---
title: "Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 41"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/kishkindha-kanda/sarga-41"
lang: "en"
---

# Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 41

> ततः प्रस्थाप्य सुग्रीवस्तन्महद्वानरं बलम्।  
> दक्षिणां प्रेषयामास वानरानभिलक्षितान्॥ १॥

Having sent away that mighty host of monkeys to the east, Sugrīva then dispatched well-tried monkeys to the south. (1)

> नीलमग्निसुतं चैव हनूमन्तं च वानरम्।  
> पितामहसुतं चैव जाम्बवन्तं महौजसम्॥ २॥  
> सुहोत्रं च शरारिं च शरगुल्मं तथैव च।  
> गजं गवाक्षं गवयं सुषेणं वृषभं तथा॥ ३॥  
> मैन्दं च द्विविदं चैव सुषेणं गन्धमादनम्।  
> उल्कामुखमनङ्गं च हुताशनसुतावुभौ॥ ४॥  
> अङ्गदप्रमुखान् वीरान् वीरः कपिगणेश्वरः।  
> वेगविक्रमसम्पन्नान् संदिदेश विशेषवित्॥ ५॥

The gallant and judicious Sugrīva, the lord of monkey bands, detailed heroes headed by Aṅgada, who were endowed with speed and prowess, viz., Nīla, son of the god of fire as also the monkey chief Hanumān as well as the exceptionally powerful Jāmbavān, the ruler of bears, son of Brahmā (the father of the progenitors of the universe), also Suhotra and Śarāri and even so Śaragulma, Gaja and Gavākṣa, Gavaya and Suṣeṇa (not Tārā’s father) as well as Vṛṣabha, Mainda and Dwivida as also Suṣeṇa (also different from Tārā’s father) and Gandhamādana, also Ulkāmukha and Anaṅga both sons of Hutāśana. (2—5)

> तेषामग्रेसरं चैव बृहद्बलमथाङ्गदम्।  
> विधाय हरिवीराणामादिशद् दक्षिणां दिशम्॥ ६॥

Nay, appointing Aṅgada, who was possessed of extraordinary strength, as the leader of all the aforesaid monkey heroes, he forthwith assigned to them the southern quarter to be explored by them. (6)

> ये केचन समुद्देशास्तस्यां दिशि सुदुर्गमाः।  
> कपीशः कपिमुख्यानां स तेषां समुदाहरत्॥ ७॥

The said lord of monkeys specifically mentioned to those monkey chiefs whatever regions were exceedingly difficult of access in that quarter. (7)

> सहस्रशिरसं विन्ध्यं नानाद्रुमलतायुतम्।  
> नर्मदां च नदीं रम्यां महोरगनिषेविताम्॥ ८॥  
> ततो गोदावरीं रम्यां कृष्णवेणीं महानदीम्।  
> वरदां च महाभागां महोरगनिषेविताम्।  
> मेखलानुत्कलांश्चैव दशार्णनगराण्यपि॥ ९॥  
> आब्रवन्तीमवन्तीं च सर्वमेवानुपश्यत।  
> विदर्भानृष्टिकांश्चैव रम्यान् माहिषकानपि॥ १०॥  
> तथा वङ्गान् कलिङ्गांश्च कौशिकांश्च समन्ततः।  
> अन्वीक्ष्य दण्डकारण्यं सपर्वतनदीगुहम्॥ ११॥  
> नदीं गोदावरीं चैव सर्वमेवानुपश्यत।  
> तथैवान्ध्रांश्च पुण्ड्रांश्च चोलान् पाण्ड्यांश्च केरलान्॥ १२॥

He said to them : “Explore the Vindhyan range,* consisting of a thousand peaks and covered with trees and creepers of every description, as also the delightful river Narmadā infested with large serpents, then the lovely river Godāvarī and the big river Kṛṣṇaveṇī, as also the highly blessed river Varadā (now known as ‘Wardhā’), also infested with huge serpents, as well as the territories of Mekhala and Utkala, also the cities of Daśārṇa (a territory to the south-east of Madhyadeśa), the cities of Ābravantī and Avanti (the modern Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and all. Exploring on all sides the territories of Vidarbha (now forming part of the State of Mahārāṣṭra) and Ṛṣṭika as well as the delightful Māhiṣaka, as also the territories of Vaṅga (the modern Bengal) and Kaliṅga (Utkala) and Kauśika, and scouring the entire forest of Daṇḍaka with its mountains, rivers and caves, ransack the section of the river Godāvarī (washing the Daṇḍaka forest) and even so the territories of Andhra and Puṇḍra, Cola, Pāṇḍya and Kerala. (8—12)

