The Slaying of Dundubhi and the Curse of Matanga

Shloka 1 (kishkindha.11.1)

रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा हर्षपौरुषवर्धनम् । सुग्रीवः पूजयांचक्रे राघवं प्रशशंस च ॥ 11.1 ॥

rāmasya vacanaṃ śrutvā harṣapauruṣavardhanam | sugrīvaḥ pūjayāṃcakre rāghavaṃ praśaśaṃsa ca || 11.1 ||

Hearing Rama's words, which increased his own joy and valour, Sugriva worshipped Raghava and extolled him greatly.

Shloka 2 (kishkindha.11.2)

असंशयं प्रज्वलितैस्तीक्ष्णैर्मर्मातिगैः शरैः । त्वं दहेः कुपितो लोकान् युगान्त इव भास्करः ॥ 11.2 ॥

asaṃśayaṃ prajvalitaistīkṣṇairmarmātigaiḥ śaraiḥ | tvaṃ daheḥ kupito lokān yugānta iva bhāskaraḥ || 11.2 ||

"There is no doubt that, once angered, you would burn up all the worlds with these blazing, sharp, vital-piercing arrows, like the sun at the end of an age."

Shloka 3 (kishkindha.11.3)

वालिनः पौरुषं यत्तद् यच्च वीर्यं धृतिश्च या । तन्ममैकमनाः श्रुत्वा विधत्स्व यदनन्तरम् ॥ 11.3 ॥

vālinaḥ pauruṣaṃ yattad yacca vīryaṃ dhṛtiśca yā | tanmamaikamanāḥ śrutvā vidhatsva yadanantaram || 11.3 ||

"Listen from me, single-mindedly, to what Vali's impetuosity, valour and fortitude are, and then command what should be done next."

Shloka 4 (kishkindha.11.4)

समुद्रात् पश्चिमात् पूर्वं दक्षिणादपि चोत्तरम् । क्रामत्यनुदिते सूर्ये वाली व्यपगतक्लमः ॥ 11.4 ॥

samudrāt paścimāt pūrvaṃ dakṣiṇādapi cottaram | krāmatyanudite sūrye vālī vyapagataklamaḥ || 11.4 ||

"Before the sun has risen, the untiring Vali strides from the western ocean to the eastern, and likewise from the southern to the northern."

Shloka 5 (kishkindha.11.5)

अग्राण्यारुह्य शैलानां शिखराणि महान्त्यपि । ऊर्ध्वमुत्पात्य तरसा प्रतिगृह्णाति वीर्यवान् ॥ 11.5 ॥

agrāṇyāruhya śailānāṃ śikharāṇi mahāntyapi | ūrdhvamutpātya tarasā pratigṛhṇāti vīryavān || 11.5 ||

"That mighty one, climbing to the summits of mountains, even the greatest of peaks, hurls them upward with force and catches them again."

Shloka 6 (kishkindha.11.6)

बहवः सारवन्तश्च वनेषु विविधा द्रुमाः । वालिना तरसा भग्ना बलं प्रथयताऽऽत्मनः ॥ 11.6 ॥

bahavaḥ sāravantaśca vaneṣu vividhā drumāḥ | vālinā tarasā bhagnā balaṃ prathayatā''tmanaḥ || 11.6 ||

"Many sturdy trees of various kinds in the forest have been shattered by Vali as he displays his own strength."

Shloka 7 (kishkindha.11.7)

महिषो दुन्दुभिर्नाम कैलासशिखरप्रभः । बलं नागसहस्रस्य धारयामास वीर्यवान् ॥ 11.7 ॥

mahiṣo dundubhirnāma kailāsaśikharaprabhaḥ | balaṃ nāgasahasrasya dhārayāmāsa vīryavān || 11.7 ||

"There was a mighty buffalo-demon named Dundubhi, tall as a peak of Kailasa, who bore the strength of a thousand elephants."

Shloka 8 (kishkindha.11.8)

स वीर्योत्सेकदुष्टात्मा वरदानेन मोहितः । जगाम स महाकायः समुद्रं सरितां पतिम् ॥ 11.8 ॥

sa vīryotsekaduṣṭātmā varadānena mohitaḥ | jagāma sa mahākāyaḥ samudraṃ saritāṃ patim || 11.8 ||

"Bemused by the pride of his own vigour and by a boon he had received, that evil-minded, colossal-bodied one went to the ocean, lord of rivers."

Shloka 9 (kishkindha.11.9)

ऊर्मिमन्तमतिक्रम्य सागरं रत्नसंचयम् । मम युद्धं प्रयच्छेति तमुवाच महार्णवम् ॥ 11.9 ॥

ūrmimantamatikramya sāgaraṃ ratnasaṃcayam | mama yuddhaṃ prayaccheti tamuvāca mahārṇavam || 11.9 ||

"Crossing over that wave-tossed, gem-laden ocean, he said to it, 'Give me battle!'"

Shloka 10 (kishkindha.11.10)

ततः समुद्रो धर्मात्मा समुत्थाय महाबलः । अब्रवीद् वचनं राजन्नसुरं कालचोदितम् ॥ 11.10 ॥

tataḥ samudro dharmātmā samutthāya mahābalaḥ | abravīd vacanaṃ rājannasuraṃ kālacoditam || 11.10 ||

Then, O king, the righteous and mighty Ocean rose up and spoke these words to that demon driven by fate:

Shloka 11 (kishkindha.11.11)

समर्थो नास्मि ते दातुं युद्धं युद्धविशारद । श्रूयतां त्वभिधास्यामि यस्ते युद्धं प्रदास्यति ॥ 11.11 ॥

samartho nāsmi te dātuṃ yuddhaṃ yuddhaviśārada | śrūyatāṃ tvabhidhāsyāmi yaste yuddhaṃ pradāsyati || 11.11 ||

"O expert in war, I am not able to give you battle. Listen — I shall name to you one who will grant the fight you seek."

Shloka 12 (kishkindha.11.12)

शैलराजो महारण्ये तपस्विशरणं परम् । शंकरश्वशुरो नाम्ना हिमवानिति विश्रुतः ॥ 11.12 ॥

śailarājo mahāraṇye tapasviśaraṇaṃ param | śaṃkaraśvaśuro nāmnā himavāniti viśrutaḥ || 11.12 ||

"In this great forest there is a king of mountains, the supreme refuge of ascetics, known as Himavan, father-in-law of Shankara, abounding in great cascades, many caves and streams.

