Sri Valmiki Ramayanam - Kishkinda kanda (Book 4) Prose 21 to 41

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

( Translation and Commentary by Scholar, 

 Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

                                          

 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 21

 

Hanuma tries to console Tara. He asserts that Angada will not be looked down. Though Vali is put to his plight, Hanuma says, that Tara alone is the empress to lead Kishkindha kingdom. But Tara prefers self-immolation along with her husband Vali.

 

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Hanuma, the leader of monkeys, then neared and slowly consoled Tara who has fallen to ground like a star from sky. 

"Living beings on doing the deeds of merit or demerit, or knowingly or unknowingly, will derive the resultant fruits of those deeds according to one's own destiny even after demise, and they shall bear them unrepentantly, may they be provident or improvident.

For this verse Dharmaakuutam says: atra ca sva karama phala hetukamiti viþeÿaõena an˜di bhava parampara ˜s˜dita dharma artha v˜san˜ vaþena þubham aþubham v˜ karma anuÿ÷h˜ya tad aur¨pam sukaham du×kham v˜ phalam av˜pnoti iti uktam -- dharm˜k¨tam Thus Hanuma is saying that Vali is not dead at the hand of Sugreeva but dead due his own demerits.

"Of which lamentable one you lament while you yourself are in a lamentable state? Of which pitiable one you take pity while you yourself are in a pitiable condition? Who is pitiable by whom in these bubbles like bodies? 

"You are the one with a living son, and you have to look after this young one Angada, and you have to think of the forthcoming activities for his well-being and for his performance of duty towards his father. You are aware that the coming and going of beings, in their subtle forms of earth, water, fire, air and space into this mortal life and back is uncertain, thereby the prudent ones have to perform auspicious worldly deeds here in this world, say, the funeral of Vali. 

"In whom hundreds and thousands of monkeys are harboured and astir, for they have reposed their confidence in him alone, that Vali has arrived at his end. By which reason this Vali conducted himself judiciously, observing friendliness, courteousness and forgivingness, by that reason alone Vali is going to a domain in heavens which he righteously conquered for himself, and it is unapt of your sorrowing for him. 

"All the tigerly-monkeys, oh, impeccable Tara, including this son of yours Angada, and all the lords of monkeys and bears have their guardian angel in you. Oh, lady, inspirit these two, Sugreeva and Angada, that are searing in grief, and if you acquiesce then this Angada will rule over the earth. Whatever duty anticipated from a male descendent towards his father, and whatever activity that is to be done presently in respect of the dying king, let them be done, and that would be a timely decision. 

This expression also means smashaana vyraagya 'burial-ground renunciation...' In that, 'all this has happened so according to Time's decision...' arth˜ g®h˜t nivartante ˜ smaþ˜n˜t tu b˜ndhava | suk®tam duÿk®tam caiva gacchantam anucacchgati || 'wealth and means remain in house, relatives come up to graveyard, only Merit and Demerit follow the goer...'

"Cremation of the king of monkeys and anointment of Angada are the present time affairs, and seeing your son invested on the throne you can obtain peace." Thus spoke Hanuma to Tara. 

On hearing Hanuma's words she who is tormented by the plight of her husband, that Tara replied Hanuma who is standing nearby.

"Let there be a hundred selfsame Angada-s on one side, and this brave one the other, for me embracing him who is put to death is the best. 

This verse is said to be difficulkt one to derive meaning kiSTa anvaya. There is another narration of this verse omitting the first foot of next stanza and it reads: : kim k˜ryam pati hŸnay˜× putr˜õ˜m ayutai× api | pit®vyah tasya sugrŸva× sarva k˜ryeÿu anantara× ||

"Who am I either for conducting the monkeys kingdom or to anoint Angada when Angada's paternal-uncle Sugreeva is close at hand? Hanuma, this thinking of yours that Angada is to be crowned is really untenable, oh, best monkey, father is the real defender of a son, but not the mother. 

"Indeed there is nothing highly befitting to me, either in this world or in the other, than the auspices of the king of monkeys, and now to me the only befitting thing is to join in this brave one on this death bed, which he is adoring when put to death while he is facing away. [4-21-16]

Thus, this is the 21st chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 22

 

Vali recovers from his swoon and gives his parting messages to Sugreeva and Angada. He also gives his miraculous pendant, given by his father Indra, to Sugreeva and asks him to assume authority of Kishkindha kingdom, for he won it in this fight. Angada is advised to conduct appropriately for he is becoming a father-less son now. Then Vali breathes his last to pave the way for Seetha's search.

 

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With his life-force slowing down Vali respired slowly glancing everywhere, and he firstly saw his brother Sugreeva afore him. Vali nodding at Sugreeva, who achieved triumph and became the lord of fly-jumpers, amicably spoke this to him in an unambiguous tone. 

"Sugreeva, reckon me not by my iniquities, but reckon as one who is all the while forcibly hauled into this futurity owing to my impropriety and obduracy. I do not think that we two are fated to share blissfulness simultaneously, oh, boy, therefore the amity seemly to brothers has cropped up otherwise. You realize that I am going to the abode of Time-god now itself, and hence propose yourself as king of this forest-dweller's kingdom, now itself. 

Vali's supremacy does not die with him. Here also he is taking a high profile and he himself is proposing the kingship to Sugreeva, without any grudge or grouse, on two counts. One, Sugreeva is the triumphant one and thus he shall get the kingdom forthwith, not Angada, as proposed by Hanuma. Next, Sugreeva is the next best choice for the kingship, rather than Angada, and a younger brother and also as a one-time prince regent. In either way the dying Vali is keeping his nobility high up, as an unrivalled champion and even as an elderly brother.

"Such as I am, I am indeed forgoing my life, kingdom, and this immense prosperity and even the unenviable glory which adduces that 'Vali is unkillable,' right away. Oh, valiant Sugreeva, it will be apt of you to make happen the word I am going to say even in such a situation in which now I am, and oh, king, even if that word of mine is infeasible. 

"Have a look at this Angada, who is privileged for all happiness, brought up in all comforts, though a boy he is mannerly, and who with his tear-filled face fallen onto ground. More dear than my own lives is my son, and when he is deprived of me you have to foster him as if he is your own son, with no resources becoming sparse in every way. Oh, king of fly-jumpers, as with me you too are his father, patron, an overall protector from all sides, and also thus an assurer in fear. 

"This admirable son of Tara is a coequal of yours in triumphs, and in eliminating those demons he will be in your advance guard. This mighty and sinewy son of Tara is youthful, and on overtaking in war this Angada will undertake actions seemly for a son of mine. 

"In deciding meanings in all their subtleties and also in presages of diverse nature this daughter of Sushena, Tara, is an insightful one in every way.

A parable is said about SusheNa, who is now being called as Tara's father. Tara is said to be the outcome from the churning of Milky Ocean by gods and demons, and she emerged as one among many items that emerged from that Milky Ocean. Seeing her and knowing her as the descendent of Brihaspati, the Jupiter, Vali and Sushena have held her by her hand. Vali held her by her right hand and Sushena held her by her left hand and started to quarrel for her wifedom. Then the elderly sages and gods intervened and decided that one who held her by her right hand is her husband and the other who held her by her left hand is her father. Thus Sushena is said to have become the father of Tara.

"Whatever is said by her as proper that is doable indubitably, indeed nothing contrary happens to her opinions, in the least. 

You have to accomplish Raghava's mission undoubtedly, and if it is unaccomplished there will be infraction on your part because you befriended him before an altar of fire, and you may even be punished for dishonouring him and your given word to him. 

"The bounteous goddess of triumph ensconced in this golden pendant will completely leave it off on my death, avoiding the flaw of touching a corpse, isn't it... hence oh, Sugreeva, you wear it." Thus Vali spoke to Sugreeva. 

Sugreeva may not inherit any fortune of invincibility from this invincible pendant, but Vali has to safeguard it without getting into an insulting touch of his dead body shava sparsha doSa . As such, he is giving it Sugreeva, in preference to Angada.

Thus, that way when Vali spoke to Sugreeva with brotherly kind-heartedness, Sugreeva again waned away forgoing his spiritedness, like the lord of stars, namely the Moon, when eaten away by the planet, namely Rahu, during lunar eclipse. 

Mythologically there are two planets called Raahu and Ketu in Indian astrology. These two have no counterparts in western astrology. These two are neither gods, nor demons, not planets. At the time of churning Milky Ocean one demon had a share of amR^ita, the Divine nectar. But on noticing it the Sun and Moon report that episode to Vishnu. Vishnu slits that demon's throat with his disc. Then that Rahu became a two-piece entity, one with head, named as Raahu and the other with trunk - tail, named as Ketu. Because Sun and Moon reported the wrongdoing of this two-piece entity, that entity prays to subsist on eating away Sun and Moon. That prayer is granted subject to condition, that this eating will be done only occasionally. Those are the occasions of eclipses of either Sun or Moon. Recent astrology gave names to these two entities as 'Dragon with Head' is Raahu and the 'Dragon with Tail' is Ketu.

Quietened by Vali's words and conducting himself befittingly and attentively in the given situation, Sugreeva has then taken that golden chain only when Vali authorised him. On giving away that golden pendant, and on seeing his son who is available nearby, readying himself towards his end that is setting in, Vali affectionately spoke to Angada. 

"From now on, observing time and place you have to tolerate pain or pleasure, endure mirth or misery on your going under the control of Sugreeva. 

The vividness of the above parting message is: "On your going under the control of Sugreeva, whether his orders are pleasant or unpleasant to you, you have to execute them enduringly, for you have to conduct yourself according to time and place of your locus standi, and also you have to endure the mirth or misery caused at his behest... for you are no more independent from now on..."

"Oh dextrous Angada, as to how I have entertained you in whichever way you conducted yourself with me, Sugreeva may not approve of such a puerile behaviour of yours, if you resort to it. Do not reach at his unfriendly ones, nor come near his enemies, oh, enemy-destroyer Angada, you shall be in the control of Sugreeva attending to the purposes of your lord with self-control. Do not conduct yourself with excessive friendliness or unfriendliness, as this pair of opposites itself has a flaw, therefore you cultivate an intermediary outlook." Vali thus spoke to Angada. 

He who is highly tortured by the arrow of Rama spoke to Angada in that way, and afterwards his eyeballs rolled-up, mouth hung open baring his horrid teeth, and his life too took to flight from his body. 

om þanti× þanti× þanti×

Then, all those best monkeys avaialble there have started to weep when their monkey chief is dead, and for that matter they have loudly squawked at his death in this way. 

"When the lord of monkeys departed to heaven Kishkindha is indeed rendered derelict, dreary are the gardens, deserted are the mountains and forests as well, and when the tiger among fly-jumpers is dead all the vanara-s are rendered up into a lacklustre life. 

"And by the impetus of whose great rapidity flowers available in forests and woodlands used to shower on him in torrents and enwreathe him from behind, that Vali is no more, and now who has got such an impetus? 

This verse also means: "He who has perfected the gardens and forests with full of flowers and thereby with fruits on which the monkeys subsist, and now who can make these areas so fructified to let all the monkeys thrive?"

This flowers following Vali - is the same situation with Hanuma when he jumps from Mt. Mahendra to Lanka. A volley of flowers shower on him owing to kick-start and follow him up to some distance into ocean, as though to worship him.

"By which great-souled Vali a ferocious duel was given to the celestial, namely the great armed Golabha, which did not cease either in the daytime or night till Vali felled Golabha, that Vali is no more. 

This Sanskrit expression 'giving a duel' is the same that is available in English like - 'give me a duel.' etc.

"Thereafter, in the sixteenth year Vali unquestionably felled Golabha, and on killing that evil-minded Golabha with his zigzag teeth Vali accorded fearlessness to all of us, how such a Vali is felled now?" Thus the monkeys raised hue and cry. 

But when that fly-jumper's brave lord Vali is killed, those fly-jumpers have gone into a freneticness in that matter of Vali's killing, as with the cows becoming frenetic when their husbanding bull is killed while moving in a great forest that is riddled with a lion.

But then Tara, whelmed under a ocean called affliction closely observed her dead husband's face, embraced him and collapsed onto ground as with any creeper plant when the giant tree on which it is hinging is hacked down. 

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Endnote

Thus Vali the bad monkey is dead. Even today we have the monkey menace, that too from bad monkeys. In Patiala's Motibagh Bir Zoo there is penitentiary for primates where all bad monkeys are jailed without parole, and there will be a signboard, asking visitor to not to go nearby the enclosure, because it will be dangerous. Each of its inmates is caught, even across Punjab and other places, when that monkey is destroying property, thieving and attacking people and creating havoc. Hence monkey menace is something different from monkey havoc. Throughout India we have monkey menace, which is very frequently beamed by Discovery and National Geography channels, but it is rarely said about bad monkeys. Killing a monkey, however bad it is, is a taboo and sustaining its havoc is an altogether unbearable affair. Now that the bad monkey of Ramayana is eliminated, search for Seetha is possible.

Thus, this is the 22nd chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 23

 

Tara's lamentation is narrated in here. Seeing at her departed husband Vali, Tara pitiably wails for his demise as any ordinary woman would.

 

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Then that renowned Tara closely whiffed that face of monkey's king Vali and spoke these words to her dead husband. 

"Heedless of my word, oh, brave one, you are reposing miserably on a very rough and uneven ground spread with stones. This earth must definitely be your beloved one, oh, best of monkeys, why because, you still embrace her while you recline on her, without replying me. You have gone into the control of Sugreeva and Sugreeva alone triumphed, oh, brave one, oh, enthusiast in adventures, oho, is it fated to happen this way. 

"These chiefs of bears and monkeys are adoring you in every respect as their most worshipful one, and on hearing their despairing wailing, and the lamentation of Angada, and even these utterance of mine in keen, why do not you comeback to senses. Do you wish to repose on the very daybed on which you have laid your enemies to rest when you have once felled them in fights, or what? "Oh, successor of a clan with pristine calibre, oh, accorder of dignity, oh, devotee of fighting, oh, my dear, have you gone on leaving me without a protector and lonely? 

"Really considerate fathers shall never propose brides to adventurers, they say. Yes! See me the wife of an adventurer, in a trice rendered as a war-widow left in the lurch. 

For this Sage Kaatyaana says d¨rasth˜n˜m avidy˜n˜m mokÿa m˜rga anus˜riõ˜m | þ¨r˜õ˜m nir dhan˜n˜m ca na dey˜ kanyak˜ budhai× || 'to those bridegrooms who reside in distant places, uneducated, seekers of salvation, daring ones, un-wealthy brides shall not be given by wisemen...'

"My honour is degenerated and my eternal happiness is disintegrated, and I am deluged in an abyssal boundless ocean called anguish. And dense with metallic substance is this heart of mine in its solidity, since it is not splintering into hundredfold even on seeing my husband killed, it is definite. 

"By your nature you are my beloved, besides, you are a good-hearted one, more so, you are my husband, moreover, you are a valiant triumphing over your enemies in assaults, such as you are you have attained the fifth state, the death. Perhaps a woman might have mothered many children, and perhaps affluent with riches and crops, still people will call her a widow, if she is without husband. 

"How do you repose now on a sheet of blood flowing from your own body, oh, brave one, as if you are reclining on your own bed spread with a bed sheet of red blood colour? I have no strength to closely embrace you with both my arms, oh, best fly-jumper, when the blood and dust covering your body comes in between. 

"Single arrow released by Rama has doubly benefited Sugreeva in this highly deplorable enmity between you and Sugreeva, as his ambition to become the king is fulfilled and his fear from your persecution, too, is evanished. In vain, I have been watching you without a wink, on whom fatality has descended, as this arrow stuck in your chest is hindering me to embrace you..." Thus wailed Tara. 

"Then the monkey chief Nila extricated that arrow which is stuck in the chest of Vali, as with the extraction of a firmly wedged sparkling snake from the cavity of a mound. The sparkle of Rama's arrow while it is being extracted from Vali's chest is much the same as the sparkles of more brilliant sunrays that are extracted by the end of daytime, when the sun is sinking beyond the summit of dusky western mountain, and as contrasted with the hue of dusk. 

More brilliant days are indicated for the arrows of Rama as the dusky day of Vali has ended.

The blood streams flown out of the gashes of Vali fell everywhere like the streams of water flowing from a mountain saturated with coppery mineral-ores. On wiping off war dust with which her husband is muffled up, with tears gushing from her eyes she drenched that valiant one who is summarily hit by the missile of Rama. On giving attention to all of the blood wet limbs of her slain husband that lady Tara spoke to her son Angada whose eyes are coppery-red. 

"See the highly harrowing end time plight of your father, oh, son, he reached his end owing to the enmity harnessed by sinful deeds. To him, whose physical splendour vied with the dazzle of rising sun, to that father, king, and the accorder of honour you pay you last obeisance as he journeyed to the abode of Time-god." Thus Tara said to Angada. 

When he is said so, Angada swiftly rose and touched the feet of his father with both of his rotund-shouldered sinewy arms saying, "father, I am Angada..." 

"Why do not you bless Angada saying, 'long live, son...' when he is paying resects to you, as earlier?" Thus Tara is addressing Vali in her anguish. 

"I am living through seeing the lifeless state of yours with the help of my son, no more than a helpless cow that sits near her bull with its calf, when that bull is slain by a lion, just now. 

"How can you singly take the ultimate bath of a Vedic ritual after your conducting a ritual like combat, in the waters called bloodstreams caused Rama's arrow, that too, when I, your wife, am available like a co-officiator of a Vedic ritual? 

This avabR^itha is a religious bath taken after completion of the Vedic ritual by the conductor of that ritual along with his wife. Vedic ritual itself is forbidden to a wifeless person, and taking this final bath after puurNa aahuti, total oblation, is against the rules of ritual if taken without his wife. Here Vali, an adorer of combats as good as Vedic rituals is taking that bath for himself in the bloodstreams, called ritual waters, and Tara is questioning him about her propriety to participate in it.

"Now where is that treasured golden pendant of yours which the king of gods gave to you when he is satisfied with your conduct in wars, I don't see it? 

"Majesty is not deserting you even if your lives have departed, oh, accorder of dignity, as with the sunshine that departs the sun while he circumnavigates Mt. Meru, which mount is supposed to overshadow everything by its vastness. 

"Neither you heeded my word of expediency, nor I was indeed capable to forestall you, and I am doomed along with my son when you are exterminated in fight, whereby the Grace that forsook you, is deserting me too, in its entirety. 

Thus, this is the 23rd chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 24

 

Sugreeva and Tara lament Vali's death. Sugreeva seeks permission of Rama to enter the funeral pyre of his brother Vali to self-immolate himself for his wrongdoing in getting his own brother killed. Tara asks Rama to kill her with the same arrow with which Vali is killed, so she also ca go to heavens to meet her husband. A word about this chapter. The bardic tradition is in the habit of including everything, while the critical editions exclude them. This chapter is excluded in the critical editions, but tradition retained it, and all the publications publish this. The scholars have also said that all the forty-four verses in here have no stamp of Valmiki, and the verbiage and verbosity is heightened and even the meter is overfilled. The word position does not yield proper meaning also. Even so, they are retained it in their publications. However, it may be mentioned that if some Valmiki Jr. written and included this chapter, it should have been ages before, but not in the known ages, because Dharmaakuutam, Govindaraja and others have commentaries on this chapter. In all the commentaries an exhaustive commentary is there on two verses uttered by Tara, which is included here also.

 

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On seeing Tara who quickly deluged in a speedy and vast ocean of intolerable anguish, then that Vali's mighty brother Sugreeva regretted for the killing of his matchless brother. While that kind hearted Sugreeva observed Tara for a moment he is despaired at heart, tears filled his face, and lamenting very much he slowly paced to the near of Rama, surrounded by his attendants. On approaching him who is majestic, who is still handling his bow and snake-like arrow, a distinguished person with all of his limbs adorned with great attributes that an emperor should have by birth, to such a Raghava who is standing nearby, Sugreeva spoke this way. 

Rama is still wielding his bow and arrow throughout this chapter. Perhaps he is on his own guard to confront any hopping of any monkey at him, with indignation for killing Vali.

"As promised, oh, best king, you have accomplished this deed with its eventual fruition of getting back the kingdom and my wife, but now, oh, prince, my heart is backsliding from extravagances of kingdom and kingship, as my life itself is rendered despicable, for I got my brother killed. When the king is killed, this empress is wailing bitterly, much wailing is there in city scorched in sadness, and Angada too is in a doubtful state of sustaining his lives in the fond of his father, as such oh, Rama, my heart is not taking delight in kingdom. 

"In the first instance I have agreed for the elimination of my brother owing to my anger, intolerance and as I was subjected to too much ignominy, but now, oh, best one from Ikshvaku-s, when the chief of monkeys Vali is put to death, I am painfully remorseful. I think it would be better for me to live on that best mountain Rishyamuka for ever in an as is where is condition, somehow spending life befitting to a monkey, and achieving even heaven on killing my brother is of no good. The words which he used to speak to me saying, 'I do not wish to kill you, begone...' are befitting to that great-souled and rational vanara, and my words in asking you to him to kill him, and my deeds in getting him killed are befitting to me, as an irrational vanara. 

"Indeed, oh, brave Rama, whether killing one's own brother will be self-torturous? Or, taking pleasure in kingdom on killing that brother will be more? Or, the distress ensuing that killing will be the most? Without truly discriminating these cruces, even if one has one's own avarice in prospect, who is he that is going to take pleasure in killing his own highly honoured brother? Excepting me! Killing me is not in the intent of Vali violating his probity, but my intent has become evilly life taking, violating my own probity. 

"I was whining for a time when Vali thrashed me with a tree branch, as if with a schoolmaster's cane, but later on comforting me he said this to me, 'do not do this again, this daring me to fight you back.' 

"Fraternity, dignity and also probity are conserved by him, while I exhibited furiousness, enviousness and also naughtiness of a monkey. 

"As Indra acquired sin on killing Vishvarupa, the son of Tvastha, I too derived a sin by killing my brother, which sin is absolutely unimaginable for quantification, totally undesirable at any given time, wholly discardable by sagacious souls, and a disgustingly horrible spectre of brotherly hate. 

Mythical parable: Once Brihaspati, the Jupiter and the Divine Counsellor of Indra was irritated at Indra and went in hiding for some days. Then gods have fetched one named Vishvarupa, a son of TvaSTa, where TvaSTa himself is Brahma's brainchild, and made Vishvaruupa to sit on the high seat of Brihaspati. This Vishvarupa becoming partial to demons used to give portions of ritual oblations to demons. Knowing this Indra kills Vishvarupa, and thus gets attached to sin called brahma paataka paapa, sin for slaying a Brahman.

"Earth, waters, trees and women took the burden of Indra's sins, but who in name will bear the burden of this sin of mine, that too the sin of a monkey, who wishes to share? 

Myth: Indra seeks the help of earth, trees, waters and women to get rid of the sin of Brahman-slaying when he killed Vishvarupa, the son of TvaSTa. These four in turn barter with Indra for some boons to them. Earth wanted automatic refill of dugout portions, trees wanted regrowth of cut branches, waters wanted an all purifying effect, and women wanted to have never decreasing sexual desire. When Indra agreed to these conditions, then the earth has taken a part of Indra's sin by which it acquired sinful wastelands, waters got froth, trees exudation, and women menstruation. This is as detailed in bhaagavata puraNa , sixth canto.

"On undertaking this sort of deed that includes unjust and involves ruination of one's own race, I am unsuited for this sort of accolade from the subjects of this kingdom, and when I am ineligible to be the price regent of this kingdom, wherefore to become its regent? 

"In this world, I am a committer of a felony which is debased, highly damnable and pernicious to the world itself, whereupon this irresistible misery is rushing in on me, as with the rush of speeding rainy-waters towards a declivity. "The sin of mine in killing my brother assumed a form of an elephant, where my sinister motives of killing my own brother have assumed that elephant's hind and tail, and my causing agony to my own brother has become that elephant's head, eyes, trunk, and tusks, with them that berserk and monstrous elephant called sin, is goring me as it would gore a riverbed. "How difficult is this insufferable sacrilege of mine, oh, best king, owing to which my good breeding is shed from my heart, as with the gold, which if alloyed will be intolerant of that filth, but oh, Raghava, even the gold sheds itself from scum when melted, and though I melt in grief this scum of sacrilege is unshed. 

"I think this body of great-might monkey commanders is withstanding its lives in a halfway, oh, Raghava, just because of me and this Angada who is searing in anguish, for it is half-dead with the death of Vali. 

"It is easy to get an easygoing and easy to deal with son, but where to get a son similar to Angada, oh, valiant Rama, also where to get even such a place wherein there will be an easy access to the nearness to one's own brother?

Or

It is somehow easy to get a son who is an easygoing, easy to deal with like Angada in this world, but, oh, valiant Rama, where is the world wherein I can get Vali-like brother and wherein can be in his vicinity? 

For this Dharmaakuutam says: anena suguõa× putro durlabha× sodara sannikarÿo api alabhya× iti uktam and also refers to another wording of Rama in Yuddha Kanda deþe deþe kalatr˜õi deþe deþe ca b˜ndhav˜× | tam tu deþam na paþy˜mi yatra bhr˜t˜ sahodara× || meaning that 'wives and relatives can be there in various countries, but I do not see a country where one's own brother lives avoiding his own brothers.

"This best of brave ones, Angada, will not live reft of his father, but his mother Tara has to live to foster her son Angada, but if Angada dies with his heartbroken for his farther, then without her son her misery will become miserable, and then she too may not live... this is my resolve.

"Such as I am, I wish to enter a highly blazing fire seeking amity with my departed brother and as well with son Angada, and these best valiant monkeys will search for Seetha duly conducting themselves under your control. Oh, prince, even if I am dead your mission will be achieved in its entirety, and oh, Rama, having perpetrated infraction I have become an eliminator of the propriety of our race, hence I have become an unworthy one to live, and hence permit me to commit myself to fire..." Thus Sugreeva said to Rama. 

On hearing the anguished words of the younger brother of Vali, namely Sugreeva, the eyes of Rama, the best valiant one from Raghu's dynasty and the eliminator of valiant enemies, are moistened and he became perturbed for a moment. 

Here a question is raised asking: whether Rama performed all the great feats like piercing stout trees, sub-terrains of earth, and sturdy chest of Vali only to shed tears? It is not so. The tears or joys of his adherents are his own tears or joys, for he involves so deep in such matters personally. At the time of befriending Rama, Sugreeva says that 'our mirth or misery too, are same for us from now on...' at 4-5-17. They are the tears of complaisance, but not due to any wailing or moaning at the declaration of Sugreeva to self-immolate with his dead brother.

At that moment, Rama whose perseverance is like that of the earth and who is the protector of earth has seen Tara, who is wailing and repeatedly looking around as she is deluged in desperation, and then with all his concernedness Rama paced towards her. 

The prominent monkey ministers then started to raise her up, whose eyes are pleasant and intellect unfailing, and who had the lion among monkeys as her husband, but now collapsed on ground hugging her departed husband. She who is hugging her husband wriggled highly when she is disengaged from him, ad at a particular stage she saw Rama with his bow and arrow in his hands and who is resplendent like sun, by his own resplendence. 

In the presently available universe self-luminosity is the feature of only one planet, namely Sun. All the others have to beg - like trees and plants; borrow like - moon, stars; or steal like - earth, she steals and hoards it in the form of fire, lava etc. And there must be someone or something that has given this luminosity to sun and if so that entity must have his/its own undiminished self-luminosity than this sun. That one is designated as Supreme Person and now it/he is in the form of Rama. padama puraNa says all these incarnations are just lamps lit by another, rather the original lamp, call that entity what you may: n®siÕha r˜ma k®ÿõeÿu ÿ˜ýguõyam parip¨ritam | par˜ avasth˜ tu deveþa dŸp˜t utpannam dŸpa vat || padma pur˜õa

On seeing at him whose eyes are graceful, one endowed with all kingly attributes, who looked best among men, and who is unseen so far, that fawn-eyed Tara realized him alone as that Rama. 

She came to know him as 'that' Rama, 1] of whom Angada told her earlier; 2] who killed Vali; 3] of whom saintly people talk about. Eyes talk a lot, thus that fawn-eyed lady's eyes met those divine eyes of Rama, as 'great people perceive each other's greatness by a simple look...' vidvaan eva vijaanaati vidavad jana parishrama

She on whom misfortune has chanced and who is anguished, that noble lady Tara went very quickly with highly squirming movements to the near of the highly exalted soul Rama, who matches Indra in his valour and an unreachable one for his enemies.

Though Rama started towards her she herself advanced to his fore thus establishing her humble nature, demanded of the noblemen/women when dealing with higher beings.

The body language of Tara which is so far disconcerted by the grief felt for Rama's perfect hitting, felling and achieving his object in war, namely Vali, is now disoriented to anger on seeing the very same Rama, as she is a self-respectful lady. But on arriving at the near of that very pure being Rama, that ireful body language of hers again reoriented itself to a sort of serenity, and then she spoke this to him. 

It is said that she rushed to Rama wishing to hurl a mouthful of swears at him in her anger by the use of words manasvinii contrasted with vishuddha sattvam. On nearing a pure being shuddha sattva, the other two human traits, namely anger and stupidity rajo tamo guNaaH, have quietened in her and she became very polite and started to eulogise him. When she advised Vali to not to confront this Rama, then also she spoke about the attributes of Rama, but it is on hearsay information. Now to be in his presence, she is rendered as a pure consciousness. Other mms ascribe vishuddha sattvaa to Tara, as Rama's pure being is already known to all. The nearness of a pure being automatically provides a serene mind to anyone.

"You are an indeterminable one, an inaccessible one, one with his self conquered, the supreme among righteous souls, your glory is unmitigated, and you are the one with clear discrimination, and in endurance earth-like, and your eyes are blood streaked like those of an emperor. 

There are voluminous commentaries on this and next verse of Tara, of which some excerpts from Govindaraja commentary are given here.

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tvam 'you... of whom I am about to give a positive picture, though presently contrary to that is your aspect and action...' aprameyaH ca 'indeterminate is your aspect...' 'Veda-s themselves have no consolidation of your aspect when said as, vedaahametam purusam mahaantam 'Supreme Person is endless in nature...' and as ka itthaa vedaa 'who knows that the being is like this or that...' and further shvetashvataropanishad at 4-19 and also mahaa naaraayaNa upanishad at I-10 say:

na enam ¨rthvam na tiryañcam na madhya parijagrabhat |
na tasya pratim˜ asti yasya n˜ma mahad yaþa× ||

"None has ever grasped Him by his upward limit, or His middle portion, or His limit across... His name is 'great glory' for nothing limits His nature by definition..."

