The Search of the Western Quarter

Shloka 1 (kishkindha.42.1)

अथ प्रस्थाप्य स हरीन् सुग्रीवो दक्षिणां दिशम् । अब्रवीन्मेघसंकाशं सुषेणं नाम वानरम् ॥ 42.1 ॥

atha prasthāpya sa harīn sugrīvo dakṣiṇāṃ diśam | abravīnmeghasaṃkāśaṃ suṣeṇaṃ nāma vānaram || 42.1 ||

Then, having sent forth those vanaras to the southern quarter, Sugreeva spoke to a vanara named Sushena, who resembled a great cloud.

Shloka 2 (kishkindha.42.2)

तारायाः पितरं राजा श्वशुरं भीमविक्रमम् । अब्रवीत् प्राञ्जलिर्वाक्यमभिगम्य प्रणम्य च ॥ 42.2 ॥

tārāyāḥ pitaraṃ rājā śvaśuraṃ bhīmavikramam | abravīt prāñjalirvākyamabhigamya praṇamya ca || 42.2 ||

Going up to Tara's father, his own father-in-law of terrible valour, King Sugreeva, with joined palms, bowed and spoke these words —

Shloka 3 (kishkindha.42.3)

महर्षिपुत्रं मारीचमर्चिष्मन्तं महाकपिम् । वृतं कपिवरैः शूरैर्महेन्द्रसदृशद्युतिम् ॥ 42.3 ॥

maharṣiputraṃ mārīcamarciṣmantaṃ mahākapim | vṛtaṃ kapivaraiḥ śūrairmahendrasadṛśadyutim || 42.3 ||

To the great monkey Architshman, son of the great sage Marichi, radiant, surrounded by valiant, eminent monkeys, splendid as Indra,

Shloka 4 (kishkindha.42.4)

बुद्धिविक्रमसम्पन्नं वैनतेयसमद्युतिम् । मरीचिपुत्रान् मारीचानर्चिर्माल्यान् महाबलान् ॥ 42.4 ॥

buddhivikramasampannaṃ vainateyasamadyutim | marīciputrān mārīcānarcirmālyān mahābalān || 42.4 ||

endowed with wisdom and valour, radiant as Garuda's son — and the other mighty sons of sage Marichi, the Maricha clan known as the Architmalyas,

Shloka 5 (kishkindha.42.5)

ऋषिपुत्रांश्च तान् सर्वान् प्रतीचीमादिशद् दिशम् । द्वाभ्यां शतसहस्राभ्यां कपीनां कपिसत्तमाः ॥ 42.5 ॥

ṛṣiputrāṃśca tān sarvān pratīcīmādiśad diśam | dvābhyāṃ śatasahasrābhyāṃ kapīnāṃ kapisattamāḥ || 42.5 ||

he ordered all those sages' sons toward the western quarter — O foremost of vanaras, together with two hundred thousand monkeys,

Shloka 6 (kishkindha.42.6)

सुषेणप्रमुखा यूयं वैदेहीं परिमार्गथ । सौराष्ट्रान् सहबाह्लीकांश्चन्द्रचित्रांस्तथैव च ॥ 42.6 ॥

suṣeṇapramukhā yūyaṃ vaidehīṃ parimārgatha | saurāṣṭrān sahabāhlīkāṃścandracitrāṃstathaiva ca || 42.6 ||

"With Sushena at your head, search for Vaidehi — in Saurashtra, together with Bahlika, and Chandrachitra as well,

Shloka 7 (kishkindha.42.7)

स्फीताञ्जनपदान् रम्यान् विपुलानि पुराणि च । पुंनागगहनं कुक्षिं बकुलोद्दालकाकुलम् ॥ 42.7 ॥

sphītāñjanapadān ramyān vipulāni purāṇi ca | puṃnāgagahanaṃ kukṣiṃ bakuloddālakākulam || 42.7 ||

in flourishing, delightful lands and spacious cities, in the region dense with Punnaga trees, and the tracts thick with Bakula and Uddalaka trees,

