Yuddha Kanda · Sarga 50 of 128 · 65 verses
Garuda Frees the Brothers
Sugriva asks why the army is shaken like a boat in a confused wind. Angada points to Rama and Lakshmana lying on their bed of arrows. Sugriva says there must be some fear behind it: the monkeys are fleeing in all directions, weapons thrown away, eyes wide, trampling over the fallen. Then Vibhishana arrives, mace in hand, blessing Sugriva and Raghava with victory; it was he the monkeys took for Indrajit. Sugriva has Jambavan rally them, and they return, their fear gone.
Seeing Rama’s and Lakshmana’s bodies covered with arrows, Vibhishana weeps, wipes their eyes with a wet hand and laments: these two heroes, so true and brave, have been brought to this by rakshasas who fight by deceit, by my brother’s wicked son with his crooked rakshasa mind; they lie like porcupines bristling with arrows. Those on whose strength I hoped for my place now sleep toward death; alive, I am undone, my hope of kingdom lost, and Ravana has his wish. Sugriva embraces him: you will have the kingdom of Lanka; Ravana and his son will not get what they want; these two, protected by Garuda, will throw off this swoon and kill Ravana and his host. He tells his father-in-law Sushena to take the brothers back to Kishkindha when they recover; Sugriva himself will kill Ravana and bring back Maithili. Sushena recalls the war of gods and asuras, when Brihaspati revived wounded and dying gods with herbs and mantras: let Sampati, Panasa and others go to the Ocean of Milk, where the nectar was churned, to the mountains Candra and Drona, for the heavenly herbs Samjivakarani and Vishalya; let Hanuman go.
At that moment a great wind arises, with clouds and lightning, churning the sea and shaking the mountains; trees on the islands break and fall into the salt water; the serpents living there are terrified, and the sea creatures flee. Then the monkeys see Garuda, son of Vinata, blazing like fire. At the sight of him, the mighty serpents that had become arrows and bound the two men flee. Suparna touches the Kakutsthas, greets them and strokes their moon-like faces; at his touch their wounds heal, their bodies become golden and glossy, and their splendour, valour, strength, energy, spirit, insight, intelligence and memory are doubled. Raising them, Garuda embraces them. Rama says: by your grace we have overcome this great calamity caused by Ravana’s son and are strong again; my heart is glad at meeting you as at meeting my father or my grandfather Aja. Who are you, so beautiful, with heavenly garlands, ointments, spotless clothes and ornaments?
The king of birds answers: I am your friend, Kakutstha, your dear breath moving outside you: Garuda, come to help you both. Neither asuras nor danavas, nor the gods and gandharvas with Indra, could release you from this terrible bond made by Indrajit’s magic: these are the sharp-fanged, deadly-poisoned serpents, sons of Kadru, made into arrows by rakshasa sorcery. You are fortunate, righteous Rama. Hearing of it, I came at once out of friendship. Be always vigilant: rakshasas fight by deceit, while your strength is your honesty; never trust them in battle. Embracing Rama, he takes leave: do not wonder about our friendship; when your work in battle is done, you will understand it. Leaving Lanka with only children and old people, killing your enemy Ravana with waves of arrows, you will win back Sita. Circling Rama, Garuda flies off like the wind. Seeing the Raghavas healed, the monkeys roar like lions, lash their tails, beat drums and blow conches, tear up trees and advance to the gates of Lanka, eager for battle, their roar like that of thunderclouds at the end of summer.
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अथोवाच महातेजा हरिराजो महाबलः । किमियं व्यथिता सेना मूढवातेव नौर्जले ॥ १ ॥
Then the radiant, mighty king of the monkeys said: “Why is this army troubled, like a boat on the water in a confused wind?”
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सुग्रीवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा वालिपुत्रोऽङ्गदोऽब्रवीत् । न त्वं पश्यसि रामं च लक्ष्मणं च महारथम् ॥ २ ॥
Hearing Sugriva’s words, Angada son of Vali said: “Do you not see Rama, and Lakshmana the great chariot-warrior,
शरजालाचितौ वीरावुभौ दशरथात्मजौ । शरतल्पे महात्मानौ शयानौ रुधिरोक्षितौ ॥ ३ ॥
“both heroes, sons of Dasharatha, covered with nets of arrows, the great souls lying on a bed of arrows, drenched in blood?”
अथाब्रवीद् वानरेन्द्रः सुग्रीवः पुत्रमङ्गदम् । नानिमित्तमिदं मन्ये भवितव्यं भयेन तु ॥ ४ ॥
Then Sugriva, lord of the monkeys, said to his son Angada: “I do not think this is without cause; there must be some fear.
