The March of the Vanara Host

Shloka 1 (yuddha.4.1)

श्रुत्वा हनूमतो वाक्यं यथावदनुपूर्वशः। ततोऽब्रवीन्महातेजा रामः सत्यपराक्रमः॥ 4.1 ॥

śrutvā hanūmato vākyaṃ yathāvad anupūrvaśaḥ | tato'bravīn mahātejā rāmaḥ satyaparākramaḥ ||

Having duly heard Hanuman's account from beginning to end, the mighty and truly valiant Rama then spoke.

Shloka 2 (yuddha.4.2)

यन्निवेदयसे लङ्कां पुरीं भीमस्य रक्षसः। क्षिप्रमेनां वधिष्यामि सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते॥ 4.2 ॥

yan nivedayase laṅkāṃ purīṃ bhīmasya rakṣasaḥ | kṣipram enāṃ vadhiṣyāmi satyam etad bravīmi te ||

"This city of Lanka, belonging to that terrible demon, which you have described to me - I shall destroy it swiftly. This I tell you in truth."

Shloka 3 (yuddha.4.3)

अस्मिन् मुहूर्ते सुग्रीव प्रयाणमभिरोचय। युक्तो मुहूर्ते विजये प्राप्तो मध्यं दिवाकरः॥ 4.3 ॥

asmin muhūrte sugrīva prayāṇam abhirocaya | yukto muhūrte vijaye prāpto madhyaṃ divākaraḥ ||

"O Sugriva, resolve on our departure at this very hour - it is an hour fit for victory, and the sun has reached its midday height."

Shloka 4 (yuddha.4.4)

सीतां हृत्वा तु तद् यातु क्वासौ यास्यति जीवितः। सीता श्रुत्वाभियानं मे आशामेष्यति जीविते। जीवितान्तेऽमृतं स्पृष्ट्वा पीत्वामृतमिवातुरः॥ 4.4 ॥

sītāṃ hṛtvā tu tad yātu kvāsau yāsyati jīvitaḥ | sītā śrutvābhiyānaṃ me āśām eṣyati jīvite | jīvitānte'mṛtaṃ spṛṣṭvā pītvāmṛtam ivāturaḥ ||

"Let that demon go wherever he will, having stolen Sita - where can he go and yet remain alive? Hearing of my march, Sita will regain her hope of life, as a dying man revives on touching, or drinking, ambrosia."

Shloka 5 (yuddha.4.5)

उत्तराफाल्गुनी ह्यद्य श्वस्तु हस्तेन योक्ष्यते। अभिप्रयाम सुग्रीव सर्वानीकसमावृताः॥ 4.5 ॥

uttarāphālgunī hy adya śvas tu hastena yokṣyate | abhiprayāma sugrīva sarvānīkasamāvṛtāḥ ||

"Today is the Uttara-Phalguni asterism, and tomorrow it will join with Hasta. Let us set out at once, Sugriva, surrounded by our whole army."

Shloka 6 (yuddha.4.6)

निमित्तानि च पश्यामि यानि प्रादुर्भवन्ति वै। निहत्य रावणं सीतामानयिष्यामि जानकीम्॥ 4.6 ॥

nimittāni ca paśyāmi yāni prādurbhavanti vai | nihatya rāvaṇaṃ sītām ānayiṣyāmi jānakīm ||

"From the omens that I see appearing before me, I know that I shall slay Ravana and bring back Sita, Janaka's daughter."

Shloka 7 (yuddha.4.7)

उपरिष्टाद्धि नयनं स्फुरमाणमिमं मम। विजयं समनुप्राप्तं शंसतीव मनोरथम्॥ 4.7 ॥

upariṣṭād dhi nayanaṃ sphuramāṇam imaṃ mama | vijayaṃ samanuprāptaṃ śaṃsatīva manoratham ||

"This upper eyelid of mine is throbbing - as if proclaiming that the victory I long for is now close at hand."

Shloka 8 (yuddha.4.8)

ततो वानरराजेन लक्ष्मणेन सुपूजितः। उवाच रामो धर्मात्मा पुनरप्यर्थकोविदः॥ 4.8 ॥

tato vānararājena lakṣmaṇena supūjitaḥ | uvāca rāmo dharmātmā punar apy arthakovidaḥ ||

Then Rama, the righteous one, skilled in judging what is fit, duly honoured by the vanara king and by Lakshmana, spoke once more.

Shloka 9 (yuddha.4.9)

अग्रे यातु बलस्यास्य नीलो मार्गमवेक्षितुम्। वृतः शतसहस्रेण वानराणां तरस्विनाम्॥ 4.9 ॥

agre yātu balasyāsya nīlo mārgam avekṣitum | vṛtaḥ śatasahasreṇa vānarāṇāṃ tarasvinām ||

"Let Nila go before this army, escorted by a hundred thousand swift vanaras, to scout out the way."

Shloka 10 (yuddha.4.10)

फलमूलवता नील शीतकाननवारिणा। पथा मधुमता चाशु सेनां सेनापते नय॥ 4.10 ॥

phalamūlavatā nīla śītakānanavāriṇā | pathā madhumatā cāśu senāṃ senāpate naya ||

"O Nila, O commander, lead the army swiftly by a route rich in fruit and roots, cool with forest and water, and abounding in honey."

Shloka 11 (yuddha.4.11)

दूषयेयुर्दुरात्मानः पथि मूलफलोदकम्। राक्षसाः पथि रक्षेथास्तेभ्यस्त्वं नित्यमुद्यतः॥ 4.11 ॥

dūṣayeyur durātmānaḥ pathi mūlaphalodakam | rākṣasāḥ pathi rakṣethās tebhyas tvaṃ nityam udyataḥ ||

"Evil-minded rakshasas might defile the roots, fruit and water along the way - so stay ever alert, and guard the road against them."

Shloka 12 (yuddha.4.12)

निम्नेषु वनदुर्गेषु वनेषु च वनौकसः। अभिप्लुत्याभिपश्येयुः परेषां निहितं बलम्॥ 4.12 ॥

nimneṣu vanadurgeṣu vaneṣu ca vanaukasaḥ | abhiplutyābhipaśyeyuḥ pareṣāṃ nihitaṃ balam ||

"Let the forest-dwelling vanaras range over the low ground, the dense woodland strongholds and the forests, to see whether any hidden enemy force lies concealed there."

Shloka 13 (yuddha.4.13)

यत्तु फल्गु बलं किंचित् तदत्रैवोपपद्यताम्। एतद्धि कृत्यं घोरं नो विक्रमेण प्रयुज्यताम्॥ 4.13 ॥

yat tu phalgu balaṃ kiṃcit tad atraivopapadyatām | etaddhi kṛtyaṃ ghoraṃ no vikrameṇa prayujyatām ||

"Whatever part of the army is weak should stay right here - for this is a formidable task, to be undertaken only by valour."

Shloka 14 (yuddha.4.14)

सागरौघनिभं भीममग्रानीकं महाबलाः। कपिसिंहाः प्रकर्षन्तु शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥ 4.14 ॥

sāgaraughanibhaṃ bhīmam agrānīkaṃ mahābalāḥ | kapisiṃhāḥ prakarṣantu śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ ||

"Let the lion-like vanaras of great strength, by the hundreds and by the thousands, lead the formidable vanguard, vast as a surging sea."

Shloka 15 (yuddha.4.15)

गजश्च गिरिसंकाशो गवयश्च महाबलः। गवाक्षश्चाग्रतो यातु गवां दृप्त इवर्षभः॥ 4.15 ॥

gajaśca girisaṃkāśo gavayaśca mahābalaḥ | gavākṣaścāgrato yātu gavāṃ dṛpta ivarṣabhaḥ ||

"Let Gaja, huge as a mountain, mighty Gavaya, and Gavaksha march at the front, like a proud bull leading a herd of cows."

