Kishkinda Kanda: Chapter 43

ततः संदिश्य सुग्रीवः श्वशुरं पश्चिमां दिशम्। वीरं शतबलं नाम वानरं वानरेश्वरः॥ उवाच राजा सर्वज्ञः सर्ववानरसत्तमः। वाक्यमात्महितं चैव रामस्य च हितं तदा॥
Having directed his father-in-law to proceed to the West, that best to monkeys, the allknowing king Sugrīva, lord of apes, then spoke to the heroic monkey, named Satavala, words fraught with good to himself as well as to Rāma,

वृतः शतसहस्रेण त्वद्विधानां वनौकसाम्। वैवस्वतसुतैः सार्धं प्रविष्टः सर्वमन्त्रिभिः॥ दिशं धुंदीची विक्रान्तहिमशैलावतंसिकाम्। सर्वतः परिमार्गध्वं रामपत्नी यशस्विनीम्॥
Surrounded by hundreds and thousands of rangers of the forest like yourself, in company with the offspring of Yama as well as the counsellors in a body, do you, O you possessed of prowess, entering the northern quarter furnished with the Himaśaila, search everywhere for the illustrious spouse of Rāma.

अस्मिन् कार्ये विनिर्वृत्ते कृते दाशरथे: प्रिये। ऋणान्मुक्ता भविष्यामः कृतार्थार्थविदां वर ॥
Having performed this task satisfactorily, and brought about what is dear to Dasaratha's son, we shall, O best of those that achieve success, be freed from our debts.

कृतं हि प्रियमस्माकं राघवेण महात्मना। तस्य चेत्प्रतिकारोऽस्ति सफलं जीवितं भवेत्॥
The high-souled Rāghava had done us good. If we can serve him in turn, our life shall be crowned with success.

अर्थिनः कार्यनिर्वृत्तिमकर्तुरपि यश्चरेत्। तस्य स्यात् सफलं जन्म किं पुनः पूर्वकारिणः।७।।
Even the life of him that accomplishes the work of one to whom the former is not obliged, is successful, — what then is to be said in respect of him that has served one formerly.?

एतां बुद्धिं समास्थाय दृश्यते जानकी यथा। तथा भवद्भिः कर्तव्यमस्मत्प्रियहितैषिभिः॥
Pondering this, those that are engaged in our welfare, should so act that Jānaki may be discovered.

अयं हि सर्वभूतानां मान्यस्तु नरसत्तमः। अस्मासु च गतः प्रीतिं रामः परपुरंजयः॥
And this foremost of men is worthy of being honoured by all creatures; and Rāmacaptor of hostile capitals—has also found delight in us.

इमानि बहुदुर्गाणि नद्यः शैलान्तराणि च। भवन्तः परिमार्गन्तु बुद्धिविक्रमसम्पदा ॥
Endowed with sense and prowess, do you explore these many inaccessible places, rivers and mountains.

तत्र म्लेच्छान् पुलिन्दांश्च शूरसेनांस्तथैव च। प्रस्थलान् भरतांश्चैव कुरुंश्च सह मद्रकैः॥ काम्बोजयवनांश्चैव शकानां पत्तनानि च। अन्वीक्ष्य वरदांश्चैव हिमवन्तं विचिन्वथ ॥
Having searched there Mlechās, Pulindas, Surasensas, Prasthalas, Bharatas, Kurus, and Madrakas, and Varadas, as well as the cities of Kambojas, Yavanas and Sakas, do you explore Himavān.

लोध्रपद्मकखण्डेषु देवदारुवनेषु च। रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः॥
And in tracts of Lodhras and Padmakas, and in Devadāru woods* do you search thoroughly for Ravana along with Videha's daughter. *Belonging, according to the commentator, to Himavān.

ततः सोमाश्रमं गत्वा देवगन्धर्वसेवितम्। कालं नाम महासानुं पर्वतं तं गमिष्यथ॥
Then, coming upon the hermitage of Soma, frequented by gods and Gandharvas, do you repair to the mountain called kāla possessing spacious plateaus,

महत्सु तस्य शैलेषु पर्वतेषु गुहासु च। विचिन्वत महाभागां रामपत्नीमनिन्दिताम्॥
In those mighty mountains, as also in others and in their caves, do you search for that exalted lady, the blameless wife of Rāma.

तमतिक्रम्य शैलेन्द्रं हेमगर्भ महागिरिम्। ततः सुदर्शनं नाम पर्वतं गन्तुमर्हथ ॥
Having passed beyond that mighty mountain containing gold in its womb, it behoves you to go to the mountain called Sudarsana.

