The Search of the Northern Quarter

Shloka 1 (kishkindha.43.1)

ततः संदिश्य सुग्रीवः श्वशुरं पश्चिमां दिशम् । वीरं शतबलिं नाम वानरं वानरेश्वरः ॥ 43.1 ॥

tataḥ saṃdiśya sugrīvaḥ śvaśuraṃ paścimāṃ diśam | vīraṃ śatabaliṃ nāma vānaraṃ vānareśvaraḥ || 43.1 ||

Then, having sent his father-in-law to the western quarter, the lord of vanaras Sugreeva spoke to a valiant vanara named Shatabali.

Shloka 2 (kishkindha.43.2)

उवाच राजा सर्वज्ञः सर्ववानरसत्तमः । वाक्यमात्महितं चैव रामस्य च हितं तदा ॥ 43.2 ॥

uvāca rājā sarvajñaḥ sarvavānarasattamaḥ | vākyamātmahitaṃ caiva rāmasya ca hitaṃ tadā || 43.2 ||

The all-knowing king, foremost of all vanaras, then spoke words that were beneficial both to himself and to Rama.

Shloka 3 (kishkindha.43.3)

वृतः शतसहस्रेण त्वद्विधानां वनौकसाम् । वैवस्वतसुतैः सार्धं प्रविष्टः सर्वमन्त्रिभिः ॥ 43.3 ॥

vṛtaḥ śatasahasreṇa tvadvidhānāṃ vanaukasām | vaivasvatasutaiḥ sārdhaṃ praviṣṭaḥ sarvamantribhiḥ || 43.3 ||

"Surrounded by a hundred thousand forest-dwelling vanaras like yourself, and accompanied by all the sons of Vaivasvata as your ministers,

Shloka 4 (kishkindha.43.4)

दिशं ह्युदीचीं विक्रान्तां हिमशैलावतंसिकाम् । सर्वतः परिमार्गध्वं रामपत्नीं यशस्विनीम् ॥ 43.4 ॥

diśaṃ hyudīcīṃ vikrāntāṃ himaśailāvataṃsikām | sarvataḥ parimārgadhvaṃ rāmapatnīṃ yaśasvinīm || 43.4 ||

search everywhere in the forbidding northern quarter, crowned by the Himalaya, for Rama's illustrious wife.

Shloka 5 (kishkindha.43.5)

अस्मिन् कार्ये विनिर्वृत्ते कृते दाशरथेः प्रिये । ऋणान्मुक्ता भविष्यामः कृतार्थार्थविदां वराः ॥ 43.5 ॥

asmin kārye vinirvṛtte kṛte dāśaratheḥ priye | ṛṇānmuktā bhaviṣyāmaḥ kṛtārthārthavidāṃ varāḥ || 43.5 ||

When this task is accomplished and this favour to Dasharatha's son is done, we shall be free of our debt, foremost among those who know how to requite a kindness.

Shloka 6 (kishkindha.43.6)

कृतं हि प्रियमस्माकं राघवेण महात्मना । तस्य चेत्प्रतिकारोऽस्ति सफलं जीवितं भवेत् ॥ 43.6 ॥

kṛtaṃ hi priyamasmākaṃ rāghaveṇa mahātmanā | tasya cetpratikāro'sti saphalaṃ jīvitaṃ bhavet || 43.6 ||

The great-souled Raghava has indeed done us a great favour; if there be any requital for it, our lives shall be made fruitful.

Shloka 7 (kishkindha.43.7)

अर्थिनः कार्यनिर्वृत्तिमकर्तुरपि यश्चरेत् । तस्य स्यात् सफलं जन्म किं पुनः पूर्वकारिणः ॥ 43.7 ॥

arthinaḥ kāryanirvṛttimakarturapi yaścaret | tasya syāt saphalaṃ janma kiṃ punaḥ pūrvakāriṇaḥ || 43.7 ||

If even one who has done nothing for us has his request fulfilled, that alone makes a life fruitful — how much more, then, for one who has already done us a kindness.

