Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 43

Meaning

Having duly directed his father-in-law, Suṣeṇa, to the western quarter, King Sugrīva, the lord of monkeys and the foremost of all monkeys, who knew everything connected with his work, then delivered to the valiant monkey, Śatabali by name, the following message, which was conducive to his own good as well as to the good of Śrī Rāma at that time : (1-2)

Meaning

“Indeed, having penetrated into the northern quarter, adorned by the Himālaya mountain, with all your counsellors, sons of God Yama (son of the sun-god), and accompanied by a lakh of monkeys like you, search all round for the illustrious Sītā, the spouse of Śrī Rāma, O powerful monkey ! (3-4)

Meaning

“When this task of conducting a search for Sītā has been fully accomplished and what is pleasing to Śrī Rāma (son of Emperor Daśaratha) done, we shall have been released from a debt and shall have accomplished our purpose, O jewel among those knowing their purpose ! (5)

Meaning

“Indeed a kindly act was done to us by the high-souled Śrī Rāma. Our life will have borne fruit if that service is requited by us. (6)

Meaning

“The birth of that individual is fruitful, who accomplishes the work of a suppliant even though the latter has done nothing for that individual before; how much more fruitful is the birth of the individual who accomplishes the work of one who has rendered good offices to him in the past? (7)

Meaning

“Arriving at this conclusion, an endeavour should be made by you, who seek to do a kindly act to us and wish well of us, so as to ensure that Sītā (daughter of King Janaka) is found out. (8)

Meaning

“Indeed Śrī Rāma standing before you, the conqueror of enemies’ cities, is worthy of respect to all created beings, is the foremost of men and has cultivated friendship with us. (9)

Meaning

“With the wealth of your acumen and prowess explore you the following many places difficult of access, streams and defiles. (10)

Meaning

“Scouring the lands of the Mlecchas (beef-eaters) and Pulindas and, even so, that of the Śūrasenas (the area round about Mathurā), nay, those of the Prasthalas and Bharatas, as also the lands of the Kurus (about the site of the modern Delhi) and the Madra, the Kāmbojas and Yavanas, also the towns of Śakas and the lands of the Daradas (living beyond Peshawar) there, explore the Himalayan range. (11-12)

Meaning

“Rāvaṇa alongwith Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory) should be sought for everywhere in the thickets of Lodhra and Padmaka trees (a species of sandalwood) as well as in the groves of deodar in the Himālayan region. (13)

Meaning

“Visiting the hermitage of the sage Soma, which is inhabited by gods and the Gandharvas (celestial musicians), you will then reach the celebrated Kāla mountain, which is crowned with a high peak. (14)

Meaning

“Search for the highly blessed Sītā (the spouse of Śrī Rāma), who is beyond reproach, on the extensive offshoots, both small and big, as well as in the caves of the aforesaid mountain. (15)

Meaning

“Passing beyond the huge Kāla mountain (a ruler of mountains), containing gold mines, you should then seek the mountain named Sudarśana. (16)

Meaning

“Beyond that rises a mountain, Devasakha by name, the refuge of birds, which is thickly crowded with every variety of winged creatures and is graced by trees of every species. (17)

Meaning

“Rāvaṇa alongwith Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory) should be sought for everywhere in the thickets of the woods, near the cascades as well as in the caves of that mountain. (18)

Meaning

“Beyond that stretches a desolate expanse, a hundred Yojanas (or eight hundred miles) in extent on each side, which is devoid of mountains, rivers and trees and is entirely without any living being. (19)

Meaning

“Speedily crossing the said wilderness, which makes one’s hair stand on end, you will be delighted to reach the white Kailāsa mountain. (20)

Meaning

“On the aforesaid mountain stands the lovely palace of Kubera (the god of riches and the deity presiding over the northern quarter), resembling a white cloud and embellished with gold, which was constructed by Viśwakarmā (the architect of gods), and where exists an extensive lotus-pond, abounding in lotuses and water-lilies, crowded with swans and Kāraṇḍavas (a species of ducks) and frequented by bevies of celestial nymphs. (21-22)

Meaning

“The glorious King Kubera (the bestower of riches), son of Sage Viśravā and the ruler of Yakṣas (a class of demigods), who is greeted by the whole world, disports himself on that mountain with Guhyakas (Yakṣas). (23)

Meaning

“On the offshoots, shining brightly as the moon, as well as in the caves of that mountain should Rāvaṇa alongwith Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory) be sought for everywhere. (24)

Meaning

“Reaching the Krauñca mountain, its cave, which is, however, most difficult of access, should be penetrated into by you, remaining vigilant all the time, as the cave is said to be difficult to enter into. (25)

Meaning

“Invited by the gods, high-souled eminent sages, who are effulgent as the sun and are truly god-like, actually dwell in that cave. (26)

Meaning

“Other caves too, plateaus and peaks as also caverns and slopes too of the Krauñca mountain should be explored here and there. (27)

Meaning

“The treeless peak (of the same mountain), Mānasa, which grants the desires of all by its very sight and which is beyond the reach of birds, should also be ransacked. There is no attraction there for genii and gods nor for ogres. (28)

Meaning

“The said Krauñca mountain should be scoured with its peaks, plateaus and offshoots by all of you. Beyond the Krauñca mountain rises a mountain, Maināka by name. (29)

Meaning

“The abode of the demon Maya, constructed by himself, stands on it. The said Maināka too should be explored by you alongwith its summits, tablelands and caves. (30)

Meaning

“The abodes of Kinnara women (whose heads resemble the heads of horses) are seen here and there. Passing clearly beyond that region you will see a hermitage occupied by perfect beings. (31)