Veda-s also said that he does not know of himself so anga veda yadi vaa na veda.  But Rama is evident before her eyes. That is not the reality of that being, so disputes Tara. This present aspect is only a namesake. While we worship the unknown we conceive a picture or statue to our contemplation but not for his benefit. upaasakaanaam kaaryaartham brahmaNo ruupa kalpanaa 'he does not need any benefits from us should we be benevolent.' The singular tvam 'you...' implies his singularity. 'You are without any other divine paraphernalia and yet you can manage the entire universe, singularly... but presently you appear to be manlike, with arrows and a bow... may be you are hiding your divine disc and conch shell etc., thus we are unable to elicit whether you are 'that' or 'this' being with our limited physical faculties.'

Though we are unable to know you by our physical faculties, can we know by our mental faculties? Even that is impossible for us, because you are duraasadaH ' an inaccessible entity...' dur aa sada the root sad - Sa d`al` after two preverbs dur, aa , has three meanings Sa d`al` visharaNa gati avasaaneSu 1] visharaNa= jiirNatvam, shidhilatvam perish, pine away; 2] gati= gamana dynamism. For this Monier William's lexicon has no equalling word, but recorded in there is the word, 'watch, wait for' an act in the nature of dynamism; 3] avasaadana ruin, distress, depression. Then she said this way, 'because you are eternal there is no perish, because you are ever dynamic no impasse can occur, because you are ever blissful no depression can occur, either to you or to your administration of dharma...' This is what is told in Bhagavad-Gita at 11-53: na aham vedaiH na tapasaa na daanena na ca ijyayaa | shakya evam vidho draSTum... 'not through Veda-s, not through charities, not through rituals I can be discerned...'

She further analyses: 'Because you are such an inaccessible being, but we are all accessible to you, can you excite yourself to grab this kingdom or the females or riches in it? You cannot do so, because you are jitendriyaH 'one with his senses conquered...' You will give away all this to Sugreeva. You are said to be not eyeing at other's wives. na raamaH para daaran vai cakshubhyaam api pashyate then how you eye at us? You cannot.' This goes with the saying of shveta ashvatara upanishad, 3-19: apaaNi paado javano grahiitaa pashyatya cakshuH na shR^iNoti karnaH 'no hands no legs, He goes everywhere, no ears no eyes He sees everything...' Thus the sensory organs and their activities are for the mortals, immortal is beyond them. Thus you have conquered all such physicality.'

'I thought you to be an unrighteous person in killing my husband, but you are uttama dhaarmikaH supreme among the righteous souls, because you have helped Sugreeva without any personal greed...' A person who undertakes and does a deed only for himself is a base-level righteous person. One, who does so for his benefit, and for the benefit of a few others, is a middle-level righteous one. And a highest level righteous one undertakes anything to protect righteousness alone. In killing Vali, Rama has got only one point in view, 'to eliminate an abuser of tradition, caaritra duuSaka... and not even bothering for the searchers of Seetha. When Rama can eliminate fourteen thousand demons of Khara in Aranya Kanda and also when he can put the sea to turmoil, can he not fling his arrow to the other side of that ocean to kill Ravana? He can, but he has to course through Sugreeva's friendship to punish Vali, among other things. 'So you are supreme among these kinds of benefactors, because you have paved way to Vali to go to heavens instead of netherworlds... so no discredit ensues...'

Rama may question as to 'why you are eulogising me when I got discredit in killing Vali without confronting him?' For this she said a + kshayya kiirti 'unmitigated is your glory...' 'you are renowned not by a few of us but all the Veda-s extol you...' This is what is available in Bhagavad-Gita at 15-15 vedaiH ca sarvaiH aham eva vedyo 'by all Veda-s, I alone can be known...' and the Vedic saying tasya naama mahad yashaH is also there.

'You are a very discriminating person because you are... vicakshiNaH 'because you have eliminated only one scandalous Vali but not the entire race. You yourself said, 'I will eliminate all the demonic race...' when you wanted t punish Ravana the abductor of your wife, when you have seen Seetha's ornaments as at 4-6-25. That analogy is not shown here in Kishkindha. When Sugreeva examined your capacity, you also examined the capacities of Vali and Sugreeva in their first round of fight. Because Sugreeva prayed for your mercy you simply did not kill Vali, but a calculated approach is adopted by you, in the second round, and hence you are very discriminating...'

You are kshiti kshamavaan 'earth-like, in endurance...' and as told by Narada to Valmiki kshamayaa pR^ithvii samaH 'in perseverance equals with earth...' Bala Kanda 1-1-18. You are tolerant of us, the other monkeys, though we were on the side of erring Vali. You have not taken us on en masse because of your tolerance.

Your eyes are blood-streaked like those of an emperor, unlike the bloodshot eyes of a murderer, raamo rakta anta locanaH and kshataja upamaa akshaH for a sovereign should have roseate eyes, mouth and palms... rakta aasya netra paaNiH; tritaamra as per saamudrika shaastra the physiognomic canons. Even though your eyes are reddish, you are not looking like nara-simha man-lion incarnation...'

The words like 'ca' 'tu' 'eva' either play a havoc or go in drain in their usage. Here 'ca' is used for six attributes while two more are not suffixed with it. The usage of 'ca' to six of the attributes is to tell that those aspects are available in the Supreme alone. The last two attributes are not suffixed with this 'ca' because these two are Rama's attributes in his personal humanly nature and the Supreme is above these things.

Leaving all the above to a side for a moment, there is another viewpoint for these aspects. The word 'ca' if taken as 'alone' or 'only' aprameyaH ca becomes 'you are knowable 'only' by your adherents [alone,] despisers cannot know you...' duraasadaH ca becomes 'you are inaccessible to others and accessible 'only' to your adherents [alone...] jitendriyaH ca 'indulgent in your adherents 'only / alone' and by conquering your senses you do not cast your glance at the disavowed...' uttama dhaarmikaH ca 'you are the 'only' supreme Dharma, or you alone is Supreme Dharma...' vicakshanaH ca 'you 'only' can discriminate good from bad, right from wrong... as you alone have said mitra bhaavena sampraaptam na tyajae ayam katham ca na 'I will not leave off one who befriends me...' kshiti kshamavaan ca 'the only/alone forbearing being...' Here also the 'ca' can be brought in as per dehalii diipa nyaaya, the syndrome of 'portico-lamp' a lamp kept in portico beams a little inside the house. Thus Govindaraja comments on this verse.

"You with your proportionate physic are a mighty one handling bows and arrows, but your bodily magnificence is more than that of magnificent humanly body. 

She for a while grasped some divine nature of Rama and in that trance she uttered these expressions about divinity etc. This culminates into the Bhagavad-Gita's saying at 9-11: ava j˜nanti m˜m m¨ýh˜ m˜nuÿŸm tanum ˜þritam | param bh˜vamaj˜nanto mama bh¨ta maheþvaram || 'I the Supreme can not be known by the mindless for I am in human form...' Telling Gita is a happening in a split-second. This is the same condition of Arjuna prior to listening Gita. There also, we are told, that the real time is frozen by Krishna while he rendered those many verses of Gita. After enlightenment by listening Gita, Arjuna proceeds to perform his duty. Here also Tara comes to her real nature of vanara-female, after visualising a kind of vishva ruupa 'the Image of Supreme...' at the time of above addressing, which is not voiced intentionally but sprang forth from her pure consciousness shuddha sattva, while she she continues her wailing and pleading with Rama, at a later time. Thus the divine revelations have their own stunning effects.

"Oh, brave one, kill me too with the same arrow with which you have killed my dear husband, and on getting killed at your hand I wish to reach his near, as Vali takes no delight without me. Though Vali with eyes like unblemished lotus petals reaches heaven he looks around for me, and not finding me there, he does not have a romance with celestial apsara-s though they will be in amazing costumes and wear red-coloured towering tiaras. 

"Even though Vali is in heaven he will derive despair and despondency without me, like you, who are despondent and despaired on the pleasant stretches of mountainsides of that best mountain Rishyamuka, as you are without Seetha. How a virile person derives discomfort without his woman, that much you know, isn't it! Because you are aware of it, you kill me; let not Vali get any discomfort when he does not find me. 

"Oh, prince, as a high souled one even if you think that, "sin of killing a female will not befall on me?" But deem me as his soul, as scriptures say that the wife is the soul of husband, and hence kill me, then there will not be any blemish of woman killing. 

"In the course of implementing scriptural rituals, and even as contained in various Vedic sayings, wife is not a separate entity than her husband, and no better endowment than endowing a wife to an eligible bridegroom by bride's father is countenanced by the wise men in the world, isn't it. 

There are many Vedic sayings on this, and the rituals are also to be conducted with a wife on the side of that person who conducts the rituals. Thus wife is the other entity of her husband. artho vaa eSa yat patnii... aatmaa vai daaraa... vaidika vaakyaani... The Maha Bharata says in its aadi parva what a married woman is: artham bh˜ry˜ manuÿyasya bh˜ry˜ þreÿ÷hatama× sakh˜ | 'man's better half is wife, and man's best friend is the wife.'

"Even you, oh, valiant one, on examining good and bad bestow me to my dear husband, and by that way, oh, brave one, by such an endowment of a wife to her husband, by way of killing and sending her to her husband, you too will not get any touch of sin. 

"Anguished and unprotected, such as I am, oh, king, I am being distracted from my departed husband by these Vanara misters, and it is unapt of you to not to kill me, as I am incapable to live without him, whose sprightly gait is like that of an elephant, a best one among fly-jumping Vanara-s, a courageous one, and who wears a precious and exquisite golden pendant..." Thus Tara pleaded with Rama for a mercy-death. 

Thus that way when Tara spoke to that lord and great-souled Rama, Rama consoling Tara well, spoke this word of expediency, "oh, wife of valiant one, let not your mind go raving, the Creator decreed all the world to be in this way, isn't so! And the same Creator has ordained mirthe and misery, and even their association, so say the sagely people. And even the triad of worlds is indeed under his control, and that triad too, cannot transgress the foreordained predestination. You will get paramount appeasement as before, and your son will become the crown prince, God has ordained destiny only in that way. Wives of the valiant ones will not mourn emotionally." Thus Rama consoled Tara.

It is said that Tara is pacified by this single assurance of Rama that Angada will not be looked down, or banished, or killed by the forthcoming regime, and she is self-assured that Rama effectuates his promise. Not only this but her status of an empress is also protected because Sugreeva remarries her. Can a Hindu woman remarry? Yes she can, and should. naÿ÷e m®te pravraje klŸbe ca patite tath˜ | pañcastu ˜pastsu pati× anye vidhŸyate || 'a husband if lost, dead, deserted, becomes eunuch, in these five situations another husband is ordained...'

There are some more rulings besides this. A woman is at liberty to remarry under 'certain' circumstances. It appears that Tara is given equally to Vali and Sugreeva by gods, like Draupadi to Pandava-s. But in such wife-sharing system some strict rules are to be observed like time, months, years, turns etc., as has been done by Pandava-s. That was lacking with Vali. Vali's thinking is that Sugreeva wants Tara more than Kishkindha, so Vali did not kill Sugreeva but chased him away from Kishkindha, presuming the begrudging of Sugreeva is too trivial. The actual cause of rivalry between these two is Tara. But this cannot be over stated. Sugreeva informs Rama while narrating episode of Dundubhi, 'due to some woman there was a rivalry...' Sugreeva too does not overstate this. This is as per Govindaraja commentary.

Regarding the chastity of Tara no doubt is to be expressed by any for she is a celestial, emerged from the churning of Milky Ocean. She is equated with Seetha, Draupadi, Ahalya, and listening their episodes is said to remove any evil-visualisations, as in this verse:

ahaly˜ draupadŸ t˜r˜ sŸt˜ manýodarŸ tath˜ | pañca kany˜× pa÷×et nityam du×svapnam tasya na paþyati ||

Thus consoled by that persuasive, noble-souled and enemy-burner Rama, that brave one's wife whose aspect is fair and whose attire is proper, she that paused her plaint, but with a puling expression. 

Thus, this is the 24th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 25

 

Rama hurries up Sugreeva to proceed with the funeral ceremony of Vali instead of sitting around the body and wailing endlessly. Rama tersely tells about living being's dependency on the eternal Time, Fate and the Absolute. Then Sugreeva takes charge of the situation and arranges for the monarchical funeral to Vali. At the final departure of her husband, Tara again laments. Ultimately Vali's body is committed to fire for his voyage to heavens on a remote avenue.

.

While a similar disquiet of Sugreeva is prevailing over Rama and Lakshmana, Rama palliatively said this to Sugreeva, and even to Tara together with Angada. 

"Deceased will not derive bliss by sorrowful mourning, hence it will be appropriate to arrange for that work which is subsequent in this matter. 

"Worldly observances are to be observed, thus your activity of tear-shedding this far is justifiable, but after the lapse of time of any individual, it is impossible to activate that individual by any other remote activity like weeping.

Or

"Worldly observances are to be observed, thus your activity of tear-shedding this far is justifiable, it is impossible to undertake any other ritual work if time is lapsed just by weeping.  

A person comes to life after ten months incarceration in mother's womb; lives for a hundred year period, but on death, dead body is to be removed within ten hours. If a dead body is kept unattended for more than ten hours of death, a blemish called paryuSita doSa occurs. Thus, it is said, 'The duties ordained according to their time value are to be attended on time, otherwise if you lapse that particular time by shedding tears alone, there is no merit to the departed soul...' Maheshvara Tiirtha

"Fate is the cause of all the worlds, Fate is the instrument for action, Fate is the deciding factor for motivation of all beings in these worlds. 

Here the word niyati has three deflections, svabhaava vaada Nature-theory, niyati vaada Fate-theory, kaala vaada Time-theory, and all these culminate into Theism, for theologises. Atheists hold the above three in each of its own. svabhaava: kaaraNam vinaa eva sarvam bhavati iti svabhaava vaada... 'without any apparent reason everything happens on its own, where the question of merit or sin does not arise...' and the adherents of karmic-cycle say, niyati: puurva janma aarjita dharma adharmau niyati, sa eva sarvasya kaaraNam... 'the merit or sin earned or accrued in last births brings forth the fruits of the present and future births...' kaala Time, the undisputable time factor is the reason for everything, also called 'god'.

If the attribute of god to the Time is removed and seen only as time with its watches, Rama is said to have spoken in the perfect tongue of perfect atheists in these four or five verses given below. However, if there is an All-Supervisory-God, these three will culminate in Him and then He becomes the Time, the presiding authority of worlds. For this the shveta ashvatara upanishad: has this hymn at its 1-2: k˜la× svabh˜vo niyati× yad®c˜ bh¨t˜ni yoni× puruÿa iti cinty˜ | 'time, nature, fate, chance, material, power, intellect... thus all these are [thought to be the cause, but in vain...] Thus the words used as 'Fate' 'Time' are alterable with 'Supreme Being/Person.'

"None is an instrument in motivating someone else to do something or otherwise, none is also a controlling entity of others, and even the world functions in its own nature, and that Time is cardinal for that world. 

Unlike Bhagavad Gita, which says everything in first person, here Rama is saying that he alone is Supreme, but naming Time, Fate etc., instead of using first person and declaring about himself.

"Time will not transcend Time, neither Time transgresses itself, and on attaining the nature endowed by Time nothing can overstep its own Fate. Time has no kinship, thus it has no partiality, there is nothing instrumental to override Time, hence nothing can override it, and there are no causative factors to Time that connect through friends or relatives, hence all are equal in its viewpoint. But even the mutations brought forth by Time are observable by a perceiver with a clear vision, and the virtue, wealth, pleasures are to be perceived as cumulated during the course of Time. 

If it is asked that, 'If Time takes care of everything what is it humans have to do, except to live like other animals?' For this the above verse says that 'a gentle perceiver has to perceive the changes brought in by the course of Time and according to them and also taking the help of scriptural dictates, one has to intelligently undergo the course of events, without asserting himself of his own achievements or without blaming himself or that imposing Time, should the results be distasteful. This is the way to attain the humanly-means, puruSa artha -s. And this is the way to live different from animals.

"That king of fly-jumpers Vali departed from here on attaining his own nature of subtle-soul, and he obtained pious fruits connected with his one time actions befitting to a king like, friendliness, courteousness, and forgivingness required of a king. That great-souled Vali did not care to safeguard his own lives in combat, and by virtue of his own rightness of a true combatant unworried of his life, he acquired heaven. 

This is to say Vali has attained a higher heaven than the routine heaven ruled by Indra, where the merit and demerit are metered. These higher heavens are impossible abodes for usual seekers of release from karmic cycle, but they chance upon certain blessed souls like Vali, who is sent from here to vaikunTha Vishnu's Milky-Oceanic abode, by no less than Rama himself.

"Which course the commander of monkeys undertook is the choicest course of fatality, and hence, enough is this sorrowing, and let works incumbent on the present time be undertaken reverently..." So said Rama to Sugreeva. 

This is choicest course Vali sought after is to die in the course of fighting. For this it is said in Dharmaakuutam: atra niyati þabd˜para pary˜yam janm˜ntara k®ta karma k˜lam apekÿya phalati | kalo api p¨rva k®ta karma s˜pekÿya eva | na svatantra | evam k˜la karma par˜dhŸna× puruÿo api na karmaõi svatantra× | 'by the word niyati the results of earlier births come to fruition abiding the Time... Time is bound by the results of earlier births... as such no independency to Time... thus, bound by the Time cycle, an individual is also not independent...'

At the close of Rama's sentence Lakshmana, the eliminator of braving foes, spoke this courteous sentence to the disconcerted Sugreeva. 

"Sugreeva, you attend to the subsequent funeral rites along with those two, Tara and Angada, and arrange for the cremation of Vali. Order at once for substantial dry firewood, likewise for finest sandalwood, for the purpose of the exequies. Bolster up that miserable Angada who is heartbroken, you too should not become frivolous in thinking as this city Kishkindha is now dependant on you. 

"Let Angada bring wreaths, different cloths, ghee, oils, as well perfumes and other items that are consequently useful in funeral. And Lt. Tara, you go quickly and come readily fetching a palanquin of the dead, for despatch is a merit, which is truly worthwhile, especially at these times. Let suitable, proficient and sturdy Vaanara-s be at the ready as the bearers of the litter of the dead to carry away Vali." Thus said Lakshmana to Sugreeva. Speaking thus to Sugreeva that enhancer of his mother Sumitra's delight and the eliminator of braving foes, Lakshmana stepped off and stayed behind his brother Rama. 

On hearing the words of Lakshmana Lt. Tara's mood became hectic and he fleetly entered Kishkindha with his mood firmed up to get the litter of the dead. Lt. Tara came back in a trice fetching that litter of the dead, getting it carried by gritty and suitable Vanara-s. 

That palanquin is having a majestic throne and in similarity it is like a divine chariot which is adorned and beautified with figurines of birds and trees in high relief. From all over it is well set in with strikingly carved figures of foot soldiers, and it is like an aircraft of the gifted souls, namely siddha-s, with grills and ventilators. Well seamed-in are its parts and also spacious it is, and well crafted by the crafty craftsmen it has wooden play-hills carved in its walls, and finishing touches with a fine artistry of polishing are given to that palanquin. It is elaborated with best ornaments and strings of pearls, gems, beads and the like, and even with amazing flowery-tassels. Its cabin's roof is covered with an ornamental woodcraft of red-sandalwood. It is well covered over with lots of flowers, and in its shade it is like a tender sun, while garlands of red-lotuses are further brightening it. And Lt. Tara brought such a litter of the dead. 

These few verses describing the royal palanquin are not available in critical edition and even in some ancient mms. The word guhaa gahana is not 'deep cave' as in ordinary sense. It is one among the rare expressions used in Ramayana. guhaa gahana shabdena shibika upari prasaarya maaNaanaam pa~njaram ucyate... 'the roof of the cabin / cage of the palanquin...' is the meaning of the above words. Tilaka. [After Dr. Satya Vrat.].

On seeing such a sort of palanquin Rama said to Lakshmana, "Let Vali be taken away quickly and funeral ceremony be undertaken." 

Thereafter Sugreeva along with Angada and others lifted up and then lodged Vali in the litter of the dead squalling woefully. 

Thus setting that deceased Vali who is diversely decorated and adorned with garlands and cloths onto the palanquin, then Sugreeva, the king of best fly-jumpers, has ordered, "let the funeral ceremony of this noble brother of mine be undertaken, befitting to his magnificence... 

"Let the vanara-s proceed in van strewing various gems plentifully, and the palanquin afterward... In which way the grandiose of monarchical opulence will be conspicuous on earth when kings decease, in a similar way the Vanara-s have to immortalise lord Vali now," Sugreeva ordered monkeys in that way. 

On performing services to the dead in the same way as ordered by Sugreeva, then all of those vanara-s like Lt. Tara and others, have promptly started out hemming round Angada, keening over their dead relative Vali. Then all the female adherents of Vali came together and wept saying, 'oh, brave one, oh, brave one...' and they repeatedly wept thus for their departed dear. 

Lady Tara and all other female Vanara-s, whose husband is dead followed the funeral procession, wailing in a pathetic tone. With the din of wailing of those Vanara females in the interiors of the forest, that forest along with its hillocks appeared to be wailing noisily. 

Many Vanara-s have arranged a funeral pile on an unpopulated sandy isle, around which brooks from the cascades of hills are encircling. All of those best vanara-s then lifted down that palanquin from their shoulders and stood aside weltered in melancholy. 

Lady Tara on seeing at her husband Vali recumbent on the bier of the litter of the dead, she then brought his head onto her lap, and wailed painfully. "O, great king of monkeys... o, my consort... my dear... o, meritorious one, o, mighty one, o, my dear... see me... why do not you see this grief-stricken creature, that is me... Though your lives have gone your face is appearing to be highly enchanting as if it has a similar dazzle of the sun on dusking mountain, as it had when you were alive.

"Time-god in the mien of this Rama is hauling you away, oh, vanara, on rendering all of us as widows by flinging a single arrow in the fight. These are those female vanara-s of yours, oh, best king, unable to come by leaping and jumping as they are wont to, they have come treading a much lengthy way of yours, why do not you mind them? They with their faces like moonshine are your cherished wives, isn't it! 

"What for you are not seeing the lord of fly-jumpers Sugreeva, and these Lt. Tara and others are all your ministers, oh, king, and even the people dwelling in Kishkindha city have gathered around you and sinking down, why do not you mind them?  Bid adieu to these ministers as usual, oh, enemy subjugator, then we all can sportfully wander in the woods in voluptuousness." Thus Tara mourned for Vali. 

While Tara is enwrapped in the grief for her husband and wailing that way, then other female Vanara-s, who are equally haggard by grief have lifted her up and took her away from the body of Vali. Angada wailing along with Sugreeva, started to mount his father's body onto pyre in an involuntary way, as his senses are deluged under grief. On giving fire to the pyre procedurally, then Angada with dismayed senses performed circumambulations in an anticlockwise direction to his father, who is voyaging on a remote avenue. 

The word apa savya means another way, 'to keep the sacred thread on the right shoulder...' which will be observed only in funeral ceremonies. Usually this sacred thread of Hindus is sling on the left shoulder, which is called savyam. In funeral rites it is occasionally changed onto right shoulder. In temples when circumambulations are performed, the devotee faces the idol, keeping his right to left of the idol and moves on his left, around sanctum sanctorum. This is called savya pradakshiNa and in funerals it is other way round, called apa savya pradakshiNa.

On cremating Vali procedurally those best fly-jumpers arrived at the propitious river with auspicious waters to offer water oblations to the departed soul. Those vanara-s on coming together along with Sugreeva and Lady Tara, and then locating Angada in their front, they have offered water oblations to the soul of Vali. 

He whose sadness evened up with that of Sugreeva, and who became one with Sugreeva in haplessness, that great mighty Rama effectuated the funeral rites of Vali. 

On cremating Vali of lofty aplomb and manifest-renown and whom the arrow of that Rama, the best of Ikshvaku dynasty has eliminated, Sugreeva then approached that Rama, who is with Lakshmana at his side, and whose flair equals a flaming fire. 

In fact Sugreeva is fully wet with river waters and effusing is water from his clothing and body, yet he is compared with flaming blaze, only to say that Sugreeva has washed off the sin called Vali and bathed in the pious waters called Rama's mercy, thus his resplendence is pure and fire-like. Govindaraja. By these observances of funeral rites, water oblations etc., the Vanara- may not be regarded as monkeys or as other mammals, but this race is to be regarded a divine race adherent to Vedic practises. They took birth at the hest of Brahma.

Thus, this is the 25th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 26

 

Hanuma proposes that the coronation of Sugreeva is to be performed under the aegis of Rama. But Rama says that he cannot enter villages or cities during exile, and asks the chiefs of monkeys to perform the same. Rama also suggests that Angada may also be crowned as crown prince. Accordingly, Sugreeva is anointed as king and Angada as crown prince of Kishkindha. The regal splendour of the coronation is narrated in here.

 

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The eminent ministers of tree-branch animals then surrounded Sugreeva, who is very much seared in grief and who is still wearing damp cloths, as he just a while ago offered watery oblations to his deceased brother, stood accessible to him. On going towards the dexterous Rama, whose exploits are effortless, all of those monkeys tarried with their palms adjoined as with the sages tarrying in the presence of Brahma, the Forefather. 

Hanuma, the son of Air-god, whose sheen is like that of the golden mountain Meru, and whose visage is like that of the tender sun in its glint, then reverently spoke this sentence  adjoining his palms. 

"Oh, lord Rama, this magnificent kingdom of deferential monkeys who are armed with the teeth, and whose might is a privileged one - since our might is not dependent on any weapons or other tactical warfare, except our own bodily strength - and oh, Kakutstha, that which belongs to his father and forefathers, and that which is otherwise impossible for him to regain, Sugreeva regained such a kingdom with your grace. 

"And if you empower, this Sugreeva will enter the propitious city Kishkindha along with a group good-hearted friends, and he will get anointed procedurally with various essences and herbal-extracts as its king, and thus he can revamp all the administration. 

"He would like to honour you in a remarkable way with garlands and precious gems, hence it will be apt of you to enter this delightful mountain cave, namely Kishkindha, and you may kindly consolidate the congenial affinity between the governor and the governed for the very high exhilaration of Vanara-s." Hanuma appealed Rama in this way. 

When Hanuma said so, Rama the destroyer of valiant foes, an intellectual and an enunciator replied Hanuma in this way. "As a conformist to the directives of my father, oh, gentle Hanuma, I am not supposed to enter either a village or a city. As and when the best one among Vanara-s valorous Sugreeva enters the highly flourishing and statuesquely Kishkindha, he shall be enthroned in the kingdom, immediately and procedurally." Replying Hanuma thus, that knower of the etiquette Rama, also spoke to Sugreeva, who is rich in politesse and an imposing one by his might and valour. 

"You may even crown this brave Angada as crown prince, he is the eldest son of your elder brother, his bravery is kindred to that of his father, and thus this enthusiastic Angada will be a well-chosen designee for the crown-princeship. 

The eldest son with kingly merits, though parented by an elder brother, need be crowned as crown prince anena jyÿ÷ho guõav˜n jyeÿ÷ha bhr˜t® putro api yauva r˜jye abhiÿecanŸya iti uktam - dharmak¨tam The whole Maha Bharata is based on this rule till a gruesome war has chanced.

"The four month period specified for rainy season has commenced, oh gentle Sugreeva, and this is shravaNa, the first month of rainy season that brings many showers. 

This month shrvaNa, compares nearly with July-August months. There are elaborate accounts for calculating the duration of Ramayana basing on the months indicated here and there, and they cannot be included here for these calculations vary in themselves. The Hindu seasons are six as detailed in Bala Kanda 1-12-1.

"This is not a time for any striving, hence you enter the propitious city Kishkindha, oh, gentle Sugreeva, and I for my part will stay on this mountain along with Lakshmana. This mountain cave is heart-pleasing by being spacious with worthwhile breeze, oh, gentle one, water is copious and red and blue lotuses are aplenty about this place. On the advent of kaartika month, October, say post-rainy season, you shall do your best in the cause of Ravana's elimination, and this is our covenant, and hence oh, gentle Sugreeva, for now enter your mansion, be enthroned in kingdom as well, and exhilarate your friends." Thus when Rama countenanced that best vanara Sugreeva entered the charming city Kishkindha which is so far ruled by Vali. 

When the sovereign of vanara-s Sugreeva has entered the city, very gladly thousands of vanara-s have also entered and fenced off that lord of fly-jumpers from all over. All the inmates and ministers in Kishkindha then revered the lord of monkey throngs Sugreeva with their head-bent, and they have also prostrated before him with an assiduously polite attitude. Raising the rank-and-file members from their prostration, and on exchanging a word or two with them, that valiant and highly mighty Sugreeva entered the beautiful palace-chambers of his brother. 

When that prodigiously venturesome arch-vanara Sugreeva has entered the palace his cohorts anointed him as gods would anoint the Thousand-eyed Indra. 

A white parasol highly ornate in gold, long-furred royal-fans with golden handles that are the enhancers of celebrity are brought for Sugreeva's anointment. Likewise, on taking all kinds of jewels, seeds, herbs, sprouts of trees that are still exuding milky latex, also flowers, and white royal-robes and white body-cream, lotuses bloomed on dry-land, best sandal paste, also various and numerous perfumes, Holy-yellow-rice, gold, seeds that are small and fragrant called priyangu, honey, ghee, curds, skin of tiger, tassels of fragrant flowers, and invaluable sandal shoes, unguents before oil bath, orpiment preparations one in yellow called gorochana, and the other in red called Manshila, there arrived sixteen best and cheerful damsels. 

They the Vanara-s have then started to anoint that best Vanara Sugreeva according to the tradition, having appeased the eminent Brahmans with jewels, garments and delicacies. Authoritative scholars in Vedic-hymns then spreading the ritual grass around the Fire-altar which is with enkindled Ritual-fire oblated fire oblations into it duly sanctifying them with hymns. 

On a splendid, choicest and finely upholstered throne with golden legs that is kept atop a rostrum that is shining forth with various flower tassels, Sugreeva is procedurally inducted to sit facing east to the chanting of Vedic hymns. Then, Vanara-s like Gaja, Gavaaksha, Gavaya, Sharabha, Gandhamaadana, Mainda, Dvividha, also thus Hanuma, Jambavanta have started pouring pure water on Sugreeva, which the best vanara-s have collected from the rivers flowing to east, as well as to west, from each of the sacred-declivity of rivers, from every ocean, and stored in golden flasks. Thus those have anointed Sugreeva with those pellucid and well-perfumed waters poured from golden vessels through the auspicious horns of bulls as revealed in scriptures and as great sages have defined, which anointment is like eight of Vasu-gods anointing the Thousand-eyed Indra.

