03.267
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
tatas tatraiva rāmasya samāsīnasya taiḥ saha। samājagmuḥ kapiśreṣṭhāḥ sugrīvavacanāt tadā ॥03-267-1॥
Then, right there where Rāma was seated with them, the foremost monkeys assembled, having come at Sugrīva's command. (03-267-1)
vṛtaḥ koṭisahasreṇa vānarāṇāṃ tarasvinām। śvaśuro vālinaḥ śrīmān suṣeṇo rāmam abhyayāt ॥03-267-2॥
Suṣeṇa, the illustrious father-in-law of Vali, surrounded by a crore of swift monkeys, approached Rāma. (03-267-2)
koṭīśatavṛtau cāpi gajo gavaya eva ca। vānarendrau mahāvīryau pṛthakpṛthagadṛśyatām॥03-267-3॥
Amongst the hundreds of crores, the elephant and the wild ox, and the two mighty monkey lords may be seen separately. (03-267-3)
ṣaṣṭikoṭisahasrāṇi prakarṣanpratyadṛśyata। golāṅgūlo mahārāja gavākṣo bhīmadarśanaḥ ॥03-267-4॥
O great king, Gavākṣa, who had a round tail and a terrifying appearance, was seen dragging sixty crore thousands. (03-267-4)
gandhamādanavāsī tu prathito gandhamādanah। koṭīsahasram ugrāṇām harīṇām samakarṣata ॥03-267-5॥
But the renowned Gandhamādana, the inhabitant of Gandhamādana, gathered ten million thousands of powerful monkeys. (03-267-5)
panaso nāma medhāvī vāṇaraḥ sumahābalaḥ। koṭīr daśa dvādaśa ca triṃśat pañca prakarṣati ॥03-267-6॥
A wise monkey of great strength named Panasa draws (leads) ten crores, twelve, and thirty-five. (03-267-6)
śrīmān dadhimukho nāma harivṛddho'pi vīryavān। pracakarṣa mahatsainyaṁ harīṇāṁ bhīmatejasām॥03-267-7॥
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)
kṛṣṇānāṃ mukhapuṇḍrāṇām ṛkṣāṇāṃ bhīmakarmaṇām। koṭīśatasahasreṇa jāmbavān pratyadṛśyata ॥03-267-8॥
Jambavan was seen along with a hundred thousand crores of mighty, dark, lion-faced bears. (03-267-8)
ete cānye ca bahavo hariyūthapayūthapāḥ। asaṅkhyeyā mahārāja samīyu rāmakāraṇāt॥03-267-9॥
O great king, these and many other monkey chiefs, innumerable, came for the sake of Rāma. (03-267-9)
śirīṣakusumābhānāṃ siṃhānām iva nardatām। śrūyate tumulaḥ śabdastatra tatra pradhāvatām॥03-267-10॥
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)
girikūṭanibhāḥ kecit kecin mahiṣasaṃnibhāḥ। śaradabhraratīkāśāḥ piṣṭahiṅgulakānanāḥ ॥03-267-11॥
Some of them were like mountain peaks, some like buffaloes, some resembled autumn clouds, and some had forests of powdered cinnabar. (03-267-11)
utpatantaḥ patantaś ca plavamānāś ca vānarāḥ। uddhunvanto 'pare reṇūn samājagmuḥ samantataḥ॥03-267-12॥
Rising, falling, leaping, the monkeys–while some stirred up clouds of dust–gathered together from all sides. (03-267-12)
sa vānaramahālokaḥ pūrṇasāgarasaṃnibhaḥ। niveśam akarot tatra sugrīvānumate tadā ॥03-267-13॥
Then, with Sugriva's approval, the great host of monkeys, resembling the full ocean, established an encampment there. (03-267-13)
tatasteṣu harīndreṣu samāvṛtteṣu sarvaśaḥ। tithau praśaste nakṣatre muhūrte cābhipūjite ॥03-267-14॥
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)
tena vyūḍhena sainyena lokān udvartayan niva। prayayau rāghavaḥ śrīmān sugrīva-sahitaḥ tadā॥03-267-15॥
With that well-arrayed army, as if shaking the worlds, the illustrious Rāghava, together with Sugrīva, set out at that time. (03-267-15)
mukham āsīt tu sainyasya hanūmān mārutātmajaḥ। jaghanaṃ pālayāmāsa saumitrir akutobhayaḥ॥03-267-16॥
Hanuman, son of the wind, was at the front of the army, while Saumitri, fearless, protected the rear. (03-267-16)