Shloka 8 (kishkindha.42.8)

तथा केतकषण्डांश्च मार्गध्वं हरिपुङ्गवाः । प्रत्यक्स्रोतोवहाश्चैव नद्यः शीतजलाः शिवाः ॥ 42.8 ॥

tathā ketakaṣaṇḍāṃśca mārgadhvaṃ haripuṅgavāḥ | pratyaksrotovahāścaiva nadyaḥ śītajalāḥ śivāḥ || 42.8 ||

and search too in the Ketaki thickets, O bulls among vanaras — and in the auspicious, cool-watered rivers that flow westward,

Shloka 9 (kishkindha.42.9)

तापसानामरण्यानि कान्तारगिरयश्च ये । तत्र स्थलीर्मरुप्राया अत्युच्चशिशिराः शिलाः ॥ 42.9 ॥

tāpasānāmaraṇyāni kāntāragirayaśca ye | tatra sthalīrmaruprāyā atyuccaśiśirāḥ śilāḥ || 42.9 ||

in the forests of ascetics and the forbidding mountains there. There are also tracts like deserts, and towering, frost-cold crags,

Shloka 10 (kishkindha.42.10)

गिरिजालावृतां दुर्गां मार्गित्वा पश्चिमां दिशम् । ततः पश्चिममागम्य समुद्रं द्रष्टुमर्हथ ॥ 42.10 ॥

girijālāvṛtāṃ durgāṃ mārgitvā paścimāṃ diśam | tataḥ paścimamāgamya samudraṃ draṣṭumarhatha || 42.10 ||

Having searched that impassable western quarter, encircled by a mesh of mountains, you shall then come upon the western ocean.

Shloka 11 (kishkindha.42.11)

तिमिनक्राकुलजलं गत्वा द्रक्ष्यथ वानराः । ततः केतकषण्डेषु तमालगहनेषु च ॥ 42.11 ॥

timinakrākulajalaṃ gatvā drakṣyatha vānarāḥ | tataḥ ketakaṣaṇḍeṣu tamālagahaneṣu ca || 42.11 ||

There, vanaras, you shall see its waters teeming with whales and crocodiles. Then, in the Ketaki groves and the dense Tamala thickets,

Shloka 12 (kishkindha.42.12)

कपयो विहरिष्यन्ति नारिकेलवनेषु च । तत्र सीतां च मार्गध्वं निलयं रावणस्य च ॥ 42.12 ॥

kapayo vihariṣyanti nārikelavaneṣu ca | tatra sītāṃ ca mārgadhvaṃ nilayaṃ rāvaṇasya ca || 42.12 ||

and in the coconut groves, you monkeys may roam freely; search there both for Sita and for Ravana's dwelling,

Shloka 13 (kishkindha.42.13)

वेलातलनिविष्टेषु पर्वतेषु वनेषु च । मुरवीपत्तनं चैव रम्यं चैव जटापुरम् ॥ 42.13 ॥

velātalaniviṣṭeṣu parvateṣu vaneṣu ca | muravīpattanaṃ caiva ramyaṃ caiva jaṭāpuram || 42.13 ||

on the mountains and in the forests that line the seashore, and also the city of Muravi and the lovely Jatapura,

Shloka 14 (kishkindha.42.14)

अवन्तीमङ्गलेपां च तथा चालक्षितं वनम् । राष्ट्राणि च विशालानि पत्तनानि ततस्ततः ॥ 42.14 ॥

avantīmaṅgalepāṃ ca tathā cālakṣitaṃ vanam | rāṣṭrāṇi ca viśālāni pattanāni tatastataḥ || 42.14 ||

and Avanti and Angalepa, and the forest called Alakshita, and, place after place, the great kingdoms and their cities.