Shloka 8 (kishkindha.43.8)

एतां बुद्धिं समास्थाय दृश्यते जानकी यथा । तथा भवद्भिः कर्तव्यमस्मत्प्रियहितैषिभिः ॥ 43.8 ॥

etāṃ buddhiṃ samāsthāya dṛśyate jānakī yathā | tathā bhavadbhiḥ kartavyamasmatpriyahitaiṣibhiḥ || 43.8 ||

With this thought firmly in mind, all of you who wish us well and hold us dear must act in whatever way will bring Janaki to light.

Shloka 9 (kishkindha.43.9)

अयं हि सर्वभूतानां मान्यस्तु नरसत्तमः । अस्मासु च गतः प्रीतिं रामः परपुरंजयः ॥ 43.9 ॥

ayaṃ hi sarvabhūtānāṃ mānyastu narasattamaḥ | asmāsu ca gataḥ prītiṃ rāmaḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ || 43.9 ||

This Rama, conqueror of hostile cities, foremost of men, is worthy of reverence from all beings, and he has come to hold real affection for us.

Shloka 10 (kishkindha.43.10)

इमानि बहुदुर्गाणि नद्यः शैलान्तराणि च । भवन्तः परिमार्गन्तु बुद्धिविक्रमसम्पदा ॥ 43.10 ॥

imāni bahudurgāṇi nadyaḥ śailāntarāṇi ca | bhavantaḥ parimārgantu buddhivikramasampadā || 43.10 ||

Let all of you, with the wealth of your wisdom and valour, thoroughly search these many fastnesses, rivers, and the tracts between the mountains.

Shloka 11 (kishkindha.43.11)

तत्र म्लेच्छान् पुलिन्दांश्च शूरसेनांस्तथैव च । प्रस्थलान् भरतांश्चैव कुरूंश्च सह मद्रकैः ॥ 43.11 ॥

tatra mlecchān pulindāṃśca śūrasenāṃstathaiva ca | prasthalān bharatāṃścaiva kurūṃśca saha madrakaiḥ || 43.11 ||

There, search the lands of the Mlecchas and the Pulindas, and likewise the Shurasenas, and Prasthala, Bharata, and Kuru together with the Madrakas,

Shloka 12 (kishkindha.43.12)

काम्बोजयवनांश्चैव शकानां पत्तनानि च । अन्वीक्ष्य दरदांश्चैव हिमवन्तं विचिन्वथ ॥ 43.12 ॥

kāmbojayavanāṃścaiva śakānāṃ pattanāni ca | anvīkṣya daradāṃścaiva himavantaṃ vicinvatha || 43.12 ||

and the lands of Kamboja and Yavana, and the cities of the Shakas; and having examined the land of the Daradas too, search Mount Himavan.

Shloka 13 (kishkindha.43.13)

लोध्रपद्मकषण्डेषु देवदारुवनेषु च । रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः ॥ 43.13 ॥

lodhrapadmakaṣaṇḍeṣu devadāruvaneṣu ca | rāvaṇaḥ saha vaidehyā mārgitavyastatastataḥ || 43.13 ||

In the thickets of Lodhra and Padmaka trees, and in the forests of Devadaru, Ravana, together with Vaidehi, must be sought, place by place.

Shloka 14 (kishkindha.43.14)

ततः सोमाश्रमं गत्वा देवगन्धर्वसेवितम् । कालं नाम महासानुं पर्वतं तं गमिष्यथ ॥ 43.14 ॥

tataḥ somāśramaṃ gatvā devagandharvasevitam | kālaṃ nāma mahāsānuṃ parvataṃ taṃ gamiṣyatha || 43.14 ||

Then, having gone to the hermitage of Soma, frequented by gods and gandharvas, you shall go on to that mountain of vast ridges named Kala.

Shloka 15 (kishkindha.43.15)

महत्सु तस्य शैलेषु पर्वतेषु गुहासु च । विचिन्वत महाभागां रामपत्नीमनिन्दिताम् ॥ 43.15 ॥

mahatsu tasya śaileṣu parvateṣu guhāsu ca | vicinvata mahābhāgāṃ rāmapatnīmaninditām || 43.15 ||

On its great crags, mountainsides, and in its caves, search for the most fortunate, blameless wife of Rama.

