Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 64

Meaning

Leaping at full height in a body when enlightened by the king of vultures on the whereabouts of Sītā, the monkeys, who were all endowed with the prowess of a lion, thundered with joy. (1)

Meaning

Rejoiced to hear the words of Sampāti, the monkeys sought the ocean, constituting a passage to the abode of Rāvaṇa, keen as they were to discover Sītā. (2)

Meaning

Approaching the aforesaid region (viz., the seashore), the monkeys, who were possessed of terrific prowess, beheld the ocean, in which there stood a full image of the vast steller region. (3)

Meaning

Duly reaching the northern end of the South Sea (the Indian Ocean), the monkey heroes, who were possessed of extraordinary might, halted there. (4)

Meaning

Those elephants among the monkeys felt despondent on seeing the ocean, which lay fast asleep as it were at one place, was sporting as it were at another and was covered at a third place with volumes of water as high as mountains, nay, which was thickly inhabited by the rulers of demons living in the depths of Pātāla (the seventh or nethermost subterranean region) and made one’s hair stand on end. (5-6)

Meaning

The monkeys felt dejected on perceiving the ocean, which was difficult to cross like the sky, and all exclaimed with one voice : “How will our purpose be achieved?” (7)

Meaning

Seeing the whole band of his followers despondent at the sight of the ocean, Aṅgada, the foremost of the monkeys, consoled as follows the monkeys, stricken as they were with fear : (8)

Meaning

“Your mind should not be allowed to be swayed by despondency; for despondency is very harmful. The latter destroys a man as an angry serpent would kill an infant. (9)

Meaning

“The endeavour of a man, lacking in spirit, who falls a prey to despondency when an occasion for valour duly presents itself, does not bear fruit.” (10)

Meaning

Meeting the older among the monkeys when that night had passed, Aṅgada took counsel with them once more. (11)

Meaning

Surrounding Aṅgada on all sides, that monkey force shone like an army of gods standing round Indra. (12)

Meaning

Barring Aṅgada (the son of Vālī) and barring Hanūmān, who else would be able to hold that army of monkeys in check? (13)

Meaning

Showing respect to those elderly monkeys as also to that army of monkeys, the glorious Aṅgada, the tamer of his foes, presently addressed to them the following significant words : (14)

Meaning

“What monkey of extraordinary energy will take a leap across the sea at this juncture? Who will enable Sugrīva, the subduer of his foes, to prove himself to be true to his promise of wresting Sītā from the clutches of Rāvaṇa? (15)

Meaning

“What heroic monkey can leap to a distance of a hundred Yojanas (or eight hundred miles)? Again, who will deliver all these leaders of monkey hordes from the great fear viz., that of incurring the wrath of Sugrīva? (16)

Meaning

“By whose good-will shall we be able to see, when returned accomplished of purpose and happy from this place, our wife as well as our sons and home? (17)

Meaning

“By whose grace shall we be able to meet Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, who are possessed of extraordinary might, and the monkey Sugrīva, and feel transported with joy? (18)

Meaning

“If any monkey among you is capable of leaping across the sea, let him quickly vouchsafe to us on this spot a holy boon in the shape of a vow to that effect, thereby ridding us of fear.” (19)

Meaning

Hearing the question of Aṅgada nobody said anything. The entire Vānara force stood motionless, as it were. (20)

Meaning

Once more did Aṅgada, the foremost of monkeys speak as follows to the aforesaid monkeys : “You are all pre-eminent among the mighty and endowed with unbending prowess. Born in a family free from all stigma, you have also been honoured time and again for your valour by the royal court. (21)

Meaning

“No obstruction is ever possible in the movement of any of you. Therefore, speak out, O leaders of monkeys, who can leap how far?” (22)