Shloka 15 (kishkindha.42.15)

सिन्धुसागरयोश्चैव संगमे तत्र पर्वतः । महान् सोमगिरिर्नाम शतशृङ्गो महाद्रुमः ॥ 42.15 ॥

sindhusāgarayoścaiva saṃgame tatra parvataḥ | mahān somagirirnāma śataśṛṅgo mahādrumaḥ || 42.15 ||

At the confluence of the river Sindhu and the sea stands a great mountain named Somagiri, of a hundred peaks and mighty trees.

Shloka 16 (kishkindha.42.16)

तत्र प्रस्थेषु रम्येषु सिंहाः पक्षगमाः स्थिताः । तिमिमत्स्यगजांश्चैव नीडान्यारोपयन्ति ते ॥ 42.16 ॥

tatra prastheṣu ramyeṣu siṃhāḥ pakṣagamāḥ sthitāḥ | timimatsyagajāṃścaiva nīḍānyāropayanti te || 42.16 ||

On its lovely ridges dwell winged lions, who carry off even whales, fish, and elephants up to their nests.

Shloka 17 (kishkindha.42.17)

तानि नीडानि सिंहानां गिरिशृङ्गगताश्च ये । दृप्तास्तृप्ताश्च मातङ्गास्तोयदस्वननिःस्वनाः ॥ 42.17 ॥

tāni nīḍāni siṃhānāṃ giriśṛṅgagatāśca ye | dṛptāstṛptāśca mātaṅgāstoyadasvananiḥsvanāḥ || 42.17 ||

Those lions' nests sit upon the mountain's peaks. Proud, sated elephants, trumpeting like the roar of storm-clouds,

Shloka 18 (kishkindha.42.18)

विचरन्ति विशालेऽस्मिंस्तोयपूर्णे समन्ततः । तस्य शृङ्गं दिवस्पर्शं काञ्चनं चित्रपादपम् ॥ 42.18 ॥

vicaranti viśāle'smiṃstoyapūrṇe samantataḥ | tasya śṛṅgaṃ divasparśaṃ kāñcanaṃ citrapādapam || 42.18 ||

roam everywhere over this vast, water-girt mountain. Its sky-touching golden peak, adorned with wondrous trees,

Shloka 19 (kishkindha.42.19)

सर्वमाशु विचेतव्यं कपिभिः कामरूपिभिः । कोटिं तत्र समुद्रस्य काञ्चनीं शतयोजनाम् ॥ 42.19 ॥

sarvamāśu vicetavyaṃ kapibhiḥ kāmarūpibhiḥ | koṭiṃ tatra samudrasya kāñcanīṃ śatayojanām || 42.19 ||

must be swiftly and thoroughly searched by you monkeys who can take any form at will. There, in the ocean, a golden peak a hundred yojanas high,

Shloka 20 (kishkindha.42.20)

दुर्दर्शां पारियात्रस्य गत्वा द्रक्ष्यथ वानराः । कोट्यस्तत्र चतुर्विंशद् गन्धर्वाणां तरस्विनाम् ॥ 42.20 ॥

durdarśāṃ pāriyātrasya gatvā drakṣyatha vānarāḥ | koṭyastatra caturviṃśad gandharvāṇāṃ tarasvinām || 42.20 ||

belonging to Mount Pariyatra, hard to behold, you vanaras shall see on going there. There, twenty-four crore swift Gandharvas,

Shloka 21 (kishkindha.42.21)

वसन्त्यग्निनिकाशानां घोराणां कामरूपिणाम् । पावकार्चिःप्रतीकाशाः समवेताः समन्ततः ॥ 42.21 ॥

vasantyagninikāśānāṃ ghorāṇāṃ kāmarūpiṇām | pāvakārciḥpratīkāśāḥ samavetāḥ samantataḥ || 42.21 ||

fierce ones blazing like fire, able to change form at will, dwell there, gathered on every side, gleaming like tongues of flame.