Shloka 16 (kishkindha.43.16)

तमतिक्रम्य शैलेन्द्रं हेमगर्भं महागिरिम् । ततः सुदर्शनं नाम पर्वतं गन्तुमर्हथ ॥ 43.16 ॥

tamatikramya śailendraṃ hemagarbhaṃ mahāgirim | tataḥ sudarśanaṃ nāma parvataṃ gantumarhatha || 43.16 ||

Crossing beyond that lordly, gold-wombed great mountain, you must then go on to the mountain named Sudarshana.

Shloka 17 (kishkindha.43.17)

ततो देवसखो नाम पर्वतः पतगालयः । नानापक्षिसमाकीर्णो विविधद्रुमभूषितः ॥ 43.17 ॥

tato devasakho nāma parvataḥ patagālayaḥ | nānāpakṣisamākīrṇo vividhadrumabhūṣitaḥ || 43.17 ||

Then comes the mountain named Devasakha, a sanctuary for birds, thronged with birds of every kind and adorned with varied trees.

Shloka 18 (kishkindha.43.18)

तस्य काननषण्डेषु निर्झरेषु गुहासु च । रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः ॥ 43.18 ॥

tasya kānanaṣaṇḍeṣu nirjhareṣu guhāsu ca | rāvaṇaḥ saha vaidehyā mārgitavyastatastataḥ || 43.18 ||

In its forest tracts, its waterfalls, and its caves, Ravana, together with Vaidehi, must be sought, place by place.

Shloka 19 (kishkindha.43.19)

तमतिक्रम्य चाकाशं सर्वतः शतयोजनम् । अपर्वतनदीवृक्षं सर्वसत्त्वविवर्जितम् ॥ 43.19 ॥

tamatikramya cākāśaṃ sarvataḥ śatayojanam | aparvatanadīvṛkṣaṃ sarvasattvavivarjitam || 43.19 ||

Crossing beyond it, there is only open sky for a hundred yojanas on every side, void of mountains, rivers, and trees, and forsaken by every living being.

Shloka 20 (kishkindha.43.20)

तत्तु शीघ्रमतिक्रम्य कान्तारं रोमहर्षणम् । कैलासं पाण्डुरं प्राप्य हृष्टा यूयं भविष्यथ ॥ 43.20 ॥

tattu śīghramatikramya kāntāraṃ romaharṣaṇam | kailāsaṃ pāṇḍuraṃ prāpya hṛṣṭā yūyaṃ bhaviṣyatha || 43.20 ||

Having swiftly crossed that hair-raising wasteland, you shall rejoice on reaching the white mountain of Kailasa.

Shloka 21 (kishkindha.43.21)

तत्र पाण्डुरमेघाभं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम् । कुबेरभवनं रम्यं निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा ॥ 43.21 ॥

tatra pāṇḍurameghābhaṃ jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtam | kuberabhavanaṃ ramyaṃ nirmitaṃ viśvakarmaṇā || 43.21 ||

There stands Kubera's lovely mansion, pale as a white cloud, adorned with gold, built by Vishvakarma.

Shloka 22 (kishkindha.43.22)

विशाला नलिनी यत्र प्रभूतकमलोत्पला । हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णा अप्सरोगणसेविता ॥ 43.22 ॥

viśālā nalinī yatra prabhūtakamalotpalā | haṃsakāraṇḍavākīrṇā apsarogaṇasevitā || 43.22 ||

There is a vast lotus-lake, rich with lotuses and blue lilies, thronged with swans and karandava-ducks, and frequented by troops of apsaras.

Shloka 23 (kishkindha.43.23)

तत्र वैश्रवणो राजा सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः । धनदो रमते श्रीमान् गुह्यकैः सह यक्षराट् ॥ 43.23 ॥

tatra vaiśravaṇo rājā sarvalokanamaskṛtaḥ | dhanado ramate śrīmān guhyakaiḥ saha yakṣarāṭ || 43.23 ||

There the glorious Vaishravana, king of the yakshas, giver of wealth, revered by all the worlds, disports himself together with the guhyakas.

Shloka 24 (kishkindha.43.24)

तस्य चन्द्रनिकाशेषु पर्वतेषु गुहासु च । रावणः सह वैदेह्या मार्गितव्यस्ततस्ततः ॥ 43.24 ॥

tasya candranikāśeṣu parvateṣu guhāsu ca | rāvaṇaḥ saha vaidehyā mārgitavyastatastataḥ || 43.24 ||

On his moon-hued mountains, and in their caves, Ravana, together with Vaidehi, must be sought, place by place.

