Sugreeva Comes to Rama

Shloka 1 (kishkindha.38.1)

प्रतिगृह्य च तत् सर्वमुपायनमुपाहृतम् । वानरान् सान्त्वयित्वा च सर्वानेव व्यसर्जयत् ॥ 38.1 ॥

pratigṛhya ca tat sarvamupāyanamupāhṛtam | vānarān sāntvayitvā ca sarvāneva vyasarjayat || 38.1 ||

Having accepted all that had been offered to him, and having consoled all the vanaras, he dismissed every one of them.

Shloka 2 (kishkindha.38.2)

विसर्जयित्वा स हरीन् सहस्रान् कृतकर्मणः । मेने कृतार्थमात्मानं राघवं च महाबलम् ॥ 38.2 ॥

visarjayitvā sa harīn sahasrān kṛtakarmaṇaḥ | mene kṛtārthamātmānaṃ rāghavaṃ ca mahābalam || 38.2 ||

Having dismissed those thousands of monkeys, their task done, he deemed both himself and the mighty Raghava to have accomplished their purpose.

Shloka 3 (kishkindha.38.3)

स लक्ष्मणो भीमबलं सर्ववानरसत्तमम् । अब्रवीत् प्रश्रितं वाक्यं सुग्रीवं सम्प्रहर्षयन् ॥ 38.3 ॥

sa lakṣmaṇo bhīmabalaṃ sarvavānarasattamam | abravīt praśritaṃ vākyaṃ sugrīvaṃ sampraharṣayan || 38.3 ||

Sugreeva then spoke humble words to Lakshmana, of fearsome strength and foremost among all vanaras, seeking to gladden him:

Shloka 4 (kishkindha.38.4)

किष्किन्धाया विनिष्क्राम यदि ते सौम्य रोचते । तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणस्य सुभाषितम् ॥ 38.4 ॥

kiṣkindhāyā viniṣkrāma yadi te saumya rocate | tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā lakṣmaṇasya subhāṣitam || 38.4 ||

"Come forth from Kishkindha, gentle one, if it please you." On hearing that well-spoken word of Lakshmana,

Shloka 5 (kishkindha.38.5)

सुग्रीवः परमप्रीतो वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह । एवं भवतु गच्छाम स्थेयं त्वच्छासने मया ॥ 38.5 ॥

sugrīvaḥ paramaprīto vākyametaduvāca ha | evaṃ bhavatu gacchāma stheyaṃ tvacchāsane mayā || 38.5 ||

Sugreeva, greatly pleased, spoke this reply: "So be it; let us go — I shall abide by your command."

Shloka 6 (kishkindha.38.6)

तमेवमुक्त्वा सुग्रीवो लक्ष्मणं शुभलक्षणम् । विसर्जयामास तदा ताराद्याश्चैव योषितः ॥ 38.6 ॥

tamevamuktvā sugrīvo lakṣmaṇaṃ śubhalakṣaṇam | visarjayāmāsa tadā tārādyāścaiva yoṣitaḥ || 38.6 ||

Having said this to Lakshmana of the auspicious marks, Sugreeva then took leave of Tara and the other women.

Shloka 7 (kishkindha.38.7)

एहीत्युच्चैर्हरिवरान् सुग्रीवः समुदाहरत् । तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा हरयः शीघ्रमाययुः ॥ 38.7 ॥

ehītyuccairharivarān sugrīvaḥ samudāharat | tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā harayaḥ śīghramāyayuḥ || 38.7 ||

Sugreeva called out loudly, "Come!", to the foremost of monkeys; hearing his word, the monkeys came at once.

Shloka 8 (kishkindha.38.8)

बद्धाञ्जलिपुटाः सर्वे ये स्युः स्त्रीदर्शनक्षमाः । तानुवाच ततः प्राप्तान् राजार्कसदृशप्रभः ॥ 38.8 ॥

baddhāñjalipuṭāḥ sarve ye syuḥ strīdarśanakṣamāḥ | tānuvāca tataḥ prāptān rājārkasadṛśaprabhaḥ || 38.8 ||

All those decorous enough to appear before women came with joined palms; then the king, radiant as the sun, spoke to those who had arrived:

Shloka 9 (kishkindha.38.9)

उपस्थापयत क्षिप्रं शिबिकां मम वानराः । श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तस्य हरयः शीघ्रविक्रमाः ॥ 38.9 ॥

upasthāpayata kṣipraṃ śibikāṃ mama vānarāḥ | śrutvā tu vacanaṃ tasya harayaḥ śīghravikramāḥ || 38.9 ||

"O vanaras, bring my palanquin quickly." Hearing his word, the monkeys of swift prowess

