Shri Rama's Journey to Sugriva's City after Lakshmana's Passing

Verse 1 (skanda.6.100.1)

सूत उवाच॥ एवं भुक्त्वा स विप्रर्षिर्वांछया राममंदिरे॥ दत्ताशीर्निर्गतः पश्चादामंत्र्य रघुनंदनम्

sūta uvāca evaṁ bhuktvā sa viprarṣirvāṁchayā rāmamaṁdire dattāśīrnirgataḥ paścādāmaṁtrya raghunaṁdanam

Suta said: Having thus eaten to his heart's content in Rama's palace, that sage-brahmin, bestowing his blessing and taking leave of Raghunandana, departed.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.100.2)

अथ याते मुनौ तस्मिन्दुर्वाससि तदंतिकात्॥ लक्ष्मणः खङ्गमादाय रामदेवमुवाच ह

atha yāte munau tasmindurvāsasi tadaṁtikāt lakṣmaṇaḥ khaṅgamādāya rāmadevamuvāca ha

Then, when the sage Durvasa had departed from there, Lakshmana, taking up a sword, spoke to Lord Rama.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.100.3)

एतत्खङ्गं गृहीत्वाशु मां प्रभो विनिपातय॥ येन ते स्यादृतं वाक्यं प्रतिज्ञातं च यत्पुरा

etatkhaṅgaṁ gṛhītvāśu māṁ prabho vinipātaya yena te syādṛtaṁ vākyaṁ pratijñātaṁ ca yatpurā

"O lord, take up this sword and swiftly strike me down, so that your word may be made true — the vow you made before."

Verse 4 (skanda.6.100.4)

ततो रामश्चिरात्स्मृत्वा तां प्रतिज्ञां स्वयं कृताम्॥ वधार्थं संप्रविष्टस्य समीपे पुरुषस्य च

tato rāmaścirātsmṛtvā tāṁ pratijñāṁ svayaṁ kṛtām vadhārthaṁ saṁpraviṣṭasya samīpe puruṣasya ca

Then Rama recalled that vow which he himself had made — that he would slay any man who entered near him while he sat in council, meant for that man's death.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.100.5)

ततोऽतिचिंतयामास व्याकुलेनांतरात्मना॥ बाष्पव्याकुलनेत्रश्च निःष्वसन्पन्नगो यथा

tato'ticiṁtayāmāsa vyākulenāṁtarātmanā bāṣpavyākulanetraśca niḥṣvasanpannago yathā

Then, his inner self deeply troubled, he fell into great anguish, his eyes clouded with tears, sighing heavily like a serpent.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.100.6)

तं दीनवदनं दृष्ट्वा निःष्वसंतं मुहुर्मुहुः॥ भूयः प्रोवाच सौमित्रिर्विनयावनतः स्थितः

taṁ dīnavadanaṁ dṛṣṭvā niḥṣvasaṁtaṁ muhurmuhuḥ bhūyaḥ provāca saumitrirvinayāvanataḥ sthitaḥ

Seeing his mournful face and his repeated sighing, Lakshmana, standing humbly with bowed head, spoke again.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.100.7)

एष एव परो धर्मो भूपतीनां विशेषतः॥ यथात्मीयं वचस्तथ्यं क्रियते निर्विकल्पितम्

eṣa eva paro dharmo bhūpatīnāṁ viśeṣataḥ yathātmīyaṁ vacastathyaṁ kriyate nirvikalpitam

"This alone is declared the supreme duty of kings, especially: that one's own word be made true, without hesitation."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.100.8)

तस्मात्त्वया प्रभो प्रोक्तं स्वयमेव ममाग्रतः॥ तस्यैव देवदूतस्य तारनादेन कोपतः

tasmāttvayā prabho proktaṁ svayameva mamāgrataḥ tasyaiva devadūtasya tāranādena kopataḥ

"Therefore, O lord, you yourself said before me, angered by the loud voice of that very messenger of the gods..."

Verse 9 (skanda.6.100.9)

योऽत्रागच्छति सौमित्रे मम दूतस्य संनिधौ॥ तं चेद्धन्मि स्वहस्तेन नाहं तस्मात्सुपापकृत्

yo'trāgacchati saumitre mama dūtasya saṁnidhau taṁ ceddhanmi svahastena nāhaṁ tasmātsupāpakṛt

"'O Saumitri, whoever comes here near me and this messenger — if I do not slay him with my own hand, may I become a great sinner.'"

