Book IV : Kishkindha Kanda - The Empire of Holy Monkeys
Sugreeva's knowledge of physical world is acquired when Vali put him to flight. Rama enquires with Sugreeva as to how Sugreeva has many details of lands, countries, rivers, and mountains. In reply, Sugreeva says that when repulsed by Vali he was on the run to pillar to post, until he finally settled on Mt. Rishyamuka. During such a plighted flight, Sugreeva says, he acquired a direct and personal knowledge of earth. |
gateÿu v˜narendreÿu r˜ma× sugrŸvam abravŸt |
katham bhav˜n vij˜nŸte sarvam vai maõýalam bhuva× || 4-46-1
1. gateSu+vaanara+indreSu= while going, monkey-troop, chiefs of; raamaH+sugriivam+ abraviit= Rama, to Sugreeva, spoke; katham+bhavaan+vi+jaaniite= how, you, very-well know; sarvam+vai+ maNDalam+ bhuvaH = in entirety, indeed, globate, earth.
While the chiefs of monkey-troops are on their way Rama spoke to Sugreeva, "Indeed, how do you know very-well about the globe of earth in its entirety?" [4-46-1]
sugrŸva× ca tato r˜mam uv˜ca praõata ˜tmav˜n |
þr¨yat˜m sarvam ˜khy˜sye vistareõa vaco mama || 4-46-2
2. sugriivaH+ca+tataH+raamam= Sugreeva, then, to Rama; uvaaca+praNata+ aatmavaan = spoke, bowing down, himself; shruuyataam+sarvam+aakhyaasye= be heard, all, I narrate; vistareNa+vacaH+mama= vividly, words, mine.
Then Sugreeva bowing down before Rama said, "I will narrate all vividly, and let my words be heard..." [4-46-2]
yad˜ tu dundubhim n˜ma d˜navam mahiÿa ˜k®tim |
parik˜layate v˜lŸ malayam prati parvatam || 4-46-3
3. yadaa+tu+dundubhim+naama+daanavam= when, but, Dundubhi [Dundubhi's son Maayaavi,] named, demon; mahiSa+aakR^itim= in buffalo's, shape; parikaalayate+vaalii+malayam+ prati+ parvatam= repulsed, Vali, to Mt. Malaya, towards, mountain.
"When the buffalo-shaped demon Dundubhi was repulsed by Vali towards the mountain Malaya... [4-46-3]
Comment: This buffalo-demon Dundubhi was killed by Vali in Kishkindha and its carcass was hurdled into the precincts of Sage Matanga's hermitage. While that demon was killed there, Sugreeva is now telling that this demon was killed in a cave. The demon killed in cave was Maayaavi, as said in Ch. 9 of this canto. Maayaavi and Dundubhi are brothers and sons of Maya. Maheshvara Tiirtha says because Dundubhi is the son of buffalo-demon Maya, i.e., Dundubhi Sr., thus he can be called as Dundubhi. And Govindaraja says: dundubhe× p¨rvaja× agraja× suta× mayasya iti seÿa× vakÿyatu uttara k˜õýe maya× - m˜y˜vŸ prathama× st˜t dundubhi× tat anantaram iti 'Maayaavi is the first son and the second one is Dundubhi- as said by Maya in Uttara Kanda...' Then it is assumed that both Maayaavi and Dundubhi have come in the first instance for a fight with Vali. But on seeing Vali and Sugreeva, Dundubhi might have entered into the cave with Maayaavi and somehow escaped from there, and thus only Maayaavi is killed by Vali. Later Dundubhi came at the gate of Kishkindha and was killed by Vali. Hence, Sugreeva's referring to Dundubhi here includes both Maayaavi and Dundubhi.
tad˜ viveþa mahiÿo malayasya guh˜m prati |
viveþa v˜lŸ tatra api malayam tat jigh˜Õsay˜ || 4-46-4
4. tadaa+vivesha+mahiSaH= then, entered, buffalo; malayasya+guhaam+prati= Mt. Malaya's, cave, towards [into]; vivesha+vaalii+tatra+api= entered, Vali, therein, even; malayam+tat+ jighaamsayaa= Mt. Malaya's [cave,] that [buffalo,] wishing to kill.