> अयोमुखश्च गन्तव्यः पर्वतो धातुमण्डितः।  
> विचित्रशिखरः श्रीमांश्चित्रपुष्पितकाननः॥ १३॥

“The glorious Ayomukha (Malaya) mountain too—adorned with minerals of various kinds, nay, consisting of wonderful peaks and clothed with lovely forests in blossom, ought to be visited. (13)

> सुचन्दनवनोद्देशो मार्गितव्यो महागिरिः।  
> ततस्तामापगां दिव्यां प्रसन्नसलिलाशयाम्॥ १४॥  
> तत्र द्रक्ष्यथ कावेरीं विहृतामप्सरोगणैः।  
> तस्यासीनं नगस्याग्रे मलयस्य महौजसम्॥ १५॥  
> द्रक्ष्यथादित्यसंकाशमगस्त्यमृषिसत्तमम्।  
> ततस्तेनाभ्यनुज्ञाताः प्रसन्नेन महात्मना॥ १६॥  
> ताम्रपर्णीं ग्राहजुष्टां तरिष्यथ महानदीम्।  
> सा चन्दनवनैश्चित्रैः प्रच्छन्नद्वीपवारिणी॥ १७॥  
> कान्तेव युवती कान्तं समुद्रमवगाहते।  
> ततो हेममयं दिव्यं मुक्तामणिविभूषितम्॥ १८॥  
> युक्तं कवाटं पाण्ड्यानां गता द्रक्ष्यथ वानराः।  
> ततः समुद्रमासाद्य सम्प्रधार्यार्थनिश्चयम्॥ १९॥

The aforesaid extensive mountain, consisting as it does of parts which are covered with beautiful groves of sandalwood trees, should be combed. Then you will see there that blessed heavenly river, Kaveri, carrying pellucid waters and sported in by bevies of celestial nymphs. “Seated in front of the aforesaid Malaya mountain (referred to in verse 13 above by the name of Ayomukha), you will see Sage Agastya,* the foremost of Ṛṣis, endowed with great splendour and shining brightly like the sun. Duly permitted by that kindly disposed exalted soul, you will cross the great river Tāmraparṇī, infested with alligators. With its islands and water covered with lovely sandalwood trees, the river enters the sea even as a beloved youthful woman would meet her darling. Gone from there, O monkeys, you will see the wonderful golden gate of the city of the Pāṇḍyas (identified with modern Madurai), fitted into the fortification wall and studded with pearls and gems. Then, reaching the sea (the Bay of Bengal) and duly arriving at a decision about the matter in hand (viz., your capacity to cross the sea), you will act accordingly. (14—19)

> अगस्त्येनान्तरे तत्र सागरे विनिवेशितः।  
> चित्रसानुनगः श्रीमान् महेन्द्रः पर्वतोत्तमः॥ २०॥  
> जातरूपमयः श्रीमानवगाढो महार्णवम्।  
> नानाविधैर्नगैः फुल्लैर्लताभिश्चोपशोभितम्॥ २१॥  
> देवर्षियक्षप्रवरैरप्सरोभिश्च शोभितम्।  
> सिद्धचारणसङ्घैश्च प्रकीर्णं सुमनोरमम्॥ २२॥  
> तमुपैति सहस्राक्षः सदा पर्वसु पर्वसु।  
> द्वीपस्तस्यापरे पारे शतयोजनविस्तृतः॥ २३॥  
> अगम्यो मानुषैर्दीप्तस्तं मार्गध्वं समन्ततः।  
> तत्र सर्वात्मना सीता मार्गितव्या विशेषतः॥ २४॥

“Between the moat of the city and the sea was set up by Agastya the glorious and splendid Mahendra mountain, the foremost of the mountains, made of gold and crowned with lovely peaks and trees, which has entered deep into the ocean on one side. Indra, the thousand-eyed god, ever visits on every fifteenth day of a dark fortnight the aforesaid mountain, highly pleasing to the mind, which is adorned with trees in blossom of every description as well as with creepers, graced by the foremost of gods, Ṛṣis and Yakṣas (a species of demigods) and celestial nymphs and thronged with hosts of Siddhas (a class of demigods endowed with mystic powers from their very brith) and Cāraṇas (celestial bards). On the other side of the ocean there is a resplendent island extending to a distance of one hundred Yojanas (or eight hundred miles), which is inaccessible to human beings. Scour it on all sides. There Sītā should be specially sought for with all one’s mind. (20—24)

> स हि देशस्तु वध्यस्य रावणस्य दुरात्मनः।  
> राक्षसाधिपतेर्वासः सहस्राक्षसमद्युतेः॥ २५॥