Shloka 16 (yuddha.4.16)

यातु वानरवाहिन्या वानरः प्लवतां पतिः। पालयन् दक्षिणं पार्श्वमृषभो वानरर्षभः॥ 4.16 ॥

yātu vānaravāhinyā vānaraḥ plavatāṃ patiḥ | pālayan dakṣiṇaṃ pārśvam ṛṣabho vānararṣabhaḥ ||

"Let Rishabha, lord of the leaping ones and foremost of vanaras, march with the army, guarding its right flank."

Shloka 17 (yuddha.4.17)

गन्धहस्तीव दुर्धर्षस्तरस्वी गन्धमादनः। यातु वानरवाहिन्याः सव्यं पार्श्वमधिष्ठितः॥ 4.17 ॥

gandhahastīva durdharṣas tarasvī gandhamādanaḥ | yātu vānaravāhinyāḥ savyaṃ pārśvam adhiṣṭhitaḥ ||

"Let swift, unassailable Gandhamadana, mighty as a musth elephant, march stationed at the left flank of the vanara host."

Shloka 18 (yuddha.4.18)

यास्यामि बलमध्येऽहं बलौघमभिहर्षयन्। अधिरुह्य हनूमन्तमैरावतमिवेश्वरः॥ 4.18 ॥

yāsyāmi balamadhye'haṃ balaugham abhiharṣayan | adhiruhya hanūmantam airāvatam iveśvaraḥ ||

"I myself shall go amid the army, mounted upon Hanuman as Indra rides upon Airavata, rousing the whole host to joy."

Shloka 19 (yuddha.4.19)

अङ्गदेनैष संयातु लक्ष्मणश्चान्तकोपमः। सार्वभौमेन भूतेशो द्रविणाधिपतिर्यथा॥ 4.19 ॥

aṅgadenaiṣa saṃyātu lakṣmaṇaścāntakopamaḥ | sārvabhaumena bhūteśo draviṇādhipatir yathā ||

"Let Lakshmana, who resembles Death itself, ride upon Angada, as Kubera, lord of beings and of wealth, rides upon his elephant Sarvabhauma."

Shloka 20 (yuddha.4.20)

जाम्बवांश्च सुषेणश्च वेगदर्शी च वानरः। ऋक्षराजो महाबाहुः कुक्षिं रक्षन्तु ते त्रयः॥ 4.20 ॥

jāmbavāṃśca suṣeṇaśca vegadarśī ca vānaraḥ | ṛkṣarājo mahābāhuḥ kukṣiṃ rakṣantu te trayaḥ ||

"Let those three - the mighty-armed Jambavan, lord of the bears, Sushena, and the vanara Vegadarshi - guard the flank of the army."

Shloka 21 (yuddha.4.21)

राघवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवो वाहिनीपतिः। व्यादिदेश महावीर्यो वानरान् वानरर्षभः॥ 4.21 ॥

rāghavasya vacaḥ śrutvā sugrīvo vāhinīpatiḥ | vyādideśa mahāvīryo vānarān vānararṣabhaḥ ||

Hearing Raghava's words, Sugriva, commander of the army, that mighty and foremost of vanaras, issued his orders to the troops.

Shloka 22 (yuddha.4.22)

ते वानरगणाः सर्वे समुत्पत्य महौजसः। गुहाभ्यः शिखरेभ्यश्च आशु पुप्लुविरे तदा॥ 4.22 ॥

te vānaragaṇāḥ sarve samutpatya mahaujasaḥ | guhābhyaḥ śikharebhyaśca āśu pupluvire tadā ||

Then all those hosts of mighty vanaras sprang up at once, leaping swiftly out from caves and mountain-peaks.

Shloka 23 (yuddha.4.23)

ततो वानरराजेन लक्ष्मणेन च पूजितः। जगाम रामो धर्मात्मा ससैन्यो दक्षिणां दिशम्॥ 4.23 ॥

tato vānararājena lakṣmaṇena ca pūjitaḥ | jagāma rāmo dharmātmā sasainyo dakṣiṇāṃ diśam ||

Then Rama the righteous, honoured by the vanara king and by Lakshmana, set out with his army toward the southern quarter.

Shloka 24 (yuddha.4.24)

शतैः शतसहस्रैश्च कोटिभिश्चायुतैरपि। वारणाभैश्च हरिभिर्ययौ परिवृतस्तदा॥ 4.24 ॥

śataiḥ śatasahasraiśca koṭibhiścāyutairapi | vāraṇābhaiśca haribhir yayau parivṛtas tadā ||

Then he went forth, surrounded by vanaras huge as elephants, numbering in the hundreds, hundred-thousands, ten-thousands, and tens of millions.

Shloka 25 (yuddha.4.25)

तं यान्तमनुयान्ती सा महती हरिवाहिनी। हृष्टाः प्रमुदिताः सर्वे सुग्रीवेणापि पालिताः॥ 4.25 ॥

taṃ yāntam anuyāntī sā mahatī harivāhinī | hṛṣṭāḥ pramuditāḥ sarve sugrīveṇāpi pālitāḥ ||

That vast army of vanaras, led by Sugriva, followed after him, all of them joyful and exultant.

Shloka 26 (yuddha.4.26)

आप्लवन्तः प्लवन्तश्च गर्जन्तश्च प्लवंगमाः। क्ष्वेलन्तो निनदन्तश्च जग्मुर्वै दक्षिणां दिशम्॥ 4.26 ॥

āplavantaḥ plavantaśca garjantaśca plavaṃgamāḥ | kṣvelanto ninadantaśca jagmur vai dakṣiṇāṃ diśam ||

Bounding and leaping, roaring, whooping and howling, the vanaras surged onward toward the south.

Shloka 27 (yuddha.4.27)

भक्षयन्तः सुगन्धीनि मधूनि च फलानि च। उद्वहन्तो महावृक्षान् मञ्जरीपुञ्जधारिणः॥ 4.27 ॥

bhakṣayantaḥ sugandhīni madhūni ca phalāni ca | udvahanto mahāvṛkṣān mañjarīpuñjadhāriṇaḥ ||

They went along devouring fragrant honey and fruit, uprooting and carrying off great trees laden with clusters of blossom.

Shloka 28 (yuddha.4.28)

अन्योन्यं सहसा दृप्ता निर्वहन्ति क्षिपन्ति च। पतन्तश्चोत्पतन्त्यन्ये पातयन्त्यपरे परान्॥ 4.28 ॥

anyonyaṃ sahasā dṛptā nirvahanti kṣipanti ca | patantaścotpatantyanye pātayantyapare parān ||

Elated, they seized and flung one another about; some fell and leapt up again, while others sent their fellows tumbling down.

Shloka 29 (yuddha.4.29)

रावणो नो निहन्तव्यः सर्वे च रजनीचराः। इति गर्जन्ति हरयो राघवस्य समीपतः॥ 4.29 ॥

rāvaṇo no nihantavyaḥ sarve ca rajanīcarāḥ | iti garjanti harayo rāghavasya samīpataḥ ||

"Ravana must be slain by us, and all the night-roving demons too!" - so the vanaras roared, close by Raghava's side.

Shloka 30 (yuddha.4.30)

पुरस्तादृषभो नीलो वीरः कुमुद एव च। पन्थानं शोधयन्ति स्म वानरैर्बहुभिः सह॥ 4.30 ॥

purastād ṛṣabho nīlo vīraḥ kumuda eva ca | panthānaṃ śodhayanti sma vānarair bahubhiḥ saha ||

In front, Rishabha, the valiant Nila, and Kumuda, together with many vanaras, cleared the way ahead.

Shloka 31 (yuddha.4.31)

मध्ये तु राजा सुग्रीवो रामो लक्ष्मण एव च। बलिभिर्बहुभिर्भीमैर्वृतः शत्रुनिबर्हणः॥ 4.31 ॥

madhye tu rājā sugrīvo rāmo lakṣmaṇa eva ca | balibhir bahubhir bhīmair vṛtaḥ śatrunibarhaṇaḥ ||

In the middle marched King Sugriva, Rama, and Lakshmana, the destroyer of foes, surrounded by many powerful and fearsome warriors.

