03.267
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said.
ततस्तत्रैव रामस्य समासीनस्य तैः सह। समाजग्मुः कपिश्रेष्ठाः सुग्रीववचनात्तदा ॥०३-२६७-१॥
Then, right there where Rāma was seated with them, the foremost monkeys assembled, having come at Sugrīva's command. (03-267-1)
वृतः कोटिसहस्रेण वानराणां तरस्विनाम्। श्वशुरो वालिनः श्रीमान्सुषेणो राममभ्ययात् ॥०३-२६७-२॥
Suṣeṇa, the illustrious father-in-law of Vali, surrounded by a crore of swift monkeys, approached Rāma. (03-267-2)
कोटीशतवृतौ चापि गजो गवय एव च। वानरेन्द्रौ महावीर्यौ पृथक्पृथगदृश्यताम् ॥०३-२६७-३॥
Amongst the hundreds of crores, the elephant and the wild ox, and the two mighty monkey lords may be seen separately. (03-267-3)
षष्टिकोटिसहस्राणि प्रकर्षन्प्रत्यदृश्यत। गोलाङ्गूलो महाराज गवाक्षो भीमदर्शनः ॥०३-२६७-४॥
O great king, Gavākṣa, who had a round tail and a terrifying appearance, was seen dragging sixty crore thousands. (03-267-4)
गन्धमादनवासी तु प्रथितो गन्धमादनः। कोटीसहस्रमुग्राणां हरीणां समकर्षत ॥०३-२६७-५॥
But the renowned Gandhamādana, the inhabitant of Gandhamādana, gathered ten million thousands of powerful monkeys. (03-267-5)
पनसो नाम मेधावी वानरः सुमहाबलः। कोटीर्दश द्वादश च त्रिंशत्पञ्च प्रकर्षति ॥०३-२६७-६॥
A wise monkey of great strength named Panasa draws (leads) ten crores, twelve, and thirty-five. (03-267-6)
श्रीमान्दधिमुखो नाम हरिवृद्धोऽपि वीर्यवान्। प्रचकर्ष महत्सैन्यं हरीणां भीमतेजसाम् ॥०३-२६७-७॥
The illustrious Dadhimukha, who was also an elder and powerful among the vanaras, led the great army of the vanaras endowed with terrible energy. (03-267-7)
कृष्णानां मुखपुण्ड्राणामृक्षाणां भीमकर्मणाम्। कोटीशतसहस्रेण जाम्बवान्प्रत्यदृश्यत ॥०३-२६७-८॥
Jambavan was seen along with a hundred thousand crores of mighty, dark, lion-faced bears. (03-267-8)
एते चान्ये च बहवो हरियूथपयूथपाः। असङ्ख्येया महाराज समीयू रामकारणात् ॥०३-२६७-९॥
O great king, these and many other monkey chiefs, innumerable, came for the sake of Rāma. (03-267-9)
शिरीषकुसुमाभानां सिंहानामिव नर्दताम्। श्रूयते तुमुलः शब्दस्तत्र तत्र प्रधावताम् ॥०३-२६७-१०॥
A loud sound, like the roaring of lions whose splendor resembles śirīṣa flowers, is heard here and there from those running about. (03-267-10)
गिरिकूटनिभाः केचित्केचिन्महिषसंनिभाः। शरदभ्रप्रतीकाशाः पिष्टहिङ्गुलकाननाः ॥०३-२६७-११॥
Some of them were like mountain peaks, some like buffaloes, some resembled autumn clouds, and some had forests of powdered cinnabar. (03-267-11)
उत्पतन्तः पतन्तश्च प्लवमानाश्च वानराः। उद्धुन्वन्तोऽपरे रेणूनसमाजग्मुः समन्ततः ॥०३-२६७-१२॥
Rising, falling, leaping, the monkeys–while some stirred up clouds of dust–gathered together from all sides. (03-267-12)
स वानरमहालोकः पूर्णसागरसंनिभः। निवेशमकरोत्तत्र सुग्रीवानुमते तदा ॥०३-२६७-१३॥
Then, with Sugriva's approval, the great host of monkeys, resembling the full ocean, established an encampment there. (03-267-13)
ततस्तेषु हरीन्द्रेषु समावृत्तेषु सर्वशः। तिथौ प्रशस्ते नक्षत्रे मुहूर्ते चाभिपूजिते ॥०३-२६७-१४॥
Then, when all the best of monkeys had assembled together, on an auspicious lunar day, under a favorable constellation, at an appropriate moment, and when worship had been performed. (03-267-14)