Shloka 22 (kishkindha.42.22)

नात्यासादयितव्यास्ते वानरैर्भीमविक्रमैः । नादेयं च फलं तस्माद् देशात् किंचित् प्लवङ्गमैः ॥ 42.22 ॥

nātyāsādayitavyāste vānarairbhīmavikramaiḥ | nādeyaṃ ca phalaṃ tasmād deśāt kiṃcit plavaṅgamaiḥ || 42.22 ||

Even vanaras of terrible prowess must not approach them too closely, and you leaping monkeys must not so much as take a single fruit from that land.

Shloka 23 (kishkindha.42.23)

दुरासदा हि ते वीराः सत्त्ववन्तो महाबलाः । फलमूलानि ते तत्र रक्षन्ते भीमविक्रमाः ॥ 42.23 ॥

durāsadā hi te vīrāḥ sattvavanto mahābalāḥ | phalamūlāni te tatra rakṣante bhīmavikramāḥ || 42.23 ||

For those heroes are hard to overcome, mettlesome and mighty; those of terrible prowess guard the fruits and roots of that land.

Shloka 24 (kishkindha.42.24)

तत्र यत्नश्च कर्तव्यो मार्गितव्या च जानकी । नहि तेभ्यो भयं किंचित् कपित्वमनुवर्तताम् ॥ 42.24 ॥

tatra yatnaśca kartavyo mārgitavyā ca jānakī | nahi tebhyo bhayaṃ kiṃcit kapitvamanuvartatām || 42.24 ||

There you must make earnest effort and search for Janaki; for one who simply behaves as a vanara should, there is no danger from them at all.

Shloka 25 (kishkindha.42.25)

तत्र वैदूर्यवर्णाभो वज्रसंस्थानसंस्थितः । नानाद्रुमलताकीर्णो वज्रो नाम महागिरिः ॥ 42.25 ॥

tatra vaidūryavarṇābho vajrasaṃsthānasaṃsthitaḥ | nānādrumalatākīrṇo vajro nāma mahāgiriḥ || 42.25 ||

There stands the great mountain named Vajra, hued like beryl, shaped like a thunderbolt, thick with countless trees and creepers.

Shloka 26 (kishkindha.42.26)

श्रीमान् समुदितस्तत्र योजनानां शतं समम् । गुहास्तत्र विचेतव्याः प्रयत्नेन प्लवङ्गमाः ॥ 42.26 ॥

śrīmān samuditastatra yojanānāṃ śataṃ samam | guhāstatra vicetavyāḥ prayatnena plavaṅgamāḥ || 42.26 ||

That glorious mountain rises evenly to a height of a full hundred yojanas. Search its caves there with diligence, you leaping monkeys.

Shloka 27 (kishkindha.42.27)

चतुर्भागे समुद्रस्य चक्रवान् नाम पर्वतः । तत्र चक्रं सहस्रारं निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा ॥ 42.27 ॥

caturbhāge samudrasya cakravān nāma parvataḥ | tatra cakraṃ sahasrāraṃ nirmitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā || 42.27 ||

In the fourth quarter of the ocean stands the mountain named Chakravan. There is the thousand-spoked discus, wrought by Vishvakarma,

Shloka 28 (kishkindha.42.28)

तत्र पञ्चजनं हत्वा हयग्रीवं च दानवम् । आजहार ततश्चक्रं शङ्खं च पुरुषोत्तमः ॥ 42.28 ॥

tatra pañcajanaṃ hatvā hayagrīvaṃ ca dānavam | ājahāra tataścakraṃ śaṅkhaṃ ca puruṣottamaḥ || 42.28 ||

where the Supreme Person, having slain the demon Panchajana and the demon Hayagriva, took away that discus and the conch.

Shloka 29 (kishkindha.42.29)

तस्य सानुषु रम्येषु विशालासु गुहासु च । रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः ॥ 42.29 ॥

tasya sānuṣu ramyeṣu viśālāsu guhāsu ca | rāvaṇaḥ saha vaidehyā mārgitavyastatastataḥ || 42.29 ||

On its lovely ridges and its vast caves, Ravana, together with Vaidehi, must be sought, place by place.