Shloka 13 (kishkindha.11.13)

महाप्रस्रवणोपेतो बहुकन्दरनिर्झरः । स समर्थस्तव प्रीतिमतुलां कर्तुमर्हति ॥ 11.13 ॥

mahāprasravaṇopeto bahukandaranirjharaḥ | sa samarthastava prītimatulāṃ kartumarhati || 11.13 ||

He alone is capable of granting you that incomparable satisfaction you seek."

Shloka 14 (kishkindha.11.14)

तं भीतमिति विज्ञाय समुद्रमसुरोत्तमः । हिमवद्वनमागम्य शरश्चापादिव च्युतः ॥ 11.14 ॥

taṃ bhītamiti vijñāya samudramasurottamaḥ | himavadvanamāgamya śaraścāpādiva cyutaḥ || 11.14 ||

Knowing the ocean to be afraid, that foremost of demons, Dundubhi, sped like an arrow loosed from a bow into Himavan's forest,

Shloka 15 (kishkindha.11.15)

ततस्तस्य गिरेः श्वेता गजेन्द्रप्रतिमाः शिलाः । चिक्षेप बहुधा भूमौ दुन्दुभिर्विननाद च ॥ 11.15 ॥

tatastasya gireḥ śvetā gajendrapratimāḥ śilāḥ | cikṣepa bahudhā bhūmau dundubhirvinanāda ca || 11.15 ||

and flung about the mountain's white rocks, shaped like the heads of great elephants, in every direction upon the ground, bellowing fearsomely.

Shloka 16 (kishkindha.11.16)

ततः श्वेताम्बुदाकारः सौम्यः प्रीतिकराकृतिः । हिमवानब्रवीद् वाक्यं स्व एव शिखरे स्थितः ॥ 11.16 ॥

tataḥ śvetāmbudākāraḥ saumyaḥ prītikarākṛtiḥ | himavānabravīd vākyaṃ sva eva śikhare sthitaḥ || 11.16 ||

Then Himavan, white as a cloud in form, gentle and pleasing in appearance, standing upon his own peak, spoke these words:

Shloka 17 (kishkindha.11.17)

क्लेष्टुमर्हसि मां न त्वं दुन्दुभे धर्मवत्सल । रणकर्मस्वकुशलस्तपस्विशरणो ह्यहम् ॥ 11.17 ॥

kleṣṭumarhasi māṃ na tvaṃ dundubhe dharmavatsala | raṇakarmasvakuśalastapasviśaraṇo hyaham || 11.17 ||

"O Dundubhi, devoted to virtue, it is not fitting that you trouble me. I am but a shelter for ascetics, unskilled in the ways of war."

Shloka 18 (kishkindha.11.18)

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा गिरिराजस्य धीमतः । उवाच दुन्दुभिर्वाक्यं क्रोधात् संरक्तलोचनः ॥ 11.18 ॥

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā girirājasya dhīmataḥ | uvāca dundubhirvākyaṃ krodhāt saṃraktalocanaḥ || 11.18 ||

Hearing those words of the wise lord of mountains, Dundubhi, his eyes reddened with fury, spoke this reply:

Shloka 19 (kishkindha.11.19)

यदि युद्धेऽसमर्थस्त्वं मद्भयाद् वा निरुद्यमः । तमाचक्ष्व प्रदद्यान्मे यो हि युद्धं युयुत्सतः ॥ 11.19 ॥

yadi yuddhe'samarthastvaṃ madbhayād vā nirudyamaḥ | tamācakṣva pradadyānme yo hi yuddhaṃ yuyutsataḥ || 11.19 ||

"If you are unable to fight, or hold back for fear of me, then tell me of one who would grant me the battle I seek."

Shloka 20 (kishkindha.11.20)

हिमवानब्रवीद् वाक्यं श्रुत्वा वाक्यविशारदः । अनुक्तपूर्वं धर्मात्मा क्रोधात् तमसुरोत्तमम् ॥ 11.20 ॥

himavānabravīd vākyaṃ śrutvā vākyaviśāradaḥ | anuktapūrvaṃ dharmātmā krodhāt tamasurottamam || 11.20 ||

Hearing this, the righteous Himavan, expert in speech, though he had never spoken such words before, said this in anger to that foremost of demons:

Shloka 21 (kishkindha.11.21)

वाली नाम महाप्राज्ञ शक्रपुत्रः प्रतापवान् । अध्यास्ते वानरः श्रीमान् किष्किन्धामतुलप्रभाम् ॥ 11.21 ॥

vālī nāma mahāprājña śakraputraḥ pratāpavān | adhyāste vānaraḥ śrīmān kiṣkindhāmatulaprabhām || 11.21 ||

"There is a monkey named Vali, greatly wise, as mighty as Indra's own son, glorious, who rules over the matchless and splendid city of Kishkindha.

Shloka 22 (kishkindha.11.22)

स समर्थो महाप्राज्ञस्तव युद्धविशारदः । द्वन्द्वयुद्धं स दातुं ते नमुचेरिव वासवः ॥ 11.22 ॥

sa samartho mahāprājñastava yuddhaviśāradaḥ | dvandvayuddhaṃ sa dātuṃ te namuceriva vāsavaḥ || 11.22 ||

He is highly intelligent and expert in war, and capable of giving you the single combat you desire — as Indra once gave to Namuchi."

Shloka 23 (kishkindha.11.23)

तं शीघ्रमभिगच्छ त्वं यदि युद्धमिहेच्छसि । स हि दुर्मर्षणो नित्यं शूरः समरकर्मणि ॥ 11.23 ॥

taṃ śīghramabhigaccha tvaṃ yadi yuddhamihecchasi | sa hi durmarṣaṇo nityaṃ śūraḥ samarakarmaṇi || 11.23 ||

"If you desire battle now, go to him at once, for he is ever unassailable and valiant in deeds of war."

Shloka 24 (kishkindha.11.24)

श्रुत्वा हिमवतो वाक्यं कोपाविष्टः स दुन्दुभिः । जगाम तां पुरीं तस्य किष्किन्धां वालिनस्तदा ॥ 11.24 ॥

śrutvā himavato vākyaṃ kopāviṣṭaḥ sa dundubhiḥ | jagāma tāṃ purīṃ tasya kiṣkindhāṃ vālinastadā || 11.24 ||

Hearing Himavan's words, Dundubhi, seized with fury, then set out for that city of Vali's, Kishkindha.

