficial, pleasant.
पूर्णवल्गुस्वराश्चेमे प्रवदन्ति मृगद्विजाः । प्रसन्नाश्च दिशः सर्वा विमलश्च दिवाकरः ॥ ४७ ॥
“These beasts and birds are calling in full, sweet voices; all the directions are clear, and the sun is spotless.
उशना च प्रसन्नार्चिरनु त्वां भार्गवो गतः । ब्रह्मराशिर्विशुद्धश्च शुद्धाश्च परमर्षयः । अर्चिष्मन्तः प्रकाशन्ते ध्रुवं सर्वे प्रदक्षिणम् ॥ ४८ ॥
“Ushanas, Bhargava, with clear light, has followed after you; the cluster of the Seven Sages is pure, and the great sages are bright, all shining clearly on the right.
त्रिशङ्कुर्विमलो भाति राजर्षिः सपुरोहितः । पितामहः पुरोऽस्माकमिक्ष्वाकूणां महात्मनाम् ॥ ४९ ॥
“Trishanku, the royal sage, shines spotless with his priest: the grandfather, before us, of the great-souled Ikshvakus.
विमले च प्रकाशेते विशाखे निरुपद्रवे । नक्षत्रं परमस्माकमिक्ष्वाकूणां महात्मनाम् ॥ ५० ॥
“And the two Vishakhas shine spotless and untroubled: the highest star of us, the great-souled Ikshvakus.
नैर्ऋतं नैर्ऋतानां च नक्षत्रमतिपीड्यते । मूलो मूलवता स्पृष्टो धूप्यते धूमकेतुना ॥ ५१ ॥
“The star of the nairritas, of the nairrita quarter, is greatly afflicted: Mula is touched by the one with a root and scorched by the comet.
सर्वं चैतद् विनाशाय राक्षसानामुपस्थितम् । काले कालगृहीतानां नक्षत्रं ग्रहपीडितम् ॥ ५२ ॥
“All this has appeared for the destruction of the rakshasas: at the time of those seized by Time, their star is afflicted by a planet.
प्रसन्नाः सुरसाश्चापो वनानि फलवन्ति च । प्रवान्ति नाधिका गन्धा यथर्तुकुसुमा द्रुमाः ॥ ५३ ॥
“The waters are clear and well-tasting, the woods full of fruit; gentle breezes carry scents, and the trees bear flowers in season.
व्यूढानि कपिसैन्यानि प्रकाशन्तेऽधिकं प्रभो । देवानामिव सैन्यानि संग्रामे तारकामये । एवमार्य समीक्ष्यैतत् प्रीतो भवितुमर्हसि ॥ ५४ ॥
“The ranked monkey armies shine all the more, lord, like the armies of the gods in the battle over Tara. Seeing this, noble brother, you should be glad.”
इति भ्रातरमाश्वास्य हृष्टः सौमित्रिरब्रवीत् । अथावृत्य महीं कृत्स्नां जगाम हरिवाहिनी ॥ ५५ ॥
Comforting his brother so, Saumitri spoke joyfully. Then the monkey army went on, covering the whole earth.
ऋक्षवानरशार्दूलैर्नखद्रंष्ट्रायुधैरपि । कराग्रैश्चरणाग्रैश्च वानरैरुद्धतं रजः ॥ ५६ ॥
The dust thrown up by the tigers among bears and monkeys, whose weapons are nails and teeth, by the monkeys’ fingers and toes,
भीममन्तर्दधे लोकं निवार्य सवितुः प्रभाम् । सपर्वतवनाकाशं दक्षिणां हरिवाहिनी ॥ ५७ ॥
terrible, hid the world, blocking the sun’s light. Covering the southern quarter with its mountains, woods and sky,
छादयन्ती ययौ भीमा द्यामिवाम्बुदसंततिः । उत्तरन्त्याश्च सेनायाः सततं बहुयोजनम् ॥ ५८ ॥
the terrible monkey army went on like a mass of clouds covering the heavens. As the army crossed over continuously for many leagues,
नदीस्रोतांसि सर्वाणि सस्यन्दुर्विपरीतवत् । सरांसि विमलाम्भांसि द्रुमाकीर्णांश्च पर्वतान् ॥ ५९ ॥
all the river currents seemed to flow backward. Lakes with clear water, mountains covered with trees,
समान् भूमिप्रदेशांश्च वनानि फलवन्ति च । मध्येन च समन्ताच्च तिर्यक् चाधश्च साविशत् ॥ ६० ॥
level stretches of ground and woods full of fruit: the army entered everywhere, through the middle and all around, across and below.
