Rama's Answer to Vali

Shloka 1 (kishkindha.18.1)

इत्युक्तः प्रश्रितं वाक्यं धर्मार्थसहितं हितम् । परुषं वालिना रामो निहतेन विचेतसा ॥ 18.1 ॥

ityuktaḥ praśritaṃ vākyaṃ dharmārthasahitaṃ hitam | paruṣaṃ vālinā rāmo nihatena vicetasā || 18.1 ||

Thus was Rama addressed — in words humble, yet grounded in dharma and profit, beneficial, though sharp — by fallen, fainting Vali.

Shloka 2 (kishkindha.18.2)

तं निष्प्रभमिवादित्यं मुक्ततोयमिवाम्बुदम् । उक्तवाक्यं हरिश्रेष्ठमुपशान्तमिवानलम् ॥ 18.2 ॥

taṃ niṣprabhamivādityaṃ muktatoyamivāmbudam | uktavākyaṃ hariśreṣṭhamupaśāntamivānalam || 18.2 ||

To him — that best of monkeys, now like a sun without lustre, like a cloud spent of its rain, like a fire that has died down —

Shloka 3 (kishkindha.18.3)

धर्मार्थगुणसम्पन्नं हरीश्वरमनुत्तमम् । अधिक्षिप्तस्तदा रामः पश्चाद् वालिनमब्रवीत् ॥ 18.3 ॥

dharmārthaguṇasampannaṃ harīśvaramanuttamam | adhikṣiptastadā rāmaḥ paścād vālinamabravīt || 18.3 ||

to that unrivalled lord of monkeys, endowed with the virtues of dharma and artha, who had just reproached him — Rama, thus impugned, spoke to Vali in reply:

Shloka 4 (kishkindha.18.4)

धर्ममर्थं च कामं च समयं चापि लौकिकम् । अविज्ञाय कथं बाल्यान्मामिहाद्य विगर्हसे ॥ 18.4 ॥

dharmamarthaṃ ca kāmaṃ ca samayaṃ cāpi laukikam | avijñāya kathaṃ bālyānmāmihādya vigarhase || 18.4 ||

"Without understanding dharma, artha, kama, or even worldly custom, how do you rebuke me now so childishly?

Shloka 5 (kishkindha.18.5)

अपृष्ट्वा बुद्धिसम्पन्नान् वृद्धानाचार्यसम्मतान् । सौम्य वानरचापल्यात् त्वं मां वक्तुमिहेच्छसि ॥ 18.5 ॥

apṛṣṭvā buddhisampannān vṛddhānācāryasammatān | saumya vānaracāpalyāt tvaṃ māṃ vaktumihecchasi || 18.5 ||

"Without consulting the wise elders honoured by teachers, O gentle one, out of a mere monkey's impetuosity you wish to argue with me in this matter.

Shloka 6 (kishkindha.18.6)

इक्ष्वाकूणामियं भूमिः सशैलवनकानना । मृगपक्षिमनुष्याणां निग्रहानुग्रहेष्वपि ॥ 18.6 ॥

ikṣvākūṇāmiyaṃ bhūmiḥ saśailavanakānanā | mṛgapakṣimanuṣyāṇāṃ nigrahānugraheṣvapi || 18.6 ||

"This earth, with its mountains, woods and forests, belongs to the Ikshvakus, along with the authority to punish or favour beasts, birds, and men alike.

Shloka 7 (kishkindha.18.7)

तां पालयति धर्मात्मा भरतः सत्यवानृजुः । धर्मकामार्थतत्त्वज्ञो निग्रहानुग्रहे रतः ॥ 18.7 ॥

tāṃ pālayati dharmātmā bharataḥ satyavānṛjuḥ | dharmakāmārthatattvajño nigrahānugrahe rataḥ || 18.7 ||

"That earth is ruled by righteous, truthful, upright Bharata, knower of the true nature of dharma, artha and kama, devoted to punishing and favouring as each deserves.

Shloka 8 (kishkindha.18.8)

नयश्च विनयश्चोभौ यस्मिन् सत्यं च सुस्थितम् । विक्रमश्च यथा दृष्टः स राजा देशकालवित् ॥ 18.8 ॥

nayaśca vinayaścobhau yasmin satyaṃ ca susthitam | vikramaśca yathā dṛṣṭaḥ sa rājā deśakālavit || 18.8 ||

"He in whom both policy and discipline reside, in whom truth stands firm, and whose valour is as the scriptures ordain — such a knower of time and place alone is a true king.

