Vali's Last Words and Death

Shloka 1 (kishkindha.22.1)

वीक्षमाणस्तु मन्दासुः सर्वतो मन्दमुच्छ्वसन् । आदावेव तु सुग्रीवं ददर्शानुजमग्रतः ॥ 22.1 ॥

vīkṣamāṇastu mandāsuḥ sarvato mandamucchvasan | ādāveva tu sugrīvaṃ dadarśānujamagrataḥ || 22.1 ||

With his breath now feeble, glancing slowly all about, Vali first of all beheld his younger brother Sugriva standing before him.

Shloka 2 (kishkindha.22.2)

तं प्राप्तविजयं वाली सुग्रीवं प्लवगेश्वरम् । आभाष्य व्यक्तया वाचा सस्नेहमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 22.2 ॥

taṃ prāptavijayaṃ vālī sugrīvaṃ plavageśvaram | ābhāṣya vyaktayā vācā sasnehamidamabravīt || 22.2 ||

Addressing that Sugriva, lord of the monkeys, who had won the victory, Vali spoke to him in a clear voice, affectionately, as follows.

Shloka 3 (kishkindha.22.3)

सुग्रीव दोषेण न मां गन्तुमर्हसि किल्बिषात् । कृष्यमाणं भविष्येण बुद्धिमोहेन मां बलात् ॥ 22.3 ॥

sugrīva doṣeṇa na māṃ gantumarhasi kilbiṣāt | kṛṣyamāṇaṃ bhaviṣyeṇa buddhimohena māṃ balāt || 22.3 ||

Sugriva, you must not think that I depart through any fault or sin of mine; know that I have been forcibly dragged here by what was destined, through a bewilderment of my own judgment.

Shloka 4 (kishkindha.22.4)

युगपद् विहितं तात न मन्ये सुखमावयोः । सौहार्दं भ्रातृयुक्तं हि तदिदं जातमन्यथा ॥ 22.4 ॥

yugapad vihitaṃ tāta na manye sukhamāvayoḥ | sauhārdaṃ bhrātṛyuktaṃ hi tadidaṃ jātamanyathā || 22.4 ||

I do not think, dear one, that happiness was ever ordained for the two of us together at the same time; hence this brotherly affection between us has turned out otherwise.

Shloka 5 (kishkindha.22.5)

प्रतिपद्य त्वमद्यैव राज्यमेषां वनौकसाम् । मामप्यद्यैव गच्छन्तं विद्धि वैवस्वतक्षयम् ॥ 22.5 ॥

pratipadya tvamadyaiva rājyameṣāṃ vanaukasām | māmapyadyaiva gacchantaṃ viddhi vaivasvatakṣayam || 22.5 ||

This very day, take up the kingship of these forest-dwellers; and know that I too am departing this very day to the abode of the god of death.

Shloka 6 (kishkindha.22.6)

जीवितं च हि राज्यं च श्रियं च विपुलां तथा । प्रजहाम्येष वै तूर्णमहं चागर्हितं यशः ॥ 22.6 ॥

jīvitaṃ ca hi rājyaṃ ca śriyaṃ ca vipulāṃ tathā | prajahāmyeṣa vai tūrṇamahaṃ cāgarhitaṃ yaśaḥ || 22.6 ||

I am indeed swiftly relinquishing my life, my kingdom, this vast prosperity, and also my unblemished fame.

Shloka 7 (kishkindha.22.7)

अस्यां त्वहमवस्थायां वीर वक्ष्यामि यद् वचः । यद्यप्यसुकरं राजन् कर्तुमेव त्वमर्हसि ॥ 22.7 ॥

asyāṃ tvahamavasthāyāṃ vīra vakṣyāmi yad vacaḥ | yadyapyasukaraṃ rājan kartumeva tvamarhasi || 22.7 ||

O hero, even in this condition, whatever word I am about to speak - O king, even if it is difficult to accomplish - you must indeed carry it out.

Shloka 8 (kishkindha.22.8)

सुखार्हं सुखसंवृद्धं बालमेनमबालिशम् । बाष्पपूर्णमुखं पश्य भूमौ पतितमङ्गदम् ॥ 22.8 ॥

sukhārhaṃ sukhasaṃvṛddhaṃ bālamenamabāliśam | bāṣpapūrṇamukhaṃ paśya bhūmau patitamaṅgadam || 22.8 ||

Look at this boy Angada, deserving of comfort and raised amid comfort, no longer of a mere child's understanding - see his face full of tears, fallen upon the ground.