Shloka 25 (kishkindha.43.25)

क्रौञ्चं तु गिरिमासाद्य बिलं तस्य सुदुर्गमम् । अप्रमत्तैः प्रवेष्टव्यं दुष्प्रवेशं हि तत् स्मृतम् ॥ 43.25 ॥

krauñcaṃ tu girimāsādya bilaṃ tasya sudurgamam | apramattaiḥ praveṣṭavyaṃ duṣpraveśaṃ hi tat smṛtam || 43.25 ||

On reaching Mount Kraunca, you must enter its most impassable cavern with the utmost care, for it is said to be very hard to enter.

Shloka 26 (kishkindha.43.26)

वसन्ति हि महात्मानस्तत्र सूर्यसमप्रभाः । देवैरभ्यर्थिताः सम्यग् देवरूपा महर्षयः ॥ 43.26 ॥

vasanti hi mahātmānastatra sūryasamaprabhāḥ | devairabhyarthitāḥ samyag devarūpā maharṣayaḥ || 43.26 ||

For there dwell great-souled sages, radiant as the sun, devoutly entreated by the gods, godlike in form.

Shloka 27 (kishkindha.43.27)

क्रौञ्चस्य तु गुहाश्चान्याः सानूनि शिखराणि च । निर्दराश्च नितम्बाश्च विचेतव्यास्ततस्ततः ॥ 43.27 ॥

krauñcasya tu guhāścānyāḥ sānūni śikharāṇi ca | nirdarāśca nitambāśca vicetavyāstatastataḥ || 43.27 ||

The other caves of Mount Kraunca, its ridges and its peaks, its ravines and its slopes, must all be searched, place by place.

Shloka 28 (kishkindha.43.28)

अवृक्षं कामशैलं च मानसं विहगालयम् । न गतिस्तत्र भूतानां देवानां न च रक्षसाम् ॥ 43.28 ॥

avṛkṣaṃ kāmaśailaṃ ca mānasaṃ vihagālayam | na gatistatra bhūtānāṃ devānāṃ na ca rakṣasām || 43.28 ||

The treeless Mount Kama and Lake Manasa, the abode of birds — no being has access there, neither gods nor rakshasas.

Shloka 29 (kishkindha.43.29)

स च सर्वैर्विचेतव्यः ससानुप्रस्थभूधरः । क्रौञ्चं गिरिमतिक्रम्य मैनाको नाम पर्वतः ॥ 43.29 ॥

sa ca sarvairvicetavyaḥ sasānuprasthabhūdharaḥ | krauñcaṃ girimatikramya maināko nāma parvataḥ || 43.29 ||

All of you must search that whole mountain, with its ridges and its plateaus. Crossing beyond Mount Kraunca, there is the mountain named Mainaka.

Shloka 30 (kishkindha.43.30)

मयस्य भवनं तत्र दानवस्य स्वयंकृतम् । मैनाकस्तु विचेतव्यः ससानुप्रस्थकन्दरः ॥ 43.30 ॥

mayasya bhavanaṃ tatra dānavasya svayaṃkṛtam | mainākastu vicetavyaḥ sasānuprasthakandaraḥ || 43.30 ||

There is the self-built mansion of the demon Maya. Mount Mainaka must be searched, with its ridges, plateaus, and caverns.

Shloka 31 (kishkindha.43.31)

स्त्रीणामश्वमुखीनां तु निकेतस्तत्र तत्र तु । तं देशं समतिक्रम्य आश्रमं सिद्धसेवितम् ॥ 43.31 ॥

strīṇāmaśvamukhīnāṃ tu niketastatra tatra tu | taṃ deśaṃ samatikramya āśramaṃ siddhasevitam || 43.31 ||

Here and there are the dwellings of horse-faced women. Crossing beyond that region, there is a hermitage frequented by siddhas,

Shloka 32 (kishkindha.43.32)