Shloka 9 (kishkindha.18.9)

तस्य धर्मकृतादेशा वयमन्ये च पार्थिवाः । चरामो वसुधां कृत्स्नां धर्मसंतानमिच्छवः ॥ 18.9 ॥

tasya dharmakṛtādeśā vayamanye ca pārthivāḥ | carāmo vasudhāṃ kṛtsnāṃ dharmasaṃtānamicchavaḥ || 18.9 ||

"Following his righteous decree, we and other kings too move across this whole earth, wishing to preserve the continuity of dharma.

Shloka 10 (kishkindha.18.10)

तस्मिन् नृपतिशार्दूले भरते धर्मवत्सले । पालयत्यखिलां पृथ्वीं कश्चरेद् धर्मविप्रियम् ॥ 18.10 ॥

tasmin nṛpatiśārdūle bharate dharmavatsale | pālayatyakhilāṃ pṛthvīṃ kaścared dharmavipriyam || 18.10 ||

"While that tiger among kings, Bharata, so devoted to dharma, rules this entire earth, who indeed could act in a manner displeasing to righteousness?

Shloka 11 (kishkindha.18.11)

ते वयं मार्गविभ्रष्टं स्वधर्मे परमे स्थिताः । भरताज्ञां पुरस्कृत्य निगृह्णीमो यथाविधि ॥ 18.11 ॥

te vayaṃ mārgavibhraṣṭaṃ svadharme parame sthitāḥ | bharatājñāṃ puraskṛtya nigṛhṇīmo yathāvidhi || 18.11 ||

"We, standing firm in our own highest dharma, and upholding Bharata's command, duly restrain whoever strays from the right path.

Shloka 12 (kishkindha.18.12)

त्वं तु संक्लिष्टधर्मश्च कर्मणा च विगर्हितः । कामतन्त्रप्रधानश्च न स्थितो राजवर्त्मनि ॥ 18.12 ॥

tvaṃ tu saṃkliṣṭadharmaśca karmaṇā ca vigarhitaḥ | kāmatantrapradhānaśca na sthito rājavartmani || 18.12 ||

"But you have corrupted dharma, made yourself reprehensible by your own deeds, given yourself over chiefly to lust, and never kept to the path of a king.

Shloka 13 (kishkindha.18.13)

ज्येष्ठो भ्राता पिता वापि यश्च विद्यां प्रयच्छति । त्रयस्ते पितरो ज्ञेया धर्मे च पथि वर्तिनः ॥ 18.13 ॥

jyeṣṭho bhrātā pitā vāpi yaśca vidyāṃ prayacchati | trayaste pitaro jñeyā dharme ca pathi vartinaḥ || 18.13 ||

"For one who walks the path of dharma, the elder brother, the father, and the one who imparts learning — these three are to be known as fathers.

Shloka 14 (kishkindha.18.14)

यवीयानात्मनः पुत्रः शिष्यश्चापि गुणोदितः । पुत्रवत्ते त्रयश्चिन्त्या धर्मश्चैवात्र कारणम् ॥ 18.14 ॥

yavīyānātmanaḥ putraḥ śiṣyaścāpi guṇoditaḥ | putravatte trayaścintyā dharmaścaivātra kāraṇam || 18.14 ||

"A younger brother, one's own son, and a worthy disciple — these three too are to be regarded as sons; dharma alone is the ground for this.

Shloka 15 (kishkindha.18.15)

सूक्ष्मः परमदुर्ज्ञेयः सतां धर्मः प्लवङ्गम । हृदिस्थः सर्वभूतानामात्मा वेद शुभाशुभम् ॥ 18.15 ॥

sūkṣmaḥ paramadurjñeyaḥ satāṃ dharmaḥ plavaṅgama | hṛdisthaḥ sarvabhūtānāmātmā veda śubhāśubham || 18.15 ||

"The dharma practised by the righteous, O leaping one, is subtle and most difficult to grasp; only the self dwelling in the heart of every being knows what is good and what is evil.

Shloka 16 (kishkindha.18.16)

चपलश्चपलैः सार्धं वानरैरकृतात्मभिः । जात्यन्ध इव जात्यन्धैर्मन्त्रयन् प्रेक्षसे नु किम् ॥ 18.16 ॥

capalaścapalaiḥ sārdhaṃ vānarairakṛtātmabhiḥ | jātyandha iva jātyandhairmantrayan prekṣase nu kim || 18.16 ||

"Fickle yourself, consulting with fickle, undisciplined monkeys, like one blind from birth taking counsel with the blind — what indeed can you discern?

Shloka 17 (kishkindha.18.17)

अहं तु व्यक्ततामस्य वचनस्य ब्रवीमि ते । नहि मां केवलं रोषात् त्वं विगर्हितुमर्हसि ॥ 18.17 ॥

ahaṃ tu vyaktatāmasya vacanasya bravīmi te | nahi māṃ kevalaṃ roṣāt tvaṃ vigarhitumarhasi || 18.17 ||

"I shall make clear to you the meaning of my act — it is not fitting that you should condemn me out of mere anger alone.

