In Praise of the Rains

Shloka 1 (kishkindha.28.1)

स तदा वालिनं हत्वा सुग्रीवमभिषिच्य च । वसन् माल्यवतः पृष्ठे रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत् ॥ 28.1 ॥

sa tadā vālinaṃ hatvā sugrīvamabhiṣicya ca | vasan mālyavataḥ pṛṣṭhe rāmo lakṣmaṇamabravīt || 28.1 ||

Then, having slain Vali and anointed Sugriva, Rama, while dwelling on the slope of Mount Malyavat, said to Lakshmana:

Shloka 2 (kishkindha.28.2)

अयं स कालः सम्प्राप्तः समयोऽद्य जलागमः । सम्पश्य त्वं नभो मेघैः संवृतं गिरिसंनिभैः ॥ 28.2 ॥

ayaṃ sa kālaḥ samprāptaḥ samayo'dya jalāgamaḥ | sampaśya tvaṃ nabho meghaiḥ saṃvṛtaṃ girisaṃnibhaiḥ || 28.2 ||

"This is that very season we awaited; today the time of the rains has come. See how the sky is covered with clouds like mountains.

Shloka 3 (kishkindha.28.3)

नवमासधृतं गर्भं भास्करस्य गभस्तिभिः । पीत्वा रसं समुद्राणां द्यौः प्रसूते रसायनम् ॥ 28.3 ॥

navamāsadhṛtaṃ garbhaṃ bhāskarasya gabhastibhiḥ | pītvā rasaṃ samudrāṇāṃ dyauḥ prasūte rasāyanam || 28.3 ||

Having drunk the essence of the oceans through the sun's rays, and having borne that pregnancy for nine months, the sky now gives birth to the elixir of life.

Shloka 4 (kishkindha.28.4)

शक्यमम्बरमारुह्य मेघसोपानपंक्तिभिः । कुटजार्जुनमालाभिरलंकर्तुं दिवाकरः ॥ 28.4 ॥

śakyamambaramāruhya meghasopānapaṃktibhiḥ | kuṭajārjunamālābhiralaṃkartuṃ divākaraḥ || 28.4 ||

In these days it seems possible, climbing the staircase of clouds into the sky, to adorn the sun himself with garlands of kutaja and arjuna blossoms.

Shloka 5 (kishkindha.28.5)

संध्यारागोत्थितैस्ताम्रैरन्तेष्वपि च पाण्डुभिः । स्निग्धैरभ्रपटच्छेदैर्बद्धव्रणमिवाम्बरम् ॥ 28.5 ॥

saṃdhyārāgotthitaistāmrairanteṣvapi ca pāṇḍubhiḥ | snigdhairabhrapaṭacchedairbaddhavraṇamivāmbaram || 28.5 ||

Reddened at the edges by the glow of twilight, and pure white within, these tender pieces of cloud look like soft bandages bound upon the wounds of the sky.

Shloka 6 (kishkindha.28.6)

मन्दमारुतिनिःश्वासं संध्याचन्दनरञ्जितम् । आपाण्डुजलदं भाति कामातुरमिवाम्बरम् ॥ 28.6 ॥

mandamārutiniḥśvāsaṃ saṃdhyācandanarañjitam | āpāṇḍujaladaṃ bhāti kāmāturamivāmbaram || 28.6 ||

Sighing with slow breezes, tinged like sandal-paste by the twilight, the sky with its pale clouds looks as though love-sick.

Shloka 7 (kishkindha.28.7)

एषा घर्मपरिक्लिष्टा नववारिपरिप्लुता । सीतेव शोकसंतप्ता मही बाष्पं विमुञ्चति ॥ 28.7 ॥

eṣā gharmaparikliṣṭā navavāripariplutā | sīteva śokasaṃtaptā mahī bāṣpaṃ vimuñcati || 28.7 ||

This earth, scorched by summer heat and now drenched with fresh water, sheds its tears like Sita, who was scorched by grief.

Shloka 8 (kishkindha.28.8)

मेघोदरविनिर्मुक्ताः कर्पूरदलशीतलाः । शक्यमञ्जलिभिः पातुं वाताः केतकगन्धिनः ॥ 28.8 ॥

meghodaravinirmuktāḥ karpūradalaśītalāḥ | śakyamañjalibhiḥ pātuṃ vātāḥ ketakagandhinaḥ || 28.8 ||

Released from the wombs of the clouds, cool as slivers of camphor, and fragrant with the scent of ketaki flowers, these breezes seem fit to be drunk from cupped palms.

Shloka 9 (kishkindha.28.9)

एष फुल्लार्जुनः शैलः केतकैरभिवासितः । सुग्रीव इव शान्तारिर्धाराभिरभिषिच्यते ॥ 28.9 ॥

eṣa phullārjunaḥ śailaḥ ketakairabhivāsitaḥ | sugrīva iva śāntārirdhārābhirabhiṣicyate || 28.9 ||

This mountain, its arjuna trees in full bloom and perfumed by ketaki flowers, is being anointed by the rain-showers, as Sugriva was anointed once his enemy had been silenced.

Shloka 10 (kishkindha.28.10)

मेघकृष्णाजिनधरा धारायज्ञोपवीतिनः । मारुतापूरितगुहाः प्राधीता इव पर्वताः ॥ 28.10 ॥

meghakṛṣṇājinadharā dhārāyajñopavītinaḥ | mārutāpūritaguhāḥ prādhītā iva parvatāḥ || 28.10 ||

Wearing dark clouds as deerskins, streams of rain as sacred threads, and their caves filled with the sound of the wind, the mountains seem like young scholars reciting the Vedas.