Hindu tradition draws its methodology of religious ceremonies mainly from two sources shruti Veda-s, and smR^iti, suutra-s rules framed by sages. In the above verse it is said that water is poured through the horns of bulls. It is a practise to do so to achieve religious merit. So also bathing God Shiva through the horn of rhino is said to be the highest method of abhiSeka anointment.

Hundreds and thousands of the great-souled and prominent vanara-s that are there, all of them have cheerily raised high hullabaloos while Sugreeva is anointed. The best one among monkeys Sugreeva graciously embraced Angada and anointed him as crown prince in order to effectuate Rama's word. On the anointment of Angada those fly-jumpers that have sympathy for him have acclaimed Sugreeva saying, 'well done, well done.' 

While that kind of pompous anointment is taking place all are gladdened and that way they repeatedly extolled the great-souled Rama, and even Lakshmana too. That magnificent city Kishkindha situated in the cave of mountain which is already splendorous with flags of triumph and banners is further splendorous with blithe and burly monkeys overspreading it. 

The valiant Sugreeva who is by now the king of monkeys army, then apprised the great-souled Rama about his grand anointment, and thus he not only regained his wife Ruma but also secured the kingdom, like the chief of divinities Indra. 

Thus, this is the 26th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 27

 

After Sugreeva's enthronement, Rama and Lakshmana arrive at a mountain called Prasavana for their stay during rainy season. This mountain contains rich flora and fauna as extolled by Rama. On seeing the beauty of nature Rama's thoughts wander over Seetha and he sinks down in his anguish. But Lakshmana comes to rescue imbuing hopeful thoughts in retrieving her with the help of Sugreeva. The readers familiar with critical edition may find only twenty-three verses in that edition, whereas this traditional version contains forty-eight of them. Twenty-five verses that account the names of trees, river-flows, beauty of nature etc., extolling nature are here as an ingredient of epical literature that aim to remind us about the need for a good environment, rather than to worry about global warming, ozone depletion, deforestation etc.

 

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Rama along with his brother Lakshmana reached Mt. Prasavana while the enthroned Sugreeva entered the cave-city Kishkindha. Mt. Prasavana is pervaded with noisily growling tigers and beasts, mightily roaring lions, compacted with diverse shrubs and creeper-plants, overspread with many a kind of tree, thus it is adored by bears, monkeys, baboons, and even by wildcats, and that mountain which is always sanctifying and tranquil is like a heap of clouds in its shine. 

As a mass of clouds always showers water this cloudlike mountain also appears to be always showering unspoilt and sanctifying water by way of its rapids, waterfalls and cascades and other water resorts. Hence, it is water giving earthly cloud.

Rama along with Lakshmana has taken up an ample spaced cave as residence on the cliff of that mountain. Rama, the faultless one and the elder brother of Lakshmana, who is the delight of Raghu's dynasty, and who made an accord with Sugreeva regarding cessation of activity during rainy season, spoke these significant and timely words to his humble brother Lakshmana who is the enhancer of prosperity. 

"This delightful mountain cave is spacious and breezy, hence, oh, enemy destroyer Soumitri, let us stay in this during rainy nights. This admirable peak of mountain is embellished with white, black and coppery rock faces, oh, prince, thus this is fully overspread with diverse ores. Bristling with rivers and frogs, and brimmed with clumps of various trees along with beautiful and amazing creeper-plants it is elaborated. It is highly reverberated with diverse birds and filled with the screeches of best peacocks. And bloomed Maalati and Jasmine bushes, also trees like Sindhuvara, Shirrishika, further the trees like Kadamba, Arjuna, and Sarja in bloom, are brightening it and it is delightful. 

The botanical names for these trees are provided in chapter 1 of Kishkindha, where some more elaborate description of nature is available. These may please be referred there. These lists of trees may not be taken as just for page filling, but they may be regarded as the esteemed natural resources that cause natural and timely rainfalls, which occurs in the next chapter.

"This pleasant lake of lotuses enwreathed with its blossomy lotuses, oh, prince, is available not far away from our cave. This cave with its north-easterly slope will be homely for us since the inrush of rainwater will be less, oh, gentle one, also thus with its upraised westerly portion this cave will be less of gusts that come from east. The black stone available at the doorway of the cave that looks like a spattered mound of mascara is broad, even-surfaced, and will be pleasant for a repose. 

"See this mountain peak that looks like a scattered mound of mascara, dear boy, which rose up like a black-cloud on the sky, and it is an auspicious one for it is in northern side. Even see this mountain available in the southerly direction as if a white cloth is spread on sky, which is vying with Mt. Kailash and abounding with many an ore. 

"Also see this river unusually sludge-less, flowing from the wide of the cave and streaming eastward, spruced up with trees like Sandalwood, Tilaka, Saala, Tamaala, Atimukta, Padmaka, Sarala, and even with Ashoka trees, and it looks as if River Ganga is flowing in Trikuta. 

They are now in Kishkindha and Trikuta is in Himalayan range. There at Mt. Trikuta or Mt. Meru or Himalayan mountains it is River Jahnavi or Ganga and here at Mt. Prasavana the river is Tungabhadra, which is affectionately remembered as River Ganga.

"With the trees born on the riverbank and available here and there in various shapes, like Vaaniira, Timida, Vakula, Ketaka, and with Hintaala, Tinisha, Niipa, Vetasa, Kritamaala trees, that river is brightened up, and thus that river appears as a dame finely bedecked with raiment and ornaments. This river is fairly resonated with the calls of diverse birds in hundreds of flights, beautified with ruddy gees that are doting one upon the other, and admired by the swans and cranes upon her highly appealing sand-isles, thus she appears to be a damsel decorated with jewels with a toothy grin.

These accounts come under vipra lambha sR^ingaara, dear-departed-romanticism. The ruddy gees are this river-damsel's rubbing breasts under her breast-band. The sandy-mounds are her buttocks, or her pearl-white teeth, saarasa Indian cranes are her eyes. The swans, by their nature they are famous for their majestic floating. With such a floating of swans the majestic cruise of the maiden called river is perceptible. The clucking sounds of the birds are like the tinkles from the tinkling bells of that maiden's anklets. alankaara : utprekhsa say, hyperbolic rhetoric.

"Somewhere overspread with blue water-lilies, elsewhere with red water-lilies she is shining forth, and she is also shimmering with the beautiful buds of white water-lilies, somewhere else. With hundreds of waterfowls cherishing it, screeches of peacocks and cackles of curlews reverberating around, assemblages of sages bustling about, this gracious river is heart-pleasing. 

"As if seeded by the wish of some divine creativity the rows of sandalwood trees that are virtually captivating have sprang forth uniformly, so also, the rows of Arjuna trees too appear in a similar pattern. Aha! Soumitri, very exhilarating is this locale and we can happily reside here, oh, enemy-eliminator, we can certainly take delight in this environ. 

"Further, oh, prince, hedged in charming groves that exquisite Kishkindha, the city of Sugreeva, will not be very far off from here. The melodies of singing and the tunes of musical instruments played and sung in Kishkindha are heard from here, oh, the best-triumphant Lakshmana, and even the blares of vanara-s together with their snobbish drumming is heard, hence it is not far away. 

"It is definite that the best monkey Sugreeva must be surrounded by his friends, thus he must be exuberant, as he won an utmost prosperity in winning back his wife and winning the kingdom." Rama thus spoke to Lakshmana. Raghava having said thus resided on that Mt. Prasavana along with Lakshmana, whereat many sightly caves and arbours are there. 

Though that mountain is indeed very comfortable, though it possess many objects of nature like flowers, fruits and waters, indeed, there is no slightest bliss to Rama while he resided there. He felt despondent in reminiscing about his wife who is loftier that his lives, but who is kidnapped, especially on seeing the moon just risen on the eastern mountain.  That anguish which is surging high in him has rendered him with a bosom marred with tears, thereby sleep has no effect on him even if he has gone to bed in nights. 

While pacifying Rama who is pensive and who is always subjected to grief, his brother Lakshmana who is similarly sad for his brother's sadness spoke these words. 

"Oh, brave one, enough is this anguishing of yours, and it will be inapt of you to dishearten. All objectives will backslide for them who will be ceaselessly anguishing. That you know clearly. 

"Oh, Raghava, in the world you are a result-oriented person, and a devotee of gods for achieving those desired results, you are the theist, moralist, and also the mobilizer.

Or

"You are the only master in all the worlds to undertake certain tasks, and for achieving results of those humanly actions of yours you worship god, leaving the fruits of your action in god... you will do your duty as ordained... you are a theist, for you alone are tat 'that' 'Supreme Person...' thus you cannot self-contradict yourself to behave only in a humanly attitude... and then you are bound to be a moralist for you have all the preceding attributes... you alone are the mobilizer, for none other can accomplish certain tasks for which you are mobilised by all the divinities and you have also come this far... 

"If you are much too lackadaisical, indeed, you will not be capable to eliminate the enemy in war, specially a demon, especially a trickster, let alone all of your daring enterprises. On completely rooting out that agony then you stabilise your endeavour, and then you will be able to eliminate that demon Ravana along with his followers. Oh, Kakutstha, you are capable to inverse the order of earth along with all of its oceans, forests, and mountains, then what to speak of that Ravana, all the more. 

"Look forward to the autumnal season, as this season that has come is of heavy rains, and thereafter, you will eradicate that Ravana along with his city-state and his followers. I am just awakening the fast sleeping vitality of yours, no more than rekindling fire concealed under embers with the timely offerings of flammable fire-oblations." Thus said Lakshmana to Rama. 

Honouring that expedient and propitious advise of Lakshmana, Raghava spoke this sentence to that good-hearted and good-natured Lakshmana. 

"What is to be said by an affectionate, amiable and cordial person, also whose courage is truth itself, that you have said it, Lakshmana. Yes! Distress is retrogressive to all the functions. I am casting-off this distress completely. As an undefeatable one in my triumphs I am invigorating my ebullience. Awaiting for the kind-heartedness of Sugreeva, and for the kindness of the rivers in their abatement, I look forward for the autumn remaining true to your words. 

"A valiant one who is succoured will be indebted with some requital on his part, but besides being unfaithful, if one who does not make requital for all the favours done in his interest, he will be wounding the hearts of soft-hearted people." Rama said so to Lakshmana, keeping Sugreeva in view. 

Visualising what Rama said about their waiting for pre-winter season to be candid, and praisefully making palm-fold at that determination of Rama, and even to clarify his own opportune viewpoint, Lakshmana spoke to Rama who by his own aspect is a delightful one for a ken. 

"Oh, lord of people, Sugreeva will be effectuating everything you have desired and said, not later but soon, hence awaiting autumn you may please bear up these heavy rainfalls, besides bearing with the idea of disciplining the enemy. 

"Let autumn be awaited while containing your anger, and along with me you may stay on this mountain which is adored by lions, and spend these four rainy months here like a monsoon lion, although you are capable to eliminate the enemy at any moment like a lion. 

Thus, this is the 27th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose
Sarga 28

 

Rama eulogises the rainy season for it is a heavenly elixir to all living beings. This is one among the other eulogies to seasons. In Kishkindha, first chapter deals with vasanta, spring season. On this narration about rainy season, there are extensive commentaries by the ancient commentators as rainy season occupies a prime ordeal status among other seasons. Some of the commentaries are included herein without distortion to the flow of original work.

 

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Rama then on eliminating Vali and enthroning Sugreeva and when residing on the hinterlands of Mt. Malayavata [Prasavana,] spoke to Lakshmana.

"This is that season which is well-chanced and now chanced is the time for the rains... you see the aerosphere well, it is widespread with clouds, mountainous in their gleam... Sustaining the nine-month old pregnancy impregnated through Sun with his sunrays guzzling the essence of oceans, the heaven is birthing the elixir of life...

dhvani/allusion: The atmosphere bears pregnancy of rainy-water drawing through the sunrays, keeping that essence in air, consolidating it to become watery cloud, for nine months from the month of kaartiika to aaSaaDha roughly from November to July, and delivers rainwater, the elixir of life, in the month of shraavaNa, and it is an extract of six rasa-s elixirs, for various crops... atra megh˜× s¨rya raþmi marut ˜dibhi× samudram udakam g®hŸtv˜ garbhavt k˜rtŸka m˜sa prabh®ti nava m˜sa dh®tam sasy˜n˜m ÿaý rasa sampatti hetu bh¨tam þuddham udakam þr˜vaõe m˜si muncati it s¨citam -- dharm˜k¨tam

"It is very likely to climb up the flight of stairs of clouds to bedeck the Sun with the garlands of white wild-jasmines, and red Arjuna flowers...

dhvani/allusion: Vishnu or Narayana is located in the solar orb and He is to be adored in these days of rain, before any bodily activity like eating or drinking is undertaken. dhyeyaH sadaa savitR^i maNDala madhya vartii naaraayaNam... and this Vishnu is 'decoration-happy' deity alankaara priyo vishNuH... and thus He can easily be reached by the stepladder formation of clouds and He can be garlanded easily. To do so a wife must be at his side sa patnyaa vishaalaakshyaa naaraayanam upaagamat... 'adore that Narayana along with your wife...' and now if Rama were to adore that Supreme, Seetha is not at his side. Govindaraja.

"The uprisen hue of the eventide is reddish at the edges of those clouds which are much whitish and softish, like the overlaid bandage dressings to the gashes of the sky...

dhvani/allusion: The sky's parturition is just over and she is bandaged with cotton-like whitish clouds and yet the spilt blood is appearing at the edges of those dressings, in it reddish coppery colour of the twilight, for ceased is the heavy downpour just now.

"Breathing out slothful breaths, as though bedaubed by the sandal-paste is the twilight's ochry colour, and with its palish white-clouds the sky is gleaming like a love-longing one...

dhvani/allusion: The birthing of rain is over and to give next birth of rain, the sky is ready as a wooable female with all her paleness and exhalations and smearing the sandal pastes to cool off her love longing.

"This earth is overly agonised by the searing-summer, and now by new waters overflowing her, like tearful Seetha who is also well seared by her grief, this earth is also verily outpouring her tears...

dhvani/allusion: The earth that becomes heated in summer, vents out hot vapours on the fall of first rains, thus releasing its agony of heat. Human's first act to vent out their agony is to shed tears. Now the earth is shedding its humid tears and is like Seetha, who also is in the same predicament, seared by the heat called Ravana.

"Freed out from the wombs of clouds is this draught, and it is wafting the coolness of minty-camphor [or the coolness of red-lotuses,] thus it is possible to draught this breeze with palms-bowl, which is perfumed with Ketaki plant's fragrance... This mountain is full with its blooming Arjuna flowers, further fragranced by Ketaka flowers, and like Sugreeva, whose enemy is silenced, the downpours are anointing this mountain...

dhvani/allusion: This Mountain Prasavana is full with its blooming Arjuna flowers, like the colourful garlands on the chest of Sugreeva, and the mountain is further fragranced with Ketaka flowers, like the fragrant items brought in for Sugreeva's anointment. As with Sugreeva, who after silencing his enemy Vali, is seasonably anointed with the pouring down of all kinds of waters from golden flasks, thus this is mountain after silencing its enemy called sun-sear, is also being anointed by rainy downpours.

"Donning clouds akin to black deerskin, showers akin to the sacred-threads, caves replete with breeze akin to vocal cavities, and the mountains are like the young-scholars...

dhvani/allusion: The duty of young scholars of Vedic studies is to wear black deerskin and sacred thread as their initiation into Vedic studies. In these rainy days, there will be no other activity to them other than sitting tight to recite their texts. The caves of mountains are its own mouths and they are replete with air and air gives out a din, and even the Vedic recitation gives out a din of its own kind. Thus, the mountains appear to be like humble young-scholars of Veda-s, voicing out their chanting like the hum of the air in caves. atra parvat˜n˜m k®ÿõa ajina yajñopavŸta ˜di dharma kalpena adhyet®u s˜d®þya pratip˜dan˜t adhyet®¨õ˜m brahmac˜riõ˜m k®ÿõa ajina yajñopavŸta ˜di dh˜raõam dharma iti uktam --- dk

"As though with golden whips the flashes of lightning are whipping the sky... and the sky is out-letting its inward rumbles as thunders, in all her throes... That lightning relying upon that blue cloud is squirmy in its movements, to me it is well gleaming so... like the squirming of penitent Vaidehi in the grasp of Ravana... For those, who are with their beloved ones these precincts are advantageous, for unclear are their directions, as to which east and which is west, and to loverless ones like me they are disadvantageous, because they, the precincts have their planets and even their moon lost, and they look as though begrimed by dark-clouds...

"Elsewhere, well befogged by vapour intimately, well enthused by the advent of rainy season, you see Soumitri, at those wild-jasmines flowered on those mountain terraces... those trees are standing there, as though to impassion my passion, who am already verily befogged by my sorrow...

dhvani/allusion: 'While some natural beings are enthused to delight in the process of nature, some others are refuting it... thus my passion is increasing to bring back those perverts onto correct path...'

"Dust is well-quietened, breeze is chilly... the vile pervasions of summer are also quietened down... stalled are the expeditions of earthly kings, and the migrants are returning to their own countries...

dhvani/allusion: This verse contains the word rajaH which speaks about the one who is blessed by the Supreme Being by way of His beneficence in the form of rain. For such a blessed soul rajaH which also means rajo guNa, 'activism...' apart from the meaning of 'dust..' This is one among the tri-some attributes sattva, rajaH, tamo guNaa-s 'purity, activity, stolidity...' and thus rajaH prashaantam.... 'the quality of activity is quietened, along with the quality of stolidity...' thus, only 'purity' is evident in him in his worldly activities. sa himo vaayuH 'with, coldness, is air...' the word 'air' denotes 'breathing humans' and those blest human's heart breaths a cool breeze, rather than fumes and fires, that which is the attitude of a person who is dominated by rajo guna 'attribute of activity...' Thus, they the blessed souls have no evil effects of searing or scorching of summer nigadha doSa... prashantaaH which means worldly affairs, [where vile of summer is the personified vile of worldly affairs,] are silenced for them. And even their worldly expeditions to conquer, to possess, and to become significant etc., are stalled for the blessed souls sthitaaH... adhipaanaam. They have nothing to do here on earth because they are immigrants onto earth. So, they are returning to their own country, quarters, or abode, pravaasino... sva deshaan. Their own place sva desha is vaikunTha. Thus the divine rain blesses them with salvation.

"The Swans are well-journeying to Lake Maanasa in their avidity to live in there, but the Cakravaka birds, ruddy gees, now having an attachment with their beloveds are not departing... oftentimes verily battered are the roadways by rainwater and thus the vehicles are not verily falling to, on them...

dhvani/allusion: The swans do not like muddy waters so they aspire the clear waters of Lake Maanasa in Himalayas. The great sages are also called 'swans, supreme swans' hamsa, parama hamsa for they wander all over acquiring and disseminating spirituality, in world. But they take break in rainy season in a vow called caatur maasyam and contemplate in their own manas 'mind' about the Supreme Being. If the swans tend to go to Himalayan Maanasa Lake, these sagely-swans tend to gain entry into their own mind in search of Supreme. And, like swans that can search and separate milk from water, to drink milk alone, the sages can search for their being. Contrarily those ruddy gees tied bound by attachments do not flee away, but stick to their worldly interests. Thus, this rainy season is sagely, to enable the seekers to seek the Supreme, without any bickerings due from the world.

"Shiny in some places and unshiny at others... this aerospace is overspread with clouds, it is well-gleaming here and there... and in its aspect it is like a great peaceful ocean verily dammed up with mountains...

dhvani/allusion: The sky is apparently shiny at places where the cloud of ignorance is not there in the mind of the discerner, and it is unshiny and unapparent because of the gloom in the mind of the beholder about the disposition of sky, heaven and also called Supreme, according to kham brahma... 'Sky is Brahman...'

"Well coalesced with Sarja and Wild-jasmine flowers and also with the mountain coppery ores, the new water is transiting in track with the screams of peacocks... and the mountain's rapids are very swiftly carrying them away towards ocean...

dhvani/allusion: The flowers and mineral ores are mingling in waters and flowing as one with the waters. This is indicative of purposeful devotion, saatvika guNa prathaana bhakti 'devotion in its pureness.' The sattva guNa from the standpoint of mind is sukha 'devotion in pleasure....' and the rajo guNa is 'pain...' thus that sort of devotion is rajo guNa prathaana bhakti is 'devotion in pain...' Thus in pleasure or pain devoutness is evident. Apart from these two, there are some simple devotees. They do not have any higher values/purposes in view, except to extol, praise, and sing for the Ultimate. Thus, the screaming screeching peacocks indicate such simple devotees. Govindaraja.

"Fully luscious are the Rose-apple fruits and they seem to be bees and they are well devoured with much delightfulness by one and all, and many coloured mango fruits are falling down onto ground heaved by wind, and they are verily ripened...

dhvani/allusion: The falling of fruits on their own by wind's gust is indicative of the fruition of the true devotee’s adherence, and to him the ripened fruit is made available without any of his physical effort.

"With electric-charges as their fluttering flags, and cranes engirdling them, and in design well-gleaming like the pinnacles of lofty mountains, these clouds are thundering in a very high-pitched voice, like lofty vigorous elephants standing up to a fight...

dhvani/allusion: The towering mountains or the haughty elephants do stand tall among all and their thunderous grumblings are akin to the rumblings of Vedic scholars who stand tall to establish Vedic tenets, though they come to fistfights.

"The pasturelands are satiated with rainwater, peacocks are stimulated for their dancing carnivals... and after the clouds raining on the greenery completely, behold it, that is extremely well-splendorous in afternoons...

dhvani/allusion: The Divine couple Lakshmi and Narayana have grown this garden called earth, watering each of its plant with their Divine hands. Thus, due to the divine beneficence of that couple in the form of rain, that which is sprinkled on that garden, the desires of living beings and their means are fulfilled. Govindaraja. The aparaahNa is the fourth part of daytime, among the five, and they are: praataH, sangavaH, madhyaahna, aparaahNa, saayaahna

"Carrying much weighty water well-up, those water-carriers are adorned by cranes, and they are rumbling for the burden of water is inside, and on the loftiest peaks of mountain they are reposing and again moving... moving and again reposing, [like pregnant women...]

dhvani/allusion: The saintly persons and pregnant mothers are indicated by these clouds. hR^idayena ud vahan harim... 'The Supreme is to be carried along by one's own heart...' thus with their complete knowledge about that Supreme the saintly persons are repeatedly reposing at a sinful situation and proceeding further, after that sin is absolved. Thus they journey further towards total salvation. The clouds are pregnant not only by the weighty water but also by carrying the weight of cranes. The cranes fly high up to the clouds to mate. Thus, the clouds are loaded down with their own water and even with the flying cranes, both trying to carry the seedling, the Supreme Being, in their wombs.

"Verily desirous of the clouds, well-flying up above are the rows of cranes... shining and delightful... as though a best white-lotuses' flowery-tassel is dangling in the wind, the cranes dangle in the sky...

dhvani/allusion: The black clouds are desired by the white flying cranes. It indicates that the pure white conscious is desiring the Supreme abiding beyond the dark/obscured quarters and thus this pure white conscious of the true devotee is flying up above the normal planes to merge into that unknown, dark, or obscured zone to have a glimpse of that Supreme, whose body colour is said to be 'blue' or 'blue-black' kaala megha shyaama, niila megha shyaama

"As though embroidered with little red-beetles innerly, this meadowland is verily shining with new meadows... and like a woman, who is wrapped around with a parrot-green wrap-over in its shine, on which embroidered are lac-red spots...

dhvani/allusion: It is usual for the insects to swarm on the new pasturelands by which the earth is appearing to be wearing a parrot-green colour sari embroidered with exotic red spots. The red colour is indicative of mercy of Supreme, appearing opportunely and the green pastures are His fertile kindness that reveals after humanly suffering, say summer heat.

"Sleep is slowly getting closer to Vishnu, rivers are rapidly getting closer to oceans, cranes are gleefully getting closer to clouds, and women are passionately getting closer to their beloveds...

dhvani/allusion: Vishnu goes into yogic trance from aaSaaDha ekaadashii to kaartiika shuddha ekaadashi thus He concentrates on the sustenance of the Universe, as an expression of His satisfaction liila. He is sheshin 'lord' and all other beings are shesha 'servants.' Thus, all the servants are eager to get in touch with the master. Govindaraja. Dharmaakuutam put this as: atra caturÿvapi p˜deÿu nidr˜ nadŸ bal˜k˜ k˜nt˜n˜m sva sva priyat˜n keþava samudra ghana patŸn˜n prati svata eva abhisaraõa kathan˜t patim pratyabhisaraõaþŸl˜ abhis˜rik˜ s¨citam - - varÿ˜ k˜le strŸõ˜m k˜modreka ukta× -- bal˜k˜n˜m garbha dh˜raõ˜rtham sajalam ghanam prati gamamanam uktam -- dk Further he quotes from Kalidasa's megha sandesha garbh˜dh˜n kÿaõa paricay˜n n¨nam ˜baddha m˜l˜× | sevante nayana subhagam khe bhavantam bal˜k˜× || meghasandeþa

"Adaptive are the interiors of forests for the peacocks to dance very well, adaptive are the Kadamba trees with their branches and bouquets, adaptive are the bulls with matching sensualities of cows, and adaptive is this earth with its enrapturing crops and orchards, and all are adaptive to the season's gaiety... Surging are the rivers, showering are the clouds, shrilling are the rutty elephants, and shining are the forest interiors, and reminiscing are the lover-less, rocking are the peacocks, resolving are the monkeys to stay a place...

Comment: The monkeys have resolved to stay at one place without hopping hither and thither for abundant are the fruits for them at any one place.

"Verily joyous are the elephants on whiffing the aroma of Ketaka flowers and thus they are rutted, and baffled are they by the sounds of streamlets that are falling well in the forest brooks from the mountain rapids, and those best ruttish elephants are blaring along with screaming peacocks to the tune of waterfalls...

Comment: The elephants are confused at the sounds of mountain rapids falling to form brooklets in the forest and they construe those sounds to be from an attacking elephant, thus they are giving out their challenge trumpeting. The peacocoks are also screaming at the same sounds of rapids thinking them to be rainfall, for they welcome the rainfall and start to dance in the rain.

"By the downpours that are falling down, knocked down are the hexapods, and they are languishing on the branches of Kadamba trees, and their once acquired copious intemperance from the nectar of flowers in Spring season, they the honeybees are now slowly forfeiting...

"Equalling in their aspect with the globes of powdered coal are the full-fledged Rose-apple fruits with abundant juice, and the branches of those trees are glittering well, like the hives of swilling honeybees... Well ornate with the flags of lightning, spewing forth great and profound rumbles, those clouds by their shapes are verily shining like the enthusiastic warring elephants...

"Striding and well advancing on its way that mountain-forest wayfaring elephant, on listening the thundering of the cloud and doubting it to be the call out of another elephant  desirous of a war, that best elephant turns about energetically without proceeding on its way...

dhvani/allusion: The 'warring elephant' is indicative of Vedic proponent, where any such scholar on hearing the profound and uproarious challenge of his opponent, he will re-echo the same in order to retain his stand in the war of blaring words. Thus, he takes an elephantine U-turn to colloid headlong with his opponent, to establish the Vedic dharma.

"Somewhere... these recesses of forests are finely singing, in affect, for they have swarms of honeybees... elsewhere... they are richly dancing, practically, for the purple-necked peacocks are bestirring... somewhere else, they are ruttish, virtually, for choicest elephants are there... and verily beaming are these alcoves with their diverse vassals...

"Plentiful in Kadamba, Sarja, Arjuna, Kandala trees, with the heaps of their reddish flowers fallen on ground, and the forest-interior is aplenty with the watery nectar of those fallen flowers... and the well-excited peacocks are screaming and dancing like the tipplers of that watery nectar... and thus this is impressively similar to the land of liquor...

Comment: The ancient Indian alehouses are rather open spaces with palm/toddy trees in and around. The boozers used to wear flowery garlands and flowery armlets and they used to drink in the pinkish buds of banana flowers, which served mostly like the present day 'use and throw' plastic mugs. The screaming and dancing of nectar-drunk peacocoks is metaphoric with the liquor-drunk boozers, and the land itself is boozy.

"Verily falling are the water-drops, pearl similar in their cast, pure and clear, firstly clinching in the hallows of leaves... the birds, though they and their wings are discoloured in rain, they are heartily guzzling down those pearly-raindrops... the gift of Indra...

Comment: Indra is the administrative authority to accord rain through the presiding deity of Rain, namely VaruNa, the Rain-God. So also, all the other aspects of nature like air, fire, thunders, thunderbolts, crops, famines, earthquakes, and the whole of natural happenings are at Indra's behest.

"With the melodious stringendo of the string bass of honeybees, frogs crocking as its vocal rhythm to the drumbeat of the clouds, commenced is the music in the forest, as though programmed...

dhvani/allusion: Please refer to verse section. On this and next verses that contain the aspect of 'Nature's Music' dharmaakuutam records extensive commentary with reference to the 'Art of Music' sangiita shaastra Here only three instruments, namely sting instrument viiNa percussion instrument mR^iida~Nga and vocalised rhythm beat taala are suggested. But these do not exclude the other components of music. The commentator says that the dancing and singing are also inclusive of it, as contained in the next verse: atra vŸõ˜ t˜la m®daðga v˜dya m˜tram pratip˜dya sangŸtam pravrittam iti uktv˜ vakÿyam˜nam n®tta gŸta api abhipretam - gŸtam v˜dyam tath˜ n®tyam traya× sangŸtam uccyate -- þ˜raðga deva Then the commentator proceeds to say that whole of the epic is replete with music for it is rendered to be sung: tath˜ ca bhagavat˜ v˜lmŸki maharÿiõ˜ svasya parama puruÿa r¨pa abhidhy˜na artham gŸti r¨pam r˜ma caritam varõitam | g˜na arthatay˜ r˜ma nika÷e kuþa lavayo× preÿaõam tu

"Somewhere well-dancing, elsewhere voicing in high pitch, and somewhere else seated high on the trees are the peacocks... with their decorative dangling plumaged tails, and it is as though the music and dance are commenced in the forests...

Comment: The dancing peacocks are the dancers, the voicing peacocks are the singers and instrumentalists, and those that are sitting atop trees dangling their tails and conducting the ballet are the virtuosos/maestros... atra n®tyanto may¨r˜ nartak˜ iva bhavanti | unnadanto may¨r˜× g˜yak˜ v˜dak˜ iva ca bhavanti | ucca sth˜na sthita sabh˜ n˜yak˜ iva bhavanti | dk

"Thunders of clouds called up the frogs, and casting off their long-time captivity in sleep, they the frogs of various casts, carves, colours and crocks, verily scourged by the streams of new waters, they are crocking...