“The aforesaid land is without doubt the abode of the evil minded Rāvaṇa, the overlord of all ogres, whose brilliance compares with that of Indra (the thousand-eyed god) and who deserves in every way to be got rid of. (25)

> दक्षिणस्य समुद्रस्य मध्ये तस्य तु राक्षसी।  
> अङ्गारकेति विख्याता छायामाक्षिप्य भोजिनी॥ २६॥

“In the middle of that southern ocean (now known as the Indian Ocean) there actually lives an ogress widely known by the name of Angārakā—who procures her prey by seizing the shadow of those flying in the air. (26)

> एवं निःसंशयान् कृत्वा संशयान्नष्टसंशयाः।  
> मृगयध्वं नरेन्द्रस्य पत्नीममिततेजसः॥ २७॥

“Having removed through a careful search all doubts about the places of which you are doubtful, and thus rid of all doubts about the existence of Sītā, search for the consort of Śrī Rāma, a ruler of men, of limitless energy, elsewhere if she is not to be found there. (27)

> तमतिक्रम्य लक्ष्मीवान् समुद्रे शतयोजने।  
> गिरिः पुष्पितको नाम सिद्धचारणसेवितः॥ २८॥  
> चन्द्रसूर्यांशुसंकाशः सागराम्बुसमाश्रयः।  
> भ्राजते विपुलैः शृङ्गैरम्बरं विलिखन्निव॥ २९॥

“In the ocean extending to a distance of one hundred Yojanas (or eight hundred miles) beyond the aforesaid island of Laṅkā (in the Indian Ocean) shines a glorious hill, Puṣpitaka by name, inhabited by Siddhas and Cāraṇas, nay, bright as the rays of the sun and the moon, partly submerged in the ocean on the northern side and scratching the vault of the heavens with its peaks as it were. (28-29)

> तस्यैकं काञ्चनं शृङ्गं सेवते यं दिवाकरः।  
> श्वेतं राजतमेकं च सेवते यन्निशाकरः।  
> न तं कृतघ्नाः पश्यन्ति न नृशंसा न नास्तिकाः॥ ३०॥

“It has a golden peak, on which the sun lingers, and another white, made of silver, on which the moon rests. Neither the ungrateful nor the hardhearted, nor, again, the unbelieving can behold it. (30)

> प्रणम्य शिरसा शैलं तं विमार्गथ वानराः।  
> तमतिक्रम्य दुर्धर्षं सूर्यवान्नाम पर्वतः॥ ३१॥  
> अध्वना दुर्विगाहेन योजनानि चतुर्दश।  
> ततस्तमप्यतिक्रम्य वैद्युतो नाम पर्वतः॥ ३२॥  
> सर्वकामफलैर्वृक्षैः सर्वकालमनोहरैः।  
> तत्र भुक्त्वा वरार्हाणि मूलानि च फलानि च॥ ३३॥  
> मधूनि पीत्वा जुष्टानि परं गच्छत वानराः।  
> तत्र नेत्रमनःकान्तः कुञ्जरो नाम पर्वतः॥ ३४॥  
> अगस्त्यभवनं यत्र निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा।  
> तत्र योजनविस्तारमुच्छ्रितं दशयोजनम्॥ ३५॥  
> शरणं काञ्चनं दिव्यं नानारत्नविभूषितम्।  
> तत्र भोगवती नाम सर्पाणामालयः पुरी॥ ३६॥  
> विशालरथ्या दुर्धर्षा सर्वतः परिरक्षिता।  
> रक्षिता पन्नगैर्घोरैस्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रैर्महाविषैः॥ ३७॥

“Respectfully saluting that mountain with your head bent low, diligently carry on your search there, O monkeys ! Beyond that peak, which cannot be easily assailed, stands a mountain, Sūryavān by name, at a distance of fourteen Yojanas or one hundred and twelve miles from Puṣpitaka and accessible through a path which is difficult to tread. Then passing beyond it can be reached another mountain, Vaidyuta by name, covered with trees bearing fruits which yield all one’s desires, and ever pleasing to the mind. Partaking of roots and fruits which are worthy of the best, and drinking honeys which are worth eating, proceed further, O monkeys ! In that very region rises another mountain, Kunjara by name, delightful to the eyes and the mind and on which there stands a dwelling of Sage Agastya, constructed by Viśwakarmā, the architect of gods. The heavenly edifice standing there extends to a distance of one Yojana or eight miles, is ten Yojanas high and is made of gold and adorned with jewels of various kinds. On that very mountain stands the city of Bhogavatī, a replica of the city of the same name in Rasātala, the sixth subterranean region, the home of serpents, with spacious streets, which is difficult to assail and is strongly fortified on all sides and guarded by highly poisonous and terrible snakes with sharp fangs. (31—37)