Shloka 25 (kishkindha.11.25)

धारयन् माहिषं रूपं तीक्ष्णशृङ्गो भयावहः । प्रावृषीव महामेघस्तोयपूर्णो नभस्तले ॥ 11.25 ॥

dhārayan māhiṣaṃ rūpaṃ tīkṣṇaśṛṅgo bhayāvahaḥ | prāvṛṣīva mahāmeghastoyapūrṇo nabhastale || 11.25 ||

Bearing the form of a buffalo, sharp-horned and terrifying, like a great rain-cloud full of water in the monsoon sky, that mighty one

Shloka 26 (kishkindha.11.26)

ततस्तु द्वारमागम्य किष्किन्धाया महाबलः । ननर्द कम्पयन् भूमिं दुन्दुभिर्दुन्दुभिर्यथा ॥ 11.26 ॥

tatastu dvāramāgamya kiṣkindhāyā mahābalaḥ | nanarda kampayan bhūmiṃ dundubhirdundubhiryathā || 11.26 ||

reached the gate of Kishkindha and, shaking the earth, bellowed like drum upon drum.

Shloka 27 (kishkindha.11.27)

समीपजान् द्रुमान् भञ्जन् वसुधां दारयन् खुरैः । विषाणेनोल्लिखन् दर्पात् तद्द्वारं द्विरदो यथा ॥ 11.27 ॥

samīpajān drumān bhañjan vasudhāṃ dārayan khuraiḥ | viṣāṇenollikhan darpāt tad‍dvāraṃ dvirado yathā || 11.27 ||

Trampling nearby trees, tearing up the earth with his hooves, and goring the gate insolently with his horns, like an elephant.

Shloka 28 (kishkindha.11.28)

अन्तःपुरगतो वाली श्रुत्वा शब्दममर्षणः । निष्पपात सह स्त्रीभिस्ताराभिरिव चन्द्रमा ॥ 11.28 ॥

antaḥpuragato vālī śrutvā śabdamamarṣaṇaḥ | niṣpapāta saha strībhistārābhiriva candramā || 11.28 ||

Vali, who was within the inner apartments, hearing that sound, could not bear it, and rushed out with his women, like the moon amid the stars.

Shloka 29 (kishkindha.11.29)

मितं व्यक्ताक्षरपदं तमुवाच स दुन्दुभिम् । हरीणामीश्वरो वाली सर्वेषां वनचारिणाम् ॥ 11.29 ॥

mitaṃ vyaktākṣarapadaṃ tamuvāca sa dundubhim | harīṇāmīśvaro vālī sarveṣāṃ vanacāriṇām || 11.29 ||

Vali, lord of all the forest-roaming monkeys, spoke to Dundubhi in brief and clear words:

Shloka 30 (kishkindha.11.30)

किमर्थं नगरद्वारमिदं रुद्ध्वा विनर्दसे । दुन्दुभे विदितो मेऽसि रक्ष प्राणान् महाबल ॥ 11.30 ॥

kimarthaṃ nagaradvāramidaṃ rud‍dhvā vinardase | dundubhe vidito me'si rakṣa prāṇān mahābala || 11.30 ||

"O Dundubhi, why do you block this city gate and bellow so? I know who you are, O mighty one — save your life."

Shloka 31 (kishkindha.11.31)

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा वानरेन्द्रस्य धीमतः । उवाच दुन्दुभिर्वाक्यं क्रोधात् संरक्तलोचनः ॥ 11.31 ॥

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā vānarendrasya dhīmataḥ | uvāca dundubhirvākyaṃ krodhāt saṃraktalocanaḥ || 11.31 ||

Hearing those words of the wise lord of monkeys, Dundubhi, his eyes reddened with fury, spoke this reply:

Shloka 32 (kishkindha.11.32)

न त्वं स्त्रीसंनिधौ वीर वचनं वक्तुमर्हसि । मम युद्धं प्रयच्छाद्य ततो ज्ञास्यामि ते बलम् ॥ 11.32 ॥

na tvaṃ strīsaṃnidhau vīra vacanaṃ vaktumarhasi | mama yuddhaṃ prayacchādya tato jñāsyāmi te balam || 11.32 ||

"It is not fitting, O hero, that you speak such words in the presence of women. Give me battle now, and then I shall know your strength."

Shloka 33 (kishkindha.11.33)

अथवा धारयिष्यामि क्रोधमद्य निशामिमाम् । गृह्यतामुदयः स्वैरं कामभोगेषु वानर ॥ 11.33 ॥

athavā dhārayiṣyāmi krodhamadya niśāmimām | gṛhyatāmudayaḥ svairaṃ kāmabhogeṣu vānara || 11.33 ||

"Or else, O monkey, I shall restrain my anger for this one night — take your pleasure freely in delights until dawn.

Shloka 34 (kishkindha.11.34)

दीयतां सम्प्रदानं च परिष्वज्य च वानरान् । सर्वशाखामृगेन्द्रस्त्वं संसादय सुहृज्जनम् ॥ 11.34 ॥

dīyatāṃ sampradānaṃ ca pariṣvajya ca vānarān | sarvaśākhāmṛgendrastvaṃ saṃsādaya suhṛjjanam || 11.34 ||

Bestow your gifts, embrace your monkeys, hand over your lordship of all the tree-dwelling creatures to another, and take leave of your kin.

Shloka 35 (kishkindha.11.35)

सुदृष्टां कुरु किष्किन्धां कुरुष्वात्मसमं पुरे । क्रीडस्व च समं स्त्रीभिरहं ते दर्पशासनः ॥ 11.35 ॥

sudṛṣṭāṃ kuru kiṣkindhāṃ kuruṣvātmasamaṃ pure | krīḍasva ca samaṃ strībhirahaṃ te darpaśāsanaḥ || 11.35 ||

Look your fill upon Kishkindha, set someone equal to yourself over the city, sport with your women — for I am the destroyer of your pride.