Verse 10 (skanda.6.100.10)

तदहं चागतस्तात भयाद्दुर्वाससो मुनेः॥ निषिद्धोऽपि त्वयातीव तस्माच्छीघ्रं तु घातय

tadahaṁ cāgatastāta bhayāddurvāsaso muneḥ niṣiddho'pi tvayātīva tasmācchīghraṁ tu ghātaya

"Father, it was I who came here, out of fear of the sage Durvasa, even though you had strictly forbidden it; therefore slay me quickly."

Verse 11 (skanda.6.100.11)

ततः संमंत्र्य सुचिरं मंत्रिभिः सहितो नृपः॥ ब्राह्मणैर्धर्मशास्त्रज्ञैस्तथान्यैर्वेदपारगैः

tataḥ saṁmaṁtrya suciraṁ maṁtribhiḥ sahito nṛpaḥ brāhmaṇairdharmaśāstrajñaistathānyairvedapāragaiḥ

Then, having taken counsel for a long while with his ministers, with brahmins learned in sacred law, and with other scholars versed in the Vedas...

Verse 12 (skanda.6.100.12)

प्रोवाच लक्ष्मणं पश्चाद्विनयावनतं स्थितम्॥ वाष्पक्लिन्नमुखो रामो गद्गदं निःश्वसन्मुहुः

provāca lakṣmaṇaṁ paścādvinayāvanataṁ sthitam vāṣpaklinnamukho rāmo gadgadaṁ niḥśvasanmuhuḥ

...Rama, his face wet with tears, sighing again and again in a choked voice, then spoke to Lakshmana, who stood there humbly.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.100.13)

व्रज लक्ष्मण मुक्तस्त्वं मया देशातरं द्रुतम्॥ त्यागो वाथ वधो वाथ साधूनामुभयं समम्

vraja lakṣmaṇa muktastvaṁ mayā deśātaraṁ drutam tyāgo vātha vadho vātha sādhūnāmubhayaṁ samam

"Lakshmana, I release you; go swiftly to another land. For the virtuous, banishment and death are one and the same."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.100.14)

न मया दर्शनं भूयस्तव कार्यं कथंचन॥ न स्थातव्यं च देशेऽपि यदि मे वांछसि प्रियम्

na mayā darśanaṁ bhūyastava kāryaṁ kathaṁcana na sthātavyaṁ ca deśe'pi yadi me vāṁchasi priyam

"I have no wish ever to see you again; and if you wish to please me, you must not remain even in this land."

Verse 15 (skanda.6.100.15)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रणिपत्य ततः परम्॥ निर्ययौ नगरात्तस्मात्तत्क्षणादेव लक्ष्मणः

tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā praṇipatya tataḥ param niryayau nagarāttasmāttatkṣaṇādeva lakṣmaṇaḥ

Hearing his words, and bowing to him, Lakshmana at that very instant departed from that city.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.100.16)

अकृत्वापि समालापं केनचिन्निजमंदिरे॥ मात्रा वा भार्यया वाथ सुतेन सुहृदाथवा

akṛtvāpi samālāpaṁ kenacinnijamaṁdire mātrā vā bhāryayā vātha sutena suhṛdāthavā

He did this without even speaking a word to anyone in his own household — not to his mother, nor his wife, nor his son, nor any friend.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.100.17)

ततोऽसौ सरयूं गत्वाऽवगाह्याथ च तज्जलम्॥ शुचिर्भूत्वा निविष्टोथ तत्तीरे विजने शुभे

tato'sau sarayūṁ gatvā'vagāhyātha ca tajjalam śucirbhūtvā niviṣṭotha tattīre vijane śubhe

Then, going to the Sarayu river, immersing himself in its water, and becoming purified, he sat down on its auspicious, secluded bank.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.100.18)

पद्मासनं विधायाथ न्यस्यात्मानं तथात्मनि॥ ब्रह्मद्वारेण तं पश्चात्तेजोरूपं व्यसर्जयत्

padmāsanaṁ vidhāyātha nyasyātmānaṁ tathātmani brahmadvāreṇa taṁ paścāttejorūpaṁ vyasarjayat

Sitting in the lotus posture, fixing his self within his self, he then, through the aperture of Brahma, released himself in the form of pure radiance.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.100.19)

अथ तद्राघवो दृष्ट्वा महत्तेजो वियद्गतम्॥ विस्मयेन समायुक्तोऽचिन्तयत्किमिदं ततः

atha tadrāghavo dṛṣṭvā mahattejo viyadgatam vismayena samāyukto'cintayatkimidaṁ tataḥ

Then Rama, seeing that great radiance rising into the sky, was filled with astonishment and wondered, "What is this?"

