Kishkindha Kanda, Sarga 12

एतच्च वचनं श्रुत्वा सुग्रीवेण सुभाषितम्। प्रत्ययार्थं महातेजा रामो जग्राह कार्मुकम्4.12.1।।

etacca vacanaṃ śrutvā sugrīveṇa subhāṣitam| pratyayārthaṃ mahātejā rāmo jagrāha kārmukam4.12.1||

Having heard Sugriva's pleasing words, the brilliant Rama took up the bow in order to inspire confidence in Sugriva.

स गृहीत्वा धनुर्घोरं शरमेकं च मानदः। सालमुद्दिश्य चिक्षेप ज्यास्वनैः पूरयन्दिशः। 4.12.2।।

sa gṛhītvā dhanurghoraṃ śaramekaṃ ca mānadaḥ| sālamuddiśya cikṣepa jyāsvanaiḥ pūrayandiśaḥ| 4.12.2||

Rama, subduer of the enemy's pride, strung his terrific bow, produced the twang that filled all directions, and discharged a single arrow aimed at the sala tree.

स विसृष्टो बलवता बाणस्स्वर्णपरिष्कृतः। भित्त्वा सालान् गिरिप्रस्थं सप्त भूमिं विवेश ह4.12.3।।

sa visṛṣṭo balavatā bāṇassvarṇapariṣkṛtaḥ| bhittvā sālān giriprasthaṃ sapta bhūmiṃ viveśa ha4.12.3||

Released with great force, Rama's arrow embellished with gold pierced through the seven sala trees and splitting the mountain terrain entered the earth.

प्रविष्टश्च मुहूर्तेन धरां भित्त्वा महाजवः। निष्पत्य च पुनस्तूर्णं स्वतूणीं प्रविवेश ह4.12.4।।

praviṣṭaśca muhūrtena dharāṃ bhittvā mahājavaḥ| niṣpatya ca punastūrṇaṃ svatūṇīṃ praviveśa ha4.12.4||

In a moment the arrow emerged from the earth which it pierced and reentered the quiver with great speed.

तान्दृष्ट्वा सप्त निर्भिन्नान्सालान्वानरपुङ्गवः। रामस्य शरवेगेन विस्मयं परमं गतः4.12.5।।

tāndṛṣṭvā sapta nirbhinnānsālānvānarapuṅgavaḥ| rāmasya śaravegena vismayaṃ paramaṃ gataḥ4.12.5||

The chief of the monkeys was struck with wonder seeing Rama's arrow piercing through the seven sala trees so swiftly.

स मूर्ध्ना न्यपतदभ्मौ प्रलम्बीकृतभूषणः। सुग्रीवः परमप्रीतो राघवाय कृताञ्जलिः4.12.6।।

sa mūrdhnā nyapatadabhmau pralambīkṛtabhūṣaṇaḥ| sugrīvaḥ paramaprīto rāghavāya kṛtāñjaliḥ4.12.6||

Sugriva was immensely happy and offered obeisance to Rama with folded hands and bowed down and prostrated while his ornaments touched the ground.

इदं चोवाच धर्मज्ञं कर्मणा तेन हर्षितः। रामं सर्वास्त्रविदुषां श्रेष्ठं शूरमवस्थितम्4.12.7।।

idaṃ covāca dharmajñaṃ karmaṇā tena harṣitaḥ| rāmaṃ sarvāstraviduṣāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ śūramavasthitam4.12.7||

Sugriva who stood by, elated to watch the deed of Rama, best among the valiant, proficient in the use of arms of all kinds and knower of dharma, said:

सेन्द्रानपि सुरान्सर्वांस्त्वं बाणैः पुरुषर्षभ। समर्थस्समरे हन्तुं किं पुन र्वालिनं प्रभो 4.12.8।।

sendrānapi surānsarvāṃstvaṃ bāṇaiḥ puruṣarṣabha| samarthassamare hantuṃ kiṃ puna rvālinaṃ prabho 4.12.8||

'O bull among men, O lord, you are capable of killing with your arrows even the gods including Indra in the battle, what to speak of Vali.