Shloka 36 (kishkindha.11.36)

यो हि मत्तं प्रमत्तं वा भग्नं वा रहितं कृशम् । हन्यात् स भ्रूणहा लोके त्वद्विधं मदमोहितम् ॥ 11.36 ॥

yo hi mattaṃ pramattaṃ vā bhagnaṃ vā rahitaṃ kṛśam | hanyāt sa bhrūṇahā loke tvadvidhaṃ madamohitam || 11.36 ||

Whoever slays one who is drunk, careless, broken, weaponless, wasted, or lured by intoxication is guilty in this world of the sin of killing an unborn child — and that is your very state now."

Shloka 37 (kishkindha.11.37)

स प्रहस्याब्रवीन्मन्दं क्रोधात् तमसुरेश्वरम् । विसृज्य ताः स्त्रियः सर्वास्ताराप्रभृतिकास्तदा ॥ 11.37 ॥

sa prahasyābravīnmandaṃ krodhāt tamasureśvaram | visṛjya tāḥ striyaḥ sarvāstārāprabhṛtikāstadā || 11.37 ||

Then, laughing scornfully, having sent Tara and all the other women away, he spoke in anger to that lord of demons:

Shloka 38 (kishkindha.11.38)

मत्तोऽयमिति मा मंस्था यद्यभीतोऽसि संयुगे । मदोऽयं सम्प्रहारेऽस्मिन् वीरपानं समर्थ्यताम् ॥ 11.38 ॥

matto'yamiti mā maṃsthā yadyabhīto'si saṃyuge | mado'yaṃ samprahāre'smin vīrapānaṃ samarthyatām || 11.38 ||

"Do not think this is mere drunkenness speaking — if you are not afraid in battle, then let this intoxication be reckoned a hero's toast in this deadly contest!"

Shloka 39 (kishkindha.11.39)

तमेवमुक्त्वा संक्रुद्धो मालामुत्क्षिप्य काञ्चनीम् । पित्रा दत्तां महेन्द्रेण युद्धाय व्यवतिष्ठत ॥ 11.39 ॥

tamevamuktvā saṃkruddho mālāmutkṣipya kāñcanīm | pitrā dattāṃ mahendreṇa yuddhāya vyavatiṣṭhata || 11.39 ||

Having said this, greatly enraged, he flung up the golden garland given him by his father Mahendra and stood firm for battle.

Shloka 40 (kishkindha.11.40)

विषाणयोर्गृहीत्वा तं दुन्दुभिं गिरिसंनिभम् । आविध्यत तथा वाली विनदन् कपिकुञ्जरः ॥ 11.40 ॥

viṣāṇayorgṛhītvā taṃ dundubhiṃ girisaṃnibham | āvidhyata tathā vālī vinadan kapikuñjaraḥ || 11.40 ||

Then Vali, the elephant among monkeys, seizing that mountain-like Dundubhi by the horns, whirled him about, bellowing loudly.

Shloka 41 (kishkindha.11.41)

वाली व्यापादयांचक्रे ननर्द च महास्वनम् । श्रोत्राभ्यामथ रक्तं तु तस्य सुस्राव पात्यतः ॥ 11.41 ॥

vālī vyāpādayāṃcakre nanarda ca mahāsvanam | śrotrābhyāmatha raktaṃ tu tasya susrāva pātyataḥ || 11.41 ||

Vali whirled him and dashed him down, roaring with a great sound; and as he fell, blood streamed from Dundubhi's ears.

Shloka 42 (kishkindha.11.42)

तयोस्तु क्रोधसंरम्भात् परस्परजयैषिणोः । युद्धं समभवद् घोरं दुन्दुभेर्वालिनस्तथा ॥ 11.42 ॥

tayostu krodhasaṃrambhāt parasparajayaiṣiṇoḥ | yuddhaṃ samabhavad ghoraṃ dundubhervālinastathā || 11.42 ||

Between the two, each burning with fury and each craving victory, a terrible battle broke out — between Dundubhi and Vali.

Shloka 43 (kishkindha.11.43)

अयुध्यत तदा वाली शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमः । मुष्टिभिर्जानुभिः पद्भिः शिलाभिः पादपैस्तथा ॥ 11.43 ॥

ayudhyata tadā vālī śakratulyaparākramaḥ | muṣṭibhirjānubhiḥ padbhiḥ śilābhiḥ pādapaistathā || 11.43 ||

Then Vali, whose might equalled Indra's, fought on with fists, knees and feet, and likewise with boulders and trees.

Shloka 44 (kishkindha.11.44)

परस्परं घ्नतोस्तत्र वानरासुरयोस्तदा । आसीद्धीनोऽसुरो युद्धे शक्रसूनुर्व्यवर्धत ॥ 11.44 ॥

parasparaṃ ghnatostatra vānarāsurayostadā | āsīddhīno'suro yuddhe śakrasūnurvyavardhata || 11.44 ||

As the monkey and the demon struck at each other there, the demon grew weaker in the fight while Indra's son grew ever stronger.

Shloka 45 (kishkindha.11.45)

तं तु दुन्दुभिमुद्यम्य धरण्यामभ्यपातयत् । युद्धे प्राणहरे तस्मिन्निष्पिष्टो दुन्दुभिस्तदा ॥ 11.45 ॥

taṃ tu dundubhimudyamya dharaṇyāmabhyapātayat | yuddhe prāṇahare tasminniṣpiṣṭo dundubhistadā || 11.45 ||

Then, lifting up Dundubhi, he dashed him to the ground; in that life-taking battle, Dundubhi was utterly crushed.

Shloka 46 (kishkindha.11.46)

स्रोतोभ्यो बहु रक्तं तु तस्य सुस्राव पात्यतः । पपात च महाबाहुः क्षितौ पञ्चत्वमागतः ॥ 11.46 ॥

srotobhyo bahu raktaṃ tu tasya susrāva pātyataḥ | papāta ca mahābāhuḥ kṣitau pañcatvamāgataḥ || 11.46 ||

As he fell, much blood flowed from his openings, and that mighty-armed one collapsed upon the ground and met his death.

Shloka 47 (kishkindha.11.47)

तं तोलयित्वा बाहुभ्यां गतसत्त्वमचेतनम् । चिक्षेप वेगवान् वाली वेगेनैकेन योजनम् ॥ 11.47 ॥

taṃ tolayitvā bāhubhyāṃ gatasattvamacetanam | cikṣepa vegavān vālī vegenaikena yojanam || 11.47 ||

Then swift Vali, swinging that lifeless, inert body with both arms, hurled it a full yojana away in a single fling.