Verse 20 (skanda.6.100.20)

अथ मर्त्ये परित्यक्ते तेजसा तेन तत्क्षणात्॥ वैष्णवेन तुरीयेण भागेन द्विजसत्तमाः

atha martye parityakte tejasā tena tatkṣaṇāt vaiṣṇavena turīyeṇa bhāgena dvijasattamāḥ

O best of brahmins, that radiance — the fourth portion of Vishnu himself — the moment it abandoned his mortal frame...

Verse 21 (skanda.6.100.21)

पपात भूतले कायं काष्ठलोष्टोपमं द्रुतम्॥ लक्ष्मणस्य गतश्रीकं सरय्वाः पुलिने शुभे

papāta bhūtale kāyaṁ kāṣṭhaloṣṭopamaṁ drutam lakṣmaṇasya gataśrīkaṁ sarayvāḥ puline śubhe

...Lakshmana's body, its glory gone, fell at once to the ground on the auspicious bank of the Sarayu, like a lump of wood or clay.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.100.22)

ततस्तु राघवः श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणं गतजीवितम्॥ पतितं सरितस्तीरे विललाप सुदुःखितः

tatastu rāghavaḥ śrutvā lakṣmaṇaṁ gatajīvitam patitaṁ saritastīre vilalāpa suduḥkhitaḥ

Then Raghava, hearing that Lakshmana had lost his life and had fallen on the riverbank, wailed in the depths of sorrow.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.100.23)

स्वयं गत्वा तमुद्देशं सामात्यः ससुहृज्जनः॥ लक्ष्मणं पतितं दृष्ट्वा करुणं पर्यदेवयत्

svayaṁ gatvā tamuddeśaṁ sāmātyaḥ sasuhṛjjanaḥ lakṣmaṇaṁ patitaṁ dṛṣṭvā karuṇaṁ paryadevayat

He himself went to that place, together with his ministers and friends, and, seeing Lakshmana fallen, lamented most piteously.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.100.24)

हा वत्स मां परित्यज्य किं त्वं संप्रस्थितो दिवम्॥ प्राणेष्टं भ्रातरं श्रेष्ठं सदा तव मते स्थितम्

hā vatsa māṁ parityajya kiṁ tvaṁ saṁprasthito divam prāṇeṣṭaṁ bhrātaraṁ śreṣṭhaṁ sadā tava mate sthitam

"Alas, my child! Why have you abandoned me and set out for heaven? Your eldest brother, dearer to you than your own life, ever present in your thoughts — mourns you today."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.100.25)

तस्मिन्नपि महारण्ये गच्छमानः पुरादहम्॥ अपि संधार्यमाणेन अनुयातस्त्वया तदा

tasminnapi mahāraṇye gacchamānaḥ purādaham api saṁdhāryamāṇena anuyātastvayā tadā

"Even when I was setting out from the city into that great forest, you followed me then, ever supporting me."

Verse 26 (skanda.6.100.26)

संप्राप्तेऽपि कबंधाख्ये राक्षसे बलवत्तरे॥ त्वया रात्रिमुखे घोरे सभार्योऽहं प्ररक्षितः

saṁprāpte'pi kabaṁdhākhye rākṣase balavattare tvayā rātrimukhe ghore sabhāryo'haṁ prarakṣitaḥ

"When that most powerful demon Kabandha appeared, in the dead of that dreadful night, it was you who kept me and my wife safe."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.100.27)

येनेन्द्रजिद्धतो युद्धे तादृग्रूपो निशाचरः॥ स एष पतितः शेते गतासुर्धरणीतले

yenendrajiddhato yuddhe tādṛgrūpo niśācaraḥ sa eṣa patitaḥ śete gatāsurdharaṇītale

"The one who slew that terrible demon Indrajit in battle — this very brother now lies lifeless upon the ground."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.100.28)

येन शूर्पणखा ध्वस्ता राक्षसी सा च दारुणा॥ लीलयापि ममादेशात्सोयमेवंविधः स्थितः

yena śūrpaṇakhā dhvastā rākṣasī sā ca dāruṇā līlayāpi mamādeśātsoyamevaṁvidhaḥ sthitaḥ

"The one who, at my mere command and with ease, disfigured that terrible demoness Shurpanakha — this same brother now lies here in such a state."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.100.29)