baddhagodhāṅgulitrāṇau rāghavau tatra rejatuḥ. vṛtau harimahāmātraiś candrasūryau grahair iva ॥03-267-17॥
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)
prababhau harisainyaṃ tac chālatālaśilāyudham। sumahac chālibhavanaṃ yathā sūryodayaṃ prati॥03-267-18॥
That monkey army, wielding śāla, tāla trees and rocks as weapons, shone forth like a vast rice granary at sunrise. (03-267-18)
nalanīlāṅgadakṛāthamaindadvividapālitā। yayau sumahatī senā rāghavasyārthasiddhaye ॥03-267-19॥
The vast army, guarded by Nala, Nīla, Aṅgada, Kṛtha, Mainda, and Dvivida, proceeded for the accomplishment of Rāghava’s purpose. (03-267-19)
vidhivatsupraśasteṣu bahumūlaphaleṣu ca। prabhūtamadhumāṃseṣu vārimatsu śiveṣu ca ॥03-267-20॥
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)
nivasantī nirābādhā tathaiva girisānuṣu। upāyāddharisenā sā kṣārodhamatha sāgaram ॥03-267-21॥
In the same way as they had dwelt undisturbed on the mountain peaks, the monkey army then approached the salt ocean. (03-267-21)
dvitīyasāgaranibhaṃ tadbalaṃ bahuladhvajam। velāvanaṃ samāsādya nivāsam akarot tadā ॥03-267-22॥
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)
tato dāśarathiḥ śrīmān sugrīvaṃ pratyabhāṣata. madhye vānaramukhyānāṃ prāptakālam idaṃ vacaḥ ॥03-267-23॥
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)
upāyaḥ ko nu bhavatāṁ mataḥ sāgara-laṅghane। iyaṁ ca mahatī senā sāgaraś cāpi dustaraḥ॥03-267-24॥
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)
tatrānye vyāharanti sma vānarāḥ paṭumāninaḥ। samarthā laṅghane sindhor na tu kṛtsnasya vānarāḥ॥03-267-25॥
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)
kecin naubhir vyavasayanti kecid ca vividhaiḥ plavaiḥ। neti rāmaś ca tān sarvān sāntvayan pratyabhāṣata ॥03-267-26॥
Some endeavored with boats, and others with various rafts; but Rama, comforting them all, said, "No (do not do so)." (03-267-26)
śatayojanavistāraṃ na śaktāḥ sarvavānarāḥ। krāntuṃ toyanidhiṃ vīrā naiṣā vo naiṣṭhikī matiḥ॥03-267-27॥
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)
nāvo na santi senāyā bahvyas tārayituṃ tathā। vaṇijām upaghātaṃ ca katham asmad-vidhaś caret ॥03-267-28॥
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)
vistīrṇaṃ caiva naḥ sainyaṃ hanyāc chidreṣu vai paraḥ। plavoḍupapratāraś ca naivātra mama rocate॥03-267-29॥
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)
ahaṃ tv imaṃ jalanidhiṃ samārakṣyāmy upāyataḥ। pratiśeṣyāmy upavasan darśayiṣyati māṃ tataḥ॥03-267-30॥
But I will cross this ocean by some means; if I remain behind fasting, then he will show me. (03-267-30)
na ceddarśayitā mārgaṃ dhakṣyāmyenamahaṃ tataḥ। mahāstrairapratihatairatyagnipavanojjvalaiḥ ॥03-267-31॥
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)
ity uktvā saha-saumitriḥ upaspṛśya atha rāghavaḥ। pratiśiśye jalanidhiṃ vidhivat kuśa-saṃstare ॥03-267-32॥
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)
sāgaras tu tataḥ svapne darśayāmāsa rāghavam। devo nadanadī-bhartā śrīmān yādogaṇair vṛtaḥ॥03-267-33॥
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)
kausalyā-mātari-ity-evam-ābhāṣya madhuraṃ vacaḥ। idam-iti-āha ratnānām-ākaraiḥ śataśo vṛtaḥ ॥03-267-34॥
Having thus addressed his mother Kausalya with sweet words, he said this, being surrounded by hundreds of mines of jewels. (03-267-34)
brūhi kiṁ te karomyatra sāhāyyaṁ puruṣarṣabha। ikṣvākurasmi te jñātiriti rāmas tam abravīt ॥03-267-35॥
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)