Shloka 32 (yuddha.4.32)

हरिः शतबलिर्वीरः कोटिभिर्दशभिर्वृतः। सर्वामेको ह्यवष्टभ्य ररक्ष हरिवाहिनीम्॥ 4.32 ॥

hariḥ śatabalir vīraḥ koṭibhir daśabhir vṛtaḥ | sarvām eko hy avaṣṭabhya rarakṣa harivāhinīm ||

The hero Shatabali, escorted by ten crore vanaras, single-handedly took the whole army under his protection and guarded it.

Shloka 33 (yuddha.4.33)

कोटीशतपरीवारः केसरी पनसो गजः। अर्कश्च बहुभिः पार्श्वमेकं तस्याभिरक्षति॥ 4.33 ॥

koṭīśataparīvāraḥ kesarī panaso gajaḥ | arkaśca bahubhiḥ pārśvam ekaṃ tasyābhirakṣati ||

Kesari, with a retinue of a hundred crore, along with Panasa, Gaja and Arka and many others, guarded one flank of that army.

Shloka 34 (yuddha.4.34)

सुषेणो जाम्बवांश्चैव ऋक्षैर्बहुभिरावृतौ। सुग्रीवं पुरतः कृत्वा जघनं संररक्षतुः॥ 4.34 ॥

suṣeṇo jāmbavāṃścaiva ṛkṣair bahubhir āvṛtau | sugrīvaṃ purataḥ kṛtvā jaghanaṃ saṃrarakṣatuḥ ||

Sushena and Jambavan, surrounded by many bears, keeping Sugriva ahead of them, guarded the rear of the army.

Shloka 35 (yuddha.4.35)

तेषां सेनापतिर्वीरो नीलो वानरपुंगवः। सम्पतन् प्लवतां श्रेष्ठस्तद् बलं पर्यवारयत्॥ 4.35 ॥

teṣāṃ senāpatir vīro nīlo vānarapuṃgavaḥ | sampatan plavatāṃ śreṣṭhas tad balaṃ paryavārayat ||

Nila, their valiant commander, foremost of vanaras and best of all the leapers, ranged about, encircling and overseeing that whole army.

Shloka 36 (yuddha.4.36)

दरीमुखः प्रजङ्घश्च जम्भोऽथ रभसः कपिः। सर्वतश्च ययुर्वीरास्त्वरयन्तः प्लवंगमान्॥ 4.36 ॥

darīmukhaḥ prajaṅghaśca jambho'tha rabhasaḥ kapiḥ | sarvataśca yayur vīrās tvarayantaḥ plavaṃgamān ||

The heroes Darimukha, Prajangha, Jambha, and the vanara Rabhasa moved about on every side, urging the troops onward.

Shloka 37 (yuddha.4.37)

एवं ते हरिशार्दूला गच्छन्ति बलदर्पिताः। अपश्यन्त गिरिश्रेष्ठं सह्यं गिरिशतायुतम्॥ 4.37 ॥

evaṃ te hariśārdūlā gacchanti baladarpitāḥ | apaśyanta giriśreṣṭhaṃ sahyaṃ giriśatāyutam ||

Thus those tigers among vanaras marched on, flushed with the pride of their strength, until they beheld Mount Sahya, foremost among a hundred thousand mountains.

Shloka 38 (yuddha.4.38)

सरांसि च सुफुल्लानि तटाकानि वराणि च। रामस्य शासनं ज्ञात्वा भीमकोपस्य भीतवत्॥ 4.38 ॥

sarāṃsi ca suphullāni taṭākāni varāṇi ca | rāmasya śāsanaṃ jñātvā bhīmakopasya bhītavat ||

The fair, full-blossomed lakes and the lovely pools too seemed to grow fearful, as though sensing the command of the fiercely wrathful Rama.

Shloka 39 (yuddha.4.39)

वर्जयन् नागराभ्याशांस्तथा जनपदानपि। सागरौघनिभं भीमं तद् वानरबलं महत्॥ 4.39 ॥

varjayan nāgarābhyāśāṃs tathā janapadān api | sāgaraughanibhaṃ bhīmaṃ tad vānarabalaṃ mahat ||

Skirting the outskirts of towns and inhabited regions alike, that vast and terrible vanara army, vast as a flood of the sea,

Shloka 40 (yuddha.4.40)

निःससर्प महाघोरं भीमघोषमिवार्णवम्। तस्य दाशरथेः पार्श्वे शूरास्ते कपिकुञ्जराः॥ 4.40 ॥

niḥsasarpa mahāghoraṃ bhīmaghoṣam ivārṇavam | tasya dāśaratheḥ pārśve śūrāste kapikuñjarāḥ ||

crept onward, immense and dreadful, its roar like that of the raging sea. Beside that son of Dasharatha, those heroic vanaras, mighty as elephants,

Shloka 41 (yuddha.4.41)

तूर्णमापुप्लुवुः सर्वे सदश्वा इव चोदिताः। कपिभ्यामुह्यमानौ तौ शुशुभाते नरर्षभौ॥ 4.41 ॥

tūrṇam āpupluvuḥ sarve sadaśvā iva coditāḥ | kapibhyām uhyamānau tau śuśubhāte nararṣabhau ||

all bounded swiftly forward, as though spurred like fine horses. Those two bulls among men, borne aloft on the shoulders of the two monkeys, shone resplendent,

Shloka 42 (yuddha.4.42)

महद्भ्यामिव संस्पृष्टौ ग्रहाभ्यां चन्द्रभास्करौ। ततो वानरराजेन लक्ष्मणेन सुपूजितः॥ 4.42 ॥

mahadbhyām iva saṃspṛṣṭau grahābhyāṃ candrabhāskarau | tato vānararājena lakṣmaṇena supūjitaḥ ||

like the sun and moon in conjunction with two mighty planets. Then, duly honoured by the vanara king and by Lakshmana,

Shloka 43 (yuddha.4.43)

जगाम रामो धर्मात्मा ससैन्यो दक्षिणां दिशम्। तमङ्गदगतो रामं लक्ष्मणः शुभया गिरा॥ 4.43 ॥

jagāma rāmo dharmātmā sasainyo dakṣiṇāṃ diśam | tam aṅgadagato rāmaṃ lakṣmaṇaḥ śubhayā girā ||

righteous Rama went forth with his army toward the south. Then, to Rama - who was riding upon Angada - Lakshmana, in auspicious words,

Shloka 44 (yuddha.4.44)

उवाच परिपूर्णार्थं पूर्णार्थप्रतिभानवान्। हृतामवाप्य वैदेहीं क्षिप्रं हत्वा च रावणम्॥ 4.44 ॥

uvāca paripūrṇārthaṃ pūrṇārthapratibhānavān | hṛtām avāpya vaidehīṃ kṣipraṃ hatvā ca rāvaṇam ||

- he himself full of wise insight - spoke words replete with meaning: "Having swiftly slain Ravana and won back the abducted Vaidehi,

Shloka 45 (yuddha.4.45)

समृद्धार्थः समृद्धार्थामयोध्यां प्रतियास्यसि। महान्ति च निमित्तानि दिवि भूमौ च राघव॥ 4.45 ॥

samṛddhārthaḥ samṛddhārthām ayodhyāṃ pratiyāsyasi | mahānti ca nimittāni divi bhūmau ca rāghava ||

"you, your purpose fulfilled, will return to prosperous Ayodhya. And, O Raghava, great omens are appearing both in the sky and upon the earth."

Shloka 46 (yuddha.4.46)

शुभानि तव पश्यामि सर्वाण्येवार्थसिद्धये। अनुवाति शिवो वायुः सेनां मृदुहितः सुखः॥ 4.46 ॥

śubhāni tava paśyāmi sarvāṇy evārthasiddhaye | anuvāti śivo vāyuḥ senāṃ mṛduhitaḥ sukhaḥ ||

"I see every one of them auspicious, foretelling the success of your purpose. A gentle, kindly, pleasant wind blows after the army."