येन सप्तमहासाला गिरिर्भूमिश्च दारिताः। बाणेनैकेन काकुत्स्थ स्थाता ते को रणाग्रतः4.12.9।।

yena saptamahāsālā girirbhūmiśca dāritāḥ| bāṇenaikena kākutstha sthātā te ko raṇāgrataḥ4.12.9||

'O Rama who can in a battle confront you, capable of splitting seven huge sala trees, the mountain and the earth with a single arrow?

अद्य मे विगतश्शोकः प्रीतिरद्य परा मम। सुहृदं त्वां समासाद्य महेन्द्रवरुणोपमम्4.12.10।।

adya me vigataśśokaḥ prītiradya parā mama| suhṛdaṃ tvāṃ samāsādya mahendravaruṇopamam4.12.10||

'Having found a friend in you comparable to Indra and Varuna, my grief is gone and I am so happy now.

तमद्यैव प्रियार्थं मे वैरिणं भ्रातृरूपिणम्। वालिनं जहि काकुत्स्थ मया बद्धोऽयमञ्जलिः4.12.11।।

tamadyaiva priyārthaṃ me vairiṇaṃ bhrātṛrūpiṇam| vālinaṃ jahi kākutstha mayā baddho'yamañjaliḥ4.12.11||

'O Rama, for my pleasure kill Vali who is, to me, an enemy in the guise of a brother. I fold my hands to you.

ततो रामः परिष्वज्य सुग्रीवं प्रियदर्शनम्। प्रत्युवाच महाप्राज्ञो लक्ष्मणानुगतं वचः4.12.12।।

tato rāmaḥ pariṣvajya sugrīvaṃ priyadarśanam| pratyuvāca mahāprājño lakṣmaṇānugataṃ vacaḥ4.12.12||

Then wise Rama embraced handsome Sugriva and replied in these words which were agreeable to Lakshmana:

अस्माद्गच्छेम किष्किन्धां क्षिप्रं गच्छ त्वमग्रतः। गत्वा चाह्वय सुग्रीव वालिनं भ्रातृगन्धिनम्4.12.13।।

asmādgacchema kiṣkindhāṃ kṣipraṃ gaccha tvamagrataḥ| gatvā cāhvaya sugrīva vālinaṃ bhrātṛgandhinam4.12.13||

'O Sugriva, get ready at once. We will promptly proceed to Kishkinda from here. Go ahead and challenge Vali, your brother only in name, to a combat.'

सर्वे ते त्वरितं गत्वा किष्किन्धां वालिनः पुरीम्। वृक्षैरात्मानमावृत्य व्यतिष्ठन्गहने वने4.12.14।।

sarve te tvaritaṃ gatvā kiṣkindhāṃ vālinaḥ purīm| vṛkṣairātmānamāvṛtya vyatiṣṭhangahane vane4.12.14||

Thay all rushed to Kishkinda, the capital of Vali and waited in the thick forest behind the trees.

सुग्रीवो व्यनदद्घोरं वालिनोऽऽह्वानकारणात्। गाढं परिहितो वेगान्नादैर्भिन्दन्निवाम्बरम्4.12.15।।

sugrīvo vyanadadghoraṃ vālino''hvānakāraṇāt| gāḍhaṃ parihito vegānnādairbhindannivāmbaram4.12.15||

Sugriva tightened up his waist cloth hurriedly and roared terrifically as though piercing the sky. And screamed for Vali.

तं श्रुत्वा निनदं भ्रातुः क्रुद्धो वाली महाबलः। निश्चक्राम सुसंरब्धो भास्करोऽस्ततटादिव4.12.16।।

taṃ śrutvā ninadaṃ bhrātuḥ kruddho vālī mahābalaḥ| niścakrāma susaṃrabdho bhāskaro'stataṭādiva4.12.16||

On hearing his brother roaring, powerful Vali was enraged and rushed like the Sun from behind the western shore of the ocean (this simile suggests the downfall of Vali).

ततस्सुतुमुलं युद्धं वालिसुग्रीवयोरभूत्। गगने ग्रहयोर्घोरं बुधाङ्गारकयोरिव4.12.17।।

tatassutumulaṃ yuddhaṃ vālisugrīvayorabhūt| gagane grahayorghoraṃ budhāṅgārakayoriva4.12.17||

Then a tumultuous combat took place between Vali and Sugriva who looked like the planets Mercury and Mars.