समावृत्य महीं कृत्स्नां जगाम महती चमूः । ते हृष्टवदनाः सर्वे जग्मुर्मारुतरंहसः ॥ ६१ ॥
Covering the whole earth, the great army went on. All of them with joyful faces went with the speed of the wind,
हरयो राघवस्यार्थे समारोपितविक्रमाः । हर्षं वीर्यं बलोद्रेकान् दर्शयन्तः परस्परम् ॥ ६२ ॥
the monkeys, their valour roused for Raghava’s cause, showing one another their joy, their strength and their surpassing power.
यौवनोत्सेकजाद् दर्पाद् विविधांश्चक्रुरध्वनि । तत्र केचिद् द्रुतं जग्मुरुत्पेतुश्च तथापरे ॥ ६३ ॥
From the pride born of youthful exuberance they did many things on the road: some there ran fast, others leapt up,
केचित् किलकिलां चक्रुर्वानरा वनगोचराः । प्रास्फोटयंश्च पुच्छानि संनिजघ्नुः पदान्यपि ॥ ६४ ॥
some forest monkeys chattered, some slapped their tails and stamped their feet,
भुजान् विक्षिप्य शैलांश्च द्रुमानन्ये बभञ्जिरे । आरोहन्तश्च शृङ्गाणि गिरीणां गिरिगोचराः ॥ ६५ ॥
others flung out their arms and broke rocks and trees; the mountain-dwellers, climbing the peaks of the mountains,
महानादान् प्रमुञ्चन्ति क्ष्वेडामन्ये प्रचक्रिरे । ऊरुवेगैश्च ममृदुर्लताजालान्यनेकशः ॥ ६६ ॥
let out great roars; others shrieked; with the force of their thighs they crushed many tangles of creepers;
जृम्भमाणाश्च विक्रान्ता विचिक्रीडुः शिलाद्रुमैः । ततः शतसहस्रैश्च कोटिभिश्च सहस्रशः ॥ ६७ ॥
yawning and valiant, they played with rocks and trees. Then, with hundreds of thousands, tens of millions and thousands
वानराणां सुघोराणां श्रीमत्परिवृता मही । सा स्म याति दिवारात्रं महती हरिवाहिनी ॥ ६८ ॥
of very terrible monkeys, the earth was gloriously covered. That great monkey army went on day and night.
प्रहृष्टमुदिताः सर्वे सुग्रीवेणाभिपालिताः । वानरास्त्वरिता यान्ति सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः । प्रमोक्षयिषवः सीतां मुहूर्तं क्वापि नावसन् ॥ ६९ ॥
All delighted and joyful, protected by Sugriva, the monkeys went swiftly, all delighting in battle. Eager to free Sita, they did not rest anywhere even for a moment.
ततः पादपसम्बाधं नानावनसमायुतम् । सह्यपर्वतमासाद्य वानरास्ते समारुहन् ॥ ७० ॥
Then, reaching Mount Sahya, crowded with trees and full of many woods, the monkeys climbed it.
काननानि विचित्राणि नदीप्रस्रवणानि च । पश्यन्नपि ययौ रामः सह्यस्य मलयस्य च ॥ ७१ ॥
Rama went on, looking at the wonderful woods, rivers and springs of Sahya and Malaya.
चम्पकांस्तिलकांश्चूतानशोकान् सिन्दुवारकान् । तिनिशान् करवीरांश्च भञ्जन्ति स्म प्लवंगमाः ॥ ७२ ॥
The leapers broke campaka, tilaka and mango trees, ashokas and sinduvaras, tinishas and karaviras.
अङ्कोलांश्च करञ्जांश्च प्लक्षन्यग्रोधपादपान् । जम्बूकामलकान् नीपान् भञ्जन्ति स्म प्लवंगमाः ॥ ७३ ॥
The leapers broke ankolas and karanjas, plaksha and banyan trees, jambu, amalaka and nipa trees.
प्रस्तरेषु च रम्येषु विविधाः काननद्रुमाः । वायुवेगप्रचलिताः पुष्पैरवकिरन्ति तान् ॥ ७४ ॥
On lovely rocky stretches, forest trees of many kinds, stirred by the force of the wind, showered them with flowers.
मारुतः सुखसंस्पर्शो वाति चन्दनशीतलः । षट्पदैरनुकूजद्भिर्वनेषु मधुगन्धिषु ॥ ७५ ॥
A breeze pleasant to the touch, cool as sandal, blew, with bees humming along in the honey-scented woods.
