---
title: "Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 25"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/kishkindha-kanda/sarga-25"
lang: "en"
---

# Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 25

> स सुग्रीवं च तारां च साङ्गदां सहलक्ष्मणः।  
> समानशोकः काकुत्स्थः सान्त्वयन्निदमब्रवीत्॥ १॥

Comforting Sugrīva and Tārā too, who was accompanied by Aṅgada, Śrī Rāma, a scion of Kākutstha, who shared their grief and was followed by Lakṣmaṇa, spoke to them as follows : (1)

> न शोकपरितापेन श्रेयसा युज्यते मृतः।  
> यदत्रानन्तरं कार्यं तत् समाधातुमर्हथ॥ २॥

“A departed soul is not rendered fit for beatitude by grieving for him and giving way to remorse. You should, therefore, attend immediately to that which should be done now for the welfare of the departed soul, immediately after death. (2)

> लोकवृत्तमनुष्ठेयं कृतं वो बाष्पमोक्षणम्।  
> न कालादुत्तरं किंचित् कर्मशक्यमुपासितुम्॥ ३॥

“Popular usage must also be observed and the same has been done by you in the form of shedding tears for the deceased. And, no religious duty to a departed soul can be performed after the appointed time, which is now passing. (3)

> नियतिः कारणं लोके नियतिः कर्मसाधनम्।  
> नियतिः सर्वभूतानां नियोगेष्विह कारणम्॥ ४॥

“The all-controlling Time-Spirit is the cause of all in the world. The Time-spirit again determines all duties and Time-Spirit again is the factor prompting all to action. (4)

> न कर्ता कस्यचित् कश्चिन्नियोगे नापि चेश्वरः।  
> स्वभावे वर्तते लोकस्तस्य कालः परायणम्॥ ५॥

“There is no independent doer of any action nor is anyone competent to prompt anyone to action. The whole world follows its own nature and the Time-Spirit is the substratum of Nature. (5)

> न कालः कालमत्येति न कालः परिहीयते।  
> स्वभावं च समासाद्य न कश्चिदतिवर्तते॥ ६॥

“The Time-Spirit does not overstep Its own bounds nor does It suffer diminution. Nay, coming face to face with Nature in the form of Destiny, no living being can transgress It. (6)

> न कालस्यास्ति बन्धुत्वं न हेतुर्न पराक्रमः।  
> न मित्रज्ञातिसम्बन्धः कारणं नात्मनो वशः॥ ७॥  
> किं तु कालपरीणामो द्रष्टव्यः साधु पश्यता।  
> धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च कालक्रमसमाहिताः॥ ८॥

“The Time-Spirit has no kinship, friendship or affinity with anyone nor is there any means of bringing It under control nor again can one’s prowess prevail against It. Nor is God, who is the Cause of all, subject to the control of an individual soul. By a discerning man everything should be looked upon as an evolute of the Time-Spirit. Nay, even religious merit, and worldly prosperity and sensuous enjoyment are attained in process of Time. (7-8)

> इतः स्वां प्रकृतिं वाली गतः प्राप्तः क्रियाफलम्।  
> सामदानार्थसंयोगैः पवित्रं प्लवगेश्वरः॥ ९॥

“Having attained in this world the immaculate fruit of his actions in the form of enjoyment through conciliation, gifts and proper use of wealth, Vālī, the ruler of monkeys, has now, departing from this world, regained his own spiritual nature. (9)

> स्वधर्मस्य च संयोगाज्जितस्तेन महात्मना।  
> स्वर्गः परिगृहीतश्च प्राणानपरिरक्षता॥ १०॥

“The highest heaven, which was earned by him through steadfastness to his duty, has now been actually attained by that high-souled monkey by not preserving his life. (10)

> एषा वै नियतिः श्रेष्ठा यां गतो हरियूथपः।  
> तदलं परितापेन प्राप्तकालमुपास्यताम्॥ ११॥