Comment: Frogs are the foretellers of rain and they quickly respond to the rainfall because they cherish water and land alike as amphibians, for their happy dwelling.

"The rivers with the up-swinging Cakravaka birds over them are overflowing their battered banks... and well lugging their new, full-fledged, seducible, nubile breasts, along with the other items like flowers and fragrances that are steeped in waters by the rain... thus they are surging swiftly to the near and nigh of their husband, the ocean...

dhvani/allusion: The rivers are the nubile girls and the over flying pairs of Cakravaka birds are their heaving breasts. These girls called rivers are rushing towards their beloveds carrying flowers and fragrances, and they look like those girls that rush heaving their new breasts, uncaring for the elders or others around them, as though overflowing the brims of riverbanks, called the society.

"Among the swarthy clouds berthed are the swarthily clouds with new waters, and they shine forth like the mountains burnt to swarthiness by forest fires and berthing among the other mountains that are conjoined at the footing, and that are already burnt swarthily by the forest fires... Well-screaming are the peahens voluptuously, overspread are these pasturelands with red-beetles, also fragranced are they with Niipa and Arjuna flowers, and the elephants are moving about these verily pleasant interiors of the forests... Lashed are the fibrils of lotuses with the pours of new waters, and quickly leaving them off the honeybees are sapping the new fibrils of Kadamba flowers...

"In forests moving about are the select elephants that are rutting, the ideal bulls that are delighting, the peerless lions that are striding, lofty are the pleasant mountains that are standing, the choicest kings are withdrawing from their campaigns, and the noblest of gods, Indra, is playing with the clouds...

"The clouds verily overpowering the boom of the ocean are dangling downpours of the waters from the skies, and they completely make the rivers, lakes, pools, tanks and even the earth to outflow... Falling are the rains substantially and speedily, gales intensified in their speediness, while the riverbanks are eroded the river water is outrunning in its course and is speedy in its flow...

"Lords of People will be anointed only by their people [who bring in the water pots on their shoulders to anoint their king,] and that king then shows his own propitious aspect of a humanly king, whereas the Lord of Mountains is being anointed by the water from the cloudy-pots, sent by Lord Indra and wafted hitherto by Lord Air, showing his own serene as well as propitious aspect of his divine nature on earth... Clouds nearly hemming in as no star no sun is getting around to espy... fully satiated is this earth with the torrents of new waters... enswathed in obscurity the precincts are unilluminated...

dhvani/allusion: The statement of 'obscurity and illumination' is suggestive of the Vedic import tamasomaa jyotirgamaya... 'from darkness lead me unto light...' when the earth itself is satisfied with the gift of nature the earthlings are still hankering after inaccessible desires, thus they cycle through the karmic cycle.

"The paramount pinnacles of the mountains are well-washed by the torrents and are shining forth surpassingly... and the voluminous and capacious torrents that are pitching down are like the pendant pearly necklaces hanging on the chests of mountains... Speedily washing the mountain stones the rapids on the lofty mountains are widespread and entering the caves, in which peacocks are well-screaming, and all them are like the bestrewn lavalieres in their gleam...

dhvani/allusion: The mountain rapids are running helter-skelter on the mountain verily washing the boulders speedily. But the boulders according to their nature obstruct these rapids. When obstructed they have the only recourse to enter the nearest cave. The caves by then are already full with screaming and colourful peacocks. Adding to the lustre of those peacock's variegated colours, the pearly-white water has also entered the caves. Then these three, pearly water, colourful peacocks, blackish caves are giving out sparkles of their own, like necklaces studded with many colourful gems, and if many such pendants are bestrewn, each of its studded stone emits its own colour.

"The mountain rapids are quickly and speedily falling on the broad bases of mountains and on washing the crests of mountains and the planes nearby, they are falling alike the pearly necklaces around the necks, viz., mountain-peaks, and the planes of the recesses of cavernous cave are sustaining them...

dhvani/allusion: The mountains are noblemen in simile. The mountain rapids are pearly-necklaces firstly falling around their necks, and then drooping onto their chests, thus culminating at their locket-position, i.e., at the caves, on the chest of mountains. Those caves are glittering with the colours of peacocks, pearly water and blackish caves. Thus the utsanga 'heart of hearts...' of these noblemen is covered with such necklaces and lockets.

"Like the undone and broken apart tassels of pearls of the heavenly women in their lovemaking, the unique pearly rainfalls are falling in all directions and streaming all over... By the crouching in of the birds, by the closing up of the lotuses and by the blooming up of the jasmine flowers, the sun is discernable to have gone into dusk... Reversed are the campaigns of kings, for stalled are their armies and thus the conflicts and the roadways as well are well-abated by water... The month of Bhaadrapada [August-September,] is for those Brahmins who concern themselves for Vedic Studies and came forth is this time for learning the singing of Sama Veda...

Comment: During this time a vow called caatur maasya vrata will be observed by all adherers of Veda-s, and during this time young celibates are initiated into Vedic studies which commences on bhaadrapada shukla tR^itiiya 'third day in the white-fortnight of this Bhaadrapada month...'

"On carrying out all the domestic affairs and completely garnering the goods in aashaaDha month only, Bharata, the King of Kosala, might have engaged in the 'four-month-vow...' Definitely the River Sarayu will be overfilling and mounting with its swashing... like the commotion of Ayodhya on beholding me coming back...

Comment: Ayodhya and its people used to create hubbubs whenever Rama used to return to city after his short trips to outside. Such is the affection of the inmates of Ayodhya to Rama, and now Rama is reminiscing that hubbub with the swashing or Sarayu as both soundalike.

"The rainy season is unwinding and is with all the requisites [of self-contained conditions to enjoy oneself of,] and Sugreeva devours all the pleasures on conquering his enemy, on being with his wife and staying in his great kingdom...

"But I am with my wife stolen, toppled down from the great kingdom, like a riverbank that is toppled over, I am toppling down, Lakshmana... Also my anguish is surpassing, definitely the rains have surpassed the pathways, that enemy Ravana is an unsurpassed one... and to me it appears that all the three are unsurpassable...

"On envisioning the impassability of these pathways, for certainly they are impassable, though Sugreeva was humble enough to send his monkeys to search Seetha, by me nothing was uttered... Even Sugreeva has undergone difficulties muchly and entirely and after a long while he is in unison with his wife... and also due to the magnitude involved in our work in sending various monkeys in various directions etc., then I desired not to insist on that monkey...

"Verily after a respite, realising on his own that the time has come close, Sugreeva also realises his requital on his own... there is no doubt... Thereby I am looking forward for the time, oh Lakshmana of felicitous-aspect, and I stay abidingly... expectant of the generosity of Sugreeva and of these rivers...

"Verily a valiant one who is succoured is conjoined by his requital... an unfaithful one and an un-redeemer maims humane hearts..." Rama said so to Lakshmana, keeping Sugreeva in view.

Then, Lakshmana resolving what Rama said alone is to be candid, honouring Rama's words adjoined his palms spoke to Rama, who by his own aspect is a delightful one for a ken, and to evince his benign rationale about the future course of action, Lakshmana spoke to Rama...

"What all said by you and all this as required by you, oh, best king Rama, will completely be done by that Sugreeva, the king of monkeys... not later but soon... envisaging autumn you may bear up these heavy rainfalls, besides bearing with the idea of disciplining the enemy...

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Thus, this is the 28th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 29

 

Sugreeva on his enthronement and gaining an interval of rainy reason, lapses into lavish enjoyment of sensual pleasures. His indulgence becomes overindulgence and makes him to forget his promise-oriented duty to search for Seetha. As an intelligent minister, Hanuma approaches Sugreeva and enlightens Sugreeva about his duty for the requital of help rendered by Rama. Ordering Niila, a commander of monkey forces, for foregathering all monkey troops within fifteen days, Sugreeva re-enters his palace-chambers, dragged by his sensual pleasures.

 

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On observing clear sky on which back-clouds and electric charges have disappeared, on which Saarasa birds are vibrantly bustling and delightful moonshine is coated, and even on observing him whose riches are abundant, who has slowed down in accumulating probity and prosperity from the viewpoint of rectitude, highly engrossed in the course of unvirtuous profligates, whose heart is given to undisturbed privacy, and the one who on achieving his goals and dearest longings has turned away from other pursuits, who regained his choicest wife, and gained highly covetable Lady Tara, thus, who is always indulged in females, merrymaking day in and day out on a par with Indra, which Indra will be sporting with the cohorts of gandharva and apsara females, thereby he who is making much of his fortune on getting rid of other problems, besides, he who reposed the activity of kingdom in his ministers, yet, who does not make eyes at those ministers as he is doubtless of the kingdom which was once disrupted from his control, because, that kingdom is looked after well by the very same ministers, as such he is wallowing in promiscuity, such as he is, seeking the presence of such a Sugreeva, king of monkeys and an explicator, and even on winning his grace, he who is forthright regarding norms of ethics, an exceptional knower of subtleties of transactions and the rubrics of duty and time, that golden-tongued Hanuma, the son of Air-god, spoke sweet words that are reasonable, heart-pleasing, beneficial, pragmatic, profitable, impressive, immaculate, imperative, and impartial, and which words are also inclusive of care and concern of Hanuma, on making a determination with a belief that Sugreeva will pay heed to his words. 

"Acquired is the kingdom and glory as well, thus enriched is your dynastic prosperity, but foregathering friends is still remaining, and it will be apt of you to negotiate it. Indeed, he who really conducts himself punctually and amicably with friends, his kingdom, glory and valour will flourish. 

"Matchless kingdom is his who can keep his treasury, army, friends and his own sovereignty - all these four, in equiponderance. Therefore, as the one with straightforward actions firstly you resort to an unimperilled course of action, lest any peril is imminent, and it will be apt of you to dutifully achieve the purpose of your friend Rama, for which alone Rama along with Lakshmana came to you, thus let your power preponderate. Adversity thwarts him who comports himself with overenthusiasm only in self-indulgences, and who does not expeditiously strive for the sake of his friend leaving off all other activities of self-indulgence. 

Here Hanuma is indirectly reprimanding Sugreeva for his lascivious way of living forgetting Rama's work. This can be said this way also in a general tone: "No misfortune can constrain him who strives enthusiastically and expeditiously for his friend's mission." But Hanuma's dutifulness is to be kept in view.

"One who belatedly functions for the present mission of his friend, he will indeed be unassociated with that mission, despite of the fact that he has once performed great deeds in respect of the same friend. Hence, the task of our friend is delayed, oh, enemy-destroyer, searching for Vaidehi is Raghava's mission and let it be done. Though the time is lagging, oh, king, that insightful and punctual Rama is not indicating about it to you, though he is hurrying to complete his mission within a time-frame, because he is following you alone abiding under the control of your promise. 

"Raghava is the cause for augmentation of multitudes, a long-lasting covenentor, and even an undefinable one in his proficiency, and an unparalleled one by his grace. 

The 'augmenter of multitudes of homogeneous groups...' is not limited to Rama's Ikshvaku dynasty or to the monkey race, or to birds like Jatayu, or to squirrels or bears. Rama is the causer of the augmentation of any living being's group, if they tread the path of virtuousness, thus he is the sustainer of universe in peace. Any violator to that peaceful coexistence will be put to an end, may it be Viradha, Kabandha, Vali or Ravana.

"Certainly you have to carry through his mission as he has carried out your mission previously, and oh, lord of monkeys, it will be apt of you to summon worthy monkeys for searching Seetha. As long as Rama is not going to prod us for action deem that there is no time lapse, but the minute he does deem it as lapsed. 

"You are a helpful one even to those that are unhelpful to you, oh, king of monkeys, then why repeat about him who helped you in getting your kingdom, and even in killing your enemy, Vali.

Or

"Even if Rama did not help you in getting your kingdom and killing Vali you have to render your help to Rama, for you are a beacon of friendship and you are a helpful one without seeking any requital... then why you are delaying.

A true friendship does not require barters. A timely help is the only virtue of true friendship, and thankless friends will neglect it. anena k®ta upak˜rasya guõ˜ýhyasya k˜ryam k˜la anatikrameõa sarva prak˜reõa api s˜dhanŸyam | adharmiÿ÷sya tu mitra k˜ryam upekÿaõŸyam iti s¨citam | dk.

"Highly adventurous and powerful vanara as you are, oh, lord of multitudes of monkeys and bears, why do you really temporise in issuing orders to fulfil the cherish of Rama. If need be Rama of Dasharatha is really capable of keeping gods, demons and great-vipers under his control with his arrows, but he is anticipating fulfilment of your promise. He fulfilled an exceptional cherish of yours without much doubting for the forfeiture of his own life, hence we search for his wife Vaidehi anywhere on earth or even on skies. 

"Gods cannot cause dismay to him, then gandharva-s - no; multitudes of wind-gods - no; asura-s - no; yaksha-s - no; and then wherefore the raakshasa-s can? Therefore, oh, lord of monkeys, that Rama is energetic to exert himself, but he fulfilled your aspiration earlier, and it will be apt of you requite him with his aspiration at all events. 

"In case you were ordering us, oh, king of monkeys, among us whosoever he may be his impetus will be unhampered either in netherworlds, or in water, or up above on the sky. Therefore command us, oh, merited one, as you have more than ten million unchallengeable monkeys under your command, as to who should start from where and for which purpose, and as to how one should exert himself." Thus Hanuma appealed to Sugreeva. 

On hearing the words of Hanuma that are validly demonstrated on time, Sugreeva whose soldiery is substantial, took a noble decision. And the noble minded Sugreeva directed Nila, one of the commanders of vanara army, and who always strives to foregather vanara army, to foregather all of the monkey-forces available in all the directions. 

"You have to have organise that way as to how my army in its entirety and from all over, together with corps commanders, is to be marshalled to stay in the cutting edge of army. Those that are the quickstepped, venturesome fly-jumpers who are the defenders on the perimeter of army, they shall be fetched quickly an speedily at my order, and oh, Niila, you on your own have to personally and closely monitor the military establishment without any heterogeneity. 

"And, the monkey who arrives here after fifteen nights, to him termination of life is the punishment, there is no business for further adjudication. 

"Associated with Angada you shall approach elderly monkeys like Jambavanta and others, according to my decision and authorised by my order." Thus, Sugreeva, the king of best monkeys on assigning the set-up, and ordering Niila, the Commander of Vanara Forces, that glorious Sugreeva re-entered his palace-chambers. [

Here it is said that Sugreeva re-entered his palace-chambers. This is due to the impulsive nature towards his sensual gratifications. He should have realised that he shall approach Rama to report the arrangements made, or at least he should have asked Hanuma to inform Rama about these orders to Niila. Without doing either of them, he re-entered the palace-chambers by which Hanuma has landed into a dilemma. Hanuma cannot go to Rama on his own for he is a minister of Sugreeva and inform about the orders of Sugreeva to Niila without the permission of the king, namely Sugreeva, nor as a minister, he can persuade Sugreeva to go to Rama to report the actions taken by monkey forces to search Seetha. In reality, monkey forces are being gathered, but that information is not passed on to Rama. This communication gap creates a furious emotion in Rama and he bids Lakshmana to go to Kishkindha and take Sugreeva to task, and even Lakshmana jumps on Sugreeva like a firebrand, in the coming chapters.

Thus, this is the 29th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 30

 

Rama's exaltation of sharad R^itu post-rainy or pre-autumnal season is the theme here. This season, which will be conducive to lovers, is painful to Rama in the absence of Seetha. This agony is compounding and turning into his ire, since Sugreeva's efforts in searching for Seetha are neither seen nor heard. Hence, Rama sends Lakshmana as an envoy to Kishkindha to decide whether Sugreeva's support is there or liquefied in the spree of his drinking and merrymaking. A word about this chapter. Readers acquainted with critical version of Ramayana may find some 35 verses in this chapter that are unknown to them. They occur in all the other traditional versions and they carry the blemish of interpolation. They are inescapable in traditional versions, as age-old commentators have commented on them at length.

 

.

On Sugreeva's entering the cave-like Kishkindha, Rama who spent rainy nights on that mountain with much distress owing to the misery of yearning for Seetha, has seen the immaculate sphere of moon on silvern sky freed by ceasing rains, and even autumnal nights that are enamelled with moonshine, and thus he observed that Seetha is lost hopelessly, engrossed in lust Sugreeva is lost to world intractably, and furthermore time too is being lost irretrievably, and thus he became highly impatient and even swooned. But on getting consciousness in a moment, that thoughtful king Raghava started to think of Vaidehi who is abiding in his heart, though not at his side. 

On seeing the sky to be spic and span when set free of black-clouds and lightning, and even vibrant with the shrieks of Saarasa birds, Rama bemoaned in woeful words. Rama's concepts are on the rove towards his ladylove when he beheld the skyscape of autumn while sitting on the summit of a mountain that is embellished with gold and other ores, and he soliloquised his thoughts in this way. 

"Young Seetha with a voice that is a soundalike to the callings of Saarasa birds used to take delight in these resonant calls of Saarasa birds when we were together in hermitage, but how she might be taking delight in these chirrups now without me. 

When we were in hermitage, on listening the callings of Saarasa birds, Seetha used to call me to observe these birds in a voice that soundalike the Saarasa birds, and we were delighted to listen the callings of those birds together. But now staying among demons how can she take delight in seeing these seasonal birds or call me for help with such a voice, because her voice is lost in the blare of bawling demons.

"On seeing the flawless Asana trees flowered as if with golden flowers, she checks up for my availability thereabout, but now finding me nowhere near her, how can she be happy. 

On seeing these flowers Seetha used to go near the trees to check their beauty, and even used to check up for my availability to show their beauty to me. Now if she sees these seasonal flowers in that place where she is captivated, at least for a moment, but if she does no find me there, she looses her heart for these flowers.

"She who is enchanting to me by her well-proportioned limbs that clucky-voiced Seetha earlier used to wake me up in tune with the melodious callings of clucking-swans, but how that ladylove of mine might be amusing herself now. 

The word budhyate means 'waking up' apart from 'knowing' etc. Thus, 'earlier, when I was with Seetha I used to know myself as the 'Being' as and when her divine and swanlike voice used to address me, which voice is incidentally equals the hymn Gayatri, and which I used to hear continuously. But now without her, Shri, Goddess Lakshmi, I am presently not able to know myself.'

'Earlier when in hermitage Seetha used to wake me up with her clucky-voice synchronising with the clucking of swans. On my awakening, I used to see her auspicious face and all-charming physique, by that I daily used to have a waking up protocol, suprabhaata seva, now how she can do it or how I can enjoy her sight every morning.

"On hearing the sharp notes of Cakravaka birds that always move together in couples, what will become of this white-lotus-like broad-eyed Seetha, since she is not together with me. I am not able to enjoy myself without that deer-eyed lady though wandering around enjoyable lakes, rivers, tanks, forests and woodlands, whose thirst is drenched by rainwater and my thirsting for her is not. The Love-god with a plethora of provocative autumnal features will be prolongedly agonising her, because she is separated from me, and because her ladyship is a frailty - won't he?" Thus Rama worried for Seetha. 

'Will the Love-god Manmatha, with all his paraphernalia of licentious autumnal aspects, like even-climate, even-circumstance and even-desire, will he leave Seetha? Even on knowing fully well that she is separated from me besides being a delicate person, will that Love-god leave her alone? No, He will not... for, merciless is that Manmatha, God of Love, and He may agonise Seetha till death, for she is an unyielding woman to others pati vrata , nor I am at her side.'

So on and so forth that best one among men and the son of a king keened over, like a Rain-cuckoo which will be keen on Indra, the king of divinities, for rainy-water. 

The Caataka or Saaranga birds are said to be a sort of bird-flock which thrive on rain water alone, but not on water in rivers or brooks. They fly up to skies to swill the water directly from clouds granted by Indra. So also Rama is desirous of Seetha alone for his theory is 'one-man-one-wife.' Thereby he does not eye other women. In epical aesthetics this is called anukuula naayaka lakshaNa 'hero in harmony.'

Meandering on the pleasant mountain-terraces in search of fruits brilliant Lakshmana returned and has seen his elder brother Rama. Noble-hearted Saumitri, on observing lone Rama in a lonely place, who is beset with unbearable sadness and whose posture is vacuous, became very miserable for the sad condition of his brother, and spoke to Rama fretfully. Oh, noble one, what is the use in getting into fetters of passion, what for soul's bold-temper is being trounced, this remorseful sadness is arrogating self-assurance, and what purpose can be achieved now in retracing steps from the goal. 

'The time when one has to keep up his bold-temper, without subjugation to passional temperance has arrived now, namely the autumn, and now loosing heart to shameful sadness, and loosing manly boldness to seasonal passions... what purpose can be achieved by it?' Maheshvara Tiirtha.

"Oh, dear sir, engage yourself in your mission with an undeterred spirit and with a good disposition of mind, and bring time under control with steadfastness and ideation, and the capabilities of your helpmates, say Sugreeva and others be gathered, and the basis for your achievements, say daily rituals towards gods, be performed by you as your means. Oh, the lord of human kindred, with you as her husband Janaki is not an easily attainable one for others, oh, highly honourable one, if it is said that none will be burnt if he nears the tongues of flaming fire, oh, brave one, it is not so, for Janaki is a flaming fire, and anyone nearing her in ill-will will be burnt to ashes like a grass-hopper." Thus Lakshmana said to Rama. 

Lakshmana with his seemliness spoke those undeniable and expedient words that emerged from his very nature, which are tasteful, morally abiding, and further abounding with friendliness, righteousness, and meaningfulness, and on listening such words Rama spoke to Lakshmana.

Or

Rama spoke to seemly and undeniable Lakshmana with words that emerged from his very nature, which are tasteful, morally abiding, and further abounding with friendliness, righteousness, and meaningfulness.  

"Doubtless accomplishment of the task is to be held in view, even oh, boy, the factors that contribute to its accomplishment, like enthusiasm, helpmates etc., are to be followed through, and not only these aspects but we also have to observe the fruition of task when that task is becoming unwieldy, unattainable and formidable, along with the lapse of time and lapsing of help." Thus Rama said to Lakshmana. On thinking about the fruit of his mammoth task, namely that lotus-petal-eyed Maithili, thereafter Rama spoke to Lakshmana with a dried-up face. On satisfying mother earth with rainwater and on effectuating the crops on earth, the Thousand-eyed Indra is complacent as his task is effectuated, whereas my task is yet to take off. 

Here a selfless philanthropist who accords benefits on his own without any petition or prayer is suggested in referring to Indra and rains, and Rama has not yet done such act in respect of Seetha.

"Clouds roving on the tops of mountains and trees with their protracted and profound peals have let the water loose and they are now retired, oh, prince, but tireless are rumbles and grumbles in my heart, thus I cannot retire. On blackening ten quarters of earth blue-black clouds that looked like petals of blue-lotuses are now quietened in their nimbleness like rut-less elephants. 

There are eight elephants carrying the universe from its eight corners aSTa diggaja-s . They and the elephantine-clouds that give waters, both kinds of elephants are responsible for world's sustenance, but they now are nonchalant on performing their duties, along with their administrator Indra. Rama is not able to do his duty due to slackness of Sugreeva, and thus he is questioning himself whether his mission / incarnation is going to be futile or worthwhile.

"Now pausing are the high-speeded rainy-winds, which once speedily swooped with water in their wombs, and wafted the fragrance of Kutaja and Arjuna flowers. The rales of clouds, elephants, peacocks, and oh, merited Lakshmana, of the freshets too, are suddenly quietened. Scoured well by rains from colossal clouds those amusing mountain terraces are grime-less and they shine forth as though enamelled with the moonbeams. Presently autumn has shown itself dividing its charm on the branches of seven-leaved banana plants, on the stars, sun and moon, and also on those best elephants that are rollicking.

The seven-leaved banana plants are bearing whitish-buds, the luminosity of sun, moon and stars is blanched and because such a congenial atmosphere of autumn is prevailing the elephants are frolicking, since no other season can make those pachyderms joyous.

"Fascinatingly glistening grandeur of autumn that is derived from the merits of the season and that resorts to many objects of the season, is now splendidly shining in the lotus lakes that are flourished by the rays of dawning sun. 

Those that are graced by the Almighty, their splendidly glistening visages are indicated by the gleaming lotuses. In autumn the sun does not scorch, thus by his first rays awakened are the pink, blue, and white lotuses, and there are many such lotus-lakes, which also gleam with their gleaming lotuses, and thus 'Lakshmi' - the affluence, splendour, grandeur, of nature is glorified through the sage-like lotuses' bloom.

"The breeze is wafting the fragrance of flowers of seven-leaved banana plants, and the swarms of honeybees that are singing in accompaniment to the rustle of breeze are tagging along that breeze for its fragrance, and because that breeze is breezing unceasingly, that alone is fetching the pride of rut for the already rutted elephants, and thus this autumnal season is highly glistening. Broad and cute winged Cakravaka birds that are fond of lakes and that have pollen of lotuses overspread on them have come to the sand-dunes of vast rivers, and with them that have come nigh the swans are larking. 

Swans and Cakravaka birds are said to be born enemies. But due to autumnal effect, they have stopped their infighting and came together on the sand dunes, for their mating games.

"Divided variously the autumnal glory is shining forth among the overbearingly ruttish elephants that are trumpeting, among the herds of haughty bulls bellowing, and among the limpid waters that are murmuringly slopping down. Exploring the sky well which is now set free by the clouds, the peacocks are setting their ornamental plumaged-tails free, and they are even divested of their dear peahens as they are uninterested in them, and thus divested of their festivity those peacocks are abiding in their muse. 

Rama's musing is similar to that of the peacocks. Not that he is disinterested in Seetha, but his present priority is to conquer Ravana, for which Ravana is to be located first. Further, gone is the festivity to Rama, which chanced while befriending Sugreeva, who then was in a similar state, but now completely transformed into a frivolous monkey. Thus, Rama is pondering over the possibility of locating and conquering Ravana by himself, should Sugreeva refuse the pact.

"Umpteen are those Priyaka trees with their pleasingly fragrant flowers, the apices of the boughs of those trees are sagging down by their much weighty flowers-bunches, and eye-delighting is the golden-yellow hue of those flowers, and with them the interiors of these forests look as though illuminated, lit with golden lamps. On scenting the fragrance of the seven-leaved banana plants, the ruttish lather of those best elephants that have a fond for forests and lotus-lakes has started to flow on their temples, thus they are indulgent in rut and their strides are slackening while they are moving along with their beloved female elephants. The sky is clear as with the tinge of just whetted weapon, lessened are the flows of river-waters, breeze is chilly while wafting the chillness of red-lotuses, and all the directions released from the darkness are looking bright. 

"Overcome by the sun's heat dried out is the sludge, at last the earth is dense with the up-heaved dust, and for the lords of people who have mutual animosity this is the time to foregather their forces to strive against one another. The nature of autumn has enhanced the features of bulls' bullishness and with their bodies covered with dust and their vigour pepping them up they are ecstatic, and staying in the midst of cowherd they are bellowing hankering for bullfights. While a ruttish male elephant is going in the forest the slow paced she-elephant is tagging along her male along with other elephants of her breed, and with an intensified attachment and passion she is bumping and rubbing her husband. The excellent plumaged-tails that form their individual ornaments of peacocks are now cast out, and the plumeless peacocks on nearing the banks of rivers they look as if intimidated by the Saarasa birds, thus they had to turn back despondently and dispiritedly. 

The peacocks are like those that have enjoyed their fortunes once but now divested of them. Thus, they have to turn away from the newly fortunate Saarasa birds, whose fortune is enriched by this autumn, though they are inferior to peacocks in anyway. This is because the lusty twitters of Saarasa birds are more or less insulations to these one-time-fortunate peacocks. So also, should the one-time-fortunate Rama, be insulted by the newly fortunate Sugreeva?

"With their blaring trumpeting lordly elephants with slit temples are alarming Karandava and Cakravaka birds abiding in lakes that are embellished with blooming lotuses, and those elephants are drinking water after swishing and swashing the tranquillity of those lakes. 

The tranquillity of Rama's lake-like heart in which Seetha abides in blooming lotus is swished and swashed by a ruttish elephant, called Sugreeva, whose sudden fortune like the seasonal water in lakes, that too made available by Rama, is making him to swill only a few mouthfuls of watery toddy-liquor. For that Rama, who is flitting so far from forest to forest, is alarmed like the flitting birds called Kaarandava and Cakravaka-s.

"De-silted is the silt of rivers and they are with sand-dunes and serene waters, and cow-stock is gathering there, besides, they are resonant with clucking of Saarasa birds, in such rivers swans are delightedly taking deep dives. The ruffles of rivers, rumbles of clouds, rattles of rapids, such rackets of waters are quietened, and much amplified gusts of wind, and screams of peacocks along with crocks of frogs, are now completely undone as their festivity is definitely lost with the rains. Variously coloured and dangerously venomous snakes have contracted into their snake pits with the advent of new rain clouds, and containing in there for a long time they are highly emaciated for they are hunger-stricken, but now they are snaking out of those pits. 

While frogs welcome the rain snakes despise the same. In the game of hunter-hunted, snakes are now on spree for their hunt, because the festivity of frogs is over and they can fall prey to snakes. But where is the prey, namely Ravana, for the snaky arrows of Rama?

"Aha! By the touch of the moonbeam of the shining moon, the damsel called twilight is delightedly unfolding the stars releasing her ochry hue off the sky on her own, in all her love for the moon.

Or

"Aha! By the touch of the hand of her twinkling hero a damsel in all her love to him is delightedly widening her pupils and disrobing her ochry robe on her own. Damsel-night is with the risen-moon as her genteel-face, myriad-stars as her twinkling-eyes, moonlight as her veiling-cloth, and she is glistening like the one who fully-enfolded her limbs within a whitish-cloth-like moonshine. 

"On eating richly ripened yield of rice delighted are the Saarasa birds, and in a delightful bird-line with swift speed they are overrunning the sky like a stringed flowery-tassel up-heaved by wind. One swan is sleeping in the water of a vast lake thick with white-lotuses, and that lake is glistening like the star-studded nightly skyscape that is disengaged from clouds, and that has the full-moon. 

Very deep and vast is the tank in which clear and unruffled water is there. On that water one white swan is sleeping around which white-lotuses are thickset. It is like the nightly autumnal vault of heaven brightened with one full moon and many stars, clear of any cloud.