ततो देवसखा नाम पर्वतः पतगालयः। नानापक्षिसमाकीर्णो विविधद्रुमभूषितः॥
Then (lies) the mountain called Devasakhā, the home of feathered tribes; abounding in various fowls, and embellished with diverse trees.

तस्य काननखण्डेषु निर्झरेषु गुहासु च। रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः॥
In its golden tracts, fountains and caves, do you search for Rāvaņa along with Videha's daughter.

तमतिक्रम्य चाकाशं सर्वतः शतयोजनम्। अपर्वतनदीवृक्षं सर्वसत्त्वविवर्जितम्॥
Going beyond it, (you come upon) a vacant land, measuring an hundred Yojanas, without mountains, or rivers, or trees; and void of all living beings.

तत्तु शीघ्रमतिक्रम्य कान्तारं रोमहर्षणम्। कैलासं पाण्डुरं प्राप्य हृष्टा यूयं भविष्यथ॥
Speedily passing that desert land capable of making one's hair stand on end, you shall feel delighted, on coming to the pale Kailasa.

तत्र पाण्डुरमेघाभं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम्। कुबेरभवनं रम्यं निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा ॥ विशाला नलिनी यत्र प्रभूतकमलोत्पला। हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णा अप्सरोगणसेविता ॥
There (you will behold) the charming mansion of Kuvera, resembling pale clouds, of burnished gold, built by Viśvakarmā; where (lies) the spacious tank overflowing with lotuses and lilies, thronged with swans and Kāraņdavas, and frequented by troops of Apsarās.

तत्र वैश्रवणो राजा सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः। धनदो रमते श्रीमान् गुह्यकैः सह यक्षराट्॥
There king Vaiśravana, the lord of Yakşas, bowed down to by all creatures,-the graceful giver of riches—sporteth along with the Guhyakas.

तस्य चन्द्रनिकाशेषु पर्वतेषु गुहासु च। रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः॥
In the offshoots belonging to Kailasa resembling the moon, as also in their caverns, do you thoroughly search for Rāvaņa in company with Vaidehī.

क्रौञ्चं तु गिरिमासाद्य बिलं तस्य सुदुर्गमम् । अप्रमत्तैः प्रवेष्टव्यं दुष्प्रवेशं हि तत् स्मृतम्॥
And coming to the Kruncha mountain, you should, having your wits about you, enter its inaccessible cavern; for that is well known as difficult of entrance.

वसन्ति हि महात्मानस्तत्र सूर्यसमप्रभाः। देवैरभ्यर्थिताः सम्यग् देवरूपा महर्षयः॥
There dwell certain Maharsis, high-souled, of effulgence resembling that of the sun-complete god-like shapes,—who are sought by the deities themselves.

क्रौञ्चस्य तु गुहाश्चान्याः सानूनि शिखराणि च । दर्दराश्च नितम्बाश्च विचेतव्यास्ततस्ततः॥
And you should thoroughly explore the other caves of Krauncha, its plateaus and peaks; its passes and sides.

अवृक्षं कामशैलं च मानसं विहगालयम्। न गतिस्तत्र भूतानां देवानां न च रक्षसाम्॥
(Then is) the treeless Manasa-abode of birds-the scene of Kāma's austerities. Way there is none for creatures, or for gods, or for Raksasas.

स च सर्वैर्विचेतव्यः ससानुप्रस्थभूधरः। क्रौञ्चं गिरिमतिक्रम्य मैनाको नाम पर्वतः॥
are That also must be explored by you, that mountain with plains and plateous. Going beyond Krauncha, (you shall see) the mountain, named Maināka.

मयस्य भवनं तत्र दानवस्य स्वयंकृतम्। मैनाकस्तु विचेतव्यः ससानुप्रस्थकन्दरः॥
There is the residence of the Danvava, Maya, reared by himself. Mainaka also with its plains, plateaus and woods must be searched by you.

स्त्रीणामश्वमुखीनां तु निकेतस्तत्र तत्र तु। तं देशं समतिक्रम्य आश्रमं सिद्धसेवितम्॥ सिद्धा वैखानसा यत्र बालखिल्याश्च तापसाः। दतव्यास्ततः सिद्धास्तपसा वीतकल्मषाः॥ प्रष्टव्या चापि सीतायाः प्रवृत्तिर्विनयान्वितैः।
There are all over, the homes of females with faces resembling those of horses. Going beyond that part, (you shall come to) the asylum inhabited by Siddhas; where ascetics—Vālakhilyas, Siddhas and Vaikhānasas. Saluting those Siddhas, who have been cleansed of their sins on account of their asceticism, you should in humble guise ask them concerning Sītā.

