Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 15

Meaning

Vālī, who was intolerant by nature, and who happened to be in his gynaeceum at the time, forthwith heard the aforesaid roar of the celebrated Sugrīva, who was noted for his extraordinary fortitude. (1)

Meaning

On hearing his roar, which caused all created beings to tremble with fear, Vālī’s vanity vanished all at once and a violent rage was aroused in him. (2)

Meaning

The notorious Vālī, who possessed the splendour of gold, thereupon lost his brilliance at once as the sun under eclipse, all his limbs seized with anger. (3)

Meaning

Vālī, for his part, who looked fierce with his teeth and whose eyes shone like a blazing fire through anger, looked like a pond from which the splendour of lotuses has disappeared and in which the fibrous roots alone float. (4)

Meaning

Hearing the roar, which was difficult to endure, the monkey (Vālī) issued forth from his palace with impetuosity, rending the earth, as it were, with his strides. (5)

Meaning

Embracing him through affection, Tārā, his wife, for her part, who felt frightened and agitated and exhibited her friendliness, tendered the following advice which was wholesome in consequence : (6)

Meaning

“Completely shake off this anger, which is occasional like a river-flood, even as one risen from bed in the morning discards a garland that has been enjoyed at night. (7)

Meaning

“You should enter into combat with Sugrīva in the morning. Although there is no multiplicity of enemies nor is there lack of strength in you, O gallant monkey-king, somehow your sallying forth precipitately does not appeal to me. Please listen: I shall presently disclose to you wherefore you are being discouraged by me. (8-9)

Meaning

“Latterly arrived in anger, he challenged you to a duel; but, even as you sallied forth he was vanquished and, being repeatedly struck by you, he fled. (10)

Meaning

“His coming here and challenging you once more, even though he was repulsed and tormented in particular by you rouses my suspicion, as it were. (11)

Meaning

“There is no paltry ground for the insolent way in which he is roaring and the kind of determination which is evinced by him as also for the excited way in which he is roaring. (12)

Meaning

“I do not consider the aforesaid Sugrīva to have come here without an ally. He has surely fallen back upon some ally, depending on whom he roars. (13)

Meaning

“Moreover, the monkey, Sugrīva, is clever by his very nature and intelligent too. Sugrīva, I am sure, will not enter into friendship with one whose valour has not been tested. (14)

Meaning

“I shall communicate to you today the useful report which has already been heard by me from the mouth of Prince Aṅgada speaking (on one occasion), O gallant one ! (15)

Meaning

“The aforesaid Prince Aṅgada for his part had once gone to the interior of the forest. The following news which was broken to him by spies, was conveyed by him to me : (16)

Meaning

“Two valiant sons of the emperor of Ayodhyā, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa by name, born in the line of the Ikṣwākus and difficult even to approach, much more to conquer in battle, who were already on a journey, arrived there for fulfilling the cherished object of Sugrīva’s desire. Indeed he who is the associate of your younger brother, Sugrīva, in fighting is widely known by the name of Rāma. He is capable of crushing the enemy’s ranks and resembles the fire that flared up at the end of the world cycle. He is a tree affording shelter to all virtuous souls and the ultimate resort of those in the grip of a calamity. (17-19)

Meaning

“He is the refuge of the afflicted and the unique repository of glory. Richly endowed with worldly and spiritual wisdom, he is fully devoted to the command of his father. (20)

Meaning

“As the Himālaya mountain (the king of mountains) is a large storehouse of minerals, he is a great repertory of virtues. Therefore, your antagonism is not desirable with that high-souled Rāma, who is difficult to excel in martial exploits and is immeasurable in greatness. I shall tell you something for your good, O heroic king, even though I do not wish to find fault with you. (21-22)

Meaning

“Let the salutary advice that I am going to give you be heeded and acted upon: pray, invest Sugrīva speedily with the office of Prince Regent with due ceremony. (23)

Meaning

“Do not enter into a conflict with your younger brother, O valiant monarch: for I consider friendship with the aforesaid Rāma and affection towards Sugrīva desirable for you. For, relegating animosity to a distance, this monkey, Sugrīva, your younger brother, deserves to be lovingly cherished by you. (24-25)

Meaning

“Whether living on Ṛṣyamūka or staying here in Kiṣkindhā, he is your unqualified friend in everyway. I do not see any friend equal to him on earth. (26)

Meaning

“Draw him close to you through gifts, honour and other attentions. Let him stay by your side, entirely giving up the present animosity. (27)

Meaning

“The thick-necked Sugrīva is considered by me as your great friend. You can thrive only by banking on the goodwill of your younger brother, Sugrīva : there is no other way to happiness for you. (28)

Meaning

“If that which is pleasing to me is intended to be done by you and if you recognize me as friendly to you, pray, follow my advice fully, as solicited by me, due to your being dear to me. (29)

Meaning

“Be pleased with me and hear my wholesome advice; you should certainly not give way to anger. Indeed your conflict with the Prince of Kosala, whose might is equal to Indra’s, is not desirable.” (30)

Meaning

Indeed, at that time Tārā tendered to the said Vālī the aforesaid advice, which was friendly in everyway and wholesome too. That advice, however, did not find favour with him, which spelt destruction for him, seized as he was by Death. (31)