mārgam icchāmi sainyasya dattaṃ nandanadīpate. yena gatvā daśagrīvaṃ hanyāṃ paulastyapāṃsanam ॥03-267-36॥
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)
yady evaṃ yācato mārgaṃ na pradāsyati me bhavān। śaraiḥ tvāṃ śoṣayiṣyāmi divyāstra-pratimantritaiḥ ॥03-267-37॥
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)
ityevaṃ bruvataḥ śrutvā rāmasya varuṇālayaḥ। uvāca vyathito vākyam iti baddhāñjaliḥ sthitaḥ ॥03-267-38॥
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)
necchāmi pratighātaṁ te nāsmi vighnakarastava. śṛṇu cedaṁ vaco rāma śrutvā kartavyamācara ॥03-267-39॥
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)
yadi dāsyāmi te mārgaṃ sainyasya vrajato''jñayā। anye'pyājñāpayiṣyanti māmevaṃ dhanuṣo balāt ॥03-267-40॥
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)
asti tvatra nalo nāma vāṇaraḥ śilpisaṃmataḥ। tvaṣṭur devasya tanayo balavān viśvakarmaṇaḥ॥03-267-41॥
Here there is a monkey named Nala, esteemed by craftsmen, the powerful son of Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine architect Viśvakarman. (03-267-41)
sa yat-kāṣṭhaṃ tṛṇaṃ vā api śilāṃ vā kṣepsyate mayi। sarvaṃ tat dhārayiṣyāmi sa te setuḥ bhaviṣyati ॥03-267-42॥
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)
ity uktvā antarhite tasmin rāmo nalaṁ uvāca ha. kuru setuṁ samudre tvaṁ śakto hy asi mato mama ॥03-267-43॥
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)
tenopāyena kākutsthaḥ setubandham akārayat। daśa-yojana-vistāram āyataṃ śata-yojanam ॥03-267-44॥
By that means, Kākutstha (Rāma) had the bridge built—ten yojanas in breadth and one hundred yojanas in length. (03-267-44)
nalasetur iti khyāto yo'dyāpi prathito bhuvi। rāmasyājñāṃ puraskṛtya dhāryate girisaṃnibhaḥ॥03-267-45॥
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)
tatrasthaṁ sa tu dharmātmā samāgacchadvibhīṣaṇaḥ। bhrātā vai rākṣasendrasya caturbhiḥ sacivaiḥ saha ॥03-267-46॥
There, that righteous-souled Vibhīṣaṇa, the brother of the king of the rākṣasas, approached together with his four counselors. (03-267-46)
pratijagrāha rāmas taṃ svāgatena mahāmanāḥ। sugrīvasya tu śaṅkābhūt praṇidhiḥ syād iti sma ha ॥03-267-47॥
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)
rāghavas tasya ceṣṭābhiḥ samyak ca cariteṅgitaiḥ। yadā tattvena tuṣṭo'bhūt tata enam apūjayat ॥03-267-48॥
Rāghava, when he had truly become satisfied by his actions and by his proper conduct and gestures, then honored him. (03-267-48)
sarva-rākṣasa-rājye cāpy abhyaṣiñcad vibhīṣaṇam। cakre ca mantrānu-caraṃ suhṛdaṃ lakṣmaṇasya ca ॥03-267-49॥
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)
vibhīṣaṇamate caiva so'tyakrāmanmahārṇavam। sasainyaḥ setunā tena māsenai va narādhipa ॥03-267-50॥
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)
tato gatvā samāsādya laṅkodyānānyanekasaḥ। bhedayāmāsa kapibhirmahānti ca bahūni ca ॥03-267-51॥
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)
tatrāstāṃ rāvaṇāmātyau rākṣasau śukasāraṇau। cārau vānararūpeṇa tau jagrāha vibhīṣaṇaḥ ॥03-267-52॥
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)
pratipannau yadā rūpaṃ rākṣasaṃ tau niśācarau। darśayitvā tataḥ sainyaṃ rāmaḥ paścād avāsṛjat ॥03-267-53॥
When those two night-roamers had assumed the demon form and displayed it, then Rama afterwards dismissed the army. (03-267-53)
niveśyopavane sainyaṁ tacchūraḥ prājñavānaram। preṣayāmāsa dautyena rāvaṇasya tato'ṅgadam ॥03-267-54॥
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)