Shloka 11 (kishkindha.28.11)

कशाभिरिव हैमीभिर्विद्युद्भिरभिताडितम् । अन्तःस्तनितनिर्घोषं सवेदनमिवाम्बरम् ॥ 28.11 ॥

kaśābhiriva haimībhirvidyudbhirabhitāḍitam | antaḥstanitanirghoṣaṃ savedanamivāmbaram || 28.11 ||

As if lashed by golden whips of lightning, and letting out a rumble of thunder from deep within, the sky seems to be suffering some inward pain.

Shloka 12 (kishkindha.28.12)

नीलमेघाश्रिता विद्युत् स्फुरन्ती प्रतिभाति मे । स्फुरन्ती रावणस्याङ्के वैदेहीव तपस्विनी ॥ 28.12 ॥

nīlameghāśritā vidyut sphurantī pratibhāti me | sphurantī rāvaṇasyāṅke vaidehīva tapasvinī || 28.12 ||

That flickering flash of lightning clinging to the dark-blue cloud seems to me like the sorrowful Vaidehi trembling in the clutches of Ravana.

Shloka 13 (kishkindha.28.13)

इमास्ता मन्मथवतां हिताः प्रतिहता दिशः । अनुलिप्ता इव घनैर्नष्टग्रहनिशाकराः ॥ 28.13 ॥

imāstā manmathavatāṃ hitāḥ pratihatā diśaḥ | anuliptā iva ghanairnaṣṭagrahaniśākarāḥ || 28.13 ||

For those who have their beloveds with them these quarters are auspicious; but for the moon- and star-forsaken skies, smeared as they are with dark clouds, that fortune is nowhere to be found.

Shloka 14 (kishkindha.28.14)

क्वचिद् बाष्पाभिसंरुद्धान् वर्षागमसमुत्सुकान् । कुटजान् पश्य सौमित्रे पुष्पितान् गिरिसानुषु । मम शोकाभिभूतस्य कामसंदीपनान् स्थितान् ॥ 28.14 ॥

kvacid bāṣpābhisaṃruddhān varṣāgamasamutsukān | kuṭajān paśya saumitre puṣpitān girisānuṣu | mama śokābhibhūtasya kāmasaṃdīpanān sthitān || 28.14 ||

See, Saumitri, these wild-jasmine trees standing in bloom upon the mountain-terraces, joyous at the coming of the rains and thickly veiled with droplets -- they only kindle passion the more in one such as I, who am overcome with grief.

Shloka 15 (kishkindha.28.15)

रजः प्रशान्तं सहिमोऽद्य वायुर्निदाघदोषप्रसराः प्रशान्ताः । स्थिता हि यात्रा वसुधाधिपानां । प्रवासिनो यान्ति नराः स्वदेशान् ॥ 28.15 ॥

rajaḥ praśāntaṃ sahimo'dya vāyurnidāghadoṣaprasarāḥ praśāntāḥ | sthitā hi yātrā vasudhādhipānāṃ | pravāsino yānti narāḥ svadeśān || 28.15 ||

Now the dust has settled, the breeze carries a chill, the harsh excesses of summer have subsided, the campaigns of kings have come to a halt, and men away from home are returning to their own lands.

Shloka 16 (kishkindha.28.16)

सम्प्रस्थिता मानसवासलुब्धाः । प्रियान्विताः सम्प्रति चक्रवाकाः । अभीक्ष्णवर्षोदकविक्षतेषु । यानानि मार्गेषु न सम्पतन्ति ॥ 28.16 ॥

samprasthitā mānasavāsalubdhāḥ | priyānvitāḥ samprati cakravākāḥ | abhīkṣṇavarṣodakavikṣateṣu | yānāni mārgeṣu na sampatanti || 28.16 ||

Swans, eager to reach Lake Manasa, have set out on their journey; but the ruddy geese, together with their mates, do not depart; and carriages no longer move upon the roads, so battered are they by ceaseless rain.

Shloka 17 (kishkindha.28.17)

क्वचित् प्रकाशं क्वचिदप्रकाशं । नभः प्रकीर्णाम्बुधरं विभाति । क्वचित् क्वचित् पर्वतसंनिरुद्धं । रूपं यथा शान्तमहार्णवस्य ॥ 28.17 ॥

kvacit prakāśaṃ kvacidaprakāśaṃ | nabhaḥ prakīrṇāmbudharaṃ vibhāti | kvacit kvacit parvatasaṃniruddhaṃ | rūpaṃ yathā śāntamahārṇavasya || 28.17 ||

Bright in one place, dark in another, the sky, strewn with clouds, shines forth like the aspect of a vast, tranquil ocean here and there dammed up by mountains.

Shloka 18 (kishkindha.28.18)

व्यामिश्रितं सर्जकदम्बपुष्पैर्नवं जलं पर्वतधातुताम्रम् । मयूरकेकाभिरनुप्रयातं । शैलापगाः शीघ्रतरं वहन्ति ॥ 28.18 ॥

vyāmiśritaṃ sarjakadambapuṣpairnavaṃ jalaṃ parvatadhātutāmram | mayūrakekābhiranuprayātaṃ | śailāpagāḥ śīghrataraṃ vahanti || 28.18 ||

Mingled with the flowers of sarja and kadamba trees, made coppery by the mountain's ores, and pursued by the cries of peacocks, the fresh water flows ever more swiftly down the mountain streams.