Shloka 10 (kishkindha.38.10)

समुपस्थापयामासुः शिबिकां प्रियदर्शनाम् । तामुपस्थापितां दृष्ट्वा शिबिकां वानराधिपः ॥ 38.10 ॥

samupasthāpayāmāsuḥ śibikāṃ priyadarśanām | tāmupasthāpitāṃ dṛṣṭvā śibikāṃ vānarādhipaḥ || 38.10 ||

brought forth the lovely-looking palanquin. Seeing that palanquin set before him, the lord of the vanaras said —

Shloka 11 (kishkindha.38.11)

लक्ष्मणारुह्यतां शीघ्रमिति सौमित्रिमब्रवीत् । इत्युक्त्वा काञ्चनं यानं सुग्रीवः सूर्यसंनिभम् ॥ 38.11 ॥

lakṣmaṇāruhyatāṃ śīghramiti saumitrimabravīt | ityuktvā kāñcanaṃ yānaṃ sugrīvaḥ sūryasaṃnibham || 38.11 ||

to Saumitri, "Mount quickly." So saying, Sugreeva, upon that golden vehicle radiant as the sun,

Shloka 12 (kishkindha.38.12)

बहुभिर्हरिभिर्युक्तमारुरोह सलक्ष्मणः । पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि ॥ 38.12 ॥

bahubhirharibhiryuktamāruroha salakṣmaṇaḥ | pāṇḍureṇātapatreṇa dhriyamāṇena mūrdhani || 38.12 ||

mounted along with Lakshmana, accompanied by many monkeys, while a white parasol was held above his head,

Shloka 13 (kishkindha.38.13)

शुक्लैश्च वालव्यजनैर्धूयमानैः समन्ततः । शंखभेरीनिनादैश्च बन्दिभिश्चाभिनन्दितः ॥ 38.13 ॥

śuklaiśca vālavyajanairdhūyamānaiḥ samantataḥ | śaṃkhabherīninādaiśca bandibhiścābhinanditaḥ || 38.13 ||

and white yak-tail fans were waved about him on every side; he was hailed with the sound of conches and kettledrums by the court bards.

Shloka 14 (kishkindha.38.14)

निर्ययौ प्राप्य सुग्रीवो राज्यश्रियमनुत्तमाम् । स वानरशतैस्तीक्ष्णैर्बहुभिः शस्त्रपाणिभिः ॥ 38.14 ॥

niryayau prāpya sugrīvo rājyaśriyamanuttamām | sa vānaraśataistīkṣṇairbahubhiḥ śastrapāṇibhiḥ || 38.14 ||

Having attained unrivalled royal glory, Sugreeva set forth, surrounded by hundreds of monkeys bearing sharp weapons,

Shloka 15 (kishkindha.38.15)

परिकीर्णो ययौ तत्र यत्र रामो व्यवस्थितः । स तं देशमनुप्राप्य श्रेष्ठं रामनिषेवितम् ॥ 38.15 ॥

parikīrṇo yayau tatra yatra rāmo vyavasthitaḥ | sa taṃ deśamanuprāpya śreṣṭhaṃ rāmaniṣevitam || 38.15 ||

and went to where Rama was stationed; having reached that excellent place frequented by Rama,

Shloka 16 (kishkindha.38.16)

अवातरन्महातेजाः शिबिकायाः सलक्ष्मणः । आसाद्य च ततो रामं कृताञ्जलिपुटोऽभवत् ॥ 38.16 ॥

avātaranmahātejāḥ śibikāyāḥ salakṣmaṇaḥ | āsādya ca tato rāmaṃ kṛtāñjalipuṭo'bhavat || 38.16 ||

the mighty Sugreeva, together with Lakshmana, descended from the palanquin; drawing near to Rama, he stood with joined palms.

Shloka 17 (kishkindha.38.17)

कृताञ्जलौ स्थिते तस्मिन् वानराश्चाभवंस्तथा । तटाकमिव तं दृष्ट्वा रामः कुड्मलपङ्कजम् ॥ 38.17 ॥

kṛtāñjalau sthite tasmin vānarāścābhavaṃstathā | taṭākamiva taṃ dṛṣṭvā rāmaḥ kuḍmalapaṅkajam || 38.17 ||

As he stood with joined palms, the vanaras stood likewise; and seeing that great host of vanaras — like a lake covered with budding lotuses —

Shloka 18 (kishkindha.38.18)

वानराणां महत् सैन्यं सुग्रीवे प्रीतिमानभूत् । पादयोः पतितं मूर्ध्ना तमुत्थाप्य हरीश्वरम् ॥ 38.18 ॥

vānarāṇāṃ mahat sainyaṃ sugrīve prītimānabhūt | pādayoḥ patitaṃ mūrdhnā tamutthāpya harīśvaram || 38.18 ||