"Then that buffalo entered the cave of Mt. Malaya, and even Vali entered therein wishing to kill that, that buffalo... [4-46-4]
tato aham tatra nikÿipto guh˜ dv˜ri vinŸtavat |
na ca niÿkramate v˜lŸ tad˜ saÕvatsare gate || 4-46-5
5. tataH+aham+tatra+nikSiptaH= then, I was, there, kept at [by Vali]; guhaa+dvaari+ viniitavat= cave's, mouth, deferential [brother]; na+ca+niS+kramate+vaalii= not, also, out, come [exits,] Vali; tadaa+ samvatsare + gate= then, a year, lapsed.
"Then, as I was a deferential brother, Vali kept me at the mouth of the cave and lapsed is one year, but Vali did not exit... [4-46-5]
tata× kÿataja vegena ˜pup¨re tad˜ bilam |
tat aham vismito d®ÿ÷v˜ bhr˜tu× þoka viÿa ardita× || 4-46-6
6. tataH+kSata+ja+vegena= then, from gash, emerging [blood,] by rush; aapu puure+tadaa+ bilam= fully filled, then, cavity; tat+aham+vismitaH+dR^iSTvaa= that, I was, dumbfounded, on seeing; bhraatuH+ shoka+ viSa+ arditaH= for brother's [loss,] anguish, by venom, agonised.
"Then by the rush of blood fully filled is that cavity, and on seeing that I was dumbfounded, and I was agonised by the venomous anguish, called brother's [loss...] [4-46-6]
atha aham gata buddhi× tu suvyaktam nihato guru× |
þil˜ parvata saðk˜þ˜ bila dv˜ri may˜ k®t˜ || 4-46-7
7. atha+aham+gata+buddhiH+tu= then, I, gone, mind [concluded,] but; su+vyaktam+ nihataH+ guruH= very, clearly [unmistakably,] killed, brother; shilaa+parvata+sankaashaa= boulder, mountain, similar; bila+ dvaari+ mayaa+kR^itaa= cavity, in mouth, by me, made [fixed.]
"Then I concluded that 'my brother is unmistakably killed...' and then I fixed a mountain similar boulder in the mouth of that cavity... [4-46-7]
aþaknuvan niÿkramitum mahiÿo vinaþiÿyati |
tato aham ˜g˜m kiÿkindh˜m nir˜þa× tasya jŸvite || 4-46-8
8. a+shaknuvan= not, possible; niS+kramitum= out, to exit; mahiSaH= buffalo; vi+nashiSyati= completely, gets destroyed [in cave]; tataH+aham+aagaam+kiSkindhaam= then, I, arrived, at Kishkindha; nir+aashaH+tasya+jiivite= without, hope, of his [Vali's,] aliveness.
"It will be impossible for that buffalo to exit and that buffalo completely gets destroyed [within that cave itself, thus was my thinking...] and then I arrived at Kishkindha, unhopeful of Vali's aliveness... [4-46-8]
r˜jyam ca sumahat pr˜pya t˜r˜m ca rumay˜ saha |
mitrai× ca sahita× tatra vas˜mi vigata jvara× || 4-46-9
9. raajyam+ca+sumahat+praapya= kingdom, also, very magnificent, on getting; taaraam+ca+rumayaa + saha= Lady Tara, also, Ruma, besides; mitraiH+ca+sahitaH= friends, also, along with; tatra+ vasaami+ vigata+ jvaraH= there, I was staying, without, febrility [disquiet, owing to brother's loss, i.e., peaceably.]
"On getting the very magnificent kingdom of Kishkindha, and besides Ruma getting Tara also, I was staying there with friends, peaceably... [4-46-9]
˜jag˜ma tato v˜lŸ hatv˜ tam d˜navarÿabha× |
tato aham adad˜m r˜jyam gaurav˜t bhaya yantrita× || 4-46-10
10. aajagaama+tataH+vaalii= came forth, then, Vali; hatvaa+tam+daanava+R^iSabhaH= on killing, him, that demon-bull [best among demons, buffalo]; tataH+aham+adadaam+raajyam= then, I, gave away, kingdom; gauravaat+bhaya+yantritaH= through deference, by fear, spellbound.