Shloka 19 (kishkindha.28.19)

रसाकुलं षट्पदसंनिकाशं । प्रभुज्यते जम्बुफलं प्रकामम् । अनेकवर्णं पवनावधूतं । भूमौ पतत्याम्रफलं विपक्वम् ॥ 28.19 ॥

rasākulaṃ ṣaṭpadasaṃnikāśaṃ | prabhujyate jambuphalaṃ prakāmam | anekavarṇaṃ pavanāvadhūtaṃ | bhūmau patatyāmraphalaṃ vipakvam || 28.19 ||

Full of savour, resembling swarms of bees, jambu fruits are delightedly devoured; while over-ripe mangoes of many hues, shaken down by the wind, fall to the ground.

Shloka 20 (kishkindha.28.20)

विद्युत्पताकाः सबलाकमालाः । शैलेन्द्रकूटाकृतिसंनिकाशाः । गर्जन्ति मेघाः समुदीर्णनादा । मत्ता गजेन्द्रा इव संयुगस्थाः ॥ 28.20 ॥

vidyutpatākāḥ sabalākamālāḥ | śailendrakūṭākṛtisaṃnikāśāḥ | garjanti meghāḥ samudīrṇanādā | mattā gajendrā iva saṃyugasthāḥ || 28.20 ||

Flying flags of lightning, garlanded with rows of cranes, resembling in shape the peaks of the lord of mountains, the clouds thunder with rising roars like rutted lordly elephants advancing to battle.

Shloka 21 (kishkindha.28.21)

वर्षोदकाप्यायितशाद्वलानि । प्रवृत्तनृत्तोत्सवबर्हिणानि । वनानि निर्वृष्टबलाहकानि । पश्यापराह्णेष्वधिकं विभान्ति ॥ 28.21 ॥

varṣodakāpyāyitaśādvalāni | pravṛttanṛttotsavabarhiṇāni | vanāni nirvṛṣṭabalāhakāni | paśyāparāhṇeṣvadhikaṃ vibhānti || 28.21 ||

Behold, these woodlands, their meadows nourished by rainwater, their peacocks stirred to festive dance, freshly rained upon by the clouds, shine forth with greater splendour in the afternoons.

Shloka 22 (kishkindha.28.22)

समुद्वहन्तः सलिलातिभारं । बलाकिनो वारिधरा नदन्तः । महत्सु शृङ्गेषु महीधराणां । विश्रम्य विश्रम्य पुनः प्रयान्ति ॥ 28.22 ॥

samudvahantaḥ salilātibhāraṃ | balākino vāridharā nadantaḥ | mahatsu śṛṅgeṣu mahīdharāṇāṃ | viśramya viśramya punaḥ prayānti || 28.22 ||

Bearing the great weight of water, resounding with the cranes about them, these rumbling clouds rest and rest again upon the towering peaks of the mountains, and then move on once more, like women heavy with child.

Shloka 23 (kishkindha.28.23)

मेघाभिकामा परिसम्पतन्ती । सम्मोदिता भाति बलाकपंक्तिः । वातावधूता वरपौण्डरीकी । लम्बेव माला रुचिराम्बरस्य ॥ 28.23 ॥

meghābhikāmā parisampatantī | sammoditā bhāti balākapaṃktiḥ | vātāvadhūtā varapauṇḍarīkī | lambeva mālā rucirāmbarasya || 28.23 ||

This joyous row of cranes, flying about on every side in longing for the clouds, shines forth like a lovely garland of white lotuses, shaken loose and left dangling from the sky by the wind.

Shloka 24 (kishkindha.28.24)

बालेन्द्रगोपान्तरचित्रितेन । विभाति भूमिर्नवशाद्वलेन । गात्रानुपृक्तेन शुकप्रभेण । नारीव लाक्षोक्षितकम्बलेन ॥ 28.24 ॥

bālendragopāntaracitritena | vibhāti bhūmirnavaśādvalena | gātrānupṛktena śukaprabheṇa | nārīva lākṣokṣitakambalena || 28.24 ||

Speckled here and there with young indragopa beetles, the earth shines with its fresh green meadows, like a woman in a parrot-green wrap besprinkled with lac-red dye, closely wound about her limbs.

Shloka 25 (kishkindha.28.25)

निद्रा शनैः केशवमभ्युपैति । द्रुतं नदी सागरमभ्युपैति । हृष्टा बलाका घनमभ्युपैति । कान्ता सकामा प्रियमभ्युपैति ॥ 28.25 ॥

nidrā śanaiḥ keśavamabhyupaiti | drutaṃ nadī sāgaramabhyupaiti | hṛṣṭā balākā ghanamabhyupaiti | kāntā sakāmā priyamabhyupaiti || 28.25 ||

Sleep now slowly draws near to Keshava; rivers swiftly draw near to the ocean; joyful cranes draw near to the clouds; and passionate women draw near to their beloveds.