तलैरशनिकल्पैश्च वज्रकल्पैश्च मुष्टिभिः। जघ्नतुस्समरेऽन्योन्यं भ्रातरौ क्रोधमूर्छितौ4.12.18।।

talairaśanikalpaiśca vajrakalpaiśca muṣṭibhiḥ| jaghnatussamare'nyonyaṃ bhrātarau krodhamūrchitau4.12.18||

The brothers, insensate with fury, struck each other like thunder with their palms, soles and fists in the combat.

ततो रामो धनुष्पाणिस्तावुभौ समुदीक्ष्यतु। अन्योन्यसदृशौ वीरावुभौ देवाविवाश्विनौ4.12.19।।

tato rāmo dhanuṣpāṇistāvubhau samudīkṣyatu| anyonyasadṛśau vīrāvubhau devāvivāśvinau4.12.19||

Bow in hand, Rama watched both the heroes who resembled the twin Aswini Kumaras.

यन्नावगच्छत्सुग्रीवं वालिनं वापि राघवः। ततो न कृतवान्बुद्धिं मोक्तुमन्तकरं शरम्4.12.20।।

yannāvagacchatsugrīvaṃ vālinaṃ vāpi rāghavaḥ| tato na kṛtavānbuddhiṃ moktumantakaraṃ śaram4.12.20||

Since Rama was not able to distinguish between Vali and Sugriva, he could not decide whether he should discharge his deadly arrow .

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे भग्नस्सुग्रीवस्तेन वालिना। अपश्यन्राघवं नाथमृश्यमूकं प्रदुद्रुवे4.12.21।।

etasminnantare bhagnassugrīvastena vālinā| apaśyanrāghavaṃ nāthamṛśyamūkaṃ pradudruve4.12.21||

Discomfited by Vali, and not seeing Rama around, Sugriva ran towards Rishyamuka mountain.

क्लान्तो रुधिरसिक्ताङ्गः प्रहारैर्जर्झरीकृतः। वालिनाऽभिद्रुतः क्रोधात्प्रविवेश महावनम्4.12.22।।

klānto rudhirasiktāṅgaḥ prahārairjarjharīkṛtaḥ| vālinā'bhidrutaḥ krodhātpraviveśa mahāvanam4.12.22||

Exhausted, disfigured and body mauled and drenched in blood all over, Sugriva, chased by the infuriated Vali, entered the region of great sage Matanga.

तं प्रविष्टं वनं दृष्ट्वा वाली शापभयार्दितः। मुक्तो ह्यसि त्वमित्युक्त्वा स निवृत्तो महाद्युतिः4.12.23।।

taṃ praviṣṭaṃ vanaṃ dṛṣṭvā vālī śāpabhayārditaḥ| mukto hyasi tvamityuktvā sa nivṛtto mahādyutiḥ4.12.23||

Effulgent Vali saw Sugriva entering the (prohibited) grove and turned back due to the fear of the curse (of sage Matanga) saying, 'You have escaped'.

राघवोऽसि सह भ्रात्रा सह चैव हनूमता। तदेव वनमागच्छत्सुग्रीवो यत्र वानरः4.12.24।।

rāghavo'si saha bhrātrā saha caiva hanūmatā| tadeva vanamāgacchatsugrīvo yatra vānaraḥ4.12.24||

Rama together with Lakshmana and Hanuman also arrived at the same gave where Sugriva was.

तं समीक्ष्यागतं रामं सुग्रीवस्सहलक्ष्मणम्। ह्रीमान्दीनमुवाचेदं वसुधामवलोकयन्4.12.25।।

taṃ samīkṣyāgataṃ rāmaṃ sugrīvassahalakṣmaṇam| hrīmāndīnamuvācedaṃ vasudhāmavalokayan4.12.25||

At the sight of Rama accompanied by Lakshmana, Sugriva felt ashmed and aggrieved, and looking down on the ground, said:

आह्वयस्वेति मामुक्त्वा दर्शयित्वा च विक्रमम्। वैरिणा घातयित्वा च किमिदानीं त्वया कृतम्4.12.26।।

āhvayasveti māmuktvā darśayitvā ca vikramam| vairiṇā ghātayitvā ca kimidānīṃ tvayā kṛtam4.12.26||

'You demonstrated your prowess and directed me to challenge Vali and then why did you make the enemy hit me thus?