यद्बाहुबलमाश्रित्य मया ध्वस्ता निशाचराः॥ सोऽयं निपतितः शेते मम भ्राता ह्यनाथवत्

yadbāhubalamāśritya mayā dhvastā niśācarāḥ so'yaṁ nipatitaḥ śete mama bhrātā hyanāthavat

"He, on whose arm's strength I relied to destroy the demons, this my own brother, now lies fallen, as though without a protector."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.100.30)

हा वत्स क्व गतो मां त्वं विमुच्य भ्रातरं निजम्॥ ज्येष्ठं प्राणसमं किं ते स्नेहोऽद्य विगतः क्वचित्

hā vatsa kva gato māṁ tvaṁ vimucya bhrātaraṁ nijam jyeṣṭhaṁ prāṇasamaṁ kiṁ te sneho'dya vigataḥ kvacit

"Alas, my child! Where have you gone, abandoning your own elder brother, who was as dear to you as life itself? Has your love for me vanished somewhere today?"

Verse 31 (skanda.6.100.31)

सूत उवाच॥ एवं बहुविधान्कृत्वा प्रलापान्रघुनन्दनः॥ मातृभिः सहितो दीनः शोकेन महतान्वितः

sūta uvāca evaṁ bahuvidhānkṛtvā pralāpānraghunandanaḥ mātṛbhiḥ sahito dīnaḥ śokena mahatānvitaḥ

Suta said: Thus, giving voice to many kinds of lament, Raghunandana, together with his mothers, wretched and overwhelmed with great sorrow...

Verse 32 (skanda.6.100.32)

ततस्ते मंत्रिणस्तस्य प्रोचुस्तं वीक्ष्य दुःखितम्॥ विलपंतं रघुश्रेष्ठं स्त्रीजनेन समन्वितम्

tataste maṁtriṇastasya procustaṁ vīkṣya duḥkhitam vilapaṁtaṁ raghuśreṣṭhaṁ strījanena samanvitam

...then his ministers, seeing that best of the Raghus grieving and lamenting, surrounded by the women of the household, said to him.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.100.33)

मंत्रिण ऊचुः॥ मा शोकं कुरु राजेन्द्र यथान्यः प्राकृतः स्थितः॥ कुरुष्व च यथेदं स्यात्सांप्रतं चौर्ध्वदैहिकम्

maṁtriṇa ūcuḥ mā śokaṁ kuru rājendra yathānyaḥ prākṛtaḥ sthitaḥ kuruṣva ca yathedaṁ syātsāṁprataṁ caurdhvadaihikam

The ministers said: "O king of kings, do not grieve like some ordinary man; now do what must be done, so that his final rites may be duly performed."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.100.34)

नष्टं मृतमतीतं च ये शोचन्ति कुबुद्धयः॥ धीराणां तु पुरा राजन्नष्टं नष्टं मृतं मृतम्

naṣṭaṁ mṛtamatītaṁ ca ye śocanti kubuddhayaḥ dhīrāṇāṁ tu purā rājannaṣṭaṁ naṣṭaṁ mṛtaṁ mṛtam

"It is those of foolish understanding who grieve for what is lost, dead, and gone; but, O king, for the wise of ancient times, what is lost is simply lost, and what is dead is simply dead."

Verse 35 (skanda.6.100.35)

एवं ते मन्त्रिणः प्रोच्य ततस्तस्य कलेवरम्॥ लक्ष्मणस्य विलप्यौच्चैश्चन्दनोशीरकुंकुमैः

evaṁ te mantriṇaḥ procya tatastasya kalevaram lakṣmaṇasya vilapyauccaiścandanośīrakuṁkumaiḥ

Having thus spoken, those ministers, weeping aloud, then took Lakshmana's body and, with sandalwood, khus root, and vermilion...