“This destiny which Vālī (the leader of monkey hordes) has attained, is indeed the highest. Therefore, have done with grief and let that which is appropriate to the occasion be attended to.” (11)

> वचनान्ते तु रामस्य लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा।  
> अवदत् प्रश्रितं वाक्यं सुग्रीवं गतचेतसम्॥ १२॥

After Śrī Rāma had finished speaking, Lakṣmaṇa, the slayer of hostile warriors, addressed the following polite words to Sugrīva, who had lost his balance of mind : (12)

> कुरु त्वमस्य सुग्रीव प्रेतकार्यमनन्तरम्।  
> ताराङ्गदाभ्यां सहितो वालिनो दहनं प्रति॥ १३॥

“Perform you in conjunction with Tārā and Aṅgada, O Sugrīva, without delay, the rites relating to the disposal of the dead body of Vālī and make arrangements for his cremation. (13)

> समाज्ञापय काष्ठानि शुष्काणि च बहूनि च।  
> चन्दनानि च दिव्यानि वालिसंस्कारकारणात्॥ १४॥

“Please command some responsible official to get together numerous logs of dry wood as well as excellent pieces of sandalwood for the cremation of Vālī. (14)

> समाश्वासय दीनं त्वमङ्गदं दीनचेतसम्।  
> मा भूर्बालिशबुद्धिस्त्वं त्वदधीनमिदं पुरम्॥ १५॥

“Duly comfort you the wretched Aṅgada, who is distressed in mind. Be you not puerile-minded; this city of Kiṣkindhā depends on you. (15)

> अङ्गदस्त्वानयेन्माल्यं वस्त्राणि विविधानि च।  
> घृतं तैलमथो गन्धान् यच्चात्र समनन्तरम्॥ १६॥

“Let Aṅgada for his part fetch garlands and textiles of every description, ghee, oil and fragrant substances and whatever else is immediately required at this moment for the cremation. (16)

> त्वं तार शिबिकां शीघ्रमादायागच्छसम्भ्रमात्।  
> त्वरा गुणवती युक्ता ह्यस्मिन् काले विशेषतः॥ १७॥

“Taking a palanquin quickly, return you, O Tārā, with expedition; for promptitude is praiseworthy and particularly called for at this hour. (17)

> सज्जीभवन्तु प्लवगाः शिबिकावाहनोचिताः।  
> समर्था बलिनश्चैव निर्हरिष्यन्ति वालिनम्॥ १८॥

“Let competent and mighty monkeys fit to carry the palanquin, who will bear away Vālī to the crematory, get ready for the purpose.” (18)

> एवमुक्त्वा तु सुग्रीवं सुमित्रानन्दवर्धनः।  
> तस्थौ भ्रातृसमीपस्थो लक्ष्मणः परवीरहा॥ १९॥

Having instructed Sugrīva as aforesaid, Lakṣmaṇa, the slayer of hostile warriors, for his part, who heightened the joy of Sumitrā (his own mother), stood silent by the side of his eldest brother. (19)

> लक्ष्मणस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तारः सम्भ्रान्तमानसः।  
> प्रविवेश गुहां शीघ्रं शिबिकासक्तमानसः॥ २०॥

Hearing the behest of Lakṣmaṇa, Tāra with an agitated mind quickly entered Kiṣkindhā (which was situated inside a cave), his heart set on getting a palanquin. (20)