Shloka 47 (yuddha.4.47)

पूर्णवल्गुस्वराश्चेमे प्रवदन्ति मृगद्विजाः। प्रसन्नाश्च दिशः सर्वा विमलश्च दिवाकरः॥ 4.47 ॥

pūrṇavalgusvarāśceme pravadanti mṛgadvijāḥ | prasannāśca diśaḥ sarvā vimalaśca divākaraḥ ||

"The beasts and birds are calling out in full, sweet voices; every quarter of the sky is clear and serene, and the sun shines undimmed."

Shloka 48 (yuddha.4.48)

उशना च प्रसन्नार्चिरनु त्वां भार्गवो गतः। ब्रह्मराशिर्विशुद्धश्च शुद्धाश्च परमर्षयः। अर्चिष्मन्तः प्रकाशन्ते ध्रुवं सर्वे प्रदक्षिणम्॥ 4.48 ॥

uśanā ca prasannārcir anu tvāṃ bhārgavo gataḥ | brahmarāśir viśuddhaśca śuddhāśca paramarṣayaḥ | arciṣmantaḥ prakāśante dhruvaṃ sarve pradakṣiṇam ||

"Ushanas, that is Bhargava, the planet Venus, follows behind you with untroubled radiance. The pole-star's company shines utterly pure, and all the great sages, radiant and stainless, circle the Dhruva star in unbroken splendour."

Shloka 49 (yuddha.4.49)

त्रिशङ्कुर्विमलो भाति राजर्षिः सपुरोहितः। पितामहः पुरोऽस्माकमिक्ष्वाकूणां महात्मनाम्॥ 4.49 ॥

triśaṅkur vimalo bhāti rājarṣiḥ sapurohitaḥ | pitāmahaḥ puro'smākam ikṣvākūṇāṃ mahātmanām ||

"The royal seer Trishanku, our own forefather among the great-souled Ikshvakus, shines stainless before us, together with his priest."

Shloka 50 (yuddha.4.50)

विमले च प्रकाशेते विशाखे निरुपद्रवे। नक्षत्रं परमस्माकमिक्ष्वाकूणां महात्मनाम्॥ 4.50 ॥

vimale ca prakāśete viśākhe nirupadrave | nakṣatraṃ param asmākam ikṣvākūṇāṃ mahātmanām ||

"The Vishakha stars, our own foremost constellation, we great-souled Ikshvakus', shine clear and free of any evil influence."

Shloka 51 (yuddha.4.51)

नैर्ऋतं नैर्ऋतानां च नक्षत्रमतिपीड्यते। मूलो मूलवता स्पृष्टो धूप्यते धूमकेतुना॥ 4.51 ॥

nairṛtaṃ nairṛtānāṃ ca nakṣatram atipīḍyate | mūlo mūlavatā spṛṣṭo dhūpyate dhūmaketunā ||

"But Mula, the constellation of the rakshasas, is grievously afflicted - touched by the tailed comet, it is being smoked and tormented."

Shloka 52 (yuddha.4.52)

सर्वं चैतद् विनाशाय राक्षसानामुपस्थितम्। काले कालगृहीतानां नक्षत्रं ग्रहपीडितम्॥ 4.52 ॥

sarvaṃ caitad vināśāya rākṣasānām upasthitam | kāle kālagṛhītānāṃ nakṣatraṃ grahapīḍitam ||

"All this has come to pass for the destruction of the rakshasas - for their constellation, in this their final hour, seized by death, is now oppressed by a malefic planet."

Shloka 53 (yuddha.4.53)

प्रसन्नाः सुरसाश्चापो वनानि फलवन्ति च। प्रवान्ति नाधिका गन्धा यथर्तुकुसुमा द्रुमाः॥ 4.53 ॥

prasannāḥ surasāścāpo vanāni phalavanti ca | pravānti nādhikā gandhā yathartukusumā drumāḥ ||

"The waters run clear and sweet, the forests hang heavy with fruit, mild fragrant breezes blow, and the trees stand in flower each in its season."

Shloka 54 (yuddha.4.54)

व्यूढानि कपिसैन्यानि प्रकाशन्तेऽधिकं प्रभो। देवानामिव सैन्यानि संग्रामे तारकामये। एवमार्य समीक्ष्यैतत् प्रीतो भवितुमर्हसि॥ 4.54 ॥

vyūḍhāni kapisainyāni prakāśante'dhikaṃ prabho | devānām iva sainyāni saṃgrāme tārakāmaye | evam ārya samīkṣyaitat prīto bhavitum arhasi ||

"O lord, these arrayed vanara hosts shine forth with surpassing splendour, like the armies of the gods in the war of the Tarakamaya. Seeing all this, noble one, you ought to rejoice."

Shloka 55 (yuddha.4.55)

इति भ्रातरमाश्वास्य हृष्टः सौमित्रिरब्रवीत्। अथावृत्य महीं कृत्स्नां जगाम हरिवाहिनी॥ 4.55 ॥

iti bhrātaram āśvāsya hṛṣṭaḥ saumitrir abravīt | athāvṛtya mahīṃ kṛtsnāṃ jagāma harivāhinī ||

Thus did the joyful son of Sumitra console his brother and speak. Then that army of vanaras went forward, covering the whole earth as it went.

Shloka 56 (yuddha.4.56)

ऋक्षवानरशार्दूलैर्नखद्रंष्ट्रायुधैरपि। कराग्रैश्चरणाग्रैश्च वानरैरुद्धतं रजः॥ 4.56 ॥

ṛkṣavānaraśārdūlair nakhadaṃṣṭrāyudhair api | karāgraiścaraṇāgraiśca vānarair uddhataṃ rajaḥ ||

Dust rose in clouds, stirred up by the hands and feet of those tigers among bears and vanaras, whose only weapons were their claws and fangs.

Shloka 57 (yuddha.4.57)

भीममन्तर्दधे लोकं निवार्य सवितुः प्रभाम्। सपर्वतवनाकाशं दक्षिणां हरिवाहिनी॥ 4.57 ॥

bhīmam antardadhe lokaṃ nivārya savituḥ prabhām | saparvatavanākāśaṃ dakṣiṇāṃ harivāhinī ||

Blotting out the sun's light, that army of vanaras made the whole southern world - its mountains, forests, and very sky - vanish dreadfully from sight.

Shloka 58 (yuddha.4.58)

छादयन्ती ययौ भीमा द्यामिवाम्बुदसंततिः। उत्तरन्त्याश्च सेनायाः सततं बहुयोजनम्॥ 4.58 ॥

chādayantī yayau bhīmā dyām ivāmbudasaṃtatiḥ | uttarantyāśca senāyāḥ satataṃ bahuyojanam ||

Dreadful, it moved on, veiling the sky like a bank of massed clouds; and as the army crossed onward it stretched continuously across many leagues.

Shloka 59 (yuddha.4.59)

नदीस्रोतांसि सर्वाणि सस्यन्दुर्विपरीतवत्। सरांसि विमलाम्भांसि द्रुमाकीर्णांश्च पर्वतान्॥ 4.59 ॥

nadīsrotāṃsi sarvāṇi sasyandur viparītavat | sarāṃsi vimalāmbhāṃsi drumākīrṇāṃśca parvatān ||

All the currents of the rivers seemed to flow in reverse. That army crossed clear-watered lakes and mountains thick with trees,

Shloka 60 (yuddha.4.60)

समान् भूमिप्रदेशांश्च वनानि फलवन्ति च। मध्येन च समन्ताच्च तिर्यक् चाधश्च साविशत्॥ 4.60 ॥

samān bhūmipradeśāṃśca vanāni phalavanti ca | madhyena ca samantācca tiryak cādhaśca sāviśat ||

level tracts of ground and forests laden with fruit - flowing through their midst, around them, athwart and beneath, filling everything as it passed.

