03.264
Markandeya said;
Then, Rama, afflicted by the sorrow of Sita's abduction, approached the Pampa, a lotus-pond not far away, abundant with lotuses and utpalas. (03-264-1)
Enjoyed by the very cool, pleasant, nectar-scented breeze in that forest, he went to his beloved in his mind. (03-264-2)
The king, lamenting there as he remembered his beloved and was tormented by the arrows of desire, was then addressed by Saumitri. (03-264-3)
Such an emotion is not fit to affect you, O bestower of honor; just as disease cannot touch a self-possessed man of mature character. (03-264-4)
You have obtained information about Sītā and Rāvaṇa; now, accomplish the task concerning her by your effort and intelligence. (03-264-5)
Let us go to Sugrīva, the leader of monkeys who resides on the mountain. Take heart in me, the pupil, the servant, and the ally. (03-264-6)
Thus, being addressed in many ways by Lakṣmaṇa, Rāghava regained his natural composure and promptly resumed action. (03-264-7)
After bathing in the waters of Lake Pampā and offering water to their ancestors, the two heroic brothers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, set out. (03-264-8)
Then those two heroes, having approached Vṛśyamūka mountain abundant with roots and fruits, saw five monkeys at the summit.
Sugrīva sent Hanuman, the wise minister among the two monkeys, who stood firm like the Himalaya. (03-264-10)
Having first spoken with him, those two went to Sugrīva. Then Rāma made a friendship with the king of the monkeys, O king. (03-264-11)
They showed that piece of clothing, which had been submitted as evidence in the investigation, namely, what Sītā threw down to the monkeys as she was being carried away. (03-264-12)
Having obtained that cause of confidence, Rāma himself anointed Sugrīva, the lord of monkeys, as the sovereign of the monkeys on earth. (03-264-13)
And Rāma, the descendant of Kakutstha, promised to kill Vāli in battle; and Sugrīva also promised to bring back Sītā, O king. (03-264-14)
Having spoken thus, making an agreement and mutually trusting each other, they all approached Kiṣkindhā and stood there eager for battle. (03-264-15)
Sugrīva, upon reaching Kiṣkindhā, gave a loud roar like a torrent; Vālī could not tolerate it, and Tārā tried to restrain him. (03-264-16)
Just as Sugrīva, this strong monkey, is roaring, I believe he has found support, and you should not go out. (03-264-17)
Then Vālī, the eloquent lord of monkeys, said these words to Tārā, the wife of the moon-lords, in the presence of Hemamali. (03-264-18)
O you who understand the speech of all beings, consider with your intellect: by whose support has this one who carries my brother's scent come to me? (03-264-19)
But Tara, radiant like the moon and wise, after reflecting for a moment, spoke thus to her husband: "O lord of monkeys, listen to everything." (03-264-20)
Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, whose wife was taken away and who is of great courage, became one who had enmity and friendship equal (to Sugrīva), being a wielder of the bow. (03-264-21)
His brother, the mighty-armed son of Sumitra—unconquered and intelligent Lakṣmaṇa by name—stands ready for the accomplishment of the purpose. (03-264-22)
Mainda, Dvivida, Hanuman the Wind-god's son, Jambavan the king of the bears, and Sugriva's ministers stood there. (03-264-23)
All these great-souled, wise, and very strong ones are quite capable of bringing about your destruction, relying on Rāma's strength. (03-264-24)
After objecting to her beneficial words, the lord of monkeys, jealous and suspecting that her mind was turned toward Sugrīva, doubted her. (03-264-25)
After speaking harsh words to Tara, he came out from the mouth of the cave. There, near Mount Malyavat, he addressed Sugriva. (3-264-26)
Deluded one, you—so often attached to life—have been subdued by me; knowing that the kinsman is thus released, what urgency is there again for death? (03-264-27)
Thus, when addressed, Sugrīva spoke to his brother with well-reasoned words, at the proper time, as though a destroyer of enemies was addressing Rāma. (03-264-28)
O king, I, whose wife and kingdom have been taken away by you, what indeed is the value of life for such a one? Know that this (truth) has come (to pass). (03-264-29)
Having spoken thus in many ways, then the two, Vālin and Sugrīva, both approached in battle, armed with śāla and tāla trees and stones. (03-264-30)
Both attacked each other; both fell to the ground; both leapt in various ways, and they struck one another with their fists. (03-264-31)
Then both heroes, smeared with blood and scratched by nails and teeth, shone like blossoming kimshuka trees. (03-264-32)
No distinction in the battle between the two could be seen then. Then Hanūmān placed a garland on Sugrīva's neck. (03-264-33)
Then that hero, with Mālā embracing his neck, shone like the glorious Malaya mountain with its garland of clouds. (03-264-34)
But Rama, after seeing the marked Sugriva, drew his great and best bow, aiming at Vali as if at a target. (03-264-35)
The stretch of his bow at that moment looked like that of a mechanical device; then Vali, struck in the heart by the arrow, was terrified. (03-264-36)
Struck at his vital points and vomiting blood from his mouth, he saw Rāma standing together with Saumitrī from a distance. (03-264-37)
After reproaching Rāma (Kākutstha), he fell unconscious to the ground. Tārā saw him lying on the earth, resembling her fallen husband. (03-264-38)