"With swans spreading and swaying around as her swaying girdle-ornaments, and with well-bloomed red and blue lotuses as her swinging flowery-tassels, the resplendence of those best tanks is now heightening as with a dame embellished with girdle-ornaments and flowery-tassels. 

The swaying swan-lines are the girdles of the lake-maid, and lotus-rows are her flowery tassels, and with the floating of the swans the water ruffles, then that ruffled water is ruffling those girdles and tassels on the sheet of water, thus the tank is appearing like a maiden on whose body girdles and tassels are swaying and swinging.

"In tune with the tunes of flute the dawn-time breeze is tuned-up, and it is spreading to broadcast the tuneful tunes from the caves, cows and bulls, and the sounds are as though surpassing one another. 

The dawn time bustle is indicated. At this time various tunes like the rhythmic churning of milk, cows bellowing for their calves to give milk, and bulls in rut bellowing for cows, and the fluting of the transverse flutes of cattle-boys, and the chanting of Vedic hymns that are audible like the sound emitted from mountain caves are permeating into the breeze. And the tuneful breeze is supplementing that intermixed sound, and thus all are commixed and broadcast by that breeze to the delight of the inhabitants of that locale.

"The riverbanks are with smiley white flowers of new reeds that are softly swayed by the gentle breeze, and the silken reed-bed on them is shining forth like a well-washed white silk-cloth that is shiny. 

While the reed-beds with white flowers on either side of two banks of the river are like a white silky outfit, the two riverbanks beneath them are the two buttocks of that lady-river. Since her water is tossing against each bank, her buttocks appear swinging and thereby the silk clothe like reed-bed is swinging.

"Honeybees that are on the loose in forests and roguish in drinking honey are yellowed with the pollen of lotuses and asana flowers when they had bouts of nectar, and they are saucily but delightedly making their journey along with their lady-loves in tow with the forest breeze. Waters are standing tranquilly, flowers are smiley, crane-birds are noisily, rice-crops are ripely, breeze is softly, and moon is brightly, thus they denote the time of rains has phased out. 

"In the dame-like rivers fish are very closely seen as if they are girdle ornaments of that dame, and nowadays these dames are strutting slothfully like ladyloves who strut tiresomely in the early morning of next day, after a nightlong romancing with their lovers. With Cakravaka birds, with riverweeds, and with reeds that lookalike a veiling silk-cloth, half-veiled are the river-shores and they look painted with foliage-lines in vermilion, like the faces of maidens. 

The face of a river is its ghat, river-shore where the holy-dips, worships etc., are performed. The citra rekhaa-s are the artistic lines drawn on visible limbs with vegetable colours, namely foliages, a design in art, resembling that of leaves. It resembles the inerasable tattooing, whereas this sort of lines are crafted with vegetable colours or with the orpiment like Gorocana, which will fade away after some days, like henna mehandi. This is a handicraft of womenfolk who sophisticatedly draw the shapes of leafs, creeper-plants etc. Nowadays these leafy-lined decorations are coming as stickers.

"In the forest that is portrayed with the flourishing Baana and Asana trees, where the honeybees are humming elatedly, there alone the Love-god, Manmatha, is moving about unimpededly taking his bow to punish the lovesick. On appeasing the world with good rains, on filling the rivers and tanks, and on making the earth to derive good harvests also, clouds have dissipated forsaking the sky. The autumnal rivers are showing their dunes slowly and slowly, as with shying brides showing hips in their new trysts, slowly and slowly. 

"Oh, gentle Lakshmana, with clear waters, well sounding fish-hawks, teeming teams of Cakravaka birds the lakes are glistening well. 

"Oh, prince, those that are reciprocally bound by hostilities and desirous of victory, oh, gentle Lakshmana, for those kings their striving time has come up. 

Rama is also bound by hostile mood and anxious to start his campaign against evil as muhuurta 'opportune time...' has come. Please refer to verse 78 in this chapter for details.

"This is the starting time for invasions of the kings, but I do not even perceive Sugreeva, or his striving for any invasion as such. On mountain terraces there appear flowered Asana trees, seven-leaved banana plants, Kovidaara, Bandhujiiva trees, and the Shyaama creepers. On the sand-dunes of rivers Swans, Saarasa-s, Cakravaka-s, also Kraunca birds are fully overspreading from all over, see Lakshmana. 

Here it is said that there is a problem with the copyist of palm-leaf books. These two verses 62 and 63 occur prior to the verse 60 in some mms. The thought of Rama is about Sugreeva as spoken at verse 61, and these two verses suddenly switching over to trees and birds, thus they are mismatching in the placement.

"Four rainy months have rolled by and to me they are like a hundred years, for I have not seen Seetha, likewise I am seethed in grief. Like a female Cakravaka bird that follows rearward of her husband, that lady Seetha followed her husband, that is what I am, to the precarious forest of Dandaka, as if she is going to pleasure-gardens. Dear departed, kingdom plundered, rendered homeless, and one in desperate straits, such as I am Lakshmana, king Sugreeva is not benevolent to me. 

" 'He is insecure, kingdom forfeited, persecuted by Ravana, a dismal, came from a distant home, lovelorn and sought shelter in me alone...' thus Sugreeva may be thinking of me.

Or

" ' Since his kingdom is forfeited, he is an insecure person... since he is persecuted by a powerful demon Ravana, he is dismal... since he came from a distant homeland, he hasn’t got a leg to stand on... since he is lovelorn, he sought my shelter faint-heartedly...' thus Sugreeva may be thinking of me. 

"By these reasons, oh gentle Lakshmana, I am perhaps scoffed off by the spiteful king of Vanara-s Sugreeva oh, the enemy-blazer, Lakshmana. He computed the time for search of Seetha well, and entered into a treaty with me as well, but on achieving his means that base-minded one is unmindful of it. Oh, enemy blazer Lakshmana, such as you are, you enter Kishkindha and upon my word speak to that arch-vanara Sugreeva, which stupid is tangled up in uncouth pleasures. He who promises the requesters that have come under his shelter, and especially those that have cooperated earlier, but breaks that promise, and even shatters their hope, he is the worst fellow in the world. 

'We are the earnest requesters for the searching for Seetha and we have come seeking your shelter for achieving that purpose through you, and earlier we have even cooperated with you, viz., in killing your enemy and in enthroning you, and to such like us you have promised hope but now breaking it off, thus you tend to become a worst individual. Hence oh, Sugreeva, do not become the worst person in the world...' Thus, Rama is putting words in the mouth of Lakshmana to be spoken to Sugreeva.

" 'Whether it is good or bad, he who promises a word, and truthfully takes action for its accomplishment, indeed he is the champion and a best one among men. 

Promising in a helpless condition and unable to fulfil it in the same helpless situation does not make matters worse. But having attained a state of fulfilling that promise and not heedful of it, then the 'word-of-honour' conflict occurs.

" 'Indeed, those that have achieved their means through their friends, but do not come to the rescue of the same friends whose means are still unachieved, the carrion-devourers will not devour even the flesh of those ingrates after their death. 

Here these morals are said threadbare. Whereas these are explained vividly in Maha Bharata in episodes like naaDii jangha, and others. Thus some hold the opinion that Maha Bharata is an explanatory treatise to Ramayana because more than hundred upa aakhyaana-s 'sub-episodes' of Ramayana are incorporated in it and in detail. In detailing these episodes of Ramayana, that epic Maha Bharata has became more voluminous than this one.

" 'You definitely aspire to see that facet of the gold-spined bow of mine which in simile will be like a cluster of electric-discharges when I fully stretch it in war. Once more you desire to clearly hear that calamitous crashing boom from my bowstring, which is a soundalike with the crash of thunderbolt, when I angrily clang the unbent bowstring in a given war. But, oh, prince Lakshmana, Sugreeva is fully aware of my valour... be that as it may... oh, brave one, I am not alarmed as I have you as my associate. 

'Sugreeva is in complete knowledge about my valour for he testified it for himself when asking me to pierce the saala trees, lift the carcass of Dundubhi, and finally in killing Vali. He is aware as to why I killed Vali, viz., for transgressing the righteous path. Equally, that Sugreeva should be alarmed by now, for time is lapsed. Further, he should be alarmed, as I will eliminate him too, because he has gone back on his word, because a 'given word' is dearer to me. Furthermore, has he forgotten that my selfsame brother is at my side? Even then, does it not matter to him?

Another way of getting meaning is: asya parij~naate paraakrame kaamam evam gate api san 'his, made, know, valour [of Sugreeva,] may be, that way, evanished, even...' 'Sugreeva's valour which was made known to me at the time of befriending, though that might have evanished...' tvat sahaayasya me cintaa na syaat... 'by your help, to me, alarm, not, there...' 'Even then, I am un-alarmed as long as your help is there... Thus, oh, Lakshmana, you may tell Sugreeva that I depend less on his help, but I wish to eliminate him too, as he failed in his promise...'

"For which reason this venture of eliminating Vali and its sequel is commenced, oh, the vanquisher of enemy-capitals, Lakshmana, and the timeframe set for it, that king of fly-jumpers Sugreeva is not recognising, as his ends are achieved. But on promising to get back after rainy season that king of vanara-s is insensible to the slipping away of those four months time of rainy season, for he is wallowing in his pleasures. 

The Hindu season is calculated as two-month-period of Gregorian calendar and thus there are six seasons in Indian calendar. But here it said that four months time is elapsed and it is captioned to be rainy season. The commentary of Kulluka Bhatt says that four are the months for rainy season. v˜rÿik˜m caturo m˜s˜n yath˜ indro abhi pra varÿati - ÿr˜vaõ˜dŸÕ caturo m˜s˜s˜n Whe the specified season is calculated as four month period it takes part in the preceding and succeeding seasons. Thus griiSma 'summer' takes part in vasanta 'spring' and sharat 'post rainy season' in varSa 'rainy season' and shishira 'cold' in hemanta 'winter' season. Thus the month to start campaigns is maargashira roughly 'Nov-Dec' has come, for which arrangements have to be made in kaartika 'Sept - Oct' month.

"Frolicking with all in the council of ministers Sugreeva is absorbed in drinking alone, and he is not sympathising with us who are agonised by grief. Oh, great-mighty Lakshmana, you may proceed to Kishkindha and let Sugreeva know through you as to how my fury takes shape, and oh, brave one, he may be told this word also. 'Oh, Sugreeva, abide by your commitment. The path by which slain Vali has gone is not tapered off, as such do not tread Vali's path. 

" 'In a clash Vali is slain singly with my arrow, but I wish to slay you along with your kith and kin since you have transgressed truthfulness. Oh, best one among men, Lakshmana, when the mission of searching for Seetha is scheduled in this way but hampered, you speak about all things that are appropriate for us and for Sugreeva even, oh, foremost one among men, hurry up, let there be no time lapse. Oh, king of monkeys, on apperceiving the perpetual virtuousness in what you have promised to me, render it as a reality. Otherwise, now driven by my arrows to death, and on going to Yama, the Time-god's Inferno, you will see Vali " Thus Rama appraised Lakshmana about his thinking of Sugreeva. 

On clearly examining his elder brother Rama, who has become ruthlessly uncompassionate and pitiably prating, the mood of that intensively resplendent Lakshmana, who is an augmenter of Manu's dynasty, has become hostile towards the monkey-king Sugreeva. 

Thus, this is the 30th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 31

 

Enraged Lakshmana goes to the extent of saying that Sugreeva is to be eliminated and then Angada and others will search for Seetha. Perturbed by his brother's vehemence Rama pacifies him and sends to Kishkindha where on seeing the infuriated, hissing, snakelike Lakshmana monkeys are upset. Lakshmana sends Angada to Sugreeva to inform about his arrival. Sugreeva could not comprehend firstly because he is in an inebriated condition, but later comes to senses on the advise of his ministers.

 

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When Rama of undeterred stamina has become pitiable while yearning for Seetha, overcome with grief while the search for Seetha is becoming futile, overwrought with anger while Sugreeva is reneging on his promise, to such an elder prince-brother from a godlike king, his younger prince-brother Lakshmana spoke in this way. 

"As a forester Sugreeva will not abide by the conduct of gentlefolk, he is not appreciative of the fruits of incidental events like gaining kingdom and regaining wife occurring out of your deed of eliminating Vali, thus he will not enjoy the prosperity of the kingdom anymore. Obviously his prudence is behindhand, isn't it! 

Remaining adherent in the thick and thin of friends is friendship. That is the least kindness expected of a friend. Because Sugreeva is a fickly monkey, he may not abide by the oath of friendship taken before fire altar. The deed of your eliminating Vali enthroned Sugreeva and he may not keep that deed, or its fruits holy, as nothing is evincible of his help.

"Without any notion of requiting the beneficence you have accorded he is insanely involved in primitive pleasures, such as he is, let him see his elder brother Vali when slain. Hence, kingdoms are unaffordable to dishonest. Unbearable is this anger that is tiding quickly, now I shall kill that unfaithful Sugreeva and the best braving monkeys shall search for that princess Seetha, remaining under the command of Vali's son, Angada." Thus said Lakshmana to Rama. 

Rama, the slayer of braving enemies, spoke this well thought sentence that includes persuasiveness to Lakshmana who is with an irrepressible wartime anger, who has apprised his intention to slay Sugreeva, and who on taking his bow is now leaping at Kishkindha. "Certainly none of your kind shall commit this sort of sin in this world, and if such a situation occurs, he who by his noble gesture kills his own anger is a valorous one, and he really becomes the best one among men." Thus Rama is saying to Lakshmana. Lakshmana, as person with righteous conduct you are not supposed to understand this matter in this way, or undertake in this way, but you are supposed to adhere to those aspects of friendliness with Sugreeva and the affinity earlier existed in dealing with him. 

In the last chapter Rama says that he wants to kill Sugreeva for his faithlessness. Now Lakshmana is parroting out those very words. But Rama is now telling that 'killing a friend is a sin, so you do not commit it...' Is Rama contradicting his own statements in last chapter? In reply it is said, not so. Last time Rama gave a picture of his ire about Sugreeva, to the extent of eliminating him, if Sugreeva still avoids any arrangement. But Lakshmana, being straight-to-nose person and a textualist, has started to Kishkindha to eliminate Sugreeva and to enthrone Angada, under whose leadership the other monkeys can search Seetha. It is same situation with Hanuma in Sundara, where Hanuma is asked just to elicit the whereabouts of Seetha, but he burns down Lanka, and if anybody questions, Hanuma is apt to say that he is monkeyish with Lanka. Such an occasion shall not happen in Kishkindha, that too through Lakshmana. Thus, Rama is pacifying Lakshmana in saying that 'my words shall not be understood that way, and killing of Sugreeva is not to be undertaken forthwith.'

"It will be apt of you to speak to that reneger Sugreeva with placating words rather than with caustic remarks, as his sin is no more than flouting the timeframe." Thus Rama said to Lakshmana. That brave one and the slayer of braving enemies Lakshmana thus schooled expediently by his elder brother about the means of gainfulness, that best one among men proceeded to enter the city of Kishkindha. 

That right-minded and well-informed Lakshmana who is bent on doing only that which is agreeable and beneficial to his elder brother, then swallowing his exasperation and wielding a bow which is shining forth like the bow of Indra, and which is standing out like a peaking mountain proceeded towards the palace of the monkey, namely Sugreeva, and with such a bow he appeared to be the peaking Mt. Mandhara and like the Era-Ender. 

Lakshmana the non-defying adherer of Rama, a coequal of Brihaspati-Jupiter, in intelligence, then mulled over the exact words of Rama to be spoken to Sugreeva, possible reply of Sugreeva on them, and his own sensible counter-reply to them, enwrapped as he is in a furious fire fired up by the desire of Rama for Seetha, proceeded to Sugreeva's palace like an embittered whirlwind aided and abetted by a furious fire. While knocking down Saala, Palm, Ashvakarna trees with his might, razing mountain-crests and even other trees with his strength, splintering boulders underfoot, Lakshmana made haste through an enmeshed path leaving off one-foot-pathway as with an elephant striding fleetly, and proceeded swiftly impelled by the mission. 

The wording in the second foot is as per Chaukambha publication: duuraam eka padam tyaktvaa as in other publications, which then gives meaning 'leaving off a distant one-foot-pathway Lakshmana strode in a shortcut way through the thick of trees...' or duuram eka padiim tyaktvaa in another way 'releasing the first foot in a longer stride he made haste.' This is to show Lakshmana's vehemence and valour are better than that of Vanara-s, which was explained by the sage-poet at the time of creation of Vanara-s by celestials at 1-17-25 onwards. When Vanara-s can fell trees or volley the peaks of mountains with some effort, Lakshmana can do the same effortlessly.

Entrenched among mountains, impregnated with vanara-army is the magnificent citadel of the king of monkeys, and the tigerly-Ikshvaku, Lakshmana, has seen such an impassable city, namely Kishkindha. 

This is what Sugreeva told Rama when they come for second time to fight Vali 'Spread out by the snares of monkeys... [we arrived at gate of Kishkindha city...] [4-14-5]' thus Lakshmana again saw that impregnable Kishkindha, but with a different reception to him at this time.

While his lips are quivering owing to rancour towards Sugreeva, Lakshmana saw formidable Vaanara-s at the outposts of Kishkindha. On seeing the most notable one among men, Lakshmana all of the elephantine vanara-s available in the gorges of mountain have grabbed hundreds of mountain-crests and gigantic trees, and they are at the ready. But on seeing all of them handling assaultive peaks and trees, Lakshmana's fury has become twofold as with a fire to which much fuel is added. On seeing overexcited Lakshmana who is like the Time-god and the Epoch-Ender, troops and troops of those fly-jumpers quickly fled away in all directions with scare coiling their bodies. 

Then on entering the palace of Sugreeva, some best ones among monkeys have appraised about the arrival of Lakshmana, and even about his fury. At that time, he who is in a lustful mood, who is in the company of Lady Tara and who is enmired in privacy, that foremost monkey Sugreeva is unheedful of the words of those bold monkeys who brought the message. 

Then, as directed by ministers of Kishkindha in order to figure out the mood of Lakshmana, some of the elephantine monkeys who are frightening just by their appearance, who in sheen are similar to mountains and dark-clouds have gone out of the city. All of those brave vanara-s are armed with their own teeth and nails, all are with tigerish pride, all are hideous in look and horrendous by their faces. Some of those vanara-s are with the might of ten elephants, some ten times more, and some with vigour matching that of a thousand elephants. Infuriated Lakshmana has then seen Kishkindha, an unassailable city, as those great-mighty monkeys flaunting trees are spreading throughout it. All of those monkeys then exiting from the inside of the compound-wall of the castle and coming underneath of the iron-latches of the castle's gateway, they became visible and stood up to Lakshmana with their ebullient might. 

The word parigha is sometimes taken as bastions of the fort-wall.

On envisaging Sugreeva's blunder and of his elder-brother's expediency, that sensible one and fury restrained Lakshmana, again went into the restraint of fury on seeing the monkeys. With his long, fiery, and endless exhales and eyes bloodshot in fury, that tigerly-man Lakshmana is like a fuming fire. Lakshmana has become identical to a five-faced serpent as his curvi-bow looked like the curvi-hood of a serpent, arrowheads looked like the poking tongues of the serpent, and as his own fervency is proliferating as that serpent's venom. 

The words used in verse bhogavaan, samghaata also means 'enjoyer of bow, assortment of these aspects...' but bhoga is yet another name for 'snake-hood' besides its coils and ghaata is 'that which obtained after multiplication...'

Angada succumbing to high despair caused by the scare neared Lakshmana who is aglow like the Fire of Perdition and like aadi seSa, the Thousand-hooded King of Serpents, who is perforce infuriated. With his eyes reddened in rancour that highly adorable Lakshmana sent a word through Angada, saying "oh, boy, let Sugreeva be informed about my arrival," and said this way. 

"Oh, enemy-destroyer Angada, oh, boy, you may say these words to Sugreeva, 'oh, enemy-destroyer Sugreeva, distressed by the distress of his brother this Lakshmana has arrived in your presence and waiting at the door, oh, Sugreeva, the vanara, if you are interested it will be apt of you to listen to his advise, either by coming here or inviting him inside...' saying so oh, boy Angada, you comeback quickly." Thus Lakshmana spoke to Angada. 

On hearing the words of Lakshmana Angada is muffled up in grief, and on arriving in the presence of his father Sugreeva he informed "Soumitri has come." 

Bewildered in his perception at the very sharp words of Lakshmana, mighty Angada then has gone to the palace assuming a very sad face, and there he firstly saluted the feet of his father Sugreeva and then at the feet of Ruma, wife of Sugreeva. Angada whose vitality is intense clinched himself to the feet of his father Sugreeva, and later clung to the feet of his mother Tara, and he even clasped the feet of his paternal-aunt Ruma, and latching on to the feet of his parents then he stated to appeal to them about the message of Lakshmana. Sugreeva, the vanara, who is bound up in drowsiness and dizziness could not comprehend clearly what Angada is talking about, as he is benumbed with intoxication, and even numbed down with the torpor of lustfulness. The hearts of mobbing monkeys are flustered with fear when they pored over infuriated Lakshmana, thus they jibber-jabbered so as to appease him. 

The words kila kila, hala hala are the onomatopoeic words for the chatter of monkeys or hues and cries of others. - A Linguistic Study of Ramayana, Pt. Satya Vrat.

And those monkeys on observing Lakshmana instantly raised a hubbub at his nearby that is similar to a storm of a torrent, thunder of a thunderbolt, and the roar of a lion. With that uproarious noise of monkeys Sugreeva came to his senses, but because of stupor his coppery eyes are helter-skelter and his garlands and ornaments are topsy-turvy.

On hearing the words of Angada two ministers who are agreeable in their advice and appreciable in their aspect have come along with him, and those two ministers of the king of vanara-s, namely Plaksha and Prabhava, have appraised Sugreeva that Lakshmana has arrived to discuss variously about the prosperity and probity. 

Those two ministers sitting around and nearby Sugreeva, who is seated like the king of wind-gods, namely Indra, on appeasing him with meaningful and expressive words they spoke to him in this way. 

"Rama and Lakshmana are the brothers who abide by truth, highly-providential, and though they are worthy enough to rule kingdom for themselves they have bestowed the kingdom to you, such as they are, they have become your true friends." Thus started the ministers to say to Sugreeva. 

"One among those two, Lakshmana, is biding at the door wielding his bow, by whom the monkeys are panicked and venting out alarms shuddering utterly. This Lakshmana, the brother of Raghava, has arrived here at the decree of Rama on the chariot called his 'endeavour', charioted by the charioteer called 'the word of Rama.' 

This is 'a case of delightful figurative use' of the word vaakya saaradhi 'Rama's word as charioteer...' meaning 'directed by Rama's word...' - Ramayana A Linguistic Study, Pt. Satya Vrat.

"Oh, merited one, even Lakshmana has ushered this Angada hastily, oh, king, the precious son of Tara, to your presence. Oh, king of monkeys, such as he is, that brave Lakshmana is sticking fast at the door with an awning of rancour on his eyes and as if to burn down the monkeys just with his eyes. You may approach him quickly along with your son and relatives, oh, great-king, prostrate yourself before him holding him in reverence, and thus let his bitterness be indeed pacified now. 

"Whatever that virtue-souled Rama says that you have to implement wholeheartedly, oh, king, you abide by the forthrightness of your promise, stick up for the pact you made." Thus the ministers advised Sugreeva. 

Thus, this is the 31st chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 32

 

Sugreeva is disturbed at the unfounded anger of Lakshmana and wanted his ministers to elicit the cause for that anger. Hanuma informs Sugreeva that causing delay is the only fault of Sugreeva, for which Sugreeva is advised to pray for the mercy of Lakshmana personally.

 

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On hearing the words of Angada along with those of his ministers, namely Hanuma, Plaksha, and Prabhava et al, also on knowing that Lakshmana is angered, that sensible Sugreeva stirred from seat. On discriminating the pros and cons Sugreeva spoke this sentence to the strategist-ministers, for he himself is an expert in strategies and a diligent one in carrying out those strategies. 

"I have not in the least spoken any ill of them, nor committed any misdeed in their respect, thus I am thinking why should Raghava's brother Lakshmana take offence at me? Unsympathetic rivals of mine, who will always be snoopy for scope, might have ear-filled Raghava's brother about the fabricated faults of mine. In this situation, all of you on your part and according to your perspectives have to find out firstly and meticulously about the attitude of Lakshmana, along with a steady but diligent determination thereof. Definitely there is no fear for me from Lakshmana, not even from Raghava, but an unfounded ire of a friend alone is giving rise to disquiet. 

The word a + sthaana kupitam - a + sthaana kopam , is twofold in its meaning, one is 'unfounded anger' and the other is 'angered out of place, context.' Lakshmana who has so far not visited Kishkindha has darted into Kishkindha and showing his ire here, which is out of context. Lakshmana should have summoned Sugreeva or any other monkey, or he should have come as a calm and collected emissary, and then he can become ireful if Sugreeva rejects any help. But Lakshmana's entry itself is 'unfounded or unreasonable.' This one statement of Sugreeva makes him lofty of virtue in his heart of hearts for he reposed full confidence in Rama and thus fearless of a trusted friend.

"It is always practicable to befriend any, but in turn it is impracticable to manage that friendship, even a trifle splits off that friendliness for sentiments are transient. On that score I am flustering because of the noble-souled Rama, and I cannot possibly requite the favour that has been done to me." So said Sugreeva to his ministers. While Sugreeva is saying that way, the eminent-monkey Hanuma spoke with a dint of his own expediency, from among the Vanara ministers. 

"In any case, it is not astonishing to say, oh, king of monkey troops, that you with a deep regard have not forgotten the advantageous help rendered to you, since it is natural for you. On his part Raghava tossed off his fear distantly and eliminated Vali, whose valour equals that of Indra, only to fulfil your cherish. Anywise, by virtue of his friendliness with you Raghava must be annoyed, hence he must have expedited his brother Lakshmana, whose disposition in effect to is enhance prosperity. You have become ecstatic, oh, the best of the best timekeepers, hence you are unaware of the slippage of time, but the sedate and dark-green autumn on its part is underway unfolding dark-green leaves canopying seven-leaved banana plants. 

Sugreeva is ascribed as a great disciplinarian and punctualist and his order sugriiva aaj~na ' Sugreeva's order...' a Sanskrit phrase still ruling high, is an inalienable, do-or-die order for the rank and file of Vanara-s.

"Clear is the sky with its planets and stars as clouds have vanished on it, even all the ten directions are clear, and the rivers and lakes too are equable. Because the time for campaigns has chanced, oh, the ablest monkey, and because you were very slumberous you have not got the drift of it, as such Lakshmana must have come here, and it is obvious. 

"Raghava's bitter words are endurable by you as he is primarily an anguished person, further he is the one whose is wife is abducted, and furthermore he is magnanimous in giving kingdom to you, besides, he is reproachful through another person, namely Lakshmana. Indeed, I do not foresee any other appropriate means for you, as a blunder is committed by you, other than seeking Lakshmana's pardon duly adjoining your palms. 

The clasping and adjoining of palms in supplication is the highest gesture to appease others and it yields beneficence of even gods quickly. an~jaliH paramaa mudraa kshipram deva prasaadinii 'Adjoining palms reverently is the highest gesture, and gods will bestow grace by it.' Here it is said in singular meaning that 'you appease Lakshmana single-mindedly... soulfully...'

"A king is to be advised beneficially and unhesitatingly by the minister designates, that is why I am speaking what I hold fast discarding fear. If Raghava is highly infuriated he is capable to keep the world under his control along with gods, demons, gandharva-s just on hitching up his bow, isn't it! It becomes unseemly to infuriate him who is to be placated time and again, especially when remembering his earlier beneficence to you and when you are beholden to him. 

"Prostrate yourself before him along with your son, friends and relatives to pay deference, oh, king, and abide by your own accord you made with him remaining under his auspices, like a wife abiding in the care of her husband. 

"It will be unseemly to fend off the ruling of Rama, or of his brother Lakshmana even in your imagination, oh, king of monkeys, as your heart is aware of the humanly tenacity of that Rama, whose resplendence vies with that of Indra, and who is associated with selfsame Lakshmana, isn't it." Thus Hanuma spoke to Sugreeva. 

For the usage of words maanuSam balam it is said as 'his humanly adventures are already known to you, yet his divine expeditions are to be known by you.'

Thus, this is the 32nd chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 33

 

The magnificence and luxury of Kishkindha and its inmates is depicted here. Lakshmana on the invitation of Angada proceeds through the streets of the city examining its glory. On reaching palace-chambers, feeling shy to enter inside where the women are moving about and also infuriated at Sugreeva's callousness, Lakshmana makes a thunderous noise with his bowstring. Listening that sound Sugreeva is terrorised and bids Tara to approach Lakshmana to pacify him. Accordingly, Tara approaches Lakshmana and pacifies his anger and invites him to their palace. This chapter vies with the 33rd chapter of Aranya Kanda in the attitudes of a king and his kingship. Here Sugreeva is indulged in bodily pleasures with his own females and in Aranya Kanda, as accused by Shurpanakha, Ravana is hankering after other's women. Here Sugreeva dizzy with drinks and in Aranya Ravana is dizzy with his supremacy. These two chapters, as detailed by ancient commentators, equally deal with raaja niiti shastra 'political science.' Here the only rescue to Sugreeva is Tara, who saves the face of Sugreeva before Lakshmana, whereas Ravana has none to come to his aid when chided by Shurpanakha. Out of total 66 verses that are here in this traditional edition, verses from 25 to 62 are unavailable in critical edition, perhaps estimating them to be lateral interpolations, and there this chapter is quickly concluded. These verses belong to the exposition of 'kingly vices...' on which Tara rationally defends.

 

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Then on invitation to inside, Lakshmana, the slayer of braving enemies, entered that delightful cavelike Kishkindha at Rama's orders. 

Angada on informing Sugreeva about the arrival of Lakshmana came back to Lakshmana and invited him to come inside Kishkindha.

On seeing Lakshmana the huge bodied and highly mighty monkeys available at the gateway stood back with their palms adjoined in supplication. But on seeing at the fumingly infuriated son of Dasharatha, all the monkeys have become scared and they did not even gather around him. Glorious Lakshmana has seen the splendid Kishkindha which is a colossal cave crafted with jewels, replete with flowered orchards and richly rife with gemlike-objects d'art. 

Kishkindha is compacted with mansions and multi-storied buildings that are embellished with various precious stones, and it is enlivened with blossomed trees that bear fruit of every relish and of every season, and Lakshmana has seen such a Kishkindha. That city is brightened with vanara-s who with their prepossessing appearances are attired in marvellous garlands and garments, and who can change their guise just by their wish, as they are the children of gods and gandharva-s, and Lakshmana has seen such a city. She is perfumed with the fragrances that are pleasing to the sense of smell like sandal-scent, true-aloe-scent, and the scents of lotuses, and her wide avenues are highly exhilarated with the bouquet of flower-liquors and grape-wines, and Lakshmana has seen such a sweet-scanted city Kishkindha. 