विषण्णवदना ह्येते त्यक्तप्रहरणा दिशः । पलायन्तेऽत्र हरयस्त्रासादुत्फुल्ललोचनाः ॥ ५ ॥
“For these monkeys, their faces dejected, their weapons thrown away, are fleeing in all directions, their eyes wide with terror.
अन्योन्यस्य न लज्जन्ते न निरीक्षन्ति पृष्ठतः । विप्रकर्षन्ति चान्योन्यं पतितं लङ्घयन्ति च ॥ ६ ॥
“They are not ashamed before one another, they do not look behind, they drag one another and leap over the fallen.”
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वीरो गदापाणिर्विभीषणः । सुग्रीवं वर्धयामास राघवं च जयाशिषा ॥ ७ ॥
Meanwhile the hero Vibhishana, mace in hand, honoured Sugriva and Raghava with blessings of victory.
विभीषणं च सुग्रीवो दृष्ट्वा वानरभीषणम् । ऋक्षराजं महात्मानं समीपस्थमुवाच ह ॥ ८ ॥
Seeing Vibhishana, the terror of the monkeys, Sugriva said to the great-souled king of the bears standing near:
विभीषणोऽयं सम्प्राप्तो यं दृष्ट्वा वानरर्षभाः । द्रवन्त्यायतसंत्रासा रावणात्मजशङ्कया ॥ ९ ॥
“This is Vibhishana who has come, seeing whom the bulls among monkeys run, struck with great fear, suspecting Ravana’s son.
शीघ्रमेतान् सुसंत्रस्तान् बहुधा विप्रधावितान् । पर्यवस्थापयाख्याहि विभीषणमुपस्थितम् ॥ १० ॥
“Quickly steady these terrified ones, running in many directions; tell them that Vibhishana has come.”
सुग्रीवेणैवमुक्तस्तु जाम्बवानृक्षपार्थिवः । वानरान् सान्त्वयामास संनिवर्त्य प्रधावतः ॥ ११ ॥
Told so by Sugriva, Jambavan, king of the bears, comforted the monkeys and turned back those who were running.
ते निवृत्ताः पुनः सर्वे वानरास्त्यक्तसाध्वसाः । ऋक्षराजवचः श्रुत्वा तं च दृष्ट्वा विभीषणम् ॥ १२ ॥
All those monkeys came back again, their fear gone, hearing the words of the king of the bears and seeing Vibhishana.
विभीषणस्तु रामस्य दृष्ट्वा गात्रं शरैश्चितम् । लक्ष्मणस्य तु धर्मात्मा बभूव व्यथितस्तदा ॥ १३ ॥
But righteous Vibhishana, seeing Rama’s body covered with arrows, and Lakshmana’s, was distressed then.
जलक्लिन्नेन हस्तेन तयोर्नेत्रे विमृज्य च । शोकसम्पीडितमना रुरोद विललाप च ॥ १४ ॥
Wiping their eyes with a wet hand, his heart crushed with grief, he wept and lamented:
इमौ तौ सत्त्वसम्पन्नौ विक्रान्तौ प्रियसंयुगौ । इमामवस्थां गमितौ राक्षसैः कूटयोधिभिः ॥ १५ ॥
“These are those two, full of courage, valiant, who loved battle, brought to this state by rakshasas who fight by deceit.
भ्रातृपुत्रेण चैतेन दुष्पुत्रेण दुरात्मना । राक्षस्या जिह्मया बुद्ध्या वञ्चितावृजुविक्रमौ ॥ १६ ॥
“By this son of my brother, a bad son, evil-souled, with a crooked rakshasa mind, these two of straight valour were deceived.
शरैरिमावलं विद्धौ रुधिरेण समुक्षितौ । वसुधायामिमौ सुप्तौ दृश्येते शल्यकाविव ॥ १७ ॥
“Pierced through with arrows, drenched in blood, these two lie asleep on the earth, looking like porcupines.
ययोर्वीर्यमुपाश्रित्य प्रतिष्ठा काङ्क्षिता मया । ताविमौ देहनाशाय प्रसुप्तौ पुरुषर्षभौ ॥ १८ ॥
“Those two bulls among men, relying on whose valour I hoped for my place, are asleep for the destruction of their bodies.
जीवन्नद्य विपन्नोऽस्मि नष्टराज्यमनोरथः । प्राप्तप्रतिज्ञश्च रिपुः सकामो रावणः कृतः ॥ १९ ॥
“Alive, I am undone today, my hope of the kingdom lost; and the enemy Ravana has gained his vow and been given his wish.”
