Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 2

Meaning

To the said Śrī Rāma, sprung from the loins of Daśaratha, who was sore stricken with grief, the glorious Sugrīva for his part made the following reply, which was calculated to drive away his grief: (1)

Meaning

“Why do you give way to sorrow, O hero, even as another common man would? Do not be sorrowful like this; shake of agony even as an ungrateful fellow would cast all goodwill to the winds. (2)

Meaning

“Moreover, I do not actually find any occasion for your agony, O scion of Raghu, intelligence about Sītā having been received and the enemy’s abode discovered. (3)

Meaning

“You are endowed with prudence, well-versed in the sacred lore, exceedingly wise and learned, O scion of Raghu! As such like one who has disciplined one’s mind, give up this commonplace mentality, which is calculated to mar your very purpose. (4)

Meaning

“Crossing the sea, infested with mighty crocodiles, we shall climb up the fortress of Laṅkā and make short work of your enemy, Rāvaṇa. (5)

Meaning

“All the affairs of a man who is lacking in spirit and miserable, and whose mind is puzzled through grief, come to nought and he meets with disaster. (6)

Meaning

“These leaders of monkey troops are gallant and powerful in everyway; they are ready even to enter fire in order to oblige you. I conclude this from their joy on the proposal of an expedition against Laṅkā being made to them, and my reason in favour of this conclusion is also strong. (7)

Meaning

“You ought to manipulate things in such a way that I may after disposing of the enemy, Rāvaṇa of sinful deeds, be able to recover Sītā. (8)

Meaning

“Take steps, O scion of Raghu, to see that a bridge is constructed across the intervening sea and we behold that city of the aforesaid king of ogres. (9)

Meaning

“Know Rāvaṇa as killed as soon as he is seen in combat and immediately on our beholding that city of Laṅkā standing on a peak of the Trikūṭa mountain. (10)

Meaning

“Nay, without throwing a bridge over the sea, the formidable abode of Varuṇa (the god of water), Laṅkā cannot be overcome even by gods and demons, including Indra. (11)

Meaning

“Nay, know that the whole of my army will be borne across the sea and come out victorious the moment a bridge is built upto the vicinity of Laṅkā; for, the monkeys, who are capable of assuming any form at will, are all heroic in battle. (12)

Meaning

“Therefore, have done with a timid mind, which defeats all purpose; for, grief in this world takes away the valour of a man, O king! (13)

Meaning

“Heroism alone, which is worth resorting to, ought to be taken recourse to by a man. It is capable of bringing success without doubt to a doer quickly. (14)

Meaning

“Have recourse to courage, O highly sagacious prince, at this moment, endowed that you already are with valour. Grief for something lost or utterly destroyed defeats all the purposes even of heroic and high-souled personages like you. (15)

Meaning

“Hence you are perfectly able to conquer your enemy in conjunction with your friends like me, foremost that you are among those endowed with wisdom and well-versed in the teachings of all sacred books. (16)

Meaning

“I do not actually see anyone in all the three worlds (the earth, heaven and the intermediate region), who can stand face to face with you on a field of battle when you have seized a bow, O scion of Raghu! (17)

Meaning

“Duly entrusted to the monkeys, your task will not suffer. Crossing the sea, which knows no destruction, you shall behold Sītā before long. (18)

Meaning

“Therefore, give way no more to grief and have recourse to anger, O Lord of the earth! Spiritless Kṣatriyas (members of the warrior class) are inactive, while all fear the wrathful. (19)

Meaning

“Nay, accompanied by us, consider here with us the means of crossing the dread sea, the lord of rivers, sharp-witted that you are. (20)

Meaning

“Once the sea has been crossed by my forces, conclude, our victory is certain. Nay, arrived beyond the sea, my entire army should be taken as victorious. (21)

Meaning

“These monkeys, heroic that they are in combat and capable of assuming any form at will, will surely blow away the aforesaid enemies by their volleys of rocks and trees. (22)

Meaning

“If I actually find the sea (the abode of Varuṇa) crossed by any means whatsoever, I count Rāvaṇa as definitely killed in battle, O exterminator of foes! (23)

Meaning

“What will be gained by speaking extensively on this topic? Nay, you will turnout victorious in everyway. For, I perceive good omens and my mind is excessively delighted.” (24)