Shloka 61 (yuddha.4.61)

समावृत्य महीं कृत्स्नां जगाम महती चमूः। ते हृष्टवदनाः सर्वे जग्मुर्मारुतरंहसः॥ 4.61 ॥

samāvṛtya mahīṃ kṛtsnāṃ jagāma mahatī camūḥ | te hṛṣṭavadanāḥ sarve jagmur mārutaraṃhasaḥ ||

That vast army advanced, enveloping the whole earth; all of them, faces bright with joy, moved with the speed of the wind.

Shloka 62 (yuddha.4.62)

हरयो राघवस्यार्थे समारोपितविक्रमाः। हर्षं वीर्यं बलोद्रेकान् दर्शयन्तः परस्परम्॥ 4.62 ॥

harayo rāghavasyārthe samāropitavikramāḥ | harṣaṃ vīryaṃ balodrekān darśayantaḥ parasparam ||

The vanaras, their valour summoned wholly for Raghava's cause, displayed to one another their joy, their prowess, and the surging abundance of their strength.

Shloka 63 (yuddha.4.63)

यौवनोत्सेकजाद् दर्पाद् विविधांश्चक्रुरध्वनि। तत्र केचिद् द्रुतं जग्मुरुत्पेतुश्च तथापरे॥ 4.63 ॥

yauvanotsekajād darpād vividhāṃś cakrur adhvani | tatra kecid drutaṃ jagmur utpetuśca tathāpare ||

In the pride born of youth's exuberance, they performed all manner of antics along the way; some raced ahead swiftly, others bounded up into the air.

Shloka 64 (yuddha.4.64)

केचित् किलकिलां चक्रुर्वानरा वनगोचराः। प्रास्फोटयंश्च पुच्छानि संनिजघ्नुः पदान्यपि॥ 4.64 ॥

kecit kilakilāṃ cakrur vānarā vanagocarāḥ | prāsphoṭayaṃśca pucchāni saṃnijaghnuḥ padāny api ||

Some of the forest-ranging vanaras set up shrill chattering cries; others cracked their tails like whips, and still others stamped their feet upon the ground.

Shloka 65 (yuddha.4.65)

भुजान् विक्षिप्य शैलांश्च द्रुमानन्ये बभञ्जिरे। आरोहन्तश्च शृङ्गाणि गिरीणां गिरिगोचराः॥ 4.65 ॥

bhujān vikṣipya śailāṃśca drumān anye babhañjire | ārohantaśca śṛṅgāṇi girīṇāṃ girigocarāḥ ||

Flinging out their arms, some smashed rocks and trees; others, at home upon the mountains, went climbing up the peaks.

Shloka 66 (yuddha.4.66)

महानादान् प्रमुञ्चन्ति क्ष्वेडामन्ये प्रचक्रिरे। ऊरुवेगैश्च ममृदुर्लताजालान्यनेकशः॥ 4.66 ॥

mahānādān pramuñcanti kṣveḍām anye pracakrire | ūruvegaiśca mamṛdur latājālāny anekaśaḥ ||

Some let out great roars, others made whooping calls, while some, with the sheer force of their thighs, trampled and crushed whole thickets of creepers.

Shloka 67 (yuddha.4.67)

जृम्भमाणाश्च विक्रान्ता विचिक्रीडुः शिलाद्रुमैः। ततः शतसहस्रैश्च कोटिभिश्च सहस्रशः॥ 4.67 ॥

jṛmbhamāṇāśca vikrāntā vicikrīḍuḥ śilādrumaiḥ | tataḥ śatasahasraiśca koṭibhiśca sahasraśaḥ ||

Stretching and yawning, those bold ones sported with rocks and trees. Then, by the hundreds of thousands and by the tens of millions,

Shloka 68 (yuddha.4.68)

वानराणां सुघोराणां श्रीमत्परिवृता मही। सा स्म याति दिवारात्रं महती हरिवाहिनी॥ 4.68 ॥

vānarāṇāṃ sughorāṇāṃ śrīmatparivṛtā mahī | sā sma yāti divārātraṃ mahatī harivāhinī ||

the earth, resplendent, lay covered with those most fearsome vanaras; and that vast army of them went on marching by day and by night.

Shloka 69 (yuddha.4.69)

प्रहृष्टमुदिताः सर्वे सुग्रीवेणाभिपालिताः। वानरास्त्वरिता यान्ति सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः। प्रमोक्षयिषवः सीतां मुहूर्तं क्वापि नावसन्॥ 4.69 ॥

prahṛṣṭamuditāḥ sarve sugrīveṇābhipālitāḥ | vānarās tvaritā yānti sarve yuddhābhinandinaḥ | pramokṣayiṣavaḥ sītāṃ muhūrtaṃ kvāpi nāvasan ||

All the vanaras, overjoyed and exultant, guided by Sugriva, hastened along, every one of them longing for battle; eager to free Sita, they did not pause anywhere, even for a moment.

Shloka 70 (yuddha.4.70)

ततः पादपसम्बाधं नानावनसमायुतम्। सह्यपर्वतमासाद्य वानरास्ते समारुहन्॥ 4.70 ॥

tataḥ pādapasambādhaṃ nānāvanasamāyutam | sahyaparvatam āsādya vānarās te samāruhan ||

Then, reaching Mount Sahya, dense with trees and covered with forests of every kind, the vanaras began to climb it.

Shloka 71 (yuddha.4.71)

काननानि विचित्राणि नदीप्रस्रवणानि च। पश्यन्नपि ययौ रामः सह्यस्य मलयस्य च॥ 4.71 ॥

kānanāni vicitrāṇi nadīprasravaṇāni ca | paśyann api yayau rāmaḥ sahyasya malayasya ca ||

Rama pressed on, beholding as he went the wondrous forests and the rivers and cascades of Sahya and Malaya.

Shloka 72 (yuddha.4.72)

चम्पकांस्तिलकांश्चूतानशोकान् सिन्दुवारकान्। तिनिशान् करवीरांश्च भञ्जन्ति स्म प्लवंगमाः॥ 4.72 ॥

campakāṃs tilakāṃś cūtān aśokān sinduvārakān | tiniśān karavīrāṃśca bhañjanti sma plavaṃgamāḥ ||

The vanaras broke off branches of champaka, tilaka, mango, ashoka, sinduvara, tinisha, and oleander as they went.

Shloka 73 (yuddha.4.73)

अङ्कोलांश्च करञ्जांश्च प्लक्षन्यग्रोधपादपान्। जम्बूकामलकान् नीपान् भञ्जन्ति स्म प्लवंगमाः॥ 4.73 ॥

aṅkolāṃśca karañjāṃśca plakṣanyagrodhapādapān | jambūkāmalakān nīpān bhañjanti sma plavaṃgamāḥ ||

The vanaras broke off ankola, karanja, plaksha and banyan trees, jambu, amalaka and kadamba trees too.

Shloka 74 (yuddha.4.74)

प्रस्तरेषु च रम्येषु विविधाः काननद्रुमाः। वायुवेगप्रचलिताः पुष्पैरवकिरन्ति तान्॥ 4.74 ॥

prastareṣu ca ramyeṣu vividhāḥ kānanadrumāḥ | vāyuvegapracalitāḥ puṣpair avakiranti tān ||

On the lovely rocky ledges, the various forest trees, set trembling by the force of the wind, showered them with flowers.

Shloka 75 (yuddha.4.75)

मारुतः सुखसंस्पर्शो वाति चन्दनशीतलः। षट्पदैरनुकूजद्भिर्वनेषु मधुगन्धिषु॥ 4.75 ॥

mārutaḥ sukhasaṃsparśo vāti candanaśītalaḥ | ṣaṭpadair anukūjadbhir vaneṣu madhugandhiṣu ||

A breeze, cool as sandalwood and pleasant to the touch, blew through those honey-scented forests, humming with the drone of bees.