Verse 36 (skanda.6.100.36)

कर्पूरागुरुमिश्रैश्च तथान्यैः सुसुगन्धिभिः॥ परिवेष्ट्य शुभैर्वस्त्रैः पुष्पैः संभूष्य शोभनैः

karpūrāgurumiśraiśca tathānyaiḥ susugandhibhiḥ pariveṣṭya śubhairvastraiḥ puṣpaiḥ saṁbhūṣya śobhanaiḥ

...mixed with camphor and aloewood and other fragrant substances, anointed him, wrapped him in fine cloths, and adorned him with lovely flowers.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.100.37)

चन्दनागुरुकाष्ठैश्च चितिं कृत्वा सुविस्तराम्॥ न्यदधुस्तस्य तद्गात्रं तत्र दक्षिणदिङ्मुखम्

candanāgurukāṣṭhaiśca citiṁ kṛtvā suvistarām nyadadhustasya tadgātraṁ tatra dakṣiṇadiṅmukham

Having built a great pyre of sandalwood and aloewood, they laid his body there, its face turned toward the south.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.100.38)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे जातं तत्राश्चर्यं द्विजोत्तमाः॥ तन्मे निगदतः सर्वं शृण्वंतु सकलं द्विजाः

etasminnaṁtare jātaṁ tatrāścaryaṁ dvijottamāḥ tanme nigadataḥ sarvaṁ śṛṇvaṁtu sakalaṁ dvijāḥ

O best of brahmins, at that moment a wondrous event occurred there; O all you brahmins, listen to all of it as I tell it.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.100.39)

यावत्तेंऽतः समारोप्य चितां तस्य कलेवरम्॥ प्रयच्छंति हविर्वाहं तावन्नष्टं कलेवरम्

yāvatteṁ'taḥ samāropya citāṁ tasya kalevaram prayacchaṁti havirvāhaṁ tāvannaṣṭaṁ kalevaram

Just as they were about to place his body upon the pyre and set it alight, at that very moment the body vanished.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.100.40)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे वाणी निर्गता गगनांगणात्॥ नादयंती दिशः सर्वाः पुष्पवर्षादनंतरम्

etasminnaṁtare vāṇī nirgatā gaganāṁgaṇāt nādayaṁtī diśaḥ sarvāḥ puṣpavarṣādanaṁtaram

At that moment a voice issued from the vault of the sky, resounding through every direction, following a shower of flowers.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.100.41)

रामराम महाबाहो मा त्वं शोकपरो भव॥ न चास्य युज्यते वह्निर्दातुं चैव कथंचन

rāmarāma mahābāho mā tvaṁ śokaparo bhava na cāsya yujyate vahnirdātuṁ caiva kathaṁcana

"Rama, Rama, O mighty-armed one, do not give yourself to grief. Fire may in no way be given to this body."

Verse 42 (skanda.6.100.42)

ब्रह्मज्ञानप्रयुक्तस्य संन्यस्तस्य विशेषतः॥ अग्निदानं न युक्तं स्यात्सर्वेषामपि योगिनाम्

brahmajñānaprayuktasya saṁnyastasya viśeṣataḥ agnidānaṁ na yuktaṁ syātsarveṣāmapi yoginām

"For one established in the knowledge of Brahman, one who has renounced the world, and especially for all yogis, the giving of fire is not proper."

Verse 43 (skanda.6.100.43)

तवायं बांधवो राम ब्रह्मणः सदनं गतः॥ ब्रह्मद्वारेण चात्मानं निष्क्रम्य सुमहायशाः

tavāyaṁ bāṁdhavo rāma brahmaṇaḥ sadanaṁ gataḥ brahmadvāreṇa cātmānaṁ niṣkramya sumahāyaśāḥ

"O Rama, this brother of yours, of surpassing fame, having released himself through the aperture of Brahma, has gone to the abode of Brahman."

Verse 44 (skanda.6.100.44)

अथ ते मंत्रिणः प्रोचुस्तच्छ्रुत्वाऽऽकाशगं वचः॥ अशोच्यो यं महाराज संसिद्धिं परमां गतः॥ लक्ष्मणो गम्यतां शीघ्रं तस्मात्स्वभवने विभो

atha te maṁtriṇaḥ procustacchrutvā''kāśagaṁ vacaḥ aśocyo yaṁ mahārāja saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gataḥ lakṣmaṇo gamyatāṁ śīghraṁ tasmātsvabhavane vibho

Then, hearing that voice from the sky, the ministers said: "O great king, Lakshmana, having attained the supreme accomplishment, is not to be mourned; therefore, O lord, let us now quickly return to your own palace."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.100.45)

चिन्त्यन्तां राजकार्याणि तथा यच्चौर्ध्वदैहिकम्॥ कुरु स्नेहोचितं तस्य पृष्ट्वा ब्राह्मणसत्तमान्

cintyantāṁ rājakāryāṇi tathā yaccaurdhvadaihikam kuru snehocitaṁ tasya pṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇasattamān

"Now attend to the affairs of the kingdom, and, consulting the foremost brahmins, perform whatever funerary duty is fitting out of your love for him."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.100.46)