सिद्धा वैखानसा यत्र वालखिल्याश्च तापसाः । वन्दितव्यास्ततः सिद्धास्तपसा वीतकल्मषाः ॥ 43.32 ॥

siddhā vaikhānasā yatra vālakhilyāśca tāpasāḥ | vanditavyāstataḥ siddhāstapasā vītakalmaṣāḥ || 43.32 ||

where siddhas, vaikhanasa sages, and the valakhilya ascetics dwell. Then you must reverence those siddhas, made stainless by their austerity,

Shloka 33 (kishkindha.43.33)

प्रष्टव्या चापि सीतायाः प्रवृत्तिर्विनयान्वितैः । हेमपुष्करसंछन्नं तत्र वैखानसं सरः ॥ 43.33 ॥

praṣṭavyā cāpi sītāyāḥ pravṛttirvinayānvitaiḥ | hemapuṣkarasaṃchannaṃ tatra vaikhānasaṃ saraḥ || 43.33 ||

and humbly ask them for news of Sita. There is the lake of the Vaikhanasa sages, covered over with golden lotuses,

Shloka 34 (kishkindha.43.34)

तरुणादित्यसंकाशैर्हंसैर्विचरितं शुभैः । औपवाह्यः कुबेरस्य सार्वभौम इति स्मृतः ॥ 43.34 ॥

taruṇādityasaṃkāśairhaṃsairvicaritaṃ śubhaiḥ | aupavāhyaḥ kuberasya sārvabhauma iti smṛtaḥ || 43.34 ||

roamed by auspicious swans radiant as the young sun. Kubera's mount, the elephant known as Sarvabhauma,

Shloka 35 (kishkindha.43.35)

गजः पर्येति तं देशं सदा सह करेणुभिः । तत् सरः समतिक्रम्य नष्टचन्द्रदिवाकरम् । अनक्षत्रगणं व्योम निष्पयोदमनादितम् ॥ 43.35 ॥

gajaḥ paryeti taṃ deśaṃ sadā saha kareṇubhiḥ | tat saraḥ samatikramya naṣṭacandradivākaram | anakṣatragaṇaṃ vyoma niṣpayodamanāditam || 43.35 ||

forever roves that region together with his cow-elephants. Crossing beyond that lake, there is a sky bereft of moon and sun, without a single constellation, cloudless and utterly soundless,

Shloka 36 (kishkindha.43.36)

गभस्तिभिरिवार्कस्य स तु देशः प्रकाश्यते । विश्राम्यद्भिस्तपःसिद्धैर्देवकल्पैः स्वयंप्रभैः ॥ 43.36 ॥

gabhastibhirivārkasya sa tu deśaḥ prakāśyate | viśrāmyadbhistapaḥsiddhairdevakalpaiḥ svayaṃprabhaiḥ || 43.36 ||

yet that land is lit as if by the sun's own rays, illumined by the self-luminous splendour of god-like sages perfected in austerity who rest there.

Shloka 37 (kishkindha.43.37)

तं तु देशमतिक्रम्य शैलोदा नाम निम्नगा । उभयोस्तीरयोस्तस्याः कीचका नाम वेणवः ॥ 43.37 ॥

taṃ tu deśamatikramya śailodā nāma nimnagā | ubhayostīrayostasyāḥ kīcakā nāma veṇavaḥ || 43.37 ||

Crossing beyond that land, there is a river named Shailoda. On both its banks grow bamboos called Kichakas,

Shloka 38 (kishkindha.43.38)

ते नयन्ति परं तीरं सिद्धान् प्रत्यानयन्ति च । उत्तराः कुरवस्तत्र कृतपुण्यप्रतिश्रयाः ॥ 43.38 ॥

te nayanti paraṃ tīraṃ siddhān pratyānayanti ca | uttarāḥ kuravastatra kṛtapuṇyapratiśrayāḥ || 43.38 ||

which carry the siddhas across to the far bank and bring them back again. There lies the country of Uttara Kuru, the abode of those sheltered by merit earned in former lives.