Shloka 9 (kishkindha.22.9)

मम प्राणैः प्रियतरं पुत्रं पुत्रमिवौरसम् । मया हीनमहीनार्थं सर्वतः परिपालय ॥ 22.9 ॥

mama prāṇaiḥ priyataraṃ putraṃ putramivaurasam | mayā hīnamahīnārthaṃ sarvataḥ paripālaya || 22.9 ||

This son, dearer to me than my own life, now bereft of me - protect him fully in every way, as if he were your own true-born son.

Shloka 10 (kishkindha.22.10)

त्वमप्यस्य पिता दाता परित्राता च सर्वशः । भयेष्वभयदश्चैव यथाहं प्लवगेश्वर ॥ 22.10 ॥

tvamapyasya pitā dātā paritrātā ca sarvaśaḥ | bhayeṣvabhayadaścaiva yathāhaṃ plavageśvara || 22.10 ||

O lord of monkeys, become his father, his benefactor, his protector in every way, and the giver of fearlessness in dangers, just as I have been.

Shloka 11 (kishkindha.22.11)

एष तारात्मजः श्रीमांस्त्वया तुल्यपराक्रमः । रक्षसां च वधे तेषामग्रतस्ते भविष्यति ॥ 22.11 ॥

eṣa tārātmajaḥ śrīmāṃstvayā tulyaparākramaḥ | rakṣasāṃ ca vadhe teṣāmagrataste bhaviṣyati || 22.11 ||

This glorious son of Tara, equal to you in valour, will stand before you in your vanguard when those demons are to be slain.

Shloka 12 (kishkindha.22.12)

अनुरूपाणि कर्माणि विक्रम्य बलवान् रणे । करिष्यत्येष तारेयस्तेजस्वी तरुणोऽङ्गदः ॥ 22.12 ॥

anurūpāṇi karmāṇi vikramya balavān raṇe | kariṣyatyeṣa tāreyastejasvī taruṇo'ṅgadaḥ || 22.12 ||

This mighty, radiant, and youthful son of Tara, Angada, showing his valour in battle, will accomplish deeds worthy of his lineage.

Shloka 13 (kishkindha.22.13)

सुषेणदुहिता चेयमर्थसूक्ष्मविनिश्चये । औत्पातिके च विविधे सर्वतः परिनिष्ठिता ॥ 22.13 ॥

suṣeṇaduhitā ceyamarthasūkṣmaviniścaye | autpātike ca vividhe sarvataḥ pariniṣṭhitā || 22.13 ||

And this daughter of Sushena is thoroughly accomplished in every way, both in discerning the subtlety of matters and in the diverse portents of ill omen.

Shloka 14 (kishkindha.22.14)

यदेषा साध्विति ब्रूयात् कार्यं तन्मुक्तसंशयम् । नहि तारामतं किंचिदन्यथा परिवर्तते ॥ 22.14 ॥

yadeṣā sādhviti brūyāt kāryaṃ tanmuktasaṃśayam | nahi tārāmataṃ kiṃcidanyathā parivartate || 22.14 ||

Whatever she declares to be right, that task should be undertaken without any doubt; for nothing that Tara has resolved ever turns out otherwise.

Shloka 15 (kishkindha.22.15)

राघवस्य च ते कार्यं कर्तव्यमविशङ्कया । स्यादधर्मो ह्यकरणे त्वां च हिंस्यादमानितः ॥ 22.15 ॥

rāghavasya ca te kāryaṃ kartavyamaviśaṅkayā | syādadharmo hyakaraṇe tvāṃ ca hiṃsyādamānitaḥ || 22.15 ||

And Raghava's task must be accomplished by you without hesitation; for in failing to perform it there would be unrighteousness, and the one so dishonoured might harm you.

Shloka 16 (kishkindha.22.16)

इमां च मालामाधत्स्व दिव्यां सुग्रीव काञ्चनीम् । उदारा श्रीः स्थिता ह्यस्यां सम्प्रजह्यान्मृते मयि ॥ 22.16 ॥

imāṃ ca mālāmādhatsva divyāṃ sugrīva kāñcanīm | udārā śrīḥ sthitā hyasyāṃ samprajahyānmṛte mayi || 22.16 ||

And, Sugriva, take up this divine golden garland; for the bounteous fortune dwelling in it will surely forsake it the moment I die.