Shloka 18 (kishkindha.18.18)

तदेतत् कारणं पश्य यदर्थं त्वं मया हतः । भ्रातुर्वर्तसि भार्यायां त्यक्त्वा धर्मं सनातनम् ॥ 18.18 ॥

tadetat kāraṇaṃ paśya yadarthaṃ tvaṃ mayā hataḥ | bhrāturvartasi bhāryāyāṃ tyaktvā dharmaṃ sanātanam || 18.18 ||

"See then the reason for which you were struck down by me: abandoning eternal dharma, you took your own brother's wife.

Shloka 19 (kishkindha.18.19)

अस्य त्वं धरमाणस्य सुग्रीवस्य महात्मनः । रुमायां वर्तसे कामात् स्नुषायां पापकर्मकृत् ॥ 18.19 ॥

asya tvaṃ dharamāṇasya sugrīvasya mahātmanaḥ | rumāyāṃ vartase kāmāt snuṣāyāṃ pāpakarmakṛt || 18.19 ||

"While the great-souled Sugriva still lived, you, doer of sinful deeds, lustfully took Ruma, who should be to you as a daughter-in-law.

Shloka 20 (kishkindha.18.20)

तद् व्यतीतस्य ते धर्मात् कामवृत्तस्य वानर । भ्रातृभार्याभिमर्शेऽस्मिन् दण्डोऽयं प्रतिपादितः ॥ 18.20 ॥

tad vyatītasya te dharmāt kāmavṛttasya vānara | bhrātṛbhāryābhimarśe'smin daṇḍo'yaṃ pratipāditaḥ || 18.20 ||

"For that, O vanara, since you strayed from dharma and were ruled by lust, and for laying hands on your brother's wife, this punishment has been imposed.

Shloka 21 (kishkindha.18.21)

नहि लोकविरुद्धस्य लोकवृत्तादपेयुषः । दण्डादन्यत्र पश्यामि निग्रहं हरियूथप ॥ 18.21 ॥

nahi lokaviruddhasya lokavṛttādapeyuṣaḥ | daṇḍādanyatra paśyāmi nigrahaṃ hariyūthapa || 18.21 ||

"For one who acts against the world and departs from its accepted ways, O chief of monkeys, I see no means of restraint other than punishment.

Shloka 22 (kishkindha.18.22)

न च ते मर्षये पापं क्षत्रियोऽहं कुलोद्गतः । औरसीं भगिनीं वापि भार्यां वाप्यनुजस्य यः ॥ 18.22 ॥

na ca te marṣaye pāpaṃ kṣatriyo'haṃ kulodgataḥ | aurasīṃ bhaginīṃ vāpi bhāryāṃ vāpyanujasya yaḥ || 18.22 ||

"I, born of a noble Kshatriya line, cannot condone your sin. Whoever, driven by lust, approaches his own daughter, or his sister, or his younger brother's wife,

Shloka 23 (kishkindha.18.23)

प्रचरेत नरः कामात् तस्य दण्डो वधः स्मृतः । भरतस्तु महीपालो वयं त्वादेशवर्तिनः ॥ 18.23 ॥

pracareta naraḥ kāmāt tasya daṇḍo vadhaḥ smṛtaḥ | bharatastu mahīpālo vayaṃ tvādeśavartinaḥ || 18.23 ||

commits such an act — for him the scriptures ordain death as punishment. Bharata is lord of this earth, and we act only under his command;

Shloka 24 (kishkindha.18.24)

त्वं च धर्मादतिक्रान्तः कथं शक्यमुपेक्षितुम् । गुरुधर्मव्यतिक्रान्तं प्राज्ञो धर्मेण पालयन् ॥ 18.24 ॥

tvaṃ ca dharmādatikrāntaḥ kathaṃ śakyamupekṣitum | gurudharmavyatikrāntaṃ prājño dharmeṇa pālayan || 18.24 ||

and since you transgressed dharma, how could this be overlooked? A wise ruler who governs by righteousness, upon one who has overstepped a grave duty —

Shloka 25 (kishkindha.18.25)

भरतः कामयुक्तानां निग्रहे पर्यवस्थितः । वयं तु भरतादेशावधिं कृत्वा हरीश्वर । त्वद्विधान् भिन्नमर्यादान् निग्रहीतुं व्यवस्थिताः ॥ 18.25 ॥

bharataḥ kāmayuktānāṃ nigrahe paryavasthitaḥ | vayaṃ tu bharatādeśāvadhiṃ kṛtvā harīśvara | tvadvidhān bhinnamaryādān nigrahītuṃ vyavasthitāḥ || 18.25 ||

Bharata stands ever ready to restrain those ruled by lust. And we, O lord of monkeys, having made Bharata's command our limit, stand ready to restrain those, like you, who breach the bounds of propriety.