तेन व्यूढेन सैन्येन लोकानुद्वर्तयन्निव। प्रययौ राघवः श्रीमान्सुग्रीवसहितस्तदा ॥०३-२६७-१५॥
With that well-arrayed army, as if shaking the worlds, the illustrious Rāghava, together with Sugrīva, set out at that time. (03-267-15)
मुखमासीत्तु सैन्यस्य हनूमान्मारुतात्मजः। जघनं पालयामास सौमित्रिरकुतोभयः ॥०३-२६७-१६॥
Hanuman, son of the wind, was at the front of the army, while Saumitri, fearless, protected the rear. (03-267-16)
बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्राणौ राघवौ तत्र रेजतुः। वृतौ हरिमहामात्रैश्चन्द्रसूर्यौ ग्रहैरिव ॥०३-२६७-१७॥
The two descendants of Raghu, having fastened finger-guards, shone there, surrounded by eminent monkeys, just as the moon and sun shine surrounded by the planets. (03-267-17)
प्रबभौ हरिसैन्यं तच्छालतालशिलायुधम्। सुमहच्छालिभवनं यथा सूर्योदयं प्रति ॥०३-२६७-१८॥
That monkey army, wielding śāla, tāla trees and rocks as weapons, shone forth like a vast rice granary at sunrise. (03-267-18)
नलनीलाङ्गदक्राथमैन्दद्विविदपालिता। ययौ सुमहती सेना राघवस्यार्थसिद्धये ॥०३-२६७-१९॥
The vast army, guarded by Nala, Nīla, Aṅgada, Kṛtha, Mainda, and Dvivida, proceeded for the accomplishment of Rāghava’s purpose. (03-267-19)
विधिवत्सुप्रशस्तेषु बहुमूलफलेषु च। प्रभूतमधुमांसेषु वारिमत्सु शिवेषु च ॥०३-२६७-२०॥
According to the proper method, in the most excellent root-fruits, abundant honey and flesh, water and fish, as well as in auspicious things. (03-267-20)
निवसन्ती निराबाधा तथैव गिरिसानुषु। उपायाद्धरिसेना सा क्षारोदमथ सागरम् ॥०३-२६७-२१॥
In the same way as they had dwelt undisturbed on the mountain peaks, the monkey army then approached the salt ocean. (03-267-21)
द्वितीयसागरनिभं तद्बलं बहुलध्वजम्। वेलावनं समासाद्य निवासमकरोत्तदा ॥०३-२६७-२२॥
That army, resembling a second ocean and adorned with many banners, upon reaching the Vela forest, made its encampment at that time. (03-267-22)
ततो दाशरथिः श्रीमान्सुग्रीवं प्रत्यभाषत। मध्ये वानरमुख्यानां प्राप्तकालमिदं वचः ॥०३-२६७-२३॥
Then the illustrious Rāma, descendant of Daśaratha, spoke these timely words to Sugrīva in the midst of the chiefs of the monkeys. (03-267-23)
उपायः को नु भवतां मतः सागरलङ्घने। इयं च महती सेना सागरश्चापि दुस्तरः ॥०३-२६७-२४॥
What means do you all consider for crossing the ocean? This is a great army, and the ocean too is difficult to cross. (03-267-24)
तत्रान्ये व्याहरन्ति स्म वानराः पटुमानिनः। समर्था लङ्घने सिन्धोर्न तु कृत्स्नस्य वानराः ॥०३-२६७-२५॥
There, other monkeys, proud of their skills, indeed spoke; while some were capable in crossing the ocean, not all the monkeys were capable of crossing it in its entirety. (03-267-25)
केचिन्नौभिर्व्यवस्यन्ति केचीच्च विविधैः प्लवैः। नेति रामश्च तान्सर्वान्सान्त्वयन्प्रत्यभाषत ॥०३-२६७-२६॥
Some endeavored with boats, and others with various rafts; but Rama, comforting them all, said, "No (do not do so)." (03-267-26)
शतयोजनविस्तारं न शक्ताः सर्ववानराः। क्रान्तुं तोयनिधिं वीरा नैषा वो नैष्ठिकी मतिः ॥०३-२६७-२७॥
Heroes, none of all the monkeys are capable of crossing the ocean spanning a hundred yojanas; this is not your fixed resolve. (03-267-27)
नावो न सन्ति सेनाया बह्व्यस्तारयितुं तथा। वणिजामुपघातं च कथमस्मद्विधश्चरेत् ॥०३-२६७-२८॥