Shloka 48 (kishkindha.11.48)

तस्य वेगप्रविद्धस्य वक्त्रात् क्षतजबिन्दवः । प्रपेतुर्मारुतोत्क्षिप्ता मतङ्गस्याश्रमं प्रति ॥ 11.48 ॥

tasya vegapraviddhasya vaktrāt kṣatajabindavaḥ | prapeturmārutotkṣiptā mataṅgasyāśramaṃ prati || 11.48 ||

As it was hurled with such force, drops of blood fell from its mouth and were carried by the wind toward the hermitage of sage Matanga.

Shloka 49 (kishkindha.11.49)

तान् दृष्ट्वा पतितांस्तत्र मुनिः शोणितविप्रुषः । क्रुद्धस्तस्य महाभाग चिन्तयामास को न्वयम् ॥ 11.49 ॥

tān dṛṣṭvā patitāṃstatra muniḥ śoṇitavipruṣaḥ | kruddhastasya mahābhāga cintayāmāsa ko nvayam || 11.49 ||

Seeing those drops of blood fallen there, the sage, enraged, thought, "Who could this be?"

Shloka 50 (kishkindha.11.50)

येनाहं सहसा स्पृष्टः शोणितेन दुरात्मना । कोऽयं दुरात्मा दुर्बुद्धिरकृतात्मा च बालिशः ॥ 11.50 ॥

yenāhaṃ sahasā spṛṣṭaḥ śoṇitena durātmanā | ko'yaṃ durātmā durbuddhirakṛtātmā ca bāliśaḥ || 11.50 ||

"By whom have I been suddenly touched with this evil one's blood? Who is this wicked, foolish, undisciplined wretch?"

Shloka 51 (kishkindha.11.51)

इत्युक्त्वा स विनिष्क्रम्य ददृशे मुनिसत्तमः । महिषं पर्वताकारं गतासुं पतितं भुवि ॥ 11.51 ॥

ityuktvā sa viniṣkramya dadṛśe munisattamaḥ | mahiṣaṃ parvatākāraṃ gatāsuṃ patitaṃ bhuvi || 11.51 ||

Saying this, that most excellent of sages came out and saw the mountain-like buffalo, lifeless, fallen upon the ground.

Shloka 52 (kishkindha.11.52)

स तु विज्ञाय तपसा वानरेण कृतं हि तत् । उत्ससर्ज महाशापं क्षेप्तारं वानरं प्रति ॥ 11.52 ॥

sa tu vijñāya tapasā vānareṇa kṛtaṃ hi tat | utsasarja mahāśāpaṃ kṣeptāraṃ vānaraṃ prati || 11.52 ||

Perceiving by his ascetic power that this was a monkey's doing, he pronounced a great curse upon the one who had thrown it:

Shloka 53 (kishkindha.11.53)

इह तेनाप्रवेष्टव्यं प्रविष्टस्य वधो भवेत् । वनं मत्संश्रयं येन दूषितं रुधिरस्रवैः ॥ 11.53 ॥

iha tenāpraveṣṭavyaṃ praviṣṭasya vadho bhavet | vanaṃ matsaṃśrayaṃ yena dūṣitaṃ rudhirasravaiḥ || 11.53 ||

"Let him who has defiled my sheltering forest with streams of blood never enter here; should he enter, death shall be his fate.

Shloka 54 (kishkindha.11.54)

क्षिपता पादपाश्चेमे सम्भग्नाश्चासुरीं तनुम् । समन्तादाश्रमं पूर्णं योजनं मामकं यदि ॥ 11.54 ॥

kṣipatā pādapāśceme sambhagnāścāsurīṃ tanum | samantādāśramaṃ pūrṇaṃ yojanaṃ māmakaṃ yadi || 11.54 ||

These trees too, broken as he hurled that demon's body, and all around my hermitage for a full yojana —

Shloka 55 (kishkindha.11.55)

आगमिष्यति दुर्बुद्धिर्व्यक्तं स न भविष्यति । ये चास्य सचिवाः केचित् संश्रिता मामकं वनम् ॥ 11.55 ॥

āgamiṣyati durbuddhirvyaktaṃ sa na bhaviṣyati | ye cāsya sacivāḥ kecit saṃśritā māmakaṃ vanam || 11.55 ||

if that wicked one ever comes here, he shall assuredly cease to exist. And any companions of his who take shelter in this forest of mine —

Shloka 56 (kishkindha.11.56)

न च तैरिह वस्तव्यं श्रुत्वा यान्तु यथासुखम् । तेऽपि वा यदि तिष्ठन्ति शपिष्ये तानपि ध्रुवम् ॥ 11.56 ॥

na ca tairiha vastavyaṃ śrutvā yāntu yathāsukham | te'pi vā yadi tiṣṭhanti śapiṣye tānapi dhruvam || 11.56 ||

let them not dwell here either — hearing this, let them depart in peace. But if they remain in this forest of mine, which I ever guard like a son,

Shloka 57 (kishkindha.11.57)

वनेऽस्मिन् मामके नित्यं पुत्रवत् परिरक्षिते । पत्राङ्कुरविनाशाय फलमूलाभवाय च ॥ 11.57 ॥

vane'smin māmake nityaṃ putravat parirakṣite | patrāṅkuravināśāya phalamūlābhavāya ca || 11.57 ||

for the destruction of leaves and shoots, or the ruin of fruit and root, then I shall curse them too, without fail.

Shloka 58 (kishkindha.11.58)

दिवसश्चाद्य मर्यादा यं द्रष्टा श्वोऽस्मि वानरम् । बहुवर्षसहस्राणि स वै शैलो भविष्यति ॥ 11.58 ॥

divasaścādya maryādā yaṃ draṣṭā śvo'smi vānaram | bahuvarṣasahasrāṇi sa vai śailo bhaviṣyati || 11.58 ||

"From today, this is the limit: whatever monkey I see here tomorrow shall become a stone, and remain so for many thousand years."