Shloka 26 (kishkindha.28.26)

जाता वनान्ताः शिखिसुप्रनृत्ता । जाताः कदम्बाः सकदम्बशाखाः । जाता वृषा गोषु समानकामा । जाता मही सस्यवनाभिरामा ॥ 28.26 ॥

jātā vanāntāḥ śikhisupranṛttā | jātāḥ kadambāḥ sakadambaśākhāḥ | jātā vṛṣā goṣu samānakāmā | jātā mahī sasyavanābhirāmā || 28.26 ||

The forest-interiors have become fit for the fine dancing of peacocks; the kadamba trees have burst into flower with their clustered branches; bulls have grown eager to match the passions of cows; and this earth has become enrapturing with its crops and groves.

Shloka 27 (kishkindha.28.27)

वहन्ति वर्षन्ति नदन्ति भान्ति । ध्यायन्ति नृत्यन्ति समाश्वसन्ति । नद्यो घना मत्तगजा वनान्ताः । प्रियाविहीनाः शिखिनः प्लवंगमाः ॥ 28.27 ॥

vahanti varṣanti nadanti bhānti | dhyāyanti nṛtyanti samāśvasanti | nadyo ghanā mattagajā vanāntāḥ | priyāvihīnāḥ śikhinaḥ plavaṃgamāḥ || 28.27 ||

Rivers surge, clouds pour rain, rutting elephants trumpet, forest interiors gleam; those bereft of their beloveds brood, peacocks dance, and monkeys take heart once more.

Shloka 28 (kishkindha.28.28)

प्रहर्षिताः केतकिपुष्पगन्धमाघ्राय मत्ता वननिर्झरेषु । प्रपातशब्दाकुलिता गजेन्द्राः । सार्धं मयूरैः समदा नदन्ति ॥ 28.28 ॥

praharṣitāḥ ketakipuṣpagandhamāghrāya mattā vananirjhareṣu | prapātaśabdākulitā gajendrāḥ | sārdhaṃ mayūraiḥ samadā nadanti || 28.28 ||

Delighted at catching the fragrance of ketaki flowers, and made restless by the roar of waterfalls in the forest streams, the rutting lordly elephants trumpet loudly together with the peacocks.

Shloka 29 (kishkindha.28.29)

धारानिपातैरभिहन्यमानाः । कदम्बशाखासु विलम्बमानाः । क्षणार्जितं पुष्परसावगाढं । शनैर्मदं षट्चरणास्त्यजन्ति ॥ 28.29 ॥

dhārānipātairabhihanyamānāḥ | kadambaśākhāsu vilambamānāḥ | kṣaṇārjitaṃ puṣparasāvagāḍhaṃ | śanairmadaṃ ṣaṭcaraṇāstyajanti || 28.29 ||

Beaten down by the falling streams of rain, and clinging to the branches of kadamba trees, the honeybees slowly relinquish the intoxication they gained in a moment by plunging into the nectar of flowers.

Shloka 30 (kishkindha.28.30)

अङ्गारचूर्णोत्करसंनिकाशैः । फलैः सुपर्याप्तरसैः समृद्धैः । जम्बूद्रुमाणां प्रविभान्ति शाखा । निपीयमाना इव षट्पदौघैः ॥ 28.30 ॥

aṅgāracūrṇotkarasaṃnikāśaiḥ | phalaiḥ suparyāptarasaiḥ samṛddhaiḥ | jambūdrumāṇāṃ pravibhānti śākhā | nipīyamānā iva ṣaṭpadaughaiḥ || 28.30 ||

Rich with fruit brimming with juice, resembling heaps of powdered charcoal, the branches of the jambu trees shine forth as if being sipped by swarms of bees.

Shloka 31 (kishkindha.28.31)

तडित्पताकाभिरलंकृतानामुदीर्णगम्भीरमहारवाणाम् । विभान्ति रूपाणि बलाहकानां । रणोत्सुकानामिव वारणानाम् ॥ 28.31 ॥

taḍitpatākābhiralaṃkṛtānāmudīrṇagambhīramahāravāṇām | vibhānti rūpāṇi balāhakānāṃ | raṇotsukānāmiva vāraṇānām || 28.31 ||

Adorned with banners of lightning, and sounding forth deep and mighty rumbles, the forms of the rain-clouds shine forth like lordly elephants eager for battle.

Shloka 32 (kishkindha.28.32)

मार्गानुगः शैलवनानुसारी । सम्प्रस्थितो मेघरवं निशम्य । युद्धाभिकामः प्रतिनादशङ्की । मत्तो गजेन्द्रः प्रतिसंनिवृत्तः ॥ 28.32 ॥

mārgānugaḥ śailavanānusārī | samprasthito megharavaṃ niśamya | yuddhābhikāmaḥ pratinādaśaṅkī | matto gajendraḥ pratisaṃnivṛttaḥ || 28.32 ||

A lordly elephant, following the mountain path into the forest, hearing the roar of the clouds and suspecting it to be the challenge-call of a rival, turned back again in eagerness for a fight.

Shloka 33 (kishkindha.28.33)

क्वचित् प्रगीता इव षट्पदौघैः । क्वचित् प्रनृत्ता इव नीलकण्ठैः । क्वचित् प्रमत्ता इव वारणेन्द्रैर्विभान्त्यनेकाश्रयिणो वनान्ताः ॥ 28.33 ॥

kvacit pragītā iva ṣaṭpadaughaiḥ | kvacit pranṛttā iva nīlakaṇṭhaiḥ | kvacit pramattā iva vāraṇendrairvibhāntyanekāśrayiṇo vanāntāḥ || 28.33 ||

Here as if sung by swarms of bees, there as if danced by peacocks, elsewhere as if made frenzied by lordly elephants -- the forest-interiors, a refuge to so many creatures, shine forth on every side.