Shloka 76 (yuddha.4.76)

अधिकं शैलराजस्तु धातुभिस्तु विभूषितः। धातुभ्यः प्रसृतो रेणुर्वायुवेगेन घट्टितः॥ 4.76 ॥

adhikaṃ śailarājas tu dhātubhis tu vibhūṣitaḥ | dhātubhyaḥ prasṛto reṇur vāyuvegena ghaṭṭitaḥ ||

That king of mountains was richly adorned with mineral ores, and the dust of those minerals, stirred and scattered by the force of the wind,

Shloka 77 (yuddha.4.77)

सुमहद्वानरानीकं छादयामास सर्वतः। गिरिप्रस्थेषु रम्येषु सर्वतः सम्प्रपुष्पिताः॥ 4.77 ॥

sumahad vānarānīkaṃ chādayāmāsa sarvataḥ | giriprastheṣu ramyeṣu sarvataḥ samprapuṣpitāḥ ||

covered that vast host of vanaras on every side. On the lovely mountain plateaus, blossoming everywhere in full flower, stood -

Shloka 78 (yuddha.4.78)

केतक्यः सिन्दुवाराश्च वासन्त्यश्च मनोरमाः। माधव्यो गन्धपूर्णाश्च कुन्दगुल्माश्च पुष्पिताः॥ 4.78 ॥

ketakyaḥ sinduvārāśca vāsantyaśca manoramāḥ | mādhavyo gandhapūrṇāśca kundagulmāśca puṣpitāḥ ||

ketaki, sinduvara, lovely vasanti creepers, fragrant madhavi vines, and kunda shrubs thick with blossom.

Shloka 79 (yuddha.4.79)

चिरिबिल्वा मधूकाश्च वञ्जुला बकुलास्तथा। रञ्जकास्तिलकाश्चैव नागवृक्षाश्च पुष्पिताः॥ 4.79 ॥

ciribilvā madhūkāśca vañjulā bakulāstathā | rañjakās tilakāścaiva nāgavṛkṣāśca puṣpitāḥ ||

Chiribilva and mahua trees, vanjula and bakula, ranjaka and tilaka, and naga trees all stood in flower.

Shloka 80 (yuddha.4.80)

चूताः पाटलिकाश्चैव कोविदाराश्च पुष्पिताः। मुचुलिन्दार्जुनाश्चैव शिंशपाः कुटजास्तथा॥ 4.80 ॥

cūtāḥ pāṭalikāścaiva kovidārāśca puṣpitāḥ | muculindārjunāścaiva śiṃśapāḥ kuṭajāstathā ||

Mango, patali and kovidara trees stood in bloom, and so too muculinda, arjuna, shisham, and kutaja trees.

Shloka 81 (yuddha.4.81)

हिन्तालास्तिनिशाश्चैव चूर्णका नीपकास्तथा। नीलाशोकाश्च सरला अङ्कोलाः पद्मकास्तथा॥ 4.81 ॥

hintālās tiniśāścaiva cūrṇakā nīpakāstathā | nīlāśokāśca saralā aṅkolāḥ padmakāstathā ||

Hintala and tinisha, churnaka and nipaka, blue ashoka and sarala, ankola and padmaka trees stood there too.

Shloka 82 (yuddha.4.82)

प्रीयमाणैः प्लवंगैस्तु सर्वे पर्याकुलीकृताः। वाप्यस्तस्मिन् गिरौ रम्याः पल्वलानि तथैव च॥ 4.82 ॥

prīyamāṇaiḥ plavaṃgais tu sarve paryākulīkṛtāḥ | vāpyas tasmin girau ramyāḥ palvalāni tathaiva ca ||

On that mountain, the lovely step-wells and pools alike were all thrown into commotion by the delighted vanaras thronging them.

Shloka 83 (yuddha.4.83)

चक्रवाकानुचरिताः कारण्डवनिषेविताः। प्लवैः क्रौञ्चैश्च संकीर्णा वराहमृगसेविताः॥ 4.83 ॥

cakravākānucaritāḥ kāraṇḍavaniṣevitāḥ | plavaiḥ krauñcaiśca saṃkīrṇā varāhamṛgasevitāḥ ||

Those waters were frequented by chakravaka birds, favoured by karandava ducks, thronged with waterfowl and krauncha cranes, and visited by boar and deer.

Shloka 84 (yuddha.4.84)

ऋक्षैस्तरक्षुभिः सिंहैः शार्दूलैश्च भयावहैः। व्यालैश्च बहुभिर्भीमैः सेव्यमानाः समन्ततः॥ 4.84 ॥

ṛkṣais tarakṣubhiḥ siṃhaiḥ śārdūlaiśca bhayāvahaiḥ | vyālaiśca bahubhir bhīmaiḥ sevyamānāḥ samantataḥ ||

They were frequented on every side by bears, hyenas, lions, fearsome tigers, and many dreadful serpents.

Shloka 85 (yuddha.4.85)

पद्मैः सौगन्धिकैः फुल्लैः कुमुदैश्चोत्पलैस्तथा। वारिजैर्विविधैः पुष्पै रम्यास्तत्र जलाशयाः॥ 4.85 ॥

padmaiḥ saugandhikaiḥ phullaiḥ kumudaiścotpalais tathā | vārijair vividhaiḥ puṣpai ramyās tatra jalāśayāḥ ||

Those pools there were made lovely with blooming lotuses, fragrant saugandhika lotuses, white and blue water-lilies, and manifold flowers born of the water.

Shloka 86 (yuddha.4.86)

तस्य सानुषु कूजन्ति नानाद्विजगणास्तथा। स्नात्वा पीत्वोदकान्यत्र जले क्रीडन्ति वानराः॥ 4.86 ॥

tasya sānuṣu kūjanti nānādvijagaṇāstathā | snātvā pītvodakāny atra jale krīḍanti vānarāḥ ||

On its ridges, flocks of birds of every kind sang out; and there the vanaras bathed, drank of the water, and sported in the pools.

Shloka 87 (yuddha.4.87)

अन्योन्यं प्लावयन्ति स्म शैलमारुह्य वानराः। फलान्यमृतगन्धीनि मूलानि कुसुमानि च॥ 4.87 ॥

anyonyaṃ plāvayanti sma śailam āruhya vānarāḥ | phalāny amṛtagandhīni mūlāni kusumāni ca ||

Climbing the mountain, the vanaras splashed water upon one another. Fruits fragrant as ambrosia, roots and flowers -

Shloka 88 (yuddha.4.88)

बभञ्जुर्वानरास्तत्र पादपानां मदोत्कटाः। द्रोणमात्रप्रमाणानि लम्बमानानि वानराः॥ 4.88 ॥

babhañjur vānarās tatra pādapānāṃ madotkaṭāḥ | droṇamātrapramāṇāni lambamānāni vānarāḥ ||

intoxicated with delight, the vanaras there stripped from the trees, plucking down fruits hanging heavy, each the size of a droṇa measure.

Shloka 89 (yuddha.4.89)

ययुः पिबन्तः स्वस्थास्ते मधूनि मधुपिङ्गलाः। पादपानवभञ्जन्तो विकर्षन्तस्तथा लताः॥ 4.89 ॥

yayuḥ pibantaḥ svasthās te madhūni madhupiṅgalāḥ | pādapān avabhañjanto vikarṣantas tathā latāḥ ||

Honey-golden in hue, they went on their way at ease, drinking in the honey, snapping tree-branches and dragging down creepers as they went.

Shloka 90 (yuddha.4.90)

विधमन्तो गिरिवरान् प्रययुः प्लवगर्षभाः। वृक्षेभ्योऽन्ये तु कपयो नदन्तो मधु दर्पिताः॥ 4.90 ॥

vidhamanto girivarān prayayuḥ plavagarṣabhāḥ | vṛkṣebhyo'nye tu kapayo nadanto madhu darpitāḥ ||

The bulls among vanaras pressed onward, seeming almost to blow the very mountains apart in their passing; others, intoxicated with honey, roared aloud from the trees.