Shloka 26 (kishkindha.18.26)

सुग्रीवेण च मे सख्यं लक्ष्मणेन यथा तथा । दारराज्यनिमित्तं च निःश्रेयस्करः स मे ॥ 18.26 ॥

sugrīveṇa ca me sakhyaṃ lakṣmaṇena yathā tathā | dārarājyanimittaṃ ca niḥśreyaskaraḥ sa me || 18.26 ||

"My friendship with Sugriva is as my bond with Lakshmana; though it arose over the matter of his wife and kingdom, he shall be my source of true good.

Shloka 27 (kishkindha.18.27)

प्रतिज्ञा च मया दत्ता तदा वानरसंनिधौ । प्रतिज्ञा च कथं शक्या मद्विधेनानवेक्षितुम् ॥ 18.27 ॥

pratijñā ca mayā dattā tadā vānarasaṃnidhau | pratijñā ca kathaṃ śakyā madvidhenānavekṣitum || 18.27 ||

"I gave my word then, in the presence of the vanaras — and how could one of my kind possibly fail to honour a promise once given?

Shloka 28 (kishkindha.18.28)

तदेभिः कारणैः सर्वैर्महद्भिर्धर्मसंश्रितैः । शासनं तव यद् युक्तं तद् भवाननुमन्यताम् ॥ 18.28 ॥

tadebhiḥ kāraṇaiḥ sarvairmahadbhirdharmasaṃśritaiḥ | śāsanaṃ tava yad yuktaṃ tad bhavānanumanyatām || 18.28 ||

"For all these weighty reasons, grounded in dharma, you must accept that the punishment given to you is just.

Shloka 29 (kishkindha.18.29)

सर्वथा धर्म इत्येव द्रष्टव्यस्तव निग्रहः । वयस्यस्योपकर्तव्यं धर्ममेवानुपश्यता ॥ 18.29 ॥

sarvathā dharma ityeva draṣṭavyastava nigrahaḥ | vayasyasyopakartavyaṃ dharmamevānupaśyatā || 18.29 ||

"In every way, this restraint of yours must be seen as righteous — for one who is guided solely by dharma must indeed come to a friend's aid.

Shloka 30 (kishkindha.18.30)

शक्यं त्वयापि तत्कार्यं धर्ममेवानुवर्तता । श्रूयते मनुना गीतौ श्लोकौ चारित्रवत्सलौ । गृहीतौ धर्मकुशलैस्तथा तच्चरितं मया ॥ 18.30 ॥

śakyaṃ tvayāpi tatkāryaṃ dharmamevānuvartatā | śrūyate manunā gītau ślokau cāritravatsalau | gṛhītau dharmakuśalaistathā taccaritaṃ mayā || 18.30 ||

"Had you too followed dharma, you would have done the very same. There are, we are told, two verses sung by Manu, cherishing right conduct, accepted by those skilled in dharma; I too have acted only as they teach.

Shloka 31 (kishkindha.18.31)

राजभिर्धृतदण्डाश्च कृत्वा पापानि मानवाः । निर्मलाः स्वर्गमायान्ति सन्तः सुकृतिनो यथा ॥ 18.31 ॥

rājabhirdhṛtadaṇḍāśca kṛtvā pāpāni mānavāḥ | nirmalāḥ svargamāyānti santaḥ sukṛtino yathā || 18.31 ||

"'Men who have sinned, once punishment is duly imposed on them by kings, become pure and ascend to heaven, like the righteous who have done good deeds.'

Shloka 32 (kishkindha.18.32)

शासनाद् वापि मोक्षाद् वा स्तेनः पापात् प्रमुच्यते । राजा त्वशासन् पापस्य तदवाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ॥ 18.32 ॥

śāsanād vāpi mokṣād vā stenaḥ pāpāt pramucyate | rājā tvaśāsan pāpasya tadavāpnoti kilbiṣam || 18.32 ||

"'A thief is freed from sin either through punishment or through release by the king; but a king who fails to punish takes upon himself the guilt of that sin.'

Shloka 33 (kishkindha.18.33)

आर्येण मम मान्धात्रा व्यसनं घोरमीप्सितम् । श्रमणेन कृते पापे यथा पापं कृतं त्वया ॥ 18.33 ॥

āryeṇa mama māndhātrā vyasanaṃ ghoramīpsitam | śramaṇena kṛte pāpe yathā pāpaṃ kṛtaṃ tvayā || 18.33 ||

"When a renunciate once committed a sin such as the one you have committed, my noble ancestor Mandhata imposed on him the very terrible punishment he thought fit.