Shloka 17 (kishkindha.22.17)

इत्येवमुक्तः सुग्रीवो वालिना भ्रातृसौहृदात् । हर्षं त्यक्त्वा पुनर्दीनो ग्रहग्रस्त इवोडुराट् ॥ 22.17 ॥

ityevamuktaḥ sugrīvo vālinā bhrātṛsauhṛdāt | harṣaṃ tyaktvā punardīno grahagrasta ivoḍurāṭ || 22.17 ||

Thus addressed by Vali out of brotherly affection, Sugriva, abandoning his joy, once again became dejected, like the lord of stars, the moon, seized by an eclipsing planet.

Shloka 18 (kishkindha.22.18)

तद्वालिवचनाच्छान्तः कुर्वन् युक्तमतन्द्रितः । जग्राह सोऽभ्यनुज्ञातो मालां तां चैव काञ्चनीम् ॥ 22.18 ॥

tadvālivacanācchāntaḥ kurvan yuktamatandritaḥ | jagrāha so'bhyanujñāto mālāṃ tāṃ caiva kāñcanīm || 22.18 ||

Pacified by Vali's words, acting rightly and without hesitation, and permitted by him, Sugriva took up that very golden garland.

Shloka 19 (kishkindha.22.19)

तां मालां काञ्चनीं दत्त्वा दृष्ट्वा चैवात्मजं स्थितम् । संसिद्धः प्रेत्यभावाय स्नेहादङ्गदमब्रवीत् ॥ 22.19 ॥

tāṃ mālāṃ kāñcanīṃ dattvā dṛṣṭvā caivātmajaṃ sthitam | saṃsiddhaḥ pretyabhāvāya snehādaṅgadamabravīt || 22.19 ||

Having given away that golden garland, and seeing his own son standing near, Vali, now made ready for his passage to the other world, spoke to Angada with affection.

Shloka 20 (kishkindha.22.20)

देशकालौ भजस्वाद्य क्षममाणः प्रियाप्रिये । सुखदुःखसहः काले सुग्रीववशगो भव ॥ 22.20 ॥

deśakālau bhajasvādya kṣamamāṇaḥ priyāpriye | sukhaduḥkhasahaḥ kāle sugrīvavaśago bhava || 22.20 ||

From today, mindful of place and time, forbearing of what is pleasant or unpleasant, enduring joy and sorrow as occasion demands, remain under the control of Sugriva.

Shloka 21 (kishkindha.22.21)

यथा हि त्वं महाबाहो लालितः सततं मया । न तथा वर्तमानं त्वां सुग्रीवो बहु मन्यते ॥ 22.21 ॥

yathā hi tvaṃ mahābāho lālitaḥ satataṃ mayā | na tathā vartamānaṃ tvāṃ sugrīvo bahu manyate || 22.21 ||

O mighty-armed one, in whatever manner I have constantly indulged you, if you go on behaving in that same way, Sugriva will not think as highly of you.

Shloka 22 (kishkindha.22.22)

नास्यामित्रैर्गतं गच्छेर्मा शत्रुभिररिंदम । भर्तुरर्थपरो दान्तः सुग्रीववशगो भव ॥ 22.22 ॥

nāsyāmitrairgataṃ gacchermā śatrubhirariṃdama | bharturarthaparo dāntaḥ sugrīvavaśago bhava || 22.22 ||

Do not go where his unfriendly ones go, O subduer of foes, nor draw near his enemies; devoted to your lord's interest and self-restrained, remain under Sugriva's control.

Shloka 23 (kishkindha.22.23)

न चातिप्रणयः कार्यः कर्तव्योऽप्रणयश्च ते । उभयं हि महादोषं तस्मादन्तरदृग् भव ॥ 22.23 ॥

na cātipraṇayaḥ kāryaḥ kartavyo'praṇayaśca te | ubhayaṃ hi mahādoṣaṃ tasmādantaradṛg bhava || 22.23 ||

You should show neither excessive familiarity nor its opposite, aloofness; both are indeed a great fault, therefore hold to the middle view.

Shloka 24 (kishkindha.22.24)

इत्युक्त्वाथ विवृत्ताक्षः शरसम्पीडितो भृशम् । विवृतैर्दशनैर्भीमैर्बभूवोत्क्रान्तजीवितः ॥ 22.24 ॥

ityuktvātha vivṛttākṣaḥ śarasampīḍito bhṛśam | vivṛtairdaśanairbhīmairbabhūvotkrāntajīvitaḥ || 22.24 ||

Having said this, sorely afflicted by the arrow, his eyes rolled upward, his fearsome teeth bared, and his life then departed.