एवं विलपमानं तं परिष्वज्य विभीषणम् । सुग्रीवः सत्त्वसम्पन्नो हरिराजोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ २० ॥
Embracing Vibhishana, lamenting so, Sugriva, king of the monkeys, full of courage, said this:
राज्यं प्राप्स्यसि धर्मज्ञ लङ्कायां नेह संशयः । रावणः सह पुत्रेण स्वकामं नेह लप्स्यते ॥ २१ ॥
“You will gain the kingdom in Lanka, knower of dharma, no doubt of it here. Ravana with his son will not gain his wish here.
गरुडाधिष्ठितावेतावुभौ राघवलक्ष्मणौ । त्यक्त्वा मोहं वधिष्येते सगणं रावणं रणे ॥ २२ ॥
“These two, Raghava and Lakshmana, under Garuda’s care, will throw off this swoon and kill Ravana with his host in battle.”
तमेवं सान्त्वयित्वा तु समाश्वास्य तु राक्षसम् । सुषेणं श्वशुरं पार्श्वे सुग्रीवस्तमुवाच ह ॥ २३ ॥
Having consoled and comforted the rakshasa so, Sugriva said to his father-in-law Sushena, standing beside him:
सह शूरैर्हरिगणैर्लब्धसंज्ञावरिंदमौ । गच्छ त्वं भ्रातरौ गृह्य किष्किन्धां रामलक्ष्मणौ ॥ २४ ॥
“When the two brothers, Rama and Lakshmana, tamers of enemies, have regained consciousness, take them with heroic monkey troops and go to Kishkindha.
अहं तु रावणं हत्वा सपुत्रं सहबान्धवम् । मैथिलीमानयिष्यामि शक्रो नष्टामिव श्रियम् ॥ २५ ॥
“I, having killed Ravana with his son and kin, will bring back Maithili, as Shakra brought back lost Fortune.”
श्रुत्वैतद् वानरेन्द्रस्य सुषेणो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । देवासुरं महायुद्धमनुभूतं पुरातनम् ॥ २६ ॥
Hearing these words of the lord of the monkeys, Sushena said: “The great war of gods and asuras long ago was experienced;
तदा स्म दानवा देवान् शरसंस्पर्शकोविदान् । निजघ्नुः शस्त्रविदुषश्छादयन्तो मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ २७ ॥
“then the danavas struck down the gods, skilled in the touch of arrows and knowing weapons, covering them again and again.
तानार्तान् नष्टसंज्ञांश्च गतासूंश्च बृहस्पतिः । विद्याभिर्मन्त्रयुक्ताभिरोषधीभिश्चिकित्सति ॥ २८ ॥
“Those in pain, unconscious and lifeless, Brihaspati treated with sciences joined with mantras and with herbs.
तान्यौषधान्यानयितुं क्षीरोदं यान्तु सागरम् । जवेन वानराः शीघ्रं सम्पातिपनसादयः ॥ २९ ॥
“To bring those herbs, let monkeys go quickly at speed to the Ocean of Milk: Sampati, Panasa and others.
हरयस्तु विजानन्ति पार्वती ते महौषधी । संजीवकरणीं दिव्यां विशल्यां देवनिर्मिताम् ॥ ३० ॥
“The monkeys know those two great mountain herbs: the heavenly Samjivakarani and Vishalya, made by the gods.
चन्द्रश्च नाम द्रोणश्च क्षीरोदे सागरोत्तमे । अमृतं यत्र मथितं तत्र ते परमौषधी ॥ ३१ ॥
“In the Ocean of Milk, the best of seas, where the nectar was churned, are the mountains named Candra and Drona: there are those supreme herbs.
तौ तत्र विहितौ देवैः पर्वतौ तौ महोदधौ । अयं वायुसुतो राजन् हनूमांस्तत्र गच्छतु ॥ ३२ ॥
“Those two mountains were set there in the great ocean by the gods. Let this son of the Wind, Hanuman, go there, king.”
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वायुर्मेघाश्चापि सविद्युतः । पर्यस्य सागरे तोयं कम्पयन्निव पर्वतान् ॥ ३३ ॥
Meanwhile a wind, and clouds with lightning, stirring up the water in the ocean, seemed to shake the mountains.
महता पक्षवातेन सर्वद्वीपमहाद्रुमाः । निपेतुर्भग्नविटपाः सलिले लवणाम्भसि ॥ ३४ ॥
By the great wind of wings, all the great trees of the islands, their branches broken, fell into the salt water.