हेमपुष्करसंछन्नं तत्र वैखानसं सरः॥ तरुणादित्यसंकाशैहँसैर्विचरितं शुभैः।
There is the Vaikhānasa tank filled with golden lotuses; and ranged by graceful cranes of the hue of the infant sun.

औपबाह्यः कुबेरस्य सार्वभौम इति स्मृतः॥ गजः पर्येति तं देशं सदा सह करेणुभिः।
Kuvera's vehicle, the elephant known (by the name of) Sārvabhauma, ever rangeth that country in company with she-elephants.

तत् सरः समतिक्रम्य नष्टचन्द्रदिवाकरम्। अनक्षत्रगणं व्योम निष्पयोदमनादितम् ॥ गभस्तिभिरिवार्कस्य स तु देशः प्रकाश्यते। विश्राम्यद्भिस्तपः सिद्धैर्देवकल्पैः स्वयंप्रभैः॥
Going beyond that expanse of water, (you come upon) a sky void of stars, and where the sun and the moon have been put out; and that land is visible by the rays, as if of the sun, proceeding from (the persons of) self-luminous, god-like ones, who are reposing there, after achieving success in austerities.

तं तु देशमतिक्रम्य शैलोदा नाम निम्नगा। उभयोस्तीरयोस्तस्याः कीचका नाम वेणवः॥
Leaving behind that region, (you come to) a stream named Sailoda. On its both banks are bamboos named Kīcaka.

ते नयन्ति परं तीरं सिद्धान् प्रत्यानयन्ति च। उत्तराः कुरवस्तत्र कृतपुण्यप्रतिश्रयाः।
These take the Siddhas to the other shore and bring them back again. There (are seen the northern Kurus, the abode of those that have acquired religious merit.

ततः काञ्चनपद्माभिः पद्मिनीभिः कृतोदकाः॥ नीलवैदूर्यपत्राढ्या नद्यस्तत्र सहस्रशः।
And there are tanks there with their waters crowned with golden lotuses. There are rivers by thousands with copious blue lapis leaves.

रक्तोत्पलवनैश्चात्र मण्डिताश्च हिरण्मयैः॥ तरुणादित्यसंकाशा भान्ति तत्र जलाशयाः।
And the pools here, resembling the tender sun, are embellished with assemblages of golden red lotuses.

महार्हमणिपत्रैश्च काञ्चनप्रभकेसरैः॥ नीलोत्पलवनैश्चित्रैः स देशः सर्वतो वृतः।
And that tract is every where filled with costly gems, and jewels, and woods of blue lotuses, having filaments splendid like gold; and with round pearls and costly jewels.

निस्तुलाभिश्च मुक्ताभिर्मणिभिश्च महाधनैः॥ उद्धृतपुलिनास्तत्र जातरूपैश्च निम्नगाः। सर्वरत्नमयैश्चिौरवगाढा नगोत्तमैः॥ जातरूपमयैश्चापि हुताशनसमप्रभैः।
And the rivers there have islets covered with gold; and are crowded with lovely hills of gold, bright as fire, furnished with all kinds of precious stones.

नित्यपुष्पफलास्तत्र नगाः पत्ररथाकुलाः॥ दिव्यगन्धरसस्पर्शाः सर्वकामान् स्रवन्ति च।
And the trees there, thronged with birds, bear flowers and fruits daily; and, charged with savoury juices, publishing superb perfumes, and of delicious feel, they confer every wish.

नानाकाराणि वासांसि फलन्त्यन्ये नगोत्तमाः॥ मुक्तावैदूर्यचित्राणि भूषणानि तथैव च। स्त्रीणां यान्यनुरूपाणि पुरुषाणां तथैव च॥
Other excellent trees bring forth attires of divers kinds, and ornaments decked with pearls and lapises,-coveted alike by males and females*. *The present text, according to Kataka, drops a sloka, whose last line is, Beings possessed of powerful effulgence, sport here always in company with females.

सर्वर्तुसुखसेव्यानि फलन्त्यन्ये नगोत्तमाः। महार्हमणिचित्राणि फलन्त्यन्ये नगोत्तमाः।४६।।
And other excellent trees bear fruits fit to be partaken at all seasons. And other excellent trees bring forth precious beds dight with costly jewels and furnished with variegated covers.