Shloka 30 (kishkindha.42.30)

योजनानि चतुःषष्टिर्वराहो नाम पर्वतः । सुवर्णशृङ्गः सुमहानगाधे वरुणालये ॥ 42.30 ॥

yojanāni catuḥṣaṣṭirvarāho nāma parvataḥ | suvarṇaśṛṅgaḥ sumahānagādhe varuṇālaye || 42.30 ||

Sixty-four yojanas beyond, in the unfathomable abode of Varuna, stands the very great, gold-peaked mountain named Varaha.

Shloka 31 (kishkindha.42.31)

तत्र प्राग्ज्योतिषं नाम जातरूपमयं पुरम् । यस्मिन् वसति दुष्टात्मा नरको नाम दानवः ॥ 42.31 ॥

tatra prāgjyotiṣaṃ nāma jātarūpamayaṃ puram | yasmin vasati duṣṭātmā narako nāma dānavaḥ || 42.31 ||

There stands the golden city named Pragjyotisha, in which dwells the wicked-souled demon named Naraka.

Shloka 32 (kishkindha.42.32)

तत्र सानुषु रम्येषु विशालासु गुहासु च । रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः ॥ 42.32 ॥

tatra sānuṣu ramyeṣu viśālāsu guhāsu ca | rāvaṇaḥ saha vaidehyā mārgitavyastatastataḥ || 42.32 ||

There too, on its lovely ridges and vast caves, Ravana, together with Vaidehi, must be sought, place by place.

Shloka 33 (kishkindha.42.33)

तमतिक्रम्य शैलेन्द्रं काञ्चनान्तरदर्शनम् । पर्वतः सर्वसौवर्णो धाराप्रस्रवणायुतः ॥ 42.33 ॥

tamatikramya śailendraṃ kāñcanāntaradarśanam | parvataḥ sarvasauvarṇo dhārāprasravaṇāyutaḥ || 42.33 ||

Crossing beyond that lordly mountain with its glimpses of gold within, there is a mountain wholly of gold, abounding in cascades and springs,

Shloka 34 (kishkindha.42.34)

तं गजाश्च वराहाश्च सिंहा व्याघ्राश्च सर्वतः । अभिगर्जन्ति सततं तेन शब्देन दर्पिताः ॥ 42.34 ॥

taṃ gajāśca varāhāśca siṃhā vyāghrāśca sarvataḥ | abhigarjanti satataṃ tena śabdena darpitāḥ || 42.34 ||

which elephants, boars, lions and tigers ceaselessly roar around on every side, growing frenzied at their own echoing sound.

Shloka 35 (kishkindha.42.35)

यस्मिन् हरिहयः श्रीमान् महेन्द्रः पाकशासनः । अभिषिक्तः सुरै राजा मेघो नाम स पर्वतः ॥ 42.35 ॥

yasmin harihayaḥ śrīmān mahendraḥ pākaśāsanaḥ | abhiṣiktaḥ surai rājā megho nāma sa parvataḥ || 42.35 ||

that mountain, on which the glorious tawny-horsed Mahendra, tormentor of Paka, was anointed king by the gods, is named Megha.

Shloka 36 (kishkindha.42.36)

तमतिक्रम्य शैलेन्द्रं महेन्द्रपरिपालितम् । षष्टिं गिरिसहस्राणि काञ्चनानि गमिष्यथ ॥ 42.36 ॥

tamatikramya śailendraṃ mahendraparipālitam | ṣaṣṭiṃ girisahasrāṇi kāñcanāni gamiṣyatha || 42.36 ||

Crossing beyond that lordly mountain guarded by Mahendra, you shall come to sixty thousand golden mountains,

Shloka 37 (kishkindha.42.37)

तरुणादित्यवर्णानि भ्राजमानानि सर्वतः । जातरूपमयैर्वृक्षैः शोभितानि सुपुष्पितैः ॥ 42.37 ॥

taruṇādityavarṇāni bhrājamānāni sarvataḥ | jātarūpamayairvṛkṣaiḥ śobhitāni supuṣpitaiḥ || 42.37 ||

hued like the rising sun, blazing on every side, adorned with wholly golden, richly flowering trees.