When Vāli was slain, Sugrīva took possession of Kiṣkindhā. And Tārā, whose lord had fallen, (was there) with the foremost ladies headed by Tārā. (03-264-39)
However, Rāma, accompanied by Sugrīva, established his residence for four months at the auspicious place behind Mālyavat. (03-264-40)
Rāvaṇa, too, after reaching the city of Laṅkā, driven by the force of his desire, settled Sītā in a mansion comparable to Nandana, near the Aśoka grove that resembled an ascetic's hermitage. (03-264-41)
She, with her body made thin by remembrance of her husband, clad in the dress of an ascetic, devoted to fasting and penance, there, that large-eyed woman, lived in suffering places, sustaining herself on fruits and roots. (03-264-42)
The lord of the rākṣasas dispatched rākṣasī demonesses there for guarding, armed with javelins, swords, spears, axes, maces, and bludgeons. (03-264-43)
Some had two eyes, some three eyes, some had an eye on their forehead, some had long tongues, others no tongue; some had three breasts, some had only one foot, some had three matted locks, and some had only one eye. (03-264-44)
These and other bright-eyed ones, with faces and hair like elephant trunks, continually surround Sītā, sitting by her day and night without weariness. (03-264-45)
But those piśācīs, fierce and harsh-voiced, always threaten her, the broad-eyed, with rough, harsh-sounding words. (03-264-46)
Let us eat her, let us tear her apart piece by piece, having divided her—this woman who lives here despising our husband. (03-264-47)
Thus, repeatedly rebuking them while being frightened, and overwhelmed by grief for her husband, she sighed and spoke this to them. (03-264-48)
Noble ones, eat me quickly; I have no desire to live—without him, the lotus-eyed one with dark, curly hair. (03-264-49)
Even I, although without food and having lost all desire for life, shall wither my body away, just like a female serpent that has climbed onto a tala tree. (03-264-50)
But I would not approach any other man except Rāghava; know this to be my truth. Let what is immediate be done. (03-264-51)
Hearing her words, those rākṣasī women with harsh voices went to the king of the rākṣasas to report everything from the beginning. (03-264-52)
Among all the departed ones there, Trijaṭā by name, a rākṣasī, who knew dharma and spoke kind words, consoled Vaidehī (Sītā). (03-264-53)
O Sītā, I wish to say something to you; trust me, my friend. Let your fear be dispelled, O slender-thighed one. Listen to this speech of mine. (03-264-54)
Avindhya, the wise and aged chief of the rākṣasas, named as such, who seeks Rāma's welfare, indeed spoke to me for your sake. (03-264-55)
Speak to Sītā on my behalf, comforting and pleasing her, and say: "Your husband Rāma, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa, is well and strong." (03-264-56)
Rāma, the illustrious, has made friendship with the king of monkeys whose power equals Indra, and has also risen to action for your sake. (03-264-57)
Do not have any fear, O timid one, from Rāvaṇa, condemned by the world; by the curse of Nalakūbara, you are indeed protected by him, O blameless one. (03-264-58)
For this man, formerly sinful and cursed for touching Rambhā, whose senses are not subdued, is not able to approach a helpless woman. (03-264-59)
Your husband, protected by Sugrīva and accompanied by wise Saumitri, will quickly come to you and set your mind free. (03-264-60)
I have indeed seen very terrible dreams with inauspicious visions, indicating the destruction of this evil-minded destroyer of the Paulastya clan. (03-264-61)
He is cruel indeed, wicked in soul, a doer of base deeds and a night-wanderer; by nature, through defect of character, he increases the fear of all. (03-264-62)
He who, whose mind is overcome by time, competes with all the gods— I saw signs of his destruction in a dream, indeed. (03-264-63)
The ten-faced one, anointed with oil and disheveled, immersed in mud, repeatedly stood on the chariot yoked with asses, appearing as if dancing. (03-264-64)
Kumbhakarṇa and others here, naked, with their hair disheveled, are being dragged toward the southern direction, adorned with red garlands and smeared with ointments. (03-264-65)
Only Vibhīṣaṇa—under a white umbrella, wearing a turban, adorned with white garlands and ornaments—ascended the white mountain alone. (03-264-66)
His four ministers, adorned with white garlands and ointments, having ascended the white mountain, will save us from great danger. (03-264-67)
Your husband, with his glory, will fill the whole earth; by the weapon of Rāma, the earth together with the oceans has been encompassed. (03-264-68)
I saw Lakṣmaṇa mounted on a heap of bones, eating honey and rice pudding, and looking about in every direction. (03-264-69)
I have repeatedly seen you, weeping and with limbs moistened with blood, protected by the tiger, going toward the northern direction. (03-264-70)
O Vaidehi, you will soon experience joy, for you will be reunited with your husband; O Sītā, together with Rāghava and his brother, you will very soon.
Thus, the young woman with deer-like eyes, upon hearing Trijaṭā's words, became hopeful once again regarding her reunion with her husband. (03-264-72)
As soon as those very terrifying demonesses arrived, they saw her seated with Trijaṭā, just as they had in times past. (03-264-73)