Shloka 39 (kishkindha.43.39)

ततः काञ्चनपद्माभिः पद्मिनीभिः कृतोदकाः । नीलवैदूर्यपत्राढ्या नद्यस्तत्र सहस्रशः ॥ 43.39 ॥

tataḥ kāñcanapadmābhiḥ padminībhiḥ kṛtodakāḥ | nīlavaidūryapatrāḍhyā nadyastatra sahasraśaḥ || 43.39 ||

There, thousands of rivers flow, their waters thick with golden lotuses, their leaves rich in the hue of blue beryl,

Shloka 40 (kishkindha.43.40)

रक्तोत्पलवनैश्चात्र मण्डिताश्च हिरण्मयैः । तरुणादित्यसंकाशा भान्ति तत्र जलाशयाः ॥ 43.40 ॥

raktotpalavanaiścātra maṇḍitāśca hiraṇmayaiḥ | taruṇādityasaṃkāśā bhānti tatra jalāśayāḥ || 43.40 ||

and adorned with golden thickets of red lotuses. The pools there shine like the newly risen sun.

Shloka 41 (kishkindha.43.41)

महार्हमणिपत्रैश्च काञ्चनप्रभकेसरैः । नीलोत्पलवनैश्चित्रैः स देशः सर्वतो वृतः ॥ 43.41 ॥

mahārhamaṇipatraiśca kāñcanaprabhakesaraiḥ | nīlotpalavanaiścitraiḥ sa deśaḥ sarvato vṛtaḥ || 43.41 ||

That land is entirely ringed with wondrous thickets of blue lotuses, their petals like priceless gems, their filaments gleaming like gold.

Shloka 42 (kishkindha.43.42)

निस्तुलाभिश्च मुक्ताभिर्मणिभिश्च महाधनैः । उद्धूतपुलिनास्तत्र जातरूपैश्च निम्नगाः ॥ 43.42 ॥

nistulābhiśca muktābhirmaṇibhiśca mahādhanaiḥ | uddhūtapulināstatra jātarūpaiśca nimnagāḥ || 43.42 ||

The riverbanks there are heaped up with incomparable pearls, most precious gems, and gold.

Shloka 43 (kishkindha.43.43)

सर्वरत्नमयैश्चित्रैरवगाढा नगोत्तमैः । जातरूपमयैश्चापि हुताशनसमप्रभैः ॥ 43.43 ॥

sarvaratnamayaiścitrairavagāḍhā nagottamaiḥ | jātarūpamayaiścāpi hutāśanasamaprabhaiḥ || 43.43 ||

That land is embedded with wondrous, supreme mountains made entirely of every kind of gem, and others wholly of gold, glowing like fire.

Shloka 44 (kishkindha.43.44)

नित्यपुष्पफलास्तत्र नगाः पत्ररथाकुलाः । दिव्यगन्धरसस्पर्शाः सर्वकामान् स्रवन्ति च ॥ 43.44 ॥

nityapuṣpaphalāstatra nagāḥ patrarathākulāḥ | divyagandharasasparśāḥ sarvakāmān sravanti ca || 43.44 ||

There the trees are ever in flower and fruit, thronged with birds; divine in fragrance, taste, and touch, they pour forth everything one could desire.

Shloka 45 (kishkindha.43.45)

नानाकाराणि वासांसि फलन्त्यन्ये नगोत्तमाः । मुक्तावैदूर्यचित्राणि भूषणानि तथैव च । स्त्रीणां यान्यनुरूपाणि पुरुषाणां तथैव च ॥ 43.45 ॥

nānākārāṇi vāsāṃsi phalantyanye nagottamāḥ | muktāvaidūryacitrāṇi bhūṣaṇāni tathaiva ca | strīṇāṃ yānyanurūpāṇi puruṣāṇāṃ tathaiva ca || 43.45 ||

Other supreme trees bear as their fruit garments of every kind, and ornaments set with pearl and beryl, fitting alike for women and for men.

Shloka 46 (kishkindha.43.46)

सर्वर्तुसुखसेव्यानि फलन्त्यन्ये नगोत्तमाः । महार्हमणिचित्राणि फलन्त्यन्ये नगोत्तमाः ॥ 43.46 ॥

sarvartusukhasevyāni phalantyanye nagottamāḥ | mahārhamaṇicitrāṇi phalantyanye nagottamāḥ || 43.46 ||

Other supreme trees yield fruit fit to be enjoyed pleasurably in every season, and yet others yield fruit set with priceless gems.