> आदाय शिबिकां तारः स तु पर्यापतत् पुनः।  
> वानरैरुह्यमानां तां शूरैरुद्वहनोचितैः॥ २१॥  
> दिव्यां भद्रासनयुतां शिबिकां स्यन्दनोपमाम्।  
> पक्षिकर्मभिराचित्रां द्रुमकर्मविभूषिताम्॥ २२॥  
> आचितां चित्रपत्तीभिः सुनिविष्टां समन्ततः।  
> विमानमिव सिद्धानां जालवातायनायुताम्॥ २३॥  
> सुनियुक्तां विशालां च सुकृतां शिल्पिभिः कृताम्।  
> दारुपर्वतकोपेतां चारुकर्मपरिष्कृताम्॥ २४॥  
> वराभरणहारैश्च चित्रमाल्योपशोभिताम्।  
> गुहागहनसंछन्नां रक्तचन्दनभूषिताम्॥ २५॥  
> पुष्पौघैः समभिच्छन्नां पद्ममालाभिरेव च।  
> तरुणादित्यवर्णाभिर्भ्राजमानाभिरावृताम् ॥ २६॥

The celebrated Tāra for his part rushed back to the spot where Vālī lay dead, taking a well-known chariot-like palanquin, which was being borne by valiant monkeys fit to carry it, nay, which had been got from heaven, was furnished with an elevated and royal seat and brought good fortune to those travelling by it; which presented a weird aspect with carved wooden figures of birds of every description and was decorated with the figures of trees; which was crowded with the figures of foot-soldiers and had its parts artistically disposed on all sides; which looked like an aerial car belonging to Siddhas and was provided with lattices and eye-holes for the passage of air; which was well-jointed and commodious and had been carefully designed by carpenters; which was provided with pleasure-mounds of wood, and had been perfected by craftsmen of lovable workmanship; which was adorned with excellent ornaments and necklaces and embellished with flowers of different colours; which was upholstered with a net and painted with red sandal-paste; which was thickly covered on all sides with heaps of flowers as well as with shining garlands of lotuses possessing the hue of the rising sun. (21—26)

> ईदृशीं शिबिकां दृष्ट्वा रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।  
> क्षिप्रं विनीयतां वाली प्रेतकार्यं विधीयताम्॥ २७॥

Seeing such a palanquin, Śrī Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa, “Let Vālī be borne away to the crematorium with all speed and let the obsequies relating to the deceased be gone through.” (27)

> ततो वालिनमुद्यम्य सुग्रीवः शिबिकां तदा।  
> आरोपयत विक्रोशन्नङ्गदेन सहैव तु॥ २८॥

Raising Vālī’s body in conjunction with Aṅgada and crying loudly all the time, Sugrīva for his part thereupon placed the body on the palanquin. (28)

> आरोप्य शिबिकां चैव वालिनं गतजीवितम्।  
> अलंकारैश्च विविधैर्माल्यैर्वस्त्रैश्च भूषितम्॥ २९॥  
> आज्ञापयत् तदा राजा सुग्रीवः प्लवगेश्वरः।  
> और्ध्वदेहिकमार्यस्य क्रियतामनुकूलतः॥ ३०॥

Nay, having laid on the palanquin the dead Vālī, who was also adorned with ornaments of various kinds as well as with garlands and articles of wearing apparel, King Sugrīva, the ruler of monkeys, then issued the following command : “Let the last rites with respect to my noble elder brother be performed in accordance with the scriptural ordinance. (29-30)

> विश्राणयन्तो रत्नानि विविधानि बहूनि च।  
> अग्रतः प्लवगा यान्तु शिबिका तदनन्तरम्॥ ३१॥

“Let monkeys proceed in the van scattering jewels of every description in profusion, and the palanquin closely follow. (31)

> राज्ञामृद्धिविशेषा हि दृश्यन्ते भुवि यादृशाः।  
> तादृशैरिह कुर्वन्तु वानरा भर्तृसत्क्रियाम्॥ ३२॥

“Let the monkeys perform the last rites with respect to their lord on this occasion with costly articles, the like of which are actually seen on earth on the occasion of obsequies of kings.” (32)

> तादृशं वालिनः क्षिप्रं प्राकुर्वन्नौर्ध्वदेहिकम्।  
> अङ्गदं परिरभ्याशु तारप्रभृतयस्तदा॥ ३३॥