Shloka 91 (yuddha.4.91)

अन्ये वृक्षान् प्रपद्यन्ते प्रपिबन्त्यपि चापरे। बभूव वसुधा तैस्तु सम्पूर्णा हरिपुङ्गवैः। यथा कमलकेदारैः पक्वैरिव वसुंधरा॥ 4.91 ॥

anye vṛkṣān prapadyante prapibanty api cāpare | babhūva vasudhā tais tu sampūrṇā haripuṅgavaiḥ | yathā kamalakedārair pakvair iva vasundharā ||

Some climbed up into the trees, others drank on and on; and the whole earth grew filled with those foremost of vanaras, as though the land were covered with fields of ripened lotus.

Shloka 92 (yuddha.4.92)

महेन्द्रमथ सम्प्राप्य रामो राजीवलोचनः। आरुरोह महाबाहुः शिखरं द्रुमभूषितम्॥ 4.92 ॥

mahendram atha samprāpya rāmo rājīvalocanaḥ | āruroha mahābāhuḥ śikharaṃ drumabhūṣitam ||

Then, reaching Mount Mahendra, lotus-eyed, mighty-armed Rama climbed to its peak, adorned with trees.

Shloka 93 (yuddha.4.93)

ततः शिखरमारुह्य रामो दशरथात्मजः। कूर्ममीनसमाकीर्णमपश्यत् सलिलाशयम्॥ 4.93 ॥

tataḥ śikharam āruhya rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ | kūrmamīnasamākīrṇam apaśyat salilāśayam ||

Having climbed to the summit, Rama, son of Dasharatha, beheld that vast reservoir of water, teeming with turtles and fish.

Shloka 94 (yuddha.4.94)

ते सह्यं समतिक्रम्य मलयं च महागिरिम्। आसेदुरानुपूर्व्येण समुद्रं भीमनिःस्वनम्॥ 4.94 ॥

te sahyaṃ samatikramya malayaṃ ca mahāgirim | āseduḥ ānupūrvyeṇa samudraṃ bhīmaniḥsvanam ||

Having crossed Sahya and the great mountain Malaya, they came in due course to the ocean, whose roar was fearsome.

Shloka 95 (yuddha.4.95)

अवरुह्य जगामाशु वेलावनमनुत्तमम्। रामो रमयतां श्रेष्ठः ससुग्रीवः सलक्ष्मणः॥ 4.95 ॥

avaruhya jagāmāśu velāvanam anuttamam | rāmo ramayatāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ sasugrīvaḥ salakṣmaṇaḥ ||

Descending, Rama - foremost of all who bring delight - together with Sugriva and Lakshmana, swiftly made his way to that matchless grove upon the shore.

Shloka 96 (yuddha.4.96)

अथ धौतोपलतलां तोयौघैः सहसोत्थितैः। वेलामासाद्य विपुलां रामो वचनमब्रवीत्॥ 4.96 ॥

atha dhautopalatalāṃ toyaughaiḥ sahasotthitaiḥ | velām āsādya vipulāṃ rāmo vacanam abravīt ||

Then, arriving at that vast shore, its rocky floor washed clean by waves surging suddenly up, Rama spoke these words.

Shloka 97 (yuddha.4.97)

एते वयमनुप्राप्ताः सुग्रीव वरुणालयम्। इहेदानीं विचिन्ता सा या नः पूर्वमुपस्थिता॥ 4.97 ॥

ete vayam anuprāptāḥ sugrīva varuṇālayam | ihedānīṃ vicintā sā yā naḥ pūrvam upasthitā ||

"Sugriva, here we have arrived at the abode of Varuna. Now, right here, that very concern which faced us before presents itself again."

Shloka 98 (yuddha.4.98)

अतः परमतीरोऽयं सागरः सरितां पतिः। न चायमनुपायेन शक्यस्तरितुमर्णवः॥ 4.98 ॥

ataḥ param atīro'yaṃ sāgaraḥ saritāṃ patiḥ | na cāyam anupāyena śakyas taritum arṇavaḥ ||

"Beyond this shore lies the boundless ocean, lord of rivers, and this sea cannot be crossed without some strategy."

Shloka 99 (yuddha.4.99)

तदिहैव निवेशोऽस्तु मन्त्रः प्रस्तूयतामिह। यथेदं वानरबलं परं पारमवाप्नुयात्॥ 4.99 ॥

tad ihaiva niveśo'stu mantraḥ prastūyatām iha | yathedaṃ vānarabalaṃ paraṃ pāram avāpnuyāt ||

"So let our camp be established right here, and let counsel be taken here as to how this army of vanaras may cross over to the farther shore."

Shloka 100 (yuddha.4.100)

इतीव स महाबाहुः सीताहरणकर्शितः। रामः सागरमासाद्य वासमाज्ञापयत् तदा॥ 4.100 ॥

itīva sa mahābāhuḥ sītāharaṇakarśitaḥ | rāmaḥ sāgaram āsādya vāsam ājñāpayat tadā ||

So spoke the mighty-armed Rama, worn thin by grief at Sita's abduction; and having reached the ocean, he then commanded the army to encamp.

Shloka 101 (yuddha.4.101)

सर्वाः सेना निवेश्यन्तां वेलायां हरिपुङ्गव। सम्प्राप्तो मन्त्रकालो नः सागरस्येह लङ्घने॥ 4.101 ॥

sarvāḥ senā niveśyantāṃ velāyāṃ haripuṅgava | samprāpto mantrakālo naḥ sāgarasyeha laṅghane ||

"O foremost of vanaras, let the whole army be encamped upon this shore. The time has come for us to take counsel on crossing this ocean."

Shloka 102 (yuddha.4.102)

स्वां स्वां सेनां समुत्सृज्य मा च कश्चित् कुतो व्रजेत्। गच्छन्तु वानराः शूरा ज्ञेयं छन्नं भयं च नः॥ 4.102 ॥

svāṃ svāṃ senāṃ samutsṛjya mā ca kaścit kuto vrajet | gacchantu vānarāḥ śūrā jñeyaṃ channaṃ bhayaṃ ca naḥ ||

"Let none, abandoning his own division, wander off anywhere. Let the brave vanaras go forward with care - we must be alert to dangers yet unseen."

Shloka 103 (yuddha.4.103)

रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवः सहलक्ष्मणः। सेनां निवेशयत् तीरे सागरस्य द्रुमायुते॥ 4.103 ॥

rāmasya vacanaṃ śrutvā sugrīvaḥ sahalakṣmaṇaḥ | senāṃ niveśayat tīre sāgarasya drumāyute ||

Hearing Rama's words, Sugriva, together with Lakshmana, encamped the army upon the tree-lined shore of the ocean.

Shloka 104 (yuddha.4.104)

विरराज समीपस्थं सागरस्य च तद् बलम्। मधुपाण्डुजलः श्रीमान् द्वितीय इव सागरः॥ 4.104 ॥

virarāja samīpasthaṃ sāgarasya ca tad balam | madhupāṇḍujalaḥ śrīmān dvitīya iva sāgaraḥ ||

That army, lying close beside the sea, shone forth as though it were a second, glorious ocean, its waters honey-pale.

Shloka 105 (yuddha.4.105)

वेलावनमुपागम्य ततस्ते हरिपुङ्गवाः। निविष्टाश्च परं पारं काङ्क्षमाणा महोदधेः॥ 4.105 ॥

velāvanam upāgamya tatas te haripuṅgavāḥ | niviṣṭāśca paraṃ pāraṃ kāṅkṣamāṇā mahodadheḥ ||

Then those foremost of vanaras, arriving at the shoreline grove, settled there, longing for the farther shore of the great ocean.

Shloka 106 (yuddha.4.106)

तेषां निविशमानानां सैन्यसंनाहनिःस्वनः। अन्तर्धाय महानादमर्णवस्य प्रशुश्रुवे॥ 4.106 ॥

teṣāṃ niviśamānānāṃ sainyasaṃnāhaniḥsvanaḥ | antardhāya mahānādam arṇavasya praśuśruve ||

As they settled into camp, the din of the army's clattering weapons and gear drowned out even the great roar of the ocean.