There are not many boats for the army to carry across; and regarding the harm to the merchants, how should someone like us act? (03-267-28)
विस्तीर्णं चैव नः सैन्यं हन्याच्छिद्रेषु वै परः। प्लवोडुपप्रतारश्च नैवात्र मम रोचते ॥०३-२६७-२९॥
It is possible that the enemy may destroy our extensive army at its weak points; and I do not approve here of crossing by rafts and boats. (03-267-29)
अहं त्विमं जलनिधिं समारप्स्याम्युपायतः। प्रतिशेष्याम्युपवसन्दर्शयिष्यति मां ततः ॥०३-२६७-३०॥
But I will cross this ocean by some means; if I remain behind fasting, then he will show me. (03-267-30)
न चेद्दर्शयिता मार्गं धक्ष्याम्येनमहं ततः। महास्त्रैरप्रतिहतैरत्यग्निपवनोज्ज्वलैः ॥०३-२६७-३१॥
If he does not show the way, then I will burn him with mighty missiles, unstoppable, ablaze with intense fire and wind. (03-267-31)
इत्युक्त्वा सहसौमित्रिरुपस्पृश्याथ राघवः। प्रतिशिश्ये जलनिधिं विधिवत्कुशसंस्तरे ॥०३-२६७-३२॥
Having said this, Rāghava, together with Saumitri, performed purificatory rites and then lay down facing the ocean on a bed of kuśa grass in the prescribed manner. (03-267-32)
सागरस्तु ततः स्वप्ने दर्शयामास राघवम्। देवो नदनदीभर्ता श्रीमान्यादोगणैर्वृतः ॥०३-२६७-३३॥
Then the ocean, the glorious god, lord of rivers and streams, surrounded by groups of aquatic beings, appeared to Rāghava in a dream. (03-267-33)
कौसल्यामातरित्येवमाभाष्य मधुरं वचः। इदमित्याह रत्नानामाकरैः शतशो वृतः ॥०३-२६७-३४॥
Having thus addressed his mother Kausalya with sweet words, he said this, being surrounded by hundreds of mines of jewels. (03-267-34)
ब्रूहि किं ते करोम्यत्र साहाय्यं पुरुषर्षभ। इक्ष्वाकुरस्मि ते ज्ञातिरिति रामस्तमब्रवीत् ॥०३-२६७-३५॥
Rāma said to him, "Tell me, O best of men, what assistance shall I give you here? I am of the Ikṣvāku line, your kinsman." (03-267-35)
मार्गमिच्छामि सैन्यस्य दत्तं नदनदीपते। येन गत्वा दशग्रीवं हन्यां पौलस्त्यपांसनम् ॥०३-२६७-३६॥
O lord of rivers and streams, I desire the path given for the army, by which having gone I may kill the ten-necked one, the disgrace of the Paulastya family. (03-267-36)
यद्येवं याचतो मार्गं न प्रदास्यति मे भवान्। शरैस्त्वां शोषयिष्यामि दिव्यास्त्रप्रतिमन्त्रितैः ॥०३-२६७-३७॥
If you do not show me the path when I am asking thus, I will dry you up with arrows endowed with the mantras of divine weapons. (3-267-37)
इत्येवं ब्रुवतः श्रुत्वा रामस्य वरुणालयः। उवाच व्यथितो वाक्यमिति बद्धाञ्जलिः स्थितः ॥०३-२६७-३८॥
Thus, when he heard Rāma speak in this manner, the abode of Varuṇa, standing with joined palms and feeling disturbed, spoke as follows. (03-267-38)
नेच्छामि प्रतिघातं ते नास्मि विघ्नकरस्तव। शृणु चेदं वचो राम श्रुत्वा कर्तव्यमाचर ॥०३-२६७-३९॥
I do not wish to oppose you; nor am I one who causes obstacles for you. Listen to this instruction, Rāma, and having heard it, do your duty. (03-267-39)
यदि दास्यामि ते मार्गं सैन्यस्य व्रजतोऽऽज्ञया। अन्येऽप्याज्ञापयिष्यन्ति मामेवं धनुषो बलात् ॥०३-२६७-४०॥
If I give you the path for your army as commanded, then others too will likewise force me under threat of the bow. (03-267-40)
अस्ति त्वत्र नलो नाम वानरः शिल्पिसंमतः। त्वष्टुर्देवस्य तनयो बलवान्विश्वकर्मणः ॥०३-२६७-४१॥