अधिकं शैलराजस्तु धातुभिस्तु विभूषितः । धातुभ्यः प्रसृतो रेणुर्वायुवेगेन घट्टितः ॥ ७६ ॥
The king of mountains was richly adorned with minerals; the dust spreading from the minerals, stirred by the force of the wind,
सुमहद्वानरानीकं छादयामास सर्वतः । गिरिप्रस्थेषु रम्येषु सर्वतः सम्प्रपुष्पिताः ॥ ७७ ॥
covered the very great monkey army on every side. On the lovely mountain slopes, everywhere in full flower,
केतक्यः सिन्दुवाराश्च वासन्त्यश्च मनोरमाः । माधव्यो गन्धपूर्णाश्च कुन्दगुल्माश्च पुष्पिताः ॥ ७८ ॥
were ketakis, sinduvaras and lovely vasantis, fragrant madhavis and flowering clumps of jasmine,
चिरिबिल्वा मधूकाश्च वञ्जुला बकुलास्तथा । रञ्जकास्तिलकाश्चैव नागवृक्षाश्च पुष्पिताः ॥ ७९ ॥
ciribilvas, madhukas, vanjulas and bakulas, ranjakas, tilakas and flowering naga trees,
चूताः पाटलिकाश्चैव कोविदाराश्च पुष्पिताः । मुचुलिन्दार्जुनाश्चैव शिंशपाः कुटजास्तथा ॥ ८० ॥
mangoes, patalikas and flowering kovidaras, mucilindas, arjunas, shimshapas and kutajas,
हिन्तालास्तिनिशाश्चैव चूर्णका नीपकास्तथा । नीलाशोकाश्च सरला अङ्कोलाः पद्मकास्तथा ॥ ८१ ॥
hintalas, tinishas, churnakas and nipakas, blue ashokas, saralas, ankolas and padmakas:
प्रीयमाणैः प्लवंगैस्तु सर्वे पर्याकुलीकृताः । वाप्यस्तस्मिन् गिरौ रम्याः पल्वलानि तथैव च ॥ ८२ ॥
all were thrown into confusion by the delighted leapers. On that mountain there were lovely wells and ponds,
चक्रवाकानुचरिताः कारण्डवनिषेविताः । प्लवैः क्रौञ्चैश्च संकीर्णा वराहमृगसेविताः ॥ ८३ ॥
frequented by chakravakas, inhabited by karandavas, crowded with waterfowl and herons, visited by boars and deer,
ऋक्षैस्तरक्षुभिः सिंहैः शार्दूलैश्च भयावहैः । व्यालैश्च बहुभिर्भीमैः सेव्यमानाः समन्ततः ॥ ८४ ॥
visited on every side by bears, hyenas, lions, fearsome tigers and many terrible beasts of prey.
पद्मैः सौगन्धिकैः फुल्लैः कुमुदैश्चोत्पलैस्तथा । वारिजैर्विविधैः पुष्पै रम्यास्तत्र जलाशयाः ॥ ८५ ॥
With blooming lotuses, saugandhikas, lilies and blue lotuses, with water flowers of many kinds, the lakes there were lovely.
तस्य सानुषु कूजन्ति नानाद्विजगणास्तथा । स्नात्वा पीत्वोदकान्यत्र जले क्रीडन्ति वानराः ॥ ८६ ॥
On its slopes flocks of many birds were singing; the monkeys bathed and drank the water there and played in it.
अन्योन्यं प्लावयन्ति स्म शैलमारुह्य वानराः । फलान्यमृतगन्धीनि मूलानि कुसुमानि च ॥ ८७ ॥
The monkeys climbed the mountain and splashed one another. Fruits with the scent of nectar, roots and flowers,
बभञ्जुर्वानरास्तत्र पादपानां मदोत्कटाः । द्रोणमात्रप्रमाणानि लम्बमानानि वानराः ॥ ८८ ॥
the wild monkeys broke from the trees there. The honey-coloured monkeys went on, at their ease, drinking honeycombs as big as buckets, hanging down,
ययुः पिबन्तः स्वस्थास्ते मधूनि मधुपिङ्गलाः । पादपानवभञ्जन्तो विकर्षन्तस्तथा लताः ॥ ८९ ॥
breaking trees and dragging down creepers,
विधमन्तो गिरिवरान् प्रययुः प्लवगर्षभाः । वृक्षेभ्योऽन्ये तु कपयो नदन्तो मधु दर्पिताः ॥ ९० ॥
laying waste the best mountains, the bulls among leapers went on. Other monkeys, from the trees, roared, proud with honey;
अन्ये वृक्षान् प्रपद्यन्ते प्रपिबन्त्यपि चापरे । बभूव वसुधा तैस्तु सम्पूर्णा हरिपुङ्गवैः । यथा कमलकेदारैः पक्वैरिव वसुंधरा ॥ ९१ ॥
others went to trees, and others drank. The earth was filled with those bulls among monkeys, like the earth with fields of ripe kalama rice.