शयनानि प्रसूयन्ते चित्रास्तरणवन्ति च। मन:कान्तानि माल्यानि फलन्त्यत्रापरे द्रुमाः॥ पानानि च महार्हाणि भक्ष्याणि विविधानि च। स्त्रियश्च गुणसम्पन्ना रूपयौवनलक्षिताः॥ गन्धर्वाः किन्नराः सिद्धा नागा विद्याधरास्तथा। रमन्ते सततं तत्र नारीभिर्भास्वरप्रभाः॥
And other trees bring forth charming wreaths, and costly drinks, and various kinds of viands. And females adorned with every accomplishment, and endowed with youth and beauty, and Gandharvas and Kinnaras, and Siddhas and Nāgas and Vidyādharas, of blazing splendour, ceaselessly sport there in company with females.

सर्वे सुकृतकर्माणः सर्वे रतिपरायणाः। सर्वे कामार्थसहिता वसन्ति सह योषितः॥
And all of righteous deeds, and all engaged in amorous disports, and all furnished with desire and profit,-dwell in that place in association with their females.

गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषः सोत्कृष्टहसितस्वरैः। श्रूयते सततं तत्र सर्वभूतमनोरमः॥
And there are continually heard there the sounds of instruments and the voice of song mixed with sweet hilarious laughter, capable of taking all crcatures.

तत्र नामुदितः कश्चिन्नात्र कश्चिदसत्प्रियः। अहन्यहनि वर्धन्ते गुणास्तत्र मनोरमाः॥
No one is depressed there; nor does any one there want any desirable object; and day after day the delightful qualities find their development there.

समतिक्रम्य तं देशमुत्तरः पयसां निधिः। तत्र सोमगिरि म मध्ये हेममयो महान्।५३।।
Passing beyond that is the Northern ocean. In the bosom (of the deep) is the mountain named Somagiri, golden and of great dimensions.

स तु देशो विसूर्योऽपि तस्य भासा प्रकाशते। सूर्यलक्ष्म्याभिविज्ञेयस्तपतेव विवस्वता ॥
Albeit without the sun, yet through the brightness of the Soma mountain, the land shines forth with all the loveliness and reality of one warmed by the sun.

भूधरांस्तत्र विश्वात्मा शम्भुरेकादशात्मकः। ब्रह्मा वसति देवेशो ब्रह्मर्षिपरिवारितः॥
There that Soul of the Universe, the adorable Sambhu, fraught with the spirits of the eleven Rudras-that lord of the gods-Brahmā.dwelleth, surrounded by the Brahmarsis.

न कथंचन गन्तव्यं कुरूणामुत्तरेण वः। अन्येषामपि भूतानां नानुक्रामति वै गतिः॥
You cannot proceed to the north of the Kurus; nor is there way in that region for any other creatures.

स हि सोमगिरि म देवानामपि दुर्गमः। तमालोक्य ततः क्षिप्रमुपावर्तितुमर्हथ॥
And that mountain is named Soma, incapable of being entered even by the gods, Sighting this you should speedily turn back.

एतावद् वानरैः शक्यं गन्तुं वानरपुङ्गवाः। अभास्करममर्यादं न जानीमस्ततः परम्॥
You foremost of monkey, the monkeys are competent to proceed thus far. Beyond that, of regions sunless and limitless I know nothing.

सर्वमेतद् विचेतव्यं यन्मया परिकीर्तितम्। यदन्यदपि नोक्तं च तत्रापि क्रियतां मतिः॥
You should search all these which I have described (to you); and you should also turn your attention to others besides, which I have omitted to mention.

ततः कृतं दाशरथेर्महत्प्रियं महत्प्रियं चापि ततो मम प्रियम्। कृतं भविष्यत्यनिलानलोपमा विदेहजादर्शनजेन कर्मणा॥
You that are comparable to the wind or fire, by accomplishing the work of beholding Videha's daughter, you will do what is held as exceedingly dear to Daśaratha's son as well as highly grateful to me.

ततः कृतार्थाः सहिताः सबान्धवा मयार्चिताः सर्वगुणैर्मनोरमैः। चरिष्यथोवीं प्रति शान्तशात्रवाः सहप्रियाभूतधराः प्लवङ्गमाः॥
Then, having achieved success, do you, along with your friends, honoured by me, and crowned with every virtue, you monkeys, with your enemies slain, range the earth in company with your wives,-the support of all beings.