Shloka 47 (kishkindha.43.47)

शयनानि प्रसूयन्ते चित्रास्तरणवन्ति च । मनःकान्तानि माल्यानि फलन्त्यत्रापरे द्रुमाः ॥ 43.47 ॥

śayanāni prasūyante citrāstaraṇavanti ca | manaḥkāntāni mālyāni phalantyatrāpare drumāḥ || 43.47 ||

Some trees bring forth beds spread with wondrous coverlets, while other trees there bear heart-delighting garlands as their fruit.

Shloka 48 (kishkindha.43.48)

पानानि च महार्हाणि भक्ष्याणि विविधानि च । स्त्रियश्च गुणसम्पन्ना रूपयौवनलक्षिताः ॥ 43.48 ॥

pānāni ca mahārhāṇi bhakṣyāṇi vividhāni ca | striyaśca guṇasampannā rūpayauvanalakṣitāḥ || 43.48 ||

There are precious drinks too, and foods of every kind, and women of fine qualities, marked by beauty and youth.

Shloka 49 (kishkindha.43.49)

गन्धर्वाः किन्नराः सिद्धा नागा विद्याधरास्तथा । रमन्ते सततं तत्र नारीभिर्भास्वरप्रभाः ॥ 43.49 ॥

gandharvāḥ kinnarāḥ siddhā nāgā vidyādharāstathā | ramante satataṃ tatra nārībhirbhāsvaraprabhāḥ || 43.49 ||

Gandharvas, kinnaras, siddhas, nagas, and vidyadharas, all radiant in splendour, disport themselves there ceaselessly with their women.

Shloka 50 (kishkindha.43.50)

सर्वे सुकृतकर्माणः सर्वे रतिपरायणाः । सर्वे कामार्थसहिता वसन्ति सह योषितः ॥ 43.50 ॥

sarve sukṛtakarmāṇaḥ sarve ratiparāyaṇāḥ | sarve kāmārthasahitā vasanti saha yoṣitaḥ || 43.50 ||

All of them are of virtuous deeds, all devoted to love, all live there with their women, endowed with pleasure and prosperity.

Shloka 51 (kishkindha.43.51)

गीतवादित्रनिर्घोषः सोत्कृष्टहसितस्वनः । श्रूयते सततं तत्र सर्वभूतमनोरमः ॥ 43.51 ॥

gītavāditranirghoṣaḥ sotkṛṣṭahasitasvanaḥ | śrūyate satataṃ tatra sarvabhūtamanoramaḥ || 43.51 ||

There the sound of song and music, mingled with peals of open laughter, is heard without end — a sound delightful to every being.

Shloka 52 (kishkindha.43.52)

तत्र नामुदितः कश्चिन्नात्र कश्चिदसत्प्रियः । अहन्यहनि वर्धन्ते गुणास्तत्र मनोरमाः ॥ 43.52 ॥

tatra nāmuditaḥ kaścinnātra kaścidasatpriyaḥ | ahanyahani vardhante guṇāstatra manoramāḥ || 43.52 ||

There is none unhappy there, and none who cherishes falsehood; the delightful virtues of that place grow greater day by day.

Shloka 53 (kishkindha.43.53)

समतिक्रम्य तं देशमुत्तरः पयसां निधिः । तत्र सोमगिरिर्नाम मध्ये हेममयो महान् ॥ 43.53 ॥

samatikramya taṃ deśamuttaraḥ payasāṃ nidhiḥ | tatra somagirirnāma madhye hemamayo mahān || 43.53 ||

Beyond that land lies the northern ocean, the treasury of waters. In its midst stands the great golden mountain named Somagiri.

Shloka 54 (kishkindha.43.54)

इन्द्रलोकगता ये च ब्रह्मलोकगताश्च ये । देवास्तं समवेक्षन्ते गिरिराजं दिवं गताः ॥ 43.54 ॥

indralokagatā ye ca brahmalokagatāśca ye | devāstaṃ samavekṣante girirājaṃ divaṃ gatāḥ || 43.54 ||

Those gods who have reached Indra's realm, and those who have reached Brahma's realm, look down upon that kingly mountain from the heavens they inhabit.

Shloka 55 (kishkindha.43.55)

स तु देशो विसूर्योऽपि तस्य भासा प्रकाशते । सूर्यलक्ष्म्याभिविज्ञेयस्तपतेव विवस्वता ॥ 43.55 ॥

sa tu deśo visūryo'pi tasya bhāsā prakāśate | sūryalakṣmyābhivijñeyastapateva vivasvatā || 43.55 ||

That land, though sunless, is illumined by that mountain's own splendour, its brilliance so like sunlight that it seems as if the sun itself were shining there.