The sandalwood paste, aloe scents, lotus scents are used as body rubs. Thus everyone is using them and hence fragrant, and due to the continuous preparation of wines prepared from the flowers of guDa puSpa, Bassia latifolia, or from flowers Lythrum fruticosum, brewed with the juice of sugarcane and also even from grapes, that city itself is odorous and the streets are boozy.

In that city Lakshmana of Raghava dynasty has seen buildings that are not single-storied but multi-storied, semblable with Mt. Vindhya and Mt. Meru, and he even saw mountain-rapids with pure water. On the kings-way Lakshmana has seen the exquisite mansion of Angada, likewise the lavish mansions of distinction pertaining to the other vanara chiefs, namely Dvivida, Gavaya, Gavaaksha, Gaja, and Sharabha, Vidyunmaali, Sampaati, Suuryaaksha, Hanuma, and that of the noble-souled Nala, and even those of Virabaahu, Subaahu, Kumuda, Sushena, Lt. Taara, Jambavanta, Dadhivaktra, Niila, Supaatala, and that of Sunetra. Those mansions that glitter like silver-clouds, fragrant with scents and festooned with flower-tassels, replete with wealth and food grains, are beaming with gemlike female-vanara-s, and Lakshmana saw them on his way. 

The grand palace of the king of monkeys, Sugreeva, which vies with the palace of Indra is inaccessibly immured in a whitely mountain. The spires of that palace are similar to the peaks of Mt. Kailash and it is shining forth with fully blossomed trees yielding fruits that can fulfil every relish of everyone. Some more providential and heart-pleasing trees available there are the endowment of Indra, which in shine are equal to blackish rainy-clouds, yielding divine flowers and fruits, and casting cool shades. Excellent garlands are strung round the palace and robust monkeys wielding weapons are screening its gateways, while its main archway cast in refined golden is splendorous. And the very bold Lakshmana unimpededly entered such a fascinating palace of Sugreeva, as with the sun entering a colossal cloud. 

Passing through a set of seven courtyards in which carriers like palanquins, sedans, and even settees are spread over, that duty-bound Lakshmana has seen the highly protected and prodigious palace-chambers of Sugreeva, which is stuffed here and there with numerous golden and silver love-beds and divans on which highly valuable upholstery is provided. 

On his very entry Lakshmana heard the ongoing melodious tunes commixed with lyrics and strains of string-instruments, and all are unvarying in cadence, wording and lettering.

Or

On his very entry Lakshmana heard the ongoing melodious tunes of lyrics with pulsing wording and lettering, conjoined with strains from string-instruments, like Veena etc., and all have a pulsating cadency. 

And the great-mighty Lakshmana has seen many females in Sugreeva's palace with diverse features and prideful of their beauty and youth. On observing the females of a worthy bloodline in the palace of Sugreeva, who are wearing garlands of worthily flowers, engrossed in making worthwhile flower-tassels and even adorned with worthiest jewellery, he also made a mark of the chambermaids. None of them is overawed, overstrained, and everyone is over-embellished in dressiness. 

Thereafter on hearing the chimes of silver-anklets and tintinnabulations of golden cinctures of female vanara-s that refulgent Saumitri is embarrassed to proceed further. On hearing the tinkles of the jewellery of female vanara-s valiant Lakshmana is highly provoked with an instantaneous bitterness, and he twitched bowstring as though to fill all the points of compass with twanging. His decent conduct hauling him down dextrous Lakshmana stood aside contingent on isolation, and alongside his heartfelt anguish of Rama. 

Lakshmana is in no mood to be in pleasing circumstances. Further, he dashed in to the palace uncaring for what to see. But seen are nymph-like females moving there about, uncaring for the presence of the male members of the palace, or even for the enterance of Lakshmana. That is why the entry into palaces is associated with certain protocols. anena parasya antaHpure sahasaa na praveSTavyam iti suucitam - dk Lakshmana is searing with his duty consciousness and this seventh heaven like atmosphere is irritating. To vent out his ire there is none in his audience, and hence he twanged his bowstring, which communicates his wrath to Sugreeva, who has not yet surfaced from the depths of his palace-chambers.

With that twang of the bowstring the king of fly-jumpers Sugreeva is startled and jerked up from his exquisite seat as he ensured that Lakshmana has arrived. 

"As Angada indicated to me earlier, Saumitri, the votary of his brother, has come down on... it is very clear..." Thus Sugreeva exclaimed. 

As has been apprised by Angada earlier, and even now by the twang of bowstring, that vanara Sugreeva made up his mind about Lakshmana's arrival, and he has become whey-faced. The chief of monkeys Sugreeva then staidly spoke this advantageous word to the exquisite lady Tara while his heart is bewildered with dismay. 

"This brother of Raghava is mellow-hearted by his nature, oh, suavely eye-browed Tara, but he turned up as if with some disdain, really what must be the reason for a grudge! 

The word used su bhruu 'good-eye-browed-one' has some relevancy to Tara's composure. Though certain people's tongues cheer, their eyebrows chide. Tara is not a double-tongued lady but she speaks her heart in all rationality and her eyebrows do not belie what she states.

"What do you see as the basis of this young man's spite, oh impeccable Tara, this best one among men will not invoke despite, indeed, to a fault. If you consider that we have done something objectionable to him, in the least, let that be quickly determined by your nimble-wittedness and let that be made known immediately. Otherwise, oh, lady, you alone are apt to see him in person, and it will be apt of you to appease him with words blent with mitigation. Just on seeing you he that highly pure-souled Lakshmana will stop venting his spleen, by the way, great-souls will not be rampageous with women, isn't it! 

The real valorous heroes will not exhibit their warring faculties before palace bound ladies. anena mah˜ puruÿ˜× strŸÿu kopam na kurvanti iti s¨citam - tath˜ ca r˜ja dharme - devateÿu viþeÿeõa r˜jasu br˜hmaõe ÿu ca | niyantrya sad˜ krodho v®ddha strŸ b˜la rogiÿu || dk On this premise Sugreeva is using all his kingly tactics to appease Lakshmana, while Tara is no less in her political thinking, which will be evident soon.

"If you seek his presence with propitiatory words his heart and senses will be pacified, and then I will be able to see that lotus-petal-eyed Lakshmana, the destroyer of his enemies." Sugreeva thus spoke to Tara. Exquisitely featured Tara went to the proximity of Lakshmana with a waddling gait, tipsily flustering eyes, rivière-strings of golden cincture dangling, and with a sticklike gracile body humbly bent. 

The inferences drawn on these expressions are: mada vihvala akshii 'dizzy are her eyes either by drinking or by the insatiate sexual hunger...' pralamba kaaancii guNa hema suutraa 'girdle ornament loosened on her love-bed is not readjusted for a public appearance...' namita anga yaSTi 'sticklike body is bent...' the body may be bent due to her humbleness, or by the weight of her breasts, or due to the ceaseless mating...' sa lakshaNa 'with features of a queen, or with the features of coital expressions, or of a humble lady...' praskhalantii gamane 'a waddling gait...' due to her natural swanlike walk, or stumble of a tipsy one, or due to the fatigue of incessant coition...' If it were asked whether it is appropriate of Tara to approach Lakshmana in this condition, it is said to be quiet befitting to her. Lakshmana is son-like to her and she can see him any time. Further Lakshmana treats other females as his own mothers, that way also she can near him. Apart from these social problems, there is an imminent danger with this Lakshmana, which is more precarious than these presentational problems. Hence she rushed to him in 'as is where is' condition concerning herself with the fate of Sugreeva and that of Kishkindha.

On observing the wife of the king of monkeys, the great-souled son of the king of humans stood aside unemotionally, and because of the presence of females he backed down on his anger with his face cast down. She who is unblushing by virtue of her inebriety ad even by the gracious look of the prince Lakshmana, such a Tara spoke a highly noteworthy sentence that is dauntless in friendliness and entirely mitigatory in its vein. 

"Oh, prince, what is the cause of your anger? Who is not abiding by your oral order? And who is he that draweth nigh of a wildfire that is befalling on a forest of dried-up trees, without a shadow of doubt?" Tara enquired thus with Lakshmana. 

On hearing her words which are with a prelude of propitiation, and which by far evince friendship for all practical purposes, Lakshmana trustfully spoke these words. 

"Oh, Tara, the associate of husband's prosperity! Why your husband is bound up in profligacy alone, remiss in garnering rectitude and riches, and his dereliction is unbeknownst to you, is it! Without thinking either about the interests of the kingdom or about us that are cringing to anguish, oh, Tara, your husband along with his council of ministers is indulged in lechery. On stipulating a four month criterion for an embargo the king of fly-jumpers is not able to realise the completion of that period as he is frantically insensible. 

"For the purpose of achieving rightly rectitude and rightful riches this way of bacchanalia is inappreciable, isn't it! Just going on drinking will bring prosperity, aspirations and even probity to ruin. 

"If one is not going to requite the favour done in his respect an awful detriment occurs in his own rectitude, isn't it. Thereby, that reneger will loose a highly noble friend and thereby a great shortcoming occurs to him in achieving his purposes. Thus a threefold ill befalls on that reneger. 

"Indeed a friend avowed to truthfulness and virtuousness is greater than one's own means and aspirations, but you husband forsaking that pair of his means and aspirations that have been fulfilled by such a righteous friend, he is not even standing by the probity. 

"Therefore, when our present task is standstill in this way due to the bouts of your husband, oh, the knower of the brunt of tasks, what is it we can undertake hereafter...you yourself may aptly give an example..." Thus, Lakshmana spoke curtly to Tara. 

On hearing his words containing means, merit and reconciliation, and of mellowly tendency of Lakshmana, Tara realized that the purpose of Rama is lapsed, but having confidence in ultimate success she again said to him.

Or

On hearing his words containing means, merit and reconciliation, and of mellowly tendency of Lakshmana, and even on realizing the lapse committed by Sugreeva in the purpose of Rama, yet reposing her confidence in Sugreeva's capability to achieve results, she again said to Lakshmana. 

"Oh, prince, this not the time for angering, also your own people shall not be subjected to anger, and it will be apt of you to tolerate Sugreeva's fault because he is desirous of achieving results for you. How in name can a meritoriously high-minded being will show his anger on a relatively mightless inferior being, say Sugreeva, whose mightiest brother's mightiness and essence, say that of Vali, are deducted by none other but by your brother associated with you, and oh, lad, who goes into the control of fury, say of your kind, while he is restrained by his perfection, and a source of abstemiousness. 

"I am aware of the fury of Rama, the friend of champion of the monkeys, namely Sugreeva, I am also aware of the time lapse in the task, I am even aware of the folly we have committed, and what need be done in this matter, I am well aware. As to how the intensity of bodily pleasure-seeking will be highly intolerable, I am aware even of that, and I am equally aware of those female vanara-s with whom Sugreeva is now incessantly bound up with lust. 

The females with whom Sugreeva is bound up are his wives, and there may be a self-forgetting involvement but there is no illegitimacy in it.

"Gauging by your mindset which is presently bridled by fury, you appear to be disinclined towards spells of sensualities, thus these aspects are past your comprehension. All right! If a man were to be voluptuary he will be inadvertent of place and time, isn't it! Then, how about ethicalities, or rights and wrongs? 

"He who shunned decency because of the vehemence of randiness, oh, the eradicator of braving enemies, and he who is delighting in lust is consorted with me, ergo condone your brother-like Sugreeva, the protector of Vaanara dynasty. 

"Esteemed sages who take delight in their holy merit and pious asceticism, they themselves will be closely following the course of their desire fulfilment when entangled in lust, then how about this one, namely Sugreeva, being an impulsive monkey, besides being a king, how he cannot wallow in enjoyments. 

There are numerous examples for this saying of Tara that great saints and sage are disturbed in the ascetic practises by womanly charms. For this Dharmaakuutam says: anena atyanta strŸ k˜muko dharma vibhrÿ÷o bhavati it s¨citam - anena maharÿibhi× api apariharya× k˜ma× pr˜k®tai× katham pari hartum þakya iti uktam - tath˜ ca pr˜cŸn˜× - viþv˜mitra par˜þara prabh®tayo v˜ta ambu parõa aþan˜× te api strŸ mukha pankajam sulalitam d®ÿ÷vaiva moham gat˜× | dk 'when the great sages like Vishvamitra and Paraashara, who thrive on air, water and leaves, sense the delicate scent of the face of a female, they are lured by those females...' an ancient saying.

She that vanara female Tara whose eyes are fluttery under the influence having said this way, she again picked up where she left off and sentimentally spoke this sentence to Lakshmana whose brunt is inestimable, in the interest of her husband's wellbeing. 

"On the part of his endeavour in your task, oh, best one among men, he has ordered long before for its operation aiming to achieve your objective, despite of the fact that he is servile to overindulgence. By all means, marvellously intrepid Vanara-s that are the residents of various mountains and that can change gusie just by their wish have come in hundreds, in thousands, in millions. 

"Hence oh, dextrous one, get inside the palace-chambers for you have been standing here at the door coyly unwilling to behold womenfolk inside, and enough is this upholding of tradition by you. Oh, come on, peering at the wives of friends with a friendly intent is not at all impolite for good-willers." Thus Tara affectionately invited Lakshmana inside the palace-chambers. 

Welcomed by Tara and hastened by haste of his duty, that dextrous enemy-destroyer Lakshmana entered the select-chambers. 

Lakshmana has then seen him who is seated like the Sun in firmament on a choicest golden seat which is elaborated with worthiest upholstery, whose body is remarkable besides being spruced up with excellent ornaments, who is wearing exquisite garlands and robes, who is glorious with a marvellous appearance and even appeared as an unconquerable as with Indra, and who is presently enwreathed with vanara-females who are also bedecked with precious ornamentation and garlands, and on seeing him Lakshmana with franticly bloodshot eyes appeared as the Terminator. 

Sugreeva whose complexion is like that of rich gold is seated on an exquisite seat tightly hugging his wife Ruma, and that brave one has seen Lakshmana whose quintessence is never-flinching, thus, that suspiciously wide-eyed Sugreeva made sheep eyes at the furiously broad-eyed Lakshmana. 

Thus, this is the 33rd chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 34

 

Lakshmana enters the interior of Sugreeva's chamber. Sugreeva finding him there is alarmed and approaches him in all his humbleness. Then Lakshmana chastens Sugreeva with harsh words and cautions him to face the wrath of the arrows of Rama.

 

.

On seeing the illustrious Lakshmana who entered unimpededly and infuriately, Sugreeva became one with agitated senses. On seeing Lakshmana, the son of Dasharatha, who is exasperated and exhaling heavily, and who searing in the anguish of his brother is flaring up like a firestorm, Sugreeva hopped up from his golden seat and tottered like the highly decorated flagstaff of Indra, which will be wobbly before it is thrown to ground after the ritual. 

While Sugreeva is jumping up stumblingly, stumbled with him are Ruma and the other females in tow, who are so far clinging to him, like the clusters of stars that spring up on the emergence of full moon in sky. 

That fortunate Sugreeva whose eyes are bloodshot with drinking flurried towards Lakshmana adjoining palms in supplication, and became standstill at his nearby, like a lofty kalpa vriksha wish-fulfilling tree. 

This kalpa vR^iksha is a mythological tree that fulfils any expectation of its devotee and it fetches from pin to elephant, if sought in earnest. There is another of this kind called kaama dhenu 'wish-fulfilling cow' which does the same function for which many mythological wars were waged. This attribute, all-endower, is sometimes given to Lakshmana in this verse, but here Sugreeva is the giver and Lakshmana is the taker, so this belongs to Sugreeva now.

Infuriate Lakshmana spoke to Sugreeva who like the star clustered moon is standing with his wife Ruma at his side amid other vanara females. 

"One who is dynamic, abounding with best troopers, sympathetic, senses conquered, a faithful one and an advocate of truth, he alone thrives as a king in the world. He who is enthroned as a king but anchored himself to dishonesty and makes fake assurances to helpful friends, who can be more ruthless than him? 

"A person gets attached to the sin of killing of a hundred of his manes, deified souls of his own ancestors, if he promises to gift one horse but fails to do so, and in promising to gift one cow but failing in it he gets the sin of killing a thousand manes, and if he promises to a person to do the needful help and fails in rendering that help, then he gets the sin of suicide along with the sin of killing his own kith and kin. 

The above verse will be generally translated as 'A person gets attached to the sin of killing of a hundred horses if he promises to gift one horse but fails to do so, and in promising to gift one cow but failing in it he gets the sin of killing a thousand cows, and if he belies to a person to do the needful help, he then gets the sin of killing himself along with his own kith and kin...' But, it is not the sin of killing hundred horses or thousand cows, but it the sin of killing those many numbers of killer's manes, the deified souls of one's own dead ancestors. This is as per Manu dharma and it is detailed in Dharmaakuutam as: atra aþva viÿaye an®tam vakt˜ sva p¨rva puruÿ˜õ˜m þatam hanti - svarg˜t pracyavya narakam tiryak yonim v˜ pr˜payati - gava an®te sahasram sva p¨rva puruÿ˜m tath˜ karoti - puruÿa viÿaye an®te sa b˜ndhava× svayam eva narakam tiryak yoni v˜ pr˜pnoti iti uktam - - m˜nave - - y˜vato b˜ndhav˜n asmin hanti s˜kÿe an®tam vadan - - panca paþva an®tam hanti daþa hanti gava an®te - - dk and he goes on quoting Prahlaada and Dudhanva discussion in Maha Bharata, Udyoga parva. Killing the already dead souls is lesser sin than the killing of living beings and committing suicide.

"He who gets his means fulfilled earlier through his friends but does not requite them, oh, king of monkeys, such a treacherous one is eliminable for all beings. 

"On seeing such perfidious soul, oh, fly-jumper, Brahma irefully declared this verse which is reverenced by all the worlds, you too may know it. 

Here Brahma may either be the Four-faced creator of worlds or His brainchild Svayambhu Manu who constructed the manu dharma shaastra 'the moral and social code for humans.'

" 'The savants have ordained atonement for slayers of cows, for drinkers of liquors, thus for thieves and infringers of solemnity, but no atonement is available to a treacherous person. Oh, Vanara, firstly you have got your purpose fulfilled and by that reason you are not reciprocating help to Rama, thereby you are an uncultured and unfriendly one, and illusive is your word of honour. Oh, Vanara, you achieved your means through Rama, and Rama is wishing for his endeavour through you, and I wonder whether the search for Seetha is not your duty? 

"An illusive promisor basking in churlish pleasures, such as you are, Rama has not realised that you are a serpent with the croaking of a frog. By the highly prudent and compassionate Rama, you the sinner got the kingdom of monkeys, and it is a gain of an evil-soul from a noble-soul.If you do not recognise what the noble-souled Raghava has done to you, you will be instantly killed with incisive arrows enabling you to see Vali. 

"Oh, Sugreeva, abide by your commitment. The path by which slain Vali has gone that path is not tapered off, as such do not tread Vali's path. 

This verse is the same as the one at 4-30-81 in Rama's words and Lakshmana is reproducing the same.

"Definitely you are not envisaging the Thunderbolt similar arrows from the bow of the best one from Ikshvaku dynasty, Rama, thereby you are enjoying luxuries joyously without giving a thought to Rama's mission even at your heart. 

Thus, this is the 34th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 36

 

Sugreeva's apology pacifies Lakshmana. On knowing that Lakshmana is pacified by Tara's reasoning Sugreeva makes his apologetic statement and affirms his support to Rama. Then Lakshmana's rage comes to a halt and he too is appeased by the open declaration of Sugreeva about his adherence to Rama, and Lakshmana asks him to come to Rama.

 

.

In that way when Tara has submissively argued with words containing probity, Saumitri gave assent to her perspective as he is soft by his nature. And when Lakshmana conceded to that argument of Tara, Sugreeva, the king of monkey-troops, got rid of his highly intense scare of Lakshmana, like the riddance of a dampened cloth. 

This may be said as: 'Sugreeva lost his scare as a dampened cloth looses its water on squeezing it. But here there is no squeezing.

Sugreeva, the king of vanara-s, then ripped apart the superb garland which is so far enwreathing his neck, and which has several strands according several gratifications, and he also became sober as though the insobriety is ripped from his mind. Sugreeva who is the most powerful one among all vanara-s, then placatingly spoke this humble sentence to Lakshmana, whose prowess is most formidable. 

"My prosperity, prominence and this perpetual kingdom of monkeys are once mislaid, but oh, Soumitri, I regained all this just by the beneficence of Rama. Who is capable of requiting Rama, oh, prince Lakshmana, even by a fraction of that kind of inestimable help taken from him, as that lord is renowned by actions particular to himself, like daring and eliminating Vali.

Or

"Who is capable of repudiating such a lordly Rama, even by a fraction of one's own bravery, unless he is prepared to tread that kind of path on which Vali has gone. 

"Virtue-souled Raghava reacquires Seetha, and even exterminates Ravana by himself with his own resplendence, while I and my assistance remain only in name. Basically, why some measures of succour need be extended to him who has ripped seven gigantic-trees, a mountain, and even the earth, all just with one arrow! He who outstretches his bow with a clangour by which the earth with its mountains quakes, oh, Lakshmana, to him these aides are really of what aid, indeed! Lakshmana, I just can tread behind that king of people, Rama, on his charging to eliminate enemy Ravana along with all of his vanguards, that's all. If I have overstepped either in faith or friendliness, in the least, that may be pardoned for I am an attendant of yours. By the way, none is unoffending. 

As to why and how the offence of one's own folk is to be pardoned, is explained. kimcit 'in the least...' if the fault is very negligible it is to be excused, for greater the intensity of the mistake, greater will be the impossibility to pardon, and to my mind it appears that I have not committed any fault in the least. yadi 'if at all...' any fault is there, now there is none at all, but if you think there is a trace of if, you pardon it. vishvaasaat 'by faith...' taking the advantage of the faith you reposed in me, I have not done any wrong. praNayena 'in friendliness...' taking our friendship as a casual connection and thinking that Rama will not harm me even if were to do whatever I like... even thus I have not offended. preSyasya 'moved by my will...' I have not committed any crime manasaa, vacaa, karmaNaa 'by mind, speech and action... or, by body, mind and soul...' But if you still estimate that I have offended you, you ought to pardon for I am yours, and if you go on punishing your own folk for very small reasons, who is there that is not a wrongdoer, whom do you leave off, and at the end who are they that remain to be protected by you?' Seetha also says 'who is there that causes no offence?' in Sundara Kanda.

Lakshmana is pleased with that great-souled Sugreeva who is speaking thus, and said this he said to him, indeed, in friendliness. 

"In anyway, my brother indeed has a defender with him, oh, king of vanara-s Sugreeva, especially you, who are a defender of your own word and a deferential one towards Rama. With this kind of preponderance and plainness you possess, Sugreeva, you are the only merited one to enjoy this unexcelled kingdom of monkeys. Before long, Sugreeva, dauntless Rama will be eliminating enemies in a war with you as his supporter, there is no doubt about it. You are the knower of virtuousness and gratefulness and you do not retreat from battlegrounds, or, on your own word, thus what you have said is conclusive as well as coherent. Even though one has capability to know his own lapse and speak it up, oh, ablest among Vanara-s, who is he that behoves outspokenly, excepting my elder brother and you. 

"You are a coequal to Rama by your valour and vigour and oh, best one among monkeys, gods have given you after a long time. 

The godsend and God-given has some discussion, where mythological import is that these Vanara-s are God-given and they existed even before the birth of Rama as Brahma ordered all gods to their progeniture. But Lakshmana is saying that Sugreeva is godsend gift and that too after a long time of their searching for Seetha, as thy have come searching for Sugreeva according to the advise of demon Kabandha.

"However, you quickly start from here along with me, oh, brave one, and embolden your friend who is anguishing in the despoilment of his wife. 

"Oh, friend, on hearing that which querulously spoken by Rama, who is downhearted in his anguish, I too reflexively spoke bitter-words to you, and thus whatever I spoke that may be pardoned.

This expression has detailed commentary insofar as the man-god relation. ucyamaano api paruSam na uttaram prati padyate 'though harsh words are spoken to Rama he does not rebut them...' This is evident when Khara, Duushana, Trishira, Vali, and other opponents confronted Rama. But here Rama querulously spoke of Sugreeva before despatching Lakshmana to Sugreeva. Because Sugreeva is his own adherent and such adherents to duty should not sidetrack themselves into earthly matters when an incredible mission is to be completed by them. That is why Rama came searching for Sugreeva alone basing of the information given by Kabandha.

If 'to err is human...' but 'to realize that error and making amends to it is divine...' That is what Sugreeva has done, at the suggestion of Hanuma, saying that: 'You pay deference to him with your forehead-bent...' as at 4-32-21. Sugreeva openly comes out to declare, 'who is he that does not err?' but he equally has the courage to accept what is amiss with him. From this it is concluded, that even if one does wrong, or sins, if he repentantly seeks pardon, his god, any god chosen by that devotee, will pardon him. This is the a kimcinatva 'selflessness in the least...' This is one among the many tenets of sharaNaagati 'dedication...' and this dedication is by manasaa, vacaa, karmaNaa 'by mind, speech and action... or, by body, mind and soul...' That is why Sugreeva says that he has not wronged by vishvaasaat, praNayena, preSyasya i.e., by body, mind or soul... so I am a true dedicate.

Then it may be asked as to why Lakshmana is enraged at Sugreeva. This is replied in two fold, 1] unable to see his brother's anguish Lakshmana vented out his ire; 2] Lakshmana being a total dedicate he wanted to reprimand the new dedicate Sugreeva and save him from his fickle-mindedness. That is why Lakshmana says sorry for what he has uttered in ire, earlier to the assertion of Sugreeva of his faithfulness. He asks Sugreeva to come to Rama, not to console Rama, but to embolden Rama saying that there is a real adherent in Sugreeva.

Thus, this is the 36th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 37

Monkey chiefs go round the earth at the behest of Sugreeva, to fetch all the monkey champions on earth to the presence of Sugreeva. They all go to different mountain, rivers, oceans, and forests and motivate all monkeys to reach Sugreeva at once. Further, having gone to Himalayas they find divine fruits, tubers and medicinal herbs there, which they fetch as royal gifts to Sugreeva. They all return to Sugreeva in the same time when Sugreeva is with Lakshmana and prior to the other monkeys that are summoned.

- - - .

When the great-souled Lakshmana spoke to Sugreeva in this way, Sugreeva spoke this word to Hanuma who is available at his side.

"Convoke the Vaanara-s available on the summits of these five mountains, namely Mt. Mahendra, Mt. Himalaya, Mt. Vindhya, and Mt. Kailash and those that are on the whitish peak of Mt. Mandara. As well as those that are on the mountains at seashore, udaya adri, namely 'sunrise-mountain,' which mountains will always be dazzling with the tinge of youthful sun. And them that are on the mountains which shine in the ochry hue of evening clouds, asta adri, namely 'sunset-mountain' and which mountains are situated at the Palace of Sun. And the catastrophic monkey chiefs that are abiding in the palm groves of Mt. Padma. Also thus, the fly-jumpers who are similar to black-mascara and black-clouds in their shine, and who match elephants in their vigour, and who live on Mt. Anjana, they too are to be convened. Those fly-jumpers whose complexion will be golden and dwell in the caves of Great-Mountain, besides those who are on the mountainsides of Mt. Meru, and those biding on the Black-Red mountain, along with those topmost speeded fly-jumpers living on Mt. Great-Ochre swilling palm-toddy, these are to be summoned. Further, the vanara-s who will be in the tinge of rising sun and who dwell in the highly delightful, richly fragrant and lofty woodlands that are surrounded with the delightful hermitages of sages are to be summoned. Along with them, the vanara-s who are in the interiors of forests, they are also to be called for. Why citing a few? Those and those monkeys that are on the earth, all of them are to be assembled. Oh, Hanuma, you quickly summon all of the topmost speeded vanara-s by employing concessions, conciliations and the like procedures.

Parable: The assumed Sun's Palace is to the East of earth. He dawns in the morning in east, travels westward, dusks in west, goes to his abode circling the earth to east, and for us he takes rest in his palace for the night and continues his next day's routine.

"In the first instance highly speedy vanara-s are hastened at my commanded, however, you hasten some more monkey chiefs for the purpose of hastening them. Those that are entangled with creature comforts, and those that are stringy dawdlers, you quickly lead all of those monkey chiefs in here. And such of those vanara-s that do not arrive within ten days by my command, those miscreants are eliminable as the abusers of king's decree. Let all the lionly monkeys available on earth that abide by my control start coming to this place in hundreds, thousands, even in millions, by my command. The champions of monkeys with ghastly aspects and similar in shine with the mountains and clouds shall start coming here by my command, fly-jumping as though to overcast the sky.

"Let those vanara-s who know the routes to the dwelling places of other monkeys expeditiously proceed on quick-routes, and gather all of the monkeys available on earth at my command." Sugreeva ordered Hanuma that way.

On hearing the order of Sugreeva, the king of vanara-s, Hanuma, the son of Air-god has started to dispatch valorous monkeys in all directions.

In a split-second, the vanara-s that are sent by the king of vanara-s have skyrocketed to the airways of birds and stars on their way, and indeed reached the vault of heaven, which was once trodden by Vishnu.

Vishnu stretched his foot heavenward and covered the intermediate sky with that single foot in Vamana, that Dwarf Boy, incarnation. From then on heaven is also called as tridiva. Thus it is said that the monkeys skyrocketed heavenward, i.e., to skies, but not to heaven.

After skyrocketing those monkeys have reached the monkeys that are living at seashores and islands, in the caves and crags of mountains, and at lakeshores and their surrounds, and motivated all of the monkeys available there towards the cause of Rama.

On hearing that command of the king of kings of Vanara-s, Sugreeva, who is semblable with the Death-god and Time-god, all of the monkeys have arrived with the terror of Sugreeva haunting them.

Then thirty million fly-jumpers whose swiftness is inconceivable, and whose shine is like that of black-mascara have sallied forth from mountain Anjana to there where Raghava is camping, i.e., Mt. Prasravana. Hundred million monkeys who take delight on the best mountain where the sun goes into dusk, namely the westerly mountains, asta adri, and whose hue is similar to the refined gold, for dusk has a golden hue, have jumped in. Vanara-s who are in the hue of lion's mane have turned up in thousand crores, say hundred billion, from the pinnacles of Mt. Kailash. Those that are sheltered on Himalayas subsisting on fruits and tubers have arrived in a thousand of thousand crores, say a trillion.