राम उवाच॥ नाहं गृहं गमिष्यामि लक्ष्मणेन विनाऽधुना॥ प्राणानत्र विहास्यामि यथा तेन महात्मना

rāma uvāca nāhaṁ gṛhaṁ gamiṣyāmi lakṣmaṇena vinā'dhunā prāṇānatra vihāsyāmi yathā tena mahātmanā

Rama said: "I shall not go home now without Lakshmana; I too shall here give up my life, just as that great soul did."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.100.47)

एष पुत्रो मया दत्तः कुशाख्यो मम संमतः॥ युष्मभ्यं क्रियतां राज्ये मदीये यदि रोचते

eṣa putro mayā dattaḥ kuśākhyo mama saṁmataḥ yuṣmabhyaṁ kriyatāṁ rājye madīye yadi rocate

"I give you this beloved son of mine, named Kusha; if it pleases you, install him upon my throne."

Verse 48 (skanda.6.100.48)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो रामो गन्तुकामो दिवालयम्॥ चिन्तयामास भूयोऽपि स्मृत्वा मित्रं विभीषणम्

evamuktvā tato rāmo gantukāmo divālayam cintayāmāsa bhūyo'pi smṛtvā mitraṁ vibhīṣaṇam

Having said this, Rama, then desiring to depart for the heavenly abode, called to mind his friend Vibhishana and reflected once more.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.100.49)

मया तस्य तदा दत्तं लंकायां राज्यमक्षयम्॥ बहुभक्तिप्रतुष्टेन यावच्चन्द्रार्कतारकाः

mayā tasya tadā dattaṁ laṁkāyāṁ rājyamakṣayam bahubhaktipratuṣṭena yāvaccandrārkatārakāḥ

"Pleased by his great devotion, I had granted him the imperishable kingdom of Lanka, to endure as long as the moon, sun, and stars."

Verse 50 (skanda.6.100.50)

अतिक्रूरतरा जाती राक्षसानां यतः स्मृता॥ विशेषाद्वरपुष्टानां जायतेऽत्र धरातले

atikrūratarā jātī rākṣasānāṁ yataḥ smṛtā viśeṣādvarapuṣṭānāṁ jāyate'tra dharātale

"For the race of demons is remembered as an exceedingly cruel one, and such cruelty can arise on this earth even among those especially nurtured by a boon."

Verse 51 (skanda.6.100.51)

तच्चेद्राक्षसभावेन स महात्मा विभीषणः॥ करिष्यति सुरैः सार्धं विरोधं रावणो यथा

taccedrākṣasabhāvena sa mahātmā vibhīṣaṇaḥ kariṣyati suraiḥ sārdhaṁ virodhaṁ rāvaṇo yathā

"If that great-souled Vibhishana, out of his demonic nature, should ever come into conflict with the gods, as Ravana once did..."

Verse 52 (skanda.6.100.52)

तं देवाः सूदयिष्यंति उपायैः सामपूर्वकैः॥ त्रैलोक्यकण्टको यद्वत्तस्य भ्राता दशाननः

taṁ devāḥ sūdayiṣyaṁti upāyaiḥ sāmapūrvakaiḥ trailokyakaṇṭako yadvattasya bhrātā daśānanaḥ

"...then the gods would destroy him too, by various means, beginning with conciliation, just as they destroyed his brother, the ten-headed Ravana, that thorn in the side of the three worlds."

Verse 53 (skanda.6.100.53)

ततो मे स्यान्मृषा वाणी तस्माद्गत्वा तदंतिकम्॥ शिक्षां ददामि तस्याहं यथा देवान्न दूषयेत्

tato me syānmṛṣā vāṇī tasmādgatvā tadaṁtikam śikṣāṁ dadāmi tasyāhaṁ yathā devānna dūṣayet

"Then that word of mine would become false; therefore let me go to him and give him this instruction, so that he never wrongs the gods."

Verse 54 (skanda.6.100.54)

तथा मे परमं मित्रं द्वितीयं वानरः स्थितः॥ सुग्रीवाख्यो महाभागो जांबवांश्च तथाऽपरः

tathā me paramaṁ mitraṁ dvitīyaṁ vānaraḥ sthitaḥ sugrīvākhyo mahābhāgo jāṁbavāṁśca tathā'paraḥ

"And, besides him, I have another supreme friend, the illustrious monkey Sugriva, and also another, Jambavan."