Rama's heart was gladdened on Sugreeva's account; and raising up that lord of vanaras, who had fallen with bowed head at his feet,

Shloka 19 (kishkindha.38.19)

प्रेम्णा च बहुमानाच्च राघवः परिषस्वजे । परिष्वज्य च धर्मात्मा निषीदेति ततोऽब्रवीत् ॥ 38.19 ॥

premṇā ca bahumānācca rāghavaḥ pariṣasvaje | pariṣvajya ca dharmātmā niṣīdeti tato'bravīt || 38.19 ||

the righteous Raghava embraced him with love and great regard; and having embraced him, he then said, "Be seated."

Shloka 20 (kishkindha.38.20)

निषण्णं तं ततो दृष्ट्वा क्षितौ रामोऽब्रवीत् ततः । धर्ममर्थं च कामं च काले यस्तु निषेवते ॥ 38.20 ॥

niṣaṇṇaṃ taṃ tato dṛṣṭvā kṣitau rāmo'bravīt tataḥ | dharmamarthaṃ ca kāmaṃ ca kāle yastu niṣevate || 38.20 ||

Seeing him seated upon the ground, Rama then said: "He who pursues dharma, artha and kama each in its proper season,

Shloka 21 (kishkindha.38.21)

विभज्य सततं वीर स राजा हरिसत्तम । हित्वा धर्मं तथार्थं च कामं यस्तु निषेवते ॥ 38.21 ॥

vibhajya satataṃ vīra sa rājā harisattama | hitvā dharmaṃ tathārthaṃ ca kāmaṃ yastu niṣevate || 38.21 ||

always dividing his time among them, that king, O hero, best of vanaras, is a true king. But he who abandons dharma and artha and indulges only in kama,

Shloka 22 (kishkindha.38.22)

स वृक्षाग्रे यथा सुप्तः पतितः प्रतिबुध्यते । अमित्राणां वधे युक्तो मित्राणां संग्रहे रतः ॥ 38.22 ॥

sa vṛkṣāgre yathā suptaḥ patitaḥ pratibudhyate | amitrāṇāṃ vadhe yukto mitrāṇāṃ saṃgrahe rataḥ || 38.22 ||

falls like one asleep at a treetop, waking only as he falls. But he who is intent on destroying enemies and devoted to protecting his friends,

Shloka 23 (kishkindha.38.23)

त्रिवर्गफलभोक्ता च राजा धर्मेण युज्यते । उद्योगसमयस्त्वेष प्राप्तः शत्रुनिषूदन ॥ 38.23 ॥

trivargaphalabhoktā ca rājā dharmeṇa yujyate | udyogasamayastveṣa prāptaḥ śatruniṣūdana || 38.23 ||

and enjoys the fruit of the three aims in due measure, is a king united with dharma. Now, O slayer of foes, the time for action has come;

Shloka 24 (kishkindha.38.24)

संचिन्त्यतां हि पिङ्गेश हरिभिः सह मन्त्रिभिः । एवमुक्तस्तु सुग्रीवो रामं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 38.24 ॥

saṃcintyatāṃ hi piṅgeśa haribhiḥ saha mantribhiḥ | evamuktastu sugrīvo rāmaṃ vacanamabravīt || 38.24 ||

let it be well considered, O lord of the tawny ones, together with your monkey counsellors." Thus addressed, Sugreeva spoke these words to Rama:

Shloka 25 (kishkindha.38.25)

प्रणष्टा श्रीश्च कीर्तिश्च कपिराज्यं च शाश्वतम् । त्वत्प्रसादान्महाबाहो पुनः प्राप्तमिदं मया ॥ 38.25 ॥

praṇaṣṭā śrīśca kīrtiśca kapirājyaṃ ca śāśvatam | tvatprasādānmahābāho punaḥ prāptamidaṃ mayā || 38.25 ||

"O mighty-armed one, my prosperity, my fame, and this ancient kingdom of the monkeys had all been lost — by your grace I have won them back again.

Shloka 26 (kishkindha.38.26)

तव देव प्रसादाच्च भ्रातुश्च जयतां वर । कृतं न प्रतिकुर्याद् यः पुरुषाणां हि दूषकः ॥ 38.26 ॥

tava deva prasādācca bhrātuśca jayatāṃ vara | kṛtaṃ na pratikuryād yaḥ puruṣāṇāṃ hi dūṣakaḥ || 38.26 ||

O best of the victorious, by your grace and my brother's — that man who fails to requite a good deed done to him is a disgrace among men.