"Then Vali came forth on killing him, that bullish demon, then I gave away the kingdom through deference and spellbound in fear [of Vali's killing me...] [4-46-10]
sa m˜m jigh˜Õsu× duÿ÷˜tm˜ v˜lŸ pravyathita indriya× |
parik˜layate krodh˜t dh˜vantam sacivai× saha || 4-46-11
11. saH+maam+jighaansuH+duSTa+aatmaa= he, me, wishing to kill, evil, minded one; vaalii+pra+ vyathita+ indriyaH= Vali, highly, perturbed, at senses; parikaalayate+krodhaat= further repulsed, furiously; dhaavantam+sacivaiH+saha= while I was running away, ministers, with.
"That evil-minded Vali, with his highly perturbed senses, he wished to kill me, and while I was running away with my ministers, he repulsed me further, furiously... [4-46-11]
tato aham v˜lin˜ tena s˜nubandha× pradh˜vita× |
nadŸ× ca vividh˜× paþyan van˜ni nagar˜õi ca || 4-46-12
12. tataH+aham+vaalinaa+tena= then, I, by Vali, by him; saH+anubandhaH= such as I was, being repulsed; pra+dhaavitaH= rapidly, made to run away; nadiiH+ca+vividhaaH+pashyan= rivers, also, diverse, went on seeing; vanaani+nagaraaNi+ca= forest, cities, also.
"Such as I was, being repulsed by Vali, I was made to run away rapidly, [and during that fleeing] I went on seeing diverse rivers, forests and cities... [4-46-12]
˜darþa tala saðk˜þ˜ tato vai p®thivŸ may˜ |
al˜ta cakra pratim˜ d®ÿ÷˜ goÿpadavat tad˜ - k®t˜ || 4-46-13
13. aadarsha+tala+sankaashaa= mirror's, surface [reflection of mirror's surface,] like; tataH+vai+ pR^ithivii+ mayaa= then, really, earth, by me; alaata+cakra+pratimaa= fireball, circle, akin to; dR^iSTaa= seen [by me]; goSpadavat+tadaa+ [kR^itaa] = analogous to cow-hoof-print.
"I have then really seen the earth like the reflection on the surface of a mirror, [where the mirror shows all the objects in exactness,] and the earth is like the circle of a fireball, [where it is encircled with fire-like reddish, brownish, ochreish minerals and ores, and it appeared to me in my high flight,] like a cow-hoof-print [in the mirror, called my perception...] [4-46-13]
p¨rvam diþ˜m tato gatv˜ paþy˜mi vividh˜n drum˜n |
parvat˜n sa darŸn ramy˜n sar˜Õsi vividh˜ni ca || 4-46-14
14. puurvam+dishaam+tataH+gatvaa= eastern, to direction, then, on going; pashyaami+vividhaan+ drumaan = saw, various, trees; parvataan+sa+dariin+ramyaan= mountains, with, caves, enchanting ones; saraamsi+vividhaani+ca= lakes, numerous, also.
"Then on going to eastern direction I saw various trees, enchanting mountains with caves, and also numerous lakes... [4-46-14]
udayam tatra paþy˜mi parvatam dh˜tu maõýitam |
kÿŸrodam s˜garam caiva nityam apsara ˜layam || 4-46-15
15. udayam+tatra+pashyaami+parvatam= Udaya, Sun-Rise, there, I saw, mountain; dhaatu+maNDitam = with ores, wreathed in; kshiira+udam+saagaram+caiva= Milk Water, oceans, also thus; nityam+ apsara+ aalayam= forever, apsara-s', abode.
"There I saw Mt. Udaya, the Sun-Rise Mountain, wreathed in with ores, also this the Milk Water Oceans, forever an abode for apsara-s... [4-46-15]
parik˜lyam˜na× tad˜ v˜lin˜ abhidruta× hi aham |
puna× ˜v®tya sahas˜ prasthito aham tad˜ vibho || 4-46-16
16. parikaalyamaanaH+tadaa+vaalinaa= being repulsed, then, by Vali; abhidrutaH+hi+aham= fleeing speedily, truly, I; punaH+aavR^itya= again, returned, quickly; [punaH] sahasaa+ prasthitaH+[vaalinaa ] aham + tadaa+vibho= forthwith, made to flee, [by Vali,] I, then, oh, lord Rama.