Shloka 34 (kishkindha.28.34)

कदम्बसर्जार्जुनकन्दलाढ्या । वनान्तभूमिर्मधुवारिपूर्णा । मयूरमत्ताभिरुतप्रनृत्तैरापानभूमिप्रतिमा विभाति ॥ 28.34 ॥

kadambasarjārjunakandalāḍhyā | vanāntabhūmirmadhuvāripūrṇā | mayūramattābhirutapranṛttairāpānabhūmipratimā vibhāti || 28.34 ||

Rich with kadamba, sarja, arjuna, and kandala trees, its ground brimming with sweet nectar, and alive with the excited cries and dances of peacocks, the forest-floor looks like a very tavern of revelry.

Shloka 35 (kishkindha.28.35)

मुक्तासमाभं सलिलं पतद् वै । सुनिर्मलं पत्रपुटेषु लग्नम् । हृष्टा विवर्णच्छदना विहंगाः । सुरेन्द्रदत्तं तृषिताः पिबन्ति ॥ 28.35 ॥

muktāsamābhaṃ salilaṃ patad vai | sunirmalaṃ patrapuṭeṣu lagnam | hṛṣṭā vivarṇacchadanā vihaṃgāḥ | surendradattaṃ tṛṣitāḥ pibanti || 28.35 ||

Pure as pearls, this water, falling and clinging within the hollows of leaves, as though a gift from Indra himself, is thirstily drunk by joyful birds whose plumage has been discoloured by that very water.

Shloka 36 (kishkindha.28.36)

षट्पादतन्त्रीमधुराभिधानं । प्लवंगमोदीरितकण्ठतालम् । आविष्कृतं मेघमृदङ्गनादैर्वनेषु संगीतमिव प्रवृत्तम् ॥ 28.36 ॥

ṣaṭpādatantrīmadhurābhidhānaṃ | plavaṃgamodīritakaṇṭhatālam | āviṣkṛtaṃ meghamṛdaṅganādairvaneṣu saṃgītamiva pravṛttam || 28.36 ||

With the sweet twanging of bees as its lute-strings, the croaking of frogs as its rhythm, and unveiled by the drumbeats of the clouds -- music, as it were, has begun in the forests.

Shloka 37 (kishkindha.28.37)

क्वचित् प्रनृत्तैः क्वचिदुन्नदद्भिः । क्वचिच्च वृक्षाग्रनिषण्णकायैः । व्यालम्बबर्हाभरणैर्मयूरैर्वनेषु संगीतमिव प्रवृत्तम् ॥ 28.37 ॥

kvacit pranṛttaiḥ kvacidunnadadbhiḥ | kvacicca vṛkṣāgraniṣaṇṇakāyaiḥ | vyālambabarhābharaṇairmayūrairvaneṣu saṃgītamiva pravṛttam || 28.37 ||

Here dancing, there crying aloud in high pitch, elsewhere perched upon the treetops, the peacocks with their spread tail-plumes hanging as ornaments -- it is as if music and dance had commenced in the forests.

Shloka 38 (kishkindha.28.38)

स्वनैर्घनानां प्लवगाः प्रबुद्धा । विहाय निद्रां चिरसंनिरुद्धाम् । अनेकरूपाकृतिवर्णनादा । नवाम्बुधाराभिहता नदन्ति ॥ 28.38 ॥

svanairghanānāṃ plavagāḥ prabuddhā | vihāya nidrāṃ cirasaṃniruddhām | anekarūpākṛtivarṇanādā | navāmbudhārābhihatā nadanti || 28.38 ||

Awakened by the peals of the clouds, casting off their long-restrained sleep, the frogs of many shapes, hues, and forms croak, lashed by the streams of fresh rain.

Shloka 39 (kishkindha.28.39)

नद्यः समुद्वाहितचक्रवाकास्तटानि शीर्णान्यपवाहयित्वा । दृप्ता नवप्रावृतपूर्णभोगादृतं स्वभर्तारमुपोपयान्ति ॥ 28.39 ॥

nadyaḥ samudvāhitacakravākāstaṭāni śīrṇānyapavāhayitvā | dṛptā navaprāvṛtapūrṇabhogādṛtaṃ svabhartāramupopayānti || 28.39 ||

The rivers, sweeping ruddy geese along on their currents and carrying away their crumbling banks, rush swiftly in their pride toward their lord, laden with all the fullness of the new season.

Shloka 40 (kishkindha.28.40)

नीलेषु नीला नववारिपूर्णा । मेघेषु मेघाः प्रतिभान्ति सक्ताः । दवाग्निदग्धेषु दवाग्निदग्धाः । शैलेषु शैला इव बद्धमूलाः ॥ 28.40 ॥

nīleṣu nīlā navavāripūrṇā | megheṣu meghāḥ pratibhānti saktāḥ | davāgnidagdheṣu davāgnidagdhāḥ | śaileṣu śailā iva baddhamūlāḥ || 28.40 ||

Among dark clouds, dark clouds full of new water cling close together and shine forth; among mountains scorched by wildfire, mountains scorched by wildfire stand rooted just the same.