Shloka 59 (kishkindha.11.59)

ततस्ते वानराः श्रुत्वा गिरं मुनिसमीरिताम् । निश्चक्रमुर्वनात् तस्मात् तान् दृष्ट्वा वालिरब्रवीत् ॥ 11.59 ॥

tataste vānarāḥ śrutvā giraṃ munisamīritām | niścakramurvanāt tasmāt tān dṛṣṭvā vālirabravīt || 11.59 ||

Then, hearing the sage's clearly spoken words, those monkeys came out of that forest at once; and seeing them, Vali said:

Shloka 60 (kishkindha.11.60)

किं भवन्तः समस्ताश्च मतङ्गवनवासिनः । मत्समीपमनुप्राप्ता अपि स्वस्ति वनौकसाम् ॥ 11.60 ॥

kiṃ bhavantaḥ samastāśca mataṅgavanavāsinaḥ | matsamīpamanuprāptā api svasti vanaukasām || 11.60 ||

"Why have all of you, dwellers of Matanga's forest, come near me? Is all well with the forest-folk?"

Shloka 61 (kishkindha.11.61)

ततस्ते कारणं सर्वं तथा शापं च वालिनः । शशंसुर्वानराः सर्वे वालिने हेममालिने ॥ 11.61 ॥

tataste kāraṇaṃ sarvaṃ tathā śāpaṃ ca vālinaḥ | śaśaṃsurvānarāḥ sarve vāline hemamāline || 11.61 ||

Then all those monkeys reported to Vali, wearer of the golden chain, the whole reason, and also the sage's curse.

Shloka 62 (kishkindha.11.62)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तदा वाली वचनं वानरेरितम् । स महर्षिं समासाद्य याचते स्म कृताञ्जलिः ॥ 11.62 ॥

etacchrutvā tadā vālī vacanaṃ vānareritam | sa maharṣiṃ samāsādya yācate sma kṛtāñjaliḥ || 11.62 ||

Hearing this, Vali, with joined palms, went at once to that great sage and pleaded with him.

Shloka 63 (kishkindha.11.63)

महर्षिस्तमनादृत्य प्रविवेशाश्रमं प्रति । शापधारणभीतस्तु वाली विह्वलतां गतः ॥ 11.63 ॥

maharṣistamanādṛtya praviveśāśramaṃ prati | śāpadhāraṇabhītastu vālī vihvalatāṃ gataḥ || 11.63 ||

But the sage, disregarding him, withdrew into his hermitage; and Vali, fearing to bear the curse, fell into great distress.

Shloka 64 (kishkindha.11.64)

ततः शापभयाद् भीतो ऋष्यमूकं महागिरिम् । प्रवेष्टुं नेच्छति हरिर्द्रष्टुं वापि नरेश्वर ॥ 11.64 ॥

tataḥ śāpabhayād bhīto ṛṣyamūkaṃ mahāgirim | praveṣṭuṃ necchati harirdraṣṭuṃ vāpi nareśvara || 11.64 ||

From then on, O lord of men, that monkey, terrified by the curse, has wished neither to enter nor even to look upon the great mountain Rishyamuka.

Shloka 65 (kishkindha.11.65)

तस्याप्रवेशं ज्ञात्वाहमिदं राम महावनम् । विचरामि सहामात्यो विषादेन विवर्जितः ॥ 11.65 ॥

tasyāpraveśaṃ jñātvāhamidaṃ rāma mahāvanam | vicarāmi sahāmātyo viṣādena vivarjitaḥ || 11.65 ||

"Knowing that he cannot enter there, O Rama, I wander this great forest freed of anguish, together with my ministers.

Shloka 66 (kishkindha.11.66)

एषोऽस्थिनिचयस्तस्य दुन्दुभेः सम्प्रकाशते । वीर्योत्सेकान्निरस्तस्य गिरिकूटनिभो महान् ॥ 11.66 ॥

eṣo'sthinicayastasya dundubheḥ samprakāśate | vīryotsekānnirastasya girikūṭanibho mahān || 11.66 ||

This great mountain-like heap of bones that you see is that same Dundubhi's, flung there by Vali in the pride of his own strength.

Shloka 67 (kishkindha.11.67)

इमे च विपुलाः सालाः सप्त शाखावलम्बिनः । यत्रैकं घटते वाली निष्पत्रयितुमोजसा ॥ 11.67 ॥

ime ca vipulāḥ sālāḥ sapta śākhāvalambinaḥ | yatraikaṃ ghaṭate vālī niṣpatrayitumojasā || 11.67 ||

And these seven vast sala trees, laden with spreading branches, are the ones Vali, by his own might, strives to strip of leaves one at a time.

Shloka 68 (kishkindha.11.68)

एतदस्यासमं वीर्यं मया राम प्रकाशितम् । कथं तं वालिनं हन्तुं समरे शक्ष्यसे नृप ॥ 11.68 ॥

etadasyāsamaṃ vīryaṃ mayā rāma prakāśitam | kathaṃ taṃ vālinaṃ hantuṃ samare śakṣyase nṛpa || 11.68 ||

This unequalled might of his, O Rama, I have described to you. How, O king, will you manage to kill that Vali in battle?"

Shloka 69 (kishkindha.11.69)

तथा ब्रुवाणं सुग्रीवं प्रहसँल्लक्ष्मणोऽब्रवीत् । कस्मिन् कर्मणि निर्वृत्ते श्रद्दध्या वालिनो वधम् ॥ 11.69 ॥

tathā bruvāṇaṃ sugrīvaṃ prahasa~llakṣmaṇo'bravīt | kasmin karmaṇi nirvṛtte śraddadhyā vālino vadham || 11.69 ||

As Sugriva spoke thus, Lakshmana said, smiling, "By what deed accomplished would you place your trust in Vali's death?"

Shloka 70 (kishkindha.11.70)

तमुवाचाथ सुग्रीवः सप्त सालानिमान् पुरा । एवमेकैकशो वाली विव्याधाथ स चासकृत् ॥ 11.70 ॥

tamuvācātha sugrīvaḥ sapta sālānimān purā | evamekaikaśo vālī vivyādhātha sa cāsakṛt || 11.70 ||

Then Sugriva said to him, "Long ago Vali, in this same way, pierced each of these seven sala trees, one after another, many times over.

Shloka 71 (kishkindha.11.71)

रामो निर्दारयेदेषां बाणेनैकेन च द्रुमम् । वालिनं निहतं मन्ये दृष्ट्वा रामस्य विक्रमम् ॥ 11.71 ॥

rāmo nirdārayedeṣāṃ bāṇenaikena ca drumam | vālinaṃ nihataṃ manye dṛṣṭvā rāmasya vikramam || 11.71 ||

If Rama can rend even one of these trees with a single arrow, then, seeing that valour of Rama's, I shall reckon Vali as good as slain.