Shloka 38 (kishkindha.42.38)

तेषां मध्ये स्थितो राजा मेरुरुत्तमपर्वतः । आदित्येन प्रसन्नेन शैलो दत्तवरः पुरा ॥ 42.38 ॥

teṣāṃ madhye sthito rājā meruruttamaparvataḥ | ādityena prasannena śailo dattavaraḥ purā || 42.38 ||

In their midst stands the kingly and supreme Mount Meru, a mountain to which the pleased Sun once granted a boon.

Shloka 39 (kishkindha.42.39)

तेनैवमुक्तः शैलेन्द्रः सर्व एव त्वदाश्रयाः । मत्प्रसादाद् भविष्यन्ति दिवा रात्रौ च काञ्चनाः ॥ 42.39 ॥

tenaivamuktaḥ śailendraḥ sarva eva tvadāśrayāḥ | matprasādād bhaviṣyanti divā rātrau ca kāñcanāḥ || 42.39 ||

The Sun said this to that lordly mountain: 'By my grace, all things that shelter upon you shall become golden, both by day and by night,

Shloka 40 (kishkindha.42.40)

त्वयि ये चापि वत्स्यन्ति देवगन्धर्वदानवाः । ते भविष्यन्ति भक्ताश्च प्रभया काञ्चनप्रभाः ॥ 42.40 ॥

tvayi ye cāpi vatsyanti devagandharvadānavāḥ | te bhaviṣyanti bhaktāśca prabhayā kāñcanaprabhāḥ || 42.40 ||

and whatever gods, gandharvas and danavas dwell upon you shall become my devotees, their splendour turned to a golden radiance.'

Shloka 41 (kishkindha.42.41)

विश्वेदेवाश्च वसवो मरुतश्च दिवौकसः । आगत्य पश्चिमां संध्यां मेरुमुत्तमपर्वतम् ॥ 42.41 ॥

viśvedevāśca vasavo marutaśca divaukasaḥ | āgatya paścimāṃ saṃdhyāṃ merumuttamaparvatam || 42.41 ||

The Vishvedevas, the Vasus, and the Maruts, dwellers of heaven, come at the western twilight to that supreme Mount Meru,

Shloka 42 (kishkindha.42.42)

आदित्यमुपतिष्ठन्ति तैश्च सूर्योऽभिपूजितः । अदृश्यः सर्वभूतानामस्तं गच्छति पर्वतम् ॥ 42.42 ॥

ādityamupatiṣṭhanti taiśca sūryo'bhipūjitaḥ | adṛśyaḥ sarvabhūtānāmastaṃ gacchati parvatam || 42.42 ||

and wait upon the sun there. Worshipped by them, the sun, invisible then to all beings, goes on to the mountain of setting.

Shloka 43 (kishkindha.42.43)

योजनानां सहस्राणि दश तानि दिवाकरः । मुहूर्तार्धेन तं शीघ्रमभियाति शिलोच्चयम् ॥ 42.43 ॥

yojanānāṃ sahasrāṇi daśa tāni divākaraḥ | muhūrtārdhena taṃ śīghramabhiyāti śiloccayam || 42.43 ||

Those ten thousand yojanas the sun swiftly crosses in but half a muhurta, and quickly reaches that mountain mass.

Shloka 44 (kishkindha.42.44)

शृङ्गे तस्य महद्दिव्यं भवनं सूर्यसंनिभम् । प्रासादगणसम्बाधं विहितं विश्वकर्मणा ॥ 42.44 ॥

śṛṅge tasya mahaddivyaṃ bhavanaṃ sūryasaṃnibham | prāsādagaṇasambādhaṃ vihitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā || 42.44 ||

On its peak stands a great, divine mansion, radiant as the sun, crowded with palaces, built by Vishvakarma.