Shloka 41 (kishkindha.28.41)

प्रमत्तसंनादितबर्हिणानि । सशक्रगोपाकुलशाद्वलानि । चरन्ति नीपार्जुनवासितानि । गजाः सुरम्याणि वनान्तराणि ॥ 28.41 ॥

pramattasaṃnāditabarhiṇāni | saśakragopākulaśādvalāni | caranti nīpārjunavāsitāni | gajāḥ suramyāṇi vanāntarāṇi || 28.41 ||

Elephants roam through the most delightful forest interiors, where peacocks scream in wild delight, where the meadows swarm with red beetles, and which are made fragrant by nipa and arjuna blossoms.

Shloka 42 (kishkindha.28.42)

नवाम्बुधाराहतकेसराणि । द्रुतं परित्यज्य सरोरुहाणि । कदम्बपुष्पाणि सकेसराणि । नवानि हृष्टा भ्रमराः पिबन्ति ॥ 28.42 ॥

navāmbudhārāhatakesarāṇi | drutaṃ parityajya saroruhāṇi | kadambapuṣpāṇi sakesarāṇi | navāni hṛṣṭā bhramarāḥ pibanti || 28.42 ||

Quickly abandoning the lotuses whose filaments have been battered by fresh streams of rain, the joyful bees now drink from the fresh kadamba flowers with their fibrils.

Shloka 43 (kishkindha.28.43)

मत्ता गजेन्द्रा मुदिता गवेन्द्रा । वनेषु विक्रान्ततरा मृगेन्द्राः । रम्या नगेन्द्राः निभृता नरेन्द्राः । प्रक्रीडितो वारिधरैः सुरेन्द्रः ॥ 28.43 ॥

mattā gajendrā muditā gavendrā | vaneṣu vikrāntatarā mṛgendrāḥ | ramyā nagendrāḥ nibhṛtā narendrāḥ | prakrīḍito vāridharaiḥ surendraḥ || 28.43 ||

Rutting lordly elephants, joyful bulls, lions all the more triumphant in the forests, delightful lordly mountains, kings now withdrawn to rest, and Indra himself at play with the water-bearing clouds -

Shloka 44 (kishkindha.28.44)

मेघाः समुद्भूतसमुद्रनादा । महाजलौघैर्गगनावलम्बाः । नदीस्तटाकानि सरांसि वापीर्महीं च कृत्स्नामपवाहयन्ति ॥ 28.44 ॥

meghāḥ samudbhūtasamudranādā | mahājalaughairgaganāvalambāḥ | nadīstaṭākāni sarāṃsi vāpīrmahīṃ ca kṛtsnāmapavāhayanti || 28.44 ||

The clouds, from which the very roar of the ocean seems to have arisen, hanging in the sky heavy with vast floods of water, are sweeping away rivers, ponds, lakes, wells, and the whole earth besides.

Shloka 45 (kishkindha.28.45)

वर्षप्रवेगा विपुलाः पतन्ति । प्रवान्ति वाताः समुदीर्णवेगाः । प्रणष्टकूलाः प्रवहन्ति शीघ्रं । नद्यो जलं विप्रतिपन्नमार्गाः ॥ 28.45 ॥

varṣapravegā vipulāḥ patanti | pravānti vātāḥ samudīrṇavegāḥ | praṇaṣṭakūlāḥ pravahanti śīghraṃ | nadyo jalaṃ vipratipannamārgāḥ || 28.45 ||

Heavy torrents of rain fall in abundance; gales blow with ever-increasing force; and the rivers, their banks washed away, rush along swiftly, their courses gone astray.

Shloka 46 (kishkindha.28.46)

नरैर्नरेन्द्रा इव पर्वतेन्द्राः । सुरेन्द्रदत्तैः पवनोपनीतैः । घनाम्बुकुम्भैरभिषिच्यमाना । रूपं श्रियं स्वामिव दर्शयन्ति ॥ 28.46 ॥

narairnarendrā iva parvatendrāḥ | surendradattaiḥ pavanopanītaiḥ | ghanāmbukumbhairabhiṣicyamānā | rūpaṃ śriyaṃ svāmiva darśayanti || 28.46 ||

As kings are anointed by their people with water borne in vessels and so display their royal splendour, so too the lordly mountains, anointed by the pots of cloud-water sent by Indra himself and carried by the wind, display their own natural grandeur.

Shloka 47 (kishkindha.28.47)

घनोपगूढं गगनं न तारा । न भास्करो दर्शनमभ्युपैति । नवैर्जलौघैर्धरणी वितृप्ता । तमोविलिप्ता न दिशः प्रकाशाः ॥ 28.47 ॥

ghanopagūḍhaṃ gaganaṃ na tārā | na bhāskaro darśanamabhyupaiti | navairjalaughairdharaṇī vitṛptā | tamoviliptā na diśaḥ prakāśāḥ || 28.47 ||

The sky, closely wrapped in clouds, shows neither star nor sun to view; the earth lies sated with fresh floods of water, and the quarters, smeared with darkness, are without any light...

Shloka 48 (kishkindha.28.48)

महान्ति कूटानि महीधराणां । धाराविधौतान्यधिकं विभान्ति । महाप्रमाणैर्विपुलैः प्रपातैर्मुक्ताकलापैरिव लम्बमानैः ॥ 28.48 ॥

mahānti kūṭāni mahīdharāṇāṃ | dhārāvidhautānyadhikaṃ vibhānti | mahāpramāṇairvipulaiḥ prapātairmuktākalāpairiva lambamānaiḥ || 28.48 ||

The great crests of the mountains, thoroughly washed by the rain-torrents, shine forth all the more, with their vast and abundant waterfalls hanging down like strings of pearls.