Embracing Aṅgada, Tāra and others then proceeded apace with the obsequies with respect to Vālī according to that standard. (33)

> क्रोशन्तः प्रययुः सर्वे वानरा हतबान्धवाः।  
> ततः प्रणिहिताः सर्वा वानर्योऽस्य वशानुगाः॥ ३४॥  
> चुक्रुशुर्वीरवीरेति भूयः क्रोशन्ति ताः प्रियम्।  
> ताराप्रभृतयः सर्वा वानर्यो हतबान्धवाः॥ ३५॥  
> अनुजग्मुश्च भर्तारं क्रोशन्त्यः करुणस्वनाः।  
> तासां रुदितशब्देन वानरीणां वनान्तरे॥ ३६॥  
> वनानि गिरयश्चैव विक्रोशन्तीव सर्वतः।  
> पुलिने गिरिनद्यास्तु विविक्ते जलसंवृते॥ ३७॥  
> चितां चक्रुः सुबहवो वानरा वनचारिणः।  
> अवरोप्य ततः स्कन्धाच्छिबिकां वानरोत्तमाः॥ ३८॥  
> तस्थुरेकान्तमाश्रित्य सर्वे शोकपरायणाः।  
> ततस्तारा पतिं दृष्ट्वा शिबिकातलशायिनम्॥ ३९॥  
> आरोप्याङ्के शिरस्तस्य विललाप सुदुःखिता।  
> हा वानरमहाराज हा नाथ मम वत्सल॥ ४०॥  
> हा महार्ह महाबाहो हा मम प्रिय पश्य माम्।  
> जनं न पश्यसीमं त्वं कस्माच्छोकाभिपीडितम्॥ ४१॥

All the monkeys, whose kinsman in the person of Vālī had been killed, walked in procession weeping to the crematorium. Then all the Vānara women who were amenable to the control of Vālī, cried loudly together, saying “O hero, O hero !” and they further mourned for their beloved lord. All the Vānara women headed by Tārā, whose kinsman in the person of Vālī had been killed, followed their husband crying in a pitiful tone. Through the cries of the Vānara women in the depths of the forest, the woodlands as well as the hills cried, as it were, on all sides. On a lonely bank, surrounded by water, of a mountain-stream good many monkeys living in forests got a pyre ready. Taking down the palanquin from their shoulders, the foremost of monkeys, who bore the palanquin, then halted on a lonely spot, all given over to grief. Seeing her deceased husband lying at the bottom of the palanquin, and placing his head in her lap, Tārā thereupon proceeded to lament as follows, sore afflicted as she was: “O eminent ruler of monkeys, O lord fond of me and adored by the great, O mighty-armed darling of mine, pray, look at me. Why don’t you cast a glance on this maid-servant of yours, sore stricken with grief? (34—41)

> प्रहृष्टमिह ते वक्त्रं गतासोरपि मानद।  
> अस्तार्कसमवर्णं च दृश्यते जीवतो यथा॥ ४२॥

“Even though life has departed from you, O bestower of honour on others, your countenance, whose colour resembles the hue of the setting sun, looks highly delighted even now as it did when you were living. (42)

> एष त्वां रामरूपेण कालः कर्षति वानर।  
> येन स्म विधवाः सर्वाः कृता एकेषुणा रणे॥ ४३॥

“In the form of Śrī Rāma, by whom all of us have been widowed with a single arrow discharged on the battlefield where you were engaged in a passage of arms with another, the Time-Spirit alone is hereby snatching you away from our midst to the other world, O monkey chief ! (43)

> इमास्तास्तव राजेन्द्र वानर्योऽप्लवगास्तव।  
> पादैर्विकृष्टमध्वानमागताः किं न बुध्यसे॥ ४४॥

“Don’t you know, O Indra among kings, that these consorts of yours, who, though belonging to the monkey race, cannot leap, have trodden the long path on foot? (44)