तामेन वेलां वक्तव्यं त्वया राघव तत्त्वतः। वालिनं न निहन्मीति ततो नाहमितो व्रजे4.12.27।।

tāmena velāṃ vaktavyaṃ tvayā rāghava tattvataḥ| vālinaṃ na nihanmīti tato nāhamito vraje4.12.27||

'Had you, in fact, told me that you were not going to kill Vali, I would not have budged from this place.'

तस्य चैवं ब्रुवाणस्य सुग्रीवस्य महात्मनः। करुणं दीनया वाचा राघवः पुनरब्रवीत्4.12.28।।

tasya caivaṃ bruvāṇasya sugrīvasya mahātmanaḥ| karuṇaṃ dīnayā vācā rāghavaḥ punarabravīt4.12.28||

On hearing the great Sugriva's miserable and moving words, Rama again said:

सुग्रीव श्रूयातां तात क्रोधश्च व्यपनीयताम्। कारणं येन बाणोऽयं न मया स विसर्जितः4.12.29।।

sugrīva śrūyātāṃ tāta krodhaśca vyapanīyatām| kāraṇaṃ yena bāṇo'yaṃ na mayā sa visarjitaḥ4.12.29||

'O dear Sugriva dispel your anger and listen to me why I had not released the arrow.

अलङ्कारेण वेषेण प्रमाणेन गतेन च। त्वं च सुग्रीव वाली च सदृशौ स्थः परस्परम्4.12.30।।

alaṅkāreṇa veṣeṇa pramāṇena gatena ca| tvaṃ ca sugrīva vālī ca sadṛśau sthaḥ parasparam4.12.30||

'O Sugriva in form, ornaments and movements there is perfect resemblance between you and Vali.

स्वरेण वर्चसा चैव प्रेक्षितेन च वानर। विक्रमेण च वाक्यैश्च व्यक्तिं वां नोपलक्षये4.12.31।।

svareṇa varcasā caiva prekṣitena ca vānara| vikrameṇa ca vākyaiśca vyaktiṃ vāṃ nopalakṣaye4.12.31||

'O monkey in your voice, in brightness, in looks, in valour or in words I have marked no difference between you.

ततोऽहं रूपसादृश्यान्मोहितो वानरोत्तम। नोत्सृजामि महावेगं शरं शत्रुनिबर्हणम्4.12.32।।

tato'haṃ rūpasādṛśyānmohito vānarottama| notsṛjāmi mahāvegaṃ śaraṃ śatrunibarhaṇam4.12.32||

'O distinguished monkey you both are so similar in form that I was puzzled and did not release my swift arrow that could have destroyed the enemy.

जीवितान्तकरं घोरं सादृश्यात्तु विशङ्कितः। मूलघातो न नौ स्याद्धि द्वयोरपि कृतो मया4.12.33।।

jīvitāntakaraṃ ghoraṃ sādṛśyāttu viśaṅkitaḥ| mūlaghāto na nau syāddhi dvayorapi kṛto mayā4.12.33||

'I was doubtful because of your similar appearance. I thought that I should not strike at the very root of the interests of both of us. Therefore, I did not release the terrific and deadly arrow.

त्वयि वीरे विपन्ने हि अज्ञानाल्लाघवान्मया। मौढ्यं च मम बाल्यं च ख्यापितं स्यात्कपीश्वर4.12.34।।

tvayi vīre vipanne hi ajñānāllāghavānmayā| mauḍhyaṃ ca mama bālyaṃ ca khyāpitaṃ syātkapīśvara4.12.34||

'O lord of monkeys I would have betrayed my foolishness and childishness had I exposed you to danger by my ignorance and thoughtlessness.

दत्ताभयवधो नाम पातकं महदुच्यते। अहं च लक्ष्मणश्चैव सीता च वरवर्णिनी4.12.35।। त्वदधीना वयं सर्वे वनेऽस्मिन् शरणं भवान्।

dattābhayavadho nāma pātakaṃ mahaducyate| ahaṃ ca lakṣmaṇaścaiva sītā ca varavarṇinī4.12.35|| tvadadhīnā vayaṃ sarve vane'smin śaraṇaṃ bhavān|

'It is said that killing a person to whom protection is promised is highly sinful. Lakshmana, darling Sita and me, are under your care and you are our refuge.