Shloka 56 (kishkindha.43.56)

भगवांस्तत्र विश्वात्मा शम्भुरेकादशात्मकः । ब्रह्मा वसति देवेशो ब्रह्मर्षिपरिवारितः ॥ 43.56 ॥

bhagavāṃstatra viśvātmā śambhurekādaśātmakaḥ | brahmā vasati deveśo brahmarṣiparivāritaḥ || 43.56 ||

There dwell the divine, cosmic-souled Vishnu, Shambhu who embodies the eleven Rudras, and Brahma, lord of the gods, surrounded by brahmarshis.

Shloka 57 (kishkindha.43.57)

न कथंचन गन्तव्यं कुरूणामुत्तरेण वः । अन्येषामपि भूतानां नानुक्रामति वै गतिः ॥ 43.57 ॥

na kathaṃcana gantavyaṃ kurūṇāmuttareṇa vaḥ | anyeṣāmapi bhūtānāṃ nānukrāmati vai gatiḥ || 43.57 ||

Under no circumstances should you go north beyond the country of the Kurus; even other beings have no access there.

Shloka 58 (kishkindha.43.58)

स हि सोमगिरिर्नाम देवानामपि दुर्गमः । तमालोक्य ततः क्षिप्रमुपावर्तितुमर्हथ ॥ 43.58 ॥

sa hi somagirirnāma devānāmapi durgamaḥ | tamālokya tataḥ kṣipramupāvartitumarhatha || 43.58 ||

That mountain named Somagiri is impassable even for the gods; having beheld it, you should turn back at once.

Shloka 59 (kishkindha.43.59)

एतावद् वानरैः शक्यं गन्तुं वानरपुंगवाः । अभास्करममर्यादं न जानीमस्ततः परम् ॥ 43.59 ॥

etāvad vānaraiḥ śakyaṃ gantuṃ vānarapuṃgavāḥ | abhāskaramamaryādaṃ na jānīmastataḥ param || 43.59 ||

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 60 (kishkindha.43.60)

सर्वमेतद् विचेतव्यं यन्मया परिकीर्तितम् । यदन्यदपि नोक्तं च तत्रापि क्रियतां मतिः ॥ 43.60 ॥

sarvametad vicetavyaṃ yanmayā parikīrtitam | yadanyadapi noktaṃ ca tatrāpi kriyatāṃ matiḥ || 43.60 ||

All this that I have described must be thoroughly searched; and wherever I have not spoken of, there too your own judgment must be applied.

Shloka 61 (kishkindha.43.61)

ततः कृतं दाशरथेर्महत्प्रियं महत्प्रियं चापि ततो मम प्रियम् । कृतं भविष्यत्यनिलानलोपमा विदेहजादर्शनजेन कर्मणा ॥ 43.61 ॥

tataḥ kṛtaṃ dāśarathermahatpriyaṃ mahatpriyaṃ cāpi tato mama priyam | kṛtaṃ bhaviṣyatyanilānalopamā videhajādarśanajena karmaṇā || 43.61 ||

O vanaras, swift as wind and fire, by that deed of finding Videha's daughter, a great favour to Dasharatha's son shall be accomplished — and through it, a great favour to me as well.

Shloka 62 (kishkindha.43.62)

ततः कृतार्थाः सहिताः सबान्धवा मयार्चिताः सर्वगुणैर्मनोरमैः । चरिष्यथोर्वीं प्रति शान्तशत्रवः सहप्रिया भूतधराः प्लवंगमाः ॥ 43.62 ॥

tataḥ kṛtārthāḥ sahitāḥ sabāndhavā mayārcitāḥ sarvaguṇairmanoramaiḥ | cariṣyathorvīṃ prati śāntaśatravaḥ sahapriyā bhūtadharāḥ plavaṃgamāḥ || 43.62 ||

Then, vanaras, your purpose achieved, together with your kinsfolk, honoured by me with every delightful mark of favour, your foes stilled, you shall range freely over the earth together with your beloveds and your offspring."