Shloka 27 (kishkindha.38.27)

एते वानरमुख्याश्च शतशः शत्रुसूदन । प्राप्ताश्चादाय बलिनः पृथिव्यां सर्ववानरान् ॥ 38.27 ॥

ete vānaramukhyāśca śataśaḥ śatrusūdana | prāptāścādāya balinaḥ pṛthivyāṃ sarvavānarān || 38.27 ||

O slayer of foes, here have come, by the hundreds, these chief vanaras, having gathered up every mighty monkey of the earth —

Shloka 28 (kishkindha.38.28)

ऋक्षाश्च वानराः शूरा गोलाङ्गूलाश्च राघव । कान्तारवनदुर्गाणामभिज्ञा घोरदर्शनाः ॥ 38.28 ॥

ṛkṣāśca vānarāḥ śūrā golāṅgūlāśca rāghava | kāntāravanadurgāṇāmabhijñā ghoradarśanāḥ || 38.28 ||

bears, valiant vanaras, and langurs too, O Raghava, skilled in impenetrable forests and wildernesses, terrible to behold,

Shloka 29 (kishkindha.38.29)

देवगन्धर्वपुत्राश्च वानराः कामरूपिणः । स्वैः स्वैः परिवृताः सैन्यैर्वर्तन्ते पथि राघव ॥ 38.29 ॥

devagandharvaputrāśca vānarāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ | svaiḥ svaiḥ parivṛtāḥ sainyairvartante pathi rāghava || 38.29 ||

sons of gods and gandharvas, vanaras able to take any shape at will — all, O Raghava, are on the road, each surrounded by his own host.

Shloka 30 (kishkindha.38.30)

शतैः शतसहस्रैश्च वर्तन्ते कोटिभिस्तथा । अयुतैश्चावृता वीर शङ्कुभिश्च परंतप ॥ 38.30 ॥

śataiḥ śatasahasraiśca vartante koṭibhistathā | ayutaiścāvṛtā vīra śaṅkubhiśca paraṃtapa || 38.30 ||

O scorcher of foes, these heroic monkeys come ringed about in hundreds, hundred-thousands, crores, myriads, and yet vaster numbers.

Shloka 31 (kishkindha.38.31)

अर्बुदैरर्बुदशतैर्मध्यैश्चान्त्यैश्च वानराः । समुद्राश्च परार्धाश्च हरयो हरियूथपाः ॥ 38.31 ॥

arbudairarbudaśatairmadhyaiścāntyaiśca vānarāḥ | samudrāśca parārdhāśca harayo hariyūthapāḥ || 38.31 ||

In arbudas, hundreds of arbudas, in madhyas and antyas, in samudras and parardhas — vast reckonings beyond count — the monkey chiefs are coming.

Shloka 32 (kishkindha.38.32)

आगमिष्यन्ति ते राजन् महेन्द्रसमविक्रमाः । मेघपर्वतसंकाशा मेरुविन्ध्यकृतालयाः ॥ 38.32 ॥

āgamiṣyanti te rājan mahendrasamavikramāḥ | meghaparvatasaṃkāśā meruvindhyakṛtālayāḥ || 38.32 ||

They will come, O king, matching Mahendra in valour, huge as clouds and mountains, whose dwellings are on Meru and the Vindhya.

Shloka 33 (kishkindha.38.33)

ते त्वामभिगमिष्यन्ति राक्षसं योद्धुमाहवे । निहत्य रावणं युद्धे ह्यानयिष्यन्ति मैथिलीम् ॥ 38.33 ॥

te tvāmabhigamiṣyanti rākṣasaṃ yoddhumāhave | nihatya rāvaṇaṃ yuddhe hyānayiṣyanti maithilīm || 38.33 ||

They will come to you to do battle with the rakshasa; having slain Ravana in war, they will surely bring back Maithili."

Shloka 34 (kishkindha.38.34)

ततः समुद्योगमवेक्ष्य वीर्यवान् हरिप्रवीरस्य निदेशवर्तिनः । बभूव हर्षाद् वसुधाधिपात्मजः प्रबुद्धनीलोत्पलतुल्यदर्शनः ॥ 38.34 ॥

tataḥ samudyogamavekṣya vīryavān haripravīrasya nideśavartinaḥ | babhūva harṣād vasudhādhipātmajaḥ prabuddhanīlotpalatulyadarśanaḥ || 38.34 ||

Then, beholding this ready diligence of the valiant, foremost of monkeys and his followers awaiting his command, the son of the lord of the earth, whose eyes resembled a fully-opened blue lotus, was filled with joy.