Shloka 34 (kishkindha.18.34)

अन्यैरपि कृतं पापं प्रमत्तैर्वसुधाधिपैः । प्रायश्चित्तं च कुर्वन्ति तेन तच्छाम्यते रजः ॥ 18.34 ॥

anyairapi kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ pramattairvasudhādhipaiḥ | prāyaścittaṃ ca kurvanti tena tacchāmyate rajaḥ || 18.34 ||

"Even other careless rulers of the earth have committed such sin, and they perform expiation for it, by which that taint is washed away.

Shloka 35 (kishkindha.18.35)

तदलं परितापेन धर्मतः परिकल्पितः । वधो वानरशार्दूल न वयं स्ववशे स्थिताः ॥ 18.35 ॥

tadalaṃ paritāpena dharmataḥ parikalpitaḥ | vadho vānaraśārdūla na vayaṃ svavaśe sthitāḥ || 18.35 ||

"So, enough of your grief, O tiger among vanaras — your death has been ordained in accordance with dharma; we ourselves are not free agents in this.

Shloka 36 (kishkindha.18.36)

शृणु चाप्यपरं भूयः कारणं हरिपुंगव । तच्छ्रुत्वा हि महद् वीर न मन्युं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ 18.36 ॥

śṛṇu cāpyaparaṃ bhūyaḥ kāraṇaṃ haripuṃgava | tacchrutvā hi mahad vīra na manyuṃ kartumarhasi || 18.36 ||

"Hear yet another reason too, O bull among monkeys; hearing this important cause, O hero, you ought not to feel further anger.

Shloka 37 (kishkindha.18.37)

न मे तत्र मनस्तापो न मन्युर्हरिपुंगव । वागुराभिश्च पाशैश्च कूटैश्च विविधैर्नराः ॥ 18.37 ॥

na me tatra manastāpo na manyurharipuṃgava | vāgurābhiśca pāśaiśca kūṭaiśca vividhairnarāḥ || 18.37 ||

"I feel neither remorse nor anger over this matter, O bull among monkeys. Men, using nets, snares, and various contrivances,

Shloka 38 (kishkindha.18.38)

प्रतिच्छन्नाश्च दृश्याश्च गृह्णन्ति सुबहून् मृगान् । प्रधावितान् वा वित्रस्तान् विस्रब्धानतिविष्ठितान् ॥ 18.38 ॥

praticchannāśca dṛśyāśca gṛhṇanti subahūn mṛgān | pradhāvitān vā vitrastān visrabdhānativiṣṭhitān || 18.38 ||

whether hidden or in plain sight, capture very many animals — whether fleeing, or terrified, or unsuspecting and standing still,

Shloka 39 (kishkindha.18.39)

प्रमत्तानप्रमत्तान् वा नरा मांसाशिनो भृशम् । विध्यन्ति विमुखांश्चापि न च दोषोऽत्र विद्यते ॥ 18.39 ॥

pramattānapramattān vā narā māṃsāśino bhṛśam | vidhyanti vimukhāṃścāpi na ca doṣo'tra vidyate || 18.39 ||

whether alert or careless. Meat-eating men strike them down freely, even from behind, and in this no fault is found.

Shloka 40 (kishkindha.18.40)

यान्ति राजर्षयश्चात्र मृगयां धर्मकोविदाः । तस्मात् त्वं निहतो युद्धे मया बाणेन वानर । अयुध्यन् प्रतियुध्यन् वा यस्माच्छाखामृगो ह्यसि ॥ 18.40 ॥

yānti rājarṣayaścātra mṛgayāṃ dharmakovidāḥ | tasmāt tvaṃ nihato yuddhe mayā bāṇena vānara | ayudhyan pratiyudhyan vā yasmācchākhāmṛgo hyasi || 18.40 ||

"Even royal sages well-versed in dharma go hunting in this way. Therefore, O vanara, I struck you down in combat with my arrow, whether fighting or not, since you are, after all, a creature of the branches.

Shloka 41 (kishkindha.18.41)

दुर्लभस्य च धर्मस्य जीवितस्य शुभस्य च । राजानो वानरश्रेष्ठ प्रदातारो न संशयः ॥ 18.41 ॥

durlabhasya ca dharmasya jīvitasya śubhasya ca | rājāno vānaraśreṣṭha pradātāro na saṃśayaḥ || 18.41 ||

"Kings, O best of vanaras, are without doubt the bestowers of dharma, hard to attain, and of a good and blessed life.

Shloka 42 (kishkindha.18.42)

तान् न हिंस्यान्न चाक्रोशेन्नाक्षिपेन्नाप्रियं वदेत् । देवा मानुषरूपेण चरन्त्येते महीतले ॥ 18.42 ॥

tān na hiṃsyānna cākrośennākṣipennāpriyaṃ vadet | devā mānuṣarūpeṇa carantyete mahītale || 18.42 ||

"One should not harm them, nor curse them, nor revile them, nor speak unpleasant words to them; for these kings walk this earth as gods in human form.

