ततः प्रस्थाप्य सुग्रीवस्तन्महद्वानरं बलम्। दक्षिणां प्रेषयामास वानरानभिलक्षितान्॥
Then having sent away that mighty host of monkeys, Sugriva despatched to the South others competent to perform the several tasks entrusted to them.
नीलमग्निसुतं चैव हनूमन्तं च वानरम्। पितामहसुतं चैव जाम्बवन्तं महौजसम्॥ सुहोत्रं च शरारि च शरगुल्मं तथैव च। गजं गवाक्षं गवयं सुषेणं वृषभं तथा॥ मैन्दं च द्विविदं चैव सुषेणं गन्धमादनम्। उल्कामुखमनङ्गं च हुताशनसुताबुभौ॥ अङ्गदप्रमुखान् वीरान् वीरः कपिगणेश्वरः। वेगविक्रमसम्पन्नान् संदिदेश विशेषवित्॥ तेषामग्रेसरं चैव बृहद्बलमथाङ्गदम्। विधाय हरिवीराणामादिशद् दक्षिणां दिशम्॥ ये केचन समुद्देशास्तस्यां दिशि सुदुर्गमाः। कपीशः कपिमुख्यानां स तेषां समुदाहरत्॥
And appointing the exceedingly mighty Angada as the leader of those heroic monkeys, that hero, the lord of monkey bands, conversant with the countries intended to be explored, despatched heroes endowed with speed and prowess, headed by Angada, Nīla the son of Fire, and the monkey Hanumān; and the exceedingly energetic Jämbavān, son to the Great-father, and Suhotra, and Sarari, and Saragulma, Gaja, Gavaksya, and Gavaya, Sus ena, Vrsabha, Mainda, Dvivida, and Gandhamādana, and Ulkāmukha and Anangasons of Fire both. And the lord of monkeys began to describe to the monkey-chiefs those tracts in those directions, that were difficult of access.
सहस्रशिरसं विन्ध्यं नानादुमलतायुतम्। नर्मदां च नदी रम्यां महोरगनिषेविताम्॥ ततो गोदावरी रम्या कृष्णवेणीं महानदीम्। वरदां च महाभागां महोरगनिषेविताम्। मेखलानुत्कलांश्चैव दशार्णनगराण्यपि॥ आब्रवन्तीमवन्ती च सर्वमेवानुपश्यत। विदर्भानृष्टिकांश्चैव रम्यान् माहिषकानपि॥ तथा मत्स्यकलिङ्गांश्च कौशिकांश्च समन्ततः। अन्वीक्ष्य दण्डकारण्यं सपर्वतनदीगुहम्॥ नदी गोदावरी चैव सर्वमेवानुपश्यत। तथैवान्ध्रांश्च पुण्ड्रांश्च चोलान्पाण्ड्यांश्च केरलान्॥
You will behold Vindhya having an hundred summits, and furnished with various trees and shrubs, and the romantic river Narmada, frequented by mighty serpents; and the Godāvari', and that mighty river, the captivating Krşnaveņi, and the Mekhalās and Utkalas, and the cities of Dasarna; and Avravanti and Avanti, and the Vidarbhas and Nishtikas and the charming Māhișakas.? And you will see also the Matsyas and Kalingas and Kausikas all round, and the forest of Dandaka, with mountains, rivers and caverns; and the river Godāvarī,' and the Andhras, and Paundras, he Cholas, the Pandyas, and the Keralas. 1. The commentator says, The Godavari flowing through the countries to t'ie east of the Vindya mountains. 2. Some text read-Ristikas instead. 3. The tract, according to Rāmānuja, watered by the Godāvari in the vicinity of Dandaka.
अयोमुखश्च गन्तव्यः पर्वतो धातुमण्डितः। विचित्रशिखरः श्रीमांश्चित्रपुष्पितकाननः॥ सुचन्दनवनोद्देशो मार्गितव्यो महागिरिः।
Then shall you repair to the mountain Ayomukha,* plated with ore, having taking summits, graceful, furnished with picturesque flowering woods,-the mighty mountain having groves of excellent sandal. *Another name of this hill is Malaya.
ततस्तामापगां दिव्यां प्रसन्नसलिलाशयाम्॥ तत्र द्रक्ष्यथ कावेरी विहतामप्सरोगणैः।
At the foot of the Malaya mountain endued with exceeding energy, you will behold the noble stream Kāveri, of pleasant waters, where sport troops of Apsarās.
तस्यासीनं नगस्याग्रे मलयस्य महौजसम्॥ द्रक्ष्यथादित्यसंकाशमगस्त्यमृषिसत्तमम्।
(There) you will see that foremost of saints, Agastya, resembling the sun.
ततस्तेनाभ्यनुज्ञाताः प्रसन्नेन महात्मना॥ ताम्रपर्णी ग्राहजुष्टां तरिष्यथ महानदीम्।
Permitted by that gratified high-souled one, you will cross over the great river, Tăniraparni, abounding in alligators.