Millions and millions of Vanara-s whose looks and deeds are gruesome, and who equal the planet Mars in their crimson-flush, as they dwell on the hotbeds of Mt. Vindhya, have swiftly alighted from Mt. Vindhya.

The count of those vanara-s who are basically domiciled at the coasts of milky ocean, the residents of Tamala woodlands, and those who feed on coconuts dwelling in coconut groves, and who have presently come from those places is uncountable.

The milky ocean referred here is not to be construed as that of Vishnu. The word used for coconut here is naari kela whereas the real Sanskrit word is naari kera. While discussing some phonetic tendencies, Dr. Satya Vrat says 'Inter change of certain sounds is an accepted phonetic phenomena in Sanskrit. Many classical Sanskrit poets have based their double entendres on this... Ramayana, however, is somewhat different... it preserves only an odd instance of each of the interchange of 'Da' and 'la' and 'ra' and 'la'....' The phonetic licence takes from the rulings like: Da la yoH abhedaH; ra la yoH abhedaH; va ba yoH abhedaH 'there is no phonetic difference between Da or la, and ra or la, and va or ba'. At 7-26-6 of uutara raamayna the commonly known naari kela is used as naari kera, in it original phonetic form. And the Bengalis even now pronounce ba for va. Even the English keyboard of typewriters too, provide b adjacent to v .

That highly forceful military force of vanara-s has arrived from forests, caverns and riversides with their leaping and bounding on the sky blocking up the sun as if they have gulped him down.

It does not mean that these monkeys have devoured the sun as Hanuma did in his childhood. It is intended to say that the irrefutable sugreeva aaj~na 'Sugreeva's command...' as said in his order at ' monkeys have to come as though to overcast the sky' , at 4-37-14 above, is effectuated by these troops of monkeys, who seem to overcast the sky as if they are going to gorge the sun.

The Vanara-s who went from Kishkindha to hasten up all the other monkeys of all quarters, those champions have reached Himalayan Mountains and saw exceptional trees on them.

Usually it is said that 'they saw a great tree on Himalayan mountains...' which offers no speciality to the following verses. Instead of one tree, some decipher the meaning, that 'they have seen Himalayas with many a great tree...' thereby it will be reinforcing the 'doubt that occurred to Hanuma' in identifying Sanjivini herb among many trees.

On that best and auspicious mountain, once a glorious Vedic-ritual intending God Shiva took place, which pleased the hearts of all gods. There the vanara-s have seen luscious tubers and fruits similar to nectar, which have originated from the oblational food material spattered in the Vedic-ritual for Shiva. If one eats for one time, a little of those divine and heart-pleasing fruits and tubers that have taken their origin from that oblational food material, he remains satiated for a month. The best monkeys that are fruit-eaters have collected those divine fruits, tubers, and even the divine medicinal herbs. On going to the cardinal ground of Vedic-ritual which was performed once, those vanara-s fetched highly fragrant flowers in order to please Sugreeva.

On motivating all of the monkeys on earth, all those best monkeys who proceeded to forgather other monkeys, quickly returned to Kishkindha ahead of the forgathered troops of monkeys. Those quick paced monkeys quickly reached Kishkindha just at that moment when Lakshmana is still with Sugreeva, and those monkeys arrived at that place where Sugreeva is available along with Lakshmana.

Taking the medicinal herbs, fruits, and tubers along with them, all of those Vaanaras obliged Sugreeva to accept fruits, tubers and herbs as royal gifts, and they also spoke this word to Sugreeva.

"We have rounded up all the mountains, rivers, and forests even, and all of the Vanara-s available on earth are fetched to your fore according to your command." Thus the monkeys said to Sugreeva.

On listening these words then the king of fly-jumpers Sugreeva is gladdened and accepted the gifts brought from Himalayas from all of them.

- - -

Thus, this is the 37^th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. Himalayas from all of them

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 38

Sugreeva approaches Rama and falls prostrate on Rama's feet as though seeking pardon for the delay. Rama gets him up and mildly admonishes him. Then Sugreeva while giving the account of legions that are coming in, informs Rama that all the Vanara armies on earth are coming for confronting Ravana in battle. On asserting that Sugreeva is at his job, Rama is pleased heartily.

On receiving all those gifts brought in by the Vanara-s from Himalayas, Sugreeva dispersed them all with approbation. On dispersing thousands of monkeys who have effectuated their errand of summoning all monkeys on the earth, Sugreeva deemed that his own aspirations and as well as those of that great-mighty Rama are achieved. Gladdening Sugreeva who is indomitably mighty and the indomitable one among all vanara-s, Lakshmana spoke these courteous words to him, "oh, gentle one, if it please you, make an exit from Kishkindha."

On hearing the courteous words of Lakshmana Sugreeva is extremely pleased and he indeed spoke this sentence to him, "So be it. Let us go. I remain biddable in your command."

Sugreeva speaking thus to Lakshmana, whose person itself is auspicious, then bade adieu to Lady Tara and the other female vanara-s. Sugreeva shouted sharply saying, "come here," at the best monkey-adjutants and on hearing his call all of those monkeys that are spared to see the ladies of palace chambers have come there swiftly with their palms adjoined in supplication. Then the king Sugreeva whose refulgence is kindred to that of sun has said to those vanara-s that have arrived there, "oh, vanara-s, immediately position my palanquin before me."

On hearing his words those monkeys who are the adept ones in their agility right away brought an exquisite palanquin and readily started to position it at his nearby. And on seeing palanquin positioned at his nearby the king of monkeys Sugreeva said to Saumitri, "you mount it, Lakshmana, be quick." Saying so Sugreeva got into that golden carriage which in shine is like the sun and which has many monkey-carriers along with Lakshmana.

Sugreeva who achieved the kingdom of unexcelled magnificence has started out that magnificently to the high extolment of panegyrists, while a white royal-parasol spread overhead the palanquin, white fur-fans fanning him from all over, and while conch-shells are blowing loud and drums are drumming high. Sugreeva travelled thus surrounded with many hundreds of vanara-s, who look confrontational and who wielded weapons, to the place where Rama is staying.

On reaching the province where Rama is staying in all his adoration to that place, the great-resplendent Sugreeva descended the palanquin along with Lakshmana. When Sugreeva reached Rama he stood still with adjoined-palms, and when he remained still with palm-fold all the other monkeys stood still with palm-fold.

Rama became exultant of Sugreeva on seeing the massive army of Vanara-s which is just like a vast lake plethoric with buds of lotuses.

Terrible looking monkeys are compared with delicate lotus buds - is this a simile at all? Not So. The 'sense' dhvani in this is like this. The folded and adjoined palms of all the monkeys are looking like lotus buds. While adjoining palms they raised hands over their heads, where their bodies are appearing similar to the stems of lotuses, and folded palms are like unfolded lotus buds. Rama is gladdened because the lake called Sugreeva contains these many prayerful devotees who are praying with lotus-bud-like folded palms.

Raghava raised and tightly hugged the king of monkeys Sugreeva, who has prostrated himself with his head touching the feet of Rama, with care and credit. After hugging Sugreeva that virtue-souled Rama then said to him, "be seated." Then on seeing Sugreeva who took seat on ground Rama spoke to him.

"He alone is the king, oh, valiant Sugreeva, who always divides time for devoting himself to probity, prosperity and pleasure-seeking.

Say, mornings for duty-bound affairs, afternoons for financial matters, and nights for pleasure-seeking programs.

"If one devotes himself to pleasure-seeking alone, casting off the probity and like that the prosperity also, he is like the one who slept on a treetop who awakens only after falling down.

An out-and-out pleasure-seeker wakes up only when he runs into troubles. Till such time he uses slender branches and tender leaves available on the infirm treetop, called his pleasuring area, as his cushion bed and foam pillows.

"And the king who is bound up in eliminating unfriendly ones and bound up with forgathering friends, he will be enjoined with righteousness, and he even becomes the real enjoyer of the fruit of threefold virtues, namely dharma, artha, kaama - probity, prosperity and pleasures.

A sheer pleasure-seeker will be awakened when he suddenly falls from heights of pleasures, may it be due any factor like wealth, age or destitution. This happens if only he summarily rejects the other two, probity in life and pursuance to acquire real and everlasting prosperity, in lifetime. And a real king worth his kingship is the one who practises and enjoys all the threefold virtues, namely probity, prosperity and pleasures at appropriate timings and at appreciable limits, unlike Sugreeva who is indulgent in only one among those three, namely pleasures.

"Oh, enemy-eliminator, time for endeavour has come, oh, king of monkeys, let this be discussed along with your monkey-ministers." Thus Rama spoke to Sugreeva.

When Rama addressed him in this way, Sugreeva said these words to Rama, "oh, dextrous Rama, by your beneficence I have repossessed prosperity, popularity and this everlasting kingdom of monkeys which are actually mislaid.

"Oh, god, by your and your brother's benevolence alone I regained what I lost, oh, victorious one among victors, and he who does not requite the favour that has been done for him will become the vitiator of probity among men. These are the hundreds of vanara chiefs, oh, enemy-subjugator, who have just returned on forgathering all of the forceful vanara-s on earth.

"Oh, Raghava, the legatee of Raghu, those vanara-s with dreadful appearance, and who are the experts in permeating the impenetrable forests, woodlands and impassable mountains are coming. And the bears, monkeys and brave baboons who are the children of gods and gandharva-s, and who change their guise just by their wish are halfway through on their path duly fenced round with one's own forces.

"Oh, king, some of the fly-jumpers that are arriving are with a hundred-legion, some with a hundred-thousand legion, and even some with millions of legions, while the some are on the way with specific legions like aayuta-s, shanku-s. And oh, valiant one Rama, some with legions of arbuda-s, and some with hundreds of arbuda-s, some with madhya-s, and some with antaH-s are coming. Some more are coming with samudra-s and some with paraardha-s legions of monkeys. Oh, enemy-flamer Rama, the legions of monkeys along with their monkey commanders who are viable to Mahendra in valour, and who compare with massive clouds and mountains, and who domiciled on Mt. Meru and Mt. Vindhya will be coming in your service.

In the Indian counting system hundred thousands becomes one lakh, [1,00, 000.] One hundred lakhs become one crore, [10,000,000.] The ancient Indian legionaries have names like aayuta 'one thousand per unit...' shanku 'one lakh crores...' a trillion - 10¹². One arbuda 'thousand shanku-s...' madhyama 'ten arbuda-s...' antam 'ten madhyama-s...' samudra 'twenty antya-s...' paraardha 'thirty samudra-s...' Rama Tilaka says that by giving these numbers it is to be understood that 'innumerable monkeys are coming...' But others hold the view that the ancients have organised military pattern hence particular nomenclature is given to each, apart from the generalisation of Rama Tilaka.

Govindaraja takes up the enumeration as given in Indian Astrology, which multiplies ten times each, as said in verse:

ekam dasha shatam asmaat sahasram ayutam tataH param lakSham | prayutam koTim atha arbudam vR^inde kharvam nikharvam ca | tasmaat mahaa sarojam shankum saritaam patim tvat antam | madhyam paraadham aaruuhya atha uttaram dasha guNam tathaa j~neyam ||  'one, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, one lakh, prayutam 'ten lakhs or a million, then a crore and then an arbuda ten-crore or a billion, and then ten arbuda-s makes one bR^inda and ten brinda-s make one kharva and ten kharva-s make one nikharva and ten nikharva-s make one mahaa padma and ten mahaa padma-s make one shanku 'one lakh crores or a trillion, and ten shanku-s make one samudra and then ten samudra-s make one anta and ten anta-s make a madhyama and ten madhyama-s make one paraardha it may be known thus...

By this, the nomenclature of million, billion and trillion was there in ancient days and this may be observed by the names: prayutam 'a million...' arbuda 'a billion..' and shanku 'a trillion...' and this exactly relates to the decimal system which is based on the number ten, in which the smaller units are related to the principal units as powers of ten [units, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.]

"Those vanara-s who are combative in wars, and those who can fetch Maithili on eliminating Ravana in war, will be approaching you soon." Thus Sugreeva informed Rama.

Then on seeing the perfect effort made by the prominent one among all monkeys, Sugreeva, who is operating under his control, the eyes of valorous prince Rama are widened in jubilance, like the well-bloomed blue-lotuses.

 Thus, this is the 38th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 39

 

Millions and millions of monkeys arrive with their troop-leaders to the control of Sugreeva. Rama's intent to wage war with Ravana is informed to Sugreeva. And Sugreeva who is interested for requital of the help rendered by Rama informs that all the monkeys on earth are ushered to remain in the service of Rama. While Sugreeva is informing about the arrival of monkeys, in a split-second that place is further crammed up with troops and troops of monkey-warriors.

 

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Rama, the best proponent of probity, happily embraced Sugreeva with both of his arms and replied him who is speaking in this way suppliantly adjoining palms at Rama. 

"There is no wonder, oh, enemy-flamer, if Indra gives rain, or if that thousand-rayed sun makes the sky undark, or if the moon makes night shiny with his moonshine, so also oh, gentle one, if a true-friend of your kind gladdens his indigent-friend, there is no wonder. In this way, oh, nice Sugreeva, that helpful nature which is decorously prevailing in you, ushering you for organising the worthwhile, will not be a wonder but natural. I am aware that you have always been the exponent of affability. 

"With you as the helmsman, oh, friend, I will be triumphing over all the enemies, and you alone are worthy to proffer a helping hand to me as a good-hearted friend of mine. That knavish demon Ravana deceitfully carried off Vaidehi for his own extinction, as demon Anuhlaada carried off Sachi Devi, the daughter of Puloma. 

Myth: Shaci Devi, the wife of Indra, is the daughter of a demon called Puloma, the son of Danu. One named Anuhlaada, the son of Hiranyakshyapa, on deceiving Indra abducted Shaci Devi with the consent of her father Puloma. Then Indra infuriated at Puloma, the father of Sachi Devi, for making the abduction possible, killed him. Thereby Indra got a name Pulomajit.

"As soon as possible I wish to eliminate that Ravana with sharp arrows, as has been done by the enemy slyer Indra when he eliminated the insolent father of Sachi Devi, namely Puloma." Thus Rama is about to tell other things to Sugreeva, but... In the meanwhile dust started to overcast the sky covering the intensely scorching radiation of the sun. 

Stained with that darkness the directions are confounded, and the entire earth together with its mountains, woods, and forests has wobbled. In a split-second the entire ground is then enshrouded with incalculable fly-jumpers whose size is mountainous, fangs excruciating, and might abnormal, and each monkey commander is surrounded with hundreds of millions of legions of monkeys, who by their wish can change of their guise, and these monkeys of amazing strength have come crashing war-whoops as clouds letting out thunders while they are on their way from their habitation like riversides, seashores, mountains, and some other monkeys have come from forests as they are forest dwellers, and in the vast of masses their complexion alone remained as an identity to their habitation, like the stripe of tender-sun of some monkeys is marking them from the place of rising sun, moon-white body colour of some more telling that they are from the place of nightly moon, and the colour of skin looking like lotus-fibrils of many more indicates that they are from fertile watery lands, and the snow-white complexion of yet some more indicates that the dwelling place of those monkeys is Mt. Meru. 

In the meantime the arrival of a distinguished and valorous vanara named Shatabali, hemmed in with ten thousand crores of vanara-s, came into the view of Rama and others. Sushena, the father of Lady Tara, a valorous one with the sheen of golden mountain then appeared with very many thousands of crores of vanara-s. Like that the most efficient vanara-chief Taara, the father of Ruma and Sugreeva's father-in-law, turned up with another thousand crores of vanara-s following him. 

Honourable Kesari, the father of Hanuma, with his bodily gleam like that of the fibrils of lotuses and visage glittering in the gleam of nascent sun, and who is an intellectual, graceful and prominent vanara among all the vanara-s, then came into view associated with thousands and thousands of armies of vanara-s. 

Gavaaksha, the formidably adventurous sovereign of baboons is then seen encircled by a thousand crore vanara-s. Dhuumra, the enemy destroyer, marched to the fore of Rama and others surrounded with two thousand crores of bears which have frightful fastness. The highly valorous commander named Panasa has then arrived attended by a three crore legion of horrendous vanara-s who are beaming forth like gigantic mountains. Commander Niila has then come into view with his colossal and blackish mascara mound-like body encircled by ten crores of vanara-s that are selfsame to their leader. Then the great-mighty commander named Gavaya whose bodily sheen is like that of a golden mountain has come forth surrounded by five crores of vanara-s. Dariimukha, the mighty commander then came along with a thousand crore vanara-s and he stayed nearby Sugreeva drawing nigh of him. Both Mainda and Dvivida, the great-mighty sons Ashvini-twin gods have then appeared, each with a thousand crore vanara-s. The mighty, braving and highly resplendent Gaja came forth to the near of Sugreeva encompassed by three crores of vanara-s. 

A great resplendent one who is renowned by his name Jambavanta has then come with a brigade of ten crore bears spreading around him and stood firm under the control of Sugreeva. A blaze-like mighty vanara named Rumana came swiftly surrounded with a hundred crore legion of vanara-s who are highly venturesome. Gandhamaadana has then arrived while ten thousand crores and hundred thousand crores of monkeys are following him at his behind. 

Angada, the crown prince of Kishkindha, who matches his father Vali in valour has then turned up with a thousand padma legions and a hundred shanku legions of vanara-s. Tara, the vanara-commander, whose sparkle is as that of stars and whose valour is remarkable then appeared at a distance with five crore monkeys. Indrajaanu, the brave monkey commander who is the chief of eleven crores of monkeys has appeared then encompassed by selfsame vanara troopers. Rambha whose bodily glow is like that of tender-sun has then come forth fenced in a thousand plus a hundred of aayuta-s of vanara legions. A braving and powerful legion commander of vanara-s named Durmukha has then appeared encompassed with two crores of vanara-s. 

Then Hanuma appeared with a thousand crore vanara-s encompassing him who in shape are like the summits of Mt. Kailash and whose bravery is formidable. 

Highly vigorous Nala has also arrived while he is surrounded with a hundred crore one thousand and one hundred monkeys, the dwellers on trees. Dadhimukha, the salutary vanara-chief then arrived at the near of that great-souled Sugreeva encircled by a ten crore vanara-s who are all blaring highly. 

Sharabha, Kumuda, Vahni, also even Ramha, these and many other vanara-s have come who by their wish are the guise-changers. And many of those other commanders who have presented themselves along with their troops, overspreading the earth inclusive of its mountains and forests, their count is unknown. 

All those fly-jumpers arrived by swinging, flying and thundering, and all of the monkeys on earth have arrived thus, presented themselves and settled down around Sugreeva as if a number of clouds are cramming the sun. 

While arriving those monkeys made many a hue and cry of war, and those outstanding monkeys who are armed with a pair of their own arms have informed the vanara king Sugreeva about their arrival by tilting up their heads as in roll-call or in headcount. As befitting to them the other vanara leaders have come together to meet Sugreeva, and on their meeting with Sugreeva then they stayed behind with their palms adjoined. Then Sugreeva, the knower of rectitude, promptly informed about all of those paramount monkeys to Rama as to who is who, and staying with folded palms he addressed the forgathered monkey chiefs. 

"Oh, chiefs of vanara-s, on procedurally camping your forces everywhere on mountains, at riversides, and in forests according their comfort, the knower of absolute force, Rama, expects to inspect them to infer the forcefulness of your forces. 

The count of the monkeys who followed their leaders cannot be rendered into million, billion counts, precisely. But when all of them are put together they result into the numerals as contained in Yajur Veda taittariiya as said in Dharmaakuutam. ek˜ ca daþa þatam ca sahasram ca ayutam ca prayutam ca nyavrindam ca samudra× ca madhyam ca anta× ca par˜dha× Yajur Veda taittariiya v˜nara pramukh˜ mah˜ prabh˜v˜ daþa sahasra ko÷i b®nda khara nikharva anta madhya par˜rdha aneka par˜rdha saðkhy˜kai× aprameya par˜kramai× v˜narai× pariv®t˜ sam˜gat˜× sugrŸveõa ca yath˜ sukham viniveþit˜× ca - Dharmaakuutam - Further he goes on to quote Leelavati mathematics: lŸl˜vatŸ gaõita þ˜stre siddhanta þiromaõe -

eka daþa þata sahasra ˜yuta lakÿa prayuta ko÷ya× kramaþa× |
arbudam abdam kharva nikharvam mah˜padmam þankhava× tasm˜t ||
nidhi× ca antam madhyam par˜rdham iti daþa guõa uttaram samjñ˜× |
samkhy˜y˜× sth˜n˜n˜m vyavah˜ra artham k®t˜× p¨rvai× iti ||

Thus, this is the 39th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 40

     

Sugreeva orders vanara-s to search east under the leadership of Vinata, a mighty vanara. Firstly he dedicates all the vanara forces to Rama, but Rama desired to know whether Seetha is alive or not, and if so at what place. Then Sugreeva commissioning Vinata explains the topography and geography of Eastern side of the jambuu dwiipa, 'the Indian subcontinent,' and its eastward, comprising whole of South-East Asia. This is the first chronicle ever recorded about the lands and oceans, islands and dwellers in there, as far as Ancient Indian Geography is concerned.

 

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The lord of fly-jumpers, king Sugreeva, who by now is replete with every means, then spoke to the tigerly-man and the vanquisher of enemy's might, Rama. "The mighty vanara chiefs who are guise-changers by their wish and who in sheen are like Mahendra, and who dwell in my province have arrived and they are properly encamped too. Those ghastly vanara-chiefs who are a match to the monsters and ogres have arrived with these diversely triumphant, terribly victorious and mighty vanara-soldiers. 

"Oh, Rama, these vanara-s are acclaimed for undertaking impossible deeds, and they will accomplish whatever task they have undertaken. They are powerful ones who have overcome weariness. They are renowned for their confrontation and noteworthy in their manoeuvres. These who are the dwellers on diverse mountains can travel either on earth or on water. Such as they are these vanara-s have come in millionfold as your servants. 

Vividly: 'These vanara-s are acclaimed for their impossible deeds like jumping over oceans, swinging from mountains to mountains, even lifting mountainous mass etc., thus any impracticable task is assignable to them, and hitherto each and every infeasible task undertaken by them is accomplished by each of them, thus they all are dependable... these are not only powerful individually, but they also have overpowered their individual weariness, thus they pursue any task unweariedly... and these are renowned for their complicate confrontations and noteworthy manoeuvres...'

"All of them will conduct themselves in orderliness and all abide by the welfare of their king, and oh, Rama, the enemy-repressor, they will be able to discharge whatever task entrusted to them at your discretion. Such of those ghastly vanara-chiefs who are a match to the monsters and ogres have arrived with these diversely triumphant, terribly victorious and mighty vanara-soldiers. 

This verse may appear similar to verse 3 above but differs in mood of the dialogue.

"Oh, the manly-tiger Rama, whichever you think fit and seasonable that may be said. It will be apt of you to give orders to this vanara force since this has joined up under your command. In fact, this task of yours is known to me in its nature. Even then, it will be apt of you to give them orders as befitting." Thus Sugreeva spoke to Rama. 

This verse has different shades in different mms. Dharmaakuutam has this as kaamam eSaam idam kaarye viditam viira tattvataH then it means that 'I know how to use them in this task...' Some other mms have it to mean: 'Myself and these vanara-s know the task but we are waiting for formal orders from you...' anena prabhu sannidhau svena sv˜tantryam na avalambanŸyam | kintu tad uktam eva srotavyam iti s¨citam - dk 'In the presence of the supreme commander, a lower level commander cannot and should not act independently. Whatever is said by the chief is to be carried out...' This is the foremost discipline required of any army personnel.

While Sugreeva is speaking thus, Rama the son of Dasharatha heartily hugged him with both of his arms and said this word to him. "Oh, gracious Sugreeva, whether Vaidehi is alive or not - it shall be known. Likewise, oh, well-informed one that place in which Ravana dwells - it is to be determined, at the outset. Only on knowing about Vaidehi, also about the dwelling place of Ravana, I will order for the timely action at that time, that too, after deliberating with you. Oh, chief of vanara-s, I am not the master of this task, nor Lakshmana is, but you, oh king of fly-jumpers, are the catalyst and master of this task of searching Seetha. 

"Oh, lord of vanara-s, you alone have to give orders for the right determination of my task, and what my task is, oh, valiant one, you are fully aware of it, isn't it. And it is inoffensive of you to issue orders in this regard. 

"You are a kind-hearted one. To me you are the second-best one, first being Lakshmana. More so, you are a valorous vanara, an intellectual, a knower of the scope of the time and you joined forces with us in our welfare, a partner and a patron of ours, and the best one among all those who are aware of our intentions." Thus Rama said to Sugreeva. 

The often repeated word of Rama 'my task, my mission...' is not just regaining Seetha, but the complete elimination of demon's clan, for which Seetha is the conditional and instrumental entity. The masters have to repose absolute confidence in servants unconditionally to get things done: anena prabhuõ˜ api ˜ptatame abhijñe artha s˜dhake sv˜tantryam ˜dh˜ya k˜ryam s˜dhanŸyam iti s¨citam - dk.

When Rama said so, Sugreeva spoke in the presence of Rama and the observant Lakshmana, to a mightiest chief of fly-jumpers, named Vinata, who is a commander of vanara army, who is like a mountain in his sheen and who thunders like a cloud. 

"Oh, Vinata, the best vanara, you are an expert in determining the tasks in consonance with time, place and probity. Hence, you along with vanara-s, whose glow shall be like the moon and sun for they shall be from the progeny of Sun and Moon, and even accompanied with a hundred thousand, say one lakh, other powerful vanara-s, shall go over Eastern direction of the earth inclusive of its mountains, woodlands and forests. 

In some translations the second foot's gist is also attributed to Vinata, i.e., Vinata is with the glow of sun, moon etc., but it is for the progeny of the Sun and Moon gods, who are to follow Vinata.

"There in the East, the forests, mountains and impassable places shall be searched for the princess from Videha kingdom, namely Seetha, and even for the residency of Ravana. 

The eastside is not the eastside of Kishkindha, but to the East of jambuu dviipa 'Indian subcontinent... inclusive of South-East Asia...' The meridian of the Saraswati Triveni - the confluence of rivers Ila, Bharati, and Saraswati - is still the prime meridian for Indian astronomers. The first observatory Ujjain Observatory is on this meridian. uddicya pascimottara× tasy˜× þar˜vaty˜× avadhe× ya× pascimotta× - sa uddicya iti ucyate Taking Ujjain, the place where one ancient river flowed circuitously in Central India, named Sharavati, as the centre of the country, the ancient astronomers have decided the quarters. So, Sugreeva said about the absolute east of India but not about the east of his small kingdom.

"Search shall be conducted at the riversides of heartening rivers like River Bhaagiirathi, another name for River Ganga, and River Sarayu, like that at River Kaushiki, and at the pleasing surrounds of River Yamuna, and on Mt. Kalinda, as well at River Saraswati, River Sindhu and at the river whose waters are lustrous like gems, namely River Shona, and further at River Mahi and River Kaalamahi which rivers are brightened by mountains and forests surrounding them. And the kingdoms like Brahmamaala, Videha, Maalva, Kaashi, and Kosala, and in Maagadha, which kingdom has grand villages, and in that way, also in the kingdoms of Pundra and Anga, and in the countries of the kings called Koshakaara, and in the provinces of silver mines search is to be conducted. 

The mention of these two western rivers, Saraswati and Sindhu, at this eastern place, to where Vinata is being sent, is a disputed matter. The River Saraswati is the river of Vedic period that once coursed but later disappeared or is coursing underground. This river is 'this creative centre of Man, River Saraswati, was made by the deva-s...' Rig Veda, 3.33.4, and 'all life takes its origin from your [Saraswati womb... Rig Veda, 2-4, 9-17. Presently research work is undertaken to find out this river under the banner 'Saraswati Nadi Shodh Abhiyaan' and they are trying to find out the palaeodrainage, the buried course of this river. It is believed that this perennial river was flowing from Himalayas through Punjab, Haryana, Western Rajasthan, and through the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, and it is said that if this could be traced an abundant source of underground water could be established.

Likewise, the mention about Sindhu at this place does not relate to westerly Indus River, because any river or rivulet is generally called Sindhu: deshe nada visheSe abdau sindhurnaa sariti striyaam - amara kosha. Sugreeva separately indicates Indus river at 15th verse, chapter 42: sindhu saagarayoH caiva sangame... Hence it is taken as another easterly river called Indusa.

So also the river Mahi as said in next verse, on which Griffith says that 'The Mahii River rises in Malwa [Malwa Plateau, Madhya Pradesh, and falls in the Gulf of Cambay after a westerly course of 280 miles...' But the Ancient Geography of India says that 'the mention of this river is out of place here and is probably due to erroneous transposition of the verses...'

It is generally accepted that many verses in these episodes of Sugreeva's narrating the geography are shuffled. The River Shona is present day Shon, and Kaushiki is Koshi, and she is the sister of Vishvamitra. That sage explains about the emergence of this river in Bala Kanda.

Videha is Mithila, the kingdom from where Seetha came to Ayodhya, this and Anga kingdoms were roughly present West Bengal. Magadha is the famous post Buddhist period kingdom, ruling from present-day Bihar. Huen Tsong recorded that 'to the north of Magadha, River Ganga courses, to the west of it Kaashi province is there, and in east hiraNya parvata [Maanghir is there, and in south giraNa suvarNa [singa bhuumi is there... and its capital is kusuma pura [paaTalii putra present day Patna. Next, the word 'koshakaara is literally a silkworm or one who makes scabbards or a lexicographer. It is also referred to the kings of these clans.

"While you explore those places in their entirety, thereabout you have to search for Rama's dear wife and king Dasharatha's daughter-in-law Seetha.

"Oh, forest dwelling vanara-s, you shall search on the mountains and in the townships that are steeped in the ocean. And you have to search on the peak of Mt. Mandara, where some extensive and unsightly beings are harboured, and at places where some other beings live with odd physical features. Some of them have no ears, while some have their lips as their ears. Some are with grisly faces like iron-faced-beings while some beings, although they are single-footed, yet they are very rapid. While some tribals are unkillable and mighty man-eaters, some other have golden complexion, and they will be pleasant in their appearance with towering wisps. Some other tribals who live on islands budging underwater as they are raw fish eaters and they are observed upon as horrific man-tigers i.e., half-man and half-tiger, like mermaids. All of their dwellings are to be searched in jambuu dwiipa, the tableland that contains bharata varSa, namely India. And you have to go beyond this to other easterly places that are reachable either by mountaineering, or by hopping, or even by boating. 