Shloka 43 (kishkindha.18.43)

त्वं तु धर्ममविज्ञाय केवलं रोषमास्थितः । विदूषयसि मां धर्मे पितृपैतामहे स्थितम् ॥ 18.43 ॥

tvaṃ tu dharmamavijñāya kevalaṃ roṣamāsthitaḥ | vidūṣayasi māṃ dharme pitṛpaitāmahe sthitam || 18.43 ||

"But you, without understanding dharma, cling only to your anger, and revile me, though I stand firmly in the dharma of my fathers and forefathers." Thus Rama spoke to the dying Vali.

Shloka 44 (kishkindha.18.44)

एवमुक्तस्तु रामेण वाली प्रव्यथितो भृशम् । न दोषं राघवे दध्यौ धर्मेऽधिगतनिश्चयः ॥ 18.44 ॥

evamuktastu rāmeṇa vālī pravyathito bhṛśam | na doṣaṃ rāghave dadhyau dharme'dhigataniścayaḥ || 18.44 ||

Addressed thus by Rama, Vali was deeply moved; having arrived at certainty about dharma, he found no fault in Raghava.

Shloka 45 (kishkindha.18.45)

प्रत्युवाच ततो रामं प्राञ्जलिर्वानरेश्वरः । यत् त्वमात्थ नरश्रेष्ठ तत् तथैव न संशयः ॥ 18.45 ॥

pratyuvāca tato rāmaṃ prāñjalirvānareśvaraḥ | yat tvamāttha naraśreṣṭha tat tathaiva na saṃśayaḥ || 18.45 ||

That lord of vanaras, joining his palms, then replied to Rama: "What you have said, O best of men, is entirely true, without doubt.

Shloka 46 (kishkindha.18.46)

प्रतिवक्तुं प्रकृष्टे हि नापकृष्टस्तु शक्नुयात् । यदयुक्तं मया पूर्वं प्रमादाद् वाक्यमप्रियम् ॥ 18.46 ॥

prativaktuṃ prakṛṣṭe hi nāpakṛṣṭastu śaknuyāt | yadayuktaṃ mayā pūrvaṃ pramādād vākyamapriyam || 18.46 ||

"Indeed, an inferior cannot rebut a superior. For the improper and unpleasant words I spoke earlier out of confusion,

Shloka 47 (kishkindha.18.47)

तत्रापि खलु मे दोषं कर्तुं नार्हसि राघव । त्वं हि दृष्टार्थतत्त्वज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते रतः । कार्यकारणसिद्धौ च प्रसन्ना बुद्धिरव्यया ॥ 18.47 ॥

tatrāpi khalu me doṣaṃ kartuṃ nārhasi rāghava | tvaṃ hi dṛṣṭārthatattvajñaḥ prajānāṃ ca hite rataḥ | kāryakāraṇasiddhau ca prasannā buddhiravyayā || 18.47 ||

for those too, Raghava, you truly ought not hold me at fault — for you alone know the true nature of every aim, are devoted to your people's welfare, and your unclouded mind is ever lucid in weighing cause and effect.

Shloka 48 (kishkindha.18.48)

मामप्यवगतं धर्माद् व्यतिक्रान्तपुरस्कृतम् । धर्मसंहितया वाचा धर्मज्ञ परिपालय ॥ 18.48 ॥

māmapyavagataṃ dharmād vyatikrāntapuraskṛtam | dharmasaṃhitayā vācā dharmajña paripālaya || 18.48 ||

"I too have strayed from dharma and stand foremost among transgressors; O knower of dharma, grant me your protection with words steeped in righteousness."

Shloka 49 (kishkindha.18.49)

बाष्पसंरुद्धकण्ठस्तु वाली सार्तरवः शनैः । उवाच रामं सम्प्रेक्ष्य पङ्कलग्न इव द्विपः ॥ 18.49 ॥

bāṣpasaṃruddhakaṇṭhastu vālī sārtaravaḥ śanaiḥ | uvāca rāmaṃ samprekṣya paṅkalagna iva dvipaḥ || 18.49 ||

Then Vali, his throat choked with tears, moaning in pain, like an elephant stuck in a mire, gazed upon Rama and slowly spoke on:

Shloka 50 (kishkindha.18.50)

न चात्मानमहं शोचे न तारां नापि बान्धवान् । यथा पुत्रं गुणज्येष्ठमङ्गदं कनकाङ्गदम् ॥ 18.50 ॥

na cātmānamahaṃ śoce na tārāṃ nāpi bāndhavān | yathā putraṃ guṇajyeṣṭhamaṅgadaṃ kanakāṅgadam || 18.50 ||

"I grieve not for myself, nor for Tara, nor for my kinsmen, as I grieve for my son Angada, foremost in virtue, with his golden armlets.