Shloka 49 (kishkindha.28.49)

शैलोपलप्रस्खलमानवेगाः । शैलोत्तमानां विपुलाः प्रपाताः । गुहासु संनादितबर्हिणासु । हारा विकीर्यन्त इवावभान्ति ॥ 28.49 ॥

śailopalapraskhalamānavegāḥ | śailottamānāṃ vipulāḥ prapātāḥ | guhāsu saṃnāditabarhiṇāsu | hārā vikīryanta ivāvabhānti || 28.49 ||

The wide waterfalls, their currents dashing swiftly against the mountain rocks, gleam forth within the caves loud with the cries of peacocks, as though necklaces lay scattered about.

Shloka 50 (kishkindha.28.50)

शीघ्रप्रवेगा विपुलाः प्रपाता । निर्धौतशृङ्गोपतला गिरीणाम् । मुक्ताकलापप्रतिमाः पतन्तो । महागुहोत्सङ्गतलैर्ध्रियन्ते ॥ 28.50 ॥

śīghrapravegā vipulāḥ prapātā | nirdhautaśṛṅgopatalā girīṇām | muktākalāpapratimāḥ patanto | mahāguhotsaṅgatalairdhriyante || 28.50 ||

Falling swiftly, these wide waterfalls, having washed clean the crests and slopes of the mountains, are held, like strings of pearls, upon the ledges of the great cavernous recesses.

Shloka 51 (kishkindha.28.51)

सुरतामर्दविच्छिन्नाः स्वर्गस्त्रीहारमौक्तिकाः । पतन्ति चातुला दिक्षु तोयधाराः समन्ततः ॥ 28.51 ॥

suratāmardavicchinnāḥ svargastrīhāramauktikāḥ | patanti cātulā dikṣu toyadhārāḥ samantataḥ || 28.51 ||

Like strings of pearls of the celestial women, broken loose in the vigour of their love-play, these matchless streams of water fall down on every side, in every direction.

Shloka 52 (kishkindha.28.52)

विलीयमानैर्विहगैर्निमीलद्भिश्च पङ्कजैः । विकसन्त्या च मालत्या गतोऽस्तं ज्ञायते रविः ॥ 28.52 ॥

vilīyamānairvihagairnimīladbhiśca paṅkajaiḥ | vikasantyā ca mālatyā gato'staṃ jñāyate raviḥ || 28.52 ||

By the birds settling into their nests, the lotuses closing their petals, and the jasmine flowers opening theirs, one knows that the sun has gone down.

Shloka 53 (kishkindha.28.53)

वृत्ता यात्रा नरेन्द्राणां सेना पथ्येव वर्तते । वैराणि चैव मार्गाश्च सलिलेन समीकृताः ॥ 28.53 ॥

vṛttā yātrā narendrāṇāṃ senā pathyeva vartate | vairāṇi caiva mārgāśca salilena samīkṛtāḥ || 28.53 ||

The campaigns of kings have come to a halt, their armies remaining fixed upon the roads; and enmities, as well as pathways, have alike been levelled by the water.

Shloka 54 (kishkindha.28.54)

मासि प्रौष्ठपदे ब्रह्म ब्राह्मणानां विवक्षताम् । अयमध्यायसमयः सामगानामुपस्थितः ॥ 28.54 ॥

māsi prauṣṭhapade brahma brāhmaṇānāṃ vivakṣatām | ayamadhyāyasamayaḥ sāmagānāmupasthitaḥ || 28.54 ||

In the month of Praushthapada, this is the time that has come for those Brahmins devoted to sacred learning, the singers of the Sama-hymns, to take up their studies.

Shloka 55 (kishkindha.28.55)

निवृत्तकर्मायतनो नूनं संचितसंचयः । आषाढीमभ्युपगतो भरतः कोसलाधिपः ॥ 28.55 ॥

nivṛttakarmāyatano nūnaṃ saṃcitasaṃcayaḥ | āṣāḍhīmabhyupagato bharataḥ kosalādhipaḥ || 28.55 ||

Surely Bharata, lord of Kosala, having settled all affairs of state and gathered in his stores, has by now undertaken his vow on the full-moon day of Ashadha.

Shloka 56 (kishkindha.28.56)

नूनमापूर्यमाणायाः सरय्वा वर्धते रयः । मां समीक्ष्य समायान्तमयोध्याया इव स्वनः ॥ 28.56 ॥

nūnamāpūryamāṇāyāḥ sarayvā vardhate rayaḥ | māṃ samīkṣya samāyāntamayodhyāyā iva svanaḥ || 28.56 ||

Surely the Sarayu, swelling with its waters, must be surging all the louder, as though echoing the tumult of Ayodhya on beholding my return.

Shloka 57 (kishkindha.28.57)

इमाः स्फीतगुणा वर्षाः सुग्रीवः सुखमश्नुते । विजितारिः सदारश्च राज्ये महति च स्थितः ॥ 28.57 ॥

imāḥ sphītaguṇā varṣāḥ sugrīvaḥ sukhamaśnute | vijitāriḥ sadāraśca rājye mahati ca sthitaḥ || 28.57 ||

In this rainy season, so richly endowed with its own delights, Sugriva enjoys happiness, his enemy vanquished, reunited with his wife, and established in his great kingdom.