Verse 55 (skanda.6.100.55)

सभृत्यो वायुपुत्रश्च वालिपुत्रसमन्वितः॥ कुमुदाख्यश्च तारश्च तथान्येऽपि च वानराः

sabhṛtyo vāyuputraśca vāliputrasamanvitaḥ kumudākhyaśca tāraśca tathānye'pi ca vānarāḥ

There is also Hanuman, son of the wind-god, with his attendants, together with Angada, the son of Vali, as well as Kumuda, Tara, and other monkeys besides.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.100.56)

तस्मात्तानपि संभाष्य सर्वान्संमंत्र्य सादरम्॥ ततो गच्छामि देवानां कृतकृत्यो गृहं प्रति

tasmāttānapi saṁbhāṣya sarvānsaṁmaṁtrya sādaram tato gacchāmi devānāṁ kṛtakṛtyo gṛhaṁ prati

"Therefore, let me first meet with them all and, with due respect, take counsel with each; only then shall I, my purpose fulfilled, go to the abode of the gods."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.100.57)

एवं संचिन्त्य सुचिरं समाहूय च पुष्पकम्॥ तत्रारुह्य ययौ तूर्णं किष्किन्धाख्यां पुरीं प्रति

evaṁ saṁcintya suciraṁ samāhūya ca puṣpakam tatrāruhya yayau tūrṇaṁ kiṣkindhākhyāṁ purīṁ prati

Having pondered this for a long while, and having summoned the Pushpaka chariot, he mounted it and swiftly set out toward the city called Kishkindha.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.100.58)

अथ ते वानरा दृष्ट्वा प्रोद्द्योतं पुष्पकोद्भवम्॥ विज्ञाय राघवं प्राप्तं सत्वरं सम्मुखा ययुः

atha te vānarā dṛṣṭvā proddyotaṁ puṣpakodbhavam vijñāya rāghavaṁ prāptaṁ satvaraṁ sammukhā yayuḥ

Then those monkeys, seeing the brilliant light streaming from the Pushpaka chariot, and realizing that Raghava had arrived, swiftly came out to meet him.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.100.59)

ततः प्रणम्य ते दूराज्जानुभ्यामवनिं गताः॥ जयेति शब्दमादाय मुहुर्मुहुरितस्ततः

tataḥ praṇamya te dūrājjānubhyāmavaniṁ gatāḥ jayeti śabdamādāya muhurmuhuritastataḥ

Then, bowing from afar, they fell upon their knees to the ground, and again and again, from every side, raised the cry "Victory! Victory!"

Verse 60 (skanda.6.100.60)

ततस्तेनैव संयुक्ताः किष्किन्धां तां महापुरीम्॥ विविशुः सत्पताकाभिः समंतात्समलंकृताम्

tatastenaiva saṁyuktāḥ kiṣkindhāṁ tāṁ mahāpurīm viviśuḥ satpatākābhiḥ samaṁtātsamalaṁkṛtām

Then, together with them, he entered that great city of Kishkindha, adorned all around with fine banners.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.100.61)

अथोत्तीर्य विमानाग्र्यात्सुग्रीवभवने शुभे॥ प्रविवेश द्रुतं रामः सर्वतः सुविभूषिते

athottīrya vimānāgryātsugrīvabhavane śubhe praviveśa drutaṁ rāmaḥ sarvataḥ suvibhūṣite

Then, descending from that splendid chariot, Rama swiftly entered Sugriva's palace, auspicious and beautifully adorned on every side.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.100.62)

तत्र रामं निविष्टं ते विश्रांतं वीक्ष्य वानराः॥ अर्घ्यादिभिश्च संपूज्य पप्रच्छुस्तदनन्तरम्

tatra rāmaṁ niviṣṭaṁ te viśrāṁtaṁ vīkṣya vānarāḥ arghyādibhiśca saṁpūjya papracchustadanantaram

Seeing Rama seated there and resting, the monkeys honored him with arghya and other offerings, and thereafter questioned him.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.100.63)

वानरा ऊचुः॥ तेजसा त्वं विनिर्मुक्तो दृश्यसे रघुनन्दन॥ कृशोऽस्यतीव चोद्विग्नः कच्चित्क्षेमं गृहे तव

vānarā ūcuḥ tejasā tvaṁ vinirmukto dṛśyase raghunandana kṛśo'syatīva codvignaḥ kaccitkṣemaṁ gṛhe tava

The monkeys said: "O Raghunandana, you appear stripped of your radiance, exceedingly thin and troubled; is all well in your household?"