महेन्द्रमथ सम्प्राप्य रामो राजीवलोचनः । आरुरोह महाबाहुः शिखरं द्रुमभूषितम् ॥ ९२ ॥
Then, reaching Mahendra, lotus-eyed, mighty-armed Rama climbed its summit adorned with trees.
ततः शिखरमारुह्य रामो दशरथात्मजः । कूर्ममीनसमाकीर्णमपश्यत् सलिलाशयम् ॥ ९३ ॥
Having climbed the summit, Rama, son of Dasharatha, saw the body of water full of turtles and fish.
ते सह्यं समतिक्रम्य मलयं च महागिरिम् । आसेदुरानुपूर्व्येण समुद्रं भीमनिःस्वनम् ॥ ९४ ॥
Passing Sahya and the great mountain Malaya, they reached in due order the ocean with its terrible roar.
अवरुह्य जगामाशु वेलावनमनुत्तमम् । रामो रमयतां श्रेष्ठः ससुग्रीवः सलक्ष्मणः ॥ ९५ ॥
Coming down, Rama, best of those who give delight, went quickly with Sugriva and Lakshmana to the unsurpassed forest on the shore.
अथ धौतोपलतलां तोयौघैः सहसोत्थितैः । वेलामासाद्य विपुलां रामो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ९६ ॥
Then, reaching the wide shore, its rock surfaces washed by the suddenly rising floods of water, Rama said:
एते वयमनुप्राप्ताः सुग्रीव वरुणालयम् । इहेदानीं विचिन्ता सा या नः पूर्वमुपस्थिता ॥ ९७ ॥
“Here we have reached Varuna’s home, Sugriva. Here now is the problem that faced us before.
अतः परमतीरोऽयं सागरः सरितां पतिः । न चायमनुपायेन शक्यस्तरितुमर्णवः ॥ ९८ ॥
“Beyond this the ocean, lord of rivers, has no further shore; this sea cannot be crossed without some means.
तदिहैव निवेशोऽस्तु मन्त्रः प्रस्तूयतामिह । यथेदं वानरबलं परं पारमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ९९ ॥
“So let us camp right here, and let counsel be taken here, how this monkey army may reach the far shore.”
इतीव स महाबाहुः सीताहरणकर्शितः । रामः सागरमासाद्य वासमाज्ञापयत् तदा ॥ १०० ॥
So, reaching the ocean, mighty-armed Rama, worn by Sita’s abduction, gave orders to camp:
सर्वाः सेना निवेश्यन्तां वेलायां हरिपुङ्गव । सम्प्राप्तो मन्त्रकालो नः सागरस्येह लङ्घने ॥ १०१ ॥
“Let all the armies camp on the shore, bull among monkeys; the time for counsel has come for us, about leaping the ocean here.
स्वां स्वां सेनां समुत्सृज्य मा च कश्चित् कुतो व्रजेत् । गच्छन्तु वानराः शूरा ज्ञेयं छन्नं भयं च नः ॥ १०२ ॥
“Let no one leave his own unit and go anywhere; let heroic monkeys go out; hidden danger to us must be watched for.”
रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवः सहलक्ष्मणः । सेनां निवेशयत् तीरे सागरस्य द्रुमायुते ॥ १०३ ॥
Hearing Rama’s words, Sugriva with Lakshmana camped the army on the tree-covered shore of the ocean.
विरराज समीपस्थं सागरस्य च तद् बलम् । मधुपाण्डुजलः श्रीमान् द्वितीय इव सागरः ॥ १०४ ॥
That army near the ocean shone like a second glorious ocean, its waters the colour of pale honey.
वेलावनमुपागम्य ततस्ते हरिपुङ्गवाः । निविष्टाश्च परं पारं काङ्क्षमाणा महोदधेः ॥ १०५ ॥
Coming to the shore forest, those bulls among monkeys camped, longing for the far shore of the great ocean.
तेषां निविशमानानां सैन्यसंनाहनिःस्वनः । अन्तर्धाय महानादमर्णवस्य प्रशुश्रुवे ॥ १०६ ॥
As they camped, the noise of the army’s preparations was heard, drowning the great roar of the ocean.