"You strive hard in the island of Yava, which will be splendorous with seven kingdoms, like that even in Golden and Silver islands that are enwreathed with gold-mines, in and around Yava islands. On crossing over Yava Island, there is a mountain named Shishira, which touches heaven with its peak, and which gods and demons adore. You shall collectively rake through all the impassable mountains, waterfalls, and forests in these islands for the glorious wife of Rama. 

The Yava Island is taken as the present day Jawa Island, and the seven kingdoms referred may compare to Jawa, Sumatra, Bali, Indonesia etc. It is believed that around 10 to 8 millennia B.C., there used to be a continuous landmass from Burma to Central America, which is why Maya civilization has flourished there via this route. Later in time due to tectonic activity, the northern India's landmass rose up and southern sunk down. [Chronology of Ancient Bharath, by Prof. K. Srinivasa Raghavan, published by 'Sri Aurobindo Study Circle, Triplicane, Chennai, in year 1896. It is therefore presumable that the islands of Indian Archipelago are so numerous and so nearly situated. However, this splintering of islands may have happened by the time of Ramayana, since the Sage-poet of Ramayana is citing them as dwiipa, islands.

Regarding the difference between the names of Yava and Jawa the word ya in Sanskrit becomes ja in vernaculars tadbhava pada. Hence Yava became Java, as simha pruri 'lion-city' became the present day Singapore.

On this point of Yava/Java island as said in Ramayana, Sri Kedarnath Basu notes in his 'Hindu Civilization': 'The reader may note here that java dwiipa described as consisting of seven kingdoms was probably the group of islands now called the Indian Archipelago, of which Java was at that time the most powerful. The chief islands of this group are Sumatra, [say, su mitra= good friend, Java, Bali, [the benefactor; Borneo, [or varuNa, the Rain-god, and Celebes. More details are with: Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, who are publishing 'Vivekananda Kendra Patrika' an encyclopaedic journal on Ancient India.

"Then, having gone to the other coast of the ocean you reach River Shona, waters of which will be reddish with deep and speedy drift, and which is adored by siddha-s and carana-s. You have to scout thereabout for Vaidehi as well as for Ravana, at those beautiful ghats, say littorals of that Shona River, and in the amazing forests alongshore. Then proceed to an island called Plaksha Island. 

"On that Plaksha Island very vast rivers emerge from mountains, but alongshore they have many pleasure gardens. You have to search in those gardens and at rivers together with cavernous mountains and forests of that island, and then proceed to Ikshu Island. 

"It will be apt of you to proceed from there and see the terribly furious, tempestuous, blaring, and tide-ripped ocean called ikshu samudra, Salt Ocean, and that ocean's islands which will be extremely ghastly. 

"That ocean which mirrors a dark cloud and hallowed by great serpents, and which blares blatantly is to be traversed only by it shores or tactfully, to avoid shadow-capturing of its inhabitants. There you will see colossal bodied demons with everlasting hunger inhibiting that ocean, which demons always capture prey by the shadow of prey as endued by Brahma. From there, on going to the disastrous ocean named Lohita, Red Ocean, for its waters are red, you shall see the colossal tree Kuuta-shalmali. This island is called shaalmali dwiipa, Shaalmali Island because oif this tree. 

This kuuta-shalmali tree in Indian variety is Andersonia Rohitaka, and in Malayan, Malaysian variety, it is Kapok tree, [Ceiba pentandra, the seeds of which are covered with silk cotton. Because it is on Shalmali Island, one among Java, Sumatra etc., islands, it is called kuuTa shalmali tree. The Red Ocean is also called madhu samudra 'Wine Ocean.'

"On that Shalmali Island in Wine Ocean you will be seeing the mansion of Vinata's son, namely Garuda, the Eagle-vehicle of Vishnu, which is decorated with numerous jewels, and which in sheen will be like Mt. Kailash, the abode of Shiva. This mansion is a construction of Vishvakarma, the Heavenly Architect. Thereabout horrifying and merciless demons of various shapes and similar to mountains in size, called Mandeha-s, will be dangling upside down from mountain peaks. 

"Day after day those demons will be falling in water when sun always burns them at sunrise and when the impetus of Gayatri hymn fells them down, yet they will be resurfacing and dangling on the mountaintops day after day. 

Mandeha beings will try to hinder the path of the Sun daily at the time of sunrise to grasp Him. At that time, the devout Gayatri hymn chanters will be chanting Gayatri and offering water oblations to Gayatri. These watery oblations and the force of Gayatri hymn will hit the Mandeha-s out, making the Sun's path clear of any obstruction. And the Sun proceeding on his way will burn them down. But Mandeha-s regain their lives and start repeating the same obstruction of Sun's path on next morning by dangling from the peaks of mountain and they are again tossed into oceans, by water oblations and Gayatri hymn, day after day. The hymn in yajur veda taittariiya says about this: tadu ha v˜ ete brahma v˜dina× p¨rv˜ abhimukha× s˜ndhy˜y˜m g˜yatry˜ abhimantry˜ ˜pa ¨rdhvam vikÿipanti - t˜ et˜ ˜pe vajrŸ bh¨tv˜ t˜ni rakÿ˜msi mandeh˜ ˜ruõe dvŸpe prakÿipanti .

"Oh, unassailable vanara-s, on your going therefrom you shall see the milk ocean, which will be like a whitish cloud in its shine, and even like a pearly necklace while her ripples will be swaying. 

Here some more Indian Mythological oceans like sarpi, dadhi etc., are not said. The mythological oceans are lavaNa, ikshu, suraa, sarpi, dadhi, dugdha jalaiH samam salt, sugar-cane juice, ghee [clarified butter, curds, milk - oceans. Further, some islands like Kusha, Kraunca etc., are also unsaid. Though all are not explicitly listed in the text, the vanara-s are supposed to search those unsaid oceans and islands implicitly.

"In the centre of that milk ocean there is a white mountain of colossal size, named Rishabha, surrounded with closely growing trees ever flowered with flowers of heavenly fragrance. And a lake renowned as Lake Sudarshana is also there, which is replete with silvery lotuses whose fibrils are golden in sparkle, and in which kingly swans will be scampering about. To enjoy frolicking in that Sudarshana Lake the gods, caarana-s, yaksha-s, kinnaraa-s and hosts of apsara females will be arriving at that lotus-lake gladsomely. 

"And on crossing over the milky ocean, oh vanara-s, then you will be immediately seeing the soft-water ocean which will be frightening to all beings. There exists a fantastically refulgent Fire in the form of Horse's Face that originated from the anger of Sage Aurasa. The victuals to that Fire is said to be that highly speedy waves of the ocean, together with all of the mobile and sessile beings of the world at the close of each Era. 

Aurasa derives from the word uuru, meaning 'the thigh.' The mother this sage hid him under her thigh when some kings came to kill, as such he got this name. Then with vengeance this sage started to burn the world with his yogic fire, but his manes came to him to pacify and asked him to release his yogic fire in oceanic water. When he did so, that fire remained underwater, ready to emerge from a cavity like that of a she-horse's mouth, from beneath the ocean from the South Pole. This fire is called vaDaba agni, or baDaba anala , referred here as Horse's Face. At the time of yuga anta, End of Era, that fire emerges out, and the whole creation, with all its sessile and mobile beings, becomes its fuel, as said in next verse. This episode is detailed in aadi parva , First Canto, Maha Bharata.

"There the high squealing sounds of oceanic beings dwelling undersea are audible, and although they are capable ones, they are incapacitated on feeling Fire from the Horse Mouth as such they yell. 

"On the northern province of that soft-water ocean there is a hugely enormous mountain named Jaataruupa-shila, Golden Rock Mountain, which glitters like gold and which spreads across thirteen yojana-s. There you shall see then, oh, vanara-s, the lotus-petal broad-eyed thousand-hooded serpent god in black clothing, namely Ananta, sitting on the top of that mountain and sustaining the earth on his head, who will be like moon in his brilliance and whom all beings hold in reverence. 

Ananta means infinite, the infinite Thousand-hooded serpent-god also called as aadi shSa the couch of Vishnu. This word ananta is also symbolic with the infinite space that is supporting the galaxies, planets, and stars, of which earth is but one globe.

"A golden pylon resembling a palm tree with three branches as its heads is established on the peak of that mountain as the insignia of that great-souled Ananta, and it will be lustrous with a golden podium. That pylon of palm tree is constructed as the easterly compass by celestials gods, and beyond that a completely golden mountain is there, namely the august Udaya Mountain, the Mt. Sunrise, beyond which it is all west. The pinnacles of Mt. Sunrise will be touching heavens for their height is hundred yojana-s and that divine mountain greatly glitters for it is completely golden, and it is pedestalled with suchlike glittering mountains. 

William's Vishnu Purana states: 'here is an interesting reference to the physical phenomena of the apparent diurnal motion of the sun, which sets in the west [America, and reappears again in the east jambu dviipa, the central continent, Asia...'

"That Mt. Sunrise will be splendorous with well flowered and beautiful saala, palm, Tamaala, and Karnikaara trees which are completely golden in hue and which will be glittering similar to sun. On the apex of that Mt. Sunrise there is another pinnacle with one yojana width and ten yojana-s height named Saumanasa, which is completely golden and very firm. Earlier while treading the three worlds in the incarnation of Trivikrama, the Supreme Person Vishnu made His first foothold on that pinnacle Saumanasa, and the second on the pinnacle of Mt. Meru to tread the heavens. The Sun is by far discernable in Jambu Dwiipa when he rises on this zenithal pinnacle Saumanasa, after he had circled the Jambu Dwiipa in a northerly route. 

The sunrises in the East on the peak of this Saumanasa which is on the zenith of Udaya Mountain. Then he traverses above Jambu Dwiipa, Indian Subcontinent, including South-East Asia, and sets in the West on the mountains called asta adri, ' the Sunset Mountain.' Then he courses northerly on the other side of the globe via Mt. Meru in heavens at the other side of Jambu Dwiipa, only to rise again on this Mt. Sunrise. As Jambu Dwiipa, the subcontinent lies southerly to that heavenly Mt. Meru, and down East-South of Saumanasa, this subcontinent can happily see the First Sun, daily. This gives raise to the Indian name of India, that is Bhaarata, bhaa rataH Sun, delights...' The place where the Sun delights firstly, that is Bhaarat...'

"There the great-sages with nomenclature of Vaikhanasa-s and Vaalakhilyaa-s will come into view with an ambience of luminosity, for those ascetics will be with the resplendence of the Sun. 

Valakhilya-s and Vaikhaanasaa-s are two different groups of ascetics and these sages Vaalakhilyaa-s are sixty thousand in number as said in Vishnu Purana. Their account is given in the opening chapters of Aranya Kanda.

"In the presence of which resplendence the eyes of all living beings will become enlightened, and whereat that illuminating entity of universe, namely the Sun, will be sojourning, this is that Sudarshana Island, named so because it contains Sudarshana lake. On the top of that Mt. Sunrise, and even in its cave and forests of that island Ravana is to be searched, together with Seetha. The eastern aurora glows redly because the golden hue of Mt. Sunrise imbricates the resplendence of the beneficent Sun. 

"In the beginning Brahma, the Creator, ordained this Mt. Sunrise to be the gateway for the earth to heaven, and even as the rising place for the Sun, as such this is verily said as the 'eastern quarter' of the compass. 

Dharmaakuutam says that Maha Bharata defines these quarters in detail: anena purva nirmita dvŸpa yog˜t v˜ p¨rvam s¨ryasya tatra darþan˜d v˜ iyam dik p¨rve iti ucyata iti uktam | ittham ca p¨rvasya diþa× itar˜s˜m cadiþ˜m nirvacanam udyoga parve -dk - yasm˜t udayate p¨rvam sarva loka pradŸpaka || savit˜ yatra s˜dhy˜n˜m prathamam vartate tapa× | mah˜ bh˜rata

"Ransack that mountain's peak, even thereabout the rapids and caverns of that mountain for Vaidehi, and even for Ravana. Beyond Mt. Sunrise the eastern quarter is impassable. It will be hemmed in with gods since it the gateway to heaven, and everything is imperceivable hedged in oblivion, since it will be void of both Sun and Moon. Janaki shall be scouted out on all those mountains, caverns and forests that are indicated by me, and even at places that are not indicated by me. It is possible for the vanara-s to go only up to there, oh, best vanara-s, and we have no knowledge of those sunless and boundless realms available far and beyond. 

"You shall comeback within a month on finding out Vaidehi and the residency of Ravana after your reaching Mt. Sunrise. And none shall stay behind for more than a month, and if anyone stays I have to exercise coup de grace. So, you shall return with your purpose accomplished in exploring for Maithili. 

"On searching the eastern quarter expertly, which quarter is cherished by no less than Mahendra and which is circuited by the grooves of forests, and on attaining Seetha, the dear wife of the one born in Raghu's dynasty, namely Rama, and on returning from that Far East, you all may livelong happily." Thus Sugreeva addressed the vanara-s that are being sent to East under the leadership of Vinata.

This is the irrefutable sugriiva aaj~na 'Sugreeva's order,' and it always annexes the wording 'you will be killed, executed, or eradicated, if you fail to accomplish...' which indicates his style as an autocratic disciplinarian of his subordinates in getting things done for his master, Rama. And he himself becomes one such subordinate before his masters, Rama and Lakshmana. This is the kainkarya 'dedication.' Rama's appreciation is winnable with such 'dedication to duty, friendship, of to given word.

Lakshmana's dedication is of the sort of daasya bhaava 'dedication in servitude...' while Sugreeva's is sevaa bhaava 'a dedication in servitorship...' and Hanuma's bhakti bhaava 'dedication in reverence...' a true devotee, and thus in whatever way one shall strive, everything culminates in one selfless entity, the Supreme Person

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Thus, this is the 40th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India. 

Valmiki Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda in Prose Sarga 41

Sugreeva sends Vanara-s to southward which troop includes Hanuma, Jambavanta, Niila and others and Angada is its leader. Sugreeva gives a vivid picture of the southern side of Jambu dviipa up to the south-most part of passable regions, next to which the abode of Yama, the Terminator is there. This troop is also given one month's time to find the whereabouts of Seetha.

 

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On sending that great vanara force to east, Sugreeva started to send tried and true vanara-s to south. Sugreeva, the well-informed and brave lord of monkey troops, then beckoned Angada and the other prominent vanara-s who are valorous ones with full-fledged dash and dare, like the son of Fire-god Neela, and the exceptional vanara Hanuma, the highly vigorous son of Grandparent Brahma, namely Jaambavanta, also others like Suhotra, Sharaari, Sharagulma Gaja, Gavaaksha, Gavaya, Sushena, Vrishabha, Mainda, Dvivida, Sushena, Gandhamaadana, and the two sons of Ritual-fire called Ulkaamukha, Ananga. 

Sushena said in above verses is not the father of Tara. Sugreeva addresses him later when sending another direction.

Sugreeva made the formidably mighty Angada as the chief of those valiant monkeys forming search party and ordered southern direction for them. The king of monkeys Sugreeva gave a picture about some of the highly impassable countries available in southern quarter that need an introduction to those prominent monkeys bound south. 

"Search the thousand crested Vindhya mountains abounding with numerous tress and climbers, then the delightful Narmada river coursing a little southerly to that range, which is adored by great snakes, along with wonderful River Godavari, as well as River Krishnaveni and Maha Nadi, and then the greatly auspicious River Varada which is an adoration to great snakes. And the territories of Mekhala, Utkala, the cities of Dashaarna, kingdoms of Abravanti, Avanti, and Vidarbha, also thus the charming kingdom of Maheehaka, are to be searched thoroughly.

If Mahaanadi is taken as a separate entity it is in Orissa, which kingdom was called earlier as Utkala or Kalinga kingdom. Otherwise Krishnaveni becomes a 'great river' by the adjectival wording mahaanadi. Mekhala territory, whose earlier name is amara kanTaka parvata, is the mountain from where the River Narmada emerges. The River Varada is now called Wardha in Maharashtra. The order of rives narrated is not according to the present day mapping, other wise Mahaanadi would have come earlier to Godavari.

Some mms contain ashvavanti 'kingdom with horses...' instead of abravanti and then the age old Avanti kingdom, which is a gateway for Arabian horses will be the famed kingdom for horses. This is the present day Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Dharmaakuutam has this as abruvantiim bruvantimm roughly forming part of the speech of Sugreeva 'spoken and unspoken areas by me...' However, these areas are in the Southwest of India, and it appears the order of positing the rivers or kingdoms, one after the other is not maintained or may be shuffled.

"Like that Vanga, Kalinga territories shall be searched along with Kaushika territories available on their fringes, then cast about the Dandaka forest all over its mountains, rivers, and its caves, then River Godavari that courses through Dandaka forest, and then the provinces of Andhra, Pundra, Chola, Paandya, Kerala are to be searched thoroughly. 

Some other mms have Matsya desha in this verse instead of the Vanga desha. The Vanga is the present day Bengal and this territory retained its epical name, but while pronouncing it becomes banga because the Sanskrit grammar allows to pronounce or write va as ba by the rule va ba yoH abhedaH and thus it is called Baangla or Bengal as British used to call. Kaushika in some other mms is read as kaashika. Kalinga is Orissa which touches Bengal at its north, and it is the Kie-ling-kia as said by Huet Tsang.

The Andhra is the present day Andhra Pradesh and Chola is the present Tamil Nadu, especially northern area, and Pundra is roughly in between Andhra and Chola. Paandya is south-most area where in Kanyakumari district the Cape Camorin is there, and Kerala is the present Kerala state from Gokarna to Kanyakumari. Its historical name was chera raajya and in Ashoka's time, it was called kerala putra.

"You shall go to the prosperous Mt. Malaya which is crowded with iron-ore mines as its vast mouths, and with amazing crests and motley flowered forests. Search shall be carried out on that great mountain in the places that are with the copses of sandalwood trees. 

This Mountain is also called Agastyamalai and it is in Western Ghats from which River Tamraparni emerges.

"From there you shall go and see the divine River Kaaveri there, a receptacle of limpid waters, to where throngs of apsara-s will be making pleasure-trips. 

The River Kaaveri is the best river in southern peninsula of India that flows from Braham Giri Mountains in Coorg of Western India to the East draining in Bay of Bengal and irrigating a major chunk of land. Many legends are associated with this river, of which one is that when Sage Agastya was bringing waters of River Ganga, they sprinkled from his kamandulau, the handy water-vessel, and flooded like Kaaveri. The original Tamil name is kakaviri where kaakam is 'crow...' viri 'spread out...' When Agastya is bringing water it sprinkled from his handy vessel and flooded the kaa 'the garden...' in Tamil, the garden of Indra. Then it is called kaaviri, but Shilpadikkaaram records its name as Kaaveri only pulavoy vazhi kaaveri... nadanthai vazhi kaaveri...

"You shall see the eminent sage Agastya, whose resplendence is akin to that of the Sun, and who will be sitting on the top of that highly resplendent Mt. Malaya. And when that great-souled Agastya complaisantly permits you, then you shall leave that mountain and cross over the great River Taamraparni, a highly cherished river of crocodiles. 

"She whose water is overlapped with amazing copses of sandalwood trees and islands that River Taamrapani will be drifting for a rendezvous with her much yearned lover, namely the ocean, as with a young woman who will be coursing to have a rendezvous with her yearned lover. 

The romantic touch is that the River Taamraparni has sandalwood trees alongshore and by constant rubbing of her waters, those trees that yield sandalwood paste to her. And her island-like breasts are smeared with that sandal paste supplied by the trees alongshore, while she is nearing her husband, namely the ocean.

The name of the river Taamraparni or Tamiravarani or Taamravarni derives from the words taamra 'coppery...' varNa 'colour...' 'a river with coppery riverbanks...' where those riverbanks have light coppery sandalwood trees. And she flows from Agastyamalai in Western Ghats of India, and courses through Papanaasham, a holy place. And covering Tirunalveli it drains into Bay of Bengal at the Gulf of Mannaar. There are hosts of vainavatiruppadigal 'Vaishnavaite temples...' throughout its riverbanks and this river is held holy. There are many legends about it, of which one says that Sage Agastya led the course of this river to the ocean for twenty-seven days from its source.

Down south of the River Taamraparni it is simhala desha or senga-kia-lo the present day Sri Lanka. 'This was first made known to the European world by the expedition of Alexander, as Taprobane. The true form however would appear to be Ta'mba panni or the 'red-leaved one...' from the Sanskrit T'amparni and Ptolemy calls it Salike, corrupt from Simhalaka Abu Rihaan gives the form of Singal-dip and then the Arabic name Tilaan came and that resulted into Cylone. After a long lost time they have renamed it as per the nomenclature given in Ramayana as Lanka, but adding a Sri before it. [After Ancient Geography of India.]

"From there, on going to the Paandya Kingdome you shall see a fully golden castle-door bracing the compound-wall of the fortress, which is decorated with pearls and jewels, and conduct your search even in that kingdom. Then on reaching the southern ocean, and on taking a resolve with regard to the purpose of your task, viz., importance of the mission undertaken vis-à-vis your individual capacities to leap the ocean, you reach the glorious Mt. Mahendra. Sage Agastya once penned its one end in the ocean, and the other end is now visible. That august and best one among all mountains will be completely golden with marvellous terraces and trees, and it will be steeping into ocean on the other side of land, and this mountain becomes the jumping-off point for you vanara-s. 

There are three mountains in Kanyakumari district, the southern promontories of India, at the end of Western Ghats, namely Thadaka malai, Mahendra giri, Marunthuva malai, where the word malai, giri is 'mountain...' in Tamil. The Thadakamalai is held as the forest of Tataka, the demoness, and Rama is believed to have come up to this south most part of India to eliminate Tataka in his boyhood. The Mahendragiri is the mountain from which Hanuma leaps to Lanka and the river that emerges from this mountain is named after Hanuma. The Marunthuvamalai is believed to be a mound fallen from the main Himalayan mountain which Hanuma brought while bringing sanjiivini herb, to bring Lakshmana to conscious. Even now, the local people benefit from the herbs that grow on this mountain and even the bitter leaves when cooked on this mountain will turn to sweet taste. This is being the story of this end of the ocean for Herbal Mountain, on the other end in Sri Lanka also there is a similar herbal mountain called Rhumassala Kanda, in Singhalese.

"Mt. Mahendra is glorified with numerous kinds of flowered trees and climbers. Important gods, sages, yaksha-s and even apsara-s will adore it, and it is overspread with the groups of siddha-s and caarana-s, and thus it will be heart-stealing for a look. And the Thousand-eyed Indra will always be visiting that Mt. Mahendra on every auspicious day. 

The auspicious day for Tamil almanac is no moon day amavaashya because of its neutrality from the wax and wane affects of lunar phases. So, it is believed that Indra will come to this mountain on every no-moon-day in the Indian month.

"There is a dazzling island on the other side of the shore of Mt. Mahendra, which is breadthwise a hundred yojana-s, and which is an impassable one for humans, and you have to search that island up to its fringes. 

This island on the other shore of the ocean is Ravana's Lanka, and it is believed to be the present day Sri Lanka. That island's association with River Taamraparni is as noted above.

"Anywise Seetha is searchable especially there on that island because it is the dwelling place of the king of demons Ravana, who is the coequal of Indra in his resplendence and which vile-minded demon is to be rooted out. 

A controversy is there regarding this statement of Sugreeva. Earlier Sugreeva said, "Not known is the domain of that sinning demon at all, nor his capabilities... or valour...or even about his sinister dynasty or lineage..." [4-7-2] And now he is specifically stating that Ravana will be on an island. Then it may be asked whether Sugreeva bluffed to Rama as at 4-7-2, for which it is said that Sugreeva being an intelligent kingly being he did not reveal the truth as an 'official secret.' Otherwise, if Sugreeva told Rama in the first instance where Ravana is, Rama goes straight to Lanka to eliminate Ravana, thereby Sugreeva's politics, i.e., the elimination of Vali or getting Kishkindha, will not work.

It is correct that Sugreeva knows that Ravana dwells in Lanka. But on abducting Seetha where is the guarantee that he is still in Lanka along with Seetha. Hence a doubtful situation cannot be stated assertively, that too, to a friend, for it ensues mitra droha 'cheating a friend...'

On the other hand, it is said that Sugreeva came to know about the details of Ravana through Tara, because Tara also explains to Lakshmana about the establishment of Ravana. But Sugreeva as the prince regent of Kishkindha and participant in all the activities of the kingdom, knowing about Ravana through Tara is an evasive statement. Hence, it is said that Sugreeva purposefully did not reveal the details about Ravana to Rama, because his own interests are to be met with firstly.

In turn it is asked as to why Sugreeva should send so many monkeys to all corners of compass when the kidnapper and his location are known, for which it is said that no thief hides his booty in his own place. Like cat changing the places of kitten, a thief too changes his own place, as well as the place of stolen thing. To justify this, it is said that throughout this and in the previous, and in the next chapters Sugreeva goes on repeating his order, 'search for Seetha and for the residency of Ravana...'

Even here, Sugreeva is not able to describe the interior of Lanka as he is not well acquainted with it. Rama, who is astounded at this geographical description of Sugreeva, does not ask Sugreeva as to why this particular place of Ravana is not indicated to him earlier. So, the denial of information earlier by Sugreeva is completely political, and now giving orders to search Seetha is for his requital.

"But a well-known demoness named Angaaraka is there in the midst of southern ocean who eats prey by grabbing its shadow when flying overhead. 

This demoness is also termed as Simhika whom Hanuma tears apart in Sundara Kanda.

"In this way, you should clear your doubts about the presence of Seetha at any doubtable place by thorough searching, and you have to go on searching somewhere else for Seetha, the wife of the king of people with infinite vitality, namely Rama, only after getting rid of your doubts about her possible presence at any given place. On crossing over that isle and after a hundred yojana-s a mountain named Pushpitaka is there in that august ocean, which is adored by the celestials like siddha-s, caarana-s. Well-settled in oceanic waters that Mt. Pushpitaka will be shining forth with a resplendence similar to sunrays on one side and with that of moonshine on the other, and its lofty crests will look as if they are scribbling on the sky. One of its summit will be golden which the Sun adores, and the other will be silvery whitish which the Moon adores, and that mountain is unperceivable to the unfaithful ones, or to the unkindly ones or to unbelievers. Oh, vanara-s, venerate that Mt. Pushpitaka by bowing your heads and search it thoroughly. Then on going across that inviolable mountain and taking a highly impassable route there is a mountain named Suuryavaan after fourteen yojana-s from Mt. Pushpitaka. 

"On crossing over even that Mt. Suuryavaan after searching, there is a mountain named Vaidyuta whose trees will be all-time heart-pleasing and they yield fruits satiating every taste. Oh, vanara-s, you proceed farther after devouring choicest fruits and tubers growing on Mt. Vaidyuta, and even on consuming precious honey at that place. At that place a mountain named Kunjara is there which will be pleasing both to eye and heart, on which Vishvakarma built the mansion of Agastya. 

"There the golden abode of Agastya will be beautiful decorated with numerous gemstones, and it measures a yojana breadthwise and ten yojana-s in height. There is a city named Bhogavati which is an abode of the snakes. It has broad roads and safeguarded from everywhere, and thus it becomes an unvanquishable city. Deadly serpents with harrowing fangs and fatal venom will be protecting it, in which the highly hazardous king of serpents, namely Vasuki, will be dwelling. That Bhogavati city is to be searched for Seetha and on coming out of that city, you have to search even in the fringes surrounding that city including the intermediate zones from city to its fringes. 

"On crossing over that province there will be a glorious mountain named Rishabha, as that great mountain looks like a Holy Bull, and it is replete with every kind of gemstone. Whereon the sandalwood trees of ochry-yellowy, lotus-leaf-greenly, sky-blue colours, and even the most attractive sandalwood trees which will be in the glow of Fire are produced, that mountain is this Rishabha. 

These nomenclatures of sandalwood trees are rendered variously in translations because these varieties of sandalwood trees are perhaps unknown. The ochry-yellow colour is given to the mountain itself in 40th verse in some, thus nominating only two varieties of sandalwood, namely greenish, and bluish varieties as extra. In some other translations the Fire-like glow of the mountain is added as another variety of sandalwood and then four varieties are counted as 1] ochry, 2] greenish, 3] bluish, and 4] fire-like sandalwood trees.

"But never touch those sandalwood trees when you see them, as a genre of Gandharva-s called Rohita will be protecting that dangerous woodland of sandalwood trees. Five gandharva kings, namely Shailuusha, Gramani, Shiksha, Shuka, and Bhabru, whose resplendence is similar to that of Sun will be residing there. It is also the dwelling place of those who achieved ethereality by their pious activities, of whom some resemble the Sun, some Moon, and some Fire by their physique. 

"From Mt. Rishabha to the terminus of the earth the invulnerable beings who won heavens will be staying. After that, farther from earth there is the most dreadful world of manes, namely the abode of Yama, the Terminator, and you need not consider going there. You can go or search only up to this point, oh, the best braving vanara-s, as that world of manes will be encompassed with an alarming darkness, and it is the capital city of Yama, the Terminator. After that there is no entry into the abode of Yama for the mortals. 

This is the Indian mythological naraka 'The Hell...' and there are various sections in this hell for various sins committed while alive or on rebirth.

"It will be apt of you to return quickly on knowing the course of Vaidehi after thoroughly searching all these places in their entirety, and even in those other places you happen to see, whether I have mentioned them or not. He who returns before a month and informs that 'Seetha is seen,' he enjoys a comfortable living on a par with me in high-living and luxuries. 

Hanuma speaks the same wording 'Seetha seen,' in Sundara Kanda on finding Seetha, for which commentators have given a very great value.

"He who says so will be more dearer to me than anyone, rather than my own life in particular, and even if he has committed many misdeeds he becomes my confidant. 

You are with infinite might and bravery, and you are born in those hierarchies that have wide-ranging attributes viz., gust of the Air-god, gush of Rain-god, glare of Fire-god etc. Conjoining your own attributes to them that are already inherited you start off on your expedient effort, and you search appropriately with a thinking as to how to regain Seetha.

All the while Sugreeva is addressing the so-called monkeys as 'vanara-s' and suddenly he concluded his addressing asking them to make puruSaartha saadhanam 'a humanly effort...' thus the monkeys or vanara-s suddenly do not become humans. For this puruSa artha saadhanam 'this man's, purpose, to achieve... start off to achieve this man's, namely Rama's purpose...' or 'to achieve the purpose of parama puruSa 'the Supreme Person...' in eradicating evil on earth...' you start on your mission.

Thus, this is the 41st chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
 

Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

for the collection