Shloka 107 (yuddha.4.107)

सा वानराणां ध्वजिनी सुग्रीवेणाभिपालिता। त्रिधा निविष्टा महती रामस्यार्थपराभवत्॥ 4.107 ॥

sā vānarāṇāṃ dhvajinī sugrīveṇābhipālitā | tridhā niviṣṭā mahatī rāmasyārthaparābhavat ||

That vast bannered host of vanaras, guarded by Sugriva, settled in three divisions, wholly devoted to Rama's purpose.

Shloka 108 (yuddha.4.108)

सा महार्णवमासाद्य हृष्टा वानरवाहिनी। वायुवेगसमाधूतं पश्यमाना महार्णवम्॥ 4.108 ॥

sā mahārṇavam āsādya hṛṣṭā vānaravāhinī | vāyuvegasamādhūtaṃ paśyamānā mahārṇavam ||

That joyful army of vanaras, having reached the great ocean, gazed upon it as it churned, stirred by the force of the wind,

Shloka 109 (yuddha.4.109)

दूरपारमसम्बाधं रक्षोगणनिषेवितम्। पश्यन्तो वरुणावासं निषेदुर्हरियूथपाः॥ 4.109 ॥

dūrapāram asambādham rakṣogaṇaniṣevitam | paśyanto varuṇāvāsaṃ niṣedur hariyūthapāḥ ||

gazing on that abode of Varuna, its far shore distant, boundless, and thronged with hosts of demons - the vanara chiefs sat themselves down there.

Shloka 110 (yuddha.4.110)

चण्डनक्रग्राहघोरं क्षपादौ दिवसक्षये। हसन्तमिव फेनौघैर्नृत्यन्तमिव चोर्मिभिः॥ 4.110 ॥

caṇḍanakragrāhaghoraṃ kṣapādau divasakṣaye | hasantam iva phenaughair nṛtyantam iva cormibhiḥ ||

Terrible with fierce crocodiles and sea-monsters, as day gave way to night the ocean seemed to laugh with its billows of foam, and to dance with its waves.

Shloka 111 (yuddha.4.111)

चन्द्रोदये समुद्भूतं प्रतिचन्द्रसमाकुलम्। चण्डानिलमहाग्राहैः कीर्णं तिमितिमिंगिलैः॥ 4.111 ॥

candrodaye samudbhūtaṃ praticandrasamākulam | caṇḍānilamahāgrāhaiḥ kīrṇaṃ timitimiṅgilaiḥ ||

As the moon rose, it seemed to swarm with countless reflected moons; and it teemed with fierce winds, monstrous crocodiles, and whales that could swallow whales.

Shloka 112 (yuddha.4.112)

दीप्तभोगैरिवाकीर्णं भुजङ्गैर्वरुणालयम्। अवगाढं महासत्त्वैर्नानाशैलसमाकुलम्॥ 4.112 ॥

dīptabhogair ivākīrṇaṃ bhujaṅgair varuṇālayam | avagāḍhaṃ mahāsattvair nānāśailasamākulam ||

That abode of Varuna seemed thronged with serpents of blazing hoods, filled deep with mighty creatures, and studded everywhere with rocky islets.

Shloka 113 (yuddha.4.113)

सुदुर्गं दुर्गमार्गं तमगाधमसुरालयम्। मकरैर्नागभोगैश्च विगाढा वातलोलिताः। उत्पेतुश्च निपेतुश्च प्रहृष्टा जलराशयः॥ 4.113 ॥

sudurgaṃ durgamārgaṃ tam agādham asurālayam | makarair nāgabhogaiśca vigāḍhā vātalolitāḥ | utpetuśca nipetuśca prahṛṣṭā jalarāśayaḥ ||

Formidable, its paths impassable, unfathomable, that abode of the asuras teemed with crocodiles and coiling serpent-hoods; and its waters, stirred by the wind, rose and fell as though in wild delight.

Shloka 114 (yuddha.4.114)

अग्निचूर्णमिवाविद्धं भास्वराम्बुमहोरगम्। सुरारिनिलयं घोरं पातालविषयं सदा॥ 4.114 ॥

agnicūrṇam ivāviddham bhāsvarāmbumahoragam | surārinilayaṃ ghoraṃ pātālaviṣayaṃ sadā ||

It seemed strewn with sparks of fire, its shimmering waters alive with vast serpents; it was the terrible, ever-dreadful dwelling place of the gods' foes, reaching down to the very realm of the netherworld.

Shloka 115 (yuddha.4.115)

सागरं चाम्बरप्रख्यमम्बरं सागरोपमम्। सागरं चाम्बरं चेति निर्विशेषमदृश्यत॥ 4.115 ॥

sāgaraṃ cāmbaraprakhyam ambaraṃ sāgaropamam | sāgaraṃ cāmbaraṃ ceti nirviśeṣam adṛśyata ||

The ocean seemed like the very sky, and the sky like the ocean; sea and sky appeared alike, with no difference visible between them.

Shloka 116 (yuddha.4.116)

सम्पृक्तं नभसाप्यम्भः सम्पृक्तं च नभोऽम्भसा। तादृग्रूपे स्म दृश्येते तारारत्नसमाकुले॥ 4.116 ॥

sampṛktaṃ nabhasāpy ambhaḥ sampṛktaṃ ca nabho'mbhasā | tādṛgrūpe sma dṛśyete tārāratnasamākule ||

The waters merged with the sky, and the sky merged with the waters; both, thick-strewn with the jewels of the stars, appeared identical in form.

Shloka 117 (yuddha.4.117)

समुत्पतितमेघस्य वीचिमालाकुलस्य च। विशेषो न द्वयोरासीत् सागरस्याम्बरस्य च॥ 4.117 ॥

samutpatitameghasya vīcimālākulasya ca | viśeṣo na dvayor āsīt sāgarasyāmbarasya ca ||

Between the sky, with its billowing masses of cloud, and the ocean, garlanded with rows of waves, there was no distinction left at all.

Shloka 118 (yuddha.4.118)

अन्योन्यैरहताः सक्ताः सस्वनुर्भीमनिःस्वनाः। ऊर्मयः सिन्धुराजस्य महाभेर्य इवाम्बरे॥ 4.118 ॥

anyonyair āhatāḥ saktāḥ sasvanur bhīmaniḥsvanāḥ | ūrmayaḥ sindhurājasya mahābherya ivāmbare ||

Striking against one another, locked together, the waves of the lord of rivers roared with a fearsome sound, like great war-drums booming in the sky.

Shloka 119 (yuddha.4.119)

रत्नौघजलसंनादं विषक्तमिव वायुना। उत्पतन्तमिव क्रुद्धं यादोगणसमाकुलम्॥ 4.119 ॥

ratnaughajalasaṃnādaṃ viṣaktam iva vāyunā | utpatantam iva kruddhaṃ yādogaṇasamākulam ||

Loud with the roar of its jewelled waters, as though bound fast to the wind, seeming to leap up in fury, and swarming with hosts of sea-creatures -

Shloka 120 (yuddha.4.120)

ददृशुस्ते महात्मानो वाताहतजलाशयम्। अनिलोद्धूतमाकाशे प्रवलान्तमिवोर्मिभिः॥ 4.120 ॥

dadṛśus te mahātmānaḥ vātāhatajalāśayam | anilodūtam ākāśe pravalāntam ivormibhiḥ ||

- so those great-souled ones beheld that ocean, its waters lashed by the wind, seeming, with its waves, to whirl upward into the very sky.

Shloka 121 (yuddha.4.121)

ततो विस्मयमापन्ना हरयो ददृशुः स्थिताः। भ्रान्तोर्मिजालसंनादं प्रलोलमिव सागरम्॥ 4.121 ॥

tato vismayam āpannā harayo dadṛśuḥ sthitāḥ | bhrāntormijālasaṃnādaṃ pralolam iva sāgaram ||

Then, filled with wonder, the vanaras stood there gazing at that ocean, resounding with the roar of its restless, tangled waves, seeming to tremble and reel before them.