Shloka 25 (kishkindha.22.25)

ततो विचुक्रुशुस्तत्र वानरा हतयूथपाः । परिदेवयमानास्ते सर्वे प्लवगसत्तमाः ॥ 22.25 ॥

tato vicukruśustatra vānarā hatayūthapāḥ | paridevayamānāste sarve plavagasattamāḥ || 22.25 ||

Then, with their chief slain, the monkeys there cried out loudly, and all those best of monkeys fell to lamenting.

Shloka 26 (kishkindha.22.26)

किष्किन्धा ह्यद्य शून्या च स्वर्गते वानरेश्वरे । उद्यानानि च शून्यानि पर्वताः काननानि च ॥ 22.26 ॥

kiṣkindhā hyadya śūnyā ca svargate vānareśvare | udyānāni ca śūnyāni parvatāḥ kānanāni ca || 22.26 ||

Now that the lord of the monkeys has gone to heaven, Kishkindha today is truly desolate, the gardens are empty, and the mountains and forests too are void.

Shloka 27 (kishkindha.22.27)

हते प्लवगशार्दूले निष्प्रभा वानराः कृताः । यस्य वेगेन महता काननानि वनानि च ॥ 22.27 ॥

hate plavagaśārdūle niṣprabhā vānarāḥ kṛtāḥ | yasya vegena mahatā kānanāni vanāni ca || 22.27 ||

With that tiger among monkeys slain, the monkeys are rendered lustreless - he, by whose great swiftness the woodlands and forests -

Shloka 28 (kishkindha.22.28)

पुष्पौघेणानुबद्ध्यन्ते करिष्यति तदद्य कः । येन दत्तं महद् युद्धं गन्धर्वस्य महात्मनः ॥ 22.28 ॥

puṣpaugheṇānubaddhyante kariṣyati tadadya kaḥ | yena dattaṃ mahad yuddhaṃ gandharvasya mahātmanaḥ || 22.28 ||

- used to be showered upon with masses of flowers, who now can do that? He by whom that great battle was waged against the great-souled Gandharva -

Shloka 29 (kishkindha.22.29)

गोलभस्य महाबाहोर्दश वर्षाणि पञ्च च । नैव रात्रौ न दिवसे तद् युद्धमुपशाम्यति ॥ 22.29 ॥

golabhasya mahābāhordaśa varṣāṇi pañca ca | naiva rātrau na divase tad yuddhamupaśāmyati || 22.29 ||

- namely the mighty-armed Golabha; for fifteen years that battle never once ceased, neither by night nor by day.

Shloka 30 (kishkindha.22.30)

ततः षोडशमे वर्षे गोलभो विनिपातितः । तं हत्वा दुर्विनीतं तु वाली दंष्ट्राकरालवान् । सर्वाभयंकरोऽस्माकं कथमेष निपातितः ॥ 22.30 ॥

tataḥ ṣoḍaśame varṣe golabho vinipātitaḥ | taṃ hatvā durvinītaṃ tu vālī daṃṣṭrākarālavān | sarvābhayaṃkaro'smākaṃ kathameṣa nipātitaḥ || 22.30 ||

Then in the sixteenth year Golabha was struck down; having slain that unruly one, Vali, terrible with his fangs, became the giver of fearlessness to all of us - how then has this very Vali now fallen?

Shloka 31 (kishkindha.22.31)

हते तु वीरे प्लवगाधिपे तदा प्लवङ्गमास्तत्र न शर्म लेभिरे । वनेचराः सिंहयुते महावने यथा हि गावो निहते गवां पतौ ॥ 22.31 ॥

hate tu vīre plavagādhipe tadā plavaṅgamāstatra na śarma lebhire | vanecarāḥ siṃhayute mahāvane yathā hi gāvo nihate gavāṃ patau || 22.31 ||

But when that heroic lord of the monkeys was thus slain, the monkeys there found no comfort at all, just as forest-roaming cattle find no peace in a great lion-haunted forest, when the bull that leads them has been killed.

Shloka 32 (kishkindha.22.32)

ततस्तु तारा व्यसनार्णवप्लुता मृतस्य भर्तुर्वदनं समीक्ष्य सा । जगाम भूमिं परिरभ्य वालिनं महाद्रुमं छिन्नमिवाश्रिता लता ॥ 22.32 ॥

tatastu tārā vyasanārṇavaplutā mṛtasya bharturvadanaṃ samīkṣya sā | jagāma bhūmiṃ parirabhya vālinaṃ mahādrumaṃ chinnamivāśritā latā || 22.32 ||

Then Tara, plunged into an ocean of calamity, gazing upon the face of her dead husband, sank down to the ground embracing Vali, like a creeper clinging to a great tree that has been felled.