Shloka 51 (kishkindha.18.51)

स ममादर्शनाद् दीनो बाल्यात् प्रभृति लालितः । तटाक इव पीताम्बुरुपशोषं गमिष्यति ॥ 18.51 ॥

sa mamādarśanād dīno bālyāt prabhṛti lālitaḥ | taṭāka iva pītāmburupaśoṣaṃ gamiṣyati || 18.51 ||

"He, whom I have fondly reared since childhood, will grow wretched at no longer seeing me, and wither away like a lake whose waters have been drained.

Shloka 52 (kishkindha.18.52)

बालश्चाकृतबुद्धिश्च एकपुत्रश्च मे प्रियः । तारेयो राम भवता रक्षणीयो महाबलः ॥ 18.52 ॥

bālaścākṛtabuddhiśca ekaputraśca me priyaḥ | tāreyo rāma bhavatā rakṣaṇīyo mahābalaḥ || 18.52 ||

"He is but a boy, still immature in judgment, my only and beloved son; O Rama, that mighty son of Tara deserves your protection.

Shloka 53 (kishkindha.18.53)

सुग्रीवे चाङ्गदे चैव विधत्स्व मतिमुत्तमाम् । त्वं हि गोप्ता च शास्ता च कार्याकार्यविधौ स्थितः ॥ 18.53 ॥

sugrīve cāṅgade caiva vidhatsva matimuttamām | tvaṃ hi goptā ca śāstā ca kāryākāryavidhau sthitaḥ || 18.53 ||

"Show the highest goodwill toward both Sugriva and Angada; for you alone are protector and ruler, ever established in what should and should not be done.

Shloka 54 (kishkindha.18.54)

या ते नरपते वृत्तिर्भरते लक्ष्मणे च या । सुग्रीवे चाङ्गदे राजंस्तां चिन्तयितुमर्हसि ॥ 18.54 ॥

yā te narapate vṛttirbharate lakṣmaṇe ca yā | sugrīve cāṅgade rājaṃstāṃ cintayitumarhasi || 18.54 ||

"O lord of men, the same regard you hold for Bharata and for Lakshmana — that same regard, O king, you should extend to Sugriva and to Angada.

Shloka 55 (kishkindha.18.55)

मद्दोषकृतदोषां तां यथा तारां तपस्विनीम् । सुग्रीवो नावमन्येत तथावस्थातुमर्हसि ॥ 18.55 ॥

maddoṣakṛtadoṣāṃ tāṃ yathā tārāṃ tapasvinīm | sugrīvo nāvamanyeta tathāvasthātumarhasi || 18.55 ||

"See to it that Sugriva does not scorn poor Tara, who bears the blame only because of my own fault.

Shloka 56 (kishkindha.18.56)

त्वया ह्यनुगृहीतेन शक्यं राज्यमुपासितुम् । त्वद्वशे वर्तमानेन तव चित्तानुवर्तिना ॥ 18.56 ॥

tvayā hyanugṛhītena śakyaṃ rājyamupāsitum | tvadvaśe vartamānena tava cittānuvartinā || 18.56 ||

"One who has your favour, who abides under your sway and follows your heart, can well hold a kingdom —

Shloka 57 (kishkindha.18.57)

शक्यं दिवं चार्जयितुं वसुधां चापि शासितुम् । त्वत्तोऽहं वधमाकांक्षन् वार्यमाणोऽपि तारया ॥ 18.57 ॥

śakyaṃ divaṃ cārjayituṃ vasudhāṃ cāpi śāsitum | tvatto'haṃ vadhamākāṃkṣan vāryamāṇo'pi tārayā || 18.57 ||

he can even win heaven, and rule the whole earth besides. As for me — though Tara sought to hold me back, I went, as though longing for death at your hands,

Shloka 58 (kishkindha.18.58)

सुग्रीवेण सह भ्रात्रा द्वन्द्वयुद्धमुपागतः । इत्युक्त्वा वानरो रामं विरराम हरीश्वरः ॥ 18.58 ॥

sugrīveṇa saha bhrātrā dvandvayuddhamupāgataḥ | ityuktvā vānaro rāmaṃ virarāma harīśvaraḥ || 18.58 ||

went to meet my brother Sugriva in single combat." Having said this to Rama, that vanara, lord of the monkeys, fell silent.