अभवन् पन्नगास्त्रस्ता भोगिनस्तत्रवासिनः । शीघ्रं सर्वाणि यादांसि जग्मुश्च लवणार्णवम् ॥ ३५ ॥
The serpents living there were terrified, the coiled ones; and all the sea creatures quickly went into the salt sea.
ततो मुहूर्ताद् गरुडं वैनतेयं महाबलम् । वानरा ददृशुः सर्वे ज्वलन्तमिव पावकम् ॥ ३६ ॥
Then after a moment all the monkeys saw Garuda, Vinata’s mighty son, like a blazing fire.
तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य नागास्ते विप्रदुद्रुवुः । यैस्तु तौ पुरुषौ बद्धौ शरभूतैर्महाबलैः ॥ ३७ ॥
Seeing him come, those mighty serpents that had become arrows, by which those two men were bound, fled.
ततः सुपर्णः काकुत्स्थौ स्पृष्ट्वा प्रत्यभिनन्द्य च । विममर्श च पाणिभ्यां मुखे चन्द्रसमप्रभे ॥ ३८ ॥
Then Suparna touched the two Kakutsthas, greeted them, and stroked with his hands their faces, shining like the moon.
वैनतेयेन संस्पृष्टास्तयोः संरुरुहुर्व्रणाः । सुवर्णे च तनू स्निग्धे तयोराशु बभूवतुः ॥ ३९ ॥
Touched by Vinata’s son, their wounds healed, and their bodies quickly became golden and glossy.
तेजो वीर्यं बलं चौज उत्साहश्च महागुणाः । प्रदर्शनं च बुद्धिश्च स्मृतिश्च द्विगुणा तयोः ॥ ४० ॥
Splendour, valour, strength, energy, spirit, the great virtues, insight, intelligence and memory became double in them.
तावुत्थाप्य महातेजा गरुडो वासवोपमौ । उभौ च सस्वजे हृष्टो रामश्चैनमुवाच ह ॥ ४१ ॥
Raising those two, like Vasava, radiant Garuda, delighted, embraced them both, and Rama said to him:
भवत्प्रसादाद् व्यसनं रावणिप्रभवं महत् । उपायेन व्यतिक्रान्तौ शीघ्रं च बलिनौ कृतौ ॥ ४२ ॥
“By your grace we have overcome by this means the great calamity caused by Ravana’s son, and have quickly been made strong.
यथा तातं दशरथं यथाजं च पितामहम् । तथा भवन्तमासाद्य हृदयं मे प्रसीदति ॥ ४३ ॥
“As on meeting my father Dasharatha, or my grandfather Aja, so my heart is glad on meeting you.
को भवान् रूपसम्पन्नो दिव्यस्रगनुलेपनः । वसानो विरजे वस्त्रे दिव्याभरणभूषितः ॥ ४४ ॥
“Who are you, so beautiful, with heavenly garlands and ointments, wearing spotless clothes, adorned with heavenly ornaments?”
तमुवाच महातेजा वैनतेयो महाबलः । पतत्त्रिराजः प्रीतात्मा हर्षपर्याकुलेक्षणम् ॥ ४५ ॥
To him, his eyes troubled with joy, radiant, mighty Vinata’s son, the king of birds, his heart pleased, said:
अहं सखा ते काकुत्स्थ प्रियः प्राणो बहिश्चरः । गरुत्मानिह सम्प्राप्तो युवयोः साह्यकारणात् ॥ ४६ ॥
“I am your friend, Kakutstha, your dear breath moving outside you: Garutman, come here for the sake of helping you both.
असुरा वा महावीर्या दानवा वा महाबलाः । सुराश्चापि सगन्धर्वाः पुरस्कृत्य शतक्रतुम् ॥ ४७ ॥
“Neither the asuras of great valour, nor the mighty danavas, nor the gods with the gandharvas, putting Shatakratu in front,
नेमं मोक्षयितुं शक्ताः शरबन्धं सुदारुणम् । मायाबलादिन्द्रजिता निर्मितं क्रूरकर्मणा ॥ ४८ ॥
“could free you from this very terrible bond of arrows, made by Indrajit of cruel deeds through the power of magic.
एते नागाः काद्रवेयास्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रा विषोल्बणाः । रक्षोमायाप्रभावेण शरभूतास्त्वदाश्रयाः ॥ ४९ ॥
“These are serpents, sons of Kadru, with sharp fangs and terrible poison, become arrows by the power of the rakshasa’s magic, clinging to you.
सभाग्यश्चासि धर्मज्ञ राम सत्यपराक्रम । लक्ष्मणेन सह भ्रात्रा समरे रिपुघातिना ॥ ५० ॥
“And you are fortunate, knower of dharma, Rama of true valour, with your brother Lakshmana, slayer of enemies in battle.