Shloka 45 (kishkindha.42.45)

शोभितं तरुभिश्चित्रैर्नानापक्षिसमाकुलैः । निकेतं पाशहस्तस्य वरुणस्य महात्मनः ॥ 42.45 ॥

śobhitaṃ tarubhiścitrairnānāpakṣisamākulaiḥ | niketaṃ pāśahastasya varuṇasya mahātmanaḥ || 42.45 ||

It is adorned with wondrous trees thronged with birds of every kind. This is the dwelling of the great-souled Varuna, who holds the noose.

Shloka 46 (kishkindha.42.46)

अन्तरा मेरुमस्तं च तालो दशशिरा महान् । जातरूपमयः श्रीमान् भ्राजते चित्रवेदिकः ॥ 42.46 ॥

antarā merumastaṃ ca tālo daśaśirā mahān | jātarūpamayaḥ śrīmān bhrājate citravedikaḥ || 42.46 ||

Between Mount Meru and the mountain of setting stands a great, ten-crowned palm tree, wholly golden, glorious, gleaming with a wondrous platform.

Shloka 47 (kishkindha.42.47)

तेषु सर्वेषु दुर्गेषु सरस्सु च सरित्सु च । रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः ॥ 42.47 ॥

teṣu sarveṣu durgeṣu sarassu ca saritsu ca | rāvaṇaḥ saha vaidehyā mārgitavyastatastataḥ || 42.47 ||

In all those fastnesses, in its lakes and rivers, Ravana, together with Vaidehi, must be sought, place by place.

Shloka 48 (kishkindha.42.48)

यत्र तिष्ठति धर्मज्ञस्तपसा स्वेन भावितः । मेरुसावर्णिरित्येष ख्यातो वै ब्रह्मणा समः ॥ 42.48 ॥

yatra tiṣṭhati dharmajñastapasā svena bhāvitaḥ | merusāvarṇirityeṣa khyāto vai brahmaṇā samaḥ || 42.48 ||

There dwells one who knows dharma, sanctified by his own austerity, renowned as Merusavarni, the equal of Brahma.

Shloka 49 (kishkindha.42.49)

प्रष्टव्यो मेरुसावर्णिर्महर्षिः सूर्यसंनिभः । प्रणम्य शिरसा भूमौ प्रवृत्तिं मैथिलीं प्रति ॥ 42.49 ॥

praṣṭavyo merusāvarṇirmaharṣiḥ sūryasaṃnibhaḥ | praṇamya śirasā bhūmau pravṛttiṃ maithilīṃ prati || 42.49 ||

That great sage Merusavarni, radiant as the sun, should be asked — after bowing your heads to the ground before him — for news of Maithili.

Shloka 50 (kishkindha.42.50)

एतावज्जीवलोकस्य भास्करो रजनीक्षये । कृत्वा वितिमिरं सर्वमस्तं गच्छति पर्वतम् ॥ 42.50 ॥

etāvajjīvalokasya bhāskaro rajanīkṣaye | kṛtvā vitimiraṃ sarvamastaṃ gacchati parvatam || 42.50 ||

Only this far — at the ending of night the sun, having banished all darkness from the world of the living, goes to the mountain of setting.

Shloka 51 (kishkindha.42.51)

एतावद् वानरैः शक्यं गन्तुं वानरपुङ्गवाः । अभास्करममर्यादं न जानीमस्ततः परम् ॥ 42.51 ॥

etāvad vānaraiḥ śakyaṃ gantuṃ vānarapuṅgavāḥ | abhāskaramamaryādaṃ na jānīmastataḥ param || 42.51 ||

This much, O bulls among vanaras, is as far as vanaras can travel; beyond it lies a sunless, boundless region of which we know nothing.