"Being repulsed by Vali I fled that speedily, but I returned again, oh, lord Rama, yet again made to flee forthwith, by Vali... [4-46-16]
diþa× tasy˜× tato bh¨ya× prasthito dakÿiõam diþam |
vindhya p˜dapa saðkŸrõ˜m candana druma þobhit˜m || 4-46-17
17. dishaH+tasyaaH+tataH+bhuuyaH= direction, from that [east,] then, again; prasthitaH+dakshiNam + disham= fled to, southern, direction; vindhya+paadapa+samkiirNaam= [both] Vindhya Range mountains, trees, thick with; candana+druma+shobhitaam= with sandalwood, trees, enriched.
"Then from that eastern direction I fled to southern direction, which is thick with Vindhya Range [mountains and diverse] trees and [especially] enriched with sandalwood trees... [4-46-17]
druma þaila antare paþyan bh¨yo dakÿiõato apar˜am |
apar˜m ca diþam pr˜pto v˜lin˜ samabhidruta× || 4-46-18
18. druma+shaila+antare+pashyan= trees, mountains, in interiors, while seeing; bhuuyaH+dakshiNataH + aparaaam [vaalinaa+samabhidrutaH]= again, from south, another [direction, by Vali, made to run]; aparaam+ca+disham+praaptaH= western, also, direction, I reached; vaalinaa+samabhidrutaH= by Vali, made to run. [Here aparaam means doubly 1. another, 2. west quarter.]
"While seeing the interiors of forest and mountains again I was made to run by Vali, [who was setting upon me from within the interiors of those forests and mountains, and then] I reached the western direction... [4-46-18]
sa paþyan vividh˜n deþ˜n astam ca giri sattamam |
pr˜pya ca astam giri þreÿ÷ham uttaram sampradh˜vita× || 4-46-19
19. saH+pashyan+vividhaan+deshaan= that me, on seeing, diverse, countries; astam+ca+giri+ sattamam= Asta, Dusk, also, mountain, best one [Astagiri, Mt. Dusk]; praapya+ca+astamgiri+ shreSTham= reached, also Mt. Dusk, excellent one; uttaram+sam+pra+dhaavitaH= to north, very, much [by a long way,] ran [took to my heels.]
"Such as I was, on seeing diverse cities and the best mountain Astagiri, Mt. Dusk, I reached that excellent Mt. Dusk also, [and since Vali is at my heel,] I took to my heels, by a long way to north... [4-46-19]
himavantam ca merum ca samudram ca tath˜ uttaram |
yad˜ na vinde þaraõam v˜lin˜ samabhidruta× || 4-46-20
tato m˜m buddhi sampanno hanum˜n v˜kyam abravŸt |
20. himavantam+ca+merum+ca= Himalayas, also, Meru, also; samudram+ca+tathaa+ uttaram= ocean, also, like that, northern; yadaa+na+vinde= when, not, known; sharaNam= clemency from Vali, or, shelter, or, foothold on earth; vaalinaa+samabhidrutaH= by Vali, driven back [even from north]; tataH+ maam+ buddhi+ sampannaH= then, to me, wisdom, his prosperity; hanumaan+vaakyam+abraviit= Hanuma, word, said.
"Even at Himalayas, Mt. Meru, like that at the Northern Ocean, I was driven back by Vali, and when unknown was the clemency from Vali, or a shelter, or even a foothold on earth... then Hanuma, whose prosperity is his wisdom, said a word to me... [4-46-20, 21a]
id˜nŸm me sm®tam r˜jan yath˜ v˜lŸ harŸþvara× || 4-46-21
mataðgena tad˜ þapto hi asmin ˜þrama maõýale |
praviþet yadi vai v˜lŸ m¨rdh˜ asya þatadh˜ bhavet || 4-46-22
tatra v˜sa× sukho asm˜kam nirudvigno bhaviÿyati |
21b, 22. idaaniim+me+smR^itam+raajan= now, to me, remembered, oh, king; yathaa+ vaalii+hari iishvaraH= how, Vali, monkeys, king; matangena+tadaa+shaptaH+hi= by Sage Matanga, then, cursed, verily; asmin+aashrama+maNDale= that [Matanga's,] hermitage's, in fringes; pravishet+yadi+ vai+vaalii = enters, if, really, Vali; muurdhaa+asya+shatadhaa+bhavet= by head, his [Vali's] in hundred ways [splinters,] will become [head gets splintered]; tatra+ vaasaH+sukhaH+asmaakam= there, dwelling, peaceful, for us; nir+udvignaH= without, high tension [imperturbable]; bhaviSyati= it will be.