Shloka 59 (kishkindha.18.59)

स तमाश्वासयद् रामो वालिनं व्यक्तदर्शनम् । साधुसम्मतया वाचा धर्मतत्त्वार्थयुक्तया ॥ 18.59 ॥

sa tamāśvāsayad rāmo vālinaṃ vyaktadarśanam | sādhusammatayā vācā dharmatattvārthayuktayā || 18.59 ||

Rama then comforted Vali, whose vision had now grown clear, with words approved by the wise and filled with the truth and meaning of dharma:

Shloka 60 (kishkindha.18.60)

न संतापस्त्वया कार्य एतदर्थं प्लवङ्गम । न वयं भवता चिन्त्या नाप्यात्मा हरिसत्तम । वयं भवद्विशेषेण धर्मतः कृतनिश्चयाः ॥ 18.60 ॥

na saṃtāpastvayā kārya etadarthaṃ plavaṅgama | na vayaṃ bhavatā cintyā nāpyātmā harisattama | vayaṃ bhavadviśeṣeṇa dharmataḥ kṛtaniścayāḥ || 18.60 ||

"You need not grieve over this, O leaping one. Neither need you be troubled on our account, nor even on your own, O best of monkeys; it is with special regard for you that we made this decision, in accordance with dharma.

Shloka 61 (kishkindha.18.61)

दण्ड्ये यः पातयेद् दण्डं दण्ड्यो यश्चापि दण्ड्यते । कार्यकारणसिद्धार्थावुभौ तौ नावसीदतः ॥ 18.61 ॥

daṇḍye yaḥ pātayed daṇḍaṃ daṇḍyo yaścāpi daṇḍyate | kāryakāraṇasiddhārthāvubhau tau nāvasīdataḥ || 18.61 ||

"He who imposes just punishment on one who deserves it, and he who, deserving it, is punished — both attain the fruit of that cause and effect, and neither comes to grief.

Shloka 62 (kishkindha.18.62)

तद् भवान् दण्डसंयोगादस्माद् विगतकल्मषः । गतः स्वां प्रकृतिं धर्म्यां दण्डदिष्टेन वर्त्मना ॥ 18.62 ॥

tad bhavān daṇḍasaṃyogādasmād vigatakalmaṣaḥ | gataḥ svāṃ prakṛtiṃ dharmyāṃ daṇḍadiṣṭena vartmanā || 18.62 ||

"Thus, through this very punishment, you are cleansed of your fault, and by the path that punishment ordains you have returned to your own true, righteous nature.

Shloka 63 (kishkindha.18.63)

त्यज शोकं च मोहं च भयं च हृदये स्थितम् । त्वया विधानं हर्यग्र्य न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम् ॥ 18.63 ॥

tyaja śokaṃ ca mohaṃ ca bhayaṃ ca hṛdaye sthitam | tvayā vidhānaṃ haryagrya na śakyamativartitum || 18.63 ||

"Cast away the grief, the delusion, and the fear lodged in your heart, O foremost of monkeys — destiny cannot be transcended, even by you.

Shloka 64 (kishkindha.18.64)

यथा त्वय्यङ्गदो नित्यं वर्तते वानरेश्वर । तथा वर्तेत सुग्रीवे मयि चापि न संशयः ॥ 18.64 ॥

yathā tvayyaṅgado nityaṃ vartate vānareśvara | tathā varteta sugrīve mayi cāpi na saṃśayaḥ || 18.64 ||

"Just as Angada has ever conducted himself toward you, O lord of the vanaras, so shall he conduct himself toward Sugriva, and toward me too — of this there is no doubt."

Shloka 65 (kishkindha.18.65)

स तस्य वाक्यं मधुरं महात्मनः समाहितं धर्मपथानुवर्तितम् । निशम्य रामस्य रणावमर्दिनो वचः सुयुक्तं निजगाद वानरः ॥ 18.65 ॥

sa tasya vākyaṃ madhuraṃ mahātmanaḥ samāhitaṃ dharmapathānuvartitam | niśamya rāmasya raṇāvamardino vacaḥ suyuktaṃ nijagāda vānaraḥ || 18.65 ||

Having heard those sweet, composed words of great-souled Rama, that crusher of foes in battle, ever treading the path of dharma, the vanara Vali spoke these fitting words in reply:

Shloka 66 (kishkindha.18.66)

शराभितप्तेन विचेतसा मया प्रभाषितस्त्वं यदजानता विभो । इदं महेन्द्रोपमभीमविक्रम प्रसादितस्त्वं क्षम मे नरेश्वर ॥ 18.66 ॥

śarābhitaptena vicetasā mayā prabhāṣitastvaṃ yadajānatā vibho | idaṃ mahendropamabhīmavikrama prasāditastvaṃ kṣama me nareśvara || 18.66 ||

"O lord, whatever I said to you unknowingly, while burning with the arrow's wound and bereft of my senses — O king of men, of might terrible as great Indra's, pardon me for it; I seek to appease you."