Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 6

Meaning

Sugrīva once more lovingly submitted as follows to Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu), the delight of the Raghus : “This Hanumān, a veritable jewel among my counsellors and your servant, has revealed to me the purpose for which you have sought this lonely forest, O Rāma ! He has told me how while you were living in the forest with your brother, Lakṣmaṇa, your consort, Sītā (a princess of Mithilā), daughter of Janaka, was carried off, wailing at a time when she was disunited from you as well as from the talented Lakṣmaṇa, after killing the vulture, Jaṭāyu, by that ogre Rāvaṇa, who had (all along) been seeking an opportune moment (to lay his violent hands on her), and how you have been subjected by that ogre to the agony of separation from your spouse. (1—4)

Meaning

“You will cast away before long the agony of separation from your consort; for I will bring her back even as the Lord (in His descent as the Divine Fish) recovered the Veda (the Divine Revelation) that had vanished out of sight. (5)

Meaning

“Recovering your consort, O tamer of foes, no matter whether she exists in the bowels of the earth or is living in the vaults of heaven, I shall deliver her to you. (6)

Meaning

“Know this statement of mine to be true, O mighty-armed scion of Raghu, that the aforesaid consort of yours cannot be absorbed (with impunity) even by gods and demons including Indra, any more than food cooked with poison. Cast away grief, O mighty-armed prince, I shall surely bring back that darling of yours. (7-8)•

Meaning

“By surmise on my part I conclude that the aforesaid princess of Mithilā was seen by me while being carried off by Rāvaṇa (the ogre) of terrible deeds, crying in a husky voice “Rāma, Rāma !” and “Lakṣmaṇa !” and wriggling like a female serpent in the arms of Rāvaṇa—there is no doubt about it. (9-10)

Meaning

“Seeing me standing at the foot of Mount Malaya (in the company of four others) with myself as the fifth, a wrapper was actually dropped by her as also shining jewels. (11)

Meaning

“They were collected by us and have been preserved, O scion of Raghu ! I shall presently bring them; you ought to (be able to) recognize them (as belonging to Sītā).” (12)

Meaning

Śrī Rāma thereupon said to the celebrated Sugrīva, who had spoken agreeable words to him, “Bring them soon, my friend; wherefore do you tarry !” (13)

Meaning

Urged in these words, Sugrīva for his part then quickly penetrated deep into a cavern in the mountain, which was difficult of access, with intent to sooth Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu). (14)

Meaning

Taking hold of the wrapper as well as of the aforesaid jewels, the said monkey, Sugrīva, for his part showed them to Śrī Rāma, saying : “Look here !” (15)

Meaning

Then holding the raiment as well as the sparkling jewels, Śrī Rāma for his part was fully covered up with tears even as the moon is with fog. (16)

Meaning

Stained with tears that gushed forth due to his affection for Sītā, and losing his presence of mind, Śrī Rāma for his part toppled down to the ground crying “Ah my darling !” (17)

Meaning

Pressing that excellent jewel to his bosom repeatedly, he violently hissed like a serpent provoked in its hole. (18)

Meaning

Perceiving Lakṣmaṇa (son of Sumitrā) by his side, Śrī Rāma for his part duly began to wail piteously as follows, the stream of his tears remaining unbroken : (19)

Meaning

“Behold, O Lakṣmaṇa, this wrapper as well as the jewels consciously dropped on the ground from her person by Sītā (a princess of the Videha territory) while being borne away by the ogre. (20)

Meaning

“Surely this jewel was dropped on a grassy ground by Sītā while being borne away as is evident from the fact that it looks just the same in appearance.” (21)

Meaning

Spoken to as aforesaid by Śrī Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa for his part replied as follows : “Neither do I recognize the armlets nor do I know the earrings, I only recognize the anklets due to my bowing at her feet everyday.” Thereupon Śrī Rāma (a scion of Raghu) for his part spoke as follows to Sugrīva : (22-23)

Meaning

“Pray, point out, O Sugrīva, to which land Sītā (who is dearer to me than my life) was borne away by the ogre of terrible aspect as she was perceived by you while being carried off. (24)

Meaning

“Also, let me know where dwells that ogre, who has inflicted enormous suffering on me and on whose account I shall exterminate all the ogres, and by whom the portals of Death have undoubtedly been opened for the termination of his own life, carrying off (as he did) Sītā (the princess of Mithilā) and provoking me. (25-26)

Meaning

“Point out to me, O lord of monkeys, the ranger of the night, my enemy, by whom my most beloved spouse was borne away from the forest after being put off the scent. I shall surely despatch him to the presence of Death today.” (27)