Aranya Kanda, Sarga 73

Meaning

Taking Kabandha to the hollow of a mountain (and placing him on logs of wood piled in the hollow), those two valiant rulers of men, Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, for their part, when spoken to as above by Kabandha, ignited a fire. (1)

Meaning

With the aid of large burning brands, Lakṣmaṇa for his part lit the pyre on all sides and lo ! it began to burn fiercely all-round.(2)

Meaning

The fire slowly consumed the aforesaid body of Kabandha, which, while being cremated, looked like a huge lump of clarified butter, plump with fat as he was. (3)

Meaning

Throwing about the pyre, the aforesaid Kabandha, who was possessed of great might, speedily rose like a smokeless flame, wearing a spotless pair of garments and a heavenly garland. (4)

Meaning

Full of brilliance, clad in spotless raiment, highly rejoiced and having all his limbs adorned with ornaments, he promptly flew from the pyre with impetuosity. (5)

Meaning

Taking his seat in a splendid aerial car, conferring glory on its occupant and drawn by swans, and illumining all the ten directions by his effulgence, the aforesaid Kabandha, who was endowed with extraordinary energy, spoke to Śrī Rāma as follows, while remaining in the air: “Hear, O scion of Raghu, how in reality you will be able to recover Sītā. (6-7)

Meaning

“There are six expedients by recourse to which everything can be had after due deliberation by monarchs in the worlds. One who is overtaken by the height of misfortune is served only by another who has met with a similar fate. (8)

Meaning

“You alongwith Lakṣmaṇa are fallen in the height of adversity, deprived as you are of sovereignty and amenities of life. Because of this adverse fate, a misfortune in the shape of abduction of your wife (Sītā) has been suffered by you. (9)

Meaning

“Therefore, such an individual who has reached the culmination of adverse fate like you, must be made an ally, O jewel among the kind-hearted ! Even though reflecting, I do not anticipate success for you without having an ally. (10)

Meaning

“Listen, O Rāma ! I shall point out such an individual. There is a monkey (chief), Sugrīva by name, disowned by his enraged brother, Vālī, son of Indra. (11)

Meaning

“With four other monkeys the high-minded hero lives on Ṛṣyamūka, the foremost of mountains, adorned with the catchment of the Pampā lake. (12)

Meaning

“That monkey-chief—who is possessed of extraordinary prowess, is full of energy and endowed with unbounded effulgence, true to his promise, cultured, resolute and highly talented, clever, intrepid, glorious and possessed of extraordinary might and valour—has been exiled by his high-minded brother for the sake of sovereignty. (13-14)

Meaning

“He will surely prove to be your helper in your quest for Sītā as well as your friend, O Rāma; therefore, do not give over your mind to grief. (15)

Meaning

“That which is destined to happen in this world can never be altered in any case, O tiger among the Ikṣwākus ! For the Time-Spirit cannot be easily overstepped. (16)

Meaning

“Depart with all speed from this place to the presence of the said Sugrīva, who is possessed of great might. Nay, departing from this place today, O heroic scion of Raghu, quickly make him your friend. (17)

Meaning

“Get united with him as a friend when a fire is blazing, with a view to remaining free from enmity ever afterwards. And the said chief of monkeys, Sugrīva, should never be disregarded by you. (18)

Meaning

“He is grateful and capable of assuming any form at will; he seeks to get an ally and is powerful. And indeed you two are capable even now of accomplishing the purpose sought to be accomplished by him. (19)

Meaning

“Irrespective of whether his object is accomplished or not, he will surely accomplish your purpose. Sprung from the loins of the sun-god, the aforesaid son of Ṛkṣarāja’s consort, roams about on the brink of the Pampā lake, full of apprehension of an attack from Vālī, since he has entered into hostilities with his elder brother, Vālī. Laying aside your weapons as a token of your friendly attitude, quickly make the monkey-chief, who has taken up his abode on the Ṛṣyamūka hill and wanders in the forest, your friend on oath, O scion of Raghu ! Indeed that elephant among the monkeys thoroughly knows all the haunts of ogres (feeding on the human flesh) in the world by virtue of his cleverness. Really speaking, nothing is unknown to him in the world, O scion of Raghu ! (20—23)

Meaning

“Searching with the monkeys rivers, large mountains, crags and caves to the extent the thousand-rayed sun blazes forth, O scourge of enemies, he will trace out your spouse. Nay, he will send out monkeys of large proportions to scour the quarters and will seek for the aforesaid Sītā, (a princess of Mithilā) of excellent limbs, grieving through separation from you in the abode of Rāvaṇa. (24—26)

Meaning

“Having entered his abode and exterminated the ogres, that jewel among monkeys will restore to you your beloved spouse, who is beyond reproach, even if she has reached the summit of Mount Meru or has found place in the depths of Pātāla (the nethermost subterranean region).” (27)