" 'Oh, king, now I remember how the king of monkeys Vali was cursed by Sage Matanga then... if Vali really enters the fringes of the hermitage of Sage Matanga, Vali's head gets splintered in hundred ways... hence dwelling there will be peaceful and imperturbable for us... [Thus Hanuma spoke to me...] [4-46-21b, 22, 23a]
tata× parvatam ˜s˜dya ®þyam¨kam n®p˜tmaja || 4-46-23
na viveþa tad˜ v˜lŸ mataðgasya bhay˜t tad˜ |
evam may˜ tad˜ r˜jan pratyakÿam upalakÿitam |
p®thivŸ maõýalam sarvam guh˜m asmi ˜gata× tata× || 4-46-24
23b, 24. tataH+parvatam+[Vali+] aasaadya+R^ishyamuukam= then, mountain, [thought] reached, Rishyamuka; nR^ipaatmaja= oh, prince; na+vivesha+tadaa+vaalii= not, entered, then, Vali; matangasya+ bhayaat+ tadaa= of Sage Matanga, fearing from, at that time; evam+mayaa+ tadaa+ raajan= thus, by me, thus, oh, king; pratyakSam+upalakSitam= apparently, closely sighted; pR^ithivii+maNDalam+sarvam= earth, globus, in entirety; guhaam+asmi+aagataH+ tataH= in cave, I was, on coming, then.
"Oh, prince Rama, then Vali [though] reached Mt. Rishyamuka, he did not enter [into its precincts,] fearing Sage Matanga [and his curse,] at that time... oh, king, thus this globe of earth is apparently and closely sighted by me, in its entirety... then I came into the cave [of Rishyamuka and did not stir out...] [4-46-23b, 24]
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The Praise of Globe
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This and last few chapters that describe the topography and geography of earth may seem redundant or a wasteful narration. No purpose is apparently solved in narrating at such a length and in such a vividness, when the main purpose is searching Seetha. Sugreeva might have simply said 'go and search everywhere...' This is as inquired by the commentator of Dharmaakuutam. na anvatra janaka tanaya gaveÿaõ˜ya prasthit˜n v˜nar˜n prati pr˜cy˜di dikÿu gavesaõŸya pradeþa viþeÿaõ˜n˜m viþiÿya kathanam na prayojanavat
For this it is replied that at the outset of undertaking a high-risk task like the elimination of Ravana, some pious deeds of seeing, hearing, or telling about the pious lands, mountains, rivers, and sages that dwell thereabout, are to be undertaken. A laudatory salutation to Mother Earth is a sacred act. So Sugreeva has earned some merit in eulogising places and sending his troops to all places as a kind of tiirtha yaatra 'a pilgrimage...' as said by the commentator: s˜m˜nya ukty˜ preÿaõa sambhav˜t iti cet ucyate - prablatara þatru vadha˜di mah˜ k˜ryam s˜dhayat˜ prathamata× tasm˜t ardha d˜yakam tapa× caraõa puõya tŸrtha kÿetra deva brahma r˜ja ®ÿaya samkŸrtana þravaõa darþana smaraõ˜diÿu puõyatameÿu yat kimcit kartavyam | sugrŸveõa api kimcit puõyam karma kartavyam - puõya deþa tŸrtha maharÿiõ˜m tat upeta bh¨ golasya ca samkŸrtana þravaõ˜dikam praþastam | This is the same situation when Rama and Lakshmana venerated sapta jana aashrama 'the Seven-Sage's hermitage...' when Sugreeva proceeded with them for attacking Vali, in the second instance, in Kishkindha Ch. 13, but did not happen in the first round.
iti v˜lmŸki r˜m˜yaõe ˜di k˜vye kiÿkindha k˜õýe ÿa÷ catv˜rinþa× sarga×
Thus, this is the 46th chapter in Kishkindha Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.
© Oct, 2002, Desiraju Hanumanta Rao