तस्माद्युध्यस्व भूयस्त्वं मा मा शङ्केश्च वानर4.12.36।। एतन्मुहूर्ते सुग्रीव पश्य वालिनमाहवे। निरस्तमिषुणैकेन वेष्टमानं महीतले4.12.37।।

tasmādyudhyasva bhūyastvaṃ mā mā śaṅkeśca vānara4.12.36|| etanmuhūrte sugrīva paśya vālinamāhave| nirastamiṣuṇaikena veṣṭamānaṃ mahītale4.12.37||

'Therefore, O monkey, go and engage yourself in fight again. Do not suspect me. With this single arrow of mine, in one moment you will see Vali thrown down and rolling on the ground in this combat.

तस्माद्युध्यस्व भूयस्त्वं मा मा शङ्केश्च वानर4.12.36।। एतन्मुहूर्ते सुग्रीव पश्य वालिनमाहवे। निरस्तमिषुणैकेन वेष्टमानं महीतले4.12.37।।

tasmādyudhyasva bhūyastvaṃ mā mā śaṅkeśca vānara4.12.36|| etanmuhūrte sugrīva paśya vālinamāhave| nirastamiṣuṇaikena veṣṭamānaṃ mahītale4.12.37||

'Therefore, O monkey, go and engage yourself in fight again. Do not suspect me. With this single arrow of mine, in one moment you will see Vali thrown down and rolling on the ground in this combat.

अभिज्ञानं कुरुष्व त्वमात्मनो वानरेश्वर। येन त्वामभिजानीयां द्वन्द्वयुद्धमुपागतम्4.12.38।।

abhijñānaṃ kuruṣva tvamātmano vānareśvara| yena tvāmabhijānīyāṃ dvandvayuddhamupāgatam4.12.38||

'O lord of monkeys while you both are engaged in a duel wear some identification mark by which I can recognise you.

गजपुष्पीमिमां फुल्लामुत्पाट्य शुभलक्षणाम्। कुरु लक्ष्मण कण्ठेऽस्य सुग्रीवस्य महात्मनः।।4.12.39।।

gajapuṣpīmimāṃ phullāmutpāṭya śubhalakṣaṇām| kuru lakṣmaṇa kaṇṭhe'sya sugrīvasya mahātmanaḥ

'O Lakshmana this Gajapushpi in bloom is auspicious. Pluck and fasten it on great Sugriva's neck.'

ततो गिरितटे जातामुत्पाट्य कुसुमाकुलाम्। लक्ष्मणो गजपुष्पीं तां तस्य कण्ठे व्यसर्जयत्4.12.40।।

tato giritaṭe jātāmutpāṭya kusumākulām| lakṣmaṇo gajapuṣpīṃ tāṃ tasya kaṇṭhe vyasarjayat4.12.40||

Then Lakshmana went to the mountain slope, plucked the (creeper with) gajapuspi blossoms and fastened it on the neck of Sugriva.

स तया शुशुभे श्रीमान् लतया कण्ठसक्तया। मालयेव बलाकानां ससन्ध्य इव तोयदः4.12.41।।

sa tayā śuśubhe śrīmān latayā kaṇṭhasaktayā| mālayeva balākānāṃ sasandhya iva toyadaḥ4.12.41||

With the creeper round the neck, Sugriva looked like the raincloud at twilight, adorned by a row of cranes like a garland.

विभ्राजमानो वपुषा रामवाक्यसमाहितः। जगाम सह रामेण किष्किन्थां वालिपालिताम्4.12.42।।

vibhrājamāno vapuṣā rāmavākyasamāhitaḥ| jagāma saha rāmeṇa kiṣkinthāṃ vālipālitām4.12.42||

Radiant Sugriva intent on carrying out Rama's words again went to Kishkinda ruled by Vali. इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये किष्किन्धाकाण्डे द्वादशस्सर्गः।। Thus ends the twelfth sarga of Kishkindakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.