> सर्पराजो महाघोरो यस्यां वसति वासुकिः।  
> निर्याय मार्गितव्या च सा च भोगवती पुरी॥ ३८॥

“The most dreadful king of serpents, Vāsuki, lives in this city in another form. Particularly making your way into it the said city of Bhogavatī too should be explored. (38)

> तत्र चानन्तरोद्देशा ये केचन समावृताः।  
> तं च देशमतिक्रम्य महानृषभसंस्थितिः॥ ३९॥  
> सर्वरत्नमयः श्रीमानृषभो नाम पर्वतः।  
> गोशीर्षकं पद्मकं च हरिश्यामं च चन्दनम्॥ ४०॥  
> दिव्यमुत्पद्यते यत्र तच्चैवाग्निसमप्रभम्।  
> न तु तच्चन्दनं दृष्ट्वा स्प्रष्टव्यं तु कदाचन॥ ४१॥

“Whatever other places adjoining the city and hidden from view exist in that region should also be scoured. Nay, beyond the aforesaid region there rises a glorious and huge mountain, Ṛṣabha by name, which has the shape of a bull and is full of all kinds of jewels, and where Gośīrṣaka (having the colour of Gorocana), Padmaka (resembling a lotus in hue), Hariśyāma (possessing the hue of a Tamāla tree) and also Agnisamaprabha (possessing a brilliance equal to that of fire) species of celestial sandalwood trees grow. Seeing those species of sandalwood, however, you should never touch them on any account. (39—41)

> रोहिता नाम गन्धर्वा घोरं रक्षन्ति तद्वनम्।  
> तत्र गन्धर्वपतयः पञ्च सूर्यसमप्रभाः॥ ४२॥  
> शैलूषो ग्रामणीः शिक्षः शुको बभ्रुस्तथैव च।  
> रविसोमाग्निवपुषां निवासः पुण्यकर्मणाम्॥ ४३॥  
> अन्ते पृथिव्या दुर्धर्षास्ततः स्वर्गजितः स्थिताः।  
> ततः परं न वः सेव्यः पितृलोकः सुदारुणः॥ ४४॥

“A class of Gandharvas (celestial musicians), Rohitas by name, guard that dreaded forest. Among them there are five Gandharva chiefs, whose brilliance equals that of the sun, viz., Śailūṣa, Grāmaṇī, Śikṣa, Śuka and even so Babhru. At the end of the earth beyond the Ṛṣabha mountain there is the abode of those who have performed meritorious deeds and are possessed of bodies shining like the sun, the moon and fire. Only those who have earned the heavenly regions and are difficult to overcome live there. The most fearful realm of the manes lying beyond that ought not to be visited by you. (42—44)

> राजधानी यमस्यैषा कष्टेन तमसाऽऽवृता।  
> एतावदेव युष्माभिर्वीरा वानरपुंगवाः।  
> शक्यं विचेतुं गन्तुं वा नातो गतिमतां गतिः॥ ४५॥

“This capital of Yama (the god of retribution) is enveloped in a gloom which causes discomfort. Only thus far, O jewels among heroic monkeys, will it be possible for you to carry on your search or advance. Beyond that there is no access for earthly beings (lit., those possessed of motion). (45)

> सर्वमेतत् समालोक्य यच्चान्यदपि दृश्यते।  
> गतिं विदित्वा वैदेह्याः संनिवर्तितुमर्हथ॥ ४६॥

“Ransacking all this area and whatever else can be seen, and finding out the whereabouts of Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory), you ought duly to retrace your steps. (46)

> यश्च मासान्निवृत्तोऽग्रे दृष्टा सीतेति वक्ष्यति।  
> मत्तुल्यविभवो भोगैः सुखं स विहरिष्यति॥ ४७॥

“He who having returned before a month will say that Sītā has been discovered will pass his time happily in luxuries, enjoying a prosperity equal to mine. (47)

> ततः प्रियतरो नास्ति मम प्राणाद् विशेषतः।  
> कृतापराधो बहुशो मम बन्धुर्भविष्यति॥ ४८॥

“None will be dearer to me than he; nay, he will be dearer to me than life. Even though he may have perpetrated many an offence, he will be my friend. (48)

> अमितबलपराक्रमा भवन्तो  
> विपुलगुणेषु कुलेषु च प्रसूताः।  
> मनुजपतिसुतां यथा लभध्वं  
> तदधिगुणं पुरुषार्थमारभध्वम्॥ ४९॥

“Endowed as you are with immeasurable strength and prowess and born in families adorned with ample virtues, initiate your valuable effort in that direction in such a way that you may find out Sītā (daughter of a ruler of men).” (49)

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