सा चन्दनवनैश्चित्रैः प्रच्छन्नद्वीपवारिणी॥ कान्तेव युवती कान्तं समुद्रमवगाहते।
Like a youthful female in relation to her lover, she (Tāmraparni), with both her waters as well as islets concealed under beautiful sandal woods, bathes in the sea.
ततो हेममयं दिव्यं मुक्तामणिविभूषितम्॥ युक्तं कवाटं पाण्ड्यानां गता द्रक्ष्यथ वानराः।
Proceeding (therefrom), the monkeys shall see the grand golden gates belonging to the walls of the capital of the Pāndyas.
ततः समुद्रमासाद्य सम्प्रधार्यार्थनिश्चयम्॥ अगस्त्येनान्तरे तत्र सागरे विनिवेशितः। चित्रसानुनगः श्रीमान् महेन्द्रः पर्वतोत्तमः॥
Then arriving at the main, you shall ascertain your ability or otherwise of crossing the same. In the bosom of the deep there, Agastya has placed that foremost of mountains-the charming Mahendra, having picturesque plateaus; golden, and beautiful,-with a portion of it sunk in the great ocean.
जातरूपमयः श्रीमानवगाढो महार्णवम्। नानाविधैर्नगैः फुल्लैलताभिश्चोपशोभितम्॥ देवर्षियक्षप्रवरैरप्सरोभिश्च शोभितम्। सिद्धचारणसङ्घश्च प्रकीर्णं सुमनोरमम्॥ तमुपैति सहस्राक्षः सदा पर्वसु पर्वसु।
For aye, He of a thousand eyes at Parvas visiteth this mountain embellished by various blossoming trees and creepers; beauteous with divinities, and saints, and the foremost Yaksas and Apsarās; thronged by numbers of Siddhas and Chāraṇas; and of surpassing loveliness.
द्वीपस्तस्यापरे पारे शतयोजनविस्तृतः॥ अगम्यो मानुषैर्दीप्तस्तं मार्गध्वं समन्ततः। तत्र सर्वात्मना सीता मार्गितव्या विशेषतः॥
On its other shore is an island extending over an hundred Yojanas, inaccessible to men*, and of splendid aspect. Do you explore it all round. There, in particular, you must every way search for Sita. *Because, says the commentator,. of the profusion of gold in it.
स हि देशस्तु वध्यस्य रावणस्य दुरात्मनः। राक्षसाधिपतेर्वासः सहस्राक्षसमद्युतेः॥
That country belongs to the impious Rāvana, worthy of being slain—the lord of Raksasas, like to the thousand-eyed (deity) in splendour.
दक्षिणस्य समुद्रस्य मध्ये तस्य तु राक्षसी। अङ्गारकेति विख्याता छायामाक्षिप्य भोजनी ॥
In the midst of the Southern sea belonging to him (Ravana), there is a Raksasi, named Angāraketi, who procureth her pray by casting her shadow.
एवं निःसंशयान् कृत्वा संशयानष्टसंशयाः। मृगयध्वं नरेन्द्रस्य पत्नीममिततेजसः॥
Having (by your search) satisfied yourselves as to those countries where you might suspect Sītā to be, do you, your doubts dispelled, proceeding beyond that, (Lankā), search for the spouse of that monarch endued with unbounded energy.
तमतिक्रम्य लक्ष्मीवान् समुद्रे शतयोजने। गिरिः पुष्पितको नाम सिद्धचारणसेवितः॥ चन्द्रसूर्यांशुसंकाशः सागराम्बुसमाश्रयः। भ्राजते विपुलैः शृङ्गैरम्बरं विलिखन्निव॥ तस्यैकं काञ्चनं शृङ्ग सेवते यं दिवाकरः। न तं कृतघ्नाः पश्यन्ति न नृशंसा न नास्तिकाः॥
In the sea extending over an hundred Yojanas, a lovely hill, named Puspitaka, the abode of Siddhas and Chăraņas; resembling the rays of the sun or the moon,-resting on the waters of the ocean, looks splendid, piercing the heavens with its giant peaks. Of this (mountain), there is a particular golden summit, which the sun approaches. It is incapable of being beheld by the ungrateful or the atheistical.
प्रणम्य शिरसा शैलं तं विमार्गथ वानराः। तमतिक्रम्य दुर्धर्षं सूर्यवान्नाम पर्वतः॥ अध्वना दुर्विगाहेन योजनानि चतुर्दश। ततस्तमप्यतिक्रम्य वैद्युतो नाम पर्वतः॥ सर्वकामफलैर्वृक्षैः सर्वकालमनोहरैः। तत्र भुक्त्वा वराहा॑णि मूलानि च फलानि च॥ मधूनि पीत्वा जुष्टानि परं गच्छत वानराः।
Bowing your heads down to this hill, let the monkeys search on. Leaving behind that irrepressible one, (you will come upon) a mountain difficult of approach, extending over fourteen Yojanas, named Suryyavān. Passing by that also, (you will see) a mountain, named Vidyut, filled with trees, beautiful at all seasons, and bearing all desirable fruits. There, feeding upon excellent an costly fruits and roots, and drinking delicious honey, let the monkeys pass beyond it.