Meaning

“In that hermitage dwell ascetics of the orders of Vaikhānasas and Vālakhilyas, who have reached perfection. The said realized souls, who have been completely rid of sin through askesis, should then be saluted and information concerning Sītā should be sought from them by you in all humility. Close to that hermitage there is a lake called Vaikhānasa (after those ascetics), covered with golden lotuses and frequented by beautiful swans shining brightly as the rising sun. The elephant, carrying Kubera on its back and known by the name of Sārvabhauma, always roams about the aforesaid region with she-elephants. Clearly beyond the aforesaid lake stretches the vast expanse of the sky devoid of the moon and the sun as well as of the hosts of stars and without clouds and their rumbling. (32—35)

Meaning

“That region is, however, illumined, as if by (so many) rays of the sun, by self-effulgent god-like sages, who have attained God-Realization through askesis and repose there. (36)

Meaning

“Beyond that region, again, flows a river named Śailodā. On both its banks there are bamboos of the Kīcaka species (which are hollow within and as such make a rattling or whistling sound when the wind passes through them). (37)

Meaning

“Getting interlaced the bamboos growing on both the banks enable the aforesaid God-realized souls to reach the opposite bank and return. “The land of the Uttara (northern) Kurus, the abode of those who have done meritorious deeds, stretches on the bank of the aforesaid Śailodā river. (38)

Meaning

“Further on, in that land there are thousands of streams rich in lotus leaves, dark-green as a cat’s-eye jewel, whose waters are joined with lotus-ponds containing golden lotuses. (39)

Meaning

“Lakes possessing the hue of the rising sun and adorned with clumps of red golden lotuses spread their charm in this land. The said land (of the Uttara Kurus) is covered on all sides with wonderful clumps of blue lotuses with petals of precious gems and filaments shining as gold. Nay, the rivers there have their sandy banks strewn with round pearls and gems of great value as also with pieces of gold, and are hemmed in with marvellous and excellent mountains of all kinds of jewels as well as of gold effulgent as fire. The trees there are thronged with birds and are ever full of flowers and fruits, possess an ethereal fragrance, taste and touch and yield all one’s desires. Other excellent trees yield costumes of every shape and size and even so ornaments set with pearls and cat’s-eye jewels—costumes and ornaments which are fit for women and, even so, for men. (40—45)

Meaning

“Other excellent trees bear fruit which can be gladly partaken of in all seasons; while still other excellent trees bring forth wonderful fruits looking like precious gems. (46)

Meaning

“Other trees in this land yield beds provided with variegated coverlets and garlands which are pleasing to the mind, costly drinks and viands of various kinds as well as women possessed of every accomplishment and distinguished for their comeliness and youth. (47-48)

Meaning

“Gandharvas (celestial musicians), Kinnaras (another class of demigods credited with a human figure and the head of a horse or with a horse’s body and the head of a man), Siddhas, Nāgas (serpent-demons with a human face and serpent-like body) and Vidyādharas (celestial artists) of dazzling splendour revel with their women. (49)

Meaning

“All beings living there have performed meritorious deeds in their past lives, all are given over to amorous enjoyment, all are endowed with wealth and luxuries and all live with young women. (50)

Meaning

“The sound of singing and musical instruments, blended with peals of sweet laughter and pleasing to the mind of all created beings is constantly heard there. (51)

Meaning

“None is unhappy there nor is anyone fond of evil deeds. Virtues which are delightful to the mind develop there from day to day. (52)

Meaning

“Beyond the aforesaid region (viz., the land of the Uttara Kurus) stretches the Northern Sea. There in the middle rises a huge mountain of gold, Somagiri by name. (53)

Meaning

“Those who have ascended to heaven as well as the gods who dwell in Indra’s heaven and those who reside in the realm of Brahmā (the creator) vividly perceive that lordly mountain. (54)

Meaning

“Though without the sun, that region remains actually lighted by the brilliance of the mountain as though by the scorching sun, and should be recognized as blessed with the brilliance of the sun. (55)

Meaning

“There dwells Lord Viṣṇu (the Soul of the universe), as well as Lord Śiva (the Source of all blessings), manifested in the form of the eleven Rudras, and, even so, Brahmā (the creator), the sovereign of gods, surrounded by Brāhmaṇa sages (Mārīca and others, his mind-born sons). (56)

Meaning

“You should on no account venture to the north of the Uttara Kurus. No way lies beyond for other created beings either. (57)

Meaning

“The aforesaid Mount Somagiri, they say, is really speaking difficult of access even for gods. Having sighted it, you ought speedily to return from that place from where you catch sight of it. (58)

Meaning

“Thus far only it is possible for monkeys to proceed, O jewels among the monkeys ! We have no knowledge whatsoever of the region beyond it, which is devoid of the sun and without limit. (59)

Meaning

“All this area, described by me, should be scoured by you. And a resolve should be made by you even for exploring what other places have not been mentioned. (60)

Meaning

“Through the endeavour that will be made by you in the course of your search, leading eventually to a sight of Sītā (daughter of King Videha), something which is highly pleasing to Śrī Rāma (son of Emperor Daśaratha) will have been done by you; nay, through the same act what is even much more pleasing to me will have been accomplished, O monkeys vying with the god of fire and the wind-god ! (61)

Meaning

“Propitiated by me as a sequel to your invaluable services through presents endowed with all excellences and delightful to the mind; nay, rid of all enmity, accomplished of purpose, and capable of sustaining other created beings, you will range the earth with your friends and relatives as well as with your beloved mates, O monkeys !” (62)