Shloka 52 (kishkindha.42.52)

अवगम्य तु वैदेहीं निलयं रावणस्य च । अस्तं पर्वतमासाद्य पूर्णे मासे निवर्तत ॥ 42.52 ॥

avagamya tu vaidehīṃ nilayaṃ rāvaṇasya ca | astaṃ parvatamāsādya pūrṇe māse nivartata || 42.52 ||

Having learned of Vaidehi and Ravana's abode, and having reached Mount Asta, return when a full month has passed.

Shloka 53 (kishkindha.42.53)

ऊर्ध्वं मासान्न वस्तव्यं वसन् वध्यो भवेन्मम । सहैव शूरो युष्माभिः श्वशुरो मे गमिष्यति ॥ 42.53 ॥

ūrdhvaṃ māsānna vastavyaṃ vasan vadhyo bhavenmama | sahaiva śūro yuṣmābhiḥ śvaśuro me gamiṣyati || 42.53 ||

You must not remain beyond a month; whoever stays shall be liable to be slain by me. My valiant father-in-law shall go along with you.

Shloka 54 (kishkindha.42.54)

श्रोतव्यं सर्वमेतस्य भवद्भिर्दिष्टकारिभिः । गुरुरेष महाबाहुः श्वशुरो मे महाबलः ॥ 42.54 ॥

śrotavyaṃ sarvametasya bhavadbhirdiṣṭakāribhiḥ | gurureṣa mahābāhuḥ śvaśuro me mahābalaḥ || 42.54 ||

All of you, being obedient to command, must heed everything he says. This mighty-armed, mighty father-in-law of mine is a venerable elder to you as well.

Shloka 55 (kishkindha.42.55)

भवन्तश्चापि विक्रान्ताः प्रमाणं सर्व एव हि । प्रमाणमेनं संस्थाप्य पश्यध्वं पश्चिमां दिशम् ॥ 42.55 ॥

bhavantaścāpi vikrāntāḥ pramāṇaṃ sarva eva hi | pramāṇamenaṃ saṃsthāpya paśyadhvaṃ paścimāṃ diśam || 42.55 ||

You yourselves are all valiant, and every one of you is a model in your own right; yet, taking him as your standard, search the western quarter.

Shloka 56 (kishkindha.42.56)

दृष्टायां तु नरेन्द्रस्य पत्न्याममिततेजसः । कृतकृत्या भविष्यामः कृतस्य प्रतिकर्मणा ॥ 42.56 ॥

dṛṣṭāyāṃ tu narendrasya patnyāmamitatejasaḥ | kṛtakṛtyā bhaviṣyāmaḥ kṛtasya pratikarmaṇā || 42.56 ||

Only when the wife of the king of measureless might is found shall we, by requiting his kindness, consider ourselves to have fulfilled our purpose.

Shloka 57 (kishkindha.42.57)

अतोऽन्यदपि यत्कार्यं कार्यस्यास्य प्रियं भवेत् । सम्प्रधार्य भवद्भिश्च देशकालार्थसंहितम् ॥ 42.57 ॥

ato'nyadapi yatkāryaṃ kāryasyāsya priyaṃ bhavet | sampradhārya bhavadbhiśca deśakālārthasaṃhitam || 42.57 ||

And whatever else may be needed to further this task, weigh it well among yourselves as fits the place, time, and purpose, and see it done."

Shloka 58 (kishkindha.42.58)

ततः सुषेणप्रमुखाः प्लवङ्गाः सुग्रीववाक्यं निपुणं निशम्य । आमन्त्र्य सर्वे प्लवगाधिपं ते जग्मुर्दिशं तां वरुणाभिगुप्ताम् ॥ 42.58 ॥

tataḥ suṣeṇapramukhāḥ plavaṅgāḥ sugrīvavākyaṃ nipuṇaṃ niśamya | āmantrya sarve plavagādhipaṃ te jagmurdiśaṃ tāṃ varuṇābhiguptām || 42.58 ||

Then those vanaras with Sushena at their head, having attentively heard Sugreeva's words, took leave of the lord of monkeys, and set out toward that quarter guarded over by Varuna.