तत्र नेत्रमन:क्रान्तः कुञ्जरो नाम पर्वतः॥ अगस्त्यभवनं यत्र निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा। तत्र योजनविस्तारमुच्छ्रितं दशयोजनम्॥ शरणं काञ्चनं दिव्यं नानारत्नविभूषितम्।
There is the hill named Kunjara, grateful both to the eye and the mind, where Viśvakarmā had built the abode of Agastya*. There (rises) that stately golden pile, adorned with various gems, extending over one Yojana, and ten in height. *i.e. in that hill.
तत्र भोगवती नाम सर्पाणामालयः पुरी॥ विशालरथ्य दुर्धर्षा सर्वतः परिरक्षिता। रक्षिता पन्नगै।रैस्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रैर्महाविषैः॥ सर्पराजो महाघोरो यस्यां वसति वासुकिः। निर्याय मार्गितव्या च सा च भोगवती पुरी॥
In it also there is that palace, which is the abode of snakes; having spacious ways, i incapable of being captured, guarded around, and protected by dreadful snakes and sharptoothed serpents of virulent poison; where dwelleth Vāsuki, the exceedingly terrible king of snakes. Proceeding heedfully, you must explore that Bhogavatī palace; also whatever concealed place may lie there.
तत्र चानन्तरोद्देशा ये केचन समावृताः। तं च देशमतिक्रम्य महानृषभसंस्थितिः॥ सर्वरत्नमयः श्रीमानृषभो नाम पर्वतः। गोशीर्षकं पद्मकं च हरिश्यामं च चन्दनम्॥ दिव्यमुत्पद्यते यत्र तच्चैवाग्निसमप्रभम्। न तु तच्चन्दनं दृष्ट्वा स्प्रष्टव्यं तु कदाचन ॥ रोहिता नाम गन्धर्वा घोरं रक्षन्ति तद्वनम्। तत्र गन्धर्वपतयः पञ्च सूर्यसमप्रभाः॥ शैलूषो ग्रामीणी: शिक्षः शुको बभ्रुस्तथैव च। रविसोमाग्निवपुषां निवासः पुण्यकर्मणाम्॥ अन्ते पृथिव्या दुर्धर्षास्ततः स्वर्गजितः स्थिताः।
Going beyond that place, (you will see) the mighty mountain named Śrinrsabha, in the form of a bull, full of all gems, and possessed of grace, where are produced excellent Gośirs aka, Padmaka, and Haricyāma sandals, and which in effulgence resembles fire. But, seeing that sandal, you must by no means ask any as questions; certain Gandharvas, named Rohitas, are on guard over that that wood—the lords of Gandharvas, in splendour like to five suns, Cailusha, Grāmani, Siksa, Suka, and Babhru. After that, (Rhisava), at the extremity of the Earth is the abode of persons of pious acts, whose bodies are composed of the Sun, the Moon and Fire.
ततः परं न वः सेव्यः पितृलोकः सुदारुणः॥ राजधानी यमस्यैषा कष्टेन तमसाऽऽवृता।
And there reside persons who have won the heavenly regions. After that are the awful regions of the ancestral manes, which you must not approach. This is the metropolis of Yama, covered by deep gloom.
एतावदेव युष्माभिर्वीरा वानरपुंगवाः। शक्यं विचेतुं गन्तुं वा नातो गतिमतां गतिः॥
You heroic monkey chiefs, you can seek thus far. Further there is no course for those endued with motion.
सर्वमेतत् समालोक्य यच्चान्यदपि दृश्यते। गतिं विदित्वा वैदेह्याः संनिवर्तितुमर्हथ ॥
Having examined all these, as well others that may come within your ken, it behoves you, after having ascertained Vaidehi's course, to return (hither).
यश्च मासानिवृत्तोऽग्रे दृष्ट्वा सीतेति वक्ष्यति। मत्तुल्यविभवो भोगैः सुखं स विहरिष्यति॥
He that, returning within a month, shall say,—I have seen Sītā,' shall pass his days in happiness, enjoying affluence like mine own and indulging all pleasures.
ततः प्रियतरो नास्ति मम प्राणाद् विशेषतः। कृतापराधो बहुशो मम बन्धुभविष्यति ॥
He shall be dearer to me than life itself, and none dearer (to me) that he; and although he might commit innumerable wrongs, still should he become my friend.
अमितबलपराक्रमा भवन्तो विपुलगुणेषु कुलेषु च प्रसूताः। मनुजपतिसुतां यथा लभध्वं तदधिगुणं पुरुषार्थमारभध्वम्॥
Possessed of immeasurable strength and prowess, and sprung from lines crowned with sterling virtues, do you strive manfully in such a glorious way that the king's daughter may be recovered. prowess, and sprung from lines crowned with sterling virtues, do you strive manfully in such a glorious way that the king's daughter may be recovered.