Shloka 72 (kishkindha.11.72)

हतस्य महिषस्यास्थि पादेनैकेन लक्ष्मण । उद्यम्य प्रक्षिपेच्चापि तरसा द्वे धनुःशते ॥ 11.72 ॥

hatasya mahiṣasyāsthi pādenaikena lakṣmaṇa | udyamya prakṣipeccāpi tarasā dve dhanuḥśate || 11.72 ||

And, O Lakshmana, if he can lift with one foot the skeleton of that slain buffalo and hurl it, with all his strength, two hundred bow-lengths away —

Shloka 73 (kishkindha.11.73)

एवमुक्त्वा तु सुग्रीवो रामं रक्तान्तलोचनम् । ध्यात्वा मुहूर्तं काकुत्स्थं पुनरेव वचोऽब्रवीत् ॥ 11.73 ॥

evamuktvā tu sugrīvo rāmaṃ raktāntalocanam | dhyātvā muhūrtaṃ kākutsthaṃ punareva vaco'bravīt || 11.73 ||

Having said this, Sugriva gazed a moment at Rama, whose eyes had reddened, and then, looking again at that scion of the Kakutsthas, spoke once more:

Shloka 74 (kishkindha.11.74)

शूरश्च शूरमानी च प्रख्यातबलपौरुषः । बलवान् वानरो वाली संयुगेष्वपराजितः ॥ 11.74 ॥

śūraśca śūramānī ca prakhyātabalapauruṣaḥ | balavān vānaro vālī saṃyugeṣvaparājitaḥ || 11.74 ||

"Vali is heroic, and deems himself heroic too, renowned for strength and manly valour — a mighty monkey never once defeated in combat.

Shloka 75 (kishkindha.11.75)

दृश्यन्ते चास्य कर्माणि दुष्कराणि सुरैरपि । यानि संचिन्त्य भीतोऽहमृष्यमूकमुपाश्रितः ॥ 11.75 ॥

dṛśyante cāsya karmāṇi duṣkarāṇi surairapi | yāni saṃcintya bhīto'hamṛṣyamūkamupāśritaḥ || 11.75 ||

His deeds, impossible even for the gods, are plain to see; recalling them, I have taken refuge, in fear, upon Rishyamuka.

Shloka 76 (kishkindha.11.76)

तमजय्यमधृष्यं च वानरेन्द्रममर्षणम् । विचिन्तयन्न मुञ्चापि ऋष्यमूकममुं त्वहम् ॥ 11.76 ॥

tamajayyamadhṛṣyaṃ ca vānarendramamarṣaṇam | vicintayanna muñcāpi ṛṣyamūkamamuṃ tvaham || 11.76 ||

Reflecting that this lord of monkeys is unconquerable, unassailable and implacable, I do not leave this Rishyamuka.

Shloka 77 (kishkindha.11.77)

उद्विग्नः शङ्कितश्चाहं विचरामि महावने । अनुरक्तैः सहामात्यैर्हनुमत्प्रमुखैर्वरैः ॥ 11.77 ॥

udvignaḥ śaṅkitaścāhaṃ vicarāmi mahāvane | anuraktaiḥ sahāmātyairhanumatpramukhairvaraiḥ || 11.77 ||

Uneasy and apprehensive, I wander this great forest with my devoted ministers, foremost among them the heroic Hanuman.

Shloka 78 (kishkindha.11.78)

उपलब्धं च मे श्लाघ्यं सन्मित्रं मित्रवत्सल । त्वामहं पुरुषव्याघ्र हिमवन्तमिवाश्रितः ॥ 11.78 ॥

upalabdhaṃ ca me ślāghyaṃ sanmitraṃ mitravatsala | tvāmahaṃ puruṣavyāghra himavantamivāśritaḥ || 11.78 ||

O friend-cherishing tiger among men, I have found in you a praiseworthy and true friend; I take refuge in you as in Himavan himself.

Shloka 79 (kishkindha.11.79)

किं तु तस्य बलज्ञोऽहं दुर्भ्रातुर्बलशालिनः । अप्रत्यक्षं तु मे वीर्यं समरे तव राघव ॥ 11.79 ॥

kiṃ tu tasya balajño'haṃ durbhrāturbalaśālinaḥ | apratyakṣaṃ tu me vīryaṃ samare tava rāghava || 11.79 ||

But, O Raghava, I who know well the strength of that mighty, malicious brother of mine, cannot yet clearly see your own valour in battle.

Shloka 80 (kishkindha.11.80)

न खल्वहं त्वां तुलये नावमन्ये न भीषये । कर्मभिस्तस्य भीमैश्च कातर्यं जनितं मम ॥ 11.80 ॥

na khalvahaṃ tvāṃ tulaye nāvamanye na bhīṣaye | karmabhistasya bhīmaiśca kātaryaṃ janitaṃ mama || 11.80 ||

I do not truly weigh you against him, nor demean you, nor seek to frighten you — it is his fearsome deeds alone that have bred this timidity in me."

Shloka 81 (kishkindha.11.81)

कामं राघव ते वाणी प्रमाणं धैर्यमाकृतिः । सूचयन्ति परं तेजो भस्मच्छन्नमिवानलम् ॥ 11.81 ॥

kāmaṃ rāghava te vāṇī pramāṇaṃ dhairyamākṛtiḥ | sūcayanti paraṃ tejo bhasmacchannamivānalam || 11.81 ||

"Assuredly, O Raghava, your speech, your firmness and your very form declare a supreme radiance — like fire covered over by ashes."

Shloka 82 (kishkindha.11.82)

तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवस्य महात्मनः । स्मितपूर्वमथो रामः प्रत्युवाच हरिं प्रति ॥ 11.82 ॥

tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā sugrīvasya mahātmanaḥ | smitapūrvamatho rāmaḥ pratyuvāca hariṃ prati || 11.82 ||

Hearing those words of the great-souled Sugriva, Rama, smiling gently, replied to that monkey:

Shloka 83 (kishkindha.11.83)

यदि न प्रत्ययोऽस्मासु विक्रमे तव वानर । प्रत्ययं समरे श्लाघ्यमहमुत्पादयामि ते ॥ 11.83 ॥

yadi na pratyayo'smāsu vikrame tava vānara | pratyayaṃ samare ślāghyamahamutpādayāmi te || 11.83 ||

"O monkey, if you have no confidence in my valour, I shall now instil in you a confidence worthy of praise in battle."