Here there is a monkey named Nala, esteemed by craftsmen, the powerful son of Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine architect Viśvakarman. (03-267-41)
स यत्काष्ठं तृणं वापि शिलां वा क्षेप्स्यते मयि। सर्वं तद्धारयिष्यामि स ते सेतुर्भविष्यति ॥०३-२६७-४२॥
Whatever wood, grass, or stone is thrown upon me, I will support all of it; it will become a bridge for you. (03-267-42)
इत्युक्त्वान्तर्हिते तस्मिन्रामो नलमुवाच ह। कुरु सेतुं समुद्रे त्वं शक्तो ह्यसि मतो मम ॥०३-२६७-४३॥
Having thus spoken and when he had disappeared, Rama said to Nala: "Build a bridge across the ocean; you are indeed regarded as capable by me." (03-267-43)
तेनोपायेन काकुत्स्थः सेतुबन्धमकारयत्। दशयोजनविस्तारमायतं शतयोजनम् ॥०३-२६७-४४॥
By that means, Kākutstha (Rāma) had the bridge built—ten yojanas in breadth and one hundred yojanas in length. (03-267-44)
नलसेतुरिति ख्यातो योऽद्यापि प्रथितो भुवि। रामस्याज्ञां पुरस्कृत्य धार्यते गिरिसंनिभः ॥०३-२६७-४५॥
The bridge of Nala, thus renowned, which is even today famous on earth, is sustained like a mountain, having been constructed by placing Rāma's command at the forefront. (03-267-45)
तत्रस्थं स तु धर्मात्मा समागच्छद्विभीषणः। भ्राता वै राक्षसेन्द्रस्य चतुर्भिः सचिवैः सह ॥०३-२६७-४६॥
There, that righteous-souled Vibhīṣaṇa, the brother of the king of the rākṣasas, approached together with his four counselors. (03-267-46)
प्रतिजग्राह रामस्तं स्वागतेन महामनाः। सुग्रीवस्य तु शङ्काभूत्प्रणिधिः स्यादिति स्म ह ॥०३-२६७-४७॥
Rāma, who was magnanimous, received him with words of welcome. But to Sugrīva, the spy truly became a source of suspicion for this reason. (03-267-47)
राघवस्तस्य चेष्टाभिः सम्यक्च चरितेङ्गितैः। यदा तत्त्वेन तुष्टोऽभूत्तत एनमपूजयत् ॥०३-२६७-४८॥
Rāghava, when he had truly become satisfied by his actions and by his proper conduct and gestures, then honored him. (03-267-48)
सर्वराक्षसराज्ये चाप्यभ्यषिञ्चद्विभीषणम्। चक्रे च मन्त्रानुचरं सुहृदं लक्ष्मणस्य च ॥०३-२६७-४९॥
He anointed Vibhīṣaṇa as king over the whole kingdom of the rākṣasas, and appointed him as a counseller and friend of Lakṣmaṇa also. (03-267-49)
विभीषणमते चैव सोऽत्यक्रामन्महार्णवम्। ससैन्यः सेतुना तेन मासेनैव नराधिप ॥०३-२६७-५०॥
On Vibhīṣaṇa's counsel, the lord of men crossed the great ocean together with his army by that bridge, all within a month. (03-267-50)
ततो गत्वा समासाद्य लङ्कोद्यानान्यनेकशः। भेदयामास कपिभिर्महान्ति च बहूनि च ॥०३-२६७-५१॥
Then, after going and reaching the gardens of Laṅkā in many ways, the monkeys shattered both the large and the many gardens. (03-267-51)
तत्रास्तां रावणामात्यौ राक्षसौ शुकसारणौ। चारौ वानररूपेण तौ जग्राह विभीषणः ॥०३-२६७-५२॥
There, Rāvaṇa's ministers, the rākṣasas Śuka and Sāraṇa, were present. Vibhīṣaṇa seized those two spies who had taken the form of monkeys. (03-267-52)
प्रतिपन्नौ यदा रूपं राक्षसं तौ निशाचरौ। दर्शयित्वा ततः सैन्यं रामः पश्चादवासृजत् ॥०३-२६७-५३॥
When those two night-roamers had assumed the demon form and displayed it, then Rama afterwards dismissed the army. (03-267-53)
निवेश्योपवने सैन्यं तच्छूरः प्राज्ञवानरम्। प्रेषयामास दौत्येन रावणस्य ततोऽङ्गदम् ॥०३-२६७-५४॥
After having stationed the army in the grove, the brave hero then sent the intelligent monkey Angada to Ravana as a messenger. (03-267-54)