Verse 64 (skanda.6.100.64)

काये वाऽनुगतो नित्यं तथा ते लक्ष्मणोऽनुजः॥ न दृश्यते समीपस्थः किमद्य तव राघव

kāye vā'nugato nityaṁ tathā te lakṣmaṇo'nujaḥ na dṛśyate samīpasthaḥ kimadya tava rāghava

"And your younger brother Lakshmana, who always stayed by your side like your very shadow, is not to be seen near you today — O Raghava, what has happened?"

Verse 65 (skanda.6.100.65)

तथा प्राणसमाऽभीष्टा सीता तव प्रभो॥ दृश्यते किं न पार्श्वस्था एतन्नः कौतुकं परम्

tathā prāṇasamā'bhīṣṭā sītā tava prabho dṛśyate kiṁ na pārśvasthā etannaḥ kautukaṁ param

"And, O lord, Sita too, dear to you as your own life, is nowhere to be seen at your side; this is a matter of the greatest wonder to us."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.100.66)

सूत उवाच॥ तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा चिरं निःश्वस्य राघवः॥ वाष्पपूर्णेक्षणो भूत्वा सर्वं तेषां न्यवेदयत्

sūta uvāca teṣāṁ tadvacanaṁ śrutvā ciraṁ niḥśvasya rāghavaḥ vāṣpapūrṇekṣaṇo bhūtvā sarvaṁ teṣāṁ nyavedayat

Suta said: Hearing their words, Raghava sighed deeply for a long while, and, his eyes filled with tears, related everything to them.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.100.67)

अथ सीता परित्यक्ता तथा भ्राता स लक्ष्मणः॥ यदर्थं तत्र संप्राप्तः स्वयमेव द्विजोत्तमाः

atha sītā parityaktā tathā bhrātā sa lakṣmaṇaḥ yadarthaṁ tatra saṁprāptaḥ svayameva dvijottamāḥ

O best of brahmins, he told them how Sita had been renounced, and for what reason his brother Lakshmana too had himself departed.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.100.68)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वानराः सर्वे सुग्रीवप्रमुखास्ततः॥ रुरुदुस्ते सुदुःखार्ताः समालिंग्य ततः परम्

tacchrutvā vānarāḥ sarve sugrīvapramukhāstataḥ ruruduste suduḥkhārtāḥ samāliṁgya tataḥ param

Hearing this, all the monkeys, with Sugriva at their head, were struck with deep grief, and, embracing him, wept aloud.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.100.69)

एवं चिरं प्रलप्योच्चैस्ततः प्रोचू रघूत्तमम्॥ आदेशो दीयतां राजन्योऽस्माभिरिह सिध्यति

evaṁ ciraṁ pralapyoccaistataḥ procū raghūttamam ādeśo dīyatāṁ rājanyo'smābhiriha sidhyati

Having thus lamented aloud for a long while, they then said to that best of the Raghus: "O king, give us some command that we may here fulfill."

Verse 70 (skanda.6.100.70)

धन्या वयं धरापृष्ठे येषां त्वं रघुसत्तम॥ ईदृक्स्नेहसमायुक्तः समागच्छसि मंदिरे

dhanyā vayaṁ dharāpṛṣṭhe yeṣāṁ tvaṁ raghusattama īdṛksnehasamāyuktaḥ samāgacchasi maṁdire

"O best of the Raghus, blessed are we upon this earth, to whom you come, filled with such affection, to our very home."

Verse 71 (skanda.6.100.71)

राम उवाच॥ उषित्वा रजनीमेकां सुग्रीव तव मंदिरे॥ प्रातर्लंकां गमिष्यामि यत्रास्ते स विभीषणः

rāma uvāca uṣitvā rajanīmekāṁ sugrīva tava maṁdire prātarlaṁkāṁ gamiṣyāmi yatrāste sa vibhīṣaṇaḥ

Rama said: "O Sugriva, having spent one night in your palace, tomorrow morning I shall go to Lanka, where Vibhishana resides."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.100.72)

प्रधानामात्ययुक्तेन त्वयापि कपिसत्तम॥ आगंतव्यं मया सार्धं विभीषणगृहं प्रति

pradhānāmātyayuktena tvayāpi kapisattama āgaṁtavyaṁ mayā sārdhaṁ vibhīṣaṇagṛhaṁ prati

"O best of monkeys, you too, together with your foremost ministers, must come with me to Vibhishana's abode."