Shloka 58 (kishkindha.28.58)

अहं तु हृतदारश्च राज्याच्च महतश्च्युतः । नदीकूलमिव क्लिन्नमवसीदामि लक्ष्मण ॥ 28.58 ॥

ahaṃ tu hṛtadāraśca rājyācca mahataścyutaḥ | nadīkūlamiva klinnamavasīdāmi lakṣmaṇa || 28.58 ||

But I, Lakshmana, my wife stolen from me and cast down from a great kingdom, sink down like a riverbank crumbling into the water.

Shloka 59 (kishkindha.28.59)

शोकश्च मम विस्तीर्णो वर्षाश्च भृशदुर्गमाः । रावणश्च महाञ्छत्रुरपारः प्रतिभाति मे ॥ 28.59 ॥

śokaśca mama vistīrṇo varṣāśca bhṛśadurgamāḥ | rāvaṇaśca mahāñchatrurapāraḥ pratibhāti me || 28.59 ||

My grief is boundless, the rains have made every path impassable, and Ravana, that formidable enemy, seems to me insurmountable.

Shloka 60 (kishkindha.28.60)

अयात्रां चैव दृष्ट्वेमां मार्गांश्च भृशदुर्गमान् । प्रणते चैव सुग्रीवे न मया किंचिदीरितम् ॥ 28.60 ॥

ayātrāṃ caiva dṛṣṭvemāṃ mārgāṃśca bhṛśadurgamān | praṇate caiva sugrīve na mayā kiṃcidīritam || 28.60 ||

Seeing this impossibility of any campaign, and how utterly impassable the roads have become, I have said nothing at all to Sugriva, even though he remains ever humble before me.

Shloka 61 (kishkindha.28.61)

अपि चापि परिक्लिष्टं चिराद् दारैः समागतम् । आत्मकार्यगरीयस्त्वाद् वक्तुं नेच्छामि वानरम् ॥ 28.61 ॥

api cāpi parikliṣṭaṃ cirād dāraiḥ samāgatam | ātmakāryagarīyastvād vaktuṃ necchāmi vānaram || 28.61 ||

Moreover, that monkey, who has endured so much and has only just, after so long, been reunited with his wife, I do not wish to press, weighing the magnitude of our own undertaking.

Shloka 62 (kishkindha.28.62)

स्वयमेव हि विश्रम्य ज्ञात्वा कालमुपागतम् । उपकारं च सुग्रीवो वेत्स्यते नात्र संशयः ॥ 28.62 ॥

svayameva hi viśramya jñātvā kālamupāgatam | upakāraṃ ca sugrīvo vetsyate nātra saṃśayaḥ || 28.62 ||

Sugriva himself, after taking his rest, and realising that the time has come, will surely know of his own accord that a debt of gratitude remains to be paid; of this there is no doubt.

Shloka 63 (kishkindha.28.63)

तस्मात् कालप्रतीक्षोऽहं स्थितोऽस्मि शुभलक्षण । सुग्रीवस्य नदीनां च प्रसादमभिकांक्षयन् ॥ 28.63 ॥

tasmāt kālapratīkṣo'haṃ sthito'smi śubhalakṣaṇa | sugrīvasya nadīnāṃ ca prasādamabhikāṃkṣayan || 28.63 ||

Therefore, O Lakshmana of auspicious signs, I remain here, awaiting that time, looking for the kindness of Sugriva, and of the rivers as well.

Shloka 64 (kishkindha.28.64)

उपकारेण वीरो हि प्रतीकारेण युज्यते । अकृतज्ञोऽप्रतिकृतो हन्ति सत्त्ववतां मनः ॥ 28.64 ॥

upakāreṇa vīro hi pratīkāreṇa yujyate | akṛtajño'pratikṛto hanti sattvavatāṃ manaḥ || 28.64 ||

A valiant one, when helped, is bound to make requital; but one who is ungrateful and fails to requite wounds the hearts of the noble-spirited."

Shloka 65 (kishkindha.28.65)

अथैवमुक्तः प्रणिधाय लक्ष्मणः । कृताञ्जलिस्तत् प्रतिपूज्य भाषितम् । उवाच रामं स्वभिरामदर्शनं । प्रदर्शयन् दर्शनमात्मनः शुभम् ॥ 28.65 ॥

athaivamuktaḥ praṇidhāya lakṣmaṇaḥ | kṛtāñjalistat pratipūjya bhāṣitam | uvāca rāmaṃ svabhirāmadarśanaṃ | pradarśayan darśanamātmanaḥ śubham || 28.65 ||

Then, considering that resolve alone to be right, Lakshmana, with joined palms, honouring that speech and revealing his own auspicious view, spoke thus to Rama, whose very sight was delightful -

Shloka 66 (kishkindha.28.66)

यदुक्तमेतत् तव सर्वमीप्सितं । नरेन्द्र कर्ता नचिराद्धरीश्वरः । शरत्प्रतीक्षः क्षमतामिमं भवान् । जलप्रपातं रिपुनिग्रहे धृतः ॥ 28.66 ॥

yaduktametat tava sarvamīpsitaṃ | narendra kartā nacirāddharīśvaraḥ | śaratpratīkṣaḥ kṣamatāmimaṃ bhavān | jalaprapātaṃ ripunigrahe dhṛtaḥ || 28.66 ||

"All this is as you have said, and all that you desire, O lord of men, the lord of monkeys will soon accomplish. Resolved as you are on subduing the enemy, please bear with this downpour while awaiting the autumn." So spoke Lakshmana to Rama.