> तवेष्टा ननु चैवेमा भार्याश्चन्द्रनिभाननाः।  
> इदानीं नेक्षसे कस्मात् सुग्रीवं प्लवगेश्वर॥ ४५॥

“Wherefore do you not cast your look at this moment on these wives of yours, whose countenance shines like the moon and who are surely dear to you, as well as on Sugrīva, O lord of monkeys? (45)

> एते हि सचिवा राजंस्तारप्रभृतयस्तव।  
> पुरवासिजनश्चायं परिवार्य विषीदति॥ ४६॥

“These counsellors of yours, Tāra and others, O king, as also these citizens stand dejected around you indeed. (46)

> विसर्जयैनान् सचिवान् यथापुरमरिंदम।  
> ततः क्रीडामहे सर्वा वनेषु मदनोत्कटाः॥ ४७॥

“Dismiss these counsellors as you did in the past, O tamer of your foes ! Then, intoxicated with love we shall all sport with you in the woodlands.” (47)

> एवं विलपतीं तारां पतिशोकपरीवृताम्।  
> उत्थापयन्ति स्म तदा वानर्यः शोककर्शिताः॥ ४८॥

Emaciated through grief, the Vānara women then raised Tārā, who was overwhelmed with sorrow caused by the loss of her husband and was lamenting as aforesaid. (48)

> सुग्रीवेण ततः सार्धं सोऽङ्गदः पितरं रुदन्।  
> चितामारोपयामास शोकेनाभिप्लुतेन्द्रियः॥ ४९॥

With the help of Sugrīva, the celebrated Aṅgada, who was weeping all the time, placed his father’s body on the funeral pile, his mind plunged in grief. (49)

> ततोऽग्निं विधिवद् दत्त्वा सोऽपसव्यं चकार ह।  
> पितरं दीर्घमध्वानं प्रस्थितं व्याकुलेन्द्रियः॥ ५०॥

Offering fire to the deceased in accordance with the scriptural ordinance, he then with a troubled mind went clockwise round his father, set out on his long journey to the other world: so the tradition goes.(50)

> संस्कृत्य वालिनं तं तु विधिवत् प्लवगर्षभाः।  
> आजग्मुरुदकं कर्तुं नदीं शुभजलां शिवाम्॥ ५१॥

Having cremated the aforesaid Vālī with due ceremony, the foremost of monkeys for their part sought the blessed river (Tuṅgabhadrā) carrying sacred waters, in order to offer water to the departed soul for his satisfaction in the other world. (51)

> ततस्ते सहितास्तत्र ह्यङ्गदं स्थाप्य चाग्रतः।  
> सुग्रीवतारासहिताः सिषिचुर्वालिने जलम्॥ ५२॥

Nay, placing Aṅgada ahead, they all with Sugrīva and Tārā then offered on that spot handfuls of water in a body to the spirit of Vālī. (52)

> सुग्रीवेणैव दीनेन दीनो भूत्वा महाबलः।  
> समानशोकः काकुत्स्थः प्रेतकार्याण्यकारयत्॥ ५३॥

Feeling miserable, as it were, alongwith the wretched Sugrīva, whose grief he shared, the very mighty Śrī Rāma (a scion of Kakutstha) got the obsequies performed under his directions and guidance. (53)

> ततोऽथ तं वालिनमग्र्यपौरुषं  
> प्रकाशमिक्ष्वाकुवरेषुणा हतम्।  
> प्रदीप्य दीप्ताग्निसमौजसं तदा  
> सलक्ष्मणं राममुपेयिवान् हरिः॥ ५४॥

Having cremated at that moment according to the scriptural ordinance the aforesaid Vālī of highest virility, who was universally noted and had been got killed with the arrow of Śrī Rāma (the foremost of Ikṣwākus), Sugrīva, the monkey-chief, then forthwith sought the presence of Śrī Rāma, who was present there with Lakṣmaṇa and whose splendour resembled that of a blazing fire. (54)

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