सा वानराणां ध्वजिनी सुग्रीवेणाभिपालिता । त्रिधा निविष्टा महती रामस्यार्थपराभवत् ॥ १०७ ॥
That great monkey army, protected by Sugriva, camped in three divisions, devoted to Rama’s cause.
सा महार्णवमासाद्य हृष्टा वानरवाहिनी । वायुवेगसमाधूतं पश्यमाना महार्णवम् ॥ १०८ ॥
Reaching the great ocean, the monkey army was delighted, gazing at the great ocean, stirred by the force of the wind.
दूरपारमसम्बाधं रक्षोगणनिषेवितम् । पश्यन्तो वरुणावासं निषेदुर्हरियूथपाः ॥ १०९ ॥
Gazing at Varuna’s home, its far shore distant, without obstruction, haunted by hosts of rakshasas, the leaders of the monkey troops sat down,
चण्डनक्रग्राहघोरं क्षपादौ दिवसक्षये । हसन्तमिव फेनौघैर्नृत्यन्तमिव चोर्मिभिः ॥ ११० ॥
terrible with fierce crocodiles and sharks, at nightfall at the end of the day, as if laughing with masses of foam and dancing with its waves,
चन्द्रोदये समुद्भूतं प्रतिचन्द्रसमाकुलम् । चण्डानिलमहाग्राहैः कीर्णं तिमितिमिंगिलैः ॥ १११ ॥
swelling at the rising of the moon, full of reflected moons, scattered with sea monsters like fierce winds, with whales and whale-eaters,
दीप्तभोगैरिवाकीर्णं भुजङ्गैर्वरुणालयम् । अवगाढं महासत्त्वैर्नानाशैलसमाकुलम् ॥ ११२ ॥
Varuna’s home, as if strewn with serpents with blazing coils, deep with great creatures, full of many mountains,
सुदुर्गं दुर्गमार्गं तमगाधमसुरालयम् । मकरैर्नागभोगैश्च विगाढा वातलोलिताः । उत्पेतुश्च निपेतुश्च प्रहृष्टा जलराशयः ॥ ११३ ॥
very hard to cross, with paths hard to travel, bottomless, the home of the asuras. Plunged in by sea monsters and the coils of serpents, tossed by the wind, the masses of water rose and fell, rejoicing.
अग्निचूर्णमिवाविद्धं भास्वराम्बुमहोरगम् । सुरारिनिलयं घोरं पातालविषयं सदा ॥ ११४ ॥
Like fire-dust scattered, with its great serpents of shining water, terrible, the home of the enemies of the gods, always the region of the underworld:
सागरं चाम्बरप्रख्यमम्बरं सागरोपमम् । सागरं चाम्बरं चेति निर्विशेषमदृश्यत ॥ ११५ ॥
the ocean was like the sky, and the sky like the ocean; ocean and sky looked without any difference.
सम्पृक्तं नभसाप्यम्भः सम्पृक्तं च नभोऽम्भसा । तादृग्रूपे स्म दृश्येते तारारत्नसमाकुले ॥ ११६ ॥
The water merged with the sky and the sky with the water; both looked alike, crowded with stars and jewels.
समुत्पतितमेघस्य वीचिमालाकुलस्य च । विशेषो न द्वयोरासीत् सागरस्याम्बरस्य च ॥ ११७ ॥
Between the ocean, with its risen clouds, and the sky, crowded with garlands of waves, there was no difference between the two.
अन्योन्यैरहताः सक्ताः सस्वनुर्भीमनिःस्वनाः । ऊर्मयः सिन्धुराजस्य महाभेर्य इवाम्बरे ॥ ११८ ॥
Striking one another and clinging, the waves of the king of rivers roared with a terrible noise, like great drums in the sky.
रत्नौघजलसंनादं विषक्तमिव वायुना । उत्पतन्तमिव क्रुद्धं यादोगणसमाकुलम् ॥ ११९ ॥
Resounding with floods of jewels and water, as if joined to the wind, as if rising up in anger, crowded with hosts of sea creatures,
ददृशुस्ते महात्मानो वाताहतजलाशयम् । अनिलोद्धूतमाकाशे प्रवलान्तमिवोर्मिभिः ॥ १२० ॥
the great souls saw that body of water struck by the wind, as if raving in the sky with its waves tossed by the wind.
ततो विस्मयमापन्ना हरयो ददृशुः स्थिताः । भ्रान्तोर्मिजालसंनादं प्रलोलमिव सागरम् ॥ १२१ ॥
Then, filled with wonder, the monkeys stood and saw the ocean, roaring with its whirling nets of waves, as if heaving to and fro.