इमं श्रुत्वा तु वृत्तान्तं त्वरमाणोऽहमागतः । सहसैवावयोः स्नेहात् सखित्वमनुपालयन् ॥ ५१ ॥
“Hearing this news I have come in haste, suddenly, out of affection for you both, keeping our friendship.
मोक्षितौ च महाघोरादस्मात् सायकबन्धनात् । अप्रमादश्च कर्तव्यो युवाभ्यां नित्यमेव हि ॥ ५२ ॥
“And you have been freed from this very terrible bond of arrows; and you must always be vigilant.
प्रकृत्या राक्षसाः सर्वे संग्रामे कूटयोधिनः । शूराणां शुद्धभावानां भवतामार्जवं बलम् ॥ ५३ ॥
“By nature all rakshasas fight by deceit in battle; your strength, heroes of pure heart, is your straightforwardness.
तन्न विश्वसनीयं वो राक्षसानां रणाजिरे । एतेनैवोपमानेन नित्यं जिह्मा हि राक्षसाः ॥ ५४ ॥
“So the rakshasas are not to be trusted by you on the battlefield; by this very example, rakshasas are always crooked.”
एवमुक्त्वा तदा रामं सुपर्णः स महाबलः । परिष्वज्य च सुस्निग्धमाप्रष्टुमुपचक्रमे ॥ ५५ ॥
Having said this to Rama then, mighty Suparna embraced him very affectionately and began to take his leave:
सखे राघव धर्मज्ञ रिपूणामपि वत्सल । अभ्यनुज्ञातुमिच्छामि गमिष्यामि यथासुखम् ॥ ५६ ॥
“Friend Raghava, knower of dharma, kind even to enemies, I wish to take leave; I will go as I please.
न च कौतूहलं कार्यं सखित्वं प्रति राघव । कृतकर्मा रणे वीर सखित्वं प्रतिवेत्स्यसि ॥ ५७ ॥
“And do not be curious about our friendship, Raghava; when your deed in battle is done, hero, you will understand the friendship.
बालवृद्धावशेषां तु लङ्कां कृत्वा शरोर्मिभिः । रावणं तु रिपुं हत्वा सीतां त्वमुपलप्स्यसे ॥ ५८ ॥
“Having made Lanka left with only children and old people by your waves of arrows, and having killed your enemy Ravana, you will win back Sita.”
इत्येवमुक्त्वा वचनं सुपर्णः शीघ्रविक्रमः । रामं च नीरुजं कृत्वा मध्ये तेषां वनौकसाम् ॥ ५९ ॥
Having spoken these words, Suparna of swift valour, having made Rama whole in the midst of those forest-dwellers,
प्रदक्षिणं ततः कृत्वा परिष्वज्य च वीर्यवान् । जगामाकाशमाविश्य सुपर्णः पवनो यथा ॥ ६० ॥
having walked round him and embraced him, the valiant Suparna entered the sky and went like the wind.
नीरुजौ राघवौ दृष्ट्वा ततो वानरयूथपाः । सिंहनादं तदा नेदुर्लाङ्गूलं दुधुवुश्च ते ॥ ६१ ॥
Seeing the two Raghavas healed, the leaders of the monkey troops roared lions’ roars and shook their tails.
ततो भेरीः समाजघ्नुर्मृदङ्गांश्चाप्यवादयन् । दध्मुः शङ्खान् सम्प्रहृष्टाः क्ष्वेलन्त्यपि यथापुरम् ॥ ६२ ॥
Then they beat drums and played tabors; delighted, they blew conches and shrieked as before.
अपरे स्फोट्य विक्रान्ता वानरा नगयोधिनः । द्रुमानुत्पाट्य विविधांस्तस्थुः शतसहस्रशः ॥ ६३ ॥
Other valiant monkeys who fight with trees, slapping their arms, tore up trees of many kinds and stood by hundreds of thousands.
विसृजन्तो महानादांस्त्रासयन्तो निशाचरान् । लङ्काद्वाराण्युपाजग्मुर्योद्धुकामाः प्लवंगमाः ॥ ६४ ॥
Letting out great roars, terrifying the night-wanderers, the leapers came up to the gates of Lanka, eager to fight.
तेषां सुभीमस्तुमुलो निनादो बभूव शाखामृगयूथपानाम् । क्षये निदाघस्य यथा घनानां नादः सुभीमो नदतां निशीथे ॥ ६५ ॥
Their very terrible, tumultuous roar, of the leaders of the troops of tree-beasts, was like the very terrible roar of clouds thundering at midnight at the end of summer.