Shloka 84 (kishkindha.11.84)

एवमुक्त्वा तु सुग्रीवं सान्त्वयँल्लक्ष्मणाग्रजः । राघवो दुन्दुभेः कायं पादाङ्गुष्ठेन लीलया ॥ 11.84 ॥

evamuktvā tu sugrīvaṃ sāntvaya~llakṣmaṇāgrajaḥ | rāghavo dundubheḥ kāyaṃ pādāṅguṣṭhena līlayā || 11.84 ||

Having said this to comfort Sugriva, Raghava, Lakshmana's elder brother, mighty of arm and valour,

Shloka 85 (kishkindha.11.85)

तोलयित्वा महाबाहुश्चिक्षेप दशयोजनम् । असुरस्य तनुं शुष्कां पादाङ्गुष्ठेन वीर्यवान् ॥ 11.85 ॥

tolayitvā mahābāhuścikṣepa daśayojanam | asurasya tanuṃ śuṣkāṃ pādāṅguṣṭhena vīryavān || 11.85 ||

playfully lifted Dundubhi's dried carcass with his big toe and flung it ten yojanas away.

Shloka 86 (kishkindha.11.86)

क्षिप्तं दृष्ट्वा ततः कायं सुग्रीवः पुनरब्रवीत् । लक्ष्मणस्याग्रतो रामं तपन्तमिव भास्करम् । हरीणामग्रतो वीरमिदं वचनमर्थवत् ॥ 11.86 ॥

kṣiptaṃ dṛṣṭvā tataḥ kāyaṃ sugrīvaḥ punarabravīt | lakṣmaṇasyāgrato rāmaṃ tapantamiva bhāskaram | harīṇāmagrato vīramidaṃ vacanamarthavat || 11.86 ||

Seeing that body hurled so far, Sugriva then spoke again, before Lakshmana, before Rama who blazed like the sun, and before all the monkeys, this meaningful speech:

Shloka 87 (kishkindha.11.87)

आर्द्रः समांसः प्रत्यग्रः क्षिप्तः कायः पुरा सखे । परिश्रान्तेन मत्तेन भ्रात्रा मे वालिना तदा ॥ 11.87 ॥

ārdraḥ samāṃsaḥ pratyagraḥ kṣiptaḥ kāyaḥ purā sakhe | pariśrāntena mattena bhrātrā me vālinā tadā || 11.87 ||

"Friend, once, when this body was still fresh, wet with flesh, it was flung by my brother Vali, though he was then tired and intoxicated.

Shloka 88 (kishkindha.11.88)

लघुः सम्प्रति निर्मांसस्तृणभूतश्च राघव । क्षिप्त एवं प्रहर्षेण भवता रघुनन्दन ॥ 11.88 ॥

laghuḥ samprati nirmāṃsastṛṇabhūtaśca rāghava | kṣipta evaṃ praharṣeṇa bhavatā raghunandana || 11.88 ||

Now, O Raghava, O descendant of Raghu, it is light, fleshless, reduced to mere straw — and so you have flung it so easily, in high spirits.

Shloka 89 (kishkindha.11.89)

नात्र शक्यं बलं ज्ञातुं तव वा तस्य वाधिकम् । आर्द्रं शुष्कमिति ह्येतत् सुमहद् राघवान्तरम् ॥ 11.89 ॥

nātra śakyaṃ balaṃ jñātuṃ tava vā tasya vādhikam | ārdraṃ śuṣkamiti hyetat sumahad rāghavāntaram || 11.89 ||

From this it is not possible to know, O Raghava, whose strength is the greater, yours or his — for wet and dry make, indeed, so very great a difference."

Shloka 90 (kishkindha.11.90)

स एव संशयस्तात तव तस्य च यद्बलम् । सालमेकं विनिर्भिद्य भवेद् व्यक्तिर्बलाबले ॥ 11.90 ॥

sa eva saṃśayastāta tava tasya ca yada‍balam | sālamekaṃ vinirbhidya bhaved vyaktirbalābale || 11.90 ||

"That very doubt shall remain, dear one, as to whose strength, yours or his, is the greater. Only if you cleave through a single sala tree will the truth of strength or weakness be plain."

Shloka 91 (kishkindha.11.91)

कृत्वैतत् कार्मुकं सज्यं हस्तिहस्तमिवाततम् । आकर्णपूर्णमायम्य विसृजस्व महाशरम् ॥ 11.91 ॥

kṛtvaitat kārmukaṃ sajyaṃ hastihastamivātatam | ākarṇapūrṇamāyamya visṛjasva mahāśaram || 11.91 ||

"Having strung this bow — like another elephant's trunk — draw it fully back to your ear and loose your great arrow."

Shloka 92 (kishkindha.11.92)

इमं हि सालं प्रहितस्त्वया शरो न संशयोऽत्रास्ति विदारयिष्यति । अलं विमर्शेन मम प्रियं ध्रुवं कुरुष्व राजन् प्रतिशापितो मया ॥ 11.92 ॥

imaṃ hi sālaṃ prahitastvayā śaro na saṃśayo'trāsti vidārayiṣyati | alaṃ vimarśena mama priyaṃ dhruvaṃ kuruṣva rājan pratiśāpito mayā || 11.92 ||

"O king, the arrow you loose will surely rend this sala tree — of that there is no doubt. Enough deliberation; grant me, without fail, this favour to which you are sworn."

Shloka 93 (kishkindha.11.93)

यथा हि तेजःसु वरः सदा रविर्यथा हि शैलो हिमवान् महाद्रिषु । यथा चतुष्पात्सु च केसरी वरस्तथा नराणामसि विक्रमे वरः ॥ 11.93 ॥

yathā hi tejaḥsu varaḥ sadā raviryathā hi śailo himavān mahādriṣu | yathā catuṣpātsu ca kesarī varastathā narāṇāmasi vikrame varaḥ || 11.93 ||

"As the sun is ever supreme among luminaries, as Himavan is supreme among mountains, as the lion is supreme